Hello, this is VentreCanard and her ambiguous attempt to write out of her usual plot. I hope you'll enjoy reading it as we explore this story together. You can listen to the music above.

Chapter 1: Satina from 5064

"Satina..."

My eyes opened slowly. At first, everything was a blur, but then a familiar face came into view—my own reflection, smiling as she gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, giving me a warm kiss on my forehead.

But when I blinked again, the blurry image vanished, replaced by the familiar figure of my robot, dressed in her iconic pink apron.

"Wake up, Dr. Alcubierre."

Today is our birthday. I couldn't help but miss waking up to my twin's sweet smile, as I had every year growing up. But now that we're on completely different paths, I have to get used to her absence.

I lazily got up from my bed, still in a daze staring at my gigantic white cabinet with built-in mirror, staring at my own reflection.

"You are going to be late, Dr. Alcubierre," my robot repeated.

I sighed, massaging my temple. "Aren't you going to greet me first, Nicasa? It's my damn birthday."

"Oh, right. Happy Birthday, Dr. Alcubierre."

I stretched my arms over my head and let my legs dangle over the edge of the bed, pressing my palms on the mattress, and tilting my head up to meet my robot's gaze, I smiled at her. "Thank you. Kindly send flowers to Sofia Lovelace."

"Received," Nicasa said with a nod.

Her robotic eyes changed colors, and I saw several letters on it, doing all the online process. "Booked. The Sundance Flowers and Co. is preparing the flowers for Sofia Lovelace."

I put on my fluffy slippers on my carpeted floor and went outside of my room. I heard the familiar mechanical footsteps of Nicasa behind me before she matched my pace, handing me the silver tab with the list of my schedules today.

"Can I just... you know? Cancel everything. It's my birthday, Nicasa."

"Negative. All your appointments today have been rescheduled before. All are urgent, Dr. Alcubierre."

I waved my hand in dismissal. "Alright. Alright."

With the tablet in my hand, still, with my bed hair and strap of my nighties sliding off my left shoulder, the blinds of my huge window started to roll up, allowing the glimpse of the sunrise to filter through the skyscrapers and my glass window before it could touch my skin. I've always been fascinated by the first glimpse of the day. I love mornings more than evenings, which is why I've been living in this condominium unit for years, where I could enjoy my mornings.

I sat on my couch, crossed my legs, and started scrolling through my schedule. I heard the familiar sound of my coffee maker, along with a few more clatters—the cracking of eggshells, the rotating mechanical sound of the eggbeater, the sizzle of cooking oil in the frying pan, and the beep from the toaster as Nicasa prepared my breakfast. The sounds of the morning routine, combined with the gentle touch of sunlight on my skin, felt so comforting.

Leaning my head on the backrest of my couch, staring at the ceiling for a while made me wish that I could enjoy this whole day lazing out, but I quickly gathered my thoughts and looked back at my tablet. My fingers froze when I read that it was today— the directors of NID (Neural Integration Division) would witness my experiment. Project Striped Bark: Temporal Neural Recall Interface. In this research experiment, a scorpion-like device, measuring one inch in size, is implanted in the neural cortex of a rat with a single bite on the neck. This device allows for gathering the memories of a rat in a full 24 hours after the event occurs, there the researchers could observe the experiences of the rat. The project explores the potential for memory extraction and manipulation— an ambiguous move from the daughter of the two geniuses of NARESCA (Nexum Aethor Research, Exploration, and Scientific Administration). NARESCA is a science and technology organization mandated to research, discover, experiment, produce, and provide technological advances that would help the development of the world. It is a home of innovations, producing a wide range of products, and machinery from different kinds of fields—medicine, businesses, education, agriculture, transportation, communication, and other technologies designed to make life easier and more efficient.

When I shared the research theories behind this experiment, whispers spread like wildfire—an expected reaction from the crowd, as the daughter of the geniuses made her bold attempt, trying to prove that she was a prodigy. That was how most of the people of NARESCA viewed it, but for me, it wasn't about making a name for myself or following in my parents' footsteps. This was my passion—my love for discovery and my hunger for innovation. I wanted to accomplish things that seemed impossible, not to prove something to others, but for my desire for fulfillment that came with each successful experiment and invention.

I was excited to present this, but I couldn't help but wish that maybe this could be rescheduled again. Though I had been prepared for this experiment, my birthdays always reminded me of my twin, she was the one who kept reminding me that it was a special day.

Ano na lang ang maririnig ko mula sa kanya sa sandaling malaman niya na pumasok ako sa trabaho ngayong araw? We would always find time to celebrate it together, but after she started to gain popularity five years ago, it felt like my birthdays started to get heavy.

I continued to scroll down my schedule until I saw my last appointment. I'd drop by the memorial park to visit our parents. Ilang buwan na ba simula nang huli ko silang nadalaw? Kung hindi ako nagkakamali ay iyon ding araw na iyon kami huling nagkita ni Sofia.

Our parents were both scientists at NARESCA, Professor Solana Alcubierre and Dr. Koderick Alcubierre. Their names in the organization are the icons of numerous discoveries, well-defended research, and successful experiments that have been the basis and standard of hundreds of studies in the present time. One of the most influential discoveries that is now being used in the present is the use of water as fuel in vehicles. This has significantly affected the economic movement of the oil companies, and I knew that this bold experiment might have created a rift between NARESCA and the multi-millionaire oil companies that were affected. I knew that this might be a silent turmoil— an unspoken conflict, but behind the closed doors of the headquarters, the tension was known. But as years passed and how this bold experiment helped common individuals all over the world, I couldn't be prouder.

During the peak of my parents' career, while they were in the middle of another experiment, there was an explosion. The investigation said that it was a failed calculation made by the number of scientists that led to their deaths—not just my parents. It was the biggest scandal ever to happen in NARESCA, but now that I had been exposed inside, I couldn't help but think if there was foul play.

Huminga na ako nang malalim. Bigla kong naalala ang pag-uusap namin ng kapatid ko. It was Sofia who gave me an idea about this issue with our parents, and when she heard that I was trying to have this ambiguous experiment, she couldn't hide her fear for my safety. After all, she was right.

Smart people are the worst enemy.

Inside NARESCA was not just all about experiments and discoveries, but also competition. In today's world, where science and technology are the lifeblood, someone who can make the best discoveries and experiments will always be at the top of the food chain.

Like, who would want to be on the lowest? Smart and competitive people would do everything to climb to the top.

Ibinaba ko na ang tablet ko sa ibabaw ng center table. Hindi ko na napigilan ang sarili ko na muling humiga sa couch ko.

Nakatulala lang ako sa labas habang marahan kong inaangat ang isa kong kamay na tila mahahawakan ko iyong malamlam na liwanag ng araw.

I had always been fascinated with my parents, and how they love science and technology, when I was young, with their home office filled with papers and monitors, I always wondered if I could walk the same path as them. I won't forget the smiles, laughter, and kisses after my parents succeeded in each of their laboratory research. Ano kaya ang magiging reaksyon nila kapag nalaman nilang sa iisang mundo rin nila ako gumagalaw ngayon? Ano kaya ang magiging opinyon nila kay Sofia at sa natatamasa niya ngayon?

My twin, Sofia Alcubierre, known as Sofia Lovelace, is this world's sweetheart. Kilalang-kilala ang kapatid ko sa iba't ibang bansa. She's a known dancer, singer, model, endorser, and sometimes she can be an actress. She's an idol with fans of different ages. Kaya simula nang pumutok na ang pangalan niya sa buong mundo, gumawa na kami ng distansya sa isa't isa.

Sofia respected my love for privacy. Lalo na't alam niyang maraming tao ang handang malaman ang lahat ng impormasyon sa kanya. She had obsessed fans, and she had experienced some harassments that why she doubled her security. Isa rin iyon sa rason kung bakit hindi kami madalas nagkikita, hindi niya rin gusto na maranasan ko ang nararanasan niya.

What would her obsessed fans' reaction be if they discovered that Sofia had a twin sister who looked exactly like her, minus her perfect 20/20 vision? Since Sofia started her career as an idol, she dyed her hair blonde with her iconic curls, while I kept my hair black and straight, wearing black-rimmed eyeglasses. While she wore her branded clothes with her sexy yet classy style, her twin remained consistent with a white lab coat and a pen in her lab pocket. But if I tried to wear her style and color my hair, I would look exactly like her since we were identical twins. She even teased me about replacing her for a while if she was sick.

I was about to get up when my messenger robot sphere flew in front of me, showing a hologram video call from my twin. Seemed like we were thinking the same thing right at this moment, huh? Talk about the twin connection.

"Happy Birthday, Satina! I love you! I got your flowers! Thank you!"

Pinagtaasan ko siya ng kilay habang nanatili akong nakahiga. "How about my gift?"

"It's on the way."

"Make sure that I'll be happy on it."

"Kailan ka ba hindi nasiyahan sa mga regalo ko?"

"Well, to be honest, I was just trying to be considerate."

She laughed, and behind her, I saw her girlfriend of eight years, who she had been trying to hide from the world. She worked as her stylist so they could be together. If I wasn't mistaken, Cianna was an anonymous writer who could sell millions of copies worldwide every year. These two were rich.

Cianna, with her dyed pink short bob hair, hugged Sofia around the neck, exposing her arms covered with a few tattoos. She squeezed herself onto the screen to greet me. "Happy birthday to the second most beautiful woman in the world. Baka naman mapapalitan mo muna si Sofia ngayon? We will, you know... date? Single ka naman."

I rolled my eyes. "I am going to be busy today as well."

Pansin ko na kumunot ang noo ni Sofia. "Today is December 10. Your birthday. You have to take a break."

Pinagtaasan ko siya ng kilay. "Coming from you? You're busier than me, Sofia."

"I am free today. We will get you."

Umiling na ako. "I can't. I have a presentation today with the directors."

Napangiwi si Sofia. "Is this the experiment you mentioned before?"

I nodded.

Alam ni Sofia na importante ang araw na ito para sa amin dalawa, ngunit alam din niya na importante sa akin ang presentasyon na mangyayari mamaya.

"To be fair, I tried to reschedule it, okay? But according to Nicasa, I already rescheduled it before."

Sofia's eyes narrowed. "I am starting to hate Nicasa, she should have cleared your day today! Should I buy you a better robot?"

I laughed. "Nicasa's one of the top robots of NARESCA, even if you're the world's sweetheart, Sofia, you'll have to wait to order for another."

"Maybe you need to order her a boyfriend or probably a girlfriend? I have cousins, you know..." pagsingit ni Cianna.

"Cianna, I'll agree that Sofia has a type. You're beautiful and hot, but I am still into men."

"With lab coats? Come on, try someone out of your field. Are you trying to have that similar pair like Mom and Dad?"

Napamasahe ako sa aking noo. "I'll let you know. Actually, I accepted this invitation from one of the professors—"

"Another nerd in the family!" sabi ni Cianna.

Umiling na ako nang marinig ko ang tunog ng toaster. "Alright. I'll be late. Happy Birthday again, Sofia. And Cianna, take care of her!"

"I love you, sis!"

I nodded.

When I went into the kitchen, my breakfast was already set: the aroma of coffee filled my lungs, along with the perfect sunny side up, toasted bread, and my favorite kani salad. I sat on one of the chairs, but before I could pick up anything from the table, Nicasa shoved another tablet toward me with a document that needed my signature.

Let's just say I acquired an isolated island as my birthday gift.

Sofia and Cianna are rich, but...

Signing with a grin of triumph, I uttered my name and my title.

"Dr. Satina Koblenz Alcubierre, Head of Cognitive Systems, Neural Integration Division."

Is insanely rich.