NETHERIA, SÃO PAULO'S UNDERWORLD

Nanopanels replicating the sky, using photosynthetic pigments that created solar and lunar cells, illuminated the wide streets of Netheria. Holographic facades between the buildings differentiated the left, centre, and right sectors.
In the Tentro, modern cars filled the streets and some skyways, while implant shops, selling everything from exterior enhancements to subcutaneous types, crowded the sidewalks. People with metamorphic eyes, hair, and body parts, adorned with chromatic prosthetics, reflected the multicoloured sparkle of adwares and floral holograms. Mercenaries, traders, and androids walked unconcernedly, even those with contracts in their names that had bounties reaching up to thousands of reais.
“Impressive,” I whispered, taking in the scene.
Some shop windows displayed wild animals, some with prosthetics on their bodies, and then there were… I blinked. Was that an android stripper boutique? My jaw dropped as I shrank back, observing humans and androids caressing each other.
I realised I knew nothing about this world.
We crossed an avenue lined with food stalls from different countries, emitting a mix of tantalising aromas. We reached a stone from an ancient São Paulo, marking the city’s ground zero, surrounded by more shops and hotels. Voices, advertisements, and music melded into a cacophony.
“We have to see someone,” Kiara whispered in my ear.
I followed her to a place called Oásis Onírico, with a violet facade enveloped in smoke. Stepping inside felt like entering a dream. Puffs and sofas scattered the space, and uninhibited people, some even naked, drank and stoned, blowing out bright vapours.
Continuing down a narrow corridor adorned with a painting of an orgy on both sides, Kiara opened a door without ceremony, leading us into a room filled with shelves, two puffs, and a table. Gill, a cyborg with blond hair tied in a bun, sat there. He wore a chest-exposing shirt and pink striped trousers, peering at us through lilac pixelated glasses.
“Kiara,” he greeted.
We sat down, and she showed him the holopass. “Hey man, I need a Sentinel. She’s going to meet the Mother or the Father for the first time. Also need info on the thirteen-million contract.”
He sighed heavily. “The famous contract, of course. Let’s start with the Sentinel. I’ve got what you… or in this case, she needs right here.” He took out a small vial of greenish liquid from a drawer and handed it to her. “A sublingual drop will do. As for the contract, you didn’t come here to advance the Aurums’ deadline. You’re here to rescind it?”
Kiara nodded.
“The term the Mother and Father set for rescinding is to kill the hirer.”
“And who would—”
He chuckled. “Do you really think they’d disclose that? If you want more information, talk to one of them. The Mother has an appointment slot next week. Want to schedule a time?” He picked up a pen and flipped open a thick notebook. “Great, the Mother can see you Monday at 5:30 pm. It’s booked.”
“Great,” she stood up. “Thanks.”
He watched us until we crossed the door to leave.
“We’ll have to stay here until then,” Kiara looked around. “Let’s take a stroll so you can get familiar with the surroundings. Doesn’t have to be now. I’ll book us a room.”
I smiled.
She smiled back. “Booked. Maybe you’d like to rest…”
I nodded eagerly.
We reached the lobby of Verdant Suites, a modern and clean hotel with beige walls and polished porcelain floors. Real plants hung from the ceiling and in scattered pots, which impressed me as it resembled Zênite decoration.
An AI greeted us. “Kiara, good to see you. Your room on the twenty-fifth floor is ready.”

The spacious room had a large living area with sofas, a double bed, an RV connector, and a bathroom with a whirlpool.
“You can take off the mask,” Kiara said.
I did, inhaling the delightful scent of plants and vanilla.
“Make yourself comfortable. I’m gonna do some analysis,” she said.
I sprawled on the soft bed. Kiara took off her coat, settling in beside me. I admired her beautiful tattoos. I wanted to ask about them, but perhaps another time. Either way, she didn’t seem willing to talk about herself.
The smell of my sweat hit me, confirming the unpleasant odour as I sniffed my armpit. “I’m going to take a bath.”
As the tub filled, I looked for the x-wash. I was filthy, and my clothes were even worse. I took off my uniform and the items Maia had left with me. How did Saymon know about them? Why did he want them? Why had she left them with me? There were so many questions hanging in the air.
I got into the bath, warmth spreading over my skin, washing away all the dirt.
“Ah, that feels so good.”
I closed my eyes, trying to relax, avoiding thoughts of recent terrible events, yet flashes invaded my mind uninvited. My concern for Alicia intensified because I couldn’t keep track of the action of CogniSynth in her mind.
“It will work out,” I murmured to myself, trying to stay optimistic.
Some volunteers could already visualise memories from 20 years with CogniSynth. If the device reached that time in her memories, it would halve Alzheimer’s regression, and we could apply the treatment for the disease. I hoped if that happened, Takashi and Lyana would know how to proceed.
Kiara said she wouldn’t talk to him anymore because she was afraid they could locate signal frequencies coming from her, revealing their location.
“Oh, this is so agonizing.” I splashed my face. “And how did she install that nanocryptography on him? Androids don’t have that setup. Argh, I know less and less.”
Memories of Nobody’s Land hit me, bringing terrible nausea with them. So many children. And that execution? Cron and Kiara were so accustomed to it. Even though I had witnessed many deaths, I couldn’t accept that it was just another death. It was pure, cold-blooded murder. I tried to save lives, and they took them as if it were nothing.
My head was pounding. I definitely wasn’t ready for this unpredictable journey.
Was this your universe, Maia? Was this just a tiny part of the vastness that you were? I pushed those memories away. I would save questions for Kiara for later. Right now, I just wanted to think positive thoughts.
Inevitably, memories of Maia flooded my mind.

* * *

July 2133

Two weeks had passed since our date. I felt increasingly at ease around Maia, even though she continued to avoid talking about herself. Nevertheless, I sensed that something very subtle had changed.
I finished collecting her blood samples, and before leaving, I blurted out: “Would you like to have a drink with me?”
Maia gave me a sideways glance and smiled. “Do you want to go to a bar?”
“I don’t know. After that night, I still don’t feel comfortable going to those kinds of places. I just want to relax without worrying about others. I’m stressed out from work.” I rubbed my forehead, sighing.
She moved closer, narrowing her eyes. “You want to get me drunk? Tsk, I didn’t expect that from you.”
“N-no, of course not. I just, oh, forget it.”
She laughed softly. “Hey, let’s do it. I don’t like crowded places either.” She stretched like a cat waking up. “Saturday, at ten, alright?”

At home, I received a reminder from Takashi about the semi-annual meeting for my research with the Global Medical Committee. The next day, we went to the meeting room, and through videoconference, I was connected with the ten ministers. I confess I preferred the ministers from London, the Tenth City, and Sydney, the Fifth City. They were the friendliest, unlike the representatives from Tokyo, the Ninth City, and Dubai, the Third City, who were the most rigid among them.
Hideaki started the meeting.
“Welcome to our eleventh semi-annual meeting on research no. 267-45, conducted by Dr Akiko Akiyama in São Paulo. The CogniSynth is used on living humans, aiming to view, analyse, access, and record memories.” She looked up. “First, Akiyama will talk about the current stage of the research, and then it will be opened for voting. Agreed?”
A unanimous “yes” followed as a response.
“You may begin, Akiyama.”
I began a lengthy explanation of how the results were very positive, even with the loss of one volunteer. I pointed out that side effects could include vomiting, dehydration, some loss of movement, loss of speech ability, and decreased concentration. The birth of new neurons increased by 230%, while their death was around 30%. I sent the documents with the details over the network.
Hideaki spoke:
“Very well, Akiyama. I’ll review the files in due course. I’m satisfied with the results and vote for the continuation of CogniSynth. Ministers, I now pass the vote to you.”
The results appeared below each of the screens. As expected, the representatives from Tokyo and Dubai voted against the continuation.
“In order, Dr Mahara Al-Amin, Minister of Dubai, has the floor.”
The woman looked at me with disdain in her eyes. “I’ll send my observations over the network.”
My hands were sweating.
“Dr Hidetaka Yamamoto, Minister of Tokyo, now has the floor.”
He tapped his fingers. “Although I liked the positive results presented, I want to know how the negative side effects are being addressed.”
“A multidisciplinary team of physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, nerve blocks, functional electrical stimulation, and medication is used to treat the loss of movement, loss of speech, vomiting, dehydration, and concentration issues. Stem cells also help in the regeneration of damaged tissues, along with proper psychological support for the volunteers. Due to the constant use of nanites, nanomedicine will be the last resort.” I concluded.
“Alright. I’ll review the documents and send my observations on them. I look forward to our next meeting.”
Hideaki cleared her throat. “The vote is eight to two in favour of continuing CogniSynth. I’ll soon send you the date of our next meeting in six months. With nothing more to communicate, I declare this meeting adjourned.”
The screens turned off one by one.
My head throbbed with exhaustion. I relaxed in the chair. “Oh, Takashi, what a day.”

The next day, despite my physical and psychological exhaustion, I tried to relax as much as possible and went to meet Maia.
Her piercing eyes landed on me as soon as I got off the bus.
“Was I late?”
She shook her head.
We walked in silence towards a robotic goods shop, Cabeça de Engrenagens. A vibrant bluish light fell on us, coming from lasers, flashes, and neon adware. We passed through a crowded room filled with various safes and climbed a staircase. Finally, we arrived at an empty bar, with cheerful music playing in the background. In the centre, there was a table with two plates of pasta.
“I don’t know if you’ve eaten.” Maia cleared her throat. “I have my doubts about your tolerance for drinking.”
I sat down, ignoring the provocation, and inhaled the delicious aroma. “Did you make this?”
Maia gave a sly smile and raised her eyebrows suggestively. Then, she ate without giving me an answer.
“Ah, it was very good.” I clasped my hands in prayer and bowed my head. “Gochisousama.”
“Osomatsu.”
I widened my eyes. “You speak Japanese?”
Maia shrugged. “A little here and there.” She got up, going behind the bar. “Come here.”
I rested my arms on the counter.
“What will you have?”
“Hmm, it’s been a long time since I had sake.”
She smiled sarcastically. “Alright.”
Maia served the drink, adding some strawberries to the glass, which was a pleasant surprise. She slid the glass to me. “There you go.”
I took a sip. “Ahh, that’s delicious! It’s been ages since I drank anything this good. And you, what are you drinking…”
She grabbed a bottle of IcyNova vodka, showed it to me, opened it, and took a good swig.
We sat on a sofa near the bar and continued with the evening. Maia took swigs and swigs of vodka while making sake cocktails with strawberries for me. Soon things started spinning in my head.
“Don’t you get drunk?” I asked in a slurred voice.
She laughed. “Who said I’m not drunk?”
Maia seemed to be in a dream, with a glow surrounding her. The sight drew me to her, making me feel numb. I bit my lip, checking how numb I was. She seemed to find this amusing.
I looked away. “That’s your second bottle. If I had drunk half of one, I’d be stumbling all over the place.” I kept my frustration with my lack of alcohol tolerance to myself.
“It’s just certain things in life can only be endured with vodka.”
I bit into a strawberry. “Hmm, what kind of things?”
“You know, when you’re, eh, I’m not drunk enough for this.” She took another swig.
“What?! Tell me.” I pouted. These kinds of things I only did when drunk. There were certain things that, when I recalled them while sober, filled me with so much shame that I wished I could disappear.
“Nah. I’ve got nothing to say.”
I stood up, losing my balance. Maia instinctively reached out to steady me, but I managed to find my footing, and she pulled back. I pointed a finger at her. I was a bit dishevelled and held my drink in the other hand, dizzy, swaying from side to side.
“Why?! You never tell me anything. You know what? I don’t want to know.” I covered my ears. “I’m not listening to you anymore.”
I held her gaze, narrowing my eyes. Then she burst into laughter. A laugh that filled the entire room and destabilised me. I fell on top of her, spilling my drink on her clothes. I buried my face in her stomach and stayed there. My cheeks burned with embarrassment.
She stopped laughing and touched my head. “Hey.”
“No.” My voice came out muffled. “I’m not moving from here.”
“Look at me.”
I barely managed to lift my eyes, pouting. “W-what?”
“I like this song. Want to dance?” She smiled slyly.
I groaned and lowered my head.
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
I steadied my feet as Maia lifted me. She took off her dirty blouse, wearing only a dark grey t-shirt underneath.
“But I can’t dance.”
“Then put your hands here.” She placed my arms over her shoulders. “And I…” She put her hands on my waist.
I heard the beat and the sad melody at the same moment I looked at Maia. A female voice sang, enveloping me even more. Then, like a flash, I realised what was happening. I buried my face in her shoulder, fully aware of the blush probably covering my face. My body swayed with her laughter. Maia rested her head on mine, pulling me even closer. I ran my hand along her neck, feeling some scars. I closed my eyes, trying to avoid being so aware of the situation. My embarrassment only grew, and I must have turned even redder.
When the song ended, we pulled our heads back, but remained in each other’s arms. Her face was so close, and she looked… flushed? I squinted, observing her rosy cheeks. Must be the drink. It has to be the drink.
“Ah…” She clicked her tongue provocatively as she bit her lips. “You, looking at me like that…”
I made a face. Looking at you how? I… Ahh, no! I covered my face with my hands.
“C’mon, let’s sit.”
We listened to other songs playing. Maia took another swig from the bottle, which was now half-empty.
“I have to finish this, or…”
“Orr what?” My vision blurred into a spectral scene.
“Or I… won’t sleep.” Maia walked to the bar and pointed her finger at me. “Anyway, just water for you from now on.”
She handed me a bottle of water.
“What do you mean?” I drank, spilling some on myself. “Will you be able to sleep…”
“How are you so sure, when you’re going to be so… close?” Maia whispered in my ear, then looked at me. I’ll never forget that look. Her eyes half-closed in an intimidating expression, giving me chills. I was facing a predator ready to strike.
I choked on the water. “W-what are you talking about?”
“You really think you’re going home alone, this drunk?” She leaned towards me. “There’s a bed…”
I buried my face between my knees, my cheeks heating even more. Damn it.
She laughed, fully aware of the effect she had on me.
A few minutes later, I lifted my head. “I think I’ll sleep here… this sofa is so soft.”
I don’t know when it happened, but I passed out. My last memory was of Maia staring at the floor, finishing her vodka. Then, I felt a back-and-forth movement.

I woke up in the middle of the night with everything spinning. Maia was sleeping beside me, her hair falling over her face. Was I dreaming? I rubbed my throbbing forehead.
“Hey, are you okay?” she whispered.
I shuddered in surprise. “N-no, but I’ll be fine.”
“Can’t fall back asleep?” She took my hand and caressed it.
“No.”
Maia handed me a pill. “Take this, it’ll help you sleep. Soon you’ll be dreaming.”
I swallowed the pill. Not long after, my thoughts quieted, and I felt drowsy.
“Unlike me… There’s no sleeping pill in this world that can make me sleep with you by my side.” Her words faded into the darkness.

The next morning, I woke up feeling much better. We had breakfast together, and then I called a taxi. I couldn’t face her for much longer, preferring to mull over any embarrassments I felt in the comfort of my home.
“See you later, Akiko.”
I got into the car and let out all the air I had been holding in. The moment I looked back, Maia was no longer there, and a thought crossed my mind. My heart danced, and my body warmed. At that moment, I realised. I was falling for Maia and had no idea how to handle it.

Chapter end