Location: Underground base
Time: The day after the data center raid
Franco sat silently at a small metal table, eyes fixed on the holographic screen in front of him. Lines of encrypted data flashed rapidly, almost like a ghost whispering secrets only he could hear.
His eyes narrowed. One line repeated itself.
Franco (softly):
"Genetic ID... linked to Subject 777. That's… me?"
Luca (approaching with a half-full mug of coffee):
"Let me guess… You found out you're actually the heir to a throne, or a robot clone, or both?"
Franco (half-smiling):
"That would almost be easier to believe. These files—someone has been tracking me since I was a kid."
Marco (entering the room with calm intensity):
"Because they knew what you are before you did."
Franco (standing, voice sharp):
"What do you know, Marco? Does this have something to do with my father?"
Marco (coldly):
"Your father… Giulio Bato. Am I right?"
Silence fell like a hammer.
Savio (wide-eyed):
"Wait... Giulio Bato? He was part of the Black Shadow Unit. Government-level clearance—off-the-record stuff."
Franco (shocked):
"I never knew…"
Marco (sitting across from him):
"Giulio was one of the few people who discovered the truth about Zakrota. He tried to expose them. They killed everyone who got close to that truth—scientists, soldiers... even his own team."
Rocco (still chewing cold pizza):
"So let me get this straight—Franco is a government secret, part robot, possibly magical? How long before he shoots lasers from his eyes?"
Franco (dryly):
"Shut up before I rewire your brain to do the dishes."
Lucchini:
"Wait… does this mean Zakrota tested on children?"
Marco:
"Not children. One child. Only one survived the tests. That child… is sitting right in front of me."
The group froze.
Luca (softly):
"You mean… he was an experiment?"
Marco (nods):
"The perfect combination of intelligence, resistance to robotic control, and potential for evolution. Zakrota never wanted to destroy Franco… They wanted to own him."
Suddenly, a soft alarm echoed through the base.
Luca (checking monitors):
"Scouting bots. West perimeter. Small, fast. Not an attack—surveillance."
Colombo (grabbing his rifle):
"Think they found us?"
Marco:
"No. This is Karos. He's saying hello… in his own twisted way."
Franco (calm but cold):
"Good. Next time, let's say hello with explosives."
Rocco (grinning):
"Now that's the Franco I like. Broody, dangerous, and halfway to becoming a tragic superhero."
---
Final Scene
Location: Unknown Zakrota surveillance room
Karos stood in front of a massive screen showing Franco's image.
Karos (whispering):
"You are not the enemy, Franco. You're the key… and when the lock turns—this entire world will fall."
---
End of Chapter 11
Would you like Chapter 12 to explore Franco training to unlock some hidden power or memory from his past? Or shall we introduce a new powerful ally or villain connected to Giulio's secret mission?