wandering_husk

 Sometime later, two hours to be precise, we are at a walking distance from the Further, Beyond expo. On our way, we had to travel across the city for a long time. And peculiar cultural differences made themselves visible along the way.

For instance, the city in itself was marvellous… from the outside. Obviously, the architecture still stands as phenomenal to say the least. The thing is, precarity runs rampant up to a certain point. A clear distinction is made, like water and oil.

The centre of New Athenas is home of the corporations and organisations that run the economy of the empire. Separated by a circular river, about four hundred metres wide, the distinction is astonishing.

Poverty is as clear as day in the suburban areas of the city. Buildings are in a deplorable state in some instances. Street gangs are commonplace, as well as confrontations with the police. The insane part of it all is that many of these mini battles between the police and the gangs are financiated by various corporations inside the centre of the city.

Olympus, as it is called by the folk on the outside, is a heaven made on earth. The bricks are as white as marble, with a porous texture. I wasn’t told the specific details, but a certain company is responsible for all the buildings in Olympus.

The sun rays invigorate the buildings, making it look surreal to a commoner. Dark blue also has its place in the centre, in order to not be just a stale white image. The people in here are also an entirely different breed.

Robes are only seen in the homeless, opposed to the outside where it was the run-of-the-mill option for the citizens. Although their suits are a design that is strikingly normal, a palette of blue reigns supreme over every outfit of every person that I have seen.

A notable difference was the amount of augmented reality that is used here. My eyes might go numb at any minute by the amount of light that is surrounding everywhere. Signs with neon lights promoting businesses, discounts of any percentage that you can imagine, a lot of women in revealing holographic outfits dancing to certain rhythms are only the tip of the iceberg.

The structures that towered to the skies don’t actually reach the clouds, so that is something that let me down. Don’t get me wrong, they are tall, but not to the extent that I had envisioned.

Renting cubic spaces is also common here. Consequently, a new type of measurement is used to buy or rent property, the cubic metre. For instance, the height is not determined by the roof of the structure, as many of the constructions have a technologically advanced system in which the landlords can actually move the building vertically.

Of course, that means that some manual work is involved, but the overall net profit is present. Machinery is all that it takes, and an operator that knows how to use it. That explains why the structures are so tall. They evolved to get to that state. In previous years, the height was the same as the slumps and suburban areas. Once some investment came in, the places got higher and higher -according to Leonard, who has lived in New Athens for a few months-. 

A plethora of people is present in every street that we walk on. A curious fact is that vehicles aren’t used in these streets, as they are a replica of the old roads that were used in such times when Greece was at its peak. Because of it, modern day vehicles aren’t particularly well suited for this type of environment.

If you were to see it from above, it would look akin to ants passing through their determined routes. Hundreds upon hundred of people come and go, entering buildings, discussing recent news, some are even fighting but are quickly dismissed. Merchants with floating sacks filled with items follow their every move, children play with balloons with adjustable weights.

Many of the individuals that flow through the never ending river of people have personal augmented reality in their peripheral vision implemented. I didn’t want to be rude so I didn’t see much about what they were using it for, but some of the activities that I saw were for reproducing music, watching news outlets, some were even studying for exams.

The shining sun reflects the intrinsic beauty of the city. An incredible sight beyond this world. I can say this because of the cleanliness of all the streets that we passed by. Not a single speck of dust covered any centimetre of the ground. Vending machines filled to the brim with their respective products looked as new as if they were placed some hours ago.

Corridors and passageways at the sides of the buildings are also common. In fact, many people go through them as they are quieter than the busy streets.

Balconies made out of glass are a commodity that not everyone can get. So when you see one, you know that that household has an incredible amount of income. These balconies even have the capability to traverse the skies and reach the structures on the other side of the street through a ‘zip line’ of sorts.

The skies are not safe from the hands of men. Cables and catwalks connect the constructions inside their respective block. The edifices are interconnected only with the buildings that neighbour them. In contrast with the pearlescent white and ocean blue, these catwalks and cables are as dark as night.

That’s why when you look at the sky, you can actually see it at its fullest. Up to a certain extent. Drones and a variation of the current hover cars soar through the skies, either departing from the city into the unknown or coming to relax and explore the markets here.

A particular buzzing sound can be heard all through the city because of these flying machines.

Some of these hover vehicles are a special kind. They are essentially drones that resemble a car to create a sense of peace within the population. Their specific function is to deploy a vapour-like gas that covers Olympus. According to Leonard, the gases are made to dissuade the people from certain trains of thoughts. With a smirk remark from Murph, he says that it is just a gas that covers the smog from the surrounding areas.

“The quarters in the CEC are the size of Olympus, I think. Do you agree, Julian?” Juliette was bored by all the walking that we made. I know it because she usually asks for my opinion when she is, in fact, bored.

“Kind of. The quarters are fifty kilometres squared, if I recall correctly.” I said, while resting my chin in my right hand trying to remember the specific size that I was told at the start of my career.

“Close enough, wonder boy. Fifty one kilometres. One to zero today.” A slight smirk followed from her correction to irritate me.

“Yeah, yeah. Say whatever you want.” I’m better in every way possible, princess. Don’t dare test me.

Slashing my egotistical thoughts, Murph said “Silence, both of you. We’ve arrived.” While pivoting towards our left.

In the distance, about a block away from us, awaited our first step in the operation. A structural testament of the influence of ancient greece. The parthenon, revived through technology to surpass its former limitations, is present before our eyes.

Although its height is relatively lower than the rest of the surrounding landscape, its presence is remarkable. A six story building, utilising the famous ancient greek architecture with a touch of modernity to be able to support such an enormous building.

A circular perimeter of flatness englobes the parthenon in its inside. The first floor is the largest out of the six floors. Each of the subsequent floors are floating one above the other, with a separation of one metre. As the floors go up, the size is inversely proportional to its altitude.

Forming a pyramid of sorts, an awe inspiring sight got my jaw to drop to the floor. I’ve never seen something quite like it. People surrounding the parthenon pyramid are diminutive compared to the scale of such an enormous structural beauty. The pillars, as large as my body multiplied by three, are put together in a symmetrical sequence.

Many advertisements fill the upper floors of the place, while the first floor remains untouched. The most voluminous one is encouraging the attendance for the Further, Beyond expo. Because the size of the holographic sign only available through augmented reality is enormous, a bit of quality is lost. Regardless, it is without a shadow of a doubt, the place to be this noon.

Big names come from all over the empire for this, so it makes sense how grandiose the place is. Considering the fact that it is a one kilometre square for a parthenon, give or take, the amount of people present at the event will be nothing to scoff at. The ones that are already forming a line are a considerable amount.

A chill down my spine fills my thoughts. If I’m going to fight that Green guy, I hope no one gets hurt in the middle. I’ll tell Jules to protect them if she can.

Letting the Captain and Juliette go ahead, Leonard stops me for a moment.

“Your chip, the software inside it has malware. Someone has access to your brain, but I don’t know the extent of the hacker. I’m terribly sorry, Julian. But there is no way that I can fix it right now.” With a face almost showing pity, he pats my shoulder.

“I’m really sorry. It is my fault.”

I couldn’t hear anything that wasn’t the footsteps of the swarm of people marching on to the parthenon. A sweat drop fell down to the ground. Leonard, you imbecile.

Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale…

“The Innsperta Association. They are the developers of the software. Where are they?” In a calm voice, I demanded an answer from Leonard.

“They are from Proto-Japan. A facility of theirs is located in Neo-Tokyo, a few hundred kilometres from here. I’ll get you a vehicle to get there. In the meantime, get inside Laurelya.”

What do they want from me? Are they allied with the Imperator? They probably know what we are about to do. Are they letting me do it on purpose? What is going on!?

enter laurelya, then come to us.

…perfect. My entire existence is probably on the line by some weirdos in lab coats.

Professionals have standards. Freedom over my own destiny is one characteristic that forces me to reach such qualities. Consequences are what keeps me on my toes. No one knowing about what I’m going to do is another factor that I usually prefer. This traspasses all of it.

Normally, quitting at this point would be ideal. Circumstances make this operation a high risk situation. They just might be lying to me, leading me to a trap and only God knows what will happen next (if he actually exists, of course).

What are the possibilities that this is, in fact, not a trap?

A superfluous agent is now inside my head. Fact is, the method is peculiar. Abnormal, even. The software in the chip for proper quantum entanglement between objects is, from what I gathered, a first in the field. Cutting edge technology that is not required for prosthetics users. A development in the field impulsed by my selfishness.

Me not wanting augmentations in my body allowed them to access me. As the cyberware connects to you through electric pulses from your brain through the nerves, no need for entanglement technologies is required. Only a specification that was made by me, and only me. I might be the only one in this predicament.

“Doc, does anyone else have one of these chips inside their head?”

“No, fortunately. Some agents made requests for similar equipment as yours, but negotiations ended up falling through. You are the only one with those voices in your head.”

Good. That means that no one else is in trouble. One less thing to worry about in the list.

Now, what should I do? The only path that isn’t covered in much fog is keeping on track. Innsperta are not ones that I can trust, obviously. Nevertheless, if they are taking all this trouble to reach me in such a specific method, they want something from me. Or else, they would have turned me to the authorities already.

In addition, information about my arrival was known to them. An individual that could be reached by our specific field. That train of thought might be the spark that has now created a fire. It could have been any other agent that requested the same appliances as me. Gratified that it is me who ended up ensnared in this mess, relief flushes through every part of me.

This means that it is in my hands. I’m capable of handling it. I know it. Focus.

Through the endless stream of bystanders, flashing screens decorating the peripheral view of many citizens in Olympus, and the skies filled with coming and going drones, I finally take the courage to delve further into this madness.

Deeply exhaling one last time, a short giggle demonstrates to the world that I simply won't fall down with such petty problems.

Throwing my head slightly backwards, as relaxed as possible, pointing with my thumb to the parthenon, I muster the courage to speak with confidence. “Let's get going then. I’m not going to drown in a glass of water.”

Startled by my sudden inspiration, Leonard smiles awkwardly and moves along my side.

“I’ll leave once you reach the entrance. I have matters to attend to. If there is something else that you need help with, tell me now.”

“It might be an uncomfortable question, but you owe me after what you’ve done. Murph and the pills. Is there something I should know about?” Testosterone was flowing through me while I was asking him. I must use my bad situation to get something good, at least.

“...” the Doc comes to a halt. Being in counter-current to every passing citizen, he stares into the sky, away from those screens that consumed this man to reach such standards of scientific prowess, and thus, reaching to that human side hidden away for so long.

My stomach feels empty, as I cross a point of no return. A tapping from one of my legs makes me return to the present. Huh, I’m having that tick again.

“A few years ago, on a mission in the CEC, I was his partner. He was basically a bodyguard, while I focused on an anomalous signal coming from farms in the south region. To keep it short, a contraband ring of body organs had their main base on some of these lands. The signals were ciphered, of course. They also had a ‘Leonard’ with them, thus they knew about me infiltrating their communications. Hacking was never my strong suite. That carelessness resulted in tragedy.” For a brief moment, he stops to think. As per usual, he grabs a cigarette from his pocket and lights it up. After he expulses the smoke from his lungs, he then continues.

“That contraband was led by a well known pharmaceutical corporation. His poor daughter had a rare disease that was being treated by their doctors. When they found out that Murph was after them, a message was sent to the manager of this contraband ring. Kill their family, in bold white letters, flickering on and off in a cold night of winter. Lighting fast, hitmen were sent to Murph’s house and well… They did their job flawlessly. Your Captain wasn’t able to reach in time as the roads were covered in snow and our vehicle was an older model to not have any electronics that could have been hacked.”

Ending the cigarette, he throws it on the floor and puts it off with his boots.

“Can you believe that level of heartlessness? A six year old, for fucks sake. Not only that, they sent the finger with the wedding ring of Maria. After trying for so long to get a child, as infertility was more prominent because of his age, they cut his wings and could not keep on going. Rampage ensued every bar that he lost his consciousness in. The DAI, instead of offering retirement, tried an experimental pill on him. Selected Temporary Memory Loss, or STML for short. A moment in time, erased for twenty four hours. Ever since then, he believes they are still alive, and keeps on working for their sake.”

“...”

Looking at the back of Murph in the distance, recognisable by his height, I now understood. What a tragic existence. Wandering around like a dog, completing the only job that was fit for him with the hopes of one day seeing his family again. A zombie, stuck on a loop of a dream-like scenario.

My fists started to clench and tremble ever so slightly; eyebrows frowned for a second. I could actually kill someone now. Hatred and rage, a fusion known to rapture entire civilizations into fragments of their former glory was in every fibre of my being.

DAI, a private corporation with affiliations with the CEC. Always had sketchy ways towards their goals. Never cared about it as it didn’t affect me too much. Alas, this crosses the line. Perpetual neglection of reality until the day his body and skills are not required. A wandering machine, doing his job only to realise he does not have a home to return to. Sweeping the problem under the rug.

It’s okay. Okay. Okay. Relax a little. 1, 2, 3. Ahh, that’s better.

“Thank you for telling me this, Leonard. It’s vital information. I will go on ahead now, if you excuse me.” In fact, I did not want him to see me now. Weakness and emotion is still escaping the clenches from my conscious mind. I need to relax and do what I have to do.

“Good luck, Julian. And sorry for the inconvenience. Really, really sorry.” Hearing his footsteps drown amidst the ocean of people, a whisper was his final remark “I’ve fucked it up again.” Torments from his own mind might be judging him even more so from now on.

Departing with Leonard, the most important mission of my lifetime awaits me in half an hour. Trusting individuals that I don’t even know, a lobotomy induced captain and me entering Laurelya.

From now on, I gotta do what I know best. Wreak havoc.