Zectas Volume V: The Sequestered Seminary of Sawtorn (30 page)

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After he stepped out of his game pod, Nash tilted his head as far back as it could reach and let out a yawn.
CREAK CREAK CREAK
The sound of his spine cracking told him that he needed to do his Eskrima exercises.
'Sure hope those guys ride fast,' thought Nash, as he pictured out the Warrior Guard caravan he logged out from.
He had met the one-hundred Warrior Guards personally assigned by the King, and he gave them strict instructions on what to do before he left.
'Well, at least that one Guard looks reliable,' recalled Nash, as he pictured the Warrior in black who stopped him from entering through the western gates of Votl City. Surprisingly, he was one of the assigned men.
Placing his right foot firmly on the floor and the other over his head, Nash started doing his stretching exercises. It took him a good thirty-minutes, but it did not bother him as he scheduled a two-hour break from the virtual reality world.
Heading downstairs, Nash walked past his Grandmother's room and saw her used dishes outside it. He tried turning the knob, but again, her door was locked.
Although he had the keys to all the rooms of this house, he did not use it. He figured that his Mima would open it, whenever she feels like doing so.
'Besides, she always makes sure to put out her plates or leave a note that says she's doing fine,' he thought and reasoned with himself.
Once inside the kitchen, he quickly made himself a T-L-C sandwich and headed for the sofa to watch some television.
When the screen turned on, he saw a short-haired brunette in her early fifties. She was being interviewed in a talk show, hosted by Timmy Talon. Nash recognized her as the CEO of the Zectas conglomerate.

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"Does it bother you that there are numerous Virtual Reality Multiplayer games popping out after your success?" asked Timmy.
"To be blunt, no," replied Lisa Zuckerman. "Sure, our number of daily online players have dropped down by 30%, but it has never gone beyond that."
"I'm sure those players are just curious to see what the other games are like," she added. "But as you know, none of these new games have maintained their OPS for more than a month."
"Sorry, but I'm not quite familiar with that term," said Timmy. "What does OPS stand for?"
"Online Player Stats," replied Lisa with a smile. "There are more than ten games similar to Zectas right now, but we're still here and we're still strong."
Timmy nodded, as he listened to her. "And what do you think is the reason for your success?"
"Well, there are a number of things, but let me cite a couple of them," answered Lisa. "Cutting-edge realism, extremely comfortable game pods, and most of all, our human-like Artificial Intelligence Interactions. "
"Yeah, how exactly do you do that?" asked Timmy. "I've been inside the game. I mean, who hasn't? But during my time there, I could have sworn that the Zectians I've talked to were real live human beings."
Lisa giggled. "Sorry, Tim, I’m afraid I can't tell you that," replied Lisa. "Trade-secrets," she added with a shrug.
"Oh, alright. Just whisper it in my ear when we get off the air," said Timmy. "But for now let's move on to the reason you are here in the first place."
"Like I said, we've broadened our scope of business," said the Zectas CEO. "We've merged with famous companies like Androidyne, Admiral Autos, and Dream Life."
The host of the talk show then encouraged his live audience to clap.
"You know what I really like about all of this?" Timmy asked the CEO.
"No," she replied and shook her head while smiling. "What?"
"It's the numerous outreach programs you have done with each of your newly acquired companies," replied Timmy. "Especially the 'Touch your Dream and Run to your Future' project."
"Yeah, I like that one too," said Lisa. "Our government has graciously funded most of the autonomous-robotic-prosthetics for our soldiers and veterans. You know, the ones who were injured during their heroic service for our country."
She paused and turned to the audience. "However, there are also ordinary day to day citizens who greatly need these artificial limbs," she smiled before she went on. "And that's where that project comes in. Zectas, together with Adroidyne, shoulder the full expense for these everyday people."
"Can we show the pictures, please?" Timmy asked his director.
At once, the lights dimmed down and a large screen was lowered. It displayed pictures of happy children with robotic hands and feet. They gave out wide sincere smiles while they were walking, writing, and even running.
Shortly after, the screen moved up and the lights became brighter.
CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP
"Now, that's what I'm talking about!" said Timmy, while strongly clapping his hands. "That's how you're supposed to use millions of dollars."
"Don't go spending it on a large mansion or some fancy car just for yourself," he added. "Buy these kids a pair of arms and legs instead."
Timmy's live audience clapped even louder.
"But what I really want to talk about is our latest project with the newest member of our family, Dream Life," began Lisa. "Basically, it's just an upgrade to their existing cryosleep technology."
"Cryosleep? What's that?" asked Timmy. "Is that something like crying yourself to sleep?"
Lisa chuckled. "No, no. It's putting a terminally ill patient into suspended animation. You know, in hopes of waiting for a future technology to cure their illness. Especially the ones that are still beyond our current medical discoveries."
"And what's the upgrade? Do they get to exercise while they're frozen popsicles, now?" asked Timmy.
"Well, in a way they could," replied Lisa. "You see, we've added our two technologies together. The Zectas Virtual Reality system, was inserted into the patients who are in cryosleep."
She then turned to the studio audience. "This way, when they swim, they get the sense of being in the ocean. Thus, stimulating their muscles to flex, mimicing the activity. Biking, hiking, you name their dream state exercise and that's what they'll get."
"Wow! That sounds really interesting. And is that also free? Does your company sponsor that as well?" asked Timmy.
"Unfortunately, not anymore. We've already filled up all the free spots," explained Lisa. "But my good news is that this technology is now open to the public."
"And how do they do that?" asked the talk show host.
"Just visit any of our sites or call 1-800-dreamlife," answered Lisa.
"There you have it, Folks," said Timmy. "Please don't hesitate to call them if you want one of your irritable loved ones to be suspended in animation, while still being entertained."
Lisa giggled at Timmy, and nodded her head in agreement.
"I'm really sorry, Lisa, but we've run out of time," apologized Timmy. "I really wish we had more, but please do come back. You're welcome anytime."
"I'll take your word on that, Timmy," she replied. "Expect me to see here again next week."
"Certainly! I look forward to it," replied Timmy with a wide smile. "But before the Zectas CEO leaves, she thought that she should give you all something to take home with."
A large Zectas game pod was then brought out from behind the stage curtain. "Everyone here goes home with a brand new Zectas gamepod!" screamed Timmy, but the audience drowned his voice as they erupted in cheer.
"Well, I think they liked it, Lisa," said Timmy.
"I'm really glad they did," she replied. "Otherwise, I'd have a hard time carrying all of these home."
The two of them laughed and hugged.
"Lisa Zuckerman, Everybody!" he said to the audience.
 

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Engrossed with what he was watching, Nash failed to notice the time. He barely had thirty-minutes left on his scheduled break. He hurriedly ran upstairs to get in a quick power nap before logging back into Zectas.
 

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Opening his eyes to see the orange skies of early dawn, Smoke sat up on the back of the carriage. As he had just logged back in, he stretched out all of his drowsiness. He scratched his cheek before placing the Paradox Mask over his face. He took a quick look around to see how the Warrior Guards have set up their camp.
'It looks secure enough,' he thought, pleased.
Checking his map, Smoke estimated that they were only one-hundred kilometers away from the temple.
"Good morning, Bon. Anything happened while I was out?" Smoke asked the man in black armor. The same Warrior Guard who stopped him from entering Votl City before.
"There were no attacks, Commander Faux," replied the Warrior Guard. He gave no trouble to Smoke and accepted his full authority over him and the rest of the Warrior Guards.
Smoke remembered how they questioned his entry into the city. Yet, now, all of them followed his orders without question. Thus, Smoke held no grudges against them.
"But there are two new arrivals who caught up with us," added Bon, and pointed to a LightElf and Lioumerean riding on top of dirus wolves.
'What are Xantana and Chouchou doing here?' wondered Smoke.
"Signal the men to prepare for breakfast," said Smoke.
"As you command, Commander Faux," replied Bon with a bow. "What should I tell them to cook?"
"Don't worry about it. I'll be the one cooking," said Smoke.
Cooking was a sure method of raising Intimacy with Zectians, and Smoke needed to increase his Intimacy Levels with these Guards posthaste.
However, Smoke did not begin preparing their meal just yet. Instead, he walked over to Xantana and Chouchou.
"Good morning, you two," greeted Smoke. "What are you doing here? And how did you find us?"
"We've been following you ever since you left Votl City," replied Chouchou.
"I just wanted to know if you were serious about what you said," interjected Xantana. "Are you really going to help us out?"
"I am, but I'm currently on an important mission," said Smoke.
"Yeah, we know," said Chouchou. "With these much Warrior Guards, it could only come from one of the higher ups. Was it Duke Fiable?"
"No, it wasn't him," replied Smoke. "Anyway, I was about to make breakfast. The two of you are welcome to stay, but after that I'm going to have to ask you to leave."
"Alright, we'll stay for breakfast," said Xantana.
Smoke turned around and went to his makeshift kitchen. He created a large clay-pan with his Earth Manipulation and lit the flames below with his Fire Manipulation.
"You were very sneaky hiding that Fire ability of yours," said Xantana, as both her and Chouchou watched him cook.
"But that old man was way sneakier than any of us," added Chouchou, refering to Ouragan. "Who could have known he could control Water?"
"Yeah, he really got me good," said Smoke, while putting on thick slices of bacon on his clay-pan. He cooked twenty-kilos of it in order to feed his men. He did not skimp on the ingredients as King Kajou had prepared a hefty cart of food supplies for him. All of which were from high end market places of the capital.
Moving with blitzing speed, Smoke removed the crispy bacon from his pan and placed them on several plates. With the clay-pan now greased with bacon-oil, he cracked dozens of eggs to go with their bacon.
'Guess this is one of the perks serving under the King,' thought Smoke, as he was used to eating only what he hunted. He licked his lips at the tasty breakfast before him.
"Alright, Everyone, grab a plate!" yelled Smoke to his Warrior Guards. "You too," he said to Xantana and Chouchou.
"Mmm, this is really tasty," said Chouchou. "I didn't know Duke Fiable was this rich."
Smoke did not respond to the Lioumerean's clear fishing attempt to find out his benefactor, and resumed enjoying his bacon and eggs.
"Faux, why do you do this?" asked Xantana. "Why feed your men the food that was just meant for you?"
"Food tastes better when shared," said Smoke in between mouthful of bacon.
Both the LightElf and tiger Lioumerean remained silent for the rest of their meal, and enjoyed the simple pleasure of savoring the tasty dish.
When they were done, the two of them prepared to leave.
"How about this? We help you out in this mission, and in return you help us out with Prime Wizard Trottel?" Xantana asked Smoke.
"Thanks for the offer, but I don't think I'll be needing your help on this one," said Smoke. "Maybe, some other time?"
Thinking about the menial task of guarding the temple, he planned to set up these Warrior Guards there, increase the defenses around it, and then return to the city.
"Really? Are you sure? Aren't you about to go rescue a village or something?" asked Chouchou. "What with all these Warriors here?"
"You would think that, but no," replied Smoke. He paused and thought about their problem. He truly wanted to help them out, and he thought he might have found a solution. "Tell you what," began Smoke. "After I'm done here. I'll ask the man I'm working for, to look into your situation."
"Hmm. A Duke of a city should have some sway," said Xantana. "But I'm not sure if he could influence the Prime Wizard of a different city."
"Don't worry about that," replied Smoke. "He definitely has authority over Trottel."
Both Xantana and Chouchou looked at him with a bewildered expression.
"Alright, I'll trust you to do that," said Xantana. She then turned to her Lioumerean lover. "Honey, can you please bring out our other offering for Faux."
Chouchou nodded and got out a simple wooden box.
Smoke wondered what offering the two of them brought. His eyes widened when he saw the treasure hidden inside the humble container.
The tiger Lioumerean then took out three books bounded by thick leather. Smoke slanted his head to the side and read 'Flame Arrows,' 'Flame Shield,' and 'Comet.'
"As you now have control over Fire, I thought that something like this would be useful to you," said Xantana.
By manipulating his fireballs, Smoke had made his own variation of the Flame Arrows. Yet, he was curious if there was any difference to this ability tome.
"You're giving all of this to me?" confirmed Smoke.
"Yes, think of it as an early thank you gift," replied Xantana. "I trust that you will do good by what you said."
"Wait, I can't guarantee how effective talking to my current boss would be," said Smoke, and stepped backwards from his beloved ability tomes.
"We know that, Faux, but we're hopeful that it will be," added Chouchou and gave all three books to him.
"Well, if you guys are sure about this," said Smoke and thanked them.
With that, Xantana and Chouchou left Smoke's encampment. They had left as quickly as they arrived.
After seeing them disappear over the horizon, Smoke quickly got out one of the ability tomes.
A notification window popped up as soon as he touched the tome entitled 'Flame Arrows.'