"Ok, time to find out why I'm here," Alex murmured, stepping into the open space outside the megabuilding he had just exited. He glanced back briefly at the towering structure, its name etched into a holographic display near the entrance: Zephyr Spire-a sprawling vertical city within itself.
As Alex turned forward, the sheer vastness of the area took his breath away. The open plaza stretched endlessly in all directions, paved with polished steel tiles that reflected the ambient glow of neon lights. Surrounding the space were dozens of megabuildings, each as imposing and colossal as Zephyr Spire, their heights disappearing into the smoky, artificial sky above.
These megastructures weren't isolated; high above the ground, they were interconnected by sleek, glass-and-steel bridges that spanned the gaps between them like arteries. The bridges varied in structure-some were open, allowing the cool, processed air to flow freely across their paths, while others were fully enclosed by transparent walls, giving them the appearance of glowing tubes suspended in the sky. The enclosed bridges were often found where vehicle traffic was heaviest, acting as protective barriers against the buzzing activity outside.
The air above was alive with movement. Low-speed hover vehicles weaved skillfully between the bridges, rising and descending from one building to another, or even from one floor to another within the same structure. Their engines emitted a soft hum as they maneuvered through the intricate maze of elevated pathways, their glowing undercarriages casting colorful reflections on the glass surfaces below.
At ground level, a stark contrast awaited. The open space below was dominated by high-speed vehicles that zipped along sleek, metallic highways. These included automated cars with sharp, futuristic designs, as well as rugged, manually operated vehicles driven by those who preferred-or trusted-their own skills over AI. Occasional bullet-like trains darted by in designated lanes, their presence marked by the faint rumble of their passing. The ground level was largely devoid of pedestrians, with only a sparse number of individuals minding their business, sticking close to the edges of the plaza to avoid the roaring traffic.
At the heart of this grand network of life and motion stood The Neural Arbor, an industrial marvel. The massive tree-like structure was surrounded by a transparent casing at its root, designed to protect its critical machinery from the chaos of the roads. Around the casing was a circular pathway that vehicles used to switch between roads or make swift turns.
A massive holographic sign floated in midair at its base, its glowing letters shifting between languages, each one softly illuminating the structure:
THE NEURAL ARBOR
"Rooted in Progress, Reaching for the Stars"
The structure itself looked alive in its own way. The immense trunk gleamed under the pulsating lights of its surroundings, a mix of polished steel and exposed wiring giving it an almost organic appearance. Blue streams of energy pulsed through its jagged, branching limbs like veins, casting an otherworldly glow on the plaza below. The hum of machinery reverberated in the air, low and constant, blending with the distant chatter of the crowds. Occasionally, bursts of sparks shot from the "branches," resembling a metallic storm trapped within the skeletal tree.
Encircling the plaza were megabuildings of various purposes-hospitals with holographic signs advertising advanced treatments, body-implant companies showcasing augmented limbs and neural enhancements in giant displays, and corporate skyscrapers that bore the logos of tech giants whose names Alex didn't even recognize.
Touching the disk on the back of his neck, Alex murmured, "NeoCore Dynamics... but how do I get across this maze of chaos?" His eyes lingered on the colossal logo of the company displayed atop a megabuilding across the multilane, high-speed roadway.
The ground below hummed with activity as vehicles zipped past at astonishing speeds-automated transports seamlessly weaving through traffic alongside older, manually driven models.
As Alex scanned his surroundings, he noticed a group of people gathering by a kiosk beside the road. They tapped a glowing screen one by one, and moments later, an automated vehicle arrived, its doors sliding open to let them in. The vehicle departed smoothly, disappearing into the blur of traffic.
Alex approached the kiosk, watching another group follow the same routine. When his turn came, he stepped up to the glowing interface, hesitating slightly.
The screen lit up, and a calm, pleasant female voice spoke:
"Welcome to AetherLink Transit. Please choose your destination."
Several options appeared on the screen, listing nearby megabuildings and landmarks. After a moment of scanning, Alex tapped NeoCore Dynamics HQ.
"Please proceed with the transaction," the voice continued as a prompt for payment appeared.
Alex fumbled for a moment before pulling out the Cog he had received earlier. He swiped it against the reader, and the screen blinked once before displaying:
"Transaction Approved. Thank you for using AetherLink Transit."
"Well, that was easy enough," Alex muttered, stepping back. A sleek, pod-like vehicle soon hovered into position, its door sliding open with a soft hiss.
As the vehicle merged into the seamless flow of traffic, it joined a circular path around The Neural Arbor, allowing Alex a close view of the structure. The casing at its base gleamed with pristine clarity, reflecting the swirling lights of vehicles and energy streams. The intricate details of its pulsing veins and jagged branches seemed almost hypnotic as the pod slowly revolved around it.
"Wow," Alex whispered to himself, leaning closer to the window. "It's like a motherboard decided to cosplay as a tree. Respect."
Moments later, the vehicle veered away from the Arbor and smoothly pulled into a docking platform near NeoCore Dynamics. Alex stepped out, adjusting his jacket and eyeing the imposing building ahead.
---
"Alright, NeoCore... it's time I got some answers," Alex muttered as he stepped up the stairs and through the automatic transparent doors. "I will, right?" Alex asked, unsure, glancing at the crowd inside.
Inside, the building was bustling with people, each minding their own business. But Alex's attention quickly shifted to the reception area. At a distance, he noticed a woman behind the counter, flanked by two female bots that almost looked human, one on either side of her.
Alex approached the reception and stood in line, waiting for his turn. When it came, he stepped up to the counter.
The woman behind the desk smiled professionally. "Welcome to NeoCore, how may I assist you today?"
"I'm here for some information," Alex replied casually.
The woman raised an eyebrow, her smile still intact but her expression shifting slightly to one of curiosity. "Information about what, specifically?"
Alex leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice just enough to make it sound confidential. "I'm looking for a particular augmentation."
"What kind of augmentation?" she asked, her tone sharp, now slightly guarded. "Could you be more specific?"
"The kind that's implanted at the back of the neck," Alex explained, trying to keep his tone casual but observant.
The woman's expression flickered for just a second, a flash of suspicion before it was quickly masked by a polite smile. "We offer many types of neural augmentations. Could you describe it further?"
Alex gave her a thoughtful look, then continued, "It's a circular shape-almost like a disk. As if you take a sphere, cut it from the top and bottom, but keep the center part intact. It has a blue glow in the center and a ring around it. Highlights the whole thing."
The woman's eyes narrowed, and she glanced at the two female assistants flanking her, as if considering something carefully. "I see," she said slowly, her voice a little more cautious now. "I believe you're referring to the NeuroSync Disk, but it's not something we just hand out. It's... specialized, and typically, we require a full assessment before even discussing it."
Alex noticed her hesitation, sensing that something wasn't quite right. "Right, so it's not the kind of thing you can just ask about?" He smirked slightly, playing it cool. "Good thing I'm not just 'anyone,' huh?"
The woman gave a tight smile, her tone becoming more formal. "We have procedures, sir. If you're serious about pursuing this augmentation, I can guide you through the steps, but I need to confirm a few details first. Could you wait a moment?" the woman said, her voice steady but her eyes lingering on Alex for a moment longer than usual. She turned to her computer, quickly typing something with a look of concentration.
A moment later, her screen pinged, and she received an incoming call. She picked up the receiver and pressed it to her ear, her expression tightening. "Yes... Okay... I see..." she murmured, her eyes flicking over to Alex with a hint of suspicion before she abruptly hung up the receiver.
She turned back to him, forcing a smile. "Sir, can I see your ID for further procedures?"
Alex paused, then quickly fabricated a story. "I... uh, lost my ID in transit. I'm under the name Alex Jay," he said, his voice steady despite the rising tension.
The woman glanced at him with a flicker of doubt but didn't press the issue. She typed his name into the system, her fingers flying across the keys. "Please hold for a moment."
Her screen updated, and after a brief moment, she turned back to Alex, her expression unreadable.
"Mr. Jay," she said, her voice smooth, "it seems there's no record under that name in our system."
Alex's heart skipped a beat. He quickly adjusted, keeping his face neutral. "That's strange," he replied smoothly, "but I'm certain it's under that name. Maybe it's a new entry?" His voice carried just the right mix of confusion and mild annoyance. "I've been in transit for a while, so it's possible the database hasn't synced yet. I wouldn't worry about it."
The woman's eyes narrowed slightly, as though she could sense his hesitation. Still, she didn't challenge him outright. Instead, she gave a curt nod and continued typing, her fingers moving with an almost mechanical precision. "Please wait in the designated area. Someone will assist you shortly," she said, her tone final, yet still polite.
She gestured to a nearby room with transparent walls, where a few people sat idly, flipping through virtual documents or waiting for their names to be called. The walls, though transparent, distorted the view slightly, providing just enough privacy to avoid anyone overhearing sensitive conversations.
"Okay," Alex said, nodding, his voice casual but his mind already working overtime. He turned to walk toward the waiting area, but as he did, he instinctively raised the collar of his jacket, trying to shield the disk on the back of his neck. The thought that the woman might have noticed or flagged it was enough to make him uneasy.
Once inside the waiting area, Alex took a seat near the back, away from most of the others, and observed the surroundings carefully. The room was sparsely furnished, with sleek, metallic chairs that matched the futuristic design of the building. Ambient lighting cast a soft glow, making the space feel less sterile but still undeniably corporate.
His mind raced. What was going on here? The NeuroSync Disk, what was it. Something did not feel right.
A low hum vibrated through the room, and Alex glanced up. A hovering drone, sleek and black with an array of sensors and cameras, drifted silently through the space. Its purpose seemed to be for monitoring or delivering messages, but its presence was another sign that this place ran with a level of vigilance that felt more oppressive than helpful.
He looked down at his hands for a moment, then pulled out his Cog to inspect it once again. He needed to be prepared, but there was no obvious way out. What's next?
The sound of footsteps approached the door, and Alex quickly pocketed the Cog, sitting up straighter. The door opened, and a tall figure stepped inside-a man in a suit so pristine it almost gleamed under the lights. He had a sharp, almost mechanical look to him, his eyes scanning the room with practiced precision.
He walked over to Alex, his presence somehow commanding, as if he had already assessed Alex's every move the moment he stepped inside.
"Mr. Jay?" the man said, his voice cool, professional. "Please, follow me."
Alex hesitated just a moment before standing. "I wasn't expecting an escort," he said with a smirk, trying to keep things light, though a small part of him couldn't shake the feeling that he was being led into something far more complicated than he had anticipated.
"Sometimes," the man replied with a slight smile that didn't reach his eyes, "protocol requires it. Come with me."
Alex hesitated for a moment but followed the man into the elevator, the feeling of his gaze never leaving him. It was unnerving, like being under constant surveillance. The man pressed the button for the 17th floor.
As the elevator ascended, Alex couldn't shake the growing tension. When the doors slid open, they walked through a series of increasingly secure hallways. The walls were lined with holographic panels that displayed cryptic data, which disappeared too quickly for Alex to make sense of. The deeper they went, the quieter it became, the silence pressing in, making Alex feel like he was heading straight into something he wasn't meant to see.
Finally, they reached a sleek, heavy door. It slid open with a soft hiss, revealing a circular room with glass walls, giving a sweeping view of the city below. On the far side, a large desk sat, with a high-backed chair facing the panoramic window. The man standing near the window turned as they entered, his gaze cool and calculating. He gestured for the man who had escorted Alex to leave them alone.
"Hello, Alex," the man said, his voice smooth but carrying an undertone of something darker. "I hear you've been asking some rather... intriguing questions."
Alex's heart skipped a beat. He realized, with sudden clarity, how reckless he had been. He should've been more cautious-this was an unknown world, and he had already stepped too far into its shadows.
The man took a step closer, his eyes sharpening, as if measuring Alex with each passing second. There was an unnerving stillness about him, the kind of quiet that made the air feel thick.
"Why are you searching for the NeuroSync Disk?" the man asked, his tone cool but laced with an unspoken warning.
Alex stood frozen, his mind racing. The man's calm demeanor was unsettling, but it was the faint glint of something else-something dangerous-that made Alex's instincts flare.
"Who are you?" Alex asked, his voice steady, despite the rapid beating of his heart.
The man's lips curled into a subtle smirk, one that didn't quite reach his eyes. "You might not want to know," he said cryptically. "But if you must... I'm Alex Jay."