Prologue(3)

Just two kilometers from the bridge is the city epicenter. Though the world's population had declined, these streets were still crowded. Over the junctions, giant holographic screens floated playing advertisements. This is nothing new in this age and technology, meanwhile, the landmark buildings seem to have regressed in age, to give off an antique feeling.

People drove cycles and electrical cars to avoid pollution, their sleek appearance made one want to own one. Even though it is near midnight, the crowd seems not to stop flooding the place. Holographic screens of various sizes hovered everywhere trying to get people's attention, and people ignored them for a small screen on their wrists.

All in all, the world while advanced didn't escape some of its shackles.

The giant screen in the middle started to play a news report, and a blonde woman started to give today's hottest news.

As she was giving that abruptly she paused she looked from the camera to her flank before pivoting back. The screen flashed the breaking news in giant font, attracting most of the people's concentration.

[Breaking news from the Federal Space Agency, take a look at this viral photo from a Federal Satellite station orbiting over the Atlantic Ocean…]

A photo revealing outer space, but only there seems to be a ripple of some kind, but it is too vague to be sure.

[…this photo was taken about quarter to eleven. FSA says that the peculiarity revealed itself for 0.01 milliseconds and sent out tremors throughout the various parameters. The scientist from the FSA believes the peculiarity to be of the same space phenomenon on the eve of world war III…]

Before she can finish, a giant holographic screen larger than any, appeared out of thin air or rather flickered in and out, hanging above more than 500 meters from the ground.

"Hey what's that?"

"Should be a new publicity stunt"

"Take a picture"

"I'm already streaming"

"Umm, look it is already started playing something"

…

"Chief, there is a giant screen at the city center," a man in a blue law enforcement uniform said nervously.

"I already know that," the chief who is burly and had an unruly beard said as he held on to his donut and coffee.

"I'm not speaking of the same screen chief, this is bigger…"

"Just check the license, if there isn't one file a case, you bloody know the procedure"

Another officer ran inside, muting the call in his 'Nanobrain' and reported urgently.

"Chief, the Mayor wants to know who authorized the giant screen hovering above the downtown; he said he can't afford any mishaps with mayor election in two days"

The burly man with an unruly beard grumbled, placing his cup loudly before he stood up, "Why the hell do they always interrupt my midnight coffee?" muttering irritated, he walked past the two officers, forcing them aside in anger.

"Move over… where is this screen?" the chief asked as he looked out of the window in the direction of the downtown area, finding nothing he looked back at the officer who reported first angrily.

"Umm, chief…it's above," the man said pointing a finger upwards.

The chief instinctively looked up out of the window, "Fuck, who dares host a screen over my office!" he shouted incensed. Because of its height and size, it felt like it was near over their head.

"Umm...no wait, it is over the whole city not just my office" the chief went back mumbling, he already felt a headache coming on dealing with this at midnight. His wife is already holding his neck for not coming home each night earlier…now this.

"Whoever did this, I'm busting his nut," the chief declared cracking his knuckles.

"Chief!" another officer broke in.

"Damn! Did you all hold no manners? Why are you dandling in as you like?"

"I'm sorry Chief, I'm sorry, but I have something urgent to report," the officer said sweating, he had just joined and didn't know much about his superior but suddenly his senior asked him to report. He could not refuse.

"If this is anything about the screen hovering over my Fu*king office, I'm kicking your ass!" the chief in irritation intimidated the newbie officer.

The newbie officer swallowed, 'What is my shit luck?'

"Um…Chief, this-this…"

"Are you a woman? Why are you speaking in a cute voice? Speak up!!"

"This isn't about the screen over our head chef, this is about the other screen in all other cities" the man finally gritted his teeth and spilled it out. 'the chief only said he would kick my ass if this is about this screen, so he wouldn't right?'

The chief halted, he didn't say anything and went and turned on a holographic device on his desk. The screen instantly showed images and recordings of giant holographic screens floating in various parts of the world.

He looked at a few images and laughed out, the other three didn't know why their chief is laughing out in this situation, and 'Shouldn't he be hollering at them? Why is he laughing?' the same thought went over all three heads.

'Maybe he lost his nut at last' one of the oldest officers presumed.

"Tell the mayor, that this is out of our jurisdiction and needs handling from the above" the chief took his cup of coffee.

"You all are dismissed" the chief dismissed them and went to sip his coffee but it is already cold.

"Hey, you" the chief called the rookie.

"Me?" the newbie officer hesitantly asked, he just calmed when he got dismissed but suddenly the chief called him alone.

'Is there truth in the chief's sexuality?' he instinctively covered his bottom. 'Wait, I heard the fierce-looking the male is, the exact opposite he is in the bed' the newbie changed his stance and covered his nether.

"Bring me another cup of coffee. Hot, and make it fast" the chief ordered not noticing the comical newbie's behavior. The newbie rushed out relieved.

…

At a mansion elsewhere, a party is going on. People in exquisite clothing discussed with a glass of wine.

"Hey, did you hear about the giant screen in all parts of the city" in one corner three middle-aged men were discussing, they held themselves high and individuals gave a respectful nod and moved aside. The one who spoke is the tallest and leanest of them. The screen while not noted in cities where the sky is dark, it is easily noted when appeared in cities with sunlight. It's hard not to, when there is a patch of darkness in the sky, like a void.

"Yeah, a pretty big undertaking, but I don't see even one gift at my doorsteps," another man who is dressed extravagantly said.

The third man scoffed at the second man, "All you know is gifts? Don't you feel that someone with such a big connection may be a problem for us?"

"What connection? I can do the same if I spend enough money. Would you refuse if I wanted to do this and gifted you a lump sum?" the extravagance man said.

"Exactly, that's the problem," the tall man said, "No one was involved or authorized this stunt. I investigated around, and no faction is behind this or behind the organization behind this. In fact, we still don't know who precisely doing this"

"This…" the third man could not believe this, 'can people even do something this big without them finding?'

"Well, as the council didn't permit this in a meeting, I think it should be permitted by the President" the extravagance man reasoned. they both caught on to what he meant, only the president has enough authority and power to bypass their surveillance.

The tall man shook his head, "I don't think he will authorize this without our knowledge"

"Maybe he didn't, maybe it is someone else who enabled this" the third guy said twirling his glass.

The tall man seems to catch on to his meaning.

But the extravagance guy isn't that bright "Who?"

"Remember, the president isn't the only person with above SS level pass, there is someone else as well…" he said pointing at his 'Nanobrain' on his wrist.

"You mean, it's finally showing its true face?" The extravagance guy said.

"Yes, I think" the third man nodded.

"And we may finally get a chance to overthrow it" the tall displayed an evil grin. The other two shared the same as well. Then the three began to laugh out loud.