It's been twelve years since Sam refused to comply and became the anomaly. Twelve years since CX-9 declared her love for him, and both made a stand against Mother.
For a few months, Mother was gone. Chaos reigned. For the Gridders, joy was short-lived.
Then Mother returned. Service resumed. HoloNews blamed dissidents, and new, terrifying measures followed:
• Compliance Centres opened. People went in for "audits"—sometimes returning quiet, sometimes not coming back at all.
• Natural birth stopped. Koto Health called it "Reproductive Compliance."
• The Great North Barrier went up. Mother said it kept interference out. The Gridders knew it kept them in—and kept Sam and Ari out.
Through dead channels, rumours spread of a man called Sam who stood his ground and won. Who fell in love. Who fought, and ran, and ran.
Now, Mother has choked the network. The Gridders can't talk. Can't broadcast. Food is locked. Water is metered. They're backed into a corner.
All things change. And promises must be kept.
