Ash's motivation for not wanting to remember his past is complex and multi-layered, even though he isn't consciously aware of all these reasons at the beginning of the story:

On a surface level, Ash has constructed a functional, comfortable life as a bartender. The neural blocks implanted by The Elites program have created a psychological barrier where his mind actively resists confronting inconsi...

The Nexus District, where Ash's nightclub "Cinder" is located, occupies a unique position in New Meridian's stratified society—neither part of the impoverished outer zones nor the pristine inner sectors where the elite reside.

Built atop what was once a thriving industrial area, the Nexus District serves as a buffer zone between social classes. Repurposed warehouses and factories have been transfo...

If the government manages to capture Ash, the consequences would be severe and multi-layered:

** 1 ****Neural Reconditioning** - General Thorne would likely subject Ash to an enhanced version of the neural suppression technology, one even more invasive than before. This time, rather than simply wiping his memories, they would reprogram him completely, turning him into a loyal weapon under Thorne's...