Shadows of Observation
The Granada R&D facility hummed quietly, a symphony of machinery and human diligence. Engineers moved between consoles and testing rigs, checking instruments and calibrating sensors. Jason Arkadi walked among them, notebook in hand, blending into the scene with unassuming precision.
His eyes never left the Zudah prototype, resting on its test platform, dormant yet pulsing with latent potential. Each thruster alignment, each panel adjustment, each subtle hum of machinery was recorded meticulously in his mind—and in his system.
From the far side of the hall, Lelouch von Zehrtfeld observed the engines, telemetry streaming across multiple displays. His calm, precise movements drew Jason's attention. There was a quiet authority about the man, a gravity that made Jason's pulse quicken even as he reminded himself to stay composed.
Jason's system activated automatically. Observing, analyzing, learning—it registered points quietly, each interaction with the technology or subtle observation of human behavior adding to his growing competence.
M'Quve passed by, nodding briefly at Jason as though acknowledging a staff officer's presence. Jason returned the gesture with the same neutrality, careful not to betray the nervous curiosity thrumming in his chest.
Rezen stepped up to Lelouch, hesitantly shifting his weight. "Sir, should we push the Zudah to maximum acceleration today?"
Lelouch's eyes flicked toward him. "Only with full telemetry active. Thruster stress must be monitored closely, and structural integrity remains our priority."
Jason's eyes followed every word. He noted how Lelouch balanced caution with operational risk, how a single command could ensure safety or push the prototype beyond its limits. Points surged silently in his system as he internalized the method behind every directive.
He moved quietly among the engineers, observing their adjustments. Sensors were calibrated, stress points logged, energy distributions balanced. Every subtle change fed into Jason's calculations.
Liam, Lelouch's adjutant, approached Jason. "He's… remarkable, isn't he? Sometimes it feels like he's predicting what the Zudah will do before it even moves."
Jason nodded. "Yes. His understanding of mechanical systems and human reactions… it's extraordinary." His voice remained calm, concealing the awe and underlying unease growing inside him.
Lelouch's gaze returned to the prototype. Data scrolled across screens, oscillations monitored, energy flows checked. Jason noted every metric, every micro-adjustment, every subtle correction.
He reflected on the fear pressing at his chest. Lelouch could manipulate people with words, gestures, even a glance. Jason could not predict the extent of his influence, so he remained quiet, invisible, careful.
"Sir," Rezen ventured again, hesitantly, "at full acceleration, should we adjust energy damping?"
Lelouch's response was smooth, calm, and deliberate: "Adjust gradually. Observe feedback and document all deviations. Structural oscillation must not exceed threshold."
Jason recorded every instruction. His system confirmed each observation and added points for accuracy and comprehension. He knew that even minor errors could result in lost points—or worse, attention from Lelouch.
M'Quve returned, leaning casually against a console. "Interesting adjustments. Did you calculate projected load distributions independently?"
Jason's voice was calm and even. "Yes. Based on observed data and previous simulations." He did not reveal that his knowledge came from more than just study—it came from his system.
Lelouch's attention flicked toward him briefly. Jason's system flagged the subtle acknowledgment. A test? A curiosity? He could not be certain, and so he remained cautious, mind calculating every potential outcome.
Rezen checked the structural sensors again. "Sir, would it not be safer to test at partial thrust first?"
Lelouch's gaze was sharp, but measured. "Partial thrust gives incomplete data. Full telemetry is necessary. Ensure redundancies are active. Safety remains the highest priority."
Jason noted the balance of caution and risk in every command. Points accumulated silently, a quiet testament to his analytical processing.
He moved among the engineers, offering minor adjustments under the guise of standard procedure. Each correction aligned with telemetry predictions. Each action earned him further skill points within the system.
M'Quve smirked slightly. "Your input seems precise, though subtle. A careful observer, perhaps?"
Jason smiled faintly, neutral. "I try to remain attentive." His words carried nothing more. Inside, his system confirmed efficiency, observation, and discretion—three crucial factors in maintaining invisibility.
Liam whispered nearby, leaning close to Jason. "Be careful. He notices more than you realize. Sometimes it's almost… unsettling."
Jason swallowed. "I know. That is why I observe quietly." Fear and respect intertwined in his chest. Lelouch was a figure capable of manipulation, and Jason understood the danger of drawing attention.
The engineers began the next round of tests. The Zudah thrusters engaged with a low hum, gradually ramping to full power. Jason's eyes flicked over telemetry, noting structural oscillation, heat distribution, and energy feedback.
Rezen's voice broke the hum. "The frame is holding better than expected, sir. The adjustments worked."
Lelouch gave a measured nod, approving yet never overconfident. "It is as predicted. Document all outcomes. Make notes on anomalies, even minor ones."
Jason recorded silently. Each note was precise, factual, and valuable for system points. Each observation increased his understanding of both the Zudah and its pilot.
He moved closer to a console, pretending to check sensor calibrations. In reality, his system analyzed Lelouch's decision-making patterns: timing, precision, and prioritization.
M'Quve glanced at him casually. "You learn quickly. Do you have experience in mechanical systems?"
Jason's face remained composed. "Some. Observation is critical." He did not mention that he had more than experience; he had a system designed to learn, to calculate, to anticipate.
Rezen looked uneasy at Jason's poise. "It's almost like he knows what we're thinking before we do," he muttered.
Jason's eyes flicked to Rezen briefly. "That is the skill of careful observation and deduction," he said simply. Inside, the system confirmed accuracy and awarded points quietly.
Liam moved closer again. "Sir, you seem very… composed. But be aware—he might test you subtly."
Jason nodded without expression. "I am aware. That is why I stay cautious." Fear remained, but it sharpened his senses, kept him invisible, kept him alive.
The day progressed, telemetry compiled, simulations ran, and minor corrections applied. Jason observed each step, learning from both machine and pilot.
As evening approached, the engineers began logging final readings. Rezen cleaned the consoles, adjusting minor alignment errors. M'Quve departed, nodding toward Jason with a faint smirk.
Jason lingered, notebook closed, mind active. Every point gained today was small but cumulative. Every observation strengthened both understanding and survival.
He reflected on the paradox of his existence here: outwardly ordinary, inwardly extraordinary. The system gave him insights that seemed impossible, yet the fear of Lelouch's subtle power tempered ambition.
Finally, Jason stepped into the hallway, masking vigilance as simple presence. He moved among ordinary staff, notebook in hand, eyes sharp but expression neutral.
The hum of the R&D facility receded behind him, leaving only a quiet tension. Lelouch's mind, his calculations, his subtle control of the room—they lingered in Jason's thoughts.
He paused for a moment, considering the balance of fear and learning. Each day offered growth, each observation points, each interaction both risk and opportunity.
Jason's footsteps echoed quietly. The world around him remained ordinary, but he carried extraordinary knowledge, cautious observation, and silent potential.
He did not know Tanya's presence nearby, another factor unaccounted for, but he cataloged his observations meticulously, preparing for every eventuality.
The day ended. Systems were off, consoles dark, and engineers departed. Jason's mind remained active, his system quiet but attentive, his points accumulated in silence.
He knew the next day would demand even greater vigilance, observation, and restraint.
Jason Arkadi walked into the ordinary world of Granada R&D, carrying knowledge beyond his reality, fear in his chest, and the determination to survive—and learn.