AI GAMES

10

Having heating at night was a rare comfort.

As the train embarked on yet another loop, departing from Cosmos Circle Station and heading towards Mercury Station, I found myself once again engaged in a conversation with Emily. This time, I was determined to convince her of my theory—that everything around us was artificial, discordant, filled with non-playable characters following predetermined patterns. It felt like only a handful of players, including us, were seeking a way out.

"Earth Station might offer clues, but if this is truly an AI game, then shouldn't we be focusing on 'artificial wonders' like Hubble Station?"

Her eyes widened with a mixture of apprehension and curiosity. "You might be onto something," she murmured, the idea taking root in her mind.

I checked the time until the next stop: "Two more hours."

She nodded, "Let's get some sleep. I'll keep watch."

The announcement two hours later woke me up in a cold sweat. Without hesitation, Emily and I disembarked.

We hoped to find at least some clue in these five minutes, but to our disappointment, we found nothing.

Mercury Station was a carbon copy of Hubble Station, with identical layouts, glass decorations, and dazzling reflections.

Earth Station was no different.

We were stuck in a conundrum, a vicious cycle. Even though we knew something was amiss and could pinpoint where the issue lay, we couldn't find a way out.

All the platforms were isolated points. Outside, the wind and snow raged, with towering cliffs.

No way out, no way in. Only this train, trapped between them, could facilitate the exchange of people and goods.