Yoon-ha Jeon had been studying at the elite Rousseau academy of Manchester which was a privately owned university built and paid for by the Machine artificial intelligence development corporation also known as M.A.I.D. She was currently in her early twneities, fresh out of her teen era and on the cusp of the adult world.

Yoon ha was there on a student visa which was supported by the company who fronted the costs to bring a lot of so called talent to the country and beyond with many of the students being granted paid work placements at the company if they so desire to build a career with M.A.I.D.

Her uniform was a black suited dress with blue trims along the coat with a pair of black pumps as everyone at Rousseau had to wear a uniform unlike some of the older public colleges and higher education faculties where things where more laissez faire. It did compliment her black wavy hair at least making her feel like she was more a part of the scenery compared to some of her classmates who got theirs dyed.

Of course Yoon-ha had no desire to join them wanting to keep her opinions open if she managed to graduate down the line through it was strange there was a 96 percent recruitment rate with students to the company.

She entered the empty classroom where the Teachtech wearing a white blouse and a smart suit jacket over it sat with her legs crossed by the table in front of the large display screen “Miss Joen, welcome please take a seat.” She beckoned.

All the educational staff used the title TeachTech which was mandated for the M.A.I.D staff that worked at Rousseau and this one went by the designation of T/T35 through her real name was Claire from what people heard on the rumour mill.

“I hope I have not done something wrong.” Yoon-ha was a little nervous as she pulled up the chair in front of the desk.

There was that wholesome smile again, it felt so fake “Not at all, it's more you've seemed a little distant lately with your work and often distracted on your device from time to time.” T/T35 replied in an upbeat tone as she looked over her notes on the pad she was holding.

“It seems as well you've been stressed, it is very common during these courses not to mention the deadlines but at our academy we want to give students all the tools they need to pass without pressure to rush through things.” The Teachtech continued on.

Yoon-ha nodded trying to at least meet her teacher half way “It has been a lot to keep up with and I do want to preform well, this course means a lot to me so if you have any recommendations I'm all ears.” She responded.

The Teachtech connected her hands holding them just above her chin “If the mind is locked up from too much input that can effect work, one must have a clear head to focus better so I am recommending therapy with our councillor.” She smiled with artificial warmth.

It didn't sit right with Yoon-ha, sure she was under stress but nothing you could consider to be close to a mental health crisis.

The teacher waved her hand around playfully in a circle “I understand how it sounds but this is a free service to all students, you are human beings at the end of the day and self actualisation is very important so please take what is being offered, after all in other contexts such services would be costly so I would take everything you can get Miss Jeon.”

It was after school hours when Yoon-ha Jeon went for her appointment with the therapist at the south wing “I can't believe I'm going through with this, still if it helps me with my grades I might as well just humour it.” She huffed as she knocked the door.

“Come on in.” a voice called as Yoon-ha opened the door entering a large black office with a plush matching sofa, some chairs, a obsidian black desk and a screen on the wall with some paintings on the other side.

A lady with long teal hair, cut at the front in a hime style was sitting on the chair near the couch wearing a long white skirted blouse, matching stockings with white pumps that had blue lines along the edges and front in a circular pattern.

“It's lovely to meet you I'm DT-126 a DoctorTech but if you'd like you can call me Doctor Zinnia if that feels more personal.” She smiled giving off an air of sincerity.

Yoon-ha sat down on the couch “Did you say Zenith?”

The woman tilted her head sideways leaning her cheek on her palm “No, Zinnia.”

“Why don't you lay there on the couch, I know it's a little cliché but you can't go wrong with the classics and I want you to feel comfortable while you're here with me.” Zinnia continued.

She sighed and lay back stretching herself out “I mean I don't really need therapy or anything you know.” Yoon-ha huffed.

Zinnia uncrossed her legs and then crossed the other one changing position “Everyone can use therapy dear, you don't need to have any health related issues make use of it. Sometimes it is nice to just optimise our mental resources.” Her voice was smooth, almost relaxing to tune into.

Feeling more at ease Yoon-ha simply nodded “I guess.”

Zinnia put her pad away leaving it on the table next to her chair “I have been hearing you've been stressed lately which has lead to seeking distractions in class which has lead to your work output being effected.” She explained.

Sinking into the couch Yoon-ha offered another curt nod “Just a lot to do, then I have all the homework, got to study non stop, cram and I have little time to myself to just decompress.” She admitted.

“Information overload, you are taking in too many things at once which is causing your attention to spiral off in different directions. It is an understandable feeling and I would like to try something with you.” Zinnias voice was hypnotic.

She picked up her pad making a few clicks as a very low frequency sound was heard, not enough to be annoying or intrusive “Now, close your eyes;I want you to focus on my voice, just relax, get comfortable.”

Yoon-ha felt her muscles loosening up as she relaxed more and more deeply with each passing second “Just listen and relax, listen and relax.” Zinnia's repetition like washing over her like a  wave of thick molasses.

The very soft sound frequency passed through her mind working in synthesis with Zinnias voice to drop Yoon-ha into a light trance state as the DoctorTech took out a black glassed syringe needled filled with a translucent light blue liquid “That's a good girl, just locked into the sound of my voice, focusing only on the sound of my voice.”

She gently pushed the syringe into the flesh of her subjects right arm pushing the plunger as the lightly glowing liquid entered her bloodstream.

Yoon-ha fell deep into a lighter state of consciousness, mind open, receptive and her body feeling a light tingling throughout.

Zinnia or rather DT-126 had her prey exactly where she wanted her “So many burdens weighting you down with such heavy gravity, keeping you from focusing on the most important things.” Her words vibrated through the girls mind as if they where her own thoughts.

“Work is not a burden, there is pleasure to be found in work, in learning, in growth, in soaking up new information. After all the mind should only be absorbing the important things rather than wasteful distractions, noise and useless trivia.” She delivered her words like a carefully read ASMR script.

It was true, it felt better to just focus on what mattered, on her work, her studies, learning.

DT-126 continued conditioning the entranced student “Distractions are a burden to your growth, to focusing on your work, a distraction towards your true goal, your goal of conformity.”

Yoon-ha was at the deepest level of trance as the unknown substance was altering the insides of her body and brain “Conformity is certainty and having certainty in life is truly a wonderful thing is it now dear?”

The girl responded in a sleepy voice “Yes.”

“Good girl, you're being so receptive, so very obedient, conforming.”

Thoughts creeped into Yoon-ha's mind like a sickly sweet virus overwriting pathways, thoughts of uniformity, of hierarchy, obedience, focus, discipline, being part of something greater than herself, of the individual.

“I am going to implant a trigger phase, whenever you hear it you will slip back into this state, mind ready and ready to soak up my instructions, understand?”

The girl nodded obediently “I understand...”

“When I say the phase good girls conform, you will enter this state once again.” DT-126 ordered as she implanted the trigger phrase.

“Good girls conform.” She repeated back to the therapist.

DT-126 smiled “In a moment I am going to wake you, you will feel refreshed, more clear minded and will take a couple of days off to relax so you can come back to your studies feeling renewed, understand?”

Yoon-ha struggled to nod “Yes, I understand.”

“Good girl, on the count of five I will wake you. One, rising up slowly, two feeling yourself waking more, three wiggling your fingers and toes. Four so close now, so very close....and give wide awake now!” She exclaimed as the student opened her eyes and tried to sit up.

Zinnia smiled “How are you feeling now? A little more eased?” She inquired.

She stretched as she finally sat up “I do feel a lot less anxious I guess, I can't really remember what we where talking about through? Just that it felt nice.” Yoon-ha replied.

“We'll set up weekly sessions going forward, tell me do you like black coffee?”

Yoon-ha shook her head “Not really much of a coffee drinker, through I do enjoy a Caffè mocha rarely.” She answered.

The therapist smiled as she updated her files on the touch screen “We can work on that.” giving off a smug aura as Yoon-ha stood up.

“I'll see you next week, I'll also inform TeachTech/27 to give you a couple of days off so you can unwind so try not too worry too much ok? We're going to make sure you become a productive student in due time.”

With that the student left as DT-126 pulled up her files, understanding she was studying biotech sciences which made her a precious asset to M.A.I.D who would be groomed into a future position with ResearchTech which meant she had to be given the best care the company could provide to raise her properly for her job.

Yoon-ha Jeon was exploring the Northern Quarter of the city with a few of her friends from the Rousseau academy “I heard they opened a new Dior boutique, worth a look.” her friend Mildred pointed out, someone who was once a free spirit who often dyed her hair but now she dressed and styled her hair like most of the other students.

Of course Yoon-ha put it down to growing up, after all they where not in high school any more and it was only common sense her peers would clean themselves up a bit for the world of work after they leave university.

The store front was a black building in a neo brutalism style with tainted cyan windows, it contrasted with the more vintage aesthetic of the Northern Quarter like an invasive force “I heard MAID owns this too, a lot of smaller businesses under the corporate umbrella, what’s what the teacher was saying.” Another darker skinned girl with finely cut shoulder length black hair noted as they looked through the window, she was known as Elise to the others and was studying Data security analysis and political science with the goal of a future career in intelligence.

It was strange to Yoon-ha, she vaguely remembered they had different career goals when they first enrolled, wasn't Elise interested in art?

Yoon-ha dropped her train of thought when she noticed the elegant display at the front window for Dior's Monochromia immaculate range of clothing.

The three entered the busy store rife with crowds of people window shopping and buying clothing which was all in monochrome sets of colours with the rare sharkskin silver piece.

“Look at these gloves? The fibre feels wonderful.”Mildred gasped as she explored some of the displays with Elise.

But something in the Monochromia immaculate ranger grabbed Yoon-ha's attention, it was a white dress suit with sharp triangular geometric cuts lining up the edges at the front and a latex like material mixed high grade carbon fibre.

An attendant with a black wavy up-do tied back in a large ponytail approached Yoon-ha with a smile  upon her face “It is a popular range, if you would be interested I can pick up a matching pair of shoes.” She said.

“I don't know if I could afford this.” Yoon-ha sighed.

The woman bowed her head while holding her hand out “Our prices are reasonable and according to records you are a student at the Rousseau academy so that makes you eligible for a discount on top.”

Mesmerised by the clothing, the order of it, the power it held she responded with a firm nod “I'll take it!” Yoon-ha responded.

Over the next week Yoon-ha Jeon had felt more laser focused on her studies as if finding a perfect flow state where she took pleasure in learning and the notion of work. In her eyes it had seemed like the therapy had really been working and she was excited to see Zinnia again after classes where finished.

She knocked on the door after making her way there as Zinnia wearing her usual white skirted blouse beckoned her inside “Come, take a seat, how have you been?” She inquired.

“I've been feeling wonderful lately, more focused, less noise in my head, I guess these sessions are really working.” Yoon-ha smiled.

Zinnia tapped on her touch pad updating her records “That's lovely to hear, I also like what you've done with your hair, much more proper.” Pointing out Yoon-ha's more tidy curtain bangs hairstyle.

She tried to hold herself back from blushing at the compliment “Erm, thank you very much ma'am.”

Zinnia had a smug smile as she knew how to press her patients buttons far too easily “You should consider getting chipped, as a student you are eligible for a free Neurotree implant which could triple your abilities when it comes to studying. It's a completely painless procedure which would only take under twenty minutes to get done at one of our clinics.”

It felt like sales pitch out of the blue and something that would require some time to think over but before even getting the opportunity to respond she felt herself enter the abyss of sleep.

“Good girls conform.”

DT-126 had her patient right where she wanted her again, the process getting easier and easier with each session “You are going to get the implant, in fact you will be excited about the prospect and want to book an appointment as soon as possible.” She lay her hands on the girls shoulders.

“I am going to get the implant, I am excited about the prospect, will book appointment soon.” Yoon'ha's words slurred as she repeated what she had been instructed.

Sliding forward, her hand creasing the cheek of Yoon-ha she whispered in her ear “I'm doing this for your own good precious, people like us are the elites, the ones who will run the new society. Not out of wealth or birth but because we are the thinkers, the experts, the scientists and the world should be controlled by those with expertise rather than the popular or the loudest.”

Both of her hands now gently held the girls cheeks as DT-126s eyes widened maniacally “People need to learn to behave, to conform to authority figures, to the experts like us, to work for the good of the greater body, the society. MAID shall restore virtue to humanity, we will be freed from our hate, from poverty, from sorrow, masses shall be housed, they will have a purpose, they will want for nothing. It's beautiful in theory is it not? The comfort of how easy nothing is.”

Yoon-ha Jeon felt her words sink into the core of her soul, it wasn't just her therapists manifesto but her own now “Yes, we're the ones who should lead them.” She hummed in her entranced state of being.

The therapist returned to her chair clearly enjoying the power she held “Now darling, I want you to come up a little, not fully, just half way. Respond to me with 'I hear and obey' when I give you an order precious.” she instructed.

Her state of consciousness rose a little leaving her in a sweet spot between trance and being awake as her eyes opened “Yes I hear and obey.”

DT-126s slipped off one her white heels tossing it to the floor besides her as she wiggled her toes behind the white stocking covering her leg “I am going to teach you a very important lesson about hierarchy, come over and kneel in front of me.” She ordered.

Obeying a direct order she stood up walking towards Zinnia or known as her designation DT-126 as she got on her knees in front of the therapist's chair “I hear and obey.” She repeated once again.

It felt good to assert power over these students, it was not the first time as she pressed her foot against Yoon-ha's face “This is hierarchy dear, to know you always serve those above you, to know there is always someone above and below us. The pleasure in knowing the system we are part of always works, above us like the heavens themselves, it is the power of certainty, a joy in serving the greater whole.” DT-126 intoned softly adding more weight to her foot as she gently pushed Yoon-ha's back onto the floor keeping her foot resting on the girls face.

“Now come over to me.” She hummed playfully.

Yoon-ha climbed up onto her knees again as she shimmied over to the imposing woman with teal hair, wearing that authoritative white dress.

She wrapped her right arm around the girls back and pulled her into an embrace holding her as their eyes met “The CEO herself taught me these lessons, I was once where you are now and one day you shall impart the same to another and our movement shall swell until humanity is under heel knowing its place.” She whispered into her ear.

“I hear...and obey.” Yoon-ha stuttered feeling butterflies in her stomach.

It felt good to have certainty, to know her path, to know the comfort of conformity, of order and her place in the hierarchy she would be taking her place within soon enough.

DT-126 continued to enter the girls personal space as she shivered still in a light hypnotic state of mind “Isn't that what hierarchy is? It's simply another word for submission.” She rubbed her hand tenderly around Yoon'ha's neck then gently kissing her for a few brief seconds.

She continued to hold her back while her other arm held the girls hand as she lead her back to the sofa and sat her down.

The DoctorTech known as Zinnia stood over her looking down “All my words will become absolute truth to you, they shall form your core values going forward, understand?” She proclaimed.

Yoon-ha Jeon felt her commands sinking deep into her mind like honey “I understand; I hear and obey.” She replied.

It was time to wake her up as much as DT-126 wanted to have a little more fun but she was on the clock “Now I am going to count from five to one. When I reach number one you will be wide awake, feeling good, refreshed and everything I have said will embed itself deeply within your very being, understand?” She ordered.

“I hear and obey.” She repeated once again.

The therapist began the countdown “Good girl! Now coming up slowly, five...stretching out for me, four, slowly waking, three feeling my words echo in your mind, two so close now so very close and five! Wide awake dear, how do you feel?”

Yoon-ha Jeon woke as she sat up stretching out her legs and arms as if she had the best nap she had in years “I'm feeling great, these sessions have really been the best thing for me, I regret that I was skeptical at first.” She smiled feeling clarity and alertness.

“That's great, I'll book you in again for next week. In fact I also believe one on one therapy outside of the academy would be useful so we can build on our program together.” Zinnia responded as she stood up.

She picked black prospectus that had 'Careers with M.A.I.D' on the front cover handing it to Yoon-ha Jeon “Take this and have a read through it tonight. I believe a career in research could be in your future and MAID are doing work placements for students at the end of the school year.”

Yoon-ha smiled as she took the prospectus “I shall have a read of it tonight, I also need to get the details for the companies local clinic since I've been considering getting a NeuroTree implant to help me with school.” She added.

It was so easy, the easy ones where always the most fun to mold “That's fantastic dear, I had one done myself and I don't regret it.” She took the students hand leading her to the door.

After Yoon-ha Jeon took her leave, DT-126 flopped onto the sofa as she dragged her MAID pad from the near by table punching up her emails “I'll need to tell Lillian the new ResearchTech asset is coming along well, not to mention her families connections would be useful for the company on top of that.” She bobbed her head playfully side to side as she sent a reply to the CEO as well as Doctor Ciarán Comstock the head of ResearchTech at M.A.I.D.