It was a 17-hour drive, augmented by my GI tract bug. DIdn’t get home until 2347. I’m recovering today but very glad to have the day off. In fact, after this update, I’m laying down for at least rest if not a nap

“A walk in the woods,” is an old military metaphor for a failed commander to use his sidearm to blow his brains out to try to expiate his failure. Thankfully, this is just a walk between two cousins, more human than human, who are groping their way to an understanding and acceptance what their loss.

I do like how Aurie – she’s so down-to-earth in private! – immediately recognized where Min’s grief was leading her. And put a stop to it, instantly. That meeting with Reina has me a little worried, though. She’ll likely work on Min’s mind in the exactly opposite way.

Enjoy my content? Buy me a beer!

The voyage to the surface was uneventful.  There were medical and robotics techs onboard who both checked Minerva to make sure nothing was wrong with her and that she did not harbor any potential contaminates to Earth’s biome.  With the empress having given her nearly unlimited access to their databases, she knew they would be putting down on what had become the large Hartmann estate, north of the city of Huntsville.  As one of her last acts as empress, Faustina took a page from Augustus Caesar and began construction of a family mausoleum.  No one had to be interred there – Faustina publicly stated she would be buried on Mars next to her second husband – but the option was available.  And that is where my love’s body shall rest.  I wish I could pray that you are in Purgatory, if not Heaven, right now, Les.  I do not understand tired, I cannot be, but after a century, together every day, what am I to do?

Finally relenting to be separate from his body once turned over to the director of the secular side of the funeral, Minerva looked around at the little forest clearing she was in, with the earthen and masonry mausoleum just a few dozen meters to the north.  From the steps behind her, she knew it was…

“Empress Aurelia,” she turned and nodded, brought up short in surprise to see the demi-human was still weeping.

“The loss of any of my subjects is to be mourned,” Aurelia could not read an android’s emotions, but she could make guesses about people she had known for so long, “and family more so.  The fact we also have lost one of the few of our kind cuts my soul.”

“But,” she dragged the arm of her legionary uniform jacket across her face, “I am not here to talk about me.  Mass will be at sundown in a few hours; we do not go in for human’s strange embalming practices.  But I ask you:  do you want the casket open or closed?”

“Closed,” was her instant answer.  “We must all remember my hus – Laszlo alive, not dead.”

Aurelia finally smiled, making her look years younger.  “Come and walk with me.  I, well, we’re up to something and must ask your permission about that, too.”

A narrow path through the trees led west.  As they went that way, a series of trucks arrive at the far end of the clearing, to prepare for the outdoor Mass and Les’ final resting.  It was not her place, but Minerva spoke first.

“As my sovereign, I must tell you that Reina has asked to speak with me.  Directly,” she began.

“I’ve no political objection at all,” was the empress’ easy reply.  Just as violent as Faustina had been in her younger years, everyone knew, but did not speak of, the fact that it was a job for the first empress.  This one seems to enjoy violence.  From the assassination attempt at her inaugural speech, through the annexation of the former US Midwest, to any domestic dissent, people tended to disappear.  “However, after all this time, will she not just scoop your mind out, leaving this body a shell?  The fact that she waited until your husband died is a tell, to me.”

Minerva stopped.

“That is twice now, My Empress.  You called me cousin in public and just now admitted my common-law marriage to Les.” She stared hard at the demi-human, rudely looking for clues as to what was going on.  “May I ask why?”

“You may ask,” Aurelia replied, resuming her walk, “but to quote a family member, I’m not tellin’.”

She recalled one of her memories from when she was still Reina and not yet Minerva.  The wildness and chaos of human thought.

“Then, to address your question, Your Majesty, I do not think that is my former self’s intent.”

“Willing to wager your soul on that?”

“I do not have a soul – ”

“Yes, you do.  Yes, you are.” The empress lightly punched the android’s shoulder.  “Clear?  Do I have to make it an imperial command?”

“I cannot say I understand.  But I will obey.”

“And, I know things are hard for you right now, but just like in the old days, in private, call me Aurie.”

“Then I have a request…Aurie?” Minerva asked, stopping yet again.

“Ask.”

She put her face to the empress’.  “Will you cry on my behalf again?  I… I… hurt in a way I do not understand.  We made plans; I thought I was ready.  Now, I’ve no reason – ”

“Imperial Command!” was the other’s shout to the trees about them and the woman before her.  Power seemed to gather about her.  “You will not turn yourself off or perform any act of self-harm!  Repeat that back to me.”

“I will not turn myself off or perform any act of self-harm.”

“Good.” She glanced at the analog watch on her left wrist.  “I barely hear several of the family arriving.  Fussy is up in the main house and walking this way.  Did you know she needs a cane now?  I told her to take several baths with my mom to get reassembled, but I think she just wants to pass on her time, her terms.  Like her firstborn son.  Oh, dang!  I forgot!  Come here!”

The empress grabbed the machine’s face, pulling them together.  And cried for them both, for their loss.