After finishing my meal, I placed the plates in the dishwasher, a sleek, futuristic machine that swiftly cleaned and returned them to the cupboards. The efficiency of the technology no longer surprised me—I was growing accustomed to the advanced world of Aetheris.
“Zahara dear, we’ll be heading out now,” Ngoni’s voice called from behind. I turned to see her standing with the staff members, who had apparently finished their work.
“That quick?” I asked, walking toward her with a polite smile.
“The UnitDisc is incredibly helpful,” Ngoni explained. “It identifies which areas need immediate attention, allowing my team to work efficiently and avoid unnecessary chores.”
“Oh, isn’t it easier to use robots, though?” I inquired. I hadn’t seen any robots in Aetheris, which seemed odd for such an advanced society.
Ngoni shook her head. “Robots were phased out by the Federation about 500 years ago. They were deemed environmentally unfriendly—their production required rare materials that depleted natural resources, and their energy consumption was unsustainable. Plus, their malfunctions were costly for ordinary citizens to repair. In the end, the Federation decided that human labor, augmented by tools like the UnitDisc, was more practical and eco-friendly.”
“Ah, so that’s how it is,” I replied, nodding thoughtfully.
“We’ll get going, then,” Ngoni said, gathering her things.
“Okay, let me see you off,” I offered.
“No need. If you’re not going to school, why not call Amani to come over? She enjoys spending time with you,” Ngoni suggested before leaving with the staff.
I was reminded of my cousin, Amani, but I couldn’t bring myself to contact her just yet. I needed to understand this world better—its geography, its history, and its secrets.
With the house quiet, I returned to the Terminal and resumed my exploration of Aetheris’s regions. I started with Region A, the western part of the continent.
The holographic map zoomed in, revealing a landscape that felt both familiar and alien. The architecture of the cities was striking—towering structures with intricate designs that echoed the ancient mud-brick buildings of West Africa and sand castles of the Mali empire. The Great Mosque of Djenné, once a UNESCO World Heritage site, seemed to have inspired some of the modern designs, with their geometric patterns and sweeping curves.
As I delved deeper, I noticed the music of Region A—a vibrant blend of traditional rhythms and futuristic beats. The unmistakable sound of Afrobeat filled the air, its infectious energy pulsing through the streets. It was a testament to the enduring legacy of West African culture, preserved and reimagined in this new world.
Next, I turned my attention to Region B, the northern part of Aetheris. To my astonishment, the Sahara Desert—once a barren expanse of sand—was now a lush, green paradise. The Federation had somehow transformed the desert into a thriving ecosystem, complete with forests, rivers, and even small settlements.
But what truly captivated me were the pyramids—massive, gleaming structures that rose from the landscape like ancient sentinels. These weren’t the pyramids of Giza I remembered from my past life. They were larger, more intricate, and infused with advanced technology. Yet their design was unmistakably inspired by the ancient architecture of Egypt and Sudan. It was as if the Federation had taken the grandeur of the past and elevated it to new heights.
Finally, I explored Region C, where my parents were currently stationed. This region encompassed the southern part of the continent, including what was once South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and neighboring countries. The landscape was diverse—rolling savannas, dense rainforests, and towering mountains.
I noticed the vibrant cultures of the south, their traditions preserved and celebrated. The music here was a fusion of traditional drumming and modern electronic beats, creating a sound that was uniquely Aetherian. The cities were a blend of old and new, with futuristic skyscrapers standing alongside structures inspired by ancient African kingdoms.
My own region, Region D, was a breathtaking mix of East and Central Africa. The landscape was dominated by lush forests, sprawling savannas, and the majestic Lake Nalu—formerly Lake Victoria. The wildlife here was thriving, with elephants, giraffes, and other species roaming freely. It was a testament to the Federation’s efforts to preserve the natural world.
As I pieced together the information, a clear picture emerged. Aetheris was divided into four regions, each representing a different part of the former African continent I knew:
Region A: West Africa and neighboring countries, with its vibrant music and ancient-inspired architecture.
Region B: North Africa, and the transformed Sahara Desert.
Region C: Southern Africa, a land of diverse landscapes and rich cultures.
Region D: East and Central Africa, where I currently resided, with its lush forests, sprawling savannas, and the majestic Lake Nalu.
The Federation had erased the borders of the past, merging the continent into a unified entity. Travel between regions was seamless, facilitated by facial recognition technology. But beneath the surface, the echoes of the old world remained—hidden in the architecture, the music, and the traditions of the people.
As I absorbed this information, memories of my former life came flooding back. I remembered the rise of the Alliance, a radical group that had swept across Africa in the early 21st century. At first, they were hailed as heroes, rounding up rebel groups and overthrowing corrupt leaders. The world had cheered them on, believing they would bring peace and stability to a troubled continent.
But their methods grew increasingly extreme. They closed Africa’s borders, cutting off trade and isolating the continent from the rest of the world. Then came the purges—targeting not just corrupt officials but anyone who opposed their vision of a “pure” Africa.
The world watched in horror as the Alliance tightened its grip, but by then, it was too late. By the time of my death, the Alliance had a stranglehold on every person in Africa. They had become worse than the forces they had originally fought against.
As I sat there, staring at the holographic map, a chilling thought crossed my mind. Was the Federation simply a rebranded version of the Alliance?
The similarities were hard to ignore. The Federation’s control over Aetheris was absolute, its citizens living in a carefully curated world where dissent was not tolerated. If the Federation was indeed the Alliance, then Aetheris was not the utopia it appeared to be. It was a gilded cage, its beauty masking a darker truth.
A soft chime from my Terminal pulled me out of my thoughts. It was a message from my parents.
“Zahara, your tutor will arrive in two days. She’s one of the best in Region C, so make sure you’re prepared. We love you and can’t wait to hear about your progress.”
I smiled faintly, typing a quick reply. "Thank you for arranging this. I’ll be ready. Love you too.”
The message sent, I leaned back in my chair, my mind buzzing with questions and plans. I had two days before my life would be consumed by lessons and schedules. If I wanted to explore this world, now was the time.
I dressed quickly, pulling on a sleek leather jacket, comfortable jeans, and a pair of futuristic sneakers that seemed to mold to my feet. Grabbing the Terminal, I headed to the Zephyra-6, the sleek craft waiting patiently in the driveway.
“Destination?” the craft’s smooth, automated voice asked as I settled into the seat.
“Mombasa,” I said, curious to see if the name had survived the centuries. To my surprise, it had. The Zephyra-6 hummed to life, and within moments, we were soaring through the sky.
The journey was breathtakingly short, thanks to the craft’s incredible speed. As we descended, I marveled at the landscape below. The once-distinct borders of Kenya and Uganda were gone, replaced by a seamless expanse of land that was now part of Region D. Travel within the region was effortless, with no need for documents—just a quick facial scan at checkpoints.
When we landed on the outskirts of Mombasa, the Zephyra-6 activated its cloaking mechanism, disappearing into thin air. I stared in awe as the craft became invisible, leaving no trace of its presence.
The beach was as stunning as I remembered, though it was now dotted with futuristic loungers and holographic advertisements. I ordered a passion fruit juice from a nearby kiosk, paying with a simple fingerprint scan. Povi had explained that currencies were now entirely digital, linked to each citizen’s neural chip. It was convenient, though it made me nostalgic for the tactile feel of cash.
As I sipped my drink, a girl approached me. She was medium height, with braided hair and a dress that blended traditional Maasai patterns with modern design. Her chocolate skin glowed under the sun, and her smile was warm and inviting.
“Hi, I’m Nyota,” she said, extending her hand. The name meant “star” in Swahili, and it suited her perfectly.
“I’m Zahara,” I replied, shaking her hand.
Her eyes widened slightly. “Zahara Nia? The Zahara Nia?”
I blinked, caught off guard. “Yes…?”
“I’ve heard of you,” Nyota said, her tone tinged with awe. “Your parents are top scientists, right? I saw you on the news once, at some Federation event. You’re kind of famous in Region D.”
I forced a smile, masking my surprise. So that’s why my classmates had been staring at me. To them, I was the daughter of prominent figures—a celebrity of sorts.
We chatted for a while, discussing everything from the weather to the latest trends on the Hue Network. Nyota was easy to talk to, her laughter infectious. But when I casually asked if she’d ever heard of Kenya, she shook her head.
“Never heard of it,” she said, shrugging. “Is it a new brand or something?”
“No, just something I read about,” I replied, quickly changing the subject.
As the conversation flowed, I couldn’t help but notice how down-to-earth Nyota was. She seemed genuinely surprised that I was so approachable.
“Most kids from top families are… well, a bit standoffish,” she admitted. “But you’re different.”
I smiled, though her words left me uneasy. The world of Aetheris, for all its advancements, still had its hierarchies. Wealth and status mattered here, just as they had in my former life.
Before we parted ways, Nyota snapped a picture of us together. “I’ll send it to you,” she said, tapping her Terminal. “You should join the Hue Network. Everyone’s on it.”
I nodded, making a mental note to create an account later.
As the sun began to set, a sudden blue flash lit up the sky. I looked up, startled, but the flash was gone as quickly as it had appeared. The people around me barely reacted, as if it were a normal occurrence.
“What was that?” I asked Nyota, trying to sound casual.
“Oh, that’s just the Veil,” she said, sipping her drink. “It activates every evening to protect Aetheris. You know, the shield thing?”
“Right, of course,” I said, forcing a laugh. “I just… forgot for a moment.”
Nyota smiled, but her eyes lingered on me for a moment too long. I quickly changed the subject, not wanting to raise suspicions.
After saying goodbye to Nyota, I returned to the Zephyra-6 and flew back home. The journey was quiet, giving me time to reflect on the day’s events.
Back in my room, I took a long bath, letting the warm water soothe my thoughts. As I dried off, I made a plan for the next day:
Open a Hue Network account: If I wanted to blend in and gather information, I needed to be part of the social fabric of Aetheris.
Research training levels: I had to understand the combat system and the weapons available to me.
Order history books: If I was going to uncover the truth about Aetheris, I needed to start with its past.
As I settled into bed, my mind wandered back to the Veil. That blue flash had been mesmerizing, yet unsettling. What was it's importance? And what lay behind it?
For now, those questions would have to wait. Tomorrow was a new day, and I had a lot to prepare for.
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Thank you for reading, please continue to follow Zahara as she navigates this futuristic world, uncovering its secrets and battling its dangers. With high-tech wonders and hidden mysteries.
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