Becoming Alice

Chapter 2 Intruders

The craft passed through the atmosphere and gradually sailed towards its destination.

The giant city gradually came into focus

The skyscrapers were as dense and massive as giant trees in a forest. Viaducts and highways spined a web on the man-made land, stretching all the way to the horizon.

Looking down from the sky, Alice could still see the city's grandeur and splendor.

As the craft descended, the view became clearer.

The beautiful hanging gardens, busy flying cars, three-dimensional neon lights and billboards together formed the city streetscape.

The craft sailed past the outskirts and landed at a floating airport southwest of the city.

"Nice talking to you. If you need anything, just let me know. I bet you'll make it big in new Hollywood."

Tim Levin said goodbye and left the airport, while Alice, who was new to Future City, came to the immigration center carrying her luggage.

The airport was big, so were the houses and roads.

Despite the huge flow of people, it seemed sparse in the midst of a large airport.

"It's like showing off."

Guided by the giant 3D projection sign, Alice came to immigration.

There were dozens of entrances, and people lined up and walked slowly toward the front.

"Alice Kelly, 21 years old, from the Martian colony?"

Alice handed the papers to the reviewing officer. It was a middle-aged woman with a somewhat stiff and stern countenance.

The papers were faked by Alice’s superior.

"Yes."

The officer examined Alice.

Delicate and pore-free skin, medium height, and good shape.

"Turn yourself into a Barbie and chasing your dreams? Those men will just eat you up." The officer had a sharp tongue.

"I had to undergo surgery after an accident. I heard there's more advanced medical technology here." Alice explained.

Alice was discharged from the army due to an accident, which was recorded on the materials.

Stunned, the officer touched her glasses and softened her tone. "I'm sorry, kiddo. Welcome to Future City. Take care of yourself."

Then she stamped “PASS” on Alice's papers.

"Thank you. Have a nice day."

After passing through smoothly, Alice breathed a sigh of relief.

"Damn the body."

This particular body, which was prone to stereotypes and prejudices, was holding her back all the time.

And while she was moving and doing things, she felt uneasy.

Her large breasts were really uncomfortable, especially when she walked around and her clothes rubbed against them.

Her wide crotch and huge butt gave her the wobbles.

"I used to be the best fighter. How can I be screwed up by this body? Just wait, I will change back, and I will leave the legend of me, Alex Kelly, in this city."

Out of the airport was the road to the city.

When Alice looked at the city from the sky, the hanging gardens made it look like paradise.

When she looked at the city from the ground, however, the hundreds of high rise buildings turned it into a forest of steel, and the roads stretched out like the c***k of an abyss.

The rich glided gracefully across the sky in cars, while many more hopped on subways and taxis, crossing bridges over the sea.

Alice tried to reach James again, but she couldn't get through.

She clicked on the last video email James had sent her.

The video was projected onto Alice's retina, and a man in a trench coat appeared. James, Alex's best friend from childhood, was one of the few people who knew about Alice.

"Hey. Alex, the army can't change you back, but Future City can. If you have money, all your wishes will be granted!"

James was so excited, dancing around.

After that, James cooled down and kept his voice low. "Listen, Alex. I just got a big deal, and I need your help. Come to Future City and join me. We’ll be legends here, and you can change back to your own body!"

That was the end of the video.

James still couldn’t be reached so Alice made up her mind to find him first. Something must have happened to him.

She went down to the bottom of the email and found the address, "B1 221 St. George Street".

Alice followed the crowd into the subway.

The subway had a lot of people just like the airport, but it was much narrower. Alice didn't even have time to take a look around before she squeezed onto the subway.

It wasn't easy for her on the subway, either. Standing next to Alice was a chrome-plated woman, who shimmered silver from head to toe and was as hard as metal. She had squeezed next to Alice, her hard back pressing down on Alice, making her gasp.

"It reminds me of being on a mission to Mars and being crushed under huge debris..." Alice thought of what she had gone through in the past. At that time, she also had a strong, modified body, whereas the present body was pure flesh and blood, albeit artificial.

Alice almost failed to make it to the door when getting off. Luckily her body was not too weak.

"Oh, damn it. I swear I'll never take the subway here again."

Struggling out of the subway, Alice found herself on St. George Street.

It was a busy and noisy street. Coming out of the subway there was a square with many traders. In one corner of the square, a singer was doing a rap performance.

The smell of the food, the exhausts from the cars, and some other unknown pollution made it smell weird.

Alice made her way through the crowd and headed down the street.

It was a sea of high-rises. People could hardly see sunlight on the streets except at noon. But neon signs and 3D projection ads were everywhere, making the sunless streets seem bright.

The place was filled with pedestrians, and homeless people. Alice walked for a while until she came to a remote street.

This was one of Future City’s old neighborhoods. Most of the houses were built a hundred years ago. The tallest were only a few dozen stories, with semi-basements.

Alice soon found James's office.

Eight steps down, Alice came to a gate. The house was built in a 19th century retro style, but the gate was an advanced electronic one.

Authenticating herself using an electronic key that James had given her, Alice entered in.

At the front of the house was a simple office, which seemed to have been empty for some time and the air was musty.

An staircase at the back of the office led up to James's room, which was filled with his personal belongings. Alice even saw his high school football trophy.

In one corner of the room, an electronic photo album was projected into the air, filled with ever-changing photos. Alice saw a high school photo of herself and James.

Back then she was still Alex.

Alice was immersed in her memories when she suddenly heard some noises outside.

She went back to the office at once.

The door had been opened, and a man in a white trench coat, accompanied by two cyber bodyguards, entered James's office.

The moment they saw Alice, the two bodyguards surrounded her.

These two bodyguards were cyber-transformed men whose eyes had been replaced with electronic prosthetic ones, and their bodies were all explicit mechanical constructions. Their metal gorilla arms were even thicker than Alice's thighs.

"Who are you?"

Alice asked.

"I should be asking you that." The man arrogantly turned his back. "You can call me Morales. The man who rents this place owes me some money and I'm here to collect it."