The morning slowly crept over Neon City, but the night refused to leave. A pale glow still hung between the skyscrapers, and the streets seemed unusually restless. People stopped, stared at their devices, talked loudly – as if they had all noticed something strange at the same time.
Mara leaned on the railing of a pedestrian bridge and watched the scene. “They’re talking about it,” she said quietly. “About things that should never have happened.”
Pixel sat on her shoulder and let his gaze wander. 🦊 “The city is buzzing. Everywhere. As if someone opened a hidden channel.”
Nova appeared between them, her light slightly dimmed. “Several independent groups are sending requests into the net. They ask questions – and receive answers that do not come from official sources.”
Mara frowned. “So the core not only released memories, but also… a connection?”
“Correct,” said Nova. “A kind of open frequency. It connects fragments of knowledge that have long been separated.”
Pixel grinned. “Sounds like trouble.”
“Sounds like responsibility,” Mara replied dryly. 😐
A sharp beep from her bracelet made her jump. A message appeared on the display – without sender, without identification.
“If you hear this, you are not alone.”
Mara stared at the words. “Nova… is that possible?”
“The message uses the new frequency,” the AI answered. “It is encrypted – but not hostile.”
Pixel laid back his ears. “Then someone wants to talk.”
Mara hesitated only briefly. “Then we listen.”
She opened the channel. A soft static filled the air, then a voice – young, nervous, but determined.
“My name is Lio,” said the voice. “I know what you did in Sector Zero. And I know that they are looking for you.”
Mara raised an eyebrow. “That was quick.”
“I helped maintain the old systems back then,” Lio continued. “Not voluntarily. I… I want to make things right.”
Nova analyzed in the background. “His biometric patterns indicate honesty.”
Pixel whispered: “Or very good acting.”
Mara took a deep breath. “Where are you, Lio?”
A brief silence. Then: “Under the old maglev train. Track 12. But you have to be careful. They are listening.”
The channel cut off.
Mara looked at Pixel. “A little adventure in between?”
Pixel jumped from her shoulder. “I thought you’d never ask.” 😄
The way to Track 12 led them through forgotten districts, past closed shops and flickering neon signs. The closer they got, the stronger the static in Mara’s head became – the open frequency kept signaling repeatedly.
Under the train station, a young man waited in the shadows. His eyes darted nervously around.
“You really came,” he said surprised.
Mara nodded. “You wanted to talk.”
Before he could answer, a red light flared above them. Footsteps echoed from both sides.
Pixel growled. “We’re not the only ones on this frequency.”
Mara clenched her fists. The truth had new voices – and new enemies.
And this little adventure was just beginning.