The Humans; The Lady's Voice

Jake returned shortly, carrying a card which he called a 'keycard' in his hand. "Here you go, Vincent. This will grant you access to your room." he said, handing it over with a warm smile. "Just follow me, I'll show you where it is."

Vincent nodded gratefully, eyeing the keycard, it had lots of numbers and lines on it. He followed Jake through the maze of workstations and bustling activity. They walked along the wall where numbered doors were lined up; as they did, Vincent couldn't help but marvel at the sheer size and complexity of The Apex's underground headquarters. It was a far cry from the simple life he had known in his village. He noticed people looking at him so his gaze fell down in embarrassment.

Eventually, as they walked past many, many doors, Jake stopped in front of one of the doors and swiped his own keycard in a slit on the door to unlock it. He turned to Vincent, and smiled. "You just swipe your card along this slit to unlock it, and remember only you, and some higher-ups can unlock it, which includes me yes— but not Peter or Lance, or anyone here. Gotcha?"

"Uh-huh, so I just swipe it there, right?" Vincent asked, pointing to the slit.

"Mhm. I'll go now though, closing the door will automatically lock it by the way. See ya friend." Jake nodded, dashing away into another part of the headquarters.

"Thanks." Vincent replied, stepping into his room, eyes closed as he closed the door and it locked with a click.

As he opened his eyes, he saw his room covered in the same neon light as he saw earlier in the heart of the sanctuary. The walls were adorned with interactive digital displays, capable of morphing into various scenes or displaying useful information with just a simple touch or voice command. The centrepiece of the room was a state-of-the-art bed that seemed to defy gravity, hovering just above the ground on a sleek, metallic platform. It was adorned with smart fabric that adjusted to the user's body temperature and sleeping preferences, ensuring the most comfortable rest possible. A holographic projection unit hung above the bed, capable of conjuring up immersive virtual environments for entertainment or relaxation. Vincent could easily lose himself in a virtual beach or mountain retreat, escaping the confines of his room without ever leaving the comfort of his bed. The room also boasted a fully automated kitchenette, equipped with advanced cooking appliances and a food synthesiser capable of conjuring up any dish imaginable with just a few commands. A sleek workstation nestled in one corner of the room, complete with a holographic display and gesture-controlled interface. 

But his awe didn't last for too long, as he came to the realisation that he has no idea what he's looking at. He didn't know what a holographic display, or a virtual reality, or whatever technological stuff is going on here. 

"Wow. Amazing… whatever it's called." he chuckled. Seeing a desk, he put down his journal there.

Suddenly, he heard a voice, the same monotone lady's voice he had heard earlier when descending into the sanctuary. 

"Greetings." she said.

"Woah… it's you…" Vincent whispered.

"Indeed. I am your personal assistant."

"What… what do you do?" he asked, nervously.

"I am here to assist you with any tasks or inquiries you may have," the voice explained. "Simply state your request, and I will do my best to fulfil it."

"Um…" Vincent murmured. "What's… your name?"

"I do not have a name. Is there any other way I can help you?" she replied.

"Can I give you a name then?"

"If you wish, certainly."

"I'll call you…" Vincent began thinking deeply. "Lily."

"Certainly, if that name suits you best, you may refer to me as Lily."

"But… I want you to respond if I say 'Bella' too. Okay?" he said, his voice choking.

"Certainly, if Bella is what you wish as my alias, then that wish will be granted. How may I help you, Vincent?"

"You know my name?" he marvelled.

"Indeed."

"Amazing…"

"Um, Lily." Vincent began tentatively. "Could you show me around this place? I'm not sure what to do."

"Of course, Vincent." Lily responded promptly. "I can provide you with a tour of the facilities available."

Vincent watched as holographic displays materialised before him, showcasing maps and directions. It was something he couldn't even comprehend, or imagine. 

"Let's start with something simple. You can ask me to turn the lights on or off in your room. Just say, 'Lily, turn on the lights' or 'Bella, turn off the lights.' she said.

"Okay… Bella, turn off the lights." he commanded. Then suddenly, the lights went out, and the room was filled with a dim, yellow light.

"Wow… Lily, turn on the lights." he commanded again. And instantaneously, the lights turned back on, filling the room in neon purple-blue. "Incredible." he admitted. "What else can you do?"

"A lot. You can ask me to play music, set alarms, reminders, or even answer questions. Just let me know what you need, and I'll do my best to assist you." she responded.

"Thanks, Lily." Vincent said, feeling a newfound sense of confidence in navigating his futuristic surroundings. "I think I'm starting to get the hang of this."

"Of course, Vincent." she replied. "If you have any further questions or require assistance, don't hesitate to ask. I'm here to help."

"Okay." Vincent said.

"Bella, can you set an alarm for seven in the morning, for tomorrow?" he asked.

"Certainly." she replied. "Alarm set for 7 a.m."

"Can you play anything?"

"Indeed."

"Play soothing rain sounds." he chuckled.

Immediately, the room went quiet, and then Vincent could hear calming, relaxing and soothing rain sounds. He could also smell it, but that was just him. Closing his eyes and sighing in relief, he sat down on the bed, thinking what to do next. He then commanded the voice to turn off the lights, and make the room colder. Vincent was getting the hang of it, very fast for sure.