In the last few days, Andrés has experienced disturbing emotions, like a balloon that burst. As if it were a sieve, his mind is full of gaps. Wrapped in a sensation comparable to a butterfly trapped in a small cocoon. He wants to talk about his contradictions, and it makes him interested in a stimulating place. Where people can access information without a filter defining its nature. Even if it''s an escape. The belief is that breaking some rules is necessary.


    At the end of the workday, he takes a Smart Bus home. He pauses, looking at the busy city outside the window like an anthill. The vehicle is still crossing the industrial area of the city, far from his home. He presses the button. He has fifteen seconds to decide whether he will get off. There''s no arguing with technology. Bourgeoisie occupy the sidewalk outside with their second-generation androids. They hover next to their automatons with the "Levitating Personal Transport System." Everyone wastes money on frivolous trinkets, such as smart clothes with monitoring capabilities.


    For a moment, he examines how possibilities trap everyone more than limitations. Unlike those assistant androids, he realizes he has a choice. In the last few seconds, he decides to descend. He can''t glide in the air over the magnetic conductors. He is stuck on the ground, but others have obstacle-proof systems, so it''s not a problem. Andrés walks with speed. Curious, he walks past big flashy buildings with modern ads, tempting consumers.


    Andrés walks a few meters ahead and comes across an everyday scene he has never seen up close before. A technological waste ship lands beside a dead-end street. The vehicle unloads a heap of discarded androids from Aurora. The rich had used those robots as luxury or amusement items, but now they were throwing them away as trash. Andrés sees some policemen around, armed with hidden laser pistols. He wonders if it''s ethical and decides to approach it and understand what''s going on.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    The safety lock restricts the robots'' intelligence, disallowing any questioning of their owners. Andrés contemplates the androids'' worth and dreams of a world like his own. For a moment, he suspects he sees some movement in the pile of rubble. Something stirs, awakening from a deep slumber, bewildered and unsure of its surroundings.


    Andrés is aware that some of these androids can be dangerous if hacked or modified. Crooked smugglers are trying to swipe these automatons to sell on the illegal trade or use them for crime. They hang out at secret bars in the city, like Santana Bar, where tech skills are limitless. That''s his destination. He is careful not to draw attention as he crosses the warehouse towards the bodega.


    After a quick walk, he''s facing a dingy and rundown spot hidden behind a rusty metal door. After knocking three times on the door and sharing the password he got from a hackers'' forum, "2600 code," the passage opens up, letting him in. He walks into the bar, greeted by a dim and grimy space with neon lights and computers lighting up the area.


    Loud electronic music thumps from the speakers, making your chest shake. Alcohol, cigarettes, and synthetic drugs The journalist feels dizzy and disoriented. While looking around, he sees people sitting in armchairs and bean bags. They all dive into their own virtual world, whispering and fiddling with their digital devices.


    In a short moment of staying at the place, Andrés becomes aware of the unequivocal lack of desire for his company. Hackers and smugglers glare. The place is strange, dangerous, and mysterious. But Andrés remains willing to risk everything he has and put himself in dangerous situations. His primary goal is to probe the hidden secrets behind the hazy veils of that dim bar. He asks for the Wi-Fi password and gets an indifferent look. While scanning the surroundings, he looked for information about the cyberpunk world.