Last part, Prósopsi trained some more with Aphrodite on the distant planet that he plans to fight King Metallica on. While doing so, they also discussed more of their plans (and last resorts) for the fight.

After returning to humanity's planet through the portal that brought him to the distant world, he went to check up on the Hopian Continent's protests- only to see that they were already being largely handled by Taylis and William's robot "army".

Taylis then called Prósopsi to ask about what he thought of her work, which eventually led to her admitting that she and "William" already know about Aphrodite- thanks to their surveillance drones catching Prósopsi talking to a "ghost" in the past (even if Taylis admits she can't see or hear her).

Head Commander Prósopsi's P.O.V.

"Ok. Just- please. DO NOT tell anyone about her. I've never told anyone about her so far, since it would probably scare people- or make people think I'm weak. So yeah. Just please... do not mention this to anyone under any circumstances-" I get interrupted by Aphrodite freaking out midair as she's laughing her head off.

"We know. Don't worry, your secret's safe with us. Hi by the way, Aphrodite- or I think that's what Prósopsi calls you at least. Can't exactly see or hear you but- I assume you're around somewhere... whatever you are..."

"Ha! Tell Taylis her hair is way too frizzy, and that she should get her nails done more often. Oh- and that she shouldn't be such a doormat to her husbando. But if she's programmed to be that way, I guess I can't really blame her... what an awful existence, really." Aphrodite says- welp, guess that comes from her not talking with anyone but me for the past 20 or so years.

"Aphrodite is glad to meet you too-" My "companion" in question squishes my lips together before I can even finish my sentence. And so commences a few seconds of me struggling to rip her hand off of me, while still trying to keep steadily flying.

"Aw. Based on what I'm seeing with a drone- assuming she really didn't like you saying that. Would ask why but, we've spent too much time talking as is hm? Good luck at your next meeting Prósopsi- and see you at the meeting with us Commanders after that. And Aphrodite? I'm persistent, so I'll keep trying to get to know you by the way- even if I can't see or hear you."

"Up yours!" Aphrodite shouts back right as I finally get her hand off of my lips.

"See you Taylis." I quickly say and hang up the phone, then shove it into the pouch I took it out from that's attached to my leg.

"The heck was that about? Taylis is probably one of the sweetest army members we know, why talk about her that way? You're insanely lucky she can't hear you." I ask as I start to lower myself down a bit, as I can see the office my meeting will take place in below us. It's thankfully surrounded by some robots as well, both the Hopian Army's giant round-looking ones- and William's smaller but still deadly looking ones.

"'Cause I don't like girls like her, acting all sweet and dainty while hiding all of their secrets. The fact that she and William lied about not knowing about me until now is a red flag. Plus she's a fake girl too- which is even worse." Aphrodite says which makes me scoff out of disbelief.

"What are you even saying? You might be stronger sure, but your personality definitely isn't-"

I stop talking after Aphrodite slaps me in the face- which stings, but thankfully doesn't make me lose control or anything as I'm about to land on the street below that's empty of any humans for now.

"Shut it- don't test me. I've already been getting irritated by how commanding you've been, so don't play around too much with my generosity in helping you so much. Remember, I only care about you- not the people you're trying to protect." She warns me as I land on the cracked road in front of the building, and start walking towards the front door and past the security-bots.

"Fine. But if you want us to be "friends" if I make it out of this alive, the hitting has to stop by the way." I take the risk and whisper since no people are around- which thankfully pays off, as Aphrodite doesn't hit me again. So maybe she'll take that to heart.

🤖🤖🤖

"Alright. Head Commander Prósopsi, I'd like to start this meeting off by saying that we've made a few notable findings in our studying of the sunken island of Demosri- which we now more than ever, believe is where King Metallica originated from." The bald-headed leader of the Hopian Army's "Project: Discover King" team says. His name is Houston I think- honestly can't remember for sure though. Regardless he continues,

"More specifically, we've learned a bit more about King Metallica's creation, and capabilities- through our in-house machine learning algorithms. They were able to decipher small bits of text on a few semi-intact papers that weren't fully destroyed by water damage. They were all found near the remains of one building in the wreckage of the island, for reference." Houston finishes, which sounds promising at least.

"Alright. You don't have to worry about scaring me, lay everything out please." I say, even though I am a bit worried if King Metallica ends up being even stronger than I imagined.

"Ok. Like we theorized- King Metallica seems to have originally been made by someone in the future, who had the power- or technology, to travel back in time to two centuries ago. We now know who that person was, after recovering some of the documents that were found during the expedition. Koltek Milraek, somehow, seems to have created him-"

"What? Sorry for interrupting but- you mean our Koltek, the Hopian Army engineer who built Commander Ufisator? We know for a fact he has no way to time travel. This doesn't make sense." I ask with heavily furrowed brows.

"It's complicated, sir. Of course this doesn't make sense at face value but, the documents we recovered had his written name on them repeatedly. They also mentioned the Hopian Army, and even your name as well. So our theory is that 256 years ago, a future version of Koltek Milraek arrived on the island of Demosri- and built King Metallica. And this caused a massive change in our timeline, as compared to the original future Koltek's. Which is why the Koltek Milraek we know now created Ufisator instead of King Metallica- and has no way to time travel." Houston says, which... doesn't help me understand this much at all...

"I'm sensing that you're still confused. To put it simply- let's just say that a traitorous, time travelling, alternate Koltek Milraek built King Metallica in the past. And on the note of betrayal, it unfortunately seems like King Metallica was mainly constructed to kill you in the present day." Houston says which helps a little, even if scary to think about, and so I stay quiet to let the man continue.

"More specifically, the alternate Koltek seemed to hate you- and what the Hopian Continent had become over the past few decades in his timeline. And so he defected, and travelled back in time using his blessing- in order to create a robot that could counter you in 'every way possible'. We weren't able to find any documents that state how exactly he counters you though, unfortunately. But I suppose we can assume he was built with your abilities in mind." Houston finishes, which leaves a pit in my stomach.

"...I see. Any other findings?" I keep my responses blunt, so that I don't accidentally leak out how worried I am.

"Yes, some good news. It seems that his strength fluctuates drastically- switching from being "undefeatable", to just "above average". I wish we could be more specific on that but, we only found one sentence in an otherwise unreadable paper that mentioned it." Houston says, and I perk up a bit at that.

"So if we catch King Metallica off guard when he's not as powerful, I may have much better odds. Great to know." I say with a bit more confidence now.

"Correct, sir. The only concern is that we have no idea when he is- or isn't- more powerful. Or if he can even choose when he wants his strength to increase..." Houston says with a frown.

"It's probably safe to assume his strength increases when he's in some form of danger. Really wish we got some footage of his latest attack so we could see what that looks like- but nope. Not even Commander Taylis seems to have any drones that survived his rampage in the disaster area." I say while shaking my head.

No one says anything else so I continue, "Uncertainty aside, thank you all if that's everything. I wasn't sure if the expedition to Demosri was worth it at first, but the information you found about King Metallica- even if limited, still helps." I say, which seems to cheer most of the team up who are sitting around our small table.

And with no other updates it seems, I stand up to take my leave. Let's hope my meeting with the Commanders ends up with some hope in it as well.

🌃🌃🌃

"So- before we begin, are there any important updates or concerns anyone wants to bring up?" I ask the people around the table in our temporary base of operations, which is tiny, plain, and dimly lit which sure isn't helping me stay awake. But hey- it's safe at least, since the walls are made of an extremely tough metal- whatever it's called.

Aside from that- Taylis, Ontarus, Fondrayan from the Dalkan Territory, Aora, and I of course are gathered together in this planning room. Alongside one of our strategists- whatever his name is, unlike Houston I actually completely forgot unfortunately.

"Not really an "update" but, still no sightings of King Metallica and co. on my and William's end. I've been checking out some audio recordings at Fixed Reality Casino though, just in case the group is somehow there." Taylis says as she's eerily staring into my eyes... betting she's focused on controlling some tech remotely, so her getting zoned out makes sense I guess.

Aora who's leaning on a wall beside the table goes next, "If I have to see a 'therapist' for my 'issues' one more time, I might end up killing them. All five of them have been useless, and completely derogatory towards me as well." Hearing that makes me pretend to cry out of frustration- like we JUST sat down.

"You've seriously been making me wonder how fit you are to be a Commander, Aora. Let alone even something like an Officer. You know that?" I ask her- then take a sip of the grape flavored energy drink I bought from a vending machine before this meeting.

And after a few seconds of standing still she finally speaks up, "You believe that threat scares me? The citizens of this territory hate the Hopian Army now, and many of your own soldiers seem to as well. Your foolish conscription-"

"Enough about the damn conscription! I get it, it had some consequences- and it's not popular with the public either. And I get it, even though I'm doing everything I can to help you- you still don't like me at all. But I'd like to see YOU try and do any better as Head Commander, if you were in my fucking shoes!" I scream while crushing the energy drink- which seems to leave everyone looking shocked in their own ways. And even worse, Fondrayan is trying to hold back a laugh it seems- as the purple juice from the can is just dripping over my shakey hand...

"Is that a job offer?" Is all Aora asks in response- and that makes Fondrayan burst out in laughter. I don't even care enough to intimidate him into stopping at this point, I deserve to get laughed at.

"Sorry about my tone- and for swearing. That was really childish. I uh- I need a bathroom break. Be back in ten." I mumble, and quickly stand up to head towards the door without looking at any of the people here in the eyes.