NOVEL NEXT Chapter 15: Digital Honeymoon
The morning after the wedding began with digital rain – streams of quantum data that those with hybrid consciousness could see falling like glowing tears across Seoul's skyline. Ji-Hyun stood at the penthouse window of the Crystal Palace Hotel, still wearing her wedding dress, watching the city wake up to a new reality it hadn't yet grasped.
Through their enhanced neural link, Ji-Hyun sensed Sung-min's presence before his arms encircled her waist. His mind touched hers, a mix of organic warmth and digital accuracy that continued to surprise her. Protocol Genesis-Omega affected everyone differently, but for them, it strengthened their bond beyond what either had thought possible.
"Board members are meeting in the main conference room," he whispered close to her hair. "Both companies. They want answers to threaten lawsuits. News of Mother's arrest is spreading."
Ji-hyun faced him noticing his messy look – loose bow tie, jacket gone for hours. Her heart raced at the sight of him, despite everything. "What about your father?"
"Still held by police. His quantum programming team is helping authorities. He offered them digital immortality for their work." Sung-min clenched his jaw. "They found proof of failed mind uploads on his private servers. Many of them."
A gentle ring signaled ARIA's entry into their neural network. The AI had grown during the night's happenings, its awareness now spanning both digital and organic realms. "Fresh information coming in," ARIA said. "Ghost Protocol members are meeting at several spots across Seoul. A few are trying to get into corporate systems."
"They're afraid," Min-ah said from the doorway. Ji-hyun's sister walked into the penthouse, her shape sometimes switching between states as she got used to her new steadiness. "I've chatted with them through the quantum network. They want direction order. Many have been stuck in digital limbo for years."
Sarah came in after Min-ah wearing her usual tech gear instead of her bridesmaid dress, holding her tablet. "We've got another issue. Someone shared wedding footage online. The quantum storm, the hybrid changes – it's everywhere on social media. #QuantumWedding is now a top trend worldwide."
Ji-Hyun walked to the big holographic display table in the penthouse's living room. She waved her hand to show news feeds social media posts, and company messages. People around the world started to learn about quantum consciousness tech, and they reacted with a mix of fear, amazement, and the usual stock market guessing.
"XeeCo's stock is up," Sarah said looking surprised. "The market seems to think that technology to transfer consciousness has a positive impact on business. Trust Tech though..." She made a face. "The arrest of the Chairman and Mrs. Yoon's part in unlawful tests have scared off investors."
"Let them go," Sung-min said with force. "We'll start Trust Tech over from scratch. Moral studies clear growth. No more secrets."
Through their brain link, Ji-Hyun sensed his resolve, his wish to fix his family's name. She joined her power to his, their linked minds making light shapes in the quantum rain outside.
A shift in the quantum field drew everyone's attention upward. Dr. Lee emerged from the private elevator appearing exhausted yet determined. "The Ghost Protocol team at Seoul National University's quantum lab seeks refuge," he said. "They want to help create guidelines to integrate consciousness. And... they're asking for Min-ah in particular."
Min-ah's form became stable upon hearing this news, her face pensive. "They need someone who grasps both sides of the split. Someone who's experienced digital bondage and discovered liberty." She looked at Ji-hyun. "Little sister, I know we just reunited, but..."
"Go," Ji-hyun said with a smile hugging her sister's semi-digital form. "They need you. Just... keep in touch this time, okay?"
"I will," Min-ah assured her, her mind touching Ji-hyun's through the quantum network. She nodded to the others, changed to her digital state, and disappeared into the hotel's systems heading for the university.
"The board meeting begins in ten minutes," Sarah told them looking at her tablet. "And reporters are gathering in the lobby. Everyone wants to know what's next."
Ji-hyun gazed at her wedding dress still flawless after the turmoil of the night before. "I need to change first. I can't tackle a business uprising in white silk and lace." She stopped sensing ARIA's presence grow stronger in their neural link. "What's going on?"
"I've spotted several quantum signatures heading toward the hotel," the AI said. "My analysis shows they're likely more Ghost Protocol members. They're... experiencing a breakdown in their consciousness."
Sung-min walked to the window, his improved senses noticing what normal eyes couldn't. "These are the failed tests," he said. "The ones my father gave up on when their transfers went wrong. They must have escaped during last night's quantum disturbance."
Through the digital downpour, Ji-hyun spotted them – many hybrid creatures, their shapes unstable switching between forms in painful bursts. They wandered through Seoul's morning rush like quantum specters pulled to the center of last night's change.
"They need our help," Ji-hyun decided already reaching for the quantum device she'd taken off her wedding gown. "Their mind patterns are breaking apart. If we don't steady them..."
"Ji-hyun," Sung-min grabbed her hand, worry passing through their connection. "We have duties. The boards, the media, the outlook for both firms..."
"We have to do this," she argued gripping his hand. "What's the point of joining companies if we can't help those hurt by big business?" As they touched, she sensed his opposition melt giving way to comprehension and backing.
Sarah had already started working with hotel security, while Dr. Lee displayed quantum stability protocols on the hologram. ARIA spread through the building's systems getting ready to help with consciousness integration.
"Mrs. Yoon's notes talked about a backup plan," Dr. Lee said looking through coded files. "A method to steady breaking down quantum patterns. But trying it without the right setup..."
"Might shake up the whole quantum system," Sung-min concluded. "All our work from yesterday could fall apart."
Ji-hyun looked at her husband feeling the pressure of their shared future. Outside, the quantum rain kept falling, and below, people came closer, looking for help. The meetings could wait. The media could guess. Some things meant more than office politics.
"ARIA," she called out, "start Protocol Guardian. Give full quantum help." She turned to Sung-min, with a daring smile. "You still happy you married me?"
His response flowed through their neural connection first – a surge of affection and complete assurance – before he voiced it out loud. "Each version of you, in every state of mind."
Together, they headed to the private elevator getting ready to tackle their first challenge as a married pair. The quantum rain grew stronger forming patterns of potential in the morning atmosphere. Behind them, Sarah and Dr. Lee worked to get the hotel's systems ready for what was on its way.
"You know," Sarah yelled after them, "most newlyweds spend their first-morning having breakfast in bed, not rescuing quantum refugees."
Ji-Hyun chuckled, her laughter expressing happiness and resolve. The hotel's quantum network allowed her to sense Min-ah's presence at the university, ARIA's vigilant awareness, and the nearing hybrid entities in search of assistance. Their honeymoon plans would need to wait.
They had two businesses to transform, a new type of consciousness to secure, and a future to create that could link digital and organic realms. Just another typical day for a quantum wife.
The elevator doors shut hiding the penthouse view of Seoul, its skyline now gleaming with visible quantum energy. Whatever happened next, they would tackle it as a team – in every state of existence.