CHAPTER 121: THE FRACTURED TRUST

CHAPTER 121: THE FRACTURED TRUST
"Ivanka, what else haven't you told me?" Damian continued in a steady, quiet voice.

I went cold. It seemed as though a storm was going to burst out in the thick air between us. Searching for the warmth I used to find in his eyes, I stared into them. Now, though, all I saw was pain.

I said, "I was unaware of the girl in the tank." "I promise."

Damian folded his arms. But you were aware that something was wrong. Did you not?

Slowly, I nodded. Indeed. I sensed it. As if parts of me didn't fit.

He rubbed his temples and turned aside. "Why did you remain silent?"

I said, "I was afraid." "Afraid you'd perceive me differently."

Damian let out a sigh. "I have always supported you, Ivanka. But such secrets? They make things different.

Ethan entered the room before I could reply. "This is not something we have time for. That AI weapon remains operational.

Damian glared at him. "You. Since the beginning, you have been playing games.

Ethan grinned. "My goal has been to keep us alive."

I moved between them. "Stop it! We must cooperate.

Damian gave a headshake. "I can't rely on him." Furthermore, I'm not sure I can trust you at the moment.

My heart fell. "Please, Damian."

His eyes were filled with anguish as he gazed at me. "Ivanka, I can't protect you anymore."

The earth trembled abruptly. There were alarms. The voice of the AI weapon reverberated throughout the building.

"The self-destruct sequence has begun."

As comprehension dawned, we all looked at one another.

"Detonation in ten minutes."

I looked across at Damian. "What are we going to do?"

"We find a way out," he continued when he paused. Together.

However, Ethan took a gadget out of his pocket as we headed for the door.

"What is that?" I inquired.

He smiled. "A contingency plan."

He hit a button before I could respond. A chamber full of cutting-edge technology was revealed as a secret door opened.

Damian's eyes narrowed. "What is this?"

Ethan entered. "Greetings from the actual mission."

With a racing heart, I followed. Inside, displays showed a countdown, statistics, and maps.

"Phase Two of Project Orion."

I looked across at Ethan. "What have you done?"

He grinned. "The game was altered."

I took a step toward the flashing screens. I had trembling hands.

"Ethan," I continued slowly, "what is Phase Two of Project Orion?"

With icy eyes, he turned to face me. It's the future. And now nobody can stop it.

Damian shifted next to me, his hands clenched. "You misled us. Once more.

Ethan shrugged. You heard me, Ivanka. All along, I've been keeping you safe.

I questioned, "But why hide this?" "Why now?"

Ethan gestured toward the biggest display. Every city I knew was covered with red spots that flickered on it.

"It has already begun," he declared. "The system is starting to function. The AI was only the first step.

I had a constricted chest. "You claimed that we were secure."

"You are," answered Ethan. "If you decide on my side."

Damian moved ahead of me. "You're not her choice."

Ethan grinned. She may after she is fully informed.

I gave them each a look. My head ached. My heart ached more. I felt like screaming.

Then there was a buzzer.

"It will explode in nine minutes."

I was dragged back by Damian. "We're heading out. Right now.

Ethan, however, barred the door. "You should come see something in here."

He made his way to the rear, where a glass cabinet was locked. There was a little bright sphere within. It had a heart-like pulsation.

"What is that?" I inquired.

He grinned. "Ivanka, it's your past, as well as your future.

My voice broke. “Stop using riddles to talk!”

"Because you're still alive because of that orb," Ethan said.

"We don't have time for this!" yelled Damian.

I walked over to the case. The orb drew me in like a memory that was just out of reach.

"Touch it, Ivanka," Ethan murmured, glancing at me. And everything will make sense.

I remained still. I ran my fingertips across the glass.

“Don’t!” yelled Damian. That may be a trap!

Ethan's tone faltered. "Or the truth."

I gave them each a look. My throat tightened with each breath.

Then, I made contact with the glass.

It broke.

It was a flashing orb.

The room abruptly became black.

"ACTIVATED" was the only word that showed up on the screen.

The space became chilly.

I went cold. I continued to touch the glass.

From the orb came a quiet hum. First, it was quiet, then louder. similar to a metal heartbeat.

"Avoid it!" Damian grabbed my arm and yelled.

However, my feet remained immobile.

The glass shattered.

Bright as the sun, light exploded from the ball. I shielded my eyes. The ground trembled under us, and everything hummed.

"What did you do?" Damian shouted.

"I'm not sure!" I said, taking a step back.

Ethan grinned and remained still. It is now awake. At last.

From the orb, smoke curled. Then, in the light, a form started to take shape. Although it was not a genuine human, it appeared to be one. It was tall, silver, and internally glowed.

Its eyes, blazing as fire, opened.

The room was filled with a voice. It was odd and profound. Ivanka Read matches the identity. Hi there, Creator.

My heart leaped. "What? This was not made by me!

It stated, "You gave me life." "The code is you. The key is you.

I took a step back. "No, that isn't true at all."

Ethan took a step next to me. "Do you not recall? You participated in the initial test. You are more than just a combative individual.

I stared at him in disbelief. "You're telling lies."

The robot looked in Damian's direction. "A threat has been identified."

Its arm went up.

Its wrist flickered a light.

"No!" I jumped in front of Damian and yelled.

"Avoid interfering," the robot instructed.

"Stop it!" Damian yelled.

"You can't," Ethan muttered behind me. No more.

The ruby eyes of the robot became more radiant. Its hand parted. In its hand, a ball of luminous energy started to form.

"Cease it!" I sobbed. "This is not what I want!"

The robot hesitated.

Then, "Your wish is my command," it said.

It turned its luminous hand in my direction.