Lamra

Lamra was a mate of Reatur's. She was extremely intelligent and mature for her age and, despite her being uneducated, taught herself to read. She mated with Reatur before the American space shuttle Athena landed in his domains and became gravid. After learning of the short-livedness of Minervan mates from witnessing the death of Biyal, Dr Sarah Levitt proposed to attempt to save Lamra's life by binding up the blood vessels which would open when she dropped her buds. Reatur, who felt a special sentimental attachment to Lamra, gave his permission.

Lamra dropped her buds in the middle of the battle against Fralk's Skarmer invasion force. Sarah Levitt was preoccupied in fighting the battle, but Irv Levitt and Pat Marquard managed to save her, making her the first mate to survive budding in known Minervan history.

After surviving budding, Lamra found herself ostracized by her fellow mates. Reatur invited her to leave the mating chamber and live free among Minervan males. She relished the opportunity but had some difficulty finding acceptance among males used to mates dying young.