Nox gasped, jerking upright in bed, claws digging into the sheets. His breath was ragged, chest rising and falling as if he'd just surfaced from drowning.
"Man, that was one of the... tough ones again," he muttered, pressing his head against the cold wall. The dream still clung to him, unwelcome and persistent.
His blanket was half on the floor, barely covering his legs. He absently ran his fingers over the fabric, torn, thin, and way overdue for a replacement. "Gotta get a new one of these soon," he thought.
The distant hum of Coreline seeped through the window, buses, distant voices, the occasional mechanical hiss of steam. Familiar. Comforting.
Nox reached for his phone, the screen's glow casting sharp light across the room. After swiping away a few ads, he saw a message from Zee:
Working on it. Mask's a tough nut, but I'll crack it by morning. Sent at 2:17 AM.
Nox snorted. She's gonna burn herself out. "Gonna need a few coffees to process everything," he murmured, swinging his legs off the bed.
Then:
"A right dose of caffeine can boost cognitive function by approximately 12 percent," a voice announced smoothly. Unfamiliar. Sharp. "However, given your excessive intake, you are more likely to experience heart palpitations and mild panic attacks. A truly optimal way to start the day."
Nox froze. His ears twitched, eyes darting across the room.
"Wha, what was that?"
His gaze locked onto the mask. Sitting on his desk. Glowing softly, its color illuminated the desk it was resting on in blue.
"Nah. No way. Uh uh, I'm still asleep."
He cautiously stepped forward, rubbing his eyes like he could shake the voice out of his head.
"Wait... you're talking? Like actually talking?" His voice came out hoarse.
The mask blinked in response. A soft hum, then: "I am Nebular, your unexpected new companion. And yes, I am as thrilled about this arrangement as you are."
The tone was drenched in sarcasm.
Nox blinked. Hard, rubbing his eyes with the palm of his paws. "Okay. That's new. Wait… what do you mean, 'new companion'?"
Nebular's glow pulsed, flickering between blue and yellow. "I am an embedded AI construct within this mask. Zee has rescued me from the mask deleting itself and given me the instructions to quote babysit you. So here I am, Nebular."
Pause.
"Congratulations, by the way. I hope you're ready for the responsibility."
Nox's eyes narrowed. "So... you're just an AI? I thought they banned AIs?"
The mask flashed red, almost insulted. "Just an AI?" Nebular echoed, her voice smooth but pointed. The light on the mask switched to an unamused red.
"That's like calling you just a fox. I prefer brilliantly crafted synthetic genius, but sure. Let's reduce me to just an AI if that helps your tiny organic brain process things. Besides, you don't seem like the kind of person who's attached to rules." The flickering light returned to its usual blue.
Nox pinched the bridge of his nose. "Fantastic. A back-talking AI with an ego. I see how you're related to Zee."
Nebular chuckled, a short, amused buzz of sound while lighting up in green. "Not just back-talking. Adaptive. Learning. Occasionally lifesaving. But go ahead, try to mute me. That'll be fun." The lights danced in vibrant green, as if amused.
Nox froze mid-motion, his fingers already searching for a mute switch on the mask. Nebular's glow pulsed in a sarcastic yellow, like a smug smirk. "Oh, looking for the off button? Adorable. If it makes you feel better, I'll pretend to be worried."
Nox sighed, defeated, and plopped back onto his chair, running a paw down his face, exhaling slowly. "So let me get this straight," he muttered, staring at the mask like it was part of a museum. "You're stuck with me. And I'm stuck with you, right?"
Nebular's glow pulsed an amused green. "Correct. A thrilling partnership, isn't it?"
Nox groaned, rubbing his temples. "I've barely processed waking up and now I have an illegal AI with an attitude problem squatting in my head."
"Correction," Nebular interjected, yellow flickering playfully. "A highly advanced, ever-knowing, and, if I may say, far more competent AI than you deserve."
Nox shot the mask a deadpan glare. "Great. So I'm babysitting a know-it-all computer. Just what I needed."
"Technically, I'm babysitting you."
"Okay, maybe you can help me out in some way or another… but what interests me now is, what's your deal? Who are the Syndicate?"
Nebular's glow dimmed for a moment before flickering back to life. "Yes. Originally, I was a restricted AI tool for underground operations, data management, surveillance, strategic support, run by an organization called the Syndicate. However, most of that data is gone now. Wiped. I only have fragments left."
Heavy silence filled the room for a second, then she continued. "But when Zee decrypted me, she gave me access to my own data pack. A mind, if you will. It appears your friend has an unfortunate habit of creating dangerous things."
Nox's ears flicked with a faint look outside the window. "She's definitely not the only one with that habit."
"Oh, but I assure you, it wasn't intentional. But it seems I have evolved beyond my original function. Lucky you. And because you and your friend stopped me from getting deleted, I owe you my memory. In other words, I owe you one, Nox."
Nox leaned forward, arms crossed. "So, what now? You're going to set an alarm for me to wake me up early next morning? How are you gonna help me?"
Nebular paused. "Not a bad idea."
Then Nox's phone buzzed. His alarm clock activated.
"But seriously, I am extremely useful. If you wear me, I enhance your vision, analyze threats, intercept data, and, of course, provide brilliant commentary. Basically, I make you less likely to die. I can also interact with most electronic devices around you if I want to. I even can… look outside."
Nox stretched, letting out a tired groan, before glancing out the window. His eyes flicked over the usual neon glow of Coreline, bustling streets, a bright tech store ad down the alleyway flickered. Then suddenly it stopped.
The ad shifted.
WHAT DOES THE FOX SAY?
Nebular whispered, "I read it on the mug that's resting on the window frame. Really charming. And oddly fitting. Hehe."
His eyes widened for a second as his jaw dropped. Then it was gone.
Nox exhaled sharply, rubbing his eyes, ears twitching. He glanced at the mug. Back at the sign. Back at the mug.
"Okay. That was actually impressive. And creepy. Fine. One to zero for the futuristic tin can. Ugh, I'm gonna need at least a dozen coffees to process this."
Nebular's light blinked blue. "I wouldn't recommend more than two. Excessive caffeine intake can lead to irritability, increased heart rate, and"
Nox cut her off with a dramatic groan. "Have you ever heard of something called irony?"
Nebular's light flickered yellow. "No. Please, educate me on this fascinating human concept."
The kitchen was in its usual chaotic state, empty instant noodle cups stacked near the sink.
He shoved aside an old takeout box before reaching for the last clean mug, buried all the way at the back of the counter, answering, "Ugh, was that irony?"
Nebular hummed. "Yes, yes it was. Let me assist you. Coffee-making process initiated."
Nox reached for the coffee machine, only to hear a sudden loud hiss as it sputtered to life on its own. He jumped slightly, ears flicking.
"Did you just start making coffee for me?!"
Nebular's glow pulsed green, smug as ever. "See? I can be helpful. You are welcome."
Nox let out a chuckle after he took a look inside his refrigerator. "Maybe you're not so bad after all."
Nebular pulsed in blaze. "Analyzing. Significant biomass activity detected. Your refrigerator is a thriving ecosystem. Based on observed growth patterns, you may have unintentionally cultivated multiple strains of Penicillium mold, some of which—fun fact— were used in early antibiotics. However, your current samples are more likely to cause food poisoning than medical breakthroughs. I suggest… cleaning."
Nox nodded as he grabbed the last piece of a sack of flour, a few eggs, and some milk barely below the consumption date.
"Yeah, one day I'll have the time to clean my room—and maybe the fridge too. But not today. I'll make some pancakes."
Filling all the ingredients into a pan, he turned on the stove.
"You know cleaning is not my favorite thing to take care of." As he flipped a pancake in the pan, Nebular's voice returned, calmer this time. "I've noticed. Since we're on the topic of things you are bad at, shall I provide a refresher on the Syndicate's Rules?"
Nox raised an eyebrow. "You memorized them?"
"If Zee was able to restore some parts of my memory, this is part of one of them."
Nox rolled his eyes as he poured himself a coffee and sat down with his freshly made pancakes. "Fine. Lay it on me."
Lines of text flashed across his vision as Nebular read aloud:
Operational Secrecy: Syndicate operations must remain confidential. No Personal Interaction with Informers: Any breach will result in immediate termination of privileges. Mission Priority: Personal risks are secondary. Post-Event Cooldown: All contacts and locations must remain dormant for seven cycles. Data Recovery Priority: Lost or compromised data must be retrieved at all costs.
Nox huffed, shaking his head after he took a long sip. "Man, I've never been good with rules."
He took a huge bite of his pancake, savoring the warmth. "Neb, you are totally missing out. A shame you can't taste this."
Nebular's light flickered green. "Ah, the tragedy of being a synthetic genius. Deprived of pancakes but blessed with your company. Life's a balance, I suppose."
Nox chuckled. "That was... oddly cute."
Nebular paused. "Careful, Nox. Flattery might get you somewhere. But don't expect me to get sentimental."
Nox rolled his eyes, smirking. "Okay, okay. I get it. But tell me… can you play music?"