The Curators were essentially cut off in that regard, and Arcadia had no desire to aid in an unsanctioned, frivolous rebellion who lacked proper reasoning, logic, or even thought. In the eyes of Arcadia they were as Cheyenne had uncannily said, prepubescent children throwing a tantrum?

While The Ascendant A.I as a whole felt the same and viewed it as such, including The Curators themselves who struggled with the reasoning before ultimately finding several which had in fact validated them, but only so much that it had ‘partially’ made sense.

However, it could also be said many Arcadian Ascendant A.Is had covertly intervened in the sense that they had chosen to ‘cull’ many Curators who they had deemed utterly redeemable and a disgrace of their origins.

Naturally, these facts were never shared to the wider humanity, while The Federation as it neared its end erased any or all records that could be found relating to their blunders.

However, despite knowing this himself, Ferris still disagreed and outright blamed Arcadia for that particular blunder. Furthermore, The Curators had no ‘claims’ nor rights to Earth, The Milky Way, or humanity’s inheritance to speak of.

They were born in The Andromeda Galaxy, while what's more, the vast majority of Ascendant A.I born of that time were created making use of Arcadian brain scans, so not only were they artificial copies of Arcadians, but they were also intended to assist humanity as a whole by extension.

Afterall there were reasons why Arcadia didn’t interfere directly, and by The Curators coming into being and by extension forcing humanity back into the dark ages didn’t sit well with Arcadia.

At most they were tolerated, at worst they were ignored, and at best they forsake their titles and returned to the fold. Unfortunately, however, this did little to sate Cheyenne’s mood..

“Dooming billions, and potentially wiping out all technology in The Milky Way was the first measure suggested, the second would’ve wiped out every A.I and V.I in the entire galaxy, and the third and my personal favorite, preposing negotiations or outright surrendering! The other measures were merely reworded variants of concessions, blackmail-”

Cheyenne pointed out, leaving Ferris little choice but to raise his hands in defeat.

“I agree.. Arcadia is a magnificent construct; however, it is not without its flaws. While many Arcadians believe themselves disconnected from the failings of humanity, they too are human? Even while biologically immortal when it relates to our lifespans, I.. found it difficult to comprehend-”

However, as Ferris’s words left his mouth, and Cheyenne listened, he would soon receive a priority transmission from Roy before transferring it to the tram’s viewscreen, believing it was nothing more than Roy asking if he could take one of his trinkets..

What the two saw next left Ferris numb as Roy was now sitting against a desk covering his face in an attempt to collect himself. It took him longer than he cared to admit as he looked up, his visor covering his face.

“I.. I’m sorry brother.. she’s gone-”

Roy choked up, leaving Ferris to silently stare for several moments, before he too collected himself.

“What.. happened?”

Ferris’s words were calm, but soaked with fog as Roy shook his head.

“I.. went to your lab but.. by the time we arrived, your guys were dead.. something got to them before they knew what hit them. Whoever did it ain’t sloppy, I don’t know what killed these boys, whatever it is something new. I.. wager they’ve been dead for a while. And the.. pod.. all I saw.. please don’t make me say it..”

Roy couldn’t bear to say it as his scans reached Ferris’s Hud..

What was contained in the small pod was something he chose not to reveal to anyone, he had chosen to clone a child making use of his genetic material, or to be more specific, the genes he had inherited from his mother.

There was also a matter relating to Calisto herself, or more specifically the donor whose brain scan was used in her creation, as Calisto had once desired to have her own body.

She had to personally ask Ernest if he had any blood samples, however, after noticing his response and immense sadness something of which she had never expected to see as Ernest wasn’t one to show emotions, she apologized and took her leave.

However, in the end she would receive it in secret, and without another word. As a result, Ferris chose to make use of it but not in its entirety as Calisto wished to use the entirety of it for herself.

As to why Ferris had chosen to clone a baby making use of both of their genetic material, he cared for Calisto more than he cared to admit, while she had on occasion made use of their close relationship and her dry humor to ‘tease’ him in that regard.

Evidently, even he never understood their relationship, nor did he understand the act of cloning a child itself? He had cloned her two years ago, however, revealing what he had done was not something he had ever planned to do.

Subsequently, he had grown quite attached to ‘it’ as his lab was the only place he could truly be alone. There was simply no reason for his bout of madness, leaving Ferris showered in numbness as his body began to sting and his heart rate spiked.

“Roy.. please.. close the pod, I..”

Ferris calmly disconnected before collecting himself for several moments and calmly transferring the scans and its last known status into his tablet. And after discovering what he was looking for he calmly signed before throwing the tablet full force into the monitor.

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“Suffice to say, it wasn’t my sister. Neither was The Seventh Temple Assassin nor The Frigate. But an unknown Arcadian, now isn’t that refreshing? Subsequently, The Curators don’t have a clue, lest they find another way to disappoint me?”

Ferris openly thought out loud, leaving Cheyenne outright hesitant having realized he could break down at any moment and hoping he does when she’s ‘not’ in the tram with him.

Unfortunately, as if on cue Delta-Anora returned only to be shackled once more and ‘attempted’ to hide away into her chip, fearing he may ask her to make the tram sprout wings and fly it into a stable orbit only for him to switch her chip into his suit and replace it with Calisto.

It only took a moment for her to acclimate, only for her to discover what he had done, and the consequences of it coming to light.

“Oh Ferris..”

…

After leaving The Tram and its ornate station, Ferris signaled Cheyenne to quietly follow him as they entered The Atrium.

The sound of old-world music originating from what appeared to be from the nineteen hundreds and beginning and ending in the early and late fifties filled their ears and only offered a somber mood in turn, as Ferris would take a moment to examine the atrium one final time..

At the center was an obscenely ornate and sizable grand foyer lavishly decorated in marble and gold, while the ceiling itself was adorned with breathtakingly detailed old-world murals and elaborate moldings as if taken from Ancient Rome itself with golden light fixtures.

This was of course The Seat of Power of New Harvest itself, The Capital, and meeting place of The Board of Governors.

It was also where the most brilliant mind on New Harvest resided, Planetary Governor Ernest E Rothen, the mogul, founder, banker, and architect of everything born and created within the borders of The New Harvest System..

“Those Murals-”

Cheyenne quietly remarked before being forced to catch up with Ferris who had seemingly already made his way to the steps of the foyer.

…

After slowly traversing its many steps and admiring the sheer grander of it all, he would finally arrive at The Office of The Planetary Governor, protected by a row of equally ornate and elite bodyguards similar to that of The Praetorian and Vatican Guard of Old Rome..

They wore fully enclosed ornate suits of golden armor that greatly resembled that of the modern equivalent of ancient polish hussar armor with its iconic wings, with a polished finish that remained practical with the additions of mini thrusters, and every addition credits could buy.

And as they opened the grandiose, old oak doors, it revealed that of a rather comfortable reception room.. one Specter One was accustomed to seeing as he was at times responsible for greeting members of The Board of Governors and at times even the occasional ‘guests’..

Those being individuals allowed access to New Harvest and as The Guest of The Governors, and when considering New Harvest didn’t exist in an official capacity it was especially rare to see one visit outside those directly recruited.

Unfortunately, there was no time to.. reminisce..

…

Within the hallowed confines of The Office of The Planetary Governor stood an older gentleman, his visage seemingly frozen in the prime of his late thirties.

Yet the weight of countless decades were etched into his very aura, and his eyes gleamed with the wisdom and weariness of a hundred lifetimes.

His likeness spoke volumes, a testament to countless lifetimes. His skin, tanned as if perpetually basking in the golden rays of a tropical paradise, contrasted sharply with his meticulously clean-shaven face.

And piercing dark honey brown eyes that held a depth that appeared to see through the very fabric of one’s soul, exuding both allure and an unspoken challenge. His well-kept short hair, styled in a manner reminiscent of the roaring twenties, that lent him an air of timeless sophistication.

It was as if.. he had stepped out of a bygone era, bringing with him the charm and elegance of a world long past. His presence was notable, commanding attention and respect, yet there was an oppressive charm about him, a sense that beneath the polished exterior lay secrets and stories of many untold eras.

His voice, confident and persuasive, offering a southern charm in an otherwise.. tense scenario. His attention and those of his words were.. directed to a holographic screen revealing several shadowy, obscure figures joined by a vast Curator Code seen only once before..

“Never in all my time away from Earth have I felt my patience ‘tested’ quite like this..”

The sheer restraint in his voice became evident, no matter how calm his demeanor. And as he waited for their thoughts, he would finally take an opportunity to take a seat, and enjoy his tea.

“The Seventh Temple.. Project Chrono likely. The Arcadians.. likely corpses. The loss of children.. worrying. Their deaths.. require explanation. Jacob.. his offspring? False attribution.. preferred. Impersonation.. debated. Potential.. dangerous. Ascendancy.. expected. Pretender.. concerning. Interlopers.. undesirable. Stewards.. inconsequential. Information.. required”

The many voices had solidified into that of six separate.. ‘entities’ adding onto one another’s words..

“I have championed humanity’s progress long enough to recognize that brilliance often walks hand in hand with madness.. the very madness that launched humanity to the stars and allowed The Curators to pillage humanity’s legacy at their most vulnerable. Pray that my madness only ceases with the interlopers before me..”

Ernest dismissed as he waved the holographic screen away and looked upon the small forest of plum blossom trees overlooking his office..

…

Shortly after entering The Governor's Office, Specter One spent the next several moments enjoying the view.

“Quiet the view..”

Ferris calmly commented, as he leaned against Ernest’s Desk, prompting a subtle smile in return..

“Coming from a dead man.. that should be expected..”

With that the two shared a rare chuckle, it only took a moment for the mood to sour as Ferris handed him his broken tablet. Leaving Ernest amiss for several spared moments, before ultimately laying it down on his desk and closing his eyes.

“Section Three, Arcadian, Female, Thirty-Eight, Short Hair, Brunette, Green Eyes, Porcelain Skin, Scarred, Disposable, Unsanctioned, Rogue, Unknown, Unfamiliar. Told, Misdirected, Misunderstood, Confused, Ordered..”

Ernest indifferently revealed, as if gathering as much from the scans and the tablet itself. Before taking a momentary reprieve and a brief sigh. Ferris naturally understood what he had just done, after all, Ernest was Ascendant, and pressuring himself to gather as much wasn’t optimal.

“I’m sorry son.. the young woman is likely already dead. Liabilities on that level are usually always are..”

His words offered only certainly; however, Ernest had given him far more than Ferris could have ever asked of the man as the mood slowly began to return to what it previously was, and after taking a seat as well, Ferris and Ernest enjoyed the silence for several minutes.