The Maglev Station

The flying car's engine whispered to a halt as it descended onto the designated platform. The thrusters switched into wheels before it reached the ground.

Alex stepped out, the soft hum of anti-grav thrusters fading into the background noise of a bustling maglev station.

The air was filled with the distant whir of automated drones, snippets of conversation, and the occasional chime of departure announcements. Above, holographic displays projected routes and schedules for the maglev lines, their neon glow casting a soft light on the crowd below.

Though not rare, flying cars were synonymous to people of importance. Owning one means you're one of the elite and has an enviable position in society.

More than anything—it had the logo of AetherCorp on it.

Alex adjusted the strap of his backpack and glanced toward the sleek, high-speed maglev trains waiting at the platform. He could have taken the flying car all the way home, but he pushed the thought aside.

The idea of being trapped in a small, airborne vehicle for an extended period stirred memories he preferred to keep buried. The maglev was cheaper, faster, and, most importantly, safer.

As he made his way to the ticket station, the vibrant stalls lining the walkway caught his attention. Vendors displayed high-quality and advanced tech products, from next-gen wearable devices to compact drone kits.

One stall showcased a set of sleek exoskeleton gloves, promising unparalleled dexterity for manual tasks. Another boasted "AI-Integrated Personal Assistants" with holographic projection capabilities.

No one even bothered looking at the displayed goods since the Nexus hub provides a basic AI assistant.

Nexus is a global powerhouse in communication technology, the creator and operator of the Nexus Hub, a revolutionary personal device and platform that seamlessly integrates communication, information, and bionics.

With its roots in cutting-edge AI, cloud computing, and quantum networks, Nexus has become indispensable to everyday life. From personal communication to corporate infrastructure, Nexus touches nearly every aspect of human society.

Nonetheless, everyone knows that AI personal assistants sold in the market were just repackaged basic AI where you can pick the character of your choosing.

"You know, Alex, you could buy one of those robots and make me a proper body. I mean, I've been stuck in your tablet for years. It's getting cramped in here. If I have to compromise, I'll accept a cleaning robot as a temporary body.

Alex smirked as he paused at a stall selling modular bionic parts, his fingers tracing the edge of a high-grade prosthetic hand.

The stall owner perked up, sensing a potential sale. "Customizable interfaces, top-tier materials—worth every credit," he pitched, leaning forward with a salesman's grin.

Alex raised an eyebrow at the staggering price tag displayed. His expression said it all, and the stall owner quickly lost interest, reclining back in his seat.

Alex moved to the next stall to find something of interest.

"And what? Parade you around the city just to get flagged by every security drone? You know the law, Sparc. Robots don't have rights. Atleast, personal devices like you are still covered under basic privacy laws."

Sparc groaned. "Oh, come on. It's not like I'm asking for a humanoid body or anything. Just something mobile—wheels, treads, maybe some cute little arms for grabbing snacks. Imagine the possibilities!"

Alex chuckled, shaking his head. He continued walking, passing a display of holographic pets designed for companionship.

"You've got arms in the tablet simulation. Use those. Besides, until robots get actual legal recognition, you're better off where you are—protected. If someone tried to confiscate you, I'd have to explain why my 'personal device' has its own personality and borderline sentience."

"Fine, fine. But you can't deny you've thought about it. I'd make a great companion bot."

"Sparc, you're already the best companion AI. You don't need legs to prove that."

"Flattery will only get you so far, Alex."

Alex looked at the robot shop at the center most part of the station and watched the people entering and exiting the store.

"Don't worry. I still remember my promise to give you a proper shell. We need to have a security bot permit before we can legally have you walking with me."

"Unfortunately, you got kicked out of the job that can grant us that permit."

"I'm just suspended, not fired. Were you even listening properly?"

Alex arrived at the ticket station, scanning the holographic interface. He tapped his Nexus hub against the reader, purchasing a single ticket to his district. As he waited for the confirmation, his eyes wandered to a nearby news feed on a massive screen overhead.

Breaking News: "Experts Investigate Citywide Disruptions—Could This Be a Coordinated Attack?"

The headline didn't clarify anything but the video playing was filled with impoverished people protesting on different corners of the Undercity.

When the video turned violent, he quickly looked away, focusing on his ticket confirmation instead.

Sparc echoed in his ears. "That looks... ominous."

Alex took glances on the news and got a bit nervous. "Yeah. Let's just get home for now. We've got enough to worry about without adding conspiracy theories to the list."

The confirmation beeped, and Alex made his way toward the boarding platform.

The soft hum of the maglev train greeted Alex as he stepped through the sliding doors.

The interior was sleek and minimalistic, its walls lined with subtle neon lighting that shifted between calming blues and greens.

Holographic panels displayed the train's route and upcoming stops, and a soothing voice announced the departure in a calm monotone.

Alex scanned the rows of seats, most of them unoccupied, and settled into one by the window.

The seat was firm but comfortable, the faint scent of ozone from the train's advanced filtration system lingering in the air.

"Finally, a place to relax." Sparc made a stretching sound though he didn't have s body to stretch. "Do you remember the guy at the tech stall earlier? His facial expression turned funny after he realized he can't scam you with those overpriced bionic upgrades."

"They always try to scam people, Sparc. Everyone's looking for an easy credit. Besides, I've already got everything I need."

He leaned back, letting the seat's ergonomic design cradle his body. Outside the window, the dim lights of the Undercity sped past—an endless sprawl of dark streets, glowing storefronts, and the occasional flicker of holographic ads. The train was quiet, save for the soft chatter of a few passengers scattered across the cabin.

As the minutes passed, more people trickled in: a mother with her young son, a pair of corporate workers immersed in their Nexus hubs, a delivery bot rolling to a reserved section in the back. Even as the train filled, it never felt crowded. Alex appreciated that about the maglev—space, efficiency, and a sense of calm.

The doors closed with a soft chime, and the train began to move. At first, it glided forward with a gentle push, but within moments, the propulsion system engaged, and the world outside became a blur of motion.

"You know, Alex, I still don't get why you avoid flying cars for long trips. They're faster, and you've got that comfy autopilot."

Alex's gaze didn't leave the window.

"Flying cars are convenient until they're not. One bad power fluctuation, one faulty stabilizer, and you're plummeting. I've seen it happen. The maglev… it's grounded. Safe."

Sparc didn't press further and just played relaxing music.

---

The train zipped through the Undercity, the vibrant neon glow dimming as they neared the Outercity's edge.

Outside the window, towering advertisements and holographic billboards faded into the sprawling simplicity of an older world.

The Outercity was a stark contrast to the technological jungle of the Innercity—a haven for those seeking peace, simplicity, and escape from the digital chaos.

Here, transportation and housing mirrored relics from a bygone era, untouched by the relentless march of innovation.

Above, the sky began to peek through breaks in the urban canopy—a mix of deep purples and soft oranges as the sun dipped lower.

Alex caught a glimpse of the sprawling megastructures of the Innercity in the distance, their silhouettes dominating the horizon.

New Zenith, the city's core and the heart of human advancement, a monument to humanity's golden age of technology.

But as the train transitioned onto the Outercity tracks, the serene evening was shattered.

A sudden, blinding flash tore through the horizon, illuminating the sky in a burst of unnatural brilliance.

"What the—" Alex barely muttered before the deafening BOOM followed.

It was immense, its sheer scale visible even from miles away. The light shimmered with an ethereal quality, shifting between colors as if alive.

Gasps filled the train as passengers pressed against the windows, their faces etched with a mixture of awe and dread.

Pillars of light erupted one by one, piercing the heavens like celestial spears. The largest light exploded from the heart of New Zenith, its brilliance consuming the skyline and turning night into a ghostly day.

The tower's shimmering surface fragmented, glowing shards cascading like falling stars.

"Alex, I'm picking up breaking news left and right," Sparc's voice cut in, a rare urgency lacing its tone. "The Nexus Tower and AetherCorp headquarters… they've been obliterated!"

"I see it, Sparc," Alex whispered, his throat dry. His eyes locked onto the light, his chest tightening.

The train's AI system chimed in, its calm voice at odds with the panic brewing inside. "Attention passengers: due to unforeseen events, we will temporarily hold at the next station. Please remain seated."

No one listened.

Passengers erupted into a frenzy of speculation, their voices overlapping in chaotic bursts.

"It has to be a Nexus experiment!" one man exclaimed, his eyes wide as he pointed out the window. "What else could cause something like that?"

"An experiment? Are you kidding?" a woman shot back, clutching the armrest of her seat. "This feels more like sabotage. Maybe some group finally decided to strike back against AetherCorp!"

A teenager near the window shook his head, his voice trembling. "No way. This is too big. What if it's… a war? Like, an actual attack?"

"War? Against who?" another voice interjected, panic seeping into their tone. "No one's crazy enough to take on New Zenith!"

"It's gotta be some kind of energy overload," an older passenger suggested, trying to stay calm but failing to hide the quiver in his voice. "You've seen what happens when the Nexus tech glitches, right? This could be that, but on a catastrophic scale!"

The murmurs grew louder, filling the cabin with a rising tide of fear and uncertainty.

Sparc interrupted, its tone now clipped and businesslike. "I'm scanning with your hub's long-range sensors, but there's interference—serious interference. Whatever that is, it's masking its signal."

Alex clenched his fists, struggling to piece together what he was seeing. "Could it be… an energy surge? A chain reaction in the fusion core?"

"Impossible, we wouldn't be here if that happened," Sparc responded. "This seems to be a deliberate attack to both companies."

The train lights flickered, drawing panicked screams from the passengers.

"Alex, something's wrong," Sparc warned, its voice tinged with alarm.

Before Alex could react, the train lurched violently, as if the very air around it had been ripped apart. Gravity seemed to vanish.

Passengers screamed as they floated upward, their bodies weightless. Bags, briefcases, and loose items hurtled through the cabin, crashing into walls and windows.

The train compartment shook violently, metallic groans filling the air as the sleek design buckled under the invisible force.

Alex grabbed onto a seat, his heart pounding as Sparc shouted something in his ear but he couldn't hear anything.

"Alex! Something is—"