Chapter 3: The Gates of Opportunity

The scorching sun hung high in the sky as Q and Mei stood before the imposing gates of the mega city, their hearts pounding with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation. Behind the towering walls, a world of possibilities awaited them, yet the path to entry seemed shrouded in uncertainty.

"We need a plan," Q murmured, his eyes scanning the bustling crowds that thronged around them. "We can't just walk up to the gate and expect them to let us in." We don't even know how they will be reacting to people "like us" 

Q noted that Mei knew his meaning by "like us" 

Mei nodded in agreement, her gaze darting from face to face in search of a solution. And then, like a bolt of inspiration, an idea took root in her mind.

"What if we pose as new arrivals for a distant delegation?" she suggested, her voice tinged with excitement. "We could pretend we're here for some sort of diplomatic entrance. It might just be crazy enough to work. After all, we are really different."

Q's eyes lit up with realization as he grasped the brilliance of Mei's plan.

They were tired and energyless, so they had to act fast, Q knew it. So, he simply agreed. 

With newfound determination, they approached the gatekeeper, their demeanor exuding confidence and charm.

The door was particularly huge, about 7 Meters or more, surely more. As they presented themselves in front of it, a voice held: 

"Ni shi shei, nimen yao shenmene ?" 

Q and Mei looked at it others, dull, was that Chinese ? 

As it appear evident they didn't understood, the same voice raised, in a broken english: 

"You who, pretense what? " 

"Friends" Q began, flashing a disarming smile at the guard. "We are diplomatic convoy from a distant nation and demands diplomatic favors" 

The guard regarded them though a litle opening over the wall, with a mixture of suspicion and curiosity, but after a moment's hesitation, he nodded in acquiescence. "Very well. Follow me."

The gigantesque door opened in a difficult movement. 

With bated breath, Q and Mei followed the guard through the towering gates and into the heart of the controle center. As they traversed the bustling streets, they marveled at the sights and sounds that surrounded them, their senses overwhelmed by the sheer scale of their new surroundings.

They were put in a gigantic room with a roof at over 10 meters hight, 2 guards heavily armed guarded them, 2 chairs was quikly put in the middle, making the space ridiculously big, and they waited. They waited over what seemed hours. 

Then, 6 guard differently dressed entered, the 2 heavily armed guard seemed suddenly nervous, stood straight and avoiding eye contact. Someone checked their belonging. 

"clear" he shooted. 

Q and Mei would have usually said something, but they were so tired they kept their words. 

A man in a white blouse entered, a doctor for sure. He had a dead look and seemed bored, he took a siringue and without notice put it over the skin of Mei, mei closed her eyes as for expect the pain to come, but the doctor never penetrated her with the syringue, touched her only. The siringue had inside a liquid turning transparent. 

"This one is ok" He said, coming to Q. 

He did the same to Q. 

"Both clear" he said before living. That was the last time they saw him.

Someone tall and elegant went in with new clothes, and put them not without a look to Mei at our feet, leaving softly. We understood we had to wear that. Which we did. Mei didn't even bothered faking being shy and removed everything without a damn hesitation, as if her body was just a tool to her. I obviously had more shyness in me than her, and quickly wore the clothes. 

At that moment one of the guard shooted"

"clear" 

And a litle man with a big belly entered the room. 

"Dear dear dear, what do we have here" He said not without looking at every aspect of us. 

I noded. His english was almost perfect but we could her a small accent. 

"Let me introduce myself, I am Calius Marabus, the preposed of the diplomatic convoy, and responssible of your intronisation, let me tell you that I am particularly exited and feel really positive about our collaboration" 

He stopped to look at us, tired, looking at him as beast waiting for their destiny to arrive. He seemed disapointed we didn't share his enthousiam. 

"well, sorry, I forgot you might have had a long journey, do you need to rest ?" 

Mei answered almost immediately 

"Shi" (yes in chinese) 

He smiled 

"o, you can speak Chinese ?" She noded modestly. 

He continued in english. 

I will let you rest and give you some freedom, obviously you aren't a risk asset. "

Q and Mei felt relieved. 

"... but before that I need to know where you are from, I need a sorte of proof of your envoy, surely no nation would send a convoy without some kind of proof or warranty" 

He looked at them in the eyes, deep inside, suddenly this small guy looked really taller, sharper, dangerous. 

Q took his watch out. 

"Dear Representent of the city of light, you are right, we beg your pardon for our mitake, the journey indeed was long. Here is a gift from my powerfull nation as a sign of friendship. I apology to have had to wear it to avoid thief and attracting attention. It is as you can see, an object of art from a far far past, and his value is important, even if we would have want to offer you even more" he said presenting him the watch. 

The representent looked at the watche, indeed he seemed to appreciate the gift. 

"City of light" he repeated. 

"interesting" he said while leaving. and he left politely but Quickly afterward,giving instruction to sort of scrip that Q and Mei just started to notice.