"Sir Rene," Mia started as she monitored one of her charges gathering supplies in the kitchen. "It is in my programming to notify you of the inherent risks of encouraging Lady Solae to take on this task herself. I estimate her natural physiological reaction is likely to affect her precision, which could result in complications in the procedure." After a moment's pause the artificial intelligence displayed generalized anatomical scans with notations; one appeared to be a basic reading of Solae approximately one year ago while the other was current. The logic behind showing the two in juxtaposition was to establish a baseline as well as an immediately applicable reading.

Fortunately, Solae was several rooms away and could not be embarrassed by the slight invasion of privacy albeit required. Most of the differences were fairly innocuous: a faster pulse, quickened breathing rhythm, and rough estimates of blood pressure that was risen above normal but was lowering quickly in real time. "Your presence appears to incite symptoms of anxiety and sexual attraction; however, my cost and benefit analysis indicates having you perform the incision and extraction exposes less risk. My records indicate your military training makes you less likely to hesitate with sharp implements and their application. You will also be able to react more quickly and are less likely to have an adverse reaction to the sight of exposed tissue."

It was a compelling argument especially since Mia's only motivation was a design that required every attempt to made to appeal to the best preservation of humans within her domain (unless hostile to those that she recognized as owners and/or guests).

---

Solae tried not to think about the full body imager's true intentions as she stepped inside the tube-shaped apparatus. At her instruction Mia turned it on, lighting the entire interior in an almost pleasant glow. She could not see whatever mechanisms did the actual measurements as they were hidden beneath a matte chrome finish. Each curvature was being visually recorded, formatted, and reconstructed in an perfect replica holographic rendition. The process took what felt like an eternity but was only a few minutes. Solae quickly discovered the reason for this was the processing required to be able to replicate each strand of hair and crease in her skin was significant.

"So where is it?" Solae asked Mia as she stepped outside. Her own lifeless holograph was rotating in front of her as Mia examined the model thoroughly.

"The location of the CLTI is in your left thigh," Mia purred as a small blinking blue light inserted itself in the hologram. A measurement sprang to life showing the depth of the implant was 1.64" inches from the surface of her skin. Solae was grateful it was not buried deeper. The position would require more flexibility than she anticipated, however, as it was halfway between her pelvis and knee but not perfectly on her side. The passage of time had allowed the CLTI to migrate slightly to the rear of the leg, which was a place she felt comfortable glancing at but not controlling with the applied pressure of a blade.

"I would like to revisit my suggestion of requesting Sir Rene extract the CLTI," Mia added.

"Don't you think that would be a bit much to ask of him?" she said but then realized she was asking a subjective opinion of an unfeeling synthetic organism. It could theoretically anticipate and approximate emotional reactions but feelings were outside of Mia's personal reach. Cold logic could not and would not understand the point she was trying to make. "Nevermind. I'm clearly going insane," she said more to herself than Mia. Talking to Mia itself was a sign her mental faculties must be slipping.

"I do not detect any indications of mental illness," Mia quipped as Solae retreated back to the guest bathroom where she would have the most sterile environment for her 'operation.' There didn't seem to be a point in dressing since she'd have to disrobe if she was extracting the CLTI immediately- and it seemed prudent to not eat until she had.

"Thank you, Mia. It was an expression, not a self-diagnosis."