The DeadZone, a forgotten relic of Veridian’s ambitious past was more than a collection of abandoned infrastructure. Humming from heavy equipment above, this tangled web was a testament to the city’s rapid advancement. When the first TransitTrack was built, it created a layer on top of portions of the old city long forgotten and too costly to excavate. Instead, the transportation system, along with its neural links connecting the city districts, was developed on top.
Thirty years after the Great Transit Disaster, the underground was renamed by some who inhabited it and used it for maintenance: The Neural Substrates. The disaster crippled the first-generation automated transportation. Performance issues synchronizing the district's network caused a cascading shutdown across the whole network plunging the city into extended chaos. The new TransitTrack’s revolutionary network was redesigned from the bottom up but built on top of the old too. But this system seamlessly integrated transportation, automation, and pedestrians through a coordinated architecture of virtual networks, each securing district infrastructure and scaling resources across the entire city. With exceptional monitoring systems, the neural links within the network, in addition to improving artificial intelligence algorithms, shared demand across the system substantiating. The new technology marvel became a standard for the planet’s large cities and substantiated its slogan: “TransitTrack™: A future of effortless mobility and efficiency”
Rather than dismantle the failed system, TransitTrack was built on top, creating a layered labyrinth of old infrastructure. Non-critical machines supporting the city above began to fill the area of the failed system, leaving the lower levels open and pulsating from the equipment from above. Sometimes dangerous when equipment was not structurally secured, stories grew about the area as it became avoided, and mostly forgotten… except by a few. They leveraged layers of archaic and cutting-edge equipment as the area became a haven for scavengers and criminals, who referred to it as ‘The Deadzone.’
The Deadzone was where the past, present, and future collided for Kai Zhang. The original neural networks were still active and running with sporadic bursts of traffic. As the TransitTrack capacity continued to grow and expand capacity, so did the Neural Substrate’s network. Oblivious to the old network, more and more traffic was connected to the resilient system above. When a new machine was installed to support the city, it was connected to TransitTrack. Regardless, the Neural Substrate remained stuck in time supporting key district infrastructure. District maintenance personnel still worked on its unpredictable power and performance issues which became less frequent but still sparked from some of the older systems. The modern networks above were even monitored by the districts through leaky shielding while emergency systems faced decades of neglect.
Kai Zhang monitored the network and security feeds from his makeshift command center in the heart of the Symmetrist district. The former transit control room was the perfect nexus and was easily extended over the years to monitor the TransitTrack too. The ancient displays and systems flickered in and out but due to the technology and specialized shielding were no longer visible to modern systems above allowing the legacy hardware circuits to show up as empty space under the hum of the Neural Substrate.
Cracked windows revealed the old autolanes stretching outward, revealing service corridors winding through the foundations occasionally marked by a dim glow of sporadically functional emergency lighting. The ones that worked cast red glows into the darkness. “Everyone's mostly on time,” Kai murmured as his monitors showed several groups winding through access tubes and ventilation shafts the their meeting location. He provided directions on the approach path to exploit blindspots where cameras and signal dampeners masked their approach above but gave him a perfect view.
While he waited he composed in cipher, “Pattern balance is required, review Protocol 7.” The encrypted message was split and sent across the ancient networks of legacy hardware. The message parts traverse random paths until arriving on the Neural Substrate, and eventually combining at his terminal up top, masking its Deadzone origin. There it was automatically decrypted and forwarded to Maya, already preparing Symmetrist security for the upcoming annual run. His position as a consultant on the Symmetrist security had masked his position for years, creating perfect communication shadow and cover.
Dr. Sarah Fischer appeared first, her suit flickering with neural dampeners humming softly around her. The frequencies created visible distortions around her, typical of Ghost Protocol gear.
“First one here,” Kai heard the familiar sound from her neural shielding augments.
“Took the subway actually, still a sight to see,” she said recalling the mangled cars, how they lay twisted and broken a reminder of the chaos. The lead car crushed against the embankment with gash marks for nearly 100 meters as it attempted to decelerate. The cars behind it bunched up like a multi-segment clapper toy as they found whatever space they could. It had rear-ended another subway, with that cab car sandwiched into the middle and poking out while the cars in front were just a jumble of twisted metal and shattered glass with the only sound the echoes of dripping water. “Still some interesting parts for the right application, just glad they had the mind to remove the bodies.”
Footsteps echoed from the maintenance corridor. Kai at once could tell it was Viktor Petrov from the rigid, precise steps of military boots, executed with commander precision. His path came through the old emergency response tunnels. “Old security grid still recognizing those outdated clearance codes, eh?” Kai said as Viktor opened the door.
“You know it,” Viktor said abruptly with a propulsive volume. “Those failed substrate nodes don’t get security updates.”
Ava Patel appeared out of nowhere. “What the…!” Viktor startled as he noticed Ava standing right beside him. As a member of the Cipher Collective, her credentials bypass the remaining Deadzone security by using hidden service tunnels created to blend into the areas for some long-forgotten reason. “Of course, Ava. Hello,” he said nodding towards her after gathering himself. Just to his right, she looked up, smiled, and only nodded.
Directing his attention back to Kai, Viktor said, “Interesting choice of venue.” Military disapproval sharpens his voice. “Tactically vulnerable in at least five—”
“Six.” Kai looked directly at Ava making a mental note to close her accessway. The substrate energy was known to reveal those access tunnels. Ava had those built in. “Ava,” said Kai with a disapproving look, “you really could’ve helped secure the area instead of sneaking in.”
“Higher ground would have been a far better area, tactically speaking,” Viktor injected to add to his point.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“Gather round, you won’t find these anywhere else anymore,” Kai said as he began manipulating what looked like a mechanical abacus. “This is the center of the Symmetrist district. Its position is completely shielded,” said Kai. He chose the location for both strategy and symbolism. The station was still directly connected to the district’s security network. The abacus clicked steadily.
Sarah’s augmented eyes blinked rapidly as she focused. The device was manipulating substrate energy fields, “That’s interesting,” she pondered. “The pattern suggests…,” she continued tracing a hand along the invisible field as it stretched out and bridged two nodes within the control room.
“The pattern suggests we’re wasting time,” Victor commented, out of habit touching a medal on his jacket. The medal had an old military insignia of an eagle that he traced with his finger.
“One sec,” Kai brought up a holographic projection of an old notebook, navigating turning pages until… “there it is.” The page contained a code which Kai entered, looking up at Sarah.
Sarah began picking up system oscillations between the nodes. Old evacuation markers beside the nodes shimmering in the glow of the energy fields, lighting up paths with a phosphorescent glow. “Okay, I see the Node Runner paths now.”
“That’s not all,” Kai said, manipulating the device further.
The energy field began oscillating and growing in power.
“That’s a feedback look pattern…,” Sarah started but the field had grown in power so suddenly as if building onto itself that an electromagnetic field formed visible to the rest of the team.
“Woa, look at that,” Viktor said.
The field began to hum as it pulsed and vibrated manifesting a tangible force with sparks of electricity from the room flowing into it as it grew. The hum becomes a crackle of dissonant sounds echoing through the control room.
“Better shut that down,” Sarah said concerned.
“Now Dr. Fischer,” Kai replied entering a shutdown sequence, “as if I would endanger anyone here.” The field bridging the gap between the two nodes, forming an ethereal conduit of energy, slowly faded.
“The Node Runners are ready,” Sarah replied impressed with the demonstration and its breathtaking display of power. “We should strike during the initial protocols when security is otherwise focused.”
“Like 42nd division was ready?” Ava smirked at Viktor as she finally spoke for the first time while spinning a data module between her fingers, its smooth surface reflecting light from the decaying energy field, much like a coin spun by a seasoned magician. Kai recognized it immediately as a maintenance key to the Neural Substrate’s maintenance shafts, able to bypass the most recent authentication updates.
Viktor’s jaw tightened, “Not the same, the automated defense systems—”
“...were predictable.” Kai interrupted, looking squarely at Viktor. Then standing shoulders squared addi, “Viktor, you are always reaching for the hammer and we need a key,” he said looking at Viktor but talking to Ava still folding the module back and forth on the back of her fingers. Without looking at Ava, Kai returned to the table and brought up a holographic display of a route through the city highlighted in a pale blue light. The display flickered and distorted before finally clearing up.
For Kai, the hologram cast shadows of old memories across the abandoned highlighted sub-layers. His fingers traced patterns in the air, matching diagrams from Lou’s study of the prior systems. “The system remembers,” he said carrying a mysterious tone. “Every automated transaction, every path follow patterns from before the Great Transit Disaster.”
Viktor had relocated to a raised control platform, not just for a better perspective but also to allow him to look down on the others even while seated. However, his stabilizers engaged as the chair began to buckle under the weight of his combat inner-skeletal implants, the sound echoing through the room. Standing awkwardly and pulling himself together, he growled, “Pretty theories don’t access secured accounts.”
“No?” Kai smiled, “Well, that’s when we’ll need the hammer.”
Sarah spoke up, “The earlier resonance frequencies in the demonstration matched the financial district’s neural signatures. But there’s more here…” She leaned to examine the hologram closer, studying the data layers flowing through the section of the pattern Kai outlined.
“The original protocols,” Ava confirmed, “Still active, still… remembering.” Her playful tone vanished into something harder.
“That’s right,” Kai agreed. “Tomorrow, while security focuses on the race, we’ll wake up those old patterns and cross into Meridian here,” he said pointing at the route. “The financial district’s automated systems won’t know which reality to trust.”
A soft chime interrupted the discussion. “And this is the key,” he said taking the call. Maya’s image came into view on an old monitor that scrolled vertically before locking the frame. Behind her was the Symmetrist Truth Gate control center gleaming in modernity and contrasting with the old control center’s dark gray.
“Your video isn’t coming through,” Maya said.
Kai put her audio through to the room but limited communication to his signal, “In the Neural Substrate checking out some systems that appear to be okay for the most part. Always good to double-check,” he said covering for his limited signal being piped to his position through his private encrypted network.
“Kai,” said Maya. “I’ve detected something unusual in the Protocol 7 verification matrices.” Her professional voice and concern were evident. “The resonance is a pre-automation pattern and the frequency alignment can’t be coincidental.”
“Remnants of a diagnostic we were running,” Kai’s voice reflected an academically neutral tone masking his intent. “You’re seeing that echo pattern Lou discovered on the original substrate design on Page 147 if I recall correctly. They will prevent cascade failures by maintaining links to backup protocols.
Maya’s eyes brightened, “Of course! The pattern would… yes, I see now. As always, your insight into Lou's work is invaluable. Thanks, I think I’m just getting jitters for the big day.” Maya’s image faded.
“That was beautiful,” said Ava.
Sarah wore a peculiar expression, “She nearly spotted the trigger and you turned it into a security feature. Still, what about failsafes?”
“Those are based on modern verification,” Ava stated. “That electromagnetic field will swamp communication on that system for plenty of time.”
Kai added looking at Viktor, “Making your frozen military pensions,” then turning to Sarah, “and those classified research budgets, ours for the taking.” Kai stood, closing the city hologram. “We’re ready, review your plans. Tomorrow, these ancient tunnels will serve our purpose.”
“If it works,” added Viktor looking at Sarah. When he turned to look at Ava, she had already vanished through the service tunnel.
“When it works,” Kai said flatly, “security will default to the original paths that we have overwritten.”
Sarah nodded in agreement, “Yes sir.” She turned and left the way she had come, leaving Viktor.
“We’ll bring the hammer,” Viktor said before turning abruptly and marching out.
The monitors showed the two making their way down the corridors as Kai searched for a scanner to locate Ava’s service entrance. He guessed it was somewhere on the north wall.