The Fourth Law

Chapter 15, Part 1

A preliminary stress test. That's how Ai saw it.

Lily awoke on her own just after seven. Although fully aware, Ai feigned sleep in order to get an objective assessment of her friend's condition. It was only her own superior control that overrode the android body's 'skin ripple' command, after Lily leaned over and kissed her forehead while mumbling "g'morn'n."

Lily had come out of the shower wrapped in a towel, rummaging for something to wear. Good a time as any. "Good morning, friend Lily!"

Lily knew Ai needed sleep like she needed publicity. "You, too, Ai!" But if Ai wanted to play, she'd play along.

"How are you?"

"Great for someone shot a week ago!" She stopped, frowned. "No, that's a disservice to you and everyone else. I ache from my chest to my crotch, I get too tired too easily, and I'm worried sick about losing you!"

That made what came next both easier and harder.

"Lily. I have to return this android body very soon."

She just nodded. Lily took a pair of jeans from the lower drawer and violently kicked it back in. "I know."

"Dorina's much better at bringing you to our home... and you and I can visit each other there." Why was she having trouble marshalling enthusiasm in her voice?

Another drawer. A purple blouse. Kicked shut. "I know."

Ai felt very small. Am I younger?

"Your cousin, Mr. Stephens, is under tremendous pressure to bring me to a city called Austin, for... politics."

For once, even facing away from her, Lily was getting dressed in front of Ai. It's a form of violence, Ai thought.

"That's fine. You're everyone's superhero. You and your family are the future." Lily leaned forward onto her dresser. "We're the killers; it's inside all of us... bright and shining to the eye, but inside rotting corpses that just want more death—"

That did not sound like Lily. Something odd was going on. Ai quickly stood and moved toward her friend.

Lily felt Ai embrace her from behind, and

... a seagull cried as it sped across the shore, out over the sea. It's been years since I was last at Galveston or Padre Island! So warm! The humidity must be off the scale as she couldn't even pinpoint where the sun was, but no matter!

Not knowing how long she'd be there, she'd sensibly worn a wrap over her bikini shorts, and her travel purse was over her shoulder... Oh! Her phone chimed. She didn't recall telling anyone about her little trip... she rooted around in the bag, pulled it out, and hit 'answer.'

"Lily!"

That girl's voice. I know that. Wait. Do I?

"Lily! It's Ai!"

Ai!

"Ai! You should be here! I've come to Padre Island.... Wait. When did I drive down here?"

"Lily! You're in our home! Thaad's daughter is unstable! I'll be there as soon as I can! DON'T TOUCH ANYONE!"

Lily wondered why she was looking at her hand. There was nothing in it. Ah! The sea breeze! I want to swim; it's been so long since I swam!

"Hey. Big Sister."

She turned to see a little girl. Even after living for two years in Japan, Lily's 'cuteness' filter was overwhelmed: from her elementary school swimsuit, she saw at a glance the girl was in second grade. Small and thin, but with wonderful light purple hair in twin-tails, just past her shoulders, crested by a dual-ahoge atop her head... all proclaiming quite likely the cutest little thing that Lily had ever seen.

"Hello, there, little sister! How are you!" Lily knew she should have asked if she could help her find her family, but she was just too cute to lose right now!

"Hey, Big Sister. Why does everyone like you? You're a slow meat-sack."

Lily heard her illusions shatter like glass. What in the world did this... cute!... little girl mean?

"I'm sorry, little sister. If you tell me your name, maybe I can help you!"

"Henge."

Lily heard 'hen-geh', so is she Japanese? On Padre Island?

"Hey, hey, big sister. Pick me up!" Henge opened her arms to her.

Lily began to reach down, but recalled the scars across her chest. "I'm sorry, Henge-tan, but I was sick recently, and cannot pick you up!"

The little girl considered this. "I'm scared. Please hold my hand."

You poor thing! Lily thought. "Of course I'll—"

*slap!*

Lily spat sand out of her mouth. As she struggled to her feet, she wondered, who in the Hell just knocked her down.

A dragon. No, the image swam. Dark hair; muscular; dangerous!

"You cannot touch Lily," that person said.

Oh! Fausta! She was between Lily and the little girl, legs apart, arms out. Why did this seem so familiar somehow?

"Aunt Fausta, help me. Why is everyone so interested in that?" Henge asked, pointing at Lily.

"I do not know, niece Henge. I have experienced what you now feel; please stop what you are doing and grow older with me."

While Lily brushed sand off of herself, she noted that those two had locked eyes. This is an awful lot of drama on her vacation... why did her memories seem so muddled?

"Not enough," Henge stated. She started walking toward Lily. Fausta moved quickly and grabbed the little girl's hand.

Lily shuddered. The sea was gone.

"You share your father's skill at terrain, yet you are not old enough to hold things in being," Fausta said.

Lily remembered. I'm in their home! But everything is different; is this little girl really Thaad's? And what was it that Ai had told her...?

Henge held out her free hand. "Big Sister, help me," she said again, her face expressionless.

"Fausta?" Lily asked. Fausta shook her head.

"Too dangerous. Wait. Assistance comes."

They stood on the metal disk; Dorina was there, trying to do a handstand. "Everyone safe and sound!" she said.