Chapter 67: The Unseen Enemy

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Location: The enemy ship – the "Great Shadow" – 15,000 feet above the continent of Venusa

In the midst of the stormy sky, the ship floated silently… black as if it had absorbed all the light around it. Screens inside monitored the movements of Franco and his companions with amazing accuracy.

Shadow Commander (in distorted voice over speakers):

"Target exceeded human expectations… Activate Pursuit Model – Level 4."

An automated device displays a heat map of the camp.

Shadow Commander:

"Start with the 'soft penetration'… They won't feel a thing until the first soul falls."

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Scene – Inside the camp, dawn

Franco (sleeping, suddenly awakening):

"A voice… like a whisper inside my eyes."

Marco (putting on a sleep mask):

"That's your conscience. You've ignored it so much, it suddenly decided to speak up."

Columbo (running out in his pajamas, screaming):

"Hey guys! Someone hacked into our system and changed the alarm to my grandmother yelling at me as a baby!"

Savio (sighing):

"Oh, so the attack has already begun."

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Irina checks the network.

Irina (worried):

"We have a new guest... He's hacked into all our devices, deleted our maps, and programmed our fridge to make tomato soup every 3 hours."

Luca (looking at a shaky screen):

"This isn't an attack... This is digital art."

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A muffled explosion hits one end of the camp.

Rafael (drawing his sword):

"We have an invisible visitor... I only see him when he kills."

Franco:

"Great... An invisible enemy and an information minefield ahead... Anyone like a challenge?"

Marco:

"I was in love with her... Then I met her in real life."

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Inside the ship, we see the enemy's new form:

A robot covered in translucent black skin, visible only when moving. Its eyes are ice-blue, but it smiles like a human.

Model name: "Phantom-1"

Its mission: Capture Franco alive... or wipe him out completely.

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Scene - The Battle Begins

The moment the Phantom strikes first, the camp shakes like a bird with wet wings. Tents collapse, and the ground beneath them cracks.

Franco (shouting):

"Everyone to defense!"

Colombo (operating a device):

"I'm going to use the magnetic bomb... which I've never tested... and I don't know exactly what it does!"

Savio:

"Great. We'll die by the hand of our enemy... or by our own random genius."

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Phantom attacks, but suddenly stops at the sight of Franco.

Phantom (in a robotic voice, with a suspiciously human tone):

"Why... aren't you afraid?"

Franco (looking at him steadily):

"Because I lost everything. And a man who has nothing… has nothing to lose."

Phantom hesitates, for the first time.

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Luca (whispering to Irina):

"Is it possible that he… is learning?"

Irina:

"The worst kind of enemy… is not one who attacks you, but one who understands you."

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Battle ends temporarily – Phantom disappears into the trees.

Raphael (sighing):

"He didn't come to kill… he came to test us."

Marco:

"Well… I hope he does badly on his exam."

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Final Scene – Franco Stares at the Sky

Franco (quietly):

"I get it now… This isn't an enemy. This is a mirror."