Cyborg in the Apocalypse

Two researchers, clad in plain white lab coats, sat in a cozy, dimly lit café.

On the right side of their chests, the emblem of the century's most prestigious company, AetherCorp—a gleaming gem that seemed to radiate ambition—stood proudly.

Around their necks hung their indispensable IDs, swaying gently with every movement.

The young man, with jet-black hair and a sharp, inquisitive gaze, was Alex Kael, a research intern just beginning his journey.

Beside him sat his mentor, Dr. Elara Voss, a Senior Researcher whose calm demeanor and sharp intellect were as unmistakable as the air of authority she carried.

Alex leaned forward, curiosity flickering in his dark eyes. "You were there when it all started, weren't you? When nuclear fusion became viable. It's hard to imagine how that one breakthrough changed everything."

Dr. Elara Voss chuckled, a soft sound that danced above the hum of the café. "It's rude to hint at someone's age, Alex—especially when that someone's a woman."

She took a measured sip of her coffee, her lips curving into a faint smile. "Changed everything? That's putting it lightly. Fusion didn't just change the world—it rebuilt it. You have to understand, back then, the planet was on the brink. Fossil fuels were all but depleted, and renewable energy couldn't meet global demand. Humanity was running on borrowed time."

Alex nodded, his expression earnest. "And then came fusion."

"Yes," Dr. Elara said, her tone growing reverent. "The Holy Grail of energy. The breakthrough happened in 2059, when a team at the International Fusion Institute finally achieved stable plasma containment. It wasn't just a scientific milestone—it was humanity's lifeline. Fusion reactors became the ultimate power source: clean, limitless energy. For the first time in history, we weren't constrained by energy scarcity. We could power not just cities, but our collective dreams."

"And that's what sparked the Golden Era?" Alex asked.

Elara's smile widened. "Exactly. Once energy was no longer a limitation, innovation surged forward. Industries that had been stagnating for decades found new life. Take healthcare, for instance. With abundant energy, hospitals could operate cutting-edge diagnostic systems and autonomous surgical robots without concern for costs. Portable fusion cores made it possible to establish medical facilities in even the most remote regions."

"And bionics?" Alex's voice held a note of fascination.

"Fusion was the catalyst there too. Manufacturing bionics became cost-effective and scalable. High-density materials, nanosurgical tools, and advanced AI systems—all powered by fusion—became accessible. Replacing a limb wasn't a luxury anymore; it became a standard option for anyone who needed it. Fusion didn't just save lives, Alex—it transformed them."

Alex leaned back in his chair, his brow furrowed in thought. "It's wild to think something as technical as 'plasma containment' could lead to all of this. But it wasn't just healthcare, was it?"

Elara shook her head. "No, not at all. Agriculture was revolutionized. Fusion-powered vertical farms produced food at an unprecedented scale. Desalination plants turned arid deserts into fertile landscapes. Even space exploration took a quantum leap forward. With fusion energy, humanity dared to dream of Mars and beyond. Colonization is still a ways off, but the foundations are there."

Alex's gaze sharpened. "But with all that progress, there had to be a cost. What about the people left behind?"

Elara's smile faded, replaced by a shadow of weariness. She sighed deeply. "That's the dark side of progress, Alex. Fusion gave us the tools to build a utopia, but it also handed power to the corporations—especially AetherCorp. They became the gatekeepers, deciding who would benefit and who would be cast aside. That's why places like the Undercity exist today."

Alex frowned, his shoulders slumping as he absorbed her words. "So, fusion didn't just create the Golden Era—it created the divide."

"Exactly." Elara nodded solemnly. "And the irony? The very breakthrough that united humanity in solving the energy crisis is now a source of division. But remember this, Alex: every great leap forward comes with a cost. The real question is, who's paying the price?"

For a moment, silence hung between them, broken only by the soft clatter of cups and quiet chatter in the café. Then Alex straightened, resolve hardening his features. "Maybe it's time we figured out how to fix the divide, too."

Elara's lips curved into a faint smile, one laced with hope and a hint of skepticism. "Spoken like someone who still believes in the promise of the Golden Era. Hold onto that, Alex. The world needs people like you."

Brilliant. Idealistic. She thought to herself, watching the fire of determination in her young protégé's eyes.

The glass door slid open with a soft hiss, and a group of security personnel entered, their sharp movements betraying their urgency.

Leading them was a man in a crisp, formal suit, exuding authority. On his temple, a purple gem can be seen embedded making sure everyone understand he had a high position in the company. His eyes scanned the café, and when they landed on his target, he strode forward with unwavering confidence.

Stopping in front of their table, the man fixed his gaze on Dr. Elara Voss. His voice was calm but firm, carrying the weight of his purpose. "Dr. Elara Voss, you are being detained by the company on suspicion of leaking proprietary assets. We ask that you cooperate and come with us immediately."

Dr. Elara's expression didn't waver. With a faint, knowing smile, she began gathering her belongings. "And so, the devil comes," she said quietly, her tone laced with resignation. She rose gracefully from her seat, meeting the man's cold stare with quiet defiance.

The head security officer motioned to his team, and they encircled her, forming a tight formation. Without another word, he gestured for her to follow, and she complied, her steps steady and composed.

Before leaving, the suited man turned his sharp gaze to the remaining figure at the table. Alex Kael sat frozen, his face a mixture of confusion and disbelief.

"For being under the supervision of the individual under investigation," the man stated, his tone formal and detached, "your internship will be suspended for one week. During this time, we will conduct a thorough review of the situation. If you are found innocent, your internship will be reinstated, and we will assign you to an appropriate department."

Alex opened his mouth to speak but found no words. His mind raced, struggling to process the sudden turn of events.

The man's gaze softened slightly, though it was more out of protocol than concern. "Go home for now, Mr. Kael. Keep an eye on your Nexus profile. We will send you further instructions."

And with that, the man turned away, leaving Alex alone at the table, his thoughts a storm of unanswered questions.

Seconds passed, and slowly, the low hum of chatter in the café resumed, as though nothing unusual had happened.

"…Did I just get fired?" Alex muttered under his breath, the words tasting bitter on his tongue.

The implications of what had happened began to sink in. This wasn't just any internship—this was his dream job at his dream company. Being removed, even temporarily, would tarnish his record and cast doubt on his future career. The thought left a sinking weight in his chest.

"No, wait," he whispered, his voice trembling with a mix of denial and desperation. "I didn't do anything wrong. I never helped leak anything. I should be innocent… right?"

He racked his brain, replaying every moment of his internship. Most of his time had been spent researching, processing data, and running simulations on bionics. The only notable perk was receiving his top-of-the-line bionics from the company. Everything else seemed routine—mundane even.

Then he remembered. His mentor, Dr. Elara Voss, occasionally asked him to deliver folders or USB drives to other researchers. But that was normal, wasn't it? Internal documents, announcements, research papers—it was all part of the job. He'd never questioned it.

He rubbed his temples, trying to recall anything unusual. Nothing came to mind. The frustration gnawed at him, but there was little he could do.

With a heavy sigh, Alex gulped down the remainder of his coffee, the bitter liquid doing little to calm his nerves. Pushing back his chair, he stood and made his way toward the exit.

He avoided meeting anyone's eyes, but he could still feel them—the cold, judgmental stares boring into him from across the café. Whispers seemed to trail in his wake, fragments of speculation and doubt.

For the first time, Alex wondered if his dream of working at AetherCorp had become a nightmare.