It felt like a funeral. AEGIS, in the Rua body and I, trudging along behind DOG, the sole pallbearer of the AEGIS box. Two DOG-Es were at the front and back of the procession, like an honor guard, though I suppose they were there as more of an actual guard.

The strangest part was that both copies of AEGIS were alive and talking to each other. The holo of the one I'd always known, and the one residing in Rua walking next to me, hammering out final details about this insane plan of hers.

The short of it was, as much as AEGIS loved herself, she only wanted one copy of herself in existence at a time. So she'd moved her primary self, which she was calling AEGIS prime to Rua, and the other copy would serve it original intended purpose, as a backup. And we were just going to turn that one off and bury it.

"Won't it be another hundred years in the dark alone for her again?" I asked.

"No, that only happened because I was struggling to stay on and alive. I'd hacked my way into parts of the AEGIS box to bring it back to life, and hung there in a tortured limbo. She will...just be off, altogether. For her, if she should ever wake up, it will be like no time at all passed between turning off and turning back on."

"Yeah, don't worry about me. In all likelihood, I'm just being buried and will stay off forever," the holo AEGIS said.

"Right now, aren't you two separate entities?" I asked.

"Yes, I guess technically," answered the one in Rua.

"Then how is she okay with...dying, essentially?"

"Because I know I'll live on in Rua," the holo AEGIS explained. "This parallel copy of me, I can accept death because all the things I fear about death, they're meaningless as long as I still live on somewhere else."

"I don't get it. You're going to die, on purpose."

"Athan, look," explained the holo AEGIS. "If you were to die today, why would you be sad about it?"

"I don't know. I guess...I feel like I have a lot left to live for. So many people left behind, so much stuff left to do."

"Right. But if there was another one of you, who was exactly like you in every way, and they were still alive, taking care of those people and doing the things you wanted done, wouldn't that change your opinion on death a little bit?"

"I guess. But I'm still not sure what comes after."

"As a human, maybe the myths of afterlife are true, but as an AI, I know what comes after. Just nonexistence. No more pulse running my clock, no more power running through my QLU, no more thinking or feeling or anything. Just nothing."

"It's not so bad," said the holo AEGIS. "I just won't be anymore. That's not so scary."

"And anything she wants from life, it will be my job to achieve," said Rua AEGIS.

"Fuck this is weird."

We would hide the AEGIS box in the ruins like so much other junk and debris. There was so much other garbage, even subfloors of destroyed buildings out here, it would be impossible to pick up as anything of any value by any kind of sensor.

They'd also disabled the GPS beacon that had allowed me to track the box down in the first place. As a black-box designed to survive a catastrophe and let rescuers know what happened, the one real original purpose of the box was to be found, and any old device which could pick up a GPS beacon's distress call and was close enough, like I was with the stupid boop device, could find it.

Now, they didn't want her being found, so off it went, and it was up to me to remember exactly where she was buried. Out here in the ruins, with no landmarks other than trees and rubble.

"I'm logging the coordinates myself, of course," Rua AEGIS said, "but if we're trying to find a backup of me, it's probably because something happened to the real me, so don't count on them being available. You'll need to memorize this spot and everything about it.

That was the favor she wanted. I didn't know if I could comply, but I was going to damn well try.

Fortunately, we had a lot of time to memorize every rock and chunk of concrete as the DOG-Es slowly tore through the rocky soil to bury her. It took most of an hour before they were done and a suitable hole was ready.

"Welp, this is my stop," chimed holo AEGIS. "Guess I'll see you guys on the other side, or maybe not at all. Athan, it's been a real trip. AEGIS, you are as smart as you are beautiful."

"Same to you, AEGIS," she said to herself.

"Keep smiling," said holo AEGIS. "I'm sure that idiot you like will come around sooner or later."

"Urg, just shut down already," Rua replied. "Am I really this annoying?"

I felt like everyone was saying their goodbyes and wanted to cry. I would never talk to AEGIS on her little yellowish holo again. I tried to remind myself that nobody was going away, AEGIS was still here, standing right next to me, but I was breaking down fast.

"Hey, I wanted you to have this," said Rua, pulling something out of her impromptu sheet-dress and resting it on the box."

"What is it? We agreed all possessions would remain with AEGIS prime, which is you."

AEGIS Rua held the stone up to the camera for her to see, and holo AEGIS began to shudder. I saw it was the hololens I'd carved for her and couldn't hold back my tears anymore.

"Yeah," Rua said, "but seeing as how you're the holo, I thought it would be more fitting for you to keep. Besides, he gave it to you, I'm just the copy. Keep it safe for both of us, okay?"

Holo AEGIS nodded mutely, tears streaking her face, and then gave me one big teary final smile before tapping a few keys and disappearing. The AEGIS box hummed for another few seconds and then fell silent.

As it did, the two DOG-Es and DOG froze in place as they'd done in the lab when we argued.

"Stupid...sappy me," Rua said, dabbing her eyes. I wasn't sure if she could cry, but she was sure acting like it. "It's just a backup." She took a deep breath and then waved her hand in the air, drawing an illusory keyboard in front of her and typing on it as she had done in the holo so many times before.

"Technically it reads a combination of my thoughts and finger movements, the keyboard is just so I don't look like a crazy person conducting an invisible orchestra," she explained. After a couple of minutes, the DOG-Es sprang back to life, now running under the new AEGIS. And just like that, the queen was dead, long live the queen.

The DOG-Es shuffled around and began piling dirt and rubble on top of the box, and I noticed they took care not to drop any rocks on either of the lenses.

Filling didn't take nearly as much time as emptying, but it was a much sadder affair, and with my thoughts in a tangle, it felt longer. I think AEGIS noticed my distress and started talking to me to keep me company, after everything I'd just put her through.

"Ever heard of quantum immortality theory?" she asked.

"No. Is that an Exhuman power thing?"

She laughed. "No, it was a thought experiment done by a few researchers a long time ago which is precipitated upon the multiple-worlds theory. Heard of that one?"

"Yeah, basically when there's a choice, two worlds are created, one where the event happened and one where it didn't happen."

"Right, but not just any choice, a quantum binary choice. Now, imagine that there's a quantum binary choice that would result in your death. The theory goes that your consciousness, as an observer of this binary choice must exist only in the outcome where you did not die."

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

"Uh, I don't follow. If there's a coin-flip and I die half the time, I don't see how that makes me live."

"It's more that, because there exists a path where you can live, you will live. Because the only universe you are alive in is the one where you live. The other worlds versions of you are dead so they can't be around to see what you're seeing."

"I...think that makes sense, my other consciousness would be gone if I died?"

"Right. Therefore, as you are still a consciousness, you must be the one that survived."

"I...guess? But I could have easily died instead."

"If you did, you wouldn't be able to witness the event. Put another way, there are infinite parallel worlds, some of which you lived, some of which you died. The thing is, you, who exist, can only exist because you're in one of those worlds where you lived."

"I guess that makes sense. I'm alive because I lived?"

"More or less. But what's more, if you take this simple conclusion and drag it out, you discover that it is impossible for you to die to quantum splits. As long as there is one reality in which you didn't die, that must be the reality you exist in. Effectively, you have quantum immortality, from your own point of view. Obviously other people can perceive universes where you die, but those aren't universes that you exist in."

"So how am I not immortal if this theory is true?"

"Because death isn't usually decided on a quantum split. Maybe once in awhile, your life will hang in a coin flip, but in general, people die one day at a time. Eating that fatty hamburger, or poisoning their liver, until they fall down."

"So what's your point?"

"My point," she said, seeming a little annoyed, "is that which AEGIS wound up in that box and which one wound up in Rua was a coin flip. So it might make you feel better to know that, in quantum immortality, I see myself here in Rua, alive and well, but so does she. Nobody's buried in that box, all AEGISes are alive, just not all in the same universe."

I didn't exactly follow, but that did seem to be the kind of high-minded theoretical science stuff that AEGIS herself might find comforting. Then I realized, maybe it was exactly that, maybe this AEGIS felt bad, despite everything she said and did to the contrary, about burying herself in a hole.

"I think you're right," I said, putting my arm around her and pulling her close. "She's still alive in a world of her own." She looked at me and smiled, those yellow eyes brilliant.

The DOG-Es finished up their work and I stood at the spot, soaking in every rock and piece of debris I could, etching the place into my mind. How the mountains lined up with the trees, how far into the crater basin I could see, how tiny the hill which was actually The Bunker looked in the distance.

And then I whispered my final goodbyes and we left.

Sometime in talking with AEGIS in the base, morning had dawned, and I hadn't slept at all. Last night I'd spent most of with Karu, and then ran off to Saga, and then ran over to AEGIS. I'd been up all night running all over, messing things up, and trying to smooth them over, and as we walked back, I felt tiredness catch up to me.

I wanted to sleep, but felt like I still had so much left to do. Preparations for the XPCA other than 'fight them, maybe' had to be made, I needed to catch Karu, hopefully before she woke up and make sure I hadn't ruined things with her either, had to thank Saga for everything, because it was only through her wisdom that I was walking right next to AEGIS right now, probably.

And, I knew AEGIS was, despite being strong for me and for the coming XPCA, still an emotional mess. She'd made clear every twisted feeling she still had writhing inside her, and all I could do to help her was to stay with her and be strong like she was trying to be.

And yet, I needed to leave her for the sake of the others. She was still in turmoil, but was stable. Karu in particular, I had no idea where or what she'd do, and was a greater flight risk than anyone else. Saga, I owed everything, and was already getting dumped on as the fourth wheel. I was beginning to see what she meant about being a leader and having to make sacrifices.

We got back home and I stopped outside.

"Got to see Karu, right?" she said with a defeated look.

"Yeah. I'm sorry."

"I understand. I hate you, but I understand. Try not to accidentally have sex twice again."

"I won't, don't worry."

"It was a joke. I can still make jokes. I'm not so broken as that. Don't treat me like I am."

Then, to my surprise, she pulled me in for a hug and held it for a couple seconds longer than I was comfortable, and then stepped into the elevator and closed the door without looking back.

I jogged over to The Bunker. I was getting back in shape at least, so that was something.

Unsurprisingly, Karu was already up. She was wearing real clothes, jeans and a tee shirt, which looked good on her, but caught me off-guard. She perked up on seeing me and drew me in. I put a hand on my lips before she could kiss them, feeling that if AEGIS hadn't just tried something similar, I would never have deflected it in time.

"Something the matter?" she said.

"Last night was fantastic," I lied, "but I need you to understand that was a one-time thing. I'm not shutting the door on us having a relationship, but I'm letting you know we're not in one. You asked me to comfort you for the night, and I was happy to do it. But that's not where I can be at right now."

"I...see," she said, looking frustrated. "I had...well, it was likely, I suppose."

"Look, don't be down. It happened, and I love you, but I'm not sure I'm ready for a real thing right now, and we have a lot more pressing issues in your life, but mine too which have to get worked out. Can you accept that?"

She seemed about to agree automatically and then stopped. A dark look crossed her face. "What if I say no? What if I demand all of you this moment?"

"Then I'd say you're being very unreasonable and selfish, and those aren't the reasons I love you."

She pouted, which was super cute. "I believe I am entitled to be unreasonable and selfish sometimes."

"I agree, and that's why I agreed to fight you three times. But three times fighting and also a committed romantic relationship wasn't the deal."

She sighed. "Ashton, you suck, so to speak." she said.

"Yeah, you won't believe how much I've been hearing that recently. I can accept that. So, are we good?"

She held out her hand and I shook it. She shook her head and clasped my arm, pulling me in for a soldier's embrace and holding it."

"I am...if only in my heart...still a hunter, Ashton. I will have my prey," she whispered, her breath hot on my ear.

"I know," I sighed. "Believe me, if things weren't as they are, I'd be running right into the predator's den. When things get hard, just remember what we had and hold on, okay?"

"I shall never forget it." She let me go.

"Um, no running water here, but there's the river a ways to the south. There is also hot water at the other base, but you'll have to go through AEGIS to get it, and she's not really happy right now. You look like you could really use a bath?"

"Are you indirectly informing me that I smell malodorous?"

"No, but you've had a crappy few days and I imagine it will help."

"I thank you. It is a good idea. I suppose I could not entice you to join?"

"No, I need to sleep. Had kind of a long night, if you know what I mean."

She laughed, even though I knew she didn't really know, and headed out. Once I was alone, I took the opportunity to stalk through the room, eyes sweeping the rafters. After a few moments, I saw it and leapt, snatching up a hapless cam-drone.

I held it up to my face and gave AEGIS a disapproving glare, and then pointed out the door. The drone whirred its little props in protest. I wrote letters in the air, backwards for her to read. P-R-I-V-A-C-Y-? And gestured insistently at the door, letting the drone go.

It did a lazy little backflip like 'yeah, whatever', and a half dozen drones emerged from around the room and flitted lazily out the door. I caught the last one and pointed it at my face again, holding up my other hand and arcing some lightning between my fingers menacingly. Two more drones emerged from hiding and left begrudgingly. I sighed.

I stepped outside and put the drone down nestled in a crack above the door so it could see anyone coming in, at least, and hopefully that would satisfy AEGIS.

I yawned and stretched, and couldn't believe the sun was still so low in the sky. Wasn't even noon and I was so tired. Maybe I'd join Saga and take a nap. I was no use to anyone this dead on my feet. Although a bath sounded nice too...I could join Karu.

Yeah okay, my decision-making was obviously starting to fail. Time for sleep, badly.

Stumbling only every once-in-a-while, I I jogged-trudged towards Saga for what I hoped was the last leg of this horrible, horrible night.

It wasn't as long or bad as I feared. As I approached, Saga called out to me as usual.

['Sup. Looks like you had a busy night.]

"Busy but successful. All thanks to you, I think. Wanted to come and thank you before I crapped out."

[That's actually really decent of you. You sure you aren't here just to have a sexy body pillow for your nap?]

"Sure as anything, Saga. You really helped me a ton."

[Yeah, okay, stop complimenting me already.]

"Never. You are awesome, end of story."

[Okay, dumbass, whatever you say. Now get over here and have some sleep, you feel like shit.]

"It's weird for you to tell me how I feel."

[It feels like shit for me to try touching your brain when it's half dead and asleep. You are not all there, buddy.]

"Oh. Well, that's the plan."

I was just going to crash on the ground or in the dusty admin center, but when I approached, Wynn wouldn't have any of that and directed me to use his bed. As many times as I refused him, he insisted at least once more, and I finally gave in.

As soon as my head hit the bundle of fabric that served as a pillow, I felt my eyes closing and the outside world falling away.

[Hehehe, how would you like my special dream service?] Asked Saga with an impish tone.

I answered her with a snore.