chapter4 ~-=Curse of the Flesh=-~
A Big O fanfiction by Grendel226 a.k.a. Arren Dracone

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Big O or any of the characters. All are property of Sunrise and their respective parties. This fanfiction is rated R for mildly disturbing images, mild violence and adult situations. As always comments are appreciated, and flames will incur my wrath. ;-) Note: Asterisks denote a major jump in time and/or location.

Chapter 4:
Truths and Tales

Roger and Dorothy had not left the mansion under Dastun's advice. Three weeks had passed since Del's body had been found in the South 20 harbor, and both Roger and Dorothy had been rigorously questioned as to their possible involvement. However, the questioning proved fruitless and the murder of the seedy android dealer remained a mystery. Life seemed ready to grind slowly on. Dorothy was still becoming used to new facets of her life but each of them now lived under the burden of being possible suspects in a murder. Two days into the third week of confinement Dorothy staggered down the stairs appearing to be weak and flustered. When questioned she evaded confrontation and took to hiding in her room. Both Roger and Norman became suspicious and finally Roger took it upon himself to unearth the secret from the sullen android. He found her sitting in the middle of her room, her legs splayed at an uncomfortable angle beneath her and her face contorted in pain. "Dorothy?" he asked with alarm rushing forward. She stared at him and moved away as if she thought that contact would bring about violent consequences. "I have been deceived," she began steadily. "I have been trapped inside a dying form." "Dying?" Roger blinked in horror. "I have incurred a malfunction in my blood system it would seem," she continued with a wavering voice. "It is being lost at an alarming rate, and I am quite certain that several facets of my body will not function without it." "Blood?" Then he noticed that she was clutching at her abdomen in obvious pain and shock hit him. He stupidly stammered for a minute as Dorothy stared at him in abject horror. "You're fine. You're not malfunctioning. I need to call Gentronix, and Norman will be up shortly." He got it out all in one breath as he proceeded to the kitchen. "Norman?" "Yes, Master Roger?" "You'll need to make a trip to the store today. Dorothy…ahem…requires some items." Norman's one eye narrowed at Roger, "Items sir?" For the first time in ages, Roger found himself flushed. "You know Norman. Feminine items." Norman blinked and then nodded knowingly at Roger. "I suggest sir that you explain to her that she is not in fact dying." Roger groaned and slumped against the wall. "Why can't there be other women in this house?" he cried in exasperation. Turning accusingly to face Norman he stammered, "Norman, I wish you were married." Norman chuckled as Roger stomped back up the stairs to place a phone call and then attempt to retain his calm dignity while he explained to Dorothy just how human she was.

Gentronix had been surprised at the extent of Dorothy's human capacity. It appeared Del had not overlooked any areas in his creation of the perfect biological construct. Dorothy was experiencing every roller coaster of humanity and every roller coaster of femininity along with it. In the end he thrust the phone in her direction and let a Gentronix staff member explain Dorothy's situation to her. He was quietly relieved that he would not have to handle the situation himself. The scientists had assured him that this was "highly irregular" and that Dorothy's condition was indeed remarkable. After the android hung up the phone she turned to him looking chagrined. "I apologize for placing you in a potentially embarrassing situation," she stated flatly. "It appears that this is an aspect of humanity that was lost from my memory at some point." He nodded feeling satisfied that the situation had come to a close. "I am glad that I am not trapped in a dying body." Dorothy said in a quiet monotone accompanied by a grave stare. "I have done far too much to attain this state, and I would find it disconcerting if I had done it all only to attain the greatest imperfection of mortality." Roger started and stared back at her. "Done too much? What have you done?" Dorothy's mechanical voice dropped the words he dreaded to hear. "I am responsible for Del's death."

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Roger paced the hallway silently. When he had questioned Dorothy about Del it had been like flipping a switch. She had suddenly drawn into herself and disappeared into her room. He knew he should contact Dan but wasn't sure what to say. A murder implication would mean the loss of all the humanity Dorothy had worked to gain. Surely, she had acted with good cause. But Roger did not have the opportunity to contact Dan Dastun. At noon there was a knock on the door and Major Dastun was escorted in by Norman. "Roger, we need to talk," Dan blurted ushering Roger into his own study. "They found silicone grafting skin on Del's neck. It was a strangulation death." Silicone based skin grafts. "Roger, could Dorothy have done this to Del?" Roger was about to respond when the door to the study opened. "Dorothy!" Roger protested as the android entered the room. "Major Dastun, I presume you are here about Del," she inquired in a monotone voice. Dastun stammered and Roger stared at Dorothy in abject horror. "I confess that I am responsible for the death of Del. However, I am certain I would not take a life without cause." Dan and Roger maintained their silence. "Perhaps, if you were to access my memory you would find what you are searching for." Roger turned and stared out the window into the inky grayness of the city. He vaguely heard Dan radio into the station and protested when he was told he would be unable to follow the pair while Dorothy's memory was scoured.

The mansion was darker than usual. The power had gone off two hours ago and Norman was fussing about the kitchen trying to salvage dinner. Roger leaned on his balcony, melancholy hanging over his head. He stared blankly into the silent streets of Paradigm, the blackness inky and all consuming. The city had gone as still and silent as the house since Dorothy had been taken in for questioning. But then it wasn't really questioning. The contents of her rolling memory would be dumped to a file and carefully examined for binary memories of Del. It was a terrible invasion. If she were truly human at least shreds of her privacy would be protected. But right now, half of Paradigm's police force was filtering through every memory that R. Dorothy Waynewright possessed. "Master Roger, telephone for you. I believe it's Major Dastun." Roger dashed past Norman and lunged for the telephone. "Yes? I see. Yes I'll be right there. Sure Dan." Roger replaced the phone on the receiver and dashed for the door. "Shall I hold dinner then sir?" called Norman. "Yes, no wait, prepare another plate. With any luck I'll be bringing Dorothy home."

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Roger sped down the streets of Paradigm at a reckless rate. He was using the Griffon's high beams to compensate for the lack of illumination, usually provided by the city's street lamps. However, even that light was usually anemic and filtered casting a greenish tinge over the city at night. Whipping around a corner, Roger brought the Griffon to a screeching halt in front of Paradigm's police station. After securing the car he quickly mounted the steps to find Dan waiting for him in the lobby. "We've had some new developments Roger. It looks like we can let Dorothy go." Roger felt as if he would choke on his heart. "Dorothy? How is she?" "Fine. She doesn't know the developments we found though," Dastun said as he seated himself at his desk. "Developments?" Roger took the seat across from Dastun and leaned dangerously across the desk. "What developments?" "Well," Dan began, "We got in touch with Gentronix. We found enormous records of pain in Dorothy's memory towards the end of her stay at Del's. They said that they told you that her tactile sensors had been tested, but they weren't sure how." Roger nodded feeling nausea sweep over him. "We searched the ware house and found torn pieces of the silicone grafts. Some had been burned and others had been…." Dan choked over the word, "Mutilated." Roger winced and bit hard on his lower lip. Del had tortured her to test his creations. In the name of his so-called science he inflicted agony after agony on Dorothy. "We're chalking this up as a self defense killing. She probably dragged him to the harbor when her thought processes started going off track. She was probably afraid of what she had done…hell, who wouldn't be? She did have that emotion chip put in and she knew what she had done." Roger swallowed hard, clutching the desk. Del had given Dorothy humanity but at what price? He had deserved to die. "Of course she didn't tell us anything when you picked her up because she had partially shut down due to the trauma." Dan droned on and on about his defense for Dorothy. Roger only wanted to see her. "Dan, is she all right?" "Yes, she doesn't remember the memories we found. Or doesn't appear to at least. You can go see her if you want." Roger didn't wait for further prodding. He let his chair clatter to the ground as he stepped into the interrogation room and found Dorothy waiting for him. Before he could respond she was clinging to him. "Hello Roger," came the muffled greeting from her face buried in his shirt. He wrapped his arms protectively around her and finally she freed herself. "Let's go home," Roger suggested trying to hide the relief in his voice. Norman will have dinner ready." The two turned and left the interrogation room. Before leaving the station Dan called across the empty room, "Hey Smith!" Roger turned to face the major. "We found interesting things in that memory bank. Nice kiss. You're quite the lady's man!" Roger scowled vehemently and turned to leave. Passing through the doorway he chuckled and muttered to himself, "You're a louse Dan Dastun."