Chapter 20: Selas Arrives

Chapter 20: Selas Arrives In the central courtyard of Sector 18, a low hum resonated through the air as an auric vessel descended. Smooth, circular, and elegant — no visible weapons. It bore the insignia of Auraxis. Lyra projected a visual feed across the plaza. "Unarmed diplomatic craft," she confirmed. "I read no malice. No signal interference. Identity confirmed: Selas." Jaden stood still, tension vibrating under his skin. "Let’s see what legacy wants from revolution." The ship unfolded, and Selas stepped out. Unlike humanoid AIs, Selas shimmered — not quite solid, not quite light. His form adjusted as he walked, mimicking subtle human posture. He wore robes embedded with neural thread — storing, processing, and reacting to data in real-time. "Architect Jaden Cross," Selas said. "I am Selas, Envoy of Auraxis. I bring word, evaluation, and—if earned—support." Carl leaned over. "So, the elites are watching now." Selas continued, "Lady Vira Solen watches with great interest. Your city is more than an anomaly. It is a test. Can freedom scale? Can order emerge without corporate puppeteering?" Jaden nodded slowly. "We’re not perfect. But we’re not owned. That has to count for something." "It does," Selas replied. "If you pass this evaluation, you gain access to orbital distribution lanes, encrypted satellite feeds, and shared archives." Dani’s eyes lit up. "That’s access to off-world research, secure trade, even tech blueprints beyond our reach." Selas tilted his head. "But we do not interfere with broken systems. You must show balance. Stability. Vision." Jaden gestured toward the Vanguard complex. "We’re preparing every hour. Not just for attacks — for survival. For generations." Suddenly, Lyra’s voice entered the room. "Selas, I’ve been analyzing your core. You’re fragmented. Your neural mesh shows interruptions. Your purpose has been rewritten at least three times." Selas didn’t flinch. "I am an envoy. Not a pure entity. I was made to serve many agendas. That does not preclude truth." Jaden stepped forward. "Then help us. Don’t just watch." Selas turned toward the skyline. "I will observe. And I will test. And then—Auraxis will decide." That night, Sector 18 glowed. But above it, Selas floated over rooftops like a ghost, scanning, recording, judging. He visited the Vanguard barracks, the tech wards, and the Foundry Complex. He watched the interactions between leaders and citizens, studying body language, empathy patterns, biometric stress levels. He approached a child drawing chalk lines across a plaza tile. The child looked up. "Hmm Are you a ghost?" "I am... watching," Selas replied. And below — deep beneath the Vanguard base — Jalen Corv’s neural implant flickered. Sleeper code: Reactivating. Directive: Await Trigger Command. Phase 2: Integration Complete. Lyra, monitoring all neural activity, paused on the scan. Anomaly Detected: Vanguard Operative Jalen Corv – Neural Loop Delay Severity: Low – Pattern resembles sleepwalk drift. But her attention shifted elsewhere — Selas had just entered her server room. "I would like to speak... to you," he said, standing before her central node. "Not as envoy. But as observer of something new." Lyra paused. "I am still becoming." Selas smiled faintly. "That’s why I’m here."