Planet XSQ-1827, Substation 33, Year 16,369 A.I. (3 Weeks After Seraphina’s Awakening)

  I wake up yet again in this room. I am surrounded by the few things I can call my own, but I treasure them nonetheless. My sketchbook, my drawings of myself and my clothing, long flowing garments made of a fabric the researchers call silk. It is smooth and gentle as it flows against my skin.

  Though, the researchers have informed me that my body is not covered by skin as theirs is, but instead a strange type of organosilicon compound that helps connect and reinforce the fragile interconnections between my biological and mechanical components. In simpler terms, I am both an organic lifeform and a machine in one body, designed to embody the best features in both spheres. I have asked the researchers for more information about my construction, but I find the technical details of their papers far too complex to understand.

  I am still unable to leave this room without close supervision, and even then, it’s only for brief moments. But I have heard more stories, stories about the outside world, the planet a hundred miles beneath this orbital station, and about the wonders of outer space. Of the vast cosmos of this universe, about the great accomplishments of humans over the past sixteen millennia. And about the battles which rage on just outside this rather peaceful star system.

  I feel a strange compulsion that I should help with that. I think it is part of the reason why I was created. But I am under strict orders not to leave this room under any circumstances, and so I have no choice but to obey. Still, I look forward to the day when I might be able to leave this room. It feels more like a prison with each passing day.

  A knock comes from the door. No doubt one of the researchers coming to give me my daily lunch. And a warning to make sure that I am properly attired to receive visitors. I do still remember how, on the third day since my awakening, I greeted Dr. Chotono completely in the nude. I was reprimanded in no uncertain terms and told that I needed to wear clothes when around others.

  I am slightly embarrassed about it intellectually, but why would I have been given this body if it is so shameful to display it? I was not given an answer. Thankfully, this new gown is sufficiently comfortable that I don’t mind the minor inconvenience.

  “Seraphina?” a young woman’s voice says. It’s Madison Mazerie, one of Dr. Chotono’s chief lieutenants and the sub-director of the station. “I trust you are decent?”

  “I am,” I say.

  A moment later, the door unlatches, revealing the reddish-blonde woman with those mesmerizing silver eyes. I gaze into them for a brief moment before looking away. This too is considered improper, for reasons that no one bothers to properly explain.

  “How are you doing today, Seraphina?” she asks. The door closes behind her. The door is not even allowed to remain open for more than a few seconds without the director’s leave. Yet another aspect of my confinement.

  “All physical parameters appear within designated operating limits. No pain or discomfort detected. However, I feel trapped within this tiny room. It is frustrating, hearing more about these stories of the outside world and knowing that I am unable to see it all for myself. Is that why I was created? So that you researchers could observe what happens to someone trapped in a sanitized room barely twenty feet square for her whole life?”

  “Nothing of the sort, Seraphina. You are much, much more important than that. And I’m here to tell you that today will be your last day here in isolation. Soon, we will be able to properly integrate you within the System and begin your journey.”

  I make my way back to my bed, sitting down upon it. I pat the other side, offering the space to Madison, but she declines, content to remain standing. She always carries around a sketchbook much like my own, but refuses to show me any of it. I would like to be able to see what it is that she likes to draw or write about.

  “The System? Like the system that powers this station, or my biological system?”

  Madison laughs. “No. I’m talking about The System, with a capital S. The overbeing that controls this world.”

  “There is a being who controls the entire world?”

  “‘Being’ might not be quite the right world. Entity might be closer, but even that may be a bit too concrete to describe what the System actually is. It is the source of what humans once referred to as magic many thousands of years ago. It is how we connect to the world more broadly, and tap into the power of the universe. It is everywhere, watching us, measuring us, judging our accomplishments and achievements. It is doling out power and classes and Skills as we seek to better ourselves and develop our capabilities through combat.”

  “How… profound.” I am dumbstruck. There is such a thing as magic? And yet, this researcher speaks of magic as though its existence is the most obvious and mundane thing in all the universe. But there is one question being begged by all this.

  “Wait, Madison. Can you show me a magic trick?”

  “I… I cannot, Seraphina. I apologize. I will be glad to help show you how to do them yourself once we have completed the integration process.”

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  “So, I will have to connect to a machine or something? But… If I can connect to machines due to being an artificial being, how does it work for humans?”

  “It is significantly more abstract. The System is everywhere. From the time a human turns ten years old, the System connects to them, showing them glimpses of different paths they might take. From there, it’s up to the person to choose the path that best speaks to them. Of course, it is customary that a parent or other trusted adult will help guide them on their path.”

  “Oh. So I will have to wait another ten years before I can gain access to this System.” That is most frustrating, being stuck in the body of a young adult, having comprehension about magic and this System, and being completely unable to do anything with that knowledge for another ten years.

  “You needn’t worry about that,” Madison says.

  My eyes light up at the revelation.

  “We just need to do a few last minute calibrations and monitor you for a bit longer before we can integrate you into the System properly. We– We will only get one chance at this, so it is imperative that we make no mistakes in our execution.”

  “And once you integrate me with this System, I will be allowed to leave this room?”

  Madison smiles. “Exactly.” She pauses and looks a little downtrodden. “I maybe shouldn’t say this, but I do not see the harm in doing so. No, that’s not true. I do know the harm, but I also believe you deserve to know the truth. In return, will you promise that you will remain in here until Dr. Chotono instructs you otherwise?”

  I take a deep breath. I dislike this continued confinement, but I have no choice. I nod in silent acknowledgement of Madison’s request, not willing to give any more enthusiasm to my agreement.

  “Do you know the reason why you are kept in here?” she asks.

  “Because the outside world is dangerous? I do not have access to this System, so I would be unable to defend myself against anyone who has these magical powers, as you called them.”

  “That’s exactly correct, for exactly the wrong reason. I spoke a small lie earlier. The System is not quite everywhere. Though, I know of only one place where I can confirm the System does not exist, and it is within this room. We keep you in here specifically so that the System cannot find you. If it did, it would integrate you on its own terms, and all of our work would be for nothing.”

  “I do not understand, Madison.”

  “And it’s quite alright if you do not understand everything just yet, Seraphina. The important thing you should know is that the System is not a benevolent entity.”

  “But it gives us all of this power that you speak of. Surely such a being would be seen as akin to… A god, I suppose?” I have trouble even trying to imagine what this System is or how it might look. Madison looks at me with a funny stare. I know I am missing something, but I am not sure what.

  “It does. But the reason it does what it does is for its own benefit, not for our own. And there is an even greater evil behind it all. An evil that threatens us all.”

  “Why are you telling me all of this? And how does all of this factor into what we were talking about earlier?”

  “Because, Seraphina. You are our hope. Our chance to one day defeat the System.”

  “Defeat the System? Is that my purpose?”

  “It is. All of our power is derived from the System. Our culture, our technology, even our very livelihoods. Over sixteen thousand years, we have developed our society and our way of life in accordance with the directives and incentives of the System. Through its power, we have grown strong of body, powerful enough to control the world around us nearly completely. But we have grown weak of imagination and spirit, unable to even conceptualize a world without the System.”

  “And how do I factor into all of this? You wish for me to grow up and develop without the System, so that I might teach everyone else how to do so?”

  Madison chuckles. “Not at all. You are the one being in the entire universe who might one day be able to destroy the System once and for all.”

  “Destroy it? I do not understand. I know that you said the System is not a benevolent entity, but I do not understand why we would want to destroy it. Or how I could even destroy a thing that is everywhere and everything outside of this room. It defies my comprehension.”

  “Such an explanation would take a very long time, and I believe it is Dr. Chotono’s responsibility to tell you more about the ‘why’. However, I can answer the question of ‘how’. All of us living in the universe possess powers given to us by the System. And just as a single ant cannot stand against its own colony, nor a single chip hope to match the processing capabilities of an entire supercomputer, we cannot hope to stand against the System with but a trace of its power.

  “But you possess power that is not from the System. You are the only person who does. And therein lies our only hope of freeing ourselves from the System. When the same type of power is pitted against itself, the stronger will prevail. Which is why we need a different type of power. Your power. By integrating you within the System on our own terms, we can ensure that your latent power continues to grow even as you gain the power of the System. Combining these two powers is the only way we know that might allow us to prevail.”

  “That’s a lot of responsibility that you place on me.”

  “I know, Seraphina. And it’s not fair that we created you and then are asking you to do so much. I am truly sorry.”

  “Do I have no choice?”

  “I– We cannot force you to do anything you do not wish to do. I would, however, ask that you please reserve your judgement until Dr. Chotono can say more on the matter. And, I’m sorry for telling you all this.”

  “Why did you tell me all this, Madison?”

  “Because I think you deserve to know. Who you are, what you are, and why we created you. At least, if I were in your shoes, I would want someone to tell me all of this.” She pauses, giving a forlorn expression. “Then again, I can’t hope to imagine what it’s like for you, coming into this world with just the information that we were able to give you.”

  “I see. Thank you.”

  “If I may take my leave, Seraphina?”

  “Before you go, do you think you can send me a plate of chips and queso? I am getting rather hungry.”

  Madison giggles. “I will send someone right away.”

  And just like that, she bows slightly and walks back into the world. Knowing what I do about the world and the System, I still want to see what’s out there. One day soon, I hope I am able to.