MD resisted the urge to go out and personally throw her out. As the lawful occupant, he could just eject her from his property. However, since New Polis was a fully realistic setting, he would have to do it the old-fashioned way and call security. It would generate a report and it could get complicated. Prostitution was still technically against the law and he did not want to draw any attention to himself. Better to pay the whore off.
“Give her the five hundred, but she has to leave immediately.”
“Yes, sir. I will see to it and then I will come back and clean up the glass.”
“Don’t worry about that now. I need you to meet me out front with the car. I’m going to change. Meet you on the street in ten minutes.”
“Very well, sir.” Derek turned and left.
Thirty-five minutes later, MD strolled into a nondescript brownstone just outside of downtown. After paying the large and unfriendly looking doorman who opened the door for him, MD entered a darkly lit foyer. He was met by a gorgeous woman who took his jacket and showed him into an adjacent parlor. The room was even more dimly lit than the foyer, filled with a variety of women and a few men sitting on comfortable looking sofas and chairs while chatting among themselves, all to the sound of a Harp playing in the corner. Against one wall rested a full-size bar with a few more women occupying the stools talking with a couple of males who also sat there. After giving MD the once over they all went back to their individual conversations. MD looked at the variety of products on display.
“These are all T-2’s, sir, but they are superb and very experienced, I think you will find them to your liking.” The proprietor, a classy looking woman of about 40 years, said by way of introduction.
“T-2’s will be all right; I’ll take that one and this one,” MD said, pointing to a blond haired young woman and another brunette sitting on a sofa.
“Clarissa and Dawn, please show the gentleman to an available suite.”
“One with a bar, please.” MD chimed in.
“Of course, sir.” The woman in charge never blinked.
Clarissa and Dawn took up positions on each side of MD. Linking arms all three disappeared down the hallway.
There is something to be said about pretty and stupid. MD hummed.
Denver, Colorado
Argosi woke up a little after 6 AM, sleeping past his regular rising time. The purging process had subsided just after 11 pm and Argosi fell asleep not long after that. Usually, he would start his day off with a run, but he felt less than energetic and still worried that the purging wasn’t yet complete.
Argosi went to the window and opened the drapes letting in the sunshine. He pondered what it was going to be like waking up in-world. Argosi looked down at the boulevard in front of the hotel. The traffic was light as it was most places these days. Anyone who could, telecommuted from home either in a pod or not.
Certain jobs, however, could only be done in the real world, many by drones, robots and animatronic devices. All those technological marvels still required human supervision and oversight as well as for maintenance and repair. Those jobs offset many, but not all the jobs lost to robots over the last few decades.
The fact that the birth rate had fallen dramatically over the last couple decades also offset those job losses. Most of the decline was in unplanned pregnancies. Couples still got together, they just did it digitally. When they were ready to have children in the real world, they tended to be more financially stable and more mature.
The situation was far different in the still developing world where expendable income was nonexistent, and only the wealthiest in those areas could go in-world. In those places the advance of technology and robots only made things worse, driving down wages for the fewer jobs available making things even cheaper to buy in the developed countries.
Argosi’s phone beeped, interrupting his musings on the state of things. It was the Nutrient App reminding him to take the energy pill and to drink a 10-ounce can of the hydration liquid.
“I’m already on a feeding schedule,” Argosi muttered to himself.
Argosi downed the pill and sipped at the beverage. He found the drink surprisingly refreshing, especially since he was so dehydrated. The instructions said to only drink a couple of ounces per minute, so Argosi glared at a human supervising a group of robots and drones moving along the grass lined roadway across the street from his hotel.
The robots and drones had a variety of cutting and trimming tools and were quite efficient at using them.
I hope you have your key fob handy, buddy. Argosi drained the rest of his drink.
He was referring to the pause button that would shut down any tool a drone or robot was using and suspend the machine in its place if there was a malfunction.
These machines were neither capable of being malevolent or benevolent. That didn’t mean that they couldn’t be hacked into, however. Argosi grunted at how humans so easily just accepted that these things were safe. It was something called the “Normalcy Bias,” if he remembered correctly.
After finishing his drink, Argosi jumped in the shower and dressed. Earlier he had missed his morning coffee but now felt like he had just drunk a whole pot. As he dressed, Argosi noticed that he felt thinner. To be expected, for obvious reasons. But he also felt not just energized but excellent in contrast to last night. He thought he could easily go out for a long run now and was disappointed that he had no time. He needed to get to the office.
He let the car drive him as he scrolled through his emails. There were the usual number of Bureau memorandums and bulletins which he quickly glanced over to see if anything was requiring immediate attention. Satisfied it was just the usual killing of trees, the federal government printed at least one hard copy of everything, he archived them and moved on. There were some congratulatory emails from other agents about his new position as well as some from agencies outside of the Bureau.
Argosi switched to his personal email feed. There were the usual emails from this or that blog, website, utility or some business that he had purchased something from at some time or another. Argosi quickly deleted those and almost deleted the next one marked “Subscriber at Digital-Life Systems.” Argosi noticed there was a video attached and was about to open it when the phone rang. It was Charlie Parker. Argosi tapped on the screen on the dashboard opening the line.
“Good morning, Charlie. I would ask if you were at the office already, but then I forgot that you have a short commute.”
“Morning, Dom. Yes, it is rather convenient. Almost like I never left. Everything come out, er turn out ok last night?”
“I feel surprisingly refreshed and alert this morning,” Argosi answered with a chuckle.
“Well, I’m glad you do. You are going to have a busy day sir. We have another video from Mr. Reynolds. He is taking responsibility for the two kids killed yesterday. Even worse he shows their bodies and their faces.”
“Jesus! I was about to open the email and look at the video, it appeared in my personal account, and I’m guessing just like the last video, every Digital-Life Systems subscriber was sent this one too?”
“That’s correct, except for the ones that have paid the fee. At least according to our Mr. Reynolds.”
“Okay, I’m nearly to the office. Let’s convene in the conference room in twenty minutes. Whatever team members are available and ask Robert Wu to join as well. I’d like his input.”
“Did you say, Robert Wu?”
“Yes, he is part of the team, as are all the tech guys. Something I’m going to be emphasizing.”
“Yes, of course, he may feel a little out of place in a meeting like this. You know these techies.”
“All too well. It’s something Wu and everyone else will need to get used to. See you in twenty.”
“See you then, Dom.”
Argosi ended the call, hoping he was not going to have territorial issues with the agents and the techs.
***
Argosi strolled into the conference room wis
hing he was holding a cup of Joerather than a container of some type of liquid meal. He hadn’t opened it yet. The app would let you know when. The app linked with the container to monitor and record how much you took in with each gulp and in what time frame.
Argosi took the seat next to Callum and across from the screen on the wall. The content on the screen was a mirror image of their table, except the seven chairs were occupied by Charlie Parker and his team along with Robert Wu.
Argosi was surprised that Wu was in-world.
“Good morning, Commander. I am in the tech Center where I can still monitor other critical systems. Would you rather I come over to the conference room?”
“So, you’re not in a pod then?”
“No, sir.”
Argosi was taken aback. It was not uncommon for someone’s likeness to be on screen. But Wu looked like he was naturally there. To accomplish that wouldn’t, he have to be in a pod where it would reflect in all of his movements?
“This works just fine. I’m not sure how you are beaming into the conference room that is in-world. That’s something I have not seen before. You’ll have to brief me on it sometime.”
“Yes sir, I’ll be glad to.”
Argosi looked at the group.
“Everyone here, Agent Parker?”
“Yes, sir, other than Agent Sanchez who is out on personal leave.”
“Great, then let’s get started,” Argosi said.
The next few minutes were spent with introductions. Argosi made it clear to the MCT that he was here in this capacity to learn about how they did their jobs, not necessarily to direct it. There would be a time and a place for an operational and policy discussion, but for now the immediate concern was finding and stopping a serial killer.
Argosi started the video, fast forwarding through the introductory language and warnings of graphic images. The video portion began with a wide-angle view of the Grand Canyon’s sweeping landscape from the air. After a few seconds, a voice that Argosi had heard before started narrating.
The video zoomed to a lone individual standing on the South Rim of the canyon. As he came into view Argosi unsurprisingly saw that it was Alex Reynolds who had traded his business suit for the outdoor attire of tan khaki pants with a blue button down backcountry type of shirt and hiking boots. Reynolds stood right on the edge. A small rock wall stood behind him where tourists passed on the other side on a walkway that twisted along this portion of the rim. The video narrowed to his face.
“Hello again. For those of you seeing me for the first time, my name is Alex Reynolds, and I am a citizen of New Polis. I apologize in advance for disrupting your day but what I have to tell...” Alex gave a sly grin.
“And show you, is of vital importance if you or someone you care about is a visitor to my world.” Alex waited for dramatic effect again.
“Probably too much to hope that he will slip and fall I suppose,” Argosi commented.
Reynolds continued. “The Grand Canyon is a majestic place where people come to enjoy the outdoors, run the rapids, hike the trails, ride the mules or engage in more high-speed activities.”
Right on cue, the sound of jet engines raced by as the camera panned from Reynolds’s close-up to a group of individuals buzzing by on their jet-wings. The group quickly disappeared down the canyon.
Reynolds’s face came back into view now showing him walking, the background behind him different now.
“Unfortunately, it is where two teenage boys came to die yesterday.”
The image went wide as Reynolds’s whole body came into view. He stood on the banks of what was presumably the Colorado River that ran through the bottom of the canyon. The river was on the right side of the screen but on the left and to Reynolds’s right was smoldering debris including what was clearly a portion of a wing wedged into the ground along with what looked to be a shattered face screen, a part of a helmet and other unidentifiable parts.
“What is it with this guy and all his drama?”
“It gets worse, boss.” Parker ground his teeth.
The camera view moved to the wreckage and then panned to the left. Argosi and the others saw the clear image of a body in what appeared to be an I-Suit lying face down. The arms and legs at unnatural angles, dark marks seared into the suit cut at different angles all over it.
Alex crouched down near the head of the body which had light brown hair.
“This is, excuse me, was 16-year-old Michael Collins.”
Alex then did something that made Argosi stand up and clench his fists as he leaned over the conference table staring at the images unfolding before him.
Alex placed his right hand on the back of the kid’s head and as he stood up, lifted him up by the hair. A stream of blood ran from the boy’s mouth pooling on the ground. Alex continued to stand up holding the boy by the hair as if he were carrying a bag or suitcase that weighed nothing. Reynolds began to move forward, dragging the body. The kid’s arms flopped down. One of his upper arms bent at a right angle. His hands were just barely touching the rocky bank as Reynolds dragged him, his legs trailing and bouncing off the ground. One leg was backward with the foot pointing up.
Argosi seethed as Reynolds dragged the body like a lion hauling its prey along the bank, where more wreckage similar to the other pile came into view. Just beyond the debris was another face down body. As the camera zoomed in, the unmistakable image of a white bone pierced through the I-suit of what looked to be a leg folded like a pretzel over the back of the body. Burn marks were visible on the I-Suit.
Alex dropped the body he had been dragging next to the other one letting it flop to the ground like he was putting out the trash. Alex crouched down between both bodies.
“You or whoever you represent is a fucking dead man.” Argosi nearly spat out the words.
Alex Reynolds wasn’t done yet.
“This is Michael’s friend, 15-year-old Daniel Simpson,” Alex said as he yanked the boy’s head back by his thick black hair with his left hand.
The victims head snapped back, and the face came into view. A stream of blood ran from the nose down across the lips, the eyes half-open and lifeless.
Reynolds now grabbed the other kid’s head in a similar fashion, bringing the whole of Michael Collins’s face into view for the first time. The blood still running from the mouth. His eyes also half-open and lifeless.
Alex continued to hold each victim by the back of the head, so their faces remained on the screen. The camera dropped down to ground level looking up at each of the faces with Reynolds continuing to crouch between them.
“These two here didn’t have to die. Their parents could have provided them safe passage. More importantly, the facility they used to enter into my world, what you call in-world could have assured their safety as well as the safety of all of their other guests.” Reynolds paused, still holding the two heads, so their faces were viewable.
“Unfortunately for Michael here.” Reynolds shook him by the hair.
“And Daniel.”
“That didn’t happen, and now they are dead.” Alex paused for a moment.
“Which of you will be next? Which of your children or customers or employees will meet a similar fate because you thought you could just trespass into my realm with no recognition of my sovereignty?”
“Your sovereignty? Is it about that or money or fame? You twisted sick fuck.” Argosi could hardly contain himself.
Reynolds continued to hold the two heads, so they were visible.
“A small fee guarantees your safety, and that of those that you love or care about. If you don’t want to pay it, then please stay out of the Metaverse. To the thousands who have paid the fee. Thank you for your cooperation, please come and visit the Metaverse as often as you like and for as long as you like. No harm will come to you. On that, you have my word.”
“The word of a child killer?” Argosi sat back down now trying not to punch something.
“Once again I apologize for the horrific images
and for interrupting your day. You are receiving this video because our records show that you still have not paid the safe passage fee, as some are calling it now. Please do not delay. We will continue to demonstrate our resolve in this matter.” Alex paused for a moment and stuck up his finger.
“On a final note, if you would like to come and pay your respects to Michael and Daniel here,” Reynolds said, waving both heads now.
“Their bodies will remain right here. They will stay until we decide otherwise. Please be respectful of the site, and family and friends who may be visiting their remains here.”
The camera zoomed in so that only the faces of the two victims filled the screen as Reynolds pulled the heads together. Their faces stayed in view as information on how to pay scrolled along the bottom.
Argosi turned off the video. He sat there for a moment in helpless rage.
Those were kids, not much older than his. The murder was bad enough, but now their bodies, or rather the images of them being abused by the killer, were all over the place.
More than just those despicable actions was the fact that hundreds of millions if not a billion or more copies worldwide of this video would have been sent out just to the subscribers if every account received one. Then there were the reproductions that would be out on all the social media sites.
Argosi had not seen pictures of the victims yet, either before or after their deaths but felt sure that what he saw were their actual faces and maybe even real bodies. He assumed that if Reynolds and whoever else was behind this could gain control of an H-Pod, then they could probably have gotten the video from the facility as well.
He could only imagine what the parents were going through. Their children’s deaths were not just public. The images of their dead bodies being stacked together like firewood would endure for eternity on the internet.
Argosi’s stomach churned, and not from the effects of the purge, reminded by the tapping at his wrist. The Nutrient app alerted him it was time for his feeding.
***
Argosi resisted the urge to throw his Nutrient container against the video screen. It wouldn’t do any good to waste his breakfast, and it would be an even worse example of leadership. He was already regretting his earlier outbursts and displays of anger.
The Metaverse: Virtual Life-Real Death Page 21