Chapter Text
September, 1984. Beacon City, Newburgh.
Emmy, having just exited her charging chair, stands to her two tippy-toe feet, quickly glancing around the room. The house was quiet… abnormally so. Yesterday everything was fine…
She stepped out of the closet where her chair was left, her eyes stopping on a piece of paper taped to the closed door of the room. Curious, she approached… the back of the paper was written on in bright pink highlighter:
For Emmy
Curious at this note, she carefully pulled it off the door, making sure not to leave residue from the scotch tape before turning it around.
Emmy,
Sorry for leaving you so suddenly, but we got invited out to the country by a company friend. We’ll be staying at his forest estate in Olburgh, off in the west. Me, Madeline and Angela will be gone for the week. So will the Khatris, Flaggs, Mr. Spiegel, Mr. Price, their daughter and the little Mendenhall son. We’ll be back next Monday, just keep the house clean until we come back. Otherwise, feel free to help out the other Nandroids if they need it. We’ll call you when we’re there and unpacked, probably in the afternoon.
Ted
This lifted a weight off her shoulders, at least partially- They could have told her that they were going, she’d have packed for them. But now they were gone… so it was time to get to work cleaning.
The last few days had been a bit crazy- Mr. Delaire had gone through a flurry of work as the situation in Europe forced Sterling executives from the head office to move over to the U.S. branch for safety. This left Mr. Delaire to deal with setting up the load of new marketing employees, leading to many long nights and many dirty coffee cups for her to clean.
But it seems one of those new employees, or an appreciative higher-up has finally let him have a break, along with his family. And a lot of other families- the generosity of Sterling management knows no bounds, of course…
Just as her utility knew no bounds. Emmy quickly made her way down to the first floor, down into the broom closet to retrieve her cleaning supplies. A broom, a vacuum, various cleaning products, a feather duster… all the essentials to make a house totally spotless.
First, she quickly got to work cleaning the hall, sweeping up and cleaning what few bits of dust and grime appeared overnight. She also picked up a pair of Madeline’s home slippers which she must have left out when she changed into her regular shoes. Gently putting them away and closing the shoe cupboard, she’d straighten back up to head on to the next room.
As she prepares to clean though, she hears the wall-mounted phone in the kitchen ring. It must be them! She quickly sets down her vacuum, rushing towards it as she almost tackles the receiver off its mount. She quickly puts the headset to the side of her head once it’s off the phone.
“Hello? Mr. Delaire?”
“Huh? Emmy, it’s me. Franny. Just thought to call- my family seems to have up and disappeared.”
“Oh… Good morning, Franny. Yes, mine too. Apparently, they’ve gone out to the country on the invitation of Mr. Delaire’s work friend. The Delaires, Flaggs, Khatris, Spiegel-Price and Corbin Mendenhall have all apparently gone. Did the Flaggs not leave you a note?”
“Not one I’ve found.”
“Hm. Well, do you need any help at home? I’m just cleaning up right now.”
“Thank you, but I’m fine. I do need to go shopping later once I do my own cleaning- Perhaps you could come along and pick something up as well?”
“Oh, that’s a wonderful idea. I might call around to the others, see if they might be interested as well. Good to go in a group, all these… ruffians on the streets nowadays are not good for a lone Nandroid going shopping.”
“Agreed. I’ll call Polly and Molly, you try Amy. I’ll call you back if they agree.”
“Alright. I hope you call soon.”
“Bye, Emmy.”
“Bye.”
Emmy then pushed the call cutoff with her finger, stopping the call. She’d quietly, uselessly sigh as she began typing in the number for the Khatri household.
After a few rings, she finally heard the phone get picked up.
“Hello! This is the Khatri house, the family isn’t available right now! Can I take a message?”
“Hi, Amy. It’s Emmy.”
“Emmy? Oh, hi! What’s going on?”
“Oh, nothing. Me and Franny thought we could all head into town later to do our shopping, since there’s nothing to do at home with our families gone.”
“Oh yeah… where did they go?”
“They didn’t tell you either? Am I the only one that knows they went out into the country?”
“Oh, they did? How nice. Mr. Khatri definitely needs a break. Sure, I’ll go with you girls. Where do you want to meet?”
“How about the park, where the kids usually play?”
“That sounds nice! Alright, I’ll see you there!”
“Don’t head out now, the others probably still have work to do.”
“Oh, alright. Right, I have to clean too- sorry, I’ll call you back when I’m done.”
“No worries.”
“Okay, bye!”
The phone would then get hung up on the other side, with Emmy putting down her phone once it did.
Well, at least it’s something to do… She picked up the vacuum cleaner she set down in the hall, returning to the house to begin cleaning. She moved slowly, making sure she didn’t miss a spot… Just as every other day with the occupants of the house gone.
Eventually, this work would run out, at least inside. Thankfully, the girls hadn’t called back just yet, and there was still work to be done out on the porch. But right as she was about to head out-
The phone rang again. She quickly set down her watering can, rushing over to the phone to pick it up. It was the afternoon-
“Emmy? How are you doing?”
“Oh, hi Franny. What’s up?”
“I’ve gotten everyone together- well, except for Molly- she’s the only one with family still around, so she elected to stay at home.”
“Oh, that’s unfortunate. I was hoping all of us would go at once…”
“Yes, quite sad. But, how are you doing? Done with your chores?”
“Actually… I’m not, I still have to tend to the front garden. You should head into the park, I’ll meet you there. It’s only watering and a little pruning- shouldn’t take more than a few minutes.”
“Oh, that’s quite alright. Amy said she’d be there a little later as well, she called me. Take your time, do it right. I’ll see you at the park.”
“Alright, bye.”
“Bye.”
Emmy then hung up, quickly making her way back into the hall where she left her empty watering can and overgloves. She was already wearing gloves, of course, but she couldn’t get those dirty while working on those pesky weeds-
She’d gently push open the front door, stepping outside. According to her temperature sensors, the air was cool and crisp… a perfect autumn day. The streets of Hawthorn Grove were spared from the sudden influx of Europeans, trying to escape the combat ongoing in the Old World…
She was happy that she didn’t have to worry about that when she was at home. Approaching the water spout, she’d quickly place the watering can underneath it, turning the valve. Cold water quickly spilled out of it, some droplets splashing against her legs and dress as it filled up the can.
Above her, the sound of jet engines faintly sounded across the street… probably another load of refugees from the east. She’s learned to ignore them… A sad reality, but she had no reason to worry about that. She was here, in America. She was safe.
Turning around, she’d approach one of the bushes lining the wrought-iron fence around the Delaire residence, tipping the can over to water them. Water splashed off their small leaves, dispersing the shower across more of the plant.
As she slowly did this, she could faintly hear something… something akin to fabric flapping… she ignored it for the time being, at least until the source showed itself.
Several figures, dressed in black uniforms and masks, descend down onto the intersection near the house on parachutes, the silks fluttering down behind them as they land. Emmy momentarily freezes as they do… but dismisses it as a training mishap. The Army has had a lot bigger presence after the European campaign, making sure nothing happens. The unknown, oddly small figures begin to pull away parachute fabric off odd metal drums that seem to have fallen with them, just as a car approaches the intersection up Hibiscus Drive.
She quickly recognizes it as Mr. Mendenhall’s car, considering the expensive manufacturer and size of the vehicle. The driver in the front braked as he came upon the jammed intersection, honking the horn.
The figures seemed to notice, some of them looking up from their work while others continued to open up the barrels, reaching in to grab something.
After a moment, she’d hear the rear car door opening, spotting the top of Mr. Mendenhall’s head appearing above the car.
“What the hell is going on here!? Get the hell out of the road, you’re blocking-”
His words would suddenly be cut short by a burst of gunshots, coming from a machine gun that was now held by one of the figures. Mr. Mendenhall flew backwards, a cloud of blood splatter visible for a split second before he fell behind the car. The figure then began to wildly spray at the car, leaving bullet holes in the front and windshield. The driver, luckily still alive thanks to the engine block, stumbled out of the door, trying to run for his life.
That was soon cut short as well by another machine gun, dropping the man dead onto the asphalt.
Emmy was momentarily frozen in shock, unable to process what happened… at least, until a few rounds whizzed past her.
This quickly sobered her up, making her drop her watering can and sprint into the house, bullet cracks sounding off behind her as she slammed the door shut. Thinking fast, she’d quickly grab onto the nearby shoe cubby, shoving it against the door as a makeshift barricade before running further into the house.
Running deep into the house, into the kitchen, she’d run for the wall-mounted phone… She thought about who to call. The police? The Army? They probably already knew, though- but she knew someone likely didn’t. Quickly typing in the number for the Mendenhall house… The phone rang a few times, together with a few gunshots ringing out back at the front door, splintering the door’s wood, before she heard the phone get picked up.
“Emmy? Are you calling about the little get-together? I already told Franny, I’m too busy to-”
“Molly! They just shot Mr. Mendenhall! You have to get out- I think the Russians are invading!”
“Huh? Are you okay, Emmy? What are you talking about? Wait, hold on- someone’s knock-”
Her voice was then suddenly cut off by a loud crash, followed by yelling in a language she didn’t immediately recognize from the panic, until realizing it was Russian. She also heard Molly scream as she dropped the phone.
“Who- get your hands off me you… savages! Help!-”
The call then ended following a split second sound of gunfire, making Emmy carefully set the phone back down.
What was going on… she slumped against the wall as she tried to process what just happened. This would be interrupted by a slam on the door, rattling the wood and threatening to push away the makeshift barricade.
This quickly got her back on her tips, having to quickly think of a way out… the backyard! Yes, she’ll climb over the fence and escape. She rushed to the back door, pushing it open quickly but gently as she made her way across the yard, towards the fence. They had no gate, for security, so she was forced to awkwardly jump up, grabbing onto the flat top of the painted fence.
Shuffling over, she could hear the enemy soldiers breaking into the house through an open door just as she dropped over onto the other side of the fence. Hearing the commotion she covered her mouth, looking around.
She was in the small alley path between the houses, running along the entire length of Hibiscus. Now, she was thinking of where to go next.
“Where could be safe? The city can’t, it’s being invaded! Oh no, what about the Delaires? I hope they’re safe… and they won’t be able to call… what do I- the park! Yes, meet up with the others, come up with a plan.”
She spoke to herself quietly as she could hear commotion in the yard. She had to move… she quickly began running down the alleyway, out towards the road where she hoped nobody would be waiting for her. She had to make it to Walnut Street, then run down to the park.
Thankfully, the alley itself was clear enough… nobody dumped trash out here, it was just a little unkempt as not many people used it… it didn’t take that long for a running Nandroid to make it to the end of the block, finding herself pushing open a small wooden gate.
As she did, she saw a car speeding past- one she didn’t recognize, but clearly in some sort of hurry. But one good thing for her was that they were speeding towards the park- clearly meaning that it wasn’t dangerous yet. She glanced out onto the street, already deserted, before she made her move.
She could hear gunfire and explosions in the distance, trying to tune it out as she ran… but as she approached the park, one explosion would be very difficult to tune out.
Out on the horizon, towards the south a long, long way past even the rough, south part of town- hundreds of miles, maybe, a small- at least for her, thanks to the distance- mushroom cloud rose.
Her mouth opened as she froze in her tracks, gazing at the plume rising slightly in the distance above the horizon. She slowly tried to process where it was coming from… a long ways south, in that direction… Pennsylvania? Washington?!
“Oh my gosh…”
She whispered to herself as it slowly rose upwards… but as the deafening thoughts of destruction faded to return to the sounds of close-by warfare, she shook herself from the thoughts and quickly returned to running for the park.
Sprinting across the road, she’d spot some sort of armored vehicle driving along in the distance… only more reason to get into the park as soon as she could.
Rushing for cover of the trees, she could see occasional flashes of movement as park-goers ran for cover. Her meetup spot wasn’t far, and thankfully, she could spot a handful of bright, poofy heads of hair hiding behind the fountain near the playground. She put some extra power into her step, rushing over and sliding to cover beside Franny. Before they turned to look at her, she noticed there were only two there… Franny and Polly. Molly she knew wasn’t going to be there… but-
“Emmy! Oh thank goodness you’re here.”
“Where’s Amy?”
“Oh- I don’t know, she said she was going to be a little busy.”
“Well, I hope she’s alright. What do we do, though? What should we do to get out of this mess?”
“Well, I personally believe in the abilities of our good soldiers. We shouldn’t be in trouble for a long time. But, until then… We ought to hide somewhere.”
“It isn’t safe here- I saw Mr. Mendenhall… get shot dead by those people, right in the street.”
“Oh gosh… Wh-What about Molly?”
Polly asked, putting her hands together as she looked directly into Emmy’s eyes.
“Molly… I think Molly was taken by them, or... worse- Last I heard, it sounded like their home was raided by… I’m guessing the same people that killed Mr. Mendenhall.”
“Oh no… Who are these people?”
“I don’t know, but-”
“Girls! Girls! I’m here!”
This exclamation made all of the congregated Nandroids turn their heads to the familiar voice approaching them… It was Amy, thank goodness she’s fine. But wait… what is that she’s carrying?
“Amy, why are you carrying a rifle?”
“It’s not a rifle, silly. It’s a shotgun.”
She said as she rushed into the same cover as the others, making them back away from her in search of safety.
“Doesn’t matter, why do you have it?! You know Nandroids, all androids, in fact, are banned from posessing those, right?”
“Yeah, but I thought it was a bit unfair that their robots could use them and I couldn’t. So I borrowed Mr. Khatri’s gun.”
“I- Okay, fine, I guess. But… hide it somewhere so one of our fine police officers or soldiers doesn’t think you’re with them!”
“Okie doke. Um… let’s see here…”
Amy says, looking down at herself to see where she could put the long gun… before deciding that her dress would work. Shoving the gun barrel first underneath her skirt and jamming it up through her waistband and shirt, it very clearly made an imprint on the tight uniform.
“There! Nobody’s the wiser. So… what do we do?”
“I don’t know, Amy. We can’t go back home… and the city’s going to be full of soldiers. Maybe we need to go hide somewhere?”
“But where, Emmy? Where could we be safe from these… ruffians?”
“Um… what about… across the river?”
“Oldburgh? The GANG territory? We would last less time there than here with the police too busy repelling the invasion!”
“Do you have a better idea? We’ll put the river between us and the Russians, and maybe we can start to head down south, out of the city… find our families!”
“Plus, why would they attack us? There’ll probably be a lot of these meanies there too, they’ll be busy with them!”
“Not helpful, Amy. But… yes, I think that might be the best idea.”
“But how are we going to get across? The bridges will surely be swarming with them- and even if not, they’ll be congested all the way to Downtown!”
“What about… what about the yacht club? It’s right here, just outside of the park. Mr. Delaire has a yacht there- we could… use it to get across the river?”
“Do you know how to sail?”
“Yes, Mr. Delaire took me once when the family went out. We need to move fast though- Before… they get there.”
“I agree. We should move. And… Amy? Please do keep that… thing… hidden? Unless we desperately need it, I wouldn’t want you to get in trouble.”
“Okie doke! Let’s go!”
Amy nodded and exclaimed, standing up from the bit of covert they had as she began to rush out in the direction of the yacht club. The other Nandroids were a little dumbfounded- but quickly got up and began following her as well.