Chapter 10
~*~ Date: December 19, 2027, Time: 6:37 pm
Green

Yesterday, Juniper was proven not guilty and the real bomber is now behind bars. It was stunning how Mr. Wright was able to call out to the real culprit's bluff of a threat.

But the next thing would be Mr. Starbuck's trial... From the time I spent at the office and with them, I am pretty sure Athena wouldn't sit around while doing nothing so most likely they would be investigating for the continuation of the trial.

Right now I'm going to the office. It is late but I needed to do something. I got into the hallway and saw someone unexpected coming out of the office. Because he was furthered injured the clinic decided to have him stay for a couple more days. But what is he doing here?

"Apollo! Why are you here?" I looked at his face and noticed it was void of positive emotions.

"I'm taking a leave of absence… and don't follow me, Aquila. You can't help in any possible way." (I can't what?) "I've told them already and now I'm telling you… this is something I have to do on my own."

I knew it was about Clay. I knew I couldn't help, but I hated seeing him like this. "I understand…" He wasn't expecting that kind of answer. "But… can I at least tell you something?" I paused to see if he would object and to gather my composure. He gestured for me to continue. "Your smile… it's one of the best features about you and I… I would hate to see it disappear…"

"What's with you?!" I jumped at the sudden outburst. "Can't you take the hint that I don't like you?"

That hurts, it really hurt but I was starting to get fed up with him. "And can't you get that I don't care?" I yelled out. "I don't care if you don't like me! Just know that I'll be here to help you. I haven't even tried to pursue you, and yet you reject me for being a friend! You know what! Go ahead and leave! I just hope you keep in mind that you turned your backs on your friends." I lashed out. I noticed he was dumbstruck, but I just continued my way towards the office.

I reached the office and shut the door a bit too hard. "Whoa Aquila! What got you so worked up?" It was Trucy.

"Who else." I said it a bit more bitterly than intended.

"Was it Apollo?" This time it was Mr. Wright. "We heard yelling from outside."

"Oh… you did?" I got calmer by the second. "Sorry about that… Apollo's just…"

"We know, he's just going through some tough times." Mr. Wright added. I looked at everyone and saw that we were hit hard with Apollo leaving us… and we can't do anything about it… Well I can't anyways…

~*~ Courtroom No. 3
Date: December 20, 2027, Time: 1:00 pm
Green

Hearing that it was Athena's fingerprints on the lighter I immediately noticed something was terribly wrong. Athena was arrested right then and there. I noticed Mr. Wright had a sour face on him, no one expected for Athena to be accused. I was completely shocked by it. I couldn't have been her… could it? Is this why Apollo left? Is it because he suspected her in the beginning? Maybe that's why he wanted the eye patch so badly. I know he and Clay were... close but that doesn't mean to doubt your co-worker... or was he blinded by his emotions… I need to go find him and clear some things. Sorry Mr. Wright it seems like I'm going on my own too.

~*~ Cosmos Space Center
Date: December 20, Time: 1:30 pm
Green

I was appalled by the size of the Cosmos Space Center. It was my first time here and I hope I don't get lost. I got a pamphlet at the entrance and looked at the map of the space center.

(Where should I start first?) I guess I should start from the Space Museum. I got in the museum and I was immediately greeted by a robot.

"Welcome to the space center, guest! Welcome! My name is Ponco! P-O-N-C-O! Ponco!" This robot is unique… It had the ability to show emotions. "Are you sightseeing? Are you lost? Are you looking around? Choose one! I will guide you!"

(Hm... What should I do? I wonder if these are the only options.) "Is that all of the options?"

"I can answer any questions you give me! I like questions!" She is well designed. Anyways first up first.

"What is this place?"

"We are in the Space Museum and over there is the Hat-1 exhibit!" I looked to where she was pointing. I saw a picture of Clay, Mr. Starbuck, Director Cosmos, Aura Blackquill, and someone unfamiliar. Looking at Clay and the unfamiliar person sparked some curiosity in me.

"Who is that person on the right?"

"That's Mama Metis, she's the one who made us!" Metis… alright next.

"Who is that person next to Mr. Solomon?" I wanted to see if she has an extensive memory.

"Oh him? That's Clay Terran! At the time he was still a student and not an astronaut yet! We are friends!" She was correct, and her memories are preserved, and friends?

"Can we be friends?" I don't know what I'm doing, but I hope I get more privileges being friends.

"Yay! A new friend! Commencing guest registration! Please tell me your name. A nickname is fine, too!"

"My name is Aquila."

"Aquila, please let me get a good look at your face!" I did as I was told. "Registering… Facial registration sequence, complete! We are now officially friends! Nice to meet you, Aquila!" She seemed joyful.

"I'm glad we're friends now!" I tried to sound excited. "Can you tell me more about your friend, Clay?"

"Certainly! Mr. Terran became an official astronaut one year and a half ago, but he and his friend have been coming here for a long time!"

"Do you know what his friend's name is?"

"His friends name? Searching database… Here it is! His friend's name is Apollo Justice! I only registered him recently, but I recognized his face!" Hm… Face recognition without the name to go with it.

"How does Clay act when Apollo visits?" It was probably wrong of me to do this but...

"Mr. Terran becomes really happy, and his heartbeat becomes fast when Mr. Justice is near!" I see…

"Did you know? I'm friends with Mr. Justice." Talking to her is like talking to a child, full of innocence.

"Oh you are? That's wonderful! We're all friends! It's time for my routine charge! See you later Aquila!" Routine charge? I wonder where that at is.

"Ponco! Can I come too?"

"Can you come?" She was thinking or in her case, probably looking for some protocols. "Sure you can come, Aquila! Follow me!" It was nice being on the questioning side for once.

Talking with Ponco confirmed Apollo's and Clay's relationship… No wonder he's like this… His loyalty for Clay is this great… I don't think I can reason with him anymore… not if he feels like that… I just hope he smiles once everything is over… once Athena is proven innocent.

"Aquila! Are you okay? I felt your heart pound." So I'm guessing Ponco is able to detect heartbeats.

"I was just thinking about how Apollo is doing…" There was no point in lying to the robot.

"Does Mr. Justice make you feel like how Mr. Terran feels when Mr. Justice is around?" I see that the robots also has some curiosity in them… I don't know if that's a good thing of a bad thing.

"You can say that…"

"Oh! That is wonderful! Mr. Justice must be a very nice person." (Yes he is… but not at the moment…)

While we were talking I followed her into the elevator up to the fourth floor. We got to a door with a sign on it, 'Robotics Lab.' She opened the door, and I wouldn't believe who I was looking at... following Ponco made me finish my search for Apollo...

"Aquila!" Apollo wasn't expecting to see me, and neither was I.

~~~
A/N: And there's chapter 10! That was some fight they had. I just hope that they do make up ;)