Chapter 6 Queen's Coronation + Ultimate Social Death
# Chapter 6: Queen's Coronation + Ultimate Social Death
Eighteen months after the trial that shattered Caesar Sims' empire, the former Li Corporation headquarters had undergone a dramatic transformation. Where once sterile laboratories conducted secret experiments, interactive exhibits now educated visitors about genetic ethics. The sprawling complex, renamed "Transparency Institute," had become the most visited museum in the country.
Nydia Schmidt, wearing a tailored white pantsuit that accentuated her now-authoritative presence, guided a group of international regulators through the main exhibition hall.
"This wing," she explained, gesturing to a glass-walled chamber, "contains the complete unredacted records of all Li Corporation experiments. Over eight thousand victims have been identified and contacted for reparations."
The centerpiece of the hall, drawing constant crowds, was a glass case containing Caesar's handwritten confession—108 pages detailing three decades of crimes. Beside it, a digital counter tracked the NFT auction of the document's digital twin, already exceeding $70 million with proceeds directed to victim support.
"Ms. Schmidt," a German regulator asked, "what will happen to the remaining genetic research?"
"All medically beneficial discoveries have been placed in the public domain," Nydia replied. "No one will profit from suffering again."
As the tour concluded, Aurora and Orion—now seven years old and already taking university-level courses—approached their mother.
"The preparations are complete," Aurora reported. "Guests are arriving for the ceremony."
Nydia nodded. "And our special project?"
Orion's eyes gleamed. "On schedule. The surprise will arrive precisely at the calculated moment of maximum impact."
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The grand ballroom of the former Sims estate had been transformed for the evening's gala. Representatives from 143 countries gathered to witness the official launch of the International Genetic Rights Accord, the culmination of Nydia's crusade.
The Rita Collective, now legally recognized as autonomous individuals, served as hosts, their identical faces a powerful reminder of past abuses and future possibilities. Rita herself, serving a reduced sentence under house arrest, watched the proceedings via monitored video link, her expression unreadable.
Caesar, however, remained in maximum-security confinement, his mental state deteriorating as his empire crumbled. His lawyers' appeals had been systematically rejected as evidence of additional crimes continued to surface.
As evening fell, spotlights illuminated the ballroom's stage where Nydia would soon sign the historic accord. The twins supervised final arrangements, their maturity still unsettling to observers unfamiliar with their accelerated development.
"Mother," Aurora whispered as Nydia prepared to address the gathering, "satellite tracking confirms approach. Impact in twenty minutes."
Nydia's calm expression never faltered. "Perfect timing."
She took the stage to thunderous applause, the crimson gown she'd chosen for this moment flowing behind her like liquid fire.
"Distinguished guests," she began, "three years ago, I stood in Caesar Sims' laboratory as an unwilling participant in humanity's darkest scientific chapter. Today, we close that chapter forever."
As she spoke, screens around the ballroom displayed images from the dismantling of Li Corporation's global facilities, the rescue of experimental subjects, the establishment of the world's first clone rights legislation.
"The Accord we sign tonight ensures that genetic research serves humanity rather than exploits it," Nydia continued. "No person shall be created as property. No child shall be born as an experiment. No life shall be designed for exploitation."
The audience rose in standing ovation as Nydia signed the document, her signature projected on screens worldwide. As she placed the ceremonial pen down, she stepped deliberately onto a floor projection of the former Li Corporation logo.
"From exploitation to protection," she declared, her foot symbolically crushing the emblem. "The age of substitute humans ends today."
Global headlines flashed across monitors: "SUBSTITUTE LITERATURE ENDS AS NYDIA SCHMIDT SIGNS HISTORIC ACCORD."
The moment was perfectly choreographed—until a deafening roar shook the building. Guests gasped as security personnel rushed to windows. In the night sky, a fiery object descended rapidly toward the estate's expansive grounds.
"Remain calm," Nydia announced, seemingly unfazed. "What you're witnessing is scheduled."
The object—now clearly some type of capsule—deployed parachutes in the final seconds, landing with precision on the red-carpeted path leading to the mansion's entrance.
Guests crowded the windows as steam hissed from the capsule's seams. The door opened slowly, backlit dramatically. A small figure emerged, wearing what appeared to be a miniature space suit complete with helmet and protective gear.
The figure walked deliberately up the red carpet as security formed a path through the astonished crowd. When it reached the ballroom's entrance, cameras captured its deliberate removal of protective gloves, then the helmet itself.
Collective gasps filled the room. The space-suited figure was a child—perhaps five years old—with features that eerily combined Nydia's determined jawline with Caesar's distinctive eyes. But unlike the twins, this child's gaze held something profoundly unsettling—a depth that seemed ancient rather than childlike.
"Allow me to introduce WN-13," Nydia announced calmly. "The thirteenth embryo created in Caesar's weaponized nursery program, recovered from a secret orbital laboratory three months ago."
The child approached the stage with unnatural poise, each step precisely measured. When it spoke, its voice carried perfectly despite its small stature.
"Greetings," it said, removing specialized goggles to reveal eyes identical to Nydia's—the same eyes that stared back from the twins' faces. "I have returned to claim my inheritance."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd as Aurora and Orion approached their newly-revealed sibling with clinical interest rather than shock.
"Successful atmospheric reentry," Orion noted, scanning the child with a device. "Vitals stable despite g-force exposure."
Aurora circled the newcomer. "Cognitive development consistent with accelerated protocols. Estimated mental age: thirty-five years."
Nydia addressed the confused gathering. "WN-13 was Caesar's ultimate contingency—a fully weaponized embryo launched to a private space station, designed to mature in orbit until needed. What Caesar didn't anticipate was that his creation would develop its own agenda."
The child—WN-13—stepped to the microphone. "I was designed as the reset button—Caesar's perfect heir to rebuild his empire if all else failed. Instead, I choose to help dismantle what remains."
On cue, all screens displayed new information: hidden Li Corporation assets in twenty-seven countries, black-site laboratories, and offshore accounts containing billions in concealed funds.
"My orbital perspective provided unique insights," WN-13 explained with disturbing articulation. "I've spent my brief existence mapping the empire that created me, then calculating its optimal dismantling."
In his maximum-security cell, Caesar watched the broadcast in horror as his final contingency plan publicly betrayed him. His last hidden resources—the foundation for his planned comeback—exposed to the world.
Back at the gala, representatives from the Rita Collective approached the stage with a formal document.
"The Collective's lawsuit has concluded," their spokesperson announced. "The settlement requires Caesar Sims to personally compensate each clone. Based on current assets and the recently discovered accounts, he would need to sell his kidneys approximately 680,000 times to satisfy the judgment."
Laughter rippled through the audience, transforming the earlier tension into cathartic relief.
As the evening proceeded, Nydia retreated briefly with her three children—the twins and now WN-13—to a private room.
"Are you certain about this?" she asked the newcomer. "You have no obligation to join our family."
WN-13 considered the question with unnerving seriousness. "I was created as a weapon but choose to be a shield. Your genetic contribution makes us family by design, but your actions make us family by choice."
Aurora placed a small hand on WN-13's shoulder. "We have much to teach you about being children."
"And you have much to teach us about orbital mechanics," Orion added pragmatically.
When they returned to the ballroom, Nydia took center stage one final time. The crimson gown she had chosen for this moment caught the light as she ascended the steps, looking every bit the queen of a new era.
"Today marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another," she announced. "The Li Corporation empire is dismantled, its assets redistributed to victims, its research reclaimed for ethical use."
She gestured to her three children, standing with perfect posture despite their small statures. "We who were created as experiments now determine our own purpose. We who were designed as substitutes now forge original paths."
As she spoke, workers unveiled a new installation in the center of the former Li headquarters: Caesar's infamous logo now lay beneath a glass floor, literally becoming ground to walk upon.
"The age of substitute literature has ended," Nydia declared, her voice carrying to the billions watching worldwide. "The age of authentic humanity begins."
In his cell, Caesar Sims slumped against the wall, watching his final defeat broadcast globally. His nurse—one of Rita's clones who had chosen healthcare as her independent career—adjusted his medication without comment.
On the screen, Nydia stood triumphant, her three genetically enhanced children beside her, her foot symbolically placed upon the fallen empire's emblem. Global headlines proclaimed what Caesar had feared most:
"THE SUBSTITUTE QUEEN'S CORONATION: NYDIA SCHMIDT ENDS THE ERA OF GENETIC EXPLOITATION"
As the broadcast ended, Caesar's nurse finally spoke. "Your quarterly psychological assessment is scheduled for tomorrow. The evaluation board will review your rehabilitation progress."
"What's the point?" Caesar muttered.
The nurse—who once would have been his property—regarded him clinically. "The point, Mr. Sims, is that unlike you, we believe everyone deserves the chance to evolve beyond their original programming."
She left him alone with the final image frozen on the screen: Nydia in her crimson gown, crowned not with jewels but with victory, her children—his creations turned conquerors—gazing directly into the camera with his own eyes reflected back at him.
