The three planets of Prometheus otherwise known as the Prometheus Sectors, were widely recognised as a major and very important sector in the whole system of VFP Core. They were designated PS I, PS II and PS III respectively. Settling its territory on a number of three planets, Prometheus was the main scientific and research authority in the New Facility. Their job was to study everything related to the Vortex Frontier. They analyzed vortex behaviors, Riftborn classes, neural compatibility thresholds of Unbounds, and the mysterious Vortex System that integrates with Unbounds.
When someone becomes an Unbound and the Vortex System activates in their mind, Prometheus would monitor the changes. They record neural data, track synchronization levels, and study how the System calculates scores and growth. They do not control the Vortex System, and they did not create it. In fact, its true source was still unknown. But they were constantly trying to understand how it worked with the Unbounds.
Through the Diagnostics Wing department at the Academy, they also run diagnostics on cadets, especially those with unstable readings. If a cadet's sync fluctuates strangely or shows abnormal patterns, Prometheus investigates it by collection diagnostics reports from the Diagnostics Wing.
Down at the major quarters of Prometheus, Unbounds had their diagnostics units there too. Actually though, these units seemed nothing more than first-aid kits to the Unbounds. They were already supernatural beings and so, only few of the mundane Prometheus medical products could work on them for healing.
Prometheus also research vortex particles, containment technologies, and continuously employ different ways to resist the pressure of the Vortex Frontier. One could say they played a major role in keeping humanity within the mark of safety.
Whenever a new vortex type was discovered, Prometheus were always the ones to study it. They assess the danger level, estimate Riftborn strength, and determined whether it could be conquered or needed containment.
In short, Prometheus dealt with the unknown. Day by day, they painstakingly study it, measure it, and try to stay one step ahead of it so humanity does not fall behind.
The cities sprawled across Prometheus Sector I were in organized 'chaos'. In one of the cities, the one close to Prometheus's main quarters, there was a mix of clean and glowing streets and towering laboratories, some of which served as landmarks on the maps. Light bounced off polished metallic surfaces, reflecting the constant hum of activities. Walkways for passengers could be seen linking to buildings like veins, and the air smelled faintly of ozone—of course—, lubricants, and heated machinery.
Here in Prometheus, the inhabitants were always very busy with their individual businesses and so in this particular city, people moved more with purpose, carrying devices that blinked and whirred, stopping occasionally to scan or adjust instruments at various tech stores, market shops or laboratories. Stores lined the main avenues, and of course these stores were not selling food or clothing, but rare metals, neural modules and related devices, quantum chips, and containers of volatile substances of various bright colours. Some of these shops still held on to pieces of what some people now called old tech. A few still used the advanced AI humanoid bots as shop attendants, their movements ND smiles no different from that of a real human. Some counters still had physical touch screens built into them. There were display panels you could tap with your fingers, mechanical keyboards locked behind glass for collectors, and even old security cameras that rotated slowly instead of blending into the walls. I'm fact, cameras were no more in use anymore. A few repair stores still specialized in antique circuit boards, wired processors, and early-generation drones that used handheld controllers.You might even see some stores displaying a glass case showing an old smartphone or a folded laptop, preserved more like historical resources.
But in truth, actually none of those things were needed anymore.
Technology had far moved beyond hands and buttons. Everyone now operated systems with their thoughts. Neural comms were the only real devices people used, and even those were not "devices" in the old sense. They were integrated through neural nodes placed on the temples, syncing directly with the mind. These two devices were bought as a package called neural modules. There were no phones in pockets, no laptops on desks, or tablets under arms. Communication also happened silently, from thought to thought. Messages appeared directly in the mind's interface, and opened up when the user activated it. Payments were made the same way. You could buy something just by confirming it mentally, and the amount would transfer instantly.
The modern flying vehicles known as pods did not need steering wheels. A person could purchase a pod straight from an industry hub and guide it home using nothing but mental control. Houses were automated the same way. Someone could even be seated in a café across the city and still adjust the lighting, temperature, and security systems of their home through neural command alone. Doors could lock, machines could get activated, deliveries could get scheduled, all without lifting a finger.
So when people saw those old machines in certain shops, the sight was almost charming. It served as a reminder of a time when humans needed their hands to tell technology what to do.
Now, it was just thought.
However though, shops that sell food existed, but they were not found in places like these.
Zooming more into the streets, holographic displays were seen hovering above the streets projecting schematics, data and ads feeds for passersby. Also, several modern automated drones were darting overhead the streets, some delivering packages from street to street, while some were scanning the environment, their tiny neon lights of various colours flickering like fireflies across the crowds that passed. Even the pod parks and public regions around felt alive with experiments. The trees around were also wired with sensors, and fountains—mostly found in public building centers—, were bubbling with strange liquids, and one could see metallic benches that adjusted to one's neural signals as they sit. This particular city was a city built for science, buzzing with curiosity and precision. It was a place where discovery was constant, and the faint sense of wonder never left anyone who walked its streets.
At the horizon of this huge and bustling city, a building towered above, dwarfing the skyscrapers and towers of the city easily both in height and width. This building was so huge that it could be seen from most locations of the planet—which defined its huge size, of course. This building was Prometheus's main quarters.
---
The Aurora Veil warped out of space with stunning speed, almost quarter the speed of light as it sped onward toward the huge building of Prometheus main quarters.
Bale couldn't help but be totally fazed at this eye-catching vista of a city. He had noticed the distant shiny colors of the cities on the planet right from afar when they firstly arrived at the planet's proximity. But now that they had finally lowered down into the planet's atmosphere, he... he just couldn't close his mouth. Infact he almost drooled with saliva.
'Amazing... It's beautiful as they say...'
However though, it wasn't Bale alone that was in this situation. The rest of the cadets were, except some of them who were originally from here. The ones who were amazed at the beauty of Prometheus Sector I could not help but say,
"Whoaa. Look at those cute drones."
"I'm beginning to imagine myself operating some high-class drones. I just need some hell of ten seconds to stroll through the streets!"
"Huh, even ten hours won't do. I just need days... oh my daze."
"Whoaah..." one said, his mouth agape.
However, one suddenly boasted.
"Haha, if you want to have the best drones and devices in the whole of New Facility, Prometheus is the first place that comes to mind."
"Huh, everybody knows that."
"Tch."
"Just shut up dude, and enjoy the view. The ship will be settling soon on ground and you won't have any more chance."
Liu Zhang and the rest of the cadets, including the Unbounds, were unmoved by these scene. There was nothing special about it. They were at a distance from them.
Fewer than ten seconds later, the spaceship extended its landing struts as plumes of exhaust blasted from its sides, slowing its descent in a storm of heat and dust.