by Terry Schott
“Well, that definitely isn’t gonna happen. He didn’t make it back out.”
“Bummer.”
“Mm-hm. Before he went in, though, he had a theory that the helmets weren’t responsible.”
“What did he think it was?”
“An invisible gateway.” Thirteen pointed to a picture in the article. “Like a big vortex outside the visible spectrum.”
“A gateway would imply an actual real dimension.”
“It would. He guessed that what started as a computer game somehow piggybacked onto a temporal shift that sent people into an alternate reality. At least, that was Hawking’s theory.”
“I don’t agree with it.”
“Neither did I, at first. So I did some digging and research. Now, the more I learn, the more I suspect Stephen Hawking was right. Partially, anyway.”
“In what way?”
“I think it was a computer simulation, but I don’t think it was being generated from our reality.”
“You just went way over my head.”
“Then I’ll simplify it. I think we got pulled into a computer sim, but the mainframe running it is not located in our reality.”
“It’s in the reality we all got pulled into?”
“Maybe, but I don’t think so.”
Melissa groaned. “Are you telling me there might be a third reality?”
Thirteen laughed. “Don’t you study science at all?”
“Does the expression on my face lead you to believe that I do?”
Thirteen shook his head and closed the paper, then reached for a notebook. He began to draw circles on a page with lines and arrows connecting them together. “This is what I think is happening.”
“What’s that circle in the middle?” Melissa tapped a spot on the page.
“The Artifact.”
“You drew three of them at different spots.”
“I did.”
“Oh.” Melissa blinked. “You think there is more than one Artifact. In each reality? Are you saying Artifacts transport people from one reality to the next?”
Thirteen laughed and hugged her. “That is exactly what I think.”
“You’re confident enough to find out for yourself?”
Thirteen sighed and nodded. “I am.”
Melissa leaned against one arm and stroked her eyebrow. “Well, I guess we better get you back in front of the Artifact to try.”
“Really?”
“Sure. It shouldn’t be hard. Thorn did want you to touch the damned thing after all. I think he’ll be surprised to have you do it without being bound and lowered onto it.”
“Should we do that? To keep up appearances?”
Melissa laughed. “No. Let’s just go.”
18
Trew stared at his tablet, raising a finger to change pages every few seconds. As he read the report, his brow furrowed, first in confusion, and then concern. He looked up.
“This is bad.”
No one at the table responded.
He touched his ear and activated the small speaker nestled inside.
“Yes, Trew,” Sylvia said.
“The Timeless have disappeared from the Game.”
“Yes.”
“You say that as if you already knew.”
Sylvia did not reply.
“You did know. Why didn’t you—” He stopped himself. She never volunteers information. Don’t get upset with her, it’s not her game to play. “Can you tell me how long ago?”
“After the reset protocol was initiated.”
Three Tygon days. Years inside the Game. “Do you know where they went?”
Sylvia did not reply.
“You don’t, do you?”
“I’m sorry, Trew, I don’t.”
Trew took a deep breath and closed his eyes. When he opened them he remembered that there were others were sitting in the room with him. “I will be there soon.” He ended the call. I want to ask if anyone knows what this means, but if Sylvia doesn’t then no one here would. I have to stay calm.
“Here’s what we do next.” He snapped his fingers and pointed at three people in rapid succession. “Get the press together and schedule airtime. We proceed with the new plans for the Game.”
The three nodded and got up from the table. Trew pointed to another group. “I want a report on the state of the Game landscape. The reset was not normal. I want to know exactly how it is different from all the other times. I don’t care how much sleep you lose, I want every single detail.”
Everyone got up to leave and Trew pushed a button on the table. A moment later, Cooper entered and sat down across from him. Trew smiled. Cooper mirrored his expression.
Trew studied his bodyguard. Time to play a different game, Cooper. “I need to meet Lohkam.”
Cooper did nothing to betray himself. “I would imagine Lohkam is either dead or back in the Dream.”
Trew’s stare was flat. Menacing. “I know he’s here and I know you’ve met with him.”
“How long have you known?”
“Since Thorn showed me the video of Brandon’s life.”
Cooper laughed. “Seriously? How could you have known since then?”
“It made sense. When Thorn was forced to shut down the other simulations, I guessed that he would send them all here, if possible. It would be foolish to lose so much talent. If it were me, I would send all the teams to one simulation rather than have them die. Thorn was clever enough to pull that off. At least, I hoped he was.”
“If you know he’s here, then why bother to ask me to arrange a meeting?”
“Because I trust you.”
Cooper frowned. “That might not be wise, Trew.”
“Why? Have you betrayed me?”
Cooper flushed. “No. Not yet.”
“You’ve been with me for more than ten years.”
“I know.”
“You’re family.”
“No, I’m not.”
Trew walked to his desk, grabbed a framed picture, and brought it back to the table, placing it in front of Cooper. It was a picture of Cooper holding Addisyn. The two of them were laughing with Trew and Danni on either side. “You are family.”
Cooper looked at it and then quickly looked away. “There are things you do not understand, Trew.”
“Then explain them to me.”
“I can’t.”
“You mean you won’t.”
Cooper’s eyes locked onto Trew’s. “Same result.”
After a few moments of silence, Trew spoke. “How good is Lohkam?”
Cooper shook his head. “At what he does, he’s one of the best. The problem is that he doesn’t fix things, he breaks them.”
“How did he get his own team, then?”
“There are uses for people with his skills. Thorn had no clue what approach would get the results he wanted, so he diversified the strategy.
“Does the General know that he’s here?”
Cooper remained silent.
“Your silence screams the answer.”
Cooper blinked and his gaze became hooded like a cobra preparing to strike. “Don’t ask me anymore questions about this, Trew.”
“I will ask one more, and you must answer me truthfully. Believe me, I can handle whatever you tell me, as long as it’s the truth.”
Cooper thought about it for a moment and nodded.
“You’ve always worked for the General, haven’t you?”
Seconds passed.
“I’m not certain. I haven’t been certain for years.”
“That’s not the answer I was looking for.”
“It’s the truth, which is the answer you asked for.”
What am I going to do with you, Cooper? Is there a chance that you have somehow become loyal to me? “I need to meet Lohkam.”
“For what purpose?”
“You can find out when the meeting happens.”
Cooper stood. “Okay, I’ll set it up.”
“Thank you.”
“This is going to cause problems.”
“Problems are cropping up all around me,” Trew said. “A meeting with Lohkam might allow me to fix one or two.”
19
“Hello, my child.”
Danni smiled. Warmth and peace enveloped her as purple light seeped past her closed eyelids. She opened them and stood from her meditative position. He sat a short distance away. She moved to join him.
“Hello.” I still don’t know how to address him. Father seems too obvious and not quite correct.
His smile filled the area with energy that felt pleasant and warm, like sunlight creeping into a cold room on an autumn morning. “It has been some time since we were together. I trust that everything is well amongst my children?”
This was merely politeness. He knew everything that occurred on Tygon. “Everything is.” This reply was his favourite. No one wanted to hear whining and complaining, not even a god.
“That is good.” He produced a cup of tea and handed it to her. She accepted it with both hands, feeling its warmth and smelling the delicious aroma. Closing her eyes, she took a small sip and smiled. There was no way to describe the taste; she had tried before.
“You have a message for me.”
“I do.”
“What does Elliot wish to tell me?”
“Who?”
He sat down on the green grass and she did likewise, folding her legs beneath her. It was always remarkable how comfortable the ground was in this place. “I am sorry. I thought you had a message to deliver from Elliot.”
“That’s his name? The old man with crazy white hair and beard? Wears garbage bags for clothes?”
“And interesting gloves. Of course it makes sense that he would not tell you his name. Please forget that I revealed it to you.”
“He appears to enjoy being called ‘old man’.”
“Yes, I would imagine that he does.” He smiled.
“Is that funny?”
“Perhaps, but it is not my joke to share. Please, repeat the message back to me exactly as he told it.”
Danni repeated the message. To her it was gibberish, but as she spoke the words the old man had asked her to memorize, the energy around them changed.
He frowned. “Thank you. This is grave news.”
“Is it? What did I just tell you?”
His smile returned, bringing the sensations of peace and tranquility back as well. “Much of it would not make sense to you. I must think on the things that you have told me. For now, let us continue with our visit. I sense that something troubles you.”
“Yes.” I swear he can read my mind. Why does he wait so patiently for me to say the words every time? “I’m afraid of losing Trew.”
His expression became puzzled. “Is Trew your possession?”
“No. Of course not.”
“Then how can you lose him?”
“He wants to leave. To go back into the Game.”
“He has told you this?”
“He brought it up.”
“Why does the idea bother you?”
“He’s too old to play games.”
His laughter startled her, erupting from his belly like a boom of thunder. At first this annoyed her, but after a moment she could not help but join him.
“I love your visits, Danni.” He wiped a tear from his eye. “Too old for games. Truly, the things that come out of our mouths sometimes. I know you don’t feel that way for a second. None of us are too old for games. Life is a game. Everything that exists in our universe is nothing but a game. You know this deep in the core of your being and you have spent lifetimes learning to recognize the truth of it.”
“I know. I guess I’m just afraid of losing him.”
“Which brings us back to my original question.”
“He is not my possession, but he has my heart. I have lived without him, and I don’t want to do so again.”
“Dear girl, beautiful creature of light and love.” He reached forward and took her hand. Energy coursed into her body, shooting straight to her core. She was encompassed by powerful feelings of love, acceptance, and peace. “Each of us is alone and all together, both at the same time. Our greatest strengths emerge from our most difficult moments of weakness. This is the way of the universe, and you are blessed to experience it.”
He released her hand. The sensation of euphoria faded.
“Are you sad that you no longer feel the gift of my touch?”
“Not at all,” she whispered. “I feel blessed to have experienced it for even a brief moment.”
His smile was that of a proud father. “That is how you should also feel about your time with Trew. He is a gift to the world, to many worlds, as are you. To feel blessed to have experienced even a brief moment of time with each other, that is the trick of it.”
Danni nodded. “That is the trick of what?”
He spread his hands wide. “Of everything, my dear girl. Of everything.”
20
Thirteen looked at the Artifact, watching the colours as they swirled inside the globe.
“I hate to bug.” Melissa spoke from behind him. “But standing here forever won’t make this any easier.”
“Quiet,” he hissed.
“Why? What are you waiting for?”
He raised his hand and extended it towards the Artifact for the ninth time. As he got close, the colours changed speed and seemed to alter their courses. Are they, or is it just my imagination? “Come here.”
“I don’t think so.”
“Melissa, please. I’m not going to have you to touch it, I just want to know if you see what I see.”
“Fine.” She ducked under the rope and came to stand beside him.
“Alright. I’m taking my hand away. Watch the colours.” He took his hand away.
“Okay.”
“Now when I put my hand close again, watch the surface.”
He placed his hand close and Melissa let out an exclamation. “Yes! I see it.”
“What?”
“The gold comes closer to the surface. Just a little bit, but it almost stops for a split second. Then, like it’s a dog trying to sniff your hand, it comes up towards the surface.”
“Now watch as I do it again.”
“Whoa! That time it was black. The rest don’t seem interested, but black definitely started your way.”
Thirteen took a step back. “That raises another question then, doesn’t it?”
“Yeah. Which colour will you allow to vapourize you?”
“Very funny.”
“It’s your hypothesis, genius.”
Thirteen took a step back and watched the colours swirl. “What colour do I want?”
“One in five, a twenty percent chance.”
“A chance for what, though?”
“Something magical. Or maybe it doesn’t matter.”
Thirteen tapped his chin as he considered the new possibilities.
“I mean, dead is dead, right?”
“You’re not helping as much as you might think, Melissa.”
“Sorry.”
***
Cooper stood in the field surrounded by blowing snow, watching the helicopter fly away. When it was out of sight, he pulled his hood tight and began to make his way towards the cave.
He entered the alcove, removed a glove, and typed the access code into the keypad, entering the room as the door slid open with a soft hiss.
Cooper removed his outerwear and walked towards the centre of the room where the Artifact rested.
“Time to go.” He reached forward and the black gathered before moving upwards to greet him. He drew his hand back, repeating the process again. This time, the crimson moved. On the third try, gold made its way to the surface. He nodded and placed his hand on the globe.
There was a brilliant flash of light, and Cooper disappeared.
***
“I choose gold.” Thirteen stepped forward and held his hand slightly above the Artifac
t.
“I like it.” Melissa’s voice was confident, then she raised both eyebrows. “You sure?”
“Positive.”
“Okay, then.” She slapped him on the back and took a big step away. “So long, Thirteen.”
“I will attempt to contact you.”
Melissa nodded. Attempt being the keyword. “I know you will.”
Thirteen moved his hand towards the globe. The gold came towards him. He touched the Artifact’s surface and disappeared in a flash of white light.
21
Trew sat beside Danielle and looked at the list of suggestions written on the presentation board. His core group of people were once more gathered around the table: Michelle and Nadine, Trew and Danni’s Right Hands when they were players, as well as top Game executives, Lilith, and the head Game Master, Avalanche. “When I asked all of you to come up with some alternative Game ideas, I expected a few interesting suggestions, but I did not expect so many.”
“A big list is not surprising.” Danni said. “This has become a common ‘what if’ topic among fans.”
“I know, but I see some new and truly creative ideas here that I don’t recall seeing on fan boards.” Trew shook his head. “Or maybe I can actually see the suggestions now that this might be a possibility. When there was never any chance of a different type of Game, I think many of us just watched the suggestions with polite interest but didn’t consider them.”
One executive looked dubious. “When it all comes down to it, are many of these realistic suggestions?”
“Short term, no. It will take an incredible amount of program writing and coding to change the framework of the existing platform. That doesn’t mean we won’t invest the time and energy, though.” He tapped one of the suggestions and smiled. “This one would be easy enough to do quickly.”
Danielle read it out loud. “Rainbow unicorns rule the world. You did say that every suggestion should be brought forward, Trew. Something tells me the viewership for that scenario would be thin.”
Trew laughed. “Yes, but maybe it could work as a special event.”
“Have you changed your mind about sending kids in?” Lilith asked.
Trew’s smile disappeared. “No. At least, not yet.”
“I’m confused,” Danni said. “We have discussed this at great length. Why would we let children go back in at all?”