Episode 15 – “The Councilors’ Game”

  The echoes of the previous battle had not yet faded when the Xprian Council gathered once more.

  The meeting chamber on Planet XP was dark and vast, illuminated only by colossal holograms suspended in the air. The councilors sat upon metallic thrones, their faces half-hidden by shadows.

  One of them leaned forward, eyes cold and calculating.

  “We hired K99K… and it failed,” he said.

  “Leon is still alive. And now he is under the protection of Laura’s daughter.”

  A large projection flickered to life, displaying recorded images from Planet K11. Lara could be seen fighting with fierce determination, while Leon watched from behind, torn between fear and awe.

  Another councilor spoke, his voice sharp.

  “Director Laura… explain this. What was your daughter doing there?”

  Laura rose slowly from her seat, confusion and alarm etched across her face.

  “That’s impossible… I didn’t know,” she replied.

  “One of the capsules did go missing. I lost contact with her completely. I only realized something was wrong after this emergency call.”

  A third councilor—the one who always spoke with false sympathy—tilted his head slightly.

  “So your daughter acted on her own?” he asked calmly.

  “How reckless… especially during a Class Five threat.”

  Laura clenched her fists.

  “Then where is Lee?” she demanded.

  “He hasn’t answered any calls!”

  The councilor answered smoothly.

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  “He was sent on a mission. Professor Liu stayed behind in his place. But, Laura… your daughter put everyone at risk.”

  A shadow crossed his face as the tension in the room thickened.

  Laura stepped forward, her voice trembling with restrained anger.

  “So this is how it works?” she said.

  “You turn this against me? An attack launched from within our own system caused all of this, and now you want to blame me?”

  The manipulative councilor replied coldly.

  “Your influence has weakened, Laura. Emotional instability has no place here.”

  Laura stood abruptly.

  “Is this a game to you?”

  “A board full of pieces?”

  “If so… then remove mine. I’m leaving. Now.”

  The leading councilor slammed his staff against the floor.

  “The session is not over. Sit down.”

  Laura’s eyes burned with fury.

  “My only concern right now is my daughter… and Professor Liu,” she said.

  “I don’t care what happens to that Krizardian boy.”

  The Director fixed her with a firm stare.

  “That is an order.”

  Laura activated a device on her wrist, her voice sharp as steel.

  “Then stop me.”

  Silence fell. No one moved.

  Moments later, Laura emerged through a transport portal inside the Organization’s headquarters. An agent in silver armor approached her.

  “I need an immediate descent to Planet K11,” Laura ordered.

  “Bring my daughter and Professor Liu back. The descent will take twenty minutes.”

  The agent hesitated.

  “And… the boy, ma’am?”

  Laura answered without hesitation.

  “Leave him. When Lee returns… he’ll deal with that himself.”

  On Planet K11, the clearing was quiet. The fire had burned out. Leon sat beside Liu, both resting from exhaustion.

  An agent arrived and delivered the message.

  “Lara. Direct orders from your mother. You and Professor Liu are to return.”

  Lara turned, her voice faltering.

  “And… Leon?”

  Leon met her gaze, calm but heavy-hearted.

  “It’s okay,” he said.

  “She’s right. I’m unstable. She’s only trying to keep everyone safe.”

  Lara lowered her head.

  “I hope you find yourself… truly.”

  Liu stepped forward, gripping his staff.

  “Go, Lara. I’ll stay,” he said.

  “Lee entrusted me with a mission, and I won’t fail him. If another threat appears, I’ll give my life to protect Leon.”

  Leon nodded, deeply moved.

  “Thank you, Professor.”

  As Lara boarded the capsule, she looked back one last time. Leon watched in silence.

  Maybe we only understand the value of our connections, Leon thought,

  when we’re about to lose them.

  The capsule vanished into the sky.

  Elsewhere, a massive gate opened within the Organization. Lee stepped through, armor worn, expression exhausted.

  An alert flashed across a digital panel:

  ALERT – Leon, Planet K11

  Lee frowned.

  “What happened here…?”

  As the episode drew to a close, scenes unfolded quietly:

  Laura stood alone by a window, lost in thought.

  Leon trained under Liu’s guidance.

  Lara stared at K11 through the capsule’s glass.

  And deep within the council chamber, the third councilor smiled discreetly.

  In a hidden room, three shadowed figures examined K99K’s final report.

  “The beast is maturing,” one of them said.

  “Soon… the seal will break.”

  End of Episode 15