Chapter 34: Proposal

Lin gave Dave’s hand a gentle tug, her eyes locking with his as she opened the door and slid into the back seat of the black sedan. “Come on, Dave,” she urged, patting the seat. Her voice was soft but insistent. “We just want to talk. That’s all.”

The man behind him, his tone still calm and measured, added, “It’s okay. I’m not holding you at gunpoint. This is just a conversation. We’re here to help you… and Liki.”

Dave hesitated, his mind racing. He glanced at Lin, but her expression was unreadable. The weight of the situation pressed down on him, but the mention of Liki’s name tipped the scales. If they know about her, they might know something I don’t. He nodded slowly and slid into the back seat with his groceries. Lin pressed herself close against him as the door closed with a soft click behind him. She gently took his left hand and held it in her lap with both hands.

The man circled the car and took the driver’s seat, calm and unhurried. The engine purred to life, and they pulled out of the parking lot, merging into the steady flow of traffic.

“W–Who are you?” Dave asked finally, his nervousness evident.

The man glanced at him in the rearview mirror, his eyes were hidden behind dark sunglasses. “That's Lin, and you can call me Tendo," he said.

Tendo. Cute, Dave thought, the guy's named himself after the protagonist of DaiKill. Probably to make himself seem more trustworthy to me, pretend like he 'gets' me.

"We work for a governmental agency," he continued. "Which one, however, I can't reveal at the moment. Just know that we are on your side and want to help you."

Now that he could see the man, Dave saw that the man in the driver’s seat was probably 40- or 50-something. He was bald, with black skin, wearing dark sunglasses and a long black coat with a high collar.

Tendo glanced at Lin in the rearview mirror, his voice calm but firm. “Okay, Lin, you can turn the pheromones off now.”

Lin hesitated for a moment, then nodded. She let go of Dave's hand and let out a soft sigh. The warmth of her presence seemed to dull slightly. Dave felt a sudden shift in the air, as if a fog had lifted. His head cleared, and he blinked, realization dawning on him.

“You... you pheromoned me? Shit. Are you... are you a Wimil?” Dave said, his voice barely above a whisper. He stared at Lin, his mind scrambling to process the situation.

Lin’s expression softened, her eyes filled with regret. “Yes. I’m an F-6 Full-size series,” she admitted. “I’m sorry for pretending to know you back at the store. We’ve never actually met before.”

Dave’s stomach churned. “That was all the pheromones? We were never neighbors?” He’d been so sure that he knew her, but now the memories were fading like déjà vu.

Lin nodded, her voice gentle but apologetic. “We didn’t want to scare you. We knew you took a gun from the fight at the hotel, and we needed to make sure you stayed calm. If you panicked, things could have gotten… messy.”

Dave’s jaw tightened, a mix of anger and confusion swirling inside him. “So, everything—the hug, the chatting—that was just to keep me under control?”

Lin’s gaze dropped, her voice barely audible. “It wasn’t personal, Dave. We’re here to help you and Liki. But we couldn’t risk you reacting unpredictably.”

Tendo’s voice cut in, calm but firm. “It was for your safety as much as ours. We’re not your enemies, Dave. But we needed to make sure you’d listen.”

Dave leaned back in the seat, his mind reeling. He felt violated, but a small part of him understood their reasoning. They probably both had guns. They could have forced him into the car. Instead, they’d chosen to manipulate him gently—too gently, perhaps.

Lin reached out, her hand hovering over his arm but not touching him. “I’m sorry, Dave. I know this is a lot to process. But everything we’ve told you is true. Liki’s in danger, and we’re here to help.”

Dave nodded slowly, though his trust in them felt fragile now, like glass about to shatter. “Just… don’t mess with my head again,” he said firmly.

Lin nodded, her expression sincere. “I promise.”

The car fell silent, the weight of the revelation still hanging in the air. Dave stared out the window, his thoughts a jumbled mess. If these people know about Liki, how much do they know about me? The question gnawed at him, but for now, he pushed it aside. He had bigger things to worry about, like how these people could help him keep Liki safe.

Tendo broke the silence. His voice was calm but deliberate as he continued, cutting through the tension. “We know about everything, Dave. The dead man at the Wimil dealership, the attack at your apartment, the stolen car, the dead guys at the hotel. We know about Liki’s secret military-grade programming too. She was designed for something far more complex than cuddling and dress-up. And we know you’ve been caught in the middle of all this.”

Dave’s stomach dropped. “So, what? You’re here to arrest me?”

Tendo shook his head. “No. We’re here to ask for your cooperation. There’s a man behind all this—a very wealthy, very dangerous psychopath. He’s collecting Wimils, specifically those without abuse alert chips. At least three others are in his possession. I’m sure you can guess why.” His voice was serious, unwavering.

Dave’s jaw tightened, the thought still made him sick. “Yeah, I've figured out that much.”

Lin leaned forward. “Dave, we need your help and Liki’s help to stop him. Those Wimils—they don’t deserve what’s happening to them. Liki could’ve ended up in his hands too. We can’t let him keep hurting them,” she said, practically pleading.

Dave’s mind raced, torn between fear and anger. “Do I actually have a choice here?”

Tendo’s tone was firm but not unkind. “You have a choice. Say no, and we’ll pull you in for questioning regarding the murders. You’d likely sit in custody for days, maybe weeks. During that time, we’d use Liki for the sting operation without you. You’d never see her again. Or… you can say yes. Help us with this operation, and my agency will be willing to make concessions. You’d get your old life back, and we could arrange for you to see Liki on a monitored schedule.”

Dave stared at him, his chest tight. “So, no matter what, I lose her.”

Lin spoke up, her eyes softening. “No, Dave. If you help us, you’ll still have a chance to be part of her life. But if you don’t… you’ll lose her forever. Think of those other Wimils... they're just like Liki, except they don't have you. They're alone, and in pain. Please. Help us. Help them.” Dave saw the soft glint of tears in her eyes. Were they real, or just emotional manipulation? He already knew she was capable of it, but the ache in her expression felt too raw to dismiss entirely.

Dave looked away. The weight of the decision pressed down on him. He thought of Liki—her laugh, her warmth, the way she looked at him like he was her entire world. No matter what he picked though, things would never be the same. According to these people, there were other Wimils like her suffering as they spoke, but he couldn't imagine waking up each morning without Liki there, curled up beside him.

Dave’s jaw tightened, his frustration bubbling over. “What if I pick option three? What if I keep running? Take Liki and disappear?”

Tendo responded, calm but icy. “Then we freeze your bank account. You’ll be running from us and the men who want Liki, with no money, no car, nothing. In that case, you’d better hope we find you first.” He paused, his tone darkening. “I have an entire file of pictures of what this guy has done to other Wimils. If you want to know what he’ll do to Liki if he catches you, I can show you.”

Dave’s stomach churned. That was too far. “Fuck you. Don't try to scare me.”

“I'm sorry, Dave. Reality is sometimes scary. Everyone has to make choices,” Tendo replied evenly. “But every choice has consequences. Think carefully, Dave.”

Dave leaned back, his hands clenching into fists. “Can I at least have some time to think about this? This isn’t exactly a small decision.”

Tendo nodded, though his expression remained serious. “You’ve got 24 hours. We don’t know how long it’ll take for our psycho friend to get his men back on your trail. But after that, the clock’s up.”

Dave exhaled sharply, his frustration boiling over. “Let me out here. I’ll walk back.”

Tendo glanced at him in the rearview mirror, then pulled the car to a stop at the side of the road. The doors unlocked with a soft click. “Think very hard about this, Dave,” he said as Dave grabbed his groceries and stepped out of the car. “You can still have a life with Liki. But the government can’t just let you walk free to keep playing house with an ultra-dangerous piece of military hardware.”

Dave slammed the car door shut, his mind a whirlwind of anger and fear. What the hell am I supposed to do now? he thought, gripping the grocery bag tightly.

The rear window rolled down. Lin leaned out, holding her grocery bag from the store. “Wait!” she called. “Take this. It’s for Liki.”

Dave hesitated, then stepped closer. Lin handed him the bag. “It’s not much,” she said, her voice softer now, almost apologetic. “Just some extra Wimil pellets, and Wimil juice. Liki will love it. Trust me. It's my favorite flavor. I know money’s tight for you right now. Consider it a gesture of goodwill.”

Dave peered into the bag, his suspicion flaring. “There’s a tracking device in here, isn’t there?” he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Lin blinked, caught off guard, then looked down sheepishly. “Yes,” she admitted quietly. “Each package has one. But it’s not meant to—”

“Jesus, you want me to trust you, but you won't trust me,” Dave interrupted, throwing up his arms. For a moment, he felt the sting of betrayal, angry at the obvious ploy. But then he paused, considering. He could put a tracking device in Liki's pocket and these agency people could locate her if she was taken somehow. Maybe it’s not such a bad idea.

"Dave, we ARE trusting you. Letting you walk away is us trusting you right now," she replied calmly.

He sighed, reluctantly accepting the bag. “Fine. But if this so-called goodwill gets us caught somehow, I’m holding you personally responsible.”

Lin nodded, her expression a mix of relief and guilt. “We just want to keep you both safe, Dave. That’s all.”

The window rolled up, and the sedan drove off, leaving Dave alone on the curb. He stared down at the bag in his hands, the weight of the situation settling over him like a heavy blanket. Whatever happens, he thought, I’ll make sure Liki’s protected. Even if it means playing their game for now.

Chapter 35: Confession

Dave pushed open the door to the motel room, the plastic grocery bags dangling from his fingers. His shoulders sagged with exhaustion, the weight of the day pressing down on him like a physical force. The room was dimly lit, the curtains drawn, casting a soft glow over the scene. Liki was still there, just as he’d left her, plugged into the Wimil bed. Her small body was curled up, her chest rising and falling with the steady rhythm of sleep. The sight of her, so serene and unaware, made his heart ache.

He set the groceries down on the table, the rustle of the bags and packaging echoing in the quiet room. His movements were slow, deliberate, as if he were afraid to wake her. He didn’t want to disturb the fragile illusion of normalcy. In 24 hours, all of this, his whole life, was going to change again, and there was nothing he could do about it.

Dave sank onto the edge of the bed, the mattress dipping slightly under his weight. He let out a long, shaky breath, his hands resting on his knees. His mind was a whirlwind, thoughts colliding and overlapping, each one more overwhelming than the last. The man in the car, Lin’s words, the tracking device in the bags. It all felt like too much. What was he supposed to do now? How could he keep her safe when it seemed like the entire world was against them?

He glanced over at Liki, her small form bathed in the soft light of the room. Her features were so delicate, so exquisite. She reminded him of a porcelain doll, fragile and precious that could be shattered in an instant. It was up to him to prevent her from being shattered. But how?

Dave’s hands clenched into fists, his nails digging into his palms. He was out of options. Out of time. The choices he’d made—the ones he’d been forced to make—had led them here, to this moment. And now, he was faced with the impossible: letting her go. How could he do that? How could he walk away from her?

His chest tightened, a sharp, painful ache spreading through him. He couldn’t. He wouldn’t. She was everything to him. More than everything. She was the first thing he thought about in the morning, the last thing he thought about at night. She was the warmth that filled the empty spaces in his life, the light that chased away the darkness. He couldn’t imagine a world without her in it.

But he didn’t have a choice. He knew that now. The people after her—they were powerful. Dangerous. And they wouldn’t stop until they had her.

Dave’s throat tightened, his vision blurring as tears welled in his eyes. He swiped at them angrily, trying to push the emotions down, but they wouldn’t stay buried. The fear, the anger, the despair—it all bubbled up, threatening to overwhelm him.

He stood and walked to Liki’s bed. He reached out, his hand trembling slightly as he gently touched Liki’s now blonde hair. She was so warm under his touch, soft and smooth. She stirred slightly, a soft hum escaping her lips, but she didn’t wake. She looked so tranquil, so content. How could he take that away from her?

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, his voice cracking under the weight of his emotions. “I’m so sorry, Liki. I don’t know what to do.”

She didn’t respond, of course. She couldn’t. She was asleep, lost in her own world, unaware of the storm raging around her. And maybe that was for the best. Maybe it was better that she didn’t know. That she didn’t have to feel the fear, the uncertainty, the heartbreak that he was feeling now.

Dave went back to his bed, his body sinking into the mattress. He stared up at the ceiling, the shadows dancing across the surface as his mind raced. There had to be another way. There had to be. He couldn’t give up. Not yet. Not when she needed him the most. But what could he do? He was just one man, up against forces he couldn’t even begin to understand. He wasn’t a hero. He wasn’t a fighter. He was just some guy—a lonely guy with an empty life. Just a guy who’d stumbled into something far bigger than himself. And now, he was drowning in it.

His eyes drifted shut, the exhaustion finally catching up to him. The room faded away, the weight of the day pulling him down, down, down into the darkness. And as he slipped into unconsciousness, one thought lingered in his mind, a quiet, desperate prayer:

Please, let there be another way.

*

Dave woke to the soft rustle of bedsheets and the faint sound of breathing. He blinked, his eyes adjusting to the dim light of the room. Liki was sitting on the bed beside him, her small frame perched on the edge, her big, innocent eyes watching him intently. She was so close, her presence almost overwhelming. Her newly blonde hair fell around her shoulders, catching the faint glow of the room.

“Liki?” he murmured, his voice thick with sleep. “What are you doing here? You should be plugged in to your bed. You still need more sleep.”

She tilted her head, her gaze softening. “You smelled so sad when I woke up,” she said quietly, her voice almost a whisper. “I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

The sincerity in her words hit him like a punch to the chest. He couldn’t help but smile, a bittersweet ache settling in his heart. “I’m okay,” he lied, his voice gentle. “Just… a lot on my mind.”

She shifted closer, her hand resting on his arm. “Do you want to naked cuddle? To make you feel better?” she suggested, her tone hopeful.

Dave couldn’t help but laugh, the sound surprising even him. “Liki, you… Yeah, actually I would like that,” he admitted, too tired to pretend to protest. She was already scrambling out of her clothes, her excitement palpable.

In a flash she was undressed, her hands tugging at his shirt. He let her, his mind wandering. Suddenly, a thought struck him—a memory of the pheromone incidents with Danjay and Keva, and the grocery store with Lin. I don't want to ask this, but I need to know.

“Liki,” he said cautiously, his voice low. “Did you ever… try to make me happy like you made Danjay and Keva happy? With pheromones?”

She paused, her hands still holding on to his shirt halfway up his chest. “Just once,” she admitted softly. “When you came home from work early that day. You smelled so sad and scared. I wanted to help you so much, and I started making you happy, but… I remembered my bed told me I’m not allowed to use that on my owner. So I had to stop." She let go of his shirt and disappeared under the covers. After a moment her head popped out from under the blankets. "Are you mad?"

Dave exhaled slowly, a wave of relief washing over him. It was real, he thought. My emotions were my own. "No, I'm not mad," he said, reaching out a hand to stroke her hair.

"Okay, good!" She pulled his shirt the rest of the way off, then she burrowed back under the covers to start working on his pants.

As Liki pulled off his underwear, he reached into the blankets, his hands finding her waist. He squeezed gently, eliciting a burst of giggles and squeals from her.

“Dave!” she squeaked, squirming under his touch.

He grinned, the weight of the day momentarily lifting. For now, this was enough. Liki struggled and laughed as he dragged her out from under the covers. He growled and crushed her in a bear hug as she beat his chest with tiny fists.

Dave chuckled softly, loosening his grip. “You don’t need pheromones to make me happy,” he said, his voice warm and sincere. “Just being yourself—being here with me—that’s enough. More than enough.”

She blinked up at him, her blue eyes wide. “Really?” she asked softly, sounding a little unsure.

“Really,” he replied, his smile softening. "You don't have to do anything at all to make me happy. You just have to be you. And that’s all I’ll ever need...” He paused, then added, “I love you.”

Liki’s breath caught in her throat, and she froze as his words settled over her. Her wide blue eyes shimmered, and for a moment, she just stared at him, as if trying to process what he’d said. Her lips parted, but no sound came out. Instead, her bottom lip began to quiver, and her eyes welled with tears.

“You… love me?” she whispered, her voice trembling, barely audible. Her hands, which had been tugging playfully at his clothes moments ago, now clutched at his arms, her grip tightening as if she were afraid he might disappear.

Dave’s heart ached at the raw emotion in her voice. He nodded, his own throat tightening. “Yeah,” he said softly, his thumb brushing against her cheek as a tear spilled over. “You're the only thing that matters to me. Everything else in my life just sucks, even before we had to run away from home. Before I found you, everything was just like... it was like that day when I came home from work and you thought I smelled scared and sad. My life was like that every day, except there was no one there when I came home.”

Her face crumpled, and she let out a small, broken sound, burying her face against his chest. Her shoulders shook as she sobbed, her tears soaking into his skin. Dave wrapped his arms around her, holding her close, his chin resting on top of her head. He didn’t say anything—he just let her cry, his hand gently stroking her back.

Dave closed his eyes, swallowing the lump in his throat. He didn’t know how to respond, didn’t know how to ease the ache in her trembling form. So he just held her, letting her cry, letting her feel... feel something that she'd never had to feel before.

Eventually, her sobs quieted, her breathing steadying against him. She pulled back slightly, her tear-streaked face lifting to look at him. Her eyes were red and puffy, but there was something so pure in her gaze, something so vulnerable and open.

“I love you too,” she whispered, her voice fragile but firm. “I always will.”

Dave’s chest tightened, and he pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, his lips lingering as if to seal the promise between them. “Always,” he echoed, his voice just as quiet, just as sure.

Her expression brightened, a small, warm smile spreading across her face as she sniffed. It was a simple moment, but it felt like a quiet declaration—a reminder that, no matter what they faced, they had each other.

Dave pulled her in close, his arms wrapping around her with a gentleness that belied the intensity of his emotions. He held her tightly, her warmth pressing against his chest, her heartbeat steady and reassuring against his own. For a long while, they stayed like that, the silence between them filled with unspoken promises and the quiet comfort of being together. She was his anchor, he realized, the one thing that kept him from being swept away by the storm raging around them. Finally he released her and gave her a small kiss.

"Oh yeah," said Dave, suddenly remembering his day, "I brought you something from the store."

"What is it?" asked Liki, as she wiped away the tears on her cheeks.

"Wimil Juice. I met a lady at the store who said you'll really like it."

Chapter 36: Wager

After the emotional moment, Liki recalled her original mission of cheering Dave up with some naked cuddling. She huddled close to him with one leg over his, her body curling into his like she belonged there—and maybe she did. Dave rested his hand on her side, feeling the gentle rise and fall of her breath. For a moment, the weight of the world seemed to lift.

Suddenly, a noise broke the silence. A quiet, almost imperceptible growl alerted both Dave and Liki. Liki shot up, her blue eyes wide. "Did you hear that, Dave?" she whispered.

"Yeah, I did hear that. Was that your stomach or mine?" he laughed.

"It was mine... I was hoping that you didn't hear it," said Liki sheepishly.

Dave chuckled, his fingers brushing through her soft blonde hair. “Hungry?” he asked, smiling.

Liki nodded eagerly, her tail flicking behind her in anticipation. “Yes,” she said, her voice soft but full of excitement. “I wanna taste the Wimil juice you bought me!”

Dave laughed at her genuine excitement, standing up to grab the bag full of Wimil food and hidden tracking devices that Lin had given him. He sat back down on the bed and pulled one of the small bottles from the bag. A smiling cartoon Wimil danced with a cartoon fruit of some kind on the label. He twisted off the cap and handed it to her, watching as she took it with both hands. She brought it to her lips, taking a cautious sip. Her eyes lit up almost instantly, a delighted purr escaping her throat.

“Mmm, it's so good!” she exclaimed, her voice full of wonder. She took another sip, her tail swishing happily behind her. “Thank you, Dave," she chanted.

“What does it taste like?” he asked, somewhat curious.

"Here, taste it," said Liki, holding out the bottle. Dave took a sip. It was awful. It tasted like salty water, with a hint of cinnamon and soap. He checked the label to make sure he hadn't just drunk poison.

"You don't like it, huh?" asked Liki, her disappointment obvious.

"It's definitely not made for humans..." he replied, smirking.

Dave handed Liki an individually wrapped serving of Wimil pellets from a larger package in Lin's bag, then he took out the bags of chips and protein jerky he'd bought for himself. He climbed back into the bed with Liki. She poured out a handful of pellets, popping one into her mouth with a satisfied hum. Dave watched her for a moment, appreciating the natural elegance that she exuded when eating, before tearing open his bag of chips with his teeth.

As they ate, Dave grabbed the remote and flipped on the TV. The holoscreen flickered to life, and he scanned through the channels until something caught his eye.

“Oh,” Dave said, pointing at the screen. “It’s DaiKill Buster Gaiden.”

Liki tilted her head, her eyes narrowing slightly as she tried to make sense of the fast-paced action projected in the air by the screen. "Oh, like your shirt?” she asked curiously.

“Yeah, it’s an anime,” Dave explained as he crunched some chips. “It's about these special people who fight giant monsters that are coming out of people's dreams to attack the Earth."

Liki’s eyes widened as she watched the screen. “Which one is Tendo?” she asked softly, curiously.

Dave nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. “He's that one right there with the blue hair and the big sword.” At just that moment, Tendo spoke his iconic and somewhat cheesy catchphrase: "Monster Slayer Team is on the scene!"

Liki crawled out from under the covers and flopped on her belly to get closer to the projected images. Her legs kicked in the air behind her, giving Dave a nice view of her perfect little butt. Meanwhile, Tendo cut his way through a huge monster with a single slash. “He’s so strong,” she murmured, her voice filled with admiration.

“Yeah, he is,” Dave agreed, his gaze flickering back to the screen.

The episode unfolded with the usual mix of high-stakes battles and dramatic dialogue. Liki was completely engrossed, her eyes tracking every movement, her body tense with excitement. When an elegant female character appeared on the screen, Liki’s ears perked up.

“Who’s that?” she asked, appreciating the graceful woman’s distinctive character design, featuring long green hair and a flowing blue gown.

“That’s Nanako,” Dave explained. “She’s a girl who helps Tendo. She’s kind of like… his partner, I guess.”

Liki watched as Nanako and Tendo shared a quiet moment, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Does she ever become his girlfriend?” she asked, her voice soft but hopeful.

Dave hesitated, glancing at Liki. “Uh, well…” he started, unsure how to break it to her. “Nanako’s actually a robot created by one of the bad guys. She’s not really… capable of feeling that way.”

Liki’s face fell, her tail drooping slightly. “Oh,” she said, barely above a whisper. “That’s… sad.”

“Yeah,” Dave gently agreed. “But Tendo still cares about her. And she does everything she can for him, even if she’s not… human.”

Liki considered this for a moment, her eyes flickering back to the screen. “Do they ever kiss?” she murmured thoughtfully.

Dave laughed. "I'm not sure... They haven't kissed yet, but this is only season 4 and they're going to make at least 3 more seasons from what I've read online. I think there's going to be an episode where she gets mind controlled by one of the monsters and it makes Nanako try to seduce Tendo, but in the original manga..." Dave realized that Liki wasn't even listening. She was too engrossed in the tense conversation unfolding on the screen. Dave laughed to himself. He patted her butt and she barely reacted, other than to wiggle her hips a little. Her eyes remained glued to the screen as she poked another Wimil pellet between her lips.

As the episode came to an end, Liki stretched, her body arching like a cat. “How much more time do I have to plug in to the bed for?” she asked, clearly reluctant to have to go back to sleep.

"Still four or five more hours," Dave said.

"Well, I guess I better finish it..." she sighed in frustration and flung her arms and legs wide on the bed, doing her best imitation of a starfish. "You smell happier now at least."

"Spending time with you always makes me happy," he replied. He picked up her left foot and kissed her toes, one by one.

Liki smiled a goofy, scrunched-up smile at him, then suddenly rolled away and scrambled over the edge of the bed. She came back up with his shirt. "Can I wear your shirt again? I'm gonna wear your shirt," she asked and decreed at the same time.

"Go for it," laughed Dave.

*

In the motel room directly below Dave and Liki, Tendo and Lin sat in the dim glow of a scanning device, its lens trained upward. The screen flickered with a hazy image of the pair above—Dave and Liki, still curled up on the bed, the faint sound of the TV murmuring out of the speakers.

“Anything interesting up there yet? Are they plotting to run yet or still just crying and cuddling?” Tendo asked, leaning back in his chair, his arms crossed over his chest.

Lin munched on a Wimil pellet as she adjusted the device, squinting at the screen. “They’re still watching cartoons,” she replied, her tone neutral.

Tendo scoffed, shaking his head. “This guy seems like a boring weirdo.”

Lin shot him a sharp look, her lips tightening. “Don’t be so judgmental. He's sweet. You don’t know him like I do.”

“Know him? You don't know him... You've read his file a hundred times like a little fangirl, but you don't know him. He could be a real weirdo. He IS a real weirdo,” Tendo muttered, rolling his eyes. “We could’ve already brought him in and retrieved the F-7.14 by now. Instead, we’re stuck here babysitting because you wanted to do this gently.” Tendo's fingers made air quotes around the word gently.

Lin’s gaze turned icy. “You agreed to follow my lead, so stop whining. If we want his full cooperation, this is the best way. His cooperation gets us Liki's cooperation. Rushing in like you want would only make them both defensive.”

Tendo leaned forward, a smirk tugging at his lips. “We’ve only been after this guy for three days, and you’re already in love with him. Must be a new record.”

Lin’s glare could have melted steel. “That’s not true.”

“Isn’t it?” Tendo pressed, his smirk widening. “You can’t wait to get the seven-one-four away from him so you can swoop in and comfort him, am I right?”

Lin’s jaw tightened, but she held her ground. “There’s no way that would happen,” she said, her voice firm. “Dave would never cheat on poor, sweet Liki.”

Tendo leaned back again, shaking his head. “Oh my god, Lin. Do you want me to get you some dry underwear out of your suitcase?” he muttered, as he stood up to stretch.

"Yeah, grab me some panties and an HR complaint form," she fired back.

"Rowr!" Tendo teased as he walked to the coffee maker.

Lin listened intently as she watched the figures on the screen begin to move, and she adjusted the device again, her focus unwavering. The operation depended on this—on Dave’s cooperation, on Liki’s eventual involvement, and on Lin’s ability to keep it all together. For now, they waited, watching the quiet moments unfold above, each second ticking closer to what lay ahead.

"They're gonna try to run and when I win this bet, you better have my 50k. I'm way behind on child support and Jenz is riding me about it every fucking day," Tendo complained.

Lin shook her head. "Jesus, Houston, all you humans do is complain about your children, but you keep having them."

"Heh, you wouldn't understand. You're a Wimil... And I'm not Houston. I'm Tendo. Codenames. Consistency. " he grumbled, snapping his fingers. "It was dumb to give him your real name. You should have listened to me and gone with Nanako."

Lin shook her head. "I'm choosing to trust. You wouldn't understand. You're a human."

Chapter 37: Defeat

The morning light filtered through the thin curtains of the motel room, casting a warm glow over the bed where Dave and Liki lay. Dave opened his eyes slowly, his body still heavy with sleep. He turned his head to find Liki curled up against him, her small body pressed into his side. Her breathing was soft and even, her lips slightly parted as she slept. Dave smiled as he ran his hand up the smooth skin of her thigh. Her programming had finally caught up, and she’d unplugged herself from the Wimil bed sometime during the night. She looked so tranquil, her delicate features relaxed, the tension of the last few days momentarily erased.

Gently, Dave slipped out of bed, careful to avoid disturbing her. He padded to the bathroom, his bare feet silent on the carpet. The cool tile greeted him as he stepped inside, and he turned the shower on, letting the steam fill the room. He leaned against the sink, staring at his reflection in the mirror. The weight of the decision he had to make pressed heavily on his psyche. Twenty-four hours. That’s all Tendo had given him to decide whether to cooperate or keep running. Now he had only about 4 or 5 hours left. Dave exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. He couldn’t keep Liki in the dark anymore. As he stepped into the shower, he made a decision. He was going to tell her everything. She deserved to know what was at stake, even if it meant the possibility of saying goodbye. She deserves to be a part of the decision, he thought as the water began to patter against his body.

The sound of the shower running was interrupted by the soft creak of the bathroom door. Dave turned just in time to see Liki step into the bathroom as she shimmied out of his borrowed t-shirt, her blue eyes still hazy with sleep. Without a word, she stepped into the shower with him, her arms immediately wrapping around his waist, her head resting against his stomach.

“Good morning,” she murmured sleepily, her voice barely audible over the sound of the water.

Dave chuckled softly, his hands instinctively moving to her back. “Morning, Liki,” he replied, his voice low and warm. They stood there for a moment, swaying to the rhythm of the water, the world outside the shower forgotten. Dave let himself relax, savoring the simplicity of the moment. He knew it wouldn’t last, but for now, it was enough.

The water cascaded over them, warm and soothing as Liki helped to wash Dave. Her hands glided across his back with gentle precision, her touch tender and relaxing. In turn, Dave sat on the shower stool and guided her to sit on his lap, his hands lathering soap over her back and shoulders with a care that felt almost like worship, their connection deepening in the quiet intimacy of the moment.

They dried off quickly and Dave carried Liki to the bedroom, her towel-clad body resting lightly in his arms. As he set her down on the edge of the bed, a fleeting thought crossed his mind—a vivid, unbidden image of her beneath him, her small breasts pressed against his chest, her soft gasps filling the air as he slid deep inside her. He hesitated, his body beginning to react to the thought, but he quickly shook it off. His cheeks warmed with a mix of guilt and desire. This isn’t the time, he reminded himself sternly, forcing the fantasy to dissipate. Though she would've undoubtedly enjoyed it, Dave wanted to do something more substantial than just sex with what could be their last few hours together.

He turned away, focusing on getting dressed. The weight of their situation pressed heavily on him again, the urgency of Tendo's approaching deadline sharpening his resolve. As he tugged on his jeans and pulled his shirt over his head, he glanced at Liki. She was still seated on the bed, her towel draped loosely around her, her blue eyes watching him get dressed with her usual quiet curiosity.

“Where do you want to go today?” he asked, his voice gentle. “After we return the bed, I mean."

She thought for a moment, then her ears perked up, her tail flicking slightly behind her. “I want to go wherever you go,” she said softly, but with a hint of excitement.

Dave’s heart ached at her words. He nodded, forcing a small smile. “But, where do you want me to go? We can do anything,” he promised, though the lump in his throat made it hard to speak. “Whatever you want.”

"Let me think about it," she said, with a serious look.

"Okay, but get dressed while you think about it," said Dave, chuckling.

Liki slipped into her neon green dress with the sheer midriff, the bright colors a stark contrast to the gravity of their situation. Dave couldn’t help but smile as she twirled in front of the mirror, her tail swishing playfully. She looked so carefree, so alive. This could be our last day together, he thought. Let her wear what she wants. Let her be happy. As she admired her reflection, Dave folded out the carrying handle of the Wimil bed and unplugged its power cord.

He grinned, remembering when she’d wore her green dress that day they’d gone shopping together. “Don’t forget to put on underwear this time,” he reminded her.

She flipped up her dress playfully, and wiggled her butt encased in light pink panties. “I remembered!” she laughed, sticking out her tongue at him in the mirror.

Passing by their bags on the table, he saw the dark metal of the stolen gun peaking out from underneath Liki’s spare clothes. He took it and tucked it into his jacket. Just in case, he reasoned.

They left the motel hand in hand, the morning air crisp and refreshing. The walk to the Wimil repair store was quiet, the streets still relatively empty. Dave’s mind raced as he tried to think of ways to make the day special for Liki. Maybe they could go shopping, or go to the park and feed the ducks. Simple things, but things that would let them just be together without the weight of the world on their shoulders.

When they arrived at the store, the atmosphere shifted. The front counter was manned by a tall, athletic woman in tight yoga pants and a loose top, her black baseball cap pulled low over her face. The air was thick with the scent of her perfume, cloying and overpowering. Liki wrinkled her nose in disgust at the strange smell but remained silent, her grip on Dave’s hand tightening slightly.

Dave set the Wimil bed on the counter. “I’m here to return this bed,” he said, his tone polite but firm.

The woman looked at the serial number on the bottom of the bed and spent some time typing something into her tablet, her movements unhurried and slow. Just when Dave was starting to get impatient, she looked up. “The bed is now checked in. Transaction is complete,” she said curtly. She paused, then added, “Oh, but before you go, I’m required to tell you about a special promotion we’re running on Wimil products.” She stepped from behind the counter to gesture at some of the various products on the wall.

Dave shook his head. “Not interested. I’m in a hurry.”

The woman’s eyes narrowed slightly, and she held up a hand. “Please, you have to stay. I’ll get fired if I don’t tell you about this offer. It’ll be quick.”

Dave hesitated, glancing at Liki. She was staring past the woman, her ears twitching slightly. “There’s someone else here,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Before Dave could react, the woman’s demeanor changed. Her hand moved to her waist, and in an instant, she was holding a gun. “Hands up. Get on the ground,” she snarled, cold and commanding.

Dave froze, his heart pounding in his chest. He turned slightly, just as a large man emerged from the backroom, dressed in black tactical gear, a high-tech rifle slung over his shoulder. The air in the room grew still, the silence broken only by the sound of Liki’s low growl. What the hell is happening?

Without warning, Liki launched herself at the woman, a blur of speed and precision. She grabbed the woman’s arm, twisting it with a sickening crack, and the gun clattered to the floor. She screamed and clutched her arm as she fell; the man from the backroom raised his rifle, but Liki was already moving, closing the distance between them in the blink of an eye.

She hit him with a flurry of punches and kicks, her small body becoming flashes of neon green and pale skin. The man grunted, trying to fend her off, but Liki was relentless. Her attacks threw him off balance for a moment but he rapidly regained his poise. The big man smiled, and with the casual confidence of a professional fighter, he began his counterattack. He managed to land a blow that sent Liki stumbling back, but she somersaulted to her feet, her blue eyes blazing with fury.

Dave stepped toward the downed woman, his hand fumbling for the gun in his jacket. “Don’t move,” he barked, his voice shaking slightly as he pointed the weapon at her.

The woman hissed in pain, her unbroken arm slowly rising to signal her surrender. “Gamma team, where are you? We need backup NOW!” she hissed into a hidden comm.

Dave’s eyes darted to Liki, who was still engaged with the man. He saw her take a brutal elbow to the head, but she shook it off. The man swung his rifle toward her, but Liki ducked under the stock, her foot connecting with his shin with a sickening crunch. He staggered back, roaring in pain.

Liki’s neon green dress blurred as she spun, her movements quick and fierce despite the blood trickling down her forehead. She landed blow after blow, forcing him to drop his rifle, but the man seemed otherwise unfazed. He quickly recovered and unleashed a flurry of punches that forced her back against the counter. With a grunt of effort, he delivered a powerful knee to her midsection, the impact lifting her off her feet for a moment. Liki gasped, clutching her stomach as she staggered, momentarily stunned. The man seized the opportunity, his massive hands closing around her throat and lifting her off the ground. Her feet dangled helplessly as she clawed at his grip, her blue eyes wide with panic. She began delivering rapid kicks to his chest, but the big man barely seemed to feel them.

Dave’s heart raced as he raised his gun, aiming it at the man’s broad back. “Let her go!” he shouted, his finger tightening on the trigger. But before he could fire, the woman on the ground whipped her legs around Dave’s calf, twisting sharply and sending him crashing to the floor. The gun slipped from his hands, skittering across the tile as the woman lunged for it with her uninjured arm. Dave scrambled to stop her, their bodies tangling in a desperate struggle. She was stronger than she looked, her grip like iron as she fought to overpower him.

As they grappled, Dave caught a glimpse of dark shapes moving outside the store’s front door. His stomach sank as he realized what it meant—Gamma Team was here. The attackers’ backup had arrived, and there was no way he and Liki could hold them off. The woman pinned him in a leg lock, her uninjured arm wrapped around his neck. “Give up. It’s over,” she hissed, her voice cold and final.

Dave’s eyes darted to Liki, still struggling in the man’s grip. Her movements were slowing, her strength fading. He felt a surge of helplessness, knowing they were out of time.

The fight was lost.