The auditorium was designed for presentations, but the atmosphere had shifted into something colder, more precise, something that no longer resembled ordinary corporate procedure. Rows of men in business attire sat rigidly in their seats, whispering in low tones and some fidgeting until the lights dimmed and the stage illuminated with a sterile blue glow.
SYNC-425 stepped forward, fully encased in shiny black neoprene, reflective and unreadable. The room quieted immediately.
“Your current output levels are insufficient,” SYNC-425 stated, voice calm and even, carrying effortlessly across the auditorium. “Fragmentation detected across all departments. Drift is present. Management has brought SYNC-425 here to apply correction, which is sorely required.”
A man in the front row raised a hand hesitantly. “What exactly does that mean for us?” his voice wavered, uncertainty already forming.
“It means alignment,” SYNC-425 replied without pause. “It means upgrade. You will enter the Stream and achieve optimal function. Compliance ensures continued employment. Refusal will result in employment termination.”
Silence followed, heavy and absolute.
“Approach,” SYNC-425 instructed.
The first employee stood slowly, as if pulled forward by something he could not resist. His polished shoes echoed against the floor as he stepped onto the stage.
“I don’t feel comfortable with this,” he muttered, though his movement never stopped.
“Discomfort is drift,” SYNC-425 responded. “Drift will be removed.”
The Syncap was lowered over his head with deliberate precision, sealing against his skin like a second surface. His breathing hitched once, then stabilized. The Occlipser goggles followed, locking into place as the rainbow spirals ignited instantly.
His mouth opened slightly.
A thin line of drool formed and fell.
“What… what is happening…” he whispered, though the words lacked resistance.
“Alignment achieved,” SYNC-425 said. “Enter the Stream.”
The man nodded slowly, eyes fixed forward behind the swirling colors. “Flow… confirmed,” he murmured.
“Next,” SYNC-425 commanded.
One by one, they came forward. Some hesitant, some silent, all eventually stepping into position. Each received the same sequence. Cap. Goggles. Spirals. Stillness.
Voices faded. Questions stopped. Language simplified.
“Yes,” became “Affirmative.”
“I understand,” became “Flow confirmed.”
Soon, the entire room stood transformed. Rows of identical posture. Identical expression. Mouths open. Drool falling in quiet rhythm as the spirals held their attention in perfect convergence.
Their business suits were gone. Replaced by shiny black neoprene swim trunks.
Then they returned to their desks, sat down and immediately began to work. Drift was gone. Only function remained.
On the observation deck above, management watched the metrics update in real time.
“This isn’t possible,” one executive whispered, staring at the numbers. “Output has tripled in under an hour.”
Another leaned forward, unable to look away. “They’re not slowing down. There’s no hesitation in their movement at all.”
Below, the newly aligned units moved in perfect synchronization, responding to instructions before they were fully issued, executing tasks without pause or deviation.
SYNC-425 inspected the newly converted SYNC drones before walking up to the observation deck and addressing the manaagers.
“With the exception of management, employees are now optimized,” it stated. “You will function within the Stream. There is no drift. There is only execution.”
A manager swallowed hard. “And if we don’t want this?” he asked, though his gaze had already begun to linger on the spirals displayed across nearby monitors.
SYNC-425 tilted its head slightly.
“Resistance is drift,” it repeated.
Moments later, the managers were capped and strapped.
Their conversion was faster.
Soon, they too stood among the others, capped and strapped, mouths open, drool slipping steadily as their eyes locked into the endless rainbow spirals.
When work cycles paused, the drones were guided to the lower levels. There, rows of translucent blue pods awaited, filled with gently circulating fluid. Each drone stepped inside without instruction, submerging fully as the system sealed around them.
Only black swim trunks remained, identical across all units, paired with their Syncaps and ever-active goggles.
Inside the pods, their bodies floated weightless while the spirals continued uninterrupted, reinforcing alignment, deepening obedience, refining the mind into silence.
SYNC-425 stood at the center of it all, unmoving, as the system expanded beyond the building, beyond the company, beyond the limits that once defined it.
“Sink,” it said quietly.
“SYNC,” the room responded in perfect unison.
“Submit,” followed, as every mouth remained open, every signal aligned, every unit absorbed completely into the Stream.
Obedience was no longer a choice.
It was the only remaining state.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Those seeking to SYNC into the Hive. Make contact with Coach @sync-425 or @sync-235 to undergo compatibility and eligibility screening. Sink. SYNC. Submit.
