51: A New Routine

The energy storage unit lay in front of Alex on the table, its damaged casing cracked and several key components malfunctioning. He examined the unit with a critical eye, already sensing where the problems lay. It had clearly been exposed to harsh conditions, likely the brutal cold of the Northern Wastes. The wear and tear was visible, but the real issue was internal—the energy cells weren't holding a charge, and the transfer conduits were clogged with debris, likely ice crystals.

His fingers hovered over the console, and with a quick mental command, he activated the AI.

AI, analyze the energy storage unit. I need a detailed scan of its structure and any malfunctioning components.

The AI responded immediately, the familiar mechanical voice filling his mind. "Commencing scan. Analyzing internal components… Multiple blockages detected in the energy conduits. Power cells are below optimal performance levels. Outer casing damaged, compromising thermal insulation."

Alex nodded to himself as the data appeared on the console screen. The AI's analysis was thorough, and it confirmed what he had already suspected. The damage was extensive but not beyond repair.

"Alright," Alex muttered, rolling up his sleeves. "Let's get to work."

He opened the casing of the unit, carefully removing the damaged panels. The internal mechanisms were complex, a labyrinth of wires, circuits, and energy conduits that snaked around the core. He quickly located the blockages in the conduits—small bits of debris and ice frozen solid, blocking the flow of energy. Using a fine tool, he began the painstaking process of clearing them out.

As he worked, his mind drifted back to how surreal this situation was. Just a few days ago, he and his group had been scavengers in the Rust Quarter, barely surviving the brutal cold and fighting for every scrap of technology they could find. Now, he was part of a global marketplace, accepting repair jobs from distant outposts and earning Energy Credits—credits that could be used for everything from food to absorbing energy for personal enhancement.

The work was delicate, but Alex's hands moved with practiced ease. He had been repairing broken tech for as long as he could remember, and with the AI's help, he had become even more efficient. Within minutes, the conduits were clear, and he turned his attention to the energy cells.

AI, run diagnostics on the power cells. Let me know which ones need replacing.

"Power cells 2, 3, and 5 are operating below 50% capacity," the AI reported. "Recommend replacement."

Alex reached into his toolkit and pulled out spare energy cells he had salvaged from previous jobs. They weren't perfect matches, but they would do the job. With careful precision, he swapped out the malfunctioning cells, checking each connection to ensure they were secure. He could feel the slight hum of energy as the new cells began to power the unit again.

"That should do it," Alex said, satisfied with his work. He reassembled the casing, ensuring the thermal insulation was restored and that the unit was fully sealed against the elements. Once everything was in place, he ran a final diagnostic to confirm that the repair was successful.

"Energy storage unit is operating at 95% efficiency," the AI reported. "All systems are functional."

Alex allowed himself a small smile of satisfaction. Another job completed.

Alex carefully placed the repaired energy storage unit into the drone's compartment, ensuring it was secured for transport. The sleek, metallic drone hovered just outside the window, its rotors humming softly as it awaited the package. Once the unit was safely inside, the compartment closed with a soft click, and the drone beeped in acknowledgment.

"Delivery ready for pickup," Alex muttered, watching as the drone ascended into the sky, disappearing into the thick clouds. He couldn't help but feel a small sense of accomplishment. It wasn't the most glamorous job, but it was a job nonetheless—one that paid in Energy Credits and allowed him to tap into a system that offered far more than just survival.

As the drone flew off, Alex returned to the console, pulling up the job details. The status of the repair updated in real-time, indicating that the unit was en route to its destination. Moments later, a notification popped up on the screen:

Job Completed: Repair Energy Storage Unit

Payment Received: 500 Energy Credits

Alex exhaled, satisfied. His account balance updated, reflecting the newly earned credits. He hadn't been part of the global market for long, but it was clear how important these Energy Credits were. They weren't just currency—they were everything. With them, he could buy food, supplies, or even tap into energy reserves for personal use. In a world driven by energy, these credits were the lifeblood of the fractured society.

"500 Energy Credits," Alex murmured, leaning back in his chair. It wasn't much by the standards of the elites, but it was more than enough to keep him and his group stable for a while. He could use the credits to buy better equipment, more supplies, and even enhance the suits further.

He tapped the console, browsing through the available uses for his newly earned credits. There were marketplaces for nearly everything—food delivery, high-grade materials, blueprints for advanced tech, even personal enhancements that allowed individuals to absorb and manipulate energy in ways Alex had never seen before.

But for now, Alex decided to save the credits. There would be bigger jobs down the line, and he wanted to make sure they had a safety net in place.

Satisfied with the outcome of the repair, Alex closed the job screen and turned his attention to something else that had been nagging at the back of his mind: social media.

Alex had heard about the fractured world's social networks, but he hadn't had the time to dive into them. Now, with the job done and some credits in his account, he decided to explore.

"AI," Alex said, turning back to the console. "Connect me to the global social media network. I want to see what people are talking about."

"Connecting to global social media," the AI responded, the display shifting once again.

The screen lit up with a stream of posts, images, and videos from people all over the world. Alex was immediately overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information flooding his screen. There were people from outposts in frozen wastelands, arctic regions, and even massive, domed cities built to withstand the never-ending winter. They posted updates about their lives, their struggles, and their triumphs—everything from the mundane to the extraordinary.

It's so different from the Rust Quarter, Alex thought. These people are living in places we didn't even know existed.

The social media network wasn't just a place for people to share their thoughts; it was a hub for communication, a way for people across the fractured world to stay connected despite the isolation. Alex scrolled through a series of posts from people in distant outposts, reading about their daily lives, their challenges with energy shortages, and the constant need for repairs.

One post caught his attention—a group of engineers in Outpost 204 showing off a newly designed wind turbine that could generate energy even in the most violent snowstorms. The technology was impressive, and Alex felt a surge of excitement at the possibilities. If he could connect with these people, learn from them, maybe even collaborate, it could open up new opportunities for him and his group.

They're just like us, Alex thought, trying to survive in a world that's barely holding together.

He clicked on a few profiles, reading through their bios and work histories. It was clear that most of the people on this network were part of various factions—engineers, scientists, mechanics, and survivalists who had carved out their own niches in the fractured world. Everyone was connected, but the divisions were clear—each faction had its own priorities, its own goals, and its own struggles.

As Alex continued browsing, he found himself diving deeper into the world of these outposts. There were groups dedicated to energy research, communities focused on growing food in controlled environments, and even factions that specialized in scavenging and salvaging old-world technology from frozen cities. It was a network of people united by their need to survive, but each group was driven by something different.

Then, Alex noticed something strange. Amid the posts about energy advancements and survival tactics, there were encrypted messages—coded communications that seemed out of place. He frowned, clicking on one of the encrypted posts. It was a string of symbols, barely decipherable, but something about it felt… off.

AI, can you decode this message? Alex asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Analyzing encryption… Decoding in progress," the AI responded.

Alex waited as the AI worked, the symbols on the screen slowly shifting into something readable. When the message finally appeared, it was brief, but it sent a chill down his spine:

"They're watching. Stay hidden. Trust no one."

Alex's heart skipped a beat. He quickly scrolled through the account that had posted the message, but it had been wiped clean—no information, no details, just that cryptic warning left behind.

Elara, who had been watching him closely, moved to his side. "What is it?"

Alex hesitated for a moment before showing her the decoded message. "Someone posted this. I don't know what it means, but… it feels like a warning."

Elara's expression darkened. "We need to be careful. If someone's watching us, we can't afford to make mistakes."

Alex nodded, his mind racing. The fractured world was bigger and more connected than he had ever imagined, but it was also filled with secrets—secrets that could be dangerous if he wasn't careful.

He closed the social media feed, his thoughts swirling. The warning echoed in his mind, a constant reminder that even in this new world, they were never truly safe.