Earth 2606 AD

The ground vibrated beneath Amaryah's feet jerking her awake, her eyes opened to the dull grey lighting that she'd grown accustomed to. Extraordinarily little light was allowed into the room where she lived; if you could call it that, it was more of a container. There was no ceiling, this provided a clear view of the interconnecting tubing and wires that once provided electricity and freshly cleaned air to her living level, but that was a long time ago, she'd only heard of it from her mother when she was around. Amaryah shoved the thought of her mother and the pang of sadness that came along with her memory into the back of her mind as she eased out of bed.

"Shit", she muttered as her eyes met with the glowing screen above. Its emitted words filtered in through her missing ceiling, it was so late. She shrugged into her navy-blue jumpsuit and winced at the sharp tearing abdominal pain that almost had her doubling over, another problem that she catalogued onto her growing list of things that she'd been effectively ignoring. It wasn't that Amaryah didn't care to deal with her health issues, it was that she knew there was no way she could afford healing and there was no one she could trust enough to ask for help.

She grabbed her food ration and stuffed it into her mouth, her face scrunching up and she forced herself to swallow the tasteless, brown cubes that were her nourishment for the morning. The ground vibrated again as she hurried out of her container and into the murky and dilapidated alleyway that had been her home for a long time. She didn't let herself think about the time before she'd been forced onto the lowest living level as her black worker boots splashed through puddles of filth and muck. Amaryah took shallow breaths as she scooped her coiled hair up into a haphazard bun, the vibrations meant the train was almost ready to leave, and if she missed a day at work- well she wouldn't be able to eat for the rest of the week.

Her steps quickened.

Expertly dodging accumulated garbage piles and fallen wires that hung low from the rusted-out conduits that were once part of the ceilings of the other containers on her level, she entered into a rusted out elevator, flashed her chipped wrist and pressed the red lit number one that was displayed. The elevator shuddered to life and began to move with a high-pitched screeching that had Amaryah covering her ears. The doors were barely open before she squeezed through, the elevator always gave her anxiety, her heart thudded in her chest and her clenched fists were still over her ears. She ran through the crowded streets of level one, the city now fully awake due to the artificial sunrise shown overhead, she was so-so late.

Just as the ground shuddered again Amaryah reached the station which displayed a rapid red light that indicated it was time to depart, she hastily shoved her wrist over the scanner and pushed her way into the now closing doors of the train. Slumping against the wall, she reached into her pocket and pulled out her water ration for the morning. It was enclosed in the standard edible translucent bubble, she slowly began drinking from it, her eyes fixed onto the passing city of level one. Huge unlit neon signs stretched as far as the eye could see, advertising get rich quick schemes and all forms of pleasure available, once you had the credit. and were the only signs that remained lit despite the sun that signaled daytime, fitting since they were the most patronized, thought Amaryah. She wondered what it would be like if she had the money to waste on such stupid things. Her lips curled in distaste and she shook her head, there was no use in thinking about things that would never happen. All she was trying to do was stay alive in this god forsaken dome.

The train shook as it climbed the interconnecting tracks to the next level of the dome, level 2. The tracks that reached across the platforms like large robotic arms were connected to all seven levels of the large dome that was now the home of the remaining human population in North America. Amaryah looked up and could see the glittering glass structures built on the higher levels, the levels restricted from those of the lower. She saw the hover cars that moved sluggishly but in an organized dance to wherever it was that the upper levels went to during daytime. The artificial palm trees and flowers that were for show, to remind them of a time that was long past.

Amaryah was startled out of her thoughts by a loud whistle, emitted by the overhead speakers. Her stop had arrived. Stepping out into the level reserved for the lower class of the dome, she almost ran into a rushing man who sneered at her, she sidestepped, narrowly missing a collision. She hurriedly walked to the engineering plant location, paying little attention to the rusted and discarded pleasure bots who tried to capture her attention as she passed by. The bots were created for one purpose only, and that was to sexually satisfy humans, even when they were discarded because of their age or malfunctions. If they managed to escape decommission their purpose remained the same, especially if they found sanctuary in the lower levels.

She swiped her wrist over the scanner at the plant, the metal gates slid open with a loud chime. Entering the decontamination area, a thick, cloying white mist was immediately blasted into the area, engulfing her, supposedly killing any unwanted organisms that she'd picked up from the streets, if the reports were to be believed the engineering plant was a strictly controlled environment, but the workers knew better. Amaryah rolled her eyes and caught a glimpse of her scarred face in the reflective ceiling. She'd gotten those jagged scars the day her mother died-Amaryah closed her eyes and took a deep breath steadying herself and her thoughts, now was not the time. She pushed through the door ahead and was greeted by a blast of heated air.

"Amaryah, where the fuck have you been?!" whisper-shouted Gabriel, his eyebrows pressed together and mouth downturned into a grimace. He grabbed her arm tightly and pulled her toward him. "The boss is not happy, you're lucky he's been too busy with the inspector to notice you weren't here at check in."

She pushed his hand away and looked around nervously, "Not around the androids."

She jogged over to their station, put on her work kit and moved towards the assembly line of robots. Gabriel followed her at a distance. "What's wrong?'

He took up his workstation beside her and gritted his teeth as he fought to unhinge the compartments behind the robot's head. Their work was simple, really, all they had to do was ensure the wiring in the robots were correct and that no malfunctions would take place. Some of the materials used to make the robots were harvested from outside of the dome, but the general public was not supposed to know that, hence the heavy skepticism of most plant workers about the safety presented to the public. They all knew what was really happening within the engineering plant. The harvested elements could sometimes make the robots unstable which was why unimportant grease monkeys like Gabe and Amaryah were needed.

Amaryah sighed, her patience always wore thin with Gabe, yes, they'd had wild encounters behind the mechanic shed in the past but that did not mean she was his or that he had to pretend to care about her. "Nothing, I told you not to touch me in front of those droids, you know they report everything back to the boss."

She looked Gabe in the eyes knowing he would look away, they always did. Probably because of her scars or mismatched eyes, she did not care really, but no one was able to hold her stare and she made sure to use it to her advantage. Gabe turned back to his work and shook his head.

"Yeah, but I was worried about you, I thought..." He shook his head again and swallowed.

Amaryah rolled her eyes and muttered, "I'm fine Gabe, and it's none of your business, don't worry about it."

He was probably thinking about her abdominal pain that hadn't gone away and was now spreading if she cared to admit it. But she didn't. There was no place for the sick in this society and the only reason Gabe knew was because he'd accidently been too rough during their sex causing her to throw up, effectively ruining the mood. He'd been looking at her worriedly ever since, like if he cared. Amaryah's gut roiled at the thought of her ever having something more with Gabe. It wasn't that he was unattractive, he was taller than her, had mahogany hair that was shaved at the sides and back with length that was slightly curled on top, piercing green eyes a slightly humped nose and rosebud lips. His skin was pale and had some freckles that were so light you had to be up close to see them. Gabe was definitely attractive; she could ask all the other girls he'd fucked and she was sure they'd agree. She just had no interest in any long-term relationship, she didn't have the time or emotional capacity to care about anyone more than herself, especially since she was barely surviving.

Yet, she hadn't been able to resist the sexual pull though and since the day they'd had steamy fun on the steel back door of mechanic shed 3, they'd had routine meetings twice a week after work whenever they could. She was aware that Gabe probably thought he felt something for her, especially since she was sure he wasn't used to rejection from women, but she knew him, more than he thought she did, and she could sense the dark undercurrent of emotions that swirled beneath the attractive surface. He wasn't what he appeared to be and for those reasons she would keep him at arm's length, there was no room for love in her miserable existence.

The half-day bell pealed loudly, with a scripted message scrolling across the low hanging screen in the mechanic's bay.

LUNCH BREAK HAS BEEN DOWNGRADED TO THIRTY MINUTES; AMARYAH QUINN, PLEASE REPORT TO THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE ROOM IMMEDIATELY.

She froze as the blue letters scrolled and flashed across the screen. Struggling for breath, she removed her gloves and her work kit slowly. This wasn't good, it was never good when one was called up to the executive office. Had they found out that she was sick? No, they couldn't...she'd been careful. She got into the central elevator and a cold ball of dread settled in her stomach, trying to take calm breaths while clenching and unclenching her fingers she briskly walked down the grated upper-level floors. If she looked to her left, she would see various steel cylinders and machinery that stretched for a long distance, workers like ants scurrying around to make the most of their thirty minute lunch break and Gabe looking up at her from below with his hand massaging his forehead, concern creasing his features.

"Mr. Hanzo is expecting you please enter," a pleasant female voice chimed when she set foot in the air-conditioned office.

She immediately became aware of her disheveled appearance, her loosely coiled copper hair that had escaped her bun stuck to her forehead and sweat slithered down between her breasts. With a dry mouth and struggling to swallow she wiped her wet hands nervously on her jumpsuit and walked into the enclosed office of the boss.

"Ms. Quinn, have a seat, this won't take long," an android, Mr. Hanzo stood near the intricately carved glass table that stood in the center of the expertly decorated room. She noticed the pink delicate flowers that seemed to blow on a phantom wind, the room smelled sweet and tangy as if it were sprayed to cover up the metallic scent that usually filled the machinery levels of the plant.

"You were late again today; did you think I wouldn't notice?" Amaryah shifted in her seat and opened her mouth.

"Do not speak until you are asked to, Ms. Quinn," the android sat at the glass table and neatly folded his hands, "You will be terminated, this is the fifth incidence of this blatant disregard for your duty, a duty mind you, that you are undeserving of, with not even half of the talent as your late mother."

He dropped the venomous words as if they were nothing.

Amaryah whose head had been bowed looked up sharply, her brown and pale grey eyes blazed with anger, "Don't talk about my mother you piece of filthy bolts and screws," she pushed up from her chair causing it to scrape against the perfectly polished tiled floor and lunged at the android who jumped back from the table smoothly, with no expression on his perfectly humanoid face.

"You will be escorted out, with no severance pay due to your behavior."

Amaryah bared her teeth and growled at the android who looked on expressionless as security robots immobilized her and unceremoniously dumped her outside of the plant using the back way to avoid detection by other workers. Amaryah put her head in her hands as she sat on the dirty gravel floor behind the plant, she'd just lost her only form of income, and she was so screwed.