Gunth sputtered and made a sound that resembled a foul curse Bane had taught me. It wasn't a set of words Damien really Liked me to say. Reed just flashed a toothy smile at Gunth and handed the metal to another man.

“You expect too much, too soon, my friend,” she said simply.

“My Sister and I have studied every culture, every species of slave, the slavers brought to this planet. It is apparent different species need different...assistance."

“Fuji, you stay with my Sister and me," Reed stated. "We will teach you what we wish you to do."

Reed stepped in front of Rose and Looked down at her.

“It is time to lose those signs of slavery,” she said reaching for Rose's collar.

"NO!" Rose shouted backing away. "My name is Rose. I want to keep this on. I want Basin, please. I am not safe here. They need me and I need them!"

“You will not live in a free society bearing the brand of a slave,” Reed explained.

Rose crumpled to the floor sobbing. Reed just tugged gently at her extremities until all of her metal cuffs were off. Gunth helped her. They even removed Rose's boots to take off her metal ankle cuffs. He slid the leather back over her slender feet after the bands were removed.

I watched the big woman and knew I could not fight her. She reached to remove my metal and I stood stoically. Gunth knelt and slipped the boots off to remove my ankle cuffs and I cooperated, raising my feet one by one.

“You don't fight, Rachel," Gunth commented.

“You are learning.” “Yes," I answered Looking at him as he stood, “I know my position. I will do as you say when you say. I will go by whatever name you tell me I have to. I will associate with only those you permit me to."

My answer was offensive to everyone present.

“Rachel," Gunth said, “your name is important. Your outlook is important..."

My eyes blazed as I fixed them on Gunth.

“Do you know why my female breeder called me Rachel?" I asked hotly.

“She was out of her mind on medicine for pain after my birth. The woman tending her, who she had never met before, was named Rachel. My female breeder had them put that name on the ledger recording my birth, because she couldn't remember any other names."

I was panting I was so angry and I couldn't stop.

“Damien and his Brothers chose a series of sounds that were pleasing. They chose a beautiful name for me and I LIKE IT. I could choose to be Rachel, but it is not a name I have enjoyed. I enjoy the name Ciara. As Ciara, I am a female breeder with wonderful offspring and a loved member of my family. It is my name."

“I chose my own name," Rose said softly. "Basin and his Brothers asked for the most beautiful thing on my home planet and used that as my name. I adore roses, I always have. They are Lovely flowers. Kennedy is even named after me. Her female breeder named her after the Kennedy tea rose. It reminds Ciara and me of Earth."

The Administrators around us were all silent for a long moment.

"You are free now," Hassar said. "If these are the names you want, you may keep them. They have meaning to you. However, we will not allow you to be kept as slaves to the families you have served. You will not have contact with them and you will learn to be free humans."