The Six Sectors

Chapter Fifty-Four - Aeris

Chaos. That's one way to put everything that's been happening lately. Complete and utter chaos. It wasn't bad though, in fact, it had become comfortable over time. Still doesn't change the fact that I still try to help Wheatley in whatever way I could. It didn't seem all that successful though, he was so independent, and he also had Nassa and Alkippe, along with their baby coming.

Aerisson had been a handful, like any baby would be, but I didn't mind. It gave me a sense of purpose, something to do. Yeah, I was the ambassador for Lerivia, but that doesn't really feel important anymore. The actual leaders of sectors are meeting up more often now. One day started out normal. Xae was feeding Aerisson and getting some things done around the house when a knock sounded.

I trotted over to the door, curious as to who it could be. After all, we hadn't gotten too many visitors. I opened the door, which made a slight, unpleasant creaking sound. Wheatley stood there, looking distraught and lost.

"Hey, Dad." He said, waving shyly, just as he had when he had broken into our cottage all those years ago.

"Hey Wheatley," I smiled at him, before moving out of the way, "Come on in." He walked in, holding some paper.

"I need some serious help..." He said, rubbing the back of his neck.

"What's the problem?" I asked. Hopefully it was something I could help with. He showed me the paper.

"...Mother offered me a job at Ijetix...as the new Head. But...I want to be a warrior for Lerivia...the home I've defended for so long....but...I don't know-" He said in a wauvering tone, shaking. It sure was an application. An ambassador one. If he became ambassador, he could become a leader.

That was a tough decision.

"Well, Wheatley, in the end it's up to you. There's always more choices, and sometimes there isn't one 'right' choice. However, there's usually a better choice, and to figure that out can take a long time. Tell me, what exactly do you find appealing about each choice, and what do you find that you don't like about them?"

"....The leader position means I change Ijetix for the better. No more collections, and going more towards medical." Wheatley said, looking at the paper. His robotics had been upgraded, looking more sleek, and he looked as if he had seen better days. "Being a warrior means I'm close to you guys and I protect Lerivia with Cicada. But..." He smiled a tad. "I guess I should've seen this day coming. I'm the only son of Dr. Gladys Hanity, afterall..."

"Well, Wheatley, even if you don't live in Lerivia, everyone can always visit you, and you can always visit us. At the same time, you don't have to lead Ijetix, there's got to be other potential candidates out there, even if not blood related to Dr. Hanity," I said. I tried to be as unbiased as I could.

"Yeah but-" He sighed. "I dunno. I have this nagging feeling in my head that keeps telling me that it's my destiny to. But I don't know whether to heed to it or not." He frowned. "Besides, if I let it go to someone else, then we can't ensure a safe future for kids like Dyn and Aerisson."

"Perhaps. I support whatever decision you choose to make, and if you want to go to Ijetix, I won't stop you. Still, I think you should talk to Nassa and Alkippe about this if you haven't already."

"I have. Nassa voted Lerivia, cause she didn't want me turning. Alkippe went for Ijetix cause she thought I could change it." He groaned. "Yknow, this seemed easier when I first became your kid and became an honorary warrior with Cicada."

"That does sound like Nassa and Alkippe. It always seems easier when you're younger, because you get other people to make decisions for you," I chuckled a bit.

"...I'm going to go for Ijetix. If I can change Ijetix, I can ensure that future." He firmly nodded after a moment of hesitation. "I can make it safe for not only Aerisson and Dyn, but for every fauna, flora, and droid."

"Okay," I said. He looked up at me, and then hugged me tight.

"Thank you...for everything..." He said, and I can feel a tear slipping down his face.

I was surprised, but then hugged back. I held him, happy that I finally managed to do something for him. Happy that he was. "I know that this doesn't make up for how you had to deal with me. But I'm glad you did deal with me."

"... Deal with you? Wheatley, what are you talking about?" Wheatley let go.

"You practically took care of me after I broke into your cottage. You had to deal with me after."

"Wheatley, if I didn't want to take care of you, I wouldn't have. Sure, the first few days were a bit rough, but that doesn't matter. I wasn't just 'dealing with you', I genuinely care." Wheatley looked up.

"R-Really?" He asked.

"Of course," It hurt to know that he hadn't known that I cared. Did I do something wrong? I had to have.

"I mean, you were super strict, and you didn't like it when I was gone for too long...I thought you'd hate me." Wheatley said, wringing his hands.

"I was trying to make sure you didn't get hurt..." Wheatley looked up.

"Yeah, but your actual son was just around the corner. So why care so much about me?" Wheatley sighed. "Not that I'm complaining," the Ijetixian added, "But..."

"... I suppose I did do a lot wrong," I said, "I was constantly worried. People don't particularly care for your mother, and I thought that would make you a target. I guess I didn't consider that you could take care of yourself." Wheatley chuckled, as Aerisson shakily walked over.

"Yeah, but in the end, you gave me something I didn't even have in the beginning."

I looked at Aerisson, then back at Wheatley. "I tried to make your life as good as I could."

"That's not what I meant." Wheatley smiled at me, picking Aerisson up. "Aeris Spydos...you gave me a father."

I was left without a word to say. Rendered speechless, I just watched Wheatley and Aerisson. Wheatley booped Aerisson's nose with a smile, Aerisson grabbing his face in return. Xae walked over with a smile.

"He isn't wrong, Aeris. You did a great job, love." She said in her silky voice, kissing my cheek.

I smiled softly.

Everything felt right, for once.