---
The kettle shrieked like it had a personal vendetta.
Alexis Prince yawned and reached for his chipped mug, staring at the curling steam while the digital interface of the system flickered to life across his glasses. The screen lit up in soft violet overlays only he could see.
> System: "Good morning, Administrator. Axis Goods: $512 revenue yesterday. Specter Wing: logistical route simulations complete. Nova requests mission parameters."
"What happened to 'How are you feeling today?'"
> "Statistically ineffective small talk."
He sipped the terrible coffee and pulled on a hoodie. There was a macroeconomics quiz at 9:00 AM and a global logistics operation launching at noon. Just another Thursday.
---
By the time he reached campus, the wind had picked up. Alexis moved through the crowd like a shadow—neither fast nor slow, just forgettable. His old sneakers squeaked faintly with every step, a fitting soundtrack to his carefully curated mediocrity.
Inside the economics building, Jordan flagged him down.
"Yo, Prince. Group project update—we've got to book a classroom for Saturday. Professor wants us to use real-world case studies."
"I'll bring something obscure and mildly alarming," Alexis replied.
Jordan laughed. "Your specialty."
They made their way into class and found their seats. Iris Monroe watched Alexis as he passed, her gaze unreadable. She was curious—he could feel it—but she didn't push.
> System: "Subject Monroe: observing. Suspicion status: unchanged. Currently Googling 'people who walk like spies.'"
---
After class, Alexis slipped away to a quiet study hall and opened his laptop.
The system's interface unfurled like a digital lotus.
> System: "Secure line to Nova established."
Nova's voice came through, clear and crisp. "Awaiting instructions, Administrator."
"Operation: preliminary logistics and market assessment. Objective: test smuggling viability of gold artifacts via our safe zones. Front operation name: Elysian Freight. Budget: unrestricted. No civilian contact. No attention."
"Understood. Team will mobilize within the hour."
"Report in 48."
"By your will."
The line cut.
> System: "Operation Elysian: active. Specter Wing standby. Encrypted feeds routed."
Alexis leaned back.
The wheel had turned.
---
He returned to campus for afternoon classes. A psychology seminar on behavioral manipulation felt ironically comfortable.
The professor gestured toward him halfway through the lecture. "Mr. Prince, care to explain how perceived control affects obedience in hierarchical groups?"
Alexis blinked, then replied smoothly, "Perceived control creates the illusion of autonomy, which makes obedience more sustainable."
The professor blinked. "Succinct. Correct. Unexpected."
Jordan gave him a thumbs-up. Iris kept staring.
---
That evening, Alexis stopped by Axis Goods. The bell jingled. The scent of lavender and synthetic leather filled the air. He straightened a few shelves, adjusted a solar cat figurine, and quietly observed.
Three new customers browsed the aisles. A girl asked if the haunted mirror came with a ghost. A boy mistook an LED rice cooker for a speaker.
> System: "Revenue increasing. Public sentiment positive. One reviewer called you 'oddly comforting.'"
> "Great. I'm the human equivalent of chamomile."
---
Back in his apartment, the encrypted dashboard blinked softly. Nova had confirmed movement. No interference. The smuggling test was underway.
Alexis stared out the window, watching headlights blur across the city.
The world turned. The threads stretched.
And he, in the silence of a modest room above a laundromat, was at the center of something vast.
> System: "Administrator, current global balance remains unchanged. But you've begun to tilt the board."
He smiled faintly.
"Let's see who notices first."
---