Ria stared at him in disbelief.
She couldn't believe what he had just told her.
He had just told her his life story.
A story that was more incredible, unbelievable, and awesome than any fiction she had ever read.
A story that involved aliens, systems, nanobots, and revolutions.
A story that involved him, her, and the world.
A story that involved a choice.
A choice that he wanted her to make.
She said.
"Wow. Just wow. I don't even know what to say."
Leon smiled and said.
"I know. It's a lot to take in. But it's all true. Every word of it."
He said.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I wanted to, but I couldn't. It was too risky. Too dangerous. Too complicated."
He said.
"But now I can. Now I have to. Now I want to."
He said.
"Because I trust you. Because I care about you. Because I love you."
He said.
"And because I need you. Because we need you. Because she needs you."
Ria felt a surge of emotions.
She felt touched by his trust, care, and love.
She felt curious about his need, their need, and her need.
She felt confused by his story, his mission, and his system.
She asked.
"Who is she? The alien? The spy? The hacker?"
Leon nodded and said.
"Yes, she is all of those things. And more."
He said.
"Her name is Zara. She is a dragon."
Ria blinked and asked.
"A dragon? Like a mythical creature? Like a fire-breathing lizard?"
Leon shook his head and said.
"No, not like that. Well, not exactly like that."
He said.
"She is a dragonoid. A humanoid alien race that resembles dragons. They have scales, horns, wings, tails, and claws. They can breathe fire, fly, and shapeshift."
He said.
"They are also one of the most powerful and ancient races in the galaxy. They have a rich culture, a long history, and a strong sense of honor."
He said.
"They are also one of the most oppressed and persecuted races in the galaxy. They have been hunted, enslaved, and exterminated by the federation for centuries."
He said.
"They are also one of the most rebellious and courageous races in the galaxy. They have been fighting, resisting, and surviving against the federation for centuries."
He said.
"And Zara is one of their leaders. One of their heroes. One of their legends."
Ria was amazed and asked.
"Wow, she sounds amazing. How did you meet her? How did you get involved with her?"
Leon smiled and said.
"It's a long story. But I'll try to summarize it for you."
He explained.
"I met her three years ago, when I was still a student at MIT. She was posing as a professor of computer science. She was teaching me how to hack the system."
He explained.
"She was using the system to gather information and evidence about the federation's crimes and corruption. She was using the nanobots to sabotage and destroy their facilities and weapons. She was using the device to access the system's functions and secrets."
He explained.
"She was doing this for two reasons. One, to complete her mission as a spy for the galactic resistance. A secret organization of aliens and humans who opposed the federation and fought for freedom. Two, to find someone who could support her as a partner for her personal quest. A quest to expose and oppose the federation on Earth."
He explained.
"She was looking for someone who could see through the federation's lies and propaganda. Someone who could understand the injustice and oppression they imposed on the galaxy. Someone who could share her vision of a free and peaceful world."
He explained.
"She was looking for someone like me."