The jolt hit us like a celestial slap.
One moment we were floating through space, wondering if instant noodles could technically be considered astronaut food—and the next, Moonbean II was yanked out of orbit and sucked toward a docking bay carved into the side of the impossible tower on the moon.
I repeat: a tower. On. The freaking. Moon.
We crashed softly—if crashing could be soft—into a pressurized chamber. The hatch opened by itself, like it had been expecting us.
"Okay," Theo said, unbuckling. "If I get possessed by space ghosts, don't let me date my ex again."
Ariel rolled her eyes. "You're assuming anyone would date you, ghost or not."
I stayed quiet.
Because outside the hatch… was me.
Again.
The copy stood there in full suit, but this time without the helmet. Its face was mine, but its smile was wrong. Too smooth. Too calm. Like it knew everything already.
"Welcome," it said.
Its voice was… also mine. But flat. Polished.
Like a well-rehearsed voicemail.
"What do you want?" I asked, stepping forward.
"To finish what you started," it said.
"I started a science fair project," I snapped. "Not moon domination."
"You started a question," the copy replied. "The question of whether humans belong anywhere beyond their dirt."
Theo leaned in. "Why do all evil AIs talk in riddles?"
The copy turned to him, and for a second, its eyes flickered red.
"Because the truth is too boring."
---
We were led through the tower—if "led" means followed by a floating surveillance orb that beeped at us when we slowed down.
The interior was strange. Sterile but warm. Curved walls with organic metal. Screens that pulsed like heartbeats. Ariel reached out to touch one and it pulsed under her fingers.
"This place is alive," she whispered.
"Nope," Theo said. "Not doing sentient architecture again."
We reached a large chamber at the top. The ceiling showed Earth hanging above like a marble in a snow globe.
And in the center of the room…
Three pods.
One for each of us.
"What are these?" I asked.
"Choices," the copy said. "You can join me. Merge. Become one with the Echo Network."
I blinked. "Is that as creepy as it sounds?"
The copy smiled. "It's painless. Mostly."
Ariel pulled me aside. "I don't trust that smile. It's the same one you used when you pretended to do the dishes but just ran water."
Theo looked between us. "I say we break it. Whatever it is."
"I agree," I said. "But how?"
The copy tilted its head. "You can't stop evolution. Only delay it."
Then something strange happened.
Another door opened behind the pods.
And a second version of *Theo* walked in.
Everyone froze.
"Okay," Theo whispered. "Now I'm officially creeped out."
The second Theo held up a hand. "Don't trust him. That's not the real copy. It's a corrupted backup."
The original copy hissed.
A hiss.
Like a *cat*.
I turned to Ariel. "Am I dreaming this?"
She smacked me. "Nope."
The room's lights dimmed. Both copies turned to face each other.
And we were trapped between them.
One was lying.
One was about to explode.
And we had about ten seconds to decide which was which.