A quiet segment. Having finally arrived for her meeting, Pai essentially ditches Graf, who spends some time on the lake. Trust me, things get very, very interesting in the next segment, so we all needed this breather. Her little bit of exposition about his demise gets him thinking; considering death usually does.

For those of you interested, yes, Faction: With the Crusaders is real. I internet-know the author and I very highly recommend it. His first book was not really my thing, but this is historical fiction and one hell of a story. When I’m able, I’ll need to write a review for him. People on “our side of the river” need all the support we can get.

Enjoy my content? Buy me a beer!

…boyfriend?  Intended?  “Graf!  Wake up!”

“Yes, what?” he blinked a few times.  Oh, on that flying saucer.  No sense of motion.  “Are we there?”

“Short answer is yes,” Pai said, leaning in to touch her nose to his.  “You sure relax a lot after sex.  Not a good survival skill.”

“I’m sure that’s another of my many deficiencies you will fix…”

“Just as you will make me older, too.” She smiled and kissed him before leaning back.  “Unbuckle and come on.”

Moments later had them standing in the middle of a circle of low buildings.  The trees were just beginning to leaf out.  It was warm to him.  “Should I ask where…?”

“Just a few kilometers southwest of the Arnold Engineering Center, the technological heart of the imperium.  You will be shot if caught without a badge, which I am seeing to.  These are mostly offices, where I am to give my presentation about Ceres and my mother’s thoughts thereupon.” She pointed south.  “There’s a small dock there.  See if you can find some fishing gear.  If not, just take a boat and paddle about until I collect you.”

“I will admit, Pai,” he sighed, “this full version of you is a little much for me.”

“I am sorry.” She rested her head onto his chest and did not move for nearly a minute.  “Ah, here is a man with your badge.  Do not lose it.  I do not want you dead yet.”

“What do you mean, yet?” he demanded, taking the badge from the soldier in an unfamiliar uniform.

“I am a Machine.  You will likely die thousands of years before I do.  However,” she continued in her whiplash style, “can you help me with dinner, later?”

“Huh?  Oh, sure.”  Then she kisses me and runs off.  What am I doing?  Here.  With her?

It was a beautiful area, if just a little too warm.  Well, the imperium is way down south.  Very similar to the college campus they were on just hours ago.  Almost everyone was in uniform, some kind of gray-green, and nearly three-quarters men.  Many looks came his way, but Graf ignored them and kept walking, finally arriving at a little dock.

“Fancy a splash?” an old codger, no uniform, asked, looking up from a paperback.  “Oh!  Purple flag on your badge!  A special guest!”

He stood and dipped his head.

“I…I’m nobody.  Just a farmer from up north,” Graf said, uncomfortable.  “I was sorta told to walk around while my Intended has a meeting.  Maybe also out in the lake, here?”

“Intended?” the man echoed.  “You marryin’ into the Imperial Family?”

“No!  Uh, no.  She’s, ah, from Russia.  Here about some meeting.  She fell off her ship where I live.  And,” I cannot believe these words are coming out of my mouth, “we decided to get married.”

“Well, young sir, my name’s Charli Nate,” he said with his hand out, which Graf took.  “Be a right pleasure to help out a new nobleman such as yous.  Here, this heres blue canoe is ours in best shape.  You do looks a bit worn from travellin’ all this ways, so take some time to recollect yourself.  I’d be bettin’ your new missus will come get you when she wants.”

Thanking him profusely, Graf stepped in and paddled out.  It’s so pleasant here.  He could see the reservoir dam was about a half mile to the south, so he angled east, looking at the lake on his right and trees on his left.

A big two days, he thought, pushing on.  So, she’s, what’s the word from some of Dad’s old stories?  An AI.  They have kids?  How is that even possible?  I mean, sure, we did it, but that is her ‘droid body, and she already said it cannot get pregnant.  And how many siblings did she say she had?  Three?  Four?  I don’t recall.  Whups!

Ahead was another spit of land with what looked like a meeting hall built on it.  But there was also a soldier with a machine pistol looking at him.  Time to turn around.  Graf gave what he hoped was a friendly wave and did so.  Probably safer to just go to ground somewhere where we were dropped off and let her find me.

Nate looked asleep in his chair as he quietly paddled back in.  Securing the canoe, he did take a look at the book he was reading.  Faction:  With the Crusaders.  Never heard of it.  Graf made his way back north.