I casually step closer. With the practiced grace of a vaulter, I spring up onto his chest, mimicking the position of a princess carry. I wrap my engraph around behind his head putting it into its locked state, forcing him to carry me. With a malicious smirk and mimicking a cloyingly sweet female voice, “I thought you would never ask. My Hero!” The Thomas’ are stunned. Erin busts out in laughter clearly amused by the sight gag.

“Oh, hell nah!” Mr. Thomas 1 exclaims. His knees buckling a little under the unexpected weight. Struggling to try and get free.

“Oh, he got you so good!” Mr. Thomas 2 exclaims, doubling over with laughter choking out his comment between laughs.

Grunting with effort trying to continue loosing me from his neck. “Okay, we had our fun. I take it back! Let me out of this vise grip! I didn’t know there was such a difference between military engraphs and civilian models. “ I relent and unlock the joint of the engraph. Lowering myself down abruptly, but with grace.

“Really there isn’t that much of a difference really. It’s just these old ones. They scale at about 1.5 times average human strength, pre-overclocking. The real trick is the joint locking. The old models had a joint lock mode as they had concerns about the mental fatigue from controlling them day in and day out. It allows me to lock the arm into preset positions or use a manual locking function. I always loved T-rex mode.” I gestured to my arm as it snapped into a position reminiscent of the T-rex ‘tiny arms’.” I proceed to strut around. Quickly realizing no one is laughing. Rubbing my head sheepishly. “It was always worth a laugh at parties…” I trailed off.

A stifled snicker caught my attention as Erin desperately tried to contain her reaction. “You. Are. So. Old!” Clearly... she is very amused.

“Oh look, my humor seems to have suddenly left me.” I grab her around the neck and imitate the 21st-century anime classic ‘the noogie’, by pulling her in and gently grinding my knuckles down on top of her head. She goes almost immediately limp. Panicking a little, worried that I took the joke/sight gag too far. I look. I pause. I am clearly off my mark. She has a look of blissful contentment as if one of her life’s goals have been achieved. Crap... I immediately straighten up and, brush myself down as I prepare to quickly leave the room.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“You’ll need the key to the Rig room...senpai.” She whispers the last part.

I fear I have found one of the cult-like fans of 21st-century anime. “Uh, thanks.” Clearly looking uncomfortable by the leering gaze she is giving me. “Thomas’ on my five and seven” I realize a moment too late I lapsed into the old military mindset. “Uh, eh hehe. Sorry gentleman. If you would lead the way?”

After a slightly amused throat clear, “Yes, sir!” clearly intended to mock my slip up. It’s a full course of ham. The Thomas’ lead the way.

They head out into the hall and lead me up to the elevator. Clearly amused at my slip. “Sorry gentleman. I slipped there. You remind me of the younger men I served with. Really good guys.” I pause remembering the numbers. Twenty-one suicides, five vegetables, three in state care, three made the transition back...the rest, unaccounted for. They could be jacks and we would never know it. Their genetics spread over the populace in a mandatory diversification. ...Harvested like cows, for some twisted genetic opera. We marched along in a ‘not completely awkward’ silence.

Mr. Thomas 1 stopped somewhat abruptly, pointing to the doors we were looking for. ...I was looking for. “Well, Mr. Wolfe. This is your stop.” He turned slowly. He eyed me up and down. “I can’t speak for my brother, but it was interesting to meet you.” He extended his hand in a sign of respect and farewell. We shook hands. A moment of respect between two men that hadn’t seen eye to eye at first. “Aidyn Thomas. Figured we should at least be properly acquainted. At least if I am going to see you as someone I can respect.” He paused. “I wish you luck, despite that being an anachronism. You might need something like it. From what I understand, this will be… rough.” He moved past me heading the way we came. “Take care. I hope you find him.”

I find myself a little stunned. “Aidyn. Thank you.” It’s all I manage as he keeps walking. Mr. Thomas 2 moves to stand in front of me.

“Nikolai. I’m not sure how I feel about this. I may not ever have another shot at what I thought was my future, but I’m finding it hard to be angry at a man putting his life on the line. It’s something we don’t seem to respect anymore.” He also stepped closer putting his hand out. “Hopefully someday, I will see you out there. Try not to die.” We shook hands. Just as I thought he was going to let me go, he pulled me close. Looking me straight in the eye. “You get out there, and you do what you gotta do.” He paused, giving me that serious look shared between men. “Make it through this.” He moved past me as well raising his hand in the air giving a wave. “It’s Fisher. Fisher Thomas.”

He hollered back at his back moving back down the hall. “See you out there Fisher! I’m counting on it. Prolly need some backup.” I took a moment to get my shit together. Packed it up in a backpack and got it all together. Took it to the shit store and sold it. It was time to face this next hurdle.