Ye Muo’s psychic power continued to search following his intentions.
The rooms that Theodore once occupied were empty. It wasn’t in Ye Muo’s room or the kitchens either.
Before now, even if Theodore was far away, it would still pay attention to this side. It had never left so thoroughly before.
Ye Muo began to feel a little flustered. He still had his dining utensils in his hands. His psychic power was affected and started to rampage, but he at least remembered to contain them to the Grantz base.
The Grantz all sobered up. Bert was no longer smiling. Ano rose from his seat only to freeze in place.
Because Norton shifted.
He reached out to Ye Muo, ensconcing the child with psychic power. Simultaneously, a more robust, formidable psychic power enveloped the Grantz base.
Including Ye Muo’s rampant psychic power. They were always obedient when it came to Norton.
Ye Muo’s psychic power calmed down almost immediately, like a young cub being brought back to the den by the scruff of their neck. They curled up obediently as their fur was licked clean by a stronger adult.
Ye Muo immediately set down his knife and fork and leaned over to rest his head on Norton’s knee, just like he had done countless times before during their soothing sessions.
Norton placed his hand on Ye Muo’s hair and began to soothe him with psychic power. “Everything will be taken care of.”
Ye Muo shifted, making a sound of acknowledgement as he buried his face in Norton’s side.
Ano breathed a sigh of relief, “That’s right. Theodore is a pile of data anyway. Surely it’ll be fine.”
Helene quickly nodded as well. “I haven’t seen an AI die, like ever. Deleted or wiped, sure–”
Dylan gave Helene a swift jab in the side. She immediately coughed and cut herself off.
Bert was serious for once. “It did say it ran into something as it left. It didn’t sound too serious, right? Besides, it also said it would be back. Has Theodore ever lied to you, Xavier? It must just be trapped somewhere for now.”
Ye Muo turned to Bert. “Where is it then? This is Theodore we’re talking about.”
Anywhere the galactic network could reach was within Theodore’s purview.
Norton pressed his hand on the back of Ye Muo’s neck. “Don’t fret.”
He calmed Ye Muo’s psychic power before connecting to the galactic network to trace Theodore’s tracks. It wasn’t as easy as it seemed. The Central Planet was chock-full of AIs, dangerous and not. As a result, Theodore erased its tracks out of habit.
Moreover, it was an AI at the end of the day. What traces it left were more often than not data instead of the psychic medium Norton was more familiar with.
Norton slowly but steadily discerned Theodore’s traces. It wouldn’t be long before they would be covered by the constant data emerging from the galactic network.
He opened his eyes after a while. “The last traces appeared in the north.”
Ye Muo was at a bit of a loss. “North? Were they really far away? Did you see it? When will it come back?”
Norton lightly pressed on the back of Ye Muo’s neck. “I wasn’t able to get in contact with it. It should be in a place cut off from the galactic network. We can head over and take a look.”
He paused for a moment, “Is that alright with you?”
They would head over first before conducting a more thorough search. If Ye Muo couldn’t wait that long, Norton should be able to conduct the search remotely using psychic power. However, that would inevitably cause quite a commotion and affect any instruments that happened to be in the area. Several ship channels might be shut down entirely. Besides, if they were closer, the search would be more precise.
Ye Muo nodded frantically. “Let’s go take a look and bring Theodore back.”
Norton made a sound of acknowledgement.
Then there was a knock at the door. The door was pushed open before Adlet could even head over. Secretary-General Lin appeared, breathing slightly faster than usual. He seemed to have rushed over. “Your Majesty, what are your orders?”
Norton’s psychic power had just directly connected to the system and summoned him.
Norton inclined his head. “Make the necessary arrangements. We’ll depart tomorrow for the coordinates I sent you.”
Secretary-General Lin straightened. “Understood, Your Majesty. I will see to it at once and hand off my tasks to–”
“No need.” Norton interrupted him.
“It’ll be a quick trip. Xavier and I will be fine.”
Secretary-General Lin was taken aback for a moment, but he did not raise any objections. The Grantz would not be in danger anywhere they went. “Understood. I’ll see to it at once.”
Helene couldn’t help but speak up, “What about me?”
Across from her, Jacob just sighed, “I thought you had plans already.”
Helene touched her chin, feeling a bit puzzled. “Did I? I don’t think so?”
Norton raised his eyes in her direction. Helene paused for a moment before blurting out, “Oh! That’s right. I remember now.”
She turned to Ye Muo. “Sorry, Xavier. I can’t go with you this time.”
Ano was also itching to try his luck.
Adlet patted his shoulder. “Your Highnesses, you’re still needed for Kernan’s ship channel construction project.”
……
That night, Adlet was preparing the things they would need for their trip. The other Grantz settled down for once and helped in their own way by brainstorming what to bring.
“Ye Muo’s blanket for sure. Wait until he wakes up tomorrow to pack Mumu.”
“What about Pangzhua?”
“No need. It eats too much. Bring Ye Muo’s little lion plush and the old one he sleeps with instead. He’s always cherished it.”
Ye Muo didn’t even try to protest that he didn’t sleep with them every night anymore. He set them to the side most nights.
He was busy confirming their destination. “Theodore’s here? It’s so far away.”
Ano poked her head in beside Ye Muo. “Why don’t I come along and help? That’s too far. Sylvia will definitely be worried.”
“It’s okay. Father will be with me.” Ye Muo shook his head.
Besides, Ano and the others had official business to attend to.
It was soon bedtime. Ye Muo delayed going to his room for a bit longer than usual.
It was getting a bit late at this point. Ye Muo was usually out like a light after the lights were off.
But when Mumu helped him turn off the lights tonight, Ye Muo only grew more awake as he lay in bed with his familiar plushies beside him. He turned over a few minutes later.
Squeezing his eyes shut, he tried to fall asleep.
Ye Muo opened his eyes just seconds later. He gathered his plushies and hugged them tightly.
He was used to chatting with Theodore before going to bed. With Theodore, he could bring up the little frustrations and secrets he found too awkward to share with anyone else. For some reason, Ye Muo could always mention anything to Theodore without hesitation, as if he had trusted the AI from the start.
Although all that was missing from his bedtime routine was a brief, hushed chat, the hole it left ached with loneliness.
There were no stars tonight either. Before, all he had to do was roll over for stars to fall on his blanket and slowly fade away.
A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door. Ye Muo made a sound of acknowledgement. When he looked up again, there was Norton.
Norton’s footsteps were very light. He stopped by the bed, leaning down to tuck Ye Muo before stroking his hair back out of habit.
“Rest, Xavier.” He whispered.
Ye Muo made another sound of acknowledgement. He obediently closed his eyes, having inexplicably calmed down.
There’s nothing to worry about with Father around.
……
Early the next morning.
There was noticeably more variety at breakfast than usual. Adlet filled Ye Muo’s glass with milk as he always did.
Adlet waited until after the meal to say, “Secretary-General Lin is at the port. Everything is ready, Your Majesty.”
Norton nodded. He stood up and looked at Ye Muo.
Norton didn’t move until Ye Muo came to his side.
The other Grantz followed suit, with Ano continuing to fret over Ye Muo as they headed to the port, “Be sure to stick close to Big Brother. Don’t run around in unfamiliar places. Don’t eat random things outside, and don’t stay outside for too long. Come and go quickly…”
Ye Muo obediently nodded after each reminder.
Norton stopped when they reached the port. Secretary-General Lin hurried over. “Your Majesty, according to your orders, we have prepared a single mothership compliant with long-distance travel standards. Additionally, it has been outfitted with some heavy firepower weaponry, cash and resources suited for bartering.”
“Feel free to depart at any time.”
Meanwhile, Ano finished instructing Ye Muo and turned to Norton. “Don’t let Ye Muo out of your sight, Big Brother.”
Aria pulled him back and comforted him, “Don’t fret so much, Ano. This is Big Brother we’re talking about. He won’t let anything happen. Besides, they’re about to board the ship.”
Bert scoffed, “Geez, Ano. Thanks for leaving some lines for the rest of us.”
Ano seemed to have more to say, but he held his tongue in the end and just told Ye Muo, “Remember what I told you, Xavier. Be sure to come back as soon as you can. Even if there isn’t much progress, remember you can come back to rest. I can go search in your place.”
Ye Muo responded sincerely. After bidding farewell to the others, he boarded the mothership with Norton. Just before the hatch closed, he paused and turned back.
Adlet and the other Grantz were all looking his way. Ano waved at him.
Ye Muo nodded and raised his voice slightly, “Goodbye, everyone. Father and I will come back with Theodore as soon as possible.”
With that, the hatch closed and the mothership took off, soon disappearing without a trace.
Ano was a bit crestfallen. Adrian patted him on the shoulder and said, “We can still keep in touch with Xavier, you know.”
“But I won’t be able to hug him or even hold his hand.”
Adrian sighed too after giving it some thought. “Yeah, you’re right. Who knows how long they’ll be gone. How could an AI get lost? And isn’t it supposed to be a bigshot or something?”
Jacob nodded. “It is a bigshot. It has psychic power, and biologically speaking, it’s already considered a living being. Besides, AI can get lost too. Their battles can get quite savage. However, since Theodore remains undiscovered after so much time on the Central Planet, most likely nothing in the Alliance can threaten it. It may have fallen for some trap today, but who knows? Maybe it’ll escape by tomorrow.”
Ano was still feeling down. “Who knows when Xavier will be back…”
Bert also felt a bit melancholic. “Sigh. Xavier is so considerate, bidding us goodbye twice. Norton wouldn’t even look back. I’ve really failed as a father.”
Helene snorted, “You didn’t realize until now? I’m just glad you still remember you’re supposed to be a father at this point.”
“Did you see that, Adlet?”
“Yes, Your Highness. I’m more than willing to assist you. Do you need me to lend you my holomind?”
“Of course.”
“Ugh, how many times have you bothered Adlet already? I can’t believe you’re still on Sylvia’s blacklist.”
