Capítulo 1: Chapter One: Readjustment
DATE
NOV 5TH, 2038
TIME
AM 08:43:18
"HAVE YOU SEEN THE NEWS THIS MORNING?"
A pair of light green eyes tore themselves away from the tablet they had previously been reading to stare at where the voice had come from. With a tilted head of chestnut hair, a woman, looking approximately twenty-six years of age, pursed her thin pink lips and glanced up at the voice. "I don't watch the news anymore," she said spitefully and looked back down to her reading, "all they ever speak about is the negative aspects of life. I don't want to be reminded that life outside is just as bad as in here."
The voice sighed. "I'm just saying, it was quite… different than what they usually cover."
She paused her reading once more and finally turned her full attention to the man in the doorway of the room. The man, Ethan Tyler, smiled slightly at her and nodded his head as if he read her mind. He could imagine her confusion at his statement. "They weren't just expressing their admiration for the fact that androids make such good slaves?"
Ethan chuckled slightly, however, he couldn't help the sting of bitterness that struck his chest at the reminder. He is well away of the fact that androids are looked down upon in their society. He has been reminded of it every day. Despite the majority of people disrespecting androids because their only purpose is to be slaves to humanity. However, both he and Natalie have always viewed androids to be equal, or at least, that they can be equal to humans. That view has never changed. Not even after the accident.
"You know how humanity is," he tried to joke, but he only earned an eye roll from Natalie. "They always do, but this one story that they covered is… well, you'll just have to watch it to see." He left the bedroom and strolled into the family room of the apartment as he plopped down onto the couch in front of the muted television.
With slight apprehension, Natalie shuffled her way out of her bedroom and into the family room to join Ethan by the couch. She didn't make a move to sit beside him because she didn't see a need to. Whatever story the twenty-three-year-old had to show her was most likely some sort of joke. As soon as she heard what the news anchors had to say about their "slaves", she would go back into her solitude and wither away in her room as she was before. She didn't care about what everyone else was doing on the outside. She hasn't left their shared apartment in over three years. If this news story was a way for Ethan to try and convince her to go out and back into the society that ruined her life, then he will be sorely mistaken. Nothing has, or will, convince her to leave this apartment.
The apartment is decent. Nothing too fancy or plain, and it is the perfect size for the two people in the family room. Two bedrooms, a bathroom, a decent kitchen, small family room, and a small dining room proved to be the right amount of space for them. They had some of the latest technology all around their home, though it was more for Ethan's use. Natalie mostly just uses tablets for reading.
"So who's reporting it this time," Natalie scoffed and crossed her arms in slight annoyance.
"It's not just one of them, Nat, it's all of them!"
Natalie turned to him with a skeptical eye, "What kind of story is this again?"
Ethan smiled as he realized that he now had her full attention, "one you'll find intriguing, I'm sure of it."
Natalie pursed her lips and shrugged her shoulders. If Ethan says that this story is intriguing, then it must be something to look into. Even if it wasn't, she found it cute that Ethan wanted to show her something he found important. The way his eyes crinkled in the corners of his light green eyes that would become flooded with hope always caused her to smile slightly. He is the only one that could make her smile like that. He will always be the only one. Because she is never going back outside again.
"Unmute," he commanded the television and at his word, the television began to emanate the sounds of the news anchors as they explained the details of a certain story.
"Several sources report that Cyberlife has provided Detroit Police with a prototype detective android. Although police assistant androids have existed for several years now, this would be the first case of an android being authorized to play an active role in criminal investigations." One of the news anchors, a grey-haired man who does nothing but annoy Natalie to death, started before Ethan changed the channel to another news show. At the man's words, Natalie's eyes widened as she uncrossed her arms. An android? Man, Natalie thought, what the hell type of prototype is this android? She sat down on the chair beside the couch and leaned forward to get closer to the television as it drew all of her attention. Ethan was right, this story is certainly intriguing.
"It is confirmed that two months ago the prototype android conducted the negotiation during the hostage situation involving a malfunctioning android and the Phillip family."
The channel switched once again, "despite the fact that the hostage, nine-year-old Emma Phillip, had been retrieved safely from the rouge android that had taken her hostage, you must wonder: Was there a high risk of her dying if there was a problem caused by the prototype."
Again, it switched, "The prototype RK800 was approved to work on these cases by the Chief of Police and Cyberlife. However, can we really trust an android to deal with such high-stake situations?"
And again, "have the officers even thought of the precautions that can come with allowing an android to conduct these investigations?"
"Androids are good for one thing, and one thing only! They are, for lack of a better word, slaves. They have no other purpose and they don't have the higher intellectual capacity to deal with deadly situations like this!"
"Off!" The television turned off at Natalie's harsh command and left both Natalie and Ethan in their silent apartment. The cars outside are really the only sound that can be heard in the apartment.
Ethan turned to Natalie as she drummed her fingers against the armrest of her chair in contemplation. He observed how her eyes became narrow, her lips were pulled back in a straight line and her eyebrows were creased. He knows that she must be thinking over what the news really means, how the news could affect everyone and the probability that this effect could be positive or negative. She rarely ever did this sort of thing. After the surgery, Natalie didn't want to use her mind for the longest time. It had gotten to a point where Ethan had to make sure that she didn't end up erasing everything in her mind at an attempt to stop her own suffering. The first few weeks after the life-saving surgery, Natalie had information implanted into her mind by the doctors who operated on her in order to see a certain outcome. The only outcome he observed was her humanity slowly being stripped away.
He brushed off those negative thoughts and focused on what was happening now, "so what do you think?"
Natalie pursed her lips and turned to him with a calculating stare, "are you trying to get me to go outside?" She inquired, "do you think that now there is an android working as some sort of detective that I might decide to venture outside on the chance that I'll feel accepted by our society?"
"Damn, you've caught me," Ethan chuckled nervously as he leaned forward to get closer to her. He sighed, "listen, Nat, I know things are hard now, but it's been three years, don't you want to go outside and see everything again? I mean you're starting to get a bit pale!" He tried to joke and earned a slight giggle from the woman. They both knew that she is pale by nature, it's just in her genetics. Even now, it isn't like staying inside will do anything to make her paler, her skin will always stay the same now. She'll always look the same for the rest of her life.
"Ethan, I know that you have good intentions, however, I don't think my presence will be well received-"
"But that's the thing, Nat! You look human! It's not like anyone is going to look at you and know right away that you're different."
Natalie sighed and shook her head as she tried to understand where Ethan was coming from. "I know that, Ethan. It's just… I can't look at the world the same anymore," She gulped. Ethan's gazed lowered in sadness as he realizes what she is saying. He could try to integrate her back into the world, but everything is different for her. Nothing is going to be the same for her ever again. "No matter where I look I always see… information about something I look at, whether I want it or not. It's like it automatically downloads into my head and I can't make it go away. I don't want to know someone's criminal past or their occupation or statistics or probabilities." Her frustration boiled up as she exclaimed, "I just hate seeing all of that!"
Ethan jumped out of his seat as he could see her emotions were beginning to grow. He quickly pulled her up and embraced her in a tight hug. Despite her being older by a few years, he is taller than her by a good few inches. He hugged her tightly, "I won't force you, I promise. I just thought that this is a chance for you to get back out there. You were given life again, I don't want you to hide away forever."
Natalie scoffed, "since this experiment worked out, I'll probably live forever."
Ethan shook his head and held her shoulders, "you know what I mean, Natalie." He sighed and ran a hand through his hair, "I don't want you to lock yourself up in your room, you of all people deserve to live life to the fullest! I want to see you happy…" He sighed and cupped her face in his hands before placing a quick kiss on her forehead.
Natalie closed her eyes and took a deep breath to calm herself down. Getting agitated isn't going to help, she thought, maybe he's right. Going back outside might possibly be beneficial… despite the fact that the world has caused her tremendous hardships and pain, she can't hide away from it. Perhaps what she needs is one day out just to see if she's ready. One day out of the apartment might do her some good. Where she might go is unknown to her, but she knows just the person to go see first.
---
DATE
NOV 5TH, 2038
TIME
AM 10:47:34
"Natalie." An RK200 model android, called Markus, greeted as the doors to the large mansion slide open. Dressed in a dark green hoodie, white t-shirt, jeans, sneakers, and a white beanie, Natalie smiled at the android in front of her. She always found that she had an easier time speaking with androids than humans throughout her life, more so now than before.
"Morning, Markus. I suspect Carl's home, I hope he isn't too busy." She stated hopefully.
The android smiled and moved to the side to allow the woman into the home. "He just finished working on one of his paintings, follow me."
The two walked through the hallway of the luxurious home and Markus lead Natalie into the living area. At the far left of the room was the dining table where an old man sat in a wheelchair. From the evident scowl on his face, Natalie suspects that Carl had a run in with his deadbeat son, Leo. Natalie hates that man with a passion. (Her perfect memory has given her the ability to remember a person's mannerisms, and she can remember just how Carl acted when he had just spoken to his son. There are a few good aspects of her improvement and this one she is somewhat pleased to have it, but she would rather do without a few other… updates she received. It's a blessing and a curse, as she would say.)
"You've redecorated," Natalie said which drew Carl's attention to her as she looked around the living area and took in all of the changes. She turned to the old man with a smirk and continued with a solemn voice, "I don't like it."
"Oh, and I was hoping for your approval," Carl jokingly commented as Markus wheeled Carl out from behind the dining table and toward the young woman. He stares at her with a slight reprimanding stare. "It seems you've finally found the time to visit me."
Natalie smiled sheepishly and scratched the back of her head. "It only took me three years to get out of the apartment, huh?"
"It's good to see you, Natalie, however, I hoped that my favorite goddaughter would have visited earlier than this." Carl chastised her as they moved over to the couches so that they could sit together. Natalie rested on the armrest of the couch as Markus wheeled Carl to sit in front of her. The android disappeared into the kitchen to get a drink for the two of them.
"How have you been, Carl?" Natalie asked with a smile and laughed, "I can't imagine how dull life has been without me!"
Carl chuckled at her exclamation, "it has been, my dear. Though Marcus has been great company since you've been gone." At the mention of his name, the android came back into the room with two glasses full of what Natalie could see as wine. The information popped out at her once the drink was in her view.
'Satte Cava
Aged: 16 years, 9 months, 3 days. Origin: Verona, Italy
Company: Colline Lisce'
She rubbed her eyes and blinked repeatedly and tried to make the information disappear from her sight. "Are you alright?" Natalie nodded her head and took the drink from Markus' extended hand.
"I'm good, Carl, just a slight headache," she tried to convince him the best she can.
Carl could see right through her lie. He has known Natalie ever since she was a little girl, he even knew her parents before she was born, so he knows when she lies. Even though he hasn't seen her face to face in three years, and she has gone through a tough recovery, she is still the same little girl he babysat in the past. He still sees her as his own daughter.
"I can tell it's not just 'a slight headache'," he commented and sipped on the drink, "it has to do with the surgery, doesn't it?"
Natalie let out a breathy laugh, "of course you can tell if it is or not." She took a deep breath and lowered her head, "I just can't stop it sometimes," she gestured to her head, "my mind just downloads information instantly, wherever I look I always get information about random things and it gets annoying really fast."
Carl nodded his head as he sympathizes with her, "but your surgery was life-saving, without it we would not be having this conversation, I'm afraid we would still be grieving."
Natalie closed her eyes and took a deep breath, "would it have been better that way." Her voice was barely a whisper, but Carl's aged ears were able to hear what she said. He shook his head and was about to say something when she continued. "Would it be better to remember me for what I was before? To remember me as just… me? Now they all despise me because I've become something completely different!"
"Don't say something like that, Natalie!" Carl chastised her with a harsh voice. Why does she think that? He wondered it was a miracle that she was saved after the accident. However, even after the surgery, he can see that her life has become… less than pleasant for her. "Your cousin has done a lot for me in my old age, but I am most grateful for him saving your life."
Natalie stayed silent and contemplated his words. Didn't she get a say in whether she lived or died that day? She is glad that she was saved from an early death, but was it really worth it. Was it worth losing everything that made her life… her life? In her family's opinion, their little girl did die that day. A… creature took her place afterward. She took a swig of the alcoholic drink and grimaced at the taste, "god, I almost forgot that you have such a bad taste of wine." She chuckled weakly.
Carl sighed and placed his glass down on the side table then rested his hands on Natalie's as she gripped her own glass tightly. Her knuckles had turned white and he thought he saw the glass start to crack at the amount of force she was using on it. "I know it's hard, Natalie, I can't imagine what you're going through. But things will get better, they have too." He told her. He hopes that his optimism will rub off on her and convince her that her misfortune is over.
"I hope you're right," Natalie said and turned away from him so he wouldn't see the expression of disbelief she is certain washed over her face. "'Cause I don't know how much longer I can take this."
The two were enveloped in silence as they both took in her words. Carl then sighed, "how's Ethan? I'm sure he's happy to know that you've decided to leave the apartment." Diverting the conversation from the depressing topic it had seemed to stumble upon seems to be a good decision. That was evident from the fact that Natalie turned back to Carl with an appreciative smile.
"Oh, he's over the moon." She laughed slightly as the tension began to wash away from her body. "He followed me all over the place this morning, I ditched him downtown after he dragged me around." Carl chuckled. Yes, that seems to be something Ethan would do. "He had to show me all the new shops that were down there. It was strange to see what places closed and what replaced them." She took another sip of the, in her opinion, ghastly tasting wine, "though, I was happy to see that my favorite cafe is still there."
Carl nodded his head, "things must have changed quite a bit after being cooped up in your home for so long."
"You have no idea," She commented, "it's like I was let out of a time capsule from three years ago!"
The two continued to chat idly with each other and enjoyed themselves. Carl had indulged himself in his Italian wine as Natalie barely touched the drink. At one point, she had asked Markus for just a glass of water in order to wash the sour taste from her mouth. She hasn't been much of a drinker in her adult life and nowadays, alcohol doesn't agree with her much anymore. Though, that doesn't bother her much.
After about an hour of the two conversing, every once in a while Markus would join in as well, Natalie's eyes fluttered closed. Carl watched in fascination as her eyes rapidly moved around underneath her eyelids. Just as fast as her eyes closed, they opened again, though this time the green orbs were glazed over slightly and she looked dazed. "Is everything okay, Natalie?"
She nodded her head quickly and blinked a few times, "yeah, I'm still getting used to my newest… abilities, let's say." She cleared her throat, "Ethan called me, I think he's wondering where I am."
"Well, I suppose I've kept you here long enough, you have other things to see than spending time with an old man like me."
Natalie chuckled as she stood up, "I'd spend the whole day with you, Carl, but I think Ethan's starting to worry I was kidnapped or something." She embraced Carl in a meaningful hug before pulling away and kissing him on the cheek. "Don't strain yourself too much while painting, gramps. Don't want you to hurt yourself."
Carl chuckled, "As long as you promise to visit every once in a while."
"Deal." Markus pushed Carl out of the living area while following Natalie as they made their way to the front door. "Watch out for him Markus, I only can imagine what sort of trouble he puts you through." Carl playfully glared at her while Markus smiled politely.
"Don't worry, Natalie. Carl isn't trouble at all."
She scoffed and smiled, "I'm sure." She winked and headed out the door, "See you."
"Goodbye, Natalie."
"Bye, my dear."
---
Natalie walked along the sidewalk of the wealthy neighborhood and headed to the park a few blocks away. She could just take a bus or taxi to meet up with Ethan faster, however, she found walking allowed her to admire everything closer. She had locked herself in her apartment for about three years, she wants time to admire the outdoors since she hasn't seen it in a long time.
As she walked she glanced at androids as they did yard work on some of the houses, took care of kids outside the homes or helped people move things. Androids had always fascinated her ever since she was a toddler, at least, from what she was told. Her oldest cousin had worked on the development of androids as they grew up together. He had even allowed her to work with him on the development of androids, he had told her. One of the first androids happened to be about forty-three percent of her own work.
Of course, Elijah took the credit for the work. (Mainly because he was the oldest of the two and didn't want her to be brought into the limelight at an early age.) She had worked in the shadows on different projects with him. However, she does remember that she always wanted to work with Elijah at Cyberlink. It's a shame he's gone 'off the grid' recently.
Speak of the devil and he shall appear, Natalie thought as she halted her steps. Her eyes fluttered closed as she got a call. One of the upsides to what happened to her, she doesn't need an actual cell phone or anything of the sort. She basically gets calls in her head. It's strange, yes, but she finds it to be a positive result of what happened to her. She likes to just focus on the positive parts of what happened.
"If it isn't the man of the century!" She said as her eyes opened again, however, this time a picture of Elijah Kaminski now was displayed in front of her eyes.
"Hello to you too, Ms. Cyborg."
Natalie rolled her eyes and scoffed at the nickname, "not that it isn't good to hear from you, Eli, but why did you call." She continued to walk along the sidewalk to the park and listen to her cousin.
She heard him gasp as if she said the most scandalous thing ever, "can I not call my cousin every once in a while?"
"Usually when you call, you want something."
There was a pause on his end of the call and Natalie could imagine he had rolled his eyes at the accusation. "You know that's not true…"
"No. No, I know I'm right." She stated confidently, "so what do you want?"
Elijah sighed, "Ethan called, he said you finally left the apartment."
Natalie nodded her head, "yeah, yeah, finally decided to live my life, I guess."
"He sounded pretty worried too," he said with amusement lacing his voice, "he said he lost you a while ago and couldn't find you."
"Yeah, I went to visit Carl and Markus, Ethan actually messaged me a few minutes ago with a place to meet up."
Elijah and Natalie became silent before Elijah took a breath and cleared his throat. "You know, even after all these years, the offer still stands…"
She sighed as she realized why he had called, she knew he wanted something. "How can you still offer me a job, Elijah? You're no longer the CEO of Cyberlife."
Years ago, Elijah had offered her a job at Cyberlife to work with the construction of androids. He even spoke to her about leaving the company to her and appointing her to be CEO, she declined that offer though. She had told him that she wanted to finish college first before she could take on a responsibility like working on one of the most expensive companies in the country. Then there was the accident, and she had her surgery, so she definitely was unable to take the offer. Though, she would have jumped at it after she graduated.
"True," He pursed his lips and pulled Natalie out of her thoughts, "however, I still know some of the higher-ups there. I can pull some strings and get you a job."
Work at Cyberlife? She always dreamed of finally working there, but it wouldn't be with Elijah. She bit her lip, "I don't know-"
He cut her off before she could continue, "Oh, come on, Natalie! You always wanted to work with me at Cyberlife!"
"Yeah, with you." She explained and scoffed, "If you're not there then what's the point."
Elijah sighed as he realized that he will have to try and convince her further. "Look, you heard about that detective android, the RK800?"
She nodded her head as she thought back to the news reports she had heard a few hours ago. "Yeah, I did. They said the cops used it in a hostage situation."
"Well, I've heard that Cyberlife has sent it to be a permanent member of DPD and is investigating crimes that involve Deviants."
She tilted her head in curiosity and quietly asked, "your point."
Elijah smiled widely as he heard how she seemed to be interested in what he had to say, "I've known, ever since we were little, that you were obsessed with the idea of androids gaining consciousness."
Natalie couldn't help herself but sigh at his statement, she barely remembers that part of her childhood. However, she remembers briefly about a conversation she had with him when she was a teenager. If he says that she was obsessed, then she must have been. "Yes, but I believe I got that from you."
Elijah laughed at that, "that's beside the point. I can get you a job working with it."
"How do you mean… working with it?"
Elijah smirked and tutted, "ah, interested in it now?"
She just asked bluntly, "Tell me what I might be doing, then I may be interested in the job."
"Well, you're the smartest person I know-" Natalie's laugh cut him off and caused his smirk to fall slightly.
"Don't flatter me, Eli, we both know that you think you're the smartest person you know."
He was silent for a moment as he listened to her laugh. (He hasn't heard her laugh in such a long time, and it is refreshing to hear.) He joined in as he realized she is right, "okay, okay. But anyway, the RK800 android is a prototype that is bound to have some glitches and bugs here and there. And who do I know that can deal with said glitches and bugs the best."
"You?"
He scoffed as he thought that she isn't taking his proposal seriously, "yes, but there's also you."
She thought about it for a second. From what she remembered about herself, she did have an affinity to work well with controlling malfunctions within androids. And now that she is basically half android, she imagines that she'll have an even easier time finding them and eliminating them. Plus, meeting an android that seems to have the qualifications to work with human detectives on multiple cases is interesting. She has to wonder how sophisticated this certain android is. Yet, she also thought about how exactly she would work with it. "And how would this work? I'm not a cop, they're not going to let me go with the android and work with it."
He tutted her, she could imagine him waving his finger in her face, "Ah, ah, ah, baby cousin, that is where I come in. You don't have to worry about it."
She opened her mouth in confusion, "but-"
He cut her off quickly and arrogantly sang, "the only thing you should be saying to me now is whether you're in… or you're out."
Is she willing to work with Cyberlife? …Maybe… Does she want to find out what exactly this android is? Hell yes. Is the offer Elijah is proposing to her something she can't pass up…?
"I'm in."
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