The next day, Sunday, Ari was in the midst of studying when Vinh surprised her with a call. “Hey, can we meet up for lunch? At the beach?”
“At the beach?” Ari asked. There had never been anything romantic between Vinh and Ari, yet he’d never asked her out to lunch either.
His gaze narrowed on the screen in her room. “Get over yourself and be ready. Okay?”
“Okay.” Ari could use a break.
Still in comfy gray pants and a tank, she headed outside. and found Vinh parked with his hoverboard. More casual than usual, he wore shorts and shirt. They kicked off their shoes and headed to the beach on foot.
“You going to tell me what this is about? You don’t have any food on you?” She motioned to his thin bag.
“Trust much?”
“Just curious.”
“Your curiosity can wait. It’s my butt I’m more worried about.”
Ari bit back a retort about his back side and continued in silence. She trusted Vinh. He headed straight for the ocean and stopped in front of the water’s edge.
Sitting down, he pulled out a small box. He flipped a switch and a green light flashed in the corner. “That’s so we can talk or go online without any ghosts.”
“Okay?” Then she remembered her request last week. “Is this so we can contact my family?”
“Did you really think I was asking you out on a date?” Sarcasm was spread on thicker than necessary.
“I didn’t know what you were up to. But thanks for that.” She gently shoved his shoulder.
“Let’s see if this works.” He popped open a computer as well. “We can’t contact your family directly, but I thought we could troll any groups or sites they may frequent.”
Ari tried to think of the best way to reach Marco. He wasn’t a regular in any sites or groups. Maybe games, but Ari wasn’t sure which ones he frequented these days. Games. Now Tessa was a regular, because she created her own.
“How about Neptune?”
“I may have heard of that before. Let’s check it out.”
A nervous itch crept along her spine. “Are you going to get fired for this? I don’t want you to get in trouble.”
He rolled his eyes. “I won’t get fired, maybe suspended. A lot of the guys around here sneak in to check gaming stats or look up old friends. Let’s just not get caught, okay?”
They found Tessa’s game and Vinh already had a fake profile to contact her. “What do you want to say? And remember it can’t say much.”
“Don’t be easy or anything.” Ari racked her brain to think of a way to let Tessa know it was her. “Okay. Tell her it’s Oya, Goddess of the sky, wanting to reconnect and check on my family.”
Oya was from a VR game she played with Tessa last year at school.
Vinh finished the message and then shut down his equipment. “I’ll check now and again for a reply and let you know.”
“Thanks.” Ari extended her legs in the sand and stared out into the never-ending expanse of water. “You know, I never even visited the ocean until last year in the VR? I grew up in a desert.”
“Really? You know I grew up staring at this same ocean, just a different side?” He set down his bag and leaned back on his hands. “You are lucky to have such a secluded spot. I get sick of watching guys attempting to surf. There’s a reason we work here.”
“True.” Most people spent their time plugged in and the real ocean wasn’t as forgiving.
He glanced at her direction. “Have they scheduled your first mission?”
“Not yet, but soon.” She picked at her pants, pushing away the churning in her stomach.
“Nervous?”
A chuckle escaped her lips. “Yeah, guess so. It’s weird to study a person I never met before. Like really study, their family, co-workers, past lovers. Just weird.”
“I think weird has only just started. Wait until you get inside.”
“Have you been inside VLEX before?”
“No. I’ve just heard some rumors since I’ve been here.” He dug through the sand, picking up a seashell.
“Like what?”
“Just how different it is. People with no sense of morality except how it pads their wallet. You might be able to contact Tessa from there.”
She sat upright, turning to stare at him. The idea excited her. “Really? How?”
“You’re connected to everything in there, and I mean everything. Just be careful who is watching. There is more that goes on then anyone knows or is willing to talk about.”
“I will.” A tumult of emotions swirled around, excitement and nerves vied for the top spot. Not able to sit still, she stood and offered a hand to Vinh. “Ready to head back. If I’m out here too long, Niomi will wonder why I’m not exercising.”
He took her hand. “We don’t want that. You can probably take me down as it is.”
“Maybe.”
He did have a husky frame. “Don’t piss me off or I’ll shrink your suit.”
She raised her arms. “You win.”
“See, it’s not all about muscles.”
They headed back towards the Wave. “I agree with you. Now if you could convince Niomi of that.”
Chapter Seven
As the next few weeks passed, Ari immersed herself into her work, trying to keep her thoughts off missing her family back home. Vinh did get word back to her that Tessa reported everything was okay. He even found out she was working for her father’s company and had some back channels to contact her. Ari didn’t want to press her luck though or jeopardize Vinh’s position.
So instead she focused on her job and worked harder than ever with Niomi. Even though they covered the basics of several different skins, they always came back to Kari. Kari was to be Ari’s first job. A job that approached faster than Ari realized.
She had memorized Kari’s work contacts, her favorite drinks—yes even in VR people met for drinks—and everything else she could. Finally, on a Saturday morning, Niomi informed Ari that she was ready. Monday, they would skip their morning exercises and go into VLEX.
Even though Ari was ready—she knew more about Kari than even her closest acquaintances—there was something unsettling about the mission. Feigning to be someone else, constantly lying for hours on end, worried her. It felt like there was some invisible line she was about to cross and, once crossed, it would change her forever.
That Saturday evening, Reed and Ari went on another date. They realized early on that the small island only provided so much entertainment. Of course, there was a plethora of VR stimulations to experience, but they both decided they liked to spend time in person. Besides going out to eat, there were only a handful of outdoor activities available to the employees and residents of the island.
“Did you decide where we’re going?” Ari asked when he picked her up in a car. The car door hissed shut behind her. She shook out her hair, wet from the light rain.
“I did.” His smile curled up, distracting her.
“Are you going to share?”
“You’ll see.” He focused on the road, despite not actually driving the car at all. He was recently shaved, his short dirty blond hair styled to perfection. He wore a button-up shirt and shorts, his attire giving away nothing as to their date.
She tugged at the edge of her blue sundress, hoping she was adequately dressed. “You know I hate surprises?”
He cocked an eyebrow in her direction. “Really?”
“Really.” She stared at him, raindrops lightly hitting the car window.
He leaned towards her, lightly kissing her. He pulled back a fraction of an inch, their lips almost touching. “How about that surprise?”
“Brat.” She leaned forward, meeting his lips with a fervor.
By the time the car announced they arrived at their destination, they both were a little out of breath.
“I told you, you like surprises,” he pulled back, lips slightly swollen.
“Maybe I just like your surprises.” Heat flushed her face
, the warmth feeling good.
“I’ll take it.”
They exited the car, and Ari got her first good look around. They were deep in the jungle, only a light mist from the rain hit them. Tall trees rose all around, green covering everything in sight. A few other cars and scooters littered the dirt parking lot. A small path lead into the forest. Through the foliage, she spied a brown staircase leading up and around a tree.
Her stomach flipped a bit, with nerves or maybe excitement. “Are we going up there?”
“After our adventure on the rooftop, I thought you were fine with heights.”
“I am.”
He reached for her hand. “Good.”
The brown staircase was built out of metal but shaped to look like weathered wood. As they rose higher on the automated steps, the rain sprinkled on them, making Ari’s wavy hair curl even more.
“Sorry about the rain.” Reed stood behind her. “I’d already made the reservations.”
“Don’t worry about it.” The rain was unpredictable and constant on the island, unlike the desert she was raised in. The warm and humid weather made the rain a welcome relief.
At the top, a couple workers stood ready to escort them into a small cart which must have been made from the same see-through material that was used on the Wave. The cart perched on top of a thin track. Reed placed his hand on the scanner for them to accept his reservation. Inside the cart, the clear plastic-type material surrounded them, giving them a 360-degree view of the jungle.
Anticipation bubbled inside of her as she turned to Reed. “I like this kind of surprise too.”
“Good.”
The attendant stepped back and pressed a button. “Enjoy.”
With a whoosh, they slipped into the jungle, held up only by the wire. At first, only quiet permeated the jungle, but as the cart crawled along, the wildlife came alive around them. Small monkeys jumped from tree to tree, speaking in their high-pitched voices.
“Look.” Reed pointed to a snake wrapped around a branch.
“Amazing.” She didn’t want to miss a thing.
They continued pointing out all the different animals or plants for the next thirty minutes as the cart rose and fell under the canopy of trees. When the car slowed to a stop, she didn’t think it could get any better, but it did. They climbed out onto a deck around a large tree. A network of platforms and bridges connected a mass of trees. It resembled a tree house beyond her wildest dreams.
They were directed to another tree, which held a table, two chairs, and a candlelit dinner. She laughed as they took their seats. “I didn’t even know this existed. Where is the book that tells you about all this stuff?”
“It’s on the directory.” He picked up his napkin.
“I need to look at that directory again.” She spread the napkin on her lap, looking at all the sparkling lights that surrounded them. “I’m surprised it’s not busier. This place is beyond anything I’ve seen before.”
“Well, it’s not as packed at the VRs, but VisionTech wanted a few things outside for people to do. Want to order?” He motioned to the screen in front of them.
She pulled her attention back to the menu on their table. “Yes, food.”
They ordered dinner, both hamburgers, hers with grilled pineapple, his with cheese and onions. An attendant quickly delivered their meal, and they dug in. The mixture of flavors flooded her taste buds. She never got tired of how good the food tasted.
“Do you ever think how odd it is that we’re eating a cow on an island in the middle of the jungle?”
“I’m usually too busy enjoying the food to think of where it comes from.” He took another big bite of his burger.
“True. Why waste time with questions?” She joked and took another bite.
After they’d emptied their plates, Reed leaned back in his chair. The falling sun peeked through the clouds, pulling out the golden strands in his hair. “So how is work going?”
Ari was pulled out of her animal watching. “Yeah, work.” She set down the fry she was holding and reached for a drink, unsure of how to answer. “Well, Niomi seems happy with my progress as she’s not complaining as much as usual.”
“That’s a good sign.”
Nervous, Ari played with a napkin. “I guess… things are just changing.”
He leaned forward. “Good change or bad change?”
She shrugged, the knot in her shoulders tightening. “I won’t know until it happens.”
“No use to stress until it happens, right? Then if it’s not working out, you can talk to Niomi.”
Ari bit her bottom lip. Yes, she could talk to Niomi, but it didn’t mean Ari’s job would change. She’d committed to VisionTech for five years. Her contract didn’t leave a lot of wiggle room when it came to her role in the company. She didn’t want to worry Reed though. “You’re right, why worry about something that hasn’t happened yet?”
“True.” He pulled a long thin box from his pocket and pushed it towards Ari. “I made something for you.”
“Really?” She reached for the box, intrigued. Since Reed was an artist, it could be anything. She opened the box and found a necklace with a beautiful light blue stone, wrapped in silver wire. The silver hugged it, swirling artistically around it. “It’s amazing.”
“You like it?”
“I love it.” She pulled it out to put it around her neck.
“There is a surprise with it as well. Here let me.” He reached for the necklace and turned it over. “It’s made from a lace blue agate stone, and in the back I put a small drive.”
“A drive?”
He pulled the drive from the back, it was smaller than her pinky nail. “I know you’ve been missing home and your friends. So, I put all your pictures from home on it. Your brother helped with this too. This way you can keep the memories close to your heart.”
Emotions tightened her throat, making it difficult to speak. “Thank you. I can’t think of anything more perfect.”
He put the drive back in and helped her put the necklace on, the cold stone comforting on her chest. She stood, wrapping him in a hug. She was so grateful for his thoughtfulness. “How can I ever repay you?”
“You don’t have to.”
She pulled back ignoring the happy tears pooling in her eyes. “I can pay for dessert,” she offered, joking as it wasn’t anything close to what he did for her.
He smiled. “Did I ever tell you how much I love you?”
“Not lately.”
He leaned forward and brushed a kiss on her lips, soft and sweet. “Let’s see what you order for dessert before I tell you,” his eyes held a light sarcasm.
“You doubt my judgment?” She narrowed her eyes.
“Never. You did pick me after all.” His cheesy smile warmed her soul.
Chapter Eight
Sunday rushed past in a blur of emotions as she spent several hours poring over the pictures Reed gave her. Cherishing every memory also brought on a bout of homesickness. One that even living in paradise couldn’t cure.
Monday appeared before Ari could straighten out her concerns about the mission. Since Kari went into work 8am VLEX time which was 3am Ari’s time, she skipped her normal routine and headed to her VR lab first. She didn’t bother with breakfast as she didn’t think it would stay down. She tugged on her new suit as she entered the lab, her necklace laying on top.
“Glad to see you early for once.” Niomi didn’t bother turning around, remaining focused on her screen.
“Good morning to you too,” Ari replied.
“Take a seat. I’m waiting for the green light to send you in.” Niomi glanced her way. “Nice necklace. Reed’s doing?”
“Yes.” Ari lowered herself in the chair and leaned back but didn’t want Niomi to sidetrack her with mention of jewelry. “What do you mean by green light?”
“That’s Kari’s access to the VLEX and will be open for us to use. You remember everything? Her passwords?”
Ari tried to believe
that Kari gave VisionTech her passwords. “And Kari will be where?”
“Think of it as a vacation day.”
“Won’t she notice when she comes back to work the next day?” Ari didn’t like the way Niomi was being vague.
“Look, Ari.” Her trainer turned to stare down at her. “I don’t know the specifics, that’s not my department. Most likely, she’ll be transferred to a different VR that mirrors her real life. Or maybe she really will be sick. I just do my job and ask that you do the same.”
Biting her lip, Ari clicked the cable into place in the bottom of her neck. She pushed away the worry that maybe she made the wrong decision all those months ago. Her stomach churned as she thought about the real Kari.
No, I can do this. Ari was ready. Niomi had pushed her hard to make sure she was ready. While waiting for Niomi, the silence ate at her calm facade. Every dark thought of what could happen flashed through her mind. By the time Niomi turned around, Ari’s hands were clenched against the arm rests.
“Okay. Ready?” Niomi glanced down at her hands. “You’ll be fine in there.”
Ari nodded.
“Remember your training. If you must manipulate the code, move quickly afterward. Don’t blow the cover. You’re Kari, no matter what.”
Ari closed her eyes, the darkness welcoming her. It took effort for her to open them, entering a whole other world. Squinting against the bright light, she tried to get her bearings. She sat behind Kari’s desk. The dark brown walls made the room appear small. One wall held a moving picture, a lighthouse during a storm. The smell of fresh-cut flowers permeated the office. Lilacs, Kari’s favorite flower, were arranged in a vase near the desk. Large clear panels blinked in front of her. One side held a scroll of announcements while the other had a bulleted list of things for Kari to do.
“Glad to see you early this morning.” A dark-skinned man with silver hair and a heavy accent stepped through the office. He was dressed impeccably in a navy suit and red tie. “It’s a busy day. Get out the morning memos. I also have the 1070A bill that needs to get out before noon.”
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