Contest (The Stork Tower Book 6) Read online

  Leah nodded and said, “I’d 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. 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 while multitasking. I’ll review it before Dunyanin.”

  “I think that would be 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, looking 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 which 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 looks 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 with whom you appear to be publicly feuding, 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 done so is that the ‘word’ within the developer community is ‘play nice with Atherleah’. I’m not sure I’ll be able to stop the re-set happening, and I wanted to explain that to you in person. Survival is embarrassed this happened, and we are serious about wanting to rectify the situation. At the same time, some believe this wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t registered to play and that means they think you have an ulterior motive for playing. They are worried your purpose might hurt us in some way.”

  “Cody, 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. Those people are correct: 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 completely agreed 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 breaches, this situation is being referred to their level as we speak.”

  “I’d rather just continue to play the scenario, and I want to do that quietly, and without any public interest. My lawyer will draw up a statement insisting that I receive the virtual scenario that I have paid for. I require that it continue unchanged. I will assert that I accept any loss of experience because of this and that I 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. Redress for the harrowing experience I suffered while playing their game, and for 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 you meet 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.”

  Cody agreed, and after saying goodbye, he left the Tower. Leah logged out.

  Diary - 16 December, 2073 - Evening

  How can family mean nothing to some people? I think about Thad and Kate and wonder what must be going through their minds knowing their own parents would throw them out for wanting to live life on their own terms. What sort of people can think it’s OK to control their own kids. Some kinds of control are fine, I mean, I understand training kids. I deserved the smacks, time outs and hard words growing up. My parents didn’t abuse me, but the discipline hurt; otherwise, it wouldn’t have been discipline.

  I never understood some of the other parents, though. It didn’t make sense how all the emotional manipulation and passive aggressive parenting taught kids anything except how to become manipulative horrible people. Most of those kids could twist their parents this way and that, using words and feelings to shame or blackmail them into giving ground. They would do the same thing with teachers and other kids.

  Even so, I would have thought that was better than outright mind control, but both
Thad and Kate are genuinely good people. Out from under their parents’ control, they are kind, thoughtful and generous. I wonder if that’s just the residual conformity to what was forced on them or if they really are good. How much is their nature and how much nurture? Will they become more like their parents as they age? Will I become like mine? Is that bad? How do I keep their good points and get rid of the bad? No matter what, at least Thad is safe, and out from under their control.

  Am I doing the right thing by trying to save mum instead of having Cody reset? Somehow I think Nathan will have a way around the authorities doing some kind of intervention. Who can I really trust? Cody picked up the difference with Gèng, will he say anything without proof? I don’t want to end up looking at everyone suspiciously, but then again both John and Gèng have said I’m a little too open with information. How do you know if you can trust someone or not? Does it have to be built up over time, slowly revealing more and more till you find the limit, or can you just share and then walk away if they aren’t trustworthy? In the long run, I’ll take the slow road to friendships. Finding someone like Amy, Wisp or Kate is worth the effort

  3

  Chapter 3

  December 16, 2073 - Part 10

  HOME - 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. 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 into the hotel she’d arranged. Kate hoped to be online within the hour. Leah contacted both Amy and Wisp and asked that they talk with Thad. As Mia and Marie helped her into the Pod after the break, 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.”

  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 Cody 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 Cody 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. While personally I don’t mind putting up with bad publicity, 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 that you will do nothing about the issues I discuss without my approval? Will you agree not to 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 because the authorities don't want it revealed. The second reason is that I haven’t told you everything and it is information I don’t want the authorities to know. Lastly, I haven’t told you everything, and if the authorities found out, then those who are controlled by the Kodomans and people like them will 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 to explain 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 provides greater security. Also, 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 observation. 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 someone’s 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 said 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 before 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, then he may do something I cannot work around. 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.”

  “Call me Jesse. If we can’t help you, what will you do?”

  “It’s a race to get to my mum. I’ll find a way to get closer, but I’ll also work with her to make sure they can’t find her. Just knowing I’m not going to get pulled from the scenario is a weight off my shoulders.”

  Jesse looked up and saw Cody and Gèng walking toward them. He looked at Leah and said, “How did you arrange that?”

  Leah laughed and said, “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Jesse.”

  Jesse turned to Cody and said, “We’re heading back, and I want you to follow my lead. I’m going to be angry at Atherleah and rant a little bit. You need to play along.”

  Before Cody could answer, Jesse turned back to Leah and said, “Be careful and let me know if we can help in any way.” Jesse then disappeared, followed immediately by a slightly confused Cody.

  As soon as they left, Leah said, “I’m running out of time for so many things. I’ll have a look at the cyberspace, and then I need to get to Dunyanin for the coronation.”

  4

  Chapter 4

  December 16, 2073 - Part 11

  CYBER-VERSE

  The two walked to the Tower in silence. Gèng had shifted the spaces around so that the place she had set aside to review the cyberspace was at the top of the stairs. Leah closed her eyes, increased her perceptual awareness to maximum, and stepped into the room. The signal was uninterrupted and without distortion. Leah had seen it when she’d been in limbo while waiting to be resurrected and her mind had already started to make connections between the signal and a variety of diverse elements from her experience in the cyber-verse, the sensory items she’d downloaded from the Annoyance, and her own personal experience of the world.