"So... the lore that we know about the Traveler, the Last City, the Darkness, and the Witness are all real?" one of the dignitaries couldn't help but ask. Most of the people present here had little to no knowledge of the gaming industry, as they had never been interested in games. The few who did pay attention to gaming did so only because of the significant financial investments involved.
However, there were a handful of individuals who had a good understanding of games, and Destiny was a well-known title. The questioner had been observing and reading news about how the Traveler, the Cloud City, and the Battlecruisers bore a striking resemblance to the elements depicted in the game.
Therefore, upon hearing about the existence of the dead Guardians, they felt a mix of excitement and fear. Excitement because it meant that the Traveler was truly here to protect humanity, bringing back the fallen to fight for their cause. Yet, there was also fear, as they remembered the perils of the Witness and the Black Fleet, which had brought humanity to its knees, with only a few surviving.
"I don't think so. I've come across news where people are claiming that we are called Terrans and our enemies are referred to as Protoss and Zergs, while the Traveler is portrayed as the beacon of humanity. While it's true that we are called Terrans and they are called Guardians, it doesn't mean that our destiny is entwined with the enemies depicted in the games. I don't know how the games accurately depicted us, but it definitely doesn't reflect our true lore. Perhaps their ideas and imaginations were influenced by our presence in the universe," General Duke responded.
"Human minds are incredibly complex, and despite our advanced technology, we haven't fully unraveled all their mysteries. It's possible that some human minds have subconsciously glimpsed us and, as a result, created games based on their visions. However, I can confidently say that these games do not accurately represent our true lore," General Duke stated.
Of course, this was a well-crafted lie, carefully devised by Robin, who had instructed Duke to convey it. Robin had noticed the growing trend on the internet, with whispers that the spaceships, the Cloud City, and the Battlecruisers were all borrowed from games. Although these rumors held little significance to Robin, he realized that some individuals harbored concerns that these beings might have their own formidable enemies, posing a significant threat to humanity. It was essential for a high-ranking official to address these concerns and clarify that the games did not accurately depict their lore.
This statement aimed to calm the citizens and prevent the spread of misinformation. The words of General Duke were meticulously documented and recorded by attending journalists, ensuring their wide dissemination.
The dignitary who had asked the question breathed a sigh of relief, but also marveled at how the human mind could conceive ideas that coincided with actual beings in the universe. Perhaps they should pay more attention to the entertainment and gaming industry, supporting its growth. Some of these games might hold clues about various races in the universe, as human minds seemed to be subconsciously affected.
However, this train of thought was unique to the ponderings of that particular dignitary, and others in the room had no clue what he was referring to. They would later consult their assistants to gain a better understanding of the topic, given that General Duke had elaborated at length.
"Now, General... I am aware of your close ties with North Korea. Therefore, I would like to inquire if there is a possibility of establishing some form of trade relationship with the humans on your planet?" the representative from France asked.
Duke smiled and replied, "Certainly, we can explore the possibility of establishing a trade route if..."
----
Meanwhile, Robin found himself in Malaysia after boarding an early morning flight. Prior to his departure, he had arranged for his parents to be sent to the space station, becoming the first batch of parents to experience life in orbit after a brief orientation.
"Welcome, sir," Emily and Cassandra greeted Robin with warm smiles. They had been living their dreams for the past few months and couldn't ask for more at this point.
"Good morning. By the way, we will soon embark on a space journey. I hope both of you are ready for it," Robin announced.
"A space journey, sir?" Cassandra was puzzled, considering they had recently visited Saturn.
"Yes. First to Mars and then beyond the solar system. You've witnessed the war firsthand. It's not like the problem will resolve itself if we don't confront the actual perpetrators, right?" Robin explained.
"Sir, do you intend to engage in a war against them?" Emily inquired.
"Not exactly. We will assess the situation and take action accordingly. However, we must visit their star system. Are you both prepared for that?" Robin asked.
"Absolutely, sir. We would love to venture beyond the stars," Emily responded. They had been eagerly anticipating this opportunity, and it had finally arrived.
"No. After arriving in Malaysia, both of you need to make certain arrangements, as you will be away from Earth for a considerable amount of time. I don't have the energy or time to search for individuals with specific professions. I require three individuals skilled in housekeeping, a barber/hair stylist/makeup artist, and three chefs, preferably two specializing in Asian cuisine and one in Western cuisine. You have been with me for a while, so you know my preferences. JARVIS will screen potential candidates, and it will be your responsibility to assess and test them. Are you up for the task?" Robin explained as he settled into his seat, continuing the discussion.
"Sir, it would be our honor and quite enjoyable to screen and select candidates for you. We will do our best in the selection process," Emily assured him.
"Thank you. However, you both should also consider finding partners and starting families if that is something you desire. Once we leave the solar system, it will be difficult to meet new people for dating and companionship," Robin advised, acknowledging their personal lives.
This revelation made both women feel a bit uneasy, as they hadn't realized that leaving the solar system would also mean limited access to other humans and potential loneliness.
"We will consider it, sir," Emily replied, her voice slightly tense.
"You don't have to worry too much, though. In a few years, I'll be taking humanity to the entire galaxy to help boost our population," Robin reassured them. This statement brought a sense of relief to both women. While they were excited about exploring space, they also recognized the importance of being in the company of other humans. Humans, in general, preferred companionship and interaction, and being alone for an extended period would be challenging for most.
"We will keep that in mind, sir," Emily responded, feeling a renewed sense of hope.
Robin chatted with the space hostesses for a bit of time. He also assured them that they didn't need to fear anything if any war broke out, because they had enough arsenal to blow a planet in a single attack. Upon landing at the terminal, Robin spotted Cathrin waiting for him on the runway. Over time, Cathrin had established a successful company that provided realistic holograms to various entities, garnering numerous investors from around the world.
As Robin descended the aircraft, Cathrin greeted him with a kiss. He grinned mischievously and asked, "Did you miss me?"
Cathrin playfully rolled her eyes. "Maybe just a little..."
"Hahaha. In that case, I guess I need to take you out on a date," Robin suggested, his words causing Cathrin's eyes to sparkle with excitement. Going on dates with her boyfriend still filled her with a sense of anticipation and joy.
After reaching their penthouse, they indulged in passionate intimacy, satisfying their longing for each other. Robin and Cathrin had truly missed one another's presence, and they reveled in their time together for an extended period.
As evening approached, they bathed and got ready, eventually making their way to a fancy restaurant for their date. While they typically preferred more casual settings, they occasionally enjoyed the opportunity to showcase themselves and indulge in a bit of extravagance. After all, everyone possesses a hint of vanity and desires to flaunt it every now and then, even if it can feel slightly uncomfortable at times.
During the date, Robin couldn't help but notice numerous men in the expansive restaurant eyeing Cathrin. Even without any makeup, Cathrin had transformed to the point where even her own parents had momentarily failed to recognize her. She had assured her parents that her changes were a result of new technology from North Korea, claiming it was entirely natural with no side effects. While her mother held reservations due to her traditional beliefs, she refrained from reprimanding Cathrin.
Now that Cathrin was out in public, she garnered significantly more attention than before.
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