The beach stretched out in a vast expanse of sand mixed with pebbles, bordered by a sea with slow, steady waves. The deep blue water seemed almost motionless on the horizon but crashed into white foam against the scattered rocks near the shore. To the west, the river meandered gently before spilling into the sea, forming an estuary lined with reeds and small stagnant pools. Further away, a towering cliff dominated the coast, its summit housing the Source. Hidden from view but ever-present in the minds of the Survivors. To the east, the coastline gradually lowered, revealing rolling hills that seemed to fade into the horizon.

  After a frugal lunch, the Survivors began to gather on the beach, strictly following Imre’s instructions on behalf of Alan. They kept their distance from the shoreline, forming small, scattered circles, their silhouettes elongated by the afternoon light. Murmurs spread through the ranks:

  "Why can’t we get closer to the water?" asked a woman, her voice filled with unease.

  "It’s Alan. He must have his reasons," replied a man with confidence.

  Others exchanged worried glances as they looked at the piles of luggage:

  "They’re asking us to reduce everything to a minimum. How am I supposed to do that? I’ve already left so much behind," murmured a young woman.

  "If Alan says we need to travel light, I believe him," someone interjected, their tone unwavering in faith.

  The atmosphere was a mix of questions and anticipation. Some voiced their concerns aloud, while others remained silent, staring at the sea as if it held hidden answers. The waves, constant and soothing, seemed to ease anxieties, but doubt still lingered.

  Imre moved among the groups, maintaining order: "Stay together. No unnecessary wandering. Heavy bags will slow everyone down. Follow instructions."

  Furtive glances turned toward the cliff, as if the Source could offer one last sign. But for now, all hopes rested on Alan, and the waiting, tinged with impatience and nervousness, grew as the sun slowly descended toward the horizon.

  Alan stepped onto the beach, Jennel at his side, and joined Imre. Someone hesitantly clapped, a solitary applause that quickly turned into a growing roar. The applause intensified, filling the air. Jennel followed suit, joining her hands in support. Even Imre, though somewhat reluctant, eventually clapped along. Alan, visibly surprised, nodded in thanks to the gathered crowd, a small smile at the corner of his lips.

  Turning to Jennel and Imre, he murmured, "It’s time."

  He slipped his hand into his pocket, fingers brushing against a concealed object.

  Suddenly, the sea in front of them began to stir. A previously calm surface started to churn, increasingly violent eddies appearing in one specific spot. The murmurs of the crowd gave way to a tense silence. The turbulence grew stronger, and the sea seemed to literally rise. A dark, imposing mass gradually emerged, its metallic surface gleaming in the last rays of sunlight. The immense, almost ominous structure hovered above the water before slowly gliding toward the beach, stabilizing a few meters in front of Alan.

  Two identical manifestations occurred on either side of the first. The massive shapes rose from the water with the same majestic force before aligning themselves—one on the right, the other on the left. They remained motionless above the sand, in total silence.

  The crowd stood frozen. Stifled exclamations broke the silence:

  "What is that?"

  "Is it dangerous?"

  Even Imre took several steps back, eyes locked on the strange structures. Their faces displayed fear and confusion. Some instinctively sought cover behind their companions, while others looked at Alan with near-accusatory expressions.

  Only Jennel, her face resolute and confident, took two steps forward to stand at Alan’s right. He turned his head toward her, proud to have her by his side.

  "I was tired of playing boy scouts. I called for taxis," he said with a wry smile.

  "I suppose this is just the beginning," Jennel replied without flinching.

  Alan gave a knowing nod, his gaze fixed on the structures before them.

  He turned to the crowd, his smile reassuring as he raised his voice:

  "There’s no danger. These are just transport shuttles. Step forward. They will take you to safety."

  The reactions varied. Some remained frozen, hesitant to move, while others whispered among themselves:

  "Shuttles? How can he be sure?"

  "We have to trust him. He’s always known what he was doing."

  A man dared to ask: "Who controls these machines?"

  Alan responded calmly yet firmly: "I do."

  His answer provoked a mix of relief and skepticism among the audience.

  Alan then turned to Jennel and asked her to gather Bob, Maria-Luisa, Johnny, Yael, and Arman. Once assembled, they joined Imre, who was still eyeing the shuttles warily.

  Alan locked eyes with Imre and asked, "Do you trust Arman enough to manage things in your absence for an hour or two?"

  Imre hesitated but ultimately nodded. He then issued instructions to Arman.

  "Follow me," Alan instructed his group before advancing toward one of the shuttles. A large door slid open on the side, and the craft gently rested on the ground.

  They boarded, discovering an empty cabin with six front-facing seats. Alan, after a quick glance, apologized: "Sorry, we’re one seat short."

  Without hesitation, Bob volunteered with a grin: "I’ll sit on the floor next to Yael."

  Suddenly, all the side panels became transparent, offering an unobstructed view of the beach and the sea. Thin beams of light projected from the floor in front of Alan, forming a complex interface. He studied them for a moment, confidently deactivating a few, and almost instantly, the beach seemed to drop away beneath them.

  The shuttle lifted with an unnerving fluidity before accelerating rapidly toward a specific destination. Outside, the beach and hills faded into the distance, leaving the passengers both fascinated and bewildered by the technology they were witnessing.

  They couldn’t hold back their questions any longer.

  Alan finally laughed and said, "I’ll sum it up. This is an atmospheric transport shuttle, capable of briefly venturing into space, powered by simplified Gull anti-gravity projectors. It’s on autopilot and taking us to one of seven prefabricated bases generously placed around the planet by these same Gulls. If we’re flying low, it’s intentional. You’ll understand soon enough."

  They listened in silence, absorbing the information as best as they could. Finally, Jennel asked, "How do you know all this?"

  He turned to her with an amused smile: "Hypno-learning."

  She raised an intrigued eyebrow. "Is it useful?"

  "Impressive, actually," he nodded.

  "Can we access it?" she pressed, her eyes gleaming with interest.

  "If you wish. That’s actually why you’re here," Alan answered with a cryptic smile.

  Alan then added confidently: "A shuttle can carry twenty people with reasonable luggage: ten here where we are, and ten in a rear cargo hold. That means sixty people per round trip for the three shuttles. Eight trips, squeezing in a bit, will be enough. The weapons can be retrieved later."

  A question arose from the growing curiosity:

  "Can we contact the other bases you mentioned?"

  Alan smirked mysteriously before replying: "That’s the real problem." He didn’t elaborate, leaving an air of intrigue among the passengers.

  "We’re arriving," Alan suddenly announced. The flight had lasted less than five minutes.

  Before them, a vast mountain landscape unfolded, imposing and desolate. Jagged peaks rose like slumbering giants, while the surrounding forests, scorched by the nanites, presented a grim spectacle. Despite the devastation, the grandeur of the location was striking: sheer cliffs framed the view, and snow-capped summits still shimmered in the sunlight, reflecting a glimmer of hope amid the ruin.

  On the horizon, a mountain cirque took shape with majestic clarity, its sharp contours defying the passage of time. As the shuttle approached, a brief flash erupted, and the scenery changed instantly. The cirque disappeared, revealing a vast, sloping alpine meadow, its lush green grass surreal in the midst of destruction.

  On this alpine meadow, a massive structure dominated the landscape. A pyramidal Base, seemingly made of white marble, stood proudly. Along its flanks, orange lights pulsed gently. The Base consisted of multiple levels of buildings, each adorned with large windows offering a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains. At its center, a slender tower rose higher than the rest, appearing to pierce the sky.

  On each level, lush green gardens stretched out, a striking contrast to the dead forests beyond. Around the Base, winding paths invited exploration. Miraculously preserved groves of green trees surrounded the city. On the first level, landing pads equipped with discreet guiding lights indicated their purpose.

  The entire structure exuded a strange harmony, balanced between advanced technology and a preserved sanctuary.

  Alan turned toward his companions as the shuttle landed with flawless fluidity on the designated pad. The questioning looks fixed on him forced him to speak again.

  "I’ll explain briefly. My journey took me to the deserts of Turkmenistan, where I had a strange encounter. A presence that provided me with this shuttle, allowing me to return here on autopilot.

  I don’t believe this presence was Gull. I think another power is interacting with them, and that could be an interesting opportunity for us."

  His words left a heavy silence among his companions, who were absorbing the weight of these revelations. Alan continued:

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  "I spent two days here, exploring the Base and learning its essential functions. I’ll guide you through it."

  The shuttle door slid open smoothly, revealing a suspended walkway. As they advanced, they were mesmerized by the view below: the monumental entrance at the ground level. A vast plaza, bordered by terraces, seemed designed for gatherings of a scale far beyond that of the Survivors. At its center, a main pathway led to a grand door opening into the towering central structure, whose elegant and imposing architecture commanded attention.

  The surroundings were dotted with lush green spaces, where plants of unknown origins thrived. Some had translucent stems, while others bore luminescent leaves, emitting a soft phosphorescence under the ambient light. Flowers of dazzling blue and deep red were scattered throughout the gardens, pulsating as if they were breathing. Secondary pathways led to countless entrances to the residential levels, with windows offering an unparalleled view of the majestic mountain ranges.

  The visitors halted at every step, speechless with astonishment, absorbed by the spectacle of nature and technology seamlessly intertwined. Alan observed them for a moment before turning and calling out in a loud voice:

  "Léa, can you introduce yourself and inform my friends about the available accommodations and the nature of these plants?"

  A soft and polite female voice emerged from nowhere:

  "I am Léa, the Artificial Intelligence of this Base.

  This site contains one thousand modular housing units, which can be interconnected or isolated according to the needs of their occupants.

  These plants are all of extraterrestrial origin, adapted to thrive in an environment compatible with that of Earth. They help maintain a stable ecosystem around the Base."

  The Survivors exchanged glances of wonder and disbelief, still struggling to grasp the magnitude of what they were witnessing.

  Imre turned to Alan with a puzzled expression:

  "That voice… it was inside my head, wasn’t it?"

  Alan realized his oversight:

  "I should have warned you about remote communication. You’re all familiar with the advantages of linguistic exchanges via nanites, though it takes some training to focus effectively on intracerebral translation. The principle remains the same for remote contact: the transmitting and receiving devices communicate in a nanite-like language, so you only receive the internal translation without hearing the actual vocal message. All tonal nuances are preserved."

  They continued along the main pathway and entered the central tower’s grand hall. The place was both majestic and soothing, with benches and lush flowerbeds that transformed the hall into a garden-like meditation space. A broad and imposing staircase led to the upper level.

  As they climbed, overwhelmed by the sheer novelty of it all, Jennel slipped a cold hand into Alan’s.

  "I know it’s a lot," he said, as much to reassure Jennel as the others.

  Upon reaching the next floor, they discovered a row of vertical capsules lined against a wall. Strange and intriguing. However, their attention was drawn to a large adjacent rectangular chamber.

  Upon entering, they were struck by the room’s walls, which mirrored the shuttle’s panels: a 360-degree representation of the Base and its surroundings.

  On one side of the room, complex beams of light, similar to those seen in the shuttle, were subtly visible. But what truly caught everyone’s attention was the object at the center:a strange dome that pulsed gently, emitting a soft and steady glow.

  They wandered through the space, fascinated by the immersive view surrounding them. Jennel, more curious than the others, approached the dome. Her hand slid over its smooth, warm surface. Beneath it, she noticed a thin rod with a strange ring attached to it, oscillating between transparency and solidity, as if it wasn’t entirely material.

  She cast Alan a questioning look, seeking answers to yet another enigma.

  Alan joined her and, slowly, passed his right hand through the dome. Jennel let out a surprised gasp, drawing the others’ attention. With wide eyes, she watched as a ring materialized around Alan’s middle finger while the image on the rod faded.

  "The real ring is on my finger, but outside of the dome, it’s invisible and intangible. Inside, it’s fully material. Watch."

  He demonstrated again, slowly withdrawing his hand from the dome. Immediately, the ring vanished from his finger and reappeared on the rod.

  "I can remove it inside the dome, and the dome itself can only be crossed by an ‘Chosen One’… though I dislike that term."

  He paused, repeating the motion a few times to ensure they understood, before asking:

  "Léa, what is the function of this ring?"

  "It is used to command the Base," the neutral female voice replied.

  Alan turned to Imre, his expression serious:

  "There are three security levels within the Base. By default, the lowest level is 3. Yours is currently 2. It may be elevated to 1 depending on your assigned roles."

  Bob, skeptical, crossed his arms:

  "Was this system set up by the Gulls?"

  Alan smirked before answering:

  "No, I activated it."

  Bob, still dubious, pressed further:

  "So you control everything here?"

  "A lot of things, but not everything," Alan admitted.

  Maria-Luisa then posed a crucial question, her gaze filled with curiosity:

  "And the nanites… they don’t attack this Base?"

  Alan took a breath before explaining:

  "The nanites within the Base’s perimeter were destroyed by the Gulls, and a repulsive field keeps the rest at bay."

  Maria-Luisa frowned:

  "And what about us?"

  Alan replied calmly:

  "Our nanites were individualized since the Wave and are not affected."

  A moment of silent reflection settled over the group as they absorbed the magnitude of this information.

  Finally, Jennel, intrigued, asked:

  "Léa, can we communicate with the other Bases?"

  The AI’s soft voice responded without hesitation:

  "We can."

  Jennel immediately followed up:

  "Then why don’t we?"

  Léa seemed to pause before responding:

  "For security reasons."

  Frustrated, Jennel pressed further:

  "What reasons?"

  Léa’s response fell like a verdict:

  "I’m sorry, your security level is insufficient."

  Alan watched the exchange with a certain pride, admiring Jennel’s initiative and curiosity.

  "That’s a subject we’ll have to discuss collectively tomorrow," Alan said with a smile, but he was immediately met with a sharp glare from Jennel.

  Alan then explained calmly:

  "It is absolutely necessary for you to learn the basics of how this city operates and how to pilot the shuttles, as the migration of the Survivors must happen quickly. We also need to assign roles and educate them on how to manage the automated systems. They are highly efficient, but they need to be understood."

  Alan then led them into a hallway, stopping before the vertical hypno-learning capsules. Seeing them, unease crossed the faces of his companions.

  Johnny was the first to voice his doubts:

  "Are you sure this thing won’t drive me crazy?"

  Alan shook his head with a reassuring smile.

  "No, nothing like that. You won’t feel a thing. I went through this for nearly eight hours, and I’m perfectly fine. For you, it’ll be much shorter. Barely an hour."

  Maria-Luisa crossed her arms, still unconvinced. "And if we don’t understand everything?"

  Alan replied calmly,

  "You will. It’s an adaptive process that adjusts to your level of knowledge. You’ll come out of it with a solid foundation."

  Bob raised an eyebrow and asked, "And what if I don’t like what I’m taught?"

  Alan smirked. "Then we’ll discuss it afterward. But I doubt that’ll be the case."

  One by one, his companions approached the capsules, their cautious movements betraying their apprehension. Johnny, after an exaggerated sigh, was the first to step inside.

  "Alright, let’s do this! If I come out smarter than all of you, don’t hold it against me."

  Maria-Luisa followed, though with some reluctance. "This thing better live up to its promises..." she muttered.

  The others entered one after the other, until only Jennel remained behind. Alan gently placed a hand on her shoulder and murmured,

  "Stay with me for a moment. I need to talk to you."

  Once the capsules closed, Alan led Jennel into the adjacent room. In a firm yet calm voice, he addressed the AI:

  "Léa, the person beside me is Jennel. Her accreditation is upgraded to Level 1."

  "Jennel is now at Level 1," confirmed Léa’s soft voice.

  Alan turned to Jennel and said gently,

  "Ask the question again. The one that had no answer."

  Jennel nodded and asked, "Léa, what are the security concerns regarding the other Bases?"

  Léa responded without hesitation,

  "They are potentially hostile."

  Jennel turned to Alan, stunned, her mouth slightly open. She murmured, "But why?"

  Alan took a deep breath before explaining,

  "The Gulls have placed seven Bases, roughly evenly distributed across Earth. These Bases are meant to house groups of humans who have followed their ‘Chosen One.’ But the Gulls don’t want seven. They only want one: the one that conquers all the others."

  Jennel stared at him, dumbfounded. "Why play their game?"

  Alan clenched his jaw before answering,

  "Because the anti-nanite repulsion field around this Base is gradually shrinking. In about thirteen months, it will be gone. Without it, survival here will quickly become impossible, as we cannot be certain the Base will remain active or the shuttles functional."

  Jennel, usually so strong, seemed to waver under the weight of these revelations. She placed a trembling hand on Alan’s arm and murmured,

  "So… our problem isn’t solved… We’re in an impossible situation…"

  Alan slowly nodded, his expression grim.

  Jennel, a wave of despair in her voice, asked,

  "Then… what do we do?"

  Alan locked his gaze with hers and answered, his voice filled with cold determination,

  "We conquer the planet."

  Jennel opened her mouth to speak, but only an incredulous whisper escaped: "Conqu…" She couldn’t even finish the word. Shaking her head, eyes wide in disbelief, she finally blurted,

  "You’re joking?"

  Alan sighed slightly before replying,

  "There are various ways to achieve this goal, and not all of them involve war. Don’t worry. I’m not launching a military campaign."

  Jennel looked at him with a mix of concern and trust. Hesitantly, she asked,

  "But… what happens when one Base wins?"

  Alan lowered his voice, almost ominously. "The Survivors from the other Bases await death, and the victors gain access to the ship in orbit."

  Jennel raised a trembling hand to her mouth. "That’s monstrous," she murmured, tears welling in her eyes.

  Alan nodded slowly. "Yes. The Gulls are monstrous creatures."

  He gently pulled her into an embrace, feeling her slight trembling against him. "Their plans and rules have been implemented on many other planets. But there’s something important to know: a foreign power, separate from the Gulls, understands their rules and their flaws. This power is meant to remain discreet and non-interventionist, but occasionally, it inserts imperfections into the Gulls' designs."

  Jennel lifted her head, her brows furrowed. "Like what?"

  Alan replied softly, almost whispering,

  "If a shuttle came to retrieve me in Asia, it was because they hijacked it. And if I have knowledge I shouldn’t have, it’s their doing as well. The Gull logic has been tampered with."

  He placed his hands on Jennel’s shoulders and met her gaze.

  "Listen to me carefully. All of this won’t be revealed to the others in the same way I’ve told you. I’ll start with the good news first..."

  JENNEL

  I am overwhelmed, I should say desperate, but that’s not what I feel. I want to fight. Because now, we have a clearly defined enemy.

  How is Alan going to break all of this to the others?

  The shuttles are returning, one after the other. The Survivors believe they’ve arrived in paradise. But they’ve merely swapped one hell for another.

  A frantic excitement fills every corner of the residential quarters. The first major concern is getting the food synthesizer to work. I was deeply worried about the outcome, but surprisingly, it’s rather good. I just have no idea what it is.

  I keep coming back to my husband. He’s making an enormous effort to appear unfazed, unshaken. At least in front of me.

  So I pretend too, just like him.