Previously: The Omni Board of Directors blamed Theo for his failure and reassigned the mission to Alfonso. Jin was now preparing to reveal the truth to Sofia.

The next morning, Sofia entered Jin’s office with two steaming coffees, an old habit since she had joined the team. Natural light filtered through the blinds, casting geometric patterns on the floor.
- So, how’s the morning going? Jin looked up from his reports.
- Productive. I oversaw the ankle replacement of your mysterious patient.” She settled into the chair across from him. “By the way, I almost forgot, what happened yesterday at 11? Nothing worth noting?”
Jin paused, weighing his words. “The patient whose ankle you replaced... is a childhood friend I hadn’t seen in twenty years. I thought he might stop by to see me, even if I wasn’t sure it was him. Did he say anything during the procedure?
- No, barely a few words. Pretty reserved.” Sofia tilted her head. “So... were you happy to see him again?
- At first, yes.
- Uh oh... only at first?
- Because he then revealed that he works for Omni.
Sofia’s face tensed. “Oooh no! I see. But why come here just for an ankle, then?
- He came to recruit me.
- Wow! Failure doesn’t scare that guy, huh?” Her teasing comment drew a smile from Jin. “Don’t they already have an army of scientists?”
- That’s exactly what I tried to tell him. But apparently, Omni’s leadership is chasing immortality.
- What?” Sofia nearly choked on her coffee. “Living 150 to 200 years isn’t enough for them? Haven’t they already done enough damage to the planet?”
- Apparently not.” Jin cast a discreet glance toward the bookshelf in the corner. Sofia followed his gaze, intrigued: “What is it?”
- Wait.” His neural chip commanded the blinds to close. The lights turned on, bathing the office in a golden glow. “I’m anticipating your next question.”
- You did turn down Omni, didn’t you?
- Technically... no.
- WHAT?!
Instead of answering immediately, Jin activated his chip. The bookshelf silently slid aside, revealing a hidden alcove from which a familiar figure emerged. A man identical to Jin in every way stepped forward with smooth, fluid movement.
- He’s the one who said no”, Jin announced with a smirk. “That was your biggest test so far, wasn’t it?
- Yes, Jin, the humanoid replied in a perfectly modulated voice.
Sofia stood frozen, her mouth slightly open, eyes wide. Several seconds passed before she could speak again.
- I... I have so many questions! How did you do that? How long has he been functional? Did you test him on me?
- I’ll answer from simplest to most complex.” Jin raised a calming hand. “Of course not, I’ve never used you as a guinea pig. As for the timeline: Xiao and I started this project even before you arrived. Since then, it’s been continuous improvement.
- But what was the original goal?
- Xiao and I have always been fascinated by the brain and its infinite capabilities. We wanted to extend our lifespans in order to escape this dying Earth and reach a habitable exoplanet.
- Ah! So I’m not the only one tired of living here?
- Far from it dear. Given the hypocrisy and total lack of scruples from our leaders, you’re definitely not alone. But to travel that far, you need to live long enough to enjoy it.
- Makes sense. It takes nearly fifty years to reach the nearest exoplanet.
- Exactly. But after Xiao and Mei’s deportation, and then my recovery, everything changed.
- Okay, I get it now. But why tell me all this today?
Jin sat on the edge of his desk. “First reason: meeting with Theo was an excellent test, and I think he passed it brilliantly. Second reason: if anything happens to me, I don’t want you to be scared or confused when you see him.
- No, don’t start scaring me!
- Sorry, but Omni isn’t the kind to give up easily. I’m preparing for every possibility.
- Alright... but how did you even get to this point?
- Maybe the simplest way is to show you. Want to see where I work?
- Of course!
- Follow me.

Next: Jin's secret work... Sofia finally understands why everyone is after him. And she's right to be afraid.

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