Chapter 14

Chapter 14: Evanesce

     William Sterling had stormed off in anger, eager to get as far away from that building and those snobs as he could. He arrived at the airbase's gates and entered in his identification number to get through. As the gates opened, he walked forward and the gate began to close behind him, he heard a female voice in the back, calling after him. "William, wait", she said. As he stopped and turned around, he was surprised to see that it was none other than Victoria, and he quickly grabbed the gate to stop it from closing.

     She slowly approached him, her fur coat draped around her shoulders as she held it closed with one hand, as she looked up at him with a slight smile. "You're early", he said. "What happened to the auction?" -"I skipped out on it", she replied. "It's alright though, because none of that even matters anymore". She moved closer, her eyes lost in his. "I realized instead, that I'd rather be with the man I love". His eyes grew wide with surprise as he listened to these words. "So you do love me then?" he asked. She nodded as she placed an arm around his neck and pulled his face close to hers. "I'm sorry it took me so long to realize it", she said. "I've spent much of my time searching for someone like you, and you were there all along, and I never noticed".

     "That's just how it is", William told her. "What we seek is always within our reach, but we're too blind to see it". Without saying another word, she grabbed his face, and kissed him, and unlike all the fake kissing scenes she had done in her films, this was the real thing. It was her first real kiss with someone she really did love. "Whoa", he exclaimed with surprised. "You completely took me by surprise, and what a kiss that was if I might add. She just chuckled at him. "Well working in the entertainment department, does have its benefits", she joked. "Well in my case, it did", she corrected herself. "My time in the spotlight ended so fast, sometimes I wonder where I went wrong".
-"They just couldn't appreciate you", he told her. "You're better than them anyway's, I doubt they would give up anything for someone like me". He paused for a moment, and had a saddened look in his eyes.

     "All they see me as", he began to say. "A nobody, a hybrid who will amount to nothing, no matter what I do. I mean, all my life I've had to live with the ridicule, all those racial comments all because of my alien heritage. Life's been hard for me, and so I joined the military to get away from it. I wanted to be with a crowed who would stop seeing me as a hybrid, but see me as a person, and the AMF has done that for me". -"I understand", she nodded. "And just know, that I too see you as a person, and I always have". "Really?" he asked. She nodded again. "Yes, I always felt that it was wrong of them to treat you that way, but I never said anything. She looked into his eyes, her own filled with regret. "I'm sorry I didn't stand up for you back then", she told him. "But I was afraid of what the others would say, and it was stupid and selfish of me". She sighed and looked down at the ground, almost ashamed to make eye contact with him now. "Truth is, I was no better than the rest of them", she told him. "And I don't think I could ever forgive myself for that".

     She looked back up at William, her mascara smeared all around her eyes as tears fell down the sides of her cheeks. "I don't see how you could ever forgive me either", she wept. "It's alright", he said as he pulled her up against his chest and let her sob on his shoulder. "I forgive you", he whispered in her ear.

     Meanwhile, Maxwell Graham who was still peeved over the harassment from earlier , had decided to alert Morane of this young soldier. To inform him that Victoria's romance with the man could have some serious consequences, such as her telling him everything about the council and its true purpose. As Maxwell entered the office, he saw Morane sitting at his desk, with Stan Winston standing close by. Morane seemed a bit surprised to see Maxwell, and without Victoria.
"Well, well, well", Morane remarked. "What do we have here? Mr. Graham, I haven't seen you in a while! You're still alive? I'm in shock".

Maxwell rolled his eyes in protest and crossed his arms. "I didn't come here to put up with your hogwash", he said sternly. "I've come here to warn you of a particular young man".
Morane scoffed as he started counting the stacks of money on his desk. "What man is it this time?"
-"He's a soldier of the AMF", Maxwell replied. Right that moment, Stan knew exactly who he was talking about. "He's gotten close to Miss Thompson, some would say too close". -"I see", Morane nodded as he placed his cigar between his teeth. "She also shares the same feelings for him, and I feel it could jeopardize your plans", Maxwell continued. "She could tell him everything, it's a risk we cannot take".

"I see", Morane uttered. "The soldier's name is William Sterling", Maxwell said. "Stan here is actually familiar with him", Maxwell smirked as he looked the android in the eye. In turn, Stan acknowledged him with an angry stare. -"This true?" Morane asked the android. "Are you familiar with this soldier?"
For the first time, Stan Winston had actually considered lying to his master. William sterling had been a loyal companion to him, and treated him as though he were a human being and not a machine as Morane did.
Still Morane was in control of him, and so he would have to follow his orders because that's what he was programmed to do. "Yes", Stan nodded. "I am familiar with this man". -"Ah", Morane remarked.
"Then you know what you must do". Stan's eyes widened with shock, he quickly turned and looked at Morane in disbelief. "But why?" Stan demanded to know. "He knows nothing, and poses no real threat to the council".

     Morane was astounded by Stan's reaction, and soon realized that there was something more to it. "Why so quick to defend this man?" Morane asked. "You act as if--" Morane stopped right there, his eyes fixated on the android with curiosity. "You act as if this soldier means something to you".
"Tell me that isn't so, because dammit!" Morane slammed his fist down on the surface of his desk. "This isn't possible, you're a machine-- a fucking robot for Christ's sake. How could you have possibly developed any human emotions at all?" -"It is rather obscure", Maxwell chimed in.
Stan remained silent through all of this, he knew he had aggravated his master and for the first time, he felt threatened. "I'm just in awe", Morane continued. "I just don't see how such a thing is possible, especially under the circumstance that I am Stan's overlord here".

     "Perhaps interaction with other humans has caused some sort of interference?" Maxwell suggested.
Morane scoffed at the very thought of that. "You just shut up", he snapped. "You think I don't know anything about my own machine? I invested a lot of money into his development, most of it embezzled from the people of this city, I know more about him than anyone does". There was a brief moment of silence before Stan finally spoke up, and what he had to say surprised Morane even more.
"You talk about me like I'm not even here", he said. "I understand what I am, and I know where my purpose lies, but why am I considered anything but an entity?" Morane was speechless.
"I'm not alive", Stan continued. "But I am capable of learning how the world works, and also quite capable of thinking for myself". Morane just kind of shrugged in response. "You're still a machine", he corrected him. "Why should you be acknowledged as anything more?".

     Stan suddenly gave up. "You're right, I'm just a machine", he said. "I'm not a sentinent being, so why should anything I say, matter? " Maxwell reacted with a smug grin, as if he forgot how terrified of the android he truly was, and taunted him instead. Stan noticed this, but paid him no attention.
Julius Morane on the other hand was busy trying to figure out why his robot was acting so strange. Even he knew that Stan was only telling him what he wanted to hear.
"What happens if this man finds out?" Morane asked Stan. "Or better yet", he smirked. "What happens if he finds out what you really are? Do you honestly think he'll accept you?" Stan didn't know what to say to that, but it was something he dreaded terribly. "Your silence gives away the answer", Morane chortled. "Because you know that the only reason he accepts you, is because he thinks you're human". Maxwell looked over at Stan and nodded, while mouthing the words "It's true". Morane uttered a sigh and gestured a dismissal for Stan.

     "I don't have time for this", he explained. "I've got a lot to take care of, but just know one thing, Stan. If he does find out anything, you will have to kill him; no questions asked".
Stan started walking forward towards the doors, but quickly stopped without looking back. "And what if I refuse? he asked. Morane looked up from his desk, with an enraged glare. "Then there will be hell to pay", he shouted. Stan started heading out the doors but stopped once again. "In that case", he said. "I refuse." With that he let the doors slam behind him, leaving Morane speechless and livid.
Maxwell opened his mouth in attempt to say something, but then Morane turned towards him and yelled. "You go on, and get the hell out! I don't want to see you in my office anymore, is that clear?"
-"Crystal", Maxwell replied as he took off running and bolt out the doors.

     In the meantime, William Sterling had known that things were going to be different now, and decided that a reunion with his group of friends was necessary. He met up with Justin Church and Stan, and told them to wait for him at their usual booth in the Card Shack, while he went to try and drag Brian out of his cave. William knew that Brian was still upset about the big change, him being forced into joining the military against his will, but he didn't want to leave him out. He also knew that Brian was pretty mad at Justin and possibly harbored hatred towards Stan too, so getting him to join the rest of them was not going to be an easy task.

     William entered the apartment complex and walked up the flight of stairs to Brian's floor.
Once he got to the door, he knocked a few times and waited for Brian to answer. Nothing. He knocked again, this time even harder than before and still nothing. "Maybe he's not even here?" William thought. He waited a little longer and knocked once more, then decided to give up. "I tried", he told himself. "At least I tried". Just as soon as William began heading back down the stairs, he heard the door creak as it opened and looked up. "It's just you", Brian said as he looked down at him.
William replied with a "yes", and headed back up. "Who did you think it was?" -"Someone else", Brian uttered in a disappointed voice. "Someone coming to force me out of my home". Suddenly it had just occurred to William what Brian was really up to. "You're planning on hiding out, aren't you? That's why you didn't answer the door!"

     "They can't force me to join", Brian argued. "It's not right". William let out a sigh and shook his head. "Brian, you can't do this", he explained. "They will lock you up for the rest of your life, is that what you want?" -"What's the difference with joining the military?" Brian remarked. "Isn't that just the same as being locked up?" William looked at him in disbelief, he couldn't believe how ridiculous Brian was acting. "No", William corrected him. "There is a difference, the AMF aren't criminals!"
"Why are you even saying such a thing?" William frowned. "I know it's not right that you're being forced to join, but I can promise you it's not going to be as bad as you make it out to be. It's not just you either, it's a lot of people, how do you think they feel?"
Suddenly Brian decided to change the subject to avoid any more conflict between them. "So why did you come here, any ways?" he asked. -"Now you're just avoiding the issue", William snapped.
"And the answer to your question? I came here to invite you for an outing with the rest of us".

     "An outing?" Brian flouted. "I'm sorry but I have to decline your invitation!" William just shook his head in disbelief and sighed. "Lets see", Brian continued in a sarcastic voice. "Justin is a back stabber and Stan is just an asshole, I think that about sums it up". -"Forget it", William groaned as he started to leave. "I guess I can just count you out of everything now, huh?" he remarked. Brian just stood there with a blank expression on his face. "You know something?' William said as he looked Brian in the eye. "Stan was right about you, you're nothing but a coward; a whiney crybaby who will continue to dwell on the death of his brother for the rest of his life". Hearing these words actually hurt Brian, especially coming from someone he considered his best friend.

     William gave him a stern look, while showing no regret over what he just said. "You're right the military isn't right for you, so just crawl back inside your apartment and hide there. You can talk to me once you've decided to grow the hell up". Brian tried to hold back the pain he was feeling inside, but the emotion shone through his eyes, and William could see it clear as day. "You're still my friend", William continued. "But I don't want to be around you if you're just going to act like this, I've got enough to worry about, I don't need you dragging me down with you". William waited for Brian to at least say something, but to no avail he just remained silent. In truth, Brian was far too choked up inside to even speak, and he watched as William stormed off back down the stairs and out of the building.

--Zyrian Mother Ship--

     Bhor and Zoal had been trying to figure out how to obtain more information about the human city and find out what they knew about the zergyx. They had finally agreed that infiltrating it was the best idea. Bhor had even had two worthy candidates in mind for the task; two lower class subordinates, Khan Armoc and Ahtor Kreshev. Bhor has specifically selected these two as Zoal had suggested sending someone who was expendable, rather than any of their good warriors. Bhor knew that Khan and Ahtor were not as strong as their female counterparts, but they were at least useful.

     "I believe this task will be easier than I presumed", Bhor explained. "Getting into that city shouldn't be a problem considering I have studied its structure and located all possible entries".
-"Good", Zoal nodded. "Exactly, when do you plan on sending them?" -"Right away of course, my lord", Bhor replied with a bow. "We'll have to do it undetected of course, which won't be a problem at all". -"i heset ek", Zoal smirked. "dewa netjer, i neb", Bhor replied. "The zergyx will be ours".

     Meanwhile, Stan Winston and Justin Church had been waiting at the booth for William's return. Both of them had been quiet for the most part, unsure of what to say to one another. They just sat across from one another, exchanging glances every now and then. Justin began to wonder if maybe William was literally dragging Brian out of his apartment. Just the mental image alone was enough to make him laugh. "Poor Brian", Justin thought as he picked up a shot glass and downed it quickly. Stan on the other hand had a lot on his mind. He couldn't help but wonder why he would betray his own master for the sake of another human being. He just sat there with his same empty expression, until he caught sight of Maxwell sneaking by and heading out the back door.

     Stan was still pretty enraged about Maxwell trying to endanger William Sterling, and was not about to let this slide. "I'll be right back", Stan said to Justin. "I've got some business to take care of".
"Well okay", Justin shrugged as he played around with the empty shot glass.

     Maxwell knew well enough that he was on Stan's shit list, and decided to hide out in the back, hoping the android would find something else to preoccupy itself with. Much to his disappointment, Stan was already coming after him, and flung the back doors open violently. Maxwell heard the loud banging and quickly dove behind one of the dumpsters and began to tremble like a frightened coward.
He hugged his knees close to his chest and tried to remain quiet, but to make things worse, he was now in rat territory and they started to climb all over him. "Get off", he shrieked with a whisper as he began pushing the rats off. Meanwhile Stan was hot on his trail and knew he was hiding back there somewhere. "Maxwell", Stan growled. "I know you're here, hiding like the coward you are".
"Why don't you come out, and we'll settle this like adults".

     Maxwell kept trying to keep the rats off him, but they just kept coming. He finally reached into his pocket and pulled out his pistol, aiming it at them in attempt to frighten them off. "How you anger me", Stan continued. "Trying to endanger my friend's life?" Maxwell began to lose his patience with the rodents and began hitting one of them with his pistol, causing it to shriek. Stan heard the rat's cries and began to walk in the direction the sounds were coming from. Sure enough he was standing right in front of the very dumpster Maxwell was hiding behind, then he walked behind it and snuck up on his victim. "Typical hiding spot", Stan scoffed as he grabbed Maxwell by the vest and flung him across the ground.

     Scared out of his mind, Maxwell still had his pistol and began firing rounds as Stan came charging at him, sparks flew as the bullets bounced off the androids body. "How many times do we have to go through this?" Stan sighed. "You can't kill me, Graham". Stan knocked the pistol right out of Maxwell's hand, then grabbed him by the throat and slammed him up against the brick wall. "You could of gotten William killed", Stan snarled as he tightened his grip around his throat. "Do you honestly think I would let you get away with that?" Maxwell couldn't answer, and he struggled to breathe. "I should just kill you right here, right now", Stan continued. "But I'm far too angry to do that, so I think I'll just make you suffer". Maxwell continued to struggle, trying to free himself from the robot's grip. "I bet you regret opening your mouth now, huh Graham?"

     Suddenly Stan released his grip, and Maxwell fell to the ground, gasping for air. Stan cocked his head to the side as if amused and then he looked down at the man then proceeded to stomp on him. Soon enough Maxwell was bruised up and bloody, then Stan finally stopped. "I think you've had enough", Stan said. "Hopefully you learned your lesson this time". Maxwell didn't say a word, he just lay there in fetal position with agony in his eyes. "what a waste you are", Stan said as he kicked him once more and then headed back inside.

     When he returned to the booth, Justin noticed there was blood on Stan's hands and gave him a puzzled look. "Business?" Justin asked. Stan looked down at his hands.
Then Justin saw a battered Maxwell enter through the doors, and watched as he limped past them.
"Must of been some business", he said as he leaned up against the cushioning of his seat.
Not long after, William had finally shown up and without Brian. "Sorry I'm late", William apologized. "Looks like it's just going to be the three of us". -"where's Brian?" Justin asked.
"He doesn't want anything to do with us", William sighed as he looked over at Stan.
"You were right about him", he said. "He'll never change". -"Sorry to hear that", Stan replied.

     William also noticed Stan's bloodied hands. "What happened to you?" he asked.
"It's not mine", Stan told him. -"He got into a fight with Maxwell", Justin interrupted.
"Ah, a scrap", William nodded. "Judging by your hands, I'd say you were the victorious one, right?"
-"Yeah", Stan answered. "If you don't mind I'm going to go clean up this mess", Stan said as he got up and walked away. "It's about time, that asshole got what he deserved", William smiled. "Maybe that ass beating will keep him in line from now on". Justin agreed. "Yeah, one could only hope".

     
     Maxwell had limped all the way to Victoria's dressing room and collapsed on the floor.
She had been sitting on her stool when he entered and gasped when she saw how torn up he looked.
"What in the world happened to you?" Maxwell pulled himself up and climbed onto a chair and threw his head back against the padding. "That damned robot", Maxwell muttered. -"Oh, Stan got a hold of you then", she remarked. "That doesn't surprise me, not in the least". Maxwell winced in pain as he favored his right arm. "That son of a bitch dislocated my arm", he groaned. Victoria just shook her head and went back to her business. "You'd better not be getting any blood on that chair", she said in a stern voice. "Last thing I need to worry about is scrubbing out blood stains".

     Maxwell was infuriated by her attitude towards him. It seemed like she didn't care at all that he was in severe pain. "Well thank you so kindly for your sympathy", he snapped. "You could at least help me to the emergency room". -"No, I don't think I will do that", she said. "You deserve everything that happens to you, because you bring it all on yourself". "What!?" Maxwell exclaimed in frustration.
"Fine, leave me here to suffer, but just know that one day I'll be sure to get you back. When that day comes, you'll know, because you'll be begging for my help". -"Oh hush on up", she snapped. "That day won't come because I don't even need you anymore, I've got someone better to spend my time with".

     "What do you mean you don't need me?" He shouted with rage. Just then she walked up to him and looked him right in the eye. "Because you're fired", she said. "I have no use for a manager anymore, and once I buy this joint from Morane, I probably won't have a use for you then either".
Suddenly Maxwell started grinning and looked up at her. "He won't sell it to you now", he said.
-"And why not?" she asked. -"Because, he's not too happy about your new boyfriend", Maxwell answered. Victoria was speechless. "You told him?" she gasped. Maxwell nodded slightly. "He said that if you ever tell that man anything, he will kill him, and probably you too".

     "You bastard", Victoria scorned. "I hope you bleed to death", she cried out as she turned away from him then stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her.