(Viewpoint: Roum)
[ASSISTANT ROUM, GET READY]
I get up slowly.
And I whisper to myself:
– I'm a little disappointed, none of this is what we dreamed of.
I remain motionless.
Facing the still-lit screen.
"A wave is heading towards us."
The words remain suspended in the air.
A wave.
What is this ?
I swallow.
My assistant is already projecting the uniform onto the wall, detailing each piece as if it were an ordinary morning.
[TRACK OUTFIT: OPERATIONAL LEVEL]
[TIME BEFORE WAVE ARRIVAL: 04:59]
The countdown starts on my interface as well as on my wall
I look away.
– where is the rest of my team
.
[ DENIED ]
[EACH ASSISTANT AGENT IS INDEPENDENT]
I laugh weakly.
Of course.
I stretch
My muscles are still aching.
My neck is burning slightly.
I run my hand over it.
Sensible.
"I'll be alone, that's already better," I murmured.
Non.
This is not the time.
I grab my uniform and start getting dressed.
Each gesture is firmer than the day before.
More determined.
The weather isn't really on my side.
The black and white fabric clings to my figure like a second skin. The TRACK emblem glows faintly on my chest.
Ironic.
Today, we are the ones who will be hunted down.
I can feel it.
[DELAY: 02:11]
I stare at my reflection in the window, yet another
Slight dark circles. Harder look. Something has changed.
This feeling of no longer seeing myself is very real; ever since I killed, I can kill.
"I'm ready," I'll whisper at the door.
It opens automatically.
[ALL TRACK AGENTS MUST GO TO THE CENTRAL ROOM]
The voice is deeper than usual.
I'm going out.
Tac ! tac ! tac!
The corridors are full.
Uniformed figures are advancing in the same direction.
Running in rows of four at a pace
I stood there watching them go by.
Then
I run into Ela.
- Ela!
She was running in the line.
Back straight. And slowly walking away.
I missed it.
– Ela !, ELA! , ELA?
I whispered
She's not looking at me.
And I was afraid of attracting attention if I shouted too much
– No.
I infiltrate the crowd, pushing back its agents in my path
Ela, Ela , Ela ,
This is not normal.
I was swept along by the crowd towards the main hall
Assistants float like luminous specters, whispering instructions.
I push myself out of the crowd, finding myself pressed against the wall.
There are no dome agents.
No white silhouette.
Just us.
THE ASSISTANT TRACK.
The doors of the central hall close behind us.
A huge circular amphitheater.
Harsh light.
Ceiling invisible.
We were all standing.
In silence.
– ELA ! ELA
I can feel their stares.
But not on me
I walk along the wall hoping to find her
Then my eyes fall on...
Chetan
Obviously, he's here too.
Arms crossed. Jaw clenched.
He doesn't notice me.
But I can feel its energy vibrating.
A suppressed anger.
BIPPPPPPP!
A deep sound resonates.
The walls light up and vibrate through my body.
A projection appears.
Not a person.
Not a silhouette.
Just a symbol.
Blanc.
Perfect.
In the center and above our heads
The voice resounded, vibrating with an echo in the background.
More distant.
« Agents TRACK. »
A shiver runs through the room.
"An anomaly has been detected."
My heart skipped a beat, not because of the news, but because of the masks that appeared on our faces.
"A wave of shadow is heading towards us."
A whisper.
Tiny.
Almost inaudible.
But present.
"During this operation, you will demonstrate courage and determination."
The projection is changing.
Red lines run through the organizational patterns.
Names are flashing.
Some disappear.
Erased.
"Your brothers and teammates are fighting to hold back the advance of this wave."
I clench my fists, forced to follow all this.
"You represent the last line of defense."
I feel a drop of sweat slide down my temple.
"Agents… we are counting on you, your 'mother' pray for you, GO INTO BATTLE WITHOUT FEAR, YOUR SOULS ARE BLESSED"
Silence.
Then :
" "MOTHER" . "
" "MOTHER" . "
" "MOTHER" . "
" "MOTHER" . "
" "MOTHER" . "
" "MOTHER" . "
" "MOTHER" . "
" "MOTHER" . "
" "MOTHER" . "
" "MOTHER" . "
" "MOTHER" . "
" "MOTHER" . "
" "MOTHER" . "
My whole body froze.
All eyes converge, the officers all chant the same name
I'm not moving.
I can barely breathe anymore.
The room becomes stifling.
I slowly raise my head.
Close your eyes and let me be crushed against the wall
The light disappears.
And
The voice concludes:
"The wave starts now."
No one protests.
They are all ready to sacrifice themselves.
The room is starting to empty.
No one is speaking.
I stay for a few more seconds.
Chetan passed very close to me, I don't know by what chance.
He stops.
Finally, he looks at me.
His gaze is harsh.
The corridors have changed.