With the announcement of the anthology yesterday, I didn’t want to throw more material at my blog. So, here is the conclusion of the “quiet time” at Graf’s family farm and the introduction of Pai’s new form. It sounds as if things are already getting a little dicey, here and there.

Graf’s father, perhaps recalling his wife’s accidental death, makes the salient point that “nowhere is really safe.” Pai rejoins with, essentially, “we must try.” Both are legitimate arguements, one from fatalism and one from hope. You’d have thought a human and Machine would have taken the other’s side, but with his son married, his daughter about to, and two grandkids in the yard, Mister Winstead is perhaps mentally on life’s back 40. Pai, essentially immortal, sees worlds without end before her; if not always with Graf, then she can certainly be Auntie for generations to come.

Enjoy my content? Buy me a beer!

When setting the bowls down for Suza and Tér, even Graf caught the split-second hesitation in her movement.  Not wanting to make an issue of it, still getting used to her new body?, he finished his inventory of the gun cabinet, specifically regarding ammunition.

“If she’s right, and, she usually is, I have to make sure Dad and Mindy are safe, here,” he muttered to himself.  Door closed, he locked it.  It normally was not, but with the kids here, it was prudent.

His father was sitting on the little bench by the back door, getting his work boots on.  Tér had been so happy to “help” yesterday that Suza wanted to, as well.  Alix shuffled them back upstairs to find some appropriate farm clothes.  Dishes rinsed, Pai came into the living room and sat next to him.

“It’s starting,” she said in a neutral voice.

“What is?”

“The four-truck team of legionaries in Fort Wayne.  One was hit by and RPG and the rest are under small arms fire,” she continued in the same tone.  “Aurie has ordered the local man in charge to conduct a fighting withdrawal for now, with aid coming via an L-4 transport and bombardment craft.”

“What in the…!” he started.  Only to stop when she looked over at him.

“Alix and the children cannot go back to Wilmington.  Yet.  I want them in the core of the imperium.  This is not negotiable, Husband.”

“What happens next?” he asked.

“I’ve no idea. Oh, and the Mexicans have moved an additional regiment into the Central Valley of Alta California.”  She looked about.  “We will all help on your farm, today.  From Min’s movement and eyes, she wants Joe over for dinner.  After dinner, we leave.”

“We, who?”  Life with Pai and Aurie had him ask direct questions.

“You and I.  Alix and the children.  I,” she looked up at the ceiling, “detect no threat to your family here.  At dinner, though it may vex your father, I will suggest Joe move here, tomorrow.  ‘Too safe’ is impossible.”

She dropped her head and Graf saw she was crying.  A Mark XVI.  He was at her side and holding her.  There were sounds of Alix and the kids coming down.

“Pai?” he asked.

“You are an accomplished fisherman but not a very good hunter,” she said, dragging the sleeve of her military Russian jacket across her face.  A face which was now nothing but smiles for the children.  “We must rectify that.  This will get worse before it gets better.”

The fact dinner was a tense nightmare was my fault, Graf thought.  Pai can simulate any emotion she wants, so cheerful, and the bad news is for now.  There still was some sun, and the kids were playing in the backyard.  He looked across the coffee table at his father, Mindy, and her Intended.  Pai was to his right and Alix his left.

“A kind of civil war has begun,” he said, knowing he had to speak first.  “Pai shall give the details.  But…”

He took a breath.

“Everything is going to change.  I think things will be fine here, as we’ve seen nothing about this new religion nor any particular hate towards the imperials – of either side.”

A glance at his Russian wife.

“Because, as you said over three years ago, father, I am now ‘wrapped up’ in all of this, that means Alix and the kids are, too.  Pai recommends moving, just temporarily, Alix, them to a safer part of the imperium.”

“Wilmington has been under our control for generations,” Alix objected.  “What could be safer?”

“I am told that one of the Empress’ grandchildren can take y’all in for a month or so,” Pai contributed.  “They’re just a little south of Chattanooga.”

“Excuse me, daughter Alix,” his father began, “but I’ve another question for our world travelers, here.  What has happened and how bad is this going to get?”

Pai quickly told him, and Mindy and Joe, what she knew.  She went on to speculate the possibility of a religious civil war.

“Until we know the extent of both internal cells and foreign interference, I want to protect my family,” she ended.

Dad called Alix daughter, so Pai extends the same courtesy, Graf thought without putting a look on his face.  We must be unified in this.

“Years ago, at her coronation speech, Aurelia was attacked.  In the heart of her empire,” his father said, taking a sip of beer.  “Is there really anywhere safe?”

“One of your horses could founder; you get an infected leg and die.  My ship can be shot out of the sky.  The Mother’s car washed by a freak wave into the ocean,” Pai recited.  “No.  Nowhere is safe.  But we must do what we can.  Especially for the children.”

“And when does all this happen?” he father asked.

“Tonight,” Graf answered.  “The kids get a bath when they come back in.  I’ll pack for everyone, Alix.  We get everyone settled at their, let’s call it their special vacation home, and then Pai and I are off again.”

“What!” Alix exclaimed.  “Where?”

“Several places,” Pai said, reaching to rest her hand on the other’s thigh.  “Starting in the Far East.  We must speak again with Ildi.  She is not behind all this in any sense of the word, but it is images of her and her family which are integral.  If we can short circuit that, and funny:  me saying that!  If we can, perhaps this will not become a hot war.”

“That,” she concluded, “will give us time to move against the rebels and terrorists.”

“Like your mom?” Alix muttered.

“Like Reina, my mom.  Yes.”