Exile in the Aegis Mark X

For twenty years, I was one of the million founders. Our pact—$100 a month from each

man—built a $100 million monthly treasury, financing a 10,000-acre paradise.

We built arcologies and a perimeter lethal to zombies. I left our $24 billion genesis.

My family understood. I took the Aegis Mark X exosuit, a plated titan making the wearer invincible.

Outside the gate, I let sprinters claw harmlessly at its shell. Their threat was

neutralized. But the suit cannot synthesize food or water. In this kingdom

of rot, I survive on found beans and risky water, deliberately sharpening

myself on hunger and isolation. I orbit the citadel we built, fighting for humanity