Another round of clicking noises emanated from the obscuring pile of cloth. "Identification subsequence activated. Condensed synopsis built from extrapolation of existing data, individuals most likely to have been encountered recently." The unit promptly began to recite a listing of relevant individuals for the woman.

"Antonio. Also known as 'Toni.' Serving multiple roles including but not limited to: Salvage and Recovery Specialist, Research and Development, Defense and Recon. Husband of Jodie. Father of Jacob. Brother to Castille."

"Dr. <NAME REDACTED>. Also known as 'Uncle.' <INFORMATION REDACTED>. No additional information available."

"Lucien. Serving as Salvage and Recovery Specialist, Mortuary Services. Formerly engaged to Castille. Currently co-habitating with Pony." There was a pause. "Warning. Psychological profile indicates possible mental instability. Evidence of self-destructive behavior and reckless endangerment. Possible Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Survivor Guilt. Addendum added 278 days from current date: case file scheduled for further review pending acquisition of certified counselor or psychologist."

"Castille. Last listed as terminated/captured during Salvage and Recovery mission 397 days from current date. Formerly serving in Salvage and Recovery, Research and Development. Sister to Antonio, engaged to Lucien. Addendum added 307 days from current date: Multiple attempts to recover were unsuccessful. Subject declared Lost."

A profound silence followed the recitation, the information provided hanging in the air. More clicking sounds filled the air then, whatever mysterious mechanicals that made up the robot working quickly and efficiently as it processed or retrieved additional information. It was then followed by: "I am happy. You have asked me to sing. I shall now sing." Most of what followed were wordless vocalizations that, while certainly mechanical in nature, held a mournful tone to them. More over, the singing almost seemed to be spontaneous. These were not pre recorded songs that Liana sang, but works of her own creation invented spontaneously then and there! Not that all of her songs were such. The robot seemed to know a good many tunes that would have been long forgotten to humanity if not for her knowledge of them, ballads of day long gone by that told tales of elves and magicians and knights and maidens and days in May... Liana's version of 'A Maid In Bedlam' held a peculiar poignancy to it. "...For I love my love, I love my love, for I know my love loves me..."

The singing suddenly stopped. There had been the slightest of movements at the lab's entrance, a small shadow that slipped in furtively as though half afraid to be there and yet half afraid to be discovered. It was Pony. The tiny young woman crept in carefully, her bright eyes scanning about the cavern nervously as though expecting alarms to go off at any minute. She was light on her feet though and stepped easily around the assorted piles of debris and technology awaiting sorting and use, until she came to the laundry strewn table. Every now and then, she glanced over at Cassie's bound form to ensure that she was still there. Then, carefully removing the clothing, she uncovered Liana's face. The robotic entity blinked several times at Pony with her large, expressive eyes before Pony whispered to her: "Liana? Shutdown sequence Five-B, Diagnostic. Over ride code: Tunafish."

The clicking and variable hums came to an abrupt halt, the thrumming of the various computers around the room settling into one atonal hum that was far softer than before. Liana's eyes closed at the same time, and her plasti-flesh face was stilled.

Nodding to herself, Pony crept over to the table where Cassie lay. Her eyes roved over the ropes to ensure they were intact before she leaned forward close to the Android. In a child-like, vacant voice Pony whispered to her. "Cassie? Are you really in there somewhere? Cause if you are, we need to talk. Cassie?"