The sun rose earlier than expected the next day. Leghorn, however, did not waste time getting ready for the day. After waking Terrchel and prompting him to use the washroom and eat breakfast that was ordered via room service. He scanned Terrchel with his swatch and gave him an update;
Compound eyesight level 1
Acute Sense of smell level 3
Agility and Reflexes level loading
Swarm Senses level 1
Regenerative Resilience level loading
Environmental Adaptation level 1
Leghorn: It seems someone has been working on one skill only. Why don't we practice something different today? That ought to take your mind off things...
Terrchel: Eh whatever
Terrchel's cherice eyes seemed dulled by the sleepless night filled with sorrows he endured. Wearing a futuristic outfit that he got at the store yesterday, consisting of a black jacket with neon blue accents and a black mask covering his face.
The jacket has a high collar and appears to be made of a shiny material. The neon blue accents are visible on the sleeves, collar, and down the front of the jacket, giving it a sleek and high-tech appearance with matching pants. The black mask covered the lower half of Terrchel's face, adding to the overall futuristic and mysterious look he had going for the day.
Leghorn: I see your outfit matches your mood today.
Which was very contrast from what Leghorn wore.
Terrchel: I had a dream about a house. I think it may be helpful, and the reason why I felt drawn to come to The New Arcadia City. (Terrchel twitched) There was a neon-lit building with the name Addison prominently displayed on its roof. The structure was a multi-story building with a unique design, featuring a mix of rectangular and square shapes. The exterior was adorned with vibrant pink, blue, yellow, and orange hues, which illuminated the surrounding area. Do you know where that could be?
Leghorn: Sure, if I'm not mistaken, that is an old part of the city that was reserved for important workers who moved here when the big changes happened.
Leghorn noticing Terrchel's twitches chose to remain silent and searched for the described location with the help of his AI assistant. He was able to retrieve a 3D model easily on his swatch.
The holographic status read:
Subject: Maximus family
Husband: Arnold Maximus
Occupation: New Arcadia City Head Scientist
Possession: Z3 Addison Street bachelor cube
Lifespan: 1948 - 2000
Cause of death: INCONCLUSIVE
Wife: Arlene Maximus
Occupation: Freelance Archeologist
Possession: Vault [click here to upload location to personal Arcadia Space using access code]
Lifespan: 1952 - 1990
Cause of death: Natural causes
Son: Emerson Maximus
[no information found for Arcadian]
[last recorded alive]
Terrchel: Okay, so we have two dead people, a property, a vault, which we need a code to gain access to, and a ghost son.
Leghorn: You don't seem too thrilled about this, but then again, you don't seem thrilled about anything today.
Terrchel: Can we just get going
Leghorn: Sure, I thought you'd like to try flying today
Terrchel: No, why would you think that? There's no point.
Leghorn: Well, you are FLYman, come on, I know you miss it. Here, put these on.
He did in fact miss it dearly, it was present in his body language and the sad, hesitant pause in his eyes.
The exotic and daring obsidian black armour trimmed in molten gold and iridescent teal boots was a reminiscent of the rare beetle wings that could be found in Arcadia prior to all the improvements. Leghorn handed him these Rover turbo boots that he selected at the store yesterday.
Staring at them Terrchel contemplates his decisions, tracing the rover patterns with his fingertips.
Leghorn: Each boot is linked to your tech gear, with ID, banking access, and biometric passcodes, it's your wallet, passport and jet all in one. While we were in the store, I linked yours and sent you some Arcadia Dollars. You'll need it soon. Everything is on your Arcadia Space.
Terrchel: (dazed confusion) Thank You...
Leghorn: You're welcome
They both stood up, fully geared, and left the building. Entering the city once again, but this time taking to the sky.
Leghorn: Okay, so listen up, these luminous ribbons above the lavender skyline are called hover lanes, which help Arcadians navigate the sky in an orderly manner. There are mid-air changing stations up ahead and aerial valet drones.
Terrchel smiled subtly and accelerated, zooming past Leghorn, while he still spoke.
Terrchel: I'm a PRO, no need to worry
Leghorn yelled after him, "Just slow down before the patrols catch you!"
*HOURS LATER AFTER EXPLORING THE CITY SKYLIFE*
The afternoon golden hour was upon them, and Terrchel took a moment to just breathe. Acknowledging the humidity in the air and for the first time, he thought he heard the sound of children laughing in the distance.
He wasn't completely sure what to expect once they reached Z3 Addison Street, but he was hoping to get a good night's rest after this long journey. Not having his territory was getting to him and making him edgy. He needed his own space, but it seemed he wouldn't be having that anytime soon.
They arrived before the bachelor's cube and walked straight up to the front door. A sensor picked up their movement, and an AI bot opened the door.
Maximus Residence Bot: Good day ,Sir. Welcome to the Maximum Residence. Please note that Master Maximus has left me in charge of this residence. How may I assist you today?
Terrchel: Uhm, a robot… how odd. Okay, then, well, this is my place and I'm here to reclaim it. So, you're no longer needed.
Leghorn was not ready for what had just left Terrchel's mouth and stood in disbelief at the audacity.
Maximus Residence Bot: Although you do share the Maximus family hair colour. My database shows that he has died, and Master Maximus is now the owner. There are no records of a third son. Feel free to contact him for further information. You must be on your way. Goodbye.
The bot closed the door their faces but Leghorn caught the door midway shut and they both pushed their way through the doorway.
Terrchel: I'll allow you to scan me for confirmation. Your database must have a fault.
Leghorn shook his head, thinking Terrchel must have lost his mind.
Terrchel sensing his anxiety, he calmly gave him a knowing wink.
Maximus Residence Bot: My software has been programmed by Mr Maximus himself; there is 1% chance of any fault.
Terrchel: Yes, but there's that 1%. I'm not perfect like you. Humans make mistakes. Is this the way to welcome your creator home?
Maximus Residence Bot: I shall commence the scan.
He looked over at Leghorn, impressed that this is working but also worried it may fail, and the Arcadia patrol will be on the doorstep any minute, but it's barely sundown and Terrchel was desperate to find what secrets this cube held and to avoid having to find a bench again especially knowing the skyclock count down just started.
Maximus Residence Bot: Your scan is complete. 50% match result. Do remove yourself from this residence immediately or I will be forced to remove you myself.
Terrchel: Hey, Leghorn, you think we should take him down?
Leghorn: And there's the "yet" part of you not doing anything reckless. This is New Arcadia City. The patrol will have you brought before the headquarters and our entire mission would be jeopardized because you'd be in the Arcadia cyber-cell where the jail is made up of an electric holographic box that will electrocute you at the slightest movement. So no, I think we should sit this one out.
Terrchel: urgh boring, we were so close.
They left the residence and decided to search for a nearby hotel or something. The first thing that popped up on Terrchel's tech-gear was The Arcadia One Night Stay Hotel.
Luckily it was only 3kms away so Leghorn powered up his Rover Turbo Boots for round two, but Terrchel decided he wanted to walk but at full speed.
He tossed the boots to Leghorn and went for it. Walking full speed made him feel like he could fly without the boots. He enjoyed flying using the boots, but it still wasn't the same. It wasn't coming from HIM. He got fired up in his heart with enthusiasm that he could achieve this, if he just ran fast enough, it would be good enough. Feeling the wind through every fiber of his being felt exhilarating.
Leghorn wasn't doing a bad job keeping up with him in his custom rover boots, which looked more like high-tech rollerblades with a predominantly teal colour scheme and red jet fuel positioned at the back of it to lift his feet off the ground
Terrchel: Have you ever tried flying using your wings?
Leghorn: Yes, I can fly but I think it ruins my handsome aura I have going. It's not classy and I prefer getting by gracefully.
Terrchel: Come on, give me a break! Just slow down for a moment okay.
Leghorn stopped his boots next to Terrchel and gave him a glance of "this isn't going to end well" but Terrchel didn't care what he was thinking. He was determined to prove his point.
He stood at the edge of the cliff, arms outstretched, with a fierce determination pounding inside his chest. Terrchel took a deep breath, puffed out his chest, and launched himself off the ground. However, instead of soaring through the air like a majestic eagle, he face-planted into the dirt with a thud.
His arms and legs flailed wildly as he tried to lift himself, but all he managed to do was look like a failed attempt to mimic the iconic anime run.
A nearby hiker, who had been watching the whole thing, couldn't help but burst out laughing at the sight.
Bucky: Duuuude, I think you need to work on your takeoff technique!
The hiker choked out between guffaws, holding his sides in laughter.
Terrchel could feel his face turning red like a tomato with embarrassment, slowly picking himself up and dusting his legs off. "Shut it, I meant to do that," he muttered, trying to save face.
Leghorn stood in the near distance where he was left. Terrchel could see the amusement peeling off him as he did a walk of shame back to where he started his victory run.
But now to proceed with getting to the hotel, as by now it was dark out and the skyclock had a few seconds left until it reached zero.