Author: Clayton Barnett

Former engineer, current husband and father, layabout Pharmacy Technician, aspiring writer.

New Pai, 10

This is not going where I originally thought. You would think that making trouble with people who are predisposed to like you is a stupid move, but there have been times when demis have acted, to me, erratically. I’m beginning to wonder if there is some kind of mental stress Fusions suffer from, as a new, genetically mixed race.

This will be a tough one to write my way through. Was is especially disturbing is that I saw what Luce does when I was at church on Sunday. It’s an important enough plot point to be gifted to me, but I am at a loss, right now. Hope to start figuring it out tomorrow for a Friday post.

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New Pai, 9

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.

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New Pai, 8

A rare Tuesday update. Honestly, I’m hitting my stride on the coming war so want much of this out of the way. If anyone thinks I’ve handed Pai’s new form, her introduction, wrong, please comment. The 3.5-way relationship is not like anything I have dealt with before and welcome input.

So. We learn what one-point-oh might be up to in the coming months. We also are getting a better idea about the… insurgency? Is that the apposite word? Of what is coming. Rebellion? As I have not been told what it looks like, I am not sure what to call it. And, it sounds as if Reina is doing what she does best.

At least there is peace within this family. Besides God, Family is everything.

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New Pai, 7

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.

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New Pai, 6

A short addition for a Friday, but there’s obviously a lot going on in this little scene. There, obviously, will be confusion and questions on Graf’s part. Really, I have several, as well. Does 1.0 get deactivated and/or put into storage? She still has live flesh to feed every three days, unless Somi removes it first. Since a Thinking Machine could easily setup and use multiple androids, is 1.0 still out and about, especially in the face of a possible coming religious war? I have no idea.

Let’s all find out, together.

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New Pai, 5

Much bigger mid-week addition, but I want the reveal to happen on Friday, to give everyone something to think about over the weekend. I wanted to continue with the simple, bucolic world Graf finds himself in right now, after his and Pai’s recent travels. I am, also, getting an idea for what will either be the second half or part three of this novel; it’s been too long since something blew up.

There really is a steampunk-themed B&B in Spring Green, WI. How has it stayed open for the last 150 years into my future history? No idea. Maybe no one thought it was worth looting? And, I can definitely see Suza making a small difference engine once she gets back home to Wilmington.

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New Pai, 4

Back in the river for more fish. Suza says something a bit startling to her dad, who runs it back past Alix. Later, at breakfast, Pai gets sneaky again about later that day. Then she shocks Mindy awake with her news of her unilateral action.

If I can just get everyone to this afternoon, the next segment, I can return to the plot of “religious war?” and start making trouble for everyone.

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New Pai, 3

I’m having to sneak up on this as there are, as you’ll read, three big things looming in Pai’s mind. In signal with her totality from their ship parked behind the house, she still is unsure how to proceed. A concern in my mind is she might just panic and leave, at least for a while.

I am happy that after three years, and children, Alix’s disgust is now more just a subtle teasing of someone vastly different from her. And, even with the odd family arrangement, that they can love one another.

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New Pai, 2

Wife woke up at 0011 complaining of aches and pains. She also had – and has – a fever. One of our weekend pharmacists says influenza is endemic in central Ohio right now. Boomers panic and go to the hospitals, so now there are no beds. It’s the fookin’ flu. Yes, it sucks, but maybe it’s your time, Mr. and Mrs. “We’re spending our childrens’ inheritance.”

So, I’ll post what I have as I’m not sure when I’ll be back to the keyboard. With this RealLife illness, I also mention how Graf was sick early in their mission.

With Mindy’s Intended there, I now have a fresh set of eyes to look at what is going on. He’s obviously not comfortable with the Graf/Pai/Alix situation, but is quickly distracted in hearing of Fusions. And, Graf and Min’s father experiences a little healing, thinking what future might be for his grandchildren.

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