The students walked in stunned silence, overwhelmed by the sight of the Atlas Tower's lower levels. It was a symphony of innovation. People bustled about, going about their work with focused purpose. Visible through transparent walls, tech experiments glowed, and sleek drones zipped through the air on automated paths. The sheer activity of the place left them awestruck.
"I can't believe my eyes," a student whispered, "this is incredible."
A beautiful young woman in a lab coat approached them. "Welcome, you must be the visitors from SAOS. Please, come with me." She smiled warmly and led them to a nearby elevator that ascended to a quieter, less busy section of the tower.
"Okay, we'll need to get all your names to get you registered," she explained. "You can begin your internship anytime from next week. This week is for you to explore the tower and get settled."
"We'll take it from here, sir," she said to their instructor. He turned to face the group of students, who were already in the process of registering.
"I guess this is goodbye, young prodigies," he said, his composed demeanor never wavering. "Do your best and make us proud." With a final nod, he walked away.
"Goodbye, Mr. Kail!" they all called out in unison as he made his exit.
A few minutes later, they were assigned to five rooms, with two students per room. They unpacked their belongings and freshened up, all ready for a much-needed rest.
"Damn, this place is something else," Hal said, stretching out on his bed. He placed his hands behind his head and stared up at the ceiling.
"Yeah, it really is," Jimmy replied, a small smile on his face as he unpacked.
"We're lucky we got this room," Hal said, gesturing to the massive glass window that offered a stunning view of the city's neon-lit night life. "The girls didn't get a view like this."
"Hmm, but they did get a vision hub," Jimmy said, referring to the interactive display technology used for entertainment.
"Are you serious?!" Hal shot up, unable to believe it. Jimmy just gave him a confirming look. "What the hell? Why do they always get all the fun?" Hal muttered, a frustrated, envious expression on his face.
A quiet moment passed as Jimmy continued unpacking.
"Speaking of girls," Hal said, breaking the silence, "we could... you know..."
"Get your mind out of the gutter, Hal," Jimmy said, shaking his head. "Go to sleep already."
Hal laughed. "Alright, fine, you got me. Goodnight." He lay back down and closed his eyes.
Jimmy looked over at his friend, a soft smile on his face. He shook his head, imagining what Hal would have suggested. "You're a pain in the neck, Hal," he said to himself.
He walked to the door, giving it one final lock check before bed. As his hand touched the handle, he heard voices from the hallway outside. He pressed his ear against the door, his curiosity piqued.
"...That guy's a legend, but apparently, he was kicked out."
"Any reason why the Commander needs this Blackmoor guy after such a long time?" a woman's voice replied.
The name Blackmoor instantly grabbed Jimmy's attention. He pressed his ear harder against the door, his heart beginning to pound.
"All I know is that the Commander requested to retrieve Eric Blackmoor at any cost," the man's voice said, fading as he and his companion walked past.
Jimmy's blood ran cold. The name echoed in his mind. Eric Blackmoor. It couldn't be. The rumors were just stories, weren't they? He opened the door, slipped out of his room, and began to follow the retreating figures.
He watched them enter a room, take off their coats, and step into a sterilization chamber. Seeing his opportunity, he grabbed a random lab coat left nearby and put it on, slipping out of the room before they could re-emerge.
Now in a false identity, he walked nervously through the halls. He approached a random stranger. "Hi, uhm... are you familiar with Eric Blackmoor's room?"
"Sorry, I don't know who that is," the stranger said, continuing on his way.
"Right," Jimmy mumbled, stepping back.
Then he saw a uniform, the same one he had seen on the troops that had marched into the tower earlier. He stealthily followed the man wearing it. The man entered a room, and the automated door began to close. Jimmy was quick enough to slip his foot into the opening, stopping the door from shutting completely.
He pushed the door open and stepped inside, his eyes widening. A silent crowd of people, generals, scientists, and officials, stood facing a large, transparent glass wall. He tiptoed through the room, blending into the crowd, until he reached the front.
Beyond the glass, an interrogation room came into view. Inside were two people. One was a woman, her back to the crowd, but her posture and the insignia on her jacket left no doubt. It was Commander Ellen Homes.
Jimmy's gaze then shifted to the man sitting across from her. His eyes widened, his jaw dropping in disbelief. He knew that face. It was the face from the old, grainy records and schematics he had studied in his dad's documentaries, the face of a legend.
"Oh my God..." he breathed, the words barely audible. "It's Eric Blackmoor... It's really him."