010: Off to The Deeps

[helvorn]

Jaelah sat back and watched William interact with both of them. "Apparently I missed a conversation. Why are there now two of you?"

“You didn’t miss it,” the Ciencia who had been beside William all this time said. “I didn’t tell anyone because I wasn’t completely sure it would work or how William might respond. Bilis updated my continuous backup augmentation last night and made a copy of me. Our memories and experiences sync up via the ansible network Roscoe is building when we sleep, so we’re the same person with a day of different memories—at most—before the sync up.”

The other one nodded. “Bilis said this was something that some Ancients did and that there was no risk, and that it was less confusing that it might seem. Now that we’ve experienced a memory sync, I can say she was right. It’s like remembering being in two places at the same time, but somehow separate.

“As for why, I have to perform my duties here in the Marches but still want to go with you, it was the only way I could have my cake and eat it, too.”

Then they both looked at William and smiled a bit wickedly. “And it has other benefits, too,” they said in tandem.

Metz cleared his throat. “To be clear, this is the first I’ve heard of this. It wasn’t my idea or doing.” He’s looking at Garvin when he says it.

“It will bring advantages and surprises,” Bilis said over the speakers. “Perhaps sooner than you might expect and those might be… unexpectedly challenging, particularly for William.”

Garvin eyes Ciencia and adds levelly "Just because the ancients did it doesn't mean we should. If you recall our shared 'istory lessons one of the other "things" the Ancients did was to drive themselves mad and bring about a galactic war. I'd like to think we can all still agree that would be a bad idea. Of all of us, you are the one who would cause the most "inconvenience" should you drive yourself round the twist trying to juggle the shared realities of all your clones".

Switching his attention to Metz he replies "I suppose there 'as to be a first time for everythin' - but you're still not off the 'ook because it all 'appened on your watch an' in the "toy shop" you're in ruddy charge of!"

His brooding ire then evaporates as he gives a broad grin at Bilis' announcement and laughingly claps William on the shoulder and shakes his hand "Well, it's either "congratulations" or "serves you right" - but I'll go with the first!" He gives both the Ciencias a warm smile followed by a chaste congratulatory handshake and hug.

William has been enjoying the conversation as Ciencia unveils her surprise. "It certainly keeps my hands full in a good way that there are two of them." He frowned at Garvin. "I would say Ciencia is the best qualified of all of us to handle this dual nature. The other thing that she has going for her that the ancients don't have is human love and friendships. We are not consumed with power and knowledge." William took the hands of both women and gave them a squeeze. "Just wait until I introduce her to my extended family. That will either drive her crazy or ground her pretty solidly. We can always go back home and ranch if things get too crazy."

When Bilis spoke William spat out his tea and started coughing. He finally recovered and looked at each of his wives steadily. "I just brought this up last night. Family. Children. I don't…" William told both of them into a hug and broke into a combination of laughing and crying.

[Thumper]

Walt-
”Well, ain’t that the Prestige!”

[terrymixon]

Garvin eyes Ciencia and adds levelly "Just because the ancients did it doesn't mean we should. If you recall our shared 'istory lessons one of the other "things" the Ancients did was to drive themselves mad and bring about a galactic war. I'd like to think we can all still agree that would be a bad idea. Of all of us, you are the one who would cause the most "inconvenience" should you drive yourself round the twist trying to juggle the shared realities of all your clones".

“I’m aware,” she responded levelly. “That’s why I asked lots of questions first. When Bilis says Ancients, what she means are human servants to the Ancients. Quite a few did this and over hundreds of years without any indication of mental issues. Adding more than two instances, as she said, proved trying after more than a few weeks, so that will be off the table for me. If there is any indication of trouble, I’ll off the competition.”

The other Ciencia snorted. “We’re still the same person, so maybe I’ll be offing you. In any case, I’ll be careful and Bilis will be watching over me.”

Switching his attention to Metz he replies "I suppose there 'as to be a first time for everythin' - but you're still not off the 'ook because it all 'appened on your watch an' in the "toy shop" you're in ruddy charge of!"

“I’ll be sure to mention that when, not if, Aster goes rogue.”

His brooding ire then evaporates as he gives a broad grin at Bilis' announcement and laughingly claps William on the shoulder and shakes his hand "Well, it's either "congratulations" or "serves you right" - but I'll go with the first!" He gives both the Ciencias a warm smile followed by a chaste congratulatory handshake and hug.

The Ciencias look poleaxed.

[terrymixon]

William has been enjoying the conversation as Ciencia unveils her surprise. "It certainly keeps my hands full in a good way that there are two of them." He frowned at Garvin. "I would say Ciencia is the best qualified of all of us to handle this dual nature. The other thing that she has going for her that the ancients don't have is human love and friendships. We are not consumed with power and knowledge." William took the hands of both women and gave them a squeeze. "Just wait until I introduce her to my extended family. That will either drive her crazy or ground her pretty solidly. We can always go back home and ranch if things get too crazy."

When Bilis spoke William spat out his tea and started coughing. He finally recovered and looked at each of his wives steadily. "I just brought this up last night. Family. Children. I don't…" William told both of them into a hug and broke into a combination of laughing and crying.

He still has just one wife, only she can be in two places at the same time.

“Oh, this is complicated,” one of them says, a worried look on her face. “I might just be one person, but the babies won’t be. I know they have to be genetically identical, but that’s more like twins for real. Once they find out I’m pregnant, the medicos will watch me like a hawk and there will only be one baby. How will we explain two?”

“I was unclear,” Bilis said. “The total is four, fraternal twins, one male and one female. And that sums up the complications I spoke of because I recognized that you would reject the idea of doing anything that would undo the duplication. Rightly so. So, now you will have some explaining to do or some evasion to execute. Good luck.”

[terrymixon]

Walt-
”Well, ain’t that the Prestige!”

“It’s something,” said Bona. “What do we do if this happens to us, Walt? I know nothing about being biological. I know nothing about raising children.” She sounds a bit panicked.

Aster says nothing but the thoughtful look she’s giving Garvin speaks volumes.

Roscoe simply squeezes his wife’s hand.

[joertexas]

Roscoe simply squeezes his wife’s hand.

"I suppose this gives the rest of us something to consider," Jaelah says as she leans back in her chair and closes her eyes for a moment. "We can still take the grand tour while we conduct business elsewhere using the portals, so a second instance of us isn't really necessary." She looks to Roscoe. "What do you think about this?"

[Thumper]

Walt-
”Well, ain’t that the Prestige!”

“It’s something,” said Bona. “What do we do if this happens to us, Walt? I know nothing about being biological. I know nothing about raising children.” She sounds a bit panicked.

Aster says nothing but the thoughtful look she’s giving Garvin speaks volumes.

Roscoe simply squeezes his wife’s hand.

Walt- putting his arms around Bona reassuringly:
"Hey now. Nothing to worry about. I ain't sold on the idea of more than one of you. I have enough of a time keeping up with just one of you, and I like it that way. We aren't going to do anything we, together, don't want to do.

Now, I'm a believer that all the smart and all the beautiful people of the galaxy have an obligation to procreate...we have to reverse this ideocracy that has begun. And if one is both smart AND beautiful, even more social obligation to make even more babies. But we have virtually an eternity together to figure that out! Not going to do anything you don't want and aren't ready to do."

[terrymixon]

Roscoe simply squeezes his wife’s hand.

"I suppose this gives the rest of us something to consider," Jaelah says as she leans back in her chair and closes her eyes for a moment. "We can still take the grand tour while we conduct business elsewhere using the portals, so a second instance of us isn't really necessary." She looks to Roscoe. "What do you think about this?"

“I believe that you have the right of it. Doing anything on the worlds of the new polity before we get there would be hard to explain. As for children, I am open to the idea if you are. I wouldn’t presume to do anything other than support your desires in the matter.”

He looked over at William. “I will say that if anyone else should be considering a second instance, it is you. The Grand Princess should have her Prince Consort at her side or there will be questions.”

[terrymixon]

Walt-
”Well, ain’t that the Prestige!”

“It’s something,” said Bona. “What do we do if this happens to us, Walt? I know nothing about being biological. I know nothing about raising children.” She sounds a bit panicked.

Aster says nothing but the thoughtful look she’s giving Garvin speaks volumes.

Roscoe simply squeezes his wife’s hand.

Walt- putting his arms around Bona reassuringly:
"Hey now. Nothing to worry about. I ain't sold on the idea of more than one of you. I have enough of a time keeping up with just one of you, and I like it that way. We aren't going to do anything we, together, don't want to do.

Now, I'm a believer that all the smart and all the beautiful people of the galaxy have an obligation to procreate...we have to reverse this ideocracy that has begun. And if one is both smart AND beautiful, even more social obligation to make even more babies. But we have virtually an eternity together to figure that out! Not going to do anything you don't want and aren't ready to do."

“While I know that it’s safe, I agree with you. It’s the idea of being a parent that I’m worried about. Accidents happen and no birth control is completely foolproof. I’m just learning to be human. It’s too soon for more.”

[Thumper]

Walt-
"Completely agree. There will never be a rush or pressure."

[terrymixon]

Walt-
"Completely agree. There will never be a rush or pressure."

"But what do we do if there is an accident?"

[helvorn]

“Oh, this is complicated,” one of them says, a worried look on her face. “I might just be one person, but the babies won’t be. I know they have to be genetically identical, but that’s more like twins for real. Once they find out I’m pregnant, the medicos will watch me like a hawk and there will only be one baby. How will we explain two?”

“I was unclear,” Bilis said. “The total is four, fraternal twins, one male and one female. And that sums up the complications I spoke of because I recognized that you would reject the idea of doing anything that would undo the duplication. Rightly so. So, now you will have some explaining to do or some evasion to execute. Good luck.”

William frowned. "Twins would be fine. Perhaps we could somehow bake the medical records to show two…" He broke off as Bilis continued. William looked faint as she spoke. He whispered. "Bartender robot bring me a double shot of the best whiskey." William looked at one Ciencia and then the other. He was quiet until the drink arrived and then slammed it back. William threw the empty glass into a corner where it shattered. "For luck! We will need it."

Taking a deep breath William hugged each of the women next to him. He leaned over and kissed their bellies. His face was red and his eyes shining. "I wanted at least four darlings but maybe not this overwhelmingly." He took another deep breath. "We absolutely will not do anything to undo the duplication. We will have two identical twin boys and two identical twin girls. Baking the medical records will be tough if not impossible given the scrutiny such a pregnancy will receive. Even if we can synchronize memories I do not want to raise two families. The only thing I can think of immediately is if we can delay one pregnancy so that they happen back to back."

[terrymixon]

“Oh, this is complicated,” one of them says, a worried look on her face. “I might just be one person, but the babies won’t be. I know they have to be genetically identical, but that’s more like twins for real. Once they find out I’m pregnant, the medicos will watch me like a hawk and there will only be one baby. How will we explain two?”

“I was unclear,” Bilis said. “The total is four, fraternal twins, one male and one female. And that sums up the complications I spoke of because I recognized that you would reject the idea of doing anything that would undo the duplication. Rightly so. So, now you will have some explaining to do or some evasion to execute. Good luck.”

William frowned. "Twins would be fine. Perhaps we could somehow bake the medical records to show two…" He broke off as Bilis continued. William looked faint as she spoke. He whispered. "Bartender robot bring me a double shot of the best whiskey." William looked at one Ciencia and then the other. He was quiet until the drink arrived and then slammed it back. William threw the empty glass into a corner where it shattered. "For luck! We will need it."

Taking a deep breath William hugged each of the women next to him. He leaned over and kissed their bellies. His face was red and his eyes shining. "I wanted at least four darlings but maybe not this overwhelmingly." He took another deep breath. "We absolutely will not do anything to undo the duplication. We will have two identical twin boys and two identical twin girls. Baking the medical records will be tough if not impossible given the scrutiny such a pregnancy will receive. Even if we can synchronize memories I do not want to raise two families. The only thing I can think of immediately is if we can delay one pregnancy so that they happen back to back."

As the bartender robot isn't activated, Roscoe will bring you a glass of the very best. When you smash the glass, several Skitters head in to clean it up.

"That's not possible," Metz said, his voice sympathetic. "They are developing whether you are ready for them or not. The technology exists to extract the growing fetuses and put them into devices called Uterine Replicators, which will see them develop safely, but I'm told the technology is rarely used because many mothers want to the full experience, no matter how painful and inconvenient it might be."

"You're damned right," one of the Ciencia's said a bit fiercely. "They might develop just fine, but what about the bonding? A mother and child should be on this ride together."

The other one nodded. "Agreed. I look at William's size and dread how two big babies will make me look and feel, but I want the full experience. As for hiding the number of children, that will be easy. My Imperial Guards already know my condition. I will have to get my father and mother to send someone with the right skill set, but that information can be kept to a small circle of people outside our group. Honestly, I suspect I'll look as if I'm pregnant with quadruplets by the time this is all done."

The first one chuckled. "True. We need to go tell them all of this. The duplication and the children. For now, I think it best you handle the situation here without us and we will make some magic happen on our end. Deal?" 

"We need to do that today," the other one said. "William, you need to stay here and work the issues on Aki. We might be gone all day, or perhaps several days. I'll send Terresa back to tell you about what is happening."

"She's going to be so pissed that I duplicated myself," the first one said. "It was hard enough keeping up with one of me. I might not be the only one getting duplicated." She looked over at William. "And that might be true of Frederick as well, if my husband wants to stay by my side at Vincennes. No pressure but think about it."

[ateno]

i thought I posted earlier. sorry.

"Um, I'm feeling uncomfortable, all the generating a potential spouse/FB from a computer program or cloning your yourself. ... It's all giggles and sex now, but there's a reason the ancients fell apart, and we are heading down that way. There is a huge potential for abuse and I think we need to be above board about whatever ah enhancements or copies we make, except for death of course. Hell princess what happens in 5 years, when the two of you grow apart, cause it will happen. I think a a group decision to decide if its approved. Cause I am starting to get freaked out."

Arkar

[Thumper]

Walt-
"Completely agree. There will never be a rush or pressure."

"But what do we do if there is an accident?"

Walt-
”Tell ya what. Metz’ awesome TL bazillion auto-doc can fix me up with a vasectomy. It surely can reverse it when we want it to. And the regular updates with Bilis can ensure the wires ain’t crossed. Can’t flush swimmers when the pipes are broken!

[terrymixon]

i thought I posted earlier. sorry.

"Um, I'm feeling uncomfortable, all the generating a potential spouse/FB from a computer program or cloning your yourself. ... It's all giggles and sex now, but there's a reason the ancients fell apart, and we are heading down that way. There is a huge potential for abuse and I think we need to be above board about whatever ah enhancements or copies we make, except for death of course. Hell princess what happens in 5 years, when the two of you grow apart, cause it will happen. I think a a group decision to decide if its approved. Cause I am starting to get freaked out."

Arkar

"We won't grow apart," one of them said. "We sync memories every night so when we wake up, we are exactly the same person. Only one day of differences at a time."

[terrymixon]

Walt-
"Completely agree. There will never be a rush or pressure."

"But what do we do if there is an accident?"

Walt-
”Tell ya what. Metz’ awesome TL bazillion auto-doc can fix me up with a vasectomy. It surely can reverse it when we want it to. And the regular updates with Bilis can ensure the wires ain’t crossed. Can’t flush swimmers when the pipes are broken!

"That might be for the best until we decide to do more."

[Thumper]

Walt-
”For your piece of mind, I’ll go get it done now. Can you put some bags of peas in the freezer for me? Oh, and I’ll be outta commission for a few days!”

[terrymixon]

Walt-
”For your piece of mind, I’ll go get it done now. Can you put some bags of peas in the freezer for me? Oh, and I’ll be outta commission for a few days!”

"I'm confident that it won't be an inconvenience," Metz said with a smirk.

[terrymixon]

"Walt, we'll be headed for Tirem next," Ciencia said. "It has a very large population, something like six billion people. Same as her at Aki. I don't think you're off base in looking here and there for a hidden psionic institute. Don't just give up on it."