As readers will know, sometimes the Machines say things that are taken by humans in ways they never anticipated. That’s the “wildness of human thought” which interests many of them and scares the daylights out of Reina, Pai’s mom. If that older Machine ever needs an excuse to give up power, that’s it.

I was beginning to think there are things going on in the background that no one is yet telling me. Thus, I have already started on a Part Two of the Pai-Graf (swidt?) story. Both will be my contribution to the anthology Stories from the Middle of a River: Tales from the Lemur Throne, Volume One. These two may also turn into book #20, depending on where I’m led by these youngsters and the powers-that-be above them.

I am very curious about Pai’s use of the word, ferocity.

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To pass that time, they asked each other questions.  Pai said she was very sad to hear about my mom which led me to asking how a machine is sad.  Another laugh and a punch to my shoulder, which hurt.  I think she is stronger than she lets on.

“We are just as emotional as you humans are, witness last night!” she replied, retaking his hand.  “We think much faster than you, so those of us who take an interest in your kind tend to do so with certain ferocity.”

“That seems a little threatening,” Graf replied.  They were moving through the empty buildings that used to be the town’s western suburbs.  He nodded his head to the north.  “That’s Lake Mendota.  I was thinking that just a bit ahead, at the old university, we might find some radios and people to use them.”

“Thank you, Boyfriend.”

“Question?”

“To like someone is to want to know more about them, so please!”

“That,” they paused as several laden carts crossed the street ahead of them, “what where I was going.  You are not remotely dressed like a local.  If anyone asks about you, what should I say?”

“Point, there.” For once, the smile fell off of her face.  “Let’s just say I’m a refugee from the ice.  Our truck crashed and my family died.  You are trying to help me find relatives down south.”

Graf had that pain in his chest again.  “A little close to home with that, Pai.”

“I’m aware.  It provokes a strong emotional response in you, which I can also fake much better.  I think it would make people more likely to help us,” she explained.

Walking along Campus Drive, they passed the much-reduced medical center on their left.  He paused to look at a faded campus map.

“Administration?  This really isn’t officially open any more,” he thought out loud.  “Maybe the Engineering building, further ahead and on the lake?”

Pai leaned into him, which he was starting to appreciate.  “You have taken such good care of me.  I trust your judgment.”

Angling northeast, they could spy the lake and small marina just to the north.  “I think,” he said, “this building here was the library.  Seems, open, too, to look at the foot traffic.  Let’s check in here – ”

“Stop.” She froze.  Turning, he watched her eyes flare that red-orange.  “Signal.  That is, I can hear with my mind.  Their Wall is pathetic; I have breached it and am sending my status to my family and Empress Aurelia.”

A blink and she was back to normal.  Normal, that’s a laugh.

“You know the empress?” he had to ask, wondering what some of her other words meant.

“Of course.  She just ordered an S-3 dispatched to our location.  It should be here in less than an hour.” She pointed.  “Let’s go sit on a bench by the water.  They can pick us up there.”

“Us?” He shook his head.  “I thought you told Dad…”

“We will swing by your home after pick up,” she carried on.  She did stop to stare.  “You should eat and drink something before the ship is here, Boyfriend.”

There were several people fishing off the shore or further out on the dock.  That bench over there looks secluded enough to keep our conversation private.  Sitting, he swung his bag around and gnawed on some jerky and cheese, washing it down with water.

“Pai?”

“Yes, most beloved Graf?” Did she just promote me again?

“You said you don’t eat, so,” he gestured at her with the canteen, “is there a reactor in you, or something?”

Thinking that so hilarious, her peals of laughter turned a few heads along the waterline.

“Batteries, Boyfriend,” she finally was able to say.  “I am at thirty-two percent power right now.  Barring a fight-or-flight event, I am fine for another day.  And, I can recharge as soon as the scout ship is here.  Eat.  They are already on their way.”

While he did, she opened up more about what she had just touched on after last night’s dinner.  “Yes, Mom is the PM.  Has been for almost a hundred years, now.  Just between us?  I think she wants to retire and be with my step-sis and two older brothers.”

She took me into her confidence, just like that?  Graf tried to not cough up his water.

“Dad’s a more complex subject,” she carried on, ignoring his reaction, “and one that will keep until we’re married.”

She leaned her face so close their noses touched.

“You didn’t forget to ask, right?” she demanded.

“No, Pai, I have not.” She will not let this go.  And, after what we did last night, I don’t want to.  “You said we’ll stop by my place after this ship gets here?  I’ll tell you, then.”

“Good,” she said with a sharp nod, standing and pulling him up with ease.  “Let’s walk out onto the pier.  It will make our departure easier.”

“For what?” he asked.

She pointed up.  “That.”

He followed her gesture to look up to a gray flying saucer, perhaps fifty or sixty yards across.  No more than twenty feet over their heads.  Totally silent.  And descending.  A part of the hull dilated open.

“What in the wide world…?” The surprise from everyone else was equally palpable.  Pai’s arm was suddenly about his waist.  Holding him tightly, she jumped up into the hole.

“Welcome aboard INS Lulu,” she grinned as the opening closed.  There was a sense of motion.  “There’s no reason to move to the mess or Observation, as we are now over your home.”

“Just like that?”

“Yes.” The hole reopened.  “Are you going to jump or do I have to push you?”

“Like you haven’t been pushing me for a day, now?” The ground was no more than two yards below him.  He stepped out.

“Catch me!” she shouted.  Barely got my arms out in time.  She glued her lips to mine.  Oh, there’s Mindy on the porch looking a little shocky.  Tell me about it, Lil’ Sis.