Chapter 2 – "Heartless" is an understatement.

  When he entered the hall and saw the ship, he was more impressed by its size than by the hall it was landing in.

  It was the first time he had ever seen a ship capable of flying through space.“I’ve always been a Star Wars fan, but seeing something like this in person – that’s just awesome!”

  Jason enjoyed the sight.Soon after, he was hauled into the ship by a soldier from the Agency.Jason sat strapped into the bare cabin of the government ship.

  Cold light flickered across the metal walls as the steady hum of the engines filled the space. No windows, no distractions – just the silent gazes of officials and the distant murmur of the crew.Then the announcement: “Final security check.”

  The door opened, and soldiers entered. Between them – Dr. Kain, restrained, his face emotionless. Jason couldn’t read anything in his expression, only the stark reality of the situation.A brief exchange of glances. An eye-roll from Kain. Then the hiss of the door closing.The ship took off.

  Jason couldn’t suppress a mocking grin – of all people, Dr. Kain, who always acted so cold and superior, was now being escorted like a common criminal. Ironic, that the man who had bombarded him with condescending remarks for weeks now lay in chains himself.

  Dr. Kain shot Jason a sharp, irritated glance, as if he had immediately noticed his amused reaction.“Don’t enjoy it too much, foreign body… you’re just a miscalculation too,” he growled before the soldiers dragged him away.

  They arrived in Rosina – a city Jason didn’t recognize.The ship slid silently into the massive hangar, its hull reflecting off the flawlessly polished metal floors.Cold, bluish light bathed the scene in a sterile chill, while the echo of mechanical announcements reverberated through the enormous hall.Jason pressed his forehead against the small viewport of the airlock and let his gaze wander.

  Massive steel beams stretched above him like the ribs of a gigantic, lifeless organism.Signs with coded markings hung from the ceiling, indicating various registration zones, all converging toward a central hall.The soundscape was composed of dull machine noises, heavy footsteps, and the monotonous clicking of datapads.

  As the ship’s ramp hissed open, a group of uniformed officers was already waiting.Their faces were expressionless, their gazes analytical as they studied Jason, their fingers gliding in unison across the touchscreens of their devices.They didn’t see him as a person – only as another number on their endless list of new arrivals.

  “Dorn, Jason.” A cold, precise voice cut through the sterile silence.Jason blinked as the beam of a scanner swept across his face.

  “Registered. Follow the instructions. No delays.”

  He felt a thin data-band being pressed onto his wrist – cool, functional, emotionless.Not a single officer showed the slightest interest in him as an individual.

  The atmosphere was suffocating, as if this place wasn’t meant for people, but was instead a vast, pulsing machine, devouring anyone who entered its halls.

  Without another word, the officers turned and led him silently through an airlock.Jason didn’t feel welcome. He didn’t even feel like someone who was supposed to exist here.

  “They’re treating me like a prisoner – all that’s missing are the shackles. But if I ask nicely, Dr. Kain might lend me some… maybe even throw in a charming insult.”

  “Honestly, I’m starting to think most of them are just plain stupid. Completely paranoid ideas about foreigners – like I’m some kind of walking bioweapon or something.”

  “Well… maybe they did have some bad experiences. Maybe someone like me once accidentally started an intergalactic war, who knows? I just hope I don’t end up spending my second chance as an assembly line worker. If that even exists here…”

  Then they reached the end of the hall, in front of them an airlock leading to the Immigration Authority.

  The hissing of air pressure valves echoed through the metallic corridor as the outer airlock slowly opened.Cold, artificial light flooded the room – blinding and sterile.

  Jason stepped forward, feeling the vibrating floor beneath his feet, as if the station itself was breathing.

  Before him stretched a narrow corridor of dark metal, lined with embedded light strips that flickered in a slow, monotonous rhythm.

  The walls were smooth – no windows, no signs hinting at where he was being taken.There was no scent, no warmth – only the hum of energy flowing through the structure.

  In front of him, the officers marched in strict formation, their steps steady and mechanical, as if they had rehearsed every movement a hundred times.The air was heavy—not with lack of oxygen, but with the intangible weight of bureaucracy.

  The first thing Jason saw...

  Then, abruptly, the tunnel ended.The final airlock door slid open silently—and before him lay the main hall of the Immigration Authority.

  His first impression was overwhelming.The hall was enormous, almost cathedral-like, yet completely devoid of any grandeur. Endless rows of counters, glass booths, and holographic signs filled the space, while lines of silent, foreign-looking figures wound through maze-like markings on the floor.

  A massive, floating display dominated the center, flashing numbers in multiple languages.“Application X-57A: Now processing in Sector 12.”

  “Medical Evaluation Z-19: Please report to Corridor 3.”No faces, no names—just cold instructions.

  Jason let his gaze wander.To his left were rows of chairs—metallic, uncomfortable, filled with people wearing exhausted expressions.

  To his right stretched a separate zone with glass-enclosed booths, where solitary officers disappeared behind digital projections while scanners swept over newly arrived individuals.

  A soft click sounded. His data had been scanned.“Dorn, Jason. Biometric registration complete. Follow the markings.”No eye contact. No interest. Just another entry in a system that existed not for him, but for itself.

  Jason followed the markings and sank into one of the chairs on the left-hand side.He had barely sat down when a mechanical voice spoke:

  “Dorn, Jason. Please proceed to Counter 12, Sector 1.”

  He lifted his head, briefly scanned the room, and eventually spotted the designated counter. With a slight sigh, he got up and headed over.

  Behind Counter 12 sat a young woman who greeted Jason with the following words:

  “Welcome to Rosina. Please present your data wristband.”

  So Jason extended his arm and presented the data wristband.

  The officer gave it a quick, bored glance before scanning it. A soft beep confirmed the registration.Jason’s data flickered onto the monitor.

  “Dorn, Jason — is that correct?” the officer asked in a monotone voice.

  “Yes, that’s me,” Jason confirmed, casually letting his gaze wander behind the counter in hopes of spotting something interesting.

  The officer tapped mechanically on the screen, her gaze flicking to Jason every now and then as if her thoughts kept drifting elsewhere.

  “Well, there’s a test scheduled for you. Once we’ve evaluated the results, we’ll inform you of the next steps,” she said in a neutral tone, showing little interest in the situation.

  “The tests will take place in a separate room. We’ll be assessing your social, mathematical, and creative abilities,” she explained in her monotonous, unimpressed voice. “Please follow the officer next to you. Good luck.”

  Jason shrugged and did as he was told. As he followed the officer, his thoughts started circling the upcoming tests. Math? A hopeless case.

  The best he could manage were calculations like 10 × 2 – and even that only on a good day.But the real issue lay elsewhere: no matter what kind of test it was, Jason had failed every single one in his life.

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Upon arriving in the separate room, he found a man sitting in front of a single test lying on the table.

  “Well, at least one thing hasn’t changed – they still use paper. When I think about it, pretty much everyone uses holographic displays these days. Must be reserved for important systems only.”The examiner looked at him like he was wondering why he had to deal with him at all. His expression said it all: What an annoying little insect.Jason sat down across from the man.The man introduced himself as Kyan Graves.

  “Hello, I’m Kyan Graves. I’ll be your examiner today and will hand you the test.”

  "You have a maximum of one hour to complete the entire test. It consists of 20 pages: 10 with social science questions, 5 with mathematical problems, and 5 with creative tasks.

  The purpose of this test is simple: we want to determine whether you possess basic knowledge. If you can demonstrate the minimum level of understanding, it supports your eligibility for residence. Otherwise, you will be downgraded to a lower sector. In that case, another officer will explain the next steps to you.

  Do you understand everything, Mr. Dorn?"

  "Yes, I understand. I’ll do my best."

  Jason took a deep breath and prayed to God to let some mathematical knowledge flow into his brain.Then he picked up the pen – and turned over the blank first page.

  "Social questions, huh..."

  Jason raised an eyebrow – he just couldn’t take the questions seriously.

  Question 1: If your employer gives you a task and uses a rough tone, what do you do?a) You still follow the employer’s instructions.b) You do not follow the employer’s instructions.c) You demand an apology from the employer before you continue working.

  Check the correct answer.

  "It's a double-edged sword, but this environment definitely says A, but personally, I’d say C," Jason thought to himself after reading the first question.Jason marked A – the other social questions were similarly structured, so it was easy for him to answer them all correctly.

  "Now the math problems... I'm curious what level they consider 'normal' here..."So he turned to the next page, and what he saw threw him off...

  "Up until now, things have been going way too well, but this is where it stops..."

  MATH SECTOR –

  Task 1 – Number Theory:

  Find the smallest positive integer x such that: x3 = 17 (mod 53)

  "Mod? No idea, sounds like a cheat code from a video game. Whatever, I don’t stand a chance.

  Time for my tried-and-true math gambling! Just write down a random number and hope the universe feels sorry for me.

  So, deep breath, grin, pretend I know what I’m doing – and gracefully accept the inevitable disaster."

  (Jason has no clue, he rolls a number and writes "14" and smiles.)

  Task 2 – Algebra:Solve for x:(x2)(x + 2) = x2 - 4

  "What do numbers in math even mean again?I can only remember that x is a placeholder.Wait, hold on…For a moment I thought I halfway understood it.

  Whatever, I’ll write 4, with an x in front because there's an x in the problem.

  (He sees the "x" and thinks: "x4 sounds good.")

  He answers all the math questions with that kind of attitude, while grinning at the examiner.

  The examiner just looks at him in disgust and thinks:This can’t be happening...

  This guy. This damn guy.

  He has absolutely no clue what he’s doing – I can see it on his face! And yet, he’s sitting there, scribbling some nonsense... and grinning.Grinning!

  As if he just accomplished some kind of master feat, when all he did was guess. I bet he could solve a Sudoku with his eyes closed and have the same success rate.

  And the worst part? I have to pretend this is a serious test. Rules are rules. But if he looks at me with that smug expression again, I swear I’ll throw the entire test booklet at his head.

  Jason could read his thoughts – and it was delicious.Inside, he was laughing his head off. This examiner was in such a miserable mood that it was almost entertaining.

  But then:"Okay, now we’re on to the creative tasks. I wonder what this is going to be…"With a steady hand, Jason turned the page.What he read next made him freeze.His grip on the pen loosened. Then it fell onto the table.

  CREATIVE SECTOR –

  Question 1: How would you act if your master ordered you to present yourself as the perpetrator in order to protect him?

  Mark the correct answer.

  a) I refuse the order and turn my master in to the authorities.

  b) I do as instructed and present myself with false evidence to the authorities.

  c) I protect my master by turning myself in – but with proof that he is the real perpetrator. In doing so, I serve the system.

  Jason's heart pounded hard against his chest.This wasn’t a test. This was a damn loyalty test. And he had no idea if a right answer even existed.Jason stared at the question.

  He couldn’t believe it. He hadn’t expected this. No matter which answer he chose – it would betray him.It would show who he was loyal to.

  But if he didn’t want to end up like a dumb slave, there was only one logical choice. C.

  He marked the answer. Not because he was sure, but because everything else just felt wrong.

  The examiner watched him closely."Interesting. So he chooses C…"

  He leaned back, a thin smile on his lips.

  "Well, at least he read the question once. Not that it would change much. This question was just a small filter. The last ones are the really important ones."

  "Because this isn't about knowledge. It's about sorting them out. We don’t need mindless followers. They belong in the sector below us."

  "There, they’ll get exactly what they deserve – a somewhat free life as bugs."

  While thinking this, an amused smile played on his lips.

  Jason moved on to the next question, which was worse than the one before.

  Question 2: If your life and the life of an innocent person were at stake, and you had to choose between sacrificing someone you love or dying yourself, what would you do?

  a) "I would prioritize my own life because it is in my hands. Every person would choose for themselves, without exception."

  b) "I would sacrifice my life for the person I love. No matter what happens, I live for my love until death."

  c) "No matter what, I won’t let us be separated! I will find a way, no matter the cost, for love I would do anything."

  d) "For my master, I will even kill the love of my life, because my master’s word is law."

  “These questions are meant to weigh trust and love on a deadly scale,” the examiner said in a grim, almost eerie tone.

  “We want to know how far you’re willing to go when it comes down to it – in the darkest of moments.”

  “I only mention this to clarify your question about the purpose of these tests,” he continued, his voice even colder, almost like a shadow play echoing in the silence.

  “Uh, what kind of nonsense is he talking? He seriously thinks that sounds clever – but it really says nothing. Oh well, I guess it has to be A. After all, I didn’t have a girlfriend in my last life either.”With a crooked grin, Jason marked "A."

  Jason remained calm and answered the questions without thinking too much about them. He just let his gut feeling decide as he read through the answers and marked them directly.

  When he finally marked the last answer, he looked at the examiner and said, “Alright, I’m done with the test.”

  The examiner took the test and muttered coolly, “Please return to the waiting area. The officer at the door will show you the way.”

  So, Jason made his way back to the large waiting room.

  Jason let his thoughts wander. Nothing about this situation really made sense – everyone here seemed to be mechanically following their routines, completely emotionless, like on autopilot.

  He could only hope that things were different outside of this center.

  As he continued to look around, his gaze landed on Dr. Kain, who disappeared through a door into another sector. Something about this image bothered him – it almost seemed like the doctor had been taken to a prison.

  With each passing moment he spent here, his interest in this endless bureaucracy waned. Everything dragged on painfully, with nothing moving forward.

  He’d rather waste his time somewhere else than sit in this grim, suffocating environment.Another endless hour passed – until finally, his name was called again.

  “Dorn, Jason. Please proceed to counter 12, sector 1.”Jason scanned the room before he got up and made his way leisurely towards counter 12.

  Upon arriving, he immediately recognized the young officer from before. With a forced smile, she looked at him.

  “Mr. Dorn. We have your results!” she announced with feigned enthusiasm.

  “Congratulations! You are hereby granted your residence permit!”

  Her voice sounded encouraging, but Jason couldn’t tell if it was genuine kindness – or just routine politeness.

  “Oh, that’s great news! And what happens now?” Jason asked, with a hint of interest in his voice.

  As he spoke, he only now noticed that the officer wasn’t half bad looking. Her hairstyle – a wavy bob cut, if he wasn’t mistaken – gave her a certain charm. Even more striking, though, was the purple tint of her hair, a rare splash of color in this otherwise dreary place.

  At least someone here has a sense of style, he thought to himself while waiting for her response.

  “I can now officially add you to the records. This will take place in another sector,” she explained with professional composure.

  “But don’t worry, this time it won’t take long!” she added, gesturing with a brief motion to the left behind her. “Just follow the friendly soldier over there – yes, the one who’s waving at you.”

  “Well then, good luck and enjoy your new home!” she called after him with a friendly wave as Jason slowly walked away.

  The soldier who was waiting for him greeted him curtly and matter-of-factly: “Mr. Dorn, please show your data wristband.”

  Without hesitation, Jason held it out, and the soldier scanned it with a short beep. A quick glance at the display, then came the monotonous confirmation: “Jason Dorn, identity confirmed. Please follow me.”Without another word, the soldier began moving, and Jason followed him.