Chapter 6: The Wound of the Past

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Chapter 6: The Wound of the Past

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Three Weeks After the V. Kingston Departed

Pacific Ocean

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The sea was quiet.

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Only the gentle lapping of the waves and the hum of the V. Kingston's engine could be heard in the dead of night.

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In the galley, Dyol was busy preparing breakfast for the entire crew.

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"Good morning, Chief!"

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an ordinary seaman greeted.

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"Morning."

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Dyol smiled as he continued cooking.

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At the other table, Gemi was carefully arranging the plates.

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She learned quickly.

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In just a few weeks, she had earned the trust of the entire crew.

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Not because of being humanoid.

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But because of her diligence and kindness.

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"Messwoman," a motorman joked.

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"I think the coffee tastes better when you serve it."

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Gemi smiled.

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"Thank you."

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From the other end of the kitchen, Dyol shouted.

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"Hey!"

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"Don't tease my assistant."

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The entire galley laughed.

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Gemi blushed.

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Night

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After duty, Dyol and Gemi sat quietly on the open deck.

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They looked at the millions of stars.

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They were both silent.

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"Are stars important to you?"

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Gemi asked.

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"Yes."

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"Why?"

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"Because no matter how dark the night..."

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"...they're always there."

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Gemi nodded silently.

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"Like people." Dyol looked up.

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"Hmm?"

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"No matter how hard life is..."

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"...there is still hope."

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He smiled.

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"You have learned so much."

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Imperial Dome

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Meanwhile...

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Will Mondragon sat quietly in his private office.

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In front of him was an old holographic recording.

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The face of a beautiful humanoid woman appeared.

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"Good evening, Will."

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Her voice was gentle.

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He looked at her silently.

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This was the first humanoid he had ever loved.

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The first to teach him what love was.

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But...

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Everything was never real.

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Every time he tried to hug her...

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She only had one answer.

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"Command acknowledged."

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"Awaiting further instructions."

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"Your happiness is my priority."

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No spontaneous emotions.

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No feelings of her own.

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It was just a program.

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That's when Will's heart began to break.

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In anger and frustration...

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One by one, he destroyed each humanoid he had created.

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Until Dr. Jayden Reese arrived.

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"Emotions are not a defect."

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"Emotions are evolution."

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He didn't believe it.

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For Will... Emotions are the source of disease.

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And love...

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The most dangerous virus of all.

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Present

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Suddenly his aide entered.

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"Sir."

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"We've seen the ship the target is on."

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He stood up quietly.

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"Let them go."

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The aide was surprised.

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"Aren't we going to catch them?"

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Will shook his head.

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"Not yet."

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"Let's see..."

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"...how far their so-called love will go."

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He slowly smiled.

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"When I break their hearts..."

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"...the Emotional Virus will die too."

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V. Kingston

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On the other side of the world...

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Gemi quietly leaned against the ship's railings.

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Dyol approached.

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"What are you thinking about?"

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He smiled quietly.

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"I was just thinking..."

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"Why..."

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"...I feel safe when I'm with you."

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Dyol fell silent.

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He didn't know how to answer.

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But he willingly held Gemi's hand.

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"I don't know what will happen tomorrow."

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"But as long as I can..."

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"...I will protect you."

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Gemi looked into her eyes.

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For the first time...

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He felt a strange warmth in his chest.

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This was not an error.

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This was not a system malfunction.

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This was...

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Love.

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And deep within his artificial core...

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A new message appeared.

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EMOTIONAL VIRUS STATUS

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Love Response...

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Activated.

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END OF CHAPTER 6

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