Hacking Eden

while I was still rubbing the sleep from my eyes I started to brew myself a pot of coffee. as I sat there listening to the coffee gurgle and sputter into the pot I was trying to work out how yesterday had went so wrong and what to do next.

sure it was easy to blame BabySparrow for not being diligent enough, but that wasnt really fair I mean back before i met these three i hacked plenty of stuff on my own and never needed anyone to "watch my back".

no the only excuse I could give myself is that I had grown lazy and careless since joing up with Fried, Soft, and Baby, I put too much emphasis on everyone doing their part and not enough on handling it myself.

and now because of that we were not only forced to be lab rats for an untreated game, but worse of all my VR gear that I spent most of my college life at M.I.T perfecting, has now been just given to Alcon and that d.a.m.ned Computer Eden.

when my coffee was done I poured it all into my large coffee Mug, with 2 scoops of sugar and some vanilla coffee creamer.

I went to my computer desk and turned on the computer screen, normally I use the VR gear but between my headache and what happened yesterday I thought it better if I didnt.

I pulled open my desk drawer and fumbled around for a thumb drive, I selected one that 250 gigs of s.p.a.ce and was shaped like a small rubber palm tree, I plugged it into my computer, and after making sure nothing was *cough *cough incriminating I began to download the specs for my helmet the progress bar showed that it would take about 2 hours so I got up from my chair and while nursing my coffee looked around my place.

it was a nice little loft, it was basically one giant room there was a kitchen in one corner and my bed was in the opposite corner. my computer and work s.p.a.ce took up the majority of the s.p.a.ce, so 2 Hours should be plenty of time to pack up what I need and secure what I"m not taking.

I went over to my closet and pulled out my luggage, there were 3 suitcases stacked inside of each other like one of those Russian stacking toys, I opened all 3 up on my bed and began to pack.

when my computer Beeped 2 hours later my coffee was refilled and all my things I was taking with me were put into my suitcases. i took the thumb drive out of the USB port and clipped it to my keys. and was out the door and on my way to my new Prison... I mean Home.

i hailed a cab and had the driver take me to Alcon, it was raining on the ride to Alcon, i guess the weather took a que from my mood, I I watched the world flash past in a kaleidoscope of colors that seemed to be drowned out by the grey sheets of rain.

after 30 minutes I arrived at Alcon, I paid the cab driver, and in a vague attempt at humor I told him to smell ya later. not understanding my reference to the fresh prince, he politely told me where i could go, and zipped off in search of another fare.

I took a deep breath and headed to the front Lobby where I Saw vera waiting for me as soon as I got through the door.

"h.e.l.lo Jason I hope you had a pleasant ride over here?"

"As pleasant as can be expected considering" I gestured to the rain

"Yes I am sorry about that, but if you will follow me, I can show you to where you"ll be staying. then you can change into dry clothes and drop off your luggage."

"Sure thing lead the way."

"then please follow me." she extended her slender arm and ushered me into the elevator, as the metal doors slid shut she said

"eighth floor please"

then a familiar metallic voice said

"yes man eighth floor"

I looked at Vera and as if antic.i.p.ating my question she began to explain

"you obviously heard that the Game, Garden of Eden, was created by our Quantum Computer Eden correct?"

"Yea I know that."

"Well we have the same quantum computer hooked up to basically the entire building, it controls everything from the elevator, to air conditioning it makes everything much simpler and easy, go on Eden say h.e.l.lo"

"h.e.l.lo Jason Bridges, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, I am very happy that you have come to test out my game. if you should ever need my a.s.sistance all you need to do is ask.

with a grim face I say "Gee thanks I"ll be sure to keep that in mind."

with a ding and a sliding of doors Edens metallic voice said

"you have reached the 8th floor residence wing, please watch your step and enjoy your day Jason."

I gloomily followed Vera to my roo. and opened the door and went inside. it was actually very s.p.a.cious about the same size as my loft maybe a little bigger.

"and here is where I leave you Jason, these shall be your quarters untill we have completed testing. I will send someone to get you when we begin the tests so untill then just relax here and get comfortable."

"tests? what tests are you talking about?"

"oh I forgot to mention this I apologize. we will be performing some basic fitness and cognitive ability tests at the end of each gaming session to.make sure there are no problems. so today we are going to be getting your baseline."

I suddenly had the image of Fried trying to run on a treadmill and I almost laughed.

"oh ok then I"ll just wait here then."

she shut the door and I began to unpack my things, no sooner had I finished putting away my clothes when i heard a knock at my door.

standing outside my door was a skinny man wearing dark grey dress pants, and a Blue short sleeve b.u.t.ton down dress shirt with a dark grey tie.

"h.e.l.lo sir my name is Nathanial and I was sent to escort you to the testing area."

"Hey Nathanial, sure thing lead the way."

we went to the Elevator, and nathanial took me to the testing area. where I flaunted my mediocre physical prowess and exceptional mental prowess.

I finished my tests and was escorted back to my room but on the way I ran into Fried and Baby who were being escorted to get their tests done.

Fried was wearing a yellow shirt with green sleeves and a legend of zelda logo on the front he also had on tan cargo shorts

Baby was wearing blue Jean"s that had a tear in one knee and a half tucked long sleeve Blue shirt with the sleeves pushed up.

"finally you guys show up how is everything?"

"Hey Red! yea we just got here they are saying something about tests but I just want to k ow where the cafateria is and when lunch is served!"

"h.e.l.lo master how is your day?"

"ok Baby look the whole master thing is getting a little old, you can just call me Red like fried or anything really since were IRL."

after think for moment he said "it wouldnt be right to not call you by a t.i.tle so can I just call you Boss?"

" sigh..... your just not gonna stop are you? fine call me what ever you want just not master it doesn"t feel right coming from you."

"alright mas....boss I"ll call you that from now on."

"excuse me sirs the sooner we get done with the tests the sooner you may enjoy your meal." said the woman escorting them

"oh well why didnt you say so lead on!! hey I"ll see you later Red we will come find you before we go eat so wait for us." and with that Fried pushed the protesting Baby down the hall to begin their tests.

i got to the 8th floor and went into my room I quietly waited for Fried and Baby to be done with their tests when I remembered I had to call Soft back. taking out my phone I scroll through my embarra.s.singly small contact list and select SoftCode.

after 2 rings she pics up.

"well it"s about d.a.m.n time you called me! I"ve been waiting for ages to talk to you where are you?"

"im already at Alcon, I got here about an hour ago."

"ok I"m almost there, so wait for me i need to talk to you."

"fried and baby are here too, we were gonna get some food but we can wait till you get here."

"I"d prefer to not see FriedChiken eat but I guess it cant be helped, I"ll be there in a bit." with a click she hung up and I was stuck waiting again.