Orazio (Vol. 2) Orazio vs. the Cult of Isis.

J4N3

The meeting took place at a pier on the outskirts of the city. The young couple had mixed feelings. On the one hand they felt some relief that Mrs. Johnson had somehow survived. But on the other hand, they feared what it might mean if she appeared in their lives again.

- Is that her? - They both asked at the same time.
A lone figure waited for them next to the wooden pier building, illuminated from above by a lone lantern.

When the three of them met her, both Orazio and Orazia opened their mouths in utter surprise. It was indeed Mrs. Johnson, dressed in an elegant trench coat and black stockings. However, she had grown 30 years younger.
- Mrs. Johnson? - Orazio asked, not quite believing what he was seeing.

Mrs. Johnson smiled. But Orazio and Orazia returned a distrustful look.
- Actually - said Mrs. Jhohnson - I am not the person you met. To avoid confusion you can call me J4N3.

J4N3 walked over to the middle of the pier.

- I don't understand anything - Orazio admitted, feeling quite lost.
- To make it easy for you to understand - said J4N3 - I am an android of experimental technology with the consciousness and memories of Mrs. Johnson.

The revelation was quite enough to confuse the two young people, but they needed more information.
- But is that possible? - Orazio asked, still perplexed.
- It is an experimental technology... and very expensive - explained J4N3 - but I knew it would work. I first tested it with Narmer.

That was even more unexpected. There was nothing about Narmer or J4N3 that indicated they were anything other than a couple of ordinary human beings.

Orazia looked at Narmer finally understanding the origin of his strange abilities.
- Sure - said the young woman - now everything fits. Your ability to make yourself invisible, to hack robots without lifting a finger...
- Wait, wait - said Orazio angrily - Narmer is an android? Isn't it the Isis hormone that allows him to do all those super cool things.
- No, Orazio - said Narmer - I told you, the Isis hormone only works in women. I'm sorry you thought otherwise.

Orazio was very disappointed. He had harbored the hope that there were exceptions, that the Isis hormone would work in some men, like Narmer. Now he realized that he had pinned his hopes on something impossible.

Orazia looked at her boyfriend and felt sorry for him.
- Orazio, honey... - she began to say.
- Whatever - Orazio interrupted her - We are wasting time talking while they could be killing Carlos.

J4N3 nodded.
- Orazio is right - said the beautiful android - there will be time for explanations. I have studied the place where they have your friend...
- Wait a minute - this time it was Orazia who interrupted J4N3 - who said we need or want your help?

- I think it will be much easier if you count on my and Narmer's help - said J4N3 without feeling offended - I remember your abilities, Orazia and I think you can rescue that boy alone. But you could attract the attention of the authorities and I think that does not suit you.

Orazia thought for a moment.
The truth is that she wanted to do this because it was fair and because Orazio had asked her to, but she was not very convinced.

- Narmer can go in and out with the boy without setting off any alarms - said J4N3.

- Between all of us it should be a piece of cake - said Narmer.

Orazia looked at Orazio, waiting for him to make a decision.
- Well? - said J4N3, impatient to get things going.

- All right - said Orazio reluctantly - but let's hurry. Time is against poor Carlos.

Narmer parked the SUV some distance from "The Factory". The four occupants got out of the vehicle and J4N3 opened the trunk with a satisfied smile.