Digital Evolution (The Game is Life Book 5)

by Terry Schott

  34

  Thorn rang the doorbell to Barret Saxon’s mansion, waiting patiently and smiling when the maid answered the door.

  “Hello, Mr. Thorn.” She smiled coyly. “It is so good to see you again.”

  “Hello, Maxine. How are things?”

  “Excellent as always, sir. Please come this way. Mr. Saxon is expecting you.”

  “Is he in the lab?”

  “Yes, he is. Would you like me to take you?”

  Thorn laughed. “I’m sure you have more important work to do than guide an old man to a room that I have visited hundreds of times.”

  “Old man.” Maxine scoffed. “I don’t know how old you are, Mr. Thorn, but you are fit and handsome. Forty isn’t old, no matter where a person comes from.”

  “You are always so kind to me, Maxine.” Thorn winked. “I’ll see you later.”

  “That would be nice,” He clearly heard the suggestion in her tone.

  Thorn climbed the stairs and rapped on the open door. Barret stood behind a luxurious office chair occupied by a younger-looking version of himself. Both were focused on the computer screen, but they looked up in unison at the interruption.

  Barret’s concentrated look dissolved and he strode towards Thorn with a large smile. “Samson, welcome to the lab.” The two men shook hands, quickly dispensing with the formal gesture in exchange for a friendly hug.

  “I was excited to hear from you, Barret. Is it true? Do you have a solution to our problem?”

  Barret nodded. The young man had joined them and Barret reached out to grasp the back of his neck affectionately. “It is true, Samson, and thanks entirely to my brilliant progeny. You remember my boy, Kevin, don’t you?”

  “I do.” Thorn shook hands with the young man. “I remember you knowing your way around a computer, Kevin, but I didn’t realize you were a genius.”

  Kevin blushed and shook his head. “I brought back a bit of knowledge when I returned from the Sim, sir.”

  “Please, call me Samson. Let’s take a look at what you’ve cooked up shall we?”

  “Head over and take a seat,” Barret said. “I’ll pour you a drink.”

  Kevin and Thorn sat down in front of the computer. “Do you want me to tell you what I’ve done?” Kevin asked.

  “Let me take a look and see if I can figure it out first.” Thorn’s eyes began racing over the lines of computer code on the screen.

  Minutes passed in silence. Barret placed a glass of whiskey into Thorn’s hand but it went untasted while Thorn read.

  When he was done, he looked first at Barret, and then at Sparx. “This is brilliant. I would have never thought of configuring it the way you have. You have created six separate operating systems and somehow integrated them to work together in order to increase their effectiveness and speed. How did you conceive such a thing?”

  “I have no idea. As I spent first hours and then weeks on the problem, the solution kind of just appeared by accident one day.”

  “My son is being modest.” Barret clapped his son on the back. “Give him the highlights, Kevin.”

  “It’s a brand new network, independent of the old frameworks and with a new technology in place that is unbreakable.”

  “Nothing is unbreakable,” Thorn said.

  “This is. At least for the next ten to fifteen years.”

  “What makes you so sure of that?”

  Kevin leaned over and typed commands into the computer. The information on the screen changed. Thorn looked at it and let out a whistle. “It’s a multi-layered oscillating quantum bit system?”

  “Yes.”

  “This technology does not exist here.”

  “What do you mean ‘it doesn’t exist here’?”

  Thorn looked up from the screen and blushed. “I mean, before the Sim took everyone, we thought this might be achievable with some luck and a lot of years dedicated to the task.”

  “Ten to fifteen years,” Barret said. “That’s why we are so confident you have that much of a buffer; we are at the finish line to a race that no one else will even begin to run for at least a decade.”

  “The amounts of data that can be transmitted over the new network?” Thorn sat forward with interest and raised one eyebrow. “And the speeds at which it can be sent and received?”

  “Faster than anything we have ever created, exponentially faster by a factor of one hundred,” Barret said.

  Thorn looked at both men. “Who else knows about this?”

  “No one, Sam,” Barret assured him. “This is what you asked me for, and I am delivering it to you. I’m giving you the keys to the kingdom of information.”

  He’s giving me the weapon to defeat the General. Thorn could not believe his luck. This would enable him to communicate with the entire continent, maybe the world. As of now, Thorn controlled the flow of information, and he knew enough about that game to be very confident in his ability to crush General Donovan. “I don’t know how to begin thanking you.”

  “I’m sure you will think of a way.”

  “You can bet on it.” Thorn looked at Kevin. “And what can I do to reward you? You and your father will become rich and powerful beyond measure over the rest of your lifetime, but I should do more for you. Name any gift and I will see that it is given.”

  “I would love my own computer lab, with state of the art computers. The computers that will be built in the next few months as a result of our invention.”

  “Done.” It will double the cost of this project, but is still a deal if I get the results they’ve just promised. “I look forward to seeing what other miracles you can come up with, Kevin.”

  “So do I, sir.” Kevin nodded politely.

  35

  Thirteen felt a sharp pain in his right side. He raised his head. He was sprawled on the hard, wet floor of a dark alley. Sitting up, he gasped as his right side exploded with white-hot burning that shot through his body and threatened to overwhelm him.

  “Dammit!” He pushed his back against the dark brick wall behind him. His neck muscles felt stiff and his face was covered with grime from the ground. He raised a hand to wipe the dirt off and, taking shallow breaths, looked around.

  Where am I and how long have I been here?

  The pain in his side eased as the minutes passed. He looked down and pulled up his shirt to reveal a dark purplish-green bruise on his ribs the size of a fist. He poked and prodded gently to make sure the skin was not broken, then took a deeper breath, wincing as the pain knifed through him once more.

  Likely a broken rib or two. Great.

  Two people walked past the mouth of the alley, close enough for Thirteen to hear them speaking, though too fast for him to see.

  He leaned hard against the wall, took a long, slow, breath and then held it, pushing upwards and gritting his teeth. When he was standing, he turned from side to side in order to assess how the injury would affect his mobility. Not too bad. Maybe they are just bruised. He took a few tentative steps to make certain he could walk, then headed for the street.

  It was night time, but the streetlights and storefronts were all well-lit. He walked less than half a block before he smiled. This is not the Dream. I’ve done it, I made it back to Earth! I knew it was still online.

  Thirteen’s ribs began to throb more as he walked. I need to figure out what city I ended up in. This place doesn’t look familiar to me. It’s all different, even the clothes that people are wearing. It’s subtle. Maybe a long time has passed and the styles have changed. He decided to find a newspaper or television to get his bearings.

  He rounded the corner and froze. The buildings became much taller here, shooting up into the sky so that their top floors were lost in the mist and darkness of night. “Whoa. These buildings are strange.”

  “Pardon?” A woman walking past stopped to address him.

  She has a strange accent. I don’t recognize it, either. “Oh, nothing.” Thirteen raised a hand. “I was just remarking on how tall the buildings a
re.”

  She smiled and started to answer him, but when her eyes took in the filth on his outfit, she turned and walked away.

  Thirteen looked down at himself and wiped the dirt off his clothes as best he could. “I look like a homeless person.” He winced in pain and tucked his shirt in before walking again.

  A few blocks later, he stopped in front of an enormous video screen mounted to the department tower across the street. Coloured lights flashed all around him in this district but the television screen, likely twenty feet tall by thirty feet wide, was not affected by the other lights. He stood and watched the television, hoping for a newscast to come on so he could learn what city he was in and what year it was.

  A pretty blonde newscaster appeared on the giant screen. Thirteen paused to listen.

  “And finally”—she smiled—“the news that everyone is talking about. Trew Strayne has announced that the first ten thousand players have successfully entered the newest game, Sojourn. Fans are beginning to subscribe by the thousands and citizens all across the world are tuning in to watch. Do not miss out as Game history is made across the planet of Tygon.”

  “Tygon?” Thirteen was puzzled. “It sounded like she just called this place Tygon. What is she talking about?”

  “Excuse me,” he said to a group of teenagers walking by. They stopped and looked at him. “I’ve been in the hospital for a while.” He pointed at his clothes and shook his head. “Was in a coma.”

  “Wow, that’s bad news,” one of them nodded sympathetically. “Happened to my cousin. He never woke up.”

  “Yeah, thanks.” Thirteen pointed at the video screen. “I’m still confused. Can you please tell me what city this is? It’s embarrassing to admit, but I have no idea where on Earth I am at the moment.”

  The kids walked away, except for the leader, who gave Thirteen a concerned look. “You might need to go back in and have them check your head out. You’re not in the Game.”

  “The Game?”

  “Yeah. You said you thought you were somewhere on Earth, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, that’s what they call the world inside the Game, and you’re too old to be playing that. You’re on Tygon.”

  “Where?”

  “Tygon, man.” The kid shook his head. “This is Tygon. You should really get back to the doctor.” He walked away.

  What’s Tygon? None of this was making any sense.“And how the hell did I get here”

  36

  After much consideration, it has been decided that the Game will continue.

  I want to assure everyone that this is not a publicity stunt. I fully intended to shut the Game down and have been working to do so for the past two months. I’m sure that many of you want to know why I have changed my mind, and the answer to that is simple.

  After forty years, who we are as a society and race of people is because of the Game and its influence on our evolution. Without the Game, we would not possess most of our technological or social advancements. We would not be as peaceful and advanced a race as we are. There are some who would argue this fact, but they are wrong.

  In order for our world to continue thriving and growing, we need the Game to continue.

  As of next week, children will once more be attending the Game as the primary source for learning. Those who fail out will be offered opportunities to play Atonement, and those who do not will be given fair-paying jobs for the skill sets that they are able to develop.

  The Game remains, but we have learned from our past enough to make certain that our children no longer suffer when they are not able to graduate.

  Trew Strayne

  A white doorway materialized in the air and Brandon stepped out onto a green field. He walked down the hill while the rest of the Timeless emerged from the doorway. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, nodding. “Oh, yes. This is Earth.”

  “I had no idea he could do that.” Gabriel bent down and ran his hand over the soft green grass.

  “Do what?” Brandon opened his eyes.

  Shane wiggled his fingers. “Shoot mist from his fingertips and send us all to another dimension.”

  “That’s why I always do my best to stay away from the old fart.” Carl yawned and sat down. “He’s the worst combination of crazy and powerful. I’ll bet he had no idea he could do it 'til he tried. Dangerous.”

  Angelica laughed. “You frightened of an old man dressed in flimsy black plastic, Carl?”

  “Ever seen a rip in that plastic?” Carl squinted up at her. “That’s one of the best reasons to be afraid of him. It ain’t so flimsy, sister, don’t let the appearance fool you.”

  “Well, at least we’re all back.” Brandon jumped and floated in the air a dozen feet off the ground. “Steph?”

  “What?” Stephanie rose into the air from the far side of the crowd. Her jet-black hair rippled in the breeze and the strange black material of her clothing sparkled in the morning sunlight. She looked very much like the Devil.

  “Since we are home,” Brandon said, feel free to take control of the Infernals and send them wherever it is that you want them placed.”

  “Time to play again, is it?” The smile on her face was full anticipation.

  “I don’t think so, but it doesn’t hurt to take our positions, just in case.”

  “Something is different about the Game this time, Brandon.”

  “What do you mean?”

  She waved her hand in front of her and the air shimmered with various colours. “I don’t remember being able to do this before, do you?”

  “No.” Brandon concentrated on his hand, coating it in the invisible golden glow of energy before moving it back and forth. The air shimmered the same way it had for Stephanie. “Curious.”

  “You know what it is?”

  “Not a clue.”

  Stephanie tapped her lip.

  Brandon recognized that look. “No.”

  “What do you mean ‘no’?” She flashed a smile.

  “I can hear your devious mind working from here. You will not search for an advantage from this.”

  “I’m insulted you would think that of me.”

  “Please.” He snorted. “You wouldn’t be a very good Devil if the thought didn’t enter your mind. And you have turned out to be one of the best to hold that office.”

  Stephanie bowed as she floated in the air. “Fine. We will figure this out together.”

  “Don’t pout. We ultimately work towards the same purpose.”

  She rolled her eyes and looked skywards. “Courtney, tell Brandon what you think this might be.”

  Courtney floated up until she was near Stephanie. Brandon moved closer to them to avoid shouting. “Heya, Court.”

  “Hi, Brandon.” Her red-flecked eyes twinkled. “I think it might be a dimensional curtain.”

  “What makes you think that?”

  “A hunch. I mean, we’ve only been back for a few minutes and just discovered it, but something tells me that’s what it is.”

  “Sylvia’s always had a soft spot where Courtney is concerned,” Stephanie said. “Maybe the hunch is coming from her.”

  “Likely.” Brandon looked first at Stephanie, then at Gabriel. “Timeless share all information on this, is that understood?”

  “Absolutely.” Both leaders spoke as one.

  Brandon clapped his hands together. “Time to scatter. Don’t expect things to be like they normally are after a reset.”

  “How will it be different?” Angelica asked.

  “If Trew stuck to his plan, there won’t be any players. Only NPCs.”

  Questioning voices spoke up from all over the group, but Brandon stopped them by raising a hand. “Let’s just hang tight and not jump to any conclusions. Something tells me he won’t be able to abandon the Game like he wants to.”

  “What if he does?”

  Brandon’s grin was confident. “I’m sure we will figure something out.”

  37

  Trew
met his wife at the office door with a kiss on the cheek and a hug. “What’s the problem, love? It’s not Addisyn, is it?”

  “Oh no, not at all.” Danni held her husband’s hand as they strolled to the plush couch in the far corner of the office. “Addi is super excited to be going into the Game. That’s all she’s been talking about for the past two days.”

  Trew winced. “Has it been two days since I was last home?”

  “Mm-hmm.”

  “Bring her into the city tonight so that we can all eat dinner together and sleep in the penthouse.”

  “She’s already set up camp in her bedroom there. I told her she gets to pick where we eat, so she’s busy searching for a suitable spot.”

  “Good.”

  “She keeps asking about Cooper.”

  “Me too.” Trew put his hand on her knee to maintain contact. “No one has seen him.”

  Danni smiled. “Maybe Elliot came to collect him.”

  “I don’t think we should call him that. It feels right to call him the old man.”

  “He’s not here.”

  “You never know when the old man will pop up. I think we keep his name to ourselves for now.”

  “Oh, okay.” Her smile faded. “The problem is with Atonement.”

  “Can’t get enough volunteers to play?”

  Danielle laughed. “You know that’s the total opposite of the truth. None of the fallen want to stay behind.”

  “They are going to have to. At least for the next few months.”

  “I know. Someone has to build the robots that will take their place, and the majority are content with that. Especially since they are now being paid and fed properly.”

  “Then what’s the problem?”

  “The mouthy few in every group.”

  “Easily fixed.” Trew leaned back and closed his eyes, glad to be near Danni for a few moments. “Arrange to invite those causing the problem into the game.”

  “Reward the spoiled child who screams by giving them what they want?”

  “Not at all. We remove the problem from the situation in order to maintain peace and happiness.”