The city glowed with iridescent spectacle as the fading sun, the sky fading orange to violet to the east bay. Windows glowed with gold from the lights of offices and penthouses, if not bounced off the last rays of evening light. Katsuro Carter-Mizushima couldn’t bring that same glorious glow to the city, but tried anyways on the balcony, the Pall Mall cigarette’s flame between his lips pulsing like a skyline marker. Wisps of smoke seemed to mix with his wild, neck length gray hair, jacket draped over his arm. It was hot, enough to drop the formality of business wear in the government building but not enough to be too uncomfortable. This wasn’t a humid, tropic heat after all. But having a flame so close to his face did make it feel warmer. “Does it still impress you like it did the first day here?” A gruff but warm voice said from behind shortly after the sealed opening of a glass door. Katsuro didn’t need to glance behind him, recognizing Richard Desmond’s voice but doing so anyways to acknowledge his presence. “Does it still impress you after all these years? I’ve just been here for a week and the culture shook still gets me.” Katsuro admitted as the other man padded out his own nicotine stick, pulling it from the box with his teeth. The flame from Richard’s lighter showed the three day old growth on his square face, black hair cut short and choppy like he told the barber to give him something he could do in five minutes. He loosened his tie as he breathed out a lion’s share of smoke, “It’s still interesting to see the skyline change over the years, everything’s being built and torn down and up again… Well, except for one thing though.” Katsuro’s dark eyes darted to the one building dominating the skyline, rising above all in its eight tall isosceles triangles, spire glowing like a beacon to the world as the One World Trade Center, the “Freedom Tower” and let out a small grunt of understanding. “It’s not the same, is it? For those of us that remember the towers still being there.” The Japanese-American pondered as he flicked ashes to the ground. “It’s kinda hard to “never forget” when you’re growing up around kids turning into adults that never knew anything else. For some, it will always be normal to see that tower there. Tragedy as a tourist attraction. You’re Hawaiian, right? Must feel the same way having Japanese tourists taking selfies next to the Arizona at Pearl Harbor.” “At least it’s a tragedy people can wrap their heads around because they can see the damage…” Katsuro muttered, eyes glazing before glancing up at the night sky. “… Creepy…” Richard blinked and turned his head in confusion, “What is?” Both of them looked up into the off-purple black sky as Katsuro explained, “There isn’t a single star in the sky. The light pollution covers everything up. It’s like we’re… alone in the universe.” A snicker came from beside him as Richard shook his head, “You’re getting way too existential buddy. Besides, I’d feel more weirded out by seeing the Milky Way and just how expansive everything is. And it ain’t the light pollution that killing the stars. It’s because they’re right here.” He gestured out to all the lights in the city, ever other window a galaxy into another person’s life as the two shared a smile. “Gentlemen…? We’re almost done with setup here.” Another visitor poked her head out into the smoking balcony as Alena Tumicelli announced the situation, the brunette with clean, short layered hair and business dress before letting a small sniffing cough escape her lips. Obviously not interested or enjoying the smoker exile of her peers as both men stuff out their cigarettes and get to work. “So, FullDive into a new system. At least you’ll have the AmuSphere this time around.” Richard said as the two men paced beside their co-worker. “I’m afraid it isn’t that simple. If it’s running on the old World Seed system that Akihiko Kayaba had constructed, some of its reoccurring “quirks” might have transferred along with it. Alena, is the backdoor communications relay ready? If I’m mentally trapped, I need to-“ “Inform us on your situation, I understand. We’ve gone over the scenarios before with every World Seed server before. What we haven’t seen this kind of distribution before however. Do you think that whoever sent you this install app knows you?” Alena countered, brow pursed as they weaved their way around office corridors and into a heavily air conditioned room, a leather lounging chair set up around a half dozen monitoring equipment as well as other members of the DVRS preparing their stations. “If they did, than they’d also know why I’d investigate their game as well. I don’t think this is a coincidence but regardless, let’s see what they’ve cooked up.” Katsuro announced as he tossed his jacket over a free chair, rolling into his station and sliding the visor-like AmuSphere over his head, seeing the two government officers through the dark glass. “As long as you think you’re up to this, we’ll be behind you every step of the way. We ready to launch?” The older man said with a smirk, Katsuro returning look. “I’d do whatever it takes to keep another Aincrad Event from happening. I’m ready…” “… Link Start!”
