The large coach bus had a logo emblazoned upon its side, a logo that garnered instant recognition from anyone who saw it. The logo consisted of an ornate rectangular frame displaying the bridge of a spaceship, two figures staring out of the view port at the awe inspiring universe. One wore a blue navy style uniform with golden epaulets and trimmings, the other a sturdy looking metal armored suit with weapons strapped all over and a holographic star map hovering over his outstretched palm.
This was the logo for the currently most popular game and definitely the most supported. Hardcore and casual gamers alike flocked to The World Beyond. The two figures in the logo represented the two major aspects of the game, building and managing empires and fleets or adventuring across the cosmos as an explorer seeking out challenge and glory. It was often said that The World Beyond was actually two games that happened to share the same universe.
Young adults in their early to mid teens filled the bus. Some were boisterous, others eerily silent. One of them had a row all to herself, scribbling in a large notebook adding to what appeared to be a timetable. The tip of her pencil scurried across the paper leaving barely legible markings in its wake. Reaching the bottom of the page, she paused and looked over it again.
Even as she checked and double checked the numbers, Fiona Skylar wondered for the umpteenth time why she had accepted the bet. The bet that placed her on this bus.
-|-
Fiona sat at the kitchen table browsing a copy of Star Map, the official The World Beyond magazine. In less than a year she would be able to start playing The World Beyond and she couldn’t wait a moment longer. Normally she’d still be in her tank top and sweats it being the weekend and all, but her brother had one of his friends over. So regretfully she had to change into a t-shirt and jeans. She still left her long brown hair in a vaguely brushed mess however.
Her brother’s friend, some new guy named James, sat in front of the television doing a challenge level on some fighting game while he waited for Isaac to return. Fiona watched as his character got clobbered to death again and sighed in frustration as his continuous failures and subsequent tantrums ruined her concentration.
“You’re doing it wrong.”
“Here, you do it then!” James snapped at her and practically threw the controller at Fiona. She caught it as it flew towards her face and lobbed it back gently.
“I can’t.”
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He frowned at her. “Why not? Clearly you’re so good telling me I’m doing it wrong.” He huffed and started doing the challenge again.
Fiona’s mouth twisted. It annoyed her that she couldn’t do the challenge since she and her brother Isaac used to compete to see who could make it farther. She just couldn’t move her fingers fast enough and got stuck. It would be fine she could choose one of her usual characters, but using that specific character was part of the challenge’s gimmick.
“You keep trying to combo at the wrong time,” she explained. “You have to block the ultimate first so it doesn’t interrupt.”
“What?! You’re insane! Nobody can do that! Y-”
“I can.” Isaac strode into the room interrupting what was quickly becoming a rant. “What’s going on James?”
“Your sister’s being annoying.”
Fiona’s face twitched but made no retort. Isaac calmly walked over to her and she reluctantly lowered the magazine. Her brother’s face was completely apathetic, a sure sign that he was angry.
“Are you bothering my friends again?”
“I only told him how to beat the level.” Fiona shrugged helplessly. “Then he started yelling at me.”
“Then quit acting like you’re better than me! I see that stupid, arrogant smirk on your face!” The siblings shared a confused look as James glared at Fiona. “If you’re so stinkin’ good then beat me!”
“Enough, James.” Isaac tapped thoughtfully at his chin for a moment before snapping his fingers. “I got it! You should go with us to the Galactic Academy.”
“What?” Two blank stares greeted him.
“You know I’m not a hardcore gamer.” The Galactic Academy was a series of schools with The World Beyond as part of their curriculum. People vied to attend them since most of the professional gaming organizations hired directly from the schools. They developed an elite atmosphere restricting entry to the wealthy or the accomplished and cutthroat competition.
As Fiona was only planning on playing casually, she never seriously entertained the possibility of attending unlike Isaac who was good enough to compete internationally in several different games.
James grinned snarkily. “What, you can talk the talk but can’t walk the walk? Such a complete wuss!” He cackled madly. “I win by default. Ha! I bet if we did end up competing you’d run home crying after less than a week.”
Isaac appeared incredibly uncomfortable not expecting his friend’s extreme rudeness. He opened his mouth, probably to suggest that James come outside for a private conversation when a sharp thwack resounded.
Fiona casually unfurled the magazine and went back to reading, but not before leaving four words hanging between them.
“I’ll take that bet.”