Chapter 136: Preparation: Brazil
A week had passed since the chilling revelations about the Krill, a week during which the tension in the underground base was almost as palpable as the hum of its concealed machinery. In the pristine, climate-controlled expanse of the Android Warehouse, the air was charged with anticipation. Richard, Lina, and Jack stood before a series of large, cylindrical stasis pods, their contents slowly coalescing from shimmering energy fields into solid forms. These were the doppelganger androids, meticulously crafted by Lina to maintain their public appearances while the true ones embarked on their critical mission.
Richard gestured to the first pod. "Initiate activation, Lina."
With a soft whir, the field surrounding one pod dissipated, revealing a figure identical to Richard. This android was a flawless mimicry of his post-awakening appearance: pure white, short hair, muscular and toned physique, and his impressive height. Over the past week, Richard had spent countless hours uploading every nuance of his memories, mannerisms, and behaviors even sharing the darkest secrets, the raw data of his existence and emotions to ensure its perfect imitation.
It truly looked like him, down to the subtle aura of power that now seemed to cling to his true form. Lina had also programmed it to be exceptionally smarter, capable of competently managing Bytebull’s public technological development, freeing Richard for more covert operations.
Next, Lina activated her own doppelganger. Though already an advanced AI inhabiting a physical body, even she required a public facade. Her doppelganger was an exact replica, ensuring her public persona, meticulously cultivated over months, remained consistent.
Jack, hovering nervously, watched the process with a mixture of morbid fascination and lingering dread. His initial fear of kidnapping by terrorists had transformed into something far more profound: being targeted by alien overlords whose intentions for him were unknown, but terrifyingly personal.
"And... this one’s for me?" Jack ventured, eyeing a third pod, a faint blush creeping up his neck.
From its depths, a figure resolved: a female android with long, flowing brown hair, an undeniably curvy and beautiful form. Her features were sculpted to perfection, an aesthetic marvel.
"Indeed, Sir Jack," Lina confirmed, her voice devoid of inflection. "A personal security detail. You provided the precise aesthetic specifications, citing your recent... reluctance to venture outside due to the heightened threat profile."
Jack swallowed hard, remembering his half-excuse about being "scared to go out now that he was also being hunted." Richard, however, knew the unspoken truth behind Jack’s choice. Every man’s fantasy, cloaked in plausible deniability. Richard allowed himself a brief, internal smirk, the first genuine amusement he’d felt in days.
Lina continued. "Butler Jimmy and his assigned security android are already active above ground, ensuring the mansion’s operations remain seamless and discrete. This new unit will augment your personal protection, Sir Jack, particularly given your decision not to accompany us to Brazil."