"President," Dr. Kross said as he pointed at the main graph. "The Emotional Intelligence Experiences process is complete. The data shows extremely high emotional spikes, especially during key moments."
Caius raised an eyebrow. "Key moments? Explain."
Dr. Kross rotated the holographic diagram and zoomed in on Aiko's emotional chart. "We detected a major peak when the subject was pushed to extreme conditions. Her fear and anger surged, but afterward," he tapped the flattening line, "you can see total stabilization. The subject now has full emotional control. This confirms that the EIE phase was successful."
Caius smirked, eyes narrowing as he studied the graph. "So, what comes next?"
Dr. Kross stepped aside and summoned a new screen. A model of a half-organic, half-mechanical human body appeared. "With her emotional stability secured, we can begin injecting the main control program into her system. This will allow us to use Aiko as the foundation for our next-generation cloning project. A new force of human-robotic hybrids with exceptional capabilities."
Caius folded his arms, thinking. "And when does the cloning process begin?"
"Immediately, Mr. President," Dr. Kross replied without hesitation. "We only need one thing: Aiko herself. With your permission, we'd like to deploy a retrieval team to Earth."
Caius stared at the slowly spinning hologram of Aiko's reconstructed body. After a long moment, he nodded. "Do it. Send your best people. No mistakes. Aiko must return to us."
Dr. Kross bowed his head. "Of course, Mr. President. This project will be our masterpiece."
***
On the Journey Home
As they traveled back toward Arbora, the group passed through a meadow filled with wildflowers. A soft breeze carried the scent of fresh leaves. Kirana rode quietly, watching Aelina, who looked more cheerful than before.
"Mother, I feel like… I understand the world better now," Aelina said as she turned toward Kirana. "It's like everything is clearer."
Kirana smiled gently. "That's because you just overcame something tremendous, dear. You're starting to understand yourself. That's the first step toward real strength."
Zephyr, riding a little ahead, glanced back with a grin. "Just don't forget to enjoy the journey. Life isn't all trials and challenges."
Aelina chuckled. "I know, Father. But I want to protect both of you too."
Their lighthearted mood shattered when Aelina suddenly froze. She clutched her head, her face draining of color.
"Mother… Father…" Her voice shook.
Kirana stopped her horse at once and rushed to Aelina's side. "What's wrong, sweetheart?"
A blinding white flash tore across Aelina's vision. She grimaced and squeezed Kirana's hand, crying out, "My head… it hurts!"
Zephyr leaped off his horse and ran to her. "Aelina! Stay with us!"
Kirana held her shoulders to steady her. "Sweetheart, look at me! Focus on my voice!"
Aelina trembled, but slowly forced her eyes open. A faint red light flickered on the device hidden near her ear. This time, however, she didn't collapse under the pressure. She took a long breath, closed her eyes, and centered herself.
"It's all right," she whispered. "I can control it…"
Kirana and Zephyr exchanged tense looks.
"Aelina, are you sure?" Zephyr asked.
She nodded, still breathing hard. "Yes. Something is trying to take over my mind… but I won't let it."
Kirana pulled her into a tight embrace. "You're incredible, sweetheart."
Zephyr let out a breath, though his expression remained grave. "We can't ignore this, Kirana. Something is still connected to her."
"I know," Kirana said quietly. "But first, we get her home."
***
City of Selvara
In a cramped room filled with advanced equipment humming quietly, tension spiked. Lyra glanced down at her watch-like device as it flashed a red alert. The message pulsed on the screen:
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE EXPERIENCES COMPLETE.
PROCEED TO NEXT PROTOCOL.
Lyra froze. Her expression tightened as she looked at Vega and Draven.
"Vega," she said, voice tense, "what does this mean? Why is there a next protocol?"
Vega, who had been leaning back casually moments ago, hurried over the instant he saw the alert. His face paled.
"No... no, this can't be right." He rushed to his terminal and began typing rapidly. Holographic windows opened around him. "If the EIE phase is done, then they've already moved on to the next step. This is bad. Extremely bad."
Draven crossed his arms, brows furrowed. "Stop talking in pieces. What happens next?"
Vega didn't respond immediately. He kept scanning through layers of encrypted data until he finally stopped. When he looked up, his expression was grim.
"This program doesn't just stabilize Aelina's emotions," Vega said. "This next protocol is full integration. It means they can access her mind directly. They can manipulate her at will."
Lyra's eyes widened. "You're saying they can control her like a puppet?"
"Worse," Vega replied. "They're going to use her data to create new clones. Stronger ones. Ones that follow orders without question."
Draven's jaw tightened. "Then we're out of time. We have to reach Kirana and warn them."
Instead of answering, Vega slammed his palm onto a large button on the console. The floor vibrated. A hidden section slid open, revealing a staircase leading underground.
"Come with me," Vega said sharply.
Lyra and Draven exchanged a quick look before following him down.
What they saw left them speechless.
Beneath the building lay a secret hangar. At its center stood a sleek Edenan aircraft, its silver frame lined with glowing blue patterns. The design was unmistakably alien, yet flawless, almost artistic.
Lyra stepped forward in awe. "Vega... what is this? How do you even have something like this?"
Vega pressed a panel on the craft's side. With a soft hiss, the cockpit opened. "I found it after the Althera Desert battle. Buried in the ruins. It was mostly intact, so I restored it. This ship is faster and smarter than anything on Earth. It's our best shot at reaching Kirana in time."
Draven raised an eyebrow. "And you're sure it can fly?"
Vega smirked. "Tested it myself. Trust me."
They climbed into the cockpit. Lyra took the co-pilot seat. Vega settled into the main controls, while Draven monitored the data screens from behind them.
"Lyra," Vega said, "sync your device. Upload Kirana's coordinates."
Lyra connected her watch. A holographic map of Arbora appeared, glowing with a marked destination.
"We're good," she said.
Vega gripped the controls. "Hold tight. This is going to be fast."
The engines roared to life. The hangar doors opened to a star-filled night sky. A surge of energy ran through the hull.
The aircraft shot forward and vanished into the night.
As they streaked through the sky, Vega explained more of the threat.
"The EIE process is the core of Edena's secret project," he said. "It's not only about emotional conditioning. It's about merging human consciousness with artificial control systems. They want the mind and body as a single programmable unit."
Draven shook his head. "They don't just want enhanced soldiers. They want an army they can rewrite."
"Exactly," Vega said. "And Aelina is the blueprint. If they get her, they can build hundreds, maybe thousands of advanced hybrids."
Lyra watched the glowing map, determination burning in her eyes. "We won't let that happen. She won't become their tool."
"Then we'd better be fast," Vega replied. "I only hope we're not already too late."
The aircraft pierced through the night with silent efficiency. Soon, the shadowy outlines of the Arbora forest rose beneath them.
Vega slowed the descent and angled toward a clearing near Kirana's home.
Draven checked his compact pistol. Lyra adjusted her communicator.
"We protect Aelina," she said firmly. "No matter what."
The aircraft lowered toward the field, engines humming steadily as they prepared to land.
***
The silent void of space shimmered as a sleek Edenan vessel slipped into Earth's orbit. Inside the cockpit, Kaelar Thorne sat still and focused, his eyes locked onto the holographic screen displaying a lone coordinate: the Arbora Forest, and the small cottage tucked deep within Ravara. Kirana's home.
Velaria Kane, seated beside him, studied the readout with a sharp gaze.
"So this is the place. Remote. Hard to reach."
Kaelar nodded. "A perfect hiding spot. But nothing stays hidden forever. Not with coordinates this precise."
Velaria adjusted the navigation panel. "We're entering atmosphere soon. After that, no mistakes. We stay invisible."
"Watch the descent speed," Kaelar reminded her. "One miscalculation and the mission is compromised. Aiko is the key to everything."
***
Kirana, Zephyr, and Aelina reached Ravara after their long journey through the Althera Desert. From atop their horses, they stared at the unfamiliar shape resting in the clearing ahead.
Kirana's breath caught. "Zephyr… is that an Edenan ship?"
Zephyr narrowed his eyes. "Yes. And this is very bad."
Aelina clutched Kirana's sleeve. "Mother… are they here for me?"
Kirana squeezed her hand gently. "Stay calm, sweetheart. We'll find out."
Zephyr dismounted, jaw tight. "Kirana, take Aelina through the back trail. Keep her out of sight."
"What will you do?" Kirana asked, voice trembling.
"I'll handle whoever's inside. If they're a threat, they won't get near you."
Zephyr moved like a shadow through the tall grass, every step light and silent. As the ship's door opened, a short-haired woman stepped out, scanning the surroundings.
Zephyr struck fast. In an instant, a blade rested against her neck.
"Who are you, and why are you here?" he hissed.
The woman lifted her hands slowly. "Calm down. I'm not your enemy."
"Don't lie," Zephyr snapped. "This ship is Edenan. Are you one of them?"
Before she could respond, hurried footsteps echoed inside the craft. Lyra rushed out, eyes widening at the scene.
"Zephyr! Stop!" she shouted.
Zephyr shot her a sharp glance. "Lyra, you know this woman?"
Lyra nodded quickly. "Yes. Her name is Seren Vega. She's here to help us. Let her go."
Zephyr loosened his grip but didn't lower the blade. "Then explain. Why arrive in an Edenan vessel?"
Lyra stepped forward. "Vega is a tech specialist from Selvara. She found this ship in the Althera Desert after a battle and restored it. She's been monitoring Edenan activity with me. She understands the danger we're facing."
Finally free to breathe, Vega met Zephyr's eyes. "If I worked for the Edena, I wouldn't show up alone. I'm here to keep Aelina out of their control."
Zephyr didn't blink. "Why should I believe you? What proof do you have?"
Lyra placed a hand on Zephyr's arm. "You know I wouldn't bring danger to Kirana's doorstep. Vega is on our side. And we don't have much time."
After a tense pause, Zephyr lowered his weapon. "Fine. But I'll be watching you."
Vega lifted her hands in dry amusement. "Noted. Staying alive is definitely my preference."
Kirana and Aelina approached once the tension eased.
"Kirana," Lyra said with relief. "Sorry for the shock. But things are worse than we thought."
Kirana tightened her hold on Aelina. "Tell us everything."
Lyra exchanged a grim look with Vega. "The Edena completed the first phase of their project. They can access Aelina's mind whenever they want. And they're preparing to create a clone using the data they've extracted from her."
Zephyr clenched his fists. "They're turning her into a weapon."
Kirana pulled Aelina close. "How do we stop them?"
Vega stepped forward. Her voice was steady and certain. "We sever their connection entirely. It won't be easy, and I'll need all of you. But it's the only way."
Hope flickered in Kirana's eyes. "Tell us what we have to do."
Vega nodded. "Then let's begin. We don't have time to waste."