"What's ICD and why do you have to pay one?"
Cubie-chan's blue core flared, and a distinct question mark formed within the shifting patterns of light in its eyes.
"But why does this woman have to pay two?"
Then Garret slapped a hand against his forehead. He was quick to explain, It's the rush hour.
Only ten minutes remained.
The weight of the crowd's pressure tightened on his chest.
"Cubie, you've stayed with me for four years—you should know how these things work. ICD is a currency, got it?"
He took a deep breath, his gaze softening slightly as he looked at the cube, whose surface seemed to dim momentarily.
"Look, for passengers aged twelve to seventeen, the fare is usually lower than the standard."
Cubie-chan pulsed. Its eye widened, the inquisitive question mark in its optical display dissolving, replaced by a bright, curious star.
"So, a younger passenger's fare is cheaper? Logical."
Garret blinked, a flicker of impatience in his eyes, before giving a curt nod.
"Something like that, Cubie."
He hesitated, his gaze flicking toward the elevator sign for a fleeting second.
"We have no time for distractions. Elevator is the way."
___ EVIL AUTHORITY ___
As they stood in the queue for the elevator, its activation panel glowing with the soft hum of teleportation technology, a subtle energy thrumming in the air, intensifying Garret's pounding heart. Abruptly, a chaotic flurry snapped their attention.
A salary man dashed toward the elevator, fear of his superior etched into every step.
As the elevator doors shut and they reached the front of the queue, a voice with a hint of youthful wonder drifted toward Cubie-chan.
"Mom, look at that floating cube! Can we get it?"
The teenager's smile widened, flashing silver braces as she nudged her mother.
"It belongs to that boy, dear," her mother replied—an elderly woman adorned with jewelry, her gaze briefly assessing Garret.
The teenager giggled, then muttered loud enough for Garret to overhear, "Oh... well, can I buy him too? He's kinda cute."
The eldery woman patted her jewelry, catching her daughter's amused grin. "Sweetie, we collect money, not boys. Clear?"
Meanwhile, Garret pressed a hand to his forehead, eyes locked on the ticking clock of his phone—not teenage daydreams.
Abruptly, a tiny automated voice blared from the transportation center's speaker: "Attention passengers: We apologize for the inconvenience. Elevator malfunction. Estimated repair time: ten minutes. Thank you for your patience."
"I love my life," Garret muttered.
A blade of frustration stabbed through his thoughts, sharp as the stiff, recycled air pressing in from the crowd. His jaw clenched.
He rubbed his temple and glanced again at the holographic clock on his phone: 07:24
Beside him, Cubie-chan's bright optical display flickered, resolving into a steady, unblinking stare—expressionless, yet oddly intense.
"Looks like this man's in trouble."
Cubie-chan smiled, giving Garret a beaming look.
"Not just him, Cubie, we're in trouble."
Garret's breath hitched, each tick amplifying the tremor in his sweaty hand as he shaking on the soaking phone, the edge of his vision beginning to soften and swim.
"My future hangs on six minutes— let's grab a taxi."
His voice was a frayed whine stretching tin by panic, as he swiped at his phone for a taxi app.
Upon opening the app, the announcement bar flashed on Garret's screen:
"Service unavailable for maintenance and bug fixes from May 16th to 18th. Thank you for your patience.
Garret's fist clenching, knuckles white against the faint glow of the screen, his gaze a drained stare locked on the infuriating message. May? Please principal don't let me be punished for May.
"Thanks for the patience?"
he bit out, a bitter laugh escaping him, each syllable dripping with sarcasm.
"Just what I needed."
As Cubie chan detected the tremor in Garret's hand and the shallow quickening of his breath, it pulsed thoughtfully.
"Well Garret." Its tone laced with its usual dry wit,
"Have you... considered, the personal levitation device you typically carry."
A flicker of realization sparked in Garret's eyes.
"Oh, my hoverboard!" He fumbled with the straps of his backpack, his shoulder visibly relaxing as a surge of hope cutting through his wave of panic pushed back the tight not in his chest.
"Cubie, you're a lifesaver."
Cubie-chan neon glyphs shifted, forming a brief, smug looking emoticon -∩-
"Dang, it's illogical to overlook readily available solutions."
A grin tugged at Garret's lips, pulling out the sleek hoverboard, sensing the roughly touch on its neon, luminescence surface.
"Alright, imma dive in."
Cubie-chan remained still for a moment, its optical display showing a brief flicker of indecision. It's reckless, its internal processors whirred, but perhaps necessary.
As Garret powered up the hoverboard, the low hum vibrated on his feet, Cubie-chan moved swiftly to his shoulders and latched onto his coat.
"My name is, what?"
Garret took a sudden breath, snapped his fingers, a wide confidence grin spreading across his face.
"...Based man Garret Spencer, reporting for duty!"
Urgency.
Hoverboard slicing air above the corridors crowds. Face blurred, titling upwards.
The teenager—eyes wide, a gasp escaping— "He's... freaking cool.." Window flash. City sprawling, a dizzying vista.
"Garret—bird!" Cubie-chan's shriek
Thwack! Beak slammed Garret's face.
Feathers exploded in a sharp puff.
"Blast! That's peck nearly took my eyes!"
Then a rapid assault of bird's sharp jabs.
Peck, peck, peck, peck, peck. Each jabs, a pressure of beak, seared a painful stab.
"Please stop! Ahh"
As the last of bird's pecks subsided, a gritty irritation assaulted him.
"Geez! Get out of my eyes."
Garret exclaimed, blinking rapidly as dust swirled.
His hand swiped at his eyes, blurring his focus on the controls.
The hoverboard titled precariously.
"Garret, the heck are you doing?" Cubie-chan's core pulsed with alarm.
Garret wrestled with the controls, the board leveling out just before disaster.
"Almost kissed the pavement, stay focus, spencer, focus."
Cubie-chan's optical display flickered downward, a momentary curiosity in its star pupil.
"Wait.. slow down. Did you see that boy?.. oh wie.. so hot!"
Garret, still gritted his teeth against the dust snapped.
"No distractions, Cubie! Academy!
Cubie-chan's star pupil dimmed slightly.
"Right. Priorities."
Then, the Academy loomed, its enormous clock tower a stark landmark against the sky.
"Oh my gosh, is that it? The academy?"
Cubie-chan's optical display widened, a bright, its core flashing rapidly.
"Looks like it," Garret yelled over the wind,
"but landing?"
"I've got no clue, Garret!"
Garret's breath hitched. He slammed his hoverboard into a steeper dive.
"Whatever happens, happens!"
Down they plummeted, the ground rushing up with terrifying speed.
"Waaaaa! Garret you're totally insane—!"
"What did you say? Can't here you!"
"you are insaaaa...."
Cubie-chan's words were swallowed by the rolling wind.