Author: Thinking Horndog
Title: The Academy
Part: 37 of 88
Universe: The Swarm Cycle
Summary: The Governor of the colony of Nuevo Angelino recognizes that the ad-
hoc educational system in use in his colony isn't producing sponsors -- so he
sends a team to Earth to collect some professional educators with a
Confederacy perspective.  This results in a new and unusual kind of pickup...

Keywords: MF MFF FF M+F mf mF exhib humil inc ir group oral anal toys Mdom
Fdom

The Academy

Chapter 37

Jack:

	Sunday morning -- early -- and I was up and around, yawning.  Beth
teased coffee out of the replicator; the kids were still in bed.  Keisha got
up with me, too; Frieda, being in the other room, was asleep with Tara when I
started banging around.  The morning would be taken up with two very
different briefings -- one for sponsors, and one for concubines -- then at
noon, all Hell would likely break loose...

	<Collars have arrived,> the AI reported.

	'Thanks,' I replied.  "Beth, there is some stuff in the
replicators..."

	Beth fished them out and grimaced.  "I thought we were past this..."

	"You're not," I told her.  "The collars have communicators in them --
and tracking devices, among other things.  They also act as ID, granting you
access to various places, and they will provide verbal directions here and
there, like a GPS."  I turned to Keisha.  "Get Frieda and Tara up.  The
uniform of the day is skin -- and these.  And it's likely to be the same for
the forseeable future."

	"And the kids?" Keisha asked.

	"Kids go clothed.  Abe might get a Dick Tracy wristwatch," I replied.
I eyed Beth, who had thrown on a chemise; after a moment, she got the hint.
"You won't be the only ones, and you won't be the most embarrassed -- by noon
every concubine will be nude," I assured them.  "Get the other two."

	After a couple of minutes, my other two women came padding in.  "New
collars," I announced, reading nameplates and handing them out.

	"What -- no spikes?" Frieda objected.

	"I'll have to discuss the modification with the AI," I chuckled.
"Again, for everyone's benefit, by noon, every concubine will be dressed as
you are -- or will be, once you get those on.  The collars have comm links
and act as GPSes and help us track you so you don't get lost.  They also act
as access cards, granting you access to places you are authorized to visit.
They are NOT interchangeable -- yours knows you and will not work for anyone
else -- in fact, it will get nasty with you if you try to use someone else's.
Wear it all the time -- if you're not in bed or a shower or whatever, it
should be on you.  It's waterproof, so if you're in a public pool or
whatever, it stays on.  We'll be doing some simple sorting out of people
today -- anyone with clothes is a sponsor -- or a crewman, which comes down
to the same thing -- and everyone who is naked is a concubine.  The vast
majority of concubines will be unowned for the next few days.  It's bad
manners to fondle someone else's property without permission, but it could
happen -- tolerate it if you can, but report it; someone will be along to
thump the perp on the head.  Don't take any shit from male concubines -- no
means no and if they are slow learners they'll get an opportunity to study
breathing in vacuum.  Oh, the third group of people are kids.  Kids stay
dressed outside these rooms -- although they may go naked inside.  Shawna and
Elise are too young, but Abe will be issued a wristband with the same
properties the collars have."  I looked around.  "Questions?"

	"I REALLY liked the spikes..." Frieda muttered.

	"You're incorrigible," I grinned.  "AI, kick my standard breakfast
out of the replicator."  I turned back to my women.  "There will be a
briefing this morning -- the AI will alert you.  You know most, if not all,
of it -- but I want you to sit through it anyway.  You can take the kids to
the Mess to eat and mingle a little; I want you on your best behavior..." I
eyed Frieda, "and acting as an example for others.  The AI will call you to
go to Medical -- and will provide directions.  We're just looking at health
and welfare at this point.  Later, I'll have Frieda's horns and tail put
on..."  That got a giggle.

	Frieda stuck her tongue out.  "You won't give me a tail," she
insisted, "because you know I'd use it to play with myself..."

	I laughed.  "Duly noted!"

	The replicator dinged and Keisha went to get my scrambled eggs and
bacon and raisin toast and put it in front of me.  I covered her hand,
keeping her from retracting it.  "I lied again, didn't I?  I'm sorry -- this
is just... really big.  I might be able to do something tonight, and I might
not.  I know you have concerns; believe me, I'm not putting it off through
any reluctance."  I released her hand and cupped one of her fat titties.
"The workload right now is just a bear..."

	Keisha nodded.  "I just wish I could do somethin'..."

	"Come with me, then," I said.  "Tara and Beth can keep an eye on the
kids and Frieda..." I grinned at Frieda maliciously, and she pretended --
transparently -- to get huffy.

	"Like this?" Keisha gasped.

	"Like that.  You'll be my example.  You just stick that chest of
yours out and sway those hips and smile," I insisted.

	"Well..."

	"Too late -- it's an order," I declared, and went back to eating.  I
waved her around beside me and caressed her here and there and played with
her ass while she got used to the idea -- and had her get herself a quick
bite, since she wouldn't be going with the others.

	Fifteen minutes later, we were out and headed down the corridor -- or
maybe companionway -- whatever.  I called Oliver and got him and his family
moving while I walked, giving him the nickel briefing and finishing with,
"You may want to check in with your Brinkman colleagues.  Get the AI to lead
you.  Try to get in your visits to Medical this morning..."  The more he
interfaced with that group, the less I would have to babysit...  The AI
issued him a headset and his women collars while I was online with him; the
headset would handle his issues until he got his implants later that morning.
There was so much to do and so little time...

	The headset reminded me of Maureen, so I called her.  "I'm at
Medical," she related.  "I'm just going into the tube...  Tony is done; the
medics took his clothes.  Decurion Tillotson made arrangements for me this
morning."  One less worry...

	When I got to Colonist Operations, Major Howard was there -- with
Vera.  He put a collar on her and said, "Off you go -- the collar will lead
you to your master.  And thank you for your attentions..."

	"Yes, thank you," Mark echoed, apparently embarrassed.  I have to
admit, I had no idea what was up...  Vera actually dimpled, and waved at me
as she padded out of the room.

	"Do I ask?" I said diffidently.

	"Ah!  Something the omniscient Lieutenant Harper is not aware of!"
the Major replied genially.  "Oliver seemed to feel that Vera had short-
sheeted me in the oral sex department the other night -- and treated it as a
matter of honor.  He gave me her use last night -- and she was superlative,
wasn't she, Decurion?"

	"Yes, very nice..."  I don't think I'd ever seen Mark so embarrassed!

	"You...?"  I couldn't even picture it!

	"Yes.  She's... Well, she's a slut, actually -- and that's a
compliment!"  Mark suddenly found somewhere else to be.

	I was nonplussed!  The Major, fine -- that made sense.  But Mark?

	"I pressed a bit," the Major said quietly, "Told him he should really
make comparisons before dismissing something.  Vera is... seriously
accomplished.  Her oral skills are impressive and she's a fine fuck -- but
it's attitude, too...  Once she gets going..."

	"She seemed pretty happy..." I noted.  "She's been pretty diffident
since the big revelation Thursday evening.  Is she going to be okay?"

	"She'll be fine -- but the Doctor may have to adjust his lifestyle,"
the Major opined.  "One man doesn't do it for her.  She took Tillotson twice
-- and me three times...  Granted, one time apiece was oral, and I took her
anally -- but that just goes to show, doesn't it?"

	"She didn't appear to be ashamed or anything..."

	"No."  The Major shook his head.  "I think she's settled in with the
whole thing.  But I'm not certain that's the best thing for Oliver..."

	I sighed.  "Sometimes, you should be careful what you ask for.  I was
trying to help -- keep her from making a fatal mistake -- but I may have
created a monster."

	"Let's wait and see."

	Overnight, we had one attempted suicide, one attempted murder and two
assaults.  That probably wasn't bad, for a small town's worth of people --
but they needed to get used to the fact that they weren't going to be getting
away with anything stupid.  The attempted suicide was in Medical, being
treated for her self-inflicted injuries and depression -- and the other three
were in a holding cell, having recovered from having been stung.  The victim
of the attempted murder was up and about.  One of the assaults was apparently
a husband irritated that his wife had made decisions for him; the other was a
stepdad trying to get control of his stepson -- who just happened to be a
sponsor...

	It was 7 a.m. local; ship's time was synchronized, for now.  "Wake
'em up..."

	In approximately 500 sets of quarters, the AIs announced, "Sponsors
and concubines, please report to the common room.  Leave children in the
sleeping areas."  This got louder and louder until adults got a move on, then
dropped off; we wanted as many children to sleep unmolested as we could get.
In each set of quarters, the AI monitored things until we had all adults in
the common rooms, then they -- and if necessary, a human crewman -- made sure
everybody sent the young folk back to the bedrooms.  When we had something
like ninety six percent compliance, I took over.  "People, I asked you last
night to put it away and just get some sleep -- but some people just don't
get it."  On common room screens, we flashed up the holding cell.  "The gent
on the left tried to kill a fellow concubine; apparently, he thought he could
just move in on the poor fellow's ex spouse..."  We displayed video of the
whole thing, from the moment the argument started to the point that the semi-
automated stinger took him out.  We had AIs watching EVERYTHING -- and
passing incidents to human watch standers.  The AIs could target, but they
couldn't fire -- but all the guy on watch had to do was poke the button.

	"The fellow in the center was irritated that his one-time spouse made
the decision to emigrate for him; instead of staying on Earth, he came along
-- then decided to give her an attitude adjustment."  We had video on this,
too -- he got in one good lick before an automated stinger scrambled his
nervous system.

	"The guy on the right REALLY screwed up!  You see, his stepson is a
sponsor -- and he tried to make the point with him -- physically -- that
concubine or not, he was still in charge..."  Again, we had beautiful
video...

	"There are just too many of you for us to have to play games with,
day in and day out.  We have excellent recorded evidence of these incidents
-- I can't emphasize enough that you are monitored constantly by AIs.
Justice is swift..."  An alarm claxon began sounding in the holding cell; the
three perps looked up -- and the wall behind them suddenly opened to space...
Holding cells were deliberately along the periphery of the ship, for just
this reason -- and we only needed a few...  Once again, we didn't leave the
mess floating in vacuum, but the screamers in the audience didn't know
that...

	I waited for things to settle down and said sadly, "There will be
briefings on conduct today; many things will be explained and described.
Please pay attention -- your life may depend upon it!  Everyone will be going
to medical today for examinations and minor treatment.  Sponsors will be
fitted with implant connections to the communications network.  Concubines
will be provided a collar that will provide these services.  These collars
are multi-function -- they grant you access to your living quarters and tell
you how to find things like the Mess, among other things.  Each is keyed to
the individual wearing it -- and will not only fail to function, but will
provide nasty surprises to someone trying to wear it who isn't its owner, so
you should avoid thinking about borrowing someone else's.  Children of age
five and up will get a wristband with similar functions; children below that
age are more likely to just be irritated by the thing, so they are expected
to be controlled directly by parents.

	"Uniforms.  At Medical, whatever you're wearing will be confiscated
until we arrive at the colony.  Sponsors will be issued jumpsuits or
coveralls.  Concubines -- pay attention, everyone -- concubines get nothing!
Uniform of the day for concubines is nudity."  THAT caused comment....
"Yeah, yeah -- you know, most of you knew this already -- what's the beef?
EVERY concubine will be nude -- so nobody is singling anyone out, here."  I
waved at the NCOIC and a camera was aimed at Keisha and I.  "This is one of
MY concubines -- note how she's dressed...  Give 'em a spin so they get the
whole effect, Hon."   Keisha did so, her usual milk chocolate complexion
overlaid with pink.  "She's a little embarrassed, too, obviously.  'I can't
do that because I'm homely or fat or covered with spots' doesn't cut it --
you have to deal with it.  DON'T get caught impersonating a sponsor -- a
concubine in a coverall is a walking corpse, and you'd be REAL surprised to
find out how quickly we can pass sentence!  Wear skin and get used to it!
Kids wear clothing -- what they have, or if it is soiled, more can be
obtained from the AIs."

	"You'll be going to breakfast by quarters number; the group with you
in the common room -- and the associated kids -- is your group.  Stay with
them.  When you get called to Medical, the AIs will keep track of you
individually and lead you down the halls by voice until you can get your
implants or your collars -- don't get lost!  We're going to want to know why
you felt like you had to slow things up or can't follow instructions..." I
threatened.

	After a moment, I added, "I'm not going to kid you -- the adjustment
you're going to have to make over the next few days is going to be
unpleasant.  But it's NOT always going to be like this -- in a few weeks,
you'll most likely remember it as a growth experience, like basic training --
something tough and painful, but ultimately rewarding.  If it all gets to be
too much, let an AI know and we'll get you something to reduce the stress
some."

	I gestured to close things off, then had a thought.  "Remember when I
told you all to pass on sex last night, if possible?  Well, a bunch of you
didn't -- and that isn't a problem -- it's a comfort thing, sometimes.  But
there were a few cases where we observed something that looked a lot like
non-consensual sex.  That would be rape, for those of you who would rather
have short, blunt words.  Now, I used to have a girlfriend whose favorite
word in the transports of orgasm was 'No!' so I'm prepared to be sympathetic
-- but the AIs say we had three too many last night for them all to have my
old girlfriend's affliction -- something about probability and coincidence.
Ladies, it is NOT too late to prefer charges!  In Medical, it'll be you and
the kids and a medic and the AI -- and we know who we saw and what we saw and
if what you tell us matches our impression, SOMEONE is in trouble!"

	Enough was enough, I figured.  "Okay, that's all.  We'll try to keep
gore off the video screens for the rest of the day.  You have a long day in
front of you -- let's get fed and looked at in Medical and our briefings
under our belts.  You can ask a question of the AI any time, once you're
hooked up -- use that service to stay out of trouble!  That is all..."

	I turned to the watch officer.  "Have everybody keep an eye out for
people who are too dumb to live -- especially at mess.  It seems like there
is always SOMEONE..."  The watch office nodded and passed the instructions to
the operators.  The AIs knew what was up already -- in general, at least.
This wasn't quite the same as a normal pod-ship pickup, but things were
similar.  They had incident data...

	'AI, where is the rest of my family?' I asked.

	<They are just departing for Passenger Mess 73,> it replied.

	I turned to Keisha, "Okay, Hon, I'm taking you to breakfast."  I just
flicked a glance at the watch officer; he knew enough to call me if something
got out of hand.  Major Howard and Mark followed, apparently deciding to tag
along...

Oliver:

	Britney and Judith and I were up early, due to Jack's call; I was
already awake, anyway -- I confess to being mildly worried about Vera, not
that I felt that the Major meant her any harm.  The night before, it had been
THE thing to do -- but Vera was still mine...  I was uneasy.

	I was even more uneasy when Vera came in; she seemed a lot less
agitated than I expected her to be.  In fact, she seemed... serene, happy.
She greeted me and came into my arms and I asked carefully, "How was your
night?"

	"Fine, Master.  I think I accomplished everything you wanted me to,"
was the reply I got.  Judith was also a bit off-balance at Vera's attitude --
and Britney was concerned largely because we were, I think.

	We were all present for Jack's little morning production, and I'll be
the first to admit that it was harrowing -- but I understood the purpose
behind it.  They had a HUGE number of people they were trying to control, and
a picture really IS worth a thousand words...  After the video, the AI
indicated that it would be wise if we ate, and that there would be a mixed
group including my Brinkman Foundation colleagues in Passenger Mess Seventy
Three, so we set out for there.  My concubines -- and Judith -- were nude,
which might have been jumping the gun, but Jack's concubines were all nude,
too, as it turned out when we discovered them in the corridor.  "Jack wants
us to set an example," was Beth's explanation.  I almost asked after the
heavy black girl, Keisha -- then I remembered that she was with Jack.

	Tara apparently knew quite a bit about how to obtain food from the
automated replicators; we were almost done when I noticed Dave and the
Brinkman group filtering into the room.  Divining that Jack would want it, I
had my entourage settle in at a highly visible table near the replicators.
Dave came over and shook my hand, muttering, "That was an ugly little show
this morning, wasn't it?"

	"Indeed," I agreed, "but they have several thousand people to
control; they need to know that they ARE under control and that foolishness
won't be tolerated.  We've both read the reports -- someone usually gets used
as an object lesson after a pickup."

	Dave nodded.  "You're well, I see..."  His eyes slid over Britney and
Judith and Vera -- pausing on Vera -- before moving on to Jack's entourage.
"Getting ahead of the game?"

	"Trying," I replied, nodding.  "Jack's women, in particular, are
setting an example.  Mine are no better than his, and they've been through
the same mill, so I see no reason why they should be coddled.  Besides, I
tend to enjoy the view."  Dave chuckled, nodding.  Beth and Tara got up to
demonstrate the replicators; after a moment, Vera caught my eye, received a
nod, and followed.  A second flick sent Britney after her.  Judith sat for a
moment, realized that I wasn't going to pretend to control her, and followed;
Frieda, on the other hand, stayed to deal with the children.

	Jack arrived about then; Keisha flowed by and settled next to young
Abe, relieving Frieda of some of her workload.  Major Howard and Decurion
Tillotson were along, trailing Jack.  "Ah, the elusive Lieutenant Harper,"
Dave announced himself.  "I keep either hearing from you or hearing about
you.  I'm Doctor Chambers."

	"Good morning," Jack replied, taking Dave's extended hand.  "I hope I
didn't spoil breakfast for you."

	"Well..." Dave looked diffident.

	"Believe me, that little exercise will result in an easier time for
all of us," Jack assured him, "But don't kid yourself -- I hated doing it,
too."

	I turned my attention to the Major.  "I'm told that all went well."

	"Vera understates the case," the Major replied.  "She was exquisite
-- a true hetaera."

	I blinked in surprise.  "Indeed?"

	The Major nodded.  "I sampled, well, everything, actually, and
Tillotson, here enjoyed her expertise in deep throat and a more standard
doggy-style ride.  I think she actually has him looking on meatier morsels
with a bit more favor..."

	"Well..."  I was flabbergasted, frankly.  Judith eyed her mother as
if she'd grown a second head!  Vera merely smiled gently.

	"She was the soul of cooperation and was helpful and enjoyable and
displayed a wonderful attitude, even during anal sex," the Major added.

	"I see..."  I cannot believe that my expression was impenetrable,
despite my best efforts.  "I'm pleased to hear it."

	"It's so unusual to find a woman who actually enjoys sex in quantity,
rather than just enduring it.  I'm going to have to raise my standards," the
Major mused.

	I eyed my concubine and one-time spouse; her return glance was a bit
diffident, but also a bit defiant.  Clearly, she was saying, "I told you
so..."

	Dave cleared his throat, embarrassed.  "Apparently, you've turned her
around quite effectively, Oliver."

	All I could do was agree...

	We moved on to other subjects, and on to the meal; Dave brought Peg
and her little boy and Antonio Vargas over to sit with us.  They were still
clothed -- and somewhat embarrassed about it, I think, given the state of the
other concubines present; well, it would all shake out...  When we'd eaten,
Jack announced that he was taking his concubines to Medical -- but that I
should perhaps join my colleagues; I have to admit that I felt somewhat as
though I'd been dismissed.  On the other hand, my colleagues were all happy
to see me and lauded my accidental efforts to see to their rescue, inflating
my importance to the process beyond all proportion.

	Then we went off to Round One of the day's briefings -- separately --
sponsors were segregated from concubines and got what was apparently a
totally different brief.  We got clarity on some of the psychological aspects
of the situation, answers to genetics questions, and case studies in what a
concubine could and could not be allowed to do -- and why.  Serious
discussion on the subject of male concubines highlighted the fact that the
kind of denial that COULD be employed was going to be extremely hard on them
-- we were urged to be selective and no more controlling than was absolutely
required.

	About ten a.m., I got the call and brought my entourage -- including
Judith -- to Medical.  The room was huge -- there must have been one hundred
of those med tubes we were told about in the morning briefings and this was
Medical Center Seventy-Three!  The Valhalla was indeed huge!

	Britney and Judith were packed away quickly, followed by Vera; the
medic -- a female -- approached me and asked me my preferences and I -- who
had only recently been so proud of my performance -- shamefacedly asked about
augmentation.

	The medic didn't blink.  "Since you're Navy, well look at firming you
a bit and sloughing off about fifteen years worth of wear and tear, rather
than doing the Marine Incredible Hulk thing.  Are you planning on altering
your concubines radically?"

	"I... really hadn't intended to..." I stammered.

	"Judith is your daughter -- and not assigned -- so we wouldn't be
doing anything to her, anyway, except general health maintenance.  You have
options with Britney and Vera," I was told.

	"How is this relevant to me?" I asked.

	"If you plan to alter their throats or their vaginas or their
rectums, we'll want to go for an optimum fit..."

	"I hadn't planned on any of that..."

	"Okay..."  The medic pulled some data from Britney's and Vera's med
tubes.  "Wow!  No gag reflex at all..." she mused, examining Vera's data.
"Okay, if we size Britney up just a touch to match Vera for depth, we can add
a touch of girth and maybe a centimeter in length and still have you able to
pound away and maybe, periodically, just touch the cervix...  Actually, your
penis is already quite impressive for an unaugmented individual..."  She
smiled at me and I wondered if she told everyone that.

	"I'm somewhat concerned about longevity and my ability to repeat," I
muttered.

	"Well, you're above the curve for two concubines..."

	"I may be going to three or four," I noted, "and Vera has shown
recent signs of an increase in requirements."

	The medic shuffled through her data.  "Britney is highly sexed, it
seems, but you are well within range..."  Then she frowned.  After a moment,
she went to Vera's tube and apparently took another download -- and frowned
again.  "We'll... double you up," she said hesitantly, then added, "Doctor,
Vera's current readings are a poor match to her CAP test data.  May we test
her again?"

	"Yes," I agreed.  "She's been traumatized, poor thing.  The last week
or so has been tough going -- and maybe a lengthy period before that."  I
didn't know what the knowledge of an even lower CAP would do to poor Vera's
psyche, but if it would assist in her treatment, I was all for it.

	The medic nodded.  "We'll go for an orgasm, sustained, every two
hours -- that's three in the first hour, under load, and another in ninety
minutes -- and the ability to sustain for an hour at a time, as necessary.
That's impressive, but I see your point..."  She gazed at the figures again.

	"That should do," I agreed.  "Anything more than that and I'll
undoubtedly need help."

	"Okay, then.  Minor vaginal depth tuning for Britney.  Anal?  Oral?"

	"What can she support?" I asked.

	"She'll be fine with very little rectal work -- but her throat is a
bit narrow."

	"Will it change her voice?" I asked.

	"Not noticeably."

	"Fine.  I want her comfortable.  What about Vera?"

	"No issues in those areas," the medic replied.  "But I'm sure you
would want her tuned up a bit."  She punched up a hologram.  "Age regression
to match yours, I imagine, and, let's see...  remove the stretch marks on the
upper slopes of the breasts and firm the skin up...  Do you want them
reduced?"

	I remembered a younger Vera.  "Not particularly, without her input."
I felt some guilt over what she'd been put through; doing things to her,
rather than for her, didn't seem right...  "If they were raised back up a bit
and made more conical..."

	"More like Judith's?"

	"More, ummm, like the front of a bomb..."  Vera had come closer to
fat, round cones than Judith's rounder, more grapefruit shaped orbs -- not
that they ever DIDN'T sag...

	"Like this?"

	Just jacking them up a bit helped tremendously, I noted.  "Yes.  We
don't want to go too far -- I don't want to lose the essential Vera..."  That
was the phrase Jack had used, yesterday, with Maureen, I remembered -- 'The
essential Beth.'

	"We'll give her just a touch more pectoral and some support over the
ribcage -- nothing gauche -- some support.  Should they continue to point
away from each other like that?"

	"When you pack them in a bra, do you get cleavage?" I asked.

	"Yes."  The medic smiled at me.

	"Leave them -- they're not gun turrets."

	"Fine.  I'm thinking that this roll here could use removal?" The
medic pointed out the shield of fat that sagged a bit from Vera's belly over
her pudenda.

	"Yes," I nodded.  "Smooth it out like Judith's, but leave a bit more.
If she doesn't like it, we can come back.  Once again, it's the..."

	"...Essential Vera," the medic finished for me, smiling.  Rotating
the hologram, she said, "These saddlebags on her hips?"

	"Judith doesn't have those -- and she didn't, before Judith.  Again,
start with Judith, but make it more robust.  The posterior should be less
square -- it USED to be more rounded..."  We did a little thigh work, then
backtracked to her face.  I was extremely picky there -- it had to BE Vera.
We removed a little thickening and the hint of a double chin and I pronounced
the alterations complete, "unless she wants more."

	"Fine.  Doctor, I would like to retest you, too, while you're under
-- the AI has posted some notes..."

	"As long as I don't end up wearing a collar!" I retorted.

	"No, no, the AI seemed to think there will be a significant increase
-- and it's never wrong, in my experience..."

	"Very well."  I was a bit nervous, but everything should be fine...
I slid out of my clothing and climbed into the tube.

	"This shouldn't take long at all!" the medic said cheerily.  "Just a
moment, while I prep things..."  I got a prick in the arm -- the anti-
claustrophobia injection -- and the cover slid closed...

	... and then I began to dream...