Digital Heretic (28 page)

Chapter 58

 
I think everyone should read the chapter about success in George Knight’s (Trew’s) book ‘The Game Is Life.’ In it, he states that success leaves clues; the best way to achieve something is to find others who have done the same thing and follow their example. Spending time with Melissa was an incredible opportunity, and a perfect illustration of Trew’s point, although I didn’t realize it at the time.

 
As far as the specifics of flying, for me it all seems to boil down to the mind. Meditation and mindset are absolutely crucial; you need to believe with everything you are that you can do it. It’s difficult to put into words. When you think about flying you can’t say to yourself, ‘Yes, I can do it.’ Instead you have to think, ‘Yes, I
do
fly. I flew earlier and I’ll fly later as well.’ I’m not sure if that makes sense or not, but it is a key point for achieving success, in this and all goals.

 
The line between the dream and reality must disappear in order for one to become the other. If you tell yourself that soon you will fly, you never will, because you will never live in ‘soon.’

 
That’s the mental part of it.

 
Yes, there is also a physical part to it. Do you know that birds have hollow bones which make them light enough to fly? If you were to fill a bird’s bones with lead or some other non-lethal material which increased their weight, I don’t think they could fly. We fill our bodies up with poisons of all sorts, effectively killing our chances to soar. I take one sip of a product that contains aspartame and I sink to the ground like a deflated balloon. Yes, I know aspartame is a deadly

poison not fed to anyone on Tygon, but on Earth it’s put in everyone’s food and drink
, so I knew I could try a sip here and not die. I won’t have any more, I promise. Yes, I know how dangerous it is.

 
My point is that there is a mind and body component to flying. I may be the first one on Tygon to fly, but I won’t be the last, and I wouldn’t have achieved it if it wasn’t for Melissa.

 
She wouldn’t have achieved it if it wasn’t for Trew. Of course, she does deserve most of the credit.

Interview with Andrew Yo
ung, Tygon’s first flying citizen

 
“
I don’t remembe
r
Andrew from the Game,” Trew said.  Brandon, Cooper, and Trew were enjoying a drink in the back of the private transport as it drove towards the boy’s home.

 
“I pulled his record,” Brandon said. “There was nothing special to speak of. He’s just beginning to play as a human, but he did very well. His avatar joined your movement and he spent some time with Melissa. Based on the amount of time he spent with her, I’m surprised that he brought enough information or motivation back with him to become our first flying citizen.

 
“That’s the thing about progress and miracles,” Cooper said. “You just never know where they’re going to come from, or when. Your Game being so damned true to this reality, that’s another miracle.”

 
“It was simple,” Brandon said. “It did require a significant amount of detail and execution, and a very complex operating system.”

 
“Are you going to let me meet it?” Cooper asked. Even in the relative darkness of the vehicle, Trew could see Cooper’s eyes gleamed with eagerness at the thought.

 
“Of course not,” Brandon snapped. “What’s wrong with you?” He looked seriously at Trew, “Under no circumstances is Cooper to meet Sylvia. Ever
.
Do you understand?”

  “Okay
,” Trew agreed. “Any specific reason why?”

 
Cooper laughed and slapped Trew on the back. “Of course there are specific reasons why, Trew. Don’t worry, I won’t ever try to sneak a visit with her, I was pulling Brandon’s strings a bit.” Cooper slapped Brandon’s knee. “Don’t worry, boy, I won’t get close to your little pet mainframe.”

 
It was amusing to see Cooper treat Brandon like a young kid, and surprising that Brandon allowed it.

 
“Can Andrew fly as skillfully as Melissa and Danni?” Trew asked.

 
“I don’t think so,” Brandon said. “We knew he could levitate, and it’s only been a short time since he exited the Game, so I don’t expect he’s been able to practice much or long. From what we can tell, his process matches that of the girl’s exactly; it makes sense that in a few weeks or months he’ll likely be zipping around the skies the same as them.”

 
“What does it mean?” Trew asked.

 
“You tell me what it means, Trew.” Brandon said.

 
Trew found their gaze unsettling. He shrugged his shoulders. “I haven’t really thought about it.”

 
“I think you should,” Brandon said. “Your followers are going to be looking to you for a response to this historic event. This changes the way the world works in most people’s eyes. They’ll be looking for some reassurance.”

 
“Then you should make an address, Brandon.” Trew said.

 
Cooper chuckled softly. Brandon shook his head.

 
“Some things appear to be changing on Tygon. Despite numerous accomplishments and successes, I don’t inspire millions the way you are able to. I brought the world together using entertainment, wealth and power. I use the Game and money to control everyone, and so far I think I’ve done a good job.” Cooper nodded in agreement beside him. “Since you exited the Game, and even before that, it’s become obvious that the people of this world want more. They want a leader they can follow out of love; a leader who

cares about them and will guide them to new levels of thinking and existing. That leader isn’t me
— it’s you.”

 
“I don’t think so,” Trew said. “The Gamers are just a bunch of kids who liked an idea in their last play and want to keep it going here for a bit.”

 
Brandon looked at him and smiled. “You’ve been isolated, focused on Danielle since you completed your play. In a few weeks, she will be done with her play and life here will go on. Reports are coming in from all over the world, for my eyes only. Everyone I trust and respect all recommend one course of action immediately.”

 
“What do they recommend?” Trew asked.

 
Brandon smiled. “They recommend that I assassinate you before you realize what and who you are to this world. They agree that you are the single largest threat to my leadership that has ever emerged.”

 
Trew was stunned by Brandon’s statement. It wasn’t conceivable to him that he would threaten Brandon, the man who was responsible for all of his success and standing. Confusion showed on his face,

the other two men laughed. “Don’t worry, Trew
,” Brandon said. “I have no intention of eliminating you. This is exactly the result I hoped you would achieve.”

 
“I would never hurt you, Brandon,” Trew said. “Your advisors are wrong.”

 
“I know, my boy,” Brandon said. “I trust you implicitly. Never doubt that fact.”

 
“I think I’m going to cry,” Cooper said. He pulled an imaginary tissue from his pocket and pretended to wipe tears from his eyes.

 
Trew laughed. “So I will build my influence and help you in any way I can. Is that the idea, Brandon?”

 
“It is,” Brandon nodded. “But the first order of business is to get Danielle safely out of the Game.”

 
“Um…” Cooper said. “I am occasionally out of the loop, but last
I
heard, she’s gonna die. For good. And your Game is gonna cease to exist, killing billions of kids who get trapped inside. You’re on a collision course with big problems, Brandon, and time’s running out.”

 
Trew and Brandon both glared at Cooper, who shrugged his shoulders. “Yeah, it sounds bad, but that’s what you’re facing. Sorry to rain on your parade, boys. But keep your eyes on the train that’s about to run you over.”

 
“We’re working on it, Cooper,” Brandon said.

 
“I know, I know,” Cooper said. “Just wanted to make sure I hadn’t missed any new developments. I want you to succeed.”

 
The car slowed to a stop and the men looked out. Coloured lights flashed through the windows, there were police cars parked in front of Andrew’s house. An ambulance was at the front door, and the paramedics were wheeling out a stretcher with someone on it. The person on it was fully draped in a white cover; it was clear they were dead.

 
The three men swore at the same time. “Maybe it’s a parent, or something,” Cooper said.

 
“Here’s hoping,” Brandon said as he opened the car door and got out.

Chapter 59

 
Tragic news today.

 
Young player Andrew Young, recently in the news for showing the ability to levitate on Tygon, was discovered dead in his room late last night. Official autopsy results report that he died as a result of ingesting restricted chemicals. It’s uncertain which chemicals they were or exactly how much he ingested. This is sad news for the Gamer community; Andrew quickly became a celebrity within the movement when he developed the ability to levitate.

 
I had the opportunity to meet Andrew and report on his talent. It was a shock to everyone to hear about his untimely demise. We extend our sympathy to his parents.

 
In Gaming news, the Danielle channel remains without signal. Viewers are hopeful that a connection will soon be reestablished.

 
We will bring you details on any and all Game-related news as it becomes available.

Lisa Johansen reporting

 
“
The news i
s
wrong,” Michelle said. “Andrew was murdered.”

 
“Any ideas on who did this?” Trew asked.

 
“There are rumblings,” Brandon said, “in many circles.”

 
“And…?” Trew asked.

 
“Factions and leaders, whom I believed safely under control, are thinking that this might be the time to once again make a challenge to my authority,” Brandon said.

 
“That doesn’t sound good,” Lilith said.

 
“It’s more annoyance than threat,” Brandon said, “a distraction that I don’t particularly have the time or patience for at the moment, which may lead me to react forcefully.”

 
“Violence?” Trew asked.

 
Brandon laughed. “I’m too civilized to resort to violence, initially at least. I control the money, the media, the police, and the Game.” Brandon straightened his tie and picked up his tablet. “No, I will find out who is making the most noise and make an example out of them. Somewhere on Tygon, a very rich and powerful business person will be entering the labour camps by the end of today, without enough money or support to even get a ride to the gates.”

 
“That sounds a bit over the top, Brandon,” Lilith said.

 
Brandon didn’t respond. “Michelle, I want someone scouring the feeds to see if there is anyone else who might be a flier inside the Game. We know how things work; once something is accomplished once, more

start to appear. There must be a couple of people levitating around the world.
Have them found, and bring me the names of the avatars and the kids who are playing them.”

 
“Earth doesn’t know fliers exist yet,” Trew said. “Isn’t that required?”

 
“Usually, yes. But let’s err on the side of caution.”

 
“What about Tygon?” Nadine asked.

 
“Yes,” Brandon said. “Definitely Tygon. We might actually see more fliers here than in the Game.”

 
“Brandon,” Lilith said. “I think you might be going too far with your strategy to ruin a business leader.”

 
Brandon turned his head to look at her. “It will be Jeremy Conrad,” he said.

 
Lilith looked at him.

 
“Don’t look so stern, Lilith. The man tried to have you killed years ago for speaking out about the camps. We all know it was him; he’s been living on borrowed time as it is. This will send a message, and pay an old debt.”

 
“This isn’t some game, Brandon,” Lilith said.

 
Trew and Brandon laughed at the same moment, then gave each other a sly glance. “That’s exactly what it is, Lilith. You think the only game takes place on these screens? With children? If there’s any lesson to be learned, to be fully understood, it’s that life is a Game.”

 
“That’s not how most people see it, Brandon,” Lilith said.

 
“That’s not my fault,” Brandon said. “I’ve done everything I can to show them the truth. If people want to sleep and pretend reality is something different than what it is, then they will.” He stood up and walked towards Danielle’s blank screen. “It’s all a dream, all a Game. It must be, since the Game is modelled after Tygon.”

 
“Do you know that for certain?” Lilith asked.

 
Brandon shrugged. “Who knows anything for certain? In the Game, Trew read a book written by a lonely old man and believed it. He shared his belief with others and in a short time they also began to believe. He shared his belief through words. I showed our world the same message, I simply used a different medium: the Game.”

Brandon tapped the monitor. His knuckles
produced a sharp echo in the silence of the room. A picture appeared suddenly on the monitor; a view from Danielle’s first person perspective, squinting her eyes as bright light exploded into view, then she began to climb out of what appeared to be a pile of rubble.

 
As Danielle pushed another handful of stones away from the hole she was climbing out of, everyone in the command centre began to move.

 
Brandon looked at one of the young men sitting at the table. Their eyes met and Brandon spoke loud enough to be heard over the sudden noise. “Jeremy Conrad,” he said.

 
The young man nodded, stood up, and walked out of the office.

***

  Melissa was tired. She’d been flying seven to ten hours a day for the past month, looking for any signs of Danielle, but finding none. Raphael had taught her to sense energy signatures; she wasn’t as good as Raphael was, but apparently she had the talent.

 
As the days passed, her optimistic hope had slowly turned to despair. After weeks of searching, flying over new areas, then reviewing areas she’d examined before, Melissa now feared that there was no way they would ever find Danni.

 
It was mid-morning and Melissa was ready to grab a bite to eat and a nice warm drink. Aerial searching had become dull, cold work. She began to head towards the nearest village, but a glint of light in the distance caught her attention.

 
Melissa quickly flew upwards, then rotated slowly in a complete circle, scanning as far as her eyes could see. A hundred kilometers distant, she spotted a flash of intense colour. Melissa decided to go check it out.

 
Lowering her goggles, she started towards the source, increasing her speed as she went. Raphael had taught her how to draw power from her surroundings; “zero point energy” he called it. She could draw free energy seemingly from nowhere, instead of depleting her own sources. This allowed her to go faster and farther. Thanks to his training, she could fly all day and not get overly tired.

 
As she got closer, Melissa saw a large hole in the ground. Lying beside the hole were two people who appeared to be unconscious. Melissa landed about twenty-five feet away and ran the remaining distance on foot. She knelt over the body she recognized, putting her head close enough to feel breath on her cheek. She checked for a pulse and found it. Everything appeared normal.

 
Melissa jumped into the air and floated upwards about twenty feet, activating her headset and placing a call to Raphael.

 
“Any luck?” Raphael asked on the other end of the line.

 
“Yes,” Melissa said. “I’ve got her! She’s unconscious, but her pulse and breathing are normal.”

 
“You’ve got her?” Raphael sounded surprised and relieved. He also sounded worried.

 
“Yes, Raph. Can you get a fix on my signal?”

 
“Hold on a sec. No, not quite. Go a bit higher.”

  “Okay
,” Melissa slowly began to rise up into the air. She was about fifty feet up when Raph stopped her. “Got you. Okay, I’ll be there in just a few minutes. Call Stephanie and tell her to lock onto you as well.”

 
Raphael disconnected the call and Melissa dialed Stephanie.