17 - The First Connector Crystal

I push the emergency door open with the man's help. This one is rather heavy unlike the other floors which are either already open or only needing a slight push. If they really put the Connector crystal in this floor, then it would make sense if they even make the emergency door sturdier than the others.

I keep this detail in the back of my mind before I peek inside. There's no one here and the place seems untouched. But I already know that. Still, I have to pretend I don't to avoid suspicion.

"Stay here." I told him as I pull my gun from the holster.

"Are you sure?" The man asked.

"Yeah. I'll come back when it's safe."

"Be careful." He said as I enter.

I walk calmly with my gun drawn, but as soon as I turn the corner, I run. I keep it lightly though, because it might echo in the hallway and gives the wrong signal. I make my way exactly like in my memories, and I eventually reach the Control Room. Well, only in front of it. There is another room inside this one that houses the Connector crystal.

You need a passcode to open the door, which I know of. But I'm not gonna open it now. It'll be suspicious. I'm just here to make sure it's really here. Then I go back to pick up the technician. We return to the Control Room door and he inputs the code.

1032

It's the same password from the game. Because this is the 10th floor out of 32 floored building. It's simple to memorize once you know. But for those who don't know, they won't get the connection. I remember it was also included in the manual.

We enter the Control Room and he immediately goes to the Control Panel.

The place is very much the same as what I remember from the game. So I don't pay more attention to the surroundings. Then I approach the man as he's looking frantically at the screen. The game didn't have that scenario where this man is helping in the Control Room, so I don't know what is going to happen here.

"What's wrong?" I ask him.

"I'm only the technician for the Zeta waves while this panel is for the three. My workstation is in the other side of the room, so I don't use this Control Panel often. I'm trying to find the configuration for the crystal's door. Because I know the Chief won't put the script code in front—" He was rambling about it but suddenly he stops and looks at me.

"S-Sorry… It must be a hard for you to understand." He apologized.

Huh? Why would he apologize? Oh right. To him, I'm just an academy student. I couldn't possibly understand any of the things he just said.

But, luckily, I'm not, right?

My mind and soul are not that of an academy student. I'm around 6 years older than this brat's body I'm possessing. And I come from a world where many people use computers to work. Analyzing a simple cryptic code, or making command script, or even arranging simple programs are expected of youngsters there. So I know one or two.

Besides, when I take a look at the Control Panel's screen, it's not that different from a computer's desktop interface in my previous world. There are also files and folders icons scattered on the screen that can be clicked. I just don't see any cursor nor hardware mouse that I can use click the icons. But that's fine, there's still the keyboard that seems very much usable.

I smile. "It's fine. In fact, I want you to teach me."

The man looks surprised. "What? But why?"

"So I can turn off the other two in the upper floors." I answer honestly.

"But I can turn them off by myself. It's my job. You just have to cover for—" I raise my hand and cut his speech.

"Sir. I have to be honest. Some of my friends have not come back from the upper floors. They have fought their best, and I'm sure they'll be very tired like the ones trying to save you. I can cover you just okay. But I don't know if I can cover you while also covering my injured friends."

The man looks at me quietly. But I don't see resentment in his eyes, rather, it's… Understanding?

"I understand. This is a very scary incident for all of us. You kids experience it more often than us civilians, you have to save us often from dangerous situations. That's why I have no worries when you agree to escort me here. But I forgot that you are still a kid. You also have friends and you take care of each other." The man smiles apologetically. Then his expression brightens. "Alright. I'll teach you. Then you can do the rest for me."

Really? That's what he understands from my words? I was thinking it's going to be troublesome if I have to take care of him and the injured cadets at the same time. But well, it turns in my favor in the end. So crisis is still successfully avoided.

"This might be hard, so please pay attention." He warns.

I calmly smile and nod. "I will."

I watch as he searches a script and configure it slightly to open the door. Then we move inside the inner room and I can see the big crystal with my own eyes. It is light blue in color, almost green, and very shiny. It's not shaped into certain forms, just like a fancy lump of dirt. The structure is left as is, but it does seem it had been polished.

"Is that the Connector crystal?" I asked. I know, but I just can't help the reaction.

"Yes, it is. Pretty cool, right?" The man smiles.

I nod. It is very cool to see it up close. I kinda want to touch it just to have a feel, but I can't because of the glass wall surrounding it.

"Come here. This panel is where you deactivate it." The man beckons me to the panel on the right side of the glass wall.

The room is just like a normal control room for important electrical hardware like cables and panel switches. But it's neater than those shown in movies, the cables are arranged separately and the hardwares are clean and very well kept—just like a high-tech company. Well, it is. It is North Tower after all. It's one of the very important buildings for the kingdom and moreover, to the North District since they manage the communication in the north region.

"Don't worry. Those cables are already arranged and only re-done after several months. You only have to press the buttons in this small panel." The man guides me to the panel.

Then I was taught how to deactivate the crystal. And I'm glad I didn't just follow the game for granted. Because just as I've expected yesterday, it's not that simple.

There is a file that I have to run, then a code to be inserted, then it will take me to another window with another code I have to insert, then I have to swipe a card ID to finalize the process.

I have to say it's not that complicated. But still a hassle because of those codes we have to insert. It's long and comprised of random numbers and alphabets. I give up in memorizing it.

The man swipes in a yellow card and the light in the glass room darkens. I can still see the inside though.

"Now. It's successfully deactivated." The man said. He looks at me in worry. "D-Did you get all that just now? The codes are a bit long though…"

"I didn't."

"EH?! I-I'll write the codes for you so you don't have to memorize it!"

His reaction is funny. I smile at him. "It's fine. I've noted everything in my watch." I show him my Arrow. I have this smartwatch with many useful features. I'll be a fool not to use it in this situation.

"A-Ah! T-The crystal maintains the communication wave near the tower. If the crystal is deactivated, you won't be able to converse with your friends." He looks more worried.

"Don't worry. The academy uses a different kind of material. Our gadgets will not be affected at all." I said.

"Ah, really? I didn't know that!" The man looks surprised. "But it's good then! You'll still be keeping in touch with your friends!"

I nod. "Sir. That card." I refer to the yellow card.

"Ah! This is the technician's card! You can finalize the activation with this! Take it with you. But don't forget to give it to your teachers later so it can be returned to us." The man gives the card.

It's similar to the green card. It has the tower's logo on it and the word N that must've signified North. I keep it in my coat's inner pocket.

"Let's go back to the emergency stairs. Someone should be waiting to pick you up." I told him.

The man nods. "Yes."

As we're walking back, the man asks. "What's your name, kid?"

"Hm? I'm Terrence."

"Well, I wish you safe and good luck, Terrence." The man prays.

'Hm? What's with this man?' I wonder. 'You don't know me but you wish me safe 'and' good luck? Pssh… These flat characters are… Weird.'