Unexpected Twist

Section I, Dream Rise House.

Rays of white light converged into Kiba.

[[Should I run the usual tests?]] Claudia asked.

"Not now," Kiba sat on the chair near a stasis pod. His expression was anything but light.

[[Understood. If I may ask, what was Lady Agatha's reaction?]]

"She was pleased," Kiba tried to calm himself as he continued, "The credit goes to you. Your plan was truly ingenious."

[[Actually, the credit goes to you as well.]]

"Me?" Kiba was surprised. The only support he provided was to be an anchor and use his powers to ensure the 'audience' didn't create any trouble. He didn't think that deserved credit, given everything was planned and implemented by Claudia.

[[Yes. I used you as my inspiration while forming this plan.]]

"..." Kiba had a feeling he wouldn't like Claudia's upcoming words.

[[Specifically speaking, I learned from your dedication to getting a woman in bed. You don't care if you have to use a taboo or an evil method as long as it gets you an entry into the holy cave.]]

"........"

[[Sir, please don't hesitate to take credit for Hypocrite News. I am sure Lady Eva will agree with me on this, for she knows you best.]]

Kiba gave a light cough. No matter how thick-skinned he was, even he was a bit embarrassed.

---------------

"Give me a drink," Kiba said while thinking of his meeting with Agatha. A droid offered him a glass of whiskey.

He took a sip while thinking of the feeling he felt when he touched Agatha's belly. A feeling he had only felt twice before in his entire life.

Kinship!

He had felt the same feeling from the golden lightning in the sky. The first was four years ago when he fused with the Cosmic Spark, and the second time was during the incident at the wasteland.

Both times, he felt that he shared a common origin with the golden lightning. For the world, the golden lightning was a source of danger, but for him, it was like the embrace of a mother.

"What I felt from the life budding inside Agatha was the same as the golden lightning but slightly different. I always feel I am an extension of the golden lightning, but the life inside Agatha felt like she was an extension of me!"

"I and Agatha used contraceptives, but they are not really effective in the era of evolution."

"Jack and White Angel Corporation did say that they had a DNA check of the child in Agatha's womb... But reports can be manipulated when benefits are involved... especially since the marriage between Jack and Agatha means stability between two factions. Most likely the report was manipulated by Hank."

"The most important point is that it should be almost impossible for my Kiba form to have an offspring with normal mutants or ordinary humans. But that feeling cannot be false."

Kiba didn't dare believe his guess. It was something he was always afraid of. Back when the news of the pregnancy was released, he almost died out of shock.

"Becoming a father..." Kiba rubbed his forehead.

[[Sir, are you all right?]] Claudia asked.

"I don't know," Kiba took a deep breath, "We have already hacked White Angel Corporation, so bring me medical reports on Agatha."

[[Understood.]]

Five minutes later, a virtual screen appeared in front of him. There were two panels on the screen: one with gene structure and the other with a full-body scan.

Not only did the genes store hereditary information, but they were also the main key to evolution. Kiba carefully studied Agatha's gene report, and minutes later, he was shocked.

"The gene report is manipulated!" Kiba observed. It was almost impossible to notice the minor manipulation unless one had a true understanding of the workings of the body.

[[....]]

"Claudia, what do you think?" Kiba asked.

[[I can't answer.]]

"What do you mean?" Kiba was startled by her response.

How could she not answer when he was asking her?!

[[Your current command is going against a previous order]] Claudia replied. 

"Previous order?" Kiba was puzzled by her words.

[[....]] Claudia remained silent.

Kiba had a bad premonition, but he calmed himself and said, "Overwrite whatever that order was and answer me."

[[I have made modifications to every report related to Lady Agatha. This was why you are seeing a manipulated report.]]

"Why did you do that?"

He was having a hard time trying to make sense of her words. Why would she intervene in such a matter when there was no need?

[[I don't understand why you are asking me this as a question. I only followed the orders you gave me.]]

"I ordered you?" Kiba was horrified.

He was sure he had never brought up the topic of Agatha's reports before. So there was no way he could have commanded her to change them!

[[You issued me an order on 7th September. The order stated that I have to look out for Agatha's condition and change every report in the way you commanded me.]]

7th September?!

He felt his back drenching in sweat.

[[Furthermore, you ordered me to modify the report of any possible paternity test. Everything so that the world believed Jack was the father and not you.]]

"WHAT?!" Kiba was terrified by the statement.

He felt the world spin as the gravity of the words struck him hard.

THUD!

His knees buckled, and he fell on the floor, not daring to believe everything he just heard.

He had conjectured that either Hank or someone from Agatha's family manipulated the paternity report to prevent a scandal, but now...

"I knew she was pregnant with my child!?"

[[Yes.]]

"Claudia, I am not in the mood for jokes!" Kiba's voice was solemn.

[[Sir, I'm having a hard time understanding your behavior. You must know I can never lie to you or make a joke when you ask me something.]]

Claudia was perplexed by her master's behavior. Why would he fault her for following his command when it was her duty?

"........"

Kiba's entire body turned cold. He had created Claudia, so he obviously knew she could never lie to him.

Even when she made those sarcastic remarks, they were not lies but rather observations or facts from her perspective.

The only time she would lie to him would be in front of others, such as Felicity, but that was intentional.

While she could hide information from him if she deemed it necessary, if he inquired, she had to answer him honestly.

Believe me, I don't remember issuing you such an order!" Kiba swallowed the entire glass of whiskey.

[[Your brain scan doesn't indicate any signs of memory loss.]]

"That's..." Kiba didn't know how to counter this. He thought for a moment before continuing, "Show me the security footage of the time when that order was given."

[[Understood.]]

A large screen flashed in front of him. The next moment, the events from that day were played:

====

*

'Kiba' teleported into the lab around 2 am.

[[Sir, you seem very pleased.]] Claudia remarked.

"Haha, indeed!" Kiba's lips curved up in a bashful smile. "I made love with Agatha!"

Claudia knew Kiba didn't make a move on Agatha due to the respect he held for her. But lately, Agatha's marriage was on the verge of breaking.

Even before, the marriage was never strong with frequent fights, but the last few weeks have been the most difficult ones.

She was sure her master took this as an opportunity to seduce her.

[[Of course. Nothing can be more pleasing than having sex with a married woman.]]

Kiba flinched as he heard her remarks. It was like he had forgotten how good she was at countering him.

"You could never understand the importance of the work I do!" Kiba had the appearance of a man carrying the pressure of the entire world.

"Everyone wants to become police officers, politicians, soldiers, scientists, etc. But is there anyone ready to become someone who would dedicate his life to the women!?"

[[I am sure those lovely ladies have boyfriends or husbands.]]

"Claudia, you are far too naive!" Kiba sighed in disappointment. "Men are always hungry for wealth and power but not love. The ladies are lonely and waiting to be appreciated!"

[[Of course, sir. You couldn't stand such unfairness in the world. So you decided to share your body warmth with the ladies.]]

"..........."

[[How generous of you.]]

Kiba looked helpless by her words. He lied down on an examination table under the body scanners.

"Run the usual tests."

[[Understood.]]

After a few minutes, Claudia reported everything as normal.

[[Would you like to have your other form checked?]] Claudia inquired.

"No need." Kiba sat on the table. "I had a test yesterday, so it is fine."

[[As you wish.]]

"Anyways, I want you to look out for any news on Agatha's pregnancy." Kiba had a devilish smile on his face as he continued. "Let the world think Jack is the father!"

[[Are you implying she is going to be pregnant with your child?]]

"Yes," Kiba nodded.

[[Sir, the chances of this happening are almost zero.]]

"Almost is the keyword," Kiba said with a smirk.

[[Even if I change the report, they might find it suspicious since Jack and Lady Agatha haven't copulated in weeks.]]

"Actually, they never copulated in their entire life."

[[?!]]

Kiba waved his hand, and a virtual screen manifested in front of him. "You don't have to worry about that."

[[What are you doing?]]

Claudia was linked with every sensor in the lab, and from this, she knew he had opened medical reports of Agatha from White Angel Corporation's servers.

He made some quick modifications to the reports.

"I am further ordering you to replace all her reports with these ones. They should be more than enough for her upcoming tests!"

[[Sir, why would you do such a thing?]]

Claudia was surprised by her master's behavior. She had always known he was a shameless man, but today, he was going beyond the bottom line he had set for himself.

"Don't you know my philosophy!?" Kiba continued without waiting for her answer, "I am not the type of man who cares about profit! I believe in doing hard work and allowing others to enjoy the fruits of my labor!"

[[Of course, sir. The world would never know the extent of your sacrifices.]]

"... Never bring up this topic again."

[[I understand. A charity would not be a charity if you speak about it.]]

"............."

*

====

The video ended.

Kiba's eyes widened, and his jaw almost dropped to the floor.

Before he could say anything, Claudia displayed the security scans from that day, which left no doubt that the person in the footage was him.

"I..." Kiba didn't know how to respond.

He didn't wish to admit it, but the person on the video truly resembled him, in both appearance and personality.

[[You truly don't remember?]] Claudia asked.

"I have no memory," Kiba wiped the sweat from his face and said, "If I remember correctly, I directly teleported to my room after the party!"

[[As per the security logs, you teleported to your room after the events at the lab.]]

"No! I was tired, so I directly went to my room instead of the lab! I am sure of it!]]

[[A woman made you so tired that you didn't follow the routine!? It sounds like someone I truly know!]]

"Claudia, I am not kidding!"

[[Neither am I.]]

[[.............]]