Chapter 127 - The plan

Grant explained that each of the members will have to charge in groups of 4. He sort of got an agreement with the cyborgs working at our complex. The very ones who agreed to let Grant and Demos use their special charging cabin. But they had to wait until the new team that was installing the cable to leave before they proceed.

"Wait, does that mean those cyborgs are on our side?" I whispered when the group reached the top of the cliff. Grant tensed and paused to look at me.

"That means we have an agreement. They still follow orders, if Atlas forces them to obey I won't be able to do anything against it," Nicolai and Alter stopped too to wait for us. It was odd to have this much company around us.

"Will all of them come to our house?" Nicolai tilted his head. I quickly corrected, not wanting to offend all those ears listening. "I mean, will there be enough space to fit everyone?" Grant smiled to reassure me.

"With Jil around, they will be safe," he rubbed my arms. The contact felt good but it didn't disperse my worry. I felt like we were going to engage in something I wasn't quite ready to step in. War against Atlas. However, Demos was worth the effort.

"Course is clear," called Alter. Grant peeked at him then back at me.

"Come, we have to pretend we just came back from our romantic strode to the beach," he reached out his hand and I took it. We marched in the open field under a starry sky. The sun has set a while ago. Bright lights from our complex lit up the right side of the field. I couldn't hear Grant's people behind us and I was tempted to peek over my shoulder.

"Just walk, they are good at playing ghosts," he said with a hint of pride. We reached the dirt path that led to the front of our complex, the new team was packing their gear for the night when we arrived. Grant nodded at one of the cyborgs as we went to our house. He unlocked the gate then turned back.

"Go inside, I'll have a little chat with them," he said without looking at me. I quickly went in without protest. Jil greeted me with a smile and her usual pixie enthusiasm.

"How was the romantic walk along the beach?" she inquired. Her tiny figure perched on the edge of the potted rose on the bar. She swung her legs back and forth waiting for my answer.

"Well, it was full of surprises," I laughed, crossing the living room. I desperately needed a shower. All this walking around in this heat had made me uncomfortably sweaty. But first, a glass of water to quench my thirst. When I placed my empty glass in the sink Grant came back.

"Master!" called Jil cheering.

"Jil, can you render a security check, please. I want to know if that team who came today installed spies around the perimeter," Jil went quiet then looked up from the bar where she was standing.

"All clear, they haven't finished their work. We are still off-grid," Grant nodded.

"That's what I thought, I've spoken to one of the members, he said they will finish the job by tomorrow afternoon," minutes later I heard a thump outside in the yard. My eyes widened in fear. Alter appeared in front of the glass door facing the side of the house followed by Nicolai. Grant hurried to open the door for them.

"We rounded the complex and did as you instructed, the wall wasn't electrified so it was easy to climb over," smiled Alter. A dozen artificial followed close behind.

"Quick, hurry in," he waved. Soon the house was full, they sat on the floor in the living room and along the wall leading to our bedroom. Jil had her cheerful reunion with her friends. The place suddenly became too crowded for me. Grant looked up from his conversation with Alter.

"I'll be right back," he patted the large man's shoulder. I've crept to the door of our room and was planning to exit in silence. "Liliane," he called reaching for me. The murmur around us quiet down and all attention focus on us.

"I'm just tired, I need a shower," I gave him a tight smile.

"I'll prepare dinner," he touched my hand then lightly held it as if afraid I might break.

"Grant, let me do it," said a blond guy getting up. I peeked over Grant's shoulder at the speaker. He was slim wearing a white shirt and black pants. His blue eyes were piercing from his almost paper-white face. "I'm a cook, I'll be happy to be at your service," he bowed. Grant pressed his lips together then let go of me.

"It's ok Meridian, cooking for Liliane was never a burden," he turned around to face the crowd. "You are all free, I don't want anyone to be at my service. We are all friends. We do what we do cause we care about each other. That's what friends do," Nicolai nodded with a smile.

"What's what friends do," repeated Alter. Grant closed the door silently behind me leaving his little cult members in the living room. Their conversations have resumed to a low murmur. I nervously playing with my fingers while waiting for him to start talking. He was laying against the closed door eyes lost in the distance. When he didn't respond I hesitated by the closet.

"I—" we both said at the same time. We both smiled, our gaze meeting.

"You go first," he said.

"No, it's ok. You have more important things to say," he face grew serious losing all innocence.

"Everything you have to say has value to me," he pushed away from his spot and came to join me. "Liliane," his whispered as he hugged me. "I'm scared, I'm not sure we can win against Atlas," my heart raced in my chest. Deep down, I knew—I knew it will be difficult. But we have to try.

"I trust you," I said with my face buried in his neck. His curls brushing against my cheek. "I know you'll find a way," his arms tightened around me.

"Right now, our rescue mission—is a suicide mission," his voice shook and I could feel his anguish through the link. "I don't want to lose you, I don't want to lose Demos," I took a deep breath and eased away from him. With one hand I cupped his face, glancing in his starry silver eyes.

"You will find a way," I said each word with conviction. Whatever the outcome, we must outsmart Atlas to get Demos back. It might take time and more resources but we will have to do it or die trying.