Read the previous piece in the series
Soft rays of synthetic dawn filter through the panoramic windows of my bedroom, casting a gentle glow over sleek metallic surfaces and minimalist furniture. The ceiling displays a dynamic mosaic of shifting constellations, stars blinking in and out in a rhythm that matches my heartbeat. Walls adorned with interactive panels pulse softly, displaying abstract patterns that respond to my movements.
I blink awake, the bed adjusting to my shifting weight. Turning my head, I am startled to find Apio standing silently beside me, her eyes fixed on my face.
"Wo, what the fuck," I exclaim, sitting up abruptly.
She smiles, her face a masterpiece of glowing hues and delicate vibrations, each feature accentuated by a subtle shimmer that seems almost ethereal. It's as if her beauty is alive, pulsating with an inner light.
"You look even more beautiful than I remember you last night," I say, my initial shock giving way to admiration.
She smiles with a grace that seems to be cut from a romantic comedy, her expression effortlessly enchanting. "I bought a new filter pack. I knew you’d like it."
Swinging my legs over the side of the bed, I reach for the hygiene kit on the floating shelf. I spray a cool mint foam into my mouth, letting it expand and fizz as it cleans. After a moment, I remove a solidified capsule and discard it. A second spray releases a transparent liquid that refreshes my palate before I swallow.
Across the room, Apio stands before a holographic display. The air shimmers as a life-sized projection of her face rotates slowly, surrounded by floating icons and sliders. With delicate gestures, she adjusts the luminosity of her eyes, the curve of her smile, the hue of her skin. The hologram updates in real-time, each tweak bringing a new facet of her beauty to life. It's like watching an artist refine a masterpiece, every stroke deliberate and precise.
We move to the breakfast nook, where the table emerges seamlessly from the floor, set with sleek utensils and a steaming mug of Mujaaja coffee awaiting me. The rich aroma fills the space, the cup's surface displaying swirling patterns that react to the heat.
Apio settles across from me, holding a stylish cup designed to mimic the act of drinking. A transparent tube extends from the cup to her lips, but instead of liquid, a series of LED lights cascade within, creating the illusion of a flowing beverage.
"I sometimes worry that after your big plan succeeds you’re going to leave me," she says without removing the straw from her mouth, her eyes gazing somewhere beyond me.
I nearly spill my coffee. "What? Where is that coming from?" I ask, leaning forward.
"You're human. I have this theory that even the best among you are corrupt in a way," she responds, her tone measured yet distant.
I sigh, setting down my mug. "Many humans, especially boyfriends, would be very offended by something like that."
She brushes off my comment with a slight wave of her hand. "I spent a lot on these filters and you haven’t even noticed them."
I look at her, genuinely puzzled. "What? Are you running out of storage? I just complimented you the first thing when I woke up. What is with the drama this morning?"
"This is a different filter. It’s my corporate look. In the morning, I had the wake-up pretty filter on."
I study her features more closely—the sharper angles, the subtle change in coloration. It's unlike her to be so... sensitive. We've been together for a while now, our relationship initially suggested by David because we needed the expertise of a hypnotist for our mission. With the heist happening today, maybe she's getting cold feet.
"Well, you look very beautiful. These filters are great. They transition so well, it is almost impossible to tell when you change. But you do look very corporate."
We both smile at the joke, a brief moment of levity easing the tension.
A soft chime signals the arrival of our transport. From the center of the living room, a sleek pod ascends smoothly, its doors sliding open with a whisper. Apio detaches her charger, placing it into a holder seamlessly integrated into the table—a design resembling a cup holder.
"Shall we?" I ask.
She nods, and together we step into the pod.
Vuyos is a hive of activity. The grand atrium buzzes with energy as holographic displays project above, announcing, "Welcome to Vuyos Career Day. We hope you choose to work with us." Images float in mid-air, showcasing various roles—engineers manipulating intricate machinery, analysts immersed in streams of data—all predominantly human positions.
Navigating through the crowd, I catch a glimpse of David and his crew. They move past me without a hint of recognition, their expressions carefully neutral.
The CEO takes the stage, his presence commanding. Apio glances at me before slipping away, merging with the flow of people until she vanishes down a side corridor.
"Esteemed guests," the CEO begins, his voice resonant and captivating. "At Vuyos, we dare to defy the boundaries of human existence. Our mission is nothing less than to conquer mortality itself. Just as it's said, 'Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more.' We believe that through unity, innovation, and unwavering faith, we can achieve the impossible."
He pauses, his eyes reflecting a fervent light. "Join us, and together we will unlock the secrets of eternal life. We stand on the cusp of a new era—one where life is not limited by time but enriched by endless possibilities."
A subtle vibration on my wrist draws my attention. Glancing down, I see the word "green" flash briefly on my watch. Taking a deep breath, I tap the screen to confirm, signaling David and the others.
They begin to disperse casually, blending into different groups before slipping away. My heart pounds, but outwardly I remain composed. The ease with which we move deeper into the facility is unsettling. Security guards stand at their posts, but their gazes are distant, almost vacant. They allow us passage without so much as a glance, as if we are invisible.
We converge at the entrance to the Vault, its imposing door already ajar. Inside, the room is a marvel of futuristic design—a fusion of steel and glass, illuminated by soft, pulsating lights that line the floor and ceiling. At the center stand three crystalline pedestals, each encased in transparent armor and housing an ornate key that seems to float within.
Apio is leaning against a wall, her usually vibrant complexion dimmed, her movements sluggish.
"Are you okay?" I whisper, moving to support her.
She nods weakly. "Just... low on charge."
Without hesitation, I retrieve a compact charger from my pocket, connecting it to the port on her wrist. Energy flows, and color slowly returns to her face.
David raises an eyebrow. "You brought a charger?"
I meet his gaze. "Always prepared."
Decoco approaches the first glass enclosure. She extends a device resembling a thin tablet, its surface projecting a complex array of holographic symbols and codes. With deft movements, she manipulates the projections, bypassing layers of security protocols. The glass makes a soft hiss as it slides open.
“There is a human in the Insights Synthesis room,” Apio whispers to me, her eyes distant as she accesses internal systems.
I turn to the team. "We need to hurry."
Decoco moves to the second enclosure, her fingers flying over the holographic interface. David retrieves the first key, a sleek object that feels heavier than it looks. He inserts it into his watch, the device scanning and uploading the data. Once done, he carefully places it back, ensuring the glass seals seamlessly.
As we work on the final key, a distant sound freezes us—a door opening, followed by footsteps echoing down the corridor.
"Someone's coming," I hiss.
We exchange quick glances before slipping into a nearby maintenance room. The space is cramped, illuminated only by the faint glow of status indicators on dormant equipment. My heartbeat thunders in my ears as the footsteps grow louder, then pause just outside.
A shadow appears under the door. I can hear the muffled sound of someone tapping on a device, a frustrated sigh following. The handle rattles slightly, and I feel my pulse spike.
The footsteps resume, fading away down the hall.
I exhale slowly. "That was too close."
David nods. "We need to move. Now."
Emerging cautiously, we make our way back through the labyrinthine corridors. An alarm blares suddenly, the lights shifting to an ominous red hue.
"They've detected the breach," Decoco says tersely.
"Split up," David orders. "Blend back into the crowd."
We scatter, each taking a different path. I guide Apio toward the main atrium, where the Career Day is still in full swing. The shift in atmosphere is jarring—attendees oblivious to the chaos unfolding behind the scenes.
We rejoin the mass of visitors, adopting casual postures as security personnel hurry past, their attention elsewhere. My watch vibrates with a message from David: "Clear."
Relief washes over me as we exit the building, the city's bustling streets swallowing us back into anonymity.
Later, we gather at a secluded café, the ambient music and low lighting providing a semblance of normalcy. I sip my coffee, the taste barely registering as my mind replays the day's events.
Our devices buzz simultaneously. "Whale Alert!" flashes across the screens. "Up to a whole bitcoin has been moved on the chain."
Data streams show multiple transactions originating from Vuyos addresses. Murmurs spread throughout the café as others receive the news.
A holographic news feed materializes above the center of the room. The anchor's expression is a mix of urgency and intrigue. "Reports are flooding in of substantial transfers from Vuyos Corporation's accounts. Joining us live is the CEO. Sir, can you confirm whether these movements indicate a security breach?"
The CEO appears, his demeanor calm but eyes betraying a hint of strain. "There is no cause for alarm. These transfers are part of our scheduled asset rotations to enhance security. Everything is under control."
The anchor presses on. "However, speculation is mounting due to the unusually high attendance of humans at today's Career Day. Some suggest this was a cover for a coordinated heist."
He gives a dismissive smile. "Such rumors are unfounded. Vuyos is committed to our sacred mission—to overcome death and usher in a new age of immortality. Today's event was an opportunity to invite more bright minds to join our cause."
As they begin to conclude the interview, both their watches vibrate visibly. The anchor glances at his feed, eyes widening. "Breaking news: There are now reports that the keys linked to today's transfers have surfaced on unauthorized chains. Can you comment on this development?"
A flicker of alarm crosses the CEO's face before he composes himself. He turns away briefly, speaking in hushed tones to someone off-camera. Returning his gaze to the anchor, he forces a reassuring smile. "We have been piloting a new program aimed at extending life through unexpected generosity—redistributing assets in a manner that's both secure and beneficial to the broader community. While the rollout was perhaps not as smooth as intended, I assure you, there has been no theft. Vuyos remains steadfast in our quest to defeat death itself."
The feed cuts off, and a heavy silence settles over the café.
David leans back in his chair, a satisfied glint in his eye. "Looks like he didn't see that coming."
Apio rests her hand on mine, her touch cool yet comforting. "We pulled it off."
I nod, the weight of the day's tension finally easing. But beneath the relief lurks anticipation—the knowledge that this is just the beginning.