Beyond This Place

Chapter 14

The ship rumbles along nearly silently and Rin blinks blearily through half-lidded eyes at the rest of the ship. Miku is sitting by her, playing with the edge of the blanket that cloaks Rin like a heavy shroud up to her nose.

Rin can't deny that the ship is definitely comfortable—it's insulated and heated, and there's a small kitchen and five beds. Rin is resting in one, trying to hide from the world in the fleece blanket and Miku is beside her, obviously uncomfortable because she knows she can't reassure her in any way.

Rin tosses and turns, letting the blankets twist around her legs. The intercom in the ship lets out a melodious stream of notes as she shifts in the cloth, sweating profusely but making no effort to move the overheated blanket.

"We are now arriving at our destination: SOL Corporation Landing Panel."A synthesized and fake womanly voice emanates from the intercom, blowing over Rin and Miku. Miku stands in excitement and then glances at Rin apologetically; Rin shrugs meaninglessly. The intercom continues in its singing voice even as Miku paces around impatiently. "We will be descending in approximately fifteen minutes. For now, please stay in the vicinity of the aircraft."

Miku mumbles something incoherently in anticipation and sits back down at the edge of the bed while Rin looks up blankly at the ceiling, her eyes red and tired.

She suddenly stands, wrenching her limbs from the hold of the sheets and standing. Miku glances at her in surprise. "You're up."

Rin nods slightly and moves to the window to glance outside. She sees a vast expanse of stars and nothing else. She sees nothing of the laboratory, but she knows they've been traveling for a while and the settlement has been long far from view.

"I'm sorry, Rin," Miku says at last. Rin nods to show she's heard Miku's apology and says nothing else as the intercom beeps on again with its drabbles of music.

"We are now descending through the Earth's atmosphere," sings the voice in its synthesized strains. "Please stay seated and buckle your seatbelts."

Rin sighs and turns back to the bed, flopping on it uselessly and tying the awkward seatbelt attached to the mattress around herself. Miku does so as well on a bed nearby, waiting with apprehension as the ship dips into wild descent.

Rin closes her eyes as the ship accelerates wildly, plunging downwards at wild speeds. From the right, Miku lets out a little squeak with worry.

It seems like forever before the ship begins to slow and level out and Rin hears a thump. The ship bumps around slightly.

"We have landed. Please unbuckle your seatbelts and leave the aircraft. We hope you had a nice flight!" The intercom is singing again and Miku unbuckles her seatbelt, Rin doing the same before sliding out of the bed. Miku gropes for the door and it automatically slides open, stairs unfolding that lead down to the ground below.

Rin steps out first with Miku following, her eyes squinting at the light. She glances up at the sky.

Her breath catches in her throat with awe. It's the first time she's ever seen the real sun, and it's dazzling despite that it burns her eyes. The sky is ever so blue, so picturesque and almost unreal. She glances down at the grass below her feet and marvels on how it's alive—how green it is, how naturally it grows all by itself.

"Hello."

A robotic, sweet and feminine voice rings out, and Rin and Miku turn in surprise. The girl that stands before them seems to be suspended in midair—her feet hover above the ground effortlessly and her limbs are bolted and lined, showing that she's a robot. A huge, careless cowlick on her red hair flicks dismissively at their staring and Rin supposes it's probably expressive like his ponytail—

She doesn't want to think about him. Regret pangs in her chest.

"I am SF-A2 MIKI." The robot girl speaks almost humanly, but not quite. Her red eyes flecked with gold scan them with an almost emotionless regard before she shrugs her gaudily decorated shoulders covered by puffy, furred clothing. "You two are S20-756 and C11-983, am I not correct? The radio signals have been ordering us to expect you for a long time." She regards them again uninterestedly. "There is another. Where is B25-757? I hear it was escaping as well."

"He," Rin says quietly. SF-A2 MIKI doesn't seem to hear and continues looking at them expectantly until Rin speaks and her voice is slightly bitter. "He's gone. You won't ever see him."

"Ah, is that so." The robot girl says, her voice plain and unquestioning. "You should be grateful. We will not have to incinerate you. Only it is dangerous—B20-757. Not you two. I am sure the population of Earth will accept you in its ranks."

Rin nods, trying to ignore the blatant lack of emotion radiating from the girl despite the anger that courses in her veins at her words. Miku places a hand on Rin's shoulder reassuringly, helping Rin calm slightly.

Suddenly MIKI's eyes soften and she displays emotions Rin would not have expected. "I know. You are sad about this, because I suppose it was your friend. I cannot comprehend this, as I have not been programmed to do so, but I will help you." MIKI points to a house outside the fence that surrounds the landing panel the ship has arrived on. "There is the Kaai family. They are robot sympathizers and they have been planning to accept you ever since your escape. Please go over there and they will adopt you."

Miku nods to show her thankfulness and already leaves past the fence, walking down the path to the house. Rin feels her heart soften slightly for the robot girl who has no emotions and dips her head slightly. "Thank you, MIKI. We won't forget this."

"You're…welcome," MIKI looks almost awkward. "You models and your emotions astound me. Perhaps one day I will ask one of the scientists to install the emotion program into me. It seems like it would be nice."

"It is," Rin promises. "There are lots of good things like happiness and excitement, and there are also things like sadness and grumpiness. Then there are things in between, like love." Rin pauses. "But overall, it's something you don't want to miss."

"Yes, I'm sure," MIKI says. "Perhaps I will someday. Perhaps I will today."

"That's a good idea," Rin says before turning to chase after Miku, who's already out the fence and far down the path. Behind her, MIKI waves hesitantly and Rin turns to wave back before the girl hovers away, looking contemplative.

"I guess this is a new beginning," Miku says, and Rin laughs a little despite herself.

"I guess it is," she replies, throwing her regrets to the winds.

Dear Miku and Rin,

It's been a long time, hasn't it? I haven't seen you two in forever. It's good to know you've found a place to call home all the way down on Earth.

Meiko, Kaito, and Luka are doing fine. I see them a lot in the lounge, always laughing and talking together. I'm a little worried about Mikuo—he's getting some of the old bouts of unhealthiness from the radiation from the bomb. I'm sure he'll be okay with today's technology, though. The doctors managed to actually heal his face to some extent, and they're hoping they can repair it completely. I have high hopes for him. Wish him luck on the operation! I'm confident he'll be fine.

On another note, you know the special project Mikuo and I've been working on? It's actually a little special project for your birthday, Rin. I don't know if you know this, but your birthday is December 27, tomorrow, both when you were a human and a robot. I hope you like our gift—we're working extra hard to make this thing! It was hard to pick up the little remains and work on new parts all by ourselves.

Expect to get it tomorrow!

Sincerely

Neru Akita

Rin glances at the letter nervously, turning the crinkled paper in her hands. In all her letters, Neru's been talking about a special project she's been making for her birthday, and today is the day. All the talk about it has almost made Rin excited herself, though she really doesn't know what to expect.

"Are you going to open it?" Yuki asks, crinkling her little nose. Rin smiles at the girl—she's the young daughter of the Kaai family. She's in elementary school.

Rin glances awkwardly forward at the crate before her that they've brought in from outside.

"I wonder what Neru even made?" Rin says, her voice incredulous as she pats the wooden sides of the crate. Miku examines it carefully, hitting and tapping its side to hear what may be within.

"I have no idea," Miku says, her eyes wide with confusion. "At least the top is easily taken off." She taps the metal clasps.

"I guess I should just open it," Rin sighs, kicking the crate to try to hear how whatever is within shakes to judge its size. She jerks back suddenly when the crate squeaks.

"What is this, anyway?" Rin says and her voice is incredulous. Miku shrugs.

"There's only one way to find out," Miku says, jumping up with impatience and snapping the top off before kicking the crate down. Cottony material tumbles out, obviously a cushion, and then what falls out next is the last thing Rin expects. Her heart wants to jump out of her chest.

"Oh my god," she says. She can barely keep her voice level as it catches in her throat and she backs away slowly, stepping into the warm light of the afternoon sun cast through a large, rectangular window.

It blinks up at her lethargically, yawning and stretching as Yuki watches with wide eyes. Rin's eyes are almost equally wide and Miku backs away, muttering with surprise.

"Good morning, Rin," Len says.