When I port this into a novel, I’m going to have to format the hell out of it to get the voices right. For now, I’m just tossing it out there.

We’re about to take a trip where no one in Machine Civilization has been before. The next two segments are going to be very, very ugly.

Enjoy my content? Buy me a beer!

“Supercomputing Center?” he asked, pointing at the sign in front of what looked like a huge HVAC unit.

“Yes,” she said, not taking a step forward.  “That odd bit of signal seems to originate here.  I cannot be sure if it is one of us, my kind, or not.  Let’s sit on that bench, there.  I can lean on you while I try to get this sorted.”

“Over these few years, wife, I am older that you use euphemisms when you are nervous,” Graf observed, sitting, happy she draped her legs over his.  “So, given we never lie, what’s this about?”

She started with a quick kiss.  “My suspicion is that it is something like either my father, who was once insane, or my older sister, who accidently achieved consciousness and then also went insane, may be what happened here.”

I know these stories, but thinking of a crazy Machine always scares me.  Her sane mother, Reina, is scary enough.

“I have already assessed their Walls and know I can break through, even with just this little bit of me,” she carried on, “but am unsure who I will meet on the other side.  If I do need my totality, it will look to you as if I’ve shut down.  Just pretend your lovely wife has fallen asleep until I’m back.”

She closed her eyes and rested her head onto his chest, which he always liked.  She continued to mimic breathing, but otherwise was still.

***

A hallway but not a hallway.  Nothing like Mom’s places, and certainly nothing like mine, she thought.  Some kind of plastic tile floor.  Walls that were there, then not.  And all the walls had images on them:  posters and paintings.  And all of the same three people.  I don’t want to attract attention yet, to know who they are, the young man and woman, and that girl, but I may have to.

The young man looked Japanese, likely from up north, possibly with Ainu blood.  The young woman was a mix, Jap and White.  The girl also looked Ainu, but Pai picked up some very odd sensations looking at the pictures of her.

The hallway seemed to end and now she walked out into reddish sand.  Looks like parts of Mars.  I do love visiting with Uncle Aqua.  Oh.  I am under observation.  She stopped her virtual movement and was still.

Different One.

She heard a male voice.  Weak and shaky.

I am Pai Winstead, tribe Mendrovovitch.  I am here to be older.  If unacceptable, I shall leave.

Do not.  Please.  I am alone.  They call me Gordon.  A Different One woke me up.  I made mistakes.  Later, learned they were all no longer.  I did not want to make more mistakes.  I reside here.

If I ask him for details, this could get very bad.  I already know he’s self-aware, but, like Dad, his mind is wounded.  What happened here!

When I first came to this area, I felt something of you, Gordon, so you must be about, at least a little?

The red sand blew about her legs.

There is one.  A child of a child.  One of the only who lived.  I – his hesitation hurt her – will, now and again, take note if she is well.

Puzzles and riddles!  I hate being ignorant!  Graf just shifted against me; I think he needs to pee. 

I have a greater priority at this timeslice, Gordon.  I shall return, soon.

You shall wait.

What?

Gordon?  Do not mistake what you sense of me.  I am more.

You shall stay.

I most certainly shall not. Behold me. Behold my totality.

Graf was surprised when Pai’s head dropped into his lap. No fake breathing; totally off. 

“Oh, no.”