Verum I: The Awakening

9: The Beginning Ends

Luce's POV

Our 17 hour trip to somewhere on the north west coast of Australia began approximately 6 hours ago. My mind was clear once again, but my body was as exhausted as ever. Pain medication was running through my body, helping me not to feel the pain of my healing knee too much.
Unlike the family holidays as a child, I was glad that the drive was a long one. Dethra, I learned the robot's name to be, assured me that I will see my family again. But I think you can never be too sure. I worry about my family getting in trouble too.

Mom told me that she called my other uncle, Martin. He is flying to Scotland in two days for a business meeting and agreed to smuggle Bluctro, Dethra and me across the world.
Dad and Martin were really close. As children they were inseparable. And as adults they always got each other's back. Dad meant a lot to him, that's why he too, is in on our little secret now.

"Luce", I looked over at Adam, "I think we should try to invent something when this situation has calmed down. Or just researching would be fun too. I seriously regret not being able to spend time with you because of work"
My brother carefully, yet quickly, wrapped his arms around me. I of course hugged him back and sighed.
"I've been missing our time together when we were younger. Now I'll miss you even more". Adam began to sob, which made me cry too. No more words were exchanged for a while. Not even mom said anything when she fought her way through the van of my aunty to take us into her embrace.

Our weeping party ended after mom accidentally let out a joke and we began to laugh. Dethra made it then his mission to tell us the most ridiculous jokes he could find on the internet. We laughed some more and the mood became light as a feather. At first the jokes were good one's, with a story and plot. But then he began telling jokes like: 'I told my wife that she drew her eyebrows too high. She looked surprised.’
"Oh please, who thinks they're funny?", I said, rolling my eyes, amusement evident. But he just continued to entertain us with them.

We drove, slept, ate and took breaks in the next couple of hours until we arrived at our destination.

The area was a rural one. It was sort of like an Australian Canada for rich people. No other Villa than the one before us was in sight.
The gate in front of us opened and led us down a Path of bright pebbles into the garage. There the owner of the place awaited us.
Mom stepped out first and greeted Martin with a hug, Adam, auntie and uncle followed. They warned him of what he was about to see and then Adam opened the van. Dethra picked me up and took me outside. Martin's mouth fell open, but he didn't seem to be scared. Instead of screaming, he was laughing.
"Holy fucking shit! That thing was created by my brother? I always knew he was a crazy guy, but fucking hell..."
Bluctro stepped out too. "I know you probably didn't mean this as rude, but please do not refer to him as a 'thing'", he put his left hand on his hips.
This startled him a bit. "Oh, excuse me... I was simply just amazed by my brother's creation"
"We both aren't 100% Mike's creation, but we wouldn't be here today without him", Dethra told him.
Martin nodded and finally greeted me too. Took him long enough. But I understand.
"Oh well, let's get inside. A garage of all places isn't the best place to catch up with family"

It was story time for the next two or three hours. Things have been told that I was unaware of. I knew that I was operated on in a veterinary clinic, but I didn't know that a robot was my surgeon. Dethra also came forward with the sad truth of what happened to my father.

"...and it was all my fault. I am supposed to be the most intelligent being on this earth. But how could I have saved him? All this knowledge and abilities couldn't help me when all it takes to kill my best friend is a simple movement of the index finger. Luce... Your father's last wish was to protect you from our enemies. He knew that your family would be safe, for it is too obvious if they would just disappear. You all might hate me for letting your loved one die and now taking another one from you. But there is no other option. I am the one to blame for this" It was hard for his deep, robotic voice to express much emotion, but I could still hear the pain in his voice.

"Dethra, nothing is your fault", I put a hand on his arm, "You are here, because my father was a man who tried to make the world a better place. He gave his life for the hundreds or thousands of lives that would've died if he didn't make you this way. And it is better that you take me away from my family than if I would die. With you, I'm only away for a temporary time. Without you, I'd be gone forever" I wrap my arms around his torso as best as I can with my healing knee and rest my forehead on his metal hide. "Bluctro would be dead too... You saved us Dethra, you saved us". Two metallic hands carefully rested on my back. The touch was like the one of a feather. A gentle giant, that's what Dethra was.

The next day a helicopter took us to a private airport. Bluctro, Dethra and I said our last goodbyes and boarded the plane. Our flight took us to Inverness, where we now parted from Martin too. We managed to settle down peacefully somewhere in the highlands, away from big society and continued what we do best. Science!
But this was only the beginning of our adventure.