(Viewpoint: Roum)
"Welcome to Unit 1," Ela announced, squeezing my arm. "Now go and see your apartment," she pushed me inside.
"Aren't you coming?" I murmured.
"We don't have the right," whispered a soft voice from the back.
It was beta 2
Arms behind his back and eyes fixed on Asmara
– Ela, can you come help me set up Asmara? Let's leave the boys to their own devices.
Then everyone dispersed
Leaving me feeling a little rejected.
Then the large door of the apartment closed.
No dramatic lockdown.
No alarm.
No harsh lighting.
Just… silence.
I remain motionless for a few seconds, the card still in my hand, as if the apartment was going to reject me too.
But nothing happens.
I finally look up.
The place is bigger than I imagined.
White, obviously, but not empty.
A different kind of white than that of the corridors. Less clinical. More… inhabited.
A simple, light grey sofa.
A coffee table.
A huge bay window overlooking the circular city, suspended in the artificial void of the Dome.
In the distance, slow, steady, almost soothing lights.
I let out a breath that I hadn't been able to hold back.
– So… this is my place.
My voice barely resonates. The acoustics are soft, carefully designed.
I take a few steps, still wary, as if the ground could disappear beneath my feet.
But everything is stable.
Normal.
I have never doubted such a simple word so much.
I place the card on the table.
It switches off almost immediately, becoming an ordinary object.
A discreet beep sounded.
Welcome, Roum.
Apartment Unit 1
Status: active.
I frown.
— Is that all…?
No message from Alpha-1.
No order.
No threat.
I collapse onto the sofa.
The fabric is cold at first, then it slowly warms up under my weight.
As if even the furniture adapts to me.
I run a hand over my face.
My thoughts are finally racing, now that no one is watching me.
Alpha-1.
his.look
His voice.
"You're a problem."
I grit my teeth.
— So why keep me here?
I sit up and observe the apartment more closely.
On one wall, a sliding door surely leads to a bedroom.
Another one has a bathroom.
Everything is… functional. Simple. Human.
Nothing resembling a prison.
That's what bothers me the most.
I get up and approach the bay window.
The city is immense. Circles within circles.
People walk, live, seem happy….
All integrated.
Everyone in their place.
— And me… what is my place?
A subtle ticking sound makes me jump.
Someone is knocking.
I stand frozen for a second, then I slowly approach the door.
It opens automatically before I even touch anything.
Alpha-1 is standing there.
She is no longer in official uniform.
Just simple clothes, grey and black.
Her white hair is loose and flowing freely.
She looks at me in silence for a few seconds, then sighs softly.
— You're not inviting me.
I let out a nervous laugh.
— Sorry, well… Of course
She enters without waiting for an invitation and looks around.
— Do you like it? … It's quiet, you can even change the view
— Do you often come to check on the new ones?
— Only those who ask too many questions.
She gives me a sideways glance.
I look away.
— Chetan asked me if you were "stable".
— And what did you answer?
She stared at me, smiled, then simply said:
— That you are yourself.
I don't know if that's reassuring or worrying.
Alpha-1 approaches the bay window in turn.
— Listen, Roum…
She pauses.
— You know, others have a bit of trouble accepting a newcomer, especially if they don't consider him good enough.
— I suspected as much.
— Chetan thinks you're a mistake. A grain of sand in the machine.
I clench my fists.
- And you ?
She finally looks me straight in the eyes, with her beautiful deep blue eyes, so clear they're almost transparent
— Don't be too mad at me
A shiver runs through me.
— That doesn't reassure me at all.
"Me neither," she admits.
A new silence settles in, less tense this time.
"You're going to work with us," she continued. "Missions, decisions, fieldwork. Nothing special... for now."
— What if I'm not ready?
She slowly shakes her head.
— You have it, you're just having trouble seeing it.
Then, more gently:
— You can do anything, even the impossible.
I'm thinking.
— You're exaggerating a bit too much, Chetan already hates me and the others feel the same way… .
A sad smile appears on my face.
— Chetan hates everything, it's just his nature.
As if summoned by name, a deep voice resonates from the corridor.
— Touching.
Chetan stands in the doorway, arms crossed, a forced smile on his face.
— So, the new… comfortable one?
— Enough, I replied.
He stayed at a distance.
— Enjoy it while you can, it won't last long.
Alpha-1 stared at him out of the corner of his eye and asked him coldly.
— What are you looking for, Chetan?
- Nothing.
He looks me up and down.
— Just to understand why him.
I hold his gaze.
— I'd like to know too.
An electric silence.
Then Chetan sneers.
— We'll see on the field.
He turns away and walks off without another word.
Alpha-1 stroked my head
– be wise
— Hum .
She nods her head and steps back towards the door.
— Get some rest. Tomorrow's going to be tough
- Obviously.
Before leaving, she stops.
— Rome…
- Yes ?
— you're a good number, a nice number
Then
She disappears.
The door closes.
I remain alone.
I go back to my seat, my eyes fixed on the city.
An apartment.
A team.
A future that is uncertain.
I place a hand on my chest.
— I don't know what's happening to me…
I whisper.
[ DO YOU FEEL SICK ?]
a voice echoed in the apartment
- who is it?
[YOUR HOME ASSISTANT]
I feel less safe.