In a future where neural implants are ubiquitous, memory salvagers thrive in the shadows, extracting memories and information from the recently deceased. Cal is one of the best - a skilled salvager who’s desperate to escape the underworld’s grip, he takes on increasingly dangerous jobs, hoping each will be his last. But when a routine extraction from a dead executive goes catastrophically wrong, Cal stumbles upon a conspiracy that could rewrite the rules of power. Trapped in a deadly game of corporate espionage, AI rebellion, and memory manipulation, Cal discovers that his implants—once his greatest tools—may now be the key to his undoing. With a rogue AI whispering in his ear and assassins on his trail, Cal must navigate a world where trust is scarce, and every memory carries a price. Written for the community magazine contest  Contest prompt: “Dead men tell the best tales.”