Devoured World: Volume One

by Fleet, Ricky

Ecstasy. Flavour. Pleasure. “Incredible,” he sighed.

  “Let me try.” Zip closed her eyes, groaning as her taste buds exploded with joy.

  Losing all inhibition, Andy stuffed a grub in his mouth. The crunchy skin gave way to a texture not unlike prawns. Spices mingled, bringing a shudder of unadulterated satisfaction.

  Turning to the proprietor who was returning with small glasses, he said, “I love you.”

  “Yes, yes. Mrs Lao love you too.”

  “How can we repay you for this?”

  “No need, no need. You fight. You keep family safe. You always welcome here.”

  The two soldiers continued to sample the delectable cuisine of their gracious host. An hour quickly passed in a blur of bowls and chopsticks. Stomachs aching in protest, they had to deter Mrs Lao from bringing anything else.

  “Full, full?”

  “I couldn’t eat another bite,” Zip said.

  “I hope we won’t end up being sick,” Andy groaned. “We’ve not had proper food before.”

  “No, no. Mr Lao doctor as well as chef. Food balanced for new tummy. You no worry.”

  “You’re an angel, Mrs Lao.”

  Blowing a kiss to Andy, she ducked through the curtains into the kitchen.

  “Did you want to head back now?”

  “Hell no. I want to try the holo suite.”

  “I don’t think I could handle any more drinks.”

  “They’re just a figment of your imagination.”

  “I suppose so.”

  “We could always do another program?”

  “No, we’ll do it. I know you wanted to enjoy the sunshine.”

  “How far away is it?”

  “Close, close. Ten-minute walk,” explained Mrs Lao, startling them both. She was like a ghost, coming and going in total silence.

  “Thank you for everything, Mrs Lao. That was delicious.”

  “Good, good. You come back soon.” Handing them each a curled pastry, she bowed once more and was gone.

  “Shall we see what the fates have in store for us?” asked Zip.

  “Nothing good. We may as well just bin the paper and enjoy the snack.”

  “Stop being such a bloody pessimist,” she said, forcing the cookie into his palm. Breaking her own in two, she removed the prophetic slip and studied the words.

  Through darkness, the light of love will shine.

  “What the fuck does that mean?”

  “Looks like you’ll meet your one and only. Now I really do have to get you that dress.”

  “Fuck off. What does yours say?”

  Cracking the shell, he held it up and laughed.

  Through death, comes rebirth.

  “I think I got the one written for the mutants. If I’d paid, I’d be asking for a refund.”

  A cough caught their attention and they turned to see Mrs Lao watching them from the doorway. Cheeks flushing, Andy muttered an apology and scarpered away.

  “Trust, trust. The cookies no lie!” she called after them.

  Waving without daring to look back, Andy turned to Zip. “Why didn’t you tell me she was behind me?”

  “I didn’t hear her open the door. She’s like a ninja.”

  “I feel like a prize arsehole disrespecting her hospitality like that.”

  “We can always go back and apologise?”

  “Sod that. I’ll need a week to get over my embarrassment.”

  “I’m sure she’s heard it all before. Not everyone can be as confident in their spirituality as the Chinese.”

  “Doesn’t make me feel any better.”

  Zip clutched him around the shoulder and squeezed to show her support. Andy appreciated it but fell silent as they walked towards the holo facility. The words rang out in his mind. Was his death already set in stone? Would it come sooner, or later? It dawned on him that he wanted to live, despite their hellish existence. What would his dead family think of his selfish desire to survive while they were nothing but dust blowing on the wind? Were his children looking down from Heaven, sobbing at the thought they were being forgotten?

  “Hey, what’s the matter?” Zip asked, her voice filled with concern.

  Andy felt the tears streaming. Pressing a finger to his face, the digit came away wet. Staring idiotically at the glistening moisture, he looked at her. “I’m discarding them like they were nothing to me.”

  “Discarding who?”

  “My family. My children.”

  “How are you discarding them?”

  “It’s getting harder to remember. The love I felt keeps fading, like I’m turning a dial to erase them.”

  Zip pulled him tightly into her embrace. “You bloody fool. That’s explained in your pack too.”

  “What?”

  “Your memories and emotions are all fucked up because of the cloning and changes to your DNA. It can take several weeks for the hormones to settle down.”

  “You mean I’m not losing them?”

  “Not at all! I’ve been having the same trouble with my folks. Sometimes they’re with me, sometimes I can barely remember their faces. Then it all comes rushing back again. It’s like a bloody tide going in and out, but at some point, the tide stays in permanently.”

  “You don’t know how happy I am to hear that.”

  “You needn’t have worried if you’d read the brief, dumb arse. It’s the same thing with our sexual appetites. Haven’t you noticed that even with all the mingling between the different sexes, no one has started to jump bones yet?”

  “I had wondered about that.”

  “You’re useless!” she declared, giving him a final squeeze. “Come on, let’s get moving.”

  Chapter 23

  “I feel a bit guilty that we’re here without the others.”

  “We invited them,” Zip replied. “It’s not our fault they’re too hungover to leave the barracks.”

  “I guess so.”

  “This looks like the place.”

  Pausing at the front of the shop, they looked up at the golden lettering. Chan’s Mystical Tours.

  “I like the sound of that. Shall we?” Andy offered, opening the door for her.

  “Why thank you, kind sir.”

  An unattended counter took up half of the shop. Exquisite wooden carvings depicting Buddha and other ceremonial imagery hung from the walls. A smouldering incense stick gave off the sweet scent of Jasmine. Soothing music played from an unknown source; a blend of calming erhu overlaid by an expert hand plucking at a guzheng. It was so beautiful the soldiers closed their eyes and allowed their imaginations to drift to better times. A polite cough broke through their reverie. Standing at the counter was a cheerful man with dark, twinkling eyes. He was as stealthy as Mrs Lao.

  “Forgive my intrusion,” he said with a slight bow.

  “Not at all,” Andy said, holding out a hand.

  “I’m Kevin Chan, owner of Chan’s Mystical Tours,” he replied, shaking the offered palm.

  “I’m Andy, this is Gillian.”

  “Pleased to meet you.” Zip moved to shake the welcoming hand.

  “What brings you to my little corner of the world?”

  “Recommendations.”

  “Lots of recommendations,” Zip confirmed.

  “I’m honoured that word has spread of my unique offerings. I’ve worked very hard to build an environment that can enthral the user, to take them further than the human mind ever thought possible.”

  “You’ve got programs beyond the normal sightseeing?”

  The eyes, already narrowed with hidden promise, glinted with mischief. “Oh yes. I was a games developer in the olden days. I’ve made some… how can I say… interesting amendments to some of the base destinations.”

  “Dare we ask what that means?”

  “Well, we all enjoy a walk in the countryside.” Kevin paused.

  The soldiers looked at one another, unsure of what to do next. Andy took the lead, “Erm, yes?”

  “As do I!” Kevin state
d with a dramatic flourish. “But what could be better than breathing in the glorious country air, walking among the trees, up and down the valleys of our lush, untainted land?”

  “I… don’t know?” Zip replied cautiously.

  “You could take in the sights on the back of a fearsome dragon, soaring through the sky, the wind buffeting your face.”

  “You’re shitting me.” Andy gaped.

  “I shit you not,” Kevin replied, beaming with pride.

  Turning to Zip, Andy asked, “Do you want a ride on a dragon?”

  “I want alcohol. Somewhere warm.”

  “But think of the fun to be had riding one of those magnificent creatures. I could throw in a castle siege where you swoop in and save the day?”

  “Sun. Sand. Sangria.”

  Kevin groaned. “You want to do the Mech link program?”

  “Yes please.”

  “How about I spice it up a little? Throw in a boat ride where you get attacked by a shark? You won’t be in any physical danger, it’s just a little excitement.”

  “Does the shark make a good margarita?”

  “No, but it gives you a survival thrill ride.”

  “Not interested,” Zip declared.

  “But…”

  Andy held up his hands to still the protest. “You heard the lady. A beach bar with unlimited booze.”

  “I could throw in some terrorists for you to thwart?”

  “Sex on the Beach. Mint Julep. Strawberry Daquiri,” Zip said.

  “Just one terrorist?”

  She shook her head slowly, defiantly.

  “An uncooperative barman?”

  “I want the drinks to flow.”

  “Damnit! Ok, follow me,” Kevin muttered in good humour.

  Dodging beneath the strips of silk behind the counter, they followed him out of the modest shop. More incense burned on the shelves in the hallway, the Jasmine giving way to Sandalwood. Moving through another door, the charming Chinese décor ended. It was like walking onto the set of a science fiction movie. Eight egg shaped pods lay against the wall, four to each side. Computers, monitors, and equipment, far beyond anything they’d seen on the barracks, hummed and whirred. Thick cables ran from the head of each pod, snaking neatly along the floor and into the main server. Soft, turquoise padding within the individual chambers gave under Andy’s touch.

  “It feels comfortable.”

  “You’ll awaken a new man,” Kevin stated, turning to Zip. “And woman. I guarantee it.”

  “Before we get started, how much does it cost?” she inquired.

  “For the defenders of our city? Nothing.”

  “We have to give you something,” Andy insisted. “Mrs Lao wouldn’t take our money either.”

  “You give me untroubled, contented sleep. And for that, I thank you.”

  The soldiers gave up; Kevin wasn’t going to rescind his generous hospitality no matter how much they insisted.

  “Number one and two, please,” Kevin said.

  Climbing into the capsules, they laid down and waited for further instruction. Kevin busied himself at the control station, inputting commands in a blur of fingers. The typing reached a climax and he pressed the enter key with enough force to damage the keyboard. Turning to them, he held arms wide and grinned.

  “My honoured guests. Are you ready?”

  “Why do I get the feeling you’ve done something?”

  The twinkling in his eyes spoke volumes.

  “If you mess with the lady’s fun, I’ll only give you a three-star rating,” warned Andy.

  “It will be a drop in the ocean compared to my glowing recommendations. But worry not, my doubting friends, all will be revealed shortly.”

  “What do we do now? I can’t find a headset.”

  “No headsets are needed. If you’ll look to the left and right, you’ll notice the inner core of the pods have enhanced transmitters embedded in the plastic.”

  They stared at the gleaming white surface and could only make out a slight protrusion of the surface in a pattern neither of them understood.

  “Yes… I see it.”

  “Good. I find the experience can be marred when you awaken, and the straps have left uncomfortable impressions in your skin.”

  “I hate that,” replied Zip.

  “If you would please lay your head into the support collar, we can begin.”

  Sponge padding moulded to the exact contours of their skulls. Andy could easily have fallen asleep there and then, it was that comfortable.

  “Thank you for choosing Chan’s Mystical Tours.”

  Expecting the sharp pain of neural linkup to burst through his head, Andy was surprised when it didn’t come. Instead, he felt like he was drifting away on warm currents of air, floating higher and higher. The ceiling completely faded from view, giving way to the familiar kaleidoscopic spectacle.

  “Enjoy, my friends,” said Kevin from far, far away.

  Chapter 24

  With a pop, the scene firmed up. Andy looked down at his feet as the warm ocean waves lapped over them. Wriggling his toes as the crystal-clear water receded, the moist, golden sand shifted under the weight and he sunk into the cosy warmth of the beach.

  “This is gorgeous,” Zip gasped.

  “I told you it was an amazing place.”

  “Shall we get a drink?”

  “That sounds like a plan.”

  Andy took her hand in a platonic gesture. Leaving the shallows, they strode across the baking hot sand towards the grass roofed beach bar. The Mech link waiter was gone, replaced by a beaming Jamaican gentleman.

  “I’m Gerrard. What can I get you folks?” he asked.

  “Surprise us.”

  “As you wish,” he replied, moving towards the optics.

  “Would you mind bringing them over to the loungers?”

  “It would be my pleasure, sir.”

  Moving over to the towel lined recliners, Andy and Zip made themselves comfortable. The sun beamed down from the unbroken Mediterranean sky. Ordinarily the heat would’ve been unbearable, but in the simulator, it was just right. Their skin glowed. They didn’t sweat. Sunglasses appeared on their faces to negate some of the glare.

  “That was clever.”

  “Sir, madam, your drinks.”

  Placing the glasses on the small table, their host excused himself.

  “To your health,” Andy proposed, lifting the drink with a clink of ice on glass.

  “And yours,” she replied, gently making contact.

  Sipping at the chilled liquid, their taste buds went through the equivalent of a gustatory orgasm. They gaped at each other, unsure of the flavours that titillated taste buds. Was that a splash of Cointreau? The orange-brown cocktail teased them with the unknown.

  “What’s in this, Gerrard?”

  “I can no sooner reveal that than I could tell you the secrets of the universe,” he replied mystically.

  “Mr Chan has made some alterations, hasn’t he?”

  Gerrard winked at Zip before continuing to wipe the already immaculate bar down.

  “I could get used to this,” Andy sighed.

  “I know this is meant to help our mental wellbeing, but I can see myself never wanting to leave.”

  “I suspect we’d just die of dehydration after laying in the pods for a few days.”

  “There’re worse ways to go.”

  “Our bodies might not let us. What’s to say our rumbling stomachs wouldn’t pull us back to reality?”

  “No idea. I’m willing to give it a try,” she joked.

  A flash in their periphery caught their attention and another table had appeared from nowhere. A silver platter lay atop, fresh fruit sliced and segmented for them to eat. Pineapple, mango, papaya, pears, pomegranates, oranges, all neatly arranged.

  “Remind me to kiss Kevin when we get out of here.”

  “You’ll have to fight me for him,” Andy replied through a mouthful of juicy mango.

  “I’m
sure we can share.”

  Staring up at the sky, they sucked the delightful liquid through straws. For every ounce consumed, it didn’t reduce the quantity by a single millimetre.

  “That’s a neat trick!” Andy called.

  Gerrard winked. “It gives new meaning to the term bottomless drink, sir.”

  “What do you think the future holds?” Zip asked, suddenly melancholy.

  “Nothing good, no matter what Mrs Lao’s fortunes promise.”

  “You think we’re doomed to just keep fighting and dying?”

  “Until one side wins, yes.”

  “And the winner won’t take all, will they?”

  “Nope. The winner will have to face the aliens.”

  “Jesus Christ,” she huffed, placing the drink down.

  “We can still fight for a better tomorrow. I’d rather die on my feet than live on my knees.”

  “Who said that?”

  “I can’t remember, but it’s a good quote.”

  “Is everything ok?” Gerrard called, noticing the souring mood of his guests.

  “We’re just discussing life and death, the usual.”

  “I see.”

  “It’s not your hospitality, don’t worry.”

  “We’ll tell Mr Chan that you were fantastic.”

  Gerrard smiled and turned his attention to a point further down the stunning beach. His lips curled into a smile.

  Zip looked in the direction and let out a girlish squeal of delight. Charging towards them were a small group of horses, churning up the sand with galloping hooves.

  “I love horses. Can we ride them?”

  “Mr Chan insists on it,” Gerrard replied, smiling even wider and showing perfectly even white teeth.

  As they got closer, her delight morphed into stunned disbelief. “No fucking way!”

  “What?” Andy asked, squinting at the approaching herd.

  “They’re unicorns…” she whispered.

  “Fuck off! Wait, what?” Andy could now see the unmistakable horns protruding from their foreheads. “Well I’ll be damned.”

  Jumping from the lounger, Zip raced to meet the magnificent beasts. Her joy was infectious, and Andy followed, grinning from ear to ear.

  “Hello, gorgeous,” Zip cooed, stroking the amazing creatures who whinnied with pleasure.

  “How do we ride them without saddles?” Zip called.