Zax burst out of his room and rushed to his workshop room, waking Aran up. Red and blue stripes appeared on his clothes as he bolted.

“What’s going on!? What are you doing!? Where are you going!?” She asked, confused and worried.

“Emergency! Helping!”

He took only just the time to grab a special backpack in his workshop before he rushed outside, barely shouting two words of answer and not bothering to close behind him. He dashed to the light road, where a large blue and red disc was waiting for him. He jumped on it and was on his way to the emergency at the fastest speed the road could safely give. Thankfully it was late enough that the road was empty.

Now that travel was handled, Zax looked at the details of the emergency in his bracelet. The red in the alert meant it was time sensitive and lives were probably at stake, the blue meant technical or structural failure, and him being called meant the computer had judged his specific skillset was required, or it didn’t know what skillset would be useful, which meant they were operating beyond predetermined parameters. Considering how extensive and adaptive the protocols were, that really meant something.

That’s why he did a double take when he read the situation report. For still undetermined reasons, a dimensional power generator had malfunctioned, and in the process of fixing it, an auxiliary generator had exploded before evacuation was complete. Parts of the building had been projected far away, and he was to help with the search and rescue of victims.

A truly exceptional situation, less than once a century actually, but nothing the regular protocols and emergency response teams couldn’t handle. So why was the regular human and nano-technology user called? It didn’t make sense, and it got worse when he looked away from his HUD to see where he was and noticed what was rushing past on his left.

The forbidden area. The no man’s land.

Where no construction was allowed. Where nobody and nothing alive was allowed. A wide empty ring surrounding what was literally and figuratively the centrepiece of the dot and the whole Shelter, the one source of all the Glowing Green Goo. The Core.

Everything about the Core was extremely sensitive. Zax could see the walls from afar, a huge uniform cylinder reaching up to the sky and perhaps beyond, as old as the Shelter itself, made by the Founders with unknown materials and methods lost to time. It was an object of curiosity, wonder and desire, and any more knowledge about it was heavily guarded. Zax wouldn’t be surprised if no living human, mutant or not, knew anything more about it.

The light road couldn’t go in the no man’s land, and the defences would destroy him if he attempted to put a single foot in. Zax was just rushed along the border, but the bland, empty space still felt oppressive.

He finally arrived within eyesight of the incident. The empty area gave him unobstructed view from afar. The damage was worse than he hoped, but better than he feared. The sky, the Shelter’s roof, was still intact at least. Opening the dot to the outside environment was the absolute worst-case scenario, but also the least likely.

On the right was a building with a missing part, as if a giant scoop had torn a bit away. Firefighters were already on site, taking care of the fire, smoke, evacuation and collapse of the building.

On both sides of it, the medical response was being put in place. If they followed the protocols, they should sort the victims by gravity, stabilise the wounds and send them to actual healing points. Nothing Zax could help with, unless their devices malfunctioned. Unlikely, and even then, they should have spares.

On the left, surprisingly few bits and scraps of the missing part of the building were spread in circle around it. Opposite from the damaged building on the right, an enormous part of the reinforced wall of the core was slightly off in colour. Zax only noticed it when he was closer, and only because one of the core wall’s most characteristics features was its uniformity.

All around the scene, enforcers assured a blockade, their dark uniform highlighted by glowing underlines, stopping what few passers-by happened to be there despite the hour. What caught Zax’s attention was that they were also cordoning a wide band of the no-man’s land, and the core’s defences were not reacting to them. The situation might be worse than it seemed.

“Ayaaaaaaa!”

When he was close enough to the blockade, Zax shouted to announce his presence. The bystanders jumped out of the way when they glimpsed at his flashy red and blue outfit, but the two enforcers on the way showed no sign of moving. Luckily his nanite and the computer’s emergency settings let him see the collision coming and overload the light road. The boosted magnetic field launched him above them and let him keep going, not slowing in the slightests.

Not safe at all, but allowed for this time. That showed how dire the main computer judged the situation. Or at least how urgent.

Zax dimly heard the enforcers’ outraged reaction, but the rushing wind hid most of it. He did notice those specific enforcer’s mutations were surprisingly advanced and seemed more oriented towards intimidation than action, but he couldn’t afford to care given the situation. He still saved the information in his notes though.

His race finally ended, putting him beyond the medical response, at a safe distance from the firefighters and the building, and within earshot of a heated argument. Zax tore his eyes away from the busted power plant and toward the other commotion.

There were five people standing around an improvised table with blueprints on it, on the outer edge of the no man’s land. He didn’t know who they were, but the two loudest had way too advanced mutations for the dot, one without obvious mutations was going back and forth between them like he didn’t know whose side to take, and the two others were discussing on their own side over the table, quickly pointing different points on the blueprints. One of them was a giant in a very ornery enforcer uniform, definitely high-ranked, while the other was scrawny with a normal engineer uniform.

Zax was supposed to be greeted by someone who would send him to the rescue team to be briefed on the plan, or at least his role; but no one was coming, and there was no team in sight. He briefly considered he might be the first to arrive and had to wait for others, but his outfit’s colour reminded him time was of essence. He swallowed his anxiety and went straight to the probable command post.

“Zax responding to emergency calling!”

The five all stopped what they were doing and turned to him, startled. No one answered for a short while, but the enforcer broke the silence before Zax had to snap them out of it.

He was a towering mass of muscle, with thick hide in lieu of skin and six long fingers on each hand beyond long limbs. At least as tall and wide as Kad, without simian features but with a severe, intimidating glare that had nothing to do with a mutation. The enforcers he had jumped at the blockade were mutated towards bluff and looking though, but this one was the real deal, all about raw power and tool proficiency. Especially weapons; if the gear covering his attire was of any indication.

Pockets for days. The professional adjuster couldn’t help but notice, all in a specific shape, position and orientation to allow for an immediate reach of their content when needed and minimal interference when not. Even weight was taken in-

“You’re the one the computer called? That was faster than expected.” The giant nodded approvingly.

Zax chastised himself for his errant thoughts and went back to the present.

“Yes, suspiciously so.” One of the more advanced mutants noted, squinting at his counterparts.

“Better that than the opposite, no?” The other answered, seeming to gloat for some reason.

“The one? There are no others?” Zax asked for confirmation, ignoring the weird conversation.

“We don’t think so, but we don’t have time to wait. Do you know why you’re here?” Enforcer queried.

“Explosion sent part of building away. I am to help with search and rescue of victims. No idea why me or what’s special here.” Zax shook his head, talking as fast and concisely as possible.

“Th- the way the centre is built and th- the way the shields operate protect the rooms individually, but- but not the walls between shields.” Lab coat guy explained. He didn’t have obvious mutations, but his fidgeting and sputtering were typical of someone with enhanced intellectual abilities at the expense of the social ones. “The- the rooms are protected independently, but one was unfortunately placed and- and launched into the- the- the Core.” He pointed to the off patch Zax noticed earlier. Everybody but the two more advanced mutants grimaced at that. Those two’s faces just went from scornful towards each other to fully despising no one specific. “N- Normally they would’ve been lost immediately, but the shield held long enough that the- the main computer managed to ask the Core’s independent computer to not k- k-atomise them. They are still alive in there. I’m sure of it.”

“And-”

“The core’s autonomous computer still refuses to let our communications go through.” The enforcer took over, interrupting one of the advanced mutants before he could start talking. “We can’t reach them and we don’t know if they are dead or wounded; all we know for sure is that the room’s shield is still holding, that it won’t last long, and that even if it does, the Core’s patience won’t. And once it ran out… We must find a way to get them back here before it happens.”

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

“I understand the situation, but why me? I-”

“Just a formality.” A self-assured voice came from the out-of-place mutant before Zax could explain his irrelevant expertise. “That junk you let decide about everything here had to call his own “experts” so they could officially attest how useless they are, or your local “enforcer” here wouldn’t let me go, and I promised my family to play nice while I’m here.”

Zax had almost forgotten about that pair, but they loudly reminded everyone of their presence.

Okay for “experts”, but why did “enforcer” sound sarcastic too? And what was that about his family?

“Of course they wouldn’t let you go, since I am the best of us. My family could pay a lot more.” The second one scoffed before the human could vocalise his questions, oozing at least as much smugness as the first.

Again with the family? Am I missing some context here?

Zax’s actually looked at them to see if he was missing something, but first thought was:

Like cats and dogs?

Their mutations were surprisingly similar; both had a fully human torso and head, but their arms up to mid-humerus and their legs up to mid-tights were heavily hybridised, at least fifty percent canine and feline respectively. Just that pointed them as inhabitants of the first circle at least.

Both men wore the same type of clothes, showing off their less human parts. Normal Circle fashion, but not as much in the dot. External mutations were not advanced enough to replace clothes.

Looking more carefully however, their mutations were not just surprisingly similar, but uncannily so. Not only were both just as advanced in the same places, like how close to fully digitigrade their feet were or the configuration of their hand pads, but even the transition with the human parts were uncommon in the same way. That type of whole limb mutation was a rarity in the dot but common in the Circles; and Zax had studied the subject enough to know the most usual shifts were a gradation and a straight line. An almost pattern like theirs was not unheard of, but two identical patterns at the same place on two different people was thought impossible. With their relationship, it was too much to be a coincidence.

“There we go again.” Lab Coat muttered under his breath before Zax could analyse further.

“Those two have been at it since before we arrived.” The huge enforcer explained as the pair kept bickering.

The fifth and last person present went back and forth between them. He had no discernible mutations, and Zax wasn’t sure whether he was trying to defuse them or if he was a lickspittle.

“They claim one of them should be the whole rescue team.” Even his professionalism couldn’t hide his extreme annoyance. “Their mutations are probably the most advanced in the dot right now, so I can’t deny they would be helpful. Since you’re the expert it’ll be your call.”

“Uh?” He had to take a decision about two advanced mutants’ role in a highly sensitive rescue operation inside the Core itself? Wasn’t that too much responsibility for just him?! He was getting lightheaded just thinking about it. Just why was he chosen? “What’s the plan so far?”

His voice was faint, but if the other noticed they didn’t show it.

“None. Simulations gave us a rough idea of where the room is,” The muscle man displayed a mostly empty map on the table. “But we still have no way of passing the wall.”

“What? What do you mean ‘no way of passing the wall’?” Zax asked even as he touched the projector to connect it to his bracelet. His nanites would give him the information more effectively than a visual projection.

“The Core had already sealed the hole when we arrived, and it won’t open a passage for us. The main computer is negotiating, but no success so far. The most we could get was to let our people in the no man’s land in a limited space, and only as long as we don’t attack it.”

“So no forcing entry either. Wait, the core had already fixed the wall? By itself?”

“Yes-yes, quite fascinating.” Lab coat exclaimed, excitation shining through his anxiety. “From the recordings, we think it’s a smart polymer.” With a few hand waves, the scientist reduced the map and showed a video. Even his stuttering has lessened. “This was taken from a security camera that originally watched a corridor, but since part of the corridor blew away, it shows part of the wall. Look, this is the enhanced and centred version. It’ll be brief.”

The camera had been damaged, but the recording was surprisingly high quality. It was already zoomed in on the enormous hole in the wall, showing the torn metal delimiting the unlit interior of the Core.

The wall’s thickness was obvious despite the distance, impressive but not unexpected. Then the metal flowed to seal the hole shut. Zax’s eyes went as wide as saucers.

No, flowed was not the right word. It didn’t melt or behave like a liquid. It was as if the blackness of the hole was painted on the wall and progressively erased. In less than a minute, the huge gaping opening was patched, the slightly darker colour the only hint that something happened.

“Incredible…” Zax whispered.

“I know right!” Lab coat exclaimed, glad to finally meet someone who realised what a feat it was.

“… And strangely familiar.” The human frowned.

“What?”

“[Query: search / personal memory / similar pattern]”

“What?” the enforced added his question to the scientist’s.

Zax’s queries to his nanites didn’t have to be stated aloud, but he did it for the other’s benefits.

[Reply: (3) Correspondences found]

“[Display result with highest match]”

The answer arrived as swiftly as expected and was displayed without trouble on the holo-projector, but it was so outlandish he had to do a double take. He tried the other correspondences and made a visual comparison, all in front of the others, but the first result was indeed the most likely:

“This self-reparation is characteristic of nano-technology acting at a macroscopic scale.” Zax stated. Even saying it aloud didn’t make it sound less impossible.

“Nano-technology?”

“Hmm.”

““What?””

“Uh?”

That news even caught the attention of the bickering pair and their add-on.

“I use nano-technology a lot in my job. From the way the wall fixed itself, I am positive it is nano-technological.” Zax repeated, this time more confidently. Thinking more about it, he could see it make sense.

“Bullshit! Even here such a weak technology wouldn’t work for long.” Canine-man decried.

“Hate to agree with him, but even your lame mutations have a disruptive field.” Feline-man concurred.

Their follower just nodded along.

“Oh, so you can get along.” Zax noted. “But no, that’s just a common misconception. The disruptive field only works on active electronics. Once the nanites or macrites are in place they can power down and they won’t be affected and the structure will hold. There would have been trouble if there had been a mutation around during the patching though, so the time and place are lucky in some way.”

“Macrites?” Lab coat asked.

“Like nanites, but microscopic. Bigger.”

“So what you’re saying, is that the wall of the Core is covered with nanites?” Enforcer forced the topic back on track. “In that case, the patch should be superficial and easy to pass, wouldn’t it?”

“No. I’m saying the wall is made of nanites. With maybe a few other pieces here and there.”

“That… seems unlikely.” Enforcer didn’t want to reject the idea, but it was clear he didn’t believe it either.

“I know. I never even heard of using pure nano-technology on that scale. It’s… bewildering. Something we would only see in movies.” Zax didn’t try to hide his awe as he spoke. “But it’s what the recording tells me. And we all know the Founders’ technology was way beyond what we can do now. And it would explain why the computer called me. Nano-technology is the only thing I’m good at. Unless you have a better idea?” Zax concluded with a shrug.

“… Fine. Considering you are right; what does that tells us?”

““What!?””

“Are you out of your mind!?”

The annoying trio protested.

“I tire of this.”

“My patience is limited.”

““Retainer!””

Those two were very synchronised in their displeasure, they even finished their complains in a chorus.

“Yes, Young Masters.” The fifth man turned his attention towards the others for the first time. His drawling voice managed to be both honeyed and oily at the same time. “Hello youngling. Allow me to introduce myself, I am-”

[Warning!]

“Their retainer, I got it. Sorry but time is still run short, so let’s keep the pleasantries for later.”

Starting with a neutral greeting, then reminding his seniority, then subtly giving an order to take control of the conversation. One of the basic manipulation tactic Quinn had warned him against. He didn’t think the subroutine he had set for it would ever come into play, but there it was.

And Zax didn’t appreciate them trying to play mind games when lives were at stake, and using a droning voice to let the urgency of the situation build up made it even worse, so he just flipped the game board and moved on. He didn’t notice their shocked faces.

Turning back to the Enforcer, he answered the question:

“I don’t know how deep the pure nanites part goes, but if it is as far as the part we saw in the video, there is no reason to assume it does not go all the way. That means from the first foot inside, everything can be turned against you, floor, walls, roofs, even the air itself. And not just falling roof or pit falls, the Core can build and fix anything it needs on the fly anywhere, including armours and weapons.”

“It could build and charge a massive railgun-laser just outside our perception range, then remove everything between us just as it shoots. And no matter where you are, attacking any part is like attacking the whole Core, or at least the whole wall at once.”

Everybody paled at that description, even stone-faced Enforcer.

“But I… may be able to interact with it? Maybe to open a passage in the wall? But it will definitely see it.”

“Forcing entry might count as an attack, so that’ll be our last resort. You said you could interact with it. Can you talk to it? Show we won’t harm it or aim for the 3G?”

“Maybe? But what could I do the main computer didn’t already try?”

“D-different protocols for humans, different results.” Lab coat explained.

“Of course! I won’t know before I try, but it’s worth a shot. Knocking on the door and shouting at the window will definitely not count as an attack. But what would I tell it?”

“What would it want? Or need?”

“Something that would help it follow its directives. The first is to protect the rift and the 3G, so a warranty that we won’t reach for it. The second is… what again?” The scientist answered first.

“To maintain itself.”

“So, something to help with its repairs.” Zax continued. “Materials, knowledge, manpower, energy, fuel…”

“It has its own energy source and it won’t let anyone come to fix it. Only materials would work. Something it would be missing, or could do with more, so rare ones.”

“Metals like iridium, uranium, Tungsten…”

“It should have an abundance of organic materials, so no polymers. I don’t know much about crystals, but I bet quartz and silica would be good.”

Zax and Lab Coat exchanged a rapid firing of suggestions and ended up finding a viable proposition.

“If there are other directives, they are classified. That’ll have to do.” The enforcer concluded.

Despite the pessimistic words, Enforcer and Lab Coat had hope for the first time since that debacle started.

“I- I’ll see what we can gather.” Lab Coat declared and went his way.

“I’ll go and tell the task force we finally have a way in.” Enforcer went in another direction.

“Ah, make sure not to take the two on the south side of the light road! They didn’t even react when I arrived, their training is severely lacking!” Zax shouted as a late recommendation.

And just like that, the human was left alone with an unhappy pair of advanced mutants who were not used to being ignored.

“… We didn’t check if the Core would listen to me.” Zax noticed belatedly.