Jet woke to a bright room that seemed even brighter since every surface was white and looked very modern. The space reminded her of one of those hotels her father would rent when moving to a new city. A compact kitchen was near the door, the appliances looked foreign, like something out of a science fiction movie. Someone had raised the blinds. She got up from her bed and checked the lock on the door. It was undisturbed.

“What the . . . ?” Jet said aloud.

“Good morning, Josephine Smith, how can I be of assistance?” a female voice boomed.

I must be hearing things!

“Would you like for me to play some music while you get ready?”

Jet jumped.

“Who’s there?” Jet asked.

A large LCD screen lowered from the ceiling, and an image of a woman with long black hair and very white skin appeared.

“My name is Leviathan. I’m here to help you in your capacity as Chief Instructor Level Six.”

“You’re an AI?”

“In a matter of speaking, but I prefer the term ‘virtual assistant.’ You may call me Leviathan—or Lev, for short.”

Jet was impressed. She’d studied artificial intelligence for years and hadn’t heard of an AI this advanced. It’s as if she is . . . human. Time to put that to the test, Jet thought.

“Lev, where am I?”

“You are at Dr. Mason’s research facility on Crone Island.”

“Where is that, exactly?”

After a brief pause, Leviathan continued.

“It is off the coast of Nigeria,” Leviathan said.

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Jet was stunned.

“Based on your heart rate of one hundred eleven beats per minute, and the state of your facial expression, you seem distressed by this answer. Would you like to meditate, or for me to play some soft, relaxing music to help calm you?”

How did she know?

Jet looked down and noticed that she was wearing a wristband made of metal and plastic. She tried to remove it, but it was too tight.

“Please do not remove the wristband,” Leviathan said. “It’s there for your protection.”

Jet looked out the window beside her bed: jungle for as far as the eye could see. She could also make out the spire she’d noticed upon her arrival.

“The time is 0723 hours, and you’re due for your first work assignment at 0900. I suggest you get ready,” Leviathan said in a cold tone of voice.

“I need to get showered.” She lifted her arm. “Can I get this removed . . . temporarily?”

“No—the wristband is to be on you at all times. It can withstand most environmental conditions and is resistant to water, sweat, and even scissors,” Leviathan said.

Jet did as she was told. She figured it was easier to play along at this point.

We will see how hackable this bitch is, Jet thought.

After a quick shower, Jet tried removing the wristband. It wouldn’t budge. She tossed her dirty clothes from the previous day into an empty container by her closet. She looked through the wardrobe provided to her. Every outfit was the same, white shirt and pants. Even the shoes were white.

“Are these the only clothes available?” Jet said.

“Yes, we made all of your selected garments of lightweight material, ideal for our tropical climate. She checked her appearance, then headed toward the door.

“Before you leave, please wear the visor on the counter. This will allow me to communicate with you without disturbing others,” Leviathan said.

Jet examined the visor. It looked like a thick pair of glasses with an earpiece attached. Jet removed the earpiece and stuck it in her right ear.

As Jet left her room, she traversed a modern hallway, overhead lights illuminated as she walked. Leviathan led her to the kitchen, where Jet noticed several people dressed in lab attire. All of them were also wearing visors.

“This is the cafeteria,” Lev told her. “It is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Our chefs will prepare anything you want. We label each station so you should be able to find something you like.”

Jet walked up to a random station. A robot was standing behind a set of stoves.

“Good morning, Josephine,” the robot said. “What would you like for breakfast this morning? I’m Moe, and I can prepare a variety of eggs, omelets, and breakfast meats.”

“What if I want pancakes?”

“That’s Darcy’s job. She makes the best buttermilk pancakes I’ve ever had,” Moe said.

Jet laughed.

“What’s so funny, Josephine?” Moe asked.

“How do you eat pancakes when you have no fucking mouth?”

“Please watch your language, Josephine. We will not tolerate it,” Moe said.

Is this place for real?

“I go by Jet. I don’t use my first name,” Jet said.

“Very well. Glad to meet you, Jet!”