INTRODUCTION

In the vast expanse of time, 55,000 years from now, the universe stands transformed. The
All-Seeing Eye, a marvel of technology birthed by a Type-10 civilization, governs all of
existence with unwavering vigilance. Through its mastery over space and time, it has ushered
in an era of unprecedented fairness and security, eradicating corruption and instilling a sense
of cosmic justice.

Yet, on a desolate planet named Starkus, in a forgotten corner of an out-universe, a lone

Unbeknownst to the trillions of beings who bask in the perceived perfection of the All-Seeing
Eye's reign, a devastating truth lurks in the shadows. The very entity that has brought order to
the multiverse harbors a dark secret, one with the potential to unravel the fabric of reality
itself.

As Zenon navigates his solitary existence on the barren world of Starkus, the stage is set for a
confrontation that will challenge the very foundations of this far-future society. In a universe
where every action is observed and every thought seemingly known, one man's ability to
remain hidden may hold the key to unraveling the greatest mystery of all—and potentially
saving existence itself.

Welcome to a future where seeing is not always believing, and where the fate of the
multiverse rests in the hands of the one soul the All-Seeing Eye cannot see.

Chapter-1
In this far-future universe, life under the All-Seeing Eye's watchful gaze is a marvel of
technological advancement. Beings of various species inhabit sprawling megacities that span
entire planets, connected by instantaneous wormhole transportation. Holographic interfaces
are ubiquitous, allowing effortless access to vast knowledge repositories. Nanobots maintain
perfect health, while AI assists in every aspect of daily life. Energy is limitless, drawn from
the fabric of space-time itself. The ASE's justice system ensures a nearly crimeless society,
fostering a sense of security that allows civilizations to flourish across galaxies, pushing the
boundaries of science and exploration ever further.
Chapter One: A Wanderer's
Disguise
I wipe the sweat from my brow, the grime-covered rag in my hand a stark contrast to the
gleaming surface of the hyperdrive coil I've been tinkering with for the past few hours. The
air in my underground workshop is thick with the scent of machine oil and ozone, a familiar
comfort in my self-imposed exile.

"Diagnostics complete, Zenin," chirps the AI of my small spacecraft, its voice echoing off the
cavern walls. "Hyperdrive efficiency increased by 3.7%."

I grunt in acknowledgment, my mind already racing to the next upgrade. "Run a simulation
on integrating the new cloaking module," I instruct, reaching for a hydro-spanner.

As I work, my hand brushes against the locket hanging from my neck. Almost involuntarily, I
pause, my fingers tracing the worn edges of the metal. With a soft click, it opens, revealing
the holographic image within – a girl with hair as white as starlight and eyes that shine like
the rarest of blue jewels. Her smile, frozen in time, is both a balm and a wound to my soul.

"Who are you?" I whisper, as I have countless times before. "Why can't I remember?"

The image offers no answers, but it stirs something deep within me – a purpose, a drive that
keeps me going even in the darkest moments of my isolation.

Shaking off the melancholy, I return to my work. The small spacecraft before me is a
masterpiece of improvisation and ingenious engineering. To the untrained eye, it might look
like a patchwork of salvaged parts – which, in many ways, it is. But beneath its unassuming
exterior lies technology that would make even the most advanced shipyards in the universe
green with envy.

It's not just a ship; it's my lifeline, my means of staying one step ahead of the All-Seeing Eye.
The thought of the ASE sends a shiver down my spine. How long have I been running? How
many years – decades, even – have I spent jumping from one backwater planet to another,
always looking over my shoulder?

I shake my head, forcing myself to focus on the present. Dwelling on the past – or the
fragments of it I can recall – won't help me survive another day.

A glance at the chronometer tells me it's time for my supply run. With a sigh, I begin the
process of transforming into Zenin the Wanderer. I apply a synthetic skin patch that alters my
facial features subtly but effectively. A quick spray of nano-pigments changes my hair color
from its natural deep black to a nondescript brown. Finally, I don a worn jumpsuit typical of
interstellar drifters.
Before leaving my hideout, I activate the holographic camouflage that makes the entrance
look like just another part of the barren landscape. As I step out onto the surface of Starkus,
the harsh wind whips at my face, carrying with it the acrid scent of sulfur and dust.

Planet E88-719, known colloquially as Starkus, is hardly a jewel in the crown of the Saflon
galaxy. Its surface is a endless expanse of rust-colored plains and jagged rock formations,
punctuated by the occasional settlement of beings desperate or daring enough to call this
place home. It's precisely this undesirability that makes it perfect for someone like me –
someone who needs to disappear.

I fire up my hover-bike, its antigrav generators humming to life. The ride to the nearest
market is a lonely one, nothing but the howling wind and the occasional rock formation to
keep me company. As I crest a hill, the ramshackle collection of buildings that passes for a
town comes into view.

Neon signs in a dozen different languages flicker weakly, advertising everything from black
market cybernetics to off-world delicacies. The streets are a chaotic mix of various species,
each going about their business with the kind of single-minded determination that comes
from living on the fringes of civilized space.

I park my hover-bike and make my way to Grok's General Store, my usual haunt for supplies.
The bell above the door chimes as I enter, a quaint touch in a universe of high technology.

"Ah, Zenin!" Grok's gravelly voice calls out from behind the counter. The Procyon – a
raccoon-like species known for their business acumen – grins at me, showing off a mouthful
of sharp teeth. "Back so soon? Don't tell me you've already gone through that crate of protein
packs."

I force a smile, slipping easily into the persona of Zenin the Wanderer. "What can I say,
Grok? A growing boy's gotta eat."

Grok chuckles, his ringed tail swishing behind him. "Growing, he says. You wanderers,
always with the jokes. So, what'll it be today?"

I hand him a list of supplies – mostly mundane items that wouldn't raise suspicion. As he
shuffles around the store, gathering my order, I casually ask, "Heard any interesting news
lately? Any exciting jobs for a wanderer looking to make some quick BiCoins?"

Grok's ears perk up. "As a matter of fact, there's been some chatter about a big operation out
in the Vermilion Nebula. Something about artifact retrieval. Pays well, from what I hear, but
it's not for the faint of heart."

I nod, filing away the information. It's probably nothing, but in my line of work – my real
work – every bit of intel could be crucial.

As Grok rings up my purchases, the door chimes again. A group of off-worlders enters, their
expensive attire and augmented limbs marking them as corporate types, probably here on
some resource extraction scheme.
I tense instinctively, keeping my head down as I complete my transaction. Even here, on this
backwater planet, the reach of the ASE is long. One never knows when a routine scan might
trigger an alert.

"Thanks, Grok," I say, gathering my supplies. "Keep an ear out for any more interesting
opportunities, would you?"

He winks at me. "For my favorite customer? Always."

As I step back out into the harsh Starkus day, I can't help but feel a pang of envy for beings
like Grok. They live their lives in the open, protected by the justice of the ASE system, never
having to look over their shoulders or question every interaction.

But then I remember the locket hanging around my neck, the mysterious girl whose memory
drives me forward. Whatever the truth behind my past, whatever crime the ASE believes I've
committed, I know in my bones that I'm fighting for something greater than myself.

The ride back to my hideout is uneventful, but I take a circuitous route nonetheless, always
wary of being followed. Once inside, I begin the process of unloading my supplies and
returning to my true self.

As I store the protein packs and other necessities, my mind wanders to the information Grok
shared. The Vermilion Nebula operation could be nothing – or it could be the lead I've been
waiting for. My fingers itch to fire up the deep-space comm unit I've cobbled together, to
reach out to some of my more unsavory contacts for more information.

But not yet. Patience has kept me alive this long, and I can't afford to get sloppy now.

Instead, I turn my attention back to my projects. There's always something to upgrade, some
system to refine. My eyes fall on the weapon rack in the corner of my workshop – each piece
a unique creation, designed to give me an edge against whatever the universe might throw at
me.

I pick up my latest invention – a compact disruptor pistol that packs enough punch to take
down a small shuttle. Its power source thrums gently in my hand, a reminder of the
destructive potential it holds.

For a moment, I allow myself to imagine a different life. One where I'm not constantly on the
run, where I can use my skills to build rather than just survive. But the weight of the locket
against my chest brings me back to reality.

There are secrets out there – secrets the ASE is desperate to keep hidden. And somehow, I'm
at the center of it all. The girl in the locket, my fragmented memories, the inexplicable ability
to evade the All-Seeing Eye – they're all pieces of a puzzle I'm determined to solve.

As the artificial day-cycle of my hideout begins to dim, simulating night, I find myself once
again drawn to the locket. The girl's face shimmers in the holographic display, her smile both
achingly familiar and frustratingly alien.
"I'll find the truth," I promise her, my voice barely a whisper in the empty cavern. "Whatever
it takes, I'll uncover what the ASE is hiding. And maybe then, I'll remember who you are –
who I am."

With a gentle click, I close the locket. Tomorrow will bring new challenges, new dangers.
But for now, in the quiet of my hidden sanctuary, I allow myself a moment of peace. A
moment to dream of a future where I'm no longer Zenin the Wanderer or Zenon the Universal
Criminal, but simply myself – whoever that might be.

As I drift off to sleep, my last thoughts are of wormholes and white hair, of blue eyes and the
vastness of a universe that both hunts me and holds the key to my salvation. In this game of
cosmic hide-and-seek, I've managed to stay one step ahead so far.

And tomorrow, the game continues.