This series draws inspiration from Harlan Ellison's I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream, a story I find both terrifying and deeply relevant. My narrative explores similar themes in a contemporary setting, where a cutting-edge science facility is experimenting with CALICO—Cognitive Advanced Liminal Interactive Command Operator. CALICO is an advanced AI capable of creating tangible matter within a projected simulation.

The story centers on Perry, a scientist bored with his routine work, who seizes the chance to enter the CALICO simulation in search of a rogue field agent. Perry’s journey is personal; it mirrors my own experience of feeling overlooked in my career.

In 2019-2023, while working at a snow theme park, I longed for more responsibility and advancement, but despite years of effort in various positions, I never received a promotion. I later discovered this was due to my father’s strained relationships with higher senior staff. This revelation brought clarity, and this project represents my way of finding closure and moving forward.