I woke up to the pale morning light filtering through the thin fog. And immediately felt how cold the room had become.
I shivered and slipped out of my nightwear.
I laid my clothes on the ironing board.
Plugging in the iron, I waited as steam began to rise slowly, the warmth spreading across the fabric.
Hand over hand, I pressed the nightwear until it was smooth, folding it neatly once done.
The iron cooled beside me, and silence filled the room.
Then my phone rang sharply in my bag.
I rushed to its side and grabbed my phone.
An email notification.
Subject: 518 -- Role Notification.
Participant 518, the simulation phase has been initiated. assigned roles are listed bellow.
Role 1: Silent Participant
Observation is prioritized; intervention is limited.
Role 2: Public Balance Observer
Responsible for identifying issues in areas such as education, justice, welfare and security.
Additional note: Direct influence on the system's decision-making is possible.
[Coded Line]
This line exists only for hidden role holders.
Primary protocol active. You hold the acces key. That opens almost every door in the complex.
Sharing this information is strictly prohibited.
-System.
I sat down in a chair. Feeling the cool surface of the ground with my feet. I looked at the screen once more.
Acces key
I didn't feel a surge of excitement, nor a pulse of fear.
There was nothing but the quiet acknowledgment of what had been given to me.
A cold understanding that this item is mine now.
Then, I remembered my card have a QR code behind it.
I eagerly got my card and scanned it.
The screen slowly filled with text. A document opened in front of it;
CENTRAL COMPLEX - FOUNDATİONAL PRINCIPLES
Principle 1 - Closed Structure
Central complex is a closed structure.
Exit from the complex is not possible except for elections.
The council members within the complex exist to fulfill the responsibility of governing the nation.
Principle 2 - Council Structure
The complex contains one thousand council members.
If this number decreases for any reason, new members will be added.
Every participant possesses an identity card and is adressed by their number.
Principle 3 - Role system
Every participant holds a role.
Participants must act according to the responsibilities of that role.
Roles are assigned by the system and may be reassigned whenever the system deems necessary.
Principle 4 - Observation
events within the complex are monitored.
Every action, no matter how small, is observed and recorded.
Principle 5 - Area Authority
Areas within the complex fall under system authority.
Participants may only move within areas permited by the complex.
Entering restricted zones without authorization is considered violation.
Principle 6 - Information
Information within the complex exists in layers.
Participants are granted access only a limited portion of that information.
Principle 7 - Governance Format
The governing process within the complex follows the MUN (Model United Nations) format.
At least one Resolution paper must be produced each day.
These documents are reviewed by higher authorities and may be used in national governance.
All participants have the right to create their own mini committee.
Principle 8 - Living facilities
The complex contains all necessary facitities required for daily life or system.
These include cafes, local point shops, traveling point stores, gymnasiums for various activities, music rooms, infirmaries, pharmacies, markets, restaurants, libraries, game rooms, prayer rooms, lounges, laundry rooms, shower rooms, security offices, Info hubs, storages, maintenance room, restricted areas etc.
Most social facilities are located on the second and third floors.
Each floor may also contain smaller internal levels where similar facilities can exist.
Traveling point stores may appear in varius sectors of the complex. Participants are free to interract with them when encountered.
Principle 9 - Systems Authority
The authority of the System is absolute.
Decisions made by the system are not open to opposition or dispute.
Principle 10 - Performance Points
Participants receive performance points every three weeks.
These points are distrubuted directly to each participant's identity card according to their overall performance within the complex.
At the end of each cycle, the top 20 participants on the ranking are granted with one Personal request
Approval and execution of the request remain under systems authority.
Principle 11 - Role Revelation Mechanics
Roles within the complex are strictly confidental.
A secret protocol exists for handling role exposure:
1. If a participant successfully reveals another participant's hidden role, the revealed participant is eliminated from the system.
2. The participant who revealed the hidden role inherits the eliminated participant's hidden role. If the revealer is a hidden role owner, the participant could hold 2 roles at the same time.
3. All role revelations must be reported to the system in a secret way. Other participants are not informed of the change.
4.Successfully revealing a hidden role awards 3000 points to the discovering participant.
I have read all principles. So I'm in it now... fully. There is no turning back.
Three thousand points for revealing a role... I could be next.
My hands began to shake.
I checked the page again. I cant forget the details.
I have to stay calm. If a single wrong word slips from my lips... I'll be the prey.
I must be careful. Know your role, use it and dont talk.
I exhaled deeply and tried to stay calm about it. Things have gotten really serious from now on.
I wore my formal clothes and put the laptop in the laptop bag. And got the notebook and pen.
Lastly, I got my invaluable ID card and hanged around my neck.
I was ready. I took one final breath to act natural.
I opened the door.
It's time to explore a bit