Ali Noel Vyain's Blog, page 61

Prologue

The Strange & Unusual Universe of Silver Moon Unicorn

Silver Moon Unicorn was broke. She couldn’t find a regular paying job no matter how hard she tried. Her first love was writing, but of course no one wanted to hire to do any of that. So, she decided to keep on writing, at least for herself for the time being.

She was scanning the job ads when she came across an ad for a free trolley. She made a note of the address on her tablet computer and quickly left the library. She walked down to the train station and boarded the train to take her to the lot where the trolley was sitting. She held her bag, with the tablet computer inside, on her lap. People on the train were looking at her funny. She ignored them and waited for the train to depart.

“Ever thought about getting those points removed from your ears?”

Silver Moon turned toward the speaker. “No. Why should I?”

“Because elves are so snooty.”

Silver Moon raised her eyebrows. “Am I the first elf you’ve talked to?”

The human woman made a funny face. “Well, yes…”

“It sounds like you don’t know anything about elves.” She paused watching the woman’s reaction. “Appearances can be deceptive.”

“So you think.”

“So I know. I’m not even a full blooded elf. I’m part human, too.”

“You’re snooty.”

“No, I’m not prejudice. I prefer to keep an open mind about everything.”

The woman got off the train at her stop. Silver Moon looked about her to see where she was at. She pulled her tablet out of her bag and consulted a map on it. According to the map, she was close to her stop. She put the tablet back into her bag.

She stepped off the train and walked over to the lot. She could see the trolley sitting there by itself. Another person was standing beside it, smoking a cigarette. Silver Moon didn’t stop walking until she was in front of the human.

“Hello.”

He took a drag on his cigarette. “Well, hello, Elf. I didn’t expect someone like you to show up.”

“Are you giving this trolley away for free?”

“Sure am. Want to check it out?”

“Yes.”

“Okay, I’ll give you the tour.” He tossed his cigarette. Then he showed her the outside of the trolley. After that they stepped on the back porch and he unlocked the door. He showed her the inside.

“So, what do you think?”

“What condition is the engine in?”

“Oh, it was fine when I drove it out here. Here, do you want to take it for a test drive?”

“Sure.”

He handed her the keys and showed her the driver’s seat. She sat down and put the seat belt on. She put the key in the ignition and turned it on. He sat down on one of the seats, where he could watch her. As she drove the trolley around the lot, she could see why no one else wanted it. It was an old style manual. Not something many people knew how to drive. She did know how and remembered even though it had been a long time.

“You sure know how to handle this trolley.”

“I used to drive a vehicle that was the old style manual.”

“You’re the first one to know how since I placed the ad. Everyone else walked away. You want to keep it?”

“Sure.”

“Then it’s yours. Just drop me off at the Wayward Inn.”

“Okay. No problem.” Silver Moon dropped him off a few minutes later.

*******

Silver Moon drove the trolley to her friend’s place. Frank was home and watched her park the trolley. She got off and walked over to him. “Frank, I’ve got a trolley. Want to help me remodel it so I can live on it?”

“Sure. Let’s check it over.” He went straight to the engine. “What did you pay for it?”

“Nothing. The guy let me have it for free.”

“Interesting.” He pulled the cover off the engine and looked it over. “Engine is in good shape. How does it drive?”

“Fine. No problems at all.”

“I see it can fly as well.”

“It can? He didn’t mention that.”

Frank replaced the cover. “Well, let’s check the inside.” They both got on the trolley. “What do you want to do with the seats?”

“I don’t know. I probably won’t need most of them. Perhaps just a couple of up front at the most.”

“Then we’ll sell them to get what you need for the remodeling.”

“That works for me.”

“I figured. I know you can’t get a job any easier than I can.”

Silver Moon smiled. “I guess we’re just the lucky ones.”

They spent the rest of the day taking out the seats and making plans.

Introduction

The Strange & Unusual Universe of Silver Moon Unicorn

I wrote this book to introduce the world to my universe that I will continue to write about. This book is free as an ebook. I would like to get a reader fan base going as I do not intend to write solely for myself. If you don’t like this book, that is okay. There are plenty of other things to read in this world.

This book is written from the point of view of my alter ego, Silver Moon Unicorn. Yes, you can find her in Second Life and in Kitely along with White Lion Unicorn. This book is partly her story and her adventures as a traveling bard. She is confined to one planet in her solar system, but she is aware of other inhabited planets, like Earth. The poetry is her reactions to universe in which she lives. Some of the stories will become parts of novels that I will write and offer for sale. Other items include her notes and interviews of the characters.

I do hope you will enjoy this book. If not, then let’s shake hands and go our separate ways.

Ali Noel Vyain

Chapter 18 The Second Tiny House

An excerpt from The Titanium Mysteries Book 1: What Is She Doing Here?

Zelda sighed. She had just left another bad date behind. She cried. She had been living with her girlfriend. Now she needed a new place to live. She went back to her current home and packed up her few belongings. She left the apartment and went to the office.

It was late and she was alone. She stared at the wall screen and thought about everything. She wiped away her tears. She sighed and sent a message to Zeta.

Zeta replied quickly and readily agreed to let Zelda build another tiny house on the property in exchange to help pay for the utilities and upkeep of the property. Zelda answered back that it was a deal. Zelda wasted no time finding out what she needed to get a tiny house built and delivered to the property.

She finished up arrangements and got as comfortable as she could in her chair she went to sleep.

******************

Zeta smiled. She didn’t want to live alone anymore. She did like having her tiny house to herself. She liked the idea that Zelda would be living there as well in her own tiny house. Of course that would mean that Julian would be around more often. Zeta was looking forward to seeing him again.

She made sure both detectives could get on her property whenever they needed or wanted to.

*******************

Julian was sitting in his studio apartment by himself. His hoverboard was next to the door. He was sitting on the open sofa bed and reread the message on his tablet again. It was clear the landlord was raising the rent again. He looked up and around the small apartment. It wasn’t much to begin with. He sighed.

He would need a new place to live soon. He heard a special sound he had selected for when he received messages from Zeta. He looked at his tablet and found out Zelda was getting a tiny house on Zeta’s property. Julian smiled. The message also said he could now get on the property whenever he needed or wanted to.

He looked up and saw his tent, suitcase, and backpack. He smiled. He didn’t own much. He didn’t own any furniture. That all came with the apartment. What he owned he could pack up in the suitcase and backpack. Then he could take the tent with his blankets and just go. The hoverboard could handle all the weight.

He knew he would be fine. He would just camp out at Zeta’s. He definitely wanted to see her again soon. Perhaps she wouldn’t mind him there if he helped pay utilities and upkeep of the property?

Chapter 17 Mystery is Solved

An excerpt from The Titanium Mysteries Book 1: What Is She Doing Here?

Zeta left the property to get some groceries. She walked at her normal pace with her bag on her. She was thinking about Phillipe’s notes and who could have killed him. She nearly walked into Jessa on the street.

“Hey, watch where you’re going, freak!”

“Oh, sorry.” Zeta walked around her to get away.

“No, Zeta. You can’t get away this time. You know too much!”

Zeta stopped and turned around. “What? What are you talking about?”

“I know you’re helping the detectives figure out who killed Phillipe and Toni. But you’ll all fail.” Jessa walked closer.

Zeta blinked.

“You are much too quiet. There must be something wrong with you. Everyone else talks more than you do.” Jessa opened her purse and pulled out a knife. “Unless you’re not a real elf. That must be it. You must be android. Why else would you be so damn quiet?” She raised the knife.

Zelda and Julian ran down the street. They both shouted, “Stop right there, Jessa!”

Jessa turned her head in their direction. “No!”

Zelda pulled out her laser gun. “Don’t you dare harm Zeta!”

Jessa screamed.

“Jule, get Zeta out of here!”

Julian got on his hoverboard. He flew over to Zeta and held out his hand to her. Her jaw dropped as her eyes got big and round. She reached out for his hand. He helped her up on his hoverboard. He held her hand and reached for the other one. They held hands as they flew off together back to her home.

Minutes later, far from the commotion, Julian landed the hoverboard inside her property. He helped her off the board. They gazed into each other’s eyes.

************************

Zelda caught up to both Julian and Zeta after Jessa was safely in custody. She went to let them know what happened with Jessa.

“Hey, Jule and Zeta!”

Zeta let Zelda inside the property.

“Jessa is behind bars.”

“Oh!” both Zeta and Julian said.

“Yes, and Cliff is under investigation.”

“Good,” said Julian.

“He’s not happy, but his spy did commit the murder. She was screaming about it once she was arrested.”

Zeta blinked. “And we still don’t know if there are any androids in existence.”

“No, we don’t know where they are currently.”

Zeta shook her head. “I don’t think that matters now.”

Zelda smiled. “No, it doesn’t. I’m not sure many people would allow androids into regular society if they knew. Jessa is just an extreme example of that. She couldn’t stop telling me how much she hated androids and those who want to build them.”

Zeta sighed. “Well, I’m glad it’s over now.”

Julian smiled at Zeta. “You can finish your book now. We know who killed Phillipe and Toni and why.”

“You won’t mind that I’ll put all that in the book?”

Both detectives shook their heads no.

Zeta smiled. “Good. Now I can finish it. Do you want me to mention your names? Or would you prefer I used different names for you?”

The detectives smiled at her.

Chapter 16 Another Murder

An excerpt from The Titanium Mysteries Book 1: What Is She Doing Here?

Jessa was fuming in her apartment. She stopped and smiled. Yes, that was what she should do. She called Julian and asked him over. She offered to tell him more evidence on the case. He agreed to meet her alone. She went to the bathroom and touched up her makeup. She made sure her clothes were perfect.

She was out of time. He was at her door. She let him in. He sat down on the couch.

“Okay, so talk. What do you know about the case?”

“Well, perhaps I know nothing at all.”

Julian blinked. “What?”

“Well, I mean, you are quite handsome and I was feeling a bit lonely. Do you ever get lonely, detective?”

Julian stood up. “So, that’s why you invited me over here.” He walked out of her apartment. He ran down the stairs with his hoverboard in hand. Soon he was out on the street.

Jessa followed him as best she could. “No, wait! I could make you so happy. I’m quite good. You’ll see. You won’t regret it.”

Julian didn’t turn around to face her. Across the street, Zeta was out for a walk. She turned her head in Jessa’s direction. She gasped when she saw Jessa catch up with Julian.

Jessa jumped in front of Julian forcing him to stop dead in his tracks. She put her arms around his neck. Zeta couldn’t hear what Jessa was saying to Julian. Zeta had stopped to watch the exchange. He said something to her and nearly dropped his hoverboard to remove her hands from him.

Jessa scoffed at him and yelled colorful metaphors. Julian got on his hoverboard and took off. Jessa stormed off moments later.

Zeta blinked. She smiled and resumed her walk.

*********************

Detectives Julian and Zelda ran down the stairs of the hotel. They had just gotten the call that Toni, Phillipe’s business partner, was found dead in a private room. They hurried to the scene of the crime.

When they reached the body, they both felt a strong sense of deja vu. Blood came from different areas of the body. Too much like Phillipe’s body. But this was Toni. Pictures were taken. Samples were taken.

Julian and Zelda looked at each other. They frowned. They looked around for more evidence. This time there weren’t servants to worry about, but many hotel staff workers. And Jessa had been there as well.

When the detectives realized Jessa had been there with Toni, they both raised an eyebrow. Clearly, Toni wasn’t the murderer. Zeta was nowhere near the hotel. Nor had she been in contact with Toni. Things weren’t looking good for Jessa now.

**********************

Zelda and Julian were in their shared office when Zeta walked in. The detectives made room for her. She was expected. She had found more evidence relevant to the case and her book. She wanted to share it with them as she did before. She pulled out her tablet. Julian gave it permission to send data to the office computer.

Soon the new evidence Zeta had discovered from online sources appeared on the wall screen. The three elves checked the new evidence and found a pattern. The evidence pointed to Jessa.

“Someone leaked this information online.” Zeta blinked.

Zelda raised an eyebrow. “I see that. This is private footage showing Jessa with Cliff of the competing company.”

Julian chimed in. “And it looks like they are complaining about androids.”

Zelda continued, “Apparently, she wasn’t just a party girl and a socialite. She was a hired spy for a competing company known as Robots Aren’t Us. The person who had hired her did not want Phillipe and Toni to learn about androids.”

Technically, they were already too late. There were at least two known androids in existence. One was possibly still in the solar system. But her whereabouts could not be confirmed.

Julian and Zelda looked at each other. Zelda sent the order to have Jessa arrested. There was nothing more they could do.

Chapter 15 Trouble

An excerpt from The Titanium Mysteries Book 1: What Is She Doing Here?

Julian and Zelda were walking down the street. Jessa saw them together and smiled wickedly. She walked over to the detectives.

“How are you, Julian?”

Zelda rolled her eyes.

“Uh, fine.”

“How’s the investigation?”

“It’s going. Do you have anything to tell us?”

“Yeah. You know it had to be Zeta. That bitch thought she could have Phillipe all to herself.”

“Oh, really? You got proof of that?” Julian waited for an answer.

Jessa frowned. “You don’t believe me?”

“No. The only evidence we found was that they were solely working together. No playtime for them.”

“But she is terrible! She liked him! But she couldn’t have him.”

Julian sighed. “She wasn’t interested. She was just working with him.”

Zelda stared at Jessa.

“But Julian, she is quite the seductress.”

“Oh, really? She doesn’t like to be bothered as the deceased found out and so did his partner.”

Jessa frowned. “Really?”

“Yes, really. Why don’t you like her?”

“She’s too attractive for her own good.”

Julian shrugged. He and Zelda walked away and left Jessa standing by herself. She yelled some more, but the detectives ignored her.

Julian sighed again.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m thinking of Zeta again. She’s better than Jessa.”

Zelda nodded. “I quite agree. She has a good head on her shoulders.” She sighed. “She’s easier to talk to than my girlfriend.”

“Are you two fighting again?”

“Yeah, unfortunately. I don’t know what to do.”

“I don’t have any advice.”

“I didn’t ask for any.”

He sighed again.

“This sounds bad for you, Jule.”

“It is bad. I love her.” He facepalmed himself. “I just hope she isn’t the murderer. I’m afraid where she’s concerned I’ll insist on her innocence rather than look at all the facts.”

“Oh, I see. She is pretty and seems to be a good person. She is also fully cooperating with us even though she knows she is a suspect because she was there when it happened.”

Julian lowered his hand and shook his head.

“The evidence doesn’t point to her at all.”

“But how does she feel about androids?”

“I don’t know, but she is interested in this book she was asked to write. I don’t know if she has an opinion on androids. She strikes me as being very focused on this book. I don’t think she does much else other than write and anything related to writing.”

“I hope you’re right. I just want to believe she’s a good person.”

“You’re hoping for a chance with her.”

“Hope? I just hope she won’t kill me and will let me at least be her friend. I… I don’t know how to approach her. I feel like the best thing is to just offer her friendship and stay back. I think she could use a friend.”

“We all could use a friend. I wouldn’t mind being friends with her.”

“You wouldn’t fight me for her?”

Zelda laughed. “No, of course not. She’s not my type, but I can see why you like her so well. She’s independent. She’s smart. She’s quiet. If she is as innocent as the evidence seems to show now, then I think you should tell her how you feel.”

“Uh, I don’t want to scare her or make her feel threatened.”

“Well, offering her friendship is probably the best thing you could do.”

He nodded. They kept walking down the street.

Chapter 14 Research

An excerpt from The Titanium Mysteries Book 1: What Is She Doing Here?

After Zeta reviewed Phillipe’s notes, she got out her tablet to do more research. She wanted to finish the book he had hired her to ghostwrite for him. He had already paid her well for the work they had done together. Now she wanted to learn more from the web.

She knew the information could contradict his notes, but she didn’t care about that. She just wanted more information to fill in the gaps and to give the book a more rounded view of his whole life. She found articles on him. Some were funny. Some were critical. Others were neutral.

She watched the videos he and Toni had done. She found she couldn’t stop laughing at times. She made more notes. She found more material she could add to the book. Then she stopped. With Phillipe dead, who would read over it and give her feedback? He was supposed to. He at least could understand what she had written. But now he was gone.

How was she going to finish this book? She bit her lip and thought about it. She could ask Toni for some feedback. He might do that if he had the time.

Of course she would have to tell the detectives everything she knew. She blinked. Why? Why did she want to help them out? She looked out the window and wondered at herself. She was never interested in helping the police in the past. When the accident had happened she had to deal with the police then. It was terrible. Some weren’t too nice to her. Others at least understood she had just lost her parents.

But Detectives Julian and Zelda had always been nice and respectful to Zeta. She blinked again. She thought perhaps Julian found her attractive. Yet, he had never said anything to her. Perhaps he understood that she didn’t want to know? Zeta thought she wanted to see him on his hoverboard. What kind of stunts would he try to do?

She smiled to think he would catch a murderer on his hoverboard. It wouldn’t be too hard when nearly no one on the planet of Titanium owned a car. It was never practical. Many of the settlements were built for walking and for longer distances public transport was built. So, no one ever needed to own a car.

Zeta had never learned to drive and she had no desire to learn. She also didn’t have a desire to learn how to fly. The accident had affected her that much. But she didn’t need to know how to drive or fly. She could get anywhere she wanted to go by walking or taking public transport.

She sighed. She rubbed her eyes. She needed a break from all the research. She was learning more about Phillipe. She wrote up some more notes and sent a copy to the detectives. They sent her a thank you response.

She wished she had a more personal response from Julian. She sighed. What was wrong with her? He certainly was an attractive looking elf. She shook her head. What was wrong with her? She didn’t usually notice anyone like that.

She looked at the clock on her tablet and realized how late it was. No wonder she was tired. She might as well take a shower and go to bed. It didn’t take her long to take a shower or to get into her pajamas.

Soon she was crawling into her bed. She cuddled up to her unicorn stuffed animal. But she couldn’t get to sleep. She closed her eyes and saw Julian smiling at her. She bit her lip, but she didn’t want to open her eyes.

She fell asleep thinking about him. She found herself dreaming she saw him on his hoverboard. He approached her with a smile and came down to her. He held out his hand to her. She took it and he helped her on the hoverboard. He put his arms around her waist and they flew off. She put her arms around his neck.

She found herself laughing as they flew through the sky together.

Chapter 13 Motive

An excerpt from The Titanium Mysteries Book 1: What Is She Doing Here?

Zelda was in the office alone. She was too busy scrutinizing the suspects’ alibis and motives that she didn’t see or hear Julian when he walked in. He said nothing to her. He turned his attention to the wall screen. It was clear to him what she was checking on.

She reached for her tablet and bumped her hand into him by accident. “Oh, sorry.”

“No problem. How’s the evidence so far?”

“Better. Thanks to the notes Zeta let me copy, we now have a motive for the murder.”

“We do? What is it?”

“He knew about the existence of androids. It’s possible that he knew of one.”

“So, someone doesn’t like androids?”

“Right.”

“Zeta gave you notes?”

“Phillipe wrote notes on actual paper. I made copies and let her take the originals so she could work on her book. I figured the more copies that exist, the harder it will be for the murderer to destroy the evidence.”

“I see. Those are readable.”

“Yeah, he was quite the prankster when he was a kid.”

Julian chuckled. “So that’s how he was able to do those videos as well as he did.”

Zelda smiled. “She asked about you. She wondered where you were. I told her you were out probably playing on your hoverboard.”

“Hey, how could you!”

“She didn’t think there was anything wrong with playing.” Zelda smiled.

“Well, okay… I was on my hoverboard again.” He set his hoverboard down underneath his desk. “I guess that means she didn’t commit murder.”

“It’s not likely. It didn’t sound like she knew about the android connection before she read the notes.”

“He’d be interested in androids with a company that’s all about robots.”

“Of course.”

“So, the murderer could have lured him to his death with false information as well.”

“Yes, that’s possible.”

Julian frowned. “Then that leaves the servants, Toni, and Jessa.”

“Would his partner kill him for that information?”

“Perhaps if he felt threatened? Or wanted it all to himself? But he was visibly upset about his partner’s death.”

“He found the body and reported it.”

“Then what was Jessa doing there?”

“She was there for playtime, most likely.”

“Yeah. She doesn’t make sense. Toni and Zeta make more sense. They were working. Jessa was for play.”

“Hmm. Do you think she killed Phillipe?”

“She has hidden anger. She doesn’t seem to care that he’s dead. And both Toni and Zeta show signs of distress about his death.”

“In different ways, yes. Toni knew the victim much longer. Zeta barely knew him at all.”

Julian sighed. Zelda glanced at him and remained quiet. They reviewed the new evidence. They were beginning to see what Zeta had seen in the notes. A possible android in existence.

Julian perked up when he saw Dr. Asimov’s notes. “So there could still be an android in existence. Like the one Silver Moon Unicorn interviewed.”

“Yes, it’s possible.”

“But would we be able to find an android?”

“Not every easily. See Phillipe’s notes? It would require the standard medical scanner used by professionals not the common ones anyone can use.”

“Oh! That does make a difference. We should ask Toni about this.”

Zelda called Toni. She spoke for Julian as well.

“Hello, this is Toni.”

“Toni, this Detectives Zelda and Julian. We have found some more evidence that your partner was learning about androids. Have you seen that information?”

“Androids? I thought they were a myth. I wasn’t aware that he knew anything about them.”

“According to his notes, he says you can’t detect one with a common medical scanner. You need one that the professionals use to distinguish an android from other people.”

“Wow. I didn’t know that. Does that mean they exist?”

“Look up Dr. Asimov’s research. He knew all about androids. He even created one who knew what he was and how to create more. In fact that android did help create a new one.”

“Wow. That could put us out of business.”

“Well, according to Phillipe, existence of androids may not put you out of business. If anything, your robots represent a labor force who can work under harsh conditions that we can’t. They can also be repaired easier than we ever could.”

“Oh, I didn’t think about that. Would androids try to replace us?”

“Not the two that have existed. We’re not quite sure if they are still around. If they were, they would be blending right in with us.”

“Just two people who are technically machines rather than biological as we are.”

“Right.”

“Do you think this information is the reason he’s dead now?”

“Yes. Someone might have felt threatened by androids.”

“I’m not sure how I feel about androids. I know how I feel about robots. I understand how they work and how much I can trust them. But androids are much more advance than the robots we sell. Knowing Phillipe, he would have wanted to meet one and learned all he could about them. Perhaps even see if our company could make a few of them.”

Zelda and Julian looked at each other.

Zelda continued with the questions. “Would you have gone along with that?”

“Yes, of course. I’d want to see where it would lead to. If I had any objections at any time, I would just tell him. He’d listen just like he always did. It makes me wonder how close he got to finding one and when he was going to tell me about it.”

“Was is unusual for him to keep things like this from you?”

“No. He often would do his own little projects like many of the pranks he liked to pull when we were kids. He was a researcher and a planner. I tend to ad lib more than he ever did.”

“Alright, thank you for your time. We’ll call you if we need more information.”

They broke the connection. The detectives looked at each other in silence.

“So, he still sounds like a suspect.” Julian frowned.

“But not entirely. They had a good business relationship. They knew each other well. Phillipe’s notes points that out.”

“He’s not hot headed as Jessa is.”

“Jessa is famous for her temper.”

“And what about Zeta?”

“She’s not well known as the other three in this case.”

Julian sighed. “That’s the whole problem. We have no way of knowing if she has a temper. Or real motive to kill the victim. I’d like to think she didn’t kill anyone.”

“It doesn’t sound to me that she killed anyone at all. Her work pattern suggests that she prefers to walk away rather than deal with confrontation.”

“Yeah. Perhaps that is better sometimes.”

“It’s better than killing people over a disagreement.”

Chapter 12 Robots Aren’t Us

An excerpt from The Titanium Mysteries Book 1: What Is She Doing Here?

“Jessa, you came. For a while I was wondering if you’d come see me after recent events.” Cliff smiled at her.

They stood in his office. There was a camera just below the ceiling watching them closely recording everything which went on. No thought or feeling involved. Just pure data accumulation.

“Cliff, darling. I’ve missed you. I was hoping we could play.”

“This way.” He opened the bookcase to reveal a cozy room with a big bed and hot tub. “Make yourself comfortable.”

“I’m sure you’ll want to know what happened with Phillipe.”

“Of course, but he’s dead now. He’s no threat to me anymore.”

She laughed. “I know. Toni has no idea what Phillipe was planning.”

“No?”

“No. Toni was completely in the dark.” She undressed and let him look her over. “Phillipe won’t be able to stop you.”

“Good.” He got undressed as he ogled her curves. “I feel better that my company Robots Aren’t Us will survive now.”

She reached for him and stroked him the way he liked.

“There shouldn’t be any androids appearing in this solar system.” He kissed her neck.

She leaned back. “I hope not. I couldn’t stand an android. They’re so cold blooded.”

“I know. You’re right. You have me. I’ll protect you from the androids.”

“But to know that one could exist is too horrible to imagine.”

“They don’t exist yet. Phillipe never found any designs to build one. He never met one either. They don’t exist. They are just rumors. Just science fiction. Nothing more.”

He picked her up and laid her down on the bed. “Now, let’s play. I know you’re good at this. Quit thinking about the androids. They’re not real, but I am.”

“You’re right. Now show me you know how to touch me.”

He did as she asked. Soon they were both moaning in pleasure.

Chapter 11 The Victim

An excerpt from The Titanium Mysteries Book 1: What Is She Doing Here?

Zeta finished reading Phillipe’s notes. She set the papers down. She knew she would have to hand the notes over to Detectives Julian and Zelda soon. She sighed. She reviewed what she had learned from Phillipe himself.

He used to flirt with her when they had first met. It didn’t take him long before he had learned she didn’t care for it. Eventually, he stopped. But he had always treated her with respect. She knew about his dating life. Just about everyone knew. She didn’t care about that part of his life and he never tried to get her to be in that part of his life either.

He had given her the impression that he wasn’t upset with her. Perhaps a little disappointed that she wasn’t interested in him. But nothing more. She was grateful for that. She just wanted to write as she was hired to do. She wasn’t interested in him in that way.

But as a person, he was interesting. He certainly had had a life. When he was in high school and met his business partner Toni, he was quite the prankster. She smiled to read about Phillipe’s antics. He did have fun, even when he had been caught. Toni had participated in a few of the pranks.

Zeta could tell the two had become close when they were that young. She wasn’t surprised that they had went into business ventures togethers. Some sounded just plain crazy, like the pranks they had pulled off as kids. But later ones had become much more serious. The last one was the most successful. It was also the one that was still running strong.

They had toyed with robots. Neither was very good with building them, but they could hire and pay those who could. The two of them could demonstrate how robots could be practical and helpful in the universe, not just on Titanium and Platinum. Their presentations were phenomenal and famous. There were hints in the presentations of the antics and pranks they used to pull off when they were kids. That was how the company I, Robot was created.

Zeta had seen a few of the presentations before she had met Phillipe. Now she knew she would watch them all to help her write the book he wanted.

But something was bothering her about the last notes. Phillipe did write about why he was so paranoid the last time she saw him alive. He had learned that androids— more advance robots, those with artificial intelligence— existed alongside regular people. They appeared human or elvish. That was the whole problem with identifying them.

Scanning didn’t always reveal any differences. Many androids could have ordinary biological processes just below their skin. They could even eat regular food as well as charge from a robot alcove. Those things had made them hard to detect out in the universe.

Zeta blinked. If androids were real, then all the current robots out in the universe were technically obsolete. But they were necessary to do all the dangerous jobs that would be too hard on people to do on a regular basis. The robots didn’t suffer as much as humanoids could. And they could be repaired much easier.

But androids? Especially those who could blend in with everyone else. They are were in a class by themselves. Zeta blinked. If others knew they existed, they could be attacked for being different. So, the androids would have to hide themselves and pretend they weren’t what they really were.

Phillipe’s notes said the only real way to tell without harming the person would be to use a powerful medical scanner. Not the less expensive ones that anyone could get and use for minor health concerns or those they could monitor on their own.

Zeta sighed. She checked the notes again. Someone had figured out what Phillipe had known. That’s why he was paranoid and worried about something happening to Zeta. She looked up from the notes and rubbed her eyes. She lowered her hands and looked out the window.

She blinked. She looked back down to her desk and grabbed her tablet computer. She had to tell the detectives now. She contacted them on their office line.

“This is Detective Zelda. How may I help you?”

“Zelda, it’s me, Zeta. I have handwritten notes from Phillipe. I think you and Julian should read them. I think it will help your case.”

“Handwritten notes?”

“Yeah, he wrote them down on actual paper. I know it sounds unusual, but he did have a good reason.”

“You think it has something to do with him being murdered?”

“Yes.”

“Can you get down here or do we need to get to you?”

“I can come over now. I should be able to get on a public shuttle to get to your office.”

“Alright. I’ll be here. Just be careful.”

“I will.”

They disconnected. Zeta stood up from her chair carefully. She had her braces on underneath her long pants. She sat down on her bed and reached for her shoes. She put them on. She stood up and walked back to her desk. She opened her bag and put her tablet and Phillipe’s notes in the bag.

She put the bag strap over her head to criss cross her with the bag resting in front of her. She walked out of her tiny house and closed the door. She walked across the property and out the gate. She made sure the gate was closed behind her. Then she walked around the block to a shuttle stop.

A shuttle arrived a few minutes later. Zeta boarded and paid her fare. She watched where they were headed. A few minutes later the shuttle landed on the roof of the police building. She got out and walked down the stairs to the office. She walked in to find Zelda alone.

Zelda looked up as soon as Zeta walked in. “Hi, Zeta.”

“Hi, Zelda.” She pulled the notes out of her bag. “Here’s what you need for your case.”

“Do you want them back after we solve the case?”

Zeta nodded. “I’m still under contract to write the book based on his notes.”

“Alright.” Zelda looked over the notes. She set them down on her desk and pulled out her small computer. She scanned each individual page of notes.

Zeta could see the pages appear on the wall screen. “I don’t think he wanted that done.”

“We have to. We can’t afford to lose these notes. The more copies that exist, the harder it will be for the murderer to destroy them. There are clues at the end, Zeta. Thanks for bringing them.”

“You’re welcome. I do want to know who killed him.”

“We all do. Now we have a motive.”

“He possibly knew an android or how to gain access to building one.”

“Yes.”

“He knew how to identify them from the rest of us.”

“That too.”

“Could have an android kill him?”

“Possibly, but I doubt it. I don’t think an android would go that far.” Zelda looked at the writer.

“What makes you say that?”

“Robots are programmed with ethics. I would image androids would have them as well. Do you see that data on the screen?”

“Oh, Dr. Asimov’s notes on androids!”

“Yes, he knew about androids because he had created one. His android went on to create another one. Neither android has ever killed anyone.”

“Good point. Are they still in existence?”

“Silver Moon Unicorn did interview one of them. She’s still alive and well in our solar system.”

“Oh, she’s a good writer…”

Zelda smiled. “She may not be able tell us if the android she interviewed is still functioning.”

Zeta nodded.

“Here.” The detective handed the writer the paper notes. “Please keep these safe. I know you need them for the book. I have a copy now, so I think it’s best if you keep the originals.”

Zeta took the notes and put them back into her bag. “Thank you.” She paused. “Where’s Julian?”

“He’s out. I don’t know exactly what he’s doing. He might be riding his hoverboard. Sometimes he just acts like a big kid trying to do stunts on it.”

Zeta smiled. “What’s wrong with playing sometimes?”

Zelda smiled. “Nothing at all. But he should be coming into work soon.”

“Oh. I should be going. I have a book to draft.”

“Okay, see you. We’ll call you if we need anything.”

Zeta nodded. “I’ll be at home working.”

Zelda watched Zeta leave the office.