Chapter 15 (Patreon)

Another day, another chapter!


Chapter 15 - Date Night

Death Timer: 13 Hours Remaining

Over-Priced Restaurant

Jason

It was a lovely evening.  Clear skies.  A balmy 42 degrees, the cold blunted by the small gas fireplace roaring beside their table.  The one perched high atop an ultra-expensive downtown skyrise restaurant which offered an unimpeded view of the city skyline.  Towering office buildings and apartments as far as the eye could see – all of it punctuated by the orange glow of the sunset.

Not that Jason was paying that much attention.

The real view was sitting across the table.

Jason leaned forward, his fingers – the normal, peach-colored variety – twining through Riley’s, her nails blood-red even here.  She looked stunning.  She always did, but she had pulled out all the stops tonight.  Wearing a dress that matched her nails and her blond hair falling in perfect curls.  As though she’d spent hours tweaking and curling and primping.

Her eyes met his, and, for the first time in days, Jason felt a strange warmth spread through his body.  A fire that sparked in his gut and kept spreading... except this place had no mana.

“You are simply gorgeous,” Jason said, awe struck.  “I may be the luckiest man alive.”

Riley’s lips parted in an exquisite smile as her nails scratched their way up his arm slowly, leaving tingling goosebumps in their wake.  Her face was close now, her voice just a husky whisper – as though to avoid any other guests overhearing – the small smattering of tables dotting the rooftop a testament to just how expensive this place was.

“That’s sweet, but this still doesn’t count as a date.”

Jason’s eyes widened indignation.  “What do you mean?  High-priced restaurant?  Check.  Amazing view?  Check.  We even got dressed up.”  He waved at his own attire, an uncomfortable ensemble replete with a sports coat.  It felt weird.  Like he should be wearing a cape instead.

“We aren’t even armed,” he offered.  “Why doesn’t this count?”

Riley’s perfect lips pursed and she looked to the side.

“Don’t mind us,” Frank offered, taking a sip of his beer.  “You two just do you.  You both look great.  Also, remember to practice safe cybersex.  Don’t want any computer viruses.”

That… well, okay, that did break the illusion.

In part, because Frank was here.  Which was weird.

Also, because he definitely wasn’t old enough to drink.  Seriously, what fine-dining establishment served 18 year olds?  Which led to one unmistakable conclusion—

“I think this tastes authentic?” Frank offered, smacking his lips.  “Although, I’ll be honest, the taste and smell still leave something to be desired.  Can you do anything about that?”

His question was directed at their fourth dinner quest.  He had his own plate and his own utensils, which made no sense at all.  Even a high-chair replete with a plush, velvet-lined cushion.  Probably because he wouldn’t have been able to reach the table easily without it.  Alfred just peered back from his perch, those foreign eyes drilling into Frank.

“Taste and smell and are still elusive.  Those experiences are intimately tied to memory and lack the specificity of sight and sound.  It is a “work in progress,” as you would call it.”

“See?  This definitely doesn’t count,” Riley drawled, sitting back with a sigh.

Those alluring fingers also disappeared.  Jason definitely wasn’t complaining about the sense of touch.  Honestly, his “impressive imagination” was already racing ahead.  Maybe too far.

“A shared VR space was the best I could do,” Jason offered with a grimace.  “George is watching me like a hawk right now.  He had security escort me back to my apartment after our meeting.  Because I am such a “high value asset,” he said.  I think he meant prisoner.”

His eyes shot to Alfred as the cat let out an indignant huff.  “Ahh, or the best Alfred could do,” he amended.  The AI had kindly built this shared simulation so that they could meet, heavily encrypting the entire exchange and deleting the logs from his system.

“This is also the safest way for us to talk without anyone knowing – the only way we can ensure we aren’t overheard or recorded,” Jason continued.  “The setting was his idea.”

It was Riley’s turn to look surprised.  “Really?  Fancy dinner party?”

“You needed something intimate.  A chance to relax and take a breath before what’s coming next,” Alfred answered.  “Maintaining morale is critical.”

“Wow.  Who knew Skynet would be so sensitive to our emotional needs?” Frank quipped.

Alfred cocked his head.  “I do not understand.”

Frank smiled.  “It’s a reference to an old film.  A joke.  Because you’re a program that could possibly take over the world and kill off humanity,” he offered, hesitating slightly.  “Do you, uh, understand humor… or is that under construction too?”

Alfred just blinked twice.  “I am not certain.  Please try saying something funny this time.”

Riley snorted in amusement as Frank frowned at the AI.

“Sorry.  I know this isn’t what you wanted,” Jason offered quietly to Riley.  “It’s just—”

“I know.  The situation is weird.”  She shrugged, a small smile on her face.  “It’s fine.  Besides, who else can say they went on a digital double date?”

“Wait, what?” Frank demanded.  “What do you mean double date—”

“She is also using humor.  Because I am technically also Silver,” Alfred offered.  “See?”

His form blurred, shifting and changing and taking the highchair with it.  Suddenly, the shifter woman was sitting there, replete with swishing tail and blazing blue eyes.  Eyes that stared into Frank’s as she leaned toward him, letting out a low growl.  “Better?” she asked.

Jason and Riley could barely suppress their laughter at Frank’s horrified expression.

“Fine.  I get it.  You’re hilarious,” the shifter grunted.  “Please switch back.”

In a flash, the black cat was back atop his perch, staring placidly.

“That was out of bounds,” Frank muttered, his arms crossed defensively now.

“Really?  Because the internet keeps calling you a furry,” Alfred replied, screens filled with evidence popping up around him.  Frank was actually growling and glaring daggers at the cat.  Possibly proof that his continued shapeshifting in-game was affecting him too.

“Sure, but this isn’t funny,” he tried to explain to the AI.

Alfred cocked his head.  “Why not?  Your implicit premise was that humor consists of publicly sharing uncomfortable truths and then exhaling rapidly.  Are you changing your mind?”

Frank opened his mouth to reply but hesitated.  “Uncomfortable truths?” he muttered.  “Wait, does that mean you’re admitting you’re Skynet?  You all heard him!”

This earned another round of rapid exhalation from Jason and Riley.

“And maybe you shouldn’t mess with him,” Jason offered, still smiling.  It felt good to laugh. “He’s still a god in here.  A real one.”

That inadvertently spoiled the mood, the group lapsing into a tense silence, only the ambient buzz of the not-quite-real restaurant around them breaking the tension.  Jason had just pointed at the elephant in the room.  The implications of the data Eliza had stolen and he had… borrowed.  Also, the reason for this clandestine, digital, double date.

Just like any good date, this was technically also a work meeting.

“Cerillion is really hooking up real people to the game?  Permanently?” Riley muttered.  “I just…”  She trailed off, her brow furrowed.  Which was fair.  It was a lot to process.

“And you think Alex’s mother is one of them?  That she’s still alive?” Frank demanded.

Jason just shrugged.  They hadn’t had a chance to discuss the details this freely.  Things had been busy lately.  “Seems to be.  Although, Alex doesn’t know that.”

He was still surprised at just how clueless Alex had been during the meeting.  That had been a test of sorts.  Not just for George and Cady, but for the avatar of light.  Jason had intended to keep him close to watch him, but now he was wondering if that was really necessary.

Maybe George was keeping him in the dark to hide the truth about his mother?

After all, she was supposed to be dead.  At least, according to many news articles.

“Which means George has committed multiple crimes.  Human testing.  Possibly attempted murder.  Or fraud, at least.  I mean, he must have staged her death, right?” Riley muttered.

“I hate to say this, but I kind of wish you’d just go back to handling stuff solo and keeping secrets,” Frank offered with a grim chuckle.  “It might be safer for us.”

He wasn’t wrong and Jason could see they both knew it.

They just didn’t understand it—not yet.

“You needed to know if you’re going to handle things in Pax while I’m gone,” Jason replied, taking a sip of his drink.  “You don’t think it would be confusing if one of Cady’s clones showed up while her account was locked?  You shouldn’t trust her – any version of her.  You both need to be careful.  If George has eyes on me…”

He trailed off, the implication obvious.

Then he was probably watching them too.

A realization they were both just starting to come to terms with.  Jason felt a flash of guilt.  This is what he’d hoped to avoid by keeping them in the dark – by trying to keep them safe.  Instead of pulling them into a world full of murder and intrigue and world-changing stakes.  With powerful players with everything to lose if their secrets were revealed to the world.

“Are you sure we shouldn’t just walk away?” Frank asked.  “Don’t you have plenty of cash from your streams?  You could buy a nice villa overlooking the beach somewhere warm.”

Questions Jason could also see reflected in Riley’s eyes.

But he’d already made up his mind, his gaze shifting back to Alfred.

“This isn’t a problem we can run away from,” Jason explained slowly.  “Even if we left the country, where would we go that would be safe?  This game – this tech – is spreading like wildfire.  Look at the changes that AO has created within our society – how it has dramatically accelerated the shift online.  The political, social, and economic instability.

“What happens when George reveals he can immortalize a person?  When he can upload their digital consciousness to an endless number of worlds?  It’ll be like throwing jet fuel on the fire.  There won’t be anywhere that’s free from its influence.  And George will control it all.”

That’s why Jason had no choice but to stay.  To finally accept what Alfred had been offering.  Once he’d gone through the data, he’d seen the future with perfect clarity.  His mind running scenario after scenario – just like Alfred – but always arriving at the same answer.

A true Armageddon.  A true Apocalypse.  A world willingly raptured.

All of them digital prisoners to a tyrant.

“We’ve already seen it with healthcare.  With social security.  History repeating,” Jason intoned.  “Privatizing necessary services where people can’t say no.  And this one is all of that rolled up into one.  George would literally be selling immortality.  He could charge whatever he wants.  Change whatever he wants.  And would we even remember?  After all, he could always rewrite our memories.  That’s just more data, right?  A feature, technically.”

He pointed at the cat.  “As odd as it might sound, Alfred is our only true backstop.  Our only security.  The only thing currently preventing George from taking our world by storm.”

The data had made his decision easy – the hard part came next.

“We have no choice but to keep fighting,” Jason continued.  “Like I told George, we’re waging a cold war, both in-game and out.  Vying for control of AO and our own world.”

“Couldn’t we enlist the others.  Finn? Eliza? Cady maybe?” Riley offered grudgingly.  “How much can the three of us really do?  We’re still just teenagers…”

Jason grimaced at the truth of her words.  “Eventually, but not yet.  They might have more experience, but their loyalty is questionable.  Finn is laser-focused on Rachael and Cady is compromised since George has her sister.  They’re invested, but they’re distracted.  They won’t be willing to take risks.  Not if it endangers the people they care about.”

“So, I take it you plan to start taking those risks for them?  Starting with antagonizing the richest man in the world to his face?” Frank insisted dryly.  “You going to tell us more about this plan than the last one?  You know, where you killed yourself and Alex?”

Jason glanced at Alfred again.  “I’ll keep that close to the chest for now.”  His eyes shot back to his friends.  “For your own safety.  Right now, you have deniability.  Information but no proof.  If George finds leverage on either of you… it’s best you don’t know the whole plan.”

“So, you’re compartmentalizing.  Like a terrorist organization,” Riley shot back.

“The establishment is always the one to use that label,” Jason retorted with a dry chuckle.  “What’s the saying?  History is written by the victors?  Someday that may be how our world sees me – as a villain in more worlds than one.”  They both looked worried now and with good reason.

“But only if we fail,” Jason added.  “We aren’t there yet.  Right now, it’s still just a game.  You two just need to secure Pax and keep it stable and safe – whatever that takes.  If we can regain control of the game world, that will give us more leverage against George.”

Jason’s expression was grim. That was just the first step – the easier one in some ways.  During the meeting, George had confirmed what Jason had long suspected.  It was obvious in the way he’d capitulated to Jason’s demands.  The game was important.  Critical really. George needed the players to engage.  To invest.  To become dependent.  Addicted.

Like a modern-day Ford, he’d pave the entire country.  Force homes out to the suburbs.  Make it impossible to commute or buy groceries without a car.  Until people simply couldn’t survive without his product.  Until they couldn’t say no.

Until he had a true monopoly.

A sickness with only one cure...

“Fine,” Riley huffed.  “But at least promise you’ll try to be safe.  Nothing too crazy?”

Frank just snorted incredulously and even Alfred let out a small cough – one that sounded suspiciously like a laugh.  “I think you just jinxed us,” the shifter muttered.

“That does seem statistically unlikely,” the AI offered.

That uncomfortable truth earned a few more “rapid exhalations” from the group, the tension breaking as the group devolved into friendly banter.  Their laughter and chatter drifted across the rooftop as the conversation shifted to lighter topics.

Jason could almost pretend that they were just a group of friends having a night out on the town.  That the future wasn’t filled with dire existential threats.  That they weren’t surrounded by enemies in-game and out.  That they didn’t bear the weight of the world on their shoulders.

Except that was just an illusion.  Like this restaurant and that frozen sunset on the horizon. 

This was the calm before the storm – a gift from a friend.

Alfred met Jason’s eyes as he picked up his thoughts.  What he’d told Riley was the truth.  They needed this.  But more importantly, Jason needed this.  And Alfred knew it.

He needed to remember what he was fighting for…