“Universal health care was promised, and making health records electronic and portable was the advertised reason. The chips used were infinitely more programmable and versatile than simple scan-and-read. They were transceivers; basically, a global ankle bracelet. After that, choices were made, subtle migration started, and implantations began, disguised as a national vaccination campaign. The rest was logistics.”

Noam bid them sit at a table of a half-dozen Opt-outs. David buried his face in his hands for a time, then turned his gaze to Noam. “Are there others?”

Noam smiled broadly. “Sure, just like us – near places where industry and tourism survive, mainly urban and ‘destination’ centers.”

“Are you in touch with them?”

“Some.”

“How? Internet?” David eyed one of the laptops.

“No,” Simon said. “That’s out of our reach. Single sideband amateur radio is all we’re allowed to play with.”

“Have you reached outsiders?”

“Oh, yeah, through other hams. The ones we’ve spoken to are prospering – doing just fine without us. We’ve become a novelty.”

A frail-looking older man brightened. “We’re dialing up some Brits tomorrow night.”

“Do you think they’ll…recolonize?” said David.

“Can’t say. They seem to keep up the infrastructure they need – remember, they use a longer lens than we did.”

“Will they let you – us…?”

“Live? So far, so good. We’re no threat, sufficiently contained, and they seem to know when we’re in need. Our hope is that they’re keeping us around, however many we are, to leaven the new migration a little, if it comes – caraway seeds to give the fresh rye loaf a little snap, as it were. I suppose thinking we’re the ‘New Native Americans,’ as long as we endure, helps sustain us.”

“What can I do now? You know, in case…”

Antoinette’s touch was gentle, and genuine. “Read. Listen. Reflect. Act.”

“Which brings me to another subject.” Noam said; he got up. “Step over here a minute. Simon, you too. Please?”

David looked them both in the face. “What?”

Noam braced David at the shoulders. “Have you checked out your ‘equipment’ yet?”

David blushed. “No…uh, I mean, not really. I guess; felt like it responded the first night. Who’s had time? Anyway, why?”

“Well, as you’ve seen, the Opt-out boys and I are getting on and all the other males were sterilized, including the juveniles.”

Simon laid a hand on David’s shoulder. “Son, I don’t know how to tell you this, but this is ‘Planet of the Apes’ and you’re Charlton Heston.”

David felt as if every female pair of eyes was on him.

Noam shook him, smirking. “Do you know how long he’s waited to use that obscure cultural reference?” His grip became a bear hug and Simon slapped his back, laughing.

“At least it’s a movie reference,” David said, over Noam’s shoulder. “I like that. Simon – a question.”

“Yes. What is it?”

“’Hide in Plain Sight’ – also a movie reference?”

“That was a pop-culture bonus, beyond the injunction to stay loose and blend in when required. Logline: ‘Ex-husband’s wife and children disappear with boyfriend; he suspects government involvement – but, who to trust?’”

“And the Emerson callout?”

“That was mine,” Antoinette said. “We wanted to make you think – put you on your guard, to postpone your capture in the event there was more to be learned, but still get you back, in good condition.”

“To tell the truth, I didn’t understand it fully.” David stepped closer and lowered his voice. “Did it work?”

Antoinette smiled. “So far.”

“Lark, come.”

Noam introduced her into the room with one arm. “It’s her time, kid. Good luck.” He closed the door gently, but not before David glimpsed the anticipation on his face.

Lark was a Rehab – about 34, he guessed – and lovely. Noam had cautioned him that, as such, she was a complete stranger to courtship, having gone into transition barely pubescent. Her ignorance and primitive verbal skills were obstacles to her own sense of intimacy. Anything that might come out of her would be more derivative than felt, he’d said – as if, at this moment, David cared. He led her to the cot and disrobed; her eyes never left him, and she complied eagerly when he invited her to unclothe. He lay on his back and guided her onto him so he could glory in all of her. He showed her kissing. Lark’s guileless joy at each sensual discovery, her playfulness, and her explosive natural scent entranced him. Her fondling engorged him fully; her eyes widened. He guided her onto him and, by heaving upward, encouraged her to move. She did.

“Unh,” she squeaked.

He thrusted again; she reciprocated.

“Uhnhuhn – uhn.”

They undulated.

“Uh-uh-uh-uh…”

David came up on his palms. She drove down on him.

“UnUnUnHnMm – YerUhYer…”

They clutched and rocked, hard. She threw her head back.

“Yer CALL IS VERY IMPORTANT TO US!”