Val nodded. "No one expects a crippled spy."
"Correct." Solemnly, he handed Val two stick drives. "These both have codebreakers and transceivers inside. The best technology money can buy. Our hope is that they will wish to van in the selected beta testers, much as they had Julia, to their central location. If you can stick either one of these sticks into any computer tied to their network, we'll handle the rest." He gave a reassuring smile. "And don't worry if you find nothing suspicious at all. I have multiple contacts working angles that have absolutely nothing to do with VR, suspicious as I find their corporate practices to be."
Val nodded thoughtfully. "An injured soldier finding solace and happiness embracing the most exciting game ever to hit the market. I can see how that would go down well PR wise. With any luck, it will get my foot in the door."
"That's our hope." Solemn steel gray eyes fastened upon Val's own. "Are you still willing to do this for Julia's sake, Val?"
Val nodded. "Of course. I only regret that I can't do more."
The man smiled "Believe me, Val, if this works? You will have gone above and beyond any call of duty. More than that, you will have earned my gratitude and friendship."
Val nodded even as Andrey took the conversation down far lighter paths, reminiscing over times long past and hopes they all had for the future still, before Val's father called it a night, Val so lost in his thoughts as they made their way to the door that he was completely caught off guard by the vision of beauty suddenly in his sight, gazing at Val with emerald green eyes that seemed to peer into his very soul, hair so brilliant a blond it almost seemed gold.
Val blinked, then instantly made the connection, for all that she seemed far too young. "Mrs. Petrovsky. A pleasure to meet you, ma'am."
She flashed a brilliant smile. "No, dearest Valor. It is I who am honored to meet you." She nodded to his father before gazing down at Val, gently putting her hand on his cheek. "I know what you're planning to do for the sake of my daughter, my family, and I cannot tell you what this means to me. No matter what you find out, I won't let your sacrifice go unacknowledged." She then peered down at his legs with a clinical eye, giving a pitying shake of her head.
Val swallowed, suddenly feeling the burn in his legs like never before. He knew Julia's mother was a doctor, but the best specialists in the country had taken a look at his injuries, all of them uniformly amazed simply that he could walk at all. They had made it painfully clear that he shouldn't expect any significant improvement beyond the strides he had already made.
"May I?" she asked.
Val frowned but nodded, and before he knew it he was stretched out on a guest bed, pants removed, wincing in discomfort as he scooted himself into as comfortable a position as he could while Dr. Petrovsky pulled out a strange looking apparatus of silver gray metal that he thought might be an exotic stethoscope, with leads going into a small tablet she held. "This might hurt just a bit, Val, please bear with me."
Val then cried out as his leg spasmed with unexpected shocks from the tip of the apparatus.
"It's alright, dad," Val assured a few exhausting moments later, waving away his father's concerned frown.
Mrs. Petrovsky bowed her head to his father. "My apologies, Johnathan. My equipment is somewhat unorthodox, but the results I find to be extremely precise. I have just used an advanced form of electromyography to map Valor's musculature and nervous system. With this data in hand, I just might be able to do something useful. We'll see."
Val's father frowned, before giving a thoughtful nod. "Your husband's let it slip a time or two just how impressed he is by your technical skill set, and this isn't the first exotic device of yours that Andrey's shown me. Have you ever thought of patenting any your inventions?" Val blinked to see the doctor's look of alarm, quickly suppressed as his father spoke on. "But that's neither here nor there. I know your specialty is genetics and longevity, not cellular regeneration, but if you can do anything for Val, I would be beyond grateful."
Val nodded in complete agreement. "I wasn't expecting the shock, but if there is any chance that your approach can help me at all? I won't be able to thank you enough."
Mrs. Petrovsky balled her hands into fists. Val's eyes widened, sensing the simmering rage just beneath the doctor's professional veneer. "And if there is even a chance that you can find out what happened to my daughter, moving in circles that I am forbidden to enter, I will never be able to repay the debt I will owe you, Valor Hunter. If I can bring you any degree of comfort in return, it will be the least I that can do." She then turned to his father. "And I promise, Johnathan, if I'm ever ready to formally patent and manufacture my discoveries, Andrey will give you a call."
Their hostess then led them back to their car, the weight of her pleading gaze the last thing Val saw before they turned around and made their way back home.
Val frowned, picking apart Mrs. Petrovsky's final words. "What do you think she meant by circles she's forbidden to enter, dad?"
His father glanced his way for half a second before returning his focus to the road ahead. "I thought that was obvious, son. They dare not raise a fuss and tip their hand, or they risk those bastards cutting their losses and getting rid of any evidence. It's the same reason why Andrey's only brought a fraction of his resources to bear. Just enough to find out what we need to know with absolute discretion, without spooking our target."
Val grimaced. "Sorry, dad. Stupid question."
His father waved his apology away. "So, what do you think?"
Val blinked, turning away from the lake that had caught his eye once more. It truly was beautiful, lit up by the reflection of the city lights at night. He opened the window, enjoying the breeze, the horror he had felt before having faded away. "I'm looking forward to helping, if I possibly can. It's been too long since I last did something that mattered."
His father nodded. "We have the website, we'll fill out the application. You'll wax eloquent about your status as a wounded vet and your hopes to escape into this game promising a life free of constant pain, and we'll see if their PR snaps you up, making you a shoe-in for a beta-testing slot."
Sure enough, after he filled out the application, they got back to him by the next morning, thinking he just might be a perfect fit. Almost before he knew it, his father was driving into the massive lot just at the edge of the central mall building.
"Here. Andrey also gave me a transceiver. Let me just snap it into your phone, so it's not too alarming if they actually have equipment that can pick it up, as so many people's phones are hacked like beacons that it defies belief. Andrey and I will be keeping a close eye on you. Call me under any pretext, and I'll be at your location in less than ten minutes. You know what to say if you want me to call the police, or come for you, no holds barred."
Val grinned. "Sounds like a plan, and don't worry. Worst case, I'm a freelance writer looking to do an inside scoop. Since I've actually done a few articles and made a few contacts, they're far more likely to take me at face value than think I'm some sort of corporate spy."
His father's face hardened. "So long as they don't analyze the sticks you have too closely, looking beyond your saved articles. Fortunately, you look more like a struggling writer looking for a scoop than a spy guilty of industrial espionage. Nonetheless, it's a risk."
"It's alright. I'm doing this because I want to. If there is even a chance we can get some dirt that will help, there is no way in hell I want to pass this up."
His father nodded. "I think what you're doing is very heroic. But please, be careful. What we are doing is so off the books, and this company's clout is so significant, that it might well be all our asses and jail time if you get caught."
Val's gaze hardened. "Then they will get what's coming to them."
A steely grip, squeezing his shoulder so hard it hurt. "None of that talk, Val, or we are leaving right now."
Val gave a tight nod. "It will go smooth as silk, and if I don't see an opening, I'm just a beta tester, and I'l
l see what I can see from the customer side, just like Julia did."
His father sighed, squeeze turning to a gentle pat. "And enough beta testers have come back home safe and sound that odds are nothing is going to happen. But take no unnecessary risks. If there is no opportunity, you don't try to make one. Just walk away."
Val chuckled softly. "Or roll away, in my case. Don't worry, dad, I'll be fine."
As his father drove off, Val made his way to the front entrance of the mall, getting directions from the immediately sympathetic security who didn't even do a cursory examination of his wheelchair before escorting him directly to the ESI office. Val smiled his thanks and rolled into what looked like a branch from any one of a dozen game store retailers before so many went out of business, though the games in question all seemed to be from the same company. ESI. And when Val mentioned his beta testing application to the helpful sales staff, he was immediately led into a backroom with well over a dozen other potential beta testers.
It seemed he had just made it in time as they were at that moment prepping the vans for the ride to the top-secret location all the testers were talking about in excited whispers. Nor was there any paperwork for Val to fill, the smiling representative with a nametag reading Sally assuring Val with her thousand megawatt smile that everyone stopping by that morning had already been prescreened.
Everyone present was going to the ESI virtual testing center.
Heart racing with curiosity and excitement both, Val was more than understanding of their need to van Val separately, relieved when the driver and assistant relegated to escorting him there gave off no vibes of suspicion or hostility. It seemed they took him for just another gaming enthusiast, which he was, cheerfully responding with enthusiasm to their assurances that he would love the game before all three of them lapsed into silence, Val readying himself for what was to come.
5
An impressive entryway of Chrome and glass was the first thing to catch his notice as the van rode off with assurances that he just needed to head straight inside, the assistant seeing no need to escort him directly, merely waving with a friendly smile as his driver took off. Val shrugged that off and turned to face a revolving door that didn't look very accommodating of wheelchairs. The double glass doorway with chrome handles beside it was bolted shut, a repair sign leaning against it, and Val didn't see any other front entrance.
He chuckled ruefully. Of all the things to stop his reconnaissance, he didn't think being unable to get through the front doors would be one of them.
He pivoted in his chair, beginning to wheel his way around to look for another entrance when a cloud of auburn hair attached to an anxious young woman in a soft blue skirt and blouse caught his eye. He turned to face her as she approached.
"Oh my goodness, I am so sorry about that. They were supposed to escort you directly inside, along with the others. I will speak with their supervisor, have no doubt about that." She shook her head, gazing at the entrance of glass and steel. "We've been having problems with the lock, and have hired a repairman who should be looking into that."
Val smiled. "It's no problem, ma'am, no harm done. They looked to be in a hurry. I was just going to look for a side entrance."'
She flashed a relieved grin, as if happy just to not get an earful from an irate client. "You are a true gentleman, Mr...?"
"Val. Valor Hunter."
"Ah, Mr. Hunter. I have you on my list. Excellent. Again, I am so sorry. If you'll allow me, I'd be happy to take you right to the cafeteria, where we will be hosting our prospective testers and where we have already laid out a mini-buffet."
Val blinked at this. "But wasn't there paperwork for me to fill out?"
A friendly pat on his shoulder as she took his handles and began to roll him along to an obvious side entrance. "Oh, I wouldn't worry about that, Val. Everyone will be given the forms that need signing right from the comfort of the cafeteria, but between you and me, they're only a formality. The most important bits you already took care of online. If I were you, I'd just pay close attention to the presentation. It really is something!"
Val nodded. "I can't wait, I'm really looking forward to it, and thank you so much for escorting me there personally," he enthused, for all that part of him bristled at needing the assistance. It made him feel like a cripple, no longer worthy of respect.
But that wasn't the role he was playing here. Smiling, chatting about the weather, how excited he was to play Endless, even praising how her skirt matched her blouse and set off her eyes perfectly, all the comments of an earnest young man, good-natured and excited and wanting to make a good impression.
Her replies flowed seamlessly into his patter, and she left him with a pleased smile and the promised plate of food and paperwork, no doubt relieved that he did not seem to begrudge the company their lack of accommodations for the impaired. Far cheaper to use fifteen minutes of a secretary's time than devote considerable resources to specialized walkways and other accommodations, Val reasoned, telling himself that he wasn't even angry that he had been profiled as special needs, for such misdirection served as great cover for his real assignment.
The paperwork started out straightforward, the first sheet comprised of a waiver releasing the company ESI from any and all liability for using their hardware or software, and stating in plainest English that anyone with a family history of seizures would not be accepted as a beta tester.
Val glared at the release form, signing it with a stronger scrawl than he had intended.
A single legitimate form still didn't change what happened. He would still do what he could to get to the bottom of things, even if it turned out they had nothing to hide. If that was the case? So be it. He'd accept that. But he was still going to do his damnedest to get those stick drives in play. In his mind, the calculus was simple. He had no problem putting himself at risk, if there was even a chance that he could rescue someone he cared about from dire peril.
Val began to look over the rest of the paperwork while eating his rather tasty Reuben sandwich, giving them credit for a fantastic cook or quality catering. The corned beef all but melted on the tongue, and the smoky bacon covered in melted chedder atop the sauerkraut only made it that much more a lunchtime masterpiece.
He gazed up after a few minutes, exchanging grunts and nods with his tablemates, one high school senior and two men in their twenties. One was short with considerable acne and a belly that needed working on, who Val chose to forgive his flaws, namely because of the way he tore into his Reuben with gusto, grunting at all the right notes. "This is a damned fine sandwich," he said, which had earned a nod from Val, and the guy hadn't flinched and grimaced for a smile upon catching sight of the scar going down Val's face. If anything, he seemed impressed.
"Wow, man, what happened to you, if you don't mind me asking? Wicked cool scar, by the way."
The high school kid blinked, looked up and grimaced before quickly glancing back down at his paperwork. The fourth member of their party, built like a tank and sporting a crew cut, had Marine written all over him. He glared down at his portly tablemate. "That's a damn rude question, man." He turned to Val, frowning slightly but not flinching, merely dipping his head as if paying respect. "Don't answer that if you don't want to."
Val forced himself to smile. "What can I say? Shit happens in life, sometimes. I'm not going to win any beauty contests and the Boston Marathon is out, but I can game with the best of them."
Crewcut nodded. "Any shitstorm you can limp away from is a good one, and I've seen a few myself. Where were you posted?"
Val blinked, realizing in that instant that Crewcut was no fool, or at least had an eye for those who had served. Tubby blinked, offhandedly scratching a mole. "Wicked scar and you were special ops or something? Sweet!" The high school kid blinked and looked up, scratching blond locks and gazing at Val in a new light. Shit.
"Nothing glorious, I was a water treatment specialist," Val explained.
Crewcut nodded. "A man can't figh
t for shit with his bowels running nonstop. Clean water is vital, wherever you're posted. My name's Hank, by the way."
Val held out his hand, Hank shook it. Grip strong and firm, but not trying to crush. It wasn't that kind of greeting. "Hank? I'm Val. Pleased to meet you."
Tubby frowned. "Water treatment? Is that like code for badass hit squad?"
The highschool kid smirked. "Really? Are you serious? My brother enlisted last year, thinking he'd see the world as a badass gunner. His first six months he pissed off the wrong officer and he got latrine duty. Right now he's just trying to get into weapon maintenance. Most enlisted are support, you know. It isn't that glamorous, but it's honest work." He looked up at Hank. "Him? A Marine? Sure, they'll make movies about him, but it's people like Val and my brother that make sure his water's clean that the latrine doesn't shoot crap in his face, and that the ASV's are working right and can get him where he needs to go."
Hank nodded solemnly. "You need to respect all the members of your team. A fighting man isn't worth much if he can't get to where he needs to be."
Tubby blinked. "That's a good point. It's just that when we play online, well, we never play support roles, so I didn't really think beyond a soldier as a guy with a gun or if he's lucky, a tank or a fighter."
Hank smirked. "Yeah, well, if you ever serve, you'll find it's a whole different ballgame. Still, it can push you to grow and better yourself in a dozen different ways." His glance turned appraising. "Have you ever thought of enlisting?"
Tubby paled, raising up both hands. "Um, no. I don't think I would be a good fit. I can barely walk a mile, and I'm a klutz with everything except computers."
Hank smiled, showing teeth. "Hey, that's no problem, we need IT specialists more than ever. If you're a wiz with computers, I can all but guarantee you won't be digging trenches, and more to the point, you'll be helping to protect your country. The rewards are considerable, and they might push you a bit, just enough to keep you in shape and hell, you might even get laid. You could look back three years from now, thanking god every day that you took the opportunity to better yourself."
Endless Online: Oblivion's Blade Page 6
