In this searing addition to the Newcity world, Linna Fortense is a mecho posing as a Pleasurebot to avoid persecution. When the Newcity raids begin, her only option is to escape through the dome along with Del, the hovertaxi driver who's befriended her.
Del thinks of Linna as more than a friend, but there's on problem with taking their relationship to the next level. Xanderrans mate for life. When a deceitful spaceship captain tries to force Del to become part of her harem, Linna manages to take her place, bonding herself to Del instead.
When they end up on his home planet though, and Linna discovers Del is more than a simple taxi driver, the most important question of all is put to both of them:
Is it really love if there isn't any choice?