Dorothy

Chapter 9

"You're a cyborg," Dorothy repeated stupidly.

     The laughter of seconds before was quickly forgotten. Auden and Dorothy stared at Ronan. Dorothy could tell that they were making him uncomfortable. He looked like a bug under a microscope. Rosie, on the other hand, didn't seem at all bothered, which Dorothy supposed wasn't really all that surprising. She rolled over to where Ronan had sat down, metal limb still undisguised. Turning around, Rosie faced her sensor to Auden and Dorothy, then seemed to scan Ronan again.

     "Well, why are you all sitting around like this is a funeral of something!? I happen to think that complex wiring is a big plus in humans," she said. Dorothy was proud of her, but Ronan appeared to feel quite differently about the android's brave speech.

     "Yeah?! Well, fun fact, Miss Complex Wiring, I'm not a human! I don't want to be a cyborg! Lunars do not find complex wiring attractive!"

     Dorothy moved forward and placed a hand on Ronan's shoulder. "Hey Ronan," she said as gently as she could, "Rosie is just trying to help. Can you tell us what happened?"

     Ronan sighed. Dorothy couldn't help feeling sorry for him; he looked utterly defeated. "It's a long story."

     "We're in no rush," Rosie answered. Auden stayed silent. A glance toward him told Dorothy that he disagreed, that time was of the essence. She knew it was. But if he would talk, then she knew just as strongly that they needed to listen to Ronan.

     Ronan sighed. Dorothy saw Auden glance up toward the ever-dimming sky. He sighed to, then came to sit in front of Ronan. They made tentative eye contact and Auden gave a slight nod. Ronan breathed in.

     "I guess I can try to make things short. I'm a doctor for the Lunar monarchy, but it's more like being a scientist. One day  I was alone. I had been waiting for just such a chance. You would be surprised how many Lunars would like to see the crown removed from Channary's- or anyone else's for that matter- head. An underwhelming minority, especially in Artemisia, but there are those of us who have seen the way that the outer sectors are and disagree with our ruler's ideas of justice. Well, anyway, I was waiting for this chance to strike some kind of blow against the monarchy. I was young back then, and stupid.

     "I created what I fear you will understand only as a bomb, from the chemicals. A compound that would explode upon contact with alcohol. Not an explosion like those piddly science fair volcanoes, but something to bring the building down. I set a sort of timer, and tried to run for it, but didn't get out in time. I had some scarring burns, but my arm wasn't reparable. So I replaced it."

     "Wait, you replaced it by yourself?" Dorothy asked.

     "Yes. No one could know it was me or I'd get worse than this."

    "I see."

     Auden seemed deep in thought.

     Rosie broke the silence first. " There's still some light left, and a better alley about fifty blocks away. Why don't we try to make it there before night fall."

     Dorothy smiled at the irony. Ronan voiced her thoughts. "I can't believe that I'm on the streets of Luna searching for the best alley to sleep in." She wasn't sure but Dorothy thought that she heard Auden groan. When she glanced at him though, his jaw was set and he was already starting to move toward Rosie. Dorothy stood up and gestured forward. "Alright Rosie. Lead on."