Episode 122. Holosuite 427

Story

The small team crosses the lively streets of San Francisco and finally arrives before a strange edifice, an imposing structure several kilometers high, formed from a multitude of giant spheres connected by transparent tubes suspended in the air. Through these tubes, silhouettes of people can be seen moving, seeming almost to float in the void.

At the entrance, T'Met stops before a holographic interface projecting a stream of data into the air. With a precise gesture, she scrolls through the list of holosuites and searches for the one Counsel Touit'Air scribbled for her on a piece of paper.

T'Met, ever pragmatic, wastes no time. She slides her finger across the screen to call a cart. Within seconds, a small four-seat vehicle with smooth metallic lines approaches silently.

The cart starts gently with surprising smoothness. At each turn, it changes spheres, offering a breathtaking view of the city below, which gradually lights up as the sun disappears below the horizon.

The cart continues its ascent, the landscape rushing past around them. Eventually, they reach the highest sphere of the building, where Holosuite 427 is located.

They enter the holosuite, plunged into darkness. The noises of an assembly grow louder and louder, with murmurs and indistinct conversations. T'Met calmly analyzes the situation, while Robert, Emilie, and Charlene exchange questioning looks.

Suddenly, spotlights flare on, plunging the team into a sea of blinding light. Around them, an immense hysterical crowd is revealed, screaming and cheering as if it were about to rush them.

Without anyone expecting it, an orchestra begins to play slowly, accompanied by a choir. The first notes ring out and Robert freezes, memories striking him full force. He remembers how, at 19, he was among that crowd and had attended this very event. His surprise quickly turns into enthusiasm. Instinctively, he heads toward the center of the stage, where he stands before the cheering audience.
Johnny Hallyday & Lara Fabian - Requiem Pour Un Fou (Stade de France '98)

As Robert remains at center stage, a powerful spotlight suddenly locks onto him, placing him in full light. The crowd, noisy and disorderly until then, gradually falls silent. Surprised by the sudden attention, he hesitates for a moment, but something in the atmosphere pushes him to continue. The spotlight begins following his movements, encouraging him in spite of himself to fully enter the role being offered to him. Inspired by the rising melody played by the orchestra and carried by a surge of adrenaline, Robert decides to go all in.

Robert does not hear Charlene's calls and continues his song, captivating the crowd. A second spotlight turns on at the opposite end of the stage, revealing a slender silhouette advancing gently into the light. The appearance is gradual, almost theatrical, and the spectators turn their heads with growing curiosity. The silhouette, indistinct at first, becomes sharper as she advances. The newcomer's piercing gaze and assured attitude transform the atmosphere. Murmurs ripple through the crowd again, this time with palpable excitement. An electric tension crosses the air when she stops a few meters from Robert, patiently waiting for her moment to join him.

While T'Met, Emilie, and Charlene move aside to a corner of the stage, Robert and Lysana continue performing like gladiators, carried on by the orchestra and the choir as they intensify the atmosphere.

Robert and Lysana's performance ends under a rain of applause from an enthusiastic crowd, and they salute the audience. Discreetly, a shadow approaches the group and begins clapping slowly as he walks.

The orchestra softly resumes a familiar melody as the group heads backstage, leaving behind a jubilant crowd of holograms.