“Wait.” Jericho said to Gabrielle. “Look. No control stick.” He said. She didn’t lower her weapon, but she did not fire either. The Guardian continued to walk towards them and did not slow. Suddenly, Jericho put his arm across her chest, and flattened both of them against the wall, as he made way for the Guardian to pass. The gleaming metallic Guardian reached them, and then passed without any hesitation. It had not even seemed to see them. They looked at one another in disbelief. The Guardian continued to march down the walkway, turned the corner, and disappeared from view. She lowered her gun to her side.
“What the heck?” She asked.
“It wasn’t even concerned with the gun.” He said in disbelief. “Come on.” He said, as he headed up the walkway towards the front of the ship. He rounded the corner, and could see the main deck clearly. As they watched, an occasional Guardian would walk past an open area. “It’s like they are patrolling.” He said.
“But for what?” She asked. “Not for us.” He nodded in agreement, and then continued forward. A voice came from behind them.
“Hey.” Jonah said weakly. They turned and were shocked at how pale he looked in the sunlight. Pale and cold. Gabrielle noticed that blood still dripped from his bandage, and splattered onto his shoe and the white deck.
“You shouldn’t be moving.” She said, as she stepped towards him. He held up his hand.
“I have to.” He said, as he slumped against the wall behind him.
“Why?” She asked.
“He has her.”
“Who?”
“Vanessa.”
“That Roger guy?” Asked Jericho. Jonah nodded.
“He was torturing her.” Jonah said, as tears welled up into his eyes again.
“I’m sorry.” Said Gabrielle. “What can we do?” She asked.
“I’m not sure.” He said. “What did you find out about the Guardians?”
“Not much.” Jericho answered. “Except they seem to be ignoring us.” Gabrielle nodded her agreement.
“One walked right past us. I even had my gun aimed at it. It just went right by.”
“Interesting.” Jonah said. “Like they might be programmed to protect the ship. But not specifically from humans. They may not even be programmed to know what humans are…” He said, as he trailed off into thought.
“What about Vanessa?” Gabrielle asked. Jonah looked up from his thoughts.
“Have you seen anything marked Control Room?” He asked. They both shook their heads. “It’s supposed to be at the front of the ship.” He said as he pointed ahead.
“What’s there?” Jericho asked, as he helped Jonah back to his feet. They walked a few paces in silence.
“Jonah?” Asked Gabrielle.
“The return control.”
“Return?” She asked. Then suddenly the word sank in. “Return? As in go back?” She stopped, and looked at him with wonder. “You can’t be serious.” She said.
“That’s what he wants. If I don’t…he’ll kill her.”
“But, Jonah. Go back?” She asked again. “They’ll kill us. They’ll kill you. And then they’ll kill her.” She shook her head.
“Going back is not an option.” Jericho said, and Jonah nodded, tears in his eyes.
“But what do I do?” He asked softly. “I can’t be responsible for him killing her.” He sobbed quietly. Suddenly Gabrielle pulled him to the side of the walkway, as another Guardian rounded the corner, and then passed them silently. Jonah watched it go past. Through his tears, he blinked.
“Hey!” Jericho yelled at the Guardian. “Hey, you!” The Guardian continued to walk away. “Guardian!” He yelled. It stopped.
“Oh, shit!” Gabrielle said, as she drew her gun and aimed it. Jericho raised his hand, and signaled her not to shoot.
“Guardian.” He said again. The huge metallic body turned slowly around and faced them.
“Come here.” Jonah said. The Guardian began to walk towards them. Instinctively Gabrielle and Jericho began to step backwards. Jonah held his ground as the tall mechanical man stepped right up to him and stopped. Jericho brought his weapon up to aim as well. “Guardian. Can you hear me?” Jonah asked.
“Yes.” Came the flat metallic voice.
“Where is the control room?” The Guardian did not respond. It stood silent, barely inches from his chest. “Take me to the control room.” He said. The Guardian stepped back, turned around and walked past Jericho and Gabrielle, as it headed towards the front of the ship. They stared after it, and were silent. “Come on.” Jonah said, as he made his way past them. They shared a look, lowered their weapons, and followed. After they had walked down several ramps, they found themselves on the main deck, and after a few turns the Guardian ceased to walk. Jonah stepped around it, as he cuddled his injured shoulder. He realized that he stared at a red door in front of him. It read, Control Room. He walked up, and the door slid open. The room inside was fairly small, with the walls covered in controls, buttons and digital readouts. Lights blinked throughout. Jonah quickly found the yellow box Roger had directed him to locate, and slowly opened the lid. Inside was the red button. Jericho and Gabrielle had followed him inside, and both stood in awe, as they looked through the large glass panel on the front wall. She pointed. He nodded. Jonah, stepped away from the yellow box to see what they had entranced them. Ahead, at the edge of the horizon, was a tall structure. It stood alone in the vast ocean. Their destination was just ahead.
“Jonah.” The Guardian said from behind them. They all jumped. Gabrielle spun around, her gun aimed and ready to fire, as Jericho brought his weapon up. “Jonah.” The Guardian said again. Jonah took a step back, and bumped up against the glass. The Guardian stepped forward.
“What?” Asked Jonah, as he put his hand against the Guardian’s chest to stop it. The Guardian spoke again.
“Jonah. This is Adam.”
Chapter 43
Immortal Page 42