Chapter Nine: Meeting the Leaders

Chapter Nine: Meeting the Leaders

The warm, earthy air filled my lungs as we walked through the maze of corridors. Every turn revealed something new, something incredible. People waved as we passed, smiling warmly. Children ran by, laughing and carrying small toys, their joy echoing through the space. It was hard to reconcile the warmth of this place with the sterile, cold world I had come from.

“We’re stopping by my parents’ place first,” the girl said, glancing back at me. “They’ll want to say hello.”

I nodded, still trying to absorb everything I had seen. “You haven’t told me your name,” I said, realizing the oversight.

She smiled. “Lena,” she said simply. “And you?”

The question made me falter. For a moment, I wasn’t sure how to answer. “I… don’t really know,” I admitted, the uncertainty hanging in the air.

Her smile faded slightly but only for a moment. “We’ll figure that out,” she said, her voice reassuring.

We stopped outside a small home nestled into the side of the cavern wall. The door was arched and inviting, with flowers blooming in pots on either side. A soft light glowed from the windows, casting the scene in a golden hue. Lena opened the door without hesitation, calling out, “Mom! Dad! I’m back!”

Two figures appeared from the adjoining room, a man and a woman. The woman’s dark hair was streaked with silver, and the man had the broad shoulders and calloused hands of someone who worked hard. Both of their faces lit up when they saw Lena.

“Lena,” her mother said, pulling her into a hug. “We were starting to worry.”

“I’m fine,” Lena assured her. “I wanted to show him around first.” She gestured to me, and I felt their eyes shift toward me.

“And who’s this?” her father asked, his tone kind but curious.

“He’s new,” Lena said. “We’re heading to the main chamber to talk to Dr. Egan and the Overseer.”

Her parents exchanged a glance, their expressions momentarily unreadable. Then her mother nodded. “Well, it’s nice to meet you,” she said, her smile returning. “You’re in good hands with Lena.”

“We won’t keep you,” her father added. “Just be careful.”

Lena rolled her eyes. “We’ll be fine, Dad. It’s not like the train’s going to derail.”

We said our goodbyes and stepped back into the hallway. “They seem nice,” I said as we walked.

“They are,” Lena replied. “A little overprotective, but I guess that’s what happens when you live down here long enough.”

A short walk later, we arrived at a station unlike anything I’d ever seen. The platform was sleek and metallic, curving gently toward a glass tunnel that stretched into the distance. Waiting on the tracks was a small, capsule-shaped train. It gleamed under the artificial lights, looking more like something out of a sci-fi movie than real life.

“This will take us to the main chamber,” Lena said, stepping onto the train. She gestured for me to follow, and I hesitated only briefly before climbing in. The interior was smooth and minimalist, with padded seats and transparent walls that offered a view of the tunnel outside. Soft lights along the tunnel walls pulsed rhythmically, creating a sense of motion even before the train began to move.

Lena pressed a button on the console in front of her, and the train hummed to life. Within moments, we were moving. Fast. The acceleration pinned me back against the seat, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“It’s like one of those tubes they use at the bank,” I said, still grinning. Then a flicker of confusion hit me. I didn’t even know what a bank was. Where had that thought come from? The idea felt planted, like it wasn’t mine.

Lena laughed too. “Exactly. Only this one doesn’t stop for lunch breaks.”

The tunnel blurred as we sped through it, the walls illuminated by faint, pulsing lights. It felt like we were being propelled through the very core of the earth. The ride was smooth, almost surreal, and I found myself marveling at how advanced everything down here seemed. The quiet hum of the train was oddly calming, allowing my thoughts to drift.

“How big is this place?” I asked, breaking the silence.

Lena shrugged. “Big enough. You’ll see more when we get to the main chamber. It’s the heart of everything down here.”

The train began to slow, and a massive, circular room came into view. The main chamber was unlike anything I’d imagined.

 It was enormous, with levels upon levels of balconies and walkways spiraling up the walls. The center of the chamber held a glowing sphere, pulsing gently with light. It cast a soft glow over the entire space, making it feel alive. The air seemed to hum with energy, and the faint sound of voices and machinery filled the space.

Lena led me off the train and through the bustling crowds. People moved with purpose, their faces serious but not unfriendly. Some carried boxes or tools, while others studied holographic displays projected from wrist devices. She navigated the maze of walkways with ease, finally stopping in front of a large, arched door guarded by two stern-looking individuals.

“We’re here to see Dr. Egan,” Lena said.

One of the guards nodded and stepped aside, allowing the doors to swing open. The room inside was quieter, more subdued. A tall man with graying hair and a sharp gaze stood at a desk cluttered with papers and holographic displays. He looked up as we entered, his expression unreadable.

“Ah, Lena,” he said, his voice measured. “And you must be the new arrival.”

I nodded, unsure of what to say.

“This is Dr. Egan,” Lena said, introducing him. “He’s the head of research and one of the reasons this place even exists.”

Dr. Egan studied me for a moment before gesturing to a seat. “Sit,” he said. “We have much to discuss.”

Before I could respond, another door opened, and a woman stepped in. She was tall and commanding, with a presence that immediately filled the room. Her eyes were sharp, and her posture radiated authority. She wore a long coat that brushed the floor, its fabric shimmering faintly in the room’s soft light.

“This is the Overseer,” Lena whispered to me. “She runs everything down here.”

The Overseer looked at me, her gaze piercing. “Welcome,” she said simply. “You’re about to learn why you’re here.”

Her words hung in the air, heavy with implication. I felt a chill run down my spine, but I nodded, ready to hear what they had to say.

Dr. Egan adjusted his glasses and stepped toward a holographic display that flickered to life beside him. It showed a detailed map of the underground city and several data points marked in red. “Prototype 13, you represent the culmination of over a century of research,” he began. “Your integration into Zack’s body is not just a technological feat—it’s a lifeline for humanity.”

The Overseer stepped forward, her voice firm and deliberate. “The drug that stopped aging gave us time, but it also stole our future. No children. No new generations. Our survival now depends on you. Your AI integration allows your body to overcome the effects of the drug, making you a blueprint for what comes next.”

I shifted uncomfortably in my chair. “Why Zack?” I asked. “Why did he… volunteer?”

Dr. Egan’s expression softened. “Zack was unique. His rare blood type made him compatible with the AI technology, but more than that, he wanted to make a difference. He helped design the evacuation protocols and believed this project was the only way forward.”

“He gave himself freely,” the Overseer added. “Because he believed in what you could become.”

The weight of their words pressed down on me, heavy and suffocating. Zack’s choice, the corporation’s plans, the expectation that I—a being made of parts of him—could somehow save the future. It was too much. My head swam as I struggled to make sense of it all.

Lena’s voice cut through the haze. “You don’t have to decide everything right now,” she said gently. “But you needed to know. Zack… Zack believed in you. We all do.”

I nodded slowly, my gaze fixed on the glowing holographic map. I wanted to believe her, to believe in myself. But for now, all I could feel was the overwhelming weight of a future I hadn’t asked for.