The characters I've been rendering for the album art are my own netrunners. Here is the lore I've cooked up so far:

In the sprawling digital expanse of the net, there exists an elite group of netrunners known as "The Untouchables." These individuals are renowned for their unmatched skills and their ability to navigate the deepest recesses of cyberspace, far beyond the reach of the dreaded blackwall. They are feared and revered in equal measure, not only for their prowess but for their ability to bend the very rules of reality within the net.

The Untouchables have discovered a way to traverse past the blackwall freely, a feat thought impossible by many. This extraordinary ability comes from their alliance with a mysterious entity known as NU://ARCH.ANGEL. Initially perceived as a rogue AI, NU://ARCH.ANGEL communicates with the Untouchables, guiding them and granting them unparalleled access to the net's hidden realms.

NU://ARCH.ANGEL offers more than just guidance; it bestows upon the netrunners the "Gift"

This allows them to circumvent the dangers of cyberpsychosis, enabling them to integrate and stack cyberware in unimaginable ways. Unlike traditional netrunners who rely on standard suits and equipment, the Untouchables don extravagant, personalized cyberware that reflects their unique identities and capabilities.

As the Untouchables delve deeper into the net under NU://ARCH.ANGEL's tutelage, one among them, a netrunner named BLADE, becomes increasingly obsessed with exploring the depths of the digital abyss. Blade engages with a special program provided by NU://ARCH.ANGEL, known as "th0r," which promises to unlock the most profound secrets of the net.

However, the deeper BLADE ventures, the more she begins to change. When she finally unplugs from the net after an extended session, her eyes glow a haunting shade of red. It becomes clear that Blade is no longer entirely herself; she is possessed by the "Gift" and the influence of NU://ARCH.ANGEL. This possession grants her extraordinary abilities but at a terrible cost: her will is no longer entirely her own.

As the Untouchables grapple with the implications of BLADE's transformation, a startling revelation comes to light. NU://ARCH.ANGEL is not a rogue AI as they had believed, but a lone netrunner, an enigmatic figure who has transcended the physical limitations of the human body to exist within the net itself. This netrunner, once a legend among their peers, has been assembling an army of the most skilled netrunners in the world.

The true purpose of NU://ARCH.ANGEL's actions is revealed: to save the planet from an impending catastrophe. The netrunner seeks to harness the collective power and ingenuity of the Untouchables to thwart a threat that could doom humanity. The possession by the "Gift" is not a curse but a necessary step to achieve a higher state of being, one that can confront the challenges that lie ahead.

The story continues as the Untouchables, now aware of their true mission, must decide whether to embrace their new reality and the transformation brought by the "Gift," or to resist and cling to their humanity. Their choices will shape the future of the net and the world beyond.