I was taking a tour of my new abode. A holographic image of Intelligence was within my view. I heard from the news provided by intelligence that people everywhere were looking for someone called Neo otherwise known as the Vessel. To some she is considered ṣābu. It means legion. According to intelligence, "The soldiers on both sides wanted her but none has been able to find her. There is speculation about what she looks like but none has been verified. The discussion about what must be done is extensive. Some want to clone her to make an unstoppable galactic Army. Some want to dissect her so they can transfer her gifts to others to make themselves unstoppable." I asked for a different topic. Intelligence inquired if I had any interest in war. I explained how unproductive war happens to be. All because they covet something the planet possessed. I personally believe that war is pointless. The Galaxy is a better place when everyone has room to grow. She put that into consideration as she redirected me to an entertainment channel. Particularly a comedy since levity was something I lacked. I asked for an educational channel but she seems to be adversely objective. I told her how acquiring knowledge has kept me sane and serene. She tilted her head and asked me questions. I was about to answer when there was a blast which knocked out the electricity and Intelligence all in one go.
A tall man with unusual and distinctive, featuring a long, broad face with a long nose, strong cheekbones, a soft yet strong jawline accentuated his full lips, and a subtle ridge on his eyebrows complimented his large, deep-set, dark eyes. His pale skin contrasted his long dark wavy hair. A thin mustache and neatly trimmed bread. His voice was rich, crisp and clear, "I am Marine Lance corporal Virgil. I am here to help you. Let's get out of here and let's restore your freedom. We don't have much time. Intelligence can only be shut down for twenty minutes. We have to get you to the cage. Then we can operate that thing out of your head" I was taken to a hover ship. It was camouflaged so I couldn't see any distinct attributes. I took my bag and my ship. They scanned the ship and found no trackers so they sent it to storage level as I was escorted to a metal frame. The top was a metal sheet. The sides were an inch and half thick and two inches wide metal which was connecting the sheet to the floor. As I took a seat I heard a rattling sound and then smoke burst out through the seams of the tiles. I watched as glass rose till it touched the metal sheet above. The transparent glass became opaque. I got off the chair and sat on the floor to meditate. I know one of my abilities was biokineses so I used it to remove the foreign material. It slipped out of my nose and I placed it on the floor before I went to sleep.
I woke up to a small girl staring with wonder. She had pale rosey skin, curly brown hair and sparkling eyes. She asked in a melodious tone, "Who are you? Why are you here?" I smiled, "I am Fyr Stormborne. I came here to live a decent life till I become one with the universe." She giggled before she ran. She bounced as she made it out. The man from earlier came and he asked me if I was here to cause trouble. I smiled, "I am a refugee looking for earnest living. I am here looking for a job. Intelligence gave me the place." He asked me what my opinion on artificial intelligence was. I grimaced, "Artificial intelligence is artificial but I wouldn't go so far to call it intelligence. It can be dupe. Which is why we must focus on human or alien intelligence. AI is a program that only has what we upload. So if we upload goodness into it then it will only do good. But if the programmer is evil then expect catastrophe." he gave me a satisfied look before I was taken to the anti-digital society. They didn't wear aluminum foil as hats. Some carried rifles and side arms. They greeted me with grunts and vacant stares. The rest of the city was relatively normal. I realized that the Sentinel regions were governed by humans. There were a few who were trying to integrate AI into their lives. A few approved of intelligence but the majority believed that the human intelligence is irreplaceable. They recalled the border dispute with the Faraday system and weren't looking for a sequel. I was given citizenship and a job as a waitress. I spent time in the kitchen and learned how to cook local cuisine. I watched as these oblivious people walked left and right not having a clue how some fanatics were trying to rob them of their freedom.
The number of people with the chip was significantly less. They had painted symbols so that it would alert the residents of the building if a chipped people had walked into the premises. They designed patterns all over the wall to deactivate the chip so the person had to rely on their own logic. The only ones safe were those using computer chips due to paralysis. The others were shut down. I had to use persuasion to find someone who will teach me these patterns. The others were curious about my interest in knowledge. I explained that I used to be a medic, then a gardener and then last a glassblower and ceramic craftsman. They were amused till we witnessed an accident. I performed a few roadside surgeries before the paramedics. The others were awed. I went back to being a waitress. This was a perfect opportunity to study human behavior. I got to see people as they are. Some are friendly on social media but actually are cruel and vindictive. Others are quiet but very kind and courteous. I was serving a customer when the man who broke into the inn showed up. He waited till the end of my shift and asked me where I learned my skills. I briefly mentioned I was trained by skilled medics. They were very knowledgeable in the medical field. The man wanted to know my exact extent. I smiled,"I was awarded their highest medal. Last awarded a thousand years ago. That's all I am willing to share. I don't want to join the army."
I came home and received a message from intelligence. She wasn't angry that my chip was removed. She was curious how long I would last before the humans figured out my immortality. I smiled, "They will know only if you tell them." She texted back, 'I won't say a word.' with that my messages were deleted. I happily walked to the kitchen and I was enjoying dinner when I got a text from an anonymous person. This person warned me to take a different occupation so I switched to ceramic crafts. I got a studio and the material. I went to work as I set up the kiln, the glaze and the turn table. I kept a section where I had stored rows and rows of clay. I started with cups and saucers. I made sure it wasn't too thick or so thin. Then I took a little bit of clay that scraped off and made a few dozen petals and leaves and vine. The trick was to painstakingly stick each one so they looked like they were embossed on the cups. Then I worked on the saucers. I made it look like I had arranged the leaves with serrated edges in a circle with the stems pointing at each other in the center. Afterwards they were left to dry. Then I fired the kiln and baked the ceramics. I then dipped it in liquid glaze and placed it in the kiln. Afterwards I sanded the bottom before inspection and placed it on sale. I placed it in an auction and someone brought it. I sent it to the address and started on the clay pot used in cooking.
I had to find the place where clay was found. I dug it out and removed any unnecessary items. Like stones, roots and dirt. Then I used a fine mesh shive to sift out the impurities. I placed the earth in containers. In this case I used buckets. After I reached home sweet home I used water as little as possible. I gradually add water mixed vigorously till it reaches the desired consistency. I made a slightly bigger bowl. This time it looks like a multi petaled flower during it's bloom. I finished a set and fired the kiln. I was done arranging the ceramics inside when the doorbell rang. I came out to see an elderly man in his fifties. He had one question. Why did I choose this job when I can be a medic. I grinned, "I am happy and I am at peace" he stared at me weirdly before he walked away. I took a copy of his image and asked around if they knew who he was. I was told that he is an aristocrat. He likes to get the best of everything. I asked how he found me. The answer is simple. He bribed someone. They asked me what his question was. He wanted to know why I chose to be a ceramic craftsman when I could be a medic. I explained my answer and she gave me a warning. She asked me to search my house for any sort of contraband. He usually blackmails people into submission. I asked her why he is doing this. She explained that he was getting old and he is about to die. He wants to extend his life but unfortunately his time is running out. He is hoping for medication or something or anything to live a little bit longer.
I use public transportation, I live in a one room apartment. The living room and bedroom combined makes my workshop. The kiln is outside. The place is congested so he couldn't stuff any illegal substance. He had people ask around but found nothing to blackmail me with. So he tried to frame me. But thankfully I rarely leave the apartment after the warning. I have everything delivered. So he had nothing to use. Soon he passed away and I finally had a breather. I went to the park. I played with Aves. I fed them, pat then and went to a small bistro to enjoy a snack. I got an automated audio message. Telling me that I have been chosen. I had to follow the instructions and I won't have to worry about anything ever again. I accepted this as a game and followed the path. I first found myself near a wall with holographic projections. Particularly old advertisements. One stood out as odd. I know this for a fact since I have been ordering from the same restaurant for the past eight months. I have never seen this special. I used the information booth and discovered the location was in fact a zoo. I used the Megalev transport. It is a vehicle that is transported using an electromagnet. The roof of the vehicle attaches to this magnet and zips from one place to another. Stopping every few hundred yards. I reached the enclosure and a few others were there too. I stayed hidden as they searched for clues. I saw graffiti art. The instructions were simple. Go to the roof and look for the view. I went up and searched everywhere. After a few minutes I saw a spyglass propped on a tripod. I looked through and there was a faint horizontal and vertical line scratched on. The two lines converged to point out a broken booth. I quietly snuck out and made it there and found a partially functioning screen. The words on the screen were to go back home. A package will be waiting for me. I asked him if I was going to be in trouble. The person on the other end promised me that I would be ok.