Through the Looking Glass: Chapter Five

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"Oh man, you really did get them!" Ellie looked delighted. "Let's see this movie, guys!" She looked at the androids, "One of them threw a potato chip! I'm so proud!"

Asher handed Esk a container of pills. His pockets were always well stocked. He looked at the androids, amused.

James came over and slapped Asher on the shoulder. "Ready to try and sing Satare musicals? It's gonna be sooo impossible!"

Asher made a face.

Starr looked to James and frowned a little "What happened now?"

~~~
"Why?" Starr asked, glancing to Ethan "I am not giving permission for anything while I am stuck in here."

"Well," James said, "Your identical twin is very annoyed because currently she's behind bars. She wants to be let out, which isn't something anyone except you should authorize. I'm also worried for my brother's safety if we let her out, since he was the one who decided to lock her up in the first place."

Mourn bounded over and peered through the bars at Starr. "You dragon lady from this universe?" He asked.

Esk wandered over as well.

Starr rubbed her temples then turned to walk out of the room, heading for the lab again.

~~~
Starr looked at Mourn then shrugged her wings. "I don't know anymore."

"You could just, like, talk to me. You don't have to go yourself," James told her. "What's going on with you guys? Who's who? Is my brother safe?"

~~
Ethan shook his head. "Weird."

Esk watched the star dragon carefully. This was bizarre.
"So how do your guards and all that know which one of you to obey?"

Starr looked at James as she walked. "I could, but I should at least talk to her first. I know how she thinks, even with our memories mixed. I do not think she would go after Asher, u less we leave her in there."

~~~
Starr sighed and shook her head "They wouldn't know." She said and looked up to the stars. "If my mirror and I gave opposite orders, I do not know what they would do."

Esk shook his head. "Well I guess that's reassuring."

"Maybe." Mourn shrugged. "Maybe need both to agree before act. Annoying."

"Okay," James still looked nervous as he followed her, "So even you don't know what she's capable of. Well that's reassuring." He sighed.

"I know everything she is capable of, but I do not know which path she will choose, just like anyone else, she has free will" Starr said and shook her head, going to the lab.

~~~
Starr stared at Mourn and Esk then laid down again, waiting for James to get back

Ethan rolled his eyes at the princess. Royals. So bratty.

~~
"Fun," muttered James as they entered the lab.

Starr walked in with James and paused as she saw all those gathered around the cell with the other Starr. She sighed and came forward "Hello everyone"

Esk looked at the other Starr. Hmmm.

Mourn grinned at the other Starr, and James. "Want look at 8's code, just look! no touch, just look. But need permission. Can? It help."

Starr looked at Mourn then at the other Starr, meeting her eyes for a moment before looking to Mourn again.

"No changing anything." The Starr inside said and got up to come to the door.

James facepalmed. Of course Mourn wanted to look at the poor kid's code. Honestly he was surprised it had taken Mourn this long to ask.

Ethan watched the Starrs with mild interest, arms folded.

Mourn grinned. "No changing, just look. Maybe make notes yes? " He tilted his head and tried to beckon Lila over. "Need permission."

Lila came over, looking around at the group. She once again stayed well away from Ethan.

"So long as you don't hurt her or change anything, you can look." Starr said, followed by a nod foment the other one

Mourn clapped his hands delightedly. "hear that girl robot? I get to look at code!" Yeah he was way too happy about this.

The two Starr said looked to one another again, speaking telepathically back and forth quickly. After a few minutes, Starr would unlock and open the door of the cell.

Esk rolled his eyes at the telepathy, yeah, it was annoying.
"So what happens now? You both captain together?"

"It's very exciting I'm sure," Lila told Mourn.

James watched the Starrs suspiciously. *You know who won't be hurt then?"

"It will be very very useful." Mourn told Lila matter of factly. "come, come! computer over here." He lead her away to go plug into a computer.

Esk shook his head. Nope, that cat guy was just weird.

"Why will it be useful?" Lila asked, plugging herself in.

"Asher will not be harmed and yes, while our crews are mixed we will be working together." Starr said

Esk nodded, he seemed satisfied with that. "good." was all he said.

--

Mourn grinned. "Help me fix robots. Your codes slightly different, have sensation coding our universe no have, but basic structure of rest very similar. Least in sevens. Seem reasonable to assume eights of this world as close to ours as the sevens are. If familiar with code, can do lots of things." He nodded. "But no worry, dragon lady say not allowed to change anything, only look. " He reached out a hand for her data cable. "If get uncomfortable, just say yes? And I stop. " Somehow he doubted she'd do that.

Lila handed him the cable. "Her Highness says it's all right," she said, as much to herself as to Mourn.

~~
James also seemed satisfied. Yeah, he was selfish. He cared more about Asher than anything else.