“You came all this way,” said the holographic nanomachine.

In the hidden groves of the country of Morocco, the underground base left by Malak (The Angel of Death) was infiltrated by Cindy’s recon team.

“Can you guys give us some privacy?” Cindy said to her team.

“You won’t be able to find anything of use here. My master has ordered me to destroy the nations that dare steal from his possessions,” Veda interceded.

Gulp. The recon team could be seen visibly sweating. Images of the disintegrated Pentagon flashed through their minds when they saw the great beam of light erase the United State’s symbol of military strength.

“The warning has been delivered. With that said, please have a seat,” Veda said while androids placed chairs and a table beside the spaceship. Refreshments were served as Cindy headed up to the bridge of the elegant ship.

“You are… his butler?” Asked Cindy while walking.

“My, yes. I serve at my master’s behest.” Veda bowed as is the custom of trained butlers. “Please, have a seat.”

The ship that was left behind was a spare prototype of the finalized version of The Regalia. Not as sturdy, but, functions as a ship capable of space flight.

A coffee with a delightful smell was served to Cindy. “I suspect you have questions?”

Cindy was apprehensive about drinking the coffee served to her, but then she remembered that the artificial intelligence that is Veda could have easily done that when they infiltrated the secret base.

Sip. A rush of sweet and savory flavor overcame her taste buds and made her beautiful face warm up.

“Where is he?” Finally, she posed the question that’s been ringing in her mind for all this time.

The butler, elegant and antiquated, replied, “My master is no longer of this world.”

!!

“H-He’s dead?!” Cindy stood from her seat.

“Hoho!” The butler chuckled lightly. “My dear, my master left this planet some time ago.”

“O-Oh, I see.” Cindy sat back down, noticing the abrupt reaction when Veda said “he” was gone. Her face was flushed red.

Veda turned around and placed his translucent hands on the captain’s steering wheel. “You love him, don’t you?”

It was an unexpected question that made her heart flutter.

“...” She said no words.

“Your expression says it all, Miss Cindy.”

She spoke, “Why does it matter if I love him when he’s not here anymore?”

Veda approached the beautiful, young maiden and placed his hands on his chest. It was one of those refined expressions often displayed by butlers.

“Would you give your all for a fantasy?”

It was a cryptic question. Though, such a question was tailor-made specifically for Cindy. Essentially, what Veda was asking was if Cindy wanted to see the man she’s been longing for. After a long pause, Cindy mustered the strength to speak the words she’s been keeping in her subconscious for a long time, “Yes, I want nothing more than to see him. Tell me, where is he?”

The holographic butler smiled, “I have waited for someone like you to lift the lonely heart of my master.”

With those last words, Cindy would find herself plunged into a strange, new world.