The night descended upon New Eden as, weary, I walked towards the train station. My first day at the Artillery Academy had been exhausting, and the persistent pain in my shoulder was a constant discomfort. Despite that, a sense of accomplishment enveloped me as I had secured a life insurance policy for my mother. The rest of the day was filled with insights from Albert and Gabriela, unraveling the nuances between reds and blues.

While massaging my shoulder, I watched the luminous spectacle in the skies. Pomodoro's attacks against our dome echoed on the horizon. Explosions followed one another, but the dome regenerated swiftly. It had been six years since Pomodoro declared war on New Eden. The first attack caught everyone off guard, with a statement claiming they had something within our city that belonged to them. After numerous failed negotiation attempts, Pomodoro opened fire. Since then, this war persisted, with New Eden retaliating, but Pomodoro's ruthless assaults constantly strained our defenses.

The weight of responsibilities bore down on my shoulders, much like the physical pain. Entering the train station, holodisks around me broadcasted news about more terrorist attacks in New Eden's neighborhoods. The atmosphere in the city was tense, permeated by uncertainty about what tomorrow might bring.

As I found a seat on the train, my thoughts returned to my first day at the academy. The feeling of belonging to a world of red and black, where the line separating staff from students was clear, still echoed in my mind. Gabriela, Valentina, Ethan, and Albert comprised the Phantom Squadron, and the dynamics among us were already beginning to take shape.

Closing my eyes, memories of the practical training flooded my mind. Marco, as arrogant as he was skilled, had tried to test my combat abilities. His surprise attack left me stunned, but Albert's quick intervention prevented more significant damage. The episode, however, underscored the tensions that permeated the relationship between reds and blues at the academy.

The sound of the train gliding on the tracks reminded me of the bustling daily routine. Inside the carriage, other passengers exchanged worried looks, a reflection of the uncertain atmosphere in the city. I picked up my holocube, and while scrolling through the day's news, I came across updates on Pomodoro's recent attacks. Rumors of a new tactic emerged, further intensifying collective apprehension.

The pain in my shoulder throbbed, but my mind remained active. Exiting the station, the apartment complex rose majestically. The 113th floor was my destination. The elevator ascended, and upon reaching my floor, the imposing corridors of the mega-building unfolded before me. I casually greeted acquaintances, the bustling environment heralding the hectic routine.

Upon opening the door to my apartment, the tranquil atmosphere contrasted with the turmoil outside. My mother, a delicate figure marked by time, awaited with a welcoming look. After the incident at the academy, a genuine comfort emanated from her. I allowed myself to be enveloped by her loving arms, the certainty of safety solidifying.

Returning to the room, the backpack and staff thrown on the bed, I sank into the reality console chair. I sighed deeply before attaching the lenses to my face, connecting to the Net. My eyes scrolled through the feed until finding the usual forum. Notifications pulsed in the chat, and upon entering, the system message announced my presence: "Rev has connected."

"Finally, the handsome one shows up. Where were you? Did you see all the chaos with Pomodoro's attacks?" CelestialCat typed, their alias flashing at the top of the message. Soon after, the next message appeared: "Heard that Owl was in contact with one of Pomodoro's spies." CatsSecretCode typed, sparking my curiosity. Quickly, I typed in the chat: "Spies? Have they invaded New Eden already?"

"Of course they have. Or do you think they attack randomly?" CatsSecretCode replied. I added: "But what the hell is Owl doing getting involved with these guys? This is supposed to be a regular chat, not a spy network." My message coincided with Owl entering the chat. She sent invitations to a new private room.

"Hey, everyone. How are you doing?" Owl greeted, accompanying her smiling emoji. "CSC said you're involved with Pomodoro's spies. What's that about?" I questioned in the chat. "How do you think I managed to buy all these new things? They pay well for every piece of information I provide. I came to invite you to join in too." Owl revealed her involvement with the spies. CelestialCat wasted no time: "Paying well? How much?" My curiosity surfaced: "About 15,000 Dials per location. If it's a good one, 25,000." Owl replied and, to reinforce her claim, sent an image of her bank account with over 600,000 Dials.

The proposition was tempting, but a sense of discomfort settled in my mind. I typed in the chat: "This is risky. Dealing with Pomodoro's spies is not something we should be doing." CelestialCat responded quickly: "Owl always manages to come out unscathed from these situations. And the reward is too tempting to ignore." CatsSecretCode added: "We can get valuable information and help protect New Eden."

Amid the messages in the chat, a dilemma formed in my mind. Owl ended the debate with a suggestion: "Let's discuss this in more detail in the private room. I'm sending the invites now." The shimmering glow of the holodisk indicated that the private room was active.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

As we entered the room, Owl initiated the discussion. "I've been working with Pomodoro's spies for some time. They seek information about New Eden's movements, defenses, and possible vulnerabilities. In return, they offer a generous reward."

CatsSecretCode pondered: "But if we get caught, we could be considered traitors and face serious consequences." CelestialCat, undeterred, replied: "If Owl is in this and still safe, maybe it's a unique opportunity."

Owl typed in the chat: "Especially Rev, aren't you still having money problems with your mom's bills?" I felt a tightness in my chest reading those words. I responded promptly: "I got the job at the Academy, but yes, I still am." Owl retorted: "So, the job is simple, and they have no chance of finding us."

I became restless, contemplating the proposal. The dilemma between the need for money for my mother's health and loyalty to New Eden haunted my thoughts. Meanwhile, a new notification indicated the entry of another user into the chat: "JadedJellyfish has connected." Owl, without ceremony, announced: "Here he is, our friend from Pomodoro."

A heavy silence took over the chat. CelestialCat, CatsSecretCode, and I paused our messages. Realizing that a Pomodoro spy was in our conversation room stirred a mix of curiosity and apprehension. JadedJellyfish's avatar began to type, and his words appeared on the screen: "How are you guys? Are they your friends, Owl?"

Tension was palpable. We were in an ethical dilemma, discussing betrayal to New Eden in front of a Pomodoro spy. CatsSecretCode, displaying courage, dropped the bomb without hesitation: "We are discussing the possibility of working as informants for Pomodoro. And you, friend, what do you say?"

The following seconds were agonizing. JadedJellyfish took a while before responding, but his message appeared on the screen: "Interesting. Do you have any real loyalty to New Eden, or is it all about the money?" The weight of the question echoed in the chat, and I found myself in the midst of a moral dilemma that I couldn't ignore. CelestialCat, intrigued, added: "Money is a motivation, but loyalty to New Eden is still present."

Owl, instigating the conversation, intervened: "Everyone has their reasons. The question is whether they are willing to risk to get what they want." CatsSecretCode resumed speaking: "Pomodoro is not just any enemy. Being an informant for them can have serious consequences for us and for New Eden."

JadedJellyfish, provocative, typed: "The line between hero and villain is thin, and circumstances often dictate our choices." I shivered as I processed his words. Reality was cruel, and the boundaries of morality were fading before us.

Owl, with his cunning, proposed: "Let's consider all perspectives. We're not deciding anything now, just exploring options. After all, we all share an interest in thriving." The wisdom in his words echoed in the chat room, leaving us in contemplation.

CelestialCat, breaking the silence, expressed her hesitation: "If we go down this path, it will be a narrow thread between loyalty and betrayal. We must ponder carefully." The silent agreement of CatsSecretCode and my own reflection converged into a delicate consensus.

Restlessness took hold of me as messages flowed in the chat. Motivated by an urgent need for security, I asked, "But if we're really going to do this, do we have any kind of security to escape to Pomodoro?" CelestialCat's response came almost instantly: "That's what I was going to ask. After all, if things go wrong here, we'll need to go somewhere else."

JadedJellyfish, Owl's mysterious contact, reassured us: "That's guaranteed. I can get a new identity for you, and during our invasion, you'll be protected by our soldiers. After all, you're enabling our victory." His words elicited a mix of relief and apprehension. Being tied to an invasion plan clashed with my original vision of serving the Academy and protecting New Eden.

Owl, as always, seemed to know more than he let on. He typed: "Jaded, Rev has a job at the heart of the upper class; he's an instructor at the New Eden Battle Academy." A shiver ran down my spine as I realized that my identity was being exposed. "Damn, Owl, already?" I exclaimed, uncomfortable with the sudden exposure.

Owl laughed as if everything were part of a pre-established plan. "Hahahaha, this is perfect, this is perfect for one of our plans," taunted JadedJellyfish. I received a friend request from him, accompanied by a laughing emoji. I accepted, still pondering the implications of my choice.

The chat room became a minefield of decisions, and the urgency to consider the consequences enveloped me. The temptation of money, the pursuit of security, and the prospect of revenge against Pomodoro were pulling me away from my original mission. I felt lost in a game of shadows and ambiguous loyalties.

CelestialCat, cautious, expressed her concern: "We're moving too fast. We need to think through each step and understand the consequences. Pomodoro is a powerful enemy, and betraying New Eden is not a trivial choice." Her words resonated in the chat room, echoing the ethical dilemma we all faced.

CatsSecretCode's voice echoed in agreement: "We can't rush into this. Security is important, but at what cost? Are we ready to sacrifice our integrity for a dubious opportunity?"

The chat room lit up with a tempting proposal: "Here's the deal, I offer 50 thousand Dials for all of you and also increase Owl's payment. And for any extra missions, the payment is 150 thousand Dials, and I can guarantee that your security will be entirely handled by Pomodoro." JadedJellyfish's offer reverberated in the virtual silence, and my mind spun between financial need and loyalty to New Eden.

Without hesitation, CelestialCat typed: "Damn, I'm in, but what exactly are these missions?" The attraction to money was evident in her response. CatsSecretCode also expressed his surprise: "Damn, that's a lot of money..." Owl, as if anticipating the events, stated: "I knew this was a good decision."

Still immersed in doubts, I replied, "I don't know, what do we have to do?" Uncertainty permeated my voice as JadedJellyfish's message outlined my possible mission: "The same as Owl. As for you, Rev, I'll need you to infiltrate the Academy directly. Do you already have some dosage of Incarnation?" That question resonated within me, and the sigh that escaped my lips echoed the complexity of my situation.

"No, I don't. I'm just a battle assistant," I replied honestly. JadedJellyfish's response was immediate, outlining an unknown path: "That's not a problem. Our contacts will upgrade you to become a white jacket. Come to the address I'm sending you today, and we'll administer the dosage to you." The sigh that emanated from me was laden with a mix of resignation and apprehension.

The chat room turned into a field of obscure negotiations, where every word weighed on my conscience. The promise of wealth and security clashed with loyalty to New Eden. I looked at the messages blinking in the chat, my friends' avatars representing the variety of emotions hovering over us.

CelestialCat, eager for the financial reward, and CatsSecretCode, surprised by the offered amount, seemed inclined to accept the proposal. Owl, always a master of shadows, already foresaw the outcome. I, on the other hand, was caught between two worlds, between duty and temptation.

JadedJellyfish's offer was enticing, but the proposed mission was a gateway to the unknown. My mind weighed the consequences of betraying New Eden, while my heart pleaded for a solution to my mother's problems. The decision hung over me like a dark cloud, ready to unleash its implications.