"Things aren't too terrible at the moment, Everett. They're pretty good all things considering.",David informed. Though they could be a whole lot better. In fact, he missed a lot of things. But it wasn't like they were going to die without them. And, despite how much he tried to hide it, Everett seemed to catch onto his feelings. Or maybe he had somewhat remembered things from twenty-seven years ago. Though Telford highly doubted that this was entirely the case. After all, he barely remembered things that he did twenty-seven years ago. So how in the Hell could he reasonably expect the senior version of Young to do so?
"I take it that you're a little unhappy.",Young offered. Not in a questioning tone or anything like that. No, it was very much a statement of fact. In a very calm tone at that. And part of him wondered if he was actually remembering the past right or not. Despite how long things had been since now. Then again the arrival of androids with guns probably made things memorable. David sighed,"I think you already know the truth about everything, Young."
"The androids and-and just everything else that's happening.',he muttered. Not once looking in the direction of the trio. As he didn't want to look at any of their faces right now. Or deal with any of their feeling towards them. Since he figured they would probably be angry or something with him. Not that it mattered to him. Telford asked,"I mean for crying out loud, Everett. Don't you remember what they did when they arrived?"
"I don't recall any of them hurting you personally, David.",Everett retorted. Rolling his eyes in annoyance once more. Reaching up and pinching the bridge of his nose as well. Then he let out a disgruntled sigh as well. That was more than fucking enough for him. Why wasn't he taking any of his concerns seriously? And why was he treating him like this? Like he were nothing more than a paranoid nut job?! It was seriously eating at him as he glared at Everett. Nearly tempted to jump over the man's desk and strangle him as well. In a deceptively soft voice, David asked,"Everett, why aren't you taking anything I'm saying seriously?"
"You're treating me like I'm some asshole teenager and not like an equal.",David accused. And Oliver was a little bit on his side with this whole thing. Everett was treating David with very little respect. Even if he himself didn't understand David's dislike entirely. It just seemed so very unnecessarily disrespectful on Young's part. Just what in the Hell was he acting like this towards him for? As Everett's younger self was vastly different than this.
A hot head, too. But nothing like this. Not from what the android could understand between them.
"I understand that you're feeling disrespected and not listened to, I do.",Everett assured. His tone was much kinder than a minute ago. Not in the least bit patronizing or fake. And he moved his hand off the bridge of his nose as he softened his expression. As if it just occurred to him that he was being an ass or something. And Oliver guessed it might have just clicked for him. He continued,"But, they're not out to kill anyone on Destiny. I promise they're not."
"They're just scared refugees fleeing from a bad situation to safety.",Everett reminded. Stressing the word 'refugee' in a way to probably remind Telford what they really were. And that they weren't just Terminator clones out for human blood. That they were more scared of David than David was of them.
And it seemed to be working.
For the most part it seemed to be. As David gave a very quiet sigh at Everett's words. Deflating a little in his seat. Not enough to say that he would be kinder. Just enough that Ralph hoped he wouldn't be attacking any of them. Since the man's behavior was hard to understand. And he didn't trust him with anything sharper than a butter knife. David stated,"I-I know that. I promise you that I understand that, Everett."
"But, they really hadn't done themselves any favors by shooting first.",Telford reminded. Not that he really needed to. He just felt that he absolutely had to. And Everett absolutely knew this fact. But what was done was done. And none of the androids could take it back. No matter how much that they wanted to. Ralph knew some of them greatly regretted their actions from earlier in the day. And were actively trying to do so much better.
For fuck's sake it had only been a few hours or so since then. Why couldn't David put more of an effort into trying to be kind to them? Trying to understand any of them in the slightest?
"I know and they know that, David. They really do.",Everett stressed. Trying to remind him that the androids weren't entirely dumb. Quietly, Young stated,"But it wasn't on purpose and you know that."
"Please try to give them more of a chance before trying to get rid of them.",he insisted. Reaching over his desk, he took one of David's hands. Giving it the lightest of squeezes. Everett asked,"Can't you try to be at least civil with some of them, David?"
"Please? Just try to give them even a semblance of a chance?",Young requested. There was something odd about how he was touching him. It felt a little too intimate for this company. David felt like his face was slowly catching fire. And his first instinct was to pull away from him. Yet, he found himself somewhat liking it. Almost wishing that his Everett would touch him like this. Almost.
"Fine, fine. I'll try to be nicer to the fancy bucket of bolts on the ship.",David grumbled. Tone conveying how much he really didn't want to do that. Along with his jaw tensing quite a bit. He also still refused to look in their direction. Though Ash guessed they could still consider this a win. Provided that Telford didn't do what he thought he was going to. Telford warned,"One foot out of line though-""Yes, yes. I know they're off Destiny.",Everett finished. Doing his best to not sound mocking or anything. Or pull any form of face at his words. Which Ash was also trying to not do as well. Despite how much he wanted to face palm.
Everett wished he could get him to see that the androids weren't evil. Nor were they out to harm him or anyone else on Destiny, either.
Mostly to avoid the injury that he shall be receiving. One that would nearly cost him his life. For the second time of being on board Destiny. And Everett wanted nothing more than to spare him and his younger self of that fear. With this, he let go of David's hand.
"So, aside from the arrival of our recent guests...is everything still alright?",he questioned. Only vaguely remembering things that happened. Aside from the androids giant mistake upon arrival. Which hadn't caused any loss of life or mortal injuries. Just a lot of fear and confusion among everyone.
Which would slowly dissipate within a week if he recalled right. It might have been a little bit more than that. He wasn't entirely certain of the length of time. All he did know is that it took David longer to trust any of them.
But, Ash somewhat weaseled his way into his lover's younger self's heart.
Mostly by being his shy gentle self. And doing things for David. Some of which weren't all that wise. But, seemed to garner some of Telford's respect. Though that was going to take him longer. A lot longer than he anticipated. David asked,"Wait, what happened with Chloe after she did what she did?"
"I let Elijah leave with her.",Everett informed. Shrugging his shoulders a little at his own words. As though it were no big deal. And David raised an eyebrow at his confession. That was a slap on the wrist for what she did. In his mind it was a very light slap on the wrist. He asked,"Jut like that? Nothing else was done or said to her?"
"There really was no point, David. She didn't technically do anything wrong.",Young reminded. Not in any sense that Everett saw. After all, she did what most Mothers would do. And truth be told, David knew this. Despite her being just a fucking machine. He knew that what she did wasn't really that terrible. Even though he still felt that she shouldn't have been allowed to do this. There was no point in really punishing her a few hours later. Especially since Chloe hadn't touched any of the stones. David stated,"Still, there should have been some form of consequence for her actions."
"Punish her for what she had been trying like an hour ago.",Telford insisted. Anything to just dissuade the android from trying it ever again. Properly punish her for her actions. Even if it were trying something so damn small. Like being held for a day or so. Everett asked,"Punish Chloe? For what, David?"
"Wanting to see the son she hadn't seen in over a month or so?",Young questioned. And it didn't really seem right in his mind. Punishing her for something that he knew any Mother would do. Well, any loving Mother would do. It didn't really seem right. As the moment had passed and she hadn't broken anything. There wasn't even a rule that she had broken. This was also his fault for not keeping a better eye on her, either. David stated,"I know. I know. It's overkill to want to do that."
"Just feels that you're being too...too soft on them.",he mumbled. And it really did feel that way to him. That Everett was being much too soft. Treating them like they were made of glass or something. Looking Everett in the eye, he asked,"About the one that opened the gate, how are they?"
"Still active and safely tucked away from the general public.",Everett answered. Not from other androids. As he wasn't sure if it was entirely possible to cut her off from them. Though it didn't really seem necessary in his book. As she was so badly damaged after all. Compared to the rest of them, she was quite scrappy. So much so that he wondered how she was still functioning thanks to them. Since the back of her head was pretty much missing.
"The only thing that I have gotten out of her was her name.",Everett informed. Which was something that took a little while to get out of her. At least three hours or so. It was kind of annoying how much she didn't want to talk to any of them. And how she pretty much stonewalled them. But, David definitely didn't need to know this. He added,"She told me that her name is Lucy. And that's pretty much all she was willing to tell me."
With the mention of her name, Oliver visibly tensed up. Apparently realizing just now that she wasn't on Destiny with the rest of them.
Which he had thought she had been since a few hours ago. Or however long it had been since they boarded the Destiny. If he had a heart it would be sinking at this. He stupidly thought she had been helping the humans or other androids. Some part of him had hoped that she was just busy helping the other androids with their injuries. It felt like a punchy to the gut to know that she wasn't. That she was now prisoner of Young's and the military. Who could and probably would cause her harm. He almost thought of asking to see her in her cell. Or wherever they were holding her in the place.
But decided against it. As he felt he was on thin ice as it was. No need to press his luck any further.
"She's a nice woman, though a little bit on the shy side.",Everett stated. That was a somewhat decent description of her. In Oliver's mind at least. As it took her a little while to open up to him. And he didn't think he was all that intimidating in the slightest. Or maybe he was just reading her mannerisms wrong, too. And he knew there was a distinct possibility he was.
As he wasn't always the most observant person. Well, in his own opinion he sometimes wasn't. To Ralph or Ash that might not be the case. And he really shouldn't be overthinking any of this right now.
Staying in the moment was the best for everyone and he knew that.
Especially, with David's messed up emotions. Going from disliking the group of androids and angry. To being the tiniest bit calmer than before. It nearly gave him emotional whiplash. Probably the only way he could get whiplash.
"She won't tell anyone how she figured out the gate?",David questioned. The confusion was clear as day in his tone. Probably amazed that the android managed something like that. As it had taken normal human beings much longer than her. If he remembered what Eli had said about the whole thing. That it had taken him a decent-amount of time. And even Rush had some difficulty with it.
From what little they were shown, Oliver knew why.
"No, she won't. Seems she doesn't really want to talk to any of us.",Everett explained. Looking a little more than annoyed with the whole thing. Not, that David could entirely blame him. He probably would be frustrated with her, too. Though if she refused him, it would definitely end differently. And they both knew this. Before he could even begin to voice this, he asked about Rush. Not because he was actually interested about him. He really wasn't. All he wanted was a change of topic. Despite the fact that he seemed to know this, Everett answered,"He's doing very well. Last time I saw him today, he was working on a book."
"Working on a book? When did he start that venture?",David questioned. Finding himself a little more interested then he expected to be. Especially since this was Rush that they were talking about. And he wasn't overly fond of the little arrogant asshole in any means. But, still he found that he really wanted to know about it. Just what the book was about as well. Also some part of him wanted to read what he had. Young answered,"I think he started planning it about three years ago or so."
"He finally got the writing it down part somewhere around six months.",he explained. Smiling a little fondly as he did so. How it was about his old profession. Along with a few new things he learned while on Destiny. Which was way more than David expected. Also some stuff that he hadn't realized Nicholas knew at this point. Then again, he hadn't really been paying the other man all that much mind.
Aside from the few times the shorter man thoroughly annoyed him.
It was strange to learn about it all the same. Though he did his best to not show it on his face. Worrying that it would somewhat annoy Everett once again. And, for reasons he didn't get, he didn't want to do that again. Not anymore than he already had today. Calmly, David asked,"Is what he's working on the first book that he's done?"
"No, it's his second one. Which he had published about seven years ago.",Everett answered. Ash wondered what hiss first book was like. And if they could get their hands on it or not. Since he really wanted to read what Nicholas had wrote. The very idea nearly made him smile. But, he smothered the idea the best he could. As Ash didn't want to annoy David more than he already had done.
Fearing what he would do to Oliver and Ralph if he did. As he felt that he already screwed things up enough as is. And he didn't want to make things any worse for them. There was no way in...he tried his best to not dwell on these thoughts.
Pinching the palm of his hand to keep himself rooted in the moment. The other android's palm. Whatever they could consider this weird arrangement. Borrowed body, borrowed self. This just felt so incredibly weird to him. Probably felt weird to Oliver and Ralph, too. Along with the androids that they all swapped bodies with. Briefly wondering if they were enjoying being on the Destiny. If that weird Connor look-alike was enjoying himself at all. Hoping that he wasn't doing anything weird, too.
That was something to find out once they left Earth. Despite how much he wanted to talk to the other two about it. Talk about everything that had happened in the past two hours. And some part of him wanted to ask David about how he got used to it. Though Ash doubted he would be nice about the whole thing. After all, he seemed to be threatening them every third sentence or so. Asking him his experience with the stones and swapping bodies probably would go terrible for him.
And everyone else, too.
In what way? Ash wasn't sure of. As David was an asshole of the highest degree. And he seemed to be creative. Especially, when he was furious. Which also had him a bit curious. When was David not angry with everything?
Just when was David not angry with everyone in the world? It felt like it was constant. Though he wanted to be kind about that. Maybe he only seemed like this from being so damned stressed. Stressed about everything that had been happening in such a short amount of time.
It would really put anyone on edge if he were being honest. And if the situation were reversed? Ash wasn't too sure how they would handle it. That some of them would definitely react similarly. Maybe not to the same degree as David or that Greer fellow.
Okay, maybe North.
Though it probably wouldn't go all that far if he was being honest. As Markus would definitely talk her out of doing it. As he was seemingly the only one who could do that. Especially when she got mad at humans for harming any of them. From what Oliver had told him, she thought of storming a police station to save him. That was when she was under the belief that he had still been there. Thankfully, Connor had done one good thing for him and taken him to Hank's house. Which was nice for him. And he found that North wanting to save him made him feel sort of special. Though he never said that to her.
Nor would he ever.
Ash carefully checked him over as he stood in place. Trying to visually figure out the man in front of him. Why was he so damn angry at everyone and everything, too. It was sort of hard to understand him. Mostly thanks to the fact that he was in a different body. David seemed to be tense in it. So very tense and very much on guard. Was there ever a time that David relaxed? Ever?
In his mind, he felt that it just wasn't possible. Nor would it ever be. At least, not in the near future would he do so around them. Ash felt it would be a long time before that could happen. Maybe years if any of them were lucky. If not, possibly twenty years or so.
Though he hoped it wouldn't be at least twenty years. Even if he felt it was a slight exaggeration in his book. It seemed somewhat possible. As David sort of seemed like the type to hold onto a grudge for a good while. Maybe for not twenty years or so. But David would definitely hold it for nearly that long.
Oliver was having some similar ideas.
Not, that David would hold a grudge for a several years. Well, possibly not hold one for that long. As he doubted that David had the patience for any of that. Just like he didn't have any for them. Oliver wasn't sure if he did for anything else in his life. As he didn't seem to be patient with other humans either. From the way that he spoke to Matt and Eli that is. And he didn't really appreciate how he spoke to them either.
Ash squeezing his hand brought him out of his thoughts. Making him worried for the briefest of moments. Thinking that maybe he was being asked a question or something. When he realized that no one was looking at him. Not even Ash or Ralph, he felt himself relax a little bit. Then Oliver felt a little confused as he glanced over at Ash. Then he noticed something that was now in David's hands. A cup of something warm that was steaming. Probably coffee. Which he was holding with both hands. At least he was assuming that it was a cup of coffee. Deciding against asking as he stood there listening to him. David questioned,"So how long until Eli shows up?"
"Around twenty minutes or so. Traffic's been difficult with those stupid new self driving cars.",Everett grumbled. Oliver wasn't a huge fan of them either. As they were a huge waste of gas in his mind. And wished that more of them were electric powered. But only a few companies decided to go this route.
The majority didn't feel it was necessary.
Ralph disliked them way more than everyone in the room. As those cars were terrible. He witnessed them nearly hitting people, animals, and other androids. Such as Kara and that little girl, Alice. Who he was so very worried about still. Then there was the time that he saw it hit a cat. Which he managed to get to a vet in time. Grateful that he witnessed it in a way. At the same time he wished that he didn't. Either way, he took the poor thing to a vet. Barely managing to get to the vet in time. The people that were working there didn't trust him at first. Then he showed them what had happened and they believed him. They took the cat from and helped the adorable little orange thing.
And they helped him.
Of course, Ralph wasn't allowed to keep the poor boy. Despite how much he wished that he could do so. Though, at the time, he didn't have a safe place for the cat. So there was no guarantee that this wouldn't happen again. Also, most people didn't like the idea of androids having animals. The people that worked there did let him give the cat a name. Which was 'Muffin'as he felt it suited the cat.
One of them thought it was sort of cute. But, that didn't matter to him at the time. Knowing the cat, Muffin, was going to be safe and sound did. And he was so very glad that he would be. That he was probably going to be adopted once he was completely healed.
With this, all three of them silently wondered if Eli had one. Or if he was going to use a non-self driving car. Which were a lot cheaper than one. Ash chirped,'I don't think he won't own one of those.'
'I don't think Eli would like a self driving car.',he added. Unless he had gotten himself black-out drunk. Though Eli didn't seem the type to do so. Sure, he might have an occasional drink or two. But highly doubted he would get too drunk to drive. At least he hoped he wouldn't get to drunk to drive. Or attempt to drive while in that state. Oliver agreed,'Yeah, that doesn't seem like something that he was interested in.'
'Ralph really hopes he hadn't bought one. He despises those awful cars.',Ralph chimed in. Giving a tiny frown at the very idea that Eli would be using one of them. But nothing more then that. As he feared what David would do if he spotted it. Or what he would say as well. Since he came off as an angry puppy in his mind.
Actually way worse than that. Almost like those nasty teens from the park.
Though he guessed that this wasn't the same situation. Okay, it wasn'tat all the same situation. And Ralph knew that. He was still worried about everyone's safety.
Within good reason in his mind.
David was the man who had brought them there. Brought them and threatened them. After their first use of the stones. Which they didn't really break or misuse. They even had permission from another human to use. Along with supervision from a trusted soldier. So what in the Hell was the big deal about it? All of this felt like David was going overboard. Even if he felt the tiniest bit threatened by the trio, somehow. He was being way too harsh on all of them. And Ralph really hoped he would soon calm down even just a little.
Hopefully, soon.
~On Board Destiny~
Young wasn't sure what to make of the android inside Oliver's body. The guy acted so very strange and a little arrogant. A little more arrogant than he could actually stomach. And it was starting to get annoying dealing with him. But, he did his best to bear with this. Calmly, the unit asked,"So there's no possible way for you to use the gate and return them?"
"Like I told you twenty minutes ago, no. There's no way for us to do that without harming everyone on this ship.",Everett answered. For what had felt like the millionth time in that visit. Briefly making him want to punch the android. But resisting as the android hadn't done anything terrible. Aside from just being annoying. As well as the fact that this wasn't his body he was using. That this was Oliver's and he wanted him to be able to get back to himself. While the android checked the area, he questioned,"Have any of the soldiers been severely injured after they arrived?"
"No, like I told you.",Everett answered. His patience dwindling as he crossed his arm. Leaning against the wall as he stared at the android. Not even bothering to show his annoyance. This made the android raise an eyebrow. Then he asked,"Is something wrong Colonel Young? Am I angering you?"
"You're asking the same question more than once, RK900.",Young reminded. This android couldn't possibly be that dumb. He had to know that he was bothering him. RK900 seemed to think this over for a moment. Then he nodded his head in agreement. Calmly, RK900 stated,"I do apologize, Young. I just want to be thorough with my investigation and all of this is...strange."
"I can understand why this is irritating for you.",he added. Which wasn't anything that he expected from him. And that it was a semi-decent apology overall. So, he accepted it as he sat down again. Praying that David would be back with Oliver, Ash, and Ralph soon. Otherwise they were going to have some issues on their hands.