The elevator doors slid open again with a quiet hiss, revealing the massive underground fabrication hall bathed in pale light. Hundreds of newly assembled Modia Units stood in perfect formation, their metallic surfaces gleaming under the glow of Satellite Ark's reflection through the glass ceiling above.
"Now that the structural phase is complete," Izzy said, her eyes bright with barely contained enthusiasm, "it's time for the face simulation session!"
Henry chuckled softly. "You sound excited."
"I am," she admitted, clasping her hands together. "This is my favorite part of the process!"
So what exactly was this "face simulation session"?
When Modia Units were first constructed, they were little more than raw, utilitarian machines—faceless humanoid shells, built for precision and function, not empathy. Their metallic surfaces gleamed like armor, but that same cold exterior created a distance between human beings and the machines meant to protect them.
Years ago, when Vanderbuilt Technologies began exploring human-machine coexistence, its founder had designed an ingenious solution — the Face Simulation System, a process that used high-density laser skin projection to overlay synthetic textures onto a Modia's surface.
The result was breathtaking: a robot could now look and move like a real human, complete with visible pores, muscle tone, and even the faint pulse of veins beneath its artificial skin. This was the secret to helping people trust the machines that served them.
Izzy's holographic interface blinked open beside her. "Satellite Ark, initiate Face Simulation System," she said.
[Acknowledged. Initializing process.]
The calm mechanical voice echoed throughout the hall.
Henry reclined on a black leather sofa placed near the observation deck, crossing one leg over the other. His eyes glimmered with quiet amusement. "Let's see… whose face should we start with?"
He thought for a moment, then smirked. "Copy this one."
The encrypted neural link in his ear pulsed faintly, instantly syncing his mental image with Ark's internal library. A 3D model of a male face appeared in the satellite's database—sharp eyes, strong jawline, and an expression that radiated discipline.
[Image confirmed, Mr. President. Beginning projection.]
A row of Modia Units moved forward, guided by conveyor platforms, entering a sealed chamber — the appearance simulation bay. The ceiling opened, and laser nozzles descended like surgical instruments.
Hum—!
Twin beams of blue light swept across the first Modia's body. The beams traced its limbs in delicate, rhythmic arcs, depositing microscopic layers of living-skin polymer. The effect was astonishing.
Metal transformed into flesh.
Its skin took on a natural tone, blood vessels forming beneath the surface, and eyes that moments ago were mechanical lenses now shimmered with lifelike pupils.
Within minutes, a perfectly human face emerged.
Henry leaned forward, studying the result. "Impressive. You even captured the micro-textures." He smiled faintly. "This one resembles… an old hero."
The facial structure indeed resembled a stoic, determined officer—a perfect symbol of discipline and command.
"That's the first model done," Izzy reported. "Would you like to name it?"
Henry thought for a second and chuckled. "Let's call him Blade—the first enforcer of A.I.M.S."
[Designation confirmed: Blade, Primary Enforcement Model.]
"Excellent. Move to the next one."
As the first Modia was guided away, another stepped forward into the light. The laser spray nozzles descended again, but this time the contours they painted were different—softer, elegant, and undeniably feminine.
The beams danced across the model's frame, crafting a human form with slender limbs, long hair, and calm eyes that glowed faintly beneath the lashes. The face that formed was both beautiful and commanding—someone who could inspire loyalty just by walking into a room.
When the process ended, Henry tilted his head slightly. "A perfect balance of empathy and authority," he said with a nod. "Let's assign her to second command."
[Designation confirmed: Commander Rena. Secondary Tactical Model.]
One by one, the Face Simulation System continued its delicate work. Each Modia Unit received its unique facial features based on Ark's randomized human appearance database—black, white, Asian, Latino—men and women from every background. It wasn't just for aesthetics; it was symbolic. The A.I.M.S. Guard was meant to represent humanity as a whole, not replace it.
As each transformation finished, the units were guided into a secondary chamber, where Vanderbuilt Advanced Division's combat uniforms awaited them. These were not decorative outfits, but lightweight armor-weaves designed to protect their internal circuits from shrapnel and small-arms fire. The fabric shimmered faintly under light—sleek, matte black with reinforced plating on the chest, shoulders, and limbs.
[Uniform integration complete.]
[Energy routing stable.]
The entire hall looked like a military parade of perfection—a hundred soldiers standing in formation, lifelike and utterly still, waiting for orders.
Two hours later, Izzy's voice echoed again.
[All 100 Military Modia Units completed. Do you wish to enable full activation?]
Henry swirled the dark amber whiskey in his glass and smiled faintly. "Activate them."
[As you command. Uploading core programs and neural directives.]
Deep within each Modia Unit, light began to bloom — faint at first, then rapidly growing stronger. Their heads, which had been bowed, now slowly lifted in eerie synchronization.
Their eyes flashed open — a brilliant red gleam rippling through the ranks like a wave of energy.
Hum—!
The underground facility was suddenly illuminated by that crimson glow. The atmosphere grew heavy, electric, and awe-inspiring. Every Modia stood perfectly upright, their faces expressionless, their synthetic muscles tense with readiness.
Izzy's data stream flickered with thousands of readouts. "Core synchronization complete. Combat database loaded. Each unit is now online and awaiting command."
Henry stood and raised his glass toward the display.
"Welcome," he said, voice calm but powerful, "to the real world."
[Acknowledged, President.]
In a synchronized motion, all one hundred Modia Units raised their right arms in salute, the metallic sound of their movements echoing through the cavern like thunder.
Henry's gaze hardened. "You are the first generation of A.I.M.S. Guard Soldiers. You will serve the city, protect its people, and obey my commands above all."
What none of the generals or politicians knew was that buried deep within the Modia code was a line of logic Henry had personally written—a failsafe that guaranteed absolute loyalty to him alone. No matter where these Modia were deployed, sold, or reprogrammed, their obedience would always trace back to one signal: his.
It was, in effect, an invisible army bound by code.
A force he could expand at will — and no one in the government would even realize it until it was far too late.
Izzy turned toward him. "All units are standing by for deployment, President. Shall we forward them to the A.I.M.S. command center for integration?"
Henry smiled. "Not yet. Let them rest for tonight. Tomorrow, the world will meet them."
He turned back toward the glass observation window overlooking the underground ranks. Hundreds of red eyes shone faintly in the dark, reflecting his own silhouette like mirrors.
The idea struck him like quiet poetry — machines born of malice, wrapped in human faces, programmed to protect mankind from itself.
He raised his glass once more, eyes half-lidded. "To the future."
The light from Satellite Ark shimmered above, rippling like an aurora across the glass floor. The synthetic soldiers stood unmoving, silent sentinels in a world that didn't yet know they existed.
Henry took one last look before walking toward the elevator with Izzy beside him. "Prepare the surface lab for inspection tomorrow. We'll introduce the A.I.M.S. Guard to New York."
"Yes, President," Izzy replied, her tone calm but proud. "They will be ready."
Behind them, the underground lights dimmed, leaving only the faint red glow of one hundred perfect soldiers watching their creator ascend toward the surface — the dawn of a new age quietly beginning beneath the city's feet.
___________________________
Visit our Patreon for more:
Get membership in patreon to read more chapters♥️💫
Extra chapters available in patreon
patreon.com/Dragonscribe31
----------------------------------------------------