Previously: Despite Omni’s dark past, Jin was preparing to join the biotech giant, hoping to negotiate terms that might help him reunite with his family. Before leaving with Theo for the Plain, where  Omni’s headquarters were located, Jin had to inform Xiao and Sofia...

 Back in his office, Jin found Sofia deep in conversation with his double, their laughter echoing throughout the room.
“Hey Jin! Your twin’s quite the bad boy!” she joked.
But her smile vanished the instant she saw Jin’s expression. Worry immediately clouded her features.
- Are you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost, Sofia asked.
- I’m going to accept Omni’s job offer.
- What?!” Sofia shot up from her chair. “I don’t get it, what changed your mind?”
- I was just attacked by Omni’s henchmen, and I had an exchange with one of their executives. He claims to know the director of Community 5 and is offering to negotiate.
- That bastard! Sofia spat, fists clenched.
- You really think he can be trusted? Jin’s double asked, his artificial features expressing almost human concern.
- Of course not. It’s probably just another manipulation, but I can’t ignore this chance. If there’s any opportunity to see Xiao and Mei again, I have to take it. Besides, Omni has resources that could seriously advance our research.
- So you’re going to live in the Plain? Sofia asked, her voice barely audible.
- No. I’ll ask to work here most of the time. So you’ll still have to put up with my terrible sense of humor.
- I see...” Sofia forced a smile. “But it still freaks me out. When are you going?”
- Probably tomorrow.
- That soon?! Have you told Xiao?
- Not yet. I’m about to.”
- Then I’ll leave you two alone. We’ll talk more later.” Sofia headed toward the exit, then turned to Jin’s double. “And you, mister prankster, we’re not done yet!”
Once Sofia had left, Jin addressed his double: “Go up as well. We’ll sync later anyway.”
The double nodded and followed Sofia. When the bookshelf slid shut, leaving Jin alone in the underground room, he activated the video recorder.
“Hi baby, how are you? How’s Mei? I bet she’s growing up so fast. Is she taller than you already? Still going to school?
Jin paused, searching for the right words.
“Here, the double’s made remarkable progress. I even let him stand in for me to meet Theo Garnier. Remember him? I was so happy to see him again... until he told me he works for Omni. Then again, it’s not that surprising, most of the talented surgeons we know ended up there.”
He sighed deeply.
“He’s doing well, even if living in the Plain has clearly changed him. Not just physically, he’s ghostly pale, probably from the lack of sunlight, but emotionally too. He seems like a lost soul. I felt sorry for him.”
Jin straightened up, his voice becoming firmer.
“Anyway, he offered me a job at Omni. He swore they’re no longer the shady corporation that orchestrated the deportations. Now they’re chasing immortality. I had a brief exchange with his boss, who claims to know the director of Community 5.”
His eyes began to mist over.
“It’s probably a lie, but I can’t miss this chance. The thought of holding you again and seeing our daughter... it’s stronger than anything else. So I’m going to the Plain tomorrow. I’ll keep you posted, of course.”
His voice nearly broke.
“I hope everything’s okay on your end. I miss you both so much. Give Mei a big kiss from me. I love you.”
After encrypting and sending the message, Jin signaled to his double to come down for the daily sync.

Next: In Community 5, everything is designed for the happiness of the residents. So why does Xiao feel like a prisoner?
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