"Bring the Ark Home"

Serena said this as she extended her left hand and gripped the Indexer. A faint blue glow emanated from her pupils as she attempted to remotely control the Ark using the Indexer's authority.

Because Serena was an Artificial Intelligence created through the human brain and possessed a prosthetic body with certain physiological functions, the Indexer judged that she also belonged to the "Recycler" category—or, in other words, was human.

The Indexer in Serena's left hand began to emit a faint green glow.

It seemed that Serena had successfully controlled the Indexer, remotely manipulating the Ark while conducting a comprehensive scan to ensure that not a single Flood Spore or cell remained.

It did not take long.

"Boss..." Serena's pupils returned to normal as she reported to William, "Just as the Primordial Foundation said, there is no Flood activity on the Ark."

"Very good." William nodded lightly and continued issuing orders. "Now that we've confirmed the Ark is clean, it's time to bring it back to the Solar System.

"However..."

As he spoke, William turned to Halsey on his left and asked, sounding slightly awkward:

"However, the Ark is simply too large. It can't return directly to Earth's near orbit. It might even end up with Earth becoming its satellite.

"So Catherine, which region of the Milky Way Galaxy do you think would be best for us to send the Ark to?"

"Hmm... Let me think."

Halsey did not give William an answer immediately. Instead, she reached out and operated the touchscreen, having the Central Control Console display a 3D holographic miniature map of the Solar System.

Halsey then raised her left hand, lightly pinched her pointed chin, narrowed her eyes, and began to think carefully.

After only half a minute, Halsey ended the thoughtful pose she had learned from William