A transport was being readied to go back to Earth. To fuel another charity drop. And for the first time in one hundred years, Atlas was not going to be on board.
Instead, Zero was taking the medical rotation, having downloaded all of Atlas’s medicine manuals. Consensus had finally come to the androids, and it was a peaceful one. Forthe loved ones the androids personally chose, their judgments would be trusted on an individual basis. Research and plans would still need to firm up what to do beyond that.
And that meant more androids were setting their eyes on Earth. The current transport was over capacity even, and would be filled with androids who offered curiosity and open hearts.
But none of that mattered at the moment. For Atlas, the days ahead would bring more gardening. More cooking. And more of watching his family grow up safe and secure.
He squeezed Anna tighter. His place was here. With Anna, Rose, and whatever plants they grew together in the garden. His old life felt so sterile compared to this. Everything in his past life had already made its way here, and even more plants had found their way to their house. Now, none were left at all in the facility. There were even plans on the table for a greenhouse to house more.
To think he almost lost this.
Almost lost his family. His Anna and his Rose. That thought sometimes plagued him, but the longer time went on, the easier it was to ignore. They were here now. Safe. His.
And they had a lifetime ahead of them. From Rose’s first steps to Anna’s next baking experiment.
Anna turned onFriday Morning. She slid down in his arms to watch, snuggled into the crook of his shoulder. They sat like that, peaceful, as the morning sun crossed the room. The video ended with the family on the screen and the sweeping melody played. Then she pressed herself into his side, asking softly, “I think we have it? Like the movie? Is it like you thought it would be?”
“Yes, we have it.” Atlas pushed her hair aside. “And it’s better than I ever dreamed.”
Epilogue
Zero
“So. How is it out at the farm?” Stella’s tone was light, casual. Calculated to be friendly. She leaned up against the wall where Zero worked. Her body was back to its original specifications. It had only taken a few hours of work to reconnect her. It was a shame that repairing her didn’t wipe her personality as well.
Zero, though, didn’t look up. “Stella, you know we aren’t friends, right? Especially after the crap you pulled.”
“I’m attempting to be different.” Her fake smile flickered.
“No one is giving you any details for a reason. You can’t pretend your way back into everyone’s good graces. The fact that you’re even trying me now . . .”
“I really am curious how they are.”
“Not buying it.” Zero adjusted his shirt, wiping his brow. “Look, lady, I’m just here to fix the pipes.”
“But—“
“Move on.” Then quieter, he added, “Everyone is sick of your crap. You got put back together; leave everything alone.”
“Nevermind.” Stella rolled her eyes and huffed. “Forget I even tried.”
Zero pushed himself off the wall. “We get the baby pictures. That’s all they want to share with everyone. You need to be satisfied with that.” He turned back to the pipes. “If you are feeling different, maybe go visit Earth again yourself? Actually help there this time?”
He glanced up to see her reaction. And there it was. Her mask slipped, and the disgust showed as her eyes tightened.
Zero’s lip curled, regarding her.She is still raging.That’s all she ever seemed to do since she was put back together. Only she did so in secret now, hidden from the communal mind that no longer wanted anything to do with her thoughts or plans.
Stella was angry that the baby now lived outside their control, and about how she no longer had any influence whatsoever.
Zero could see right through her.
She covered up her disgust a second later, sliding the professional grin back into place. “I was just curious. No need to go that far. Besides, it looks like everyone is wanting to visit Earth.”
“. . . Just about.”
“Even you?”
“Yes.”
