Vargas paced back and forth in his room, the low hum of his data tablet still echoing in his ears after the report to Nera. The illegal AI development was deeply concerning, but so was the mystery surrounding the null girl. He couldn't shake the feeling that these seemingly unrelated events were linked in some way. The tension in his chest tightened.
He cast a glance at the window, the neon-lit skyline of Triton I glowing in the distance. He thought about the history of this planet and the surrounding systems. Triton and its neighboring systems had something that most of the Federation territories didn't: null pylons.
These massive structures, relics from the War of Heaven, had the power to suppress all magical phenomena, creating a dead zone where Aera couldn't flow freely. Although they were set to a lower setting now, allowing the faint use of magic, they still functioned to protect the planet from a rogue Awakened or a demonic incursion.
His mind wandered. Could the cases of the rogue AI and the girl be tied to the null pylons? He had never been one for wild speculation, but this… this felt off. The suppression of magic, the rogue null girl, and now advanced AI development? The thought gnawed at him.
The AI development could just be an illegal tech operation, but the girl… the girl might not have been a coincidence. Her presence here, on a planet with active null pylons, might mean there were greater forces at play.
He stopped pacing, resting his hands on the back of his chair. He had planned for a short stay on Triton, but now it was clear he'd be here longer than expected. His mission had grown more complicated, and he had no choice but to delve deeper into the shadows of this world. Triton, with its secrets buried beneath layers of bureaucracy and old war relics, would take more than just a few days to uncover.
Vargas tapped a message into his data tablet, contacting the planetary minister of Triton I. Investigators like him often held more authority than planetary officials, especially when it came to matters of significant threat to the Federation. As expected, the minister was quick to comply with his request for a meeting. Within minutes, her office confirmed that a government-issued hoverpod would be sent to pick him up.
He stood by the window of his quarters, watching the vibrant lights of the city, reflecting on the sprawling complexities of the case and the connections he was slowly uncovering. As he sipped on his coffee, his thoughts kept drifting back to the null pylons and the rogue null girl, pieces of a puzzle that, once connected, could shake the balance of the planet.
A soft hum announced the arrival of the hoverpod. Vargas grabbed his coat, pocketing the small hologram projector he always carried with him, and walked out of his quarters. He nodded to a few passersby but moved quickly, eager to get more information.
The hoverpod was sleek, its surface gleaming with the reflective sheen of polished black metal, and the door slid open with a soft hiss. He climbed inside, the pod's cushioned interior absorbing the noise from the outside world. It moved swiftly but smoothly, gliding over the city's busy streets. The capitol wasn't in the atmosphere like most advanced cities. On Triton I, the seat of power was still located on the planet's surface, and the pod descended toward it through the winding streets of towering buildings.
The capitol building stood as a symbol of authority, not a shimmering spire but a solid, ancient structure made of smooth, dark stone. The architecture felt rooted in an older era, a time before the chaos of intergalactic conflict. The hoverpod landed on a designated platform, and the door slid open.
Vargas exited and walked down the steps leading to the entrance. Inside, the atmosphere was quiet and sterile, the air-conditioned coolness hitting his face as he entered the marble halls. The capitol lacked the over-the-top luxury often seen on wealthier worlds, instead favoring a simple, stoic design. It was clear they valued functionality over extravagance here.
At the far end of the grand hall stood the minister—a woman in her later years, with graying black hair neatly pulled back into a tight bun. She was dressed in formal attire, a muted gray uniform signifying her rank, with no visible augmentations, which was somewhat unusual for someone in such a high position. Vargas took note of that detail. In a world where most officials leaned on cybernetic enhancements, she remained without.
"Minister Zora Valtros," Vargas greeted her with a formal nod. "Thank you for agreeing to meet me on such short notice."
"Investigator Vargas," she replied with a calm but authoritative tone, her sharp eyes betraying years of experience. "It is my duty to assist the Federation's investigators. What brings you to Triton I, and how may I be of service?"
Vargas didn't waste time. "There are concerning developments happening under your jurisdiction. I have reason to believe that illegal activities related to AI development are underway in the industrial sectors. Beyond that, I have other suspicions, but I'll need more cooperation from your office."
Valtros raised an eyebrow slightly. "AI development, you say?" She folded her hands in front of her. "You are aware that such activities are strictly forbidden under Citadel law."
"That's why I'm here," Vargas replied. "The case is sensitive, and I need full access to certain areas of the city, particularly in zones near the Nyru desert where I believe these activities are being hidden."
The minister nodded, but Vargas could see a flicker of something in her expression—concern, perhaps, or recognition. "You have my full cooperation," she said after a moment of thought. "But I would advise caution. There are many forces at play on Triton I, some even beyond the influence of the local government. I'll arrange for access to the zones you mentioned."
That piqued Vargas's interest. "The null pylons are still active, aren't they?"
"Yes," the minister admitted, her voice dropping slightly. "They were never fully deactivated after the War of Heaven. They're simply set to a lower setting, allowing for limited Aera usage. They are buried deep underground outside of the habitable zone. No one can survive the freezing temperatures…except for robots theoretically."
Vargas nodded grimly. The situation was more dangerous than he had anticipated. He had to tread carefully, but he knew he was on the right track. "Thank you for your assistance, Minister. I'll begin my investigation immediately."
"Keep me informed of your progress, Investigator Vargas," Minister Valtros said. "Triton I is a delicate world, and we cannot afford a major incident."
Vargas nodded once more, then turned to leave.
Vargas returned to his living quarters and quickly contacted Ralo. He had two tasks in mind.
"Ralo, I need you to do a deep analysis of a robot head I picked up at that facility. It's beaten up, but I know you can extract something useful from it," Vargas said, pacing back and forth. His mind was clearly preoccupied with the strange things happening on Triton I.
Ralo's voice on the other end was casual but intrigued, "A robot head? Sounds like a fun project. I'll get on it. Anything else?"
"Yeah," Vargas continued, rubbing the back of his neck. "I need you to search the Triton records for an orphan named Emilie. She works for the sanitation department. I've run into her before, and she's... unusual. I have a feeling she might be more important than she seems."
Ralo paused for a moment before replying, "Got it. I'll pull up everything I can on her. You sure you're okay handling this alone?"
Vargas gave a weary sigh. "I don't have much of a choice, do I? Just keep me posted, and be discreet about the records. This might take longer than expected."