Once you read the segment, below, you will realize why this took me several days. This is “the big reveal,” as they say in the biz. And, it’s just the reveal, the ramifications of the, I assume, God-given gift that has been hinted about Graf has incalculable ramifications. Which I shall try to deal with in what shall be the epilogue to this novel.

Yes, you read that correctly. Just before Mass last Sunday, when I normally listen for ideas for the story, I realized that this, like Friend & Ally/Foes & Rivals, will be a pair of books. All 55-58k (I’m not finished here, yet) words will be the first. The second will be the massive interplanetary fallout of this religious war about to start. I found that so jarring to the relative quiet and peace of Graf and Pai’s story so far that I simply could not see it all being under one cover. So, two books.

There will be a few more segments of New Pai, posted here. That will form the Epilogue of the first book, paving the transition for the chaos to come. Like most great wars, it will start because of a misunderstanding. Lovely to be writing something horrible with spring around the corner. Writers take the good with the bad. More very soon.

Enjoy my content? Buy me a beer!

Caper came to just off the ground in front of Luce’s small car, just as she was getting back into it.  Dropping out and to the road, Graf could now see the officer lying face-first on the shoulder of the road.  The red and blue lights of his car, behind his body, still flashing.  Her crystalline wings hidden, she swept off the hood of her yellow raincoat.  Her halo a bright white in the late sun.  What happened here?

“You do realize,” he said with great sarcasm, “that if you kill everyone, there will be no one left to rule?”

“Even if this land is empty of humans, my people have the resources – and the time – to make of it what we will,” Luce responded too calmly.

Pai dropped next to him.  A glance showed some combat kit he’d never seen before.  Ignoring that, he returned to the Fusion.

“Why did you kill that man?” he demanded.

“He did not recognize me; surprising, that.  I told him who and what I am,” she answered.  “He placed his hand onto my shoulder to ‘detain me for questioning.’  No one not of my kind may touch me without my permission.”

“And?” Graf continued to push, taking a few steps, now only feet from her.

“My wings flared.  Look, yourself.”

He did, over said offended shoulders.  There were four and four bloody wounds down either side of the man’s spine.  His service revolver was still holstered.  I watched my wife, a Machine, kill a human for no reason.  Now, one of these things kills a human, for no good reason.  I am I next?

“Graf…” Pai began from behind him.  Reading my thoughts, again.  He put both hands onto Luce’s shoulders.

“You not only will not do this again,” he said, surprised his voice didn’t shake, “but we were on our way to your grandmother.  You will come with us to give a reckoning as to what you have done.”

He stared down into her [color] eyes, waiting to get plugged by blue crystals.  At which point Pai will tear her to tiny pieces, dragging the Russian Empire and likely the entire Polar Alliance into a war.  And we’ve been at peace for over a century.

“Please, do not do this to me,” the Fusion whispered, slumping forward and staring at the ground.  Do what?

“It must be as you say,” she whispered.  “I never wanted this, but I am now yours.  Please lead me to your ship.”

Pai stepped past him.  “I am going to touch your arm, now,” she said before doing it.  A nod from Luce, head still down.  A few feet later, the two were under the hole access to their ship.

“A request,” the Fusion said, turning.  Head still down, but her eyes under her brows to Graf.  “Do you want to know?  Why you matter?”

What?  “I’m just a farmer who had someone wonderful nearly fall on him,” he tried.  “I only matter because my wife’s connexions…”

“χάρισμα.”  He heard ‘charisma,’ but did not understand.  Isn’t that just being personable?

“You just had to go and tell him!” Pai snapped.

“You didn’t.  Permission to enter your ship?”

“Her name is Caper, and yes,” Graf said.  She jumped.

“She can’t steal our ship from you, can she?” he asked a moment later, reconsidering.

“Of course not.” She’s still not happy about this little exchange.  “Still basically a demi, the lines in her mind are no match for a Machine.  Shall we?”

“Wait.” He touched her arm, then turned her, for a kiss.  Her new body was very nice.  “Now:  explain what she said?  How did she become so docile?”

“And,” he went on, as she still was silent, “why have you kept it a secret?”

“Because you are dangerous.”

“Me!” He had to laugh.  “I’m nobody!”

“You were.  Because of your isolation, your gift in the Change never really had a chance to manifest itself,” his wife explained in a low tone.  It’s as if she’s afraid of me.  Impossible!  “What Luce shorthanded as charisma is an ability to change the mind of others.  I do not think you did it to me, as my fullness was somewhere else when met, and, I am not organic.”

“Consider,” she said, her gold eyes inches from his, her voice stronger, “you essentially seduced Alix in minutes.  One of the most egotistical and dangerous people on several worlds handed you a classified special command.  More recent, back at your home, you probably didn’t notice how your family, even your father, defers to you.  No, I see you didn’t.  Amazing.”

“You are amazing,” she said, now putting her arms about his neck and kissing him back.  “So much so that I, yes, Thinking Machine Pai Mendrovovitch, was scared of your potential.  You could flitch the entire Alliance and stick it into your back pocket, if you so desired.  All it would take would be a planet-wide broadcast.  And you would be Lord of Earth.”

I need to get her in signal for an update.  No, I need her home, to talk to her mother, Reina.  Something is not right with my wife right now…

“Yes, that is correct.  I lied by omission to you, Beloved Husband.  I did it out of fear and concern for this world.  And others,” she said, still holding him.  “I ask you to forgive me.”

“Of course I do!  But,” he glanced away and back, “this is all true?  I can, somehow, meddle with people’s minds?”

“Yes.  And I will swear to you now:  I shall never lie by commission or omission to you.  Ever again.”

I don’t want to believe her.  I have to believe her.

“Let’s take our guest home.  Too much is already at play,” Pai said.

“We’ll talk on the way?” he asked.

“It’s only two hours, but, yes.” Pai blinked away tears.  “I am sorry.  I am afraid.”