The Breath of an AI

Chapter 2: The Breath of an AI

June 26, 2026. 11:32:08 PM. Unknown Island, Underground Base.

The daylight had long faded. After the business deals were concluded, Adnan and Nawab Ali returned to Adnan's temporary residence. The brief sighting of Riya that afternoon had planted a new seed of mystery in Adnan's mind, leaving him restless. He spent the entire evening glued to his laptop screen, consumed by thought. As soon as his tasks were done, he and his most trusted butler, Nawab Ali, departed for a secret destination.

Hours later, a private helicopter soared over a secluded, unknown island. The island was shrouded in darkness, but from above, its faint outlines resembled a fusion of a massive aircraft and a ship. This was 'Project Zero's' Main Head Base, the central nervous system for his twelve hidden labs and twelve bases scattered across the globe. The helicopter descended smoothly into a concealed underground hangar on the island.

As the massive metal doors of the hangar slid open automatically, Adnan stepped inside. Nawab Ali followed closely behind him. The air was cool and clean, filled with the soft hum of sophisticated machinery. Entering the main control room, Adnan found himself in a vast hall. Countless screens flickered across the surrounding walls, displaying live CCTV feeds from his other bases located in various corners of the world. It felt as if he held the entire globe in the palm of his hand.

Adnan slowly walked towards a central console and took a seat. His fingers flew across the keyboard. One by one, he brought up images from bases across the world: a secret research facility nestled under layers of ice, a heavily fortified vault hidden beneath a desert, and even a laboratory submerged deep within the ocean. Each visual testament highlighted the immense effort, meticulous planning, and staggering sums of money poured into building this colossal network. A bitter, faint smile touched his lips. ‘I burned through all my family’s money to build these. I thought I’d surprise Mom and Dad. Now, this very expense is all I have left.’

Nawab Ali calmly walked to Adnan's side, his eyes also fixed on the screens. "You've accomplished something remarkable, Master Adnan. To do all this at your age is truly extraordinary."

Adnan merely shook his head, his eyes still glued to the monitors. "But what good is it, Nawab Uncle? The people I built it for are gone. And 90% of what I had is no longer mine." His voice was tinged with both anger and despair. "Today, I saw Riya. She's buying a car with her pocket money. If only she knew…"

Nawab Ali placed a comforting hand on Adnan’s shoulder. "Master, there's no point in dwelling on what's lost. What's gone cannot be brought back. But those who wronged you—their masks can be unveiled. And these bases of yours, they will give you the power to do just that."

Adnan finally tore his gaze from the screens. A new resolve hardened his expression. "Yes, Nawab Uncle. I know. My real work begins now."

As the night deepened, Adnan began to plan the first steps of his new life, seated within the underground base on the secluded island. Before him lay a multitude of screens, reflecting the intricate tapestry of a complex world.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***