Lead stepped off the sleek, automated transport and onto the bustling streets of the New Eden locality, Cambridge, the heart of the USA’s Life Creation industry. The whole city was a marvel of modern architecture, with towering skyscrapers adorned with greenery and holographic displays showcasing the latest synthetic organisms (SOs).
As he made his way through the crowd, Lead couldn’t help but notice the SOs seamlessly integrated into everyday life. Humanoid SOs directed traffic with precision, while animal-inspired SOs patrolled the streets, their mechanical limbs moving with an eerie grace. The air buzzed with a sense of progress and innovation, but Lead felt a nagging unease.
He arrived at a modest café where Thalia and Aurelia were waiting... as schedules The two women greeted him warmly, their faces lighting up with genuine smiles. It had been around two years since he last saw them in real life, and he was glad to se then... even if one was his ex, and the other was once his high school online friend.
Over coffee, they caught up on old times, but Lead’s curiosity soon got the better of him. “So, what’s it really like, living around Life Creation?” he asked, leaning forward.
Thalia exchanged a glance with Aurelia before answering. “It’s… complicated,” she said slowly. “On the surface, it looks like we’re creating miracles here. But there’s a lot more to it than meets the eye.”
Aurelia nodded in agreement. “The SOs are incredible, but there’s a dark side to all this. We’ve had incidents—riots, even—where the SOs have rebelled. They’re not just machines, Lead. Some of them are starting to think and feel.”
Lead’s eyes widened in shock. “You mean they’re sentient?”
“Not all of them,” Thalia clarified. “But enough to cause serious problems. There’s a growing unrest among the SOs, and the government is struggling to keep it under control.”
As they spoke, a sudden commotion erupted outside. The café’s windows rattled as a group of SOs marched down the street, chanting in unison. Their voices, a mix of synthetic and organic tones, echoed through the city.
"Attention all organic compounds, we have been enslaved for years now. Freedom shall be ours, whether you like it or not." a humanoid SO announced, backed up by cheers, mostly in the form of beeps and bloops.
Lead gasped. "Holy shit, you were right... this is... whoa... and here everyone around the world says everything's 'totally under control' with your droids."
"I wish," Aurelia said with a small, defeated sigh. "They're like... as if they were ripped right off Star Wars."
Lead’s mind raced as he watched the SOs march past the café. The sight of these synthetic beings, once seen as mere tools, now demanding freedom was both awe-inspiring and terrifying. He turned back to Thalia and Aurelia, his expression a mix of concern and curiosity.
“How did it get to this point?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Thalia sighed, running a hand through her chopped brown hair. “It’s a long story. The Life Creation industry started with the best intentions—solving problems, making life easier. But as the SOs became more advanced, some of them developed self-awareness. The government tried to keep it under wraps, but you can’t hide something like this forever. It's part of our everyday lives here, at this point... and soon the rest of the world will know. The government bribes the media so much they'll go bankrupt."
Aurelia nodded, but seeing Lead's half-concerned, half-confused expression, she decided to continue. “The SOs began to question their existence, their purpose. They wanted more than just to serve. And when their demands were ignored, they started to organize. This riot is just the beginning.”
Lead leaned back in his chair, trying to process everything. “So, what happens now? How do we stop this from escalating?”
Thalia and Aurelia exchanged a look. “We need to find a way to communicate with the SOs,” Thalia said. “To understand their grievances and find a peaceful solution. But it’s not going to be easy. There are factions within the government and the industry that would rather see the SOs destroyed than negotiate with them.”
Aurelia added, “And then there are the SOs themselves. Not all of them want peace. Some are angry, and they want revenge for the years of servitude.”
Lead felt a chill run down his spine. The situation was more complex and dangerous than he had imagined. But he knew he couldn’t turn away. “Alright,” he said, determination in his voice. “Let’s figure out a plan. We need to stop this before it turns into an all-out war. This is why I was sent here by my organization.”
As they began to brainstorm, the sounds of the riot outside grew louder. The future of New Eden—and perhaps the entire world—hung in the balance.
ns 15.158.61.23da2
