2330 UNPC Universal Calendar.

---

“Oh my god!” Her assistant said after walking into her laboratory, and quickly leaving.

“No, it’s okay, come in!” Dr. Raine said, sitting at her desk, having sat writing in the nude.

“Are you sure, doctor?” Her assistant asked.

“I'm sure.” She replied, having to restrain her laughter as he poked his head into the room sheepishly. He came in, put the papers he was supposed to deliver on her desk, and stood there for a moment.

“Thank you.” She said, smiling at the man’s expression and opening the folder he’d given her.

“Why are you naked?” The logistical specialist asked.

“I’m allowed to be, and one of my favorite children likes to be, and quite frankly, I get the point.”

He nodded at her, “you’re allowed to?” He asked.

“Yes, every UNPC installation allows personnel to go about their off duty time nude, provided they act in a manner befitting a representative of the coalition, and cover their anus and genitals in dining facilities.” Dr. Raine explained. “I”m going to be in my office today, so I thought I’d at least be comfortable.” She said, leaning back and putting her hands in her lap. “There was a time, about two hundred years ago, where one in every three of my assistants were nudists, and many other personnel went about naked as well.” Dr. Raine said. “It was good to see everyones body in its natural state.”

He smiled, listening to her speak of the past so fondly. “I will keep it in mind.” He said, then left, and Dr. Raine went back to writing.

—

Several hours later.

—

“Hell-” Kugler said as he walked through the door.

It closed behind him, and he stood there for a moment, staring at her.

“Hello Brian.” Dr. Raine said, standing and walking to meet him.

“Never expected you to take after Sarah, ma’am.” Kugler said.

“The lifestyle has benefits,” She said. “I take it you don’t approve?” She asked.

“I uhm…” He paused. “I don’t think it’s all that odd.” He said after a few moments.

“I take it you went to see the recently?” He asked.

“Yes, everyone but Anton and Kate were completely nude, and I found it calming in a way. They’re all so happy and comfortable.” Dr. Raine said. “Do you have something for me?” She asked.

“No ma’am, I was just here because they couldn’t find anything else better for me to do.” He said.

The armored augment was frankly useless, decked out in fireproof armor, and wearing a full flamethrower setup. It was peacetime, and there was nothing to do.

“If you’d like I could give you the day off.” Dr. Raine said.

“No thank you ma’am, I was hoping to catch up on some paperwork while I was here.” He replied. “May I use a desk?” He asked.

“Of course.” Dr. Raine said. “Would you like a pen as well?” She asked, going back to her desk and sitting down.

“One of those fancy ones? Sure.” He replied, sitting at one of the large stainless steel tables. It cracked alarmingly under his weight, but he paid no mind. He produced a folder that was at least ⅝’’ thick, and started arranging pages on the table.

“Here.” She said, giving him a rather unadorned black fountain pen that had black ink in it. “Keep it.” She told him. “Keep it.” She told him.

“Thank you ma’am, that’s very nice of you.” He said as he removed his thick leather aramid lined gloves, which amazingly he coil handle individually pieces of paper with while wearing.

“Let me know if it runs out.” Dr. Raine said.

He nodded. “Thank you.” He said again.

“I wish I was allowed to appoint a quartermaster or an analyst to do all of that for the augments.” She gestured to the papers.

“I don’t think that would fly with what I work with.”

She shook her head. “No, I don’t think it would.” She said, “Speaking of which, how is your friend?” She asked.

“She is doing well, and has been a big help a time or two.” Kugler replied, speaking on a topic they hadn’t discussed in over a century.

“That’s good to hear.” She said, “And would you let her know that I would love to speak with her at some point in the future?” She asked.

“Of course ma'am,” Kugler replied. “I’m sure she’d enjoy your recent developments.” He said, “She does not choose to wear clothes either.” He said to her perplexed look.

“I would very much enjoy having a conversation with them.” She nodded.

“Unrelated, but would you by chance have a book on speed writing here?” He asked. “I’ve seen how Anton writes, and I think I would like to learn it, or at least something like it.”

“Sadly I do not. But if you would like, I’m sure he would enjoy teaching you in person.” Dr. Raine said. She knew Pitman shorthand herself, but had scarce time to teach it to him.

He deliberated for a few moments. It’d been years since he’d last taken any leave. “You're certain he would be okay with me staying there?” He asked.

“Yes.” She assured him. “He has told me that anyone can come and stay at his property if they wish to.” She said, “Within reason of course.”

That made him nod at her. “I could use a break.” He said as he started to fill out paperwork.

“I agree.” She smiled.

—

Five days later, Schultz family farm.

—

He was dropped off in a field not too far from the house. He waved goodbye to his pilot, and started walking. The house was quickly within eyesight. It was massive, and a dark blue color like a dusk horizon. Two stories, three thousand square feet.

He waved to a young man and woman as he walked towards the house. They waved back, they were both nude, and sat on a gray blanket. He had no idea what their sons and daughters looked like, nor their names, so he assumed they were a young couple, and left it there.

He walked up the stairs of the porch, and found the front door open. He knocked on the hardwood frame as he stood in the doorway.

Sarah poked her head out from behind a large entryway into the first room to the left of the front door. “Kugler!” She exclaimed, walking up to meet him with outstretched arms.

He met her with his arms open, and accepted her hug. “Good to see you too.” He said, patting her twice on the back with a heavy glove.

“You’re not here for work I hope.” Kate said as she stepped out from the same room.

“No, I’m here on leave.” He said, shaking his head. Kugler looked down the very long hallway at a young woman with very long hair and a striking resemblance to Sarah.

“Who’s this?” The woman asked, stepping up to him.

“Anna, this is Kugler, I worked with him for many years.” Sarah told her.

She extended a hand towards him, and he pulled his love off before shaking it. “You smell like a house fire.” Anna said without vanity.

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Kugler boomed a laugh. “Hard to get the smell out of the armor.” He replied, “you’re straight forward, just like your mother, I like that.”

“Thanks.” Anna said, then stepped away. Varg looked at Kugler from the dining room beyond the foyer, paused for a heartbeat, then followed Anna into the living room.

“That thing still hates me.” Kugler said, smiling. “Where’s the old man?” He asked.

“Anton’s out picking up some things to build a cabin by the lake, he’ll be back pretty quick.” Kate replied. “Want to sit down and have a cup of coffee?” She asked.

“That would be nice, yes.” He said. She beckoned him to follow her into the room they’d just come out of, and seated him at a very long ornately carved table while she plucked a mug from a partially dismantled pyramid of identical white mugs, and poured him a cup from an insulated thermos that sat right next to it. The ‘writing room’ as they called it was a library, with full bookshelves on every wall.

There were field manuals, training manuals, and other books of varying types across the shelves. Many, Kugler knew, were written by Anton, and there were other books the other augments had written as well.

“So, how long are you thinking of staying?” Kate asked as they all sipped coffee, sitting at the table.

“As long as it takes me to learn shorthand.” Kugler replied. “Figured I’d learn it from someone I knew, and see a few old friends.”

“Picked a pretty good time. Delta Eight’s here.” Sarah said.

“Oh?” Kugler sounded surprised. He hadn’t seen them in years. They’d usually been stationed oceans apart.

“Yeah, they’re out with him right now.” Sarah replied.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen them.” Kugler nodded. “Say, got somewhere I can take off my armor?” He asked.

“Sure do.” Kate stood, scooting the large chair back and dragging it across the wood floor, adding to the heavy patina.

Kate returned shortly with a large plastic case, just like his armor came back in after servicing. “You can put it in here, and you can find somewhere to shove your flamethrower tanks and whatnot, I’m sure.” She said.

“Thank you.” He told her. He thought for a moment, then spoke. “Did you name Anna after Alpha five?” He asked slowly.

“Yes, we did.” Sarah replied. “And Makayla after Four.” She added.

“Makayla is the one you saw out front with the boy.” Kate clarified.

“Miss raine took after your lifestyle.” He told Sarah.

“Yes, she did.” Sarah smiled. “She spent a while here nude, and said she was ‘very interested’ in continuing the lifestyle.” Sarah said.

“I saw.” Kugler nodded.

“Startling?” Kate asked.

Kugler focused on his mug for a moment, his lips pursed. “Yeah.” he nodded slowly.

“That’s most people’s reaction.” Kate laughed. “Wait a while, it’ll be as normal as us in no time.” She gestured to herself and Sarah.

“Anton has been asking augments and some other coalition personnel if they would like to write a book about their time in the coalition.” Sarah said.

“And you’re asking me if I’d be interested.” Kugler supposed.

“Yes, and no. I was wondering not only if you would be interested in it, but if you even could.” Sarah followed up.

“Well, it would be an opsec and infosec nightmare.” Kugler said, rubbing the back of his head. “I think I’d like to.” He nodded. “NEver could write very well.” he stated flatly. “But I could give it a try.”

“He usually sits and has you tell stories while he takes notes, and then he writes the book with those notes.” Kate told him.

“He even writes down your speech patterns so he can mimic the way you talk.” Sarah added.

“Damn.” Kugler said. “I didn’t know he went that in depth with it.”

“He tries his best.” Kate said as Kugler finished his cup of coffee, putting it back down on the table and standing.

—

About one hour later.

—

Kugler sat at the table, talking to kate, Sarah, and Anna as he waited.

“Did you know the woman I was named after?” Anna asked.

“I did.” Kugler replied. “Never knew anyone quite like her.” He told her. “I wish I knew more about her. We only worked together a few times, and those times were brief.” He smoothed out a wrinkle in his LSS. “If I could go back, I’d have a long conversation with her.”

“It’s odd to hear someone speak so fondly about a person who passed over a hundred years ago.” Anna said. Memories live on, child.

“For us, it feels like yesterday.” Kugler replied.

“I remember where I was when I got the news about the Vorhut.” Sarah said. “I was sitting on the edge of the pool at oh-five-eight, and saw the news story on the small TV mounted on the wall, up in the corner.” She said, staring off into space as she remembered. “I had just finished swimming a few miles, and I was exhausted.” She looked down at her lap. “I remember feeling like I was suffocating.”

“I was stuck in a damn bunker with Alex.” Kugler shook his head. “All because he fucked up a code once.”

“That seems to happen a lot from what I’ve heard.” Anna said.

“Well, he’s been inside nearly every hard site the coalition knows about, so it happens.” Kate said.

“How did your hands come to look like that?” Anna asked Kugler.

“This is what happens when you’re forced to use a flamethrower without any gloves on.” Kugler said, “This divot in my left one across the palm is from where a chunk of my flesh stayed on the metal handle of the ejector.” He said, tracing his pointer finger across his left palm.

Anna leaned in, and looked at his hand, then leaned back and nodded. “I’m sorry that happened to you.” She said to him, her face sincere.

He laughed, it was a brittle rasp. “It’s a fact of life doing what I do. Things happen, and it rarely goes how you expect it to.” He said, making Kate and Sarah nod.

Kate heard two familiar car doors close. “They’re back.” She said.

“Hey guys.” D8 said, stepping through the open door and into the house with boundless energy. They snapped their eyes to Kugler. “Hi.” They said.

“Hi.” He replied, putting his and up, then back down while D8 sat back down at the table while Anton came back inside, carrying the bags. He sat them in the foyer, and stepped into the writing room.

“Hey Kugler, what brings you to the naked place?” He asked, making Kugler laugh.

“Heard you’re the man to speak to about writing books and learning shorthand.” Kugler outlined.

“Nice to have another one that’s willing to have and have themselves written about.” Anton said, sitting.

Anna listened to the grown ups talk, and decided to remain quiet.

“I presume you and these two have talked it over?” He asked.

“We have, and I think I’m interested.” Kugler said.

“I hope you don’t find the environment too discomforting.” Anton said, looking at the nude bunch.

“Not a big deal to me, oddly relaxing in a way.” He replied.

“Well, you should think about what you want to, and are allowed to write about.” Anton said.

“I’ve got a few operations I’m allowed to talk about, they’re slated to be declassified anyways, pending coalition input.” Kugler shrugged.

He produced the pen Dr. Raine had given him.

“Ah, a pilot metropolitan, a good every day pen.” Anton said.

“I don’t think I’ll carry it around much, I would never forgive myself if I lost or broke it.” Kugler looked at it in his hand.

“The barrel is brass, as is the cap, and if it gets cooked, the working parts are easy enough to replace.” Anton said. “I can recommend other pens you probably wouldn’t mind losing.”

“I think I’ll use this one until the novelty wears off and just the sentimental value remains.” Kugler said, looking at the simple black pen and speaking analytically.

“What color of hink are you using right now?” Kugler asked, looking up from his pen and at the two bottles of ink on the table. One was large, and looked like a glass soda bottle, and the other was small, and hexagonal.

“Right now I’m using Noodler’s Rome, but the bigger bottle is Pilot Blue-Black, I’ll toss it into that waterman bottle once it’s emptied of the gold colored Rome.” Anton replied.

“Gold?” Kugler asked.

“Yeah, it turns pink when you try to remove it with water or anything like that.” He replied.

“Oh god, he’s found a pen buddy.” Sarah chuckled, shaking her head and grinning while covering her face.

“Everyone needs a hobby.” Kugler said. “Not a very interesting one, but it’s a hobby nonetheless.”

“Oh god he’s back.” Kate said, her eyes going wide in a mocking reaction.

“Who?” Kugler asked.

“Me.” Eric replied standing behind Kugler.

“I told you to stop doing that.” Kugler said. “If you do it again I’ll make sure you get sent to Alaska.”

“I quite like the cold, it reminds me of the alps.” Eric replied, stepping around Kugler and grabbing a cup off of the pyramid, and pouring himself a cup. “I’m here to write, what about you?” Eric asked, sitting down.

“The same, and to learn shorthand.” Kugler replied. “Besides, I thought I’d see a few friends while I was at it.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be in the desert?” D8 asked him.

Eric smiled at that. “Well, I’m supposed to, but I took some leave right after I delivered what I was supposed to.

“It’s interesting how similar you all sound when you talk.” Anna said.

Eric had explained this to an analyst before. “We all sound the same because we’ve picked up each other’s vocabulary and mannerisms over the years.” Eric told Anna.

“These ones are all very tight knit.” D8 said, smiling fondly.

“What they mean to say is that we can barely stand each other.” Kate said. “It’s amazing we haven’t fought more.”

“Five times over three or so centuries isn’t bad.” Eric tilted his head from side to side.

“Hey.” Makayla said, poking her head into the room. “Can I use your laptop?” She asked Anton.

“Yes, and have Daniel teach you how to clear the history.” Anton said tiredly.

“Uhhmmm, yeah, I’ll do that.” Makayla said, walking off.

Sarah snickered ,and Kate shook her head.

“Do you still have that laptop?” Eric asked.

“Yeah, it does what I need it to. What of it?” Anton asked.

“The E key still only works when it wants to.” Kate scoffed.

“The banter between you all is still as lively as I remember.” Kugler said fondly.

“How long has it been since you’ve done anything related to computers?” Eric asked Anton. Eric’s armor cooling fan cycled for a few moments while Anton thought.

“When Sarah helped me build that one for Triple A.” Anton nodded.

“Long time ago.” Sarah corroborated. “I’m probably going to build one for us, fill out the upstairs living area.” Anton said.

“That corner by the two bay window?” Kate asked. “The room does look kind of vacant.” She trailed off.

“I haven’t really kept up with the progression of technology, at least when it comes to consumer electronics.” Eric said.

“Neither have I, really.” Kugler replied, it was something he hadn’t thought about before then.

“After the twentieth or so time they made massive changes to coding, and very common language I know, I stopped paying attention.” Sarah said.

“That reminds me.” Eric snapped his fingers. “I brought a gift for you.” He told Sarah. He made a small wooden box appear in his right hand, and slid it across the table to her. She leaned forward, and opened it, grinning once she saw what was inside.

“You shouldn’t have.” She said.

“Consider it repayment for every time I’ve snuck up on you?” Eric supposed.

“You’ve got a few centuries of interest on that debt.” Sarah said flatly.

“What is it?” Kugler asked, having a hunch.

“It’s an old SD card, and I have half a mind of exactly what’s on it.” She smiled.

“I thought you would appreciate it.” Eric said. “You made a bit of a stink submitting those archive release requests.”

“What’s on it?” Anton asked, sounding very interested.

“When I was a young augment, and had been in the coalition for just a few years, I had a camera.” She sighed. “The camera followed me across continents, and I used the same two terabyte SD card, capturing every culture and place I saw.” She continued. “Then, I took a picture of an aircraft.” She laughed.

“That damn osprey. I didn't know they took the card from you after I nullified the anomaly.” Kugler said, remembering the shitshow that was trying to straighten out an entire airbase of people who had a hundred year old aircraft land in the middle of their airfield with no one in it.

“Thank you, Eric, there must be thousands of photos on here that I’d thought I’d lost.” Sarah told him, grinning from ear to ear.

Don’t ask how I got it. Deal?