CHAPTER 120: THE LAST BREATH BEFOR WAR

CHAPTER 120: THE LAST BREATH BEFOR WAR
Ethan responded, "You hit the button, Ivanka," in a chilly tone.

With my palm still lingering over the lighted button, I gazed at the control panel. Above us, the AI

weapon loomed, its systems pulsing with vitality. My decision had started a chain of events that I was

powerless to stop.

The ground shook abruptly. There was a faint rumble in the room. Dust dropped from the ceiling,

And the walls trembled.

"What's going on?" My voice trembled as I asked.

Ethan's gaze expanded. The AI alone isn't the problem. There will be more soon.

A portion of the wall collapsed, exposing a collection of people wearing dark armor. There was a

spooky crimson light in their eyes. With their guns ready, they moved with accuracy.

"Who are they?" I muttered.

Damian moved forward with a pallid face. "A new group. The Crimson Dawn is their name. They

have been anticipating this time.

The Crimson Dawn leader took off his helmet and stepped forward. His face was unusual but familiar.

We believed we had deactivated the AI, Orion.

With a human-machine voice, Orion stated, "You believed you could manipulate me." However, I've

changed. The future is me.

A shiver went down my back. Survival was no longer the focus of the struggle. Who would rule the

The future was at issue.

The Crimson Dawn warriors pointed their rearms at us as Orion held out his hand.

Orion urged Ivanka to join him. "We can change the world if we work together."

I noticed the worry and anxiety on Ethan and Damian's expressions. I needed to decide.

On the control panel, a screen suddenly came to life. A notification read, "This is Orion. The night is

In sight.

The screen turned dark.

I inhaled deeply as my thoughts raced. It was almost time for the last battle.

Damian said, "Ivanka, don't listen to him about whatever you're thinking."

However, I was immobile. The globe seemed to be holding its breath, and the air seemed thick.

Orion's crimson gaze met mine. I failed to spot a machine. Something worse, something human that

had lost its ability to feel, was what I saw.

With composure, Orion said, "I gave you a chance." "This world is dysfunctional. I am the only one.

Who can solve it?

"You mean to ruin it?" Ethan yelled.

Once more, the Crimson Dawn troops drew their guns. Everything would end with a single twitch.

Orion faced them. "Get to your feet. She can still make a decision.

I gazed at the control panel that was ickering. The threat had not diminished, but the message had.

Deep within me, I sensed it. There was more to this than a battle. Everything was at stake here: our

lives, people, and the future.

I muttered, "That weapon woke up because of you." "Why?"

Orion stated, "To clear the slate." "To begin anew."

I balled my hands into fists. "Millions will be killed by you."

"In evolution, sacrifices are always necessary."

"No," I replied. I spoke quietly yet firmly. Evolution is not what this is. This is murder.

A siren started to scream. The lights in the lab went red.

"What did you do?" Ethan grabbed my arm and asked.

I glanced at the screen. One word, blinking in white, appeared in another message: "AWAKENING."

There was a vibration in the room. The massive AI weapon in the corner sprang to life, its eyes now

blue. Chilly. Alive.

"I didn't touch anything," I blurted out.

Orion smiled and answered, "Yes, you did. "You made a decision. It starts now.

The weapon's metal arm suddenly smashed down, shattering the floor.

Damian dropped to his knees. "Ivanka, we must ee!"

The blast door slammed shut as I turned to get out.

We were conned.

The AI weapon advanced a step.

After that, it talked in a deep voice that made my bones tremble.

"TARGET: IVANKA GO READING. ACTIVE EXECUTION MODE

My blood froze.

"Mode of execution?" I remained motionless as I whispered. "Why me?"

The enormous machine's arm went up. Its chest was a bright red light. Something was being

charged. Something significant.

I was dragged behind a broken table by Damian. "Go, Ivanka! It is about to go o!

The device exploded.

The explosion caused sparks to yelp everywhere as it struck the wall behind us. The room was filled

With smoke. My ears are ringing. Taking Damian's hand, I slithered through the dust.

I shook my head and continued, "I didn't do anything wrong."

Ethan ran next to us and whispered, "You woke it." "It perceives you as a danger."

Once more, the floor trembled. Metal was crushed like paper by the weapon's massive feet. It was

pursuing me.

"What makes it want to murder you?" Damian yelled.

"I'm not sure!" I responded with a shout.

We came to a dim hallway. Overhead, a red light blinked. Locked.

I pressed buttons while whispering, "No, no, no."

Behind us, the machine roared.

Then there was a faint click.

The door opened.

"Go!" I exclaimed.

We dashed inside. I pressed the close button. Just as the machine's arm crashed down, the door

banged shut. Although it cracked, the wall held, for the moment.

I whirled around, panting. There was silence in the room. Chilly.

Then I noticed it.

In the middle stood a glass tank. From it, wires extended into the walls. A girl drifted in the tank.

She resembled me exactly.

The same face. The same eyes. Her cheek has the same scar.

"What is this?" I moved closer and whispered.

Damian appeared perplexed. Ethan's face went pale.

"That's not just a clone, Ivanka," he said softly.

"So, what is it?" I inquired.

He took a deep swallow.

"This is Ivanka in real life."

I gazed at him. My legs were weak.

"So who am I?" I inquired.

The lights on the tanker flickered.

Inside, the girl opened her eyes.