Human After All (II)

After whimpering, nearly sobbing, for two hours, Joshua curled up in a little ball, and fell into a deep slumber, although Beau could still hear him gasping quietly in his sleep. Beau was already getting onto the server without the help of Joshua. It seemed as though that even while Troia wasn't his own bot, his rights were being violated as well. Perhaps it was because Joshua was his own robot, and he was hurt, which affected Beau even more than anything.

Finally, the red screen took place of his usually wallpaper on the computer, but Beau was the first to begin the conversation.

“Let's meet.”

Beau waited patiently for Ethylon to respond. He chewed on his fingernails to pass the time, and after what seemed to be a lifetime of waiting, there came a response.

“Whoa, look at you go,
getting into my system and all.
Bravo.”

“Please, no joking tonight.”

“Fine then
What's with the sudden
eagerness?
I heard about that fembot being
taken away
by the empyreals today.
Is that what
set you off?”

“She was... a companion to Joshua.
He's traumatized.
I need your help.
Will you help me?
You owe me
one.”

“I'll help you.
But what's with the whole
'let's meet'?
You really want to
risk being caught
trying to get help
from me?”

“It's yes or no, Ethylon.
I need something from you.
I want to learn why
you think you're innocent. Explain
to me why the government is out to get you.
Then you can help me.
We'll be allies.”

Ethylon took a minute to respond the Beau's message.

“Since I've placed my life
in your hands once already,
I guess it wouldn't hurt
to become allies.
But I swear if you turn on me,
I will make your life a living
hell.
Got it?”

“Likewise.
Where do we meet?”

“Go to Machinatio. I'm hiding in
Automate.
Tell the woman at the front
that you're looking for
'August.' Don't ask
what it's about, okay?
She'll lead you to a room. You'll find us playing
gin.

Bring your bot too.”

Beau furrowed his brows together. Why should he bring Joshua? He had just fallen asleep anyways. He would feel guilty if he woke Joshua up, and told him to suck it up and stay awake until they had to leave. But he was doing this for Joshua's good, so maybe he should after all.

“Fine. We'll try to be there at
midnight.
Sound good?”

“Don't get caught, lover boy.
Empyreals are just dying for
a reason to shoot the towns people on sight.
Try to stay low so they don't see you.”

“Yeah, yeah. I'm not a complete idiot. See you soon.” Beau was just about to leave the conversation, when Ethylon stopped him quickly.

“And Beau?”

“Yeah.”

“Make sure nobody is following you.
People are suspicious.
Anyone could be watching.”

“You got it.”

The red screen disappeared, along with any documents of the conversation. Beau looked at the corner of the screen. It was only 3 p.m. He still had nine hours to kill. Beau chewed on his bottom lip before slipping out of his seat.

“Master, where are you going?” asked Dahlia. Beau picked her up, messing with her pink curls of hair. “Joshua doesn't seem well.”

“I know. I think I'm gonna lay in bed with him for a little while. You girls be careful, okay?”

“Okay!” squeaked Kiyah, instead of Dahlia. Beau smiled, kissing the top of her head gently before opening the door to Joshua's room. He tip-toed inside, clicking the door shut behind him. Joshua opened one eye at the sound, rubbing his other carefully.

“Master.” Joshua whispered. “I apologize. Have I slept for too long?”

Beau hushed him, slipping into the bed with him. Although he didn't do anything but intertwine his fingers with Joshua's, it was better than being alone any day.

“We're going to get Troia back.” Beau mumbled. Joshua looked at his master with sad, dejected eyes. He leaned forward, resting his head on his master's side. “We're going to leave at midnight tonight. I want you to be ready.”

“For what?” Joshua said softly.

“You know the criminal the empyreals are searching for?”

“Yes.” Joshua nodded quickly. “Did they find him, master?” He sat up quickly. “Are they releasing Troia?”

“I'm sorry, but no.” Beau shook his head. “But I found him. He's the one who has been getting into my servers. We're gonna pay him a visit, and he's going to help us get Troia back.”

Joshua squeaked quietly, his usually cheerful smile turning into a frown. “But master, he is a criminal... Why are we working with him?” Joshua leaned over his master. “Wouldn't turning him in be easier? I apologize for asking so many questions, but I do not understand.”

Beau sighed gently, running his fingers through his black locks of hair. He hadn't taken a shower last night. Maybe he should taken one, he thought. But Machinatio was a dirty town, a part of Squadron R that wasn't exactly clean and proper. So being clean wouldn't be the best way to stay inconspicuous. There used to be mining around there, but they abandoned that project long ago. Children played there in the dirt, and the adults weren't exactly prim either. It was a part of town people didn't enjoy much anymore unless they were either half-drunk, or half out of their minds. No wonder Ethylon was hiding there. Even empyreals were reluctant to go in there.

“It's really hard to explain. I promise though, Troia will be back by tomorrow. I won't let them hurt her.” Beau said. He pulled Joshua down next to him, running his fingers through Joshua's hair while whispering softly to him, “Go to sleep.”