Loop, Stage 01

"Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains"
Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Morning always brought the chance of pondering. The tranquil movement of the bus as it floated over the ground allowed me to contemplate how the Sun poured its rays over the brick structures that made up the city. Everywhere, human activity made its unnatural noises, breaking the atmosphere of tranquility that had reigned during the night.

It was an odd time, at the same time the best and the worst of all, or at least that was my stand regarding our lifestyle. Some of our people said that times had greatly improved since the so-called "Dim Era", but I had to differ. How could they believe so firmly in that assumption? I mean, no living person today was present at the "Great Emancipation" that took place almost two hundred years ago.

What was the point in keeping ourselves locked within the city walls? Was anything evil lurking outside? We had been made to believe the opposite. However, the Governing Agency wouldn't allow unauthorized personnel to leave the city gates. I hated this situation; every single aspect of our lives seemed to be controlled by those few that had assumed control over society.

Suddenly, a brusque movement reminded me of my existence within the bus. My head hit the window, and my sleepiness and thoughtfulness abandoned me as I ordered my body to return to a normal position. I sighed, slightly bothered by the fact that I had stopped thinking about everything and, simultaneously, nothing at all. This routine repeated itself constantly, so I really didn't care about it anymore.

-I see you're awake-, someone called from my right side. I turned myself away from the morn-ing sun that poured its light through the window in order to catch a glimpse of the boy sitting next to me.

-Well, I think that's pretty obvious-, I responded with a tone of sarcasm. He smiled.

-Did you pay attention to the news this morning?-, he asked. I shook my head from side to side. –I see, you should be more aware about the information we receive this days-, he added.

-Has war already started?-, I inquired without interest.

-No-, he answered while cheerfully luring his straight blonde hair away from his face. –Anyway, at this rate, war seems imminent-, he added.

-That's what I thought-, I told him while staring outside the window. I could see my own reflec-tion staring at me with a bored expression.

Outside, people prepared for work, for school, or simply looked for something interesting to do. The sun had started to warm the streets, but it was too cold for going outdoors without a jacket or a sweater. As the bus continued moving, the image of a park became visible through the windowpane. I liked that place, it was peaceful. Some of the trees had been planted after the "Great Emancipation"; others had been there a long time before that. That park always made my mind ponder about days long gone by.

-Kevin, It's almost time-, my companion told me. I nodded and picked up a bag that rested between my legs.

A few seconds later, the bus stopped and both of us stood up from our seats. The passage dividing the two rows of seats was crowded, so we forced our way out of the vehicle. A man dressed with an expensive-looking suit and a metallic portfolio complained about our behavior.
-In my times, the youth respected their elders-, he said. We didn't pay any attention to him.

-Come on, Antoine, you don't want to be late-, I told my friend as I dragged him along to the street. It was a cold day.

-Damn, I didn't think it would be so cold today-, he stated. The sun had been covered by a large mass of clouds.

-I can lend you my jacket if you want-, I offered him. The engine of the bus came back to life, and the vehicle moved away from us, hovering several centimeters above the ground.

-No, thank you-, Antoine declared. –The school is just across the street-, he said while pointing his right index finger to a large building a couple of blocks away from us.

-Make an effort not to freeze before we get there-, I cheerfully said.

The traffic light signaled we could cross the street. We stepped down from the sidewalk and continued our trek towards the Metropolitan Institute of Knowledge. A couple of nearby girls giggled as they saw us approach the school.
-Looks like they like you-, Antoine said. I lifted an eyebrow.

-Really?-, I asked sarcastically. He nodded. –It'd be better if they liked you. You're more men-tally stable-, I added joyfully. Antoine laughed.

The Metropolitan Institute of Knowledge was the sole place designed for imparting education within the city. It could be described as a city within a city. Inside the crimson tone of the outer walls, a multitude of buildings and outdoor areas covered the extensive school grounds.

A large group of persons formed in several rows greeted us as we entered Headquarters, the building designed as the main entrance to the Institute. Being over two hundred meters high, it was one of the tallest structures that dominated the city's skyline. A huge metallic spire topped the huge building dedicated to control all the administrative issues regarding the Institute.

-I told you we were going to be late-, Antoine told me. I hit him friendly in his ribcage.

-Don't complain, the line is moving fast-, I replied as we approached the fingerprint scanners that registered each person entering the Institute. –Besides, you know that riding the bus alone is not funny-, I added while my index finger was being scanned.

Soon, we had passed the checkpoint, and we proceeded to cross to other side of the build-ing. A giant digital clock embedded in the wall indicated it was seven 'o clock. Beneath it, a collection of transparent crystal-clear doors allowed the entrance to a large outdoors area dedicated for leisure. Several picnic tables were distributed along the school's gardens.

-Let's hurry up-, I mumbled when I recognized a couple of girls gossiping in a nearby table. Antoine gave me a worried look.

-Why?-, he inquired. I directed my sight towards the girls as a response. –Oh-, he exclaimed.

We hurried towards the nearest building; however, my efforts were futile. One of the girls was already shouting at us. Antoine smiled and headed towards her. I sighed and then followed him. Soon, I was sitting next to the girls, one of them hugging me tightly and playing with my dark hair.
-You look happy this morning-, I told her. She smiled.

–Diana and I have just gotten backstage passes for LaFleur's concert tomorrow-, she ex-plained. I could see where this conversation was leading to. Diana sat next to my other side.

-Well, Melissa and I were just wondering if you two guys would like to come along-, she said with a seductive tone.

-Well…-, my blonde friend began replying, but I hurried to answer in his place.

-We'd love to come, but tomorrow is the annual trip that the Governing Agency organizes for everyone that has just turned eighteen-, I explained. Diana and Melissa looked shocked.

As I had expected, both of them had forgotten about it. It was nothing that they should have remembered, though. Both of them were one year younger than me and Antoine. However, I recalled telling them about the trip some random morning.

-But you're not spending the whole day outside the city, are you?-, Melissa inquired with a worried tone.

I don't know-, I replied swiftly. Consternation could be seen in the faces of both girls.

-I don't think so-, Antoine declared. The attention of both schoolgirls fell upon him. –I've heard that it is dangerous to stay out for too long-, he added. I nodded.

-Yeah, I think we will be back around six or seven in the afternoon-, I said. I paused and thought for a second about what I had just said. Diana and Melissa looked hopefully at me. –Maybe we'll be able to come along with you to the concert-, I finished.

As I expected, giggles and cries of rejoice reached my ears as soon as I had finished my sentence. I looked at Antoine; he looked happily at me, clearly enjoying my unhappy expression. Mornings were usually like this; although some days I managed to get past the two girls without them noticing me. I had never being able to understand how they could always be so cheerful.

-Well, I think it's time for us to get going-, I managed to say while I forced myself away from Melissa's suffocating hug. Antoine nodded and followed me.

-Maybe you should go out with her someday-, he told me once we had reached the safety of Building 7.

-And risk my life whenever she tries to hug me?-, I replied while heading for a pair of closed elevator doors. –I prefer to let that opportunity pass-, I declared while pressing the button that would call the elevator from one of the uppermost floors.

Around us, a multitude of people ascended and descended towards classrooms and labora-tories through a series of stairs that communicated every place inside the building. A large diagram displayed in a plasma screen filled one of the walls in the Lobby Level to indicate the way for any lost person. This morning no one required its help.

I saw familiar faces performing the same routine that had repeated endlessly since I had enough age to attend the Institute. The sole things that reminded me the flow of time were the slight differences between each building I had entered at least once. Age wasn't that important, everyone everywhere seemed to perform their chores in a mechanical fashion.

The subtle ring of the elevator drove me out of my thoughts. The doors opened in front of me, revealing the mirror-covered interior of the machine. The amplified fluorescent light in the elevator's roof was blinding.

-After you-, Antoine said. I smiled at him and entered the apparatus. He did the same seconds later. A small screen next to the doors indicated in which floor we were located. I pressed the 7th floor button.

-Today we're having History in Room 701-; I indicated when I saw Antoine's confused expression.

-Right, Professor Ustinov told us about it last week… I had thought we would not have class today…-, he mumbled. After that, he stared emotionless at the door. I decided to mimic him.

Occasions like this were rare, but they were one of the things I liked about Antoine. He might not speak as much as I about the multiple flaws in our way of life; however, I knew he also longed for something better. It might not seem like a big deal, but not starting a morning with a History lecture signified a pleasant break from the loop that governed us.

-We're almost there-, I said loud enough to bring back Antoine to the real world. He nodded,
Smoothly, the elevator stopped and opened its doors. A glistening hallway painted in crimson tones, just as the rest of the buildings, greeted us as we headed towards Room 701. Two sides of each floor were dedicated to enclose a total of 20 classrooms or laboratories; another side was dedicated to the elevator shaft and the lavatories, and the remaining side housed a storage area.

The central part of each floor was the only thing that changed from floor to floor. Some of them dedicated that area for offices used by the academic staff; others dedicated this space to some sort of snack bar containing vending machines, couches and coffee tables. Luckily, the latter description applied for this floor.

-Seems like the old man is running late again-, Antoine declared. Some of our classmates lin-gered in the couches and chatted around the tables of the snack bar.

-Cheer up!-, I exclaimed while passing my arm around his shoulders. –Maybe we're not having class after all-, I added happily. My friend smiled; I felt good for that.

-Yeah… it isn't worthy to make a huge drama because of something insignificant as Professor Ustinov's class-, he declared enthusiastically.

A few seconds later, the old but well-conserved figure of a bald man with fair skin and glacial eyes appeared through the elevator doors. He carried a very old-looking book in his right arm. It was one of those that used to be printed in paper. Maybe the class wasn't going to be boring after all.

-Enough talk, youngsters-, the professor said as he entered Room 701. –We are starting class late, so we must work hard to make up for the lost time-, he added while turning on the lights of the classroom.

Reluctantly, the class entered the room after the professor. Desks designed for two persons sitting side by side came to life as students sat on their places and turned on a pair of LCD touch screens embedded in each desk.

-Not so fast, Mister Allard-, Professor Ustinov told me as I attempted to occupy a vacant seat next to Antoine. –We all know you are very fond of Mister Rye, but I think that spending some time away from him will be good for both of you-, he pointed out. I sighed.

-Ok, I'll sit, as usually, next to Collin-, I declared. Antoine gave me a strange look; he was probably wandering why I hadn't complained this time. It was futile, some people would never change, and I didn't see a reason to fight back.

Swiftly, I grabbed my bag and walked towards the desk I occupied with Collin. He looked at me curiously as he always did, but waited for me to start the conversation. I placed my bag in the space between my chair and his, and then proceeded to turn on my LCD screen. Collin hadn't uttered a single word. I sighed.

-Morning, Collin-, I told him while I turned my head to face him.

-Morning, Kevin-, he replied cheerfully while staring back at me. The sight of his light brown eyes meeting mine made me uneasy, and I had to turn around. –Is something troubling you this morning?-, he asked due to my reaction.

-I'm just a little nervous about leaving the city tomorrow-, I lied while pretending to search for something in my screen. He turned to face his own screen. From the corner of my eye, I could watch him play with his short auburn hair.

-Actually, I'm also a little worried about tomorrow's trip-, he declared thoughtfully. Slowly, his head turned towards me. –I get uneasy when I try to picture myself leaving the safety of the city-, he added.

-Well, I've heard there's not much we could do against Welgaian battle cruisers even within the city-, I replied automatically, carefully avoiding eye contact with him.

-How do you know that?!-, he exclaimed with surprise. Collin's face was a mixture of curiosity and preoccupation. I took a deep breath.

-A friend of my father works for the military at the docks-, I lied. Collin listened to me with attention. Some desks ahead of me, Professor Ustinov had just started today's lecture. –One night, he came home to dinner and started talking about Welgaian weaponry-, I continued explaining.

-That's weird-, Collin responded. –I thought our military had never engaged in combat with the Welgaians-, he declared.

-Well, there are other ways to obtain information-, I said.

-Mister Allard, would you please answer the question-, Professor Ustinov suddenly told me. I had no idea what he was talking about.

-Sorry?-, I inquired. The old man looked at me with a triumphant smile.

-I have just asked you whether you could remind us how World War III came to an end-, he explained. I didn't answer; I searched my mind. –Haven't you paid any attention to class this course?-, he hurried to ask because of my silence.

-No!-, I exclaimed. Now I was annoyed. –The war came to an end after the Retaliation Forces captured Washington, D.C. and forced President Stark to sign the Armistice-, I declared. Any traces of the smile in the professor's face disappeared.

-Right-, he declared with hesitation. Afterwards, he proceeded to open his book in a page he had previously marked and placed it over the LCD screen in his desk with the cover facing the ceiling.
The image of a desert-like area with an enormous crater was projected in the blackboard by a device embedded in the ceiling. Ruins were scattered through the landscape. This was one of the most famous images that could be founded in our network.

-Asia Minor?-, Collin adventured to say. Professor Ustinov shook his head negatively.

-It is Dubai at the end of the Middle East Campaign-, a girl at the front indicated. I nodded as well as the professor.

-That's right, the destruction of major cities in neutral countries because of so-called "human errors" forced nonpartisan countries to form the Retaliation Forces in combination with Allied countries disgusted with the acts of Stark's administration-, the teacher explained.

-Seems we're having another boring history lesson-, I told Collin at the time I directed my sight to my screen. The monitor indicated someone had just sent me a message via en email program.

-All the history classes are boring-, he responded. I let out a smile. –They never teach you anything you can't find in a trip to the library-, he continued. Somehow, I didn't expect him to say that.

-Not all of them-, I replied. He stared directly at me; I could feel his eyes scrutinizing myself. –I thought this class would be funny-, I added. My eyes gazed at his, they looked full of curiosity.

Collin was kind of a dreamer. He was a calm person, always with a thoughtful expression in his face. During classes, he would like to stare outside the window, contemplating how life con-tinued its endless loop.

He was nice most of the time, listened to what I had to say and we usually got along just fine. However, from time to time I would end catching a glimpse of his eyes. I was always unable to decipher them, which I found admirable.

-Have you already checked that message?-, Collin said, breaking the silence that had fallen between the two of us.

-Oh… yeah…-, I answered, slowly returning to reality.

-Was it important?-, he inquired.

-Not really, just Anna asking me details about our plans for the afternoon-, I declared.

-I see-, he said.

-Enough talk you two-, Professor Ustinov said while pointing his index finger at us. Both of us became silent. –Now, choose the 21st century country that you will be investigating-, he pointed out.

-It's in pairs, right?-, Collin asked. The professor nodded.

-We'll take France-, I stated. Collin looked worried, but I tranquilized him with a tender smile. –It's no big deal, they were amongst the principal allies of the Americans, and ultimately turned against them-, I reassured him. Collin didn't seem to hear that.

-Man… I hate this boring class-, he stated.

-You hate History in general-, I pointed out. He looked at the window.

-No, just this class-, he guaranteed me. I remained silent; I hadn't expected him to reply that. –Did I say something that bothered you?-, he added rapidly.

-Not at all-, I declared. I had just discovered a spark within him that I had to investigate.