Chapter Fifty-Two – A Call for Help
John listened to the insistent tone as the phone rang. He was lucky the taxi had an internal phone he could use to call out. He was also lucky he hadn't forgotten the number over the past year or so. He bit his lip as he rocked back and forth, trying not to think about his last few moments with Lin. They couldn't do much more than kiss considering the time and place, but those kisses had told them everything. Filled with 'I love you', 'Don't leave me' and 'Come back to me.' They didn't have the words to express it. Lin couldn't honestly tell him not to worry, or that he'd be alright. All they could do was hope.
"Hello?" The familiar feminine voice answered politely, obviously not recognising the public number. John felt his chest tighten in need. He hadn't heard her reassuring voice for over a year, but he needed it. His voice stuck in his throat, causing the woman to question again. He felt lucky she remained on the line, somehow curious.
"Help…I need help." John whimpered, bending over to hold his head in his hands as tears pricked his eyes once more. Everything was compressing in his skull. Everything he wanted to say, everything he needed to say.
"Little John?" The voice said gently, filled with uncertainty. John nodded, but remembered she wouldn't be able to see him. On the seat beside him Katie looked across worriedly, a small hand reaching out to rest on his thigh. Reassurance. He spared her a glance and touched her thank thankfully.
"I-it's me. Please. I need help. I don't know what to do." John stammered, feeling his whole body shaking with adrenaline he had nothing to do with. He heard muffled voices before the phone was taken by a new person.
"Calm down John…Just breathe…" The male voice said firmly. John breathed, his breath hitching a few times. "That's it…Now, where are you exactly?" The man asked, his voice like calming silk to John's terrified ears. He looked out the window, listing of the street and area name. There were voices and then the man was back. "Head to The Grand. Executive suite, 2203. Wait for us there." The man ordered. John took a few breaths before inputting the data into the taxi, the electronic car changing direction.
"Yes, Uncle." John replied obediently.
"Good boy, see you soon." The man replied before hanging up. John tried to look reassuring as he took Katie's hand and held on tightly. The only person he knew he could turn to at a time like this was his uncle. He may not be in charge anymore, but he knew more about androids and Cyberlife than anyone else. He had to be able to help. John's breath was shaky as he stumbled out of the taxi and hurried inside the tall building, Katie at his side.
"Good evening?" The uniformed lady behind the counter greeted curiously. A human of course. Dressed in a smart looking black pant-suit. She seemed a little wary as she took in John's state of dress, blue splattered across his clothing. He wasn't their usual type of clientele. This was a high class hotel. "Are you…lost?" She guessed, and she could see in his tired eyes she was right in some sense.
"I'm here to see my uncle. Executive suite, room 2203." John recited, the woman looking up the details before her eyes widened slightly. She was tempted to call security to check this out, but the teen seemed worn and tired. He didn't seem like he was up to no good, and he had a young child with him no less. Her maternal instincts took over and she handed him the key. He nodded thankfully and hurried to the elevator. The ride up was silent, John's teeth biting his lip the entire way until he tasted blood. Lin wasn't there to press a finger to his lips. The thought sent an ache through John's chest. Lin wasn't there. John didn't stop as the doors opened. He hurried down the hall with Katie at his side and opened the door with the metal key.
"Little John! Look at you…You look exhausted." Chloe greeted sympathetically as she closed the door behind him and immediately fussed over him. She was wearing her usual blue dress, the material soft as she tugged him against her chest. "I told you to stop doing that." She added reproachfully as she tugged his lip away from his teeth gently. John couldn't stop himself as he fell into her chest and buried his face in her shoulder.
"I don't want them to die." He cried, shaking as the blonde android held him, her LED flashing yellow.
"And so you came to me." A new voice observed almost smugly, John's eyes shifting to the living area of the large room, where his chosen uncle stood. He was dressed smartly, as usual. Designer charcoal jeans and a pinstriped shirt that matched. His longer brunette locks were tied up in a small bun. He had more stubble than John remembered him keeping before. "Hello Little John." He added warmly as he opened his arms, his expression softening as John exchanged Chloe's embrace for his own. He felt safe as the large arms closed around him firmly.
"Uncle Eli." John sniffled, enjoying the familiar smell of expensive aftershave. "What are you doing here?" He asked curiously, knowing the older man kept a secluded mansion in Detroit. The older man chuckled humourlessly as they approached the sofa and sat. John was grateful as Chloe shifted her attention to Katie, taking the young android under her wing as she had with him all those years ago.
"With the executive order to turn over all androids I had to make some…arrangements. Everyone knows I keep a stock of androids in my home after all. It wouldn't be safe to remain there." The older man replied, John nodding his agreement. Even Elijah Kamski didn't get to ignore the law. The President said hand over all androids, and that meant all androids. He was taking a risk by hiding Chloe as he was. "I lost a few units, but many of them are in hiding or on missions." He added ambiguously before returning his eyes to John. "But that's not why you called." He added.
"No…I just…I don't know what to do…He just…He's…" John trailed off.
"You need to start at the beginning, tell me…who is 'he'?" Kamski asked with genuine curiosity.
"His name is Lin…" John began before, settling in for a long story. He held nothing back, besides the more graphic details of their intimacy. Elijah didn't seem surprised, understanding John better than most. A lot of John's love for androids had come for their creator after all. The older man sat with crossed legs, sipping some form of amber liquid and listening without judgement or reproach. John's hands were shaking by the time he finished.
"I see…Well, what is it that you want to do? Forget what you should do, what you're expected to do, what do you want?" Elijah asked with genuine curiosity. John clenched his teeth tightly. He knew what would happen when the androids marched. They'd be shot down without a second thought. Unless there was media coverage, allowing people to see what was going on, they'd be exterminated like rats. More than that though, John wanted to be a part of it. He wanted to be at Lin's side. No, more than that…I want to protect him.
"I need to be there." John blurted, the older man looking surprised, but understanding. He already knew where they would be heading. There was only one camp in the immediate area. SWAT had already set up outside the gates in preparation. He had multiple eyes on it, as he did on all things.
"You understand I can't protect you if you do this…Of course I have people there, but one stray bullet…" He trailed off, John's resolved nod his only response. "In that case, there are a few things we should do." The older man stated as he got to his feet. He'd already delivered multiple tip offs to the media, and a growing amount of news drones and helicopters were already circling the area. The march had started, Lin at the head of the group with the two RG600s and Ayako. They were setting up a barrier for protection. "The first thing we need to do is make you a little more…inconspicuous." The older man added as he gently lifted the LED pendant at John's throat.
