Earth and the Moon—the heart of civilization, the Central Belt, where organic and artificial life intertwine in harmony. Here, intelligence has reached extraordinary heights, and this world now thrives: a powerful economy, cutting-edge technologies, unlimited resources. Everything that can be conceived and produced is born in the factories of this belt. Mars and Mercury's resources flow into the Central Belt in an unbroken stream, transforming into finished goods, all of which Earth successfully trades.

  But all this demands an enormous amount of energy, and the synthesis of ergon—the fuel of the new age—is carried out by the "Mercuria" Corporation near the Sun, in its shadow, where light and dark become one. Ergon is the heart that sustains this mechanical magnificence.

  In her spacious office stands Camilla, the Director of Security, watching the reflections on the polished floor. The soft glow of the holographic screens accentuates her strict, yet unflappable appearance. Outside the "windows" of her office, clouds drift by, seemingly alive, but in truth, they are nothing more than an artificial projection created by hidden wall-panels. In this world, there is no real sky, no genuine horizon, and yet, who cares? People have long become accustomed to illusions, just like the milk ads, where brands compete to prove whose milk is milkier, and whose ideals are brighter and purer.

  In the silence, a faint sound is heard. The door opens without a sound. Nicholas, the Head of Intelligence, steps inside. His silhouette barely visible in the dim light of the office, but his presence is immediately felt. Average height, with a strong build, he wears a military uniform with a pixelated pattern of barely perceptible pink, which blends instantly with the surroundings but hides both strength and threat. He approaches Camilla and salutes with a brief, confident nod, never breaking his gaze.

  "Madam Director, you summoned me?" His voice is calm, but his eyes shimmer with tension. He looks at Camilla with clear anticipation.

  Camilla doesn’t tear her gaze from the hologram; her fingers tighten involuntarily on the desk as she hears his words. The processors work, information is being processed, but something in her expression betrays a growing inner unease.

  "Report," she commands, her voice sharp, though inside she feels her nerves tighten, like a taut string.

  Nicholas steps forward without hesitation and delivers the news:

  "We have information from a reliable source: Mars agents are planning to sabotage an important diplomatic meeting. The details aren’t fully clear yet, but we know they’ve contacted a mercenary. He’s supposed to receive a 'gift' from them. We know the location of the meeting, and surveillance is already in place. As soon as we get confirmation, we’ll eliminate the threat."

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  Camilla falls silent for a moment, her face becoming almost impassive. Her hands ball into fists, and she turns her head, casting a calculating look at Nicholas.

  "Do you think this is the agents’ initiative, or is it an order from the top?" Her question sounds like it’s coming from deep underground, with an underlying hint of anger.

  Nicholas leans slightly forward, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret with Camilla.

  "President of Mars. It’s his game. He’s acting directly. The motives are clear: to ignite a conflict, strengthen his power to his advantage. This man won’t stop until he gets what he wants. He’s willing to do anything, even go to war, to claim his victory."

  Camilla fights to suppress her irritation, clenching her teeth. Her breath quickens, but she keeps her composure.

  "We can’t allow him to sabotage the diplomatic meeting," she almost whispers, but there’s a steel resolve in her words. "Let them meet, let them negotiate. We’ll gather the evidence, and only then will we strike. At the last moment. Everything must be perfect."

  Nicholas nods, his eyes gleaming.

  "Understood. I’ll handle it. Everything will be flawless."

  Camilla takes a deep breath and, with a slight movement, turns her gaze toward the panels where images and codes shift. Her eyes briefly linger on the clouds again, but her thoughts drift far beyond the illusion.

  "What’s the status with the supplies for the Mercuria Corporation?" she asks now, her calmness replaced by a sharp edge.

  "Everything’s on schedule," Nicholas responds, a note of satisfaction in his voice. "The last components are on their way. Ivor is personally overseeing the shipment."

  Camilla nods silently, a flicker of a smirk passing through her eyes. She opens her hand and places it back on the desk.

  "Good," her voice softens, but there’s something in it that could explode at any moment. "After the operation, you’ll get some rest. You can spend time with friends. Whatever you want."

  "That sounds good," Nicholas replies with a slight grin, already feeling relief from the permission to take a pause.

  Camilla shifts her gaze back to the hologram, but now, her eyes conceal a trace of concern. She tries not to give in to her nerves, but her thoughts, as always, race ahead, hurrying toward the point where everything will be decided.

  When the door closes behind him, Camilla pauses for a moment. Her gaze slides heavily over the projection of clouds, vanishing and reappearing, as though something is hidden behind them. An illusion? Or the reflection of something far more dangerous and real that will soon collapse upon them all?