Encrypted Skies by Alan Hajduk

In a world overshadowed by climate catastrophe, cyberpunk dystopias envision a hauntingly synthetic yet captivating solution to the horrors of an uninhabitable sky. With relentless storms, toxic air, and extreme temperatures that make the atmosphere deadly, a colossal dome encases the remaining cities. Inside, virtual reality technology has evolved to recreate a semblance of the skies once taken for granted, from gentle cloud-streaked blues to vibrant sunsets, resembling a time before humanity’s recklessness tainted the Earth’s atmosphere.

This virtual sky is more than an aesthetic escape; it serves as a psychological balm, creating an illusion of continuity with a forgotten past. Advanced artificial intelligence controls every facet of this "sky," from the color and movement of clouds to the timing of sunrise and sunset. The artificial heavens are immersive, incorporating subtle details like the play of light on buildings and the reflections in pools of water, giving citizens an experience of normalcy that almost makes them forget the devastation that lies beyond the dome.

Yet, in this synthetic sanctuary, the virtual sky also serves as a form of control. Manipulating perceptions of time and weather, the authorities maintain a semblance of stability, concealing the chaotic reality outside. While people live beneath the carefully programmed sky, the true sun fades behind pollution and violent storms, hidden forever by the towering dome. What remains is a paradox: a sky that brings comfort to citizens but serves as a reminder of the lengths humanity had to go to preserve even the illusion of safety and beauty.

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