Chapter 6: The Next Step

A City of Contrasts

The streets of Civic Sector Delta buzzed with their usual chaotic rhythm as Gaona made his way to the diner. The artificial sunlight filtered down through the biodome’s translucent ceiling, bathing the cracked pavement in an eerie, sterile glow.

Despite the bright light above, the streets felt dim, the weight of the city’s struggles pressing down on everyone who walked them. People shuffled past, their faces hollow and resigned. Vendors shouted half-heartedly about their wares, most of which were either poorly made or long past their prime.

Among the crowd moved the Archons, their sleek forms cutting through the monotony like glimmers of something better. Most of the Archons in Civic Sector Delta were basic models—clunky, metallic, and utilitarian. Their exposed inner workings and stiff movements made them look like overgrown toys, and their fixed, painted-on smiles were more unsettling than reassuring.

But every now and then, Gaona spotted a more advanced model—polished, lifelike, and eerily human. These Archons were rare in his district, their flawless synthetic skin and fluid movements a stark reminder of the divide between the wealthy and everyone else.

A Glimpse of the Future

As Gaona rounded a corner, he passed by one of the district’s larger screens mounted on the side of a building. It was broadcasting a government announcement, the Ministry’s sleek logo prominently displayed in the corner.

The image shifted, revealing Dr. Novak, the head of the Ministry’s AI and Archon Development Division. He was tall and lean, with sharp features and a carefully measured voice that commanded attention.

“Good morning, citizens,” Novak began, his tone smooth and deliberate. “Today, I am proud to unveil the next step in our journey toward progress and prosperity.”

The screen cut to footage of the newest Archon models. They were almost indistinguishable from humans, their synthetic skin flawless, their movements graceful. The only visible difference was the faint glow of their eyes, a subtle reminder of their artificial nature.

“These advanced Archons,” Novak continued, “represent the pinnacle of our

Portillo / Eternal Code /

Portillo / Eternal Code /

technological achievements. They are not merely tools—they are companions, designed to integrate seamlessly into our lives. With their help, we will build a brighter, more efficient future for all.”

The screen displayed images of the Archons performing various tasks: caring for children, assisting in hospitals, and even acting as companions for the elderly.

“The Ministry remains committed to ensuring that these advancements are accessible to all citizens,” Novak said. “Together, we will bridge the gap between humanity and technology, creating a world where no one is left behind.”

A Stirring Unease

Gaona stopped in his tracks, his eyes fixed on the screen. The Archons in the footage were unlike anything he had seen before—so lifelike, so perfect. It was hard to believe they weren’t human.

But something about Novak’s words made him uneasy. The promises of a better future felt hollow, especially here in Civic Sector Delta, where the cracks in the biodome were literal as well as metaphorical.

Gaona thought about the conversations he’d overheard at the diner—the frustration of patrons who felt the lottery was a scam, the rumors of Archons malfunctioning or revolting. The Ministry’s promises seemed designed to distract people from the reality of their lives, to make them forget how little they actually had.

And yet, as he watched the footage, a small part of him couldn’t help but feel a spark of hope.

What would it be like to have an Archon like that? Someone—or something—that could make life easier, less lonely.

The Diner

By the time Gaona reached the diner, the morning rush was already in full swing. He tied on his apron and stepped behind the counter, bracing himself for another long day.

“Gaona!” his boss barked from the kitchen. “We’re short-staffed again. You’re on everything today—cooking, cleaning, serving. Move it!”

“Got it,” Gaona muttered, grabbing a tray and heading out to the floor.

The hours passed in a blur of clattering plates and shouted orders. As usual, the diner was packed with patrons from all walks of life—laborers, shopkeepers, and the occasional well-

Portillo / Eternal Code /

Portillo / Eternal Code /

dressed figure who seemed out of place in Civic Sector Delta.

Gaona moved between tables with practiced efficiency, his thoughts drifting back to the broadcast. He couldn’t shake the image of the advanced Archons, their presence both mesmerizing and unsettling.

A Faint Connection

At one point, he found himself clearing a table near the window, where an older Archon stood silently beside its owner. The Archon was one of the older models, its metallic frame scratched and worn. Its glowing eyes flickered faintly as it watched Gaona work, its expression unreadable.

For a brief moment, Gaona met its gaze. Something about the Archon’s stillness unsettled him, but there was also a strange familiarity in its eyes, as if it were seeing him not as a stranger but as something more.

The moment passed quickly, the Archon’s owner calling it to follow as they left the diner.

Gaona shook his head, trying to dismiss the strange feeling. It was just a machine, after all.

Lingering Thoughts

By the time his shift ended, Gaona was exhausted. He walked home through the dim streets, the artificial light of the biodome casting long shadows around him.

The day’s events played over in his mind—the broadcast, the advanced Archons, the fleeting connection with the older model at the diner.

As he climbed the stairs to his apartment, he felt the weight of the lottery ticket in his pocket. For the first time, he let himself imagine what it might be like to win.

To have a companion. To feel less alone.

He set the ticket on his desk and sat down, staring at it for a long time. The spark of hope that had been faint before was growing brighter, despite the doubts lingering in the back of his mind.

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