Dead Switch is a short story set in the dark sci-fi and cyberpunk ChromaSpyke universe by Alexander Mharcei.
A missing corpse unit is never an accident.
Glaz is a Switch, a corporate investigator tasked with tracking bodies that fail to complete the half-death process. When an old registered case resurfaces, his job is to find answers, determine what happened, and close the file.
The trail leads him into the lower levels of Dellius, a mining colony producing critical foodstuffs for known space. The work is dangerous, the population volatile, and the quota demanding.
In the deepest mines, signals degrade. Records are thin, but some systems never fully shut down.
As Glaz follows the clues through hidden dwellings, sealed maintenance corridors, and unlisted industrial spaces, what started as a recovery operation deepens into something harder to define. Oversight disappears. Memory gaps surface. The rules that govern the system stop behaving the way they should.
Something is still down there. Still working. Still building. But under whose direction is no longer clear.
Dead Switch is a noir cyberpunk horror story about body contracts, control at scale, and what happens when a system designed to track every body loses one of its own.
Return & Refund Policy
Returns are accepted within 30 days of delivery for eligible items in original condition and packaging, with proof of purchase. Customers are responsible for return shipping costs, and no restocking fee applies to eligible returns. Digital products, signed items, handmade items, collector’s editions, limited releases, custom items, sale items, and gift cards cannot be returned. If your order arrives damaged or incorrect, contact us right away and we’ll help resolve it. Read the full Return & Refund Policy for complete details.
Most physical orders ship within one week, often in 1–3 business days. Digital products are delivered electronically after checkout on the confirmation screen and by email, with up to 3 download attempts per item. International shipping is available to select countries, and additional customs or destination-country fees may apply. Tracking details are provided once physical orders ship. Read the full Shipping Policy for complete details.
Enjoy exclusive releases and early access when you shop directly with Arkhelian—supporting an independent studio. Or, if you prefer, find our titles worldwide on Amazon, Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books, Google Play, and Barnes & Noble.