Alita's Fate

Alvin looked up and ordered JARVIS to remove the decorations from the cockpit. Then he narrowed his eyes at the kids and thought for a moment before saying, "I believe you wouldn't do anything bad, but you have to tell me what you've been up to.

"I'll stand by you no matter what happens, but that doesn't mean I'll sit back and watch you do something stupid!"

Richard stepped beside Nick with a strange look on his face, ready to face whatever happened alongside his brother.

Mindy glanced at Nick's profile. The usually carefree little punk looked terribly nervous under Alvin's pressure.

The girl clenched her teeth and muttered something under her breath, but in the end she still chose to stand beside Nick.

Little Ginny wriggled out of Alvin's arms and hopped down to the floor. She scampered over to Nick, wrapped her arms around his, and made a cute face at her dad.

Faced with the kids suddenly banding together, Alvin shook his head helplessly and said, "Tell me what happened. Otherwise, I can't help you!

"Whatever you did, there must have been a reason. I believe you, but you have to tell me what's going on."

Nick glanced toward the cockpit window, then, moved by the moment, patted Richard's arm. Richard clearly had no idea what was going on.

Nick looked at the equally confused Mindy, hesitated, then said to Alvin, "Can I tell you what happened a little later?"

Alvin looked back in the direction the yacht was heading. Remembering Little Ginny's words about "Doctor Eileen wanting to take Alita apart," he shook his head and sighed. "We're still hours away from international waters, but that doesn't matter. We can turn back whenever we want."

Then he looked up and said sternly, "JARVIS, don't let a