Prototype Dorian

6.

"But it has been two centuries after the Last World War. Surely it's not that bad now, is it?" And I cannot fathom Sánchez being that different from me.

General Caelum's brows furrow as she fixes her gaze on mine. "Lara, every single nuclear bomb in the world was set off during the war. Do you know how many that is?"

With a sigh, I recite what I remember from my history lessons. "Over five thousand—"

"Over five thousand nuclear bombs were set off, that's right. Do you have any idea how destructive that is? Do you think two hundred years is enough to clean that up? Everything on Ground Earth is tainted, Lara. Don't be deceived by your anecdotal interactions with just one Earther. They are let into the Tower, so they are the exception, not the rule."

I bow my head and clench my fists around my pants. An unusual feeling gnaws at my heart.

"Don't look so glum," General Caelum chides after gulping down the rest of her pills. "You were lucky to have come out of this unharmed, despite being so close to the danger. Meanwhile, your greatest rival has fallen. Embrace this situation, Lara, and keep your head up. Think of it as a... silver lining to the atrocious attacks."

My nails dig into my palms. I've always known General Caelum has a disdain for Ground Earth, but now, I can't stand that about her. Sánchez doesn't deserve to be pushed out of the competition like this. Not like this.

"Oh, and I chatted with the other generals and found out who they will be sponsoring," General Caelum continues. "None of their chosen cadets are as good as you are. Far, far from it." Her lips curl. "You are a shoo-in for winning the Selection."

I perk up at that. "Who else is getting sponsored, General?"

"Well, General Romero is sponsoring one of his family members. Some boy in your cadet class called Joaquin Romero. He's not doing too well in the practice sessions though so there's nothing to worry about there. NovaTopia is obviously out of his reach, so his goal is probably a lower-tier space station. General Quill is sponsoring someone called Nicolas Bailey. You might know him. His scores are decent, but still a far cry from yours."

Oh, Nicolas Bailey. I see his name beneath mine on the scoreboard occasionally, but I don't know much about him. I don't know much about anybody in the cadet class, apparently. Like, General Lucius Romero has a family member in the class?

Wait, neither of the generals is sponsoring Sánchez. Was Sánchez lying to me about being sponsored?

"You still don't seem too happy even after hearing all that." General Caelum raises her brows.

"No, General, I'm... I'm happy." Even while saying that, I could barely force out a weak smile. If this sponsorship conversation had happened just a day ago—or even this morning—I would've been elated. But now, I can't bring myself to care for it anymore. "I'm just tired, I guess. I apologize, General."

General Caelum's lips tighten. "Go get some rest then. I'll see you in a few days."

"Yes, General."

She turns away from me as she lays down on the bed. I leave the room silently.

The hallways are as white and pristine as ever. There are no signs of blood or char, and no hints of the destruction that occurred. I watch as a cleaning bot glides past me. Was it that easy to return things to normal? Was the attack just a minor bump on the road?

Another cleaning bot rolls up to me, holding out two earpieces.

Oh, Rea.

It's strange, but I have forgotten about Rea. My personal Rule-Enforcing AI has been with me since the earliest days of my cadet life, talking into my ears and reminding me of the rules I should follow to stay on the Tower as a cadet. But after a few hours without it, I am already used to the silence.