The Return

Chapter 29

I didn't notice Yumi had left us alone until later. We both walked around looking at all the changes the library has gone through.

He seemed to still be a bit sad about all the books as I was too, but he seemed to love that it was turned into a sanctuary for cyborgs. Or anyone who needed the help.

Technically he and Yumi aren't really cyborgs they're both the first of their kind. He is like her in the sense of being an A.I. but he is still himself because of his consciousness in his own artificial mind. His soul in a shell so to speak.

It was nice to have him back.

I no longer felt guilty as he explained how he felt during those six years he was gone. I felt stupid for beating myself up about it all this time.

We sat in the lounge area and talked some more. He mainly had questions about what changes have been made.

He wasn't surprised that JK01 had survived and been working his way in the shadows of the city.

"I think its a good idea to change this place into something like a new rebel group. One that hunts down the evil that still lurks here." He said. "politics is a difficult field I can understand why RM would want something like a secret force. Something that he can trust to make the city better while his image stays untarnished. This city is so corrupt the only way to fight back and to make a change is to fight dirty."

I shouldn't be surprised that he had everything figured out already. He was always smart. Always quick to understand things on a deeper level.

"I was mad at RM for lying and not trusting me and the others. But I guess he had already lost so much to be where he is now that he doesn't want to lose more. I should have been there, been more supportive." I did feel bad that I let him go, that I let his changes in personality get to him. I pushed my leader and friend aside because I was afraid to lose more people in my life. That's ironic.

"I'm sure he doesn't hold anything against you. He knows you've been going through a lot. Now is the time to fix that though. You're going to be working together again. Might as well make it a stronger bond as it once was."

I nodded my head in agreement. Then I became curious about him. What does he want to do now that he can live again?

"So now that you're actually free to do what you want... Where are you going to go?" I know he might have things he might have always wanted to do. I never really knew what they were.

He thought about it for a moment.

"I've always wanted to help people... Do you have room for a new member here?" He smiled.

"You sure you don't want to just travel?"

"I don't know anyone except you guys. And I think what your going to be doing will be the right fit for me."

It still feels so surreal that I'm here talking to him. That he is alive again. That he is happy.

"Well then. If that's what you really want, I'll set you up in your own apartment" we walked to the reception area and he picked which apartment he wanted. It was already getting so late.

I had lost track of time speaking with him.

I walked him to his apartment and he seemed to love the view from his bedroom window.

"So, you're all set?" I asked him.

"Yeah... Feels strange to have my own place. It's been so many years since I had a home." He was smiling a lot.

"I'll see you tomorrow we can figure out what your responsibilities will be then."

"Okay. Goodnight"