FIRST STEP

Before Maia, I only knew life with a direction. A path. With no time for romance or friendships, my parents taught me to live alone and to trust only myself. Others were mere distractions from my purpose of changing the future of medicine. It was an immense responsibility for one person.
After making my decision, I prepared everything to leave. How much was I willing to give up? The truth was, my research, CogniSynth, was my only connection to my world, and that I could keep in my hands only. I asked Takashi to put me in touch with Hideaki, and she promptly returned.
“Akiko?” She sounded tired. “Has something happened?”
“Um, yes. I need your help.” I should get straight to the point, as it always was between us.
“Go on.”
Hideaki was the chairwoman of the Global Medical Committee and an influential figure in the field, holding certain privileges. In certain situations, such power solved things.
“I’ve reached a stage in my research where volunteers alone won’t suffice to proceed to the final stage.” Well, it wasn’t a lie. “I’ll need to conduct field research. And you know Morey…”
I left my words hanging, waiting for her reaction. Thus, we remained silent for a while. She knew the man well enough to understand.
She sighed. “How long will you need?”
“I don’t know. It must be open-ended.”
“I understand what you’re asking… I helped you with that injunction, and you were right. Not that you’re not now. Are you sure? This research is very important. Everyone has high expectations.”
“I know that, but you and… well, you also took a long time to develop NeuroSync. You know these things take time. I won’t deliver something that could seriously damage people’s brains.”
“When do you plan to start this?”
“Today.”
Again, silence.
“What do you mean?!” Her voice didn’t falter for a second, but an invisible desperation crossed the line.
“I know it’s sudden, but I need more time. That’s all.” I bit my nails.
“Are you sure?” she asked again, dismayed and aware of the weight of my words.
I had to be convincing. “I am. If you say yes, I’ll fetch CogniSynth today. Takashi can send all the necessary documents. I’ve already prepared for this.” I lied. Again.
“Alright. I’ll do this because I trust you. You know that, right? Send me biweekly reports and don’t disappoint me.”
The lie was so heavy that it made my shoulders slump. I signalled for Takashi to meet me at the hospital. I packed a backpack with some clothes, the letter, and the items Maia left behind. As I turned off the lights, I took a long look at my, until then, safe haven. My eyes crossed the window, settling on the landscape of cars flying over the airways, breaking through the clouds circulating among the buildings. This landscape rarely changed. Just like me.
Then anxiety flooded me, along with immense sadness. Leaving my world hurt. My hands trembled when it was time to close the door. Maybe it would shut forever. There was a possibility I wouldn’t return, but I didn’t want to think about that. My heart only guided me to Maia. I had to do this. I wanted to do this. Fearing being pulled back, I left.
In the atrium, I wished Andi and Pavel a good morning. And, for the first time, Pavel smiled back. A smile that lasted only seconds before he returned to his subtly disdainful expression. Alright, time to go.
When I arrived at the hospital, Takashi was waiting for me.
“Did you receive the information I sent you?”
“Yes. Are you sure about leaving?”
“Come with me,” I said, heading towards my office.
I took the main prototype of CogniSynth, a chip, and connected its data to my biochip so that the memory analyses of the volunteers would only be sent to me and Takashi. If anyone tried to access the research, they would be immediately blocked.
“Yes, I’m sure. Now I need to know. Are you coming with me?”
“Are you asking me to accompany you?” He looked at me with a human-like insecurity.
I grimaced. “Yes.”
He seemed even more confused. “I don’t underst…”
“Just say yes or no.”
“Yes.”
He probably didn’t know the meaning of it. Neither did I. But being near him felt familiar. My heart begged to know more about Maia, but it was unsettling to leave my life behind.
I smiled and hugged him, without thinking. “Let’s go.”
Now there was no turning back. I was consumed with worry inside, my hands sweating, and I could barely breathe. Takashi watched the landscape, and I concluded that he had never stepped anywhere other than Zênite. Whenever I walked through Centralia, Takashi never came with me. Was he enjoying the view?
Arriving at the abandoned station, nicknamed Iron Ruins, fear of the unknown overwhelmed me. I didn’t know what to expect. Rain soaked the dirt, rusty walls, graffiti-strewn and filthy, and stacked cars, deteriorated by time. A smell of burning came from unquenchable fires, along with a whistling wind and creaking metal, contributing to an even gloomier atmosphere.
It was just the two of us. I entered the coordinates on the map, and we walked for ten minutes. We arrived at a convenience store with broken windows, empty shelves, and overturned furniture, filthy with dust. I peeked inside through the smashed door when a voice behind me said:
“Akiko Akiyama?”
A petite woman with gray eyes, face piercings, earrings, and dark makeup uncrossed her arms. She wore a black military outfit, sleeves rolled up, revealing several tattoos. A neon purple lion stood out on her neck. She was an android, but a different kind. If not for the two lines on her forehead, I would say she was human.
“Yes, that’s me. Who are you?”
“Kiara.” She approached us, intimidating me with her aura.
Takashi automatically positioned himself in front of me. I gave him a slightly apprehensive look. Was she really that dangerous?
“I couldn’t access her system,” he justified, as androids shared basic information in each other’s presence.
Kiara eyed him. “Ah, you’re the android who tried to access my system yesterday?” She chuckled. “Takashi, serial number 14236547, property of Akiko Akiyama. You’re good, but my camouflage hack is even better. Anyway, I’m Maia’s android.”
My heart pounded, and I kept myself from overreacting. “It’s okay, Takashi.” I placed my hand on his arm.
“Are you sure?”
I nodded, and he stepped back a few paces.
“Better this way.” Kiara shrugged. “If you’re here, it means you’ve accepted what Maia asked of you, right? Follow me. We need to go somewhere.” She had the same commanding tone as Maia.
Takashi and I followed her to a black car with a shimmering purple neon gleam, glowing beneath it. Kiara got in, and the doors lifted for us.
“Are you driving?” I must have looked incredulous, since I’d never seen a car with a steering wheel.
She nodded. “Let’s go, I don’t have all day.”
Still reluctant, I got in, and Takashi followed.
Wherever Maia took me, I would go without questioning. No matter the time or place, I just wanted to understand her universe.
Leaning my head against the window, as I let my mind drift to closed-off paths, memories of Maia emerged.

***

May 2133

On that day, the grey sky and cold weather matched my mood, creating a sombre atmosphere. Even after a month, I found myself thinking about that person, that day, as if her were a magnet drawing me in. The butterflies in my stomach were irritating. News of the explosion of the only train connecting the upper and central was destroyed, and UNITED, the company responsible for transportation in the Americas, announced it will take a year for the route to be restored. Meanwhile, there is only one bus line connecting the two places.
I received the decision of the petition that afternoon, and Morey burst through the door.
“You have nerve,” he barked. “So, this is your little game?”
I stared at him, hiding a smirk in my crooked smile. “What are you talking about?”
“Damn it! Don’t play dumb. You used your mother’s position to have the petition granted,” he gestured pathetically, filling the entire room with his indignation.
“The Committee simply saw that my method was correct and yours was unethical. Medicine deals with facts.”
The truth was, Hideaki’s power was supreme. My mother made sure to make that absolutely clear to anyone who stood in our way.
He approached. His eyes flashed with anger and his lips trembled, uncertain of what to say. “You act high and mighty, don’t you? But you’ll see.” Morey gritted his teeth and stormed out, slamming the door with force.
I rubbed my temples, throbbing with the headache that man had given me. At least that was settled, and I could proceed with my research more peacefully. Throughout the day, I busied myself analysing the weekly results, and as night fell, I heard voices near my door.
“Akiko?”
“Yes, come in,” I leaned back in my chair, releasing some tension.
It was Alyssa, Gina, and Beth, fellow doctors who worked in the Emergency Room. Alyssa said, “We’re going out for a happy hour. Care to join us?”
I didn’t usually go to happy hours. However, my work was stressing me out, and it seemed like a good idea to go out with them and relax.
“Y-yes, sure.”
“Great,” she gave a reluctant smile. “We’re waiting for you at the entrance.”
I packed up my things.
“Do you mind if we go to Centralia?” Gina asked, tossing her brown hair over her shoulders. “The pubs here are so boring.”
“I don’t mind,” I said, getting into the car.
They exchanged glances and soon started chatting happily among themselves. Occasionally, they asked me something, but I didn’t follow their conversation.
We arrived at the Red Lion, a pub with a long line to get in. The music spilled outside. Alyssa went ahead and talked to a bouncer. Then she waved to us.
“Alyssa is the best. She always gets us VIP access,” Beth whispered, giving me a gentle nudge to follow them.
They sent us VIP access via biochip, and we walked to the bar.
“You can order whatever you want,” Alyssa shouted to be heard over the thumping beats.
Still lost amidst lights and sounds, I ordered a gin and tonic, trying to stay close to my colleagues. Not long after, a few men approached. They were all dancing, having fun with their friends or partners, so happy. I sat at the bar, staring at my drink, thinking about leaving. I shouldn’t have come.
“Hey. Are you alone?” His alcohol breath and a citrusy perfume hit me before his words, making me nauseous. He touched my back, showing implants in his hands and an excess of bionic prosthetics on his arms as he leaned on the counter.
“No.” Great. Just what I needed.
Another man approached me from my right. He too had a beard and was wearing clothes that were too colourful. “Beautiful. Want some company?”
“No, thank you.” I looked at the mirror behind the bar.
They glanced at each other and left. One of them said, “As you wish.”
I finished my drink, and some kind of euphoria took hold of me. My pulse quickened. The lights and sounds intensified, making my insides vibrate. I wanted to dance. I didn’t even like dancing, but I found myself on the dance floor, focusing on the melody and the bright pixelated colours that fell like translucent powder on people.
The two men from earlier approached me again, smiling. Their charms seemed to heighten, and I didn’t reject them. They came close, pressing their bodies against mine.
“Now want some company?” His voice sounded distorted.
I said yes, and we danced together. The euphoria was so intoxicating that I couldn’t think straight, just followed an unusual instinct. Later, I grew tired and looked for a place to rest.
The taller one gently took my arm. “Need any help? How about we leave here? Let’s go somewhere private.”
I mean, I liked the music and the atmosphere, and my sensations were a delightful mess in my head, making me sluggish. A sweet taste flooded my palate, like stars landing on my lips, and a shimmering smoke surrounded me. I lost track of time and space, accepting that touch. I agreed, and he gave me a friendly smile, leading me out.
Halfway down the corridor to the exit, I stopped, my intuition screaming, alerting my senses. “I think I’ve changed my mind.”
“What?” The man holding me asked.
I tried to pull my arm. “I’ve changed my mind. Let me go.”
“Relax, darling,” he said, but didn’t release my arm. “Let’s leave here, and you can do whatever you want.” He grazed his beard against my neck, sending shivers down my spine. My body responded involuntarily, such was the euphoria overwhelming me.
“Let me go!” I pulled my arm. “Let me go!”
He tightened his grip. “Sweetheart, relax.”
“Let me go!” But no one else at the party heard me, everyone was too focused on their own euphoria.
I tried to scream, but it felt like a bubble was enclosing me, suffocating me more and more. We were near the exit. As we crossed the door, I felt something terrible was about to happen.
Then my vision darkened as a strong blow hit the side of my head. Muffled sounds and a cold touch on my arm were the last things I could remember before hearing distant music playing.
I touched the back of my head, and it hurt. What the hell just happened? I looked around the dimly lit surroundings, still groggy from the euphoria. I coughed as I inhaled a strong smell of cigarettes.
“Hey, hey, easy. Are you okay? One of them hit you in the head…” A calm voice said.
“I’m fine. Why is your hand bloody?”
She wiped her hand on her black pants. “This? It’s nothing.”
People around us smoked and drank, chatting idly under a drizzle. I focused again on the figure in front of me, my mind clearing more and more. The multicoloured aerial lights illuminated her, and my stomach tingled. I lost my voice, absorbed in her appearance. I had never seen anyone like her. Her brown skin contrasted with her white hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes.
Of course, I had studied this condition in college, but piebaldism had become extremely rare in society. It manifested only in some parts of the body, but hers was on a completely different level.
I bit my lower lip, struggling against that damn euphoria, but…
“Y-you’re very beautiful,” I covered my mouth immediately.
She lowered her hood further, hiding her choppy hair down to her shoulders, and stepped back a bit. In that moment of silence, I stared at her, focused on deciphering what her almost puzzled expression meant.
“My name is Akiko.”
“Akiko…” She said my name, and a wave of excitement surged from my stomach, through my chest, making me vibrate. I wanted to know what she was thinking as her eyes pierced through me, frozen in an indecipherable emotion. By the way… those eyes. I shook my head, trying to sober up. How had I not noticed before? Those amber eyes were unmistakable.
“Hey, wait, you’re…”
“I think we should get out of here. Can you walk?” She stood up. “Are you alone?”
I blinked. Her words took a moment to make sense. “I came with some… work colleagues. I don’t know where they are.”
She extended her hand. “Let’s go.”
I was speechless.
“C'mon, you can hold it, I won’t bite.”
So, I extended my hand. Her rough, cold palm enveloped mine.
I let her guide me through a taciturn fear, anxiety, and a joy I had never experienced before.
Friday night on the streets of Centralia was marvellous. Buildings lit up with polychromatic holograms, playing advertisements, mostly for clubs and pubs. Musicians, poets, and artists crowded the sidewalks. Cars and buses blared loud music, and people leaned out of windows, shouting to those outside. Those walking on the bridges shouted back, caught up in the joy. Their attire and implants blended with the city’s colours, and they could walk carefree, laughing and having fun. Everyone felt like anything was possible.
I squeezed her hand tightly.
We entered a reddish establishment named Fantasy Dream Club, where two half-naked holographic men greeted us. Even in my euphoric state, I was shocked to realise we were in a strip club. People at tables were throwing money at dancers on the poles. A woman brushed her hand over my shoulder, winking at me.
She led me to the back where people occupied the corridor, shamelessly naked and making out. A bluish light hung over us, the smell of alcohol and tobacco dominating the space. We entered an elevator where a woman was wearing only panties.
“Miss Maia…” She raised her eyebrows in surprise. “The usual?”
Maia grimaced and nodded. Maia? Was that her name?
Then, we walked down a corridor with violet walls and golden details. Pixelated paintings distracted me until Maia pulled me into a room. Orange lights dulled the atmosphere, a woody fragrance lingering in the air.
“Stay here until the drug’s effects wear off,” she said, sitting in an armchair beside the bed.
I chuckled. “Am I that bad?”
“You need to be more careful. Those bastards drugged you. And where the hell were your colleagues?”
I lay down. “They were workmates, just trying to be friendly.”
Maia sighed, touching her forehead with her fingers. “Get some sleep.”
Ignoring her, I asked, “Why were you on that train? How did you know it was going to explode? Is your name really Maia?”
“Yes, my name is Maia,” she leaned forward. “Now, enough questions. Sleep.”
I struggled against sleep but eventually drifted off.
The next morning, I woke up in an empty room. I stumbled out of bed, cursing the headache. On the armchair where Maia sat, there was a note: “Akiko, if you want, meet me at Rua 13, in the Meio, at 10 pm.” I tucked the note into my pocket.
The same woman from the previous night, now fully dressed, was in the elevator.
“Miss Akiyama,” she smiled, making a discreet bow.
I didn’t remember telling her my name, but by then, I just wanted to forget everything, my cheeks burning. I smiled back.
“Goodbye,” she said.
I hurried out, but not before noticing the place had transformed, filled with tables where people were eating. Apparently, the dancers from the night before worked as waiters, cooks, and receptionists. The sign read, “Rua da Centralia Café.” Was it all my imagination?
“A table for one?” a girl greeted me at the entrance.
“Oh, no. Thank you. I’m leaving.”
I returned to my apartment to prepare for my meeting with Maia.
However, that night, she didn’t show up.

***

“Hey, wake up,” Kiara’s voice echoed faintly in the background.
The morning sun filled the sky beneath heavy clouds, casting a soft orange glow.
“I thought you weren’t going to wake up,” she chuckled lightly.
Still groggy, I rubbed my eyes, fully awakening to the world outside.
We were flying over a highway connected to southeastern Brasil. Nanobarriers encircled the outskirts of São Paulo, keeping out the corrosive air. The Aether Network, the militia governing Brasil, and the country’s three main corporate sponsors—Sessota, UNITED, and Kokusai—cared little for cities other than the major ones, so alternative air routes were seldom used. On both sides, some glass panels fell from aged, crumbling walls of buildings on broken scaffolds. A dense yellowish haze, laden with sand-like chemicals, covered the region, and dirty snow shaped massive piles of garbage.
More disturbing than the appearance of Greater São Paulo were the armed groups wearing gas masks. Paintings and tattoos covered their bodies. They surrounded two men kneeling in front of a mud-stained wall.
I suppressed a muffled gasp as two of the women raised their laser guns and executed the kneeling pair. The one in black eyed our car and waved to the other. They looked in our direction.
“They won’t do anything,” Kiara said, guessing my thoughts. “This car has a signal.”
“What signal?”
“They’re mercenaries, Netheria’s subordinates. This car has a signal that means ‘stay away’ to them.”
I trembled slightly. Even my worst thoughts were nothing compared to this. At some point, I caught sight of a pile of bodies. My insides churned. I had seen many things during my medical career and dealt with situations that would test the sanity of the faint-hearted. But this was beyond any assumptions. I wasn’t prepared for this.
“W-why are things like this? What happened?”
“These are Nobody’s Lands, where mercenaries live. Why are things like this?” She smiled.
I changed the subject. “And are you a mercenary?”
Kiara frowned and didn’t answer. A vein throbbed on my forehead. Great, another person to ignore my questions. So, I avoided my thoughts by forcing myself to look at what was the surface of Maia’s world.
The yellowish atmosphere dissipated, revealing abandoned houses and trees. Takashi stared out intently. As a second-generation android, he kept up-to-date but limited global information. Kiara, however, operated on a level I didn’t know.
“When Takashi tried to track you, you appeared as a disabled android. But even when disabled, it’s possible to access data. Why couldn’t he?”
“Maia disconnected me from the Motherboard, so I have no restrictions, and I’m untraceable.”
“You seem almost human. I mean, anyone who isn’t an expert would say you’re human.”
“Are you a doctor?” Kiara changed the subject. “That could be useful.”
I wondered why it would be useful.
Finally, we arrived at a city. The low, wide buildings lacked modernity, and the people unloading cargo from boats wore dirty clothes. The salty smell of the ocean entered the closed car, and a brownish ocean rippled against the coast to our right.
“Where are we?”
“Santos,” Kiara slowed down. “You’ve never seen the sea?”
“Never, just in photos.”
“When we finish what we came to do here, I can take you to the coast; it’s a preserved area.” She shrugged.
I smiled, and we continued flying until houses surrounded us, stacked on top of each other. We were at the Port of Santos, near ships, freighters, and submarines parked at the dock.
We stopped in front of an old black concrete house. I coughed at the smell of decay.
Kiara said:
“Santos is the city where Maia lived during her childhood. Precisely, in this house. Ready?”
My heart skipped a beat the moment she finished her sentence, and I parted my lips, unsettled. Perhaps it was the mention of Maia. Perhaps it was because this was the first step into her world. The paths were finally opening, and I was ready to tread them.

Chapter end