City-21 “Kyiv”, UNSA Protectorate, Avril Dominion

Polytechnic Institute

Daria Vasilevskaya, August 12, 2049, 5:34 PM

The insistent chime of a mediaglyph rang through her head reminded the girl that the truck’s waiting time was nearly up, and Dasha was abruptly pulled from the depths of her memories.

“Sorry we tried to jack your car,” a voice cut through the moment, its owner explaining the rush. “The guys are late for the checkpoint at G4, you know, the one at Beresteiska. Timer’s running out. Saw the announcement, right? They only start clearing the streets in an hour, and here we are, with an off-roader no less.”

“Uh… oh yeah,” Dasha found her voice again.

The girls were joined by the other members of the chance encounter.

“Hey, Dark,” Kamil greeted using her network nickname, waving nonchalantly. “My bad about the mix-up with the car. We didn’t know – it’s not like the share-AI could tell us anything, it’s total zero now. And it’s not written on the vehicle, you know.”

“O-hayo!” chimed in Gleb. “Got the truck for long? Could you give us a lift? We’re late for a check-in, not gonna make it by foot.”

“Dasha, are you going to the same place by chance? Is your deadline also 6:30 pm? Can you share your route for me?” Alba, apparently tired of waiting for Dasha to fully recover, bombarded her with questions.

“Umm… what?” Vasilevskaya hesitated.

“Wait, I can’t connect with you – are you not online?” The Spaniard raised her eyebrow in surprise.

[Don’t panic, WonderStar!] Maksim intervened. [Just tell them the communication module’s busted. We can make the drop at Beresteiska – it’s only six kilometers, even with the traffic mess. We’ll help them out.]

[Mam to w dupe! Sorry to butt in, Max, but are you out of your fucking mind?!] Nikola couldn’t hold back any longer. [It’s our van, and these Protectorate goons can damn well hoof it!]

[Nika, that’s wrong!] the young man turned stern. [Not all people should be considered bad only because they had to engage cooperating with the aliens!]

[Nobody made them sign a contract with the UNSA! You didn’t!]

[Max! What do I tell her?! They’re gonna figure everything out!] Dasha exclaimed fearfully.

[Tell them to go fuck themselves!] unapologetically barked Nikola.

[NIKA!] There was metal in the young man’s voice.

[Max?!] Daria was on the verge of tears; she didn’t expect a confrontation like this directly in her head.

[WonderKid, just say something to Alba, please. I’m gonna decide what to do!] Max said, dragging Nikola into a private channel.

Dasha looked up, meeting the expectant faces of Alba and the others, as if really seeing them for the first time in this chaotic moment.

“Yeah… I’ve been phasing out a bit... must’ve damaged something during the monster chase. Almost… got killed… by a shaiszu. And no, I’m not heading to G4, going further south. But still, I can drop you guys off.”

“Cool, you’re a lifesaver!” Kamil thanked the girl.

“Yeah, you look pretty beat up,” Gleb added supportively. “But don’t worry! I read they give immediate medical help in these cases. They can probably hot-swap your network module too.”

“Thanks a bunch! Can you open the truck, please? We’ll help load up, we don’t have much luggage ourselves,” Alba said cheerfully, hiding any suspicion she might have had about Dasha’s spacing out, speech breaks and disjointed explanation.

“Sure, helping out’s no issue. Just need to see how the platform goes up,” Vratislav chimed in. “Yeah, hey there, Dark. Thanks for being cool.”

[Dasha, Nika and I talked it out,] Max said moments later. [Drop everyone off at the collection point, just don’t get too close to it. And try not to talk to Alba; she’s probably already suspecting something. She backed off way too easily, that’s not like her.]

“Dasha, are you okay?” Alba’s concern was palpable. “You seem even more ‘out of it’ than usual...”

[Max, what do I do?! Tell me!]

[Just calm down. Everything’s fine, they’re all in good spirits and suspect nothing. For now, we play it cool and listen. They might know something about the Protectorate’s plans. Maybe I was wrong, and they’re just rushed. We’re at the parking lot now, connection’s bad here, so I might drop off for a short while. If I don’t find a spot with good signal, I’ll head up in exactly ten minutes.]

[Okay, got it.]

[If you’ve already dropped them off by then, head to this location,] Maksim sent her a geotag.

[All right, I’ll do that.]

Dasha finally pressed “activate order”. Much to her relief, everything went smoothly – the truck joyously released its locks and attempted to connect with the central office. No response came back; the company’s AI had been wiped by the Protectorate techno-virus. Left to its rudimentary logic, the truck had no choice but to unlock manual controls for the duration of the lease.

Opening the cargo door, Dasha muttered softly, “Uh... climb aboard, there’s... enough room for everyone.”

“Guys, let’s load up! Help out here! Bring the platform closer, and make sure nothing falls off,” Alba began to command authoritatively.

“Just tell me where exactly you’re heading,” Daria said as she started up the platform into the truck.

“Let’s get to the cabin, I’ll show you on the map.”

“Thanks for the help,” the others responded in unison, hoisting their backpacks and climbing into the vehicle.

“Dasha,” Kamil called out, noticing a bag teetering on the edge of the platform, “where should this go?”

“Here, I’ll take it,” Alba replied in her stead, lightly pushing the confused girl toward the cabin.

The students finished loading up and climbed into the cargo area, while Alba, grabbing the bag and placing it at her feet, settled next to Dasha.

“I bet the truck must be manually controlled, right?” asked Alba, eyeing the dashboard.

“Mm-hmm,” Daria mumbled.

“Then let me drive. I’ve got more experience with direct controls.”

Without a word, Dasha simply nodded and slid the control console towards the Spaniard.

A few touches and the unimog roared to life. The heavy vehicle moved forward effortlessly, rolling over debris and concrete shards.

“Well, such an unexpected encounter... We never really said goodbye in Barcelona, did we?” Alba tried to restart the conversation.

“Mm-hmm. It happens. No problem,” Dasha muttered without enthusiasm.

Luckily, she didn’t press further with the talking as the road demanded their full attention – every route was choked with stalled cars, forcing them onto the rough shoulder. Occasionally, they had to navigate around signs of battle and destruction...

The vehicle reached the assembly point in fifteen minutes, aided by its robust off-road capabilities and Alba’s knack for squeezing out maximum speed under challenging conditions. Just before reaching their destination, Max’s voice crackled through the channel.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

[Oh, looks like you’re almost there! Great job! Wow, it’s buzzing with activity!]

From afar, a dense black cloud seemed to hang over the G4 collection point – a swarm of Protectorate drones darkened the sky. On the ground, there was plenty to see. The truck had just passed a staging area where a couple of dozen guardsmen in heavy armor stood, their assault rifles slung. They were flanked by two massive combat robots and a four-legged platform sporting a heavy-caliber turret.

As they neared the exit ramp, the road was cleared, but it hardly made a difference – people and cars, packed densely, were all converging toward the junction. Suddenly, looming ahead were two massive Protectorate battle flyers, dominating the interchange.

[Dasha, stop the truck! You can’t go any further, it’s too risky!] Max urgently interjected. [Tell them we should turn around now, before it gets too complicated to maneuver…]

His reasoning was sound, especially since, in the absence of autopilots and relying solely on manual control, the vehicles moved clumsily, some even colliding – clearly, not all Kyiv residents possessed Alba’s skill at direct driving. Many were hopelessly abandoning their vehicles and proceeding on foot!

Before Max could finish, he rattled off quickly, [Damn, connection’s dropping out again! Look, I’ll be off for a few minutes. Gonna head upstairs to try and reconnect. Start unloading in the meantime!] and he went offline.

“Alba, hold up! Umm… We shouldn’t go any further... It’s tricky to turn around past this point, let’s unload here.”

“Okay,” the Spanish girl agreed, sounding unusually compliant as she swung the truck right, pulling up near the underpass at Victory Avenue. “This is our stop, guys! Good luck, and stay in touch!”

The car edged to the curb and stopped.

“Er… bye, everyone,” Dasha muttered, still confused by the unfolding events. She mused for a moment, then reclaimed control of the truck’s console.

The others climbed out, scattering thanks, and hurried toward a descent marked by a large holographic sign.

“We might never see them again... who knows what lies ahead?” Alba pondered out loud, her voice tinged with confusion as she watched them disappear.

“Wait, aren’t you getting off too?” asked Dasha, and, throwing caution to the wind, she harshly turned the unimog against the flow. Smashing through the protective barrier with its hefty bumper, the heavy vehicle clambered to the opposite side of the road and headed back along Victory Avenue towards Taras Shevchenko Boulevard.

“Damn, Max, where are you when I need you so much? If she refuses to get out now, I don’t know what to do! And I can’t just stay here! I’ll both attract attention and won’t be able to manage in time!”

“Didn’t I tell you?” Alba expressed surprise. “That was for the guys heading to G4, but I received instructions after the test to head to AA2. They gave me a whole day! No rush, just need to wait out the curfew. It seems this checkpoint is special, or maybe people are coming from far away, given the generous time limit. Seems like there’s a difference in the test results… By the way, Dasha, what was your ‘index’ in the end?”

“Index?” she blurted out, clueless about how to respond.

“Yeah, you took the test after accepting the citizenship, right?”

“Actually, you know, it doesn’t matter,” Dasha tried awkwardly to dodge the question. “What’s the address I should drop you off? Where do you need to go? I’m headed south.”

“Something’s off with this shorty.” Alba narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “She hasn't shown up online at all. Acts surprised about the testing. Doesn’t know her own checkpoint… And seems to be secretly communicating with someone. Of course, her eyes aren’t ‘darting around’, but her pupils are definitely dilated, and she keeps staring into space! Certainly in some network! And it must be Max! Are they renouncers?!”

“Yes, that must be it. Maksim’s a hero and a rebel; he couldn’t have just bent to the new authorities’ will! He must be the initiator of the refusal, and this Dasha, as always, just trailing behind him, hanging on his every word! Yes, they really must have their own network, a pirate one! No wonder, she doesn’t know anything – she just doesn’t have access to the Protectorate's resources!”

“So where to?!” Dasha asked again, ostentatiously unfolding a map of Kyiv.

“She’s running late, isn’t she? The curfew’s nearly upon us! It’s easy for me – I can just talk to any patrol. But not for her! Where is she rushing off to? Why?”

Something profound was stirring in Alba’s soul. By nature, the Spanish beauty was fiercely independent, not one to come crawling back after a breakup.

But not with Max; he was different! With him, she’d truly opened up, becoming more herself than ever before. Her feelings had long since overrun her pride, which was now poised to surrender. Alba was tangled in her desires, unclear about her true intentions but certain of one thing – she needed to see Maksim, at least once more!

Of course, reuniting seemed improbable; they appeared to be just too different, and their paths in this new world were diverging irrevocably. Yet, her heart, ignoring rational arguments, was pounding uncontrollably, urging her to see him – perhaps for the last time…

And now, bridging the gap between her and Max was this stubborn, taciturn brat, Dasha!

Alba closed her eyes for a moment, as if searching within herself, listening to her resolve firming up.

“Decision made! I have time. I can still make it to see Maksim!”

“So, where do you wanna to go? Have you decided yet?!” Daria’s voice pulled her out of her thoughts.

“You know, Dasha,” Spaniard began, her voice softening, “please, put away your thorns. I want to talk to you, not as a stranger. Will you let me?”

“Go ahead,” Dasha responded tersely, her eyes on the road. The truck was already speeding along the shoulder, swerving around obstacles – a couple of abandoned cars tossed aside as the unimog barreled forward. “But if you’re going to drag this out, I… I might just drop you off right here. We’re… I’m in a hurry!”

“Of course, of course! The thing is, just don’t get mad, but Maksim and I used to be really close… and I think, I understand him well, with my heart, you know? And my heart tells me he wouldn’t just go to a collection point or submit to any authority – that wouldn’t be Max, otherwise. He’d want to figure out what’s really going on, verify the truth, and he’d only follow the Protectorate if their policies didn’t clash with his ideals of freedom and morals.”

Max had just rejoined the network in time to overhear this spontaneous monologue, listening in shock this “stream of consciousness” along with Dasha.

“The Protectorate may impose their demands, claiming all they do is protect us from monsters, but Max would never agree to their terms without scrutinizing everything first! So, I’m certain he’s a renouncer, and you, being his loyal friend, are certainly with him. I don’t judge you! In fact, I kind of admire it. Maybe I just lack such courage and conviction myself.”

“Please, Dasha, I need to see him! Because I loved and I still believe in him. I understand our paths are diverging, but maybe Maksim can help me find the answers to choose my own fate. I still have time before I need to be at the checkpoint, and I’d never forgive myself if I didn’t try!”

Alba’s cheeks flushed during her plea, her eyes alight with passion. Daria, for the first time since they’d met, was convinced of the Spaniard’s sincerity. Perhaps, for the first time she was speaking on equal footing, and, it seemed, even openly.

[Max, are you… hearing all this?]

[I am, WonderStar… Well, there truly was love, but I let go of my feelings long ago – apparently, she hasn’t, though. Damn, we’re taking too much of a risk if we waste time on this socializing now! Plus, she accepted the Protectorate, and we’re renouncers...]

[I… I also don’t know what to do… Max. I think she’s asking us to trust her.]

[Dammit! It’s too late to backtrack now. Drive her to the lot, we’ll find five minutes to talk, just need to be extremely cautious! At least then we can learn more about these damn invaders!]

Alba was sitting silently, her gaze intently fixed on Dasha. Noticing the girl’s eyes ceased their subtle twitching, she exhaled sharply and pleaded, “I beg you! Will you let me see him? Can I go with you now? I realized already, all this mountain of equipment – you bring it for him, right?”

“He’ll decide himself. Maksim is on the line, and he’s heard you.”

Frozen, Alba waited. After a tense ninety seconds, the answer came.

“Yes, Max agrees, we’re going.”

With a sigh too loud to be contained, Spaniard forcefully squeezed Dasha in her arms. “Thank you so very much! You can’t imagine how happy this makes me…”

[Max, is everything okay? Are you sure about this?]

Dasha bit her lip anxiously and programmed the parking address into the navigator.

[Yes, WonderKid. This could be beneficial for us, and I’ll handle the security aspect. And Nika… I’ll get her to stay calm. Just drive on. Once you turn off Shevchenko Boulevard, tell Alba to go offline and even disconnect her communication module. Can you make sure she follows these steps?]

[Max, it’ll only take us about five minutes to get there! I mean, she needs to go off now,] remarked Vasilevskaya, sighing heavily.

[You’re right. Make sure to check everything and keep an eye on things until you go underground. Nika will shoot Alba off immediately if she thinks there’s any mischief afoot.]

[Got it,] Dasha responded. [Turning her off now!]

“Hey, Alba?”

“Yes?”

“I’m gonna have to check you. Would you grant me guest access to your sub-brain, and show me how you’re shutting down your network and geolocation?”

“Sure, no problem! I recognize the hand of a true leader in charge of the operation!”

“And... I’m not just checking. I’ll be monitoring until… we reach a safe place. Umm… We have... a sniper there, and she... isn’t fond of the Protectorate. I don’t want... you to get killed.”

Alba looked deep into Dasha’s eyes, silently showing understanding.

“Okay. I agree. Do you want to connect now?”

“Yes. My backpack’s in the truck’s bed, but you have a bag by your feet, pull out two smart cables, please.”

Opening the bag, Alba began rummaging through it. She pulled out a tangled mess of cables lying atop everything else, her interest piqued by the items inside.

“What do you have here, is this some kind of 3D presentation kit? Did Maksim order this so he wouldn’t get bored in hiding?” she joked, growing bolder. “Oh, and this will definitely lift the spirits!”

In Alba’s hands was a large plastic box from which she extracted a liter bottle filled with a golden liquid.

“Shit, what is that?!!” Daria shrieked in horror as she saw more clearly what the Spaniard was holding, causing the vehicle to jerk dangerously close to the barrier.

At the bottom of the container, a grotesque, pale ringed creature, like a caterpillar with tiny legs, seemed to stare back at her through the glass.

“Sorry, Dasha, did I scare you?” Alba apologized, realizing she had nearly caused an accident. “Thought it was a shaiszu larva? Oh, come on! It’s premium aged mezcal, a strong drink made from agave! Right here it says ‘Mezcal Anejo.’ And at the bottom, that’s ‘Old Juanito,’ a kind of guardian of the bottle! He’s dead and preserved. It’s just a worm, a caterpillar! Relax! It’s a special touch to this drink!”

Alba looked guilty, but judging from a smile she tried to stifle, the Spanish girl was amused by Dashka’s reaction.

“Curious what this miracle bottle was doing at a uni in Kyiv? It’s not easy to find even in my country; it’s a foreign drink! But take my word for it, it’s amazing! For all its alcohol content!”

Daria only grumbled grudgingly in response and took two cables out of the ball.

“Enough with the jokes. Open your ports, then take control of the vehicle! We’ll be there in five minutes. Give me guest access, I’m connecting…”