{Author-chan: Welcome to another chapter, my dear readers. I hope you all are feeling well today. I hope y'all liked the previous chapter.
Today is the second day of the challenge. When starting this challenge yesterday, I did it with the idea that if I stopped writing, it would ultimately be the win of my problems; that is why I made this challenge for myself. I have made this promise many times, but alas, I have failed. So, your shiny stones and comments will go a long way in helping me make this resolution solid and increase my commitment to writing.
The timing I have chosen is so that I can write a draft and edit it before sleeping, so it can reach you in the morning.
The goal for the next bonus chapter is still 10 shiny stones. Don't forget to comment and drop some shiny stones if y'all like this chapter.
And, with that said. Let's start this chapter, You Fuckers!
Toodaloo!!}
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3 Weeks after arriving — Dayton, the Year 2168
"This is the temporary Headquarters?" Jenny moved her head left and asked John in a curious tone, pointing towards a clean and average office building from the car.
"Yes, Miss" John replied.
"It is so small." Lindy jumped forward from her seat to the console.
"That's what she said." Hannah said in a witty tone while using a laptop and started laughing.
Ha.. Ha.. Everyone started laughing as well.
Diana, sitting in an upright position, spoke.
"Okay, let's get going, shall we.?."
Hannah closed her laptop and put it in a bag.
She opened the back left and went around to open the right door. After opening the door, she offered her left hand to Diana.
Hannah quipped with a smirk on her face.
"Nobility first, Your Royal Highness."
Diana maintained a small smile. But if somebody looked closely, they would see that her cheeks were blushing, albeit a little, but they were.
"Okay."
As they enter the building, they see that the building has a marble lobby with a reception desk and a cushy lounge for people to rest. The ground is made of limestone. The large plants outside show the views of the surrounding buildings and the blue night sky.
As they exit the elevator to the top office. They see that to their right, a conference room sits encased in half-covered glass and separated into two rooms by a partition. A cushy lounge for people to rest.
As they further walk ahead. They find that there is wood panelling done that provides a backdrop. Adjacent to those rooms lies a long table alongside a kitchen where employees can gather and cook, and enjoy a meal or talk to each other.
That is when Linda pops the question, tilting her head.
"But do people in Zone 12 even have the time to rest?"
Hannah said with a suppressed laugh.
"Have the gears of your brain finally started working?"
Linda makes a fist and shouts in an angry tone.
"One day, I assure you, Hannah, I WILL BEAT THE CRAP OUT OF YOU!!"
Jenny says in a teacherly tone and rolls her eyes.
"Guys, enough."
As the office comes into full view, they notice that it is an open office layout instead of the typical office style. Here, several desks are layered on larger surfaces for the future team. There is also a large, open library space that displays material. The shelving is made of scaffolding with wooden planks and metal poles. The ceiling is a waffle ceiling with exposed concrete.
{Pic. in the Comments}
I am making food in the kitchen while singing along to the song: Mr. Shorty by Marty Robbins.
~There in his blue eyes was sadness.~
~That comes from the need of a friend.~
~And though he tried, he still couldn't~
~the loneliness there, deep within~
I hear their voices, them arguing with each other, and I turn around to meet them.
"Oh, good. You all are here."
Linda immediately starts complaining about Hannah always teasing and irritating her.
"Babe, you have to tell her to stop this; otherwise... Otherwise, don't blame me."
She says, making a fist with it while wearing her oversized hoodie.
There is only one thought that was in my mind at the moment.
"So cute."
I walk towards her, and with my flour-covered hand, hold her cheeks and start kissing her.
"Mhm… Ba-abe Y-ou have t-o get me Just-ice" she kept completing her sentence.
"You are so cute."
Hannah, never missing a chance, throws a witty question.
"Hm? And what about us, darling?"
Knowing that Hannah was trying to lure me into a trap, I said in a loving tone.
"You all are beautiful, love."
I turn around before anybody says anything.
"Okay, Dinner is about to be ready. Why don't you lot go sit your arse on the lounge."
John started taking off his coat and folding his shoulder shirt, saying
"Let me help you, Boss."
For Dinner, I made Roasted beef with dressing, Beef pie, Roasted vegetables, Marinated coasted chicken, Yorkshire tea (Not that Lipton, PG, or Tetley bullshit), Rice, Kimchi, Stir-Fried Vegetables and Mashed potatoes. {Author-chan: I am a meat lover. I need to have some meat on my table.}
After 7-8 minutes, the food was ready.
Everybody ate food while talking about what they had been doing these past few weeks.
Just seeing them being happy made me realize that nothing matters in life more than them. This is what matters. This is what I have to protect.
After everybody finished eating their food. We moved to one of the adjacent conference rooms, where I started sharing the results from the research.
"Okay. So, what I concluded from the injections is that they essentially change the Human structure by replacing the Telomeres with a new DNA that I named Acrobaoleres. What this lot of DNA does is that it does not weaken after the cells divide each time; it does not weaken. Essentially, making sure that the human at the core does not age."
Jenny asks a question: "But wasn't there an issue with the time?"
Nodding, I answer that question, "There was an issue, love. A dark one at that. It turns out they put a timer on the humans in the first place because the society could not and cannot support every human being if they are not dying, as there are not enough resources in the world for that. Hence, it led to the disparity today in this world. The Rich become theoretically immortal, while the poor become poorer and die. Though it could have been solved if they continued on their space exploration."
Diana catches something between the lines and, with growing excitement, says, "You said there was? Does that mean you have solved it, love?"
"Not entirely, love. For nowI have created an antidote that will help reverse the DNA back to what it was. If you wish to." I said, with a smile growing on my face.
Hannah senses that something is amiss. "But even this youth comes with a catch. Doesn't it, Alexi?"
I nod and explain, "You are correct, love. The drawback is that as this changes your DNA structure, it essentially locks your body in one state. Which means any future power or evolution is out of line after taking this injection unless you take the antidote."
I clap my hands like a meeting is concluding, "But, what's the fun in becoming immortal, only to become mortal again.
I pick up a briefcase from under the table and put it over it. Opening it shows two injections — Red and Blue.
"So you have two choices: either take this injection and become young forever, but not be able to grow any power OR don't take it and go searching for an alternative."
"Which one will it be?"
"Power or Immortality"
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{Author-chan: Okay, that's all for this chapter, my dear readers. I wanted to give them a choice: Power or Immortality.
There isn't much plot progression in this chapter because I wanted to develop their personalities and show their interactions and relationships with each other. I do not just want them to be a trophy that Alexia is collecting.
Spoiler: A third option will be given to them if they choose to take it.
I do need your comments, as they are what will decide whether Alexia's Partners will take the injections or not.
The next chapter will be R-18, so do stick around for that, and tell me which character we should build first. Jenny? or Lindy?
That's all. Don't forget to read today's author's weird thoughts.}