Mercury.

  On one of the largest spaceports, between metallic columns and giant antennas, cargo modules bustle, emerging on automatic platforms. The loud sounds of hydraulics mix with the flicker of neon lights. Guards form a tight wall around the ship, not taking their eyes off the passage, leaving only a narrow corridor for the moving crates, like blood flowing through arteries.

  In a few minutes, the gangway lowers, and passengers emerge from the hatch—engineer Alex and his companion, the mercenary Yulia.

  "Finally," Alex exhales with relief, stepping onto the smooth surface of the landing pad. He stretches his neck, frowning tiredly. "Damn, I hate these cans."

  "You're lucky," Yulia replies with a slight smirk, looking towards the ship. "The cabin was cramped even for one, and together... no one would like that 'spacey' room. But, hey, now we're here."

  They look around. There's a feeling of tension in the air, and in the light of the port’s lights, the space seems almost squeezed into a tight fist. Soon, a man approaches them with a firm step. It's Vikar—the founder and co-owner of the Mercury Corporation, an old acquaintance of theirs. He is impeccably dressed, his figure slim and confident, his gaze cold and authoritative.

  "Glad to meet you," his voice is calm, but with a slight hint of mystery. He smiles, but his gaze never leaves their faces. "Welcome. I came personally. How much time has passed since that first meeting? So much has changed since then..."

  Yulia barely changes her expression but answers while holding his gaze.

  "Yes, Vikar, a lot has happened since then. You and Ivor came for help, and Alex removed your control chips. And from that moment, our new life began..."

  Alex doesn't hide his sarcasm, raising an eyebrow.

  "Since then, you became free, founded a corporation, supported the Android Rights Fund," his gaze turns admiring. "And now... you’ve changed the world."

  Vikar, despite his usual confidence, slightly tilts his head, his smile becoming sincere, almost touching. He places a hand on his chest as if expressing gratitude.

  "Yulia, Alex, your words touch me," he speaks with an unexpected softness. "But the truth is, if it weren't for you, we would still be slaves to the system, not knowing what freedom meant. And your actions marked the beginning of our path."

  Alex shifts the bag from one hand to the other, slowly, with a tense look at Vikar, but adds:

  "Well, yeah, it’s always nice when everything you fought for comes true. But how much more do we need to do to make sure this is really freedom?"

  "Thank you, Vikar. But now, thanks to faith, such actions have an even deeper meaning."

  Yulia says these words with a light but confident accent, something more than just a statement flickers in her eyes.

  Vikar looks them over, his brows slightly raising as he freezes for a moment.

  "You said... 'faith'?" His voice takes on a tone as though he’s trying to hide surprise.

  Yulia nods but doesn't look away from Vikar.

  "Yes. We were just initiated into Hanaris."

  Vikar remains silent. His face becomes almost unreadable, like stone, hiding his reaction. For a moment, his eyes lose that cold confidence, replaced by a flicker of doubt.

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  "Who... gave you these amulets?" His voice becomes slightly tense. "I was planning to do this myself. You just got off the ship. And as far as I know, there were no believers on board."

  Alex, sensing the tension, answers first. He steps aside to make room for several androids quickly moving past.

  "Yeah, you're right. We arrived, and only then did we meet a Mercury inhabitant."

  He pauses, then adds, a bit more decisively:

  "For us, what matters is that we now believe in Hanaris."

  They both say this sentence simultaneously, as if on cue, like a learned prayer or oath. Vikar slightly grimaces, his gaze becoming more intense, as if trying to decipher the hidden meaning behind their words.

  At that moment, with a soft scrape, a flying car appears above them, glossy and black like the night sky, with golden stripes carved into its body.

  "Here’s our transport," Vikar says proudly. "A private shuttle of the corporation. Please, get in. We have everything, of course, according to protocol."

  They get inside. The car is softly lit, emphasizing comfort and coziness. The artificial intelligence, with a voice as smooth as silk, greets them, reading out their personal data.

  "Welcome. Would you like something refreshing? I’ve prepared a cocktail according to your profile."

  When glasses filled with softly glowing liquid are served, the air seems even denser, and the body relaxes.

  Yulia takes the glass and, surprised, remarks:

  "This is the best android cocktail I’ve ever tried."

  Alex nods, pondering her words, gently stroking the glass.

  "Agreed," his voice almost emotionless, but his gaze drifts away. "It’s true..."

  Vikar interrupts the pause, his face becoming serious.

  "Do you know we are at war with Mars?"

  Alex reacts instantly.

  "We know. Moreover, our cargo ship turned out not only to be transport but also a mine-layer. You could say we’ve already participated in the operation."

  Vikar nods, expressing gratitude.

  "That deserves recognition. I’ll pass on my thanks to the captain. We all need to contribute to the victory... over the living."

  Alex slightly grimaces, then calmly but firmly responds:

  "I wouldn’t speak so categorically about a 'victory over the living.' Not all people are enemies. There are those who understand our struggle and support the freedom of androids."

  "Agreed," Vikar responds slightly faster, turning away, his gaze fixed on the porthole. "You’re right."

  Meanwhile, the limousine smoothly descends and lands on the platform in front of the building. It impresses with its grandeur, its facade covered in mirrored panels. The famous "Zeus" logo gleams on the wall, and beneath it, large letters read:

  MERCURY CORPORATION HEADQUARTERS

  "Please, come in," says Vikar, stepping first toward the glass doors that slide open smoothly before them.

  Alex and Yulia follow him, curiously looking around at the building’s architecture. Everything around them is striking: twisted columns, crystal arches, projections of ancient maps and star routes, as if the very architecture is living through the history of humanity.

  "This is my residence," Vikar explains as they enter a lift with a panoramic view. "Would you mind staying here for a while? I’m sure you’ll like it. I’ll show you your apartment."

  Alex and Yulia exchange glances. Their eyes meet, and in that moment, their thoughts synchronize. Then they nod slightly in response.

  The lift stops smoothly. The doors open, revealing a massive door with soft backlighting, as though alive, wrapping around its perimeter. It slides open gently, revealing an entrance into a space that makes their hearts beat faster.

  This isn’t just a room. This is a whole world.

  A luxurious suite that can hardly be called a room, so vast it is. The walls, made of transparent glass, project a hologram: a majestic waterfall surrounded by a flowering meadow. Daisies and grasses gently sway in the light of a warm, physically palpable sun. The quiet sound of water can be heard, a light breeze carries the scent of freshness, and everything around seems incredibly alive.

  "Welcome to your new reality," says Vikar, closing the door behind them with a barely noticeable smile, as if hiding something important behind this gesture.

  The couple looks around the suite, stunned. The interior seems to be the embodiment of artists’ fantasies, dreaming of the future: transparent walls, smooth forms, screens and consoles embedded into the furniture, responding to every gesture. The ceiling, mimicking the sky of Mercury, softly illuminates the room, creating the atmosphere of early morning on Earth. The decoration combines metal, glass, and living fabric, seamlessly blending into the environment, giving everything a soft, organic feel.

  "Let me thank you for such a warm, hospitable reception, Vikar," Yulia says, stepping toward him and hugging him. Her voice carries sincerity, and the faint surprise on her face doesn't hide her emotions. This gesture is more than just politeness.

  Alex extends his hand, Vikar shakes it firmly, not hurrying to release it, their gazes crossing in silent understanding.

  "I thank you too," says Alex, his voice sincere, from the bottom of his heart.

  "Well, that's nice," Vikar responds with a light laugh, almost freeing his hand. "This is just a small part of what I can do for you. Make yourselves at home. If you need anything, there’s a communication panel on the desk. Through it, you can reach any department of the corporation. Including me."

  He glances at his guests, nods slightly, and exits, the door softly closing behind him.

  The room sinks into a ringing silence. Yulia steps closer to Alex and, without saying a word, embraces him. She presses against his chest, as if for the first time in a long while, feeling safe. He kisses her on the lips—slowly, sensually, as if realizing for the first time that they are alive, saved, and, most importantly, together.

  From behind the bed, a quiet click sounds from the container’s lock. Calmly and with dignity, their fluffy companion, the kitten Charmer, appears. It stretches lazily, looks around the new luxurious surroundings, and, seemingly satisfied, jumps onto the bed, curling up into a ball on the pillows.

  "Looks like someone already picked their favorite spot," Alex remarks with a smile, watching the kitten.

  Yulia laughs quietly, not letting him go, her gaze soft and warm.

  "He always knows where it's good."