Artificial Mates - Chapter 133

The gun I was carrying felt weird against my palm. It was incredibly light and warm in my sweaty hand. Not at all the menacing object that can cause death but more like a cheap plastic toy. We were hiding in the dark staircase leading to the 3rd level. The red emergency light from the top cast large shadows on the landing. We were able to escape our pursuers leaving them one level below. Grant and Olga stood next to the door listening as heavy boots rushed to the alarm yelling on the other end of the corridor.

“Stay here, I’ll lure them on the lower levels,” said Demos. His voice came from the rounded camera nested at the intersection of the wall above us. Grant listened with care. It was strange to hear him and not seeing him. It left a hollow feeling. A dull ache. Olga’s eyes never left the door. I was also scared it might burst open any minute. I wasn’t sure of my abilities with that funny gun. Deep down I even suspected it might blow up if I press the trigger.

“What about Atlas?” I asked to distract me from my dark thoughts. I touched Grant’s back for reassurance. I couldn’t silence my worries. Were Demos really free to roam around? If so what was the big boss up to? He took a moment to answer.

“He is off fighting Delta,” he added shortly. I frowned at the camera and he went on. “Aquarius gave up halfway. He… I can’t really use that noun I guess. Since AIs are genderless. Anyway, he was easily convinced when Atlas proposed to take over the world,” he hesitated, as if not sure if he was allowed to give out that piece of information.

“Wait!” my voice echoed in the empty space. Olga glared at me, we remained silent in fear that our pursuers heard my voice. When no one came bursting through the door, I went on lowering my voice. “Is Atlas really going to do that or he is bluffing?” I had to ask since I couldn’t believe my ears. “I thought he was on our side?” both my companions gave me a pitiful look. Perhaps I was naive to hope.

“Atlas doesn’t take any side but his own⁠—Liliane, I’m sorry. I have to go,” he added the last part in hast. His voice held such sadness it was almost painful. Then he was gone. It left a hole inside my chest that made me dizzy. I reached out to grab Grant’s hand but stopped. It was becoming a bad habit to touch him each time I missed Demos. Sensing my distress Grant torn his attention from the now quiet camera and reached for me. In the dim reddish light, our hands brushed to finally held on tight.

-I won’t let go

His aquamarine eyes gave a warm glow. How I hoped we were home, all three in the safety of our living room. How I wish this was only a nightmare. He pulled me closer to his chest and kissed my cheek.

-There’s a way out of this. I’m sure.

As he pushed the happy thought into my mind the door on the landing below slammed open, guards swamped inside the staircase leaving us no choice but to rush to the 3rd level. Gunshots resonated and amplified as Grant closed the door behind him.

“Quick!” he shouted. He pulled on the strap of his rifle that he had picked up from one of the dead guards we left in the interrogation room. He aimed at the door ready to open fire. “Go!” he waved us away.

“What⁠—?” I panicked.

“I’ll be right behind you,” Olga pulled on my arm. He was giving us enough time to reach the elevator. I reluctantly followed Olga on the opposite side of the corridor.

“What if Atlas doesn’t allow us to use the elevator?” I called after her. She didn’t stop to answer. The angry machine gun behind us made us pick up the pace. Oh god, Grant! Each step took monumental effort. My body wanted me to move forward away from danger but my heart ripped with the growing distance between my mate and me. I couldn’t help looking over my shoulder and almost tripped when we each our destination. Olga scanned the area for hostile then slammed on the call button. My eyes darted from the numbers on the screen above the cabin to the end of the hall where we left Grant. I could see a faint smoke and flashing of orange as the shots were fired.

“Grant!” I shouted but my voice was covered with the yelling and the shots. It was followed by shattering glass then silence. Olga pulled on my sleeves to get my attention, she had raised her compact gun, the elevator chimed. With trembling hands, I lifted the gun. The door opened with a hissed. An empty cabin with shiny walls gazed back at us. I left out a sigh of relief with my heart still drumming in my ears.

“Come,” she pulled on my arm. I gave an anxious glance down the hall.

“We must wait for him. W-we can’t leave him behind,” I struggled against her grip. Her face was grave and lips tight. That face scared me. I couldn’t⁠—I just couldn’t leave Grant behind. My eyes grew wide at the realization that she was asking of me. I fought with all my might. A war I was sure of losing. Olga slowly shook her head.

“Grant,” I yelled tears welling up.

“You know you have to go,” but I refused to hear her words.

“But you’re his maker, how dare you⁠—” an explosion drown the rest of my words. It made the elevator cabin shake and the lights blinked. We both looked up, listening to the stillness that followed the deflagration. Olga loosened her iron grip and I took the opportunity. I dashed to the door however they closed before I could escape.

“No,” I drummed my fists over the surface of the door. I sprung around and glared at Olga, tears streaming down.

“I didn’t close the doors,” she raised her hands.

“I did, you’ll be safer in the sub-level,” announced the voice from the ceiling. We both gasped and looked up. I threw myself on the side panel and clicked on all the buttons with despair. Nothing seemed to work, the elevator continued its descent.

“Stop! We have to go back. Grant is out there,” my hand shook with a last attempt to make the buttons work. Nothing. I slammed my fist on the smooth surface. Sobs rocked my body. This can’t be happening. Olga patted my back but I took a quick step away. She wouldn’t understand our connection. She wouldn’t. She wasn’t like Grant or Demos.

“Liliane?” called Atlas. I wiped my tears and sniffed.

“Atlas?”

“Yes,” he answered in a gentle voice.

“Please send Demos to help Grant, I beg you,” I rested a weak hand for support. My vision was blurred.

“And what do you offer in exchange?” I remained quiet. I couldn’t think of anything an AI would want from a puny lab assistant. So, I asked.

“What do you want?” Olga gave me a strange look, something that resembled fear. I must be mistaken. Why would she be scared?

“Come to the sub-level, I’ll explain,” my shoulders sagged from the weight of having my mates’ destiny resting on my frail and broken self. Olga reached a hesitant hand.

“Don’t take any harsh decision, you might regret,” I ignored her. Still, I was certain I would regret any type of inaction to save the one dear to me.

“I accept your demands, will you help Grant? Will you free Demos?” silence reigned inside the elevator as it plunged into the belly of the beast.