Chapter 1 - Part B

Stepping out of the chamber Carelle ran a finger across her taut belly, in the last decade or two before a scheduled regen small things would give away the need. A hint of sagging around the jaw, a certain softness to the muscles, nothing very obvious, you just became aware that you were due. She smiled in the mirror checking her appearance, nothing had changed, she hadn’t programmed any changes into this regen, or any of the three before it. Petite, green eyes, a full mouth, pale ivory skin and purple hair, when let down it swirled around the tops of her thighs but usually she wore it braided into a coronet around the crown of her head. She pressed the emerald on her left wrist, one of a bracelet of jewels embedded into her skin, as much alive and part of her as her very bones. An opaque pearlescent gown hologrammed her body (much more practical than clothing and it was the work of a moment to change it’s appearance.) Leaving the regen facility she strode down corridors and out into the sunshine, people politely bowed and stepped out of her way, smiling and murmuring their greetings. Reaching her apartments she placed her right hand onto the ident pad and then stopped forehead wrinkling in a mixture of puzzlement and recognition, what was this? A small sapphire discreetly sparkled from the nail of her little finger.