Post by Carter Bane on Aug 30, 2020 11:02:32 GMT -8
All the searching and all the clues had led Carter right back to West City. It was the only thing that made sense,but he needed to hurry. Carter wanted answers but not as badly as before, he was honestly just hoping to be able to see his dad again. He remembered the image that had flooded his memory, it was an alley with graffiti of a blue car with a purple flame. He knew his father wouldn't be just anywhere.
(" I can sense his general direction from here, it seems he's in a more dangerous part of town")
" How dangerous?"
(" Mostly thugs and people who want to make a quick buck by any means necessary.We had better hurry")
Carter's search hadn't lasted long, he found the alley and upon going up to the graffiti of the car, he sensed a button and Stella said there was a building underneath. Though he wasn't sure if his dad would be here but Stella said he was.
" Time to finally get some answers "
(" Definetly ")
He placed his hand against the wall and the wall suddenly parted and revealed a stairway. Carter stepped in and suddenly he was falling. Carter landed on his feet and looked around. It was a lab but it was covered in weaponry and tiny orbs the size of marbles floated about carrying bits and pieces of metal and other wiring. Carter watched as they brought them over to a machine that seemed to just take in the materials and then there was a loud churning sound and then the machine stopped. A man with dark hair wearing a lab coat bent over it and seemed to look it over.
" Dad!"
The man turned but not fast enough as Carter tackled him to the ground. Professor Bane hugged his son and tried to stand up. Carter stood and helped his father up.
" You have alot of explaining to do "
The drones seemed to be very diligent as they made a chairs out of the scraps and both Carter and his father sat.Then Professor Bane began his tale.
" We might not have time for the full story but I will divulge as much as I can. I'm sure you've learned quite a lot about what you are by now so I will say this: Your mother didn't die giving birth to you."
Carter just sat there should have felt hurt but he was more just confused.
" Are you saying my mom is alive ?"
Professor Bane looked at Carter, nothing in his eyes said that were true. His eyes held sadness, longing....loss.
" She died before you were born "
" That's not possible "
" We were driving to visit a friend of mine, a namekian who dealt in stolen alien tech , he had offered me some tuffle tech and your mom and I were going to collect it."
Carter didn't like where this story was going and the tingling in the back of his mind told him that Stella didn't like it much either.
" What happened ?"
" Well we collected it but the deal went south a group of people attacked us. We tried to escape and ended up crashing. My colleague and I decided to use the alien tech to save you."
"Why didn't you save mom?"
Professor Bane looked Carter dead in the eyes.
" With her last breath she told me : Save our son. Who am I to withhold my wife's dying wish?"
" So you used the alien tech to save me... what about Stella?"
" Excuse me?"
" I mean when did you make Accel?"
He could feel Stella was slightly upset about having to still be referred to in that way but he was more focused on what his father had to say.
" Remember my first ever invention?"
" Yeah the thinking cap "
" Well it had a second function to study the wearer and gain a personality and possibly emotions"
" Well Dad ....it worked Stella has emotions alright and she would rather you stop stooping to calling her Accel anymore."
"Oh....I see"
A hologram of Stella appeared this time in full colour instead of her usual form of code she appeared with long white hair and blue eyes wearing a dress that was dark blue with little white streaks running parallel in a diagonal pattern. The streaks stopped at the waist and were replaced by numbers each in a different color but following the same diagonal pattern. Professor Bane stared and a tear rolled down his cheek.
"D-Did you choose this form on your own?"
(" Yeah why?")
Professor Bane reached into his lab coat and pulled out a picture.
"This is a picture of Carla, Carter's mother."
The woman in the photo had white hair and she had flowers in her hair.
Carter looked from the photo and then to Stella. Stella looked like a younger version of Carla.
" I believe that since I used Carla's thinking cap to create your AI you have taken her image and personality. Your like the daughter she never had."
(" Wh- Well....um....thank you")
Professor Bane rose from his chair and the drones disassembled it. Carter just stared...this was like a very refined way of recycling. Professor Bane waved his hand at a wall and a door opened. He stepped in and later returned with a hat.
" Is that what I think it is ?"
"Yes this was your mom's thinking cap."
" What are we going to do with it?"
" I'm sorry to ask this but can you come back in a week"
Carter laughed...he realized it had been a while since he had laughed.
" I finally find you and you tell me to leave"
" The longer you stay here the more at risk we will both be. When you return I will have a gift for you both"
Carter got up and turned to leave, he knew his dad was right. He still didn't know enough about the people hunting him and his father so it would be better if they split up.
Where would he spend the night this time? He found rooftops to be the most comforting as he could stare at the stars as he drifted to sleep but that was often interrupted if there was rain. But he figured he could find another abandoned building to sleep in.
After doing a few missions and a bit more simulation training Carter went back to his father's underground lab. When he got down there Professor Bane was waiting in a chair. He looked at his watch.
" Damn I was off by five seconds"
"Uhh Dad..."
" OK I want to show you something it took me a while but I will also need something from you to make this work."
" Make what work?"
Professor Bane started wheeling out a white haired girl with a very specific cap on. It looked just like the image Stella had made for herself.
(" Is this....for me?")
" I think it is"
Professor Bane looked at Carter.
"Well....does she like it?"
"Uhh...I think so"
Professor Bane's shoulders sagged a bit but then perked right back up.
"All I need from you is to extract your core for a few seconds."
Carter's eye glowed red and he started to step forward but he held himself back. This wasn't his first time fighting against the system but he wouldn't allow it to hurt his dad.
"If you're going to do it then hurry "
The drones made a table behind Carter and he laid down his back pressed up against it. Everything went dark and when he opened his eyes.....he felt the same. He locked eyes with Stella. He blinked twice and smiled. There Stella stood looking at him worriedly.
" Is he OK?"
Carter got up and ran up to Stella and hugged her. He felt as she flinched at the hug. Professor Bane laughed and said.
" Your sister has been filling me in on your adventures"
" My what?!!"
Stella chuckled.
" He has it in his head that since he made both of us then we're siblings...we had a whole debate about it yesterday."
" Yesterday? How long was I out for?
" A couple (insert necessary time)"
" I have to call Jade"
" Calm down she already knows what's up"
"Wh- How?"
" I called her...it was a very interesting call to make.. Hi I'm the voice in Carter's head and since I have a body now I decided to call you and let you know that Carter might be out of commission for a while so don't worry"
" Please tell me you didn't say it like that."
Stella simply shrugged.
" Now if you'll excuse me I'm gonna go back to training....having a body is weird....but thanks anyway....bro"
Carter saw her put the thinking cap on and head up the stairs.
" I'm confused "
Professor Bane laughed.
" As you would be...she's been working at the cafe across the street in order to get used to maneuvering in a body of her own. Its a slow process but soon she'll be able to go explore much like you did."
"I'm hoping she does better"
(" Same here")
"Wh- What?!"
(" We're still linked bozo ")
"I'm kinda happy about that "
He wasn't sure if he was ready to completely cut Stella off so suddenly. He saw a blue glowing line.
" A link?"
He grabbed hold and fell backwards. This was Stella's Memory. Maybe he could use this...
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Stella opened her eyes. Such a thing was new to her she knew what was happening but as she stepped forward she stumbled. Professor Bane held out his hand to her. She reached for his hand and when he helped her to a mirror she couldn't help but smile. " Not bad Professor" she said afraid to step forward as to not risk falling again.
" It will take a few (insert necessary time here) for you to get used to the body but how about we start with some basic walking." She felt insulted but she knew he was right. She looked over at Carter laying there and at that moment Professor Bane stepped forward. " You don't have to be so worried your brother is fine." She knew what he was trying to do.. In technical terms they were family which would make this man her...father. " I'm don't care much for the idea. I don't think I'll be calling you dad anytime soon." She could see the smile on his face as he said. " Not yet but you will....now try taking a few steps forward." She did so and was finding it fairly easy. A smug expression was on her face as she turned to Professor Bane. Being able to adapt quickly was one of the many skills she had gained on her adventures with Carter. A look of shock replaced it as she saw Professor Bane holding a gun to her face. " What are you doing? This doesn't make any sense?" She must have looked especially frightened because Professor Bane started laughing.
He handed her the gun and pointed her towards a room. " Go test it out " She walked away not confused but merely curious. As she entered she knew what it was. "Was this because I integrated with the thinking cap" She knew that this was a simulation room. How had he managed to make one out of mere scraps. Those recycle bots were a lot more than just drones. "Recycle bots huh? Its not unfamiliar I guess technology will be more my thing."
The room glowed and a projection of the beast Carter had fought was in front of her. She smirked, this would be easy. As it lunged towards her she tried to get under it but wasn't fast enough and the hologram fell on top of her. Professor Bane shouted from the doorway. " Remember you're your own person now. With your own strengths." She got his message loud and clear, surely there was something that would suit her even the way she was now. "Self analysis she thought to herself" She studied her structure, all the programs and even the slightest bugs however she found none. Professor Bane truly was more than just a pill pusher...she laughed at her own joke as she stood. This body was full of surprises time to test them out. As the hologram jumped towards her again she held her hand out and and tendrils of energy shot out and wrapped the creature. She threw it into the wall and the hologram dispersed. She turned to Professor Bane who was clapping heartily. " Since you don't get tired I'll leave you to it...but when your done come find me." Stella didn't know if it was the adrenaline or that she found herself saying. " Thanks Dad" Professor Bane beamed and walked away with a huge smile on his face. A few seconds later she heard him by linking herself to one of the recycle bots she watched him and listened. " Stella seems to at least like her new body and though she may be clumsy for a few days I think it's nice. I have another kid and I was almost out of movies watching these kids and their adventures is gonna be a lot more fun. Though I'm not sure Stella will agree with the training that comes next." He sighed and leaned back in his chair with his eyes closed. It took a while for Stella to realize that he had fallen asleep. She walked out of the simulation room watching her feet as she walked...she wasn't going to embarrass herself any further. She reached the secret wall and placed her hand against it. The wall opened up. Technology would heed her command as long as she could focus. She took the elevator up and stepped out into alley. The sunlight was warm against her skin. She walked out into the street and began to feel overwhelmed. Every person that brushed against her just felt...uncomfortable. She stepped back into the alley to collect her thoughts. " I'm not use to feelings on a physical level huh... I suppose that was the training Pops mentioned earlier. Pops? I kinda prefer it.."
She went back down into the lab. Professor Bane was waiting for her. " I wanted you to realize it for yourself, you need to become more comfortable in your own sk- body" She looked down at her feet, she didn't like that he was right but what he said next she definitely didn't like. " In order to fix this problem, your next bit of training.....you will work at the maid cafe"
She slowly raised her head as the recycle bots gathered behind her. "What did you just say?"
Stella was not going to back down. No way in hell would she ever do something like that even if it was for a good reason.
"Its still a no Pops" She was sitting on a chair as Professor Bane was trying to point out the many benefits she could get at working at the maid cafe." But its a good job and you have to start somewhere, it will give you chances to interact with people and it will have you on your feet so you get some training there too. Did I mention its nearby and I'm kinda low on funds..." She didn't know why she felt so connected to this man, maybe because she had Carter's memories and knew that he was in fact just a scientist who works too hard. " OK listen Pops I didn't want to have to pull this card but you don't own me. I'm my own person now and this person will not pretend to be someone she is not."
Professor Bane sighed. " It was the fastest way I could find besides I know you don't want to leave until Carter is up. You want to be here when he wakes up right?" Stella looked over at where Carter was. She was his companion, his partner, his counselor and his wingman. Adding sister to that list would make the others make sense but she would need him to wake up first. Guilt filled her as she looked at him. She was the reason he was out of commission, she wasn't going to just leave their father by himself....it wouldn't be right. " I'll go tomorrow" She walked over to the simulation room, when Carter woke up she would show him that she could protect his...no...their father. She left the lab again this time more reluctant than last time. She crossed the street and stared at the sign, she held a smile on her face but inside she was disgusted. The large sign read ' Maids and Munchies' and had large cupcakes on both sides. She walked in and was instantly greeted by a girl who was about 16 and wore a pink and white maid outfit. " Welcome Ma'am to Maids and Munchies if you would please follow me."
Her smile never left her face as she led her over to a table and handed her a menu. " Actually I'm here for a job." The girl froze. " I see....then please follow me to the back room" Stella could feel something was off but she followed her anyway. As soon as she stepped in the girl sighed and the smile faded. " You shouldn't have a problem finding it if your literate, if your not then you can just leave." The girl left right after saying that. Stella smiled she was starting to like this place. She headed for the door that said ' Manager Munchies'. A purple haired plump woman sat around a desk. On the desk were an assortment of pastries. " Hi I'm Stella I'm here for a job"
The woman kept smiling and looked down to the pastries. She waved her hand towards it
Was this a test? She stared at them for a while...she couldn't eat them so how would she do this? She reached towards the cupcake and then the lady slapped her hand. " Now let's begin" Stella wasn't sure about this place anymore...
" Can you tell me why you are here?"
" I'm here for a job"
" Yes I know that but why are you 'here'"
" ...My dad sent me"
" So your family needs money?"
Stella's mind wandered to the very clean scrapyard of a lab and nodded.
" What about you?"
" Excuse me"
" I still need to hear you tell me why you are here"
Stella thought up a half truth that would fly in an interview.
" Training....my dad said I lack people skills and he decided I should get a job here"
" Close enough"
" ...Are there any other questions?"
" What's your favorite color"
" Umm...Blue"
" Least favorite "
" Red "
" Do you have any experience?"
" No"
She smiled and pointed at the door. Her eyes and face betrayed nothing. Stella stood up and headed for the door. That didn't work apparently.
" You didn't actually want to work here did you?"
" No"
" You're hired"
Stella stood there with her hand on the doorknob. What just happened?
" Why would you hire me?"
" I think there's more to your story and there is already a position open that I don't have the time to do interviews for so...see you at 6 tomorrow."
Stella left confused but she didn't head straight across to the alley, too many people were watching so, she went into one of the nearby apartments and went into the elevator. She reached out into the network and saw through the security cameras that there was no one following her. When she decided it was safe she headed to the alley and placed her against the wall. Down in the lab Professor Bane sat with his back turned and said " Did you get the job?" Stella stepped forward " Yeah I did b-" " That's great!" His chair spun around and he held in his hand a banner that said ' Congratulations'. Stella found herself smiling at his antics, she looked around and she realized that the whole time they had been searching for him, he had been here, alone,scared and worried. She hugged him. " Your the best Dad a girl could ask for." Stella walked away but through the repair bots she could see the smile on his face as he went back to working on something. She entered the simulation room once more, a bit of her curiousity wondered what the simulation room would throw at her this time. As she stepped in she was made aware of the simulation beginning by a large green beam going by which she barely managed to duck under. " Nase huh... so this is what its like on this side of a simulation huh...except the space is smaller and I'm not Carter. A purple ball shot from her hand and hit the hologram which interrupted its beam. " I got a hit in now I just need to-". The Nase hologram kicked her across the face and since she was linked to the system she felt it even though she had taken no damage. Needless to say the simulation didn't last long and she left the room knowing that she definitely needed to start a serious training route she looked over at one of the repair bots. She had named this one B0B for no apparent reason but he stood out...her eyes could see the dent on his little marble sized body and she noted he usually started at the back of the swarm but was always the first to arrive when things needed to get. She sighed and went to where Carter was. " Even though you weren't a socialite a lot of people liked you, I wanna be like you one day....bro"
She sat there until morning the next day. Professor Bane approached her " Don't you have work soon?" Stella nodded " I still have an hour left before they open and like you said its just across the street" But she stood up nonetheless and headed towards the elevator. " Wait...I have some stuff for you" She turned to him...he had done so much for her, what was he giving her now? Professor Bane clapped and the swarm of repair bots flew over carrying a dark blue dress. Stella found herself smiling, it was the dress she had chosen when she had decided on her form. " Why do you keep giving me gifts?" She took the dress and hugged it, it felt so soft, he had copied it exactly. " Hey, I'm the one who is 17 years behind on the gift giving." As he said this he yawned in his chair and kept slowly nodding off. He look tired, getting this done must have taken him all night. She focused and had the repair bots make a small bed out of some metal parts. She folded the dress and put it in the makeshift bed so he could rest his head on it. She picked him up and placed him on the bed. She went over to the elevator and before entering looked over at Carter and his dad, she would make it up to them.
She went to work with a smile on her face but as she entered the area seemed tense. There was something in the air but she couldn't put her finger on it. She went to the back room and saw the girl she had 'met' earlier. The girl looked up and you could see mischief in her eyes. " So new girl, let me be the first to say ' Welcome to the group'. I'm sure everyone is going to have a ton of questions for you" She reached into what looked like an empty box and pulled out a red and white maid outfit.
Stella frowned " I told her I didn't like red " The girl laughed and said " That's her style, you have to wear the style you hate the most and if you do good work then you get a chance to wear your favorite color. Its supposed to be motivating or something" Stella looked at the girl's link uniform. " Let me guess, you're not a fan of pink" The girl looked down at her uniform in disgust. " I told her I wouldn't be caught dead in pink and you know what she said...Work hard and you won't. I didn't even come here for work, I came here for lessons." Stella felt that the girl was leaving something out. " What kind of lessons?" The girl looked at her like how a wolf would look at their newborn pup. " Obviously ma-......math, I wasn't the best at math." Stella was about to question her on why she was lying when 3 other girls entered. The red haired girl looked at Stella. " Oh...my....god, a new girl...interesting. Hey, what's your deal?" The girl who was speaking to Stella earlier stepped forward. " Carly, I don't think she knows what her deal is.." The redhead looked confused " That's odd, but hey not everyone understands it anyway. Isn't that right Rina?" She looked over at the girl. The girl was obviously insulted but she just sat down. Another person came over to the Stella " Hi I'm Mel and I'm" " a guy" Stella said matter of factly. Mel chuckled but everyone else had looked at her stunned when she said. " I was gonna say I'm glad to make your aquaintance " Mel said unphased he didn't look like a guy but Stella could tell her was. She found it amusing that someone would go this far for a job. A soft clapping was heard in the distance as Ms. Munchies stepped out. Stella was surprised, she hadn't been there before she would have sensed her. "Stella I have a question for you" She stood tall wearing a dark dress that was way too small for her. "What?" Stella asked the air was still tense. " Do you believe in magic?"
Stella answered quickly and matter of factly " No. Magic is just another form of belief that helps the imagination run wild." Ms. Munchies laughed and then her body glowed and when the light stopped shining a slim beautiful woman was in Ms. Munchies position. This made no sense to Stella at all. The aura belonged to Ms. Munchies but the lady before her couldn't possibly be.... "Ms. Munchies?" "You got that right" Ms Munchies said giving her a wink. The other girls and Mel just looked like they had seen it before. "I'm confused" Stella said, her mind was always about making sense of things but based on what all said about magic is was random to the point that it was incomprehensible. " Only those with magic or magic potential ever make it past the interview?"
" Why?"
" Well a few things actually, the door was hidden with magic, you saw the glamor that made the sweets seem like trash and my charm spell didn't affect you"
" What if that person had a bionic enhancement?"
Ms. Munchies gave her a look.
" Even so , technology can't help one see through magic that easily. I don't care what part of you got lost, but I am interested in recruiting some more magicians"
Stella looked over to the other girls (and Mel). Were they all magicians? The girl who hadn't spoken stepped forward. She held out her hand and a magic circle of some kind appeared under her.
"What are you doing?"
The girl stood there silent. Rina looked over.
"You can't hear her?"
"No, she hasn't said anything"
Ms. Munchies smiled. "You are special indeed, telepathy won't work with you which means you are probably immune to magic that would target your mind. Usually that means you wouldn't be able to use it yourself but how about you give it a try."
" Give what a try ?"
" Magic, just open your mind and reach into your soul "
Stella felt out of place. How could she, an android, have magic? Even in theory magic requires someone alive, did it not? She closed her eyes and focused. What was she supposed to focus on? Then she heard Rina say. " Is that your brother or something? Is he sick?" She opened her eyes and looked behind her. And oval space had appeared and through it she could see Carter on the bed and the many machines keeping track of his vitals. She willed it to go away but then a swarm of the repair bots flew in. This wasn't just scrying, it was a portal! "No! Go back, I'm trying to close the portal!" They all stopped and turned back.
" What were those?"
Stella examined her surroundings. She was surrounded by four individuals that could use magic, lying didn't seem like a good idea and escape would be suspicious.
" Robots......my dad built them"
Mel's eyes lit up. " Robots! You mentioned bionic enhancements earlier...is that why they listened to you? What about your brother? Does he make robots too? What illness does he have.?" Rina clamped her hand over Mel's mouth. " Maybe if you allow her to get a word out she'll be able to answer you."
" I'm not allowed to talk about it."
Ms Munchies smiled. " You're being hunted aren't you?"
" Well.....not me but my family is in a bit of a pickle."
" I think you're going to like working here"
As she said this the first customer came in and they all went to work. Everyone acted normal while working and Stella often found herself wondering if they were the same girls she just met. What they were like and how they acted were completely different. She found herself almost laughing as one of the customers tried to make a pass at Mel. But what worried her was when the thugs came in but as if by......magic, they all acted pretty civil and paid and left. She finished her first day without having to do much, she had only done restocking today in order to get used to the place. When she got back home she decided to call Jade and inform her that Carter would be bedridden for a while but how would she explain the circumstances?
She could say she's Carter's sister which would once again be partly true or she could give her the whole story. In the end she decided the story she would tell be that of Carter's twin sister who has a psychic connection with him and thus she knew all about Carter's adventures. She stuck with that story because in truth, though they had found their father, they were still being hunted and if the enemy were to find out that she also had the tech in her as well she was also sure to be hunted. After getting the strange call over with, while trying not to disclose too much on the phone she simply told jade that Carter was getting upgrades but he would need time to learn about and control them afterwards. She returned to the maid cafe each day and after work they would all gather around and study magic. She found it easier to comprehend the more they studied it was getting easier to comprehend but that didn't mean she understood it completely so there were times when she ran tests on herself she tried to identify what was magic but the study showed nothing. Magic comes from the soul but how did she have one. What classified as a soul? Was it the emotions? Also if emotions were what made a soul did she have Carla's soul? Had her father managed to replicate Carla's soul or had she gained a bit of Carter's soul? Or did she simply have a soul of her own? She kept studying, promising to herself to try to solve this. One day she sensed something as she was about leave for work. Carter was getting up.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Carter had a massive headache but at least now he knew that Stella was truly happy.
(" I can sense his general direction from here, it seems he's in a more dangerous part of town")
" How dangerous?"
(" Mostly thugs and people who want to make a quick buck by any means necessary.We had better hurry")
Carter's search hadn't lasted long, he found the alley and upon going up to the graffiti of the car, he sensed a button and Stella said there was a building underneath. Though he wasn't sure if his dad would be here but Stella said he was.
" Time to finally get some answers "
(" Definetly ")
He placed his hand against the wall and the wall suddenly parted and revealed a stairway. Carter stepped in and suddenly he was falling. Carter landed on his feet and looked around. It was a lab but it was covered in weaponry and tiny orbs the size of marbles floated about carrying bits and pieces of metal and other wiring. Carter watched as they brought them over to a machine that seemed to just take in the materials and then there was a loud churning sound and then the machine stopped. A man with dark hair wearing a lab coat bent over it and seemed to look it over.
" Dad!"
The man turned but not fast enough as Carter tackled him to the ground. Professor Bane hugged his son and tried to stand up. Carter stood and helped his father up.
" You have alot of explaining to do "
The drones seemed to be very diligent as they made a chairs out of the scraps and both Carter and his father sat.Then Professor Bane began his tale.
" We might not have time for the full story but I will divulge as much as I can. I'm sure you've learned quite a lot about what you are by now so I will say this: Your mother didn't die giving birth to you."
Carter just sat there should have felt hurt but he was more just confused.
" Are you saying my mom is alive ?"
Professor Bane looked at Carter, nothing in his eyes said that were true. His eyes held sadness, longing....loss.
" She died before you were born "
" That's not possible "
" We were driving to visit a friend of mine, a namekian who dealt in stolen alien tech , he had offered me some tuffle tech and your mom and I were going to collect it."
Carter didn't like where this story was going and the tingling in the back of his mind told him that Stella didn't like it much either.
" What happened ?"
" Well we collected it but the deal went south a group of people attacked us. We tried to escape and ended up crashing. My colleague and I decided to use the alien tech to save you."
"Why didn't you save mom?"
Professor Bane looked Carter dead in the eyes.
" With her last breath she told me : Save our son. Who am I to withhold my wife's dying wish?"
" So you used the alien tech to save me... what about Stella?"
" Excuse me?"
" I mean when did you make Accel?"
He could feel Stella was slightly upset about having to still be referred to in that way but he was more focused on what his father had to say.
" Remember my first ever invention?"
" Yeah the thinking cap "
" Well it had a second function to study the wearer and gain a personality and possibly emotions"
" Well Dad ....it worked Stella has emotions alright and she would rather you stop stooping to calling her Accel anymore."
"Oh....I see"
A hologram of Stella appeared this time in full colour instead of her usual form of code she appeared with long white hair and blue eyes wearing a dress that was dark blue with little white streaks running parallel in a diagonal pattern. The streaks stopped at the waist and were replaced by numbers each in a different color but following the same diagonal pattern. Professor Bane stared and a tear rolled down his cheek.
"D-Did you choose this form on your own?"
(" Yeah why?")
Professor Bane reached into his lab coat and pulled out a picture.
"This is a picture of Carla, Carter's mother."
The woman in the photo had white hair and she had flowers in her hair.
Carter looked from the photo and then to Stella. Stella looked like a younger version of Carla.
" I believe that since I used Carla's thinking cap to create your AI you have taken her image and personality. Your like the daughter she never had."
(" Wh- Well....um....thank you")
Professor Bane rose from his chair and the drones disassembled it. Carter just stared...this was like a very refined way of recycling. Professor Bane waved his hand at a wall and a door opened. He stepped in and later returned with a hat.
" Is that what I think it is ?"
"Yes this was your mom's thinking cap."
" What are we going to do with it?"
" I'm sorry to ask this but can you come back in a week"
Carter laughed...he realized it had been a while since he had laughed.
" I finally find you and you tell me to leave"
" The longer you stay here the more at risk we will both be. When you return I will have a gift for you both"
Carter got up and turned to leave, he knew his dad was right. He still didn't know enough about the people hunting him and his father so it would be better if they split up.
Where would he spend the night this time? He found rooftops to be the most comforting as he could stare at the stars as he drifted to sleep but that was often interrupted if there was rain. But he figured he could find another abandoned building to sleep in.
After doing a few missions and a bit more simulation training Carter went back to his father's underground lab. When he got down there Professor Bane was waiting in a chair. He looked at his watch.
" Damn I was off by five seconds"
"Uhh Dad..."
" OK I want to show you something it took me a while but I will also need something from you to make this work."
" Make what work?"
Professor Bane started wheeling out a white haired girl with a very specific cap on. It looked just like the image Stella had made for herself.
(" Is this....for me?")
" I think it is"
Professor Bane looked at Carter.
"Well....does she like it?"
"Uhh...I think so"
Professor Bane's shoulders sagged a bit but then perked right back up.
"All I need from you is to extract your core for a few seconds."
Carter's eye glowed red and he started to step forward but he held himself back. This wasn't his first time fighting against the system but he wouldn't allow it to hurt his dad.
"If you're going to do it then hurry "
The drones made a table behind Carter and he laid down his back pressed up against it. Everything went dark and when he opened his eyes.....he felt the same. He locked eyes with Stella. He blinked twice and smiled. There Stella stood looking at him worriedly.
" Is he OK?"
Carter got up and ran up to Stella and hugged her. He felt as she flinched at the hug. Professor Bane laughed and said.
" Your sister has been filling me in on your adventures"
" My what?!!"
Stella chuckled.
" He has it in his head that since he made both of us then we're siblings...we had a whole debate about it yesterday."
" Yesterday? How long was I out for?
" A couple (insert necessary time)"
" I have to call Jade"
" Calm down she already knows what's up"
"Wh- How?"
" I called her...it was a very interesting call to make.. Hi I'm the voice in Carter's head and since I have a body now I decided to call you and let you know that Carter might be out of commission for a while so don't worry"
" Please tell me you didn't say it like that."
Stella simply shrugged.
" Now if you'll excuse me I'm gonna go back to training....having a body is weird....but thanks anyway....bro"
Carter saw her put the thinking cap on and head up the stairs.
" I'm confused "
Professor Bane laughed.
" As you would be...she's been working at the cafe across the street in order to get used to maneuvering in a body of her own. Its a slow process but soon she'll be able to go explore much like you did."
"I'm hoping she does better"
(" Same here")
"Wh- What?!"
(" We're still linked bozo ")
"I'm kinda happy about that "
He wasn't sure if he was ready to completely cut Stella off so suddenly. He saw a blue glowing line.
" A link?"
He grabbed hold and fell backwards. This was Stella's Memory. Maybe he could use this...
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Stella opened her eyes. Such a thing was new to her she knew what was happening but as she stepped forward she stumbled. Professor Bane held out his hand to her. She reached for his hand and when he helped her to a mirror she couldn't help but smile. " Not bad Professor" she said afraid to step forward as to not risk falling again.
" It will take a few (insert necessary time here) for you to get used to the body but how about we start with some basic walking." She felt insulted but she knew he was right. She looked over at Carter laying there and at that moment Professor Bane stepped forward. " You don't have to be so worried your brother is fine." She knew what he was trying to do.. In technical terms they were family which would make this man her...father. " I'm don't care much for the idea. I don't think I'll be calling you dad anytime soon." She could see the smile on his face as he said. " Not yet but you will....now try taking a few steps forward." She did so and was finding it fairly easy. A smug expression was on her face as she turned to Professor Bane. Being able to adapt quickly was one of the many skills she had gained on her adventures with Carter. A look of shock replaced it as she saw Professor Bane holding a gun to her face. " What are you doing? This doesn't make any sense?" She must have looked especially frightened because Professor Bane started laughing.
He handed her the gun and pointed her towards a room. " Go test it out " She walked away not confused but merely curious. As she entered she knew what it was. "Was this because I integrated with the thinking cap" She knew that this was a simulation room. How had he managed to make one out of mere scraps. Those recycle bots were a lot more than just drones. "Recycle bots huh? Its not unfamiliar I guess technology will be more my thing."
The room glowed and a projection of the beast Carter had fought was in front of her. She smirked, this would be easy. As it lunged towards her she tried to get under it but wasn't fast enough and the hologram fell on top of her. Professor Bane shouted from the doorway. " Remember you're your own person now. With your own strengths." She got his message loud and clear, surely there was something that would suit her even the way she was now. "Self analysis she thought to herself" She studied her structure, all the programs and even the slightest bugs however she found none. Professor Bane truly was more than just a pill pusher...she laughed at her own joke as she stood. This body was full of surprises time to test them out. As the hologram jumped towards her again she held her hand out and and tendrils of energy shot out and wrapped the creature. She threw it into the wall and the hologram dispersed. She turned to Professor Bane who was clapping heartily. " Since you don't get tired I'll leave you to it...but when your done come find me." Stella didn't know if it was the adrenaline or that she found herself saying. " Thanks Dad" Professor Bane beamed and walked away with a huge smile on his face. A few seconds later she heard him by linking herself to one of the recycle bots she watched him and listened. " Stella seems to at least like her new body and though she may be clumsy for a few days I think it's nice. I have another kid and I was almost out of movies watching these kids and their adventures is gonna be a lot more fun. Though I'm not sure Stella will agree with the training that comes next." He sighed and leaned back in his chair with his eyes closed. It took a while for Stella to realize that he had fallen asleep. She walked out of the simulation room watching her feet as she walked...she wasn't going to embarrass herself any further. She reached the secret wall and placed her hand against it. The wall opened up. Technology would heed her command as long as she could focus. She took the elevator up and stepped out into alley. The sunlight was warm against her skin. She walked out into the street and began to feel overwhelmed. Every person that brushed against her just felt...uncomfortable. She stepped back into the alley to collect her thoughts. " I'm not use to feelings on a physical level huh... I suppose that was the training Pops mentioned earlier. Pops? I kinda prefer it.."
She went back down into the lab. Professor Bane was waiting for her. " I wanted you to realize it for yourself, you need to become more comfortable in your own sk- body" She looked down at her feet, she didn't like that he was right but what he said next she definitely didn't like. " In order to fix this problem, your next bit of training.....you will work at the maid cafe"
She slowly raised her head as the recycle bots gathered behind her. "What did you just say?"
Stella was not going to back down. No way in hell would she ever do something like that even if it was for a good reason.
"Its still a no Pops" She was sitting on a chair as Professor Bane was trying to point out the many benefits she could get at working at the maid cafe." But its a good job and you have to start somewhere, it will give you chances to interact with people and it will have you on your feet so you get some training there too. Did I mention its nearby and I'm kinda low on funds..." She didn't know why she felt so connected to this man, maybe because she had Carter's memories and knew that he was in fact just a scientist who works too hard. " OK listen Pops I didn't want to have to pull this card but you don't own me. I'm my own person now and this person will not pretend to be someone she is not."
Professor Bane sighed. " It was the fastest way I could find besides I know you don't want to leave until Carter is up. You want to be here when he wakes up right?" Stella looked over at where Carter was. She was his companion, his partner, his counselor and his wingman. Adding sister to that list would make the others make sense but she would need him to wake up first. Guilt filled her as she looked at him. She was the reason he was out of commission, she wasn't going to just leave their father by himself....it wouldn't be right. " I'll go tomorrow" She walked over to the simulation room, when Carter woke up she would show him that she could protect his...no...their father. She left the lab again this time more reluctant than last time. She crossed the street and stared at the sign, she held a smile on her face but inside she was disgusted. The large sign read ' Maids and Munchies' and had large cupcakes on both sides. She walked in and was instantly greeted by a girl who was about 16 and wore a pink and white maid outfit. " Welcome Ma'am to Maids and Munchies if you would please follow me."
Her smile never left her face as she led her over to a table and handed her a menu. " Actually I'm here for a job." The girl froze. " I see....then please follow me to the back room" Stella could feel something was off but she followed her anyway. As soon as she stepped in the girl sighed and the smile faded. " You shouldn't have a problem finding it if your literate, if your not then you can just leave." The girl left right after saying that. Stella smiled she was starting to like this place. She headed for the door that said ' Manager Munchies'. A purple haired plump woman sat around a desk. On the desk were an assortment of pastries. " Hi I'm Stella I'm here for a job"
The woman kept smiling and looked down to the pastries. She waved her hand towards it
Was this a test? She stared at them for a while...she couldn't eat them so how would she do this? She reached towards the cupcake and then the lady slapped her hand. " Now let's begin" Stella wasn't sure about this place anymore...
" Can you tell me why you are here?"
" I'm here for a job"
" Yes I know that but why are you 'here'"
" ...My dad sent me"
" So your family needs money?"
Stella's mind wandered to the very clean scrapyard of a lab and nodded.
" What about you?"
" Excuse me"
" I still need to hear you tell me why you are here"
Stella thought up a half truth that would fly in an interview.
" Training....my dad said I lack people skills and he decided I should get a job here"
" Close enough"
" ...Are there any other questions?"
" What's your favorite color"
" Umm...Blue"
" Least favorite "
" Red "
" Do you have any experience?"
" No"
She smiled and pointed at the door. Her eyes and face betrayed nothing. Stella stood up and headed for the door. That didn't work apparently.
" You didn't actually want to work here did you?"
" No"
" You're hired"
Stella stood there with her hand on the doorknob. What just happened?
" Why would you hire me?"
" I think there's more to your story and there is already a position open that I don't have the time to do interviews for so...see you at 6 tomorrow."
Stella left confused but she didn't head straight across to the alley, too many people were watching so, she went into one of the nearby apartments and went into the elevator. She reached out into the network and saw through the security cameras that there was no one following her. When she decided it was safe she headed to the alley and placed her against the wall. Down in the lab Professor Bane sat with his back turned and said " Did you get the job?" Stella stepped forward " Yeah I did b-" " That's great!" His chair spun around and he held in his hand a banner that said ' Congratulations'. Stella found herself smiling at his antics, she looked around and she realized that the whole time they had been searching for him, he had been here, alone,scared and worried. She hugged him. " Your the best Dad a girl could ask for." Stella walked away but through the repair bots she could see the smile on his face as he went back to working on something. She entered the simulation room once more, a bit of her curiousity wondered what the simulation room would throw at her this time. As she stepped in she was made aware of the simulation beginning by a large green beam going by which she barely managed to duck under. " Nase huh... so this is what its like on this side of a simulation huh...except the space is smaller and I'm not Carter. A purple ball shot from her hand and hit the hologram which interrupted its beam. " I got a hit in now I just need to-". The Nase hologram kicked her across the face and since she was linked to the system she felt it even though she had taken no damage. Needless to say the simulation didn't last long and she left the room knowing that she definitely needed to start a serious training route she looked over at one of the repair bots. She had named this one B0B for no apparent reason but he stood out...her eyes could see the dent on his little marble sized body and she noted he usually started at the back of the swarm but was always the first to arrive when things needed to get. She sighed and went to where Carter was. " Even though you weren't a socialite a lot of people liked you, I wanna be like you one day....bro"
She sat there until morning the next day. Professor Bane approached her " Don't you have work soon?" Stella nodded " I still have an hour left before they open and like you said its just across the street" But she stood up nonetheless and headed towards the elevator. " Wait...I have some stuff for you" She turned to him...he had done so much for her, what was he giving her now? Professor Bane clapped and the swarm of repair bots flew over carrying a dark blue dress. Stella found herself smiling, it was the dress she had chosen when she had decided on her form. " Why do you keep giving me gifts?" She took the dress and hugged it, it felt so soft, he had copied it exactly. " Hey, I'm the one who is 17 years behind on the gift giving." As he said this he yawned in his chair and kept slowly nodding off. He look tired, getting this done must have taken him all night. She focused and had the repair bots make a small bed out of some metal parts. She folded the dress and put it in the makeshift bed so he could rest his head on it. She picked him up and placed him on the bed. She went over to the elevator and before entering looked over at Carter and his dad, she would make it up to them.
She went to work with a smile on her face but as she entered the area seemed tense. There was something in the air but she couldn't put her finger on it. She went to the back room and saw the girl she had 'met' earlier. The girl looked up and you could see mischief in her eyes. " So new girl, let me be the first to say ' Welcome to the group'. I'm sure everyone is going to have a ton of questions for you" She reached into what looked like an empty box and pulled out a red and white maid outfit.
Stella frowned " I told her I didn't like red " The girl laughed and said " That's her style, you have to wear the style you hate the most and if you do good work then you get a chance to wear your favorite color. Its supposed to be motivating or something" Stella looked at the girl's link uniform. " Let me guess, you're not a fan of pink" The girl looked down at her uniform in disgust. " I told her I wouldn't be caught dead in pink and you know what she said...Work hard and you won't. I didn't even come here for work, I came here for lessons." Stella felt that the girl was leaving something out. " What kind of lessons?" The girl looked at her like how a wolf would look at their newborn pup. " Obviously ma-......math, I wasn't the best at math." Stella was about to question her on why she was lying when 3 other girls entered. The red haired girl looked at Stella. " Oh...my....god, a new girl...interesting. Hey, what's your deal?" The girl who was speaking to Stella earlier stepped forward. " Carly, I don't think she knows what her deal is.." The redhead looked confused " That's odd, but hey not everyone understands it anyway. Isn't that right Rina?" She looked over at the girl. The girl was obviously insulted but she just sat down. Another person came over to the Stella " Hi I'm Mel and I'm" " a guy" Stella said matter of factly. Mel chuckled but everyone else had looked at her stunned when she said. " I was gonna say I'm glad to make your aquaintance " Mel said unphased he didn't look like a guy but Stella could tell her was. She found it amusing that someone would go this far for a job. A soft clapping was heard in the distance as Ms. Munchies stepped out. Stella was surprised, she hadn't been there before she would have sensed her. "Stella I have a question for you" She stood tall wearing a dark dress that was way too small for her. "What?" Stella asked the air was still tense. " Do you believe in magic?"
Stella answered quickly and matter of factly " No. Magic is just another form of belief that helps the imagination run wild." Ms. Munchies laughed and then her body glowed and when the light stopped shining a slim beautiful woman was in Ms. Munchies position. This made no sense to Stella at all. The aura belonged to Ms. Munchies but the lady before her couldn't possibly be.... "Ms. Munchies?" "You got that right" Ms Munchies said giving her a wink. The other girls and Mel just looked like they had seen it before. "I'm confused" Stella said, her mind was always about making sense of things but based on what all said about magic is was random to the point that it was incomprehensible. " Only those with magic or magic potential ever make it past the interview?"
" Why?"
" Well a few things actually, the door was hidden with magic, you saw the glamor that made the sweets seem like trash and my charm spell didn't affect you"
" What if that person had a bionic enhancement?"
Ms. Munchies gave her a look.
" Even so , technology can't help one see through magic that easily. I don't care what part of you got lost, but I am interested in recruiting some more magicians"
Stella looked over to the other girls (and Mel). Were they all magicians? The girl who hadn't spoken stepped forward. She held out her hand and a magic circle of some kind appeared under her.
"What are you doing?"
The girl stood there silent. Rina looked over.
"You can't hear her?"
"No, she hasn't said anything"
Ms. Munchies smiled. "You are special indeed, telepathy won't work with you which means you are probably immune to magic that would target your mind. Usually that means you wouldn't be able to use it yourself but how about you give it a try."
" Give what a try ?"
" Magic, just open your mind and reach into your soul "
Stella felt out of place. How could she, an android, have magic? Even in theory magic requires someone alive, did it not? She closed her eyes and focused. What was she supposed to focus on? Then she heard Rina say. " Is that your brother or something? Is he sick?" She opened her eyes and looked behind her. And oval space had appeared and through it she could see Carter on the bed and the many machines keeping track of his vitals. She willed it to go away but then a swarm of the repair bots flew in. This wasn't just scrying, it was a portal! "No! Go back, I'm trying to close the portal!" They all stopped and turned back.
" What were those?"
Stella examined her surroundings. She was surrounded by four individuals that could use magic, lying didn't seem like a good idea and escape would be suspicious.
" Robots......my dad built them"
Mel's eyes lit up. " Robots! You mentioned bionic enhancements earlier...is that why they listened to you? What about your brother? Does he make robots too? What illness does he have.?" Rina clamped her hand over Mel's mouth. " Maybe if you allow her to get a word out she'll be able to answer you."
" I'm not allowed to talk about it."
Ms Munchies smiled. " You're being hunted aren't you?"
" Well.....not me but my family is in a bit of a pickle."
" I think you're going to like working here"
As she said this the first customer came in and they all went to work. Everyone acted normal while working and Stella often found herself wondering if they were the same girls she just met. What they were like and how they acted were completely different. She found herself almost laughing as one of the customers tried to make a pass at Mel. But what worried her was when the thugs came in but as if by......magic, they all acted pretty civil and paid and left. She finished her first day without having to do much, she had only done restocking today in order to get used to the place. When she got back home she decided to call Jade and inform her that Carter would be bedridden for a while but how would she explain the circumstances?
She could say she's Carter's sister which would once again be partly true or she could give her the whole story. In the end she decided the story she would tell be that of Carter's twin sister who has a psychic connection with him and thus she knew all about Carter's adventures. She stuck with that story because in truth, though they had found their father, they were still being hunted and if the enemy were to find out that she also had the tech in her as well she was also sure to be hunted. After getting the strange call over with, while trying not to disclose too much on the phone she simply told jade that Carter was getting upgrades but he would need time to learn about and control them afterwards. She returned to the maid cafe each day and after work they would all gather around and study magic. She found it easier to comprehend the more they studied it was getting easier to comprehend but that didn't mean she understood it completely so there were times when she ran tests on herself she tried to identify what was magic but the study showed nothing. Magic comes from the soul but how did she have one. What classified as a soul? Was it the emotions? Also if emotions were what made a soul did she have Carla's soul? Had her father managed to replicate Carla's soul or had she gained a bit of Carter's soul? Or did she simply have a soul of her own? She kept studying, promising to herself to try to solve this. One day she sensed something as she was about leave for work. Carter was getting up.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Carter had a massive headache but at least now he knew that Stella was truly happy.