Horizon City Board

The Ultimate Authority

The Horizon City Board represents the pinnacle of corporate power within the dome, a secretive cabal of executives who control every aspect of life for the city's inhabitants. Unlike traditional governing bodies, the board operates primarily in virtual space, with members' physical bodies suspended in specialized tanks while their minds connect to an advanced simulation.

Virtual Gladiatorial Arena

Board meetings resemble corporate warfare more than civil discourse. Members verbally eviscerate each other with practiced precision, each fighting to advance their own agenda while undermining rivals. The virtual environment crackles with tension as alliances form and dissolve in real-time, often within the span of a single meeting.

"Shut it, meat puppet," Tanaka might snarl at the Operator. "We're not here for your moderating bullshit."

To which Yoshida might reply, "Bold words from a man whose stock dropped faster than his mother's panties last quarter."

These exchanges, brutal as they are, serve a purpose - establishing dominance in a space where physical intimidation is impossible.

Physical Vulnerability

Despite their immense power, board members are physically vulnerable during meetings. Their bodies float in specialized tanks, dependent on life support systems and protected by layers of security. This vulnerability creates a paradox at the heart of the board - those with the most power are also the most physically helpless.

The tanks themselves are marvels of technology, maintaining optimal body temperature and nutrient levels while neural interfaces connect minds to the virtual space. Some board members have remained in these tanks for days during particularly contentious negotiations, their physical needs attended to by automated systems.

The Operator's Role

Eli Trace serves as the Operator, a human intermediary between the board and Benjiro Takahashi, the AI that runs Horizon City's systems. His role is ostensibly to moderate discussions and implement the board's decisions, but in practice, he walks a dangerous line between competing interests.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Eli might begin, "if we could please begin the—"

Only to be immediately cut off by Tanaka: "Shut it, meat puppet. We're not here for your moderating bullshit."

The Operator's position is precarious, constantly questioned by board members who suspect his true loyalties lie with Benjiro rather than themselves.

Decisions of Life and Death

The board's deliberations have far-reaching consequences for Horizon City's inhabitants. From approving new weapons development to allocating resources between city levels, their decisions shape the daily lives of millions. Ethical considerations are rarely a priority, with profit margins and power dynamics taking precedence.

During one particularly notorious meeting, the board debated the creation of Project Akiko - a cloned agent who could be repeatedly killed and revived to maintain operational security. The casual cruelty with which they discussed creating and murdering a sentient being revealed the moral vacuum at the heart of Horizon City's governance.

Security Measures

Access to board meetings is extremely restricted, protected by layers of security both virtual and physical. Quantum encryption secures communications, while armed guards and automated defense systems protect the physical locations where board members' bodies are housed.

Despite these precautions, the board remains vulnerable to threats from within. The complex web of alliances and betrayals means that any member could potentially turn against the others if the price is right or the threat severe enough.

The Board's Future

As tensions rise and Benjiro's influence grows, the future of the Horizon City Board hangs in the balance. Some members advocate for greater control over the AI, while others seek to harness his power for their own ends. The delicate equilibrium that has maintained the board's authority could collapse at any moment, plunging Horizon City into chaos.

In the words of Benjiro himself: "The old world is dying. And from its ashes, we will build a new one. With Horizon City at its heart."

Whether the board will be part of that new world remains to be seen.