Beneath the Horizon

Chapter 1: The Wipe Division

Chapter 1: The Wipe Division

The hum of the fluorescent lights was constant and harsh in the narrow corridors of the Wipe Division. Keira Lee moved with practiced efficiency, her steps echoing softly against the sterile white walls. The scent of antiseptic hung heavy in the air, mingling with the faint, metallic tang of the machinery. This was her world—an endless series of corridors and rooms, each a part of the vast, faceless system that kept Horizon's citizens in check.

As she approached her workstation, Keira's fingers deftly adjusted the settings on the Cerebrox machine. The device was a sleek, silver panel with a series of holographic displays and a network of glowing conduits. It looked almost serene, but Keira knew its true nature. She'd seen the aftermath of its use—the vacant eyes, the lost memories, the people who had become shadows of their former selves.

"Morning, Keira," said Lena, her colleague and friend, with a nod. Lena's face was masked by a standard-issue visor, a common accessory in their line of work. She was adjusting a similar Cerebrox unit, her movements precise and automated.

"Morning, Lena." Keira offered a tight smile, her gaze darting to the control panel. Her heart raced slightly, though she kept her expression neutral. Today was no different from any other day—except that she knew it could be.

Keira had always been careful. In a world where the wrong memory could mean the end of everything, she'd learned to navigate the system's protocols with a blend of caution and cunning. The Cerebrox technology, with its capacity to erase or rewrite memories, was her constant companion. But it was more than just a tool; it was a weapon wielded by the elite to keep the lower ranks in line.

The door to the main processing room slid open with a soft hiss, and Keira followed Lena inside. The room was dominated by a large, circular table with multiple stations for memory alteration. Each station had its own Cerebrox unit, and a series of empty chairs were lined up like mournful sentinels, awaiting their next occupants.

A new batch of citizens had been scheduled for processing today—those identified as potentially dangerous by the regime. Keira scanned the list of names on the digital screen mounted on the wall. Her fingers hovered over the console as she prepared to begin the day's work.

"Keira, did you hear?" Lena's voice was barely a whisper, though it was laced with concern.

"Heard what?" Keira asked, her attention divided between the screen and the device in front of her.

"The Ascendancy Trials are coming up," Lena said. "I heard they're selecting candidates from our sector this year. Can you believe it?"

Keira's heart skipped a beat. The Ascendancy Trials were the most grueling competition in Horizon, a chance for a select few to rise from the lower ranks into the elite Sentinels. It was a coveted position, but the Trials were known for their brutal nature—designed to test not just physical strength, but also mental resilience and conformity.

"Really?" Keira said, her voice carefully controlled. "I hadn't heard that."

Lena nodded, her visor obscuring her expression. "Yeah, and they say they're looking for candidates who can handle the mental strain. I'm sure you'd do well, Keira."

Keira forced a smile. "Thanks, Lena. But I have my hands full here."

The door to the processing room opened again, and a group of citizens shuffled in, their expressions resigned. Keira's gaze swept over them, noting the fearful glances and nervous shuffling. These were the ones deemed dangerous, their memories set to be altered by the Cerebrox system.

As she began the procedure, Keira's mind raced. If she were selected for the Trials, her carefully maintained secret would be at risk. Her immunity to the Cerebrox system—achieved through years of manipulating its protocols—was the only thing that set her apart from the rest. It allowed her to retain her memories, but it also made her a target.

The hours passed in a blur of mechanical efficiency. Each session was a reminder of the stakes at hand. Keira's fingers moved with practiced ease, adjusting settings, monitoring the process, and ensuring that the system worked flawlessly. She knew the dangers that came with her role, and she navigated them with a mixture of skill and anxiety.

By the end of the day, as the final citizen left the room with a blank expression, Keira took a deep breath and wiped her brow. She was exhausted, both physically and mentally. The weight of her secret pressed heavily on her shoulders.

As she prepared to leave the Wipe Division, her comm unit buzzed with an incoming message. She glanced at the screen, her pulse quickening as she read the words.

"Congratulations, Keira Lee. You have been selected for the Ascendancy Trials."

Keira's heart raced as she stared at the message. The Trials were a chance for her to change her fate, but they also posed the greatest risk. If her immunity were discovered, she would be eliminated without a second thought.

She took a deep breath, her mind already racing through strategies and contingencies. The Trials would begin soon, and she needed to be ready. For Keira, the stakes had never been higher. With the weight of her secret and the pressure of the Trials ahead, she had to navigate the dangerous path that lay before her.

As she left the Wipe Division, Keira cast one last glance at the shadows of the city. Horizon was a place where memories were weaponized and control was paramount. She would have to be smart, careful, and above all, resilient.

The Ascendancy Trials awaited, and Keira was determined to face them head-on—whatever the cost.