The horizon filled with a cosmic array of color as the day came to an end. The calm, deep red sun was retiring behind the ocean, slipping away as the encroaching black consumed the blue and forest green hues that remained scattered across the sky. Sparse clouds betrayed the markings of some divine architect, the celestial dome exhibiting total majesty as stars began appearing like the first flakes of snow on a soft temperate humus. With his senses enraptured by the vision, Roask's mind wandered, driven as much by his own will as by the command of some intangible force. His large brown eyes focused on a park in the distance. Tall, neon metallic walls surrounded the green patch of land like the thin, translucent plastic of a petri dish around some multiplying specimen.

He was in a peaceful state as he switched his internal display to the information tab, an interior, biologically integrated computer sensed the triangular movement of his eyes and activated a semi opaque screen grafted onto the cornea of both of his eyes, obscuring his view like the thin glass of a stained window. More headlines from the land of Sitma, footage of bodies, their limbs crossing over one another like kindling as they were piled into recycling units by autonomous drones.

A flash appeared in the upper right corner of his internal display, a message from Sigun inviting him to dinner. He despised the man. Constantly vying for attention, incessantly consuming, wholly insatiable. He was the image of everything backwards about his contemporaries. As Roask thought about the meeting, nausea developed. His aversion to the man was so severe it elicited a physiological reaction. He looked under the message, reading the details of the event. 19:00 at the waterfront, district 34.

He knew that rejecting any invitation from Sigun would have social repercussions, the man too well established in the network to pass off. He got up, the translucent doors to the balcony of his mansion slid open as he approached. He laid down in a reclining chair and opened the consumption tab of his internal display with a circular movement of the eyes. It wouldn't do to be seen in anything out of fashion by Sigun. He chose a full body, skin tight turquoise suit, fixed with nanofibers that simulated a misty, cascading waterfall. With another twitch of eye he chose the "wear now" option. A drone hurried in, quickly changing his clothing with gentle touches using its spider-like limbs. Before he knew it, the drone disappeared silently through a vent in the ceiling.

A handful of marble sized planets orbiting a tiny star passed overhead, the dim, deep orange light shed throughout his dwelling like the modest cabin fire of a dark winter night. Small explosions appeared on its gelatinous, round surface as it hovered to the far side of the grand living room. As he got up and headed to the entryway, a painting caught his eye, a rendition of ancestral man, apparently. It showed a group of brutes contained in a great circular structure, their skin extreme shades of white and black. Some were seated, spectating from above and the others engaged, on the ground level, in a dire state of violence. Armed with spears, swords, and armour, they were pitted against elephants, lions, and other animals, gesticulating in a circus of carnal rage. Roask left his flat and entered a transport capsule, the doors of the pod opening quickly before jolting down a vein like tube.

Cursed by another round of coughing the boy shook violently. He went still. Each raspy, weak breath shifted the tattered brown blanket slowly up and down. Nimble, bony ankles stuck out from beneath the brown mass, his skin a pale hue that seemed to reflect the color of the tightly hugged bone. Han Giru placed his warm, weathered hand on Abbad's forehead. "Hold on boy. Breath." Han Giru felt the boy losing fortitude with each passing day. "I will get you some fluid." Han Giru hurried to a metallic, cylindrical dispenser that protruded from the metal wall and filled a cup of fluid for Abbad. "Father,'' the boy said. "Please don't leave me alone again." " I have no choice," the man said. "You must rest and I must report to the division. Whenever I leave," he said, as he placed his hand on Abbad's chest, "remeber that I am here.''

He placed his other hand on the boy's forehead. "I will be back soon. Sleep and do not forget to eat, you will be able to fill a bowl of nutrient today." Han Giru slipped on a black, skin tight one piece suit. He left the small room after hugging the boy goodbye. Sad, barren concrete walls met him and lead to a pod at the far end of the hall, his only link to the world beyond. A dim light was shining in the hallway, its intensity shifting periodically like the sound of waves or the rustling of leaves in an intermittent breeze. A shattered bulb left the light partly unfiltered, cutting the dusty concrete floor and walls into sections separated by a jagged, saw like line.

He headed towards the pod and scanned his face on a thin black panel. A pair of shiny, convex silver doors jolted open horizontally. After entering the coffin sized, cocoon like vehicle and securing himself, a shifting of gears rumbled overhead and a gravitator activated, rushing him down the clyridnical, tube shaped track. Through a rectangular window appeared a constantly shifting, entangled web of translucent, cylindrical tubes through which pulsating flashes flowed, the trails of light appeared as darting fireflies or the tentacles of some lonely deep sea jellyfish.

Like blood through an artery, he was transported deep into the flesh of the earth. As the pod accelerated and changed direction he felt his organs lightly push up against his lungs or his stomach quickly shift. Eventually the doors swung open and he exited into a larger vehicle, which, after more black suited bodies filtered in, began accelerating towards his final destination.

He opened the consumption tab of his internal computer with a few twitches of the eye and selected Abbad's formula prescription. Han Giru felt as if he were drowning, an enormous pressure and weariness permeated his being has he thought of the poor boy alone in the dark room. With the rising cost of nutrient, solar, fluid, and formula, he would be forced to spend more time away from Abbad.

"Station L42, L42", rang his internal audio system. He exited the car with a group of workers and walked onto a platform that began hovering slowly into the mouth of a grand, auditorium like structure. LABOR DIVISION read the bold, neon letters that rested over a floating metallic arc. The black bodies resembled ants in a colony as they navigated the maze of halls and chambers contained within the gigantic, beetle shaped structure. Neon lit paths formed matrix grids, lifts and escalators shifted men up and down through wiring and swarms of drones. Like bees navigating a colony or hurrying to answer to their queen, the machines hurried from place to place, disappearing and coming through vents in the floor and ceiling, some as small as hummingbirds and others the size of sturdy, heavy bears.

Eventually Han Giru made his way to sector D and entered a gymnasium like structure. After more bodies filled the room a buzzing noise signally the start of the shift stung his inner ear. A voice came through the internal microspeaker. 'Poetry', the voice echoed. It was a bizarre order, he had never written or read a so called 'Poem'. A file introducing the work of the day and a number of examples popped up in neon letters, slightly blurring the backdrop of seated men and desks.

Black night crow on a limb

Flying high on just a whim

Where he flies he will confess

Is always to a call distressed

Much like grade school pupils scribbling down notes, the poems were produced for hours on end. His last file was inputted and the shrill beep signalling the closure of the working day rang from his internal speaker. Han Giru's mind returned immediately to Abbad and he hurried out of the gymnasium structure. He pictured the lonely boy curled up in a blanket, shaking violently through throngs of pain.

Roask stepped through a dimly lit steel tunnel. Bands of deep crimson and magenta light formed circular rings like those found on a jungle snake, each filled with patterns resembling markings on the back a ladybug or underside of a black widow. The tunnel was sliced in half by a wall of cascading water, its smooth surface like a sheet of miniature prisms, their geometry bending and obscuring the bright, blue green gleam emanating from the other side.

The flow paused momentarily as he approached and entered a spacious, hemispherical building. Under clear tiled floors was a deep aquarium from which a wide, central column transported brine upward, leading it through a matrix of circular slits that shaped the ejaculate into a misty, white pyramid. Translucent walls were fixed with a nanowire grid that slowly shifted in color, adding a spectral effect to the constant stream of water cascading down. The stream accelerated as it moved away from the dome's apex and approached an exterior pond base, its shifting surface filled with reeds and water lilies that partially hid the white orange flashes of passing coy.

Near the central column a single man reclined in a floating chair next to a hovering steel dining table. A fat gut and thin, weak arms and legs protruded from his torso, giving him the appearance of a walrus or seal lying idly on a shore, basking in the midday sun. His short black hair receded far beyond his light brown forehead, forming a small patch atop his small head. The man's small brown eyes were close together, between them a stubby nose that sat above his wide mouth. As he heard the footsteps of Roask a subtle grin appeared on his lips.

"Ahhh, the man of the hour. Welcome." Sigun said. The fat around his neck shifted like the surface of a jello or custard penetrated by the spoon of an impatient child. Roask sat down on a hover chair across from Sigun and smiled faintly. As he began to speak, Sigun's eyes focused on his internal computer and a drone hurried in, placing a large platter in front of him. His eyes focused on the dish and then back towards Roask. He had a habit of never looking at one's eyes, always below their head or at the scenery behind. "It was a pleasure receiving word from you. I always enjoy a trip to the waterfront".

Without acknowledging his words, Sigun began speaking to Roask. "Let me fill you in with some exciting news. There will be a release of a new drug, PCY7. Drone software has produced an instant cure to the disease that has been plaguing the labor sector. Apparently it is a sort of nanobot dilute capable of instantly binding to the CY7 bacteria. There hasn't been such exciting news since the initial outbreak of the disease! I am very excited to see how things will unfold. As you know, nothing motivates those subterranean insects more than their precious drugs!" Sigun was connected to the higher arms of the state, always the first to know of the excitement of the coming days.

Here, I will pass over the file containing all of the details, the man said, in a tone lacking any semblance of empathy or enthusiasm. "Thank you for sharing", Roask replied, as a flash on the file folder of his internal display illuminated. "I'm grateful to be one of the first to hear of the update. I am so happy to have you in my network." He knew Sigun's ego loved to be stroked. Sigun did not reply, instead grasping a large fork in his right hand and piercing a large breast of chicken, dipping it into a platter of sauce and ripping off a large section of the meat with his sturdy, fat jaw.

"From what I have heard, there may be another outbreak of the epidemic this year," he said with a smile on his face, the half chewed food slurring his speech. "As you know, the elders of Sitma have been quite out of line. It appears that the epidemic will spread so violently in that dirty continent that it may infect their entire population. Unless their council makes some better decisions our policy may become less patient… That would be a pity." The man cleared his throat as his eyes shifted to a clock above the water gate. The light blue neon arms shifted preciscely, resting on the lustre of the wall and mimicking the celestial parade with movements of utmost precision and subtlety.

"Indeed. I scanned through some of the headlines this evening, and, what is happening in Sitma is quite unsettling." Roask said. Sigun grunted, and, before offering a response, focused on his internal display. A drone hurried in, laying down a bottle containing a green sludge. It was a digestive aid meant to clear the stomach for another round of eating and drinking. He shifted the vase upwards, and gulped down the sludge. A stream of the viscous liquid slid slowly down his short chin and fell onto the table, splattering like the calm surface of the ocean after a whale lands a jump of excitement.

"I am hoping to.." Roask began. Sigun's eyes focused once more on his internal display as he ordered another course, the drone hurried in, quickly wiping down the table before placing a platter of dark, finely seasoned lobster on the table. "Quite old boy. Eat some lobster. How about we invite L. Fauni over to join us. You know she loves my company," he chuckled. "We can take her for a ride".

"It sounds delightful''. Roask focused on his internal display began whispering to himself as he dictated a message to Fauni. She was a contemporary of Sigun and Roask, well known for her energetic, spirited aura and beauty. Perhaps because he was not able to acquire her attention at a whim she remained a strong object of desire for Sigun, who obtained almost everything else without the slightest semblance of exertion. She had auburn skin, wavy brunette hair and almond shaped eyes with an oval face and a strong, fit build. She altered the atmosphere around her, adding an intoxicating ecstasy to her surroundings. A connoisseur of the finest of arts with refined tastes, she was privy to the finest, most coveted virtual simulations as well as having a taste and knowledge of the archaic, obsolete forms of music, poetry and dance.

The patter of the watergate paused for a moment, distracting Sigun and Roask from their plates. They looked up and Fauni appeared, a faint halo seemed to surround her body. She wore a skin tight yellow orange suit, small spheres orbited the surface of the material like ferries or sprites around an old sequoia, seeming to dance with one another before rapidly decaying. A smile spread across Sigun's fat face. "Ah, now we have an excuse to have some fun,'' he blurted. "Hello Fauni, kind of you to join us,'' Roask said. "Thank you for the invitation gentlemen. What is in store for us?" she asked politely. "Clearly you haven't been to district 34 in a while. Take a seat here." Fauni reclined in a hoverchair next to Sigun as he tapped a few neon blue markings on the floating steel table's control board, and, soon after, the whole structure began moving slowly towards the ocean.

A gray wave crashed against the side of the dome and the dark, turquoise water began slowly engulfing the structure as it shifted further away from the coastline. Fauni's eyes widened and expressions of excitement lit up her face. Before long the structure was fully submerged, gliding through the water like a bioluminescent jellyfish found only in those regions far beyond the reach of the strongest rays of the sun. Beneath their feet silhouettes of seaweed appeared like parading swarms of bats or witches in a dim, moonlit sky; their torn garbs flapping in the air. A whole new world surrounded them, the strong light of the ship penetrated deep into the dark waters and shined upon the myriad fish species and the occasional, lonely shark. Crabs and bottom crawlers scurried through a variety of corals and seagrasses. Bushels of seagrass rocked gently with the soft currents.

"Let's take a trip above it all" Sigun said, after they had drifted through the ocean depths a while longer. He quickly tapped some controls. Roask felt an accelerating sensation in his gut as the ship shifted upward and broke through the smooth layer of the ocean, skyrocketing into the air. Fauni gasped and held the arm of Sigun, a gleeful grin appearing on his face. The neon lights of the city appeared like the quills of a startled porcupine. The various ships, lifts and pods transporting consumers and goods shifted around like insects. Why she liked the man Roask could not hardly conceive, feeling jealous.

As they rose further, Sigun and Fauni became disinterested and focused entirely on their internal displays, her head resting now on his shoulder. A distant, empty stare entered their eyes as if they had entered a deep trance of meditation. As Roask peered below, the lights of the city became shrouded under a blanket of clouds. The horizon began to curve as the ship ascended beyond the layer of clouds into the thin sections of the atmosphere, the Earth now appearing as a green and blue island in a sea of black, comforted only by the old, calm sun, which appeared in full majesty through the translucent walls of the ship.

Han Giru sat next to the boy. "I'm cold,'' he uttered weakly. "Come boy, sit up and try to drink''. Han Giru shifted to his consumption tab and ordered another shipment of PCY6. A drone appeared through the ventilation system on the ceiling and released a container. Han Giru opened the box, a few capsules of CY6 lay inside. He opened one of the bottles and handed Abbad his dose. The boy swallowed the pills. Han Giru sat up, walked towards the dispenser unit and filled a bowl of nutrient. The boy's weak hand gripped the spoon, trembling as he took each bite of the brown, dense sludge. "Let us sleep Abbad", Han Giru said, after the boy had finished eating. Han Giru laid down with the boy, his small body totally enveloped by the chest and arms of his father like a cocoon around a caterpillar. The soft, rhythmic movements of the boy's breathing comforted Han Giru and before long they both fell into a deep slumber.

Han Giru woke to the boy blowing on his face, a fit of laughter erupted as his eyes slowly opened. The medication had surely taken effect. The color had returned to his skin and the exciting glee appeared again in his eyes. Han Giru promised himself to take the boy to the surface to receive a dose of solar. "How would you like to take a stroll in the park? To see the sun again? What about the clouds?" The boy jumped up and ran to his father's legs, grabbing his long brown pants while yelling in excitement. "Alright, Abbad, let's get ready and go." They washed quickly and had some nutrient. Han Giru opened his internal display and configured his destination with some movements of his eye. They left the small abode and hurried to the transport pod, which quickly took them to the surface.

They exited the transport pod into an intermediary chamber and put on special helmets, each one fixed with a black box that filtered the toxic surface level gases. After their helmets were on a pair of metal gates automatically opened and a pure, white light poured into the chamber. A bright halo surrounded an amalgamation of trees, small ponds, and rolling bright green hills. The sky was spotted with dense, thick clouds appearing like the gown of some colossal bride. Han Giru looked down at the boy, his face was lit up with glee as he ran towards the grass.

As Han Giru followed him along the path, he felt a joyous ambiance, a beautiful transcendent glee enraptured his soul. It seemed as if a troupe of leprechauns was dancing through the cool afternoon air, running with excitement beneath the long drooping branches of the old oaks and engaging in acrobatics, their movements resembling a fantastical, grand, travelling circus. Their harps, horns, and drums must surely have added to the passion, for the whole affair imparted a contagious vivacity to the breeze that then caressed Han Giru and the boy's skin and hair.

Han Giru was transported momentarily from the woes of his usual existence. The painful recollections, worry, and wariness that weighed down upon him from day to day seemed to melt away like a glacier carried far away from its polar home. There were other subterraneans walking and playing, some sitting down at the benches and gazing at the scenery, some laying on the grass and a few others climbing trees. It had been weeks since they had ventured to the surface. After the boy became ill, almost every non essential expense was forgone. Han Giru feared that given the recent price hikes this would be the last time they would feel the sun in many days. The boy ran off, chasing butterflies and squirrels as Han Giru walked along the dirt path.

The medication temporarily reversed the symptoms of CY6 and relieved the painful curse. The disease was chronic with no permanent cure available. Degenerative, it progressively degraded the organs, culminating in sure death if too much time passed without a dose of PCY6. The medication was precious, reversing the internal damage and quickly bringing one back to health. However, it was short lasting, and after about a day the regular symptoms would return. Like clockwork, a lethargy would set in. The color of the boy's skin would become pale. A rough, sore throat would set in and a cough, coupled with a debilitating aching of the body, would soon develop. He would become hopelessly bedridden until another dose of the medication was administered.

Han Giru glanced at the remaining time available for their walk. Thirty minutes and counting. The digits on the internal display recorded every moment above ground, the whole outing an expensive endeavour. The boy was doing somersaults down the small slopes of grass. He ran to Han Giru and asked him to join. "We have to get back soon, Abbad." The boy groaned before running back to the oak nearby, climbing the tree and grasping it like a cub to its mother.

Han Giru began heading back to the lift entrance. The skyscrapers appeared beyond the neon, metallic walls that surrounded the park. They towered far above the eye could see, their spires appearing as thin as needles as they extended into the atmosphere. Their translucent walls were covered with a series of terraces where grand trees rested and vines climbed. He looked at the surface of the small pond. Flocks of drones and small birds appeared in the reflection. Water lilies calmly rested on the surface, rocking gently with the small waves. A turtle basked in the sun, his eyelids half shut and his head tilted back like a pompous judge.

Han Giru ran back to him and grabbed his leg, "Do we have to go?" he implored. "We will be back soon enough." The disappointment set into the boy's eyes as they began walking back to the pod. The gates opened quickly, and before long they were descending back into the endless cave of tunnels and chasms.