Chapter 30

After returning to the base and delivering the android leg to Simon, Kara and Luther had returned back to Markus' bedside. North stood at his side.

Alice ran up to Kara to embrace her.

"Thanks for taking good care of her," she said.

North looked away, a dark flush visible on her face.

"It's not a problem."

Markus glanced at North. The corners of his lips curled in a sly smile.

North returned his gaze with a pout.

Kara looked at them puzzled. The two appeared to be sending a message through non-verbal communication though she couldn't decipher what the two could be saying.

Luther's hand rested on Kara's shoulder.

She turned and saw Luther smiling.

"I think we should go."

"Alright."

Alice eagerly followed them to their reserved corner.

"So what was that about?" Kara asked curiously.

"I believe those two wanted some privacy," Luther supplied.

"What do you mean privacy?"

"Markus asked North to be his girlfriend," Alice said.

"When was this?"

"Yesterday when you two were gone."

"Way to go, Markus," Luther said, holding out his fist to Alice.

Alice returned his fist bump.

"I had no idea that Markus was interested in North," Kara said.

"Well, who else do you think he'd be into?" Luther asked.

Kara shrugged.

"I have no idea. I thought maybe something might happen between him and Simon but I guess I was mistaken."

Luther rolled his eyes.

"Why would he be interested in a creep like that?"

"Luther, honestly don't you think your dislike for him is getting a little old?"

"It's not entirely dislike, if he'd stop being borderline creepy he might be a half-decent guy."

Kara sighed with exasperation.

"We've been here for a while though haven't we?" Luther said. "Before we got here the doctor said you might recover some of your memories."

"Unfortunately I still can't remember anything," Kara said.

"You still intend on delivering that letter to Caroline?"

"Of course."

"At the rate we're going I hope it's sooner rather than later," Luther said.

"What do you mean?" Kara asked.

"Simon's been strangely evasive about it always sending us on tasks. Shouldn't he have contacted her by now?"

Kara was silent pondering Luther's words.

"It is a little strange. Maybe something happened or maybe it's difficult to contact her. Cyberlife is still after us."

"It's just as likely you're reaching."

Kara sighed.

"Fine, if it makes you feel any better we'll talk to Simon tomorrow."

"Excuse me."

Kara turned and saw the guy they had rescued address her.

"Yes."

"Can I join you three? There's nowhere else to sit down and I got food so."

"Certainly."

He sat down next to them.

"So what's your name anyhow?" Kara asked.

He sighed.

"My name is Elliot. I wanted to thank you two personally for rescuing me."

"Kara did most of the work. She was the one who wanted to rescue you in the first place," Luther said. "I was just defending her back."

Kara smiled at him.

"Well without you, I would have been dead. What were you doing in the dump anyway?"

Elliot sighed.

"In the city I was accused of the alleged manslaughter of my husband," Elliot said. "Unfortunately there was no evidence that proved otherwise. I was held in court waiting until they finally sent me to prison. I managed to escape but I was in danger no matter where I went until I heard about this place."

"You said they had evidence?"

"Yeah, the prosecutor said that the police found my fingerprints on a gun that they concluded was a murder weapon," he said. "I seen his body though. There was no blood. I thought he might have been strangled judging by the imprints of rope on his neck but the prosecution deemed me an uncredible witness because they couldn't determine if any rope had been used at all."

Luther narrowed his eyes on the man.

"You don't believe me."

"It's nothing personal, honestly," Kara said. "We've run into our own fair share of trouble. So you could see why it would hard to trust anyone."

"What did you do?"

"I don't know but whatever we did, Cyberlife definitely doesn't want the world to know about their shady dealings with the government," she said.

"I figured there was no way of proving my innocence and thought maybe I dwelt here long enough they might forget about me and this crime. Unfortunately that plan went south fast. Some androids found me and made me do tasks for them like gathering thirium or android parts. When I didn't comply they punished me."

Alice paled.

"So that's why you were in the dump?"

"More or less. How long have you three been here?"

"Don't know. Lost track of time after awhile," Luther said.

"Beats me," Kara said. "You're safe here though so you can rest easy."

"I was talking with Lucy before I walked down here. She told me you two were taking care of a girl named Alice."

"Yeah."

"She's one of the only kids down here isn't she? It must be rather boring just sitting here all day."

"It's not entirely boring," Alice said. "I watch Markus and Josh play board games. Yesterday I watched Josh play with the master."

"Who's the master?" Kara asked curiously.

"He's an old dude. I think he might be Markus' papa," Alice said.

"Lucy said you really liked the outfits on the dolls she gave you and I thought you might be interested in drawing them. Adam got me connected with some pencils and paper if you are interested."

Alice's eyes lit up.

"Really?"

Elliot nodded.

"Thank you so much."

He handed over the pencils and paper to Alice who eagerly took them off his hands.

"I wish I could have been a fashion designer but perhaps it's not meant to be," he said. "with everything that's happened."

"Why a fashion designer?" Kara asked.

"At first I wanted to do it for fun but after I got with my boyfriend at the time, my parents disowned me so I started living with my future husband," Elliot said. "He was a rich so we didn't have to worry about expenses. Every year though he'd donate to some local orphanages. We dropped by to visit and I saw the kids' clothes left a lot to be desired I guess that's what aspired me."

Elliot looked pensive.

"After we got married, he was going to pay my way to fashion college but then that happened."

Alice glanced up at Elliot with a reassuring soft smile.

"It's the thought that counts though right?" she asked.

"I just wish I could have done more."

Kara tapped him on the shoulder.

"You did what you could."

Elliot chuckled sadly.

Luther looked over to see what Alice was doodling in the meantime.

"Impressive," he softly commented.

Her face tinted with a red blush.

"Thanks."

"So what have you drawn so far?" Elliot asked curiously.

He and Kara walked over to where Alice was drawing. She eagerly showed them her drawing.

"Wow, that's some attention to detail," Elliot pointed out.

"It's nothing impressive," Alice said. "I took some ideas from the clothes from some of the dolls that Lucy lent me."

"Still to come up with new ideas from just that is amazing for someone your age."

Alice chuckled.

"Well I guess not all of it was from the dolls. My mother used to wear clothes like these all the time," she said. "She especially loved to wear lacey things."

"Wait, what do you mean used to? Are you talking about Kara?"

Alice shook her head before she closed her eyes tightly, her hands wrapped around herself. She leaned towards Luther cowering halfway behind him.

Kara saw her frown. She wondered if she should coerce Alice to talk about it or leave the choice to her.

"I don't think she wants to talk about it," she said.

Elliot looked to Kara before he glanced at Alice.

"Is it alright if she tells me herself?" he asked. "I just don't want her to be afraid of stating her opinion."

He knelt down in front of Alice.

"It's okay if you don't want to talk to me about it but please talk to me."

Alice slowly crept out from behind Luther.

"I'm sorry," she sobbed.

"It was a sore spot I'm sorry for bringing up any painful memories."

"It's alright. I just didn't want to cry in front of you. It's so embarrassing."

"I know but thanks for talking to me."

Alice's lips contorted into a soppy smile.

"I ought to get going but it was nice meeting you two again. It was nice meeting Alice too," Elliot said.

He got up and headed out.

"We ought to be heading to bed too," Luther said getting up.

"I'll come later," Kara said. "So wait for me alright?"

Luther glanced at Kara with narrowed eyes.

"Okay," he said glancing from her to Alice who still looked rather shaken from the conversation she had with Elliot.

He left leaving Kara and Alice by themselves. Kara wondered if she should try to comfort Alice or leave her be.

"Are you alright? You seem a little shaken," Kara said.

"I'm fine."

"Are you sure? You didn't look like you really wanted to talk after that."

"He was right even I didn't want to I could have talked and I should have," Alice said. "Even if I was scared to, I should have said something before he told me to. It would have been more respectful."

"It hurt you though."

Alice sighed.

"It did a little bit but after I talked it became a relief. Somehow the air seemed lighter. It's the first time I felt that way."

"First time? I guess it's always been rather tense since you've traveled with us," Kara said.

Alice frowned glancing at Kara with worry.

"Listen Kara, there's something I've been meaning to tell you."

Kara wondered if she should listen or get Alice ready for bed.

"What is it?" she asked.

"I am an android."

"Impossible," Kara muttered under her breath.

"But it's true," Alice protested.

"I don't believe you. What's this really about?" Kara asked.

"Kara, I'm not lying."

Kara was silent turning away from Alice with a frown on her face.

"How can you say that? You're not an android. Can androids love like you can?"

"Josh is an android."

"Josh is a deviant programmed with human feelings. If he were any other android we'd be dead. A deviant might has well be a robot programmed to think and feel like a human. It doesn't mean what they feel is real."

"Then what makes me different from an android? How can you believe what I feel is real?" Alice snapped.

"I-I-"

Kara wondered if she should be honest or conceal the answer from Alice. How could she tell Alice her feelings might not be real? That no one's feelings could really be real. That would be a cold harsh reality for anyone android or human.

"You can't can you?"

"That's not it," Kara retorted defensively. "I can answer you but I don't think I should."

"What are you so afraid of? Just admit it, you can tell me if my feelings are fake. I'll understand."

"I won't do that."

Alice screamed punching her in the chest.

"Why?!"

In a split second, Kara contemplated pulling her away or hugging her.

The answer was simple.

Still she winced clutching Alice in a warm embrace.

"It's alright, Alice. It's okay. We're okay."

Alice sobbed in her arms.

"Why can't you just say it?"

"Because it's not true. You just gotta believe me on this even if I have no proof."

"Alright," Alice said softly through her sobs. "I believe you."

Kara pulled her closer.

"I'm sorry Kara for getting mad at you."

"It's alright. You were upset, I understand."

"I still never should have done it. What would dad say?"

"I'm sure your father would understand why you did it."

"That may be true but I don't have to like it. I want to be a better person just like you, Kara."

Kara chuckled nervously.

"I'm not nearly as perfect as you think I am."

"You're perfect to me."

Kara laughed.

"Well, in any case we ought to head to bed. It's getting late."

Alice smiled sheepishly.

"Alright."

Early the next morning, Kara got up. Judging from the empty space on her bedside, Luther was already up for the day.

As she was heading in the direction of their meeting spot, she ran into Josh.

"Hey Kara, are you looking for Luther?"

"Yeah, but I have a rough idea where he is."

"Is Alice with you?"

"No, she's likely with Luther I'd guess."

"Good," Josh said. "Alice was just telling me a couple of days ago that her birthday is coming up."

"Birthday?"

"Yeah, she told me she used to celebrate it with her dad."

"I didn't know that."

"I was thinking that maybe you'd have an idea about what to give her for her birthday."

"I wouldn't know."

"Well, Lucy told me she's always playing with her dolls and the clothes. Adam told me that he gave such art supplies to Elliot for Alice. It's clear she loves clothes so I was thinking you and Solomon might make some clothes for Alice."

"What gave you the idea I was even remotely qualified to?"

"Luther was telling me you used to be a seamstress before."

"Did he also tell you I have amnesia."

Josh chuckled sheepishly.

"I may have ignored that tidbit."

Kara sighed.

'At least he told him. While he may be dull-headed, it seems Luther is not quite as dimwitted as I thought.'

"Look Kara, I'm sure it won't make much of a difference as long as you put your heart and soul into the gift."

"That's not the point," Kara said. "Next time, listen when people tell you things it might save you the trouble of getting a lecture from their significant other."

Meeting at their usual spot, Kara saw Luther and Alice practicing hitting a red punching bag that hung from the ceiling.

"If you continue to punch like that you'll leave yourself open to any attacks from the front. Always keep your fists blocking your face at all times," Luther said.

"What happens if the person you're fighting with does it too?" Alice asked.

"That's when you uppercut them."

"Hey."

Alice and Luther turned towards Kara. Luther's lips curled in a smug smirk.

"Hey yourself."

Alice smiled happily in Kara's direction.

"Hi Kara, Luther was just teaching me some boxing."

"Yeah, I saw you practicing your moves while I was coming," she said.

"You think with time I might be strong enough to protect you?" Alice asked.

Kara chuckled.

Luther looked offended.

"Who says she's the one who needs all the protection?"

Alice glanced at him.

"But you're a guy. You're supposed to be strong."

Luther frowned pinching Alice's cheeks.

"Doesn't mean I don't need protection. Who's going to save you if you're protecting her?"

Alice chuckled.

"Good point."

Kara glanced at Luther who nodded in affirmation. She turned to Alice.

They headed out running into Josh who was practicing chess with Carl.

"Josh, can you take care of Alice for a while?" Kara asked.

"Certainly."

"Alice, is that alright with you?"

"Yeah, but why do you have to go?"

"We need to have a talk with Simon," Kara explained. "Don't worry it should be very quick."

"Alright, if you say so."

"I know so," Kara said before the two headed to Simon's office.

Luther knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Both Kara and Luther headed inside.

Simon gazed at them with a smile on his face.

"Can I help you, Kara?"

"I-"

Just then North marched in slamming Simon's office door open.

"Hey Simon, what's the big idea?"

"North, can I help you?"

"You know why I am here," North snapped.

"Do I?"

"What were you hoping to accomplish talking to Markus like that?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"The h-ll you don't," North snarled. "He seemed pretty down in the dumps when he spoke to me. He seemed to think that you thought of him as a burden. Tell me Simon, if you didn't say anything why does he think that way then?"

Simon looked confused, his eyes darting to the right. Just as he was thinking about it, his eyes widened as if struck by a revelation and then he frowned.

"Oh."

"Yeah, oh. You better apologise before he does something you might regret."

"I suppose I should," Simon said. "Though I might do it again."

North snorted.

"Why would you do that?"

"I was angry," Simon said. "I acted out on impulse that's all."

"What got you so angry in the first place? Markus did nothing wrong. How can you hate him when he can't even use his own two feet?"

"Who said I hated him."

"Well, you sure have an awful way of showing your love."

"You don't know anything," Simon said coolly.

"Then help me understand."

"Are you sure you'd even want to know what irks me?"

"Of course I do."

Simon sighed.

"Well in any case it doesn't matter. I'm not telling you so you can forget about it."

North growled under her breath and marched out slamming the door on the way out.

"Screw you."

Once North was gone Simon spoke.

"So Kara was there a reason you wanted to see me? Did you want something?"

"Have you gotten in contact with Caroline yet?" Kara asked.

Simon was quiet.

"Well," Luther huffed. "Were you?"

He stood there hesitant.

"It's been over a week. Shouldn't you have at least received a message from her?" Luther asked.

Simon sighed.

"It's been difficult trying to get ahold of her. I'm sorry it's been taking awhile."

"Are you sure you're not just stalling so you can use us as much as you like to do your little errands?"

"No," Simon protested. "To be honest with you there's a bigger issue than just contacting Caroline. I said it was hard to get ahold of her but that's only the surface of it. I suspect Cyberlife already has scouted her location."

"You didn't think that was important for us to know?" Luther asked.

"You still would have to wait. All Cyberlife needs is that information you have at your disposal. At that point we might has well forget about justice then because Cyberlife will have all the cards at their disposal to get rid of our group once and for all," Simon said. "They've been bargaining on the fact that they've censored all information about their operations from the rest of the world. Without your bargaining chip, this government might has well be ruled by that corporation."

"Well at this point, we might has well be sitting ducks. Isn't there something we can do?"

"Four weeks from now. I might be able to get in contact with her during the rally."

"Rally?"

"Yeah, every so often we head to the city to hold rallies to hold a protest against Cyberlife's ground rules so to speak since they got a big amount of influence over this city and some of that power most definitely extends to the rest of this country."

"We can't stay for four more weeks, Alice shouldn't even be in a place like this where they are crooks, criminals..." Luther said.

"I know but there's no other choice."

"We could have survived out there. It would have been much better than here."

"If Cyberlife isn't parading outside this area now. You think with time they would forget about you?" Simon asked. "Sure they can afford to forget because their staff are human but they are not sending humans. They are sending androids. You wouldn't last a day outside."

Luther grit his teeth.

"Fine, we'll stay," Kara said. "If you can't get into contact with her by then, then we're scrapping your plan and that's final."

Simon sighed.

"Alright."