Now more than ever was the perfect time to be confused. Terra left without saying another word, I couldn't speak anything right after. She just smiled back and turned around. To be frank, this didn't give me any insight on how she truly feels about me. Could that kiss be something entirely different or was it because she had feelings for me? Terra just made things more complicated. Her alignment in this class has made a perfect storm. I sat back down on the ground with too much to think about. What does it even mean to have feelings for someone? I wish I knew more about it. Yet a part of me doesn't want to know because it'll be only harder if I do. I just sat quietly while I allowed everything to pass me. However, as I did something from me fell on the ground. A circuit chip had fallen out of my pocket. I hurriedly picked it back up to see if it was still fine. This is the only memento I had of Eliza, if only I could've saved more than just this chip. Though I wasn't sure what it was. It didn't seem to have anything on it that should be for connecting or for something specific in general. It was just a blue colored chip with it's metal edges piercing out. Suddenly the sound of the door opening turned me around. Olley had finally woken up from her nap, she looked better but I don't think she was still in her right state of mind. Her eyes were still in a deep shade of blue, probably still thinking about what's going to happen to her and the planet. She sat next to me and held my hand. Olley barely even had the strength in her. To me, she had already accepted despair in her heart.

Olley: I'm sorry, I just… I need something to grab on. I hope this doesn't make you uncomfortable.

Arc: Not in the slightest. I just wished I could've done more to help you out in this. I know that you said that this isn't our fault but... A part of me wants to believe that if we've done things better then this wouldn't have happened.

Olley: Arc... It's alright. Remember what y'all said, never expect to win. This shouldn't be a big deal for you guys I guess... I'll be fine... This thing was fun okay? So now what? Are y'all just going to leave?

Arc: Most likely. We don't have our orders yet, so I think this is it. This might be our last few moments together. I mean... my last few cycles here in Plaux.

Olley: Look at you. Being so sentimental. I never thought I'd hear you say any of this junk. It's a bit embarrassing so please stop...

Arc: I'm trying… I'm just trying to say that I'm…

Olley: Save it, Arc. I already know what you're going to say... It'll be fine. This was fun. I mean we barely knew each other so you shouldn't apologize. You gave me much more than any person has. I got the adventure I thought I'd never have and I think that's wonderful enough. Even right now, this feels like part of my adventure. To me, this whole thing was a dream come true. I didn't know that I'd be fighting crazy magicians, monsters, and being in a conspiracy all in just 3 Plauxian cycles. It doesn't sound like much but it's pretty long.

Those eyes of her glistened a bit of gold so I knew that she had been genuine with her response. But tears started to well up with tears. All I could do was just clench fists trying to fight through this pain. The last thing Olley would want to see is me falling apart right in front of her. I need to get through this!

Arc: I see…

Olley: I'll be alright. Don't worry about me okay? I'll be fine. You have so much more to do out there. Find that Eden y'all are talking about. Or even fall in love and start a family. Just don't forget about me okay?

Arc: Olley…

Olley: Don't forget me because I definitely wont'! I'll be thinking of you... Okay? I'll be fine Arc. I want to promise you that... So please...

Her voice started to progressively turn sadder with each word she said. It was hard to not feel angry from it. Tears started to fall on her face and onto the ground. I held hand harder, I just wanted to make sure that she didn't feel alone. However, it also took everything in me to make sure that I didn't tear up too. If only… It was almost like that moment. How many times did it replay in my head? As many times as I tried to forget, my resistance was the only thing that kept me from completely forgetting. Sye… Olley suddenly started to stand up, her face all perked up. She went running back inside the house then what seemed to be rummaging inside the house. Olley returned with some kind of square device similar to what would probably be a cartridge holder. However, on closer inspection it was a black box reader. Her face despite filled with tears had some kind of happiness on it.

Olley: Hey... Want to watch this? I know I kind of just went for it but it's best that I wanted to spend time with you with better thoughts.

Arc: Yeah... Sure, of course.

Olley: I never got to know what was inside that black box. I found this from a dumpster from the other districts.

Arc: A dumpster? You mean like a garbage pile or something?

Olley: Yeah! Where people put some of their trash y'know. There's some pretty cool stuff there from time to time. Mostly just trash though. But I did find this! I got some help to fix it up to maybe working conditions. Though I wouldn't personally trust the people I got it from to fix.

Arc: I guess we can watch what Able has done. He's got quite the ancient memory bank. I thought it would be far more complex looking.

I took the black box reader trying to ignore the smell and grime it had. Though I wished that Olley had washed it before handing it to me. I got the slightly charred black box from my utility pouch then slipped the cartridges in. The reader took a while but after a few hits it managed to show the holo screen. Olley sat right back next to me to find a good spot to watch.

Olley: I just want you to know that this is my first time using it. So don't even bother asking me any questions about it

Arc: It's alright, I know how to use a holo screen. Though I personally don't want to be caught holding this or using it. It's an old model that looks like it doesn't even have an audio option yet or with an accessory made for it.

Olley: Oh! Do you still have that phone with you! You can place the data in there instead. I've heard of people putting those data things in them to watch later.

Arc: Sometimes I forget how primitive you are Olley.

Olley: What do you expect from someone who lived in a place called the hunting village!?

I took out the phone to transfer the data. However, it felt strange because we kept going backwards in technology. Despite that Olley's eyes were completely glued to the hand held machine. Yet, again I keep forgetting that she's never been exposed to these kinds of things. Sometimes I feel like she just pretends to know things and just goes with the flow. Though it did keep my mind away from the bad stuff that was happening. I just needed to get away from these bad thoughts as much as possible. Even just doing nothing, it would start eating my head. After a few minutes transferring the black box recording onto the phone, we opened up the files. There were a lot of logs in the phone now yet it somehow managed to keep it all up. We started sifting through some of the memory recordings of Able. Somehow this was helping me feel a bit better. Olley excitedly looked closer to screen, she seemed rather amused with the holo projector in general. I clicked on the first video log…

It was in a small room that looked to be the library. Though it was much different to when we first saw it. This one barely had any furnishing, shelves, and barely a computer also. There were only two people in this barely lit room. Eliza and Peter, the only light source they had was from the spotlights in the back. Eliza looked super young which made me feel a bit strange. She aged dramatically slowly but it was clear what she had looked like in her youth, in her words "forever 21". The recording seemed like it was just a few rotations ago. Her warm smile smothered the screen until she was pulled back by a deadpan Peter. Peter had also a different look to him, his hair wasn't turning white just yet. In fact, his face looked absurdly handsome for an evil scientist. Both were still wearing their lab coats and holding a bunch of boxed with equipment. This must be there first few cycles together in Plaux. In their own strange way, they looked like they were having fun even if Peter was still deadpan as usual.

Peter: Get off from the camera please Eliza. We just installed it up. I wouldn't want you to fog the lenses. We need a clear view when it starts recording.

Eliza: Oh don't be such a stick in the mud honey. We can always fix it up or upgrade it anyway. Besides isn't this exciting?! We're finally doing this! This is a dream come true!

This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Peter: At least we can finally have someone fix the rest of the supplies sent to us. These boxes are heavy with parts for the lab.

Eliza: This is exciting! Imagine all the things we can learn on this planet! Different fauna and flora. Maybe even different and new elements we can sample and ship back to earth. They might even want to build a full laboratory! Exciting!

Peter: Yes, dear. I could only imagine what a full laboratory underground would feel like. I'd appreciate it better if it were up on the surface though.

Eliza: Come on, you finally got your wish of doing something for Earth that no one else has done. We can make a big change here as the first intergalactic human presence! Doesn't that sound great? I could see it now! An embassy there, a Starbucks here! I just can't wait for things to kick off!

Peter: It does have a good title to it. First embassy of the human race with me as it's first founder.

Eliza: This is so amazing. They even sent us Able! I thought they would've denied that request. Then again, he is just a piece of code from our lab.

Peter: They got what they needed from him. Now they're just going to make replicas.

Eliza: They can do all that as long as we have our own. Besides, Able's code has a fail safe in it. They can't just copy and paste it expecting the same outcome. I made sure of that. This one is special. Able is special. You hear that you crazy robot. You're one of a kind!

Peter: I'd expect nothing less from the woman I married. He's unique, at least for now.

Eliza: Come now Able! We've got tons of work for you! Start by unpacking the boxes and building within the parameters given in the USB manual. Just upload it and get to it! It's going to be just like Earth! Except this time you won't be fired all the time.

Peter: I hope he has the programming to understand disappointment.

Eliza: Don't listen to him. He's just grouchy from space travel alright?

The video ends there which was strange then it started to play another. Usually surveillance golems would usually just keep recording. This one has gaps.

Arc: That's strange. It's cut into different segments?

Olley: it's almost like he's kind of remembering only the good parts. You know, like how our memories work. We don't always remember the boring and middle parts of something.

Arc: Observant take. Let's get back to it.

We started skipping a few more videos because most of them were just menial labor that Able personally loved doing. His recordings mainly consisted of him just fixing and building stuff for what's to be the library. Sometimes he'd even remember the moments of the small conversations he'd had with younger Eliza. It felt so warm like a child remembering his mother. There weren't many recordings of Peter except for the times he would just say "thank you" and leave. Another video started to play up which took a small turn. The library was a mess, Able was hiding away in what seemed like behind the door, and the ex couple were arguing.

Peter: We found it, another civilization on the planet. I've travelled far to find it but there it is. They even have things that don't make any logical human sense yet it exists. Imagine the potential in understanding them. They even have technology and resources that they use for primitive purposes. This might be the thing that we need to explore.

Eliza: But what about here? What about our research here? I thought you wanted to make this place habitable for the people of Earth. Isn't that something that will get you the recognition you want?

Peter: This is much bigger. I just need more time. They have things that I didn't want to believe existed. With my help, I can accomplish much more than just a settlement on a planet.

Eliza: But this was our project. You wanted to come because this is what we wanted to do. We can't just abandon it.

Peter: This is much bigger than you and me. These people, they even have their own scriptures. If only I could understand the language they're speaking. Though I have learned a few things myself. They are more and even greater resources than what they have. Weapons even. Things that are common knowledge to them. We need to explore this further!

Eliza: I'm sorry but I just can't. You can go ahead if you want. Take Able if you want but I want to finish this settlement. Earth is in danger. It needs to be perfect for when they need it.

Peter: You're wasting your potential on those insignificant beings Eliza. Your brain is a gift from the creator! You have to share your knowledge with them. They don't even know what the hell is a phone but they have completely functional holo screens that have perfect actuation.

Eliza: No! I want to finish this project! This was our project Peter! I thought we were a team!

Peter: We are. But I'm on the side of the humans. I want to make our race known in the cosmos! That's what I want now. I thought you would be happy about this.

Eliza: I am but I want to stay. If you leave, then so be it. I don't want to stop you. Just visit once in a while please.

Peter: I cannot make promises that would compromise my dreams. But I will try. Your brain is still valuable.

Eliza: Take Able with you so I can at least know what's happening. He'll come back to me every now and then to tell me what you're up to. So please no more of this stuff.

Peter: Fine. I'll do it myself…

Peter walked out of the room while the remaining scenes were Eliza breaking down on her computer. The recording ends there. The videos proceeding it were just a couple more times Eliza refused to eat and sleep. Her motivation was completely gone from that moment. The next recording suddenly changed the scenery. This time it was in the royal court of King Argo. He was still in royal garbs and completely normal still which included the mask. Able was right beside Peter. At this point, he was already wearing a labcoat and his hair started to whiten.

Peter: Be on your best behaviour okay? This guy is pretty important and he hasn't seen a robot like you. All you need to do is just stay still and not do anything.

Argo: Welcome back scientist! I see that you have finally brought the golem that I requested to see. This definitely looks different compared to the other ones.

Peter: Well what makes this one different is it's software, your highness. It looks like a normal golem to you but inside it's unique. Compared to other mechanical wonders in your city. This one is almost like a living person. It can think on it's own, therefore do tasks and learn overtime with the use of knowledge updates or augments. Though of course you can just simply limit its learning too. So do we have a deal?

Argo: It's a deal. You have proven yourself more than worthy to be my lead scientist. Of course, you're going to have to make a new one for me. In the image of something far greater than simple golem junk of course.

Peter: As you wish your highness.

Argo: Oh and about your other experiments.

Peter: Ah yes, of course. Able, leave us. We have important matters to discuss now. Head back to Talos.

Able walked away from them. However, quickly turned back to hide behind a pillar. He looked back to see if they had noticed him. But it didn't seem like they were too engrossed in their discussions to notice that Able was still around. A volume enhancer was seen on screen as it zoomed on the two.

Argo: So? What did you find out?

Peter: I found out that your bodies are not only impressive but quite the marvel of nature. Unlike many of the other species I've read, your bodies have the ability to not only adapt but evolve at a remarkable rate. Why didn't any of you go public with this kind of discovery?

Argo: Simple. We are a very compact civilization. We live the way we do because we do not abide with the rules of whatever is in control of the galaxy. Our only true rulers are ourselves. It was a gift from our creator that we have such bodies. You call it evolution, we just called it survival. We are creatures that have constitutions that change perfectly for our desire. If we were to breed something for war, then we will have the strongest in the galaxy.

Peter: Indeed. Something that can even go beyond… If we can somehow harness the power of this gene or whatever it is. Theoretically, you can even be a perfect being. One without limits. A power fit for a king.

Argo: Get to it, royal scientist.

Peter: Of course your highness.

We expected to see the video feed to turn off but it didn't. The feed stopped following both of the people in the room. However, a second later someone else had appeared in the behind the throne. It was a boy that appeared to be in his teens. He walked over towards the pillar that Able had been hiding. His eyes were filled with anger. However, it didn't seem to be directed at Able. His gaze didn't leave Able like some kind of sentry. Second later, the boy just walked away. The next video recording started. This time it was Able watching that same boy strapped into a strange chair. Upon closer inspection, it was an older version of a neural scrambler. The kid struggled on the chair with all of his might. Standing next to Able were the royal scientist and King Argo.

Argo: Now son, this is for the good of the empire. You'll be in control of the new legion of soldiers we'll make. You always said that you wanted to oversee something. This is your chance.

Boy: I said that but I didn't mean this! This is absolutely insane! You can't do this to me!

Peter: You should be grateful. You are going to be the first Plauxian in history to be granted this gift.

Boy: You don't know what that'll do to me!

Peter: On the contrary. I know everything.. Once we upload your brain into the system. You'll have access to the future military of Hyer. A stunning feat for a prince your age.

Boy: This is insanity! What about me?! What about my body?!

Peter: Your body is important. We're going to make sure it's preserved to keep your brain alive.

Boy: Dad! Let me go!

Argo: Do it for the city son. Soon we'll reveal to the world what we can truly do.

Peter flipped on a switch generating a ton of energy in the room. The bright light of the machine and the rays of the energy blinded everyone in the room except for Able. We could hear the agonizing screams of the prince as it tried to compete with the machine. Seconds later, a green light appeared on the machine subsequently signalling that it was complete. There was no noise in the room besides the machine powering down. Argo didn't even rush to see if his son was still alive nor did Peter. All they saw now was the body of a child still connected to the machine. Peter flipped the switch again, the chair transformed into a metal bed for the boy and eventually what looked like a tube.

Argo: How positive are you that he won't turn on us?

Peter: I programmed that he couldn't. Now you have a complete and flawless military system on the tip of your fingers.

Argo: What else do we need?

Peter: Upgrades for the body.

Argo: Whatever it is, I will do anything. We've come this far to stop now. The notion of my kingdom dominating other places exhilarates me.

Peter: One step at time my liege. First I have to read up on the rules of war for the UR. And what is feared among other planets.

Argo: This is quite strange to me.

Peter: What is it my liege?

Argo: I have never asked for the reason why you wish to even indulge in the notion of conquest.

Peter: To further my research. What more than to invade planets and take what I want.

Argo: Pray tell about this research of yours?

Peter: To surpass limits. That is my purpose. That is my research, I want to find what will it take for even the creator to drop down.

Argo: You must jest right? That is much like a child's dream.

Peter: Maybe. But what purpose is there in life other than to achieve such perfection that only a creator can have?

Argo: Truly a remarkable specimen you are. And what will you do if you achieve such a thing?

Peter: That is something that I want to know myself. Now, tell me about these Adamians I've heard so much about. This topic seems to intrigue me the most. Pray tell about these creatures and their ability to wield such fictional power.

So he knew something about our species then. Though I don't think he knew that we were actually the first humans. The feed cut off. The next series of videos were of Able doing more odd jobs in Hyer this time. Occasionally, Able would visit Eliza but it would usually be the same thing. She was already too busy to care about what Able was doing. Suddenly, the screen showed Able watching the tube of where the prince was. Able touched one of the ports effectively making the test subject twitch. There was a faint voice inside trying to speak!

Prince: Save me…

Able: I'll try!

Prince: Thank you friend.

Able: Friend?

Prince: Yes, friend. I'm a friend. Prince Song.

Able: I'll get help, friend!

Prince: Please…

The next scenes were Able accidentally tripping one of the alarms, running away from security, and jumping outside of the city. Most of his parts were broken from the scuffle but he made his way out. The direction Able was going to started to seem familiar. He started to see some golems running about. Able started to chase after them, probably going to take their parts but the feed went weird when he tripped on a rock. The next thing we saw was Able being dragged into a cave by some hunters after being stripped away of his good parts. I think I already knew where this was heading.