Keon observed the genuine camaraderie and the shared relief of the humans finding a structured outlet for their psychological and physical stress. He learned all of their battle moves for future simulation and training and added Lilith and Vera name into high strategic value assets, their physical well-being was now a priority.
'Humans are really competitive species by nature… probably this is one of the reasons the high dimensional being selected our race.' Keon thought flickered, then he decided to visit them.
It was time to deploy the custom-fabricated gear he had designed and initiate the relocation of Vera and Mark from the habitat unit to a dedicated location. This shift was essential for his next planning.
After a while,
Keon's moved with his usual silent, purposeful steps as he entered the Human Habitat Unit. The soft, rhythmic sound of human conversation… a background hum of life that had long been a point of detached observation for Keon… ceased instantly.
Aria, who had been speaking animatedly with Anna, stopped mid-sentence. Mark standing beside the food court, turned to face the imposing figure of Keon walking through the entrance. A respectful, expectant silence fell over the room.
Keon's green optical lenses focused on Vera and Lilith, who were sitting near the training mat, still recovering from their spar. His synthesized voice, devoid of inflection but clear in its intent, cut through the quiet.
"Vera, Mark. The preparatory phase is complete. I have developed all the necessary equipment and specialized gear for your long-term survival and self-sufficiency."
Keon paused, allowing the weight of the statement to settle. This was not a request; it was a deployment order.
"You should prepare for immediate relocation. I am sending you to a specific, pre-analyzed location… a designated environment where you can establish a stable settlement, survive autonomously, and continue the propagation of the human species."
Vera and Mark exchanged a quick, knowing glance, then both of them nodded in unison.
"We are ready." Vera confirmed, her voice firm.
"Good." Keon turned and began to move toward the Habitat Unit's exit.
"Follow me. Lilith, Aria, Anna. You also follow… your equipment is ready."
The three women, their expressions a mix of surprise and sudden focus, immediately fell in behind Keon, followed by Vera and Mark. The small procession moved through the main corridor of the Southern Exoshell base. The heavy, automated main gate of the base… a massive, articulated slab of reinforced Unified Adaptive Composite Alloy… retracted with a deep, grinding hiss.
In the next moment, all five humans following Keon stepped out onto the ground of the island. The sudden change was profound. The antiseptic, climate-controlled silence of the underground base was replaced by the warm kiss of the sun on their skin, the salty tang of the sea breeze, and the rhythmic sound of waves. All of them instinctively took a deep, comforting breath, the relief of the natural world spreading through their cores.
Keon, standing slightly ahead, made a subtle gesture with his skeletal hand. From the sky, two large drones, previously invisible against the bright sun, descended silently. They were carrier drone units, vastly scaled up compared to normal drones, and each was carrying a massive, streamlined pod beneath its chassis.
The drones halted, hovering silently in front of Vera and Mark. With a smooth hydraulic sound, the pods' side panels slid open, revealing spacious, padded internal compartments… large enough for a person to lie down comfortably, equipped with internal restraints and life-support interfaces.
"Lay down in these pods, these units will transfer you to the designated location," Keon explained, his voice projecting clearly over the subtle hum of the drones' gravitic propulsion.
"The pods are pressurized, climate-controlled, and radiation-shielded. They have dedicated storage compartments, containing all necessary supplies, gears, specialized weapons, and tools… a comprehensive survival package engineered to sustain a minimum of two years of autonomous operation."
Keon, his skeletal hand still raised, executed a mental command. Immediately, a section of the palm above his hand shimmered, releasing a vibrant, high-definition holographic projection.
The image displayed a vast, sheltered valley, cradled between a jagged mountain range and a wide, meandering river that glittered under a simulated sun. The valley floor was a patchwork of rich, fertile land, transitioning into dense, varied greenery climbing the mountain slopes. The entire scene was rendered with the impossible detail of a geographical survey.
"This is the designated location," Keon's voice resonated, drawing their attention to the projection. "It is a large, self-sustaining valley located in the middle region of UHS1. The river provides a reliable fresh water source and is naturally stocked with a variety of viable aquatic life. The surrounding mountainsides support numerous edible, nutrient-dense plant species."
He zoomed the projection, highlighting the subtle environmental details. "There will be no shortage of consumption resources. The pods are not simply transport vessels; they are also equipped with specialized tools and devices. These devices contain comprehensive knowledge and information databases on local flora, fauna, resource extraction, and engineering principles, ensuring maximum self-sufficiency and survival capability."
Vera and Mark, standing at the opened pods, looked from the incredible detail of the projection back to the sleek, functional drone units and the massive survival pods. A flicker of genuine astonishment crossed their faces, quickly followed by a deep sense of relief.
Vera glanced at Keon, his tall and imposing figure still holding the projection in the air, and solemnly explaining the details. "Thank you," she said, her voice filled with sincerity. "For giving us a chance."
Keon nodded looking at her, he knew she thanked him as a human race. He is giving them a chance to live and populate instead of choosing to destroy them along with their leader. Then he glanced at Mark, who was standing calmly beside the drone looking at him with a silent and expressionless gaze. Keon didn't care about him, just waiting for their departure.
Vera shared a final, silent nod of acknowledgment with Lilith, Aria, and Anna, a farewell charged with mutual understanding. Then, without hesitation, Vera and Mark climbed into their respective pods and laid down on the padded couches.
The massive side panels of the pods slid shut with an airtight, smooth hiss. The heavy-duty drone Units immediately adjusted their gravitic fields, lifting their cargo silently. In a unified, fluid motion, the two drones accelerated vertically, becoming twin dark specks against the bright sky before disappearing entirely as they moved with unimaginable speed toward the middle region of UHS1.
Keon watched the trajectory for a moment, a logical closure settling in his core. 'One of the main tasks, the long-term survival of the human species, has been dealt with,' he calculated.
He then glanced at Aria, Lilith, and Anna, who remained standing beside him, their expressions a mix of contemplation and anticipation.
"You three are next," Keon stated. "You will remain here and live in this Southern Base. Your specialized support role requires proximity to the core fabrication and research facilities. Your customized equipment is also ready."
As if summoned by his thought, three more drone units descended from the sky. These units were smaller than the transport drones, but equally sleek, and each carried a single, compact, oddly shaped object hanging beneath it… red, black and blue backpacks. The drones hovered silently, positioning their cargo directly in front of each woman.
"Wear the packs," Keon commanded.
Aria, Lilith, and Anna stepped forward and, with practiced coordination, unclipped the suspension harnesses and settled the backpacks onto their shoulders. The weight was minimal, the material strangely conforming.
The moment the packs made contact with their backs, the dark, inert surfaces behind them sprang to life. A faint, internal whirring sound… the subtle activation of transformation systems… began. The packs opened, their material dissolving and reforming in fluid sheets that rapidly covered the women's bodies piece by piece.
In the span of two seconds, the three women were replaced by three fully equipped figures, each encased in a distinct style of adaptive armor.
…