The sun was beginning to dip behind the skyscrapers of Duncan District, casting a soft orange glow over the bustling streets, digital billboards starts to glow brighter in the dark. Vince moved with his usual unhurried stride, blending easily with the crowd. His calm demeanor and quiet vigilance made him a reassuring presence, a figure that citizens recognized but rarely interacted with unless necessary. It was his usual patrol route in Duncan.

As he passed by a crowded square, Vince's gaze remained steady, his eyes trained to observe every detail without intrusion. A stray piece of litter tumbling across the sidewalk caught his eye, and he watched it for a moment as it fluttered down the pavement. Even on a routine patrol like this, he trained his mind to catch anything unusual—an instinct honed over five years of service with the Artificia Public Service Force.

A couple strolled past him, glancing at Vince briefly with the quiet acknowledgment citizens often gave APSF officers. A group of teenagers leaned against a railing near a café, laughing and checking their holoscreens, while a delivery drone hummed overhead, delivering parcels to the high-rise apartments that lined the street. Life in Duncan had its own rhythm, one that Vince was intimately familiar with, and he found a certain peace in the district’s predictability.

"Nothing out of the ordinary..."

As he continued his patrol, Vince turned onto a quieter street, where the sounds of the crowd softened. Here, the shadows stretched long, and the neon signs began to flicker on. He stopped for a moment to check a nearby public bulletin board displaying the latest city alerts and reminders. There was nothing out of the ordinary—a few public service announcements, a local charity event, and routine reminders about maintaining city cleanliness.

A stray cat approached him. He then kneeled down and pat its head with a gentle smile.

"Hey little guy."

The cat meowed before Vince stood up, and continued his patrol.