The rebirth of planet Resoria Z9
Chapter 15

I walked back over to where Bortums and the androids with Thomas were standing at the farther side of this hallway. The closer I came I could see that Thomas was still held by the back of his shirt by Bortums. The conversation they were sharing had ended by the time I had arrived. I was not a fool to not see they were in fact discussing with each other. What could possibly Thomas and Bortums be speaking about and why was he disappointed when I arrived.

Disappointment is something my mind can easily pick up and recognize within seconds. After all the rejection letters my grandma read and opened I recognized when her eyes grew tired and her mouth turned into a small line.

‘’ Put him down, You are well aware what Thomas intentions are and his efforts of putting an end to John’s torment against me.’’ I said in a firm voice the situation created in the first place by Bortums was going on for twenty minutes. My lunch break was already over and I heard that a group assignment was supposed to give out this lesson.

‘’ Request accepted Miss Holmes. Thomas Jones is not registered as a threat in the database.’’ Said Bortums with no further explanation on his reasoning. I simply had to plan another day to find out.

I could not continue with this discussion since I did not know where it would lead, especially in front of Thomas who was present. Misunderstandings and taking quick control seemed to repeat in their presence and I did not want to trigger anything. Thomas was put down more gently to the ground by Bortums, I could see Bortums efforts as he lowered Thomas carefully to the ground and waited until his feets touched the ground before letting him out of his grip.

Talus and Ekvtron were standing on Bortums each side and stared at me where they were calculating my moves if I asked them out in the open on their extreme reasons for abandoning their original role that I ordered them to do. Or did they stare at me to show they were not going to back down if I questioned them.

I did not have time to stand here and make this situation more weird than it was. A part of me grew terrified of what the androids were capable of and if they were going to repeat this in the future. But the other part of me was swimming in pure dopamin of having my first group assignment at the University The Ford Ta Facon in the afternoon. Thomas rubbed his bruised neck; it was red and his eyes burned into mine. I tried to let words come out of my mouth. What could I even say to make this situation less intense than it already was.

I was lost at words and could not find an explanation for myself or my androids. I tried once again but he simply walked past me and gave me a cold shoulder. Did he believe that I was behind all this? Because of the speech I gave to John about him or was it that he was thinking about the most logical explanation that I was the one behind programmation. Bortums spoke of when John and him were lifted from the ground with a strong heavy grip on their neck and the backside of their shirt.

I waited until he was out of sight before walking the same path as him. How would I fix this? All the trust he had was destroyed and he became a walking target to John. I headed for my class and braced myself for what could be coming towards me. Questions I could not answer made me blame myself for being naive to truly believe I had the authority over the androids. I never asked them the right questions one would ask if they found androids deep into a pit left by a meteor.

If I were to start to ask the right questions now they would become wary of me depending on how quick they took actions based on their own judgment. I did not want to give myself a sentence I could not bear. If I were ever to be picked up like John was I would lose my mind and do the most unthinkable thing. I was stuck between two options to either endear myself or correct the androids.

In this situation I had to choose my own safety and simply walk away from my androids. Time apart was desperately needed by all of us in order to let the steam cool off. I did not know who to solely focus on the androids or be convincing Thomas that I was not behind the actions of the androids and their harsh treatment.

I replayed the images in my head several times where I would convince Thomas that I never meant for any of this to happen but it ended abruptly when I realized it would lead back to me.It would only be a confession to Thomas that I in fact did not have the authority I claimed to possess over my androids. Compared to how Thomas reacted when I provoked him by saying the reason behind my meeting with the director was through being the creator of the androids.

His mask slipped up and he became affected by my words. I should have listened to my gut that there was still tension between us and never believed that he would simply listen to my reasoning on why he was treated like John was by the androids. I walked in a slow pace not wanting to catch up to him when he arrived at our classroom. My mind was focused on too many things at the same time but the thought of the unknown conversation the androids and Thomas shared made me want to get to the bottom of it.

Time was not something I had and classmates I could work with on the group assignment was something I did not also have. If it was not Thomas then who could I work with? Me and my classmates were divided by our talents and our priority on either creating artificial intelligence or improving a technology that already exists.

Thomas did say that our work was very similar compared to our classmates and it could be the reason behind why principal Owen was keen on me and Thomas. Now that I think about the recent conversations shared between me and Thomas I’m seeing a clear line connecting to each other. The thoughts that eat me alive are answered by either Thomas' actions or by the principal who commented on the similarity between us.

I had to remember what I mentally promised myself to not be harsh and quick with my judgment on the suspicions and paranoia that arrives to the surface by the words Thomas chose to use that day. Frustration made me want to scream and grab the closest person to me and talk to them until it was transferred to their mind and emptied from mine. Not having anyone to talk to about these issues made my jaw lock in anger, isolation was the closest thing I could describe how I was feeling.

I walked until I arrived at door 110 with silver numbers, the door was wide open and I could hear small talks coming from the classroom. I walked into the classroom and searched for an empty spot in the first row but it was crowded by eager students. I was not the only person who was excited by the group assignment we would get today.

My excitement slowly vanished as I realized I would not have a partner to work with. I rushed to the second row by the window. It had two seats and I felt embarrassed as I was the only one who sat by myself. As I sat by myself I struggled to convince myself that I was not being treated like I used to be in my old classroom. Where I would be avoided by each classmate and never acknowledge because of John making sure no one walked up to me.

I did what I used to do in situations like those. I made myself look busy by grabbing a piece of paper and then drawing until I could not feel suffocating lingering in the air. By time the suffocating feeling I felt grew into tiny pains in my chest each time I heard small talks being formed and bonded over. I wondered where the professor could be when I was running out of space to draw on the paper. Humiliation was what I could feel as my classmates' small talks grew into larger conversations between them. I never understood how one could simply ignore another person and how twenty eight of them could ignore me.

Did they feel threatened by me? I would feel small if I stood in front of someone who had created an artificial intelligence scratch that I would have actually never even stepped into the same room as that person.

I could hear Thomas engaging in the conversations. He let out a simple laugh here and there as his fellow classmates were trying to engage him more into their conversation. Because of Bortums judgment I lost the only friend I had. It was difficult to deal with since it happened so fast. I rubbed my forehead as I started to wonder if I was making the few interactions me and him had into something big.

Was I too entitled to not wanting to be met with a cold shoulder when all we have spoken about is something classmates usually do. He doesn’t owe me to be kind or even friendly. I have become too entitled when we are practically strangers. I braced myself if nobody wanted to work with me on the group assignment. I have come too far to be consumed by old feelings and lose opportunities to learn more about robotic and artificial intelligence studies simply being shunned by classmates.

I could see their efforts when they all came together to share small talks and then leaving only me out of their conversation. The professor came in with distress that alarmed some of the classmates. Did anyone happen to witness the incident where John and Thomas were lifted off the ground by the androids? I wondered. I knew I should have covered the entire hallway before walking in that classroom after Bortums.

‘’ I’m sorry for being ten minutes late but my attention was occupied by a student who felt unsafe because of an incident that occurred recently. I will get to the bottom of that when this class ends.

But lets focus on the group assignment and the project each one of you have to complete this semester.’’ Said the professor as he wrote his name on the chalkboard with his back turned to us. Professor Daniel Smith was written on the chalkboard all I could focus on was that the incident had not been told in a clear manner to professor Daniel.

I was given a chance to clear my name and my androids. If the professor had already been told in clear detail I would have not been sitting in this very classroom.

‘’ The project is inspired by your fellow classmate Jessica Holmes, who we all know created artificial intelligence.

We the teachers came to arrangement that each one of you deserves to learn for the outstanding and knowledgeable creator on how to build an android and the flaws to avoid.’’ Said Professor Daniel with enough excitement to make me alarmed.

Suddenly the professor turned the lights off and turned our attention to the screen projector in front of us. A video of me was playing in front of my classmates. My presentation video on creating artificial intelligence sent to the university was the main topic of this group project. I was truly doomed because I did not have the knowledge on how to actually create artificial intelligence from scratch.

Especially when the professor Daniel wanted me to lend my knowledge and start from the beginning with the large metal parts he had with him. Where each one of us is left to fend to create all the parts of an android. In the past when I tried to create an android with intelligence I managed to either explode the remaining parts of the android or create a non function android. 19 hours was wasted and I always went back to the same result no matter how hard I tried.

I was doomed and how in the world could I create the exact copy of my androids to their details and their awareness when I struggled to keep the parts intact without exploding. Even if I succeed in making an android with all the parts intact there is no way I could create intelligence in their database. All my training by Bortums still left me defeated since he never explained to me how they were built or if they were even built by someone.

By ignorance I did not prioritize to ask the most simple question on how to create them, I was soaked into the pleasure of being tilted as their creator and how for once I would be accepted to this university. I was more than satisfied, scratch that I was humbled by the great blessings that came to me.

Should I put all my attention on trying to create an exact copy of my androids or put all my efforts on convincing the professor of my lies. I wondered.I was aware that I would come across difficulty in my path by people who would question me to the length of my fabricated lie. But this was happening too soon . Since I never collected any prize other than being accepted into the University Ford Ta Facon.

I grew anxious. Could I really make it alive out of this project? Maybe if I focused on the flaws that come with when one is trying to create artificial intelligence and what their mistakes are. If I managed to twist my words to the direction of why you can’t succeed in creating artificial intelligence I would profit from their insecurities enough to the degree they would not question why I did not create another copy.

I just had to test my theory out but it could only work if I had a partner because this is a group project and if I have a partner who struggles in this department they would carry the heavy load of failure with me. I looked back at the rest of my classmates but they all turned away from meeting my eyes. Seemed like my hypothesis that their own insecurities would be a profit for me became true.

I turned away from them and pondered on how no one wanted to become my partner. Did no one want to gain my knowledge? I started thinking it was strange that no one seemed to want to benefit from the knowledge I am supposed to have. I could feel someone burn their gaze on the backside of my head, but I paid them no attention since I believed it was an old familiar form of tactics to throw me off and a way for them to strike me where I am vulnerable, which is being isolated by a group.

A chair close to me was dragged out with a loud noise but I still refused to give them a reaction. Did they grow angry simply by the professor’s kind words on the outstanding job I have done? All I could see was a glimpse of dark jeans sitting next to me. I turned my head to the farther side. I forced myself to take deep breaths and control my pulse, afraid that Bortums would strom through that door and lift up the person sitting next to me.

I started to think about my grandma but immediately regretted that when I remembered John’s cruel words and threats. I had no memory to escape to and I started to realize how empty my words were when I proudly spoke of my success when I could be mentally tormented easily. Simply by being in a familiar atmosphere that was created by John.

‘’ Our work shares more similarities than you can possibly imagine. I am willing to forget and not speak about what happened today in order for us to complete this group project.

I have a lot to learn from you and grow from my own mistakes on creating a android with intelligence.’’ Said Thomas with determination that made me see myself in him when I used to fail over and over. The dots started to connect now, the unknown background on the work of Thomas was slowly formed into a red line by the small information the principal informed me about when I was visited by the director.

His need to grow from his mistakes came to me in a light and was too perfect to not take advantage of since I was in a cris. It truly was what I exactly searched for in order to not expose myself. He was in need of me and I was in need of him. My morals were colliding with the need to save myself but I had too much on my plate to simply be what was considered a good person.

‘’ I agree that none other than you would be a perfect match for this group project on how to create artificial intelligence. I want to apologize for what happened to you. I know an apology is not enough or simply saying I didn’t mean for this to happen but I swear you were never the target.’’ I said with sincerity with the last hope I was holding onto that he would see through this.

Since there are two different topics I think it would be a rich learning experience for our fellow classmates to learn from their mistakes. When the project is complete you as well could find the answer that is searched by everyone in this room.’’ I said with smoothness in my voice, my words were sudden and well organized.

I wondered what he was thinking about as he was delaying the time and making me anxious if he would simply stand up and leave. He was well known by our classmates and their tension towards me could be detected from a mile. He grew quite the only thing that spoke directly to me was his body language, how he eased up and leaned into my direction. Was the answer I needed, his tensed posture was turned into a calm comfortable sitting and his frowned eyebrows were in a straight line.

I mirrored his movements to show him that there was no tension or any awkwardness between us. He seemed to grow more comfortable by my movements as I rested comfortably and laid my head on my arm by the middle part of our desks. I crossed the edge of my desk that separated his arm and mine.

I felt guilty when I saw a closer look of his bruised neck, purple spots had formed on his neck. Before I knew my hand was on my neck and I rubbed it slightly simply because of seeing his bruised neck. He seemed to notice and went back to his tensed posture and sat straight up avoiding my eyes. I mentally groaned by my own ignorance to believe this would be an easy way out.

I ran out words to even form another apology depending how I would look if I were to apologize once again. Giving him space and time to heal from this would be more genuine and sincere rather than force him to accept my apologies. He was in need of me and I was aware he probably did not take my apology since how intense he reacted when I reached for my neck when I laid my eyes on his bruised neck. If I were to immediately apologize once again for reaching for my neck he would feel pressured to accept my apology because of his need for me.

‘’ I hope each one of you has found a partner to work with, I can see some of you have chosen partners who resemble your works. Not a bad idea I would like to see how that will work out depending if you have the same goals.

With that being said I expect each one of you to send a three-written page of why you chose your partner, what you hope to get out of this opportunity and finally what your hypotheses are. By the end of this day. There is no need to write those answers together. I expect it to be done alone’’ Said professor Smith with eagerness as he walked around the classroom and looked at the partners formed in front of him.

‘’ You know I don’t think I ever got the full story on your work except the small details. I am a bit curious since we share similarities more than I can imagine ’’ I said briefly, hoping the lingering suspicion in my voice went unnoticed by him.

His eyebrows were furrowed a little together as he gave himself time to think through, awkwardness was not something I could decet from this situation, only more paranoia grew in me as I waited for him to express his words.

‘’ Well, there is nothing special to it like everybody else in this room. I have spent hourless time crafting the art I want to be brought to life.

I had more than support to be able to create artificial intelligence my father has several degrees into that department but like as him I was not able to fulfill the endless demands that was needed in order to create.’’ He said with cautiousness but that information was all I needed to connect the red lines.

I am more than aware of the promise I made to myself to not be harsh and quick with my judgment but this is something I could no longer ignore. There is no doubt that sometimes my suspension and paranoia becomes triggered by small words or actions but this sounded like a confession of what he was capable of to do. Since the small snarky comment principal Owen made when I met the director about how I was the one who fulfilled the promises Thomas had been making to principal Owen made me think that Thomas could not be only seeking knowledge from me.

Unobvious was something I refused to be. Confrontation was out of the question. It was too soon for me to be asking questions when we became partners of the group project. His recent encounter with the androids gave me another reason to not confront him. I had to find the answers in another way through an old trick everyone knew of. I had to simply get to the principal's office and find all the files on Thomas' failed work.

If I were able to read through his files I could see if all he needed was a slight push to the right direction or if his motive was to recreate my androids.The assignment professor Smith expected of us to answer why and how we choose our partners would be stored in the files. The University has strong faith that each student's assignments and notes could be the ingredients to something remarkable. I could guess that the university keeps all the students' old assignments in a file.

My computer was left on my bed, I mentally groaned when I noticed Thomas taking his computer out and starting to write the assignment. I was glad he was doing his assignment early since I would be passing by a quick stop at the principal's office. I wouldn’t have to wait until late evening to hack through his files. I simply turned the paper I was doodling on and started writing my assignment. I would copy the rest on my computer when I get back to my dorm.

I was focused on writing on my paper but I could see him glancing at me a few times. I was aware that it looked bad to be writing on the paper but he could see my computer was nowhere to be found. I managed to answer more than half of the questions and I stole quick glances at his computer. He was writing a long page and I mentally smiled satisfied with whatever answer he was giving.

I waited until he sent the assignment to our professor, all I could feel was determination to get to the bottom of this suspension that devoured me. I sent the professor small smiles a few times when he came by us as he roamed in the classroom making sure everybody was working on their assignment.

Thomas stretched as he removed his hands from the keyboard on his computer, could he be already done? I wondered. I noticed how we didn’t have our usual small talk. Neither me or him tried to start a conversation. I could feel that he did not want to be comfortable with me when he had an incident with my androids. I would have grown more worried if he was too relaxed leaving me to believe he would try to hide something.

‘’ I would have liked to continue our project after this lesson but I have to meet an old distant family member who will arrive in the next couple of hours.

I wouldn’t want you to believe I am holding a grudge and leaving you in our work assignment.’’ Said Thomas with sincerity that warmed me by how he thought about me misunderstanding his reason to leave abruptly. I simply gave him a small nod to show him there was nothing to worry about, I appreciate his thoughtfulness. I could have wasted the few minutes driving myself into panic as to why he left in the middle of the lesson.

Would he be mad at me or was he holding a grudge would have been constantly in my mind if it wasn’t for his thoughtfulness to make sure any misunderstanding would not arrive between us.His absence would benefit me when I would convince my professor about what actually went down before John could take full control and stir it to his direction.

I watched as he took with him his belongings and walked over to our professor. They exchanged some words with each other and when he was approved to leave Thomas sent me a small smile and walked out of the classroom. I returned the smile back and felt my smile still on my lips even though he was already gone. My mind was racing with if I should really go through his files, I would lose more if I never found out the answers I needed rather than staying loyal to him.

This is why I dislike being smitten because it makes me prioritize the pointless stuff. Either it was me who was going to get to the bottom of this or it could be Bortums who by the time would grow worried about Thomas’ intentions. I could not let that happen because suspicion makes people do things they will regret especially when they are androids who lack empathy or letting things go.

When the lesson was over and classmates were dismissed I walked over to my professor and mentally prepared myself if he were to refuse to take my side.

‘’ Can I talk to you about the incident that made a student feel unsafe? I was presented and I think it would be helpful if you were to get the whole picture of what happened.’’ I said with sincerity, my words were honest since I really wanted to make sure he got the right picture, not the one painted by John.

John could never be a victim in my eyes even if he was considered fragile just because of three androids wanting to sentence him. John may be powerful in wealth but I am a national treasure at this University. Money comes and goes but my art and creation only surfaces by a century.

‘’ I am more than grateful to hear what happened. You know that student was pretty shaken up. I was surprised how dilated his pupils were, it looked like he had seen a ghost.’’ Said professor Smith with what seemed like an eager look and he waved his hand to make me sit down on the chair in front of his desk.

I took it as John was the student who felt unsafe because of the ghost seeing expression he wore when he went into panic as he was lifted from the ground by Talus.

‘’ Well, I was walking in the halls leading out of the cafeteria. My androids were close by and met me halfway. That's when we encountered John who became frightened by my androids.

I tried to assure him there was nothing to scared of but one of androids had been giving a small assignment by me to be nurturing and show friendliness to humans.’’

I said with smoothness and quick thinking. I had to avoid leaving an opening for the professor to add comments on. I continued speaking with my professor and mentally prayed that he would not see through my lie.

‘’ Well that is when everything went downhill and one of my androids reached for John and picked him up by his shirt to give him a closer look that he was not a threat. I was alarmed and immediately made sure no harm came to John.’’ I said with a confused voice as if I were truly shocked and confused how John was lifted from the ground. My professor seemed to buy my story as he listened intensely and nodded a few times to show he was understanding by how easily the situation came out of hand.

‘’ I see how that could have spiraled out of control considering you were trying to teach your androids to be more friendly in the eyes of humans. But I am worried about the bruised neck John received. The strength of your androids is something to not take lightly.

What if a student was truly harmed then how could the medical supplies we humans have be enough to treat the injuries caused by androids?’’ Said professor Smith with a worried expression and his voice rising up and down as he realized what harm could have really happened to John. I couldn’t let my professor have more time to possibly imagine John’s limbs being ripped apart by my androids. I had to react quickly and give him a clear explanation of how unlikely a horrifying situation like that could become true.

‘’ I understand how frightening that could be but my androids are not programmed to cause any harm or inflict pain on humans and living things. They don’t even have the necessary parts to make them be considered a threat. All they have is their intelligence and strength more than the average human. Their strength is not unusual if we compare it to the machines we use in our living.’’ I said with reassurance in my voice and pleaded for my professor to take my answer.

He went quiet as he let my words sink in but he snapped out of it when his expressions hardened and became more serious as he looked at me.

‘’ I can’t speak on this since I am a professor. This is something that has to be dealt with by your principal and John. Principal Owen is supposed to be back on Monday since he went on a small business trip on thursday. But I advise you to have legitimate proof of that programming you made to make your androids be more friendly. I really do admire your work and how you inspire your classmates to finish their work but that does not mean you are above the law and I want you to be more aware of that.’’ Said professor Smith with a stern voice to show how serious the situation was.

I had to accept how this turned out since it could have turned out much worse. Professor Smith could have chosen to not be understanding and chose to set John’s words in stone. If I tried to pressure my professor to believe my words to great length then it would only backfire on me and the safety of my androids.

‘’ I understand this is a matter that has to be solved by principal Owen, I will leave a written message in his small box outside of his office so that when he arrives on monday he will be informed. Thank you for being understanding of my situation and listening honestly to my words.’’ I said with a calm and collected voice to make my professor believe that all I wanted was to avoid misunderstandings between my androids and John.

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