Chapter III: Integration

I stood precariously on the rooftop's edge, peering down at the bustling city streets stretched out below me, a harrowing drop of 30 meters.

From this vantage point, I remained hidden from the chaotic symphony of souls that pulsated through the urban hive. Their frenzied energy served as a stark contrast to the desolation that consumed me.

I was but a ghost, concealed from the world, burdened by a secret so profound that no one could ever hope to comprehend its weight.

As the sun began its final descent, casting an ethereal glow across the heavens, a breathtaking display of fiery hues painted the sky before vanishing beyond the horizon.

That last image was etched into my mind, a poignant reminder of what I was about to leave behind.

I clutched my phone tightly, its incessant vibrations reverberating through my trembling hand.

An unrelenting onslaught of calls and messages pierced the heavy silence of the rooftop, a chorus of voices pleading for my attention.

Each notification served as a painful reminder of the connections I had neglected, the fragile threads slipping through my desperate grasp.

And so, tears streamed down my face as I ran, my heart heavy with sorrow, desperately seeking solace.

I was running so far away, as if trying to escape from the very essence of existence itself. Would I eventually run off the world someday?

Please. Just take me home, take me to the place where I belong. I have nowhere else to go.

Yet, I kept running, looking for a soft place to fall…And I kept running looking for a soft place to fall…

I let my phone slip from my grasp, tumbling onto the rooftop behind me. I didn't look back.

Before I fall…I closes my eyes...This is when I will be asleep…Forever.

***

Nexuscape Integration eXpansion (NIX) Polytechnic, Central Park, Manhattan, USA. October 31 2203, 7:20 A.M.

Eva's eyes flutter open, greeted by a chilling sensation as a cool, wet droplet glides down her cheek. With practiced composure, she delicately brushes it away, as though tears had become a familiar companion. Gradually, her senses return, and she recalls her current location: the dimly lit confines of the elevator, descending towards the NIX Detention Center situated deep in the subterranean recesses of Basement Level 3.

Unlike in the past few months and previous evening, when a power shortage had plagued the elevator, today it hums with restored vitality. Such outages had left passengers marooned, forcing them to endure prolonged waits as the system slowly revived itself. Consequently, most recruits had taken to using the stairs, seeking to save time or escape the clutches of claustrophobia. Eva, however, found solace within the elevator's confines. It provided her with a respite, a brief moment of solitude in a life consumed by assignments and training, which often left her on the brink of screaming. Interacting with fellow recruits only added to her burden, as they regarded her with a mix of fear and pity, seeing her as a sombre and isolated figure.

But then Felix entered her life, and everything changed. Even during power shortages, he stood by her side, going above and beyond by transforming the elevator into an immersive virtual reality game. Together, they assumed new identities—Felix as FergoProxy and Eva as Evanginocchio. Online, they befriend a popular and professional gamer named Nuemeno. Felix even went so far as to bring snacks, sodas, and fruit juice for Eva, turning their time together into a cherished oasis amidst the chaos of their lives. For Eva, it was a revelation, the most extraordinary and joyous experience she had ever encountered.

Rumours began to circulate, suggesting that Felix and Eva were engaging in clandestine activities. However, these misconceptions were swiftly dispelled when the truth emerged: they were simply two passionate nerds indulging in their love for video games. The recruits were astounded by the transformation of the once dreary elevator, now adorned with vibrant graffiti and cosy bean bags. In the wake of this revelation, the elevator became a hub of passionate gamers.

But as Eva's reminiscences draw to a close, she arrives at her destination. The elevator, once a testament to their friendship, now stands clean and devoid of any trace of their shared past. It reverts to its former state of dullness and desolation, a place Eva resolves never to return to as she steps out, leaving behind their ephemeral sanctuary.

Eva sat patiently on the couch in the main hall of NIX Detention Center, surrounded by the sterile, white atmosphere that seemed to press down on her. She had been waiting anxiously for what felt like an eternity. After Felix's arrest, she reached out to her former instructor, who had trained her before being promoted to Captain of NIX Security Personnel, seeking his help in bailing Felix out of his predicament. Despite the evidence pointing towards Felix's wrongdoing, Eva's own investigation had revealed that his actions were driven by altruism rather than selfishness. As a result, she believed Felix shouldn't be deemed guilty.

A few moments later, the heavy vault-like door beside the reception booth swung open, revealing two figures. The first was a tall, slender man with sandy blond locks cascading down from a messy man bun. His face bore signs of worry and frustration. The second man was lean, with short blond hair that swept across his forehead, almost covering one eye. The two engaged in a heated discussion as they approached.

"I'm telling you, Newt! There's something conspiratorial happening right here, in NIX Detention Center! It's happening right under your nose, man!" the lean man, Gunther, tried to convince Newt, the man with the man bun. Newt rolled his eyes in disbelief but reluctantly agreed, "Fine! There's definitely something fishy going on here. But I can't take any action beyond the Administrator's jurisdiction without risking my own arrest." Newt noticed Eva rising from her seat and gestured to Gunther, indicating that they would continue their conversation later. "Let's talk about this later, Gunther," he said, and Gunther hurriedly left Newt alone.

Newt approached Eva with a heavy sigh, his voice laden with disappointment. "I'm so sorry, Eva," the man murmured, his voice heavy with distress. "I tried my best to convince the Administrators to release Felix, or at least grant us a visit to see how he's been doing and how they're treating him."

Eva's spirits sank as she absorbed the weight of Newt's words. Disappointment washed over her, threatening to drag her into despair. But she fought against it, summoning a smile to her lips, determined to uplift Newt's spirits.

"It's all right, Newt," she said, her voice laced with a fragile optimism. "You've done everything you could. We won't give up. We'll find another way to help Felix, no matter what."

Despite the heaviness of the situation, Eva refused to let the prevailing gloom consume her. She knew that maintaining a positive outlook was crucial, both for her own sanity and for the flickering flame of hope that burned within her.

Newt nodded, his warm smile breaking through the shadows as he affectionately ruffled Eva's dark, shoulder-length bob. "Hey, kiddo. Take care of yourself, alright? I'm sure Felix knows what to do. I won't stop trying, so don't worry," Newt reassured Eva. Glancing at the wall-mounted clock, Eva's gaze alighted upon the digits clock that read 8:00 A.M. "Thank you, Captain Newt. I, too, have an important task to attend to," Eva stated with unwavering determination in her voice.

***

Nexuscape Integration eXpansion (NIX) Polytechnic, Central Park, Manhattan, USA. October 31 2203, 7:50 A.M.

Tetsuo, a part-time in the NIX Bistro, moved through the bustling crowd of customers like a zombie. Dark circles adorned his eyes, betraying the toll of his monotonous existence. Shoulders slumped from exhaustion, he lacked the spark of enthusiasm that once fueled his actions. The atmosphere appeared tranquil, devoid of any hint of chaos.

In the past, amidst the flurry of his shifts, Felix would audaciously cut in line, defying the established order. With a nimble display of acrobatics, he effortlessly leaped over the counter, driven by the quest to uncover Tetsuo's hidden stash of free pizzas. The kitchen and storage room became the battleground for a comical chase, where Tetsuo, armed with a broom, valiantly defended his precious food while dutifully serving the customers.

However, since Felix's arrests, Tetsuo found himself trapped in a world of mundane routines, where tranquillity reigned supreme. The calmness became suffocating, bordering on unbearable, to the point where he could hardly keep his eyes open. In a peculiar display of exhaustion, Tetsuo found himself dozing off while on the job, his body still upright, bent in half, and his drooling head resting on the front counter.

Tetsuo's body shot upright as three firm taps landed on his head. His voice erupted in a boisterous greeting, "Good morning! Welcome to Nix Bistro! What can I get you?" He had rehearsed those lines countless times, but his heart sank as he realized that he had just bellowed at none other than his crush, Lucy Drakenstein. The raised eyebrow and cold stare she shot his way sent a wave of nervousness crashing over him. Embarrassment flooded Tetsuo's mind, and he yearned to claw at his own face, desperate to disappear in a pit of shame.

"Hey, Tetsuo, relax. No need to self-combust," Lucy reassured him, her voice laced with kindness. Tetsuo let out a heavy sigh, his apology hanging in the air. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be rude. I barely got any sleep. Life has become..." He struggled to find the right word.

"Dull," Lucy interjected, filling in the sentence as understanding washed over her face. "Yeah, dull," Tetsuo agreed, stifling a yawn that threatened to escape. "Jeez, I could fall asleep right now."

Lucy absorbed his words, her eyes flickering with a newfound determination. She blurted out something that caught Tetsuo's attention and made his heart skip a beat. "Tetsuo, are you available at 0715 hours?" Her question carried a hint of shyness, momentarily confusing Tetsuo. Yet, he quickly grasped her implication. "YES, I AM!" Tetsuo winced at the loudness of his own voice, hoping it didn't startle anyone nearby.

"Cool. Come and meet me at the North End Lobby, behind the alcove of the Athena Statue," Lucy said before turning to leave. Tetsuo glanced at the clock, its digital numbers reading 6:59 A.M. "Oh, poop! I forgot I have things to do! I'm going to be late!" Panic surged through his veins as he hurriedly stowed his Bistro uniform in his locker and changed into his white high collar side-closure sweatshirt. He snatched his backpack and a DIY welcome card-stock sign board that Felix had made with Tetsuo help, and had stuffed them into his locker. The signboard boasted pastel shades of pink and blue, adorned with golden stars and glittering red letters that read, "Welcome to NIX Polytechnic, Sasha Everhart!" Slamming the locker shut without wasting a second, he dashed through the small crowd, racing down nine flights of stairs, and arrived at the NIX Polytechnic lobby in a mere 21 seconds.

To his surprise, Eva was already waiting at the West End lobby, donning a white coat adorned with delicate pink sakura patterns, a red sweater peeking out from underneath, and blue jeans. They were expecting an important individual, someone crucial for Felix's sake. Felix had mentioned that this person resided in Hell's Kitchen, having lived with them at their restaurant until it faced financial difficulties due to the opening of the NIX Emporium. Many local businesses in Hell's Kitchen, particularly those in the downtown area, suffered a decline in customers and faced financial hardships. The smaller shops and establishments struggled to compete with the convenience and variety offered by the mall. In an attempt to salvage their business, the restaurant owners had mortgaged their property. However, the financial situation did not improve, leading to foreclosure proceedings initiated by the bank.

At this critical juncture, NIX Corporation, possibly aiming to further develop the area or expand its own business interests, utilized the legal concept of eminent domain to acquire the property. Losing their restaurant was a significant setback, but they managed to resolve their outstanding debts through the foreclosure process, affording them the opportunity to start anew and pursue other ventures with newfound financial freedom.

"Hello, Tetsuo. Thank you for bringing the sign. I hope it wasn't too much of a hassle," Eva asked, her tone genuinely caring. Tetsuo had always been subjected to bullying by other recruits in the past. They would mock him for his meticulous classification of foods on his plate, distinguishing vegetables from other vegetables that were mixed with meat and noodles. They also belittled his love for colours and art, considering it to be lame and lacklustre.

"Not at all, Eva! I arrived here in a non-stop throttle! Nobody saw a thing! My shift just ended, and working all night definitely has its downfall, even with overtime," Tetsuo replied enthusiastically.

"That is good to hear," Eva said, feeling a sense of relief. They waited together, and time seemed to fly by. However, Tetsuo glanced at the clock and realized that thirteen minutes had already passed. Internally groaning, he remembered that he had to meet Lucy, and it would take him approximately six minutes to get there, even with his warp speed ability. The NIX recruits and employees were starting to file out, causing the area to become crowded. The decision created inner turmoil for Tetsuo. He had to make up his mind quickly.

"Eva, I am sorry! I have to go!" Tetsuo begged Eva.

"Huh? But I don't know how to..." Eva interjected, unsure of what to do.

"You'll be fine! I'm sure you'll make a great impression!" Tetsuo explained hurriedly. Without further explanation, he shoved the sign into Eva's hands and dashed away, yelling, "I am soooorrrryyyyy!"

Eva found herself glaring at the crowd, who had been staring at the commotion that had just occurred. Their attention dissipated, and she let out a heavy sigh. "Mum! Look! That lady has my name on the sign!" A girl of eleven years old rushed through the crowd towards Eva.

"Sasha! Wait up!" called the older woman, whom Eva assumed to be Sasha's mother. Sasha stood frozen, her eyes locked on Eva and the sign. The resemblance between Sasha and Lucy was uncanny.

Could they be distant relatives? Eva wondered. The woman enveloped Sasha in a warm embrace, and Eva's attention shifted to the imposing figure of a black dog or wolf standing by Sasha's side. Felix had mentioned that they had a dog living with them.

"Hello, you must be Eva! I'm Danielle Everhart, but you can call me Dani. Felix has told us all about you," Sasha's mother greeted Eva. "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Dani," Eva replied with a warm smile, her gaze still fixed upon the black dog.

You are a strange creature. I recognize this feeling, but where? Have we met before? Eva pondered silently. "Oh! Don't mind Fenrir, he's very friendly," Dani anxiously explained, assuming Eva was uncomfortable with dogs or animals. "Not at all, Dani. I like animals. I used to have a pet cat myself," Eva reassured.

"Wow! Felix didn't mention that the NIX Corporation owns the entire Central Park!" Sasha exclaimed, her eyes brimming with awe.

So, you're the reason Felix risked everything, including his future. That recommendation document must have cost a fortune, and only a privileged few can earn it. Sasha, you must mean the world to him, Eva's train of thought led her to affirm that her judgment of Felix as a good person was accurate, despite him being labelled a criminal by NIX.

"Actually, they practically own everything," Eva corrected Sasha. "By the way, where is Felix? I haven't seen him since I arrived." Sasha scanned the crowd while Dani looked at Eva expectantly.

"Felix is currently preoccupied with searching for job opportunities and filling out applications. I'm not sure how long it will take, but I hope he'll join both of you once Sasha is fully integrated into NIX Polytechnic," Eva said, offering warm smiles as she wove beautiful lies to foster false hope, not for them but for herself.

***

Lucy glanced at her watch and furrowed her brow. "You're one-millionth of a second late," she remarked, her voice laced with a hint of amusement. Leaning against the wall near the imposing statue of Athena, she tapped her foot mock impatience.

Tetsuo gasped for breath, his hands resting on his knees as he tried to regain his composure. He had exerted himself to the limit, distorting the very fabric of space to warp into his designated location with lightning speed. It was a delicate manoeuvre, requiring precise calculations to avoid colliding with anyone in the bustling crowd. The consequences of such an impact would be catastrophic, reducing the unfortunate person to a mere mush of flesh and bone. 

A moment later, Tetsuo straightened himself up and flashed Lucy a thumbs up. "So, what do you need my help with?" he asked cheerfully. Lucy, surprised and curious, inquired, "How did you know I needed your help?" Tetsuo responded with a blank stare and said, "It's just a hunch." Lucy raised her eyebrows, then gestured for him to follow her. They navigated the NIX Security Personnel-only corridor, and Lucy used her key card to open a door. Tetsuo followed her silently as she led him to the maintenance hatch. After Tetsuo entered the maintenance room, Lucy closed the door behind him.

They proceeded through a dimly lit tunnel until they reached another hatch. Lucy opened it slightly and motioned for Tetsuo to enter the room first. As Tetsuo stepped inside, he was greeted by a spacious area adorned with an eclectic collection of movie, anime, and music band posters. A cluttered workbench, covered in scattered parts, stood nearby, and a worn couch faced a Holo-TV. Tetsuo's attention was immediately drawn to the far corner of the room, where a stack of document files, notepads, and pictures of missing people were meticulously connected by white strings. It became apparent that Lucy had been engrossed in a detective-like investigation. Lucy closed the hatch and moved over to the couch, clearing away clothes and discarded soda cans. "Please, have a seat, Tetsuo," she invited, to which he silently complied.

Lucy rummaged through her disorganized papers, gathering them into a heap, and then walked over to place them on the coffee table before sitting beside Tetsuo. "Have you heard about the numerous reports of missing people?" Lucy handed over a document made from black synthetic cellulose paper. "I've heard about it on the news, but I don't know the specifics," Tetsuo replied. He began reading the document.

NYPD Missing Person Case Reports:

1. Frederick Winston, a 15-year-old Caucasian male, was reported missing on November 12, 2202, in Manhattan, New York. According to his family, Frederick was last seen at approximately 6:00 p.m. near his residence on 34th Street. He left his house to meet a friend at a local coffee shop but failed to return home. The investigation revealed that Frederick had been grappling with personal issues in recent times. Friends and family described him as introverted and quiet, making it challenging to determine if he had any conflicting relationships or conflicts with others. However, there is currently no evidence to suggest foul play in his disappearance.

2. Barbara Gordon, a 17-year-old African American female, was reported missing on September 20, 2202, in Manhattan, New York. According to her family, Barbara was last seen leaving NIX Polytechnic at approximately 3:30 p.m. She was supposed to meet her friends after the symposium but failed to show up. Barbara is described as a responsible and diligent Stargazer recruit with no history of running away or disappearing without notifying her family. Friends and family mentioned that she had been under significant stress lately due to upcoming academic pressure. However, there is no direct evidence linking her disappearance to these factors.

3. Trevor Fujiwara, a 16-year-old Asian male, was reported missing on October 5, 2202, in Manhattan, New York. His family stated that Trevor was last seen leaving his part-time job at a NIX grocery store at approximately 6:00 p.m. He was expected to return home shortly after his shift but never arrived. Trevor's family and friends describe him as responsible and focused, with no history of disappearing or running away without informing his loved ones. There have been no indications of any conflicts or issues that might have led to his disappearance.

4. Xander Martinez, a 17-year-old Latino male and a Stargazer recruit of NIX Polytechnic residing in Manhattan, was reported missing by his family on March 19, 2202. Investigations into Xander's disappearance revealed that he had recently been grappling with personal issues, including academic pressure and difficulties in his social life. It is believed that Xander may have voluntarily chosen to leave in an attempt to escape the stressors in his life. The family is urging Xander to make contact and return home, assuring him of their support and willingness to help resolve any problems he may be facing.

Tetsuo quickly skimmed through the contents, his eyes darting across the page as he tried to connect the dots. However, his brain struggled to make sense of it all, except for one crucial detail: there were approximately 23 cases of missing people. Puzzled, he voiced his confusion, "Okay, there's a significant number of missing people, but what does this have to do with me helping?"

Lucy fixed him with a sharp, piercing stare, her eyes searching his for comprehension. "Actually, it does concern you," she asserted, her voice laced with gravity. "These individuals share three distinct characteristics. Firstly, they either work at NIX Corp or study at NIX Polytechnic. Secondly, despite their varying ethnic backgrounds, they all graduated at the top of their classes, regardless of age. And thirdly, they are not ordinary human. In fact, they are all Stratosphere to Mesosphere Magnitude Quasars."

Tetsuo's mind raced as he suddenly grasped the implications of Lucy's words. "So, according to my theory, I believe they were taken to the NIX Detention Center," she concluded, her voice tinged with grim realization.