I grabbed my phone and stepped out, letting the hotel door click shut behind me.
The lobby's soft carpet muffled my footsteps as I descended the elevator, the city sounds growing louder with every floor.A bellhop passing by gave me a polite nod
I slid my enhanced phone from my pocket, the screen flickering to life with a soft blue glow. "AetherLink," I said, voice calm "give me the fastest route to Oscorp's main lab."
> "Calculating optimal path… Navigation ready," the AI responded instantly, projecting a detailed 3D map above the phone. Red lines traced the streets, alleys, and skyways, highlighting the quickest route through traffic, construction zones, and police checkpoints.
> "Route updated. Estimated arrival: 27 minutes," AetherLink confirmed.
"Perfect. Let's move,"
Outside, the taxi cabs honked and weaved, people hustled along the sidewalks, and the skyline towered above me, gleaming under the morning sun. I slipped into a waiting cab
I swung onto the backseat and settled in, buckling up out of habit.
"Take me to Oscorp," I said, keeping my tone casual
The cab driver glanced at me through the rearview mirror. "Oscorp? That's uptown
"Yeah," I replied with a faint smirk. "And keep it quick—I don't have all day."
The driver nodded, adjusting the rearview mirror. "Fastest route I know. Buckle up."
As we pulled out of the hotel driveway, I leaned back, observing the city through the window. Skyscrapers reached for the sky, pedestrians bustled along the streets, and the hum of traffic filled the air.
The cab pulled up in front of Oscorp's towering building, glass and steel gleaming in the sunlight.
I paid the driver with a flick of my fingers,"Keep the change," I said casually.
Stepping out, I adjusted my jacket and surveyed the entrance. Security cameras rotated lazily, guards glanced around with bored expressions
I strode up to the sleek, glass-encased reception desk. Behind the desk, a young woman tapped away at her computer, her posture perfect, professional, like she'd been trained for years
"Good morning," I said smoothly, leaning slightly on the counter. "I have an appointment with Dr. Connors."
She looked up, eyes widening upon seeing my face, then typed quickly into her terminal. "Name?"
"That's confidential" I replied, keeping my tone casual
The receptionist raised an eyebrow, not fully convinced. She picked up the phone, pressed a few buttons, and spoke into it with a professional tone. "Dr. Connors, we have a visitor here claiming an appointment. Can you confirm?"
After a pause, she nodded and smiled politely at me. "You're all set, Mr.
Dr. Connors has confirmed your appointment. Please take the elevator to Lab 7. Here's a temporary access badge for your visit."
I took the badge with a slight nod
I stepped out of the elevator and followed the signs to Lab 7. The air smelled faintly of chemicals and ozone, and the faint hum of machinery filled the space. Glass tanks lined the walls, and various experimental equipment cluttered the counters.
A man with a single arm looked up from a microscope, his face lighting up with cautious curiosity.
"Dr. Connors?" I asked, extending a hand.
He nodded, adjusting his glasses. "Yes. And you are?"
"I'm Sam" I said, keeping my tone polite "We spoke on the phone earlier about the serum.I thought it would be best to discuss in person."
Dr. Connors studied me for a moment, as if weighing my intentions. Then he offered a small, tentative smile. "Ah… yes. I remember. Please, come in. I was just about to review some of the latest data."
I followed him deeper into the lab, noting the vials of green liquid and the various notes scattered across the counters.