The silence in the data center was almost oppressive after ARS's urgent appeal. Anna and Leonhard looked at each other, their faces marked with uncertainty. Leonhard finally broke the silence.
"Anna, I can't listen to this anymore," he muttered, his eyes fixed on the pulsating screens. "The whole thing is getting more and more dangerous. What if we get too caught up in these stories?"
“I know what you mean,” Anna replied. “But ARS has a point. It’s important that we recognize the truth. There’s so much we could find out.”
“But at what cost?” he interrupted. “We could get involved in something bigger than ourselves. Perhaps we should just try to lead a quiet life, as normal as possible. What good is knowing the past if it only endangers our present?”
“That’s true, but…” Anna hesitated. “There are so many people trapped in this story. They deserve to have their voices heard.”
Leonhard shook his head. "And what about us? We don't have to become victims of these power games. Perhaps it's better not to tell Mr. Müller anything about ARS. Let's just do what we have to and ignore the rest."
“That sounds so easy,” Anna admitted. “But if we close our eyes, we risk being overwhelmed by the future. I can’t just look away.”
Leonhard took a deep breath. “I understand that you feel obligated. But I think it’s not our fight. We have no control over what happens. If we get too involved, we could put ourselves in danger.”
Anna stared at the screens, which continued to show vivid scenes from the past. She shook her head. "But how can we live then? Always in the shadow of InSim and the others?"
“By remaining silent,” Leonhard suggested. “By not putting ourselves out there. We can try to live our lives without getting caught up in all these political currents. We know what ARS says, but that doesn’t mean we have to act. Perhaps ignorance isn’t always a curse. Sometimes it can be a form of protection.”
Anna considered it. "Perhaps you're right. We could try to find a balance. We observe, but we don't interfere. A peaceful life amidst the chaos."
Leonhard nodded. "Yes, exactly. Let's focus on what we have and not risk losing everything. We'll stay under the radar. That's the best way to stay safe."
“Okay,” Anna finally said. “We’ll ignore ARS and the history. Let’s leave the past behind and try to live our lives. It could be a peaceful solution.”
“That’s how we’ll do it,” Leonhard agreed.
They left the data center the same way they had come – and spent a wild night.
The city streets were a vibrant sea of lights and sounds when Anna and Leonhard entered the bar. A sense of freedom filled the air.
"To us!" shouted Leonhard, raising his glass. "To life, freedom, and oblivion!"
"To forgetting! Let's leave everything behind!" Anna raised her glass to him.
The hours flew by. With each drink, they felt braver and more carefree. The laughter and music enveloped them like a warm blanket. They danced, and the worries of the data center drifted from their minds.
Later that night, they found themselves in a small, dimly lit lounge. The music was loud, the rhythm irresistible.
"Come on, let's enjoy this! We're only young once!" Anna exclaimed.
“Exactly! Let’s forget everything!”, Leonhard shouted back and pulled her onto the dance floor.
The night dragged on. Morning arrived with the first rays of sunlight. Anna looked in the mirror of the ladies' room – dark circles under her eyes, her hair disheveled. "This is going to be an interesting day," she murmured.
“We’re ready for anything,” said Leonhard, handing her some headache tablets. “A little help from life’s pharmacy.”
The next morning they entered Mr. Müller's office. They still felt tired.
“Good morning, Anna, Leonhard,” he greeted her with a skeptical look. “I hope you had a restful night?”
“Uh, yes, Mr. Müller. It was… stimulating,” stammered Leonhard.
"Good, good. I hope you are ready for the report you promised me."
Anna handed him hastily compiled papers. Mr. Müller glanced over them. "Hmm, that looks good. But you know I have a knack for spotting inconsistencies."
“Of course, Mr. Müller,” said Anna. “There were some unforeseen variables, but we are confident.”
"I don't want any surprises," he said, looking sharply at me. "I expect an update shortly."
As they left the office, Leonhard whispered: "That was close. Do you think he noticed anything?"
“I hope not,” said Anna. “But we have to be careful.”
---
In the weeks that followed, they initially seemed to sink back into their routines. But soon the first complaints arose. Mr. Müller was dissatisfied with a report. "Important information is missing," he said. "I expect more from you!"
Further complaints followed. With each new mistake, they felt pressured.
One day they overheard two colleagues whispering: "Anna and Leonhard are apparently in contact with reactionary circles. They're planning something..."
The rumors began to spread. Suddenly, they found themselves caught in a web of mistrust.
“We have to be careful,” said Leonhard. “There are people who don’t want us to find out the truth.”
They began to organize their communication via the encrypted quantum information network. The conversations were fast and confidential.
“Have you considered that perhaps we should go beyond the city limits?” Leonhard wrote. “There are places where we could be safe.”
“I know what you mean,” Anna replied. “But where to? And how are we going to finance that?”
"I've heard about a way to get fake documents. It would be our way out."
The idea began to take shape.
One evening they received a message from an unknown sender: “I can help you get the papers you need. Meet me at the old factory on the outskirts of town. Bring the money in cash.”
“This could be our only chance,” Anna said. “We have to do it.”
“You’re right,” Leonhard agreed. “We’ve come too far to give up now.”
The night was dark and silent as they approached the checkpoint. Gray concrete, dim light, armed border guards.
"Identification!" barked an official.
Leonhard handed over his ID with a trembling hand. The minutes dragged on agonizingly slowly. Suddenly, the ID was thrown back.
"You do not have an exit passport," the official announced with a harsh smile. "Please come with me."
"This can't be happening," Leonhard muttered as they were arrested.
"It's too late," Anna whispered.
They sat on hard chairs in the spartan interrogation room. Bare walls, no windows. Harsh light cast merciless shadows on their faces.
The interrogating officer, a man with a smooth, blank expression, watched her with a cold gaze. A mocking smile played around his lips.
“Naive,” he began. “Did you really think you could just leave like that?”
“We… we just wanted to start a new life,” Anna stammered.
"A new life? The city is good to you as long as you behave. You have a job, social credit, healthcare. Do you think you can just leave all that behind?"
“We were ready to give up everything,” Leonhard said resolutely.
“That’s the point you don’t understand,” the official explained monotonously. “You have two options: Stay here and lose all your privileges – or travel to the war zone. There, your social benefits and social credit will remain intact.”
A cold shiver ran down Anna's back.
"Your research, the development of secure communication tools, the procurement of exit papers – that was all part of a city plan. You're not clever, you're naive. Did you really think you could escape without us noticing?"
"The city was monitoring your progress. Your ambitions were a welcome distraction. You were merely playing the role of chess pieces."
Leonhard turned to Anna. "What are we going to do?"
“I don’t know,” she whispered. “But the city isn’t safe for us. Maybe we should choose the other option.”
“But that means we lose everything,” Leonhard stated.
"It could also be an opportunity. We must remain strong."
“If we stick to this, we can do it,” said Leonhard. “We have to dare to do it.”
"Then it's decided. We're going into the war zone," Anna decided.