Young Offender, Part 71:
"So?" Albert asked of Francoise, Gilmore, and Ivan as they wandered back up the beach.
"It's clear. I couldn't detect anything. At all," Francoise confirmed, tossing her long, deep red, uniform scarf over her shoulder. She and Ivan were dressed in their uniforms in case the ship was booby-trapped. Gilmore was in a dull, brown suit.
Albert and Jet were waiting for them on the beach. They were dressed in their street clothes. Albert was in a white button-down shirt, gray slacks, and wingtips; Jet was in a green t-shirt, cut-off khakis, and combat boots. Albert was still missing his right arm, so his empty sleeve fluttered in the wind. He nodded at Francoise's report. "If you're sure, that's good enough for me."
"I can't think of another test to preform," Gilmore added. "So many new things! I'm so excited to start looking at it when we get to Sicily. Kaminari, I hope, will have your arm done before dinner."
"I appreciate your hard work," Albert said, sincerely. His pride had mellowed and he'd made an effort to show his gratitude.
"I know, I know, everything is fine," Gilmore said, waving off Albert's apology preemptively. "So have you thought more about your dilemma? The new cyborgs?"
"No," Albert answered flatly. He'd decided to work on rebuilding his relationship with Jet, because it was certainly more tangible and immediate. Still, the second generation cyborgs loomed in the back of his mind. He was determined to not let those other four get the upper hand again.
"We need to make allies with them and help free them," Francoise insisted. Albert steeled himself for another bickering match where Jet wanted to fight them and get rid of them.
Jet just shook his head and asked calmly, "Why put our necks on the chopping block? They're big boys. They handled themselves just fine from where I stood."
"And you wouldn't want to face them again, would you? Best to help them come to our side," Francoise said, not raising her voice either. Albert figured they must have reached their limit with each other over the decades and were now just putting up token defenses until Albert came down on one side or the other. It was now the comfortable, familiar pattern between them.
Jet knew he didn't have an unfair advantage over Francis when it came to Albert's opinions, and Francis knew Albert would always hear out what she had to say, even if Jet's opinion was contrary to hers. And frequently Jet and Francoise's opinions did diverge, however they had learned to express themselves more calmly or they knew Albert would tune them out.
"We'll take the middle road when we find them next. We offer to help, but not at our expense. We treat them as if they're trying to trick us. We won't fall victims to them if they are trying to gain our trust, but if they really were tricked themselves, we're obligated to help them escape if they wish," Albert said, always finding himself in the middle of the road with these two on the polar extremes.
"Anyway, it seems they did make us a gift. I hope it wasn't a great expense for them," Ivan said, tilting his head back towards the craft. "I'm still sorry I pushed us into it at all."
"Water under the bridge, Ivan. Let's move forward with a little better planning," Albert chided him. "We'll take off as soon as Kaminari is finished with my arm. I don't want to travel without being able to fight.
By the end of the evening Albert had his arm back and they made plans to leave Japan in the morning, but, before traveling, he was going to make up with Jet.
Jet was busy reading a comic book in their shared room after dinner. Albert crept in and sat on the edge of the bed. Jet flashed him an annoyed look and then went back to reading.
"Kid's books again?" Albert teased.
"Don't start with me, Albert. I'm not in the mood."
He smirked at Jet, knowing which buttons to push to get his way. "When does your mood ever change from sour?"
"I had the door shut for a reason."
"I closed it back," Albert then leaned in closer and said suggestively, "for another reason."
Jet then scowled. "I ain't knockin' boots with you after you kept me pissed off for almost two months."
"Why not? You've done it before. It makes you nice and feisty."
"You get off on aggravating me," Jet accused and buried his nose deeper in his comic book.
"Sometimes," Albert said, tugging at Jet's shirt.
"Stop! Francoise will hear us!"
"When you shout like that everyone will hear us. Besides, we're all grownups." Albert got a little more insistent and Jet tried to push his hand back.
"Ah, that's cold," Jet said, as Albert's metal hand grazed his stomach.
"Then let me warm it up on you."
"You're terrible when you get like this," Jet griped, but moved over and pushed down the blankets.
"Well, how do you think they took our parting gift?" Chang asked on a deck, now that they were back at Ghost Island. "It's been months since we heard from them. I'm starting to get worried we're cut off from the only way of getting free from the Black Ghost."
"I'm not sure. The older one... 004 might have taken it well. That hothead 002... who knows," GB groused, glancing around to make sure no Black Ghost agents were around. He had snooped around the area, but he was still suspicious. "I do know that 003 is a good girl caught up in all of this, and we need to help her."
"We can't even help ourselves," Chang pointed out, with a stern expression coming to his pudgy face.
"I know one thing," Pyunma declared, "we need to stay away from the kid. She's a real threat."
"Here she comes," Junior whispered, nodding down the beach where the strange teen girl, Ann, was walking. Her plain, linen dress was billowing in the breeze as she walked along the surf, seemingly not looking at the second generation cyborgs. "We shouldn't trust her. Something isn't right with her."
"Agreed," Pyunma said. "Let's go report on our latest mission before we get noticed."
Ryu found housing a pregnant widow was challenging. She was very emotional, but easy to convince to stay in the house. It was on May 16th she went into premature labor, and Ryu sat in his office while he let his paid midwife and servants take care of her. They all had their orders.
His orders were carried out to the letter. Or rather, luck carried them out. It seemed Julie died of "complication." That saved him some efforts. But she gave birth to a little boy she named Joseph before she passed away. Ryu scowled and had passed the word to name the child Jyo Shimamura.
Now he should be thrilled. His blockade to Shimamura Electronics was gone. He could control the whole company. Not totally, though. He was starting to wonder what he should do with the baby "Joe" Shimamura when he got a call from Dr Uranus. He changed his plans dramatically.
"Sorry for your loss," stated the Greek scientist in no more emotion than a habit.
"Yes, well, I know I can be of more use to you. But I still have the legal problems. It seems everything could go to my cousin's child," Ryu griped.
"Really? Never fear! Gaia and I can help," Uranus said. "Give us three days and we'll send you a sample project from some of the sample electronics you've given us. We think she'll handle all your problems."
"But...! She?"
The phone went silent. Three days later there was a knock at the door that Jiro answered. The old man cam in and said to Ryu, "There is a lady that insists she has an appointment to see you. She gave me this card."
Ryu looked at the card and hid his surprise in seeing that it was from Dr. Uranus. "Let her in," Ryu ordered.
Moments later she was lead in by Jiro. She was very tall with a silk blouse and a pencil skirt, both cream colored. Her blond hair was piled high on her head and she wore prominent, horn-rimmed glasses. She carried a folder and opened it. Not a word was spoken. She got out a piece of paper and held it out to Ryu. He took it and realized it was the woman's resume.
"One moment!" He said and got her seated on a couch. "So who are you?"
"I'm a fixer for Dr. Uranus and Dr. Gaia. They sent me to fill in a gap. I'm here to make sure your problem is managed and under control. My named is Josephine Smith. However, the scientists nicknamed me Josie."
"American?"
"Not exactly. I was created by the doctors to help you raise your cousin's son."
"Created? What are you?" He asked, suspiciously eying her.
"I am designed to last sixteen years and then I'll go back to the Black Ghost. You see, I'm a robot. Not truly human. I was sent to help raise the Shimamura child to be a perfectly loyal Black Ghost servant. Are you interested?"
Ryu nodded in amazement at how real she looked.
She said, "Good, then. I suggest you look over my resume and commit it to memory in case you're asked about me. Dr. Uranus created my background, too."
"Yes, I'll have to thank him for his kind gift."
Albert raised his right hand and blew a tree up in large flames. He examined the new hand and nodded. "This will do," he mumbled.
"Remind me not to piss you off," Jet said, leaning on Albert's left shoulder.
"You do it so often," Albert teased.
Gilmore came walking up the beach in front of Kozumi's house. "So?" he asked Albert.
"Yes. It works fine," Albert replied rolling down the sleeve of his black sweater. "It does have quite a kick."
"That's Kaminari for you," Gilmore said. "I think he wants to get back home."
"It would be nice to stay put for a while. We have money and we have a piece of the Black Ghost. I want to take some time and figure out about our new brother cyborgs," Albert said.
"Ain't no brothers of mine! And Al, you're just too forgiving! I'm still going to tear them a new one for what they did to us!"
Gilmore gave a sigh, shook his head, and walked back towards Kozumi. The Jewish scientist was muttering something about incorrigible boys that needed to learn temperance.
"That old goat drive me nuts," Jet mumbled, daring to put his arms around Albert's neck. Albert noticed Jet's eyes wouldn't stop darting around and his skin was turning red more and more. More importantly, Albert felt Jet's body stiffen in anxiety.
Albert was about to confront Jet on being more open with their relationship in safe homes around friends, but this wasn't the time, coming off a bad series of arguments. He decided to indulge Jet's bashfulness and pride.
"Come on. Let's go get packed and get to bed."
Jet's face lit up and he said, "I just have a toothbrush and I'm hoping you aren't going to bury your nose in a book."
"I have other plans. Like have a bourbon nightcap with you and talk."
Jet snickered and ran off towards the beach house, leaving Albert smiling at their mending, turbulent relationship. Albert joined Jet and locked the guest room door. He pressed a firm kiss on Jet's lips and let his left hand drift upwards and underneath the redhead's shirt.
Jet shivered and pulled off his shirt. Then he did something that shocked Albert. He took Albert's mechanical hand and placed it on his chest.
"Come on, Jet, don't," Albert said, getting flustered at Jet getting so close to that abomination.
"Don't hold it? I don't care. It's a part of you and I've never known you any other way. Just like... I used to have legs, you know. So did you. It doesn't mean anything. Please don't hide from me when it's just us," Jet pleaded.
Albert was struck how much they were both hypocrites. He gave Jet a brief affectionate kiss and lead them to the bed. He and Jet sat; they still held hands: Albert's right, with Jet's left. Albert pressed another kiss and said, "There is something that needs to change between us."
"What? Al? Are you going to be a killjoy?" Jet whispered, always paranoid Francoise was listening. Jet was even afraid of Ivan listening in. Albert fought hard to not laugh outright at his lover that he thought he could whisper softly enough to keep a telepath from eavesdropping.
Jet was so amusing sometimes. Albert unbuttoned his shirt and tossed it aside. Jet took some time and turned out the lights while Albert turned down the bed. They drew closer under the plush comforters. Passionate kisses were exchanged until Albert stopped on the cusp of love making.
"I'm serious about talking, Jet. There are things we need to straighten out."
Jet propped up on his elbow in annoyance. "Can we just put it off? We're in a tropical paradise for only a few more hours. I have other things on my mind right now. Whatever it is, it can wait."
Albert almost insisted, but his own desires pushed his rational mind to the back burner. He took Jet in his arms again and gave him a deep kiss. Yes, there was a nagging in the back of Albert's mind that he should finish clearing the air between them. He pushed the thought down and vowed to talk things out with Jet later.
To be confirmed.