TALES FROM THE ARK [CORRUPTION OF THE CALAMITY TRIO S4 CHARACTER STORIES]

Story 3 Kara and the eclipsed cyberlife androids

[Takes place long before chapter 1 the abduction]

Kara, Alice, and Luther sat huddled together inside the cold, dimly lit cargo hold of Jericho, the massive, rusted ship that had become a sanctuary for deviants—androids who had broken free from their programming. The smell of damp metal filled the air, and the quiet hum of forgotten machinery reverberated through the empty halls. Outside, the stormy waters of the river churned, adding to the eerie atmosphere of the ship.

Kara held Alice close, her protective instincts kicking in as the little girl shivered in her arms. Though the ship was a safe haven, there was no warmth here, no comfort, only the lingering fear that the authorities would find them. Jericho wasn't a place of peace; it was a place of survival.

Luther stood watch near the entrance, his towering figure casting a shadow over the broken crates and worn-out equipment that littered the floor. His calm presence was a steadying force, but even he couldn't hide the worry etched into his face. They all knew the stakes. The authorities weren't just hunting deviants—they were destroying them.

"We should keep moving," Luther said, his voice low, yet carrying a weight of urgency. "The authorities are sweeping the city. It's only a matter of time before they get close to Jericho."

Kara nodded, her grip tightening on Alice. "We can't keep running forever. There has to be a way... a way to fight back."

From deeper within the ship, faint footsteps echoed toward them. Kara tensed, pulling Alice closer, her eyes darting to Luther. He reached for his weapon—a rusted metal pipe he had scavenged from the cargo bay—and stepped forward, ready to protect them.

A figure emerged from the shadows, illuminated only by the faint glow of a malfunctioning light overhead. It was Markus, One of the leaders of Jericho. His calm, but commanding presence brought a strange sense of hope, but his expression was grim.

"They're coming," Markus said, his voice filled with both determination and sorrow. "The authorities know about Jericho. We have to prepare. Some of us will fight... others will have to find another way out."

Kara exchanged a look with Luther. Alice's wide eyes filled with fear as she clutched kara hand tighter.

"Where will we go?" Kara asked quietly, the weight of her question heavy in the silence.

Markus looked out into the ship, where other androids were quietly gathering, their faces marked with uncertainty. "There's an underground network of sympathizers. Humans who want to help us. They can hide you, but the journey will be dangerous."

"We'll do whatever it takes," Kara said resolutely, glancing down at Alice. "We can't let them take us or her."

Markus nodded. "Then come with me. There's a way, but we need to act fast."

As they followed Markus deeper into the ship, Kara's mind raced with possibilities. Jericho had always felt like a temporary haven, a fragile refuge from a world that wanted to erase them. Now, with the authorities closing in, their time had run out. The fight for survival had begun.

Kara held Alice close as they followed Markus through the winding, rusted corridors of Jericho, the dampness of the abandoned cargo ship clinging to their skin. The dim, flickering lights cast long shadows, creating an oppressive atmosphere that matched the tension in the air. Kara's mind was spinning, weighing the risks and the unknowns. Jericho had always been a fragile sanctuary, but with Markus's warning, it felt even more precarious now.

Behind her, Luther's heavy footsteps echoed, a comforting presence despite the anxiety gripping her heart. His strong, protective nature had become something she relied on, especially with Alice's well-being at stake. The little girl, though resilient, could feel the fear in the air. She clutched Kara's hand tightly, her eyes wide and searching for some form of reassurance.