📓 Campland
In a future where the city of New Francisco stands as a shining beacon of technological progress, Axel, a tech-savvy but weary product manager, discovers that the digital utopia he’s dedicated his life to maintaining is crumbling beneath the surface. The city’s ruling system, the Base Net, exerts total control over every aspect of life, leaving little room for privacy, freedom, or individuality.
CHAPTER 1
Camping with a View
The campfire crackled softly, sending occasional sparks into the cool night air. The warmth of the flames was a welcome contrast to the crisp breeze that whispered through the tall pines surrounding the campsite. The dark and mysterious forest stretched out endlessly around them, with the silhouettes of towering trees casting long shadows across the ground. The scent of pine needles and damp earth mingled with the smoke from the fire, creating an atmosphere of tranquility and isolation.
Axel sat cross-legged on the ground, his back resting against a sturdy log, the flickering firelight playing across his face. His angular features were highlighted by the shifting glow of the flames, emphasizing the weariness beneath his sharp blue eyes. His dark hair, unruly and slightly longer than he usually kept it, curled slightly at the edges, and a few strands fell over his forehead. He absentmindedly ran a hand through it, the leather bands wrapped around his wrist catching the firelight. His lean frame, dressed in a weathered leather jacket, hinted at someone constantly on the move. Still, there was a rigidity in his posture — something that spoke of being tied to responsibilities he couldn’t escape.
The soft, distant hoot of an owl echoed through the trees, and the occasional rustle of leaves hinted at unseen creatures moving in the underbrush. It was a perfect night for camping — a chance to escape the city’s relentless pace and reconnect with something primal, something real. Or at least, that was the idea.
He leaned forward, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he continued his story. “And just as the last survivor thought they were safe, a low groan echoed from the shadows. The sound of feet dragging, slow and heavy, sent a chill down their spine. They weren’t alone anymore — the dead were rising.”
The group around the fire leaned in closer, their faces illuminated by the dancing flames. Emily clutched her blanket tighter, Josh’s eyes were wide with anticipation, and Ryan stifled a nervous laugh. They were all seasoned campers, but Axel’s storytelling always managed to send a chill down their spines.
Sitting slightly apart from the group, Lena smirked as she adjusted the lens of her holo-camera. The glow of the fire reflected in her deep brown eyes, but there was an intensity there, a sharpness that stood in contrast to the relaxed atmosphere. She had a way of drawing attention without effort — her dark, wavy hair falling loosely around her shoulders, framing a face that was both striking and confident. Dressed in a sleek, dark jacket and fitted cargo pants, she looked more prepared for an adventure than a casual night out. A small scar ran along the side of her chin, barely noticeable but enough to suggest she wasn’t afraid of getting her hands dirty. She leaned back, her posture casual, but her gaze remained ever-watchful, calculating.
It felt like they were miles away from civilization for a moment, lost in the vast wilderness, surrounded by nothing but the forest and the night. The fire popped, and the sparks flew upward, disappearing into the darkness above. The world seemed vast and endless, the kind of place where anything could happen.
But then, something flickered in the distance — a faint, almost imperceptible light on the horizon. It was out of place in this seemingly remote setting, a reminder that the wilderness they enjoyed wasn’t entirely natural. Axel noticed it but didn’t mention it, continuing with his tale.
“The groans grew louder, closer, until the survivor could see the pale faces, the lifeless eyes, the twisted, decaying forms. They were surrounded — no escape, no hope, just the slow, inevitable march of the undead…”
Lena, who had been quietly observing the group, shifted slightly, her gaze drawn to the horizon. There was something unsettling about the stillness of the night, something that didn’t quite fit. The owl’s hoot, the rustling leaves, even the campfire — they all felt a little too perfect and controlled.
Axel’s voice trailed off as his thoughts wandered, no longer focused on the story he was telling but instead drifting back to the life he’d left behind for this brief escape. The pressure had been mounting lately — work deadlines, endless meetings, and the feeling that every aspect of his life was monitored and controlled. It was hard to shake the sense that everything in the city was designed to keep him boxed in, his every move tracked by unseen eyes.
He often thought about the city, with its towering structures and endless streams of data, but out here, he felt like he could breathe. There was something calming about the quiet, the stillness that let him momentarily forget the relentless pace of his usual world. But even in the silence, there was always a part of him that couldn’t let go and remained tethered to the life waiting for him once this peace was over.
Axel glanced toward the horizon, though his mind was far from the present. He thought of the system he’d worked so hard to create — the algorithms that ran everything so smoothly, so efficiently. But efficiency came at a cost. Lately, he’d begun to wonder if it was worth it. The city, with all its comforts, could sometimes feel like a prison, its walls invisible but ever-present.
As he neared the climax of his story, his thoughts were interrupted by a sharp, unexpected beep. The group jumped, startled by the noise, and Axel blinked, his mind snapping back to the present. A small drone zipped into view, hovering just above the fire, carrying a neatly wrapped package labeled “Delivery.”
The spell was broken. Josh sighed in relief, and Emily rolled her eyes, laughing at herself for being so caught up in the story. Axel reached out to grab the package, muttering a thank you to the drone as it buzzed away. “Well, so much for the spooky atmosphere.”
But as the drone disappeared into the night, the illusion of the wilderness crumbled. The towering pines gave way to carefully arranged greenery, the uneven ground smoothed into sleek tiles, and the vast, starless sky revealed itself as the lights of the city, twinkling far above them.
The campfire was no longer a rugged pit in the middle of the forest but a modern fire pit surrounded by stylish, comfortable seating. The “forest” around them was a rooftop garden meticulously designed to evoke a sense of nature in the heart of the urban sprawl. The distant owl’s hoot was replaced by the low hum of the city far below, a constant reminder that they were not genuinely disconnected from the world.
Axel’s rooftop garden, perched high above the fog-covered lower levels of New Francisco, was their sanctuary. From up here, they could pretend they were far from the chaos below, in a world where they could still believe in ghost stories and wild adventures. But the truth was, they were as much a part of the city as the towering skyscrapers that surrounded them.
Ryan poked at the fire, now clearly a controlled flame in a sleek pit, and mused, “Can you imagine doing this down on the surface? I’ve heard it’s like stepping into a different world.”
Axel, silent as the conversation drifted, gazed out over the sprawling skyline. Everything seemed calm and controlled up here, but beneath the polished surface, he knew the city churned with unrest. The High Tops represented everything he’d built his life around — security, status, and a place in a world where every move was carefully calculated. But as he stood there, surveying the orderly rows of lights below, something gnawed at him. The neatly packaged existence that had once seemed like freedom was now beginning to feel more like a cage.
“Yeah, full of crazies and who knows what else,” Josh added. “But hey, this is as rustic as it gets for us city folks.”
Axel half-smiled at their banter but didn’t respond. His mind was elsewhere, drifting to the chaotic streets far below, to the parts of the city he never saw, where the system’s control slipped, and people lived outside the grasp of the Base Net. The rooftop was a liminal space — neither fully part of the sleek, polished world of the High Tops nor immersed in the wild, untamed life of the surface. It was his refuge but reminded him of how disconnected he had become.
He thought of his algorithm — the one he had developed to protect people’s consciousness when they accessed specific systems. The Base Net was a tool of control, limiting what people could do and how they could think. However, the risks were more significant outside the system, especially with forbidden technology. His algorithm was important, but few truly understood how much it could protect and how fragile their minds were in a world where even technology could compromise their sense of self.
The drone’s buzzing still echoed faintly in his mind, the ever-present reminder that there was no true escape even up here. Axel reached for his wrist implant, pulling up the notification settings with a swipe. He disabled the auto-delivery service, the subtle act offering a brief sense of defiance, but it was fleeting. He couldn’t turn it all off. Not yet.
As the city hummed beneath them, Axel wondered how long he could stay perched between two worlds.
Still holding her holo-camera, Lena smirked as she adjusted its lens, her eyes gleaming with mischief. “You guys ever want to hear a real ghost story?” she asked, leaning forward slightly, her voice lowering to a conspiratorial tone.
Axel glanced at her with mild curiosity, though he felt a familiar ripple of unease when Lena took control of a conversation. “Like the kind where evil spirits haunt old buildings, or are we talking about something a little more… current?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Lena waved her hand dismissively. “No, no. I mean the kind where drones take over the masses. Picture it — a dark, quiet night. All of a sudden, the sky fills with them, hovering overhead. People don’t even notice it at first. But then the buzzing starts. Not too loud, but just enough to make you look up. And that’s when you realize… it’s not just surveillance anymore.” Her voice grew more animated as she continued, her hands gesturing in exaggerated arcs. “The drones are everywhere, controlling everything, and the people? They’re walking like zombies, eyes glued to their holo-screens. Completely oblivious to the fact they’ve already lost. Their minds, taken over by the machine.”
The group fell silent, the only sound being the gentle crackle of their artificial fire. Lena grinned, clearly pleased with herself. “That’s the real horror story, folks. And it’s coming to a city near you.”
Axel rolled his eyes playfully, raising his hand in mock surrender. “Alright, let’s not scare off the rest of the guests, Lena. Who brought you here again?”
A few chuckles rippled through the group, but Lena’s gaze remained fixed on Axel. “You think I’m joking,” she said, her voice more serious now. “But we could do something about it. You know, like hosting a freenet transponder up here. This area could use more Free Net coverage. We can’t rely on the Base Net forever.”
Axel’s defenses went up immediately, the unease returning. “I think I’ll pass,” he replied, feigning casual disinterest. “But, uh, I’ll take your FaceSpace handle — just in case I change my mind.”
Lena smirked and tapped something into her holo-screen before looking back at him. “Sure thing. Hit me up when you’re ready to see how the other half lives.” She gave him a wink, her gaze lingering just a second too long, before turning back to the group.
Axel leaned back, the conversation resuming around him, but his mind stayed with Lena. She was trouble. The kind of trouble that could mess with his job, his carefully ordered life.
As the group settled back into the casual rhythm of the conversation, Lena’s holo-screen beeped softly. She glanced down at it, her expression shifting from mischievous to focused as a small avatar appeared on the display. The figure, a sleek, floating geometric design with glowing eyes, spoke with a cheerful tone.
“Hey, Lena! Just a quick heads-up — your engagement metrics on the latest post are through the roof! The photo of the rooftop setup is getting some serious traction. I’d recommend responding to a couple of top comments to keep the momentum going.”
Lena smirked, her fingers dancing across the screen as she typed a quick response. “Thanks, Luna. Any other advice? Should I tag the sponsors again, or is it too soon?”
The assistant, Luna, tilted its head thoughtfully. “I’d say hold off on tagging them for now. Keep the focus on authenticity. But maybe drop a hint in the story about how you’re bringing a new perspective to rooftop camping. You know, that whole ‘adventure in the middle of the city’ vibe you’ve been curating.”
Lena gave a small chuckle. “You always know how to nail the tone, don’t you?”
“That’s why I’m here,” Luna replied tone light but with a hint of pride. “By the way, have you managed to get him to consent to host the transponder yet? We’re going to need access soon.”
Lena hesitated, glancing over at Axel before lowering her voice. “Not yet. He hasn’t consented. We won’t be able to host the transponder. For now.”
Luna’s glowing eyes flickered for a moment before the assistant spoke again. “Understood. Let me know if anything changes.”
Axel glanced over at her, mildly curious. “You talking to yourself over there, Lena?”
Lena flashed him a grin. “Just running through the numbers with my assistant. Gotta keep the empire running, right?”
Luna said, “An empire that’s doing pretty well, might I add. And if you’d like, I can schedule a reminder for you to brainstorm content ideas for tomorrow’s dinner. You’ll want to make a strong impression at that thing with GhostStrike…”
“Noted,” Lena said, her voice softer now. She flicked her gaze to Luna’s glowing form. “Thanks, Luna. You’ve always got my back.”
“Always,” Luna replied with a wink, then vanished from the holo-screen.
For a brief moment, Lena’s smile faded. Axel caught a glimpse of something deeper in her expression — a reliance, a quiet comfort in knowing that even though it was a virtual assistant, Luna provided her with more than just logistical help.
CHAPTER 2
Encrypted Truths
Axel sat at his desk, the constant hum of the Base Net’s server core vibrating through the air, a white noise that had long faded into the background of his everyday life. Around him, holographic displays buzzed with ceaseless activity, data streams moving like rivers of light across his workstation. Security alerts blinked at regular intervals, cold and impersonal, as the system performed its habitual sweeps. The air inside the NeuroNet office felt sterile, almost too perfect, devoid of any warmth or humanity.
Axel slouched slightly in his chair and rubbed his face in frustration. His sharp blue eyes, usually focused with purpose, now flickered with a mix of weariness and agitation. Dark circles formed beneath them, evidence of long hours spent in front of the screens. His lean frame, though dressed in the tailored outfit expected of a mid-level technocrat, seemed restless within the confines of the pristine office. The perfectly polished desk contrasted sharply with his disheveled appearance — his hair tousled, hands inked with the faded remnants of a temporary schematic he’d drawn earlier in haste. Axel had dedicated his life to the mastery of encrypted systems. Yet, increasingly, he felt like a cog in the system he once revered.
The office was located in the heart of New Francisco’s High Tops — a network of gleaming skyscrapers stretching above the clouds. Accessible only to the city’s elites, these towering spires floated in a sea of silver fog, a world far removed from the chaos below. Transport drones flitted between the buildings like mechanical wasps, ferrying the wealthy and powerful from one pristine high-rise to another. It felt like a dream to Axel — a suspended reality where everything was clean, polished, and tightly controlled. From this lofty height, the lower city was invisible, forgotten beneath the thick clouds that blanketed its streets.
The windows that lined his office offered a breathtaking view of this utopia. New Francisco’s skyline glittered in the distance, a seamless mesh of chrome and glass. Bridges connected the towering buildings, forming a sleek web of movement far above the surface. But to Axel, it all felt hollow, like a beautiful illusion masking something far darker beneath. He glanced back at the holographic displays flashing on his desk. Beneath the surface, the city was a fortress, held together not by the freedom it promised but by an invisible web of control.
Axel had always considered the Base Net a safety tool — keeping people connected and secure. But now, sitting amidst the layers of security protocols, the endless scans, and the ever-vigilant systems, he saw it for what it was: a surveillance mechanism. Each alert felt more like a chain than a safeguard. The deeper he went into the layers of encrypted firewalls and access logs, the more precise the truth became. Everything was being monitored, recorded, cataloged. Nothing was private, not really.
The sleekness of the office, with its minimalistic design and cutting-edge technology, only heightened the sense of sterility. The chill of the environment matched the coldness of the system it protected. NeuroNet had perfected the illusion of order, but Axel was starting to see the cracks. The company wasn’t just securing data; it was controlling it and, by extension, controlling everyone tethered to the Base Net.
His fingers hovered over the keyboard, typing out a sequence almost by instinct, his mind wandering as he stared at the flashing lines of code. Somewhere deep inside, a doubt had started to surface. The Base Net had once seemed like a flawless design — a system of efficiency and security — but now, Axel couldn’t help but question its purpose. Was it really about protecting people, or had it become something else? A tool of control rather than liberation?
He tapped commands into his console, initiating a final simulation. The results flashed on the screen — perfect encryption, untouchable by even the most invasive AI protocols. Axel leaned back, a mix of pride and unease swirling in his chest. The encryption was flawless, but the real question wasn’t whether it would work — whether it would ever be allowed to see the light of day.
The more he delved into the system’s depths, the more he realized how tightly NeuroNet gripped the city. Firewalls layered upon firewalls, endless security sweeps, and anomaly detectors that flagged even the slightest irregularity. It was overkill. Excessive. Paranoid. If anything, the Base Net seemed determined to choke out any spark of individuality, leaving behind only the pristine order that the technocrats demanded.
Axel glanced at the digital clock on the corner of his screen, ticking away the minutes. Kendrick had called for a meeting. Probably just another status update on the encryption algorithms he had been working on for weeks. Axel sighed, swiping the simulation closed and preparing to leave. But as he stood, the screen flickered again. Just for a moment — brief enough to dismiss but long enough to catch his eye. The glitch. The same one he had noticed before.
His mind flashed to McKade, the Technocrats’ leader, who had built his career on perfect efficiency. Axel had always respected McKade, even admired him. But lately, whispers had begun circulating through the ranks. Glitches in McKade’s decisions. They were initially small and unnoticeable, but they were becoming more frequent. Corrected so quickly that most people didn’t even register them. Most people — but not Axel.
As he stared at the screen, a thought began to form. What if McKade wasn’t the one in control anymore? What if something — or someone — else was?
On his way to Kendrick’s office, Axel passed by Marcus’s desk. Marcus, also buried in his own labyrinth of security processes, looked up as Axel approached. “Hey, you got a minute?” Marcus asked, his voice low, a rare flicker of unease in his usual tone.
Axel hesitated. “Sure, what’s up?”
Marcus leaned closer, dropping his voice even further. “You ever wonder why we’re doing all this? The encryption, the firewalls, the endless layers of security? It feels like we’re building a cage. I know your project could change things, but have you thought about why they’d never let it happen?”
Axel frowned, feeling the weight of Marcus’s words. “You’re saying it’s more than just about security?”
Marcus nodded. “Think about it — this is control. We’re part of a system designed to monitor and restrict. They won’t let your encryption project progress because it threatens that control. If people had true privacy, what would that mean for the Base Net? For them?”
Axel mulled over Marcus’s words as he left, his unease growing with every step. He had never questioned Base Net’s need for security. He had always assumed endless protocols and monitoring were for the greater good. But now, the weight of the excessive measures felt stifling, as if the technology meant to protect was tightening its grip on every aspect of life.
Kendrick’s office, perched high on the tower’s upper levels, exuded an almost oppressive sense of luxury. The walls were sleek and made of polished glass and steel, reflecting the cold perfection of the world NeuroNet had built. The office was sparse and minimalist, with every detail meticulously placed, offering no distraction from the overwhelming view of the city below. New Francisco’s High Tops stretched out beneath the massive windows like a network of arteries, pulsing with the life of a controlled metropolis.
Axel couldn’t help but feel dwarfed by the space, the room a perfect symbol of the towering empire of data and control that NeuroNet had constructed. From here, at the very peak, every decision rippled out, shaping the lives of millions tethered to the Base Net. The tower was a fortress of power, a monument to the system’s dominion over the city — and everyone in it. Everything seemed orderly and pristine from up here, but Axel could feel the weight of it all pressing down on him.
Kendrick stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, his back to Axel, staring out at the city as if it were his to command. His movements were almost too precise, and there was a subtle rigidity to how he turned as if something about him wasn’t entirely natural. The executive was a perfect match for his environment — tailored and polished, his presence as calculated as the technology that kept the Base Net humming. His hands were clasped behind his back, exuding control and confidence, yet something about his manner felt… mechanical.
“Axel,” Kendrick began, his tone as smooth as the glossy walls surrounding them. “I’ve been reviewing your latest project — the encryption algorithm.”
Axel nodded, bracing himself for the conversation he had anticipated. But as Kendrick continued to speak, Axel couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. There was a slight delay in Kendrick’s responses, and a stiffness in his posture made Axel uneasy. It was as though the man before him wasn’t fully present, his words perfectly delivered but devoid of any real emotion or nuance.
“It’s ingenious,” Kendrick continued, his voice unwavering as he stared at the sprawling cityscape below. “A distributed encryption system like this could revolutionize data security. But…” He paused, finally turning to face Axel, his expression sharp and calculating. “It’s too powerful. If released, it would dismantle the entire structure of control we’ve spent years perfecting.”
Axel shifted uncomfortably. The office’s sleek, almost clinical nature seemed to amplify his unease. “This isn’t about control — it’s about giving people the privacy they deserve. It’s about freedom.”
“Freedom is dangerous, Axel,” Kendrick said.
Replied, his eyes hard and unyielding. “We’ve created a system that works, that maintains order. The Base Net is designed to ensure that data flows exactly where it should. The entire system falls apart if we lose control of that data.”
The tower’s weight seemed to press down on Axel’s shoulders, every word from Kendrick reinforcing the divide between the world of control he was a part of and the world of freedom he was beginning to imagine.
As Axel considered his following words, Kendrick leaned in slightly, his voice dropping just above a whisper. “Ever noticed how McKade’s been different lately? It’s like he’s… not there, not fully. I don’t know who’s really calling the shots anymore.”
Axel blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in tone. “What do you mean?”
Kendrick’s eyes seemed to glaze over briefly before he straightened up, his earlier confidence returning as if the vulnerability he’d shown had never happened.
For the first time, Axel wondered if Kendrick was speaking entirely of his own volition. There was something about how he had briefly faltered, as if another presence had momentarily seized control, guiding his words and thoughts. Axel felt a chill run down his spine as he realized that perhaps Kendrick, like McKade, was not entirely in control of himself.
Axel’s gaze drifted toward the clouds below, catching glimpses of old streets and buildings far beneath the towering skyscrapers. Down there, the surface was a world Axel rarely thought about — a place where drones constantly patrolled, where people lived in the shadows of a world they had no access to. They called them the Dwellers — those who existed outside the boundaries of the Base Net, disconnected, unmonitored, and ignored.
“Do you ever think about the people down there?” Axel asked, almost to himself.
Kendrick shook his head. “What happens down there isn’t our concern. Our job is to keep the system functioning up here, where it matters.”
Axel’s frustration simmered beneath the surface but kept his tone measured. “What if we could offer them something better? If used responsibly, this encryption could give them real privacy and control.”
Kendrick’s expression grew cold. “That’s not how it works. The system doesn’t bend to ideals, Axel. The Base Net decides what’s responsible. Your algorithm is too much of a threat to that balance. The project is shelved. End of discussion.”
Axel left Kendrick’s office with a heaviness in his chest. The realization that the system he worked for was more concerned with maintaining control than empowering people gnawed at him. Back at his desk, the city stretched out, a glittering web of connections, each meticulously monitored, managed, and controlled.
The lines of code on his screen seemed to mock him. His encryption was perfect, yet it would never be deployed — at least not under the current system. For the first time, Axel began to see the Base Net for what it was — a control mechanism. And for the first time, he wondered if there might be another way.
CHAPTER 3
Trending on Thin Air
Axel walked home from work, his augmented reality glasses feeding him a relentless stream of notifications and updates. The bustling streets of New Francisco starkly contrasted with the serenity of his rooftop campsite. Neon signs and holographic advertisements flickered overhead, a kaleidoscope of colors dancing against the evening sky. The city hummed with life, its inhabitants moving in sync with the rhythm of their tech-infused lives. Yet, amidst the vibrant energy, a growing unease gnawed at Axel.
As he weaved through the crowds, his augmented reality displays flashed constant warnings — highlighting hazards, advising on optimal routes, and even identifying areas with lower social credit risks. It was like navigating a video game, with every step demanding attention. For many, it created constant stress, a need to score higher, make better choices, and “win “ in life. Axel had always navigated it easily, buoyed by the luxury of his High Tops apartment, where he could escape the pressure.
But today, something was different. The weight of Kendrick’s words about his encryption project getting shut down lingered. Axel’s decision was wrong, and his frustration bubbled beneath the surface. As he walked, he decided to take an alternate route home, steering himself toward a part of the city he rarely ventured into — the outer edges of Old Soma. He needed to clear his mind, to think.
The change in scenery was immediate. The polished gleam of the High Tops gave way to streets with cracked pavement and faded, flickering neon signs. Graffiti adorned the walls, some scrawled with messages resonating with his growing doubts about the system. One in particular caught his attention: a hefty, spray-painted tag of “ALVIN “ in bold, angular letters. Below it, someone had scrawled, “Who’s really in charge? “ The symbol sent a ripple of discomfort through him. ALVIN, the city’s primary bureaucratic AI, had been scrutinized for years. Axel had long trusted the system, but more and more, he questioned whether its near-absolute control was truly beneficial — or even safe.
Axel couldn’t help but think about McKade. Dr. Alan McKade was a figure woven into the very fabric of NeuroNet. Praised as a visionary, he had led the creation of the Base Net, and for years, his decisions shaped the city’s infrastructure. Yet, in the office earlier that day, Kendrick had hinted at something disturbing about McKade, suggesting he wasn’t entirely in control anymore. Axel shook his head, trying to dispel the thought. But it lingered — McKade was supposed to be infallible, but what if there was more going on behind the scenes?
As the bustling streets of Old Soma pulsed with energy, Lena finally made it home from her recent trip to “The Mesh. “.It was a long journey- her augmented reality glasses fed her information about the routes, every hazard, and every patrol noted in real-time. The constant stream of warnings made moving through the city feel like a high-stakes game. Unlike Axel, who easily navigated the Base Net, Lena always felt the weight of the system’s control. Here in Old Soma, she had learned to move differently outside the system. Still, the ever-present drone patrols made it harder to operate. As soon as she shut the door, her posture loosened.
She tapped the side of her glasses, summoning Luna’s avatar into her field of vision.
“Luna, I need a status update, “ Lena said, her voice low and controlled.
Luna’s form flickered to life, her geometric design rotating smoothly. “You’re still in a tight spot. The western nodes are at risk, and drone patrols have increased by 35% in the last 24 hours. “
Lena sighed. “We’re running out of time. Did Axel agree to host the transponder? “
Luna paused for a moment, her eyes glowing softly. “No. He hasn’t given his consent yet, and we can’t proceed without it. Free Net rules are clear. “
Lena frowned, frustration crossing her face. She had tried approaching Axel directly on the roof recently. Still, something about him made her hesitate — something more than just the usual mark. “We need him, “ she muttered. “Without his rooftop, we lose a critical relay point. The signal won’t reach the High Tops. “
An infamous Free Net hacker, “GhostStrike, “ had posted recently, making it clear how important this connection was. Lena understood the risks but knew the rewards of a successful hack into the social credit score system would be monumental. “We could destabilize everything, “ they posted, “and reset the balance in favor of the people. “
“Should I keep monitoring this topic? “ Luna offered.
“Yes, “ Lena replied quickly. “We can run some stats later when they ship the next update. “
Luna’s avatar blinked in acknowledgment. “Understood. “
Lena closed her comms shell. She wasn’t just doing this for the Free Net; she was doing this for herself. If she could get Axel on board, it could be her ticket to a better future — a way to escape the constant surveillance and climb out of the shadows of Old Soma. But getting him to agree was going to take more than subtle nudging. She needed to figure out what really motivated him.
As she drifted off into her feeds, a video feed appeared in her vision — city enforcers detaining a Free Net operator. The crackdown was escalating. Lena cursed under her breath. They needed Axel’s rooftop. Now more than ever.
The barge hovered above the ground, its quiet hum blending seamlessly with the ambient noise of New Francisco. Axel found an empty seat and settled in, his augmented reality glasses automatically displaying the route and estimated arrival time. As the cityscape blurred past — towering skyscrapers, flashing advertisements, and swarms of drones — Axel couldn’t shake everything Lena had said the other night regarding the Free Net.
A soft ping echoed in his ear as his glasses flashed a reminder about his social credit score. A small, red notification pulsed in the corner of his vision, informing him that his score had dipped slightly — this time due to a neutral comment he had posted on a public forum. Axel frowned, knowing that even the most innocuous blips could carry significant consequences.
Without hesitation, Axel composed a new post, this time praising Dr. Alan McKade, the figurehead of the NeuroNet empire. “Another brilliant initiative from Dr. McKade, “ Axel typed, “paving the way for the future of humanity. “
It wasn’t something he believed, but in this world, authenticity was optional. His score immediately responded, the red indicator vanishing as a green thumbs-up icon appeared in his peripheral vision.
“Good job, Axel, “ his AI assistant chirped cheerfully, “Your social credit score has increased by five points. “
Axel barely acknowledged the robotic praise. It had become just another automatic function of his day — gaming the system with hollow praise for those who held the real power. Every meal, every purchase, every aspect of his life hinged on maintaining that score. The last time he’d dared to indulge in a personal preference — ordering a Hawaiian pizza — the system had assigned him the worst table in his favorite restaurant.
Soon, The barge dropped Axel off near the wet market, a bustling area filled with vendors selling exotic groceries and street food. The transition from the High Tops’ clean, efficient world to Old Soma’s gritty underbelly was jarring. Gone were the sleek buildings and polished streets — here, the air was thick with the scent of spices, fried food, and the unmistakable tang of decay. The once-grand industrial district had fallen into disrepair, its crumbling facades adorned with layers of graffiti that told the story of a place forgotten by the city’s elite.
Axel navigated through the market, his senses overwhelmed by the vibrant sights and sounds. Brightly colored stalls lined the streets, each shouting for attention, vendors haggling loudly with customers. At the same time, drones buzzed overhead, delivering packages to those who could afford them. The streets were uneven, the pavement cracked and worn, and the people moved with a sense of purpose that felt raw and unpolished compared to the carefully choreographed flow of the upper city.
Despite the crowd, Axel felt a strange sense of isolation, as if he were moving through a bubble that separated him from the people around him. This was not his world — this was a place where survival took precedence over status, where the gleaming towers of NeuroNet were distant gods, indifferent to the lives below. The graffiti-covered walls, the broken windows of long-abandoned warehouses, and the flickering streetlights cast shadows that seemed to stretch forever, hinting at secrets deep within Old Soma’s labyrinthine streets.
Every step he took felt heavier, the decaying district pressing down on him. The further he walked, the more he realized how far he was from the life he once knew. Old Soma was a different world, and Axel had taken his first natural step.
As he approached a stall selling exotic fruits and vegetables, Axel noticed a vendor struggling to complete a transaction. The vendor’s social credit score had apparently plummeted, and the automated payment system rejected every attempt he made to sell his goods. A line formed behind him, customers growing impatient as the vendor, visibly distressed, tried to resolve the issue.
“I’m sorry, I just need a minute, “ the vendor pleaded with the machine, his voice cracking under the strain. “My score was fine this morning. I don’t know what happened. “
Cold and unyielding system repeated the same robotic error message: “Transaction denied due to insufficient social credit score. Please resolve the issue with the proper authorities. “
Axel stood back, watching as the vendor’s frustration mounted. The poor man was fumbling with his payment terminal, his hands trembling. A few customers stepped away, muttering complaints, while others crossed their arms in silent frustration.
Finally, a middle-aged woman stepped forward, her expression one of irritation. “You should have thought about that before letting your score drop, “ she snapped. “People like you are a drain on this city. “
The vendor flinched, his shoulders sagging under the weight of her words. Axel felt a twinge of guilt and sympathy. His job gave him a privileged position, wielding the kind of access keys most people couldn’t even dream of having. And now, as he watched this man’s livelihood collapse, the urge to help surged.
Axel discreetly pulled up his admin panel, quickly navigating to a hidden setting he rarely used — his “SUDO “ badge. Generally reserved for critical operations, it temporarily allowed him to boost his social status, granting him significant purchasing power and social influence. He hesitated for a moment, activated it, then posted a 5 star review.
Instantly, the vendor’s terminal blinked green.
A wave of relief washed over the man as new transactions flowed through. Apparently, Axels SUDO weighting put the vendor back in the clear. Customers who had been ready to leave suddenly stayed and their purchases were approved without issue. A buzz of notifications pinged around Axel’s augmented display — online reviews and comments flooding in, praising the vendor’s swift recovery.
The vendor looked up at Axel, eyes wide with gratitude. “Thank you! I don’t know how you did that, but you saved me. “
Axel smiled, feeling a slight sense of satisfaction. “Don’t mention it, “ he replied, casually brushing it off.
The vendor’s social score climbed as new business poured in, and his crisis was averted. As Axel walked away, he felt a strange sense of power. There were perks to being a tech bro, after all. Yet, in haste, he didn’t think to disable the SUDO badge.
As Axel navigated through the crowds, something from the Central Broadcasting System caught his eye — a giant digital hologram flickering with a stern warning: “Beware of Dwellers: If You See Something, Say Something. “ The image showed shadowy figures lurking in the dark, reinforcing the city’s fear of those who chose to live off the grid in the old parts of the city. These “Dwellers “ were portrayed as dangerous and untrustworthy, a threat to the carefully maintained order of New Francisco. The message wasn’t subtle — it was plastered across every available surface, part of the city’s constant stream of propaganda, fed directly from the central broadcasting system.
Axel couldn’t help but feel a pang of unease. The relentless messaging had become a constant companion, flooding the city’s every screen, every corner. The propaganda was everywhere, reminding citizens to report any suspicious activity. It was a steady drumbeat of control, a reminder that nothing in New Francisco went unseen.
As he continued walking, another sign flashed before him, warning about the dangers of the “Free Net. “ The chaotic web of data streams twisted on the screen, with bold, alarming text: “Free Net = Dark Web. Stay Safe, Stay Connected to Base Net. “ The central broadcasting system had woven a narrative where the Free Net was synonymous with danger — a haven for hackers, conspiracy theorists, and criminals who rejected the control of the omnipresent Base Net.
Axel frowned, recalling his recent encounters with Lena. She was popular on the Free Net, and her influence grew among those who sought an alternative to the city’s rigid structure. Despite his suspicions about the Free Net, there was a lingering appeal in the idea of a network free from constant surveillance and control. But the central broadcasting system kept hammering the message home: “Stay connected. Stay safe. “ The more he saw, the more it wore on him, fueling a growing discontent.
Lost in thought, Axel barely noticed the other pedestrians around him. His mind swirled with conflicting emotions — his loyalty to his job at NeuroNet, his curiosity about the Free Net, and a gnawing dissatisfaction with his life. The city’s central system had him trapped in a web of control, disinformation, and surveillance, and he was starting to see the cracks.
Another billboard caught his eye, flashing a more urgent message: “Your Safety Depends on It! “ Axel sighed, feeling the weight of the propaganda pressing down on him. Every flashing message, every piece of the city’s carefully curated disinformation, seemed designed to corral citizens into blind obedience.
When he finally reached his apartment building, Axel’s thoughts drifted to the memory gaps he had been experiencing — the unexplained occurrences, the missing time. He couldn’t shake the feeling that everything was connected to the pervasive influence of NeuroNet, as though the very system he worked for was twisting his perception.
Once inside, Axel kicked off his shoes and collapsed onto his couch, drained from the day. He needed to unwind, to take comfort in the small pleasures his world still offered. Without much thought, he reached for his augmented reality interface. He opened his meme stream — a collection of viral jokes, humorous videos, and parodies that felt like a distraction from everything pressing down on him. The light from the stream bathed the room in a soft glow as he lazily scrolled through the content, trying to push away the growing unease.
For a while, it worked. The memes were mindless, funny, and offered a brief escape from the complexities of his life. He chuckled at a few, his eyes growing heavy as the stream continued to autoplay. The last thing Axel saw before drifting to sleep was a ridiculous clip of a dancing drone, its movements oddly reminiscent of the technology that haunted his waking thoughts.
But as sleep claimed him, even the comforting absurdity of memes couldn’t drown out the creeping sense of dread that had settled in the back of his mind.
