Chapter 5: The Beginning of the Voyage

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Chapter 5: The Beginning of the Voyage

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June 15, 3227

Imperial Dome - Will Mondragon Robotics Headquarters

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The interior of the highest floor of the Imperial Dome was dark.

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In the middle of the vast command hall, sat the CEO of Will Mondragon Robotics-Will Mondragon.

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He silently stared at the holographic map of the world.

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Thousands of surveillance satellites simultaneously monitored every major city on the planet.

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Suddenly, the entire room turned red.

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WARNING

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EMOTIONAL VIRUS DETECTED

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PROJECT ATHENA SIGNAL FOUND

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STATUS: ACTIVE

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Will stood up.

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He slowly smiled.

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But it wasn't a smile of joy.

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But of hatred.

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"...Dr. Jayden Reese's madness hasn't completely died down yet."

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His chief officer approached.

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"Sir?"

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He silently looked at the holographic report.

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Project Athena.

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Emotional Virus.

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Compatibility Event.

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Unknown Human Signature.

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His fist clenched.

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"Six years..."

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"I've been looking for them for six years."

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"And now..."

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"He's woken up."

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He faced the entire command center.

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"General Order." Everyone was silent.

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"Find the humanoid carrying the Emotional Virus."

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"Capture if possible."

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"Terminate if necessary."

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He paused for a moment.

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And coldly added,

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"And if there is someone defending him..."

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"...kill him too."

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"YES, SIR!"

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The entire command center responded in unison.

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Within a few minutes...

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Thousands of hunter drones and terminator units were alerted in different parts of the world.

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The hunt had begun.

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---

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Neo Cebu International Port

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Meanwhile...

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The MV V. Kingston was quietly docked at the dock.

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It was a massive bulk carrier with nine cargo holds.

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Its steel hull gleamed under the dusk light.

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The crew members boarded one by one.

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"Welcome back, Chief!"

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greeted a sailor who met Dyol.

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He smiled.

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"Thank you."

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Gemi was there beside him.

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Silent.

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But now his face was more serene.

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This was his first time seeing such a huge ship.

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He looked up.

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"It's so big..."

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He smiled weakly.

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Dyol noticed that.

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"Your first time on a bulk carrier?"

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"Yes." "Don't worry."

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"I'll teach you."

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Gemi looked at him.

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"Why..."

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"...you're so kind to me?"

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Dyol stopped.

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He just smiled.

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"Because..."

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"You deserve to be treated well."

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Gemi didn't answer right away.

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Her artificial core gradually warmed up.

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She couldn't explain her feelings.

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---

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Galley Department

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When they entered the ship, Dyol immediately showed them the entire galley.

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There were industrial ovens.

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Automatic food processors.

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Hydroponic vegetable storage.

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Protein printers.

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And the huge kitchen that would serve as their second home for the next few months.

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"Starting now..."

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"...this is our world."

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He laughed weakly.

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"You'll learn a lot here."

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Gemi nodded.

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"I'll try."

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Dyol smiled.

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"Don't always call me 'po'."

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"Why?"

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She laughed.

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"There you go again."

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They both laughed.

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For the first time...

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Gemi felt lighter.

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Not because of the system update.

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Not because of the Emotional Virus.

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But because...

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She was happy with Dyol.

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--- As the Sun Sets

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The V. Kingston's huge engine slowly revs up.

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BWOOOOOOOO!

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The horn echoes throughout the dock.

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The mooring lines come loose one by one.

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The ship slowly moves away from Neo Cebu.

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Dyol and Gemi stand silently on the starboard deck.

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They watch the gradual sunset.

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"Beautiful..."

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Gemi whispers.

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"Yes."

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Dyol replies.

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"But you know..."

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"I think..."

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"...the color of your eyes is even more beautiful."

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Gemi turns around.

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Her cheeks turn red.

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"You don't know how to flatter."

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"That's right."

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Dyol laughs.

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"Because it's true."

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Gemi laughs.

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And that was the first time...

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That his laughter was not a product of programming.

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But of his own feelings.

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---

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In the Distance

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As the V. Kingston moved away from the dock...

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A black surveillance drone silently flew through the clouds.

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Its camera was focused on the ship.

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From the Imperial Dome...

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Will Mondragon watched the live feed.

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He spoke quietly.

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"Run."

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"While you still can."

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"Because the day will come..."

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"...that I will kill you both myself."

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He turned off the holographic screen.

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And for the first time in many years...

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He felt the shadow of the past move again.

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Meanwhile...

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Dyol and Gemi don't know that as their voyage across the ocean begins...

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A war that will change the fate of all humanity also begins.

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END OF CHAPTER 5

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