1. Year 2094
The sky above Neo-Delhi had no stars.
Not because of pollution.
Not because of clouds.
Because they were turned off.
A transparent energy dome surrounded the entire city — stretching 300 kilometers wide. It filtered radiation, controlled temperature, and projected a perfect artificial atmosphere.
Blue during the day.
Dark at night.
Always flawless.
Too flawless.
The world had collapsed in 2068 after climate wars and AI conflicts nearly ended humanity. Governments merged into one global authority known as The Grid Authority.
Their promise was simple:
"Order. Safety. Stability."
And they delivered.
Crime dropped to zero.
Food shortages disappeared.
No wars.
No riots.
But something else vanished too.
Wonder.