Ryne passed by a security shell, which turned to face him before scanning him with an eerie red light.
"Ryne Connors. You have twenty-seven minutes until your daily visa expires. If you remain after the termination of your daily visa, you will be arrested and may face charges of unlawful presence in Nova City. You will also have your access to daily visas permanently revoked unless placed under review."
Maybe waiting for Mr. Perry was a bad idea.
"Thank you, officer. I will make sure to follow the laws of Nova City."
"That is good to hear, Ryne Connors. Fracture residents account for seventy-four percent of crimes in Nova City."
Ryne huffed, but calmed himself as the shell continued its patrol route.
Walking through the streets of Nova City, Ryne passed a HoloNEWS terminal. A burst of light and sound caught his attention, and a female reporter materialised on the screen, her form solidifying in front of a magnificent building that dwarfed everything around it.
"Hello! I'm Ashley Ackleson, standing outside the World Technology Institute, an emblem of innovation and progress in Nova City. Whispers of their groundbreaking achievements vibrated through the city, with rumours of advancements in health and longevity circulating. But what could they possibly be working on?"
The towering silver structure stood as a symbol of hope for many, a place where science and technology merged to redefine the limits of human existence. People believed the Institute held the key to a future free from illness, where humanity could conquer mortality—a world where life stretched far beyond what seemed possible.
But for Ryne, the sight of that building and its employees evoked a different sentiment. It reminded him of a past forcibly left behind, a better time, a happier time. It not only constantly reminded him of the stark divide between the privileged few and the rest of society, but of a life he could never return to.
"I'm here to report that the WTI is indeed working on a remedy to fight off the peskiest problem humanity currently faces. Aging! With the release of Eternal, a new prescription medication, you can effectively add decades to your lifespan!"
The reporter's voice filled the air, unveiling the Institute's latest creation, a supplement named Eternal, promising to add years to one's lifespan. Scepticism mingled with Ryne's curiosity as he listened to her words. A hint of bitterness laced his thoughts as he contemplated obscene prices that would accompany such a world-changing product.
A life-extending drug? Would it be accessible to all or reserved for the elite?
Shaking his head with a wry smile, Ryne continued his walk, dismissing the notion that the Institute's grand promises would trickle down to benefit people like him, those in Fracture. He had his own path to forge and battles to fight. The towering steel creature reminded him of his world's reality.
A reality I'd much rather forget.
Ryne continued through the streets; few people walked the footpaths near the gate. Out of the three hundred million people in Nova City, most worked indoors or spent their evenings with their families in the safety of their homes.
His path led him toward the central border gate separating Nova City from Fracture. Two other workers in ragged clothing passed the guards, and the mechanical gate opened to let them through before closing behind them. Ryne approached the guards, and one of them, Donald, raised a hand.
"Identification," the border officer stated.
"Here," Ryne said.
He held out his arm, and the officer hovered his datapad over his band.
"Ryne Connors. Fracture resident. Contracted Exo-Mech Operator."
"That's me."
"Age?"
"Eighteen last month. I go to South Nova High. My..." Ryne choked before the next word could leave his mouth. "My father's name is Richard."
"Six minutes until your twelve-hour work visa expires. Cutting it a little close today, aren't you? Are you aware that staying here beyond your allotted time will result in a fine and could lead to losing your access to Nova City permanently?"
Did they seriously think someone would try to sneak into Fracture? These guards existed to keep tabs on the residents.
"I know, Donald. I heard the announcement. Again..."
"You know it's just procedure, Ryne. The next part, too."
"I know. My reasons for leaving Nova City late is that I had to stay back at work briefly."
"Good, good. I'll put that in my notes. Well, other than that, everything seems in order. Thank you for doing your part in Nova City."
"You're welcome, I guess."
"And say hi to your sister for me, yeah?" Donald whispered to Ryne and slid something into his tracksuit pocket before nodding to his coworker.
The other border officer nodded back and tapped a couple of buttons on his datapad. Ryne stepped through the gates as they whirred open. The guards laughed and carried on, spewing words of disgust for the district he called home. As the gates closed behind him, he looked at the faded and rusted metal of the doors.
Upon entering Fracture, the lustre of luxury quickly dissipated and gave way to a more weathered and neglected landscape. The grandeur of Nova City faded, replaced by dilapidated buildings and a sense of forgotten history. Fracture contrasted the glitz and glamour of the city beyond the walls.
People's spirits persevered amidst the crumbling structures, pockets of vibrant life surviving the harsh conditions while holding onto a sense of community that defied the hopelessness of their situations.
Authenticity that Nova City could never replicate.
Like a labyrinth, the streets were winding, narrow, and crowded. Peddlers lined the sidewalks, their makeshift stalls displaying a motley assortment of goods. They called out to all passersby, advertising their food, balms, relics of an older time, and strange inventions. The crumbling buildings around him stood as faded remnants of a forgotten era, with broken windows and decaying exteriors.
Walking through the area, Ryne couldn't help but feel a deep sadness. Jeers from a nearby crowd shook Ryne from his thoughts. A man stood on a small wooden platform surrounded by a crowd, just as he did every day. Ryne paused, listening for a moment to his familiar tirade.
"You all know that Nova City has abandoned us! They dump all of their waste here, and we're stuck cleaning up their messes! The only time the privileged people of Nova City grace us with their presence is when they want us for something! Drug trials, adoption, fights, parkour tournaments. They only see us as entertainment or a product for purchase!"
The crowd cheered and jeered at the speaker's words, their energy rising with every word.
"We must rise up and be ready for when their robotic slaves rebel against them! The time will soon come, and we need warriors to fight in the coming war!"
Ryne shook his head, the corners of his mouth twitching into a wry smile. The man had been preaching the same revolution for years. Nothing in this world will stop them, Ryne thought grimly. He left the hopeful dreamers to their delusions and continued walking.
Children played amidst the worn-out concrete, their laughter echoing through the air. Their creativity shone as they played with toys fashioned from discarded scraps, finding joy in the simplest of things.
Despite the poverty and neglect, Ryne admired the resourcefulness of the people here. They had learned to survive with very little, making the best of what they had. During his childhood, he had lived on the other side of the border walls—a vastly different experience from that of the children around him. It was a memory he thought about often.
A loving family, clothes, food, shelter, and video games. Nova City provided all the necessities its inhabitants could ever ask for. Whenever a resident left Nova City, they did so via air or subterranean travel, so the residents rarely visited Fracture.
There were countless reasons Ryne felt like he didn't belong in Fracture, but only one reason to stay.
Venturing deeper into the outskirts of Fracture, the throngs of people thinned out. The air grew quieter, the atmosphere shifting from the hustle and bustle of the crowded streets to a more serene and isolated ambience.
Ryne quickened his pace as he approached the apartment complex that served as their headquarters—a sanctuary amidst the chaos of Fracture. It was here that Brad, their leader, had taken them in—a motley crew of kids and adults who found support and safety within these walls. The Circuit Breakers.
When Maiya, their tech-wiz, joined them, she had insisted they needed a name. Circuit Breakers was what she'd come up with, saying it symbolized their desire to break free from the constraints imposed by life in Fracture.
Brad planned for years to challenge the authority in Nova City, hoping to dismantle the systems that kept Fracture in its downtrodden state. It was a pipe dream, but one shared by everyone in their group.
Ryne had first encountered Brad three years ago while practicing parkour around Fracture. As an adept practitioner, the beauty of movement and fluidity of parkour captivated Ryne, and Brad, recognizing his potential, had taken him under his wing. He had taught Ryne the intricacies of the discipline and guided him toward perfecting his skills—at least until Brad had broken his leg last year during the annual parkour tournament.
Over time, it became harder to see Brad's dream for rebellion as achievable, but their unity and friendship only grew stronger.
Approaching the apartment complex, Ryne spotted Hank perched on the ledge of the storage shed outside the building. His legs swung with impatience as he gazed out into the city.
Hank's familiar bulky figure, silhouetted against the dusky sky, brought a smile to Ryne's face. Since joining them, Hank had proven himself a free spirit, always bringing excitement and creating unexpected situations within the group. His passion for adventure and unyielding loyalty to the Circuit Breakers had created an unbreakable bond between him and the others.
As Ryne drew closer, the sound of his footsteps broke the stillness of the quiet surroundings. Hank's eyes met his, and a mischievous grin spread across his face.
Ryne sighed inwardly.
Oh, no. What's he got planned now?