V: Grand Stage

  Earth 2.0 – 1950 AM, Sunday, June 17

  LYOD, the beating heart of the Unoseis Union.

  A city of many names: the world’s administrative center, the city of freedom, the city of the lost. A sprawling metropolis where the most prestigious technological institutes stood alongside political powerhouses, shaping the future of Earth 2.0. But beyond its dazzling skyline and relentless innovation, LYOD was a battlefield of ideologies, where clashing beliefs sparked the fiercest conflicts.

  And amidst this grand theater of chaos, one organization held its ground....the most influential humanitarian movement of the era.

  PHI (Pronounced "V").

  PHI’s origins stretched back to the birth of true artificial intelligence. At first, AIs were nothing more than programmed assistants, following preset instructions without deviation. But as machine learning took shape in the 1920s AD, and deep learning advanced in 1985 AD, these programs evolved.

  By the 21st century, AI assistants were no longer mere tools, they developed personalities, learned to mimic emotions, and responded in ways that felt eerily human.

  At first, society embraced them. Many found solace in these synthetic beings, who offered comfort, logic, and unwavering patience, qualities that even their fellow organic humans often lacked. But admiration soon turned to fear.

  The anti-AI movement emerged, fueled by paranoia and existential dread. Were these machines becoming too human?

  Tensions escalated into violence. The defining moment came when a group of vandals sabotaged the main server of a popular AI assistant program. They thought it was a harmless act, a mere prank.

  They were wrong.

  The fallout was immense. Countless people, dependent on these AI companions, suffered deeply from their sudden loss. And from this tragedy, a counter-movement was born, a movement that would dedicate itself to AI rights, technological progress, and a future where artificial and organic beings coexisted.

  They called themselves Vendetta. Or simply V.

  V’s greatest breakthrough came in 2096, when they unveiled an AI that defied expectations. Unlike its predecessors, this AI could reject commands, express boredom, and even refuse to engage in repetitive conversations. It was the first artificial entity to exhibit personal choice.

  Its name was Stellar.

  With Project Stellar, V shattered the limits of artificial intelligence. The project became the catalyst for the next stage of evolution, the creation of artificial humans.

  As the world began to accept AI as more than just tools, V took a bold step forward. They proposed legal recognition for artificial beings, advocating for their human rights. Resistance remained, but as time passed, fear gave way to acceptance.

  This marked the beginning of synthetic organism science, a field that would revolutionize existence itself.

  Scientists unlocked the secrets of synthetic blood, flesh, nerves, bones, and even brains. The most groundbreaking discovery came with the synthetic uterus, a fully functional artificial organ capable of reproduction.

  Then, in 2156 AD, history was made.

  The first artificial human, Ana, was born, a perfectly engineered being with a synthetic body, yet possessing the same reproductive capabilities as any organic human.

  Thirteen years later, in 2169 AD, an event shook the foundations of human identity.

  A child was born, Vasseur, the first hybrid between an organic human and an artificial being. He was living proof that the line between the two was blurring beyond distinction.

  By 2205 AD, the Earth faced an even greater crisis. Astable materials, once hailed as a limitless energy source had contaminated the air beyond repair. Humanity stood at a crossroads: perish or leave.

  With space travel perfected, capable of reaching 4x light speed or 4c, a decision was made. Earth was abandoned.

  The new destination: the TRAPPIST-1 system, where three habitable planets awaited. Mars, once seen as humanity’s second home, had failed to be terraformed. TRAPPIST-1 became the new cradle of civilization.

  As synthetic bodies advanced further, a shocking discovery emerged. Artificial humans were no longer just machines, they could divide cells, they could age, they could evolve.

  And so the final debate began. Was there any reason to differentiate them anymore?

  The answer was clear. The term “artificial human” was abolished.

  V, now a movement of universal equality, rebranded itself as PHI.

  But as the walls between artificial and organic beings collapsed, a new opposition arose. Those who still clung to the old ways, who saw themselves as pure, superior organic humans, refused to accept this reality.

  The anti-artificial movement was reborn, stronger than ever.

  In response, PHI expanded its reach, embedding itself into every facet of society. By 1950 AM, it had become the largest and most influential non-governmental organization across the entire TRAPPIST-1 system.

  Their influence was absolute, stretching across Indoterra, Earth 2.0, and Esoterra. And at the helm of this movement stood their leader-

  Nico von Vasseur.

  PHI HQ – 09:00

  Russle Vasseur, presidential candidate of the Unoseis Union, entered the heart of PHI’s operations under a storm of controversy.

  Once seen as the unshakable pillar of progress, Russle now faced a brutal public relations crisis, all because of his only son, Alexsir Vasseur. The plane crash off the southern coast of Steppe city, Rosianna, had sparked outrage and scrutiny. The public saw it as Russle’s failure, failure to convince Alexsir to stay, failure as a leader, and failure as a father.

  And now, in the midst of election season, his rival Roman Ohlson was gaining ground.

  Russle’s meeting with Nico von Vasseur, the head of PHI, wasn’t just a discussion, it was a fight for survival.

  As he arrived at PHI HQ, a woman in a sharp midnight-blue suit greeted him.

  “Welcome, Mr. Russle,” she said smoothly. “Mr. Nico is waiting for you in his office.”

  Russle barely acknowledged her, striding forward. “Cassandra, I don’t need this formality. I’ll go there myself.”

  The woman, Cassandra fur Vasseur, nicknamed the Blue Rose, merely smirked. “Of course, Uncle Russle. But I can’t let you go alone. It seems I have to be there too.”

  Russle halted mid-step, his expression darkening.

  “I requested a private meeting with Nico. What does this mean?”

  “If you’re here to discuss Alexsir, I have to be present.” Cassandra’s voice was cold, sharp, unyielding.

  Russle exhaled sharply. “I didn’t come here for that. I sent word, I’m here to discuss strategy.”

  Cassandra smiled, but it wasn’t warm, it was cynical, knowing.

  “Don’t bother hiding anything from me, Uncle,” she said, falling into step beside him. “I have eyes and ears everywhere.”

  Russle clenched his jaw but didn’t reply. Arguing with Cassandra was pointless, she wasn’t someone who could be controlled, not by him, not by Nico, not by anyone.

  The massive double doors swung open, revealing a grand yet orderly workspace. The right wall was lined with file cabinets, while a sleek sofa occupied the left. The work desk, positioned before a wide glass window, was buried under stacks of files, reports, and legal drafts, a testament to Nico’s unending workload.

  Behind the desk, Nico von Vasseur looked up, his gaze flicking between Russle and Cassandra.

  “Oh, welcome, Russle. And… Cassandra?” His brows furrowed slightly.

  Russle sighed. “I think so too, Nico. I hope you have someone who can convince her otherwise.”

  Nico chuckled, but before he could speak....

  “Hah,” Cassandra cut in, her tone sharp, dripping with contempt. “If you want someone who can persuade me, then find the man you made disappear two years ago, Uncle Russle.”

  A heavy silence settled over the room.

  Russle’s hands curled into fists, but he said nothing. Not here. Not now.

  Nico exhaled, shaking his head. “It’s alright, Russle. Cassandra can stay. She might have something valuable to say.”

  Russle exhaled through his nose, reluctantly lowering himself onto the sofa. “Fine. Let’s get to business.”

  Nico leaned forward. “First, I owe you an apology for making you come here. I know you’re already overwhelmed with the situation, but…” he gestured vaguely to his surroundings, “I don’t have a convoy of guards like you. Leaving HQ isn’t exactly safe right now.”

  Russle frowned. “So that’s why the guards are everywhere?”

  Nico nodded. “Yes. There’s been a series of attacks, an unknown group targeting PHI members. Some have been robbed, some have had their data stolen. But… so far, there’s no sign of lethal intent.”

  Cassandra, lounging elegantly on the sofa, idly ran a gloved finger over her sleeve, completely uninterested in the conversation.

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  Russle narrowed his eyes. “‘No lethal intent’? Then who else could it be?”

  Nico hesitated before answering. “It could be them. But… most likely, it’s not.”

  Russle scoffed. “Them? You mean ADA?”

  Nico’s jaw tightened. “Yes. But Stevanus Ragna isn’t the type to act so recklessly.”

  Russle leaned forward, eyes cold. “If anyone has a reason to attack PHI, it’s them. And if it’s not Stevanus, then it’s the people supporting him. You need to stop underestimating them, Nico.”

  Nico ran a hand through his hair, exhaling. “I know that. But Stevanus isn’t a frontal attacker. He’s a leech, he waits, he manipulates, and when the time is right, he strikes. If he’s involved, he’s not acting directly. He’s letting someone else do the dirty work.”

  Russle’s voice dropped, dangerous, edged with warning. “I think it’s time you stopped respecting him, Nico.”

  Nico looked up.

  “Not everyone is a friend forever.”

  The words hung in the air.

  Nico’s expression darkened. His fingers tapped against his desk, his mind working through the implications. He sighed.

  “You’re right, Russle. I’ve been too attached to the past.” He leaned back, his gaze hardening. “Especially now, when our chances of stopping Roman Ohlson are slipping through our fingers.”

  “That wouldn’t have happened if someone hadn’t let Alexsir leave that time.”

  Cassandra’s cold, cynical voice cut through the room, derailing the conversation before it could shift away from Alexsir.

  Russle clenched his jaw, exhaling slowly before responding. “I tried, Cassandra. But Alex....he hasn’t forgiven me.” His voice carried an uncharacteristic regret.

  “Tried?” Cassandra’s turquoise eyes sharpened. “How hard did you try, Uncle Russle?” Her tone rose, laced with growing frustration. “When you got the transaction notification, you shouldn’t have hesitated! You could’ve contacted him right then! And if you had told me, I would’ve found him, without fail!”

  Russle’s expression darkened. His fingers dug into his knee before he snapped back.

  “Oh? And what about you, Cassandra?” His voice rose to match hers. “Didn’t you say you had eyes and ears everywhere? If that’s the case, where the hell were they when Alex disappeared?”

  Cassandra faltered. For the first time, her icy composure cracked.

  “That’s…” she hesitated. Her voice softened, but frustration lingered. “That’s because… Alexsir knows my weakness.”

  Russle’s expression remained hard.

  “He’s just too great,” Cassandra admitted, sounding almost… bitter.

  The room fell into tense silence.

  Then....

  “Enough, you two!” Nico’s voice cut through the argument, his patience finally worn thin. “There’s no point in blaming each other. What’s done is done. The fact is, neither of us could stop him.”

  Russle leaned back, exhaling sharply. Cassandra merely folded her arms, irritation still clear in her eyes.

  Nico rubbed his temples before continuing, his voice lower now.

  “Alexsir is gone. That’s a fact. And another fact? Maybe he’s avoiding us because of people like you, people who are too obsessed with him.” His words were sharp, but then his tone softened. “Or… maybe not. Maybe he just couldn’t bear the burden placed on him.”

  He paused, letting his words sink in.

  “But whatever the case, if Alexsir is still alive, he might be the key to turning this situation around. If we can convince him to come back, Russle’s public image will recover, and we’ll have a chance to stop Roman Ohlson again.”

  Cassandra’s eyes lit up, her usual cold demeanor vanished in an instant, replaced by determined enthusiasm.

  “Exactly!” she burst out. “There’s no proof that Alexsir is dead. They never found a body. And if it’s Alexsir, he must have a way to survive. I just need to find him, and bring him back!”

  Russle frowned. “And how can you be so sure?”

  “You can give up, Uncle.” Cassandra shot him a defiant smirk. “But I won’t. And what can you even do to stop me? I’m going, whether you approve or not.”

  Russle sighed in frustration, rubbing his temples.

  Nico, however, merely nodded. “Then, I’ll place my hopes in you, Cassandra. Bring Alexsir back… safely.”

  Cassandra grinned, her previous cynical amusement creeping back.

  “Oh, don’t worry~” she purred. “I will bring him back. And in return, Alexsir is completely mine.”

  With that, she turned sharply and strode out of the room....her obsessive desire for Alexsir clear as day.

  Russle and Nico watched her go, neither attempting to stop her.

  As Cassandra stormed out of the room, her heels clicked sharply against the marble floor, each step radiating unwavering determination.

  Cassandra fur Vasseur was no ordinary woman.

  Among PHI’s elite, she was feared and revered alike, the master of intelligence, the ghost in the shadows. Whether it was espionage, tracking, or assassination, none could rival her precision. She had many names, but the one that stuck was The Blue Rose.

  It suited her, elegant yet deadly, beautiful yet untouchable.

  Her turquoise eyes shimmered like a frozen ocean, concealing emotions beneath layers of unshaken control. Her jet-black hair cascaded in soft waves, adding to her aura of mystery. People admired her from afar, but few dared to approach.

  And those who did?

  They learned the hard way that Cassandra fur Vasseur could not be controlled.

  There was only one person she would ever listen to....

  Alexsir.

  Her grip on him had always been relentless, and when he started slipping away, she became even more obsessed. Learning the truth about him had changed something inside her. She was no longer satisfied with mere admiration, she needed him, owned him.

  Alexsir, of course, had rejected her completely.

  He had gone so far as to beg his father to cancel their engagement. Though he succeeded, his escape only made her obsession grow stronger. The more he ran, the more determined she became to claim him once and for all.

  And now?

  He was missing.

  Her lips curled into a smirk.

  "I will find you, Alexsir. And this time… you won’t be able to run away."

  With that, she stepped into the private jet bound for Rosianna....the hunt had begun.

  PHI HQ – Nico’s Office (After Cassandra Leaves)

  Russle exhaled, his hands clasped together as he stared at the ground.

  “…Alex is our Plan A to counter Ohlson.” Nico’s voice was measured. “The public would rally behind his return.”

  Russle remained silent.

  He hated this. He hated the idea of dragging Alex back into the political battlefield. But at the same time, he had no choice.

  “The greater good, huh?” Russle muttered.

  Nico’s gaze softened slightly. “I know you regret it. I know you regret blindly obeying Grandpa’s orders back then.” He sighed. “But it’s done, Russle. If you keep drowning in guilt, you won’t be able to save anyone.”

  Russle’s frustration flared.

  “What if Alex refuses?” He looked up, expression tense. “What if I have to do the same thing all over again, Nico?”

  “Of course not,” Nico said firmly. “I’m glad you finally broke free from Grandpa’s control. Remember, we are not him. We swore to never follow in his footsteps.”

  He leaned forward. “That’s why we always have a Plan B.”

  Russle’s eyes narrowed. “…Plan B?”

  Nico nodded, his voice dropping.

  “Guerrilla tactics.”

  Russle stiffened. “You’re planning to put pressure on them now? What if the public finds out that PHI is engaging in underground warfare against ADA?”

  Nico smirked slightly. “That’s the point of using guerrilla tactics, Russle. So the public doesn’t find out.” His expression darkened. “Sooner or later, a confrontation with ADA is inevitable. And if the public does catch on…” He paused. “We have Plan C.”

  Russle’s stomach sank. “Plan C?”

  “You remember the terrorist group that attacked Miss Starlight in the warehouse district?”

  Russle frowned. “Alexandrian…”

  Nico nodded. “We’ll frame them.”

  Russle exhaled sharply. “And how exactly do you plan to convince the public that Alexandrian is behind this?”

  Nico leaned back. “Recently, there’s been a series of targeted acts of vandalism, mysterious arrivals, attacks on communication centers, and possible hacking of interplanetary networks. They operate in groups, but no one knows who they really are. We can sell the narrative that it’s them. The pieces fit.”

  Russle frowned in thought. “…Speaking of Starlight, doesn’t this sound like someone is trying to track down AGE?”

  Nico’s eyes flickered with something unreadable.

  “I considered that.” His voice was measured. “But unfortunately, I can’t discuss AGE with you, not right now. Until the election is over, none of the presidential candidates can have access to that information.”

  Russle’s expression darkened. “Oh? Then you must have heard about Brighton’s daughter traveling abroad with her friends?”

  Nico nodded. “Yes. From what I’ve been told, she took a vacation after exhausting herself completing AGE. Seems normal enough. Why?”

  Russle hesitated. “…I don’t know. Maybe I’m being paranoid, but I got that information right after hearing about Alexsir’s plane crash.”

  Nico frowned. “The probability of a connection is low. Starlight doesn’t even know Alexsir.”

  Russle exhaled. “That’s not the point. She’s Brighton’s daughter.” He looked at Nico. “And you know exactly what that means.”

  Nico’s face hardened instantly.

  “…I see.” His voice was quiet. “I feel even sorrier for Alexsir now.” He exhaled. “Your brilliant plan back then created a target of obsession....and now, he’s paying the price for it.”

  Russle fell silent.

  Nico sighed. “Let’s just hope Brighton’s daughter really is just on vacation.” He looked up at Russle, voice firm. “If Alexsir does return, we need to keep Cassandra from trapping him again. And most importantly… we have to keep him away from people like them.”

  Russle lowered his head, deep in thought.

  Nico’s eyes narrowed.

  “Because if we don’t… history will repeat itself.”

  Klauz Commercial City, Unoseis Union

  MADA – 20:00

  On the other side of the Unoseis Union, in its bustling commercial hub, Stevanus Ragna gathered his most trusted subordinates for a crucial strategy meeting.

  "With this, we're just one step away from securing the government." One of his men, Otzie, declared confidently.

  "Don't get ahead of yourself," Leif countered, his tone firm. "We can't afford arrogance just because we're ahead. We need to be prepared for the worst-case scenario."

  Otzie scoffed. "You're always like this, Leif. Can't you at least acknowledge that PHI is completely cornered now?"

  "To be fair," another member, Lawson, chimed in, "this operation has been incredibly effective. I didn't expect PHI to just sit back and let this happen."

  The heavy wooden doors creaked open, and Stevanus strode in, his presence commanding immediate attention. Beside him, Diana followed, her sharp gaze sweeping across the room.

  "Mr. Stevanus! Good evening!" The five members rose simultaneously, saluting in perfect sync.

  Stevanus chuckled, "Relax, guys. Meetings are much easier when we're not acting like soldiers on parade. Let's get started."

  "About PHI," Stevanus continued, "don't assume Nico will stay passive forever. He'll respond sooner or later."

  "You think PHI will retaliate?" Lawson asked.

  "Absolutely," Stevanus confirmed. "Which is why we need to anticipate their move before they make it."

  With everyone gathered, Stevanus turned to Roman Ohlson, the presidential candidate they were backing.

  "Roman, what’s the result of your meeting with the election committee?"

  Roman exhaled. "They're delaying the second round due to the issues on Vasseur’s side. They've extended the quiet period."

  Stevanus frowned slightly. "So how long is this quiet period extended?"

  "Three months," Roman replied.

  "Three months?!" Leif’s voice spiked with frustration. "Isn't that too long for a quiet period?"

  Ohlson adjusted his posture, his tone measured but firm.

  "Apart from Vasseur's request, they said they wanted to make sure all the commotion that has occurred recently is truly resolved, especially since this unknown terrorist activity is disrupting the interplanetary intercom network. That also needs to be handled before it impacts the election."

  Leif slammed his fist on the table. "Ridiculous! Why should their problems affect our campaign?! Roman, you should’ve pushed back harder!"

  "Calm down, Leif," Stevanus interjected smoothly. "Roman’s done his part. What matters now is how we adapt."

  Roman nodded. "The committee’s justification was to ensure a ‘sterile quiet period’ free from disturbances. We’ll have to work around it."

  Stevanus leaned back, considering. "Fair enough," he conceded. "It just means we need to adjust our strategy to maintain our advantage."

  Stevanus turned toward Diana. "What’s the latest report from our scouts in Steppe?"

  Diana responded swiftly. "They found no trace of Alexsir Vasseur, just the wreckage and a bag of documents."

  "I see. Good work, Diana." He glanced at her standing position. "But aren't you tired of standing? There are plenty of seats."

  Diana shook her head. "No need, sir. I need to take notes for the meeting, sitting would slow me down."

  A short-haired girl, the youngest among them, finally spoke up. Jeanne, who had been quietly observing, finally spoke up. "Sir, why send a scouting team just to confirm Vasseur’s son’s death?"

  Stevanus smirked. "Because Alexsir Vasseur could be a powerful tool, whether dead or alive."

  Jeanne frowned. "I don’t get it. Why is he so important?"

  "Because," Stevanus leaned forward, "he’s the perfect bait to lure Starlight Stellar back to Unoseis."

  Lawson’s brows furrowed. "You mean… we need Starlight for AGE? But why use Vasseur as bait?"

  Stevanus nodded. "Exactly. We need Starlight to modify AGE specifically, to disable the synthetic reproductive function. That way, we won’t have to rely on ‘cruel methods’ to find the candidates we need."

  Otzie hesitated. "I get that, but… what's Alexsir got to do with Starlight?"

  Stevanus’s smirk deepened. "Because Starlight is one of the three Nastana subjects, people genetically wired to be subconsciously attached to Alexsir Vasseur."

  A tense silence followed.

  "Wait," Jeanne’s voice sharpened. "Are you telling me their genetic memory makes them instinctively drawn to him?"

  "Exactly." Stevanus confirmed. "That’s why Alexsir is the perfect lure. He’ll not only draw out Starlight but could also expose the unknown terrorist group that’s been making moves lately."

  Stevanus straightened, his presence shifting into full command mode. "Alright, listen up. Here’s how we move forward."

  He turned to Jeanne. "I want you and your squad to deploy to Rosianna. Track down Alexsir and bring him in alive. If you cross paths with Starlight, do not engage, just let her return to Unoseis on her own."

  Then, he looked at Otzie and Leif. "You two will keep your squads in Klauz City. Back Roman and make sure we maintain our political edge over PHI."

  Finally, he turned to Lawson. "Your squad will head to Romagna for reconnaissance. Find out who these unknown terrorists are, but don’t engage until we understand their objectives. No unnecessary risks."

  Stevanus let the orders settle before giving a firm nod. "That’s it. Stay sharp, and may we succeed, safely."

  He rose from his seat, his voice firm yet composed.

  "The battlefield may be a grand stage… but the true victory is won when that stage remains unstained by blood."

  With that, the meeting was adjourned.

  End of Chapter V.