Episode 41. Gardening
On his way home, Robin found an onion plant.
To succeed in his Forbidden Fruit experiment, he needs to improve his Gardening skill.
So here he is, harvesting onions to plant some at home.
Episode 42. A Better Dinner and Back to the Dream Pod
Robin is still alone, still no roommate, but at least the macaroni tastes better with a touch of onion.
And he still has his Dream Pod. What a lifesaver!
Episode 43. Surprise Call
When Robin returned to the dorm after class, he got a phone call from Dustin.
“Dust? Man, it’s about time! Where were you?”
“I’m sorry, I needed a break from everything, so I disconnected my cell phone. How have you been?”
“I’m okay, what about Juliette? Is she still angry at me?”
“Unfortunately, yes”.
“Is there anything I can do?”
“Nothing, except waiting. Be patient, she may change her mind anytime”.
“Really? Why?”
“Ahem, no reason, it’s just a hunch. But I’m not sure so, you should go on with your life”.
“So, you suggest I forget about her?”
“Only for a while, you know? Jul is having a rough time now”.
“Like I said, you have to be patient”, Dustin concluded.
“Okay, I’ll try”.
“Good. Well, it was great talking to you. Good luck with the University, and please, feel free to call me whenever you want”.
“Wait, where are you? Are you in Aurora Skies? Is Jul with you?
“Sorry, she asked me not to reveal her location. I just called to let you know she’s fine, in case you were worried about her. I’ll talk to you soon, I hope. Bye”.
That was it. Goodbye to Robin’s hopes. Maybe it was time to forget about this all and go on with his life like Dustin suggested?
Episode 44. End of Semester
Another day on campus, it’s the last week of the semester.
Robin had his Technology Class Activity at Keith’s Comics. He had to use the Brain Enhancer again. Ugh.
In the evening, in order to distract himself, he searched for a galaxy with the telescope. He was up until the early morning, but he couldn’t find anything.
Naturally, the next morning he fell asleep during the lecture, but the ring of his phone woke him up. It was a girl he had met on Tuesday at Keith’s Komics. She wanted to invite him out on a date. Robin said yes, after all, what did he get to lose? He was single and the final exams were tomorrow, it could be a nice way of closing the semester. Plus, it was obvious at this point that Juliette wasn’t coming back, so why not give it a shot? It was just one date after all.
Episode 45: An Incredible Date
Tracey Case was the girl who had invited Robin on a date. She wasn’t a college student, she worked at Keith’s Komics. This was alredy their third date. On the first one they had gone for a cup of coffee; on the second they had gone to the movies, and for the third Robin had invited Tracey to his house. As he was still alone, without roommates or friends around, they would have the whole dorm to themselves.
Tracey was friendly, fun and flirty. As soon as they arrived, she noticed that Robin was a bit tense, so she offered him a massage.
Robin thanked her with a kiss, the first since they had started dating.
She kissed him back instantly and things turned more romantic.
Once the ice was broken everything started to escalate quickly. Robin got nervous.
(“Wow, this is going a bit too fast”).
“Um, Tracey?”
“Yes?”
“We need to talk”.
“No, we don’t”.
“I mean, I do”.
“Alright, go ahead”.
“Trace, listen, I just got out of a relationship that was important to me and… I have not fully recovered from it, so…”
“I get it, you don’t want a commitment now, it’s okay”.
“You sure?”
“Yeah, let’s just continue dating and see what happens, is that okay with you?”
“Yeah, absolutely”.
“Alright, then where were we?”
“Where were we…”, Robin repeated playfully.
“Ah, yes–“, he said, and continued kissing her, this time without interruptions.
As it was to be expected, they ended in the bedroom where they both felt more comfortable.
(“Thank God I redecorated. Just in time! Lol”)
Their first night together would also be their last, cause the next morning, after getting his report card, Robin would return home. So would Tracey, since her job on campus was just temporary. None of the two knew if they would see each other again, or if their relationship was going somewhere. For now, they just slept happily next to each other.
❤️
Episode 46. Report Card
It’s 8 am, Tracey left minutes ago and Robin’s report card has just arrived. He doesn’t want to look, but even so he takes a peek…
“What? A ‘B’! Not bad, huh? It’s much better than I expected.
“The food in the fridge is spoiled now, but I don’t care cause I passed the semester, I’m finally going home!”
Episode 47. Back Home
With “I’m going home”, Robin didn’t mean his real home in Oasis Landing, but Aurora Skies, to where he went directly after concluding the semester.
Once there, first thing he did was visit Dustin, hoping to meet Juliette there so he could talk to her, but she wasn’t home. Which was odd cause that their parents’ home, and Dustin had returned from his break, why didn’t she?
“Jul moved out”, Dustin explained “She said that way she could be able to focus better on her project”.
“What project?”
“A new one, it’s… a rather complicated one, so it might take some time”.
“And where does she live now?”
“Sorry, I’m not allowed to disclose her location”.
“Why? Is this a secret project or something?”
“Let’s say it is.
“…”
“Seriously, I can’t tell you more, all I can add is that she’s okay”.
“Is she happy?”
“In her own way, she is. Of course she misses you a lot, but…”
“But she won’t forgive me”.
“She will, I know, just give her time”, Dustin added, while he thought about the things he could not tell out of loyalty to his sister.
He didn’t tell that she was still living in Aurora Skies, a few blocks from where they were, actually.
Or that she was, in fact, still working in the old team’s projects, like the Forbidden Fruit and potion discovery.
He didn’t say either that Juliette’s pregnancy was almost to full term and that she had everything ready for the baby’s arrival. Robin’s baby indeed. He felt guilty for not telling him, and felt sorry for him as well, but he couldn’t give his sister away.
“I can’t wait for her anymore, Dust”, Robin continued, aloof to Dustin’s thoughts. “See, I met someone on campus. She’s not Juliette, but she may want to help me with my mission”.
“The Crane Legacy”.
“Yes”.
“Well, go for it and good luck”.
“Thank you. Just if you see Juliette, tell her I’m sorry, but I must go one with my plan. Tell her as well that I love her and that I’ll never forget her”.
“I sure will”.
“Well, goodbye Jul. Sorry, but I can’t wait for you forever”.
When the summer holidays were over, Robin said goodbye to his loyal plumbot Five, who had come to assist him during his short stay in Aurora Skies, and returned to the University to try to start his legacy, without Juliette.
If he had known what he was leaving behind, he might never have left.
Episode 48. Robin Goes Back to the University
At the beginning of autumn Robin went back to the University.
Upon his arrival he got a phone call from Tracey, she had to go to work at another campus, but she might visit him one of these days.
Those were disappointing news for Robin, but he’ll find a way to continue with his plans.
There were not many people at the Meet & Greet. The atmosphere was rather boring. Robin felt lonely, so he thought of looking for roommates. Not at that moment of course, maybe later.
The night fell, Robin was back at the dorm, he practiced a little Painting to distract himself before going to bed.
Then it started to hail, it didn’t look good. Oh, well – tomorrow would be another day…
Episode 49. The Third Semester
The third semester wasn’t so bad…
Except for this crazy machine called ‘The Brain Enhancer’.
Robin felt his brain was anything but “enhanced” after using it.
One of the good things that happened that term was that Robin finally got roomies: Manisha Kapoor and the Mullins brothers: Lukas and Eddy.
All of them outstanding students and, thankfully, also friendly and peaceful. Robin wasn’t lonely anymore!
During the third semester Robin was able to study quietly.
To attend and be early to all his classes.
Which, in the end, led him to better test scores.
Other good news was that, before he returned home, Tracey visited him at the dorm. They had a great time together, but he didn’t propose to her yet or told her about his plan. Something inside of him told him he should wait, at least until after graduation.
So he packed his suitcase, said goodbye to his roomies and headed to Aurora Skies.
Perhaps he should make one last attempt to find Juliette?
Episode 50. What Happened with Juliette
Back in Aurora Skies, Robin tried once more to get in touch with Juliette, but, as always, her cell phone was disconnected, and Dustin wouldn’t tell him anything. What was going on?
A FEW MONTHS EARLIER…
“Are you sure you don’t want to move in with me? You’ll be safer there”, Dustin proposed.
“Thanks, Dust, but I’m fine here, I’m not a child, I can handle this alone. Besides, you shouldn’t come so often, Robin could follow you and find me”.
“Robin just got back to the University, but even so, he has the right to know what’s going on, you should tell him before it’s too late, Jul”.
“What do you mean by too late?”
“I mean, he could find someone else to start his ‘legacy'”.
“Well, that’s his business, I’m not gonna tell him anything, and don’t you dare to tell him anything either, or I won’t talk to you again”.
“Come on, Jul, you know this is wrong”.
“Well, it is my choice”.
“Okay, but the baby will be here anytime now, you’ll need to go to the hospital and all that. Let me at me least stay with you in the last days to take care of you”.
“Dustin, I said I will be fine, so knock it off, okay?”
“…”
“Sorry Dust, I didn’t mean to be rude, just – understand that if you stay here or continue visiting me, our parents will start to come too, then they’ll know, and then the whole town will find out, and Robin will discover me. I can’t let that happen, at least not yet”.
“Then when will you tell him?”
“I don’t know, I have to think about it”.
“Alright, I’ll leave you be, but anything you need please, don’t hesitate to call me, okay?”
“Yeah, yeah, I will. Now go back home, I’m tired”.
“Are you sure you’re gonna be fine?”
“Of course I’m gonna be fine”.
“But…”
“Bye, Dustin”.
“Okay”.
JUST MINUTES LATER…
“Oh, my God…”
“DUSTIN??”
But Dustin had just started his car and left.
Juliette didn’t have time to call her brother on the phone, so she went to the hospital by herself.
She left there at dawn with her newborn baby in her arms. It was a boy, she named him Rowan.
She didn’t call Dustin to pick her up either, she and Rowan went home in a taxicab.
Juliette and Rowan, already at home, both safe and sound and ready to start their new life together.
“Time for bed, Row”.
“Sweet dreams, little one. Mom is here, she’ll take care of you without anybody’s help”.
Rowan Crane, the first descendant of the Crane Legacy, had arrived in this world and slept safely in his crib now.
Episode 51. Last Chance
Since the day Rowan was born, Juliette spent every minute of her time caring for him and meeting his every need.
She made sure he slept well and in a comfortable crib.
She fed him.
Played with him.
Gave him all her love.
And while she watched over him she continued to study and prepare herself to become the great scientist she dreamed to be.
She handled some damages in her house.
And remembered to take small, well-deserved naps from time to time in order not to wear herself out. What she did forget, though, was very important thing she should do: tell Robin that he had a son.
Which made Dustin even more worried…
“You have to tell him, Jul. He will soon be leaving for the University on his last semester, after that you may never see him again. It’s no joke. I know he came to Aurora Skies, but he didn’t call me this time. That’s odd. Maybe he lost interest, or maybe he found someone else already, with whom to start his lineage, this could be your last chance, Jul, don’t let it go!”
“Hey, calm down, Dustin. I’ll tell him the next time he comes to Aurora, I promise”.
“Well, I hope it’s not too late”.
Episode 52. Who’s That Girl?
Robin is going back to the University for his last semester.
He was unlucky this time, his previous dorm wasn’t available, and he had to rent a small house where there wasn’t enough space for roomies. He has not heard from Tracey either.
So, he started the semester alone without roomies and without a girlfriend.
But that afternoon, at the Meet & Greet, while he had a snack at the Students Union…
“Oh my God, who’s that girl?”
“She’s gorgeous and all the guys are looking at her. She must be very popular. How come I never saw her before?”
“Uh, oh. Here she comes. I hope she sits at this table, that way I would get to know her, ask her what her name is.”
“Yes! She’s put her cake on the table. Now sit there. Please, please, do sit down”.
The girl sat at Robin’s table and ate her cake but did not speak to him.
Robin thought maybe she was shy, so when she got up to leave, he followed her and introduced himself.
“Hi, my name is Robin Crane.”
“Ann Conners,” the blonde replied without much enthusiasm.
“I haven’t seen you on campus before, are you new?”
“Of course not, I’m in my last semester of Fine Arts, are you?”
“Science and Medicine, last semester too. But how come I’ve never seen you before.”
“… Because I don’t like to attend Meet & Greets.”
“And why wouldn’t such a popular girl come to such a social event?”
Ann Conners smiled for the first time.
“Popular? I’m not popular. In fact, I’m quite the opposite.”
“That’s not true, all those boys…they were looking at you.”
“They’re looking at me because they think I’m weird.”
“I don’t think you’re weird. I think you’re beautiful, Ann.”
“If you knew me well you wouldn’t say that.”
“Well, I would like to get to know you. Maybe we can go out sometime?”
“Wow, you’re going fast,” Ann replied, returning to her unenthusiastic tone, and walked away, leaving Robin standing in the middle of the room.
An hour later, it was she who looked for him in the conference room.
“Hi, stranger.” Robin took the opportunity to apologize.
“Ann, I’m sorry if I disturbed you, I didn’t mean to go so fast, I just wanted to meet you.”
“Hm. You know, Robin, I think you’re weird too. I couldn’t say why, but you’re different from the other guys. And me being the queen of the weirdos on this campus, maybe I should hang out with you. My phone number is in the student directory, call me,” Ann said and again turned to leave.
Robin wanted to tell her something else, but her phone was ringing (just now?).
“Yes? Ah, Dustin, sorry, I can’t talk right now, I’m busy. I’ll call you later, okay? Bye.”
Maybe Ann Conners was weird, but it was precisely because of her “weirdness” that, to Robin, she seemed like the perfect person to start his dynasty…. Or so he thought. But Ann, like Juliette, had her own plans and ambitions. And Robin, again, didn’t consider that, he was so bewitched by her that he couldn’t even think. It had been love at first sight!
Episode 53. Snowy Days and a First Date
At the beginning of the semester the weather was awful, it snowed for practically the whole first week. Then, at the start of the second, the snow finally stopped.
A beautiful rainbow appeared like a good sign and all the students were able to go back to their classes, including Robin.
He had to run, though, cause he had slept in, and it was getting late for his class.
The campus was covered in snow now, but the weather was more or less decent.
Maybe he should try to invite Ann on a date? But it’s been a week since they met at the Students Union, she probably already forgot him.
There’s only one way to find out and that is to call her. He had already looked up her phone number in the student’s directory, so here he goes…
Yay, Ann accepted the invitation, but it’s starting to snow again so they won’t go out, they’ll meet at Robin’s house. Much better!
The date was anything but fancy, Robin prepared spaghetti and they ate it at the small kitchen table. They talked, joked and laughed together. Nothing really significant, let alone romantic, but the two of them felt comfortable with each other, which was definitely a good start.
Robin told Ann that he wanted to see her again. She said yes. Things looked good for the two of them. Robin hoped this would be the end of his search, it looks like there will be a Crane legacy soon after all!
What robin didn’t know was that his legacy was already out there, somewhere…
Episode 54. University is Over
It’s the end of the last semester, Robin has been studying hard for the final exams; he and Ann have been dating for weeks now. Oh, and he got a haircut. 😉
Ann is busy studying for her finals too, so they probably won’t see each other until after graduation. Robin has focused on his studies; he wants to get good grades and obtain his degree at last.
The technology of the past is nothing compared to the Future’s Advanced Technology, but it has been… well, interesting.
Here he goes, ready for those pesky exams.
8 am, the report card has arrived.
“What? Another B? Well, not bad, at least I didn’t fail the exams”.
Graduation Day, it’s snowing again (surprise).
The ceremony has ended, the weather was so bad that Robin couldn’t even wear a graduation robe. (And someone has built an igloo outside the Annex).
Back at home, Robin packed his suitcase to return to Aurora Skies; he and Ann will meet there. He was about to leave when he got an unexpected phone call, it was Tracey. She was on campus and wanted to see him. Now what?
Well, Tracey just wanted to say goodbye, she had to move out permanently because of her work and she wouldn’t be able to continue with their relationship. Robin felt a little sad, felt a little sad, but at the same time relieved; now he’d be able to continue his relationship with Ann without guilt. By the way, Tracey changed her hair too, she looks good! Too bad Robin is in love with Ann now. 😦 Anyway, they said goodbye in good terms, no hard feelings, and they promised they would always be friends.
Now it’s time to return to Aurora Skies and start his new life with his new girlfriend. If everything goes as planned, he’ll be able to return to the future soon. Good luck, Robin!
Episode 55. Robin’s new Romance
After graduation, Robin returned to Aurora Skies…
For the time being, he stayed at his vacation house with Five, his assistant plumbot. Would it be a good idea to bring Bethany to the present? Nope, bad idea. It wasn’t a good idea either to host Ann at this house. Too much advanced technology for her to know about yet.
Plus, everything in this house reminds him of Juliette, after all they had met there a few times.
“Juliette. I must stop thinking of you, I must start over and go on with my plans without you”.
To forget about Juliette and focus completely in his project, Robin bought another house, something more traditional and modest, without any advanced technology. “Hmm, a bit small, but not bad at all”. Of course, anything would seem small compared to his high-tech home in the Future!
Ann arrived the next morning. Robin was in awe. She’s prettier than he remembered!
Robin didn’t waste time and asked her to go steady.
She of course said yes, and her visit turned into a romantic date.
A very hot date, indeed…
Which ended in… well, you know, like it was meant to end.
Robin is so in love with her! Ann is not exactly a romantic, but she’s happy to have found him. He’s exactly what she was looking for, the man of her dreams!
Their first night together was glorious…
After their romantic encounter, almost the early morning, they went out to watch the stars. They had spent a beautiful time together, but what would happen when Ann had to return home?
Nothing, cause Robin wouldn’t let her. He asked her to move in with him. Ann thought for a moment. This was her opportunity to stop being the “weird” girl, the inappropriate, the nutcase that everyone made fun of. With Robin she’d have a family, a house, a normal life, but… What about her Music career? Could she succeed at it and become the famous artist she’d always dreamed to be? No idea. She didn’t know either if she could make Robin happy, but still her answer was…
“Yes, Robin, of course I’ll move in with you”.
Robin couldn’t be happier. There was a problem, though. He omitted to tell Ann that he had come from the Future, that his household consisted of two robots, that he was a time traveler with one mission: to start his own dynasty and save the world. Small detail, huh?
Episode 56. Back to Reality
Robin and Ann have shared beautiful moments together and they both agree the want to start a family soon.
Although, of course, Ann would like to start her Music career first, for which Robin has no objection. As for marriage, he doesn’t want to ruin it as it happened with Juliette, so he’ll wait for the right moment to propose to her.
He is also thinking of telling her what he does and where he comes from. He’s sure that Ann will understand. For now, the only thing he’s told her is that he’s a Robotics expert who builds and sells plumbots for a living. This didn’t seem to bother her, in fact she found it quite interesting.
Yeah, everything is running smoothly for Robin now, but it’s time for him to go back to reality, or rather, to the Future.
So good-bye Aurora Skies…
…Hello again, Oasis Landing!
Episode 57. Oasis Landing 2054
Oasis Landing, year 2054 again. Home, sweet home!
Robin stayed in the Past for so long, but now he’s back and many important issues are waiting here to be solved. One of those issues is, of course, with Bethany. Should he tell her…?
Of course he should, but how to do so without hurting her, erm, ‘feelings’.
“Hey! I’m back! Anybody home?”
“We’re here upstairs!”
That’s definitely not Bethany’s voice.
“Robin, where the hell were you? Bethany’s been dead worried”, Judith exclaimed as soon as she saw him come up the stairs.
“You know where I was”.
“But you finished University two weeks ago”.
“I had things to do. Something came up, let’s go outside and I’ll explain you”.
“Wait, why are you whispering?”
“Cause I can’t talk here, let’s go outside, okay?”
“What?? You got another girlfriend?”
“Could you please lower your voice? I don’t want Bethany to hear us”.
“Alright, I’ve lowered my voice, now explain yourself”.
“Long story. I met this girl at the University, her name is Ann. We’re living together now in Aurora Skies”.
“At the High Tech house? Rob, are you out of your mind?”
“No, not there, in another house, a normal one”.
“Okay, but what about Juliette, does she already know?”
“I don’t think so, I haven’t talked to Dustin in weeks”.
“Rob, this is wrong, this is very wrong”.
“No, it’s not. I’m in love with Ann, she wants a family too so I’ll be able to accomplish my mission. You should be happy for me, Judy”.
“Of course I am, but what do you think Jul will say when she finds out?”
“Nothing. She wants nothing to do with me, remember?”
“That’s true… Now, what about Bethany? She really likes you, and she’d do anything for you. I hope you have a good explanation to give her about your behavior”.
“I’m sure she’ll understand. Besides, she can’t help me with this particular mission, and she knows it”.
“Fair enough, plumbots can’t have children”.
“Oh, speaking about children, what happened to Plan B?”
“Plan B? What Plan B?”
“The plan you made with the people of RSL.”
“¿…?”
“Reproductive Solutions Lab. You know, the baby designers?”
“Oh, that plan. I completely forgot. Well, that was an emergency plan only. I’m not really in favor of engineering babies, so I’ll just call it off”.
“But you signed some papers, they got your DNA sample”.
“No problem, I’ll ask them to give it back”.
“You think they’ll agree? They had everything ready to go, even the volunteer”.
“Did they? Boy, they are fast… Anyway, I’ll explain to them what happened and ask them to cancel”.
“Okay, just don’t forget to call them. You know how fussy they get about cancellations. Well, I have to go, good luck with everything, especially with Bethany. Boy, you’re quickly turning into a heartbreaker! Thank God we’re in 2054, we don’t deal with that jealousy bullsh*t anymore… I think. Bye.”
Judith left, Robin returned to the second floor. Bethany wasn’t around, she was probably at the Battery Charger already, most likely angry and not willing to talk to him. Robin wasn’t sleepy yet, so he went directly to the Reventlov’s Bot Workshop to design and create some nanites.
Later he went downstairs, had a snack and played at the Holo-Computer for a while to distract himself before going to bed.
“Yay, how I missed Advanced Technology!”
Another day, Robin is ready to go to the Bot Emporium to buy materials to work with. He’s still worried about Bethany, she usually comes to his bedroom to say good morning, but today she didn’t show up. Like a flash, Judith’s words returned to his head:
“Good luck with everything, especially with Bethany. Boy, you’re quickly turning into a heartbreaker”.
“Forgive me, Beth. I did miss you too, but this mission is bigger than me”.
Episode 58. Capacity to Love
Fortunately for Robin (and for every bot-builder in Oasis Landing), plumbots aren’t resentful, so two days later, Bethany not only talked to him again, but she accepted to be tuned up by him as usual.
“Thanks, master Robin”.
“You’re welcome, Beth, but remember I’m not your ‘master’, I’m your partner”.
“Partner in crime?”
“What? No!” Robin answered, blushing. “Partners as in co-workers. Yeah, that’s what we are”.
“Co-worker would kiss Bethany?”
“Sure”, Robin answered, and pretended to kiss Bethany, by blowing a kiss into the air near her.
“Not that kind of kiss. Spark kiss”.
“Uh – See Beth, co-workers don’t spark kiss each other, okay?”
“Okay, master”.
“Beth, again, I am not your master”.
“Understood, master”.
“(Sigh)”.
Another work session at the Reventlov’s Bot Workshop. Thank God Bethany isn’t around now, Robin finds it difficult not to feel attracted to her sometimes and, to top it all off, he hasn’t told her about Ann yet, but he’ll have to do it at some point.
“Why is it so complicated to be human? Had I been a robot-like Crane, I would have lived happily with Bethany. But I happen to be flesh and blood; plus, I am with Ann now, how will Beth take that?”
Of course Bethany took it well, thanks to her flawless AI, but she continued to look after Robin, fulfilling every need and every wish her “master” had, watching over him even when he was sleeping. And Robin couldn’t help but feeling safe and happy around her.
During those days he had a recurring dream in which Bethany became human, Robin kissed her and then he became a plumbot.
“Boy, that dream was odd, what could it mean?”, he asked himself while he looked for nanites at the Barren Wasteland.
The anxiety his dream caused him continued during Robin’s work hours…
“What’s wrong with me? Was Juliette right when she said I acted like a robot at times? Could it be because I am turning slowly into one? What if I am indeed a plumbot and no one told me? Nah, that can’t be, I mean, as far as I know I am human, I’m just… confused. And it isn’t Beth’s fault but mine only, I should’ve never given her the Capacity to Love trait chip, cause now she’s confused too”.
He was so absorbed in his thoughts that he didn’t see Bethany coming as he entered the carport, and she caught him unguarded.
“Spark kiss!”
“Bethany, don’t…”
“Bzzzz-zzzap!”
“Whoa, that was… powerful”.
“Master Robin liked it?”
“I rather not answer that question. Just, please, don’t do that again, okay?”
“Sorry, master. Beth couldn’t resist”.
“W-what are you doing now?”
“Beth uploads feelings”
“That’s true, I can feel you!”
“Master Robin loves Bethany?”
“Yes. As a friend, I mean”.
“Listen, Beth: this, us, cannot be”.
“Why, master?”
“‘Cause I am human. Humans pair with humans, and plumbots with plumbots. That’s why I created you, so you could be Five’s girlfriend, not mine”.
“Five good friend. Bethany loves master Robin”.
“Beth, for the last time, quit calling me master. You’re not a servant, you’re my friend, my associate, and that’s all we will be, get it?”
“Beth gets it”.
“Good, we’ll talk about this later, I gotta go now, the Emporium is about to close”.
“And… here goes another day without telling Beth the truth”.
“Why can’t I just tell her? I don’t think she wouldn’t understand. Beth’s smart. No, she’s brilliant! Not for nothing I gave her every possible trait chip, so she would be a genius, she’s my masterpiece! I don’t wanna hurt her, I don’t want her to suffer each time she sees me with Ann. Maybe I should remove her Capacity of Love trait chip? Yes, that’s what I’ll do. It breaks my heart but it’s for her own good… or so I hope. Ah, this world is confusing, sometimes I don’t know who I am anymore. I need help. Crane, where are you?”
“Forgive me, Beth, I promise you’ll be happier after I remove the trait chip. You and Five will be happy together, I’m sure. After all you two were made (by me) for each other. I don’t have time to make the adjustments right now, my time here is over and I must return to the Past, but I’ll do it upon my return. I know you won’t hold a grudge, that’s the good thing about you bots, you use logic above all else. And you, Beth, are the best plumbot I’ve ever had”.
It’s time to travel to the Past again, the next time Robin and Bethany see each other everything will be different. It’s not Robin’s style to degrade his plumbots, on the contrary, he always seeks to improve them, but this is an exceptional case.
“Well, goodbye, Bethany”.
“Goodbye, master”.
“Beth…”
“Sorry, (long beep). The word (long beep) has been deleted now”.
“Good, thank you, Beth. I’ll see you soon”.
Robin jumped inside the time portal, to go back to the Past, where Ann and his ‘other life’ await him.
Episode 59. Secrets
Robin’s back in Aurora Skies, he just got out of the portal and is heading home. He missed Ann a lot, but he can’t forget about Bethany and Juliette.
“You’re quickly turning into a heartbreaker”. Judith’s words… Were they true?
“What have I become, a cheater? No, I’ll straighten my path from now on, I promise”.
Ann missed him too, he could tell. He realized how much he loved her as well. Ann was gorgeous, caring, passionate, funny and had a great sense of humor. To sum up, she was perfect.
“Are these your work clothes? They’re… interesting”, she teased.
“You think?”
“Yeah, and very sexy. Tell me, what do you really do for a living, Mr. Crane?”
“I told you; I build plumbots”.
“In this outfit? Hm, I’d love to be one of your female bots”.
“No, you wouldn’t”.
“Seriously, Rob, what do you do, and where do you go when you travel?”
“I’m a Robotics Engineer, I work at a city called Oasis Landing”.
“Oasis Landing? Never heard of it. Where is it located?”
“Far, far from here”.
“I’d love to see it. Can I go with you next time?”
“We’ll talk about that later. Now, you and I have something else to take care of”.
“True”.
That “something” took them the rest of the night.
The next day, Robin didn’t feel good about himself.
“I’m a coward. I lost the perfect opportunity to tell Ann the whole truth about me and my travels to the Future. Maybe next time”.
“And what am I going to tell her? See, Ann, I come from the Future, I’m a Time Traveler, that’s what I do for a living? And Oasis Landing is a post-apocalyptic place without real trees and no oceans, built over the ruins of a devastated city?”
Yeah, that was exactly what he told her. It was true, but Ann found it hard to believe.
“I’d like to believe you, but – how is it even possible to travel in time? Do you own a time machine or something like that?
“There’s a Time Portal, actually”.
“And where is this portal?”
“I can’t tell you”.
“Why? Is it some sort of state secret?”
“Sort of. So, you can’t tell anyone what I just told you”.
“But that’s not fair!”
“There, I told her. Now she’s angry with me because she can’t talk to anybody about the Time Portal and Oasis Landing; and because I can’t take her with me to the Future… But at least she believed me”.
After a week, though, Ann forgot her anger and apologized to Robin. She told him she loved him; she respected his work and the rules that came with it. Robin couldn’t believe it had been that easy! Ann was a real jewel; he was so happy he had found her!
What was really happening was Ann held a secret too. Something she had found out while Robin was traveling., but she wouldn’t tell him anything until she was sure it was what she thought it was…
Episode 60. Great News
Ann just confirmed it: she’s pregnant, it’s time to give Rob the great news.
But first she makes sure she looks good, (as good as someone can look at 8 am with morning sickness), then she takes a deep breath and…
“Okay, here I go”.
“¿Robin?”
“Yes, I know you’re hungry. Don’t worry, I made you a double omelet this time”.
“Great, cause now I’m eating for two”.
“What?”
“Robin… I’m pregnant”.
“Oh my, Ann. Are you sure?”
“100%. The doctor confirmed it yesterday”.
“But… what happens? You don’t seem happy”, Ann complained.
“Of course I’m happy, dear. I’m just surprised, that’s all”.
“Are you sure it’s not too soon?”
“No, in fact I was wishing for it to happen”.
“Seriously? But you and I are not…”
“Don’t worry, we are in this together, we’ll do whatever is necessary to give this baby a proper home. Okay?”.
“Oh, Robin, thank you. I love you so much”.
“I love you too, Ann. Everything will be fine, I promise”.
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