The sun of dawn rose from its wake, coloring the world with a new light from the horizon. The sky above is filled with clouds beyond human's reach, ever distant yet familiar — gazing down at the wonton landscape of the Hereafter.
[Terminal Communication - On-going]
"Passangers, thank you for choosing Pegasus Express Service Line, this train is connected to every major global station, departing from the Allied Station. We hope you will have a pleasant journey with us. For inquiry, please refer to our coach attendants. Thank you."
"Pegasus-343, departing from Allied Station. Next station: Cyber-Raya."
[End of Transcript]
The train let out a hissing sound from beneath as a gravitational force pushed the coaches upwards. Slowly, it begins to move forward and accelerate with incredible acceleration — going from 0 to 120 Km/h in seconds. I looked out the window as we left the station, yet the city stretches far beyond what I had initially expected. Its vastness makes me feel small in my seat, seeing that the tallest building in the Administrative District has become farther from me.
The attendants came to serve me light snacks once in a while. But… I'll pass for now. I don't think I'm that hungry when I am about to meet the head of state of the afterlife. It really makes me have a slight nausea to be honest…
As the train was moving at roughly 1300 Km/h, another announcement rang from the train's audio speaker.
"Next station: Cyber-Raya. Mind the gap."
The train gradually slowed down as we drew closer to the station before completely halting its advances at the platform.
"This is Cyber-Raya Station, doors on the right side of the coach will be opened. Please do not lean or push against the door as it opens. Mind the gap."
The doors on the right side opened with a hiss and some passengers including myself had already disembarked from the train's coach. The station was relatively big but it would still be dwarfed by the Allied Station in comparison.
Suddenly, I realized that a group of men in black was already waiting. My escort perhaps? Well, this is awkward… I've never been escorted from place to place before. But something that caught my attention wasn't the security, but the woman among them who stood out with her long black coat and… a shorter height I guess.
I approached the group reluctantly but was intercepted by one of the guards.
"You cannot pass through here, take another route."
I looked at him, confused.
"Uh.. but I.."
"No excuses, use another lane. I won't repeat myself."
What is this guy on about? I'm supposed to meet with the Chancellor aren't I? Jeez.. how do I get past him? The security is too tight, barging in would only cause unnecessary commotion that will attract passerbys' attention. I need to find another way…
However, before I could think of a contingency plan, the woman at the center of the group stepped forward.
"Is there a problem here?" She asked.
"No ma'am, it's just that this girl is trying to get close to you."
Excuse me? Do I look like I'm interested in some paparazzi nonsense?! This is testing my temper by the second, and I don't know when I'm going to snap.
"Uh, excuse me, ma'am. I've been meaning to ask, do you know the Chancellor?"
The woman raised her hand, placing her palm on her jaw and tilted her head slightly as she closed her eyes.
"The Chancellor? Hmm.. yes, I think I know who that is. It's me."
Eh? EHHHHHHHH?! I've been talking with the Chancellor the whole time and nobody told me?! This is bad…! I just made a bad impression towards the Acting General Chancellor! And yet, she just… chuckled softly?
"Your shocked expression is quite amusing. My apologies, I didn't mean to tease you. You must be the diplomatic mediator from the General Government right? My name is Ha Jisu, Director of SEMinar, glad to meet you."
She extended her right arm with a soft and gentle smile. I looked down at her hand before hesitantly accepting her handshake with a light grip.
"Glad to meet you too, ma'am. My name is Hozumi Fumiko, Archivist of IASM. I will try my best to resolve any conflict regarding matters that I'm assigned to. As such, I hope we can maintain a stable cooperation."
Perfect communication Fumiko… just perfect. Your first day on the job and this already feels like the worst diplomatic entrance of the century. Sigh… I'm actually going to cry after this.
"Now then, shall we get going? Our transport is waiting outside the lobby to escort us back to the SEMinar Central Office. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me directly."
She turned around and started walking away, followed by her guards surrounding her at every possible corner. I wonder how this will end. Deep breath, I just need to do my best and get this over with, simple. …Maybe not so simple.
I catched up to the group and followed Ha Jisu from behind. Her friendliness was very telling, but I could sense a commanding aura surrounding her. Or maybe that's just the feeling of being looked down by these men in black. Either way, it's unsettling.
We exited the lobby and headed straight to a black SUV, escorted by what seems to be the Peacekeeping Bureau's escort units. One of the officers opened the door for Ha Jisu as I slid inside beside her. Backseat again huh, deja Vu?
The chauffeur waited for the escort's signal and drove away from the station — following closely behind the unit's vehicle. As we left the station, there was a big landmark that read: 'Welcome to Massachusetts Science Institute (MSI), Expand Your Creativity, Embrace Changes'
"Did you know? That MSI is one of the major power suppliers in the Hereafter?" Ha Jisu suddenly mentions the fact out of nowhere.
"Really? How does that work?"
She nodded and cleared her throat.
"It's like this, MSI actually owns a global scale power grid that connects to every major district in the afterlife. We produced roughly 40% of the world's energy supply through our Anti-Matter Reactor that connects with the International Power Grid."
"40% globally? That's… a lot of numbers… but what is an anti-matter reactor? Sounds fancy, I didn't know such a thing could produce electricity."
Ha Jisu's face beamed with joy as she processed my question. This woman is really a science freak after all huh?
"The Anti-Matter Reactor is an energy generator that converts electron-positron annihilation into usable energy! Think of it like a nuclear reactor times a very very large number! About 10 to the 18th power joules. Essentially, it could generate millions of gigawatts-hour over continuous operation."
Only then… she caught herself being too close to me, uh.. a bit of privacy maybe?
"Hah.. I.. maybe I got carried away just now. *She chuckled nervously* Sorry!"
I shook my head, placing my palm on top of her hand. I… haven't touched anyone like this in a while. Perhaps it feels… nice?
"It's alright, Miss Ha Jisu, I'm not bothered. Your enthusiasm has been quite the charm."
She looked down at our hands, one on top of another. A sudden light redness crept up her neck as her expression turned slightly awkward, coloring her cheeks with a blush of pink. I… hope this isn't uncomfortable or intruding. People have always comforted me, but others also need comfort.
The ride henceforth was silent, accompanied by only the humming sound of the SUV and the constant blaring of the escort's sirens to give way for the VIPs.
Not long after, we reached a building in the middle of MSI, an office named Socio Examination Mandate Department (SEMinar). So that's what it stands for… a department responsible with keeping track of the afterlife's sociology.
Once we reached the main entrance the escort vehicle came to a stop. The officer outside of the building opened the door for us as we stepped out of the vehicle. Looking back, this place has quite the modern look — there was even a statue with an atomic logo in the middle of the hall made from holographic images.
We proceed to enter the office, falling in step with each other. Inside, the staff were busy even in the lobby. Even in the afterlife, people still work themselves to death. Except there isn't an escape in this world.
Out of the blue, a man approached us as he walked out of an elevator. He is also wearing the same black coat and white armband. Perhaps he is also from the SEMinar?
"Ha Jisu, you're finally back. And this, you must be the diplomat sent by the central authority. The Archivist of the Independent Archive Security Management, Miss Hozumi Fumiko, am I correct?"
Huh? What the hell… how did this guy know so much about me? We've never even met before! Is he a stalker?!
*Chuckle* "Please don't overwhelm our guest, Yi Hyun. Miss Hozumi here is still new to our world after all. I suspect she is still trying to figure out the pros and cons of our realm. Don't rush it."
The man named Yi Hyun clears his throat and adjusts his tie.
"My apologies for the abruptness, perhaps I should introduce myself first and foremost. My name is Kang Yi Hyun, Vice-Chancellor of MSI and the Lead Supervisor of SEMinar. I extend to you my heartfelt welcome to our district, Archivist."
"Yeah yeah, all the sappy and boring stuff. He is also my husband!" Ha Jisu exclaimed loudly, hugging Yi Hyun's arm.
Okay… but what am I supposed to do with that information? Archive it?