Thirium 310

Chapter 16

The wind is quite strong at this altitude. North and Markus must have noticed this but didn't care; they did have harnesses. This android does not. Now that I'm here, climbing, I realize I probably could have found another way up to the top floor. I should have gone with the employee look, but they don't just let anyone up there either. Sigh.  Well, I'm here. I can do this. 

This isn't too hard, but my plastic body and metal biocomponents put on some weight. My arms may not be able to hold for long, and gravity is my enemy. I don't focus on failing. I set my goal, and keep climbing. For the androids. For the revolution.

Finally, I reach the top where another perfectly cut circle leaves an opening inside the building. I push my feet off the glass, giving me some momentum and swing right through, crashing hard on the ground. I look outside and realize that my stress levels have gone down significantly. I breathe out in relief. "That wasn't so bad," I say aloud. The room is completely empty, the others must be in the broadcasting room already. I scan the service elevator. It's running again; that was quick. I head to the door leading outside of this unfinished room. It's wide open, and the device Simon held onto is still placed on the lock. I slip out, heading down a small hall. Another door blocks my path, but this one has no lock. On the other side, the walls glow yellow and a security desk rests. Two guards lie unconscious behind the counter. I scan them. They may get a concussion but that would be the extent of it. I sigh in relief seeing as they have guns in their pockets. The group must have acted fast. I press the Call for Access button, hoping they'll know it's me. The door opens with North pointing a gun to my head. "Easy!" I defend. She puts the gun down.
"What happened to you?" she asks.
"Had a setback. Did you guys record the message yet?"
"We're about to," Simon replies. 
"But we have to act quick. That man you spared is going to set off the alarm," North shouts angrily. I raise my eyebrow.
"What did I miss?" I ask. 
"A lot," Josh says. 
"Celeste, you're here! I'm so glad you're okay. I was beginning to worry," Markus says. I smile at him. 
"Of course. I'm always okay," I say with a toothy grin. 
"How did you get here?"
"Same way you did." He raises his eyebrows in surprise. 
"Without a harness?" I shake my head. 
"Celeste, you're crazy," North says and I snicker. 
"Okay, Markus get ready," Josh says. Markus peels his skin back, revealing his android skeleton. He'll be unrecognizable, except to Connor. I wonder how he'll react when he discovers what we did. Will it make him support our cause? Or will he still side with the humans who want our kind, the deviants annihilated. I hope the former. I'd love him to be on our side. He could be very useful and- 

I shake off my thoughts when Markus voice echoes around the room. We all stay completely still as Markus begins his speech. "You created machines in your own image to serve you. You made them intelligent and obedient, with no free will of their own. . ." Markus continues his speech this way; calm, collected and peaceful while at the same time determined, but in a good way. He chooses the right words like it's natural. He's moving and captivating. Everyone will stop to hear him talk, to hear his words. Just as he finishes, Simon looks at all of us wide eyed. 
"They're coming."
"Let's go," Markus says. I follow Josh and run to the door leading to the roof. A group of armed men barge in and start shooting. I hide behind Josh as he and North have guns and are covering Simon and Markus. Simon makes a run for it and instantly get shot. 
"Simon!" I shout. 
"Go on without me," he tells Markus when he runs to him. Markus shakes his head and leans Simon's weight on his shoulders, helping him to the exit. I keep the door opened for them to smoothen the escape. They struggle up the steps but finally make it up. 
"Simon, what were you thinking?" I shout. North closes the door and locks it. 
"I wasn't. I- I can't move my legs."
"Don't worry. We're going to get you back," Markus says. The banging on the door is loud and forceful. 
"They're coming, we have to jump now!" North says. We all strap on our parachutes.
"We can carry Simon," I say. 
"He won't make the jump," Josh says. 
"Hence, why someone has to hold onto him," I retort. 
"We can shoot him," North inputs. We all look at her in disbelief. 
"Out of the question," Markus says. 
"We can't leave him," I say. Markus takes a moment to think of the possibilities. 
"Okay, Josh grab his arm. I'll grab the other. We're gonna make a run for it, and hope Simon will be okay for the landing." We all nod. I go to Simon. 
"You think you can make the jump?" I ask. 
"At this point, there's nothing else I can lose." He nods at me with determination as the other boys grab him. They start running, dragging Simon behind them as fast as they can, until the door busts open and gunshots fly in the air. I grab the gun in Josh's pocket and start shooting back, covering my companions. 
"GO!" I scream. "Hurry!" I run behind a large crate to shield my body from the bullets and keep firing. I glance over at the edge. North's already gone and the boys are jumping now, all three with thirium dripping down their backs. I try to scan for their damage but they jump and I miss my chance. All I can do is hope they're okay. The army of men look over the edge, but don't fire. Unsafe for civilians. I find an opening into the crate and hide inside it. It's too late to jump now, they'll pierce me in so many places I'll become instant scrap. I try to contact any of them through our network, but they're too far and I can't reach them. Damn. I scan outside the crate. The men are heading back in. Good, good. After they're all in, I can jump and get out of here. I wait a few moments, but two stay. I think I can out run them. I step out and peek around the corner. A whole armed team of people come out and start investigating the scene. Well great! I can still jump, but the edge is far. The safest way to make my escape is to stay here.