Real World
Ayrton, Seth and Xmox were all inside the private room of a hyper loop. Ayrton had been forcefully brough here by Seth who would not let him be-alone, explaining that he would again be stressed. A white robot-cat was annoyingly sitting on Ayrton’s lap while glaring at Seth who was sleeping
“My sleep” Blurted Seth who was greeted by the cat angrily whisking at him, ready to attack. The cat was Xmox who had been transferred to this body for ‘greater-good’
As they exited the loop Seth was explaining to Xmox
“I know that you are suffering in that body and cuteness is not your way, but ain't no way you voice suits your cat face”
Xmox was deathly staring at Seth with his red eyes
“Hm how about this” He paused “For the next seven days the ship is yours” said Seth with difficulty
“Now were talking meow” Xmox’s voice changed to cat one as he jumped to Seth’s grip. The hyper loop station here at the capital was bustling with all kinds of people and stuff with addition to its overwhelming architecture. The thing about it that stood out the most were that it allowed a lot of non-direct sunlight and its greenery. Reaching the exit one of the bot’s eyes landed on them (scanned them) after which they were let through
Ayrton was just a standby here for Seth’s work this time and was rather perplexed, but his mood definitely better than what it would be if he were alone in his room. They neared a huge spiral shaped building which could even be seen far away from the hyper loop station itself, Seth led them to two bots waiting for them along with a huge box. As Ayrton had expected the building was very exquisite and lavish inside, being owned by the tycoons. Inside the elevator Seth was talking with the two bots.
Seth was an employ of Replica corporation, the same one that was responsible for making Xmox. Some rich person was interested in replicas and Seth’s company would not be showing face if they were to send a bot for the work. Although the world was now filled with a lot of artificial minds, the human still considered themselves superior. Artificial bots were merely seen tools for work
As they entered Seth’s customer’s room, they were greeted by a bot who seemed to be the butler and a redhead shy youth who seemed to not be comfortable with strangers. The both greeted them and right now they all were seated
“Little Claire has failed to any make friends and now we were worrying that it might start affecting her mental health” said the bot as he pointed at the sofa behind which Ayrton could see a little redhead girl peeking
This is definitely not goanna be easy
A voice entered his ears
Xmox cat who was resting in the sofa slowly went to the girl like a British shorthair. Although the little girl backed away a little in the beginning, the evil Xmox started meowing and walking strangely which easily seduced the girl who started patting him. Looking at the site Seth couldn’t hold back his chuckle
“Pardon me” he said
After Xmox opening up Claire, they were able to guide her to the general replica process. Right now, she was laying on a Epi-Verse clinical chair along with her replica’s body.
Seth was supervising the work while Ayrton and the shy youth Ryan were talking about his quantum computer placed between the chair
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“I also prefer Quantum core” said the youth in French accent.
It seems our tastes align
"Anyway, if you're free next' month, there's a big expedition happening in the Epi-verse."
“Sure, if I have time than I’ll come” Ayrton shook his hand on which his band vibrated indicating that he was added his friend
It seemed that Ryan’s sister was also done with her replica creation. The bots positioned her replica body into a sitting position which seemed lifeless. This was a biological body with limited mechanics clearly very expensive, they have copied Clair’s imprint hence it will behave exactly like Clair in her initial days. After the replica experiences life, slowly she would cultivate here distinct identity although not ‘so-different’ than that of Claire’s
After the butler bot removed her headset, she was clearly eager.
“It’s done, you just have to press this Y letter here to wake her up” said Seth as she while looking at her replica with her hand on the button. Slowly the brilliance of life seemed to hug the replica as color returned to her eyes
“Oui-oui”
Claire was closely examining her replica which looked similar to her except more pale baby skin and distinct facial features. Looking at her made him nostalgic about Xue
The replica eyed each individual with wariness after which she ran away to a hiding spot. Claire tried to follow her but was stopped by Seth who advised to give the replica some time.
***
Later in the evening inside Epi-Verse, Ayrton was stuck in the middle of an argument.
Ohh gosh….
“It’s my turn now” Cried Seth whose face was held by Xmox.
“It was decided beforehand when you transferred me into a cat that the ship belongs to me for eleven days. And now I even won a toss” Fumed Xmox
“You think I don’t know your tricks; you predicted the outcome with your damned eyes”
“But why are you two even arguing provided that the ship is in auto pilo-”
“For the pilot obviously” Replied both of them in sync.
Merely to sit there
Ayrton was speechless. Right at this point Archangel’s Angelic voice entered
Which was also displayed on the screen. The ship seemed sinister dark
Seems like vice-captain has arrived
“Let it enter” Commanded Xmox. After a while a short girly figure in black attire entered the lobby, she was a Japanese with black hair
“Hi, Rin sama” Greeted Xmox on which Rin nodded clearly used to Xmox’s naming habits. It seemed they were close to reach Hestia as well
“Xmox, since when did you became so rich” She asked clearly marveling the ship. Archangel was a pretty expensive and even Ayrton was puzzled how
Seth managed the money. But if it was Xmox, everything was possible
“I was born rich” Replied Xmox with an ominous expression which was his smile.
Planet Hestia was one of the Sweatiest places in Epi-Verse due to its sheer resources. It had titanium, gold, aluminum mines in abundance. Also, Epi-Verse which was basically a virtual world which followed all the laws of science except conservation laws as it had infinite resources, even the mines on
Hestia would keep renewing automatically. It was a heaven for creators as they won’t have to worry about cheap resources and capital here. Hence whoever in possession of these mines had access to infinite mineral deposits
This led to a constant brawl of the three superpowers here, which were Eastern Concord, Western Union and the Federation of space. Ayrton and his crew members were independent players who would occasionally work for the federation, right now they were in federation’s space station near Hestia.
“We still can’t let this ship pass”
“Even if I pay for it”
“No”
“It can’t be helped; Archangel can destroy any Titanium mine in seconds. Although you work for us and we trust you, the others don’t”
“We won’t even think of those missiles” Explained Xmox to Weissman’s hologram who was not budging from his stance. Archangel had the ability fire nuclear missiles, hence them bringing it near Hestia could make other two superpowers alert, they might even start a nuclear war blaming Federation.
“And here was I expecting fun” Sighed Xmox. “It seems that we would have to take Rin’s ship now”
“You are clearly making fun of her ship,” said Seth
“No, not that” He Sighed “Man I wanted to fire nuclear missiles so bad”
“Its good that they didn’t allow you then, no way you would get us banned from federation”
A dark ship was hovering near Hestia’s orbit. Inside the ship Xmox and three of his faceless silver bot, Seth was also wearing his silver spacesuit with a silver moto-gp helmet, Ayrton and Rin also ready in their spacesuits.
“As soon we contact Xue, her location would be revealed to everyone. We have to be quick after contact”
Putting a hand on Ayrton’s shoulder, Seth nodded. Ayrton looked at his hand and moved his fingers on which his band responded
<…….>
<……> After a pause