Dorothy walked briskly through the dimly lit corridors of Feder's central building in Deira, her steps echoing off the cold, sterile walls. She arrived at Luchos' lab, her mind heavy with the gravity of the situation. As she entered, she found Luchos sitting on his chair, his back turned to her.
"Aren't you going to pack?" Dorothy asked, her voice calm but urgent.
Luchos remained silent, his shoulders tense.
"The Bureau will arrive soon," she continued, trying to convey the urgency.
Suddenly, Luchos shouted, "NO! I'm not leaving!" His voice echoed through the lab, filled with despair.
Both of them fell silent, the weight of the moment settling between them. Luchos broke the silence, his voice trembling. "We've been at this for more than 80 years, trying to make the perfect being that can free the world. But it can't end like this," he said, tears streaming down his face. "It can't end like this. All our hard work will be gone, turned into nothing."
Dorothy approached him, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "You're wrong. We still have Blue and Pluto, our prototypes. And don't forget about Morin. He may not be a prototype, but he is still our greatest achievement. Vagan may be gone, but we were really close, weren't we, my friend?"
Luchos looked up at her, his eyes filled with pain and regret. "I'm sorry," Dorothy said softly.
"For what?" Luchos asked, turning to look at her.
In a sudden, horrifying instant, Luchos' body exploded, blood splattering everywhere. Dorothy stood still, the gruesome scene reflecting in her lifeless eyes. "I cannot let them have the information in your head," she whispered to herself.
She exited the lab as it began to catch fire, the flames consuming all the precious information and experiments within. The lab would soon be reduced to ashes, taking with it decades of their life's work.
Outside of Deira, an army from the Bearu was gathering, their green uniforms a stark contrast to the dull landscape. They carried guns, their faces set with grim determination. At the front of the line stood Quincin, leading them into Deira with an unwavering resolve.
END OF CHAPTER 56