We all learn a little more about 2.0. And, yes, I deliberately side-stepped the issue of the coming war in favor of touching on a potentially prurient detail. Theologically, I think Graf married Pai’s soul, those nearly four years ago, so her request might be unnecessary. Might. The physical consumation of a marriage has always played a significant role in post-Roman, Western European law. It’s similar to, back in one of the last chapters of Worlds Without End where Henge’s new body is conditionally re-baptized; why take chances?

I find it very odd that resistance to rule by demis or Machines would have some humans coalesce around the Fusions, who themselves are demis. Either that is not common knowledge or the “wings and halo” imagery lends itself to religious fervor. There is, of course, no one who could stop Reina from taking any measures she wants, and I’ll have to check my timeline to see if Aurie’s father is still alive. If not, her mother Henge would be the sole restraint on her.

A few more days of peace, then I think I’ll light this world on fire.

Enjoy my content? Buy me a beer!

Back up on the deck and sitting at the slightly rusted table there, Mindy ran for lemonade and –

“This deserves a beer for me, Min,” her father said.

Pai, this Pai, had a child bouncing on each knee after sitting across from Graf.  I should have got a beer, too.

“You have questions,” she said in the same voice of her other body.

“So many, I don’t know where to start,” he admitted.

“The apparent age of the previous me was already causing questions and concern,” she explained as Mindy set the glasses down, then sat to her brother’s left, what with Alix on his right.  “This form should suffice until you are much older; although perhaps some will think I am your new, hot wife after a midlife crisis.”

“That’s a long time from now,” he noted.

“True.  Much will happen in the coming war.  I do hope you make it,” Pai agreed.

“What!” Alix shouted, slamming down the glass she’d just picked up.

“Has anyone here read the book, Dune?” Pai asked, taking her own way to an answer.

“Yes.” Graf’s father was the only one to answer.

“In that book, in their past, there was a war against thinking machines.  Like me.  Oooo!  This form is so new!” she said as she made a great stretch.  “Better.  Now, in real life, that will include demis.  There was the terrorist attack against Aurelia.  There have been several more, generally not reported.”

“Those,” she nodded at Alix, “who have reverence are matched by those who think they are sick and tired of being lorded over by non-humans.  Open warfare is almost certain.”

“Pai, my wife,” Graf tried, still not used to her new body, “what does that have to do with, well, this new you?”

“As dangerous as version one was, this is much more.  Not a combat model like distant cousin Fausta’s, I’ve no armor, for example, but this is a modified Mark XVI.  While capable of great harm, I am here to help and protect you, my love.”

“Hugry,” Tér muttered, bored.

“Then,” Pai stood, “I’ll make dinner!  Can you help, Min?  I think my husband needs some time with Alix to think through some of this.”

She stood away from the table, but turned back.

“Speaking of, my friend and rival, this new body needs to re-consummate the marriage with Graf.”

“Wh…what?” Alix stuttered, suspicious as to what she meant.

“For the sake of our marriage, I want to have Graf, just for one night.  I know it violates the letter of our agreement, but, given the circumstances, I think not the spirit,” Pai explained.

Seeing Alix was about to cry, she backtracked.

“We can discuss it more, after dinner.  And, I’m sorry.”  She and Mindy went into the house.

Not so much at dinner, but after, once the kids were in bed, Mindy and her father found something that needed doing in one of the two barns, and left the trio to themselves.

“Can a, what are you?  Can a Mark XVI become pregnant?” was Alix’s lead question.

“No,” was Pai’s steady answer.

“Why, really, do you want this?” was Alix’s second.

“I had another talk with my uncle, Balthazar, who is Russian Orthodox, that such consummation is for Graf’s soul, barely Christian though he is,” Pai said, sitting very still and for once not trying to be pushy.  “It does not matter to me, as I have no hormonal urges.  But if my husband’s soul is at risk, I wanted to ask permission of you, the Mother.”

From the corner of her new eyes, Pai could see Graf was wishing he could be anywhere else, right now.

“Just,” Alix’s voice caught, “just one night?”

“Yes.  If you are uncomfortable with that, it can be just one time.  We can be back downstairs in fifteen minutes.”

Alix stood.  “I’ll take care of the dishes.  See everyone in the morning.”

Once out of the room, Pai stood, as well, her hand out.  “Come, Husband.  Know this new me.”