Enzo wiped the sweat from his forehead as he tinkered with the worn engine of a rusty old bike. Another day, another dollar at Joe's Repair Shop, the rundown garage on the outskirts of the city. He couldn't wait for his lunch break.
As he stepped out into the bright sunlight, the sounds and smells of the bustling flea market enveloped him. Vendors hawked their wares, from fresh produce to second-hand electronics. Enzo's stomach growled, and he made a beeline for his favorite food stall.
As he navigated through the crowded market, his gaze drifted toward the city's high walls, where the sleek, silver Neurosphere Tower pierced the sky. A symbol of innovation and progress, it seemed worlds away from the gritty, makeshift stalls surrounding him.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted nearby. Enzo's eyes scanned the area, and his heart skipped a beat as he spotted his brother, Kite, in the midst of the chaos. Kite's colorful array of food he is selling was in disarray, with all the goods scattered all over the ground.
Enzo rushed toward the scene, his eyes locked on the Elyrian guard towering over Kite. The guard's hand was raised, ready to strike. Without hesitation, Enzo darted forward, blocking the guard's blow. The guard sneered, mocking Enzo's attempt to intervene.
Enzo smiled wryly, his hand instinctively reaching for one of the gadgets on his utility belt. The guard's laughter faltered as Enzo's eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief.
"What'cha got there, kid?" the guard sneered, eyeing the gadget.
Enzo's grin widened. "Just a little something I've been working on."
Enzo rushed toward the Elyrian guard, his eyes locked on the man's sneering face. With a burst of agility, Enzo jumped over the guard, using the momentum to attach a small, sleek zapper to the guard's forehead.
The guard's expression changed from mockery to confusion, his eyes darting wildly as he tried to comprehend what was happening.
Enzo landed smoothly on the ground, a triumphant glint in his eye. He pulled out a small remote and pressed a button, releasing a small charge of electricity that immobilized the guard.
"Time to go!" Enzo yelled to Kite, as the sound of approaching guards echoed through the market.
Without hesitation, the brothers took off in a sprint, weaving through the crowded stalls as they desperately sought to escape. The guards were hot on their heels, but Enzo and Kite had a head start.
As they ran, Enzo couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. He glanced around, but the sea of faces blurred together.
Unbeknownst to Enzo, a mysterious lady stood at the edge of the market, her piercing green eyes fixed intently on him. A hint of a smile played on her lips as she watched the brothers disappear into the crowd.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, Enzo and Kite stopped running, gasping for breath in a narrow alleyway. Kite clapped Enzo on the back, his eyes shining with gratitude.
"Thanks, bro!" Kite exclaimed, still trying to catch his breath. "I owe you one... again!"
Enzo grinned, feeling a sense of pride and satisfaction. "Anytime, Kite. That's what brothers are for."
Meanwhile on top of the Neurosphere tower
Etan Flask, CEO of Neurosphere, stood at the floor-to-ceiling windows of his penthouse office, gazing out at the breathtaking view of Elyria. The city stretched out before him, a tapestry of towering skyscrapers, bustling streets, and vibrant markets.
Just as he was lost in thought, a mischievous giggle echoed through the room. Etan's eyes narrowed, and he turned to face the intruder. His daughter, Ysel, stood in the doorway, a sly grin spreading across her face.
"Caught you, kiddo," Etan said, a hint of amusement creeping into his voice.
Ysel skipped into the room, her long, curly brown hair bouncing with each step. "Hey, Dad! I was just trying to sneak up on you."
Etan's expression softened, and he opened his arms, inviting Ysel into a warm hug. "You know you can't sneak up on me, Ysel. I've got too many years of experience under my belt."
Ysel laughed and hugged her father back. "I know, Dad. But a girl's gotta try, right?"
As they pulled back, Etan's gaze fell on the stack of files and papers in Ysel's hands. "What's all that?"
Ysel's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Just some marketing strategies for your upcoming campaign, Dad. The First Global Election is just around the corner, and we need to make sure you're ready."
Etan's expression turned serious, his mind shifting back to the weight of his responsibilities. The world had changed so much since the devastating World War VI, which had ravaged the planet and prompted the formation of a global government.
The war had been sparked by the discovery of a new, abundant source of energy: solar power collected by Neurosphere's satellites, powered by the advanced Sophia AI system. This AI technology had enabled the efficient collection and transmission of energy from the sun, making traditional energy sources obsolete.
The shift away from traditional energy sources had triggered a global crisis, as oil-producing countries like the Arabians and Emiratis struggled to adapt.
But from the ashes of war, a new world order had emerged. Borders had been abolished, and a single governing body now controlled the planet. Etan's company, Neurosphere, had played a pivotal role in this transformation, and now he was poised to take on an even greater leadership role.
"Let's take a look at those strategies, Ysel," Etan said, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the task at hand. "We've got a lot of work to do if we're going to win this election."
Timo Lontokic, Etan's mentor and one of the greatest minds the world has ever known, walked into the room, greeting Etan and his daughter Ysel. Timo's impressive resume includes developing the revolutionary Sophia AI system, which has numerous innovative applications, and being the mastermind behind Neurosphere ¹.
Timo's visit was to share exciting news with Etan: the upgrade for Sophia 3.0, the system powering the solar collection satellites, was ready for testing. Etan congratulated Timo, even before seeing the results, expressing his confidence that this new version would be a significant boost to his campaign.
As the only non-former president running in the election, Etan's chances are looking bright, thanks to his company's incredible contributions to humanity. His leadership and vision, combined with Neurosphere's groundbreaking innovations, make him the heavy favorite to win. The upcoming test of Sophia 3.0 will likely further solidify his position.
Etan's phone rang, shrill in the silence. He glanced at the screen, and his face tensed, a deep crease etching his forehead. Timo, ever attentive, caught the subtle change in Etan's demeanor and sensed something was amiss.
"I'll leave you to take that, Etan," Timo said, his voice low and even. "I have some work to attend to in my lab."
As Timo departed, Etan's eyes remained fixed on the phone, his mind racing with possibilities.
Meanwhile, Enzo and Kite arrived home, exhausted from their ordeal. They entered the kitchen, where their mother, Zara Pearce, was clearing up after a day of cooking. Enzo quickly took over the chores, insisting his mother take a well-deserved rest.
Zara's eyes, filled with gratitude, smiled at her son. She had been diagnosed with a unique disease that left her easily drained of energy. Medication helped, but she required regular medical attention, a luxury they couldn't afford. Doctors and hospitals were exclusive to those living within the city walls, a privilege the Pearces didn't have.
As Zara attempted to stand, her legs buckled, and she began to seizure. Kite, horrified, rushed to her side, calling out for his brother.
"Enzo! Mom's having a seizure!" Kite yelled, panic etched on his face.
Enzo dropped the dishes and sprinted to his mother's side, his heart racing with fear. He gently cradled her head, trying to comfort her as the seizure subsided.
"We need to get her to a doctor," Enzo said, his voice laced with worry.
Kite nodded, his eyes welling up with tears. "But how, Enzo? We can't afford it."
Enzo's jaw clenched, determination burning within him. "We'll find a way, Kite. We have to."