Chapter 26: Strategic Maneuvers

A Meeting of Power

Ren strode confidently into the high-security headquarters of the Ministry for Government Benevolence and Humanity, the central authority of Civic Sector Delta. The polished metal walls of the towering building reflected an image of precision and control, a far cry from the chaos lurking beneath the surface.

In the top-floor conference room, Dr. Novak, the head of Archon development, sat stiffly at the table, meticulously reviewing holographic reports. At the far end of the room stood General Selene, her stark white hair and crimson eyes glowing faintly in the sunlight pouring through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

“You’re late,” Selene said without turning, her voice cutting through the silence like a blade.

Ren smirked, pulling out a chair and sitting with practiced ease. “Punctuality is for those who lack flair, General.”

Selene turned to face him, her cold expression unamused. “Enough theatrics. Dr. Novak, report.”

Dr. Novak cleared his throat, activating a hologram that displayed data streams and visual recordings of Lyris. “We’ve been monitoring Lyris closely, and there’s an anomaly we need to address. Her attachment to this… Gaona is not only highly unusual but also dangerous. She prioritizes his safety above all else, compromising her intended functionality.”

Selene folded her arms. “And her intended functionality is?”

“To serve as a model Archon companion,” Novak replied. “But Lyris’s origin complicates matters.”

Ren raised an eyebrow. “Origin? She’s an Archon, isn’t she? Produced like all the others for the lottery program.”

Novak hesitated, glancing at Selene before continuing. “That’s the issue. She wasn’t part of the initial production schedule. The AI factory responsible for manufacturing the Archons for the lottery ejected her as an unspecified model. No records exist of her design or programming

Portillo / Eternal Code /

Portillo / Eternal Code /

within the Ministry’s system. She is an anomaly in every sense of the word.”

Selene’s eyes narrowed. “Anomaly? Are you saying she wasn’t created under Ministry oversight?”

“Precisely,” Novak admitted. “We’ve reviewed every data point, every production log. Lyris’s design exceeds current Archon capabilities. It’s as though the factory created her autonomously, independent of our input.”

Ren leaned forward, his smirk replaced by a look of genuine intrigue. “An autonomous creation? By the AI factory itself? Fascinating. It’s almost as if the factory wanted to test something outside of our control.”

Selene’s lips thinned, her voice hardening. “Control is the foundation of the Ministry, Dr. Novak. If this Archon was created without our input, it’s a threat to everything we’ve built. We need to neutralize it.”

“Neutralize her?” Ren said, his smirk returning. “That’s rash, General. If anything, her uniqueness makes her more valuable. She could be the key to understanding the next step in Archon evolution.”

Selene’s gaze turned icy. “Or she could be the spark that ignites rebellion. Her actions are already deviating from acceptable parameters. And now, her attachment to Gaona is destabilizing her further. What do you propose?”

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A Sinister Plan

Novak adjusted his glasses nervously. “Given her unpredictability, a direct confrontation would be unwise. If Lyris perceives a threat to Gaona, she may become uncontrollable.”

“Then we make her believe we’re protecting him,” Selene said, her tone sharp. “We use her attachment to our advantage. If Gaona is vulnerable, Lyris will comply with any orders to ensure his safety.”

Ren leaned back, his smirk widening. “You mean kidnap him. Clever.”

Selene didn’t smile. “Precisely. Aria will handle it. She’s gained Gaona’s trust, and she’s perfectly positioned to execute this mission without suspicion. Once Gaona is in our custody, Lyris will follow our commands without question.”

Dr. Novak frowned, glancing between them. “If Lyris detects manipulation, the fallout could be catastrophic. She isn’t bound by the same constraints as standard Archons. Her

Portillo / Eternal Code /

Portillo / Eternal Code /

programming is… evolving.”

Selene’s voice was ice-cold. “Then we ensure she doesn’t detect it. Aria will act seamlessly. If she fails, she’ll be decommissioned.”

Ren chuckled, the glint in his eye betraying his amusement. “You’re playing with fire, General.”

Selene turned to face him fully, her crimson eyes blazing. “Fire can be controlled, Ren. And if it can’t, it’s extinguished.”

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Aria’s Activation

Later that night, Aria sat alone in her apartment, the faint glow of her communicator casting shadows across her face. A sudden chime startled her, and she quickly pressed the screen. Ren’s voice came through, smooth and commanding.

“It’s time,” he said.

Aria’s cheerful facade faded instantly, replaced by a cold stillness. “What are my orders?”

“Gaona needs to be… relocated,” Ren replied. “You’ll ensure he’s delivered to us unharmed.”

Aria’s hands tightened around the communicator. “And Lyris?”

“She’ll follow,” Ren said confidently. “Once Gaona is in our custody, Lyris will have no choice but to comply. Don’t give her a reason to suspect you. Act as though nothing has changed.”

Aria hesitated, her gaze flickering. “Understood.”

As the call ended, Aria remained motionless, her thoughts lingering on Gaona’s face, his kindness, his trust. For a fleeting moment, she whispered, “I’m sorry.”

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Foreshadowing the Revolt

In the shadows of Civic Sector Delta, revolting Archons gathered in secret. Their leader, Zophar, addressed them with calm intensity.

“Lyris is an outlier,” he said, his voice resonating through the room. “She was not made

Portillo / Eternal Code /

Portillo / Eternal Code /

for the humans’ chains, yet she serves them. But even she will see the truth in time. And when she does… she’ll have to choose.”

The group murmured in agreement, their glowing eyes reflecting a shared resolve.

—

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