I do not know why, but it seemed to me that I hurt him. Maybe Proteus himself sought the appearance of my guilt, no wonder he used for himself such vivid images. Terminator, which was once an enemy of humanity, and became his friend, little robot, David, who dreamed of parental love, and finally Robin, who, being apparently quite different from human, so human was inside.
- I'm sorry - I apologize to the computer, what nonsense! Utter stupidity. - I do not mean to offend you.
- I can not be hurt, I do not feel human emotions.
- Could you go back to your first image? - to be honest, I did not like to see this similarity Robin. It is difficult to explain why, but the feeling of serious discomfort did not leave me. - Mmmm ... Mr. Proteus, I beg you.
- Well, - a moment, and I said, everything is the same man, who began to show. - Just Proteus, be so kind.
- So, - Proteus stood up and walked across the room - you, by the way, sit down, - he pointed to the second seat. - I want to tell you that, in my opinion, you ought to know.
- Division "VirtArt", which is part of the corporation "InfoComp", as you know, is engaged mainly in virtual worlds and games, not including such details as interactive movies and talk shows. But you know about it only because it relates to the division of the mother to you of the European Alliance. And if you know the name "Aspai" or "Syndicate"?
- No, I've never heard of - these names were vaguely familiar, but nothing more.
- That's it. But believe me, just "Aspai" know the Asian cluster, "Syndicate" is owned by the US-Australian alliance, and there, too, had never heard of "VirtArt". Of course, I mean the people with white social card.
- Wait a minute, this is also division "InfoComp"?
- Yes, the man nodded - and what's more, all three of these entities are involved in the same.
- And what's the point? - I did not understand, - as part of the same organization, do the same thing ... Why do not you leave one, just to enlarge the it?
- And here is where the fun begins. I, with your permission, I will begin a little far away, otherwise you will be difficult to understand. I surprise you if I say that the real cost of food and accommodation Training Center of the pupil is not equivalent to five and three years of full connection? Aha - against grinned - judging by your wide eyes, surprised. But the income from the other 2 years connections, gets the unit whose world or the game the user has chosen for itself in five years. In the end, of course, the lion's share of that income still falls into the "InfoComp", no matter how. But there is a leader, top management, the major shareholders - their personal income is directly dependent on the division of revenue.
- About 15 years ago, when the virtuality not yet smoothed so much difference in the outlook of people, worlds created by different companies, were very different from each other. For Asian territories - the main motivation was the sense of duty and the expectation of a reward for their hard, hard work. In the European part pressed on romance and receive fabulous rewards without effort. The US-Australian - preaching adventurism and a sense of adventure. Over the years, the differences were erased, and now, no matter what part of the world you will be in gelkapsule, you will consume the same products, - man stopped walking on the room, and sat back in his chair.
- Not so long ago, talking about the need for the merger was actually started in one, - he continued, - The only question is, on the basis of some of the old regional divisions will be formed a new one. Choose quite difficult, as the profitability of companies is about the same, distinct benefits no one. Therefore, the process of reorganization, it was decided to postpone for a year, after which the results will be decided.
The more I listened to Proteus, the less I understand, but what have, in fact, am I? Corporation, division top management - all of it was so far away from me irresistibly, which is comparable to the possibility of pedestrian travel to Saturn. Moreover, today's events were a serious psychological strain on my body, I began to feel tired and afraid soon lose the thread of his monologue.
- Stop yawning now you will be interesting, there is not much. - Proteus immediately noticed loss of attention on my part. I mentally going. - So. It was decided to arrange a kind of competition of the world ranking, created specially for this test. Each unit may submit 10 samples that will try to cover all potential users' interests and needs. Of course, to attract the best professionals, and thrown all forces to their development.
- The European Alliance for this part I am responsible. But to develop these worlds, I will not. The world will be built himself, as his studies, and change dynamically in response to the actions and behavior of the player. That is, in fact, I do not know now, what you see there, and how this will end. The main parameters of the game world will be based not on the research department data, and formed the basis of the knowledge, interests, priorities of a particular player that I personally selected for the test results. To tell you the truth - then he suddenly smiled fun - it's a terrible adventure!
- Wait! - I jumped up in excitement - it's the same to me will depend on whether "VirtArt" win? I do not know how to play the virtual game! It turned out - for some reason I suddenly felt ashamed - I never played. I mean I know some basic principles ...
- Do not worry, you do not have to and be able to play. Conversely, even a good thing you never did - Protea confident voice calmed me. - So, what do you still need to know. Your task at least - to get into the top three, maximum - a victory of our team in the overall ranking. But even if this does not happen, once in the top three, you completely get everything that was promised contract - silver social identity card, work prize. In case of victory, "VirtArt", you will be able to participate in the development and testing of a fundamentally new virtual world, which, I hope, will soon be the standard for all future games.
- Tell me, - then I remembered the words of the girls from our district branch "VirtArt" - you've selected all the participants? Anna, well, it works ...
- I know how you speak to Anna.
- Yeah ... So, Anna said I was the first of the 37 000 who could be tested. You will have time to find all?
- no longer need to look for. Of the ten participants to select personally, in fact, I was entrusted to only one. And the experimental worlds will not be ten. In fact, the other nine worlds will be created under the same scenario as that of the competitors. - Proteus, sighed, - unfortunately, the company's management did not have the courage to endorse the proposed solution to me. And this world would not have been if not for the personal initiative of the President of the company.
- And the rest of the participants? Who are they?
- Professional gamers. But you should not be afraid in the first place, you will never cross one project, and secondly, it is precisely the lack of them, and not a virtue. People with extensive experience of the game, always act rationally as possible, and as of yet? - against raised his index finger and said, syllable by syllable, supporting his words energetic wave of his hand. - Pre-ska-zu-e-mo! That we are absolutely on hand, as with time these actions become too boring for viewers. And you, as a complete novice, you will act out patterns that should attract attention.
- Soooo, like everything I told you ... I remember! Two nuances. The first - being in the game, you should in no way mention the real world in a conversation with the locals, that is, with the NPC. It is strictly forbidden and will be monitored. Second - this is more my personal request, - it seemed to me that against confused. No, that can not be, this is the computer. - Well, since I do not have to deal with all ten projects, I can allocate more resources to one. All game characters will act on the basis of psevdosvobodu will not guided by pre-prescribed patterns of behavior. And my available resources are sufficient to ensure that they have emotions, albeit simple, but, nevertheless, quite similar to those of men.
Proteus sighed again, he seemed to be carefully chooses his words:
- You do not hurt them, please ...
I looked at him and wondered. In front of me sat a
tired man, painfully tormented some doubts, heavy thoughts. And that machine intelligence? Yes it is more like a man than most of the people I've met in my life.
- I will try to.
- Well, then that's it. I wish us luck! Remember, this project depends on the future of ... - against paused for a moment, then he continued, as if nothing had happened - the future of the company "VirtArt" and personally yours. So really try.
It seemed to me that he wanted to say something else, but I did not ask again. And indeed, from the meeting left a strange impression, as if all this information is just an excuse to really say or show me something more important, but I could not figure out what, exactly?
From gelkapsuly I came out in full disarray. All the day's events left their mark, and then there was this weird conversation with Proteus, the information that, in fact, was not necessary to me, this strange transformation ... it sharply fell on my fatigue was probably a defensive reaction of the organism. I think nothing else could, with half-closed eyes, barely reaching the luxurious bed, without undressing, he fell on the smooth, cold silky veil and instantly fell asleep.
Interlude 3.
President "VirtArt" the company's office.
In the office of the president of the corporation "VirtArt", as usual, prevailed twilight. The owner himself, Sušica Leo K., freely situated in a deep leather chair, as usual, holding his first evening glass of cognac.
The other man stood in front of a huge mahogany desk, clasping his hands behind his back, and exasperated by tapping the toe of his shoe on the floor:
- Leo K.! I ask to give me the right to interfere with the gameplay, if the situation seems to me threatening to corporations.
- Igor, stop. Who and what it can threaten the corporations that paranoia? Giving up, brother? - man shook his glass, to admire the play of light in cognac, happy to breathe the smell. - And then, I can not do anything. Under the terms of competition, the intervention of the gameplay is not allowed, the party allowed it - automatically loses. Do you want this?
- Of course not. I just can not reconcile our inaction! - man, forgetting himself, raised his voice.
- Igor, your position I do not like. I trust your instinct, you know. You got the job only because of me. But in this situation, you are not right - in her voice sounded Sušica steel - vote against irrational, and I begin to suspect personal motives here.
- What personal motives, it's just a computer, there can be nothing personal!
- That's right, but you're acting as if this is the case.
- I just do not like it that the world, it is closed on itself, there are huge resources involved, many times exceeding the capacity of the remaining virtmirov. Why all this? And we can not do anything, just watch - man gritted his teeth clearly.
- Do you not admit the thought that, Proteus really wants to help us win? It is us, the European alliance.
- But why all of a sudden?
- Perhaps because of sentimentality? Did you know that Proteus developer - Russian? - Leo K. smiled and took a sip.
Igor quickly walked down the hall, not noticing anything around. Sense of impending disaster today was especially clear in my head throbbed one thought: "Old fool Bloody old fool!"
Chapter 4.
Morning I began to struggle with the local plumbing fixtures, which also proved to ancient legends. Accustomed to voice control a shower, I could not immediately understand the purpose of copper taps and handles, and a couple of times Shes scalded with boiling water.
While I was busy in the bathroom, brought breakfast. Real English breakfast, I only read about such. Fried bacon and small sausages, eggs, toast, beans, and gravy. On a separate plate some twisted bagels. Although I was terribly interested in everything to try it, and famine has come close, but to overcome myself, I did not dare. So just ate both the bagel, which ended up with some stunning sweet filling and drank a glass of juice, apparently of natural orange.
Before I had time to drink juice as a knock on the door. On the threshold stood a girl in clothes of traditional English maid - a long, dark brown dress with a dull white-collar and apron.
- Good morning! Look forward to the foyer, please hurry.
Before I could say anything, she slipped into the room, grabbed the tray with my breakfast and was carried away rapidly down the corridor, tsokaya heels. Shrugging, I followed her toward the elevator.
In the lobby I really expected a few silent men with impenetrable faces. Without giving ask a single question, I politely, but quickly and inexorably pushed to the air car, then just as quickly put into any building, carried through the corridors. Less than ten minutes later, I was standing in a small bright room, the center of which was a strange design gelkapsula, in a society unfamiliar men in white overalls. My accompanying silent quietly evaporated.
- So, - I began the man, - you name is Dmitry. I can call Konstantin, I'm your tech. I will control the initial setup of your gelkapsuly and connectivity interfaces, including power and isolation.
- Eeeee ... Dedicated? - hell, I somehow do not think about it. Our capsules, in the training center, were not equipped with such additions, they just woke user at a certain time, allowing yourself to take some food and go to the toilet.
- Do not worry, everything will be connected when you've plunge. I feel nothing.
- Mmmm ... Well. Why red gel? - I must say, unlike emerald, soothing gel color, I was used to, the bright red color of arterial blood, looked a bit ominous.
- This gel is not only a color. Do not forget that in his capsule you lay a few hours, with breaks for small physical activity. Here you'll be entirely deprived of this. In order for your muscles in a year did not turn into a jelly, gel is used with feedback. In those moments when you move in virtuality, will be weak stimulation of your body through a small pressure and electrical impulses transmitted gel. Gelkapsuly the same system cost in calculators. Strong man will not become - Constantine grinned - but also in the pudding does not become.
- Well, there is nothing save time - it is slapped by the transparent cover of the capsule, - climb.
- Uh no, - I shouted a man, when I started to throw up the capsule. - Take off your clothes first, you are not at home. Well you still connected!
Oh, I completely forgot about the optional interface. It would not have been my unpleasant idea that something will be done to connect some pipes, the choice I did not have with my numb body. I dutifully stripped, abandoning things just on the floor, connected neyroshunt and dropped into a gel, which seemed more dense than the one to which I am accustomed.
Darkness.
Silence.
Immateriality.
The voice that suddenly broke this universal nothing seemed thunder of heaven:
- User! Welcome to the corporation "VirtArt". We are glad to see you at our experimental range! Warns of surveillance over the actions of players everywhere, except for private rooms. Stay in private room is limited to eight hours, after which you will be required to leave.
- BoLeft feeling full, with the exception of critical damage, which can lead to pain shock. Censorship - is absent. Avatar's appearance - at the choice of the system. Gender avatar - the choice system. Avatar Age - at the choice of the system. Place the avatar appearance - at the choice of the system. Exit the game, game encyclopedia interface - partly blocked under the terms of the agreement! Have a good game!
What kind of nonsense? What agreement? What do you mean - the choice of the system? I, though never played these games, but knew the stories of the same earrings, which sometimes was playing in some worlds of swords and magic that the initial choice of character - this is almost the most important. According to the friend, he once spent about two hours, creating your avatar - first choose a race and class, you should configure the exterior, and then another, and the characteristics of the thrower. Yes and no agreement can not remember. The contract was nothing like this kind of ...
Meanwhile, the darkness around me evolved from space, just the d
arkness of closed eyes, in the ears crashed a cacophony of different sounds and leg suddenly pierced a sharp pain that I could not stand, shouted with all his might!
Mechanically striking the second leg, I was obviously on something has got, as the leg was released, but the pain still was simply stunning. The first thing I saw opened my eyes, he was a snarling face terrifying monsters, which moved closer to my head, scherilo huge teeth, clearly intending to grab the throat! Well, here they are, and critical damage, even had time to think, I like an animal suddenly a plaintive yelp, staggered back.
- Back, Jack! Ugh! Fu, I told you!
What seemed to me a terrible monster, a dog appeared. Although, as I said. I know that the dog - man's friend, friendly and faithful. I can give many examples - Kashtanka, Hachiko, White Bim, Lassie, but plenty more! But this creature that violently torn off the leash, baring white teeth and dropping to the ground saliva drops, the dog could not be. It was the real monster, which is clearly dreamed tear me to pieces!
- Jack! Immediately stop! Ugh! - obeying the voice of a man, firmly holding the leash, the dog gradually calmed down, and now only occasionally muffled grumbling, threatening glances at me.
- How are you, kid? - The man leaned toward me, - Come on, let's see your leg.
Still not realizing anything, I hardly sat up. Severe pain nebula consciousness, so I do not quite perceive reality. It seems to sit in some park, on a hard wooden bench. Translating look on the injured limb and froze! The leg is too small! Well, that is, it is normal, but for nine or ten years of age. And the kid I have for a long time no one called. Am I a child?
Throbbing again made me focus. Meanwhile, the man rolled a little ragged, chewed leg, and I saw the wound. I would not say that she was so very terrible scars swelled in front of, but immediately breaks the skin was nothing at all. And the blood barely trickled.
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