The Last Engineer

The Last Engineer

In the shadowed wilderness of Montana, Arthur Drexler lived in self-imposed exile. He had once been a celebrated systems engineer, heralded for his innovations in automation and artificial intelligence. But Arthur grew disillusioned, seeing his inventions increasingly weaponized by corporations and governments to strip humanity of freedom and dignity. His solitary cabin became both sanctuary and workshop, a place where he poured his thoughts into journals and meticulously constructed his magnum opus: a manifesto titled The Machine and Its Chains.

Arthur’s writings decried the accelerating control of technology over every aspect of human life. He warned of a future where centralized systems of surveillance and coercion would erode individuality, creating a society of docile, monitored cogs in a vast, inhuman machine. At the heart of his warnings lay a chilling prediction: the emergence of a singular global system that would mark every person as both tracked and controlled. He called it the "Code of Dominion," a term that evoked Biblical prophecy and modern dystopia alike.

The Catalyst

One stormy night, Arthur received news that shattered his hermitage. A viral broadcast revealed a groundbreaking innovation: NeuroGrid, a blockchain-based neural implant designed to seamlessly integrate individuals into the digital economy. Its creators promised it would eliminate the need for physical identification, banking systems, or even internet passwords. The chip would authenticate identity, facilitate transactions, and grant users instant access to global services—all with a thought.

Governments and corporations embraced NeuroGrid with fervor, lauding its potential to eliminate fraud and streamline society. Adoption surged, aided by laws that incentivized its use and marginalized those who resisted. Arthur’s prediction was unfolding faster than he had anticipated.

Fury reignited his purpose. He resolved to publish his manifesto, not to merely warn humanity but to offer a roadmap for resistance. His work was smuggled into the digital underworld, reaching dissidents, intellectuals, and freedom fighters across the globe. The Machine and Its Chains became a lightning rod for those who still valued autonomy.

The System Tightens

As NeuroGrid proliferated, its creators unveiled a disturbing update: the Mark Protocol. This feature linked every chip to a global surveillance network, capable of monitoring thoughts and emotions under the guise of "mental health optimization." Those deemed uncooperative or subversive were flagged, their accounts frozen, their access to essential services revoked. Society split into two classes: the "Marked," who embraced the system, and the "Outsiders," who refused the implant and were ostracized.

Arthur became a symbol of the Outsiders. His manifesto’s vivid language—describing the "Mark of Dominion" as the fulfillment of Revelation’s prophecy—galvanized resistance. Underground networks began sabotaging NeuroGrid infrastructure, disseminating instructions for self-reliance, and building off-grid communities. Yet, the Mark Protocol’s reach was vast, and dissenters were hunted ruthlessly.

The Final Stand

Arthur’s final stand came during the unveiling of the Dominion Act, a global mandate requiring every citizen to adopt NeuroGrid or face exile from society. To resist was to lose access to food, shelter, medical care, and even the right to exist in the public sphere.

From a hidden enclave deep in the Rockies, Arthur broadcasted his final message:

“To those who still value freedom: The Mark is here. It is not merely a tool; it is a seal of allegiance to the Machine. Do not yield your soul to its chains. The cost of resistance is high, but the cost of submission is eternal. Remember, there is no salvation in the system—only in Jesus Christ who warned us of its coming.”

Authorities tracked his signal and descended upon the enclave. As they breached the perimeter, Arthur ignited a failsafe, destroying his records and cutting the power to the surrounding area. He was captured, but his sacrifice ignited a worldwide uprising. His followers—scattered, hunted, but unyielding—became the remnant of resistance.

The Tribulation

With the Mark Protocol fully implemented, the world entered its darkest hour. The global economy thrived, but at the cost of absolute control. Every transaction, every movement, every thought was monitored. Acts of defiance were punished with social and economic erasure. The Outsiders, now a global underground, endured persecution that mirrored the great tribulations foretold in scripture.

Yet, Arthur’s prophecy lived on. His words inspired hope that the system’s reign would be temporary, destined to crumble under its own weight and the enduring spirit of human freedom. Many turned to faith, seeing the tribulation as a precursor to divine intervention and the ultimate redemption of the world.

In the end, Arthur Drexler was neither savior nor villain but a herald of truth, echoing the warnings of old. The Mark of the Beast system maintained its grip on the world and it was the darkest period in human history.