If you find mistakes, pls tell, thx. I don't like mistakes.

Also feel free to ask for more background information on the world. I am somehow running out of interesting points regarding the small comments at the beginning of the chapters.

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“

At the end of the third industrial revolution all work related jobs turned completely away from production as the IM-Production-Lines took over. Human skills in the industrial sectors turned completely to development, planning, management and repair duties.

”

-Mages and their industry

***Sol, Aether***

***Gideon***

We are standing in front of my mansion, wishing Amia goodbye. When she woke up the next morning she informed us that she had found a place of her own and that she wouldn't stretch our hospitality any further.

“So I am thankful for letting me stay, but I am afraid that I've found a place for myself.” Amia smiles at us, correcting her very prim robe. “With Aether's traffic being unrestricted some apartments became free. I had my eyes on one of them for a while and decided to go for it.”

“So you are intending to stay on Aether?” Cyla crosses her arms in front of her chest with a smug smile on her face. “Are you sure you aren't running away after last night?”

Amia starts fidgeting. “It's certainly not like I am running away.” Then she points an accusing finger at us. “What you two did to me last night was worse than Fog! I'll turn insane if I stay too close to you. You two could make tons of money with this.”

Cyla sighs and throws back her hair. “Like a techno-mage wouldn't have more decent ways to make money. And I told you that you would regret it. I've absolutely no bad conscience about last night. But I still hope you'll still visit the party.”

“Of course. Hey, didn't you say that you've brothers? Do you think you can introduce me to one or two of them?” Amia asks.

I snort. “They are techno-mages, you know? One might think that you've learned your lesson.”

“Ow!” Amia's eyes widen and she pulls on her lower lip. “Then one of them? Certainly not two!”

Cyla smiles. “You can try. I won't stop you.”

“Then it's a deal.” Amia hugs Cyla and then me. With no further words to say she picks up her luggage and walks down the street to the nearest teleporter.

“I am glad that it's just the two of us again. One night like this is enough.” I open the collar of my jacket since it suddenly feels a little too tight.

“My, My. Gideon? Aren't you just trampling on any man's dreams? Who would dislike having two women of similar age in his house? You got what many guys are dreaming of while jerking off.” Cyla looks up to me and raises an eyebrow.

“Yeah, right. Dreaming, that's the important word. As long as it remains a dream it's good and nice, but the reality looks different. I don't think that I would be able to please two women each night. You two wrung me out like a wet towel. I am not even sure if I can get it up tonight.” I answer a little desperate.

Cyla purses her lips. “Not even if we use the oil?” Then she leans closer. “I also have to tell you a little secret.” I lean down and let her whisper into my ear. “We are no longer alone.”

It takes a few seconds until I get what she meant. “Great! Congratulations to both of us, I guess?” I roll the words with a questioning undertone. “It's only natural since we were doing it without protection.” And I guess there is no going back from this point on, so I hug her and press my cheek against hers.

Once we separate I have to make something clear. “You are the one who has to clean up the mess!” I point at her, starting to walk down the street to my office. “My bed looks like a wet dog slept there.” Unfortunately work doesn't care if I am sick or not. I've to make up for three days out of office.

Cyla blows a kiss after me. “I love you too. And I'll make sure to tell the whole family.”

My little walk to the government building is thankfully completely uneventful. Once inside my office I immediately get to work and pull out a tube of super-glue and the part of my desk which got cut off during my hasty departure.

While I am applying the glue to my office table, three familiar faces stroll into my office. Galia, Kandy and Roderik enter the room. I decide to greet them first. “Good morning. I hope my hasty departure a few days ago didn't inconvenience you.”

“No.” Roderik answers hastily. “No. Certainly not. We saw that you had your reasons. The news channels were very detailed.”

“Yeah, that Markus was a nasty, little piece of shit. Being inside his mind and seeing his memories totally freaked me out.” That's not entirely true, but I figure giving them a vague explanation is better than telling the truth. They can imagine the truth like it fits them best. “Got me into hospital for three days.” Upon having finished applying the glue I take the cut-off piece of my table and press it into place.

Kandy decides to go for it. “We've thought about your offer of additional protection and decided that it would be rude to reject something that's freely given.”

“Oh, that's no problem. You can have as much protection as you like. I hope you are still up for the party?” I ask, using a sheet of paper to scrape off the excess glue along the cut.

“Of course we feel honoured being included in such a private event.” Roderik nods enthusiastically.

Galia watches the exchange with a tired smile on her face. “Maybe we should get to the point where we discuss more important matters.”

“Of course.” I let go of the table and wait until I am certain that the glued-on piece is held in place. Then I sit down in my chair. “Point number one is that Aether's diamond dome and the new reactor will be finished in a few weeks. Once that's done the elders ordered us to take a part of the new fleet and go on a mission to the centre of the galaxy. We have to explore which danger the aliens pose our species.”

I gesture at Roderik and Kandy. “The question is what you two decide to do? It'll be most likely a long mission since we intend to create a teleportation network while we are on our way. The new reactor will supply us with enough power to do even longer teleportations than previously. But all that doesn't change the fact that the way there might take us a year, all the construction time included.”

Roderik smiles. “And you are asking if we are up for that.”

I shrug. “You'll have regular chances to be sent home with a shipment of supplies. But that doesn't change the fact that it certainly won't happen over night. Once the network stands we'll be able to travel much faster. But getting there is a problem and we'll have to protect the established nodes until they are running and equipped with enough defense.”

Kandy gestures at Galia. “She already informed us and we understand. We've also spoken with Earth's government and decided to stay on the mission. The president even offered help since it's a mutual problem.”

Now it's my turn to raise an eyebrow. “Help? How can Earth help us?”

“I've no idea.” Kandy confesses. “Resources, technology, troops. That's why Earth is currently talking to your elders.”

I tap with a finger on my chin while thinking. “Maybe help from Earth should be less material and more in ways of assisting with thought. During our little episode with the drug dealer our police was a little out of the loop since we had nobody to question. An investigator from Earth would have gotten us results much faster since he is less biased by magic. If we have to deal with a crime the first thing we do is truth-reading everyone involved. But in special cases like this one that method is flawed. Most certainly that also applies to other fields of expertise.”

“I'll make sure that your idea is forwarded to Earth. It's certainly worth exploring.” Roderik answers.

I smile. “Then I'll do the same with the elders. I am still scheduled to see the fire-mage elder today.”

Roderik nods. “I hope you won't get into trouble for that news report? Is your office in danger?”

Galia starts laughing. “It's quite the opposite. The general population is thrilled to have a strong leader who doesn't shy away from smiting evil. The evil blood-mage was defeated by a techno-mage who just came of age. Those guys from the media sold it like a fight of old times. David versus Goliath. In addition they crafted in a romance story with his girlfriend.”

***Sol, Aether***

***Cyla***

“I am so glad that you are alright!” My mother hugs me at the entrance to Gideon's mansion. “I already feared the worst when I saw that news report.”

It's been another week since the incident and all the people whom I invited to our little party are slowly gathering in Aether. My parents arrived just a day before the actual announcement and there is still something I've to tell them.

“I can assure you that the news channels are overreacting. Absolutely nothing happened to me except for a slight exposure to mana and a little exhaustion. Why don't you come inside and have a drink.” I lead them into the living room. Gideon used his IM's to repair the damage to the house days ago, so there is no trace of the attack.

Once I have my parents safely on the sofa I hurry to get them a coffee. Upon returning my mother eyes me with curiosity. “Where is everyone? I thought we would get to meet Gideon's relatives.”

“Yes, they are still at work. I'll make sure to introduce you in the evening and make sure that you aren't completely overwhelmed by the party.” I answer and take a seat next to my mother.

“I never would've thought that Gideon would manage to become the governor of Aether. No wonder that you are throwing a big party. It's going well between you two I hope? I know how fickle young love can be at times.” She takes my hand to hold it.

My father starts one of his insensitive speeches. “Yes. That's why I visited, Cyla. Are you sure that you really like this fellow? He didn't manipulate your mind or something like that? You don't have to be with him just because he is rich. A friend of mine has a son who is your age and I am sure that the two of you would fit very well together...”

Yes, and that friend of yours surely owns an affiliated company. I completely ignore my worthless father and let him talk to himself. Apparently he is still living a few hundred years in the past. “It's going very well. We are still the same as we were when we announced our relationship. Nothing changed.”

I take a breath. “Actually the party isn't just about Gideon's new job. It's combining several happy events.” My mother raises an eyebrow, but I simply continue talking. Somehow I manage to blind out my father's voice who is still rambling on about possible partners. Which would with no doubt benefit him the most.

“Since Gideon and I are now practically settling down here, we decided to use the chance to get the ball rolling. That's why we'll announce our marriage contract at the party. Actually we've already signed it. And not just only in ink, but also in blood.” I take my mother's hand and place it on my belly. It's still much too early to see, but if you touch it you can feel the stiffness and a slight swelling.

A heavy thud marks my father's impact on the carpet and causes me to return my attention to him. He simply lost his consciousness, going out like a light bulb and falling over, planting his face on the carpet. I would have preferred if he had kept standing, but keeping him up while letting my mother sit down was somehow hard to accomplish. This'll still do.

My mother takes a deep breath and hugs me, resting her head on my shoulder and rubbing my belly. “Every time we see you it's the same. Will you finally forgive him at some point? You are doing it intentionally, am I correct?”

“The first answer is: 'No'.” I hug my mother back. “And the second answer is: 'Yes'!”

.