Year: 771
A little more than 3 years after the Cell Game
- Slowly, slowly, slowly! 17, you are going too fast!
- No.
- If you break the submersible, I warn you, it will end badly for you!
- No risk. I am the best.
- Pffff you're impossible !
Despite all of Ruri's pleas, 17 was definitely doing what he wanted to do. After a few minutes of trying to figure out the controls of the submersible, he was now piloting it at full speed, racing around as if he were driving a bumper car.
The vastness of the ocean stretched as far as the eye could see, all around them. It would soon be dark, making visibility even more difficult as the water grew darker. But that didn't stop 17 from going right, left, wherever he could.
The vehicle had lights in the front and back that shone brightly, though over a fairly limited area. The presence of this light source in the midst of the growing darkness was beginning to attract a whole host of sea creatures, which 17 was careful to avoid, leading the submersible into a succession of increasingly tight turns.
- Turn to the left, quick! shouted Ruri, suddenly seeing a huge moving mass.
- And hop, dodged.
- 17 ! Stop it ! You'll end up killing something. Or us.
- What kind of animal was it?
- I didn't have time to see.
- Wait, let's go back.
- WHAT? But NO! Arrrrgh slowly please!
- Do you see him there? What a funny thing. It's all flat.
- It's a sunfish.
- It's huge! exclaimed 17, impressed by the impressive size of this animal.
- Yes, it's the biggest of the bony fish. It's not dangerous at all actually, it feeds on jellyfish.
- Of what?
- Jellyfish. If he's there, it's because there must be some around, they're all like some sorts of soft bags, with tentacles and aaargh slowly! exclaimed Ruri, while 17 had just made a sudden turn again.
- Like this here?
- YES! They're jellyfish, Ruri replied, looking in the direction 17 was pointing. We'll go take a closer look if you want but PLEASE stop driving so fast!
- What about him?
Ruri was about to retort, angrily, when she noticed the totally unprecedented expression 17 had at that very moment. He seemed to be enjoying himself. She had never seen him with such enthusiasm before. His face was lit up with an almost childlike joy, which contrasted greatly with his usual closed, focused, silent, serious face.
In a second, the young woman's anger disappeared. 17 suddenly appeared to her in a completely new light.
"So you're not so impassive after all," she thought, tenderly. "I would so love to see you smile like that all the time..."
- We're lucky, she said, gently, it's a royal triggerfish. It's a rather rare fish, because it's fished a lot. You must find it in your red book, I think. See the fin on its back? Well, it has a bone that can lock into a straight position. That way, if a predator tries to eat it, it can get its jaw punctured. It's a defense mechanism.
- Fascinating...
- Haha yes, there are plenty of fascinating animals in the ocean. Not only monsters, by the way.
- I had no idea that there are things like that underwater.
- I promise we'll go diving tomorrow and I'll show you everything you want to see. We'll see all kinds of animals that'll take your breath away. But I'd like us to survive this first trip, so please take it a little easier. Would you mind?
- Yeah. You're right. I think I got carried away.
- A LITTLE BIT YEAH!
- I like that vehicle.
- I saw it. It's getting late and I'm kind of hungry. Is it okay if we go inside?
- Yes, yes. No problem.
And 17 slowly turned around, bringing the submersible back towards the ship, and then stowing it in its place.
He didn't really understand what had just happened to him. Suddenly, while driving this vehicle, he had felt very happy. Now that they were back on board, the drunken feeling he had experienced was slowly beginning to disappear, but it had been a long time since he had felt so carefree.
Like when he escaped from Gero's laboratory.
Like the first time he'd finally been able to taste the pleasure of freedom.
Like...
Before.
Ruri really made him feel so much things. While she was now busy in the kitchen, he was quietly watching her.
"You really are something special, little human..." he said to himself suddenly. "What are you doing to me? What happens to me when I'm around you?"
He was still in a state of perplexity when the young woman returned to him, two beers in hand.
- Well, now that Mr. Crazy Pilot is calmer, how about learning to chill?
- Yes, I would like to, he said, smiling, while telling himself that he could never refuse her anything.
- So go put on your tracksuit and meet me on the main deck.
- Okay.
17 complied. Ruri had assigned him a room, in which he had stored his books. He took off his clothes and laid them on the bed, and put on the outfit the young woman had given him. It was a strange garment. Very wide and loose. Comfortable, clearly.
Chilling ?
17 was very curious about what Ruri would show him. He was never disappointed when she had an idea. And it's true that right now, he had just felt an emotion such as he hadn't had for so long...
When he joined her, Ruri had arranged cushions on the floor so that she could sit comfortably. In fact, she was in a semi-recumbent position, staring up at the sky. As soon as she saw him, she motioned for 17 to sit next to her, and gave him a beer. They both drank a few sips in silence, before the young woman started the conversation:
- I said relax, 17.
- I'm relaxed.
- Not at all, she answered, placing her hand on 17's left shoulder. You're as stiff as a board right now, your whole body is tense. You look like you're ready to fight.
- I never let my guard down.
- Well, now you should. Chilling is exactly that. Let yourself go, and enjoy!
- ...okay.
But 17 couldn't really grasp it. He couldn't understand the "concept". He tried for several minutes to relax his body, but something was bothering him.
- Humans are strange, he said. What is the purpose of chilling?
- The purpose? Ruri asked.
- Yeah, what's the point? What ability do you hope to gain by doing this?
- But ... nothing at all ! It really seems so complicated to let go? She asked, amused as much as she was intrigued.
- I'm not used to it anymore.
- Anymore ?
- Anything can happen if you let your guard down. I just don't do it anymore.
- But you knew how to do it before?
17 did not know how to respond. Only now did he realize that he had changed.
Yes, when he had awakened after his first deactivation and finally, after years of captivity, had been able to escape, he wasn't like this. Nothing worried him. On the contrary. He had always felt invulnerable, invincible, the greatest warrior in the universe and the most powerful cyborg Dr. Gero had ever created. He had no apprehensions, no limits loomed before him.
No. He wasn't like that before. But he couldn't help it, he wasn't the same now. He just hadn't really noticed it until tonight.
- Yes, in a way. I think so, he stammered.
His answer didn't really surprise Ruri. She had understood for quite some time that something had happened to 17 that had hurt him deeply. She was dying to know what it was. But it was clearly not a subject he wanted to talk about spontaneously. Besides, everyone had the right to have secrets. She simply hoped deep down that one day he would value her enough to confide in her.
In the meantime, so as not to make him uncomfortable, she changed the subject.
- One question by the way, there's something about you that intrigues me. Did Dr. Gero do anything special to your muscles?
- Mmm? Uh... why?
- Because your muscles actually feel dense to me. Stronger or heavier than a normal human.
17 took a few seconds to think, before answering:
- I'm not sure, but I think yes. At one point, he injected a liquid into our bodies. From that moment on, we became very resistant. No human weapon could hurt us anymore.
- Oh? replied Ruri, as the spark of scientific curiosity lit up in her eyes. What kind of liquid? What was it?
- No idea.
- You didn't ask Dr. Gero?
- I think you're misunderstanding the nature of my relationship with Gero. He and I have never had a real conversation, you know.
- Really?
- I remind you that he didn't ask my opinion before transforming me. Our exchanges consisted of him giving me orders, me insulting him, and in the end killing him...
- I understand that. It's just that if I were you, before cutting his head off, I would have asked him a couple of questions about my modifications.
Surprised, 17 burst out laughing.
- Hahaha! Is that what you would have done? Would you have asked him questions?
- Definitely. Just to understand. Aren't you curious?
- Not really.
- That's because you're not a scientist, said Ruri, smiling.
- Indeed.
- That's a shame. But wait... you said "at one point he injected us with a liquid". So there were several stages?
- Yes. I don't really know why but apparently it's not easy to cybernetize a human.
- Oh yes, I can imagine.
- From what I understood, our bodies would not have supported all the additions if they had been implanted at the same time. We underwent several operations, over a period of time, to become what we are. Gero was careful not to give us our power generator right away, for example. It was the very last thing he put inside us.
- Smart. If you were threatening to kill him it's not stupid to have waited until the last moment to give you your power.
- Indeed.
- But wait... how long did it finally take?
- ... I don't really know, answered 17 thoughtfully. Maybe two years. We didn't really have a sense of time, between operations and training.
- Without going out?
- No, never. This laboratory has been my prison.
Ruri felt her heart tighten in her chest. The whole thing seemed so horrible that she couldn't help but feel great pain at the thought of what 17 and his sister had gone through. The deprivation of freedom. The operations. The suffering.
17 spoke of this in a detached tone, but his eyes betrayed the pain and anger he felt.
The young woman was upset. Without her realizing it, tears had started to flow down her cheeks. She wiped them away discreetly, taking advantage of the fact that 17's eyes were fixed on the sky. She didn't want to make him think she felt sorry for him, it would only make him uncomfortable. But to imagine all that he had been through, he who was so kind, he who meant so much to her, he who made her so happy... It was unbearable.
She felt an intense need to be close to him. To give him tenderness. To heal him.
Then, with a gesture, Ruri turned around and lay down as close to him as possible. Immediately, 17 reacted and did the same, turning his head in the direction of the young woman, their faces separated by only a few millimeters.
They stood still and silent for a few seconds, enjoying this suddenly very intimate moment. But Ruri knew what she wanted. In a soft, teasing voice, she whispered to him:
- Do you think I'm selfish if I tell you that despite all this, I'm happy to have a super-big, handsome robot with me to hunt sea monsters?
- No, not at all, I can understand that, 17 replied, smiling.
- And then, being a cyborg does not have only disadvantages if you think about it. You're never tired, you're overpowered... and most importantly, you can fly!
- And it's that good?
- Absolutely ! Look at the sky for example. You can see the stars from here, but there are little clouds that hide part of the view. You, if you want, can go through the clouds and see the real sky lit up with stars. I bet you never do that either!
- No.
- That's what I thought. If I were you, I would spend my life there... it must be so beautiful, the starry sky, seen from above...
- Would seeing the stars make you happy? asked 17, straightening up slightly and giving the young woman a suddenly very intense look.
- ...Yes, very much, Ruri answered, blushing unintentionally at the new expression on 17's face.
- So come on, I'll take you.
- What?
Yet without waiting for his answer, she seized the hand held out by 17. In a quick yet gentle movement he lifted her up and gently took her in his arms, before flying away.
Without saying a word. It was the first time he had held her like this, face to face. Hesitant at first, Ruri slowly placed her arms around 17's neck, who smiled back at her, obviously very happy with this initiative.
He rose even higher into the sky, breaking through the small clouds that cluttered their vision from the ship. After a few seconds of flight, 17 stopped, and Ruri looked up. The beauty of the sight before her took her breath away. Up close it seemed as if the stars were much more numerous, and their brightness was so much stronger that she felt as if she was seeing myriads of diamonds shining brightly all around her.
What a hypnotic, intoxicating, dazzling vision...
- Wow, it's absolutely beautiful... she said, amazed. My God, 17, I've never seen anything more beautiful in my life! Haven't you?
- Yes.
Intrigued, Ruri looked down to see that 17 was not looking at the stars at all. On the contrary. His eyes were fixed on her. The young woman did not immediately understand what he meant. She remained silent, dumbfounded, when a gust of icy wind suddenly blew in, freezing her immediately.
Feeling the tremor that ran through her, 17 intuitively tightened his embrace. The young woman gave a small cry, surprised, before feeling little by little the heat of his body surrounding hers. She was getting warmer, but that was not the most important thing. Again, he was holding her close to him, with this mixture of strength and softness which had surprised her from the first time.
When she was in his arms, she perceived clearly the robustness of his body, guessing the power of his muscles that she felt under her fingers. The impression that he could break her as if she were an insignificant twig intimidated her as much as it excited her.
To feel so small. So fragile.
Feeling him so strong. So dominant.
What could she have done against him? Nothing.
And yet, at the same time, he showed in the least of his gestures towards her an infinite delicacy, an attention of every moment, an absolute precaution. He did not want to hurt her, she understood him. Never in her life had she felt such a sense of security.
While he held her against him, 17 never took his eyes off her.
His gaze was piercing. He seemed to read her. When he looked at her like that, she had the strange feeling that she was almost naked, defenseless. Absolutely at his mercy. And once the first seconds of embarrassment passed, she loved that feeling.
- And what do you find more beautiful than this starry sky? she ended up murmuring, almost begging, so much she was burning to hear his answer.
- You.
17 then raised a hand, letting it tenderly slide in Ruri's hair. The effect of each of his caresses gave the young woman electric shocks of a crazy violence. It was not a classic emotion, like feeling something simply "good".
No.
It was much more intense than that. It was ... pleasure.
She was beginning to understand that. 17 was awakening a new sensitivity in her, little by little. A sensuality that she did not know herself and that she suddenly longed to know. A desire to abandon herself completely, to offer herself to him, with the certainty that a world of happiness was waiting for her behind a wall of apprehension that she had only to cross.
Then, although hesitant, she dared.
This time, it was she who was going to kiss him. She moved towards 17 and timidly put her lips against his, not being able to retain a small moan. 17 immediately kissed her back, but with more force than the first time. With his hand, he brought Ruri's face closer to his so that he could kiss her, even more. Always more. As if the fact of hearing her moaning had triggered something in him.
And indeed. Although he made his best, 17 had really difficulty to resist the flood of desire which invaded him, too. Slowly, without stopping for a second to kiss her, he went down to land on the main deck of the boat.
Once landed, he tightened her even more. The ecstasy which went up in him made him lose the sense of the measure. He still controlled his force, but the more the seconds passed and the more he was overflowed by an increasingly strong impulse, a devouring appetite for this woman, the need to go still further. Carried away also by the passion, Ruri was acting also without thinking, instinctively.
Wanting more than anything to be his. To belong to him. To lose herself forever.
She arched her back, placing her hips against 17's, who immediately seized one of her thighs with his free hand. With a gesture, he brought her towards him, even closer, even stronger. With his other hand, he began to tighten his fingers on Ruri's hair. As if he wanted to never let her go.
Their kiss seemed to last an eternity. but it was Ruri who had to reluctantly end it. She needed to catch her breath.
- Wait ... I ... lack ... air ... she managed to say, in a whisper.
- I'm sorry. Did I hurt you? replied 17, releasing her immediately, suddenly worried that he may had squeezed her too hard.
- No, no, don't worry. It's just me. I just kind of forgot to breathe, actually...
- Ah.
Ruri took a step back, still reeling from the violence of the wave of emotions that had just passed through her. A little calmer now, she had no idea what to do, but what she was sure of was that she didn't want this moment to end. So she pulled away from 17 slightly, but remained in his arms, smiling shyly.
- It's late, human, you should go to sleep now, 17 said, without any move to release her.
- Yes, you're right... that would be more reasonable.
- I've never been a reasonable person... 17 muttered, unable to free her.
- Neither do I... Ruri replied with a sigh.
- But we have to. You need to rest.
- Yes. Not everyone is lucky enough to have an infinite energy generator.
- Indeed. Go to bed now.
And very gently, 17 took his hands off Ruri's hips.
The young woman hesitated, however...
- What?
- A last kiss? she finally asked, blushing, but unable to retain this desire so irrepressible that, without realizing it, she slightly bit her lips at the time of formulating her request.
Seeing her doing this, 17 had to exert gigantic efforts to contain his desire to grab Ruri by the waist and knock her to the ground.
"Calm down, calm down!" he thought immediately, resisting as much as he could, surprised himself by what this simple vision had just caused in him. He managed to come back to his senses quickly, and gently took between his fingers the chin of the young woman.
- I don't usually obey to orders, he answered in a low voice. But I think I can make an exception this time.
Then he kissed her, tenderly, very gently, for a few more seconds.
- Now, he said, go to sleep.
- Yes! exclaimed Ruri happily. Come and wake me up tomorrow morning, as soon as the sun rises.
- Okay.
- Prepare the coffee, since you're not going to sleep! added the young woman, laughing.
- Don't abuse my generosity, little human!
- I promise!
After another minute of enjoying the moment, Ruri ran off to her room, leaving 17 alone on the main deck. Once she had disappeared from his sight, he exhaled for several seconds, releasing the tension he had been holding for a long time now.
He had managed to contain himself, and it had not been easy. He laughed softly as he thought of the efforts he had had to make to control his very "human" impulses that had been assailing him for some time.
"Haha, decidedly, Ruri... you're making me lose all my senses... I don't even know how I didn't ..."
He stopped immediately, certain that continuing to think like this was not going to help him calm down at all. He walked along the deck for a while, before stopping on the bow. Leaning against the rail, he stared at the horizon, breathing slowly.
The air that night was particularly cold.
"Perfect, cold... that's exactly what I need," he thought, still laughing.
Over an hour later, Ruri couldn't sleep. After trying in vain, tossing and turning in her bed, she had finally given up on the idea of resting. And when she couldn't take it anymore, she had done the only thing that could help her: calling Iris.
It was late, but she really needed to talk to her friend, making sure to keep her voice low, as 17 was still on the ship.
Of course, she had woken her up, but Iris didn't blame her at all. On the contrary. From a distance, she was helping her friend in her « seduction initiative ». She was therefore delighted to hear the account of the evening's events.
"Well, congratulations, girl, I'm proud of you! This story is going well!
- You think so?
- Do you realize what you just told me? Of course I do! You still doubt it?
- I don't know... I had actually given up hope a bit. 17 is so distant at times. And suddenly BAM, I don't know what happens to him, he becomes ... wow...
- He blows hot and cold. Clever.
- I'm not sure he's doing it on purpose...
- It doesn't matter. Who cares? No matter what his character is, a man is still a man. They're not like us. Sometimes they don't think with their brains.
- Really?
- In any case, everything is going in the right direction. I think you can start phase 2 without any problem.
- Are you really sure this is necessary?
- Absolutely.
- Iris ... I would never ... dress like that in front of him ...
- Yes, you will. You've been to the beach before, right? What's the difference?
- That's not the point!
- I'm not asking you to get naked either ! Although... if we're doing well, that's what's going to happen to you haha!
- Raaah my god!
- Relax. Isn't that what you really want?
- Yes but ... I have never ... never ... with anyone ..
- I know. Everything has a start hahaha!
- You are unbearable! You seem to enjoy torturing me!
- No, what amuses me is to see your « shy virgin » side when I've seen you literally throw yourself under the feet of animals 10 times your size. What are you so afraid of? 17 is not going to eat you... Although... if we do well...
- IRIS!
- Hahaha ok, I'll stop. Look, trust me. 17 is kind of, like, on the edge of a cliff right now. And all you have to do is give him a big punch in the back. So that he falls.
- ...I'm not sure your metaphor works with him...
- Why?
- Nothing, never mind...
- Well, anyway, just do what I say. And let things go. You're going to be alone on this boat for months. This is the perfect situation. Just show him a little bit of what he can have, and the rest will come by itself. Hahaha!
- And what do I do if it works?
- Do you want a drawing?
- I don't know how these things … work !
- It's not a big deal. We'll talk about it anyway. And you better tell me everything.
- That's a lousy plan.
- ABSOLUTELY NOT
- You don't dress like that for an underwater expedition !
- I know that, stupid. But 17, he doesn't know. He will believe you.
- But... he's gonna be mad at me for lying to him, no?
- Hahahaha you're so cute. Trust me. Considering the model I chose, he will NEVER be mad at you for wearing it. EVER. He's a man. Period.
- Well... if you say so...
- It's late. Really try to get some sleep. And no stress. Just let things happen. Okay?
- Yes... okay...
- Take caresweetie, and good luck !
- Yeah... And thank you!"
In the end, neither 17 nor Ruri slept that night...
