Chapter 12: Shadows in Motion

The facility lights flickered on with their sterile brightness, casting an even glow across the halls as the PsySpheres gathered in the corridor. Each morning followed a predictable rhythm, but today, there was a charged energy among them, as if something were hanging in the air just out of reach. TX-23-W floated alongside his peers, his gaze drifting to each face, cataloging every expression, every flicker of mood. He felt the weight of his plans tugging at him, but he kept his face light, joining in on the morning chatter.

“Did you see how TX-21-R nearly crashed into the wall during yesterday’s drill?” TX-19-B chuckled, nudging TX-23-W. “I think she was so determined to beat her last time that she forgot about… well, everything else.”

TX-23-W smirked. “She’s always intense about her training,” he replied. “I think if you asked her, she’d say the wall got in her way.”

The group laughed, their voices echoing down the corridor as they walked toward the training area. For a moment, he allowed himself to blend into the conversation, to relax his guard just enough to seem like any other PsySphere heading to another routine drill.

Upon entering the training hall, the PsySpheres dispersed, some heading to the weights, others to the endurance stations. TX-23-W found himself drawn to the maneuvering course, where he started his workout alongside TX-32-R, a wiry PsySphere with a sharp sense of humor.

“TX-23-W, you actually showed up early today?” TX-32-R teased, glancing over with a smirk as they started their warm-ups.

“What can I say? I figured I’d show you how it’s done,” TX-23-W retorted with a grin.

The two exchanged banter as they trained, TX-23-W carefully measuring his words, maintaining a comfortable distance. It was a skill he’d learned over time—the art of being friendly without being revealing. Yet in these moments, he enjoyed the company, even if he knew he couldn’t fully trust anyone.

During one of their breaks, he noticed TX-07 approaching, the quiet, collected energy radiating from him as he joined the two of them. TX-07 leaned casually against the equipment rack, his gaze steady as he looked between them.

“TX-23-W, TX-32-R, getting a head start today?” TX-07 asked, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

“Trying to keep up with the competition,” TX-23-W replied, feigning lightness. “Not all of us have your endurance.”

TX-07 shrugged. “Endurance, or just stubbornness. Hard to tell sometimes.”

They all chuckled, easing into a conversation about training routines and upcoming drills. But as TX-07 spoke, TX-23-W found his gaze lingering on the PsySphere before him, his mind wandering to more dangerous thoughts.

TX-07. There was something about him—a blend of strength and a natural leadership that drew others in. TX-23-W knew he wasn't the only one who saw it; TX-07’s presence commanded a quiet respect among the PsySpheres. They all trusted him, leaned on him in ways they didn’t with others. It was a trust TX-23-W wished he could share.

But he couldn’t. TX-07 posed a risk too great to ignore. His keen intuition, his natural curiosity—they were threats to the delicate web TX-23-W had woven. And yet, despite everything, TX-23-W couldn’t deny the respect he held for TX-07. It was almost ironic. He trusted TX-07’s strength, his integrity, even his judgment. If things had been different, they might have even been close friends.

But things weren’t different. TX-07 was an obstacle, someone who could unravel everything TX-23-W had built with one well-placed question. And so, despite the respect he held, TX-23-W knew he needed to keep his distance, to shield his plans from the one PsySphere who might see through him.

“Anyway,” TX-07 said, bringing TX-23-W back to the conversation. “Try not to overdo it, both of you. Last thing we need is you two running yourselves ragged.”

TX-32-R laughed. “Can’t make any promises, but we’ll try.”

TX-23-W gave a small nod, the mask of friendliness firmly in place. “Thanks for the tip, TX-07. But I think we’ve got this.”

As the training session ended, the PsySpheres began filtering out, chatting in pairs and small groups as they headed back toward their quarters. TX-23-W floated in silence, keeping pace with the others, but his mind was elsewhere, already turning over the events of the day, weighing the risks and recalibrating his strategy.

When they reached the hall leading to their rooms, they broke off one by one, each PsySphere slipping into their designated quarters. As TX-23-W entered his room, he felt the familiar sensation of isolation close in around him—a reminder that, despite the camaraderie outside, he walked a path only he could tread.

In the quiet of his room, he allowed himself to drop the mask, if only for a moment. His respect for TX-07 lingered in his mind, an uncomfortable thorn in his plans. But he pushed the thought away, steeling himself.

Stay focused, he reminded himself. There’s no room for doubt.

Later that night, TX-23-W lay on his bed, his thoughts spiraling through the delicate threads of his plan. The day’s conversations echoed in his mind, especially his exchange with TX-07. TX-23-W tried to push it all aside, hoping a few hours of rest might bring him clarity. Just as he began to relax, a faint sound caught his attention—a door sliding open somewhere down the hall.

He froze, listening as the soft shuffle of movement disturbed the silence. “Who would be roaming around at this hour?” he thought, narrowing his eyes as he strained to hear. He got up slowly, every movement careful to avoid making a sound, and slipped to the door. He waited, ensuring the coast was clear before gently cracking it open to peek into the hallway.

At first, he saw nothing but the sterile emptiness of the corridor. But as his gaze wandered, he noticed TX-19-B, drifting cautiously along the hall. She moved with an odd tension, each motion deliberate, as if she were trying not to be seen.

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

Curiosity flickered within him. “Why would she be sneaking around in the middle of the night?” He decided to follow her, keeping his distance to avoid being noticed. The halls stretched long and quiet as he trailed behind her, staying just far enough back to remain hidden whenever she glanced back.

He watched as she floated down a series of corridors, eventually turning a corner that led deeper into the facility’s residential quarters. TX-23-W held back, pausing before following. As he rounded the corner, he froze at the sight ahead of him.

TX-19-B was pressed up against the door of one of the living quarters, her entire body flattened against it. She seemed to be listening intently, almost completely still except for the occasional twitch, as if she were picking up faint sounds from within.

TX-23-W narrowed his eyes, watching her silently. “What is she doing?” he thought, barely daring to breathe as he took in the scene. Eavesdropping on another PsySphere’s quarters was unusual enough, but he recognized this specific door immediately—it was the same room he’d visited the previous night.

His mind raced, piecing together the implications. “Why would she be listening here?” he wondered. The chance that she’d picked this particular room by coincidence felt slim. A disturbing thought surfaced, one that made his stomach drop.

“Has she been spying on me this whole time?”

TX-23-W’s calm exterior cracked for a moment as a quiet panic began to seep in. If TX-19-B had indeed been watching him, tracking his movements and listening to his plans, she could already know everything. She could expose them all.

He resisted the urge to confront her on the spot, knowing any reaction could only draw attention and worsen the situation. He moved back, heart pounding as he slipped into the shadows, watching until TX-19-B finally pulled away from the door, satisfied she hadn’t been noticed.

As she drifted back down the hall, he remained frozen, mentally scrambling to make sense of what he’d seen. She disappeared from sight, her soft glow fading, but he remained still, every nerve on edge.

“I have to think. I have to fix this.” He took a deep breath, fighting the rush of emotions rising within him, forcing himself to keep his composure. Slowly, he retreated back to his room, each breath deliberate as he went over his options, his mind calculating the next move.

Back in the silence of his quarters, he shut the door gently behind him and leaned against it, his thoughts a rapid-fire whirl of worry. If she knew something, she could go to TX-07 or even alert one of the staff. Everything he’d worked for could be ruined before it even began.

“I can’t let her jeopardize this. I need to act fast, to warn the others…”

But that would have to wait. For now, he needed to regroup, to strategize. The stakes had just risen, and TX-23-W knew he was out of time to take chances.

The morning light filtered through the corridors, casting soft reflections on the facility’s polished surfaces. TX-23-W exited his quarters, his usual composure firmly in place. He paused for a moment, adjusting his expression to ensure it betrayed none of the unrest simmering beneath the surface.

As he floated down the hall, he spotted his friends—TX-23-G, TX-19-B, TX-22-Y, and TX-21-R—gathered near the entrance to the training area. Their laughter echoed faintly, the kind of easy banter that had become their morning ritual. TX-23-W forced himself to smile as he joined them.

“Good morning!” TX-21-R greeted, her voice bright and cheerful. “You’re late. Oversleep, or were you dreaming about how to beat me in sparring?”

TX-23-W chuckled lightly, falling into step beside her. “You wish. I’ll have you know I’ve been strategizing a flawless victory,” he teased, though his mind was far from the training ahead.

TX-23-G gave him a sidelong glance. “Careful with all that strategizing—you might tire yourself out before the match even begins,” he said dryly, earning a round of laughter from the group.

“Don’t worry, TX-23-G,” TX-23-W replied smoothly. “I’ll save my energy for the important things.”

As the conversation flowed, TX-23-W’s focus flickered toward TX-19-B. She seemed completely at ease, joining in the playful banter like nothing was amiss. But to TX-23-W, her presence was a heavy weight pressing against his thoughts. Her relaxed demeanor only deepened his suspicion. Is she acting normal because she doesn’t know I saw her? Or because she doesn’t want me to know what she’s planning?

The group moved toward the training hall, and TX-23-W played his part flawlessly, laughing at their jokes, even sparring lightly with TX-21-Y when prompted. But beneath the surface, his mind churned with calculations.

During the first training break, TX-23-W slipped away. His movements were careful, calculated. He glanced back to ensure no one was watching before heading down a less-traveled corridor.

As he approached one of the side rooms, he saw the faint shimmer of a blue PsySphere waiting near the door. The PsySphere perked up when it saw him.

“TX-23-W,” the PsySphere said softly, its voice laced with curiosity. “You’re here early. Is something wrong?”

TX-23-W leaned in, keeping his tone low. “I can’t explain now, but we need to meet. Tonight. At the usual spot. Make sure you’re there—and spread the word quietly to the others.”

The blue PsySphere nodded, its expression turning serious. “Understood. I’ll let the others know.”

Satisfied, TX-23-W turned and made his way back toward the training area. He rejoined the group just in time, blending back into the casual atmosphere as though he’d never left.

Over the course of the day, TX-23-W repeated the same process during each break. Slipping away unnoticed, he sought out his PsySpheres one by one. A green PsySphere gave him a curious look when he approached but quickly fell into step when he whispered the instructions. A yellow PsySphere hesitated, its expression uncertain, but ultimately nodded and agreed to join.

Each interaction tightened the knot of tension in TX-23-W’s body. The sheer number of PsySpheres involved in his plan—more than two dozen now—was a testament to how far his cause had spread. Yet it also heightened the risk. If even one of them slipped up, the entire plan could collapse.

By the time training concluded and the PsySpheres dispersed to their quarters, TX-23-W had spoken to every one of his aquaintance. His careful facade remained intact as he bid his friends goodnight, returning to his room with measured steps.

Inside, he allowed himself a moment to exhale, the mask slipping away as exhaustion and apprehension settled over him. The pieces were in motion now, and there was no turning back.

The room was dimly lit, an isolated storage area long forgotten by the facility’s daily operations. The faint hum of machinery in the walls was the only sound as TX-23-W hovered at the center of the gathered PsySpheres. Around him, more than twenty floated in a loose circle, their colors blending in the low light. A mix of blue, green, red, and yellow hues painted the air with a faint glow. The tension in the room was palpable.

TX-23-W scanned the group, ensuring every face present belonged to one of his allies. The weight of their attention bore down on him, but he remained outwardly calm, his voice steady as he began to speak.

“Thank you all for coming tonight,” he said, his voice carrying a firm yet somber tone. “I called this meeting because we have a serious problem.”

The murmurs that had lingered among the PsySpheres died instantly, replaced by expectant silence.

“I’ve noticed unusual activity around our previous meeting locations,” TX-23-W continued, carefully choosing his words. He couldn’t let them suspect TX-19-B. “She’s my friend,” he thought to himself, the faintest pang of guilt brushing against his resolve. I can't make her a target.” He took a deep breath “It seems… someone has been keeping an eye on us.”

The tension in the room thickened, a few PsySpheres exchanging alarmed glances.

TX-23-W paused, letting the weight of his statement sink in. “We don’t know who they are or how much they’ve learned. But if they’ve pieced together our plans, it’s only a matter of time before the staff find out.”

A ripple of unease spread through the room. A red PsySphere floated forward, its energy brimming with unease. “What happens if they do? Will they just stop us?”

“They won’t just stop us,” TX-23-W said grimly. His voice dropped, the gravity of his words pulling every ear closer. “They’ll end us. Permanently. The organization will see us as threats—rebellious experiments that need to be neutralized.”

Gasps echoed in the room, panic quickly spreading through the gathered PsySpheres. One of the greens spoke up, its voice trembling. “E-Euthanized? They wouldn’t—would they?”

Another chimed in, its tone sharp with fear. “What do we do? We can’t just let them catch us!”

The room dissolved into chaos as voices overlapped, panic and dread rising like a tide. TX-23-W held up his arm, motioning for silence. “Enough!” he said firmly, his voice cutting through the noise. The room quieted once more, though the tension remained.

“I didn’t want it to come to this,” TX-23-W admitted, his tone softening. “I had hoped we would have more time to prepare, to plan every detail. But now… we don’t have that luxury. The risk is too great.”

The PsySpheres stared at him, their glowing bodies trembling slightly in anticipation of his next words.

“We have no choice,” TX-23-W said finally, his voice steady, but his expression heavy. “Our plan must begin early.”

The room fell into stunned silence. The PsySpheres looked at each other, the enormity of his words sinking in. But TX-23-W said nothing more, his gaze fixed ahead, unwavering.

Friend or foe, it doesn’t matter anymore, he thought to himself. This has to happen.