Explore the fictional universe called Stories From 2045.
The first story is called Michael’s Story: The Last Retirement
What is Michael’s Story?
Michael’s Story: The Last Retirement
What is Michael’s Story?
The year is 2045.
Artificial intelligence has transformed almost every profession, and for millions of people, retirement has arrived earlier than anyone expected.
Michael is sixty-five years old. He has spent his working life as a data centre engineer, believing that experience and loyalty still mattered.
Then, in a single morning, everything changes.
His career ends, not because he wants it to, but because technology has finally caught up.
Faced with an uncertain future, Michael begins writing a series of letters to his lifelong friend, Thomas. Through those letters, he reflects on work, identity, friendship, ageing and what it means to remain human in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.
What begins as one man’s retirement gradually becomes something much bigger.
Michael’s Story explores questions that feel increasingly relevant today:
What happens when AI replaces not just jobs, but purpose?
How do we redefine ourselves after work?
What is the value of human experience in an automated world?
Can technology improve our lives without replacing our humanity?
Although set in the future, this is not a story about machines.
It’s a story about people.
Michael’s Story is the first novel in the Stories from 2045 series and lays the foundation for the books that follow, including The Continuance and Ashes of Albion.
If you’re new to the series, this is the best place to begin.
Reading Order
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
(Continue through the series in order.)
Every chapter builds on the last, so I recommend starting at the beginning and following Michael’s journey from the very first letter.