Adam lay on a bed as rays of light passed over his body, scanning him.
If Adam were awake and able to view his surroundings, he would be shocked at how advanced everything appeared and would suspect that someone had isekied him into a sci-fi reality.
The medical bed he lay on was hovering in mid-air; holographic screens kept appearing around him, showing the results of different in-depth scans.
[Insufficient data on the potential operator's species to administer medical recovery.]
[Beginning genetic scan and cross-referencing with genetic species database for closest genetic match.]
[Scanning…. Scanning…. Scanning]
[Scan Complete]
[The species with the closest genetic match to the potential host is identified as Terran.]
[Genetic match score: 53%]
[Insufficient genetic match score for successful recovery.]
[Processing alternative recovery method… processing.]
[External low-band communication detected, analysing.]
The female humanoid who had brought Adam to this place suddenly moved towards Adam's belongings, rummaging through them. She pulled out his phone.
"Basic communication device discovered," The female humanoid said as her index finger seemed to morph until the tip resembled a micro USB connector, which she then connected to the phone's micro USB port.
"Connection established. Scanning device files and programs."
"External low-band communication is determined to be a basic form of global communication network."
"Accessing global communication network and scanning for potential operator species medical data."
"Medical data located… transferring to the main computer core."
[Data transfer complete]
[Initiating medical procedures… estimated time for full recovery, including cybernetic replacements… 3 months, 7 days.]
"Initiating full download of all data from the global communication network."
***
Inside the living room of a large mansion located in the wealthiest housing area of Alamo City, a group of people sat before a large TV, their eyes glued to a news feature. The handsome news presenter spoke right to the camera.
"This afternoon, during the prime minister's press conference, the councillor for Metro City asked the prime minister a question regarding the murder that took place outside Alamo City just three months ago. Let us show you a recording of the exchange."
The TV changed to show the parliamentary house for the country of the United States, which included Metro City.
A female politician rose from her seat on the lowest bench and addressed the house.
"Right Honourable Prime Minister… three months ago, a brutal murder took place on the outskirts of my fair city, resulting in the death of a beautiful young woman."
However, even after all this time, the police have no leads. This further highlights the need to improve protection for women. After all, this is not the first of such incidents we have seen in recent times. What does the prime minister plan to do about this?"
After she finished speaking and sat down, a man rose from the first bench and spoke.
"The right honourable councillor is correct to be concerned, as are we all. I would like to assure you that my office is in regular contact with Alamo City police regarding this case, and it is a top priority for me and my office. This killer will be brought to justice."
Once the prime minister finished speaking, the camera cut back to the news presenter in the studio.
"As our viewers will know, the primary suspect in the murder of Jenny Downs is one Adam Spencer, who remains at large. Here is the most recent photo available of the individual."
A photo of Adam appeared on screen as the presenter continued.
"The police urge anyone who sees this person to contact emergency services straight away. They also warn not to engage with him as he is likely armed and dangerous. In other news…"
As the news presenter moved on to a new topic, the sound of the TV was muted. An older gentleman with refined looks but greying hair swirled his expensive liquor in his glass from where he sat in a comfy armchair. "Has the boy's body still not been found?"
A man in military uniform who stood behind the man in the armchair replied calmly, "No, sir. A search of the area below the cliff has failed to find the boy's remains or belongings, though we have been able to pinpoint the exact location he landed."
"Have you conducted an extensive search of the area?" The older man asked.
"We have, sir. An extensive search was carried out the morning after young master Viktor returned; however, no evidence was found that the boy had moved away from his point of impact. All that was discovered was a single pair of footprints leading to and from a cave next to where he landed.
However, the cave is quite small, only a few meters deep. And there is no evidence of anyone inhabiting it. There was also no sign of the boy's blood inside."
"Conclusions?" The old man rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"Difficult to say, sir. After falling from that height and with the injuries he already sustained, it is highly unlikely he survived.
My first guess would be that a wild animal found his corpse and dragged it away; however, there are no drag marks to indicate this happened. Also, there's the fact that his belongings were missing. Wild animals wouldn't have taken them."
"Perhaps someone found him and removed his body and belongings," Viktor finally said.
He had been relaxing on the couch with his own expensive drink, listening to his father and the military officer talk.
"Unlikely, young master." The military officer responded before explaining. "As was stated before, there is no evidence of anyone else being there before our search party arrived, apart from the footprints that lead into the cave."
"You'd better hope that no one else found him, boy," Viktor's father snapped. "If his dead body turned up, it would raise serious questions. God forbid he is still alive.
Why the hell did you order his body thrown off the cliff, instead of just killing him and disposing of his body properly?"
"I'm sorry, Father," Viktor replied. "But I wasn't exactly thinking straight after Jenny was shot."
"Stupid boy," Viktor's father snapped again. "You're a child of the Morose family, one of the five most influential families in the world. I raised you better than this."
"Yes, father," Viktor said, lowering his head.
"You'd better hope your grandfather doesn't learn of your involvement in this mess, or we'll both be in for a world of hurt," Viktor's father said in a grim tone.
"Can't we just use our family's influence to have the police close the investigation early, Father?" Viktor asked.
"Not with Councillor Debby West bringing it up in parliament," Viktor's father replied as he swirled his drink again. "While we have influence over the ruling party and can even sway the prime minister, Debby West is from the opposition. Our connections to them are limited, since the Flemming family is their biggest supporter."
"Fucking James," Viktor cursed.
"I understand your dislike for James Fleming, son. I know he's your rival, just as his father is mine. However, remember: control your temper and don't allow your dislike for the boy to show in public." Viktor's father advised with a warning look.
"Yes, Father."
"Good. Captain Simmons, continue the search for that boy, Adam. We need to find him before anyone else, including the rest of the family," Viktor's father ordered.
"Of course, sir," Captain Simmons replied with a nod.
***
"Ughhhh."
Adam groaned as he regained consciousness on the medical table.
"What happened? Where am I?" He asked out loud as he opened his eyes and blinked, trying to focus them.
"Your body was in a critical condition, and if it weren't for the medical treatment I provided, you would have ceased to function," a seemingly emotional voice replied.
"Right, I fell off a cliff…. Wait, I survived falling off a cliff?" Adam asked in shock, before the memories started coming back. "JENNY! Is Jenny here also? Did you manage to save her as well?"
"I possess no knowledge of this 'Jenny.' You are the only lifeform present," the emotionless voice replied.
"No, Jenny, please," Adam groaned, as he covered his face with his hands. As tears came, memories of Jenny and his time with her flashed through his mind.
Breaking down, Adam muttered through sobs about what had happened to Jenny. He relived every moment of the incident, cursing Viktor for killing her.
After a while, Adam finally calmed down enough to lie there in silence for a moment before managing, "Sorry, I just - thank you for your help."
"Gratitude is unnecessary. I did what I did as I require your assistance, assistance that you would be incapable of providing if you ceased to function."
Adam frowned as he heard the response. The lack of any emotion in the voice was strange.
He turned his head to the side and looked towards where the voice was coming from, and his eyes widened in surprise.
Before him stood a stunning blonde beauty with curves in all the right places. She had the perfect hourglass figure, as if she were purposefully designed to be the perfect beauty. However, the strange thing about her was her long, pointed ears and her green eyes that had pentagrams for irises.
"An elf?" Adam mumbled in surprise and confusion.
"Negative," she said in her emotionless voice. "I am the Android counterpart of Spector's hyper-advanced artificial intelligence. I was, however, modelled after the creators of Spector, the Solarians."
"Android… artificial intelligence… Solarian elves…" Adam mumbled as he tried to get his head around what he had just heard. His mind couldn't help but wander to some of the old science fiction TV shows and movies he had watched.
After a few moments, Adam regained focus and managed to ask, "You said that you require my assistance? I can't imagine what you'd need me for. You seem to be far more advanced."
"Spector is in need of an operator and in the one thousand three hundred and twelve years since arrival here, you are the first bipedal lifeform capable of performing said function." The android responded.
"Wait, what exactly is this Spector you keep talking about?" Adam asked as he sat up on the bed and turned toward the android.
"Spector is this." The android replied as dozens of holographic screens appeared around Adam.
"What the fuck," Adam cursed.
"Spector stands for…"