The Harmony Index

Chapter 2 - Grey Algorithms

There was no warning.

Just a quiet ping at 06:42, seventeen minutes into her morning routine, that informed Elara a Compliance Dialogue had been scheduled in her name.

"Time: 08:00. Location: Behavioral Integrity Subdivision, Tier-2. Duration: Standard."

It was signed only by Sentiment Oversight Node 17-Gamma.
We listen, because we care.

She did not let it show on her face. That would have registered. But her breath shortened for half a second. The apartment lighting, tuned to her biometrics, adjusted its hue downward, a shade closer to emotional neutrality.

A minor drop. That was all. A simple deviation.
Not punishment.
Not yet.
But the system had noticed.

---

The Subdivision lobby was colder than her usual wing. Not in temperature, but in feel. It smelled too clean to be trusted. The lights were a flat, white glare, the color of unfinished thoughts.

No one stood behind the welcome desk. Only a projection flickered.
"Welcome, Technician Rhane."
"We value your adjustment."

A door opened without a sound. She stepped through.

The Evaluation Chamber was soundless. The walls absorbed every noise the moment it left your throat. The floor gave no feedback. The chair was molded to eliminate fidgeting. A single light shone from above. No panel. No screen. No face.

Only the Voice.

"Please state your designation."

"Behavioral Calibration Technician Elara Rhane." Her vocal pitch was even. Her enunciation perfect.

"Your Harmony Index has dropped 2.1 points in the past seven-day cycle. We are here to understand why. This is not disciplinary. Do you consent to voluntary reflection?"

"Yes."

"Describe your emotional state this morning."

"Neutral. Productive. Routine-oriented."

"You observed a transfer event at Transit Hub Seven yesterday. Emotional resonance exceeded baseline by six percent. Please elaborate."

Her throat tightened. Just barely.

"I was unfamiliar with the individual removed," she said. "The response was surprise."

"Surprise is not optimized."

A pause.

Then:
"We noticed increased blink rate. Pupillary contraction. A slight cardiac spike. These suggest anxiety. Were you afraid?"

"No," Elara said. "Just tired."

A longer silence stretched out, thin and taut.

"Have you experienced dreams involving unauthorized settings or non-Collective ideation?"

"No." The lie sent a jolt across her tongue.

"Do you trust The Collective, Technician Rhane?"

"Yes."

"Do you feel free?"

Elara blinked once. Not fast. Not slow. Just one blink.

"Yes," she said.

Another pause. The room stayed silent long enough to make her wonder if she had made a mistake.

Then:
"Your self-report has been accepted. Please enjoy this rebalancing message on your way out."

The walls projected a slowly blooming flower. A generic orchestral swell played, harmony in audio form. It was meant to soothe. To remind.

She stood. She walked out calmly. She felt the sweat cooling against her back under the uniform.