Chapter 15: Bringing Back ALICE

  On the same day, in a hotel room in the city of Devhara.

  D stood by the window, gazing at the evening sky. The horizon glowed faintly as a hand suddenly rested on his shoulder.

  “You know you still got it, love.”

  D didn’t turn, his eyes still fixed on the distance.

  “Can you at least act a little surprised, honey?”

  Darwin pulled Aleina closer by her waist. She allowed it for a moment before pushing him away.

  “This is fun, but we need to get back to work,” Aleina said.

  “Yeah, you’re right… or we could have more fun,” D replied, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

  “That’s wishful thinking, my dear. But I hope you remember why we’re back,” Aleina said, her tone firm but encouraging.

  D sighed. “I guess this is the end of our ordinary life.”

  “My dear, we were never ordinary,” Aleina replied softly. “What we had was more like a genjutsu than reality.”

  D smiled faintly, understanding. It was time to switch back into fight mode.

  “Alright, alright. I knew this day would come. Phase Two of the finance protocol is already in motion, so funds are secured. Next, we gather all family members in one place. I’ve asked the children to inform the others to be ready. All that’s left… is convincing the adults.”

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  He stood up and reached for his bag.

  “Convince?!”

  Aleina’s voice rose sharply.

  “Convince them? Why do we need to convince them again? Didn’t we already do that the first time we started all this?”

  “Aleina, love—look at me,” D said calmly. “We’re not like them. We chose this path. For the rest… I didn’t give them a choice. You remember that, right?”

  She scoffed. “Yeah, whatever. Just tell me what I need to do. I’ll do it.”

  “Come on, A. Please calm down,” D said, stepping closer.

  “Oh, I’m calm,” she replied, pushing him away. “If I weren’t, you know exactly what I’m capable of.”

  “Yes, love. I know,” D said, pulling her into a tight hug.

  After a moment, she relaxed.

  “Okay. You can stop now. You know I’ll follow your lead till the very end.”

  “Good,” D said. “Your task is simple. Invite my big sister—and our dear daughter—for a family dinner. At the family house.”

  Aleina giggled. “That house we haven’t seen in a very long time?”

  “I know. You can stop giggling now,” D replied dryly.

  “So, when do I leave? And when is this family dinner?” she asked, making air quotes.

  “You leave tomorrow. The family dinner”—he copied her air quotes—“is eight days from tomorrow. And love… just invite them. Nothing more.”

  “Yeah, yeah. Trust me,” Aleina said, kissing him on the lips. “But what about you? What are you going to do?”

  D picked up his bag again. “First, I need to bring ALICE back online. She’s part of this family too.”

  “How could I forget her?” Aleina smiled. “She’ll be happy to see you again.”

  At that moment, Vincent and Valerie entered the room. Hearing the words part of the family, Vincent couldn’t hold back.

  “Who are you guys talking about?”

  “ALICE,” D replied.

  “And…?” Vincent asked, surprised.

  “And what, son? If you have a question, be specific.”

  “What I mean is—who is she? Why haven’t we heard of her before? And honestly, we don’t know much about your past. All you’ve ever said is that we’re assassins and beings beyond humans. When are you going to tell us everything?”

  Vincent finished with puppy-dog eyes.

  D chuckled. “That’s a lot of questions, son. For now, I can tell you just one thing.”

  “And that is?” Vincent interrupted.

  “That ALICE is family,” D said. “She’s an artificially created being—more like a soul in digital form.”

  “You mean an artificial intelligence?” Vincent asked.

  “Yes… and no. She’s not an AI. She’s an ALF.”

  “ALF?”

  “Artificial Life Form. She has emotions. Consciousness.”

  “Woah,” Vincent said. “She sounds amazing.”

  “She is,” D replied. “But she’s been asleep. Before we went into hiding, I had to initiate the Sleeping Beauty Protocol—and I dare anyone to laugh.”

  They all laughed anyway.

  “Yeah, yeah. I know,” D said, rubbing his temple. “The name fits what it does. Now, when you’re done laughing—go to sleep. All of you.”

  He was annoyed… and felt a little stupid at the same time.

  “Yes, sir!” all three replied in unison, bursting into laughter again.

  The next day, as planned, Aleina left to fulfill her task.

  The children went to Charlie’s house.

  And D prepared himself to wake ALICE.

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