CHAPTER 45: Finlay

Dorothy strode through the stark, sterile corridors of Feder, her mind fixed on the task at hand. She reached Luchos' lab and entered without knocking. The hum of machinery and the soft glow of monitors filled the room, casting a cold, blue light. Luchos sat hunched over his computer, his eyes intently monitoring Vagan's vitals and movements on the screen.

"How is she?" Dorothy asked, her voice even and controlled. "Is she showing any abnormal behavior?"

Luchos glanced up briefly, his fingers pausing over the keyboard. "No, nothing abnormal at all," he replied.

Dorothy stepped closer, her eyes narrowing as she observed the data on the screen. "Do you want to know something, Luchos?" she asked, her tone carrying a hint of intrigue.

Luchos straightened in his chair, turning to face her. "Yes, Dorothy, what is it?"

Dorothy's expression remained impassive as she began, "Ever since the Purgers invaded our planet Finlay in 2029, multiple races have emerged here. Do you know about them?"

Luchos remained silent, listening intently.

"The Rogues," Dorothy continued, "are the first robots that mankind ever made. They roam the world searching for meaning and purpose, similar to Windslo. Next are the Hiapong, humans infected by the Purgers and turned into beasts."

Luchos nodded, absorbing the information.

Dorothy went on, "Then there are the Humanfused, humans merged with robotic parts, like the ones we have here. And the Humanoids, humans who have absorbed the Source from the World Tree and gained supernatural powers, becoming immortal. Ayaan was one of them, but at only 300 years old, he wasn't fully immortal."

"I see," Luchos murmured.

Dorothy's voice grew colder as she continued, "Lastly, we have the Hybrids, a mix of Humanoid and Hiapong."

Luchos remained quiet, processing the information.

Dorothy placed a hand on Luchos' shoulder, her touch cold and mechanical. "Keep monitoring the product," she said, referring to Vagan.

She turned to leave, her steps echoing softly in the lab. "Call me if anything abnormal happens," she added without looking back.

Luchos watched her leave, his expression inscrutable. The door closed behind Dorothy with a soft click, sealing him in the dim glow of his monitors.

Dorothy walked down the corridor, her lifeless eyes staring straight ahead, unfazed by the stark reality of the world around her. The weight of their mission pressed down on her shoulders, yet her steps remained steady and unyielding, a testament to the resolve that kept her moving forward.

END OF CHAPTER 45