July, 3522. In the Third Class district, the underground mining town of Hoffnung, artificial "Suns" were lit one by one.
People hurried to the mines without even having breakfast.
In one of the dark houses of the shadowy town, in a suffocating, narrow room, Michael opened his eyes. The dream he had just experienced still lingered in his mind.
In it, he had seen the sky — the real sky. Blue, bright, filled with clouds. But it was nothing more than a legend.
Michael got dressed and headed toward the mine. He greeted his friends and took his place at his post.
Life in Hoffnung was harsh and hopeless. The town's hospital was equipped with old, inefficient devices. Even the most basic treatments were prohibitively expensive. If a patient's condition worsened, they were sent to the "surface hospital." None of those sent ever returned.
While working, Michael whispered to his friend Joseph, wary of the robot soldiers who constantly watched them:
— They've extended our shift to sixteen hours, — Michael said through gritted teeth. — As if we're slaves…
— We are… — Joseph shook his head in despair. — What else can we do but bow our heads? Even Mars's rebels can only hold a couple of cities.
— Don't say that, Joseph. They've done what they could. I wish we were among them…
Leaving the town was strictly forbidden. Giant screens flickered on every corner:
"Obedience for Unity."
People were born, lived, and died in Hoffnung.
Dust, mud, and fear covered everything. Silence ruled the streets. Laughter — a forgotten act.
The mines glowed with artificial light,
But the darkness within the people did not change.
Everyone believed salvation would come from afar. Someone would come to lead them out of this darkness…
Michael knew the system was wrong. This life should not exist.
How long could he remain silent? How long could he watch and do nothing?
As he pondered, the bell for the "break" rang. He joined the other workers in the mine square.
The voice of a First Class leader echoed across the square:
— Today is Selection Day!
For a brief moment, everyone froze.
Under the guise of the "Education Program," lower-class children were selected.
In reality, it was a compulsory "selection" for genetic experiments and unimaginable tests.
No one spoke of it.
Fear silenced them. Screens filled with the words: "To be Selected is an Honor."
But Michael knew — it was no honor. Those chosen never returned.
This time, Zera, Michael's closest friend, was selected.
The pale-skinned girl's color drained further as she trembled toward the square. Shrinking with fear, she kept her eyes on the ground as she approached the Selection Machine.
Something snapped inside Michael. He wanted to stop her. He lunged forward, but a woman's hand grabbed his arm:
— Stop, son. They'll take you too…
Michael froze. His hands trembled.
Clenching his teeth in anger, he watched as the machine slowly lifted, carrying Zera inside. She pressed her face against the window, staring into Michael's eyes, and whispered:
— You're different… Run before they find you…
Night.
Michael woke with a pounding headache. A vein throbbed on his forehead like a pulse. A strange heat coursed through his body.
When he stood, he saw a red light glowing beneath his skin. This was impossible. His blood was silver. But now… it was changing.
The room plunged into darkness for a moment.
Silence. And then…
Someone stood at the door. No one should have been there.
He didn't move. He just… stared at Michael's glowing veins.