Chapter 420

He watched the vehicle arrive silently, its electric battery powering it without even the slightest hint of sound. All the windows were mirror tinted, meaning there was absolutely no way he could see inside. The vehicle pulled up past him and Dagger, seeming to pay both no mind, and stopped, its passenger door directly beside the door to the building Fel had gone into.

“Hurry up Fel.” James grumbled, eying the situation. According to Dagger, the vehicle had jamming tech running. On top of that, even a quick look over the vehicle told him it was armed and armored to the teeth. Though slight, he could easily see the telltale signs of localized shield generators, as well as a variety of defensive armaments. His mind immediately told him this was one of the specialized Government transport cars. Which, as far as he, and the internet conspiracy theorists knew, dealt only in matters of absolute importance.

A vehicle such as this, normally wouldn’t be seen in broad daylight. If it was, normally it would have camouflage up to make it appear like a completely different style of car. The fact it wasn’t, and the speed with which it arrived, meant it was dealing with something time sensitive, and vital. Something like the bomb that Fel had casually been carrying around, perhaps?

“I cannot tell what is inside the vehicle, with cursory tools.” Dagger said at his side, making him jump. “Would you like me to utilize stronger systems?”

James’s felt his heart skip a beat. “No.” He shook his head, focusing his look fully on the dog, to ensure it understood. “Do not do something like that.”

“Very well.” The dog let out an actual sigh. Apparently, the AI was developing rather quickly. “I will continue to sit here and monitor.” Another sigh.

“Look.” James said, his voice hushed. “All I want to do, is get Fel, and be on our way. I don’t want to get myself involved in anything else regarding the government, or conspiracies, or anything. If I can live a simple life in the real world, for as long as I still live, I’ll be a happy man.”

“I was designed to be your companion and keep you safe.” Dagger interjected. “As long as I am here, nothing would threaten your life.”

“Boring is still better.” James retorted. “Now, quiet. I really don’t want them getting any ideas about the two of us.”

The dog nodded, and turned its lifelike gaze back to the door, its tail wagging slightly as the door opened. A moment later, a figure James hadn’t seen before, stepped immediately from the building, and into the car, which had opened its door in tandem with the door of the building. Then, the side doors on the car opened, magically in appearance, and the car’s weight shifted slightly. If James had to guess, the enforcers were loading into it. After a few more painful seconds, the doors slammed shut, and the car was off. Leaving James, and Dagger, standing outside the building.

“Fel?” James called out. The building door was still open, but there was no sign of the fiery red head. “Fel, you in there?” His voice seemed to echo, mockingly, back from the building.

“Shall I perform a scan now?” Dagger asked. Was there a hint of dry sarcasm in it?

“Yes. Where is Fel.” James’s pulse was quickening. What if something happened to her? What if they’d done something to her?

Dagger let out a bark, and a small patch of his nose seemed to shift away, to reveal a tiny mechanical sensor. James watched the sensor twist and whirl about, and then let out a surprised gasp as data began to be fed into his AR glasses.

It was like the radar in a first person shooter, but 10 times more detailed and advanced. He could zoom in and out of it, and saw the entire layout of the building before him. Additionally, there were markers indicating himself and Dagger on the outside of the building, and even the two drone birds that were trying to observe them still.

Inside the building, James could make out two dots still. One of them was labeled as Fel, which instantly made his heart rate calm. Next to her marker though, another marker remained. He’d figured everyone had left the building along with the bomb, so was surprised to see that second figure. However, its presence also had him worried. Considering it was marked with three question marks, it made him even more worried. Whatever was in there, wasn’t able to be identified by Dagger’s scanners. At least, not at this distance.

“Should we go in there?” James asked Dagger. It was rhetorical. Fel had told him to stay out here, no matter what. And given what they were dealing with, and who, he was leaning towards listening. From his small experience in such situations, listening to those in the know, seemed to be the best play.

“Judging by her vitals,” Dagger began, “Fel seems to be aggravated to a degree, but not in physical danger. I will continue to monitor vitals. If they indicate she is in danger, I will let you know.”

“If she’s in danger,” James started. “We will go to her aid, immediately.”

“I would advise only I go to her aid.” Dagger said a moment later. “If you rush into an unknown situation, my prime objective to keep you safe, could override my efforts to protect your friend. And considering the other readings I detect when you are with her, that could prove-“

“Nope. I’m stopping you right there.” James interjected. He didn’t need to know what the robot was sensing. He had a pretty good idea. There was no doubt Fel was more than attractive. And biology was, well, biology. But still, James loved Rue. And Fel was with Alex. He didn’t care what readings Dagger was getting, they were wrong.

“Very well.” The dog smirked. “I’ll keep such things in mind, upon further discussions.”

“Please don’t turn into a troll.” James sighed, turning his focus back to the scan Dagger was still feeding him. Whoever it was Fel was interacting with, the two were still standing in the same spot. What was taking her so long? As if on cue, a message prompt appeared.

From: Fel

Subject: Stop Being a Creep

Get in here real quick. I know you’re watching us.

“Well, that settles that.” James said, closing the message and looking down at his robot companion. “We’ve been invited in.”

Dagger’s tail wagged even more, and side by side, they moved towards the warehouse entrance. Whatever waited them, James knew, with Dagger by his side, he’d be safe. And, considering Fel had invited him as well, he knew there was nothing to be worried about.

But it was one thing to know such things, and another, entirely, to get your body to cooperate. Because as he got closer and closer, his heart rate continued to accelerate, as his mind raced through all sorts of unfavorable, tragic, situations. And yet, somehow, even with his active imagination, he wasn’t prepared for what he saw as he finally looked into the building. Fel, was easy to spot. But next to her, looking perhaps like an older, more serious version of Fel, was the other figure.

“James,” Fel said, nodding to him. “Allow me to introduce you to my mother.”