Time Traveler: Episode 97 - Guilt

Sure enough, Juliette didn't get to sleep that night. She woke up and sat on bed several times, thinking, doubting. Should she call Robin for a date on Saturday? That's to say, she wanted to call him, but - was it right? The questions and doubts  robbed her of her sleep making her even more anxious.

And what about Robin? How did he feel? Not good, really.  When he had left Juliette's house he was ecstatic, but as he arrived to his own, reality hit him: he loved Juliette, but he was still married. In 2054 loving a woman while being married to another was normal, but this wasn't 2054. Kissing another woman while being married to another was called cheating.

That's what he had done that night, he had cheated on Ann, not to mention that he had lied to her, telling her he was going to work until late at the Bot Emporium. And she believed him.

"At what time will you be back?"

"I don't know, I should be here in about two hours, but just in case don't wait up for me".

"Okay, take care of yourself. I love you".

"I love you too".

Yeah, Ann had trusted him, and what had he done? He had betrayed her like a scoundrel.

Quietly, he went upstairs to the bedroom and stopped at the door. Ann was soundly asleep already, oblivious to the storm that lashed his heart. "Please forgive me, Ann", he said in a low voice as he turned his eyes to the other end of the room.

Bethany was there too, taking care of Jessica. She had turned into an excellent NannyBot, almost a second mother for Jessie and a great companion for Ann. After adjusting her trait chips and resetting her system, her memories had been erased and, with them, the bonds that once had united them. Now she was just a common plumbot, helpful and efficient, like Five.

Ah, Bethany... Another of his big mistakes and one more reason to feel guilty.

Guilt, regrets, shame, sadness, but most of all love. Those were human emotions he was supposed to supress or, at least, to keep under control. But here they were now, more alive and uncontrollable than ever.

"You forgive me too, Beth", he whispered.

Beth didn't get to hear him, but she did sense his presence, so she returned Jessie to her crib and headed to the door.

"Good night, master Robin".

"Beth, I've told you I'm not your... (*sigh*). Forget it".

Time Traveler: Episode 75 - So Long, Oasis Landing

It's the last evening before their departure from Oasis Landing. Robin took the opportunity to perform an horticulture experiment with the seed that he just found, which sadly wasn't successful this time. 

As for Bethany, she found her dream job that morning. She will be able to start working upon her return.

"Well, at least things went well for someone here."

That's all for today, tomorrow Robin will be back in Aurora Skies with only half of his problems solved. He fixed Bethany, but the issue with the baby engineering labs remains. Truth to be told, there isn't much he can do about that now.

Robin's DNA has been implanted in the volunteer. The experiment is at an early stage, but there's no way to stop it. Anyway, he'll talk to her at his return to see how they can handle this. One more baby is on its way, it's not just anything, he'll have to tell Ann about it.

To top it off, looking at the Oasis Landing's population records, Robin noticed that there aren't any Crane descendants registered.  No one named Crane on the list? That's impossible. He has a daughter now! 

"Well, maybe Jessica didn't have children, or maybe she registered them with her husband's last name. Or... she didn't make it to 2054? No, this can't be. Something's very wrong, I must talk to Emit, he's the guardian of all times, he must know what happened to my descendants. Dammit!"

At night in the Dream Pod he had only distrubing dreams, that must  have been due to all his concerns.

"Jeez, when will my problems end?"

He went to sleep in the sofa, he felt much better there.

Bethany, on the other hand, she was in such good mood that she took one last flight around the city before getting in the battery charger. 

It's the early morning, time to start their trip to the Past. 

So long, Oasis Landing...

Hello again, Aurora Skies!

💙

Time Traveler: Episode 74 - Changes

Robin was very well paid for his latest creation, Alpha, now he's created Gamma, a Next Generation plumbot.

"Oh, yeah, he's perfect. They'll love him at the Emporium".

Gamma made good friends with Five and Bethany. He'll live with them until Robin has installs all the necessary trait chips. By the way, Bethany seems to be in a better mood, but she still won't talk to Robin. It's weird not to have her attention, but maybe it's better this way.

Five and Bethany had been working together in the garden. They are best friends already.

Later, they recharge batteries side by side while Robin enjoys his dinner.

Another day has gone by without a word from Beth...

THE MORNING AFTER... 

"Beth, listen, I know you are mad at me, but things are the way they are and you'll have to accept them or I won't be able to take you with me to Aurora Skies". 

Beth doesn't answer, she just gives off sounds in her other language, the one she uses to communicate with Five and Gamma.

"Beth? Please, give me a sign that you understand me".

In response, Beth gives a happiness beam to Robin, a plumbot friendly interaction and the undoubted proof that her anger is gone".

"Wow, just as I thought, plumbots are not resentful".

"So, you're no longer angry with me?"

Bethany thinks before answering and then...

"Bzzz-zzzip".

"Beth, what did I tell you about spark kissing?"

"Spark kiss, goodbye kiss. Last time. Robin can make changes now".

"Thanks, Beth. I'll never forget you, I swear".

"Beth won'f forget Robin either".

In the evening, as a goodbye date, Robin and Bethany went together to a club. They played pool, had drinks, danced, and... well, they had a great time.

When they returned home, they watched the stars and the sunrise together.

First thing in the morning, Robin made the due changes to Bethany's trait chips. She no longer has the Capacity to Love, but their friendship is intact. Now Robin can take her and Five with him to Aurora Skies as a part of his new family.

Time Traveler: Episode 73 - Small Revenge

Robin decided to forget about his problems and had some fun with the Gyroscopic Conductor for a while.

"Five has so much fun with this, let's see what it does".

"Oh  my God, is this thing safe?"

"What was that noise? It's picking up speed, I don't like it. I have to stop it now, I just don't know how".

"Hey, Beth! Do you know how to stop this?"

"Beth! Didn't you hear me? Don't just stand there, do something and help me out of this thing!" 

"She left. She didn't even care! I'll have to get out by myself".

"I'm out, phew! Here comes Five, a bit late I guess. Ah, I should've known Beth wouldn't help me". 

"And here I was thinking plumbots weren't resentful. Yeah, right... Ouch".

"I understand Beth's anger, I just didn't think she was the vindictive type. This can't go on, I'll talk to her, just not now. I'll wait for the right time".

Time Traveler: Episode 72 - Adjustments - Part 2

"Now, I need you to understand that I am not a single man anymore, you and I can't continue to... (Jeez, where do all these paparazzi come from?")

"Body massage!"

Robin was distracted by the paparazzo and Bethany caught him by surprise again.

"Beth, stop! I've told you that...  Ohhh."

"Is Robin relaxed now?"

"Oh, yes I am. And I see you're no longer angry. But I'm serious, Beth, you have to stop. I got married in the Past, and in the past people are committed to their spouses, so no more body massages, no more spark kisses or any of that stuff. And you'll have to let me change those chips. It's for your own good, understood?"

Bethany didn't understand, but Robin changed her trait chips anyway. Five followed her to try to comfort her.

"Forgive me, Beth. We had something special, but things have changed now. Although I feel exactly the same, why? Why can't I stop having feelings for her? Could it be because I'm half plumbot? The son of Crane the NannyBot, not of the scientist who created him? Nonsense! Plumbots don't have kids. And it's clear that I'm not a robot... But Beth does feel like a human being and that's my fault. I should've never tested that damn trait chip on her"... (*Sigh*)

Time Traveler: Episode 72 - Adjustments - Part 1

"Alright, Beth, it's time".

"Your new trait chip is ready, I'll do the adjustments if you let me, it won't take long".

"NO. Bethany do not want adjustment. Bethany's fine as she is".

"Come on, Beth, you want the new trait chip, don't you? Then allow me to do my work".

"Beth said NO. ¡ZZZAP!

"What the...?"

"Beth, WTF? That was rude!"

"Robin was rude".

"I wasn't. I just wanted to install your new trait chip".

"Robin lying".

"Okay, I give up. We'll do this some other day, but you'll have to allow me or you won't be able to get a job".

"Bethany wants a job".

"Bethany is sorry, didn't mean to hurt Robin".

"Apology accepted, now tell me, why did you do that? That's not like you".

"Five said Robin married".

"That's true, I got married with Ann and we have a daughter now, her name is Jessica. You and Five will meet them soon".

"Robin married, Bethany sad".

"Beth, I'm sorry, really".