Chapter 81 - Visitors

Demos left me in front of Dr. Nadaly's cabin, he was eager to get back to Grant for some reason. He handed me my bag and I got inside. It was a small room with two beds on the left on top of each other. On the opposite was a small office area where the doctor was sitting while typing. she looked up when I entered.

"Hey, it's Liliane isn't it?" she gave me a polite smile which I replied with a nod.

"I'm only here to use the shower," she tipped her chin to the door next to the entrance.

"Go right ahead, I just used it. I had a long day and I'll go to sleep just after I'm finished with this," I nodded again and kneeled to the floor to get my stuff to the bathroom. "You know, you shouldn't let those old farts get to you," I peeked at her. Dr. Nadaly had resumed her frenetic typing. "Churchhill mentioned you were working for him," she laughed. "I use to be one of his technicians in my young days. He is such an asshole, really. Well, not that you haven't already figured that part out," she paused with her typing and glanced at me. "His utopic view of life is so outdated. Really, he wants to breathe life and emotion into a machine? Bullshit, right?" I gave her a nervous laugh. I didn't pay attention two what bottle I pulled from the bag and only noticed that it was the boy's shower gel that I had. When I turned back to the bag, she went on.

"I use to be like you, I had ambitious, I wanted to make the world better. But it all changed when he made his first prototype," she voice trailed off and her eyes lost their shine. "It was then that I finally realized Churchhill was not just an eccentric old fart. The thing he created freaked me out so bad I soon gave him my letter of resignation and went to work for the military," she laughed out into controllable laughter. I stared at her, there was something unnerving about his woman. I better head to the shower before she continues with her tale. I got to my feet and grabbed the knob.

"Liliane?" she called and I peeked over my shoulder. "Aren't you creeped out with those two constantly following you around?" she c.o.c.ked her head to the side, scanning my face. I took a deep breath and smiled the best I could. After what just happened I my faith in my mate was rock solid.

"I'm perfectly fine having them around. They saved my life more than once. I don't think any human can replace them... I'm what others call a freak," I said calmly. The doctor opened her mouth then closed it and turned back to her work without saying a word. With that, I went for a quick shower. While drying I noticed several bruises and scratches along my arms and on my thighs. Frankly, it was a very long day and I was eager that tomorrow comes, I thought.

I slipped on a fresh pair of underwear and since I only had the pants I was wearing I put it back on. The shirt was replaced with a hot red one. I rolled the dirty landry in a ball. When I got out, the lights in the office area were out and Doctor Nadaly was tucked in the lower bunk-bed. There were muffled sounds coming from outside. I soundlessly got out, I spotted Demos instantly. There was a lot of running around going on.

"What's going on?" I shouted. Demos rushed to my side.

"Why are you out? Stay inside," he frowned. There was definitely something going on.

"Tell me," I urged. He pressed his lips together then sighed.

"It's a patrol boat. They are going to board us," my mouth hung open.

"But why?" he ran his hand in his hair.

"They said they are after a suspect and checking all boats leaving town," my eyes dropped to the floor. Wait, that was only standard procedure. There's nothing wrong here and we have nothing to hide so why the alarm?

"I'd prefer if you stay inside ok," he said in a gentler tone. I understood his concern yet I couldn't let them face whatever was coming alone. I could feel our connection has deepened. I looked up in his beautiful cooper eyes and smiled.

"It's ok, I'll feel safer when I'm with you," I reached out for his hand, he took mine pulled it to his lips.

"You stay next to me, okay. Do not speak or anything crazy," I chuckled as his overprotective attitude.

"I'm not the crazy one," I poked his chest with my index. A slow crooked smirk appeared on his face.

"Are you sure? It was pretty crazy earlier. Now each time, I'll see a full moon I'll replay our honeymoon," I gaped and slapped him on the shoulder.

"Who's tasteless now!" quick footsteps on the bridge caught our attention. A strong beam of light swayed over the side of the yacht. Everyone was looking at the railing. We went to join the other members and found a speedboat stopped with two cyborgs at the control and two humans staring up at us.

"We only want to verify the identities of the occupants since this vessel doesn't seem to have a manifest," called one of the officers. Dots clipped a foldable ladder to the railing and let it drop to the boat below. The two human officers gave a nod to the cyborgs and climbed toward us. On the final step, Dots helped both to our side.

"Who is in charge?" asked one of them as he pulled a small flashlight from the back of his belt. The Captain stepped forward with his hand extended which the officer ignored. He flashed the light in his face making him back away.

"Name?" he simply asked in a rather dry tone.

"Dean Thomson, captain of this ship. I work for the EvenMorph Alliance, I do transit from the port to the Dyneapolis every 3 days for the past 2 years," the officer scrolled through the screen hovering above his wrist. Captain Thomson transferred his information to the two officers and they both nodded.

"Dyneapolis? Is it that smart city thing some crazy scientists building?" grinned the one on the left. Angus and the young man, whom I still didn't know his name shifted nervously. Bet that was a touchy subject. He flashed his light towards us.

"So, you folks are scientists? I see two artificial...is everyone here?" he reverted to his business tone. Demos stepped in front of me blocking my view. I then noticed Grant standing in the front row next to Dr. Churchhill.

"No," said the captain. "Donald our cook is in the kitchen and Dr. Nadaly is sleeping. It's pretty late," the first officer pointed the light in his face making his winch.

"Call both of them, we need to verify your ID," said the man.

"For what reason?" called Demos from the back. Both officers paused and glared at him. However, Demos remained calm. The one with the flashlight pushed the captain to the left and came towards us.

"Everyone whom we've okayed stands on the left. You!" he pointed to Demos. "Move," he waved. Demos peeked over his shoulder at me.

-Stay here, don't move.

He then went to the officer who shone his light on purpose into his eyes. But Demos didn't budge. Demos showed him his identification. The man frowned, his colleague joined him.

"What's wrong?" asked the first officer.

"It's one of ours from level 21," he turned back to Demos. "Why aren't you at your post?" he inquired.

"I had to secure my owner," he answered. Both of them frowned at the data on the screen.

"This is odd, he is a mate model," he looked back at Demos. "Why are you even in the police? You're a domestic model, not a military one," he asked with his eyebrow arched.

"I am," simply said Demos. Dr. Churchhill stepped forward with his arms up.

"Sir, I don't see the problem here," he smiled. The officer with the flashlight glare at him.

"Hey, an old man steps back," the captain raised his hand when he saw the man reached for his gun. Demos caught him before he took the weapon, startling the officer. Then he let go as quickly as he grabbed his hand and rose his in the air.

"This is Dr. Churchhill, President of Sognare and my creator. Please do not point a gun at him, Sir," said Demos through gritted teeth. The man took a step back while rubbing his hand.

"Everyone, ID, now!" he shouted. He shot angry eyes at Demos who slowly backed away towards the captain. They proceed towards Dr. Churchhill and roughly pushed him out of the way. Angus and the unknown young man were next. Both got the same treatment. When it came to my turn Grant stepped in front of me. His new arm shielding me. For a fraction of a second, I was back at our apartment with Jay Dawson ready to slash into him.

"Sir, please refrain to use violence towards her," he threatened. Both of them chuckled and tried to shove him away.

"Grant!" I called with a small voice while gripping the back of his shirt. He peeked over his shoulder.

"They are just doing their job," even though my voice shook, I raised my chin and met their gazes.

"ID!" shouted one of them. With trembling hands, I send them my data. They took a minute, then shared a puzzled look. "It's her!" he reached out to grab me but Grant stopped him. In seconds, Demos was behind them. His eyes blazing blue, teeth razor blades.

"Demos! Calm down," called Grant. "Gentlemen, everyone calms down and everything will be ok. First of all, why are you here and who are you searching for?" the two officers shifted nervously. The one Grant was holding had blank dead eyes.

"The bombings... we had DNA samples of one of the suspects... level 22. We followed her trailed to a camera on the docks. We believe she fled in a boat. Her name... Liliane Kerry... We don't know how yet she is connected to the Real humans," he said in a mechanical tone. His colleague gasped at Grant, fear all over his features.

"Wh-what did you do to him?" Grant reached and held him by the wrist and he too turned into a zombie with vacant eyes.

"Now, both of you will get off this ship and will report that you've checked all the IDs and you didn't find any anomalies," both of them nodded. He released them and they stepped back a little disoriented. Grant smiled and they just stared confused as to what had just happened.

"Well, we are done here," they both rapidly went to the ladder. Faster than they came and more than a little freaked out. The captain and the other were stunts speechless. When Grant moved to verify if the officers made into their boats they all flinched even Dr. Churchhill.

After a moment, the motor of the police boat roared to life, they circled our ship before speeding away. I finally released the breath I didn't notice I was holding. The deck was very still.

"Please, tell me I don't have to alter your memories," said Grant with a sigh.