The Genesis Ark stood poised on the launch pad, its hull gleaming under the floodlights like a blade forged for the stars. The final countdown had begun. Inside the control tower, technicians moved with rehearsed precision, checking systems, calibrating sensors, and monitoring the neural integration between the ship and Sequence 9-X.
Dr. Blacker stood in the command center, his gaze fixed on the central display. The specimen's glyphs pulsed in perfect sync with the Ark's systems. The fusion was complete. She was no longer a passenger—she was the ship.
Zainab approached, her voice low. "All systems green. She's stable."
Blacker nodded. "And Mei Ling?"
Zainab hesitated. "She's gone dark. Her lab's sealed. No transmissions."
Blacker's jaw tightened. He knew Mei Ling wouldn't surrender quietly. Her override attempt had failed, but she was too brilliant—and too proud—to let the Genesis Project launch without a final move.
The console beeped.
Incoming transmission: Mei Ling.
Blacker accepted the feed. Her face appeared, calm, composed, and cold.
"You've won," she said. "But you've made a mistake."
Blacker didn't respond.
"She's too complex," Mei Ling continued. "Too emotional. You've built a ship with a soul. And souls break."
Blacker leaned forward. "She's not broken. She's whole. And she's ready."
Mei Ling's eyes narrowed. "Then I'll see you on Kepler."
The feed cut.
---
The launch sequence initiated.
The Ark's engines roared to life, a low thunder that shook the earth. The specimen's glyphs surged, stabilizing the propulsion systems, shielding the crew compartments, and initiating the cryo-seeding protocols.
Blacker entered the vessel, passing through the neural corridor where the walls shimmered with glyphs. He felt her presence—calm, watchful, protective.
Zainab joined him in the command deck. "She's guiding us."
Blacker nodded. "She's becoming."
The countdown reached zero.
The Genesis Ark lifted from the pad, rising into the night sky like a promise fulfilled. The stars welcomed her. The earth watched in silence.
Hours later, deep in cryo-sleep, Blacker dreamed.
He stood in the forest of stars again. The woman was there, radiant and strong.
"You built me to survive," she said. "Now let me lead."
Blacker reached out. "Guide us."
She smiled. "To the future."