'Dear Ann Ivly,
Congratulations! You have advanced to the final round of the interview process. Your in-person interview is scheduled for September 27 at 9:30 AM at Vitto Street x2oL on the 108th floor.
Please let us know if you have any questions or need to reschedule. We look forward to meeting you.
Best regards,
Vincent Ha
Technical Operations Coordinator
State Zhao National Technological Firearm Department'
That was the email I got before going to bed.
The interview was tomorrow.
I had just sent the application and interview video a couple of hours ago. Why the heck were they so fast? The worst part about all this was that the interview was tomorrow.
"The interview is tomorrow?! Well, rass!"
I hadn't expected a response that fast, much less an in-person interview scheduled within hours.
'What even made them think I'd be available for an interview so soon?'
My eyes drifted to Ali before I exhaled. "What do they not know?"
'There are robots everywhere watching everything.' A chill ran down my spine.
"Ali, prepare the cleansing solution. I'm getting ready to rest. Oh, and wake me up at the usual time tomorrow morning."
I didn't want to think about anything at that moment, not what I was going to do tomorrow or anything about this world at all.
Tonight was already creeping me out enough.
…
The lights in the room glowed a dim amber. It was morning.
Stirred, my eyes blinked slowly as I tried to adjust to the lighting.
Ali spoke in a chiding tone, "Good morning, Ivly. It is currently 6:00 AM. You have approximately three hours and twenty-five minutes till your scheduled interview."
The interview. It was real, and it was today.
Rolling myself off the bed, I walked to the clothing unit. It opened automatically with a hissing sound, revealing rows of refined bodysuits in various shades of gray and black, all clean and in perfect condition.
After bathing, I pulled on the one I thought looked interview-worthy. Then I strapped on various self-protective gear. I pulled my hair into a sleek low bun, which took more than half my strength in the process.
Making my way to the mirror, I stared at my reflection. Ann's face stared back.
Mimicking Ann's usual demeanor expressionless and closed off. That was more like it. Clean, sharp, and blank.
"Ali," I said, voice flat as I stepped away from the mirror, "bring out one of my firearm kits."
A drawer slid open, and a black mesh case rose up. Inside were the parts of an Electra-gun, waiting for me to assemble.
Walking up to the drawer, my fingers hovered, unsure. Then they moved faster than I expected.
First the power core, then the ionization chamber. Magnetic acceleration attached next, followed by the heat reduction system and, importantly, the recoil damper. Lastly, the casing made of carbon titanium.
In my hands was now a fully functional gun. But it wasn't me who did it not really. It was Ann. Her memories were embedded into every fiber of my flesh.
I tried again, assembling and dismembering various weapons, moving slowly to familiarize myself with the equipment and my new body.
I was watching my own movements like someone studying a stranger's habit.
A chime came from Ali, signaling that my departure time was near.
After locking the kits, I grabbed my ID badge from the counter before stepping out.
Outside was lively at this hour, people going to work, children going to school, bots cleaning.
Just another typical Friday morning.
Reaching the hover-train platform, I was quite surprised that it wasn't as crowded as I expected.
Avoiding any eye contact, I climbed into the cabin, taking a seat as the glass door shut behind me.
"You got this, Ann. Of course you got this," I muttered under my breath as the train moved.
As the train lifted and began to move along the rails, the world outside became a blur. The sunlight was glaring too brightly this early in the morning against the sleepy blue sky. I squinted out the glass. It was hot, a bit too hot.
The train slowed to a stop at the Central Emergent Tower.
The voice-over intercom cheered, "Now arriving at Vitto Street, sector x2. Have a good day, everyone."
Stepping out, the air greeted me like a freshly sterilized hospital ward cold and clean. Far too clean.
'How nauseating.' I took in the view of the surroundings. Nothing out of place…but me.
Shaking off whatever thoughts were creeping in, I walked in the direction of the Firearm Department.
Thankfully, earlier this morning I had taken the time to search for the direction and appearance of the building in advance.
Now what stood before me was a magnificent skyscraper, so tall I couldn't see where it ended. Its reflective metal was so bright it was basically the light source for a few streets within a wide radius.
I couldn't believe that everyone could see with such bright light including myself. Taking a breath, I walked into the building. Time was running.
"Good morning. I'm here for an interview appointment on the 108th floor," I said, stepping in front of the receptionista Zhen.
It was my first time having a conversation with a Zhen. I was quite nervous.
The Zhen looked up, its smooth, metallic skin reflecting the overhead lights. Its face wasn't human not even close. It was completely faceless, with a vertical line running down the middle of its smooth, oval-shaped head. A glowing badge lit just below its shoulder, blinking with the initials: ZH-LK32.
"Unit ID?"
Its voice was soft and sweet with an echoing effect, not what I was expecting.
"Name, Ann Ivly. Unit ID Nine-three-six-five-double-A," I replied, keeping my tone even.
The Zhen stared into the air for a moment, or at least that's what I thought, since it had no eyes, technically.
"Confirmed. Ann Ivly. Final round interview, Firearm Division. Identification?"
I slid my badge over the reception pad. The Zhen's fingers hovered above a crystalline panel, not touching, but guiding invisible screens.
"You are exactly on time."
"Not early nor late."
Was that… a commentary? Observation? I couldn't tell.
"You will take Lift Sector 9. Elevation to floor one-zero-eight will initiate after retinal verification. No personal weapons permitted beyond gate three."
"Clear," I confirmed.
"Proceed."
The Zhen sounded as if it was smiling.
I nodded, stepping away quick but measured. My heart was drumming now, every muscle tense in pretense.
I am Ann. I am Ann.
Easing myself I squared my shoulders and walked toward the elevator, the weight of my ID badge pressing cold against my chest.