Futuristic No Strings Attached - A Dystopian Soulmate AU

[Skybreaker]

ARACHNE was a spider, and her web was cold.

Thirty. Thirty citizens, and not one quarter-decimal more would be present at Matchmaking Retreat, iteration 6X42. Even if ARACHNE was staunchly anti-state, which was yet to be determined, she had to admire that the New Heartland’s predictive machines always led to these… nice and even outcomes. Some examples that came to mind even just around her den were the estimated precipitation in the Denver Demilitarized Zone, the daily electricity usage of her monitoring systems, and the fluctuating market prices of her sweetgrain dealer. Even when attempting to live away the deafening pulse of the Heartland, the lifeblood of its technology was far too convenient to ignore. Aside from that, if she was to lace her web with all the sugary sweetness as to stick a few flies… she’d need to take shortcuts.

That was an example of how the NeuroThread™ got people, too. Provide honey, or love, in exchange for a web- a simple “non-invasive” procedure that promised regulation of dangerous emotions. Without those red strings of fate, ARACHNE would have nothing to offer her dear little flies- no information, no incentive, and certainly not a hack that promised them the following:

”The Retreat and the NeuroThread™ are not what they seem! They’ve already taken away our humanity, but you cannot let them take what little we have left. Download this hack into your wrist port. It will allow you to temporarily disable the inhibitor modules once a day, for only 45 seconds at a time- the amount of time it takes for your heart to make one complete circulation. You’ll need this ability if you’re going to attend the Retreat and get to the bottom of what’s really going on…”

It was difficult to send encrypted messages since the State controlled most communications lines, but she had claws in rather high places. From her own reports, all of the messages had been opened, but not all the hacks had been downloaded and installed. That was just as well- accepting such dubious code into one’s neural processing units was rather risky, and perhaps ARACHNE herself ran the risk of being discovered with this little stunt of hers, but the time for caution had long since passed.

These little flies were her last hope.
-
Each Matchmaking Retreat was carefully planned and set into motion upon a wide variety of factors. Publicly, those factors were available resources, space, state objectives, and coupling goals for the season. Privately, they could very well be anyone’s guess.

The Ministry of the Interior technically held the most authority over Matchmaking Retreats, but the staff both onsite and behind the metaphorical curtain hailed from all walks of life and every corner of the New Heartland’s shining government. Iteration 6X42 was one of six retreats currently taking place in the DDZ, with the other five already ongoing.

It was the first official day of Retreat 6X42, which meant that all of the current candidates had either arrived or would be arriving shortly. Despite it being touted as the most special moment of any Heartlander’s life, as everything else, it prioritized efficiency first. Upon being notified of their eligibility for the Retreat, candidates had only twenty-four hours to confirm or defer. That was a week ago. Since then, accommodations had been made been the Matchmaking teams to reserve about a month off for all participants with their respective ministries, as well as contacting any vital extracurricular organizers that they would need to plan accordingly. Naturally, rations for the selected candidates were also halted in their places of residence, even those who already called the DDZ their home.

The state sent small transportation pods to extract the unmatched candidates directly to the retreat location. As with any state-authorized vehicle, the pods were featureless other than a pale grey, rotund exterior. The inside was entirely opaque, since the pods were autonomous and passengers didn’t need to view anything outside of their pod anyways. Perhaps they would find it rather comfortable- for most people, private transportation was an unneeded luxury, and there were very few single-occupancy vehicles available for rent even on the Heartland Highways. The egg-shaped pods were sometimes seen ferrying Labor Draft candidates and Ministry officials alike- anyone whose path might differ from the more standard urban pathways of domicile-ministry-domicile.

Upon arrival, candidates would find that their pod had taken them high into the mountains surrounding the city that was once just called Denver. For the most part, these mountains had been combed and parsed for any relics from the Troubles, though there were often whispers among drunken Ministry of Defense workers that entire towns had remained hidden deep in those snow-covered caps since before the first bomb was detonated.

Not that such unfounded rumors were the business of the Matchmaking Retreat! Iteration 6X42 was a lucky batch- their retreat was luxurious, with each of the candidates receiving individual accommodation within the fortified resort. Surrounded by a tall electromagnetic barrier along the perimeter and even a handful of staff to serve as security personnel, even if there was some unwanted company, they wouldn’t be allowed into the lodge. The central building itself wasn’t particularly grand- it held a reception as a lobby, where upon checking in, candidates would receive digital access codes uploaded directly into their NeuroThread™ that would serve as their keys for the duration of their stays. From there, they were told to check their itineraries regularly, and that they could help themselves to any of the refreshments allotted within their private quarters.

They were advised not to rest too comfortably just yet though- the first deactivating would occur tonight, and the retreat organizers didn’t want anyone to miss it.

 

[November Witch]

Petal Dianthus

Status: Excited and nervous

Petal was irked, to say the least. Frustrated. Annoyed. This pod was too small! How was she supposed to fit her ‘travel’ wardrobe in here!? After complaining to her maids and butlers for minutes on end, her mother promised to send the rest of what she needed, and just take what Petal would need for the first few days, causing the pinkette to huff and puff in frustration. She ended up stacking multiple suitcases and cramming the pod with what she could while still remaining comfortable. She would bid her parents farewell with an “I love you.” And her attendants with a "I’m trusting you to keep my room tidy and my parents well.”

Petal would spend the first few minutes of her trip looking for a window or a button for one. She wanted to see the scenery! But after failing to find one, she started to practice her vocals, and make sure her voice wouldn’t get rusty on this trip. After all, she had a reputation to uphold as a star theatrics actor, and as a Dianthus. However, as Petal exhausted the bottle of water she brought with her, she was forced to stop. She didn’t want to damage her vocal cords or strain her voice without water to wet it with. After that, she sat there on her phone for a bit before falling asleep, lining into the corner of the pod.

A dream lingered in the girl’s mind when she started to awake. Something about her childhood. Something about it felt much more colorful and vivid than the present. A feeling which ended a little before hitting double digits in age. Which, coincidentally, was when she received the implant. However, Petal simply chalked it up to becoming more mature and gaining responsibilities. Her eyes blinked away the sleep and the bright childhood memories. She had a few strands of hair in her mouth and had fallen into a much less comfortable position. The pinkette started to fix her appearance, as it seemed she was only about half an hour away from the retreat now. She needed to make herself presentable. After all, first impressions often determine whether someone likes or dislikes another.

Petal expected to see everyone arrive at the same time, or possibly see everyone gathering in one location until all occupants were accounted for. It didn’t seem to be the case though. She exited and was greeted by someone who told her about her itinerary and her room. She’d graciously accept the help and let the service personnel lug all her luggage to her room while she simply explored her room and made sure it was up to her standards. Which it was! It was a nice and comfy place with a view she could only love! Seeing the mountains and snow capped peaks rivaling the clouds was a sight to behold.

Petal didn’t exactly heed the advice she was given after she settled in though. She would help herself to the refreshments in her room and take a nap. She’d then wake up roughly an hour before they were supposed to start the deactivation, take a shower and make sure she was as pretty as possible. Petal was then as ready as she could be, and in fact, a little nervous as to what exactly this would all entail and how she would feel when it was turned off.

 

[BlossomBunniess]

Olivia Austin




Status: Excited

The morning sun gently caressed the undulating hills of the St. Louis Archiplex, awakening Olivia Austin from her peaceful slumber. Slowly rising from her comfortable bed, she felt the lingering warmth of her floral-patterned quilt embracing her for a brief moment. With a contented stretch, she moved to the bathroom, her hazel eyes reflecting the early sunlight. A familiar routine unfolded – a refreshing morning shower, a nice face wash, the rhythmic hum of the toothbrush, the careful arrangement of her chestnut hair into a bun, and a good outfit.

Walking to the kitchen, the inviting aroma of a hearty breakfast enveloped her quaint living space. "Good morning, sunshine! Breakfast is served," she chirped to herself, savoring the comforting routine as she prepared a plate featuring bacon, eggs, sausage, black pudding, baked beans, grilled tomato, fried bread, and toast. Accompanied by a selection of jams, marmalades, and a steaming cup of herbal tea, the meal was a comforting ritual, providing strength for the day's activities. As the clock ticked, she began preparing for the impending journey.

"Let's see, the essentials, multiple changes of clothes, and, of course, a few good books for the journey," she mused aloud, her hazel eyes sparkling with anticipation. The excitement of the upcoming retreat added a touch of nervous energy to these mundane tasks, infusing them with anticipation for the unknown. Finally, the moment arrived when Olivia stepped outside to witness the arrival of the pod, a nondescript vessel that would transport her to the mountainous retreat. With a sense of wonder and curiosity, she entered the pod, carrying the essentials for this unexpected adventure. "Here we go, off to new horizons," she said to herself, a smile playing on her lips.

The autonomous vehicle embarked on its journey, and as the landscape transformed outside, Olivia immersed herself in the pages of a captivating book, letting the words transport her to another realm. As the rhythmic hum of the pod lulled her into a serene slumber, the transition from urban sprawl to mountainous peaks unfolded. Olivia awoke to a landscape vastly different from the one she left behind – the majestic mountains surrounding Denver. "Wow, this is breathtaking," she exclaimed, the sheer beauty of the scene captivating her. Stepping out of the pod, she marveled at the crisp mountain air and took a deep breath.

Settling into her allocated room within the luxurious mountain resort, Olivia couldn't contain her excitement. "This is going to be amazing! ! " she remarked to herself, unpacking her belongings.

(Sorry if its not good, Im trying not to overthink it and spend forever perfecting it and not sending it ever so here it is)

coded by archangel_

 

[TheMadIceCreamMan]

KONRAD DIPPEL

While the exact vocabulary of blue-collar and white-collar were no longer popular vernacular within the state it still held that work was stratified between the ministries in terms of labor types. In the Ministry of Agriculture, a worker could more easily be substituted with another of the same physical prowess. This was less amicable within the Ministry of Knowledge where labor is specialized. Even more so within the Health Division that Konrad stems from. For years he had delayed his own Matchmaking Retreat in favor of ongoing projects that required his specific expertise to operate smoothly. Ironically, the retreat was pushed farther and farther back as his efforts gave rise to more responsibility as he transitioned into a leadership position as his rank rose. As well as his own personal goals of pushing the 'Human Devlopment' model that saw him stretched thin. The idea of the Retreat seemed increasingly mythical and unattainable despite his family pressuring him every year.

Then his mother got sick. Hospitalized for a month from their stomach perforating suddenly. Though everyone in the family knew it wasn't sudden. The combination of long hours and poor diet made it an inevitability. Even Konrad had been diagnosed with peptic ulcer formation. It was something to be dealt with later as treatment required time away from work. His mother had much the same mentality. Having joked for years that the diagnosis simply meant she was doing her part for New Heartland. The ulcers. They weren't genetic. Yet, this frame of thought that bodily degradation equaled being a true worker was something of a throughline in the household. How much of this was nature versus nurture was not something within his expertise. This hospital stay was a brief wakeup call. A shared realization between mother and son was reached in the hospital room. And an agreement was made. Killing two birds with one stone Konrad would go on the Retreat while also treating his ulcers to halt its onset development.

Konrad had made his preparations for his leave months ahead of time. Some projects would have to be put on hold while others would function under temporary heads of staff that had worked with Konrad for a number of years. Overall, the degree by which the Ministry was able to adjust to his absence was impressive and reflective of the Government's ability to manage its human resources. Jokes in the lab were aloft at this time. Talking about how Konrad would be working on his hardest project yet. Or that he was having a mid-life crisis. It wasn't unfounded as he himself made verbal comments many times on not wanting to go on a Retreat only to suddenly decide to go on one. Keeping his family matters private only brewed speculation in the lab as he never gave his reasoning. Indeed, perhaps this was to be one of the hardest projects he was to take on he felt in some small part.

As the daunting day approached Konrad found himself disconnected. He wondered how his mother was feeling. How his colleagues would manage in the first week. There was also his bi-monthly book meet he put on hold. To his surprise, the kids were a mix of sad and mad to see him go. The mixture of reactions from his peers and family whether it was in support or jest was also oddly palpable. He never took the time to consider the rapport he had built in the people around him. His head was anywhere but on the Retreat. It was almost startling when the transportation pod finally showed up. That morning only really saw him go through the motions in an unconscious mechanical flow. Another day at the lab. But it wasn't. He had only just sat in the pod and the emptiness in his schedule was already harrowing. He was used to public transport, not this. Quietly, the man falls back into himself as he whips out a planner to set in motion what he will do after the Retreat. The kids at the book meet had always suggested this and that book to him. And now in this void of time he finds himself with the time to finally entertain their suggestions.

By the time the mysterious message from ARACHNE arrived it left his mind to mull it over. Not on downloading it but rather on how to report this issue properly. He wasn't a telecommunication expert, so he wasn't sure how 'spam' got through beyond perhaps the network security being weaker this far out from the core cities? Regardless, he wouldn't download the 'hack' as it were. Arriving at the Mountain Resort he found himself entranced by the natural beauty of the area before rather promptly asking to be escorted to his personal quarters. He had to finish the chapter he was on. As well take notes. Even away from the Ministry he still found himself able to bring work with him. Surely his mother scoffing at him. At least his 'office' out here had amenities for him. A glass of water being all he needed at the moment.

STATUS: Anxious - Unenthusiastic