The gate opened.
White light was everywhere. Alex squinted hard, one hand coming up to shield his eyes. The truck kept moving forward and he couldn't see anything except that blinding white.
Then it faded.
Alex's foot hit the brake.
The truck stopped in the middle of what looked like a road, but he wasn't looking at the road.
"Jesus Christ."
Buildings rose in front of him. Tall. Taller than anything he'd seen before. But that wasn't what made him stare.
One of them was moving.
Not swaying in wind. Actually moving. The whole structure spiraled upward like someone had grabbed the top and twisted it. And its surface wasn't solid. It looked like liquid silver, flowing down the sides in constant motion but never actually going anywhere.
Alex's eyes shifted to the building next to it. This one was split down the middle. Two halves suspended in the air with nothing connecting them except a bridge made of pure light.
'How is that even standing?'
Some buildings looked normal. Rectangular. Gray concrete. Plain. They sat between the impossible ones like they were embarrassed to be there.
But others were alive.
Alex watched a structure shaped like a massive tree sway gently. Its branches moved like they were breathing. A vehicle passed beneath it and one of the lower branches dipped down. Waving.
The car waved back.
"What the fuck."
Gardens grew on rooftops that were rotating. Slowly. Following the sun maybe. A waterfall poured down the side of a skyscraper, the water somehow flowing upward at the top to keep the cycle going.
Alex's eyes dropped to the roads.
The one beneath his truck felt normal. Solid asphalt. But above him were others. Roads cutting through the air at different levels, stacked on top of each other like layers.
Metal framework held them up, but that wasn't what caught his attention.
The roads glowed.
Panels of glass embedded in the metal pulsed with light. Blue on some roads. Green on others. One road above him glowed purple and everything beneath it looked like it was underwater.
Then he saw the vehicles.
A car passed overhead. It wasn't driving. It was swimming. Its body moved like a fish, undulating through the air. Its exterior rippled with what looked like scales that caught the light and threw it back in rainbow patterns.
Another vehicle rolled past on the ground nearby. Its wheels weren't touching the surface. They spun a few inches above the road, held there by nothing Alex could see, leaving trails of glowing energy behind.
Then he noticed something else.
Numbers.
Floating above each vehicle in small holographic displays.
The fish-car overhead: ₡47,000,000.
A black vehicle that looked like folded shadows: ₡83,000,000.
A small boxy thing puttering past: ₡15,000.
"They're showing their price tags," Alex muttered. "The cars are showing how much they cost."
A horn blared behind him.
Alex jerked, checking the rearview mirror. A vehicle sat there, its front end pulsing red.
The horn sounded again. Longer. Angrier.
"Alright, alright." Alex reached for the gear shift.
Then something started forming in front of him.
Small metallic pieces appeared out of nowhere. Spinning. Clicking together like a puzzle assembling itself. More pieces materialized and snapped into place. Glass panels appeared and locked into slots. Wheels formed and attached to an axle that hadn't existed two seconds ago.
In less than ten seconds, a complete vehicle hovered in front of his truck.
Sleek. Aerodynamic. Painted deep red that shifted to purple depending on the angle.
Then the driver's seat started rising.
It detached from the vehicle and floated upward, carrying its occupant with it. No wires. No mechanism. Just floating.
A woman appeared in front of Alex's windshield.
She sat in that floating chair like it was a throne. One leg crossed over the other. Her hand resting on the armrest with casual confidence.
She was beautiful. Mid-thirties maybe. Dark hair pulled back in a high ponytail that showed off sharp cheekbones. Red lips. Designer glasses with thin gold frames. And she was looking at Alex like he was dirt on her shoe.
Her outfit was all white. Tailored jacket. Skirt that ended above her knees. Heels sharp enough to kill. Everything pristine. Perfect. Untouchable.
"I told you to move, you poor bastard," she said. Her voice was cold. Crisp. Used to giving orders. "Are you deaf or just stupid?"
Alex opened his mouth.
Then closed it.
Because his brain had just stopped working.
She was stunning. And for a second he forgot she'd just insulted him.
"Hello," he said. His voice came out dazed.
She looked at him like he was an insect. Then, without another word, her seat descended back into her vehicle.
The car sealed around her. Doors. Roof. Everything clicking into place.
A number appeared above it: ₡250,000,000.
Alex's eyes widened.
The red car shot forward, banking left and accelerating up toward one of the elevated roads. Within seconds it was gone.
"Did that just happen?" Alex said to the empty cabin.
He sat there for another moment.
Then put the truck in gear and moved forward.
"Uh, June? What the hell kind of world is this?"
[Analyzing new world parameters. Please wait.]
"Please wait? June, I just watched a car build itself out of thin air and a woman float in front of me to call me poor!"
[Analysis in progress. Estimated completion: forty-five seconds.]
Alex drove slowly, staying right, trying not to get in anyone's way. Vehicles zipped past on all sides. Ground. Air. Some phasing in and out like they were only half-real.
Above him, a massive vehicle shaped like a dragon flew past. Its wings actually flapped.
The number above it: ₡500,000,000.
"Five hundred million," Alex said faintly. "For a car."
[Analysis complete.]
June's voice filled the cabin.
[Welcome to Neo-Brasília, Parallel Earth Helix-7. This world operates on a Molecular Assembly Economy. All physical objects, including vehicles, buildings, and consumer goods, can be created through Molecular Assembly Technology. Creation requires currency. The more complex the design, the higher the cost. All creations are registered and display their monetary value publicly.]
Alex drove in silence, processing.
"So everything here is created? With money?"
[Correct. Raw materials are assembled at the molecular level using purchased Creation Credits. The vehicles you see are not manufactured. They are designed by their owners and assembled on-demand. The same applies to buildings, clothing, and most physical goods.]
"That's insane."
[That is capitalism taken to its logical extreme.]
Alex looked at his truck. Solid. Real. Built in a factory decades ago. In this world it probably looked ancient.
"June, can you make the truck look like it belongs here?"
[Affirmative. Generating design options.]
Three holographic displays appeared above the dashboard. Each showing a different vehicle design.
The first was angular. Sharp edges. Black with blue lighting pulsing along its frame. Aggressive. Fast-looking.
The second was refined. Smooth curves. White and gold. Elegant but not flashy.
The third was armored. Dark gray with reinforced plating and energy shields shimmering around it.
Alex studied them. "I've seen too many of the first type. Everyone here goes for flashy."
He eliminated it.
"The third looks like I'm expecting a war."
That left the second. White and gold. Refined. Expensive without screaming for attention.
"This one." Alex pointed.
[Selection confirmed. Applying molecular disguise protocol. Cost: 150,000 dollars.]
"WHAT?!" Alex nearly swerved. "A hundred and fifty thousand for an illusion?!"
[This world's technology operates on molecular precision. To create an illusion that can withstand material scans and registry checks requires significant computational resources. The cost reflects maintaining molecular-level deception.]
Alex's hands tightened on the wheel. "You're telling me just making my truck look right costs more than most people make in a year?"
[In this world, 150,000 Creation Credits is modest. Average citizens spend 50,000 to 200,000 credits monthly on vehicle maintenance alone.]
"Jesus."
[Would you like to proceed?]
Alex sighed. "Do I have a choice?"
[No.]
"Then yes."
The air around the truck shimmered. For a second Alex saw both versions overlapping. Then the old truck faded and only the white and gold vehicle remained.
He looked at his hands on the wheel. Still felt like his truck. But through the windshield everything looked different. A heads-up display appeared showing speed, navigation, and a readout: ₡180,000,000.
"Wait, why does it say my truck is worth a hundred and eighty million?"
[To avoid suspicion. A vehicle worth less than fifty million in this district would be flagged. I selected a mid-range valuation appropriate for moderate wealth.]
"Mid-range. Right." Alex shook his head. "I need a place to stay. Somewhere I can lay low while I figure out how to reach the President."
[Defining parameters. Searching local housing registry.]
Alex drove aimlessly while June worked. The city was massive. Everywhere he looked there was something new. A building shaped like a flower. A park suspended between skyscrapers. A waterfall flowing upward.
[Search complete. Recommended location: The Celestine Residences. High-end residential tower in the Aurelia District. Occupied by wealthy professionals. Security present but not intrusive. Residents value privacy. Cost: 25,000 credits per night.]
"Twenty-five thousand a night?!"
[You requested accommodations that would not attract attention. Anything less expensive would raise questions.]
Alex sighed. "Fine. Where?"
[Transmitting directions.]
A route appeared on the windshield. A glowing blue line winding through city streets. Alex followed it, climbing through different road levels until he was driving three stories above ground.
The Celestine Residences appeared ahead.
Alex's breath caught.
Massive. Easily a hundred stories. The exterior looked like white marble but it moved like water. The surface rippled constantly, waves flowing up and down. Gold trim outlined every window, every balcony. The roof had an actual garden. Trees swaying a thousand feet in the air.
The garage entrance was a circular opening at the tower's base. Glowing blue rings spun around it like a massive eye.
Alex drove through.
The garage was enormous. Vehicles of every shape sat in spaces. A car shaped like a lotus flower. Another made of living crystal. One constructed of flowing water held by invisible force.
Alex found an empty space and parked. The illusion held.
He stepped out and headed toward elevator banks. The lobby entrance was nearby, frosted glass doors sliding open as he approached.
The lobby was exactly what he expected.
Black stone floor like a mirror. Chandeliers made of flowing light shifting through colors. Walls decorated with moving art that changed as he watched.
People filled the space. Not crowds. Just enough. And every one of them looked wealthy. Designer clothes. Perfect hair. Jewelry worth more than houses.
A woman walked past carrying a small dog made of living gemstones. A man stood near windows talking to a holographic display. Two older women sat on a rotating couch, sipping drinks from glasses that sparkled with internal light.
Alex walked toward the reception desk.
Then he saw her.
The woman from the road.
She stood near the elevators, talking on what looked like a holographic phone. Still in white. Still wearing those glasses.
Alex slowed, debating whether to acknowledge her.
She glanced up mid-conversation. Her eyes found him.
Recognition. Then she ended the call with a hand swipe and turned fully toward him.
Alex walked to the reception desk. She was only feet away.
"Hello," he said, nodding.
She looked at him. Really looked. Her eyes moved from his shoes to his face like she was appraising furniture.
Then she smirked. Slightly. Like she'd found something mildly amusing.
"Persistent," she said. Quiet. Just loud enough for him to hear.
Then she turned and walked to the elevator. Heels clicking. She stepped inside, pressed a button.
The doors closed.
She didn't look back.
Alex stood there, staring at closed elevator doors.
"Wow," he said quietly.
Then smiled slightly.
'This is going to be interesting.'
He approached the desk. The attendant, young man in crisp uniform, smiled. "Welcome to The Celestine. How may I assist you?"
"I need a room. Long-term. Something private."
"Of course, sir. We have several options..."
Alex booked a suite on the forty-seventh floor. 25,000 credits per night. Paid for three nights upfront.
The attendant handed him a keycard. "Enjoy your stay, sir."
Alex took the elevator up. Doors opened onto a hallway that looked like a palace. Polished floors. Moving art. Soft lighting from everywhere and nowhere.
He found his room and stepped inside.
Bigger than most apartments. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. Massive bed. Bathroom with a tub carved from crystal.
Alex walked to the window and looked out at Neo-Brasília below.
Buildings that breathed. Roads that glowed. Vehicles that defied physics.
And somewhere in this city was the President.
And the First Lady.
And two packages he was supposed to deliver.
He had no idea how to reach either of them. No connections. No plan. Just a mission that seemed impossible.
Alex leaned against the window, his breath fogging the glass slightly.
"Yeah," he said to the empty room. "This is going to be complicated."