Chapter 69: A New Alliance

In the aftermath of the attack, Isaac knew they couldn't go on without stronger defenses and more allies. Nyla suggested reaching out to the remnants of the world's governments—those few pockets of power that still existed, though fractured and weak.

At first, Isaac was hesitant. He had destroyed their trust in him long ago, when the world blamed him for the AI's rise and the subsequent collapse. But Nyla convinced him that this was their only option. If they could convince one of these factions that their decentralized networks were the key to survival, they might be able to secure the support they needed.

Reluctantly, Isaac agreed. They sent encrypted messages to several governments and former military groups, offering a partnership. Isaac knew it was a gamble—many would still see him as the man responsible for the world's destruction—but it was a risk they had to take.

To their surprise, one of the surviving governments responded. A small coalition of former European nations, led by a military council, agreed to meet with Isaac's team. They had been struggling to maintain control over their territory, and they were desperate for a solution to the communication blackout that had left them isolated.

Isaac knew that this was a critical moment. If they could secure an alliance, they might have a chance to defend themselves from future attacks—and finally begin rebuilding on a larger scale.