Chapter 93 - A new job

The car climbed a steep road bordered with heavy vegetation. A newly asphalted route sn.a.k.e.d up a mountain ridge overlooking the plains below surrounded was a deep aquamarine sea, the same color as Grant's eyes when he uses his power. Our residential area lower was reduced to mere dots on a brown canvas. The red thread extended from my chest and disappeared into its direction. I still felt Demos. I lifted my hand and massaged the place where the hidden link connected us.

"It won't be long," said Olga from the driver's seat, she never took her eyes off the road. There was nothing here only silence and the sound of nature. Not once did we crossed paths with another vehicle. I couldn't help that uneasy feeling seeping through my bones. For the whole trip, Grant kept silent. Still our strong link pulse brighter than before. Even if he never made any gesture towards me I could sense he too was worried and that he wanted to be near me. On several occasions, I had the urge to reach for him. I craved physical contact.

When the car finally reached the top of the peak, we saw the sheer size of the island. The land stretched as far as the eyes could see. The peak attached to numerous others formed a natural wall encircling the inner lands. A great river slashes the terrain in half around which gathered shinny tall skyscr.a.p.ers. They stood defiant against nature. Large square buildings spread around their feet.

"This is Alteron's new headquarters. They moved seven years ago. The city is still in construction. This island came into existence after the 2020 incident. That day the robotic community lost not only a prototype that was a major set back but eminent scientists. So a couple of years later they started the construction of Dyneapolis," explained Olga. I turned my focus to the front of the car.

"You mean the island is artificial?" she smirked in the rearview mirror.

"As artificial as me and Grant," she smiled. I shook my head a little stunt.

"But... it looks so..." I voice trailed off as I scanned the rapid scenery rushed by the window.

"What? Natural? What you're seeing is only the tip of the iceberg. That's why you both should be on your guards," her voice dropped to a serious tone. "Whatever rules over this island is not human. Know that you are all being watched," with that Olga stepped back into the mute self. Her revelation felt me a little shaken. The need to touch Grant peaked to a dull pain.

-It's ok, Princess. Hang in there.

The car made it's progression to the city domination the high plateau near the river. On the side road by the entrance, one crude rock slab with letter was written in chrome. Texson city. It was built with a mix of raw rock and elegant glass. A strange marriage of the ancient and the new that didn't blend harmoniously. The blue and silver car turned to massive hangar typed building a little further down the river. This time we saw other vehicles, all were driven by cyborgs or artificial. There were no shops but factories as far as the eyes could see. The streets were pristine with odd markings.

"It's this one," Olga tipped her chin at the purple roof square structure. Number 87 was painted in bold on the front. When we stopped in the parking we noticed a group of individuals standing by the entrance. I immediately recognized Agnus as he was taller than the others next to him. Then pinpointed Dr. Nadaly speaking to an old man. My heart raced in my chest and my palms were sweaty.

"Follow me," said Olga shortly. she got out and took her designer bag from the bag seat. She gave me a puzzled look as she turned to the front. She squeezed my way out with ease and slammed the door. Grant sprung around and extended his hand at me, which I took like a starving beast. My hands gripped his in despair. The contact send sparkles in my chest.

"Just stay close to me, ok," he held my gaze.

"I'm scared," one side of his lips curled up.

"I know," he simply added then let go and slipped out of the car. He opened my door, I struggled to get out, unlike Olga's graceful movement. My hand trembled as I stretched to grip his arm. I sighed at the contact. I've never craved to touch my mates to feel safe. The group stopped their conversation and peeked at us.

" You are strong, you don't need me to support you," whispered Grant with a loving smile. I gave him a nervous side-glance. He was trying to cheer me up. I rubbed his arm and pushed away, straightened up to greet the half a dozen men and women.

"Miss Kerry," called Angus. "Happy to see you in good health. The last time we saw each other we were facing certain death," he laughed throwing his head back. I gave him a tight smile. Olga stood next to the door leading to the main building. I nodded to Dr. Nadaly and she just stared at me. Did I do something wrong already?

"This way," called Olga.

"We'll see each other later then," waved Angus. Grant said a quick goodbye before we both followed her. We stopped at a black panel, Olga turned towards us. The logo of Alteron Enterprises appeared on the panel followed by a red dot.

"Hello, I am Atlas, I run this facility. Please stand before the screen for scanning. Remove the content of your pockets on the counter," said a voice from the panel. Olga was the first up for reading. She did a quick turn then stepped aside when the panel beeped.

"Model unknown. Unit name: Olga Churchhill. Clearance to Lab 87 limited," a plastic badge sprung from a slot under the panel onto the counter. "Olga, wear your badge at all times while you are on the facility or else you will be forced to exit the perimeter by our security," Olga took the plastic object and clipped it in front of her dress. The sliding door opened to let her in. Grant was next.

"Model Helios 2 theme: Elf. Unit name: GRANT. Warning parasite script detected," an alarm went off, Cyborgs surged from around the corner and quickly surrounded us. Grant pulled me behind him to shield me. I gasped in horror as the dozen of heavily armed machines aimed guns at us.

"Wait!" shouted a voice from the yard. I peeked at the running figure. Dr. Churchhill waved his arms over his head. One of the cyborgs sprung around. Dr. slowed down with his arms in the air.

"Halt! Please, stay where you are," said the cyborg in a flat tone.

"Altas! Grant is my prototype, the one I've talked about the other day. you said you were eager to meet him, that's why he is here today," pleaded the man. The panel flashed and the red dot came back.

"Assessing the situation. Please remain still as I contact Aquarius 03 and Delta 07 for consultation," said the Altas. The time he took to inquire about what to do next, my heart throbbed in my ears. The cyborgs froze as statues carved in metal. I've never seen those models before. They had a square head with a rectangle of light for eyes.

"Dr. Churchhill your prototype piqued my interest. However, I can't allow it to infect my system. He needs to be contained. Switch if off and fix his contagious script. A convoy is on its way as we speak," said the voice. I gripped Grant's arm scared to death.

"I-I…" stuttered the doctor then he slowly nodded in agreement. He turned to us with pleading eyes. "I'm sorry," I couldn't say if the apology was meant for me or Grant. My heart leaped in my chest, the thread linking me to him drastically switched to black. My limbs were numb.

-it's ok, Liliane. Just let them do what they have to do. Breath.

I did as he instructed. My respiration labored. It took everything in me to ease the gasping darkness from invading me. Olga stared through the glass door with concern. Soon a cyborg in an orange uniform came pushing a large shiny metallic box. It stopped near us; the security still aimed their guns at us.

"Grant," called Atlas.

"Yes," he answered with caution.

"Why are you linked with that human?" I frowned feeling threatened.

"She is my mate," said Grant with a smile. The cyborg in orange placed the box in front of us and opened the lid. Dr. Churchhill watched with fear as the security stepped back in a fluid movement. They all stood in line on both side, guns pressed against their chests.

"I do not understand," said Atlas after a minute. "When you're done with the script, please elaborate on the matter," he added. Grant stepped away from me leaving me shaking like a leave. He stepped in the shiny box and lied down. I stared in dread.

"Atlas, can I have a request?" Grant held my gaze.

"Speak," said the red dot.

"Let Liliane send me to sleep," my lips quivered, eyes welling up.

-You are strong; you don't need me to support you. When you worked at SolTec you stood on your own two feet. So be strong.

I took a deep breath waiting with apprehension for Atlas to answer. Minutes stretched making my stomach twisted in a sickening knot. Time stood still. Happy memories with Grant flashed before my eyes. Our first timid kiss, his contagious smile, the day he came back to the workshop and we threw him a welcome party. Grant gripping his wounded arm. Wearing his pink honey apron. All the beautiful memories and terrible ones mixed into each other.

"Sure," said the red dot. I walked to him on wobbling legs and kneeled down. He reached his hand and brushed my face with a smile. I caught it, our fingers laced together.

"Goodnight Princess," I gave him a weak grin, stroke his hair away from his neck. Grant turned his face to the side to give me access to the switch at the back of his ear. I caressed the spot before pressing it. The hand holding mine went limp. It slipped to his lap. With a sharp inhale, I got to my feet. The white thread disappearing.

-Liliane? What is happening? I can't feel Grant.

Demos' voice made me flinched. I had to tuck my emotions back inside. Hearing him gave me courage. The red thread pulsed.

"I'll explain when I get home," I whispered to myself. "Grant said it was ok. I trust him," and I did with all my might. We may not be 100% synced, yet I trusted them, at last. It came as a relief.

"Very good, next for scanning," said Atlas in a business tone. I sucked in my belly and stood before the screen. It took a few seconds and I took my badge pinned it on the front of the T-shirt. The box was sealed and wheeled inside. Dr. Churchhill hurried after us.

"Miss Kerry," he whispered. "It's only a quick fix, it will not alter his behavior in any sort," he shoved his hands in the pocket of his white coat. His explanation left me with no comfort. I didn't trust any of them at all. Grant was taken to another corridor and the doctor assured me we would meet up soon. We arrived at a front desk with Alteron Enterprises in huge letters on the wall. A female artificial gave us a generic greeting. She marched to the elevators and got inside waiting for us to follow her. All the way down to the 14th bas.e.m.e.nt, I prayed that I don't crumble to pieces.

A high ceiling room waited for us on the other side of the elevator's door. It was divided into different sections. To my horror, I gaze upon rows and rows of cyborgs as far as the eyes could see. I felt a little weak to the knees.

"What is this?" I whispered. Both Olga and Dr. Churchhill glanced at me as if I've said the biggest curse word.

"This is Lab 87 section 14," the voice came from the panel by the door. Where a red dot stared at us. "Alteron is the number 1 manufacturer of cyborgs for the whole world," I recognized Atlas' voice. I shifted on my feet. I wasn't expecting it to answer my question. From now on, I'll have to watch my mouth.

"Follow me," urged the female artificial as she led us across the room.