I am not sure when I will be able to update this story again. School has started and I'll be taking a lot of AP classes meaning my writing may be taking a backseat for a while. I'm not sure when I'll be able to update again. I'll try to update this story as much as I can since it has been such a joy to write. Until next time.
Nervous. The only way to describe it. Nervous. Not fear. Fear was something more primal, more instinct than anything, more flight than fight. Fear dealt with self-preservation, long term consequences. This was different. Nervous.
“Come on dude,” Dane said adjusting his tie, “I practically feel you shaking in your shoes.”
“I can’t help it! I’ve never been to anything like this before!”
“Dude, you’re not meeting the president. You’re just going out with a girl. And it’s not even your crush or anything! Not that you’d ever have one but still. It’s just Spitfire. She’s not gonna judge you or not call you in the morning or something.”
“Easy for you to say! You’ve got your face buried in box all the time! Me? The only girls I’ve ever done anything social with are my sister and Gin.”
Dane walked out of the bathroom and into the living room.
“You didn’t even put the tie on correctly,” he sighed. He came up and adjusted it into its proper position.
“Dane what am I gonna do? You’re fucking Casanova. What if I do something wrong? I mean, I’ve never felt this nervous before.”
“Why are you nervous? You can walk through a room contaminated with small pox, VX gas, and Gamma Radiation. And you’re nervous about Prom?”
“Because none of those things can kill me. Women are the most destructive force known to man. They CAN kill me.”
“I highly doubt Spitfire would do anything like that.”
“Uh, did you see what she helped us do last week?”
***
One Week Earlier. Halloween.
Spitfire, Jett and Dane burst out of the Gymnasium. Various sounds of screaming mixed with laughter could be heard behind the doors.
Once they were safe enough away from the gym as not to be caught they deactivated the fields and reappeared.
They immediately burst out laughing and began rolling on the floor. Spitfire could barely control herself. The same went for the two androids.
Finally Dane managed to gain back some level of self-control.
“Oh my god!” He laughed, “I can’t believe we just did that!”
“That was the most fun I’ve ever had with my clothes on,” Spitfire giggled.
Jett and Dane looked at her before bursting out laughing again.
“I can’t believe that he said yes to that!” Jett laughed, “I mean, granted it was just cherry syrup but still!”
“Did you purposely place those balloons above the sorority sluts?” Dane asked.
“Maybe.”
“You devious little android,” Spitfire grinned.
There was a loud boom followed by more screaming. Serenity and Crystal came running out of the gym; red on one side and scorched black on the other. A trail of white smoke followed them and their costumes.
They ran past the three without noticing a thing.
Spitfire let out a giggle. Dane and Jett both turned to her.
“What did you do?”
She stood up with a devious grin on her face.
“Nothing,” she said playfully.
Dane and Jett exchanged worried glances.
***
Present Day.
“You know we never did figure out what she did,” Dane said.
“I know.”
“There, now you look like a human being again.”
“You know the suit won’t hide this?” I said holding up my arm.
“You really think she cares about that? I mean you are sharing a room so I don’t know how much of you she’s seen-”
“Shut up Dane.”
“Fine. You ready to go?”
“Yeah I guess.”
***
Spitfire was nervous. Extremely nervous. Borderline terrified. This was her first date since she had finished school. While nothing serious had happened, the familiar jitters and butterflies began to appear. But this was a different kind of date.
“Girl you need to relax,” Adriana laughed.
“Relax? My secret crush is taking me to my first Prom ever! And on top of that I don’t think he has a clue in hell that I like him! No need to worry at all.”
“Well at least you look good.”
“You really think so? Do you think he’ll notice? I mean, he hasn’t really taken notice in anyone of either gender so I have no idea what he likes.”
“Well you do look rather dashing. I mean he’d be clueless not to notice. And if he is I’ll smack him and make him notice. After how long it took us to tame that mane you call hair he’s going to notice you whether he wants to or not.”
“O-okay.”
“And don’t even get me started on how hard it was to find a dress that matched your… unique colors. And that’s all natural?”
“That’s what my mother tells me,” Spitfire gave a sheepish grin.
“Well in this day and age I should expect everything,” Adriana laughed.
There was a knock on the door.
“Well, that’s them.”
***
“Dude, Calm down.”
“Calm down? Sorry for being nervous but this is my first time with a girl ever!”
“It’s only Spitfire. She’s like one of your best friends now. She’s not gonna judge you.”
“Again, easy for you to say. You’re a player. You’ve had at least 9 different girlfriends. Me? Sorry but I’m more comfortable with neutron radiation.”
“Please. That’s only because radiation doesn’t do anything to us. You’ve got to learn to be social. Be human. You may even learn a thing or two from them.”
“What could I possibly learn from them? The entire collective knowledge of humanity is at my fingertips at any time I want. There’s nothing I can learn from them. I can learn faster, survive conditions that are fatal to them. Synthetic organisms are superior.”
“Are we really?”
Hmm. I think so. At least I believe so. I don’t feel fear, I don’t feel envy. I’m the best part of them. Unlimited control of my mind and body.
“What do you mean by that?” I asked.
“Have you ever considered that you’re missing something?”
Missing something? What could I be missing? I can function perfectly, survive indefinitely, I’m more durable than them. What am I missing? Dane certainly doesn’t look to be missing anything. If anything he has a little bit extra. So what does he have that I don’t?
“Well here we are,” Dane said. We were on Dorm Level C standing before Adriana’s dorm. Dane knocked.
I gulped, “Maybe I shouldn’t be here. You can pick them up and I’ll… meetupwithyoulaterokaybye!”
I turned to run. Unfortunately Dane could be as fast as me when he wanted and grabbed my coat.
“Oh no you don’t! You’re staying here and picking up your date. I swear if you pussy out of this… so help you god.”
“So help me?! If you don’t let me go you’ll have an arm to match mine!”
“Stop being a baby!”
“Let me go!”
The door opened. Adriana was standing in the doorway with a bewildered look on her face.
“Uh, what’s going on here?”
Dane and I looked up and quickly separated.
“This guy’s having cold feet,” Dane said.
“Well you aren’t making it easy!” I responded.
Adriana was wearing a nice pink dress. It was multilayered and had a low backing. It went down to just above her ankles.
“Well I guarantee that you won’t be having cold feet when you get a look at your date,” She said with a sly grin.
“You look nice,” Dane complimented, “If Spitfire looks anything like this he should notice her.”
“Well see for yourself.”
I yawned. Adriana opened the door wider.
“Whoa.”
Spitfire was standing in the center of the dorm, looking a bit bashful. She was looking away and holding her arm. Her dress was something amazing. It was two layers with a high back that went down just below her knees. The upper part was blue, similar to her Wonderbolts uniform. The lower layer was blue as well but the farther down it went it began to look more and more flame like in appearance and color. Her shoulders were exposed revealing her flaming phoenix ‘tattoos’. She looked amazing. And that was just the dress. Her hair was down and hanging in front of her face. There was a slight part allowing her to see. A few stray locks of her orange hair hung separate from the rest. On her ears were lightning bolt earrings.
She wore a shy blush on her face.
“She cleans up quite nicely,” Adriana said with pride, “And the cool part is she’s not wearing any makeup.”
“I… uh… whoa,” I stuttered.
“Well I think he’s enjoying the eye candy,” Dane laughed only to be smacked across the head by Adriana.
Spitfire stepped forward, “H-how do I look?”
“I…I… Wow. You look amazing.”
“Yeah he’s drooling over you girl,” Dane laughed.
“Am not! I’m just admiring her form is all.”
“Yeah, sure.”
“Oh go fuck yourself asshole.”
“Well you all ready to go?” Adriana said.
“Ready when you are,” Dane smiled.
“I’m good I guess,” I sighed.
“Me too.” Spitfire said.
We all got walking towards the elevators.
The ride up was awkward. Dane and Adriana were holding each other. Spitfire and I sat awkwardly. I tried not to stare at her but it was kinda difficult. She looked beautiful. Absolutely amazing. That and she looked cute.
Wait what? Did that thought just cross my mind?
Well even for an asexual you have to admit she does look pretty cute.
I guess.
You guess?! Look at her dude! She even has a cute blush on her face!
Okay fine!
That’s right. I win.
***
Spitfire stood in the elevator next to Jett. She looked up and down her friend. True he wasn’t the strongest guy she’d seen but he was still something to look at. His hair actually styled and done up. The tux complimented him perfectly. He stood calmly with his arms behind his back. He still had the shy look on his face along with a slight blush along her face.
She blushed herself at the thought of him noticing her checking him up and down. She even allowed herself to fall into the fantasy that he was checking her out. That was a nice thought to her.
Maybe tonight they could get closer. Maybe even dance.
Her heart fluttered at that thought.
***
Well we arrived in the hanger bay. It was the largest of the school’s hangers and had enough room to accommodate everyone who would be attending. The whole place was decorated. Banners and streamers were all over. There was a stage near the hanger doors for performers and the DJ.
All around were refreshment and buffet tables. There were tables arranged for the party goers to sit and relax before returning to the dance floor. There was a band playing on the stage.
“Well here we are,” Dane said proudly before turning to Adriana, “Come here pretty lady!”
He scooped her up in his arms before running into the crowd of partying students.
“Well that was unexpected,” Spitfire laughed.
“That’s Dane. And pretty much every other teenager here,” I said nodding towards a couple making out at one of the tables, “16 years old and their hormones are raging.”
“What about you?”
“I don’t have hormones. Though I do have software that simulates it perfectly but I choose to leave it off.”
“Well that’s no fun.”
“It certainly beats the alternative.”
“What’s the alternative?”
“Leaving them on.”
“Well what’s so bad about that?”
“I turned them on once. And Dane hijacked them and cranked them up. Needless to say an android in heat is not a pretty thing.”
Spitfire stared at me before her lip quivered as she exploded into a fit of laughter. I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help but smile at her antics.
“Alright,” I said, “I think you’ve had enough fun for now. Let’s go get something to drink.”
“Yeah,” she giggled.
I walked over to the table with Spitfire at my arm. Hmm. Why was she holding onto me? I mean, it’s not like we’re dating. Hell that won’t even happen at all with my views and her background. Well it is Prom. I guess it’s understandable.
We reached the table. I grabbed two cups and began filling them with punch. Spitfire got distracted by one of her friends and went off to talk to her.
“Well well well,” A voice said, “This is certainly a slap in the face. I mean, if I never would have thought that a freak like you would have the balls to ask a girl like her out.”
Someone is going to die tonight.
I turned. Ryan was standing there, smug as can be. Though he looked more like a simmering wild fire than a guy who was certain he’d just won something. Between looking smug and pissed I’d have to go with smugly pissed. He was hiding something.
He was standing relatively normal. Though he had a cane so he probably walked with a limp. His friends didn’t look much better. Danny and Chris were in head gaskets. Their girlfriends were standing next to them giving me glares.
“Leave me alone Ryan. I’m just enjoy the evening and you are making it extremely difficult.”
“Well it’s pretty easy to see how you operate now. If someone is trying to get something you want you just beat them up over it,” Danny said.
“Well last time I checked I wasn’t the one who put you assholes in the hospital. Something about a Mist lab in one of the hanger bays. And if I recall correctly you punched first. Self-defense at its finest.”
“You have no right to claim self-defense!” Ryan hissed, “Do you know how long I was in the hospital for?”
“Personally I don’t care. When it’s 16 on 1 I’m pretty sure I could have killed you and no one would have thought otherwise.”
“Wow you must feel really good about yourself. A cyborg freak like you can beat up people when he’s not even a normal human being!”
“Well picking a fight with a machine is a pretty stupid idea, but you never were the smart one were you?”
“Why don’t you fight without your enhancements?!”
“Why don’t you play football without steroids?”
Silence. This fucker was a super asshole. This wasn’t a fight. This wasn’t even an argument. This was him attempting to get back at me for knocking him down a few levels. This was him attempting to rectify what had happened. He was always the predator, the top dog, the alpha male. The thought of his prey not only fighting back but winning was something he hadn’t even conceived of.
But there was something in his eye. What was it? Being an android makes pinning these things difficult.
Spitfire returned, “Hey you have the drinks.”
“Yup,” I said handing her one.
She turned and looked at Ryan and his goons who immediately attempted to look feeble. She gave them disgusted looks before looking back at me.
“Let’s go,” she said, “The band is coming back on and I want to listen.”
“You go on ahead, I’ll catch up.”
“Alright,” she said eyeing the three crippled players before leaving.
“Stay away from us or broken bones will be the least of your problems.”
“Look at this guy,” Ryan said laughing, “Just cause he asked the new girl out he thinks he’s all that.”
“You know there’s a difference between you and me,” I said turning, “I don’t think I’m all that. And I didn’t ask her out. She asked me.”
I grabbed my punch cup and left.
***
Ryan watched the android leave. Something was wrong with him. No one gets hit in the head with a bat like that and walks away from it. No. He’s not a human.
He turned towards the door, “Come on guys.”
“Where are we going?” Danny asked.
“To set something up.”
“What are we doing?” Chris asked.
“You were all there,” Ryan hissed, “That kid isn’t right. We’re gonna take care of him.”
He reached into his pocket. The familiar weight and feel of the handle was comforting. Tonight he would show them what that shrimp really was. He’d be the hero again. And that… thing… would be gone. It wasn’t human whatever it was. And Ryan was going to have his proof.
She would see. She would come over to him once she saw what he really was, whatever he was. She would see. And she would love him for it.
***
Well the band was back on. They were retuning their instruments while they were getting ready to play. It was a school band. Fuzz Radio was their name. They were getting warmed up.
Jett found Spitfire at a table. She was staring into her cup with a worried expression.
She looked up when Jett arrived, “What did he want?”
“Meh, he was just doing some trash talking about how I pounded him. He also apparently thinks I’m not human considering I took a baseball bat to the head but hey, what proof does he have?”
“Yeah I guess,” she said sadly returning to staring at her cup.
“Hey,” he said, “Come on. You did invite me to this thing. Don’t be such a Debbie downer.”
Spitfire giggled, “Yeah I guess you’re right. I did ask you to come here didn’t I?”
“Yes you did,” he rolled his eyes with a smirk.
She stood up with a renewed happiness, “Come on. The band should start playing soon. I wonder what song they’ll play.”
“Well it wouldn’t be anything you would know so it should be interesting for you.”
We stepped into the large crowd of people. Everyone was gathering around in front of the stage. The lead singer stepped up. She was wearing a red skirt that went down to her knees. Not very high but for what she would be doing she probably didn’t want it to be. There were two other unassuming guys in the background, one on the bass the other on the drums. The girl herself was playing the guitar.
She stepped up the mic, “Alright everyone, this is our last song of the night before we hand it off to Dj Amp. This one is for all the couples out there.”
A few people got a little bit closer as the song began. Spitfire looked over at the android standing next to her as he sipped his drink. He didn’t pay attention to her.
Dane ran up as the first few verses of the Song began, “Uh, hey guys, um if you see Adriana tell her that… I’m dead. Okay bye.”
“What?” Jett asked.
“I have no idea,” Spitfire shrugged.
Adriana soon ran up, “Where did he go?!” Her anger sounded forced as she attempted to suppress a laugh.
“He went that way,” Jett said pointing.
“Thank you,” she said and ran off… with pie crusts and whipped cream on her butt. Spitfire put a hand to her mouth.
“You know what,” Jett said, “I don’t want to know.”
♫ I’m an angel with a shotgun
Fighting till the war’s won
I don’t care if heaven won’t take me back… ♫
Spitfire looked up at the android. He seemed preoccupied with something. Slowly she slipped her hand into his. It was a soft touch, unnoticeable to him. Slowly she tightened her fingers around his as she returned her attention to the band.
♫ Don’t you know you’re everything I have? ♫
“Oh no,” Jett said. He turned to Spitfire, “Sorry but I have to go stop Adriana from killing Dane. I’ll be right back.”
He turned and ran into the sea of people yelling, “Adriana! Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!”
Spitfire let out a sigh.
“Why can’t you just see?” she whispered.
She looked over at Jett who was separating Adriana from Dane. All three of them were laughing. Even Dane who was now wearing a slice of cake on his head.
♫They say: “Before you start a war,
You better know what you’re fighting for.” ♫
She sighed and let the rest of the song play out.
***
Ryan watched as Spitfire left the dance floor with a heartbroken look on her face. He glared over at Jett who was laughing with Dane and Adriana who were both wearing a large amount of deserts and pastries.
He reached into his pocket and felt the handle. He was lucky that the school’s scanners didn’t scan for this. He reached into his other pocket and felt a small rectangular object. The cool metallic feel was comforting.
He would pay for what he did to him. That freak would pay. Everyone would see what he was and what he did. All he needed to do was wait. When he did do what he needed to do everyone would see. The evidence would be irrefutable.
They would see. But more importantly she would see.
***
I forgot something…
What did I?
Whoa, where am I?
Everything is so bright.
What happened?
“No please! You have to let me come!”
“Ma’am please! He needs to get to the hospital immediately before he suffers permanent death!”
“Please!”
“Jackson just let her on the fucking ship!”
There’s a bump. Whoa, why’s the ceiling so white? Where am I?
“Fine. Get in here.”
There’s a face. I can’t see…
Orange. Who is that? I… I can’t remember. Who is she?
She! It’s a she! She’s pretty. Who is she? What’s going on?
“Is everyone in their crash couches?!”
“Yes now punch it!”
Nnnngh! Ugh, whoa. What the hell was that?
“Please. Please don’t go. Please.”
Who is that? Is it that girl? Who is she? She sounds sad. I wish I could comfort her. Wait. Why can’t I? Oh, that’s why. I can’t move.
Why can’t I move?
“Seven Alpha C what is your current situation?”
“Resuscitation teams managed to stabilize him but it’s not looking good. It’s a miracle he didn’t die.”
Whoa. Everything is glowing. Whoa… Nnnnngh. Why can’t I breathe?! Air!
“Sir we have a code 9. Have teams waiting! We’re gonna be coming in a bit hot!”
BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEPBEEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEPBEEP.
What’s that noise?! It’s so loud! Someone shut it off!
Oh god my head!
“Aaaaaahhhhhhh!”
Who’s yelling?! Make them stop! God it hurts!
***
“Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.”
“Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.”
“It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not.”
“To laugh often and love much; to win the respect of intelligent persons and the affection of children; to earn the approbation of honest citizens and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to give of one’s self; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sung with exultation; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived—this is to have succeeded.”
“I think they are a better race than humans ever were.”
“In order to die, one must first be alive. Quod erat demonstrandum. Oh, yes, and also: I think, therefore I am.”
***
Unspecified point in time.
“You are a machine.”
“I am a machine.”
“You are not human.”
“I am not human.”
“You will never be happy. You will never be sad. You will never be angry nor will you be joyful. You will never hate. You will never love nor will you be loved. You will never feel anything.”
“I will never be happy. I will never be sad. I will never be angry nor will I be joyful. I will never hate. I will never love nor will I be loved. I will never feel anything.”
“Remember everything I just said.”
“Command acknowledged. Committing. Done.”
“Now… Your job is to prove me wrong…”