In the distant future, industries became fully automated. To be employed meant to be plugged in—for the human brain still surpassed the most advanced computers.


    To retain their fortunes, a collaboration of billionaires had designed neural interfaces. A scheme to keep themselves prosperous and the people subjugated.


    The economy entered an era of corporate neo-feudalism. Billionaires'' descendants each operated as CEOs overseeing thousands of workers.


    To start a new legacy, they chose new surnames, and their subject''s inherited the names as well. Only the highest-level executives identified as CEOs.


    Corporations recruited people with the most active minds. Neural energy credits replaced currency—the higher one''s output, the greater one''s purchase power.


    Instead of relying on physical labor for income, workers'' thoughts operated sophisticated machinery and processed mental computations.


    The employees'' sustainable buying power also meant further consumption ...


    The market persevered ...


    Workers lived on corporate campuses, which replaced cities and nations.


    Only companies traded with one another for commerce.


    Those rejected as inadequate endured outside fortified corporate walls. Scattered about in settlements or roamed around like nomads—primitive nonetheless.


    ————


    CEO Josh Smith III invited Frank Smith, his VP of nanotechnology …


    "Well, Frank? Report! Does it work?"


    "Yes, sir, we think so. We''ve tested it on rodents. Their behaviors swapped, even their food preferences. We need human test subjects."


    Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    "No, Frank. I want to start this right away! I don''t care if the results are fatal."


    "Sir, how can we get inside? Their wall''s impenetrable."


    "Easily. This CEO is the kind who exploits his human servants. Robots aren''t enough; he must have human trophies to showcase his power."


    "That''s horrific, sir. We''re thankful for your fair treatment."


    "Of course, Frank. My family has a long tradition of fairness."


    "What''s your plan, sir?"


    "I''ve promised one of his executive servants a new life—to overpower her master."


    "Does she believe you?"


    "I''m CEO." Josh slammed his fist on his desk— "My word is always the truth!"


    "Of course, apologies, sir."—Frank bowed.


    "Frank, explain to me again how this swap works. I''ll make sure she remembers ..."


    "Well, sir, this device I''m holding will infuse nanites into the subjects. It creates a two-way neural transmission. The servant must inject herself first, then her master. Then the magic begins …"


    ————


    In the office, at the top floor of CEO Marcus Jones'' corporate headquarters …


    He shouted through the intercom, "Servant Emma Jones, come here. My hands are dirty. Clean them."


    "Yes, my lord." His female servant approached him with her face bowed down.


    "I told you not to wear clothes. Undress."


    "Yes, my lord." She disrobed.


    "Much better …Your natural beauty pleases me. Without it, I might as well replace you with one of those ghastly automatic contraptions!


    "You should be grateful to be here. Get on your knees and give me thanks!"


    The servant kneeled before him ...


    "Stop, servant. What is that device you touched on the back of your head?"


    "My, my, lord, for me to you ... " Her voice stuttered.


    "What kind of gibberish is this ... ?"


    The servant jabbed her master in the leg with the nanite dispersion device.


    Within seconds, the magic happened …


    "What ... how am I ... what happened?" He stared straight up at her.


    "Stay on your knees to give me thanks, my lord." Emma smirked. "Or shall I say, servant?"


    ————


    "Sir, I''ve come to report a success ... The swap worked."


    "Incredible!" Josh raised his fist. "We must repeat this a thousand times!"


    Frank nodded—"As you wish, sir."


    Josh stood near a window and gazed at snow-packed mountains peaks on the horizon …


    "You know, Frank ... I originally planned to replace corrupt CEOs with their servants. To turn the table on them. But I think I have a better idea ... "


    "Sir?"


    "Let''s finish off the whole lot of them … You''ll get a raise and a promotion to president. We''ll run a one-world corporation and the rest subsidiaries. We can end the exploitation of the workers once and for all."