Chapter 142 - Doubts (1/2)
Grant stepped outside dragging Demos along with him. They left Liliane to finish her meal, she was tired and really needed rest. However, it was bad to linger around this area where Atlas' army could easily find them.
”Grant, Demos,” called Alter from the front gate. He frowned when he found them without their bags. ”We should get going. Where is Liliane?” he inquired.
”I think we should stay here tonight,” Demos stepped in.
”We can't,” Grant frowned and it was not up for discussion. Demos sighed and turned his gaze to the front door. From there he could see Liliane quietly poking at her food without appetite.
”I know we can't. But just look at her, we can't bring her along,” just then Liliane looked up and their eyes met. Through the link that connected them, she could sense the tension and worry troubling her mates. Demos gave her a weak smile to reassure her. Jil materialized on Grant's shoulder, her image breaking as her hologram projector couldn't work properly outside.
”Master I'm sorry to disturb you, Olga just sent me an encrypted message,” they all faced her with grave faces.
”Olga? Where is she?” Asked Alter the tall synthetic. She shook her head then crossed her arms over her chest.
”I don't know,” she hesitated. ”She used an emergency network with Dr. Churchhill's code. I couldn't trace the origin. If what Liliane said is true...then she is in the sub-level. The bad news is I couldn't decode the message. I tried every known language and ciphers,” she explained.
”Send it to me,” said Grant then turned to Demos. ”Go get Liliane, we are headed to the construction site. You have 10 minutes, take some food and water she might need it. We don't know how long it will take to get Olga back—” he was interrupted with the sound of the sliding door.
”I hope you're not planning to leave me behind,” Liliane stood on the doorstep glaring at them.
”Liliane,” he exhaled. ”We just got a message from Olga—” Alter shifted as if listening to something in the distance. Grant turned to him and they exchanged short sentences. Then they both nodded at each other. When Grant faced Liliane again she was fuming. ”Ok, Demos go charge I'll take care of Liliane and get everything ready,” Demos smiled.
”Good luck,” Demos patted Grant's on the back. Then gave Liliane a quick hug. ”Don't be too hard on him we since need him to guide us to safety, ok,” he whispered in her ear. She gave him a puzzled look but kept quiet. Demos left with Alter and met the gardener robot waiting at the front gate. It gave then a slight bow. The one Demos used to greet when he went out for shopping.
”Hello, welcome back. I hope you enjoyed your vacation,” Demos tilted his head to the side in confusion. The lights on the robot's blank faceplate blinked in response. ”I detect a change in your facial expression. Was I wrong? Jil told me you were on vacation,” Demos laughed at Jil's little inside joke.
”Oh, yeah,” answered Demos playing along. ”By the way, were you taking care of my garden?” the robot straightened up and nodded vigorously.