Night Sky Shining

The city of Grenik glimmered like a celestial jewel under the twilight sky, a testament to human ingenuity and the seemingly boundless future Facilis promised. Buildings stretched gracefully toward the heavens, their edges softened by advanced glass that refracted light in dimensions no ordinary mind could fully comprehend. To Wrex, the world felt like a living hologram—3D, perhaps even 5D in its immersive beauty. Gentle audio tones hummed across the city streets, designed to calm and soothe, as if even the air conspired to make life seamless and perfect.

Wrex walked with a slight limp, his muscles sore from the grueling training regimen at HSK. Despite the pain, a sense of pride lingered in his chest. The training was unlike anything he had experienced before—each cadet sparred against a high-tech simulation of their own combat style, honed through data gathered over the years. It was as if the system knew him better than he knew himself, predicting his every move.

For Wrex, this insight had been a double-edged sword. It reminded him that someone, somewhere, was always watching. The thought made his steps heavier, though the sights and sounds of Grenik distracted him, if only for a moment.

As he strolled through the glowing streets, he decided to stop by a nearby store for a drink. Inside, the cool, ambient lighting reflected perfectly off shelves of sleek, minimalist packaging. It was a design marvel, blending efficiency and elegance, as if no detail had been spared to craft the perfect consumer experience.

On his way out, Wrex noticed a group of people standing across the street. They were dressed plainly, but something about their movements set him on edge. Their postures were too stiff, their glances too frequent. Despite the unease gnawing at him, Wrex shook his head. No crime in years, remember? The Point Touch Zero system would have alerted authorities by now if they posed any threat. Still, his instincts itched with a quiet warning.

The moment passed, and Wrex dismissed the thought. The world wasn’t as broken as it had been in the past. At least, that’s what everyone believed.

Later that evening, as the moonlit glow bathed Grenik in a silver sheen, Wrex found himself walking back toward his quarters. The city seemed quieter at night, its brilliance almost tranquil under the stars. He paused for a moment to take it all in, marveling at how even the sky seemed more vivid here. "A perfect world," he thought, though the phrase left a sour taste in his mouth.

That’s when he saw them again—the group from earlier. This time, they weren’t lingering on the streets. Instead, they were gathered around a sleek vehicle emblazoned with the emblem of the 8 Superentis. To the untrained eye, it looked official, like government personnel going about their duties. But Wrex had spent enough time at HSK to recognize a ruse. Their movements were too calculated, their intent too focused.

Before Wrex could react, the group moved. Four figures in tight, gym-like suits emerged, converging on a man and woman who had just exited a nearby building. Recognition struck Wrex like a thunderbolt—the two were renowned doctors, pioneers in Montlaif research. The realization sharpened his focus, and he instinctively stepped closer, keeping to the shadows.

The attack happened in seconds. One of the figures produced a small, pen-like device and aimed it at the doctors. A low pulse emitted, and the pair collapsed without a sound. Wrex’s mind raced. How had this gone unnoticed? The city’s sensors were supposed to detect and neutralize such threats instantly.

Before he could act, one of the attackers turned, their gaze locking onto Wrex. They moved toward him with alarming speed, the pen-like device now pointed at his chest. Wrex reacted instinctively, sidestepping just as the device emitted another pulse. A strange warmth passed near his skin, but he was unharmed.

The attacker lunged again, but Wrex was ready. With a swift movement, he disarmed them, sending the device clattering to the ground. He twisted their arm, forcing them to kneel.

“Who are you?” Wrex demanded, his voice low but firm. “What do you want?”

Before the attacker could answer, another member of the group intervened, striking Wrex from behind. The impact made him stumble, but his training kicked in. He pivoted and delivered a sharp blow, knocking the second assailant off balance. Despite the odds, Wrex held his ground, his body moving with precision honed through hours of relentless sparring at HSK.

“Answer me!” Wrex growled, tightening his grip on the first attacker. But instead of speaking, the figure muttered something in a strange, fragmented language. Wrex’s mind tried to make sense of it, the universal language vaccine kicking in. Yet the words felt... wrong, as though they weren’t meant to be understood.

Finally, one of the attackers spoke, their voice calm and chilling. “Not every bright side shines.”

Before Wrex could press further, a sharp whistle cut through the air. The group abandoned their fight, retreating toward the vehicle. They dragged the unconscious doctors with them, disappearing into the night as quickly as they had come.

Breathing heavily, Wrex stood in the empty street, his fists clenched. The attack left more questions than answers. How had the Point Touch Zero system failed to detect this? Was the utopia of Facilis not as perfect as everyone believed? His thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice.

“Long time no see, Wrex.”

He turned to see Rizor Troof standing nearby, a small grin on his face. The sight of his old friend brought a wave of relief, though the cryptic tone in Rizor’s voice unsettled him.

“Rizor?” Wrex asked, his confusion evident. “What are you doing here? How did you—”

“Let’s go somewhere quiet,” Rizor interrupted, his grin fading. “We’ve got a lot to catch up on—things that have happened and things that are yet to happen.”

Wrex nodded slowly, his mind still reeling. As they walked away, the lights of Grenik continued to shine, but to Wrex, they felt colder now, like stars burning in a distant void. Something was wrong in Facilis, and for the first time, Wrex felt certain that his world was not as perfect as it seemed.