- Grasp
- Inquire
- Inspect
- Draft
- Store
Repeat. All day, every day. Every week, every month. For nearly five years now.
This is my reality. I live like a machine—performing the same tasks on autopilot day in, day out. And the worst part? I know it. I'm aware of the dullness of my life, but somehow, I've grown attached to the comfort that comes with this monotony. Perhaps it's the security, the predictability—like I'm a product being fine-tuned for mass production, destined to be shipped across the globe. Except I'm not a product. I'm a one-of-a-kind prototype. Alone.
… Write the report and file it away. That was the last one. I went through the motions mechanically, like tying my shoes, and let my thoughts drift away...
In the first two months after I was hired, I actually enjoyed my job. It felt stimulating—like I was learning something new. My role was to test and verify every new product before it moved on to mass production. I would inspect, report, and provide feedback. Soon enough, I became efficient—anticipating others' mistakes, learning from them. I could tell what was essential and what was superficial in a design. Time proved me right more often than not. If I had to describe it, I was like a learning AI model: evaluating products—if they passed, they moved on; if not, back to the drawing board. I'd write my hypothesis, wait for the revised version, then confirm or adjust my assumptions. Repeat this process for five years over thousands of components and devices, and it starts to change the way you see everything.
Over time, I built my own mental map of the company and how it really functioned. I knew who was responsible for what, who did what best. Honestly, I think I'd make a better boss than the one we currently have.
Just thinking about the word boss sends my thoughts spiraling. Behind that title stands a man: Thomas Homhance, a business tycoon. After making his mark in small ventures, he launched the project of a lifetime—Homhance. The company soon became the world leader in biomechanical human enhancement, crushing competitors and gaining global recognition. I work in its biomechanics R&D division. Despite the admiration many feel toward the man, I hate him.
Since childhood, I'd dreamed of contributing to scientific advancement—especially in the booming field of biocybernetics, where organic life is fused with mechanical and electronic tech. I gave it everything. While my classmates partied, I buried myself in textbooks. Studying cost me sleep, but I had a goal—that's what kept me moving. I believed I'd land the job of my dreams and that each day would feel exciting, like a weekend. Wasn't that the deal?
Grasp, inquire, inspect, draft, store. Wait—this prototype looks different. Is it a new product? Who designed it? I grabbed the specs but barely read three lines before fatigue dragged me back into the maze of my thoughts…
My parents gave it their all too. We weren't wealthy, and as an only child, they placed all their hopes in me. While I worked on my linear algebra indoors, they exhausted themselves at low-paying, physically demanding jobs. University fees had skyrocketed due to AI-driven automation, and entire families struggled just to send one child through higher education. But our efforts paid off: I got into the best school for biocybernetics. It cost fifty thousand euros a year, but with student loans and a scholarship, it was possible. The hardest part, however, was keeping up. I had to stay in the top ten to even dream of a future. Everyone knew: success and popularity were directly tied to your rank. First place was red carpet and spotlights; between fiftieth and hundredth, you practically disappeared. To get into Homhance, the company dominating everything—it was clear: only the elite would be considered.
Once again, my dedication paid off. I graduated third overall. I could finally see the light at the end of the tunnel—my dream was within reach. As expected, the following week, I received an email from Homhance: they wanted to interview me.
I don't think I've ever felt such a mix of joy and crushing pressure. Everything hinged on those thirty minutes. But my determination pushed me forward—twenty years of sacrifice were about to pay off. I'd make my parents proud.
The building was massive. If someone told me it was designed to reflect the company's economic and scientific power, I'd believe them. The effect was immediate—with the stress, I felt like an ant under an elephant's foot. Luckily, I was two hours early and had time to breathe. I'd memorized Homhance's entire history—its products, its goals. My head still buzzed with biocybernetics and team management lessons I had reviewed just for this moment.
Yes, I believed I could be a project lead—not right away, but I deserved a position that could lead there. I entered through the wide automatic doors. The silence inside hit me like a wall. It was unnervingly quiet—so much so that I could hear the receptionist typing across the lobby. I walked carefully, as though afraid to break the stillness. I whispered my name and reason for being there, then followed their directions to the interview room.
I didn't have to go far—the room was on the first floor, at the end of a long, gleaming white corridor. The tiles were so polished they could have been mirrors. Across from a door stood a lone chair. My destination. I sat down and reviewed everything in my mind again. A full half-hour passed, broken only by the occasional whir of robots passing through. The only sign of human life came from the lobby.
"Hey! You must be the new guy, huh?"
I jumped—lost in my thoughts, I hadn't noticed the young man approach. He looked to be about my age, smiling wide.
"Hi. Yeah, I'm here for the interview."
"Lucky you—you've got the best guy today."
"The best?"
"Yeah, the boss. He never says no. Super nice guy."
"Oh. That's good to hear," I replied, half surprised, half relieved.
"I'm Joe, by the way."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Paul."
"It's your interview, so I bet you're wondering how I got into Homhance, right?"
"Uh… sure…"
"Well, it's simple. My dad knows one of the managers. A few bribes, some flattering words, and here I am."
"Ah… I see…"
"Sorry, didn't mean to rub it in. But hey—if you made it this far through the regular process, you totally deserve your spot."
"Maybe. So, what do you do here?"
"Oh, right! I'm an R&D engineer in the organic-mechanical department. I was just passing through. Good luck on your interview, though—I'm sure you'll do great."
"Thanks. See you."
He turned a corner and disappeared. I barely had time to look back at the door before it opened.
A man stepped out, still mid-sentence:
"Very well. We'll be in touch. But do think over my proposal—it can only be beneficial for us both."
He turned and exited the room without waiting for a response. As he crossed the threshold, he noticed me and paused. His gaze pinned me to my seat. It wasn't just a look—it felt like he was probing my soul, dissecting me with his eyes. I felt like an insect he could crush at any moment. Compared to him, I might as well have been eight years old. He stood well over six feet. His pristine white three-piece suit barely concealed the immense musculature he must have honed for decades. His jaw was square, his long hair tied back in a topknot. He wore black gloves. The only visible skin was above his collar, and even there, something dark—like a solid ink tattoo—crept up around his neck…
The soft click of the door closing behind him pulled me back to reality, but I still couldn't look away. To him, I was nothing. He didn't say a word, just continued toward the exit. But before he turned completely, I caught something odd—his right eye shimmered with a faint blue glow, and a thin membrane slid horizontally across it like a mechanical eyelid.
As he disappeared down the hall, I slumped in my seat, breathless—as if I'd just run a marathon. I didn't have long to recover. The door opened again, and another man appeared—just as striking, though in a different way.
He looked me directly in the eye, as if analyzing me—not threateningly, but with cold, calculated intensity. His eyes were coal black and bloodshot, giving him a weary appearance, but his presence was still commanding. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and dressed head to toe in black: black suit, black ring, slicked-back black hair. I recognized him instantly. He was the CEO of Homhance—the man who held my future in his hands.