Alicia Artificial

by Azza Sumner

Chapter 9

  When Adam finally made it back to the entrance he was staggering. Felicity was a skinny girl a little shorter than Alicia, but she was growing heavy. He found Tracy comforting a distraught Alicia near the front gate. There were blood covered bodies everywhere. At the sight of Adam Alicia’s expression turned to one of disbelief. She raced forward and hugged him tightly sobbing “I thought you were dead. I couldn’t find you. You can’t ever leave my sight again.” Tracy carefully took Felicity’s body from between them and lay her down. She was twitching and spasming sporadically. Tracy checked her saying “She still has a weak pulse, but these convulsions worry me.”

  They were startled by the sound of boots in the gateway. There were ten men and women in strange armour. Four more appeared on the rooftops holding some kind of rifle with a huge scope attached. They all wore armour resembling blue plastic plates over a dark grey body suit. They looked like they had just stepped out off a sci-fi movie set. Adam guessed these might be Khall’s special guard or something. Perhaps mercenary reinforcements. They all raised their swords in unison looking threatening. A man’s voice barked out harshly. “Drop your weapons and sit. Now. You are outnumbered by vastly superior forces. The perimeter is surrounded.”

  Adam was not ready to surrender yet. The girls were exhausted. It was up to him now. He hoped he could hit enough of them to give the girls a chance before he was taken down. He reached carefully for the rifle ready to fire it. A familiar voice caught his attention. It was Gem yelling at the leader of the group “No dear stop, this is Winters crew.” Adam saw Gem lift the faceplate on her own blue armour as she approached from behind them. The man beside her lowered his weapon and removed his faceplate and helmet. He looked like an ordinary man in his early twenties with sandy brown hair. He was about the same height as Adam which made him taller than his companions. He didn’t look like a soldier at all despite the outfit. He turned and spoke to Gem saying“You mean they survived? They did all this? Impressive. I thought you were going to warn them to stay away.” Gem replied “I did. I only told them the location so they could avoided it and not get lured here as a trap.” The two approached as Gem clung affectionately. She introduced them saying “Dear this is Adam Winters. Doctor Kingsworth’s choice of guardian for Alicia and Tracy. Adam this is Aidan3, my husband. We just call him Aidan.” Aidan held out a friendly hand and Adam was grateful to be shaking it rather than having to kill again. Aidan chuckled “You know you would never have had a chance to fire that gun. Sorry we’re late. Government red tape and crap. We couldn’t make a move without their approval. We didn’t think we were coming at all actually. That new drug is none of our concern technically but we suspected them of killing one of our own. It wasn’t enough for instant approval. Too much at risk for our government relations.”

  Gem knelt down to inspect Felicity. She pulled the medical kit from her back and opened it to remove the probe. Aidan called to his team “Clean up time. Stay in pairs. Bring all survivors for testing. Any who are clear we will interview. Catalogue and incinerate all bodies containing dangerous levels of the drug or interfaces. I want every bit of evidence destroyed before the army joins us just in case.” Alicia told Aidan about the prisoners in the shed and how they weren’t injected yet. He thanked her and assured her they would be unharmed if they contained none of Khall’s drug. Aidan explained to them that a specialised task force of Australian troops they were working with had the area secured for miles around. They were gradually closing their protective net as they approached. Adam didn’t really care. All he was worried about now was the bloody body of the young girl on the ground. Alicia held his hand tightly as they waited for Gem to inspect her with Tracy’s assistance. They looked deeply concerned. Alicia squeezed Adam’s hand and whispered “I can’t sense her interface any more. Do you think she’ll be ok? “ “I’m sure she will be.” he lied not feeling confident about her chances at all.

 

  Aidan pulled Adam and Alicia aside so Gem couldn’t listen and asked “Have you seen any of our people by any chance?” Adam pulled the foreign interface from his pocket and handed it to him saying “We found this. Fay is locked in a room on the second level. She was beaten and unconscious but seemed well enough. We locked her in an old first aid room to hide her.” Aidan looked at the interface sadly and said “He was one of ours. A peaceful man. He was buying supplies when he went missing. Thank you for taking care of Fay.” He paused to focus for a moment and continued saying “Yes, I can sense her moving now. Gem will be relieved. She worries more than she lets on.” Adam wasn’t surprised to learn he was talking to yet another biod. This one was larger than the others though, and looked more normal. He even had an Australian accent. He began to wonder just how many biods existed.

  Adam returned to Gem. She was pulling a knife from her leg armour saying “Her interface is badly damaged. It’s destroying her brain with charged pulses. I have to get rid of it now.” Gem carefully proceeded to cut the device from Felicity’s neck and cut the connection to the internal conduits. Alicia squeezed his hand tightly and dragged him away. Adam assured her “She will be ok. She has to be.” He looked into Alicia’s eyes and saw she was scared for the girl too. They held each other close while Gem and Tracy operated. Eventually Gem stood and approached to explain “Her interface is too damaged. It looks like it was crushed. I have removed it and repaired the wounds. Her body should survive, but there was major discharge to her brain as the interface failed. I believe her organic memories are gone. All of them. There may be further damage.” Adam thought for a moment before asking “So the girl we knew is gone forever?” Gem nodded and said “Yes. Trust me, I know exactly what it is like. There is nothing I can do to get them back.” Adam was saddened that the tough girl who had endured and overcome so much was gone in the moment of her triumph. Gem held out held out her hand with the blood covered interface. As she turned it over they could see where it had been impacted and crushed against bone. Gem explained further “I can not remove the conduits. It is too dangerous to remove all of it, but they are harmless. This is the interface controller. The wound will heal without scars. She is human again now, but I can not predict the exact damage to her brain. I had to replace a lot of flesh as well. We can discuss side affects later. This was all I could do for her.” Adam and Alicia thanked Gem for her efforts appreciatively.

  Adam was suddenly knocked to the ground as something impacted into his back. “You bastard.” Fay yelled standing over him. “What’s the big idea leaving me in there. I could have helped if you waited. You’re so lucky I might be willing to forgive you.” Aidan picked her up and carried her away before she could berate Adam any further saying to her “Not a good time Fay.” She started into Aidan instead then accusing him for following rules instead of his heart. They dissappeared from view but Fay’s rant could still be heard fading away. Alicia helped Adam up and they returned to Felicity. Tracy said “At least she’s alive. She can have a fresh start now. We will protect her wont we?” They all agreed.

  As Alicia saw Gem walking off to rejoin her team, she spotted the repair kit. She quickly ran over to walk with Gem for a bit. Adam noticed Alicia pointing at the kit as they chatted. He asked Tracy “Is Alicia hiding a wound? She looks ok.” Tracy shook her head saying “Not that I’m aware of. Would you mind getting the car so we can go home. I kind of parked it a bit awkwardly. I’ll stay with Felicity.”

  Adam walked to the big shed he guessed the car hummer was still inside of. He expected it was most likely dented because the impact had shaken the entire shed. He didn’t expect it to be on it’s side though. He looked closer to see if it might be drivable but the amount of oil lying around the front indicated it wasn’t worth trying. Alicia soon rejoined him surveying the damage and said “I hope daddy kept the insurance up to date.” Adam held her and looked her up and down asking “Are you sure you’re ok? No injuries? I saw you and Gem talking and pointing at her first kit.” Alicia chuckled. “I promise I’m fine
. I just had a question for her about her kit. I wanted to know where to get one. That’s all.” Adam was relieved. He confessed to her “You know I was scared you might have been hurt. It made me think of living without you. I couldn’t handle that now.” Alicia grinned saying “That reminds me.” She slapped him across the face and said “That’s for trying to leave us behind jerk.” She leaned in and kissed him then saying “And that’s for wanting to protect us. You know I can’t loose you either. You’re part of me now.”

  Aidan joined them and looked at the vehicle laying on it’s side saying “I’m no mechanic, but I think it’s due for a service. Don’t worry the army reports they found your other car. A soldier is bringing it up now. It might be a good idea to take Felicity and leave before they all get here. We can debrief tomorrow. One of our scouts will watch over your place tonight.” “Thank you very much.” Adam said as they all returned to Felicity. Tracy looked happy as she told them “She seems to be stabilising well. I think she’ll be ok physically at least. The cuts are mending really fast.” When Adam’s little car came through the gate they thanked the young soldier who delivered it and carefully lay Felicity across the back seat with her head on Tracy’s lap. Her bleeding had stopped and the wounds were healing very fast. He could see why Alicia was so interested in their first aid kits. They left the tannery as dozens of soldiers in army uniforms started to enter.

  On the way home Alicia decided to remind Adam of the wedding. “What’s the rush?” he asked and added “We should see how Felicity is first. Besides you have a full life time now and Khall is dead.” Tracy kicked the back of seat and spoke on Alicia’s behalf growling “God you men are stupid. Don’t you realise you both nearly lost each other tonight. Don’t you think she was terrified? Stop being a jerk and stop using Felicity as an excuse. I can watch her if need be. None of us can be certain how long we have left. Tonight should have proved that.” Adam sighed and said “I guess we can do it tomorrow afternoon. I already found someone to perform the service. “You did?” Alicia asked sounding surprised “You mean you really are taking it all seriously? That’s a big relief.” Adam smiled saying “Of course I was. I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy.” Adam felt another kick in the back of his seat as Tracy said “Cut the mushy stuff before I barf. Just do as she tells you.”

  When they got home a blue armoured scout made them jump as he emerged from the shadows. He said he would be keeping an eye on the outside all night so they should rest well. Adam thanked him and told him to help himself to the kitchen, TV or anything he liked. The scout thanked him and returned to the shadows.

 

  While the girls cleaned Felicity up and dressed her for bed Adam cooked up a batch of chicken burgers. They sat and enjoyed the food as they discussed the finer details of their night’s battle. Adam sent a text message to the priest he had contacted and got a positive reply almost immediately. Today they had been fighting for their lives and tomorrow they would be holding a wedding. Everything seemed to be happening too fast, but he had vowed to keep Alicia happy and had every intention of keeping that promise. It didn’t really feel right with Felicity being hurt, but he understood Alicia’s impatience. Odds were everything should have ended very differently tonight.

  Felicity slept laid out beside Alicia all night. It was odd to see her not curled up in a ball for once. It was a restless sleep. She often muttered various words that made no sense, but at least it seemed she still had speech. Adam pulled his desk chair in beside the bed and sat watching over them as they slept. Tracy had already collapsed on the lounge not that he minded. He didn’t think he could sleep while he was so worried. At some point in the early hours of the morning he must have succumbed to exhaustion and drifted off.

  In the morning he woke to find Felicity was no longer there. She was huddled in the corner of the room with a terrified expression. This wasn’t the strange girl he knew prone to bouts of blood lust. This was a lost and frightened child. He leaned forward and said “It’s ok Felicity. It’s me Adam.” She looked like she was trying to remember but couldn’t. Adam carefully stood trying not to startle her. He edged his way out of the room and hurried to the fridge. He eventually found the chocolate bar he was looking for and returned to find Felicity kneeling on the floor beside the bed staring at Alicia. She quickly scrambled back to the corner. Adam opened the chocolate bar and sat it on the side of the bed before cautiously backing away to sit in the opposite corner. Felicity looked at it. She seemed to recognise what it was and slowly inched forward until she could snatch it. She ate it without taking her eyes of Adam. “Well at least you remember chocolate.” Adam smiled. He tried talking to her by saying “I know you’re scared Felicity, just waking up and not knowing where you are or who we are. We wont push you. Just take it at your own pace. We all want to help.”

  Felicity nodded so it seemed she understood. She didn’t seem quite as scared now so he asked “Are you thirsty?” Felicity nodded again. He stood and walked out to the fridge again. He sat a glass of cola on the floor near her and she drank it quickly. He thought that was a good sign too. She wasn’t as helpless as he had feared she would be after the injury. There was know way yet of telling just how much damage her brain had suffered or what Gem had managed to fix with her strange medical kit.

  Felicity pointed at Alicia saying “Who?” Adam replied “That’s Alicia. She is one of your friends. Just like me and Tracy who is asleep on the lounge. I’m Adam remember.” She shook her head but crawled closer saying “Adam.….friend.…I...I can’t remember. Where am I?” Adam smiled, it looked like she wasn’t too bad apart from the memory loss. He explained slowly “You are in my flat. You’ve been staying here with us. You asked us to care for you once and adopt you. You were in a fight last night and you saved my life, but you were badly injured.” Felicity looked confused and whispered “I can’t remember.” She began to cry as she sobbed “I can’t remember anything.” Adam slowly crawled toward her and placed a hand on her arm saying “It’s ok Felicity. We are like your family. We will look after you. Just don’t try too hard. You’ve been through a lot. We all love you and are proud of you.” Felicity suddenly jumped forward and hugged him sobbing “I’m so scared. I don’t understand. Why can’t I remember anything?” When she pulled back she patted her head saying. “Where are they? Something is missing. Gone. I need them. I’m not safe. Where are they?” She started to panic.

  “Your cat ears?” Adam asked. Alicia’s hand suddenly stuck out from under the covers holding the ears. She said softly “I was minding them for you Felicity. They fell off during the night.” Felicity quickly grabbed them and stuck them on her head. She seemed instantly relieved as she licked Alicia’s hand and began to purr. Tracy spoke from the doorway “At least she remembers her security blanket. That’s gotta be good.” Tracy kneeled beside Adam and explained gently to Felicity “When you were scared before you used to pretend you were a cat. It helped you cope. We understand if you still need to do that sometimes. Do you remember being a cat?” Felicity shook her head but looked deep in thought. Eventually she just meowed. She smiled after that. It did seem to help.

  As they ate breakfast Felicity sat on the floor and watched them. She ate some cereal and didn’t seem too different from before. She wasn’t acting like a cat as much now, but she wasn’t acting like her normal self either. They guessed it was just going to take a while and everything would be new and a little scary at first. She seemed to be curious about little things that interested her, but they were things she should have known well. They couldn’t risk startling her or she would cower into a ball. She was very child like despite being able to talk if she really wanted to. It saddened all of them, but they were willing to be patient and support her recovery. Just after lunch Tracy did some basic therapy with her. She concluded that her short term memory was good, but there was nothing about people or events from her past.

  The doorbell rang and Adam answered the door while Felicity hid in t
he bedroom peering around the corner. Adam welcomed the man inside and introduced him as Father Lawson. He seemed like a genuinely nice man and was happy to hold the wedding. It would all be legal and legitimate. Adam explained that he had found the father online and when he heard the story he was only too willing to help Alicia out. He had said earlier in the conversion with Alicia “I am so glad you are in remission. I visited you once before in the hospital and they had told me you were terminal. You were in very bad shape at that stage so you may not remember.” Alicia couldn’t remember, but she had no memories at all from before her death. Those were the real Alicia’s memories. She wasn’t sure what kind of a story Adam had told the priest, but was eager to play along with still being a terminally ill patient if it got her the wedding she wanted so much. Father Lawson asked whether Alicia’s father would be present which caused her to start weeping. Adam explained he was overseas on business and may not make it in time. Tracy offered to stand in as the carer appointed by her father. Adam had no family he cared to invite so it would just be them. Adam gave the priest a generous donation and they agreed to meet up at three pm in the park by the beach with no more questions. It was a beautiful day and it was a quiet time of year, so it shouldn’t be crowded. After father Lawson left Tracy shoved Adam out the door told him to get out while they prepared. He left Tracy with half of what remained in the envelope and left to hire a suit and find a wedding ring.

  The park was beautiful as Adam and Father Lawson waited in the pergola of the park. There was a picturesque view of the beach and all the flowers were in bloom. There didn’t seem to be many people around. Adam was nervous. He prayed this was all true. The Alicia he had first met liked to play games to control him, but he was positive that was not the real her. “It’s just nerves.” Father Lawson assured him seeing the worried look on his face. “It’s quite normal to have fears and doubts. Just believe. If I doubted her feelings I wouldn’t be here.” It did reassure him to know he was just experiencing normal jitters. His nerves were put to rest when a taxi pulled up. Tracy and Felicity emerged holding small bouquets of flowers while. They both wore pale apricot coloured dresses and had small flowers in their hair. He thought neither had ever looked more beautiful than they did now. They held hands as they came to stand by his side. “You both look beautiful he told them.” They both looked embarrassed as Tracy said, “Turns out you weren’t the only one making plans in secret. She had these reserved at the hire place two days ago.” Adam had no idea when Alicia had found time to organise bridesmaids dresses.

  Eventually Alicia emerged from the taxi with the driver’s help. By coincidence it was the same old driver that had bought her home from her drunken escapade at the pub a few night ago. The one that called her Pukey. She had chosen a traditional lacy white sleeveless dress with a low cut but still respectable front. Instead of a veil she wore babies breath in her golden hair. She held a large bouquet of pink and white flowers in her hands. Adam knew he would never forget this image. This was perfection. She looked like a dream as she drifted towards him. He breathed in deeply as she reached for his hand. Finally he managed to say “I have never seen anyone more beautiful.” She blushed a little and replied “Thanks, you scrub up pretty good too. Really good actually.” Father Lawson cleared his throat and began.

  The ceremony was short as they had asked. When it came to Adam’s turn to say “I do” he did so eagerly. He heard Alicia mutter “You better.” jokingly under her breath. When it was Alicia’s turn she said her “I do.” in a definite and certain voice without hesitation. Father Lawson finished the ceremony with “By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride.” They took their first kiss as a married couple until Felicity’s giggles caused them to laugh as well. They thanked Father Lawson and he pulled out a camera from his robes telling them all to line up for some photos.

  It had all gone perfectly and Adam couldn’t believe he was now actually married to Alicia. He had booked the best rooms in the best motel for their honeymoon, but Alicia asked if they could just stay in their own bed for tonight. It was just where she felt like being. At home with her family. Also she didn’t want to expose Felicity to too many new locations just yet. Adam agreed and they were all piling back into his little car when Fay approached out of nowhere. She was wearing a tennis outfit with a headband and carrying a large sports bag on her back. Her eyes were moist and she held a tissue. “That was just beautiful.” she said to the newly wed couple “Congratulations to you both.” She paused for a moment and asked Alicia “Does Adam have a brother?” Adam shook his head chuckling “Sorry Fay. Only child.” Alicia tossed her the bouquet which she caught. She asked Fay “You know what that means don’t you?” Fay looked puzzled and focussed for a moment before cheering “Yay, thank you. I’m next.” She was obviously jubilant.

  Adam doubted this was a social visit and asked “Are you here for the debriefing, because it’s not really the best time.” Fay replied “No that’s been put back to tomorrow now. I was hanging around just in case. You know, Alicia might have bailed and you’d be left there all alone feeling miserable. A priest at the ready.”

  “Really?” Adam asked. Fay nodded and said “Yep, but I was also meant to deliver a message about the debriefing tomorrow. You’ve all been invited to please come to the institute. I already transferred the details to Alicia. It’s only two hours drive. Mother wants to meet with you all and discuss your futures.” “Don’t worry, we’ll be there.” Alicia said. “But for now we have a wedding to celebrate.” “That’s cool.” Felicity said before pulling a long sad face and asking “Will there be that cake with the fruit in it?” She looked at Alicia with large pleading eyes. Alicia smiled saying “You’ll have to and see wont you.” Fay quickly jumped in the back of the car pushing Tracy across.”Let’s go.” she said excitedly.

  When they arrived back at the flat a catering van was parked out the front. Alicia smiled and said, “I didn’t feel like cooking. So I ordered food with some of the money you left.” The caterers laid out the feast on a folding table in the living room with extra folding chairs and a two tier wedding cake on the kitchen bench Alicia closed the door behind the caterers thanking them and went to the bedroom to change out of her dress. Fay claimed the bathroom saying she needed to change too. Alicia soon returned in a T-shirt and skirt saying “Now we can do this in comfort. Just us relaxing at home together nice and casual.” When Fay returned all their mouths fell open in surprise. She was now wearing a simple short lavender coloured dress and had translucent blueish tinted wings on her back. She looked at their surprised faces brushing her long white hair back to expose her pointy ears and large purple eyes. “What?” She asked “I like the fairy theme. Didn’t Adam tell you about my extra appendages? They’re for controlling fake wings. They work in conjunction with an anti gravity harness.” She flapped the wings a few times to show how the artificial wings moved before asking “Didn’t my name give you a clue?” Adam answered “Oh yeah, Fay means fairy doesn’t it? The ‘fair folk’. I think the term covered all the elves, pixies, fairies and stuff. Fay replied “Yep, but I’m none of those really. Because of my size, and wings mother named me Fay. She grew up with stories about the same mythical creatures too. Seeing as you already knew about the ears and the arms and tomorrow you will learn the rest, I couldn’t see the sense in concealing it any more. Besides when I drink I kind of don’t keep secrets very well anyway. Mother will explain the full story tomorrow. Tonight is for partying.”

  Tracy popped open a bottle of cold champagne and poured everyone a drink. She had sparkling apple juice for Felicity not wishing to risk alcohol in her healing state . They toasted the newly weds and Alicia joined Adam on the lounge to eat. After the cake was served Adam noticed Fay carefully wrapping a few slices in napkins and tucking them into her sports bag. She kept chatting and maintaining eye contact with Tracy the entire time. She was very good at not being noticed. As Tracy opened another bottle to fill the
empty glass Fay was holding out, Alicia quietly grabbed Adam’s hand and pulled him into the bedroom locking the door behind her.

  In the morning they found the mother of all messes in the main living area of the flat. Felicity was sleeping peacefully on the lounge while Tracy and Fay were slumped leaning on each other against the wall. There were three empty bottles beside them and Fay was still clutching another. Alicia laughed saying “I will never delete these images. We should print out a few copies. Adam laughed and hugged his new bride. This was a happy home for their new family, but it was too cramped. He suggested to Alicia “I think we might need a bigger home. Tomorrow we should start looking for a bigger rental.”

  Hearing them talking Fay started mumbling something and soon raced passed them with her hand over her mouth. Alicia followed to make sure she ok. The image of the groaning fairy resting with her arms and head on the toilet seat made a very unique picture. They all picked at left overs from the fridge instead of a proper breakfast. After that a horn beeped out the front. Fay stumbled to the door with her bag groaning “That’ll be my taxi.” Adam asked “What about you’re disguise?” Fay shrugged and replied “I usually just tell them I was at a costume party. Works all the time.” She donned her sunglasses as she walked through the door yelling “Congratulations and all that stuff.” Then she was gone. Alicia wrapped her arms around Adam’s waist and asked “What exactly is she?” Adam shrugged saying “I guess we’ll find out later today Mrs Winters.” Alicia held him tighter whispering “Alicia Winter. Sounds good doesn’t it? I like it.”