"Reality is sacred and it must be protected!"

In 2030s Britain, a fractured, ageing society governed by Social Scores is strained between Hermits immersed in the virtual Metaverse and citizens embedded in A.I.LEY's augmented physical world.

As part of a government crackdown, and under A.I.LEY's watchful eye, rookie BeSocial Inspector Amy Trimeh -- partnered with Enforcer Max Cain -- is assigned to track down Hermits in neglected tower blocks and pressure them back into physical society.

What begins as a routine inspection soon leads Amy to uncover a deep-rooted conspiracy -- one that threatens the very fabric of justice, truth and reality.

But first, an unexpected knock at the door...
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"An adult shall be classified to be living a Hermit lifestyle if they have... withdrawn from physical society for a continuous period exceeding six calendar months, and such withdrawal is not attributable to any diagnosed severe mental impairment... that substantively prevents engagement in physical social interaction." - BeSocial Guidelines 2032

"Our message to Hermits is clear: if you choose not to engage with physical society, there will be no refuge in the seclusion of your homes!"- Prime Minister, Leader of the Social Labour Party

"Hermits wilfully disregard the social contract... nowhere is this more apparent than in their complete disinterest in contributing to the human race's continuity through reproduction. Instead, they form relationships with humanoids and even bear digital children -- how utterly absurd." - Jude Colwill, BeSocial Lecturer

"We're not 'catching' anyone... I'm inspecting their homes and assessing their behaviour to determine if they're living a Hermit lifestyle... we're here to inspect and assist, not to catch and cage." - Amy Trimeh, BeSocial Investigative Inspector

"You've been to Rainsgate, right?... it's a grim place since they allowed factories to blow toxic smoke again. I much prefer Bridgewater -- been on hunts there for the past few months, and it's much cleaner." - Max Cain, BeSocial Enforcement Officer

"I know who you lot are. I've seen your threatening billboards staring at me from my kitchen window... asking us to tell on our neighbours. Why don't you just leave us alone?" - Resident, Tower Block XIX

"Our fight against the oppressive A.I.LEY, its government puppets, and its cronies at BeSocial is not merely a battle of good versus evil but a battle for the very nature of reality itself, the essence of truth, and, through truth, the understanding of God." - Founder, Protectors of Reality Order

"Between us, I agree with you... Hermits are human too... choosing a Hermit lifestyle is often a reaction to circumstances and not due to intent... and I, too, have reservations about our work... some days, it feels morally questionable." - Frank Bierhoff, BeSocial Investigative Inspector

"I ask, will the Prime Minister reconsider the oppressive BeSocial inspections, the intrusive Social Score system, the perverse A.I.LEY Vigilance cameras, and all the proposed authoritative restrictions?" - Member of Parliament for Rainsgate, New District

"And let me remind you: we are the protectors of reality. We do not differentiate between living in the Metaverse, in the physical world, or in any other reality -- we simply defend the right to choose and not be told." - Apostle X

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• Science Fiction & FantasyScience FictionDystopian

• Publication Date: August 5, 2025
• Text-to-Speech: Disabled
• Lending: Disabled
• Print Length: 379 Pages
• File Size: 462 KB