The hallway outside Louise's dorm room was quiet, the last rays of the setting sun casting long shadows along the stone walls. Saito paced restlessly, his boots making soft, uneven thuds against the floor. He couldn't settle down, his mind spinning in circles, replaying the events of the past few hours. The revelation that Louise was pregnant—with John Connor, no less—was still sinking in.

He shot a glance at Arnie, who stood as still as a statue near the door, his red eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. The Terminator's expression, as usual, was unreadable, but Saito knew better than to assume Arnie didn't understand what was happening. Not entirely, anyway. The machine's neural net processor had been learning from its interactions with humans for a while now, and though Arnie was blunt and often lacked tact, he had gained some understanding of human behavior.

But that didn't change the fact that Arnie's delivery of the news to Louise had been… well, not exactly smooth.

Saito stopped pacing, letting out a heavy sigh. "How the hell do we handle this?" he muttered, more to himself than to Arnie. He rubbed his face with both hands, trying to gather his thoughts. "It's not like you can just drop a bomb like 'Hey, you're pregnant' and expect everything to be fine."

Arnie turned his head slightly, his mechanical eyes locking onto Saito. "Louise was given the information directly. It was the most efficient method to relay the necessary data. Prolonging the conversation would have caused unnecessary stress."

Saito groaned, leaning back against the wall. "Yeah, but it's not that simple, Arnie. This isn't just about facts—it's about feelings. Louise might not show it, but this is a huge deal for her. She's probably trying to process everything right now."

Arnie was silent for a moment as if considering Saito's words. His neural net processor sifted through data on human psychology, drawing from what he had learned in his time with them. "Based on my files on human emotional responses, I acknowledge that pregnancy can be a significant psychological event. Louise may experience confusion, anxiety, and uncertainty regarding her future. These are expected reactions."

Saito stared at him, raising an eyebrow. "Wow. So you do get it—at least, more than I thought."

Arnie blinked, his gaze unblinking. "I have detailed files on human psychology and observed various emotional responses through interaction. While I am not programmed for emotional understanding, I can analyze patterns of behavior and predict outcomes."

Saito crossed his arms, looking thoughtful. "Okay, that's a start. But still… knowing something and dealing with it are two different things." He paused, running a hand through his hair. "It's weird. On one hand, I kind of expected this. I mean, we knew it was a possibility after that night in Albion. But on the other hand… it feels like it's all happening too soon, you know?"

Arnie tilted his head slightly, processing. "Your emotional response to the situation is logical. Unanticipated events, even those expected in the long term, often trigger a heightened emotional state in humans. Louise may also share this sentiment."

Saito sighed again, a small, wry smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "You're probably right. Louise is tough, though. She's been through a lot, and she's always found a way to handle it. But this? This is different. It's not just another battle or mission. It's a life—her life, our life, the future leader of the resistance's life."

He pushed off the wall and resumed pacing, his boots thudding rhythmically against the stone. "I keep telling myself that this was bound to happen eventually. But knowing it's coming doesn't make it any easier to talk to her about it. It's going to be awkward, no matter how you slice it."

Arnie's voice broke the brief silence. "Your reluctance to address the situation stems from a fear of emotional confrontation. This is common in human interactions when the subject is delicate."

Saito stopped mid-step and stared at Arnie, blinking. "Yeah, that's… pretty spot on, actually." He let out a breath, shaking his head in disbelief. "You're getting scarily good at this human psychology stuff, you know that?"

Arnie's face remained as expressionless as ever. "I have been programmed to adapt and learn. Understanding human behavior is essential to completing my mission effectively. It assists in managing interpersonal relationships, which are crucial to maintaining group cohesion."

Saito chuckled, though there was no humor in it. "Great. So you've learned enough to know how complicated this whole thing is. But it doesn't exactly help me figure out how to talk to Louise."

Arnie was quiet for a moment as if weighing his next words carefully. "Louise requires support, not only to manage the pregnancy but also to address the psychological implications of her role as the mother of John Connor. My analysis suggests that you provide a significant emotional anchor for her. Your presence and willingness to engage with her emotionally will aid in stabilizing her mental state."

Saito rubbed the back of his neck, feeling the weight of Arnie's words. "Yeah, I guess you're right. But it's easier said than done. I mean, how do I even begin to talk to her about… this? What do I say?"

Arnie blinked slowly. "Direct communication is often the most effective strategy. Provide reassurance. Acknowledge the situation and the uncertainty it brings, but emphasize your commitment to supporting her through it."

Saito stopped pacing and let out a deep breath. "Okay, direct communication. Got it." He hesitated, fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. "But what if she's… angry? Or scared? Or… I don't know. Is there something else I'm not ready for?"

Arnie, surprisingly, seemed to offer a bit more understanding than Saito had anticipated. "Louise's emotional response is unpredictable. However, your presence, despite potential discomfort, will mitigate feelings of isolation or distress. Fear of emotional confrontation should not prevent you from offering support."

Saito gave a half-laugh, running his hands through his hair again. "You make it sound so simple. Just go in, talk to her, be there for her. Easy, right?" He glanced over at the door to Louise's room, anxiety tightening his chest. "But it's not just about this moment. It's about everything. The future. What this means for us, for the resistance… for everything."

Arnie's mechanical gaze followed Saito's, his voice steady. "The future is uncertain. However, addressing the present situation with honesty and understanding will lay a foundation for whatever comes next."

Saito shook his head, half in amazement, half in frustration. "You really are learning, aren't you?" He turned to face Arnie fully, crossing his arms over his chest. "I guess you're right. There's no point in dodging this anymore. I have to talk to her. But…" He trailed off, staring at the door again. "Man, this is going to be awkward."

Arnie blinked, his voice as calm and unwavering as always. "Awkwardness is a temporary condition. Resolution will alleviate tension."

Saito couldn't help but laugh, though it was short and nervous. "Only you would say that like it's a fact. But okay. I'll give it a shot."

He squared his shoulders, taking a deep breath. His heart pounded in his chest, but he knew Arnie was right. He couldn't avoid the conversation any longer. Louise needed to know that he was with her, that he wasn't going to leave her to handle this alone.

As Saito reached for the door handle, he paused and glanced over his shoulder at Arnie. "Thanks, man. I mean, I know you're just doing what you're programmed to do, but still… thanks."

Arnie gave a slight nod, his gaze steady. "You are welcome."

With one final deep breath, Saito opened the door and stepped inside, ready—if not entirely prepared—to face whatever came next.

The room was dimly lit, the last traces of daylight fading through the window. His heart pounded in his chest as he scanned the small, familiar space. Louise was sitting on the edge of her bed, her back straight, arms folded across her chest, and an unmistakable frown creasing her brow.

She looked up as he entered, her eyes narrowing slightly, and Saito could feel the tension in the air. He swallowed hard, already sensing that this conversation wasn't going to be easy.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Saito stood awkwardly by the door, trying to figure out where to start, while Louise's sharp gaze stayed locked on him, waiting for him to say something. Anything.

Finally, she broke the silence.

"So," Louise said, her tone cool but laced with irritation. "You and Arnie decided not to tell me? I had to find out from him in the bluntest way possible. Really?"

Saito winced. He knew she was mad—really mad—but hearing it in her voice made it hit home. "Louise, I... I didn't want it to come out like that."

Louise raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "Didn't want it to come out like that? Well, it did. And it's not exactly the kind of news you keep secret, is it?"

Saito shifted uncomfortably, his hands fidgeting at his sides. "I know, I know. We—well, I—thought it would be better to wait until the right time. I just didn't want to stress you out with everything that's been going on."

Louise's expression didn't soften. If anything, her frown deepened. "And you thought keeping something this important from me was a better idea? You think that was going to reduce my stress?"

Saito opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out. He hadn't thought this through. He could see now how it must have looked to her—like he didn't trust her like he was trying to shield her from something she had every right to know. He struggled to find the right words, but everything that came to mind felt wrong.

"I wasn't trying to keep it from you, exactly," Saito said, his voice shaky as he tried to explain. "I just… I didn't know how to tell you."

Louise's eyes flashed with anger. "You didn't know how to tell me? You didn't know how to tell me that I'm pregnant, Saito? You think I wouldn't have figured it out eventually?"

Saito felt the heat rising in his cheeks. "That's not what I meant! I mean, I knew you'd figure it out, but I just… I thought you had enough on your plate with Skynet and the war, and—" He stopped mid-sentence, realizing that everything he was saying was only digging him into a deeper hole.

"So you thought I couldn't handle it?" Louise interrupted, her voice rising. "That I wasn't strong enough to know what's going on in my own body?"

Saito's heart sank. He hadn't meant it like that, but the way she said it made him realize how badly he had messed up. "No, that's not what I'm saying at all!"

"Then what are you saying?" Louise shot back, her arms still crossed as she glared at him. "Because right now, it feels like you didn't trust me enough to tell me the truth. And now I'm supposed to just be okay with it?"

Saito ran a hand through his hair, trying to calm himself down. His mind raced as he searched for the right thing to say, but nothing felt right. Every attempt to justify his actions only seemed to make it worse.

"I didn't want to hide it from you, Louise. I just… I didn't know what to do. This whole situation, it's… it's big. And I didn't want to add to the pressure you were already under." His voice softened as he spoke, his frustration giving way to sincerity. "I should've told you. I know that now."

Louise's expression shifted slightly, though her anger hadn't disappeared. She stared at him for a long moment, her gaze intense, as if weighing his words.

"You didn't want to add pressure," she repeated, her voice quieter now. "But you did the exact opposite by keeping it from me. I deserve to know, Saito. I need to know what's going on, especially when it involves me."

Saito nodded, feeling the weight of his mistake settle heavily on his shoulders. "You're right. I messed up. I shouldn't have tried to keep it a secret."

Louise uncrossed her arms, though her posture was still tense. "You think?"

Saito sighed, his shoulders slumping. "I didn't think you couldn't handle it, Louise. You're the strongest person I know. I just thought… I thought I was protecting you, but now I see that I was wrong."

Louise's expression softened just a fraction, though she still looked skeptical. "So what happens now?"

Saito stepped closer, and his voice was soft but earnest. "Now… now we face this together. No more secrets. No more hiding things. I'm with you on this, Louise. Whatever happens next, we'll figure it out."

Louise's gaze finally dropped from his, and she looked down at her hands, her fingers twisting nervously. "This is a lot, Saito," she said quietly, the anger in her voice replaced by uncertainty. "I don't even know where to start. I didn't expect… I didn't expect this."

Saito knelt down in front of her, his heart aching at the vulnerability in her voice. "I know," he said gently. "It's a lot for me too. I'm scared, to be honest. But we'll get through this. Together."

For the first time since he had entered the room, Louise's expression softened fully, the tension in her shoulders easing just a little. She met his gaze, her eyes searching his for reassurance.

"You mean that?" she asked quietly.

Saito nodded, his voice firm. "I mean it. I'm not going anywhere, Louise. This is our future, and I'm with you every step of the way."

Louise let out a shaky breath, some of the frustration melting away as she looked at him. "I just… I hate that you kept it from me. But I understand why you were afraid. It's just…" She hesitated, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I need to know I can trust you, Saito."

Saito reached out, gently taking her hand in his. "You can. I swear. No more secrets."

Louise stared at their joined hands for a moment before finally nodding. "Okay," she said softly. "Okay."

Saito squeezed her hand, relief flooding through him. "We'll figure it out. One step at a time."

Louise gave him a small, tired smile, though there was still a hint of uncertainty in her eyes. "Yeah… one step at a time."

They sat there in silence for a moment, the weight of the situation still heavy but now lighter, the tension having mostly dissolved between them. Saito could feel it—the shift, the easing of frustration and anger as they settled into something more hopeful. It wasn't completely resolved, but they had made progress. And in a situation like this, progress was enough.

Louise let out a long breath and leaned back on the bed, shaking her head slightly. "Well, that was… something," she said, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

Saito laughed softly. "Yeah, no kidding. But at least we're good now. Mostly?"

Louise rolled her eyes but nodded. "Mostly. Don't think you're completely off the hook, though. You still kept it from me, and I'm not letting you forget that anytime soon."

Saito raised his hands in mock surrender. "Fair enough. I deserve that."

They shared a brief, knowing look—one that said, despite everything, they were in this together. Then Louise's smile turned a bit mischievous, and she crossed her arms. "Now all we have to do is figure out how to tell my mother and my sisters."

Saito's eyes widened, and he let out a nervous chuckle. "Oh… right. Your mother."

Louise smirked, clearly enjoying the look of panic creeping across his face. "Yeah. You know, just Casual Pregnancy Announcement 101. I'm sure she'll take it super well."

Saito groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. "Your mom terrifies me on a good day. I'm not even sure where to begin with this."

"Not to mention my sisters," Louise added with a laugh. "You've met them. Éléonore will probably faint or try to turn you into some kind of science experiment, and Cattleya… well, she'll probably just be in shock. Then there's my mother, who will—"

"Kill me?" Saito finished for her, half-joking, half-dead serious.

Louise grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "She might. If not, she'll definitely give you that look. You know the one."

Saito shuddered, remembering the stern, no-nonsense gaze of Karin de la Vallière, Louise's formidable mother. "Yeah, I remember. That look could melt steel."

Louise laughed, leaning against him slightly. "It'll be tricky, but we'll figure it out. Together."

Saito nodded, smiling down at her. "Yeah. It won't be easy, but… we've handled worse, right?"

"True," Louise agreed, her expression softening. "This is just… new territory. And a lot more personal."

They sat there for a moment longer, the weight of the upcoming conversation with her family lingering in the background but not as overwhelming as it had been moments before. Now, it felt like something they could handle, even if it wouldn't be easy.

Suddenly, the door handle twisted, and the door swung open. Without looking up, Saito, assuming it was Arnie, gave a nonchalant wave.

"It's all good now, Arnie. Louise and I talked it out. No need to worry," he said, a slight grin tugging at his lips.

But the room's atmosphere shifted instantly, and Saito noticed Louise's eyes widen comically. Her jaw dropped as she looked beyond him toward the doorway. Slowly, Saito turned around, expecting to see Arnie's stoic expression.

Instead, standing in the doorway were Éléonore and Cattleya, Louise's older sisters.

"Oh… crap," Saito muttered under his breath, feeling the blood drain from his face. Éléonore's stern face looked like it was ready to burst into flames while Cattleya stood beside her, looking amused but slightly concerned.

"Saito?" Éléonore's voice was sharp, and there was a dangerous gleam in her eyes. "It's been far too long since Louise has seen us, and we had to come all the way here to check on her. And what do we find? Saito telling us everything is just fine?" Her words dripped with the fury of a sister who was very much used to things going her way. "Really?"

Louise scrambled to her feet, her face going pale. "Éléonore! Cattleya! What are you doing here?"

Before either of them could respond, Arnie appeared behind them, standing perfectly still. "Louise's sisters have arrived," he stated in his usual monotone, as though announcing something completely obvious.

"Yes, Arnie, we noticed," Louise replied, her voice a little sharper than she intended, and Saito caught the panicked look she threw at him.

Éléonore's eyes narrowed as she stepped into the room, her arms crossed over her chest. "It has been months since we've seen you, Louise! So we came to check up on you. Imagine our surprise when we overheard some things that make us think there's more going on than you're letting on."

Louise and Saito exchanged horrified glances. Oh no, Louise thought, her mind racing. Did they hear about the pregnancy?

Saito quickly stepped in, trying to diffuse the situation. "Uh, hey, it's great to see you both! We were just, uh, catching up after some—well—rough times." He awkwardly scratched the back of his neck, hoping to avoid making the situation worse.

Cattleya smiled sweetly, her demeanor much softer than Éléonore's. "Louise, you've been through so much lately. It's no wonder we haven't heard from you as much. But…" She glanced between her sister and Louise, curiosity piqued. "Is there something else we should know?"

Saito could feel the tension growing, and he threw another panicked look at Louise. They had to figure out if Éléonore and Cattleya knew anything about the pregnancy and fast.

Louise cleared her throat, her voice shaky as she attempted to play it cool. "No, no! It's nothing serious! I've just been… busy, you know? Schoolwork, responsibilities, and—um—other things." She gave Saito a pleading look, hoping he'd help her out.

Saito nodded vigorously. "Yeah, totally! Nothing to worry about here. Just, you know, regular life stuff. All normal!"

Éléonore wasn't buying it. She stared at Louise with narrowed eyes, clearly not convinced. "Louise, you're hiding something. I know that look. You always get that twitch in your eyebrow when you're trying to keep a secret."

Louise's hand instinctively flew to her eyebrow as if trying to will the twitch away. "I'm not hiding anything!" she protested, her voice a little too high-pitched to be believable.

Éléonore's eyes darted between Louise and Saito, her suspicion deepening. "I'm not buying it. What's really going on here?" Her gaze fell on Saito, who immediately stiffened. "And you," she said, pointing an accusatory finger at him. "You're definitely involved in this somehow."

Saito felt sweat forming on his brow. "Me? Involved? I mean, sure, I'm around, but it's nothing… you know, out of the ordinary."

Cattleya, ever the peacemaker, stepped forward and placed a gentle hand on Éléonore's arm. "Sister, let's not jump to conclusions. I'm sure Louise will tell us when she's ready." She smiled kindly at Louise, but there was a knowing glint in her eyes that made Louise squirm.

Arnie, meanwhile, stood silently by the door, observing the interaction but offering no input. His red eyes flickered as he analyzed the situation, but he remained quiet.

Louise fumbled for a response, her heart racing. "Look, there's nothing to tell. Really. I've just… been preoccupied with things." She paused for a beat, then quickly added, "School things. Nothing else."

Éléonore, however, wasn't letting this go. "Louise, you're my little sister. Do you think I don't know when something's going on with you? You've been acting strange since we got here." She glanced at Saito again, clearly suspicious. "And he's acting even stranger."

Saito felt like a deer caught in headlights. "I'm not acting strange. I'm just, uh, really bad at handling family visits, I guess."

Cattleya giggled softly. "Well, it's nice to know we're such a big deal to you, Saito."

Saito managed a nervous smile, but he could feel the pressure building. They needed to deflect attention fast, or they'd be stuck trying to explain the real reason behind the awkwardness.

Louise took a deep breath, her mind racing as she tried to come up with something convincing. "Look, Éléonore, Cattleya… I appreciate your concern. I really do. But everything's fine. I've just had a lot on my mind. We're dealing with Skynet and… other complicated things."

Éléonore's frown deepened. "Skynet? Yes, I know about that. But what else?" She leaned forward, her voice lowering dangerously. "What aren't you telling me, Louise?"

Saito could practically feel the sweat trickling down his neck. Abort, abort, abort, he thought, wishing he had some kind of escape plan.

But before Louise could respond, Arnie, ever the tactless machine, chose that exact moment to speak. "Louise's pregnancy is the most relevant piece of information at this time. It is important to ensure her health and safety."

The room fell deathly silent.

Louise and Saito froze, their eyes wide with horror as Arnie's words hung in the air. They both slowly turned to look at Éléonore and Cattleya, who stood motionless, the shock written plainly on their faces.

Cattleya's mouth dropped open in surprise while Éléonore's face turned bright red, her eyes blazing with fury.

"Pregnant?!" Éléonore shrieked, her voice echoing off the walls. "Louise, you're—what—how—who—?" She spluttered, completely unable to form a coherent sentence.

Louise buried her face in her hands. "Oh no…"

Saito, meanwhile, felt his soul leave his body. "Arnie… why…?"

Arnie blinked, his expression unchanging. "It is important for family members to be informed of significant developments."

Éléonore's eyes snapped to Saito, and he could feel the heat of her glare burning into him. "You! You have something to do with this, don't you?!"

Saito took a step back, his hands up in defense. "I can explain!"

Cattleya, who had been silent in shock, finally let out a breath, her hand flying to her chest. "Oh my… Louise, why didn't you tell us?"

Louise groaned, lowering her hands and shooting a glare at Arnie. "Because I wanted to do it on my own terms, not like this!"

Saito nodded vigorously, still feeling Éléonore's wrathful gaze on him. "Yeah, this is not how we planned it at all."

Éléonore, still fuming, looked like she was about to explode. "Planned it?! Louise, how could you keep something like this from us?"

Louise threw up her hands in exasperation. "I didn't keep it from you! It just… it just happened! I was still figuring out how to tell you."

Éléonore crossed her arms, glaring between Louise and Saito. "Well, consider this the most awkward way you could've done it."

Louise sighed, her face red with embarrassment. "Yeah… I know."

Saito scratched the back of his neck, feeling like he was about to be sentenced to death. "Uh, so… how about we all sit down and talk this out… calmly?"

Éléonore's eyes flashed, but before she could respond, Cattleya placed a gentle hand on her arm. "Éléonore, let's hear them out."

Éléonore's eyes narrowed as she stalked toward Saito, who instinctively took a step back. Before he could react, smack! Her hand connected with his arm, and though she didn't hit him hard enough to hurt, the gesture was filled with righteous fury.

"How did this happen?!" Éléonore demanded, her voice rising as she glared at him. "You and my sister?! When did this—how did this—ugh, Saito!"

Saito held up his hands defensively, wincing slightly from the slap. "Ow! Okay, okay, I get it! But it's not what you think! I mean, yes, it happened, but… it's, uh… complicated?"

"Complicated?" Éléonore's voice was practically a growl. "There's nothing complicated about this, Saito! You got my sister pregnant! I deserve an explanation!"

Saito fumbled for words, his face growing redder by the second. "Uh… well, you see… there was this night in Albion… and, uh…"

Louise, still sitting on the bed, groaned in embarrassment and quickly interjected before Saito could make things worse. "Éléonore, calm down! I just found out myself, like, minutes ago! It's not like I've been hiding it from you for months!"

Éléonore's anger shifted slightly as she turned to Louise, her brows furrowed in confusion. "Wait. What? You only found out just now?"

Louise nodded, still feeling the weight of the situation. "Yes! I had no idea until Arnie decided to… well, blurt it out a little earlier."

Arnie, standing stoically in the doorway, blinked as he was mentioned. "It was a necessary disclosure."

Éléonore threw her hands up in exasperation. "Unbelievable! So, let me get this straight… you just found out, he"—she pointed accusingly at Saito—"wasn't planning on telling me anything, and this big oaf"—she gestured to Arnie—"just drops the news like it's no big deal?"

Saito rubbed the back of his neck, still trying to calm himself down. "Uh… yeah, that's about right."

Louise sighed, feeling the situation spiraling. "Look, Éléonore, I get that you're upset—trust me, I'm still wrapping my head around this myself. But let's not make this worse than it already is."

Éléonore shot her a look, her anger not quite dissipating. "Worse? Louise, do you realize how huge this is? What are you going to do? How are you going to tell Mother?"

Saito visibly paled at the mention of Karin de la Vallière. "Oh no… her mom…" He gulped audibly, shooting a panicked glance at Louise. "She's going to kill me."

Louise, despite the chaos of the situation, couldn't help but smirk at Saito's expression. "Yeah, well, you might want to start running now."

Cattleya, who had been quiet for most of the exchange, stepped forward with her usual calm demeanor, placing a soothing hand on Éléonore's arm. "Éléonore, let's give Louise a moment to breathe. This is overwhelming for her, too."

Éléonore huffed, crossing her arms but allowing herself to be gently led back by Cattleya. "Fine. But I still want answers!"

Louise stood, trying to maintain some semblance of control over the situation. "You'll get answers, Éléonore. Just… let me figure this out. I haven't even had time to process it all."

Éléonore glanced between Louise and Saito, clearly still furious but holding back for now. "You have five minutes before I start demanding more details. And believe me, Louise, this isn't over."

Saito sighed in relief as Éléonore and Cattleya retreated a bit, though they remained in the room. He turned to Louise, looking sheepish. "Well… that could've gone worse?"

Louise rolled her eyes. "Don't jinx it. My mother hasn't heard yet."

Saito grimaced at the thought. "Right. Your mother. I'm not sure I'm ready for that."

Louise gave him a flat look. "Oh, trust me, you're not."

Arnie, still standing by the door, broke the moment of quiet reflection. "It would be logical to inform your family as soon as possible. Delaying the conversation may increase emotional volatility."

Saito turned to Arnie, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Really, Arnie? Now you're giving family advice? After what just happened?"

Arnie blinked, unphased. "It remains a necessary disclosure."

Louise let out a small groan, rubbing her temples. "This is a mess."

Saito nodded in agreement. "Yeah, but we'll figure it out. Somehow." He paused, then added, "Maybe not with your sister ready to kill me, though."

Louise glanced over at Éléonore, who was still glaring daggers at Saito. "You've got about five minutes before she demands more answers. You'd better think of something good."

Saito gulped. "Yeah… I'll get right on that."

The tension in Louise's room lingered heavily, Éléonore still shooting glares at Saito while Cattleya stood by, trying to maintain some peace. Louise was wracking her brain for a way to break the news of her pregnancy to her mother—an event that felt more daunting with every second. Saito, meanwhile, could barely keep himself from sweating at the mere thought of facing the Vallière matriarch.

But then, the door creaked open, cutting through the thick atmosphere. Louise and Saito exchanged horrified looks, both thinking the same thing: Oh no, is it Mother?

Saito turned paler than he already was, his voice dropping to a desperate whisper. "Not now… please, not now…"

Louise's heart pounded in her chest, already imagining the worst—a fuming Karin de la Vallière standing at the door, demanding answers. But as they braced themselves, it wasn't her mother's towering figure that entered the room.

Instead, Captain Agnès stepped in, her armor clinking softly with each movement, her expression serious and unreadable.

The sheer relief that washed over both Saito and Louise was immediate. Saito let out a huge sigh, visibly deflating, while Louise slumped back on the bed, muttering, "Thank the Founder…"

Agnès inclined her head. "My apologies for the interruption, Lady Louise. I bring an urgent message from Queen Henrietta."

Éléonore's anger, still palpable, shifted slightly as she and Cattleya turned their attention to Agnès. Even in the middle of a family crisis, the mention of an urgent message from the Queen was enough to pause the family drama. Louise quickly straightened up, her relief giving way to curiosity and concern.

"What's going on?" Louise asked, taking the letter from Agnès.

Saito moved closer, now alert, as Louise opened the letter and quickly skimmed the contents. Her face paled almost instantly, her eyes scanning the words again to make sure she wasn't misreading them.

Agnès stayed silent, watching closely as Louise finished reading. Louise swallowed, folding the letter and placing it on her lap, her heart racing for an entirely different reason now.

Saito glanced at her, his nerves still on edge. "Louise… what is it?"

Before she could answer, Arnie, who had remained motionless near the doorway, spoke up. His voice was calm and steady but laced with cold calculation. "The T-X and T-1000 are behind this."

Everyone turned toward Arnie, surprised by the sudden deduction.

Louise's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

Arnie took a step forward, his red eyes glowing faintly as he processed the information Louise had just read. "Based on the data provided, it is highly likely that the T-X and T-1000 have disguised themselves as Gallia's rulers. King Joseph and Sheffield are no longer in control—Skynet is. They are using Gallia as a staging ground to construct a device that will allow Skynet's forces from my world to reach this one."

The room went silent for a moment, the weight of Arnie's words sinking in.

Éléonore, who had been silently fuming over the earlier pregnancy revelation, now seemed even more alarmed. "You're saying the King of Gallia and his adviser… are machines?"

Louise nodded, her voice grave. "They're not who they appear to be. Those machines can look like anyone."

Cattleya gasped softly. "They've been replaced? How long has this been going on?"

Arnie's calm demeanor didn't falter as he continued. "They have likely been in control for some time, orchestrating the construction of a machine. This machine will open a dimensional rift, allowing Skynet's forces to invade this world."

Saito let out a low whistle, the enormity of the situation hitting him. "A dimensional rift? Are you saying Skynet is planning to bring its army here? To our world?"

Arnie nodded. "Affirmative. Gallia will be ground zero for the invasion. Once the rift is operational, Skynet will send its forces through in large numbers. From there, it will spread rapidly, conquering and assimilating the populations."

Louise's heart pounded as she processed this information. She had known Skynet was a threat—after all, she and her companions had faced its agents before—but this was something far more dire. If they didn't stop the T-X and T-1000 now, Gallia would fall, and with it, the rest of Halkegenia.

"We can't let that happen," Louise said, her voice shaking slightly. "We have to stop them before they finish whatever they're building."

Éléonore's eyes narrowed as she listened to Louise and Saito talk about heading into Gallia. As the weight of what they were planning sank in, her concern quickly morphed into anger. She took a step forward, her face a mixture of frustration and protectiveness.

"No," Éléonore said firmly, crossing her arms. "There's no way you're going. Especially not you, Louise."

Louise blinked in surprise, taken aback by her sister's sudden command. "What do you mean, Éléonore? We don't have a choice! Skynet is—"

"Don't finish that sentence," Éléonore interrupted, her voice rising. "I don't care about the details right now. You're pregnant, Louise! I'm not letting you put yourself and your child in danger, not when there's so much at stake."

Louise's mouth opened in protest, but she couldn't deny the truth in Éléonore's words. Still, the urgency of the situation was too great to ignore. "Éléonore, I know I'm pregnant, but we have to stop this! We can't sit back and—"

Éléonore cut her off again, stepping closer, her voice more intense. "I'm not saying we sit back. But you're not going without us. You're not without your sisters in this. We'll face this together."

Louise blinked, stunned by the forcefulness in her sister's tone. Saito, standing beside her, was just as taken aback. "Wait… you're saying you'll come with us?" he asked, trying to wrap his head around the sudden shift.

Éléonore's eyes softened just a little as she looked between Louise and Saito. "The entire world is at stake, and we're not going to stand by while it falls apart. This is bigger than just Gallia, bigger than any of us. And besides…" Her voice grew quieter, but the anger returned, this time directed at the machines. "I want to make those monsters pay for what they did to our home. To our father."

The room went still. The loss of their father to Skynet's machines was still a deep wound for the Vallière sisters, one that Éléonore rarely talked about. But now, it burned fresh in her eyes as she spoke.

Louise felt her heart swell at her sister's words. She knew Éléonore was right—they couldn't ignore this threat. But still, the danger ahead was terrifying.

Saito glanced at Louise, then back at Éléonore. "We'll need all the help we can get if we're going to stop this. With you and Cattleya by our side, we'll have a better chance."

Cattleya, who had remained quietly supportive throughout the conversation, stepped forward with a gentle smile. "Of course. We're in this together, Louise. We always have been."

Louise gave them both a grateful look, her chest tightening at the realization that her family—her sisters—were willing to fight alongside her. She turned back to Agnès, her resolve now solidified.

"We'll get as many allies as we can," Louise said, her voice steadier now. "Gallia is just the start. We need to stop what's happening there before it spreads to the rest of the world."

Agnès nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I'll inform Queen Henrietta of your plan and see what reinforcements we can muster. Time is of the essence."

Arnie, ever calculating, stepped forward. "The sooner we act, the better. Skynet's forces will not wait."

Louise took a deep breath, her heart pounding but her mind clear. She wasn't alone in this. Her sisters were with her, Saito was by her side, and they would face this together. The road ahead would be dangerous, but they had no other choice.

"Then let's get ready," she said, her voice full of determination.

Hey everyone! So it looks like the final battle is coming up soon. How will Louise and the others face this huge threat? And what about everything happening with John in the other timeline? It's all getting intense, and I can't wait to dive into it. All this (and hopefully more!) will be answered in the next chapter. Stay tuned!