The players head went into a helmet attached to the winged jet pack, and his or her hands came up in into the portion that covered all the way down to below the chest, sheltered from the jet stream. Inside were the two primary flight control handles. The lever on the left was the throttle. Squeezing it gave you more thrust and sped you up. Relaxing your grip delivered less thrust and slowed you down. This handle was also used for slow speed maneuvering when the operator was in the vertical for hovering flight or to land or go straight up. Moving it in a given direction moved you that way.
The handle on the right was for pitch and roll when in horizontal flight. A minimum speed of 55 knots was necessary to produce the lift over the wings to maintain forward flight. Both handles had additional buttons and switches to access a variety of options.
Inside the helmet, the player could look down and see the handles, buttons, and switches along with some gauges in a small cockpit. Most of the time the player would be looking straight through the visor and following the heads-up display that provided all the information needed. It wasn’t prudent to be looking down at the controls while speeding along at hundreds of miles per hour. At that speed, things appeared very quickly in your path when flying nap of the earth as was required in this course.
The starting spot was at the center of the Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge—271 meters or about 890 feet above the water of the Colorado River—facing Hoover Dam. Fuel in the jet pack was limited. To finish in first place required not just being able to negotiate the canyon at high speed, but also to manage your fuel supply, ensuring you had enough to enter into a hover so you could land. Run out of fuel, and you had to deploy the ballistic chute to return to the ground safely.
The expert tactic was to jump first then ignite the engine as you dove downward, gliding on the stubby wings. The tricky part here was getting powered up before you got too low. When your engine fired, you wanted to avoid overcompensating for the lost altitude and then rocketing up into the power lines that crossed the canyon between the bridge and the dam. The idea was to stay just below the power lines so you would then be clearing just over the top of Hover Dam.
As you came over the dam, you then raced down to perhaps a meter or less above the waters of Lake Mead where the ground effect, in this case the pressure against the water’s surface, gave you additional lift and helped with fuel conservation. Plus, it threw up a cool rooster tail behind you that would soak anyone that got into your wake and made it nearly impossible for them to see.
From the lake, the course follows the Colorado River as it winds through the canyons leading to Grand Canyon National Park before finally crossing the finish line at Lees Ferry some 300 miles away. The jet packs used by Michael and Daniel were capable of 700 MPH, nearly the speed of sound. To win, you had to stay below the rim and be the first across the finish line It was a long course and typically took a skilled flyer a little more than a half hour to complete.
It was also a physically demanding course as the player was always making tight high-speed turns and pulling a lot of G’s. The G’s, short for Gravitational Force produced by the pod which moved around in a circle on its central frame. The resulting centrifugal force passed onto the occupant of the pod.
Safety margins limited the Pods from producing enough centrifugal force to get close to the actual simulated G’s. Coupled with the realism of the graphics, the movement of the exoskeleton and the pressure of the bladder against it the movement of the pod made it feel like the G-Force was real and much stronger that it was. Real enough that you had to fight against it to hold yourself in proper aerodynamic form through a tight turn.
Wipeouts were standard depending on the difficulty level. Of course, that just meant that like any other video game you got to restart after seeing yourself get splattered against the canyon wall on the replay, which could be a little too realistic and gory for a lot of people. For two teenagers it was great to watch it happen, at least to the other guy.
After a couple of runs where they each crashed once, they tried again. Both boys stood on the sidewalk before climbing onto the concrete edge. Ascending onto the edge was the scariest part. Once you were flying in positive control, the idea of falling or hitting the ground subsided as you got into the game concentrating on form and tactics.
A player started on the walkway east of the highway that crossed the bridge, the sounds of cars and trucks passing by, as well as the wind, was a constant distraction and raised a player’s stress level. You would step up onto the narrow concrete railing with the help of a stepladder next to the side. It was better if you didn’t look down.
Once on the ledge, you shuffled your feet closer to the edge until the toes of your flight boots hung over it. Aside from standing with no support at a dizzying height, you could also be distracted by the occasional bird of prey diving down below you. Its movement against the rocks or river making you dizzy. Which you had to fight back against or you might fall rather ungracefully.
If you tumbled and failed to get into a proper glide path when your engine started, you would find yourself in the wrong attitude and the engine would quickly propel you into the water or canyon wall or spin you out of control before you crashed. So the start was critical, or the whole race would be over for you quickly.
All of these things not only added to the realism, they required skill and nerve. No matter how many times you told yourself you were in a simulation and in reality safely strapped into a simulation device that you could stop and open at any time, it was still terrifying or exhilarating depending on your outlook. Most people found it a combination of both.
Mike, as he was known to his friends, made better use of his glide angle after he jumped off the bridge. He gave himself a moment or two before igniting the engine as the quickly approaching water of the Colorado River filled his visor. After his engine started, he rocketed ahead of his friend, staying below the power lines and just clearing the top of Hoover Dam. He was so low that he would have stricken an errant car or even a pedestrian crossing in front of him as he came over the roadway on top of the dam.
Fortunately, his timing was such that he went between a couple of cars and cleared the top of the dam. He angled down, racing towards the surface of Lake Mead careful to shallow out his dive in time to arrest his descent a few meters above the water. He slowly descended to just under a meter above the lake. He took a quick look back over his left shoulder to see his friend Daniel not far behind him but off to his left rear quarter staying out of the spray caused by both the pressure wave of the wings and the propulsion of his jet pack.
There were a few boats that both boys had to either go around or above. Above being the preference because if you did it with a minimal margin, just clearing it with a foot or two, you could swamp the boat. At the least, you got to soak the occupants. Always great fun.
Entering the canyons, both slowed to negotiate the sharp turns and using lines and apexes attempted to find the most efficient route through it. Tearing around a bend in the canyon they would sometimes come within a few meters of one wall before angling away. Timing was everything as were nerves of steel to push the geometry to the max for the best speed through the turn. It was also physically demanding, keeping their body in the most aerodynamic form as they fought against the G-Force’s that wanted to suck them into the canyon walls.
Unbeknownst to Mike and Daniel, two other individuals were along for the ride with them—and neither one was rooting for them.
Denver FBI HQ
“So, the bureau doesn’t think this is some kind of hoax?” Christine Argosi cocked her eyebrow.
“Well a dead victim is hardly a hoax. Whether or not the perpetrator can carry off more murders or will remains to be seen.” Hope that didn’t sound too sarcastic. Argosi forced out a grin.
“I know a person is dead, Dom. I just don’t know why we need to be so concerned. That was in Denver, Colorado; we are in Dallas, Texas.”
Argosi spun is chair aro
und to look at the mountains out of the window of his new office. Technically the murder was in Boulder, Argosi resisted saying. No point in splitting hairs. It was something they did to each other too often these days. “I just think it’s prudent to see what happens next in the investigation, hopefully just another day or two.”
“The kids will be disappointed, Dom. Most of their friends are online. If it weren’t summer recess, then they would be on-line for some courses, homework, and tutoring. Then there is my work. It’s asking a lot.”
“Christine, they and you can go on-line I just don’t want them in-world. You don’t usually go in-world for your meetings, but you are online, they can do the same thing.”
“Yeah but my meetings are just that. They want to use a pod and play all the games.”
“It’s just a day or two Babe. I’d feel a lot better. Besides, they should be swimming and playing outside with the other kids.”
“What other kids, Dom? When is the last time you saw kids at a park or in a swimming pool except when required for school? Besides it’s like one-hundred-and-five here and ninety-nine percent humidity.”
Why does everything sound like an argument. Stay calm, Dom. “Babe I know, you are right, but it’s their safety I worry about. This seems way too elaborate for a hoax. Every single person with a Digital-Life account, including us, received that video in their email. At the very least they hacked into the system enough to do that. If it is a hoax that will be evident soon enough. Please, I would feel better if they didn’t use the pods.” That your parents bought them without my consent.
“Ok, Dom. You’re probably right. A little exercise and fresh air will do them some good. I’ll go get them out now.”
Get them out? Did she totally fucking ignore my voice message and text? Take a breath, Dom.
“Please do, Babe. I really would feel better not having to worry about them.” Argosi paused.
“Or you.”
“I’ll keep the security system on, and doors locked like always. When is the actual promotion? The kids and I will try to be there.”
“Probably not for 30 days, maybe more. Right now I’m here to get trained up on Metaverse investigations.” Nice of her to change the subject
“Well, I’m happy for you Dom. It’s a good move; I think it will be good for us too. I miss you a lot, the kids even more so.”
“Miss you too Babe. Might be a week or ten days before I can get away. I have to go full emersion in-world for a while.”
“I thought you were just overseeing that team? Is it safe for you to go in-world? She asked, sounding genuinely worried.
“I need to get brought up to speed with what they do. The whole team, except some of the tech guys, are in-world at least Monday through Friday, twenty-four-seven. We have the most advanced pods and systems and can see and do more things than even Digital-Life can. Our firewalls are the best there is. No worries Babe.” Argosi said with a smile.
“Just be careful. Compared to most of your other assignments this seems fairly benign. Love you.”
“Love you more, Babe. Give the kids my love. Bye.”
“Bye.”
That ended better than it usually does.
“Commander?”
Argosi swiveled his chair back around. Callum leaned against the doorway.
“Yes?”
“Sir, unless you need me I’m going back in-world. The Agent in Charge of MCT should be calling you shortly; he apologizes. He’s been in a meeting all day at the Digital-Life offices.”
“The offices in California?”
“Yes sir, well not physically. Ah, in-world.” Callum stepped aside for Susan Pearson, who walked by as if he wasn’t there.
“Sir I loaded up the files that you requested onto your tablet.” She ignored the conversation she’d walked in on and handed Argosi his device back.
“Thank you, Susan.”
“Your welcome sir. Also, I have you booked into an extended stay hotel in the Cherry Creek area. All the information is in your email. It’s a great area to walk around with some excellent restaurants.”
“Thanks, Susan but I will be dining in this evening I’m afraid,” Argosi said, picking up the box of Nutrient on his desk and then setting it down.
Susan, standing off to the side of Argosi’s desk looked at the box over her reading glasses. “You know that stuff will take ten years off your life Commander.”
Argosi smiled. “Well, the maker says that caloric reduction enhances life span.”
“The same people that say going in-world is safe commander? The Doctor up in Boulder might have a different opinion.”
She has a point, Dom. “I guess you just don’t know who to trust anymore Susan.”
“No sir you don’t. By the way, Commander if you would let your wife or other family members and friends know that I am not at liberty to discuss your schedule or your whereabouts with them. If they need that information, they should speak with you directly.”
She doesn’t take your personal messages. The message was clear to Argosi, and he was all right with that. “I’ll make sure they know so they don’t put you on the spot.”
Susan smiled for the first time since Argosi met her. “Thank you, sir. If you have nothing else for me, I’ll be heading off. See you in the morning.”
“See you then. Have a good night.”
“I will. I’m sure it will be much better than yours.” She said, looking down at the Nutrient before turning and leaving.
“The commander will see you now, Agent Callum,” Susan said as she passed Callum just outside the door. She gave him a glance that communicated clearly her displeasure at his not going through her to talk to Argosi.
“Uh, sir, I’ll be going back in-world then?”
Argosi lowered his tablet.
“Negative Callum, I need you tomorrow, I want to run out to Boulder. Talk with the local dicks, look at the crime scene and maybe visit the morgue, you’re coming with me. Enjoy the real world tonight. God knows I won’t be.” Argosi glanced to the Nutrient box again.
“Dicks, sir?”
God this kid is green. “Local detectives, Agent.”
“Oh yes, sir. I’ll see you here in the AM.”
“Good night, Callum.”
“Good night, sir.”
***
Argosi managed to find his way through the building and down to the parking garage and his parking spot. Driving out of the compound on the way to the Cherry Creek area of Denver the phone came on.
Argosi answered it. Like all modern vehicles, the car took over the driving. Argosi was momentarily startled as he had forgotten about that feature designed to avoid distracted driving accidents.
“Argosi,” Dominic answered the phone by voice his arms falling to his lap with suddenly nothing to do. The car followed the GPS route to his hotel.
“Commander, it’s Charlie Parker, agent in charge of MCT.”
“Good to talk to you. Sorry I missed you at the office.”
“Yes, sir. I would have met you at the airport sir, but you got here on short notice, and we were in meetings with Digital-Life most of the day.”
“No worries. Callum has been doing a good job bringing me up to speed.”
“Good to hear. The kid is green, but he is dedicated and a fast learner. He’s an ace with artificial intelligence, has his Masters in it. The bureau was lucky to snatch him up.”
Argosi felt even worse about judging Callum so harshly. He had to get over the idea that if you weren’t a first-class gunslinger then you were just another target.
“Did you get to meet Wu?”
“Yeah I did and some of his team. They got me all measured for the second slime or whatever it’s called.” Argosi said with a laugh. The lack of food is making me giddy.
A chuckle came from the other end. “So, what did you think of Wu?”
“Seems sharp enough. I’m a little surprised that he never goes in-world.”
“Oh? He told yo
u that?”
Didn’t I just say that, Charlie? Argosi tried to keep his hunger pangs from turning his personality.
“Yeah I was surprised, and he’s a supervisor too.”
“He told you that also?”
What the fuck is going on? Why is everything about Wu another question?
Argosi changed the subject from Wu. “Anyway, Callum told me that neither he nor any of the team had been out to the Sullivan murder scene. Or any of the field agents that actually work the field, including their crime scene investigators. I must say that I’m a little disappointed. I’m hoping that the local guys are pretty good and no forensic evidence became compromised or missed.”
Argosi knew it was hit and miss with local PDs. Some were superb, as good or better than the Bureau, while others needed a lot of work. Still, no local law enforcement agency has the Bureau’s resources.
There was a bit of a pause. Argosi was beginning to wonder if the connection was lost.
“Boss I’m going to get right to the heart of it. I don’t want to throw anyone under the bus and would have preferred letting you get settled in before I gave you my two cents. But since you asked...”
“Go ahead. You’ve my full attention.”
“The thing is, sir; the real world investigators don’t think that this case, being worked by both Boulder PD and MCT, is their problem. In fairness, their plate is pretty full and the SAIC, Paul Rasper, is a good man. He gets a lot of pressure from the local DA’s as well as the federal prosecutors, who all will drop a dime to DC and make sure they get priority. They’re mostly lawyers so–”
“Yeah, I get the picture. And if I ask them about the MCT?”
“You’ll get the same response I just gave you, except I’m fresh out of dimes to call DC.”
Argosi smiled. It was not just the right answer it was the truthful one.
“Thanks, Charlie. I hope to be in-world as soon as I know the Nutrient Regimen has balanced, or whatever the hell it does to my guts.”
“It’s called equilibrium, boss, and it takes some getting used to, particularly at first. Hope you have a lot of reading material.”
The Metaverse: Virtual Life-Real Death Page 18