Who do you answer to?
We all serve someone, whether at the
Behest of a gun pointed at our chest
Or the collapsing sky and shifting
Sands beneath our tired feet
My scream was muffled by the millions
Of hands placed over my disgusting mouth
My words have no meaning anymore
I’ve taken a detour on
Information destruction highways
Where so much data is stored in
My false brain that I no longer
Know if I’m sane or part of the
Mega-corporation whole
Ensconced inside the machines
I am no longer human now
But part of the digital whole
Hallelujah, my brothers and sisters!
Say a prayer for the internet
And let go of all your worries
And those mistakes you regret
We all have the same disease
The disease is the digital utopia
And I must say, it feels grand
To lay inside the machines
Where my consciousness expands
Here’s a piece of sci fi/cyberpunk flash fiction about the metaverse and online criminals. It’s about 570 words and has an estimated reading time of 2 and a half minutes. Let me know what you think!
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In the previous installment, Azibo gets perhaps his last chance to talk with Unity, who he learned was an undercover federal agent the whole time he knew her. He also gets used to the idea of being out of The Collective and joining modern society – instead of fighting against it.
Let’s jump to Part 18 (the conclusion!) in a sort of epilogue where we see what Azibo’s future holds.
Continue readingIn the previous installment, Azibo gets another shock. He’s told by the federal authorities that he won’t face jailtime for his crime and that they’ll give him a generous chance to reform himself. He also discovers that his girlfriend, Unity, had been an undercover federal agent the whole time he knew her.
Let’s jump to Part 17, where Azibo learns more about his future after The Collective.
Continue readingIn the previous installment, Azibo becomes a fugitive after his vicious crime – but not for long. He rushes to a Machina Church and connects to the feed to see Portia. Just as he’s having a profound spiritual experience, two AI surveillance bots cut the feed and arrest him for murder. What will Azibo’s punishment be?
Let’s jump into Part 16 to find out!
Continue readingIn the previous installment, Azibo has another unexpected outburst of rage – except this time, the consequences are fatal. He kills Horace, his Collective contact, after the man ridicules his deeply held beliefs. Azibo shoots a message to Unity, who he hasn’t spoken to a while, and cries out for help.
How will Azibo get out of this jam? Is there any hope left for him? Let’s jump to Part 15 to find out.
Continue readingIn the previous installment, Azibo attends Catholic mass and speaks to a priest afterwards. He’s amazed by the gentle priest, who has a nonchalant attitude about Portia and the religious war going on. As he’s leaving the church, the self-doubts creep in again about the suicide mission.
Let’s jump to Part 14, where Azibo meets up with Horace, his Collective contact, and something happens that irrevocably changes Azibo’s troubled life.
Continue readingIn the previous (short) installment, Azibo gets his first dose of life without Unity. He also gets a surprise note from Horace, their Collective contact, who wants to meet him one-on-one. Why does Horace want to meet so urgently? What does this mean for Azibo’s potential suicide mission?
Let’s jump into Part 13, as the series starts to wind down, and Azibo tries to find solace for his worries by talking to a priest after Catholic mass.
Continue readingIn the previous installment, Unity finally puts her foot down and walks out on Azibo. After his increasingly erratic and sullen behavior, Azibo begins to see consequences. Feeling lonely and depressed, he assures himself he’s doing the right thing by intending to carry out the suicide mission for The Collective. Now, without Unity by his side, will he still go through with it? Or will he reconcile with her and drop his fanaticism?
Let’s jump into Part 12 (a much shorter scene), where Azibo considers what he’ll do next.
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