Prologue:

Looking over the morning’s reports and skimming for information as he went along, the man’s mind began to wander as his large steel-gray eyes lost focus. The artificial ticking of the clock behind him eroded his conscience away while relaying that it was 7:05am June 13th, 2593. Soon he dozes off.

The smell of salt water fills his nose. A light breeze wafts through his fine light-gray hair. Midafternoon with only a few clouds to be found. Relaxing with a cool glass of lemonade in his hand under a large awning. Someone calls to him, just loud enough to lull him out of his stupor. He looks to his left to find the woman he so loves. She is enjoying the comforting rays in a beautiful red and gray dress. The wide straw hat she has on tries to hide her curly alabaster hair but to no avail. She is saying something to him. He can’t quite make it out, but he is sure it is some witty joke like always.

The smile on her face coupled with those blue eyes is a sight he wishes he could capture forever. He loves her more than anything in the world and he wishes this vacation could last for eternity. He suddenly remembers what he has in the bag next to his chair. Today is the day he will give it to her, a symbol to show his love is eternal. He sets the glass down and sits up reaching for the small case buried in the bag. Finally grasping the box he retrieves the item and turns to where she is sitting.

When he looks back she is gone. Instead the straw hat, now split in half with its red ribbon flowing off to the side, sits on her chair surrounding a large kitchen knife about a foot long, dripping with blood, standing vertically with the tip stuck into the seat cushion. He stares at the chair for a few moments, confused at the scene in front of him.

Without a word a tear rolls down his right cheek and falls to the golden sand beneath his feet.

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“Good morning Mr. Gates.”

“Good morning Diana, seems it will be a good day today.”

“And why is that Mr. Gates?”

“Well let’s just say I had a huge breakthrough last night. I’m so close to finishing I can taste it!”

“That’s great news Mr. Gates! I’m sure the project will be completed soon. Have you finally gotten past the last hurdle?”

“Indeed, now all that remains is to jog to the finish line. Oh, before I forget set up an appointment tomorrow with Mrs. Saunders so we can discuss the applications of the latest breakthrough. For her that is the final piece of the puzzle to a functioning prototype. Even though we have a ways to go she will be happy to know she can move forward with the production.”

“Will do, Mr. Gates. Also the latest test results came in this morning.”

“Ah, how did it go?”

“As expected sir, the established connection did not falter and the subjects were recorded after the termination. Their observation results should be ready later this afternoon or early tomorrow.”

“Did the originals experience any side effects out of range?”

“No sir, they were all within expectations.”

“Good, notify me when the observation results come in. I am very interested in the outcome. I think even Mrs. Saunders will be interested, that is if she doesn’t storm out before we get to that point. I can’t help teasing her.”

“Should I send a separate copy of the results to Mrs. Saunders, Mr. Gates?”

“Yes please. Well I guess I have a board meeting to go to. Get me my usual for the meeting please.”

“Coffee with 3 cream, 2 sugars and a dab of honey. Right away sir.”

Octavio pivoted his chair to face the wide open windows of his office. He reveled in the empire he had created as he stared across the sprawling super-metropolis he had built. Leaning back in his chair he gazed to the edge of the city to watch the morning sunlight glisten off the seaside and beaches.

Staring into space he reminisced in memories of his wife and thought how much he wished she could be here to see what he had accomplished. Mumbling under his breath, “Soon, my dear.” He gazed at the retaining wall and the engine nacelle beyond.

The nacelle a stark reminder of humanity against the natural background of puffy white nimbus clouds just peeking over the edge of the wall and extending into the distance. Few got the chance to see a sunrise over clouds and even fewer had such a great seat with which to view it. His slitted cream-coffee eyes squinted as the sun finally peaked over the cloud tops in the distance.

A clock on the wall stated the day at July 12th, 2576

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Well ladies and gentleman, this is my first story and it's been a while since I have written anything so bear with me. For this one I am going for a modern cyber punk thriller. It won't be a never-ending story and in fact I have no idea how long it may run. I do have the general layout planned though so no worries. Please let me know of any typo's or feedback if you feel so generous. Thanks for the interest and have a wonderful day.