Clone Earth: MELVIN

Chapter Thirty-Six: ARI

The transport stirred up sprays of white snow as it smoothly came to a halt, obscuring Ari's initial glimpse of Kiev. She trailed Lutz and Robie onto the platform and into the city, while Farris kept his distance, both from her and the crowd. Ari frequently glanced back to ensure her chaperone was still following.

"Not as grand as Tarkoy," Lutz grinned, "but then again, you didn't get to see Tarkoy—"

"It's still larger than I anticipated," she conceded. The streets sprawled in all directions, adorned with tall, vibrant buildings that contrasted starkly with the dark forest backdrop. Each building stood distinct, not only in color but also in texture: rough surfaces, smooth finishes, and protruding structures with metal railings. However, they shared one common feature - large picture windows crafted from antique glass, which collected natural light and cast a radiant glow across the city.

The effect was captivating, almost distracting Ari from the signs of Kiev's heavy military presence. Uniformed personnel strolled along the sidewalks, intermingling casually with civilians. Children, even younger than Ari, darted between buildings with little regard for vehicular traffic, which dwindled as they ventured farther from the transport depot.

"I need to check in at the outpost station," Lutz announced, extending his hand in farewell. "Ari Kana, I hope to meet you again, maybe at the Academy on Tirragen." Ari accepted the gesture, firmly shaking hands with the corporal before he hoisted his duffel bag onto his shoulder and departed.

"And what about me?" Robie called after him.

"Stay out of trouble, Rob!" Lutz retorted without looking back.

"Are you two really friends?" Ari inquired.

Robie smiled, placing his hand on the small of her back as they walked. "Of course, Ariana Kana."

"I never said my name was short for Ariana," she remarked, shifting uncomfortably until there was more space between them.

"What else would it be short for?" he queried.

Ari's mind searched for alternatives, but none came to her. "I guess that makes sense. But I prefer to be called Ari."

Robie chuckled, holding open a large glass door. "We need to stop in here for a moment. Would your pilot like to join us?" Ari spotted Farris settling on a nearby bench.

"He's fine," she replied.

As they entered, Ari was greeted by a tantalizing sight - rows of monitors mounted on walls and tables. Despite the natural light flooding the room through two expansive picture windows, the glow of the screens and concealed ceiling fixtures complemented it perfectly. The occupants, mostly children younger than Ari along with a few teenagers and non-military adults, were engaged in various activities. Some wore matching shirts denoting their roles within the establishment, while others assisted children with computer games or tended to seated adults enjoying the ambiance.

The polished counter displayed an array of baked goods Ari had never encountered before. The aroma of food mingled with the soft hum of servers, sending a pleasant shiver down Ari's spine.

"Civilian-run, civilian-based networking, and free from military-monitored encryptions," Robie explained.

The notion filled Ari with a brief surge of joy before Robie's hand moved to her back again, guiding her toward the counter. The touch sent a flush to her cheeks, and she sidestepped his reach hastily.

"W-what encryptions? Military encryptions are for your protection and shouldn't be tampered with..." Ari's voice, echoing Hobson's words, sounded more strained than she intended.