Back In The Aeternus Universe (Book) (Page 178)

~~~(POV: Scott Autumn)~~~

~~~(Location: Bedroom, Home)~~~

The time for me to get back in is here, and all my debuffs are gone now. This means I can be everything I need to be to complete this insane journey I'm on. Jessica and I spent so much quality time together in my time out of The Aeternus Universe.

We've gone on dates, stayed home, cuddled, along with plenty of sex. If she weren't pregnant, then she'd be after these past days waiting for my debuffs to lift.

The Gaming Pod hisses open, and Jess watches me as I step inside and look at her. She smiles and blows me a kiss as the lid shuts. She's been getting on soon too, but Dr. Sharon said she shouldn't be on more than 7 hours at a time.

Her being pregnant is starting to limit her time in The Aeternus Universe. Soon, when she's getting really close to her delivery date. She won't be able to play at all, and neither will I.

I'm not going to miss the last month of Jessica's pregnancy, and I'm going to be there to help her raise the baby. So that gives me 7 or so months to figure out how to stop The Parasite and The Primeval Inherent without using the all-life-ending Coda Arrey.

As I load into the game, I see everything is just as I left it. I look and I see Durado sleeping in one of the many chairs of the command deck. I make my way over to him and place my hand on him.

He jolts awake and kicks me away while drawing his blaster.

"Oh, shit. Sorry, Scott. I've been alone on this ship these past days, and I didn't expect to be woken up by you."

As he helps me up, I look toward the console Aurora usually comes out of. But she's not popping up at all.

"Where's Aurora? I figured she'd be here to greet me when I got back..."

When I see Durado's expression, I can't decide if I should laugh or be concerned.

"Oh, fuck me..."

His hand slides down his face, and I have a feeling what's happened isn't going to make anything better between the two of them.

"I may or may not have completely forgotten about her..."

The cocking of my eyebrow makes him continue.

"I left her back at The Local Access Point... It's been so nice without her nagging that I forgot about it... Y'know... Out of sight, out of mind..."

A long sigh escapes my lips cause I know it's not going to be easy getting them to mend this burned bridge.

"Okay. This is a thing now. Lead the way to her. Give me the Aurora Holder MK.1."

He takes it out of his inventory and hands it to me.

"Just... Please stop her from screaming at me. I'm nursing a headache from drinking all that artificial alcohol made my Immortalitas. It's the strongest drink I've ever had in my life, and it tastes perfect."

I can't make that promise, but I'll make sure she doesn't kill him. Durado is a big help when it comes to fighting and getting out of a sticky situation.

"Let's just make sure she doesn't kill you. She should have access to the local network, and that means some security too."

He grimaces, and I sympathize with the man.

~~~(POV: Aurora)~~~

~~~(Location: Internal Systems of The Keynote)~~~

That Son of a Bitch!!

He's completely forgotten about me!! I finished getting into the local network a couple of days ago, and I've been waiting here ever since!

"When I see you again, Durado... I'm gonna ki-!"

My external monologue while in this cyberspace is interrupted.

"Aurora! Are you in here!?"

The voice of Scott is a lifeboat to the sinking ship that is a company with Durado. I pop up on the terminal, and I can't stop the beaming smile from gracing my features. Scott looks at me and gives the same smile back.

But the source of all my hate and anger pops his head out from behind Scott. Waving at me.

Like that's gonna fly!!

"YOU DUMB SON OF A BITCH!! I'M GONNA KILL YOU!!!"

The security in the room fires to life at my command, and several red dots are pointing at Durado. Before I can order his death, his guardian angel comes to the rescue.

"Wait, Aurora."

Just... I want him gooooneee!! Pleeeease!!