by Tony Corden
Leah was more prepared this time and tried to slow her fall by grabbing the smaller branches as she crashed through the top of the canopy. Unfortunately, her speed was too high, and her hands couldn’t grip sufficiently. The external surface of the branches ripped the skin off her hands. In addition, she managed to change her direction enough that she missed the branch that previously broke her back and was killed when her head hit a branch thirty metres further down.
She resurrected immediately. She let herself bounce off the smaller branches and tried to rotate her body to have her feet hit the first branch and use them to slow herself down. Leah didn’t get them around far enough and broke both legs as they slammed into the branch. As she fell, she tried to see what other options she had. She was killed when she hit the large limb further down.
On the twenty-sixth time as she resurrected, she began rotating as she passed through the canopy. Leah controlled her deflections off the smaller branches so that she fell past the back-breaker at just the right distance and angle that when she pushed off with her legs, she fell past a horizontal bough which she caught hold of and used to swing herself through an arc and slow her vertical velocity. On the twenty-fifth attempt, she’d grabbed the branch in the wrong place and impaled her right hand on a three-inch thorn which tore through her hand and held her back just enough that she didn’t make her destination, which was a one-meter diameter branch running parallel to her line of travel. This time she made sure to bring her hands closer together, and although the bough tore some skin from her hands, she held on long enough to flip herself onto the one-metre branch. Then in a combination of a step, a roll and a slide she came to a stop several metres from the bole of a colossal tree two hundred and seventy metres above the ground.
Leah looked around and couldn’t see anything immediately threatening. Her clothing had been destroyed in the explosion. All Leah had was a set of basic modesty gear provided by Survival, consisting of a black cropped athletic tank top with matching shorts. She had no footwear. She was due in Dunyanin soon and need some food and a break first. Leah said, “Can I log out from here and what are the implications for when I log in?”
Gèng replied, “You are not in danger and can log out. When you re-enter Survival, you will appear in the same location. Survival expects players to log out from places of relative safety and not in the open. They penalise poor location choice by leaving your avatar exposed in the exact place you log out from. The avatar is open both to attack and environmental damage. The effect is limited to two per cent of actual per hour of real time. In effect, if you log out while exposed to the environment, you will be dead within fifty real hours, but you will have accumulated enough damage within fifteen that you probably won’t survive. Wounds, rashes and the like do heal at an accelerated rate, but it is only double what would happen normally.”
Leah carefully made her way along the branch, moving away from the trunk and looking for somewhere safer to log out from. None of the information gathered had discussed plants and animals this high up in the canopy, but she kept a look out for the large variety of dangerous flora and fauna that had been discovered. About twenty metres along the branch Leah came to a section of the branch which was clear of other foliage and after checking for insects, she was about to log out when Gèng said, “A developer from Survival would like to discuss your decision to stay in the scenario with you. He is available now and suggests you meet in his office, or he can come to the Tower. Otherwise, I can make an appointment for later in the day.”
“Do you have a suggestion of what would be best?”
“Both locations will be private enough for a frank discussion. You will have more control in the Tower.”
“Let’s meet in the Tower then, but at the new gazebo.”
After a final review of her situation, Leah logged out.
THE STORK TOWER
Leah appeared near the Tower’s entry podium wearing a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. Gèng appeared beside her and said, “I’ve reviewed your experience while waiting for the Survival AI to resurrect you and think you should also review it before heading into another world.”
Leah nodded and said, “I planned on it. The pieces began to resolve into a more defined picture even before I left and I’ve some idea of what the final form might be, but I do want to examine it more closely. I assume you’ve isolated and contained the recorded data.”
“I did that as a matter of course, but I have also increased my monitoring of all internal data allocations.”
“I thought I’d better wait until I can give it my full attention rather than simply multitasking. I’ll review it before Dunyanin.”
“I think that is best. Go rest in the gazebo, and I’ll bring the developer, a Dr Lundin, over when he arrives.”
Leah walked over and took a seat in the gazebo and looked out over the moonlit valley while she waited. When a tall, thin man appeared on the podium, Gèng stepped forward and said, “Dr Lundin, my name is Gèng, Atherleah’s Personal AI. Please follow me, Atherleah is resting in a nearby gazebo.”
“This personal space is exceptional. I don’t think I’ve seen one quite as complex before. Did Atherleah commission it especially or is it off the shelf?”
“Leah and I have been working on the design since her entry into the virtual multiverse. It is still very much a work in progress.”
Dr Lundin didn’t reply as they were approaching the gazebo, and he could see Leah. As they approached, Leah stood and said, “Welcome to my personal space, Dr Lundin. Thank you for agreeing to meet here. I was a little stressed when I left Survival and needed the familiar space to clear my head.”
Dr Lundin put out his hand to shake Leah’s and said, “Please call me Cody. I do apologise for the situation in which you found yourself and wanted to suggest that we re-set the scenario. You are in an un-winnable position at the moment.”
“Before we discuss options, could you explain what happened?”
“I wouldn’t normally admit this, but the word is that you prefer honesty and won’t be unreasonable. Now, as far as I can tell, the situation is a result of two separate cases of external influence on our servers. The first was almost three days ago when a small condition was added to our registration process, this placed a bomb whenever someone with your ID number registered in the Alien Survival Scenario. The second was when you registered. It allocated you that particular location on Ukusinda.”
“Ukusinda?”
“Sorry, that’s what we call the planet for the Alien Survival scenario. We have closed both the access points used to hack into our system, and we’ve upgraded our security. It does look like you were targeted specifically and I’d recommend you let us re-set the scenario as it is the only way that we can provide the experience you have paid for. Your current situation will lead to almost certain failure.”
“Do you know who hacked you?”
“No. Both incursions were very professional. We have asked virtual security to investigate, but I doubt they will find anything. Logic might point to those who you appear to be publicly feuding with but there is no evidence to support that, and we would not suggest it.”
“There was a voice file that played before the bomb exploded. I thought the voice was recognisable.”
“It may have been but that file was erased immediately, and although we recovered it in its entirety we could never use it as evidence.”
Leah sat for a few moments thinking through her options and then said, “I am content with the scenario and wish to remain where I am. Is there any way to redefine the resurrection point?”
“We could, but that change will add to the pressure I’m already receiving to re-set your scenario. The only reason I haven’t is because the word in the developer community is ‘play nice with Atherleah’. I’m not sure I’ll be able to stop the re-set, and I wanted to explain that to you in person. Survival is embarrassed this has happened, and they are serious about wanting to rectify the situation. At the same time,
as they think this wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t registered to play, and that means they think you have an ulterior motive for playing that might hurt us in some way.”
“Cory, I need to keep the current scenario, and I will do almost anything to retain that opportunity. I know why you were hacked and I know who hacked you. There is a reason I am playing this scenario, and someone has a reason to stop me doing so. If I shared this information with you, would you be able to keep it confidential or would you feel obliged to share it?”
“I’d almost certainly be required to share it with my superiors. Even if I agreed completely with your need to continue, I think the issue will soon be taken out of my hands.”
“Who would I need to convince?”
“Either the CEO, the Head of Programming or a majority of the Management Committee would need to be convinced. Because of the security breach, this situation is being referred to their level as we speak.”
“I’d rather just continue to play the scenario. I want to do that quietly and without any public interest. My lawyer will draw up a statement that I want the virtual scenario that I have paid for to continue unchanged and that I accept any loss of experience and do not hold Survival responsible in any way. However, and this won’t be in the statement, please let your boss know that if Survival cannot provide me with this opportunity then I will look for a more public avenue to seek redress from Survival for the harrowing experience I suffered while playing their game and their inability to provide a safe and satisfying experience.”
“If you did that, they would share every detail and put all the blame on you.”
“Trust me when I say they have no idea how bad the publicity would be. I’m willing to privately share the details with the CEO or the Head of Programming before they make their decision, but I’ll do it publicly if they decide to reset the scenario.”
“When do you plan to re-enter Survival?”
“I’m due in Dunyanin soon. I’m being pulled in several directions, but I’ll probably enter Survival for a real hour around ten, ten-thirty, this evening Australian Eastern Standard Time.”
“That’s a long time to hold off on making a decision. I know three hours isn’t long, but we’re used to having to decide these things instantly. Another crisis will probably arise before then. How soon before you can get your lawyer to draft that statement?”
“It is already finalised and ready to send. Do you want it or should I have it sent to your legal office?”
“That was quick. It was almost too quick.”
“I have an efficient AI and a lawyer who knows the details.”
“Send a copy to me and one to the legal office. I will recommend the Head of Programming meet with you, but I’d suggest before you go to Dunyanin.”
“I’ll make the time. I’m taking a fifteen-minute reality break and then I’ll be free. If they can’t meet then, let me know and I’ll head straight to Dunyanin.”
Cory agreed, and after saying goodbye, he left the Tower. Leah logged out.
REAL WORLD
As the Pod cover lifted, Leah opened her eyes to see Marie resting in the chair. Marie said, “Hi Leah, Mia will be here in a minute, and then Dr Kevin wants to recheck the stitches.”
Leah needed help to exit the Pod, and after a quick shower, Kevin checked the wounds. Leah had a late snack before preparing to head back to the Pod. While she ate, she checked for messages from Kate and was pleased to hear that Kate and Thad were checking in to the hotel she’d arranged. Kate hoped to be online within the hour. Leah contacted Amy and Wisp and suggested they talk with Thad. As Mia and Marie helped her into the Pod, Gèng said, “The Survival CEO has agreed to talk with you and will be arriving as you log in. I’ll bring you straight to the gazebo.”
THE STORK TOWER
Leah arrived back in her world sitting in the gazebo and dressed in the same jeans and t-shirt as before. She looked up and saw Cory and an older man walking up the path to the gazebo with Gèng. She stood as they arrived and Gèng said, “Atherleah, this is Mr Jesse Hood, the CEO of Survival.”
Leah shook hands, and after they had all sat down, she said, “Mr Hood, thank you for meeting with me. I hope this means you are open to me continuing the current scenario.”
“Ms Carroll, to be honest, I’m more inclined to refund your money and block you from using Survival, but Cory here, along with several members of my Management Committee, would rather we come to a mutually agreed upon solution. I’m concerned that my world was hacked, not once but twice. I’m upset that it is being used for what I can only imagine is the continuing drama of your public feud with the Kodomans. I don’t mind putting up with bad publicity, but I was convinced, as the most ardent proponent of telling you to take a hike, that if you could convince me then, we’d let you do what you want. This world has been my dream for decades, and I don’t want you or anyone else to destroy it.”
“I see. Will you agree that, if I convince you to let me continue the scenario, you will do nothing about the issues I discuss without my approval and you will not share the information with anyone either inside or outside your company?”
“I agree. What about Cody? I’d like him to hear this.”
“If he makes the same agreement and you take responsibility for his adherence to it.”
“Deal.”
Leah began with the theft of the Annoyance and described her mother’s abduction and rescue, the explosive chip and what would happen if Nathan got to her first. She didn’t name Reed but admitted she’d arranged to get the location near her mother. When she’d finished speaking, she leaned back in her chair and watched the CEO.
Finally, he said, “That’s some story. Why tell me and not go to the authorities?”
“Three reasons. The first is that I haven’t told you everything and some of the other stuff the authorities do not want to be revealed. The second reason is that I haven’t told you everything and some of the other stuff I don’t want the authorities to find out. Lastly, I haven’t told you everything and the authorities are controlled by the Kodomans and people like them. They’ll have my mum killed and lock me away.”
“You expect me to believe you rescued your mother from the wicked Kodomans?”
“Yes.”
“Why don’t I just set you down near your mother?”
“Because I don’t know how far your company has been infiltrated. I was only able to arrange for two locations near her while someone else managed to place people in the next closest thirty-four locations. If you check your map, you’ll see there is a cluster around her that is impossible if your algorithms were applied without manipulation. I don’t know what else may have been inserted in your code that could be triggered if I just arrived there.”
“You’re suggesting there have been more than two breaches and that I have someone in my organisation working for the Kodomans.”
“I’m not suggesting anything. I’m stating facts. My hacker is fairly sure they know who it is, but we don’t want to spook them because they may provide us with access to people higher up.”
“If what you said is true, then you are playing with your mother’s life.”
“No. I think not identifying the person gives her more security and the other issues, unfortunately, might have greater long-term importance.”
“Bigger than your mother’s life?”
“Yes.”
Mr Hood turned to Cody and said, “Cody, go for a walk so you can’t hear what we are saying.”
As Cody stood up, Gèng appeared and said, “Cody, why don’t you walk with me. I’ve some questions that I’ve been hoping to ask a world developer.”
As the two left the gazebo, Mr Hood said, “I’ve been in the multiverse for almost forty years, and I’ve watched a lot of people communicating silently in that time. Your AI arranged that diversion on her own. What level is she?”
“Is that the question you wanted to ask me, Mr Hood?”
“No, it was just an obser
vation. I’m almost convinced by your story, but I need more. Tell me something pertinent to each of the three reasons you mentioned. I promise not to reveal these even if I don’t believe you.”
Leah considered her options and finally said, “OK.”
“What don’t the authorities want revealed?”
“There is malware that exists which controls someones PAI and turns the person into a virtual slave. It is estimated over 250 million people worldwide are being controlled.”
“Why didn’t Nathan just use that on your mother?”
“It can be cleaned from a PAI and can be worked around any number of ways.” Leah spent a few minutes discussing the different reasons as Nathan had described them.
“OK, I’ve actually heard the rumours but what you say is crazier than I’d ever imagined. What don’t you want the authorities to find out?”
“I hacked the Virtual Security Vault and extracted an archived AI. They are calling me Vernyx.”
This time there was silence for half a minute, then Mr Hood said, “Again, I’ve heard rumours. Why retrieve the AI?”
“She is my friend.”
“And finally, why do you think they control things?”
“The AI who uncovered the malware that was used to enslave people and who rescued me is the one Virtual Security archived in the Vault.”
Mr Hood sat and looked at Leah for several minutes while she let him think. Finally, he said, “You have an agreement. I will do nothing to change your scenario without your approval. Do you want me to change your resurrection point?”
“Not yet, Mr Hood. Your Head of Security is the person who works for the Kodomans. If he gets wind of the change I’m not sure what he’’ do. I’d prefer you stormed out of here and told the Management Team that I was the biggest pain in the butt you’d ever met and you wanted no one to give me any assistance. Maybe suggest that Cody is assigned to make sure I get no assistance. That way, he can watch for tampering, and nothing will get back to the Kodomans.”
