The cold night air clung to Alex as he moved swiftly through the dimly lit streets of the Rust Quarter. The weight of what he had discovered at the power plant pressed heavily on his mind, the message from the comm unit replaying in his thoughts: Energy core transport in progress. Authorization codes required for full access to core.
The term "energy core" haunted him. It was a piece of old-world technology—something far more powerful than the scraps and relics the people of the Rust Quarter scavenged daily. If Alex could find it, it could change everything. It might be the key to understanding energy manipulation or even survival in this broken world. But first, he needed those authorization codes, and there was no way of knowing where they might be hidden or how to access them.
As he walked, his thoughts were interrupted by the AI's steady voice in his mind.
"Authorization codes are likely stored in old-world systems," the AI informed him. "However, available data is insufficient to pinpoint exact locations."
Alex sighed, his breath visible in the cold air. Of course. Nothing's ever easy, he thought. He couldn't give up now, though. If there was even a chance the core existed, he had to keep pushing forward.
He rounded a corner, the crumbling buildings of the Rust Quarter looming above him. The faint hum of generators filled the air, and people moved in the shadows, trying to stay warm near small fires or trading whatever scraps they had scavenged during the day. The desperation in the air was palpable, but it only fueled Alex's determination. He wouldn't be stuck here forever—there had to be a way out, a way to something better.
Elara would be back soon. He had managed to sneak back into their small room after his trip to the plant without raising suspicion, but he wasn't sure how much longer he could keep everything a secret. His scavenging runs were becoming more and more focused on old-world tech, and it wouldn't take long for her to notice that he was searching for something specific.
Slipping into their shelter, Alex sat down beside the small fire pit they used for warmth. He pulled the comm unit from his coat, its cracked screen now dim and lifeless. The signal amplifier had done its job, but it wasn't enough. He needed a stronger connection, more power, and possibly even more information about the authorization codes.
AI, what's the next step? Alex asked, staring down at the comm unit.
"Further data retrieval requires access to advanced old-world systems," the AI responded. "Such systems may be located in secured areas of the Rust Quarter, or in external settlements not yet explored."
Alex frowned. He didn't know much about the secured areas of the Quarter, but he had heard rumors—whispers of hidden rooms deep inside the wealthier districts, guarded by the elite who still had access to working technology. Getting there would be difficult, and the risks were high. But the idea of leaving the Quarter to explore other settlements was even more dangerous. The outside world was harsh, filled with raiders, unknown threats, and vast expanses of frozen wasteland.
As Alex pondered his next move, the sound of footsteps outside caught his attention. He quickly hid the comm unit, stuffing it into his coat as the door creaked open and Elara stepped inside. She was bundled tightly against the cold, her cheeks flushed from the wind, and her green eyes sharp as she looked around the small space.
"Long day?" she asked, her tone casual but curious.
Alex nodded, trying to keep his expression neutral. "Yeah. Not much luck today."
Elara sighed, dropping a small bag of supplies on the table. "Same here. It's getting harder to find anything worth trading. Everyone's getting desperate."
Alex felt a pang of guilt as he watched her. She had been the one to take him in, to keep him safe, and he was keeping so much from her—about the AI, the comm unit, the energy core. But he couldn't tell her. Not yet. It was too dangerous, and the more people who knew, the higher the risk of everything falling apart.
Elara sat down across from him, pulling her scarf away from her face. "You've been acting strange lately," she said, narrowing her eyes at him. "You're out later than usual, and you've been focused on something. What's going on?"
Alex's heart skipped a beat. She was sharp, as always. He had hoped to avoid this conversation, but it seemed inevitable. He had to think fast.
"I'm just… I've been thinking about old-world tech more," Alex said, trying to keep his tone casual. "I figured if we can find something valuable, we might have a better chance of surviving the winter. There's still useful stuff out there, but it's getting harder to find."
Elara watched him closely, her eyes scanning his face as if searching for the truth. After a moment, she leaned back, her expression softening slightly.
"You're not wrong," she admitted. "The old-world tech is the only thing keeping the Quarter going, but it's dangerous. People disappear trying to find that stuff, and the elite don't take kindly to anyone snooping around their territory."
Alex nodded, knowing she was right. But the risk was worth it, especially if the energy core was real.
"Just be careful," Elara added, her voice lowering. "I don't want to lose you, Alex. You're all I have left."
Alex felt a lump rise in his throat. He hadn't expected her to say something like that, and the weight of her words pressed down on him. He forced a smile and nodded again.
"I will. Promise."
Elara gave him a small, tired smile before turning her attention to the fire, adding a few more pieces of wood to the dwindling flames.
As the night wore on, Alex's thoughts remained focused on the energy core. Elara's words had struck a chord with him, but he couldn't abandon the search now. The secrets of the past were calling to him, and the AI was his only guide in this world of crumbling ruins and forgotten technology.
Once Elara had fallen asleep, Alex carefully retrieved the comm unit from his coat. The cracked screen reflected the dim firelight, and he felt a familiar sense of urgency as he held it in his hands. Somewhere out there, beyond the walls of the Rust Quarter, was the key to understanding everything—the energy core that could change their future. He just had to find it.