by Randy Thao
Chapter 1 - RTU
Since the birth of nanotechnology, many world issues such as cancer, aids, autism as well as physical deformity of the human body were rectified. At the cell level of every organism, these deformations were altered by adding more or missing proteins to perfect the human body. On the atom and molecular level, nanotechnology is able to restructure the very objects right before one's eyes. This included organic as well as solid matter. Some called it "magic" at first, but because of the explosion of advances in technology, it had become the norm. Miracles were unspoken of.
The early stages of nanotechnology were used to make life easier by using simple objects, such as apparel, and repel water like the oils on a feather. Nothing too impressive at first, until, the creation of the Robotic Transfer 1 Nano-bot. It was the first model of its kind. There were many attempts to create the RT1, but the bots were unreliable and unstable at its size. Friction from transferring and passing through objects made it brittle. It weakened the ultra-light atomic aluminum Nano-bot casings and joints. It would also get crushed by what it was attempting to construct or repair. With the passing of time and further advances in technology, the RT2 Nano-bot was born not of just solid matter, but of organic matter. This allowed it to move fluidly between atoms and molecules without damaging itself or the objects that it was performing on. The joints now held together by organic matter in order to give it 360 degrees' flexibility in all directions.
This opened a new world of opportunities to experiment on living beings. Like most experiments, lab rats provided the first few tests, which proved to be successful. RT2 was able to repair and stitch back a rat's tail after it was cut off without leaving a scar. The next test was to see if it would be able to rebuild an entire ear of the rat if severed and thrown away. This pose no stumbling blocks as the DNA could be extracted from a single RT2 in which it will then transfer the data to the other bots to start the repair process immediately. There were no signs of pain, but reports show a slight vibration like feel, a jump in blood pressure and increase in heart rate.
Though the world had answers to the imperfections of the human body, the expense to have the luxury of this kind of technology performed on one's self was literally unheard of, until now....
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"Nye Montgomery, how are you planning to be able to provide nanotechnology for everyone around the world, without the expense that comes along with it?" questioned a reporter. They all stood in silence waiting patiently for a response. The rather small conference room was packed with reporters from all over the nation silently waiting.
Nye walked in front of the microphone with a confident smile across his face. The young self-made trillionaire stared into the crowd. His fitted royal blue suit and black tie shouted with professionalism and confidence. "Ahh, the big question everyone is waiting to hear," teased Nye stretching his arms out wide welcoming everyone to the question at hand. "Ladies and gentlemen, I give you RT Universe!"
At the response of Nye Montgomery, a black curtain, unnoticed before, was released revealing the poster hidden from behind. Chatter filled the room as reporters looked at one another in confusion. Questions were hollered from across the room. Cameras went wild at the scene like that of a photo shoot. The poster presented the RT2 Nano-bot in the center surrounded by the glitter of the universe. Hovering around in the darkness, four moons could be seen forming a shape of a diamond.
"Is this a joke!? We came here to see how you can provide affordable Nano-bot care for the public not another one of your MMO games. I'm out of here!" another reporter jabbed.
Nye then insisted, "Oh don't be so quick my dear friend. You may know me as the king of the MMO gaming world, but I come bearing gifts. There will not be enough time here today to explain to you what my team of experts have been able to develop over the past 20 years in conjunction with nanotechnology. It has been tested to work flawlessly. What you're interested into day is how and why? I've explained this in my recent journal that I will be releasing after this, but the one thing I will reveal to you right now is this....it is free! Thank you for your time."
As Nye made his way out of the conference room, it only raised more questions and confusion. Reporters rushed to the podium holding out their microphones for another word of explanation from Nye Montgomery. Two men in black suits came out from the back to guide the reporters to the exit. Sure enough, after the press release, Nye Montgomery's journal was given to the public causing mass media attention.
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"Ding! Ding! Ding!" blared Dee's cell phone.
"Hello?" groaned Dee.
"Hey buddy, you awake?" came a familiar voice.
Dee yawned mumbling, "Now I am. What's up Jerry?"
"Well, I was wondering if you could cover my shift today?" stuttered Jerry.
"Yeah no problem," Dee replied staring out the window. Was it that late already?
"Thanks Dee, you're the best," said Jerry excitedly. "Oh yeah, my shift starts in 20 minutes."
"Come on man!" jumped Dee.
It was already too late. Jerry had hung up. Dee tore off the sheets and grabbed his left leg and pushed it off the bed. Then he did the same for the other as he sat up. On the lampstand next to his bed he reached for a remote control about the size of a large round egg and pressed a glowing green button, which beeped as he released it. Shortly after yawning again, a wheelchair hovered into the room.
"Good morning sir," greeted the wheelchair in a female voice.
"Good morning. What would I do without you?" replied Dee. The wheelchair floated next to his bed and dropped the left side arm down. Dee scooted his way over and onto the cushion seat.
When he first received his automated wheelchair four years ago, he thought it was strange to be speaking to it. Now, he considered it like family. His only family. He wouldn't have been able to afford it if it weren't for the settlement money collected after the accident. It was more than just an automated wheelchair; it could also take care of most things such as playing music, telling jokes, the weather and ordering online, which is what every retailer now has converted to except for Big Stop down the road. It was small and local. To see a place like that was like looking into the past. Not for this part of the city though, because here lies one of the city's poorest area.
Dee leaned forward like those hover boards back in 2016 when they were really popular until, of course, the wheel-less hover boards made their way into the market around 2032. Dee looked into the mirror, turned his face to the left and then to the right. His dark brown hair a bit messy and long, but nothing that can't be fixed with a little hair gel. His beard had grown about an inch thick from ear to ear. He had not cared to shave much anymore. He flexed his arms. Not what they used to be when he was playing college football. He was one of the best wide receivers in his college before the accident. Every day a reminder looking down at what used to be the fastest legs on the Centaurs. He had gotten multiple letters from the NFL, if he should pursue and go pro. All this came to a tragic end in the matter of just a few seconds, his career was over and his life as well.
Chapter 2 – Tragedy
Saturday, June 6, 2057. Dee had just scored the winning home game touchdown at the US bank stadium where the Golden Bowl was held. It was a tough game for him missing a few catches in the first half, but he was able to pick things up in the second for the victory. Dee's parents waited outside of the locker room as he gathered his things. The rest of the football team had agreed to go out and celebrate for the night. The stadium stood empty with only the cleaners and concession stand workers closing up.
"Dee!" shouted Coach Christian.
"Yes sir!" replied Dee standing tall as ever.<
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"You did it. I just want to let you know son, that I am very proud of you. Where ever you go from here is totally your decision. If you wish to stay, the Minnesota Vikings could use someone like you," insisted Coach Christian patting Dee on the shoulders.
Dee loosened up and laughed. He shook Coach Christian's hand and gave him a big hug.
"You have always been there for me coach. I'll miss you and this, this championship is for you."
Coach Christian smiled and wiped away a tear from his left eye. "Thanks son. One last thing. No matter what you do. Never stop living. Cause once you stop, that's when all this," Coach Christian held up the Golden Bowl trophy, "will start to lose all meaning."
"Thanks coach," Dee grabbed his bag and gave Coach Christian another hug and left the locker room. He was met by his parents in the lobby area.
"Ready to go champ?" exclaimed Dee's father.
His mother gave him a kiss on his forehead. "We are so proud of you Dee."
They walked out of the US Bank Stadium and made their way across the street. Huge hologram advertisements and highlights of the game floated along the side of the stadium. Everyone raced to get out of the parking lot. Energy blocks on the back of their vehicles lit up beneath them. As they got into their vehicle, a black Chevy model A4.7 Glider burst through the air creating a loud sonic boom in the middle of the parking lot.
"Slow down you idiot!" yelled Dee's father.
Dee glanced at the glass windshield of the black Chevy A4.7 as it passed by. The man driving looked upset. Dee could see that there was another person in the passenger seat. He looked out the window slumped and made eye contact with him before passing out of view. He had yellow curly hair and a frown on his face. The driver must have been his father. His mouth was moving fiercely occasionally turning to him and out the front window again.
They all got into the vehicle. Dee pulled out his cell phone with over thirty text messages from his friends. He started reading as they pulled out of the parking lot. The glider that took off a few second ago was boxed in behind other vehicles struggling to maneuver their way out as well. It spun its engine and honked its horn in anger. Dee looked up briefly to see that his father was shaking his head at the scene. He turned left at the parking lot exit and drove off. In a matter of seconds, a loud winding of an engine heaved into gear. Like jumping into a pool of water, the surrounding noise was overpowered by a huge crash and then there was silence. Next thing Dee could remember was waking up in a hospital bed with tubes strapped to every part of his body. He tried to cry out, but the pain in his chest was still very fresh. Trying to position himself up, he noticed he couldn't feel his legs from under the covers. The nurse heard movement in his room and ran in as quickly as she could. She attended him and reminded him to take it easy. She could tell that he was in shock at the realization of his current condition. He had been out for almost a week now. After Dee had regained his composure and mental state, the doctor along with an officer came in and stood at the side of his bed.
"Where are my parents? Are they ok? Where are they?" gasped Dee with all the energy he could gather. Still not able to open his jaw as wide making his speech a bit broken.
"We figure that you would ask that when you awoke. I'm Dr. Hanson and here with me is Chief Officer Miles," said Dr. Hanson with a concern look in his eyes.
"Hello Dee," greeted Chief Officer Miles. Dr. Hanson nodded at Officer Miles unable to look him in the eyes. Then he started.
"Dee, about week ago you were in an accident. A black glider blew out over the light sensor gates so fast that it went out of control smashing into your parent's car. Not only that, it pushed your car into the on-coming light rail. The light rail nearly split your car in half. You didn't have your seat belt on and so you were thrown out of the vehicle. As for your parents," Chief Officer Miles hesitated for a few seconds taking in a deep breath, "they were killed instantly. I'm sorry Dee. Had you put your seatbelt on, you would have been killed as well. There must have been a reason why your life was spared. Only God knows."
Chief Officer Miles had no more to say and gave a teary look at Dr. Hanson and left the room. The bad news didn't stop there. Dr. Hanson debated in his mind whether he wanted to tell Dee about his legs or not. Sooner or later he would have to.
"Dee, there's more," sighed Dr. Hanson in almost a whisper.
Dee shook his head in disbelief. Tears ran down his face. If he could end his life now, he would have done it. In his current state, the world as he knew it was no more. If it weren't for all the football training to strengthen his heart, it would have collapsed from sudden shock. From what he could sense when he awoke earlier, he already knew what the doctor was going to tell him.
Dr. Hanson placed his left hand on Dee's knee. "About your legs, the accident broke the lower part of your spine. Nerves were damaged and.... I'm afraid that you will never walk again." The nurses outside the door sprang back with tears in their eyes.
The memories of that tragic day replayed in his head. The sounds, the loud clash and then silence. The only thing that kept Dee from ending his life when he left the hospital months later was Coach Christian's last words to him, "Never stop living". Coach Christian came by a few times to visit. He did all he could to help encourage Dee to press on and fight the good fight. Friends came by as well, and they "had a life", so he pushed them away to not hinder them by his unfortunate event in his life. He didn't want anyone feeling sorry him. The visits became few and eventually there was no one left.
Being the only child in the family, he inherited everything from his parents. They didn't have much, but it was his settlement payout that carried him through the first few years alone. Many times he contemplated about going to the dark side, suicide, but something prevented him from following through. He lived secluded from everyone he knew and eventually moved into a smaller place to accommodate to his disability. He occasionally visited Dr. Hanson for post checkups to see how he was progressing. Dr. Hanson had mentioned to him about the advances in nano to repair damaged areas in the body and that Dee would make a great candidate. The price for such a procedure even with his settlement money would send him deep into debt. For now, Dee kept it as an option in the future when it becomes more affordable if ever, during his lifetime.
With his football career out the window, Dee continued to live on despite his tragic loss. Accepting his disability was the hardest part. After that, getting back into society took time, but it naturally did as he has always been a person who likes to socialize. As a backup plan before pursuing football, his father told him to major in Computer Science in the case that an injury would not allow him to play ever again. Not only that, but technology was the future. Football is a very physical sport, and Dee has seen many great players end their careers early. Even retired NFL players had jobs after their football careers. Some became commentators, actors, fitness coaches, insurance agents or have started their own small business. "Positive thoughts, positive results" was his motto. It was his cup of coffee every morning.
Chapter 3 - Solution Through a Game
Ever since the accident, riding in vehicles of any kind whether it be gliders, cars, or light rails that floated on electromagnetic energy had deeply traumatized Dee. The return of such memories would flood his mind in slow motion replaying itself over and over again. The sound of the winding engine right before the scrapping of metal and the silence there after. It took some time for Dee to get used to his hover chair. Though it was similar, it wasn't entirely the same as the vehicles flying around nowadays. Eventually, he would submit to the convenience of moving around with it. At least the streets provided a handicapped lane for those who rode in some form of transport device for the handicapped. The lane was created for not just any ordinary transport devices, but for high end ones like what he had, which hovered above the ground at a fairly fast pace.
For the past four years, this was his main way of transportation to work and back. He had gotten a job in downtown Minneapolis
at a gaming software company called KodeKen. It used to be a Korean based gaming company, but was bought out by Adrenaline Corp., America's most prosperous gaming company, and maybe even in the world! He started out as an intern game tester. It may have been fun at first, but playing those games over on countless hours was mind draining. Yet, only those who know every inch of the world they were playing could point out glitches and holes. Gamers tend to take advantage of these imperfections to gain the upper hand. He was instructed to take frequent breaks to accommodate for sitting in one place and staring at a screen all day. After a year of testing, he applied for an entry level software developer position. Occasionally, he would wander down and try out the latest open world games. These were the only types that gave him the power to move freely almost as if his legs were restored. Combine this with VR and augmented reality integration, Dee would be lost for hours, but just to realize that after defeating the final boss, he was back in the 10'x10' cubicle of the testing department.
Dee hovered into the spinning door of the IDS tower. ISR droids stood by the front desk constantly scanning for suspicious activity. They had replaced the security team about 10 years ago seeing that there was much human error when it came to safety. The drifting off to sleep, chatting and lack of physical fitness to chase down trouble makers caused an alarm to find an alternative. Dee bypassed the crowd of people standing in front of the elevators. To the far left, a special elevator with a large handicap sign engraved in its doors was readily waiting to be used. Every time Dee got in, he could hear the groaning of people waiting outside as the doors closed behind him. KodeKen was located on the 30th floor of the IDS Tower.
The elevator sounded with a "Ding!" reaching his floor. As he exited, he noticed something different. There was commotion in the hallways leading to the office. People on their phones holding a magazine of some sort. Curious now, Dee made his way to the front desk.