The new day began, just like the rest, with light.
At precisely 06:00 her pod pulsed with a cold hum. Just like every day. No warmth. No sunrise. Just sterility.
She got ready for the day, her movements mechanical and precise.
She was out the door by 06:15. Always.
By 06:20 she was on the transport rail on the way to Eden academy. 06:45 she entered Simulation lab 6.
Her seat was waiting for her, pulsing with a distinct white. But the man's next to hers was different than her usual partner's. This one wasnt one she had recognized.
Partner: Classified
She paused, just long enough to recognize something was off, not long enough to question it. Total time: 0.03 seconds.
She sat down.
06:59, the doors opened.
He entered.
The boy from sector 3.
His movements were unhurried and smooth. He walked right past Professor Vire without acknowledging. His uniform the same faded black from yesterday. He took his seat right next to her. A subtle glance. Neither of them spoke.
The desk interface light up. Today's task:
Simulated Threat Identification and Logic Response.
"This session is designed to test the reaction to unpredictable stimuli" the Garden's voice spread out from the speakers built in the wall. "Silence. Eye contact is not required"
Nyra's hands move to the screen with practiced ease.
The boys presence was not explained?
He said nothing. But his proximity was… noticed. Unfiltered background noise. Not emotional. Persistent.
The screen was spilt in two. Her on the left and him on the right. Each half displayed a city square full of citizens. All moving in harmony. Then, without warning, one subject twitched.
Too much eye contact. Half step pause. An unnatural turn of the head.
"You are to identify behavioral anomalies and tag them for observation or elimination," said the Garden's voice. "Respond without discussion. Silence is mandatory."
Nyra's responded quick, mechanical, precise.
Tag.
Ignore.
Tag.
Tag.
Eliminate.
He did the same-fluidly, but his choices were unexpected. He marked one Nyra had not flagged.
She noticed-not emotionally, just analytically.
Then an unexpected figure appeared in her simulation. Just hers. A women holding a bright eyed, smiling child.
Not a programmed expression
"Emotion detected"
"Decision required: Observe / Eliminate"
She hesitated for 0.01 seconds.
She chose to observe. The system took note of that. Test ended. The boy got up and left-unprompted.
Internal Log: The Garden:
Subject 00117 exhibits slight biometric deviation.
Response time: 0.6 seconds slower than median.
Eye movement: 3 tracked shifts toward partner.
Status: Drift Suspected
Begin Phase Two Observation.