New ERA Saga

Chapter 08 – The Flying Board Game

Not wanting to get involved in something useless and unimportant, he walked past the group of teenagers. There was a park not far from there. That's where he was heading to spend his time.

The city park was a place where the residents enjoyed recreation, with various entertainment and sports facilities available, both personal equipment and public facilities, used by the city's residents.

Nouel bought a drink that had a slight bluish glow when in the dark.

"How do cyborgs like this detergent water?" Nouel commented on the drink. He shook his head, closed the bottle, and continued walking towards the field where teenagers were performing tricks with hoverboards.

The objects they used were like skateboards but without wheels, hovering about half a meter above the ground as platforms. These boards were not cheap due to their design, shape, and the machinery that had to be adjusted to the user's size and weight.

Nouel sat on the stairs where other spectators were seated around the steps.

When everything was ready, a young man with long black hair stood at the end of the hoverboard track. He swung his hoverboard confidently and was instantly launched gracefully into the air. In mid-air, he performed difficult and beautiful moves, showcasing his extraordinary skill.

The other young people were just as impressive. They glided at high speed, crossed the hoverboard track with stunning accuracy, and sometimes even spun in the air as if they were free-flying birds.

Nouel and the other spectators couldn't stop being amazed. They cheered and applauded, feeling the wave of happiness in the park's atmosphere. These were the moments when this modern city showed its creative side amid the hustle and bustle of daily life.

"That's quite impressive," Nouel said, placing the drink bottle to his left as he sat down, joining the applause.

"They're amazing, aren't they?" a woman with a very familiar voice to Nouel said.

When Nouel turned, he found Vera standing with her arms crossed, watching the hoverboard performance.

"Oh, hi, what brings you here?" Nouel greeted, then shifted his gaze back to the young people still performing, while the audience continued to applaud.

"Yes, Captain. I've been looking for you."

"Oh, is there something you need?"

"Something like that."

"Let's discuss it later, sit down and watch with me."

Vera sighed, sounding reluctant, as if she only wanted to attend to important matters and not waste time watching the city's youth perform.

"This is an order," Nouel emphasized. With no other choice, Vera finally agreed to sit next to Nouel.

"Copy that."

The performance became even more exciting. They leaped into the air, executed complex spins where timing and attractive movements required precise accuracy. They almost collided, and one wrong move could have caused a fatal accident.

This drew admiration from the spectators. Applause and cheers filled the air, and Vera joined in with the clapping before helping herself to the drink Nouel had bought earlier, without asking for permission, she gulped it down.

"Do you like it?" Nouel asked, slightly puzzled. The drink didn't taste great in his opinion.

"Yes, it's good."

Nouel shook his head, surprised by her response. "I don't understand, did cyborgs alter their taste buds?"

"I heard that."

"Sorry."

Vera provided an explanation willingly, even though it wasn't requested. "This drink is intended for cyborgs. Our taste buds have been slightly altered."

"No wonder I didn't like that strange drink."

"Why did you buy it then?" Vera mumbled, baffled by her captain's actions.

Nouel got up from his seat and walked away from there, even though the performance wasn't over yet. Vera followed suit.

"What are you doing?" Nouel asked, revisiting the earlier topic of why Vera had come to find him.

"I came to fetch you. The others are waiting."

"You mentioned that earlier, I mean, what's the reason for looking for me?" Nouel asked, seeking a more specific answer.

"There's a call we need to attend."

"Really?" Nouel seemed unaware of this information or, more accurately, hadn't checked his communication device to see if there were any incoming notifications.

Vera shook her head and let out a quiet sigh. "You turned off your communication device. We've been summoned to headquarters for the past five minutes."

"Oh, really?" Nouel asked again.

"Unbelievable."

Nouel immediately checked the transmission on the communication device attached to his right wrist, and the hologram screen displayed several missed calls for him. Nouel simply smiled, showing no remorse.

"I've been summoned for a while now," Nouel nodded and turned off the device, causing the hologram screen to disappear.

"That's why I came to get you. You didn't respond."

"Sorry, my bad."

After walking for a while, Nouel stopped when he saw their transportation waiting.

"A helicopter?" Nouel asked, feeling it was excessive to use such a vehicle.

"Yes, to get there faster."

After entering the helicopter, silence hung in the air between them. The helicopter took off and departed from the location.

"Are you okay?" Nouel asked. For some reason, he had only now thought to inquire about Vera's well-being, despite previously appearing indifferent.

"Yes, why do you ask?" Vera turned to Nouel, sitting side by side.

"Just checking."

Vera sighed when she realized that Nouel didn't want to express his concerns. Therefore, even without being asked, she provided an explanation about the condition of her body. "All my systems are fine, nothing is damaged, and I don't need any maintenance. What happened yesterday didn't cause any harm to my body."

"I see, I was just asking."

"My equipment is designed for heavy-duty activities, remember?" Vera spoke to reassure Nouel.

"Yeah, your body components would have to be quite weak for something like that to cause damage. Volkov did a good job for you."

For a few seconds, neither of them spoke. Although unspoken, Nouel appeared satisfied with Vera's response.

"Have you watched the news today?" Vera asked, changing the topic of their conversation.

"Yes, everything seemed normal. Did I miss something?" Nouel replied, asking a question in return.

"What do you think of the NewTech project?"

Nouel shrugged, showing no particular interest. He then shared his thoughts on the matter. "I think they're just developing advanced technology to help humanity. It sounds pretty ordinary."

"Ordinary?" Vera asked, completely taken aback by Nouel's apparent indifference. She found it hard to believe that Nouel was downplaying the technological breakthroughs made by NewTech, which were currently being promoted as something remarkable.

"Yeah, I'm not impressed. But it seems Professor Volkov will be interested in the news that NewTech is spreading today."

"Clearly, I just wanted to know your opinion."

For a few seconds, Nouel didn't say anything. After taking a deep breath, he finally revealed his thoughts to the cyborg girl. "I've already guessed the technology breakthrough this time, and I already know how it works and what the system looks like. I could easily replicate the technology they're launching now."

"Really?" Vera asked, seeming skeptical. In reality, Vera knew that Nouel was a genius in technology. She had heard that Nouel assembled his weapons,

 armor, and all his equipment himself, not relying on the equipment provided by NewTech in the military.

"Yes, I've had this idea for a long time, but I'm too lazy to implement it."

"Why?"

"Because it wouldn't suit me and wouldn't be useful."

"Fair enough."

"But... have you not heard that NewTech is rumored to be involved in the development of highly dangerous biological weapons?" Vera asked, shifting the conversation to a more sensitive and serious topic.

"For large corporations, I wouldn't be surprised if they start doing strange things. So, what about it?" Nouel asked, seeming understanding and nonchalant about what a technology company might be up to.

"Aren't you interested in investigating?"

"No, I won't get involved unless there's a mission from higher-ups."

"You're really apathetic."

Nouel didn't deny or protest. Instead, he acknowledged it casually. "Indeed, I'm not that interested in all this technology stuff anymore. Right now, I just want to be a useful soldier, a member of the team, and a captain who always completes the missions given to me."

"Very selfish."

"Not selfish, just too lazy."

"But recently, there have been reports that they're involved in some suspicious activities."

Nouel fell silent for a moment, processing the information he had just received. "What kind of suspicious activities?" he asked.

Vera furrowed her brow when she heard the question, then responded. "There are many rumors about NewTech Industries. Some people say they're creating dangerous technology that could harm humanity. Others say they're conducting secret experiments on humans. But so far, there's no concrete evidence of any of that."

"So?" Nouel asked, still appearing unconcerned.

"I think we should undertake a secret mission to uncover the truth," Vera suggested, as she often did, sharing information she had gathered.

"I'll consider it later."

"Really?"

"Yes."

***