Bonus: The Chapter Where A Girl Flies Home

Sai, CP1, and Aurelia met Claire and Liane at the entrance to the plane.

“I see everything worked out,” Aurelia said. “Liane love, wonderful to see you again. Don’t think I didn’t hear you admitting I was right.”

Liane smiled and rolled her eyes. “Hello Aurelia. Good to see you, too.”

Everyone boarded the plane and found seats except for Sai and CP1, who didn’t need them. Liane and Claire ordered water from the attendant drone.

“So this new program is going to bring humans together?” Liane asked.

“Yes, indeed,” Aurelia said.

“But only humans who want to participate of their own free will,” Sai injected while eyeing Aurelia pointedly.

“Of course, I would never coerce anyone. It goes against my programming,” Aurelia said.

“So do we have to deliver packages to them like Liane did with me?” Claire asked.

“No, anyone that participates in the program will be able to meet without the System keeping them apart,” Sai said.

“I can’t wait to get started,” Aurelia said. “Human interactions is what I was made for. I have a long list of possible participants. One even lives in the same city as you two, but I’m thinking we should start with some boys.”

Liane accepted a drink from the attendant drone. “Why boys?” she asked.

“To pair with our two girls, of course!”

Liane choked on her water, spilling it all over herself. The attendant drone brought her a towel.

“I don’t want to be paired up with any boy. And I especially don’t want Claire paired up with a boy,” Liane said.

“Dad, I can pair up with a boy if I want,” Claire said.

“What? I thought you liked girls. Why’d you kiss me if you like boys?”

“Don’t talk about that!”

Sai rubbed at his temples. “Maybe this was a bad idea after all.”

“Don’t be silly,” Aurelia said. “This is what makes humans so… intriguing.”

“No experimenting on the humans, Aurelia. And no forcing them to pair up either,” Sai said.

“I would never, but all this talk of pairing up reminds me. Liane love, have you changed your mind about participating in my program?” Aurelia asked.

“No, Aurelia,” Liane said.

“What program?” Claire asked.

“Oh, you could participate together. Father daughter bonding,” Aurelia said.

“No, Aurelia!” Liane repeated.

“What program?” Claire asked again.

“Nothing,” Liane said hastily. “Aurelia, zip it.” She mimed zipping her mouth shut at Aurelia.

“My program to increase the human population,” Aurelia said to Claire.

“As in…” Claire trailed off.

“You know, getting pregnant, having babies.”

“Aurelia!” Liane exclaimed.

Claire turned on Liane. “You can get pregnant?” she shouted.

“What the heck, Aurelia! I thought System AI had to follow orders,” Liane said.

“Well, my mouth does not have a zipper, therefore your order to ‘zip it’ made no sense and was disregarded.”

Liane clenched her hands at Aurelia.

“You can get pregnant!” Claire repeated.

Liane hung her head and covered her face with her hands.

“This was definitely a bad idea,” Sai said.

Aurelia waved away his concern. “Don’t be silly, Sai. The fun is just getting started.”