The Escape Plan

Kaito, Aiko, and Tekuno burst out of the hotel, their hearts pounding with adrenaline. The streets were filled with people distracted by the ongoing conversation between President Hoshino and General Tanaka.

"Let's jump in!" Kaito shouted, leading the way to his car. Aiko quickly took the front seat next to him, while Tekuno climbed into the back.

"Why can't I sit in the front seat?!" Tekuno grumbled, just as he discovered Hashi sitting next to him. "Ahhhhh! That freaking dog again!"

"Don't worry, Tekuno," Kaito replied, trying to calm him down. "Hashi is a good dog! He can sniff out AIs from miles away, but he likes them. Like I do." At that moment, Kaito looked at Aiko and held her hand. She blushed.

"Whatever, let's drive, you human punk!" Tekuno snapped, feeling both nervous and jealous.

"Put your seat belts on, let's go!" Kaito said, starting the car and driving off.

As they sped through the city, Aiko apologized to Kaito. "I'm sorry for not telling you that I'm the daughter of President Hoshino."

"Don't worry, Aiko," Kaito replied with a reassuring smile. "I think now we're equal. You also didn't know I was the son of General Tanaka. I think that makes it drastically romantic, doesn't it?"

"Yes," Aiko whispered, her cheeks turning red.

"Ehmm, sorry guys, I don't want to interrupt your magical moment, but I would like to know: Where the fridge are we going?!" Tekuno shouted from the backseat with a sarcastic tone.

"I drive you... I... I don't know! I haven't thought that far!" Kaito admitted, surprising both Tekuno and Hashi.

"I know where we can go," Aiko said, determination in her voice. "We have to go through the Gate of Horizon."

"A boat? There's the shipping port," Kaito replied.

"Aiko, we don't know if the legend is true," Tekuno said, worry evident in his voice.

"We have to try it! It's our last chance!" Aiko insisted.

"What's there? Where do you want to go?" Kaito asked, curious.

"The AI legend says that deep in a cave through the Gate of Horizon in the neutral zone of Fujisawa, there lives an ancient AI robot named Professor Senji. He has lived in that cave for hundreds of years and holds the solution that proves AIs were never meant to fight humans, aiming to unite both districts and prevent another war. We have to find him; he holds the original prompt!" Aiko explained.

"Oh yes, I read about this legend!" Kaito answered, intrigued.

"It's dangerous," Tekuno said, and Hashi barked in agreement, supporting Tekuno's worries.

"It's not only about my life! It's about the lives of all humans and AIs! With this, we can change history forever!" Aiko said passionately.

Kaito held her hand again while driving. "We're heading to the Gate of Horizon. Let's go and find Professor Senji!" he replied with determination.

As they neared the edge of the human district, Kaito saw an army of soldiers blocking the exit. His heart sank. "We have a problem," he said, eyes fixed on the line of soldiers.

"What do we do now?" Aiko asked, fear creeping into her voice.

Just then, they noticed someone making a hand sign. It was Hiroshi, Kaito's old friend.

Kaito quickly left the car to talk to Hiroshi without the army noticing them. "Hiroshi, what are you doing here?" Kaito whispered urgently.

"Kaito, my friend, you didn't have much time for me during the week. You mentioned you met someone special. Is it her?" Both looked towards the car, Aiko giving them a shy smile.

"Yes, it's her," Kaito replied.

"Is she human?" Hiroshi asked.

"No, she isn't," Kaito answered.

"Do you love her?" Hiroshi inquired.

"Yes, I do," Kaito replied without hesitation.

"Then go your way. I will distract the army," Hiroshi said, determination in his voice.

"But you could lose your job, you could go to jail, and worse!" Kaito protested.

"Kaito, I wasn't a good friend to you back in high school. I let you down. I betrayed you, and I never forgave myself. Even worse, I wasn't brave enough to ask for your forgiveness all these years, so please, let me help you now. I will not accept a no," Hiroshi insisted.

Kaito's eyes welled up with tears. "Thank you, Hiroshi. I won't forget this."

Hiroshi nodded and moved to distract the soldiers, giving Kaito, Aiko, Tekuno, and Hashi the opportunity to drive through the exit at full speed. As they looked back, they saw Hiroshi getting arrested, the soldiers putting him down on the asphalt. Kaito's eyes filled with tears, but he had to keep driving.

The journey was long and treacherous. They drove for several hours, the cityscape giving way to more rugged terrain. The tension in the car was palpable, but their determination kept them going.

"It's going to take a while before we reach the Gate of Horizon," Kaito said, his voice steady. "Hang in there, everyone."

Meanwhile, Agent Hebi prepared for her mission. Raised by AIs because her mother didn't want her, she had a unique perspective on both worlds. At the age of 10, her natural mother claimed her back, and she entered the human district. By 18, she had joined the military, driven by a desire to prove herself.

"Agent Hebi, your mission is to locate Aiko Hoshino and bring her back. This is a critical operation," General Senshi instructed.

Hebi stood in the shadows, her eyes narrowing as she reviewed the mission details. Known for her precision and effectiveness, she had a reputation that preceded her. The sun glinted off her tactical gear, highlighting the lethal combination of skill and determination she possessed. She had been waiting for a mission like this—a chance to prove her loyalty to the human district and to make sense of her dual upbringing.

"Understood, General. I won't let you down," Hebi replied with confidence. She knew the stakes and was ready to face any challenge.

As Kaito, Aiko, Tekuno, and Hashi approached the port, the tension in the car was palpable. They knew they had to reach Fujisawa and find Professor Senji to change the course of history.

"We're almost there," Kaito said, his voice steady. "Let's do this."