...Seven… Six… Five…

The second hand ticked steadily as the hour grew closer to seven. Sunlight spilt from the windows and past the drawn curtains, filling the room with warmth. The bedroom was spacious, the furniture lined up the walls, leaving the centre empty. One one side of the room, a queen-sized bed was situated next to a workspace, the white desk has monitors surrounding it and a chair tucked underneath, wires bundled up following the edge of the floor to the mainframe computer beside it. On the opposite side was a dusty wooden shelf that spanned the entire wall, rows of trophies of different sizes were lined orderly, some reflected the sunlight off their golden surface while other crystals shone brightly. All in all, a cosy place to live in.

Four… Three… Two…

One...

Zero.

Dr Tann Angle jolted up from her bed as if wrenched by an invisible wire. She sat motionless for a few moments before quickly sliding out from underneath her comforter. She shuffled to her desk and reached down to a drawer and took out a syringe labelled, “40% caffeine”. Brain still muddled with sleep, she fumbled with the injector for a moment before she managed to remove the plastic cap. She stabbed the needle into her arm and watched as the brown liquid slowly disappeared from the container. She released a small sigh of relief as the caffeine tricked into her bloodstream. When all the liquid poured into her body, she removed the syringe and threw it into a tube-like object connected to the ground beside her desk.

Tann headed to the bathroom to freshen up before starting to dress in her usual workwear; a button-up shirt followed by slacks. She spent a few minutes in front of her rectangular mirror working through the knots in her midnight hair.

It was another beautiful day in her world.

She threw on her signature lab coat and stepped leisurely out of her government apartment (a good thing about living government apartments is that you don’t need to pay tax), a new modern complex with metallic lining decorating the surface. The windows were huge and its walls were sprayed with reflective paint that made blend into the surroundings.

Tann stepped onto a raised platform with ease, triggering a sensory device. “Good morning, Dr Angle,” a synthetic voice spoke, “where would you like to go?”

“To the MFE” Tann replied. Soundlessly, the block of ground she was standing on lifted, glass panes slip out and up the edges, acting as a barrier to prevent her from tumbling off if she were to lose her balance. The block rose into the air and carried her along invisible pathways.

Smart City 1: Proposed long ago by both environmentalists and engineers that personalised ‘transport blocks’ might be the best way for short distance transportation of personal use. The flying platform utilises standard routes not unlike roads, that optimises the path to the intended destination, therefore causes minimal traffic and almost no chance of accidents.

As buildings flew by, Tann reached into her coat pocket and took out another caffeine injector. “Good, I can probably last the meeting today.”

“We have arrived at your destination. ” the same monotone voice announced, “the MFE.”

In front of her loomed a large construct. The storied building is lined with long rows of floor to ceiling windows that were tinted grey reached, leaving strips of beige walls exposed between them. At the centre, however, is a huge glass globe twice the height of the sandy complex surrounding it, the glass coated with the one-way film.

Kinda looks like an enormous disco ball. Tann thought.

The MFE, Multi-Function Emulator: The construction of the building took over 50 years, and its structure is constantly modified since the initial opening. It is one of the top research facilities in the world, consisting of the largest virtual database as well as the greatest nitrogen coolant reserves in existence. There are currently over 5500 people registered who work in the MFE.

The MFE has inspired many architects to follow in its design, and Tann couldn’t keep track of the rising number of museums that have adopted this spherical shape. The only difference was that the MFE is ten times the size of the other spherical structures.

The transport block hovered down towards the ground and the glass fence retreated down to the base. The doctor stepped off the platform, throwing a word of gratitude over her shoulder before headed towards the building

“Have a good day, Dr Tann Angle,” the voice said in response. Then, the block sank into the ground, merging seamlessly with the surrounding texture of the floor.

Tann entered the main hall of the structure, she tried her best to not stare at the floor. Whoever who designed the rest building probably had a sick leave when the construction of the lobby was planned, it is the worst design she had ever seen. The flooring is practically a gigantic mirror, Tann is convinced that it’s even more polished than the mirror she had in her bathroom, the lights from above reflected off the surface and seared into the back of her eyelids every single time she walked across this accursed lobby. Tann tried to force her eyes staring straight ahead as she stalked quickly across the bright expanse but found that her eyes were drawn down to the floor…

I don’t even know if I should thank or hate the designer of this floor, thought Tann, blinking away another afterimage of the overhead lights. On one hand, there was a chance of being blinded by the lights, on the other… many of her female colleagues still haven’t realised the reason why she had forgone wearing skirts. I should just enjoy the view while it lasts, Tann smirked gleefully at the thought.

“Good morning Dr Angle!” one of the assistants at the admission counter called out, “Dr Cotanian is waiting for you upstairs.”

“Thanks,” Tann replied, quickly masking her face emotionlessly. A few passersby have turned their heads, catching their conversation. Great, the last thing I need is another crowd of tourists. “Just call me Tann as I’ve said before.”

“Sorry Dr An–Tann, sorry, Tann,” the assistant ruffled his short-black locks on his head, embarrassed.

Smiling politely, she walked past the counter hastily. “Jesus,” Tann muttered, “what kind of brain injury did that guy get during military training? Amnesia?”

She sped towards the lifts quickly, if Dr Cotanian was waiting for her upstairs, gods forbid her from waiting even longer, that woman infamous for her lack of patience in the MFE. To Tann’s annoyance, there was already a group of people crowded around the lifts.

For one of the most advanced facilities in the world, the building’s elevator system needs some work. Instead of assigning the six available elevators to different floors of the building like most modern establishments, they kept it universal. This meant everyone had to wait for the same lifts and that they all took over ten minutes each to return to the lobby.

Which also creates the perfect opportunities for tourists to bombard researchers since they’re not allowed upstairs, Tann thought with a sinking feeling of dread as she spotted a crowded slowly meandering towards her direction.

The tours…. She’d forgotten about the tours!

She tried to duck her head as they drifted closer, facing away in hopes that they won’t recognise her. Alas, Lady Luck wasn’t on her side.

MFE Tour: Since being responsible for the research of Psychological Probability, the MFE had become one of the most famous tourist attractions in the Capital. You can book a tour at the price of 50 EC each for a detailed tour of the MFE

“Is that Tann Angle?” an enthusiastic whisper interrupted the guide’s monologue. Immediately all thirty visitors turned towards her, nudging each other around in hopes of catching a glimpse of her face. Tann turned around slowly, she tried to place a welcoming smile on her face, but only managed to give a pained grimace.

The reaction was instantaneous. They rushed forward as one, exclaiming their delight and asking questions.

The guide fought admirably for control, trying to wave the tourists back as they tried to push past him. Noticing a few others who seemed confused, he immediately took the opportunity, cranking the mike a few notches. “Dr Tann Angle, our own very celebrity here in the MFE,” the guide said proudly, LED badge flashing on his chest, “she is ranked as the top computer scientist of all time for three years consecutively, which no one has achieved before.” The crowd oohed and aahed as the guide continued his speech.

Tann stood awkwardly at the side, fiddling with the injector inside her coat pocket. People always expected she would be used to the fame and attention by now, however, she was the exact opposite. The fame only increased her anxiety around the large crowds, worried about the criticism following her every action.

She reached for her phone and tried to look busy by tapping on the screen and furrowing her eyebrows in ‘concentration’. A few coworkers beside her shook their heads in amusement at this display and she flushed in embarrassment, giving them a sheepish smile.

Trying her best to ignore the not-so-discrete clicks and flashes, she almost didn’t notice the slight tap on her shoulder. Tan whipped her head around to find one of the tourists beaming at her. The tourist was dressed relatively casual compared to the rest of the group, khaki pants and pale shirt with a leather jacket thrown over.

“Yes?” Tann squeaks out.

“I-I was wondering if I can ask for your autograph,” He stammered out, holding out an autograph sheet. Tann nodded silently and quickly scribbled down her signature. “Thank you!” The man practically shouted, radiating joy. A few other tourists reached for their bags and Tann knew that she had to leave before more of them could corner her.

The small ‘ding’ of the elevator sounded like the bells of angels to her right then. Tann quickly excused herself and hurried into the elevator. I am going to request a switch to a work from home job, she vowed.

The door shut just as voices started to rise. She sighed in relief when the voices faded away, too high off the ground for the voices to reach.

As the lift arrived at her floor, she can’t help but feel that she’d forgotten something else. The thought nagged at the back of her mind since morning... …

“GOOD MORNING TANNY! DO YOU WANT SOME TEA? OR COFFEE? OR PERHAPS C-O-T-A-N-I-A-N!”

Yeah…Her…

Cotanian was a short woman and despite Tann’s height being just… average, she had to tilt her head down to look at the pint-sized doctor. Aside from her bubbly personality and short stature, Cotanian was anything but a younger sister, her. She was wearing a black dress trimmed white at the edges, with a full skirt above the knees and a white half-apron with lace on top. A maid uniform. She waited excitedly, eyes practically glowing with intensity, for Tann to respond to her usual morning greeting.

Tann smiled weakly, hand reaching out awkwardly and petted Cotanian’s blond mane “Morning.”

Cotanian beamed, nodding happily. She spun around and gestured Tann to follow her. Glancing over dark bags under Tann’s eyes, she asked abruptly, “What’s gotten your panties in a twist?”

Tann rolled her eyes at the crude speech of the smaller woman. “I just want an injector…”

“You mean these?” Cotanian drew out a few injectors from her white skirt’s pocket.

“Thanks,” smiled Tann, “I’ll ask you if I used up mine.”

Cotanian blushed a little and withdrew her injectors, then she produced a virtual display of a time table from her pink watch, “As I told you yesterday, Dr Tanny, we have a meeting today with–”

“How much time do we have left?” Tann interjected. It was too early in the morning to be exposed to Cotanian’s lectures.

“Around 20 minutes,” Cotanian smiled, not at all bothered with the interruption, “wanna go to the cafe…?”

“I think I should check in with the others,” Tann replied curtly.

“Sure…”

The two marched through the curved pathway along the circumference of the MFE. One side of the corridor is lined with glass, panning from the floor to the ceiling, allowing the grass field surrounding the building to be in full view. Wall-mounted up-lighters lined the other side, brightening the already illuminated hall, the artificial light mixing with the natural to produce a warm, white tint on the walls. As they approached a door spray-painted, ‘CREATORS only’, she could see the corners of Cotanian’s lips quirk down.

“I told Casio so many times already,” muttered Cotanian angrily, “and he still hasn’t replaced this stupid door.”

“What’s wrong with it?” asked Tann, bemused.

“The spray paint just doesn’t fit in this facility…” said Cotanian harshly as she pushed the door open(although it was an automatic door) forcefully, and strode in. “Dear God, why did you put me on a team filled with such weirdos.”

Tann took a surreptitious glance over her teammate’s clothing. You took the words right out of my mouth.

“Hey, hey! Who are you calling a weirdo?” A man wearing a triangular prism-shaped hat about the age of 20, slouched on a desktop chair, spinning round and round, legs raised so that they were skimming the floor. “Morning, Dr Tann.”

“Morning Dr Phurder,” Tann returned.

“Heard you are heading for a meeting soon,” Phurder Puler sat up from his chair and shoved a handful of chips from one of the opened bags of ‘Crystals’ (basically blue coloured chips) from on his desk, “can you ask them for a pay rise?”

“Well,” Tann strode closer and loomed over him, looking down, “have you finished checking section 172.16.00 yet?”

“Ehh…” Phurder put down his chips and swiped his hand quickly, a virtual display of program pages appeared atop his desk. However, before Phurder could make another move, Cotanian rushed towards the display and pointed at a link on one of the sites.

“Wait.” Cotanian smirked, “do you mind clicking there?”

“Sure,” with a single click, the site was closed.

“THAT IS NOT WHAT I…” Cotanian trailed off.

“What is it?” Tann turned to her blushing colleague calmly, “is there something wrong with the program?”

“Not really,” Cotanian lowered her head, “is just…he was looking at something…”

“Everyone has their right to enjoy their stuff,” Phurder lay back again on his chair, “I’m already way over the legal age.”

“…But looking at those things in the most…”

Tann waved her arm lazily, “It is all right, Cotanian. I sometimes…You heard nothing… Oh here comes Mr Cine Graff.”

“Wanna see my stash?” Phurder wiggled his eyebrows suggestively and immediately smack upside the head by Cotanian.

“Sorry,” Tann blushed nervously, “I'm not into that type…”

With a slight sigh, Cine Graff moved slowly across the room and ignored all the other living beings who stared at him, “I wanna kill myself.”

“Mr CINE…”

“Isn’t it a beautiful day Mr Cine?” Tann forced out a smile, although Cine didn’t seem to notice it at all.

“Not so beautiful in the world,” he spoke as if these were his last words, “great, we got five levels 8 storms, 5 earthquakes and 3 droughts that have lasted for 100 units. Uh-huh…..” With the speed of a turtle, he pressed a few buttons on his wooden keyboard (there were rumours that wooden keyboards improve sleep quality), “gonna fix them fast, or the world is gonna die and I am gonna die and…”

“CINE!” someone sprinted into the room and shook Cine like a dummy, “I told you to wait for me at the admin!”

Instantly life appeared again in Cine’s grey eyes, “What?! I waited for half an hour?!”

“Aha,” the person turned to Tann and the others, “morning Dr Tann.” Similar to Cotanian, she had shiny blond hair, but instead of tying them neatly into a firm bundle, the person’s hair was untied, loosely spread around her entire head (including her face which made her seem like a psychopath).

“Morning Ms Theta,” Tann nodded, “what is the progress?”

“Yea,” Theta brushed away the strands of hair covering her eyes, “Cine and I just fixed the bug in the new texture pack.”

“You mean H.E111?” Cotanian read off her digital notepad.

“Yes,” Cine replied livelily.

“Nice job you two,” Tann turned back to Cotanian, “have you seen Dr Bino Distry?”

Cotanian shook her head, then she tabbed her watch to produce a three-dimensional display of MFE’s floors, “Damn it, I can’t track him anywhere.”

“Sure,” Tann sighed, “tell him to fix the coolant release function, we experienced multiple overheating from yesterday’s run.”

Cotanian checked her watch once again and told Tann, “The meeting should be starting soon, you should better get there now.”

Scientific Community: The most respected organisation in Tann’s world. It was initiated thousands of years ago by a group of philosophical thinkers who research the questions regarding the physical and social elements of the world. Since its establishment, the Scientific Community grew rapidly with a current membership of sixty-thousand specialised researchers. With its enormous reserve of funds, the Scientific Community contributed to almost all research topics in the world, MFE was one of them.

Tann stepped in confidently into the meeting room. All the seats around the long, rectangular table were filled with people in lab coats with unique coloured rims (A symbolic representation of members of the Scientific Community. Also, different types of lab coat rims represent the different levels of authority in a field.) Everyone’s eyes gazed upon Tann as she entered the speaker’s stage and powered up the virtual projector. Tann coughed slightly, although she already had everyone's attention, “Researchers of the world, I am here to report on the final stage of the project ‘EARTH’…”