#7: Broken Lines

The night breeze brought a peculiar smell of electricity to the air, something Dante couldn't ignore as he walked through the illuminated streets of the city center. On every corner, glowing holograms projected messages of progress, of a “harmonious” future, where everything worked in impeccable synchrony. But now that he knew what was hidden behind all that facade, the world around him seemed… too artificial.

He stopped for a moment and saw a group of people waiting for the floating bus. Their faces illuminated by the screens of their cell phones show the indifference of a society that compromises technological opportunities without questioning the invisible price behind it all.

The night breeze brought a peculiar smell of electricity to the air, something Dante couldn't ignore as he walked through the illuminated streets of the city center. On every corner, glowing holograms projected messages of progress, of a “harmonious” future, where everything worked in impeccable synchrony. But now that he knew what was hidden behind all that facade, the world around him seemed… too artificial.

He stopped for a moment and saw a group of people waiting for the floating bus. Their faces illuminated by the screens of their cell phones show the indifference of a society that compromises technological opportunities without questioning the invisible price behind it all.

The message on his wrist vibrated again, and he knew he couldn't ignore it any longer. The feeling of being followed grew with each passing second. They were after him.

“Dante?” Lara's voice broke the silence as she left the warehouse, now with a more closed expression. — We have to go.

He turned to her and realized that time was running out. Lara received more information from the central system, but with each new discovery, the pieces that connected Project Aurora to the world's elite became more terrifying. And they knew that, at any moment, they could be tracked.

— Do you think we still have time? — he asked, looking around worriedly.

Lara pressed her lips together and looked up at the sky, where surveillance drones were passing by with greater frequency than usual.

— If we're quick, maybe — she replied, adjusting her hood to better hide her face. — But, Dante… there's something else. I managed to access deeper files on Project Aurora.

Dante felt his stomach churn. Lara seemed hesitant, something he rarely saw in her.

— What did you discover?

She looked directly into his eyes, her expression more serious than ever.

— It's not just about controlling power, or immortality. They’re manipulating the genetic makeup of everyone who uses the new medical technology. Modifying people without them knowing.

Dante froze, the impact of her words hitting him like a punch.

“What? What do you mean, modifying?”

Lara took a deep breath.

“I don’t know all the details yet, but they’re introducing a genetic code that doesn’t just guarantee longevity… They can reprogram people. Make them more submissive to the system. And they’re starting with the lower classes, those who have no choice but to use these medical services. That’s how they’re going to maintain absolute control.”

Dante’s heart raced. This changed everything. It wasn’t just about an elite controlling the technology—it was about how they were creating a new form of humanity, shaped to never question the status quo.

“And what can we do?” he asked, trying to remain calm despite the rising adrenaline. “How are we going to stop this?” Lara looked at him with a mixture of frustration and weariness.

“I’m still putting the pieces together. We need more time to understand the full scope of this. But… we need allies who understand what’s at stake. We can’t do this alone.”

Dante nodded silently, but doubts were beginning to creep in. How long did they have before they themselves were “reprogrammed”? The system was far more deeply embedded in everyone’s lives than he could have ever imagined.

Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the street next door. Lara reacted first, pulling Dante around a corner as they watched two figures emerge from the darkness. They were armed, their eyes alert, and clearly searching for something… or someone.

“They’re hunting us,” Lara whispered, her tone icy. “We need to get out of here. Now.”

Dante nodded, his heart racing. They began to move quickly, slipping through the shadows as the sound of footsteps grew closer.

Lara pulled Dante into a narrow doorway between two buildings, her nimble hands quickly typing a command into her device.

A reconnaissance drone flew overhead, but Lara’s skill with technology diverted it, and the pair remained invisible to the electronic eyes.

“We have to get to the hideout,” Lara muttered. “If they can track us, we’re screwed.”

The sounds of distant sirens echoed through the streets, heightening the sense of imminent danger. Dante knew they were being targeted, and their time was running out.

As they ran through the silent streets, the cold glow of the futuristic city seemed to watch them from every angle, like some merciless, omnipresent giant ready to crush them at any moment.