GATE: First Encounter

Chapter 19

I didn't know what to say. The anger inside me had somewhat faded, but Kireal's actions still echoed in a corner of my mind. Just then, Lynx straightened once more; her tone now slightly more composed.

"Come on. That's enough heaviness for one day. Let me take you somewhere more alive," she said.

I followed her. The corridors were slightly wider this time. Signs written in the Velocironix alphabet adorned the walls. A few individuals passed by, greeting Lynx, while others gave me quick side glances. Those looks, less curious than before, still kept the sense of being an outsider alive.

Eventually, we turned a corner, and Lynx stopped, nodding toward a wide opening ahead. The walls rose up around us, but the ceiling was made of glass—or at least a transparent, light-permitting material. A soft blue light filtered down from above, making everything look more open and fresh.

"This is the inner courtyard," Lynx said. "Security level is low. Most off-duty personnel come here. To relax, socialize, catch up on news, or just sit around."

It was indeed crowded. Tables, seating areas, Velocironix reading or watching things on interactive panels. One corner hosted a group playing some sort of game, another had a serious discussion underway.

The murmur of the crowd was like background music. Not tiring—rather, a hum that proved life was truly happening here. I looked around for a while. Some Velocironix were immersed in holographic chess-like games, others studied data panels in silence, and some simply watched—just like me.

"This place is like the heart of the base," Lynx said. "Not many secrets are shared here, but it's great for socializing."

I nodded, eyes still roaming. Though I tried not to show it, the lingering stares were still there. I hadn't yet shed my foreignness.

Just then, someone approached. Medium height, wearing a uniform of green and black. When Lynx saw them, her shoulders tensed slightly. They made eye contact. The newcomer began speaking in Velocironix, short and precise.

Lynx nodded seriously. Their conversation was fast but quiet. I couldn't tell what it was about, but the speaker's tone wasn't commanding nor friendly—more like delivering a formal message.

Lynx responded briefly, then looked at me.

"Your temporary quarters are ready," she said.

"What kind of quarters?" I asked, a strange tightness forming in my chest.

"A room near the section where Valsera will recover. Since you need to remain under observation, it's been placed nearby. The room is small. Just a bed and a cabinet, nothing more. No window either. But you'll be alone; it's enough for personal space," she explained.

Her use of "alone" sounded like comfort, but it echoed inside me oddly. Maybe I still wasn't used to that word.

"No window?" I asked involuntarily.

Lynx shrugged lightly. "Most places here don't have windows."

I went quiet. Maybe I shouldn't have wanted to see the room, but I was already picturing it in my mind: cold walls, silent air... Enough to sleep in, not enough to live in. Maybe this stage wasn't just temporary—it was a test. What would they be watching? My reactions? My sleep pattern? How I coped with isolation?

"Will you take me there?" I asked, forming the words with some effort.

Lynx nodded. "If you want. But there's no rush. If you want to stay here for a bit... we can watch a little longer."

I looked around. Despite the crowd, no one was approaching or threatening me. I was an outsider, but not a perceived threat. That, at least, was some comfort.