8 Hours ago, Zephyr's POV:
Zephyr placed his phone down on the table and glanced around his cozy apartment. It was the sort of place where wires intertwined with circuit boards and blinking LED lights were considered normal home decor. As a tech enthusiast and self-proclaimed geek, Zephyr felt right at home here. He had even set up a lab of his own, thanks to the support of Kane and Layke. It was an extension of himself, a place where he could tinker and create, surrounded by the gadgets he loved.
Today, though, he had more pressing matters on his mind. Kane had advised them to lie low for a week due to the chaotic events unfolding outside. After ensuring he had enough supplies to last that long, he diligently bolted his doors and windows. For someone as laid-back as Zephyr, he knew the importance of being cautious during uncertain times.
Satisfied that his fortress was secure, Zephyr decided to relax and perhaps catch up on some sleep. It wasn't the most exciting prospect, but the time he was not tinkering was normally spent sleeping, anyway. And there wasn't much he could do at the moment, either. Thinking about how they were going to survive and plan for their next move, that wasn't his job. No, he was the one who would help in the execution of those plans. He had learnt to trust his friends completely and maybe a little too much. But that was just how it was. So, leaving aside any worries, he lay down on his bed and closed his eyes.
As sleep overtook him, he was surprised at finding himself in a stark white space. Cautiously, he looked around him, taking a slow step forward, as if afraid that he would go tumbling down through space. But then a robotic voice interrupted his actions.
|*GUIDE is functioning now. Resident Zephyr, How can I help you*|
Like a cat that had its tail stepped on, Zephyr yelped and jumped at the voice. He looked around him, finding nothing. Eyes wide, turning his head 360, all he saw was white.
|*Resident Zephyr, you won't find me like that. If you wish, I can take a visible form to communicate with you.*|
"Please do so." He muttered unconsciously.
And just like that, a floating android appeared out of nowhere. It looked just like the green robot that was the logo of android OS.
Now more curious than cautious, Zephyr approached the android and started inspecting it from a length.
|*If you wish to know anything, please ask it directly. Continuing to mess around will not be of any use to you*|
"Can I take you apart and observe your internal circuitry?" That was what came across his mind, so voiced it. That was just how he was, outspoken indeed.
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The android, on the other hand, did not take any offense and refused to the request.
The duo seemed to be at an impasse when Zephyr exclaimed.
"Wait, you're the GUIDE that's supposed to fill us in on all the information about the merger, right?? Kane wanted to have a chat with you. So how can one get to contact you? Email? Phone number?"
The android, finally at having the chance to be of use, launched into a long monologue, explaining how the GUIDE worked. It went from telling about its omniscient and omnipotent existence. It specifically stated that for the residents of the universe to make first contact, they had to be unconscious for it to pull them inside their mind space for the first time. And since Zephyr had also mentioned the merger earlier, it went on a tirade to include the information about the merger as well.
Their conversation was swift, concise, and in between Zephyr's mind raced with questions as well, which he directly cut in to ask about. Maybe the GUIDE finally noticed how to get this resident going into a meaningful conversation, that it stopped with its monologues and engaged in a proper conversation. Minutes passed by before Zephyr abruptly halted his questions.
The GUIDE had provided him with the information he needed; they needed. He felt that he should exit and immediately inform his friends. But something unexpected occurred then.
The GUIDE's calm voice suddenly blared around him in a different and urgent tone.
|*Resident Zephyr has been caught in an unexpected Temporal Storm. To return to your own reality, resolve the scenario and exit the time loop. No time limit exists. Best of luck*|
Confused at what was happening, Zephyr wanted to ask the GUIDE, but a sudden force tugged at his core, pulling him out of the mind space.
When he opened his eyes, he found himself in a place that looked straight out of a sci-fi movie. The place bore a striking resemblance to a courtroom. A Holographic symbol of justice floated in the air in front of him, and sleek, minimalist design characterized the space. It wasn't exactly where he had expected to wake up, and for a moment, he forgot what he was going to ask the GUIDE about.
The space was an expansive, circular amphitheater with a translucent, dome-shaped ceiling that simulated the open sky. The entire chamber seemed to float within a massive, transparent bubble, giving the impression of being suspended in the air. In the center, a raised platform hovered in the air. Looking at the hologram of a stern woman staring at him with a gavel in hand, he assumed that was the Judge's bench. The seating area was also circular, and the Jury bench was opposite to him.
As for him, he stood in the defendant's spot.
He frantically called out to the GUIDE, demanding an explanation for this surreal predicament. And it repeated the message it had just spoken.
"Temporal storm? Time loop? Futuristic Courtroom? Man, I'm f***ed up bad this time"
The court continued to proceed, as no one seem to notice the abnormal changes of the person standing in the defendant's spot. Maybe they didn't care, or maybe they actually did not notice anything different. But from the way things were proceeding in a hasty manner, Zephyr had a bad feeling.
Soon, all the holograms in the room rose up from their seats. The Jury had seemed to have arrived at a conclusion and submitted their opinion to the judge. The Judge stuck the gavel twice before proceeding to read out what was probably the sentence he was being served? After she was done, the hologram spoke in a loud voice, as if questioning him.
Unsure how to respond, Zephyr asked back, "Uhm, do you speak English?"