loyalty-and-identity

The chapter follows Little Worker, a genetically engineered being, as she navigates the household of Mister Michael, a man with a demanding political role. She senses disturbances in the household, including the presence of andromorphs and gynomorphs—engineered humanoid companions—reflecting tensions between Mister Michael, his wife, and their artificial partners. The narrative explores Little Worker's loyalty, her observations of the strained domestic and political dynamics, and her own identity in contrast to the synthetic beings around her.

In this chapter, Little Worker, a genetically modified being with wolverine traits, awakens to find intruders—terrorists called the Sons of Dixie—invading Mister Michael's home. The terrorists capture Mister Michael, his wife, and their morphs, intending to use them as leverage, but Little Worker ultimately kills the intruders using her inherited animalistic abilities, saving her charges. The chapter explores loyalty, identity, and the tension between human and bioengineered entities in a politically charged environment.