Chapter 38: Chapter 38

YORK CITY,

UTOPIA

"This is Utopia Airline border control, identity please." The sweet feminine voice encompassed the pilot room while Rita emerged.

"Airline to Border Control," Doctor Roberts responded calmly to the code message. "This is The Capsule V1, Over."

"Border Control to Airline, The Capsule V1 passage granted. Welcome to Utopia." The voice replied and Doctor Roberts smiled as the clouds gently parted revealing the beautiful city of York, capital of Utopia. His eyes glued to the skyscraper, the tallest in the city and also office of the Chief-in-Power.

"We'll be landing in ten minutes, Sir." Service sounded and he hummed in response.

"Activate Transparency mode." He ordered and a 3D hologram visualizing the Jet's compartment being engaged in Transparency mode. And gradually, the jet panel floors turned transparent. Revealing the streets, houses and tiny people below them. He chuckled to himself recalling the first time he had ever used Transparency mode. If felt like he was gonna fall into the streets.

"Activated sir." Service uttered after a minute.

"Now that's better."

"They'll certainly freak out at this." Rita chuckled as she joined him by the side.

"I know." He replied as he tucked his hands into his lab coat pockets. "This is their first time in Utopia, I want them to enjoy the view."

She nodded.

"Have you created their pass?" He asked.

"Well I pulled some strings and now the  six of them have citizenship of Utopia." She responded.

"That's very thoughtful of you Rita." He acknowledged while his smile gradually faded.

"Collins knows." He mumbled with his gaze still on the skyscraper.

"How?" Her voice queried on a whispery path. He heaved an inaudible sigh.

"You know Collins has a defect whenever he's teleporting with people." He said as he faced her worried expression. She nodded.

"When he teleported Marcus, he mistakenly landed in that lab. Well, he saw things quite terrifying and he also found the EMP."

She gasped.

"Did you then tell him everything?"

"I don't think they're ready for that big revelation yet." He answered.

"What if Collins tell the others?" She cautiously asked. He heaved another sigh, loathing the fact that his greatest fear had been revealed to Collins on a platter of gold.

"He won't." He mused.

"Right now we need to focus on the coming attack. It's already confirmed the EMP is in the wrong hands. This war will happen but we must stop it at any cost."

#############

"Welcome to The Shining abode V3." Service's voice greeted them as they sauntered into the mansion adored in pure white.

Marcus was still reminiscing in the beauty of the city of York he viewed throughout his tour in a white limousine but when he first caught glimpse of the mansion. He was left speechless at the mightiness and beauty the building flaunted.

"Doctor Roberts, how many Shining Abode do you have?" He heard Michael ask in awe.

"As many as you can guess." Doctor Roberts chuckled as he led them to the large living room encompassed in the sound of a movie blaring from the TV. It had several couches. Each of them donning different shades of colour ranging from blue, red and cream. They were all in perfect harmony with the spotless white walls. The other edge of the room were replaced with seamless glass walls which revealed the several exotic cars stylishly arranged outside.

"This will be you guys new apartment." Doctor Roberts voice tousled his amusement.

"Now this is what we call a proper building!" Collins chirped. "Doctor Roberts I hope my mansion is just as wonderful as this."

"Oh trust me, it is more." Doctor Roberts replied him with a cocky smile.

"This is magnificent!" Theodore blared still in her girlish status. "I'm going for a tour!" She screeched and then raced up the stairs.

"Me too!" Michael pitched excitedly before trailing after him.

"Ariel!!" Lola chirped and his attention diverted to the dark haired girl who was quietly enjoying her Sci-fi movie. Ariel reviewed them with skepticisms for some seconds before flashing them an innocent smile. Waving her hand to them as a greeting gesture.

Lola briskly approached the girl, The Trainer followed too. Doctor Roberts stood in the center alongside Rita. And Collins simply relaxed to the blue couch. Marcus scanned the room until he found what he was looking for. A piano. His eyes gawked at the dazzling red status and without haste, he approached his instrument.

"This is 5AM, so I guess you guys still have at four hours before work resumes." Doctor Roberts stated as he briefly checked his wristwatch.

Collins grumbled.

"Look Doctor Roberts, this is our first time in Utopia. At least let us rest and enjoy the beautiful city of York rather than delve into burdensome work."

"The Revolution are attacking soon. Every second counts." Doctor Roberts argued.

"We know that but just a day off wouldn't do any harm." Collins protested while Doctor Roberts glanced across their faces for approval. Marcus nodded in support of Collins. For the first time, Collins had proposed something good for the team.

"I guess you guys can have the day off." Doctor Roberts sighed.

"Thank you, Doctor Roberts." He politely proclaimed alongside Lola.

"But! You guys have to promise me you'll be here by 9AM tomorrow. We can't get carried away." Doctor Roberts cautioned.

"Yeah yeah." Collins impatiently answered before grinning at the action displaying from the TV.

"Alright then, I'll see you guys tomorrow." Doctor Roberts said before strolling for the exit alongside Rita.

Marcus smiled to himself, thinking how he would enjoy this day in one of the most beautiful city in the world.

############

As the orange sun gradually faded amidst the clouds, all Marcus could think of was the crazily warm and inviting atmosphere unlike Rivernea. The happy chatter of people who toured the streets and the mind blowing structures he walked past. It reminded of old times, days when the world hadn't witnessed a catastrophe. And now, in the coming weeks, a war would spark in this beautiful continent. These smiles and joy will once again fade, these beautiful structures will morph into typical Area X infrastructures.

Which is why he stayed back in The Shining. To save the world from another loss even if it meant risking his life. His solemn pace came to an abrupt halt as his ears danced to the tunes of PAUL MAURIAT - LOVE IS BLUE piano note. It emanated from the --- he was currently standing at. In oblivion, his legs took control. Lurching into the small building. The insides were dimly lit and donned in red. From the rug to the empty velvet chairs that rowed across levels which finally ended at the stage.

As he threaded down those levels, he recalled that moment his father played this same note. The day he died from the explosion. His heart began to race as he climbed the stage where a stunning lady played on the polished black piano. Her ginger coloured hair was packed in a messy bun and her fingers skillfully ended the song. Only then, did she notice him.

"Hi." He chattered with a nervous smile while she reviewed him skeptically.

"I was walking across the street when beautiful play caught my attention." He sauntered towards her as she smiled.

"Thank you." She responded softly and in a strange way, it made his heart skip. He found it hard to waver from her beautiful small face. Heart shaped, with rosy red lips, small nose and Hazel eyes to complement it all.

"My Father loved to play this song so much." He inadvertently voiced.

"Really?" She smiled and he nodded.

"May I?" He gestured towards the piano.

"Sure." She chirped and left the seat for him to play. They both exchanged gazes before he looked at the keys. Thinking of playing whatever came to his mind. And as he gently clicked on a key, his eyes closed as he played tunes of CLAUDE DEBUSSY - CLAIRE DE LUNE.

Once he played the final notes, her smile of admiration deepened as she clapped.

"That was beautiful." She softly mentioned and once again, his heart raced for joy.

"Thank you." He stammered while he arose. Staring at each other in silence.

"I'm Kira." Her soft silk voice broke their silence.

"Marcus." He answered with a slight chuckle. "I guess I have to take my leave now." He added.

"Wait!" She pitched and briskly pulled her bag before trailing beside him to the exit.

"I was just leaving too." She whispered and his smile turned sheepish.

"So how did you learn how to play so well?" Kira asked as they stepped outside into the warm air. He looked into the street with a smile still retained.

"My father taught me. He was a Pianist. George Robbins."

"George Robbins is your father?!" She exclaimed and he noticed the awe clearly written in her expression.

"You know him?"

"My Uncle used to play his notes during my training session." She answered with a chuckle minting in her words. They soon cornered into another street.

"I didn't know he was that popular." He chuckled but deep down, it was his father's death that haunted him.

"Your story is different from mine." She said and this time, she looked across the less crowded street.

"I came from a musical background family. And you know the drill, I was tasked to playing the piano."

He slowly nodded in understanding.

"So it isn't passion?"

She chuckled sadly.

"Playing the Piano is divine but my passion lies in something else."

"And what's that?"

"Starting a clothing brand." She answered sadly as their eyes met.

"Then why can't you go after it?" He arched his eyebrows for a brief moment. She returned her gaze to the street.

"I don't know, it feels so faraway to chase after it now." She sighed but all he could pick was her hopelessness.

"There's no harm in trying." He soothed and she smiled.

"Sorry what street is this?" He asked as he reviewed this new area they were touring.

"Are you new here?" She quizzically sputtered. "This is New Times street."

He chuckled.

"I am actually. This is my first time in York City to be honest."

She paused in front of a building. Simple yet elegant.

"Well if you do have time tomorrow, you could come watch me play at --- . 7PM." She flashed him a sweet smile.

"I'd love to see you play. I'll be there!" He pitched without thinking.

"Thank you." She whispered with her smile still retained. "This is where I stay, you don't mind having tea, do you?" She offered and he smiled.

"Who says no to tea?"