The cafeteria was alredy half full.
I walked straight to the counter.
Didn't think or look around.
The woman asked me.
''What do you want?''
''Lentil soup and some barley bread.''
Didn't even checked the options.
...
The tray slid forward. Same as yesterday.
I took it and turned.
Started scanning the back rows.
She was there. Back table. Waiting.
I walked over and sat across from her.
''What is it?''
''The black shard.''
She placed it on the table.
I frowned slightly.
''And?''
''It matters.''
Her fingers tightened around the bandage on her hand.
A faint stain spread through the fabric. Still fresh.
I looked away. She continued.
''That heat we felt upstairs... this might explain it.''
She paused.
''I have a few theories.''
I leaned back.
''Go on.''
''You saw the ceiling,'' she said. ''There was a gap. light coming through:''
I nodded.
''They probably fell from above.''
A short pause.
''Possibility one: They mean nothing.''
Her grip tightened again.''
''Possibility two--''
She lifted the shard.
''--they are the source.''
I narrowed my eyes.
''That doesn't make sense.''
''it does if you think about it.''
She tilted the shard, watching the reflection.
''Cover the entire celling with black glass.''
''--?''
''You get a lens effect.''
I didn't interrupt.
''The heat concentrates. Builds up and traps itself.''
''...Why?''
''I dont know. Its just a theory.''
I took a sip from my soup. Cold. Disgusting.
''So thats all?''
''No.''
She didn't hesitate.
''Groups are forming.''
Of course they were.
''We are alredy late.
Her gaze shifted on me.
''I'm forming one.''
I looked dirrectly into her eyes.
''Are you in?''
''Whats the name?''
''Aetheris.''
''And the purpose?''
''To map the complex. All levels.''
So she was serious.
''Maybe.'' I said. ''Depends.''
''On what?''
''The structure. How do you plan to run it?''
''Six people. Maximum.''
She answered immediately.
''Any more and control is lost. Each Member has a role.''
She Pulled out her notebook and slid it across the table.
''Read.''
I frowned and slightly opened it.
The pages were dense.
Shematics. Notes. Small annotations packed into every corner.
She had alredy thought this through.
I started reading.
Rule 1: Every member must have a defined role.
Scout, Navigator, crisis support, mapper, carrier, rear guard.
Rule 2: Every participant must bring at least one useful tool for exploration.
Flashlight, Rope. Anything practical.
Rule 3: Exploration runs every two days.
05:00 AM.
No delays. No exceptions.
Rule4: One of the main objectives is to locate traveling point stores mentioned in system principles.
I closed the notebook and looked at her.
''I'll join,'' I said.
A short pause. I leaned towards the table and connected my hands together.
''On one condition.''
She didn't react.
''Add another rule.''
Her eyes narrowed. Clearly didn't waiting for this.
''What kind of rule?''
''A meeting,'' I said. ''Every two days.''
I tapped the notebook.
''One member's room. We gather. We reviev everything and make plans.''
A brief silence.
''No exceptions.''
''Unnecessary,'' she said.
''Why do you think like that?''
She paused for a second.
''We can send messages to each other from interface.''
I frowned.
''It's not efficient. And what if system watches every step of our's?''
She stopped and thinked for a moment.
''...Fine you won.''
''Then, You got a new member. Congrats.''
She smirked.
''Not yet.'' She said.
''What now?''
''You must pick a role first.''
Role? What's easiest one?
''Ok then. I decided. Crisis support.''
She scribbled something in her notebook.
''Welcome to the Aetheris committe.''
I took a sip again. Disgusting. I decided to left the soup.
''I'm going.'' I said with a low pitch. ''Goodbye.''
She nodded as I left.
...
I left the cafeteria.
The corridor was quieter.
I arrived somewhere that almost dark.
Too quiet.
Then--
voices. Low and controlled.
I slowed down.
Shifted slightly toward the corner.
Didn't step out. Just enough to hear.
''518 and 220, correct?''
A familiar voice.
The woman.
''Yes. They entered a restricted area.''
A different voice. Calmer and older.
''They may have taken something.''
A short silence.
''Thats the problem.'' she said.
Her tone didn't change.
Cold and Measured.
''...Should we intervene?''
''...No.''
She paused.
''I'll handle it.''
Another silence. Heavier this time.
''Understood.''
The two man left.
But she stayed still.
Then--
She glanced around.
Once, twice.
Making sure no one is here.
She took out her phone
Dialed.
''It's me.'' she said quietly.
A pause.
''518 and 220. I'll handle them.''
Another pause. Longer this time.
Her posture changed. Just slightly.
''...No'' Her voice dropped.
''I said I'll handle it. Trust me this time. No mistakes.''
Her fingers tightened around the phone.
''Please... Don't.''
A pause.
''I'm sorry. I wont disappoint you.''
A pause again.
''Yes. Understand.''
She ended the call.
She started moving this way.
I quickly took action and silently ran away. Trying not to make a sound.
...
I arrived at waiting room. The cold air leaking from the cracks.
I sat on a sofa...
What have I just witnessed?
a fear began to overwhelm me.
I lay down down on the sofa.
Damn.
We are in real trouble. Literally.
I wonder what happens now.
I smiled this time.
Not because of fear.
Because of excitement.