THE ARRIVAL

As Monica approached Alexander’s apartment complex, her confusion was evident. The building looked entirely ordinary—drab, unassuming, and indistinguishable from the rest of the neighborhood.

"What the hell is this?" she asked, gesturing at the uninspired structure.

Alexander, ever composed, gave her a knowing smirk. "You weren’t exactly living in a castle, Ms. Monica."

Monica rolled her eyes, annoyed by his sarcasm. She knew he wasn’t wrong—her house had been a rundown mess—but this? A CEO living here? It didn’t sit right with her.

After a brief silence, she sighed. "Fine. Show me your apartment. But let’s be clear—I’m only working for you. Nothing else." Her voice was firm, though doubt crept into her tone as she tried to make sense of her new reality.

INSIDE THE APARTMENT

Alexander led Monica into the complex and through a secret elevator he had personally modified. It hummed softly as it descended, eventually stopping at what Monica assumed was a private floor.

When the elevator doors opened, her jaw dropped.

The room was nothing like the dreary exterior of the building. Alexander’s apartment was a marvel of cutting-edge technology and innovation. The space was filled with sleek armors, advanced weaponry, energy shields, and vehicles that looked like they belonged in a sci-fi movie. Prototypes of unimaginable devices were scattered on holographic desks, with tools floating in the air as if guided by invisible hands.

“What the hell is this?” Monica muttered, walking slowly into the room.

Alexander smirked but didn’t answer. He let her wander, watching as she inspected the holographic chairs, pens, and even fully functional holographic monitors that seemed more solid than light should allow.

“How…” she started, running her fingers across a holographic surface. “How the hell do you make light solid?”

Alexander shrugged as if the answer was too obvious to explain. Monica’s frustration grew. What kind of CEO is this guy? He lived in a cheap apartment building but owned technology that could rewrite the laws of physics.

Her musings were interrupted by a sudden knock at the door.

THE CYBERCOPS

Alexander frowned and glanced at Monica. “Cybercops,” he said, his tone calm but laced with annoyance. “Probably about that Cyber Archangel I killed.”

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

Monica’s stomach tightened. She was no stranger to police interrogations, but this was different.

Without hesitation, Alexander activated an illusionary device embedded in the room. The advanced lab vanished, replaced by the appearance of a regular, minimalist apartment. He gestured for Monica to open the door.

She hesitated, then sighed and obeyed.

Two cybercops stepped inside, their augmented eyes scanning the room. They were imposing, clad in advanced body armor and carrying plasma rifles at their sides. One of them spoke.

“We’re here investigating the death of Saul,” the officer said, his voice mechanical. “A Cyberman found torn apart near the city outskirts. Do you know anything about it?”

Alexander stepped forward, exuding calm. “Saul, you say? No, I haven’t heard of him,” he replied smoothly, even as he discreetly accessed his visor.

While answering the officers’ questions, Alexander’s visor sifted through encrypted police files, quickly pulling up Saul’s profile. The man wasn’t just a Cyberman—he was a member of the Double Golden Dragons, a powerful crime syndicate notorious for combining the ruthlessness of the mafia with the discipline of the yakuza.

“Interesting,” Alexander muttered under his breath.

Monica, however, wasn’t as composed. The cybercops’ scrutiny made her visibly uncomfortable. One of the officers turned to her, his augmented eyes narrowing.

“You seem nervous,” he said, stepping closer. “Do you have something to hide?”

Before Alexander could intervene, Monica snapped. With a sudden movement, she summoned her gamma sword and impaled the officer through his chest.

The second officer reached for his weapon, but Alexander acted faster. He disabled the cybercop’s body with a targeted EMP blast from his visor, rendering him immobile. Then, with calculated precision, he drew his techno-pistol and shot the cop in the head, ending him instantly.

The room fell silent.

THE HAMBURGERS

Alexander and Monica stood over the bodies, the weight of what they had just done sinking in.

“We can’t leave them here,” Monica said finally, her voice steady despite the chaos.

“I have a plan,” Alexander replied.

Using advanced cloning technology, he created two lifelike copies of the officers. The replicas, complete with identical uniforms and augmented features, walked out of the apartment, entered the police vehicle, and drove off, ensuring no reinforcements would be called.

With the clones gone, Alexander turned his attention to the original bodies. A spark of amusement danced in his eyes.

“What are you planning now?” Monica asked warily.

“Hamburgers,” he replied simply.

“Excuse me?”

Ignoring her disbelief, Alexander used his molecular converter to break down the cybercops’ bodies and reassemble the matter into perfectly formed hamburgers. The smell of sizzling meat filled the room.

“You’re insane,” Monica said, watching as he handed her one of the burgers.

“Try it,” Alexander urged.

Hesitant, Monica took a bite. Her eyes widened. “This… this tastes amazing!” she exclaimed.

“Of course,” Alexander said, taking a bite of his own. “I only make the best.”

As they ate, Alexander deactivated the illusion, revealing his lab once more. Monica shook her head, torn between admiration and exasperation.

“You’re completely crazy,” she muttered.

Alexander smirked. “Welcome to the team.”