Surface- Valley of Origins Region
Empire of Night- City of Eternal Night
Palace of Night- Control Room
"Ok, so the Fourteenth Legion will be shifted to Ingson and the Seventh Legion will be shifted to Oblivion. The Fifteenth Legion will be shifted to Salinda while the Eighth Legion will be transferred to Gahlin. Have all the reinforcements been transferred to the Unending Abyss Region? With all the Immortals arriving I do not want the Locals to be overwhelmed." Jacob stated as the Strategic Map highlighted the area.
"Yes Jacob, everything is as you ordered including all the Wraith Units have been deployed to all the fortresses and Ineford. Dungeon information has been posted, all the stores of armor, weapons, food, and blood have been transported to the Fortress of Midnight. Warning signs have also been posted along the roads in the Underdark." Nadal stated patiently and Jacob nodded at the Drows suffering look.
Jacob checked his HUD, he had only a few minutes left before he was logged out. A week without these people where he had to get settled in back into Earth. Get used to living in the Spire, go see various doctors and shrinks for the next week before getting thrown back into the mix. Not to mention they had talked about doing an interview, ah people and fame.
"Jacob all you have done for the last three days is prepare that region for all the Immortals that will be going through it. You have set aside, food, armor, weapons, coin, soldiers, you have done everything you could think of. Your guild has helped you with this, now relax." Cathrine stated and Jacob nodded as he left the room.
"I know, with so much going on and coming...I am nervous. I am also going to miss you." Jacob told her as they walked through the halls of the palace. Jacobs comment made her smile, Cathrine stopped and pulled him down for a kiss.
"For you a week will pass, for us, it will just be a few hours. Then you will be back where you belong Jacob. I know you will miss me and this place, but you will come back." Cathrine stated after pulling back from the kiss.
"I will always come back too you. Don't ever forget that." Jacob stated as the Alert that the logout sequence would start in sixty seconds.
Cathrine nodded her head and softly kissed him again.
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Real World
Unknown Location- BlackRock R&D Facility
Kevin woke up, "Relax Kevin and welcome back to Earth. Take your time and adjust to your surroundings. You have all the time you need." one of the Doctors said. Kevin nodded in acknowledgment to his statement as he looked around. He could see dozens of doctors, nurses, and technicians as they pulled the whole test group out of Long-Term Immersion.
"Are all my people out safe?" Jacob asked as he sat up.
"Everyone got out perfectly fine Kevin. Now how are you feeling? Any pain? Any sense of vertigo?" the Doctor asked as he ticked off questions on his tablet.
"No sir, no headaches, no vertigo, no sense of dissociation. I am thirsty though." Jacob replied and the doctor nodded and made a note. The nurse started making Kevin move his fingers and toes around testing his ability to control his extremities.
"Ok Kevin, we are going to be giving you a full physical today. That includes bloodwork and a brain scan, yes I know the nanites do this while in a FIVR Pod, but we want a scan with you not linked to a pod. Now, can you stand?" the doctor asked.
"Yes, I feel like I can, but the last time I did without you guys asking me first you freaked out a little. Can I?' Kevin responded and the doctor gestured for him to go ahead. Kevin climbed to his feet. 'Ok Doc, you ever been on a boat and you feel like you are still bobbing on the ocean after you get off. I got a small sense of that standing up, but it's gone now." Kevin told him. The doctor made some more notes as one of the nurses held a small light to his eyes and studied his eyes reactions.
"Ok, if you feel like it, walk to the FIVR Pod and back.' the Doctor prompted and Kevin nodded taking it slowly at first then picked up the pace. 'Any reactions? Any sense of vertigo as you moved?" the doctor asked. Kevin shook his head in negative as another nurse gave him a small cup with water in it instructing him to drink it slowly before leaving the area.
One of the other nurses slipped what looked like a comm unit on its wrist but it was bulkier and heavier. "Ok Kevin, this is a medical device that you will be wearing for the next couple days, it's completely waterproof as well. It will monitor your physical status until you see the psychiatrist. Whomever you see will take it then. Now if you follow these nurses we can get your physical testing underway." the Doctor finished and Kevin nodded as he followed one out of the large room.
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Nearly six hours later everyone was done with testing and everyone was eating real food for the first time in six months. It was long overdue. Everyone here knew each other fairly well after being in Fate Online for over a year over there, so talks of various events that had gone through were the main topic of discussion.
"Kevin!!" Marc yelled as he entered the mess hall and Kevin looked up from his food and waved the man over.
"How are you doing Marc?" Kevin asked as the man sat down.
"I am doing fine, now did the doctors tell you the schedule for your psychiatric eval?" Marc asked as he sat down.
"Yeah, we are all going through the same evals starting in two days. We will all receive emails and messages and BlackRock will pay for transportation to and from the appointments. So is it true that you guys are paying for everyone to stay at the Pearl for the next month?" Kevin asked and the developer nodded his head.
"Yeah, BlackRock is picking up the tab for room and board for the next month until they decide where they want to live. The transportation to take them there is just waiting outside, you will be coming with me and I will take you to the Spire. We have some things to go over. However, before we leave I thought it would be a good idea to discuss if you and you officers would be up for the interview in four days?" Marc asked and Kevin sat back and looked at the officers of the guild.
After some quick conversation, they all agreed to go through with the interview, but the questions would have to avoid anything sensitive that could hurt the guild or the Empire. Marc agreed and he assured them he would go through any questions and approve of them before the actual interview. "What about clothing, I don't know about these guys, but I don't have any real formal clothing for an interview." Kevin brought up the point and causing his friends to laugh.
"Don't worry about that Kevin, tomorrow or the next day, some BlackRock PR people will take you all shopping and get you some formal clothing for interviews and for anything else that might come up," Marc assured him and Kevin nodded.
"See, Cathrine taught you one thing!!" Bree stated before laughing.
"Hey!! I know I cannot wear jeans or shorts and t-shirts everywhere." Kevin responded as they all laughed.
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Real World
North American Alliance- Greater New York Conglomerate
If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
Kevin watched as they approached the city, they were in a convoy of sorts between the busses, security, and the vehicle Kevin was riding in. "So, you get paid every other Friday from BlackRock and your Stream. This is your new Comm unit, it has all your old contacts already loaded into it. It has the latest crypto software and the V.I. of your apartment will be able to link up with it. Before your friend, Jared asks or says anything, yes it has GPS in it and can monitor your movements and location." Kevin nodded as he placed the Comm Unit on his right wrist opposite of the medical unit.
"Now originally BlackRock was going to pay you five thousand monthly, but with how everything taking off they are increasing that to twenty-five thousand Credits every two weeks. The work hours of eight a day minimum has not changed. We will also be paying for your housing at the Black Spire, cleaning services are complementry of the building. Food and cloathing will mainly come out of your pocket. Formal cloathing for events and interviews will be paid by BlackRock." Marc explained as Kevin nodded as he checked his contacts. He immediately sent a message to Matt, Jared, Bree, and Jordan to make sure they had his new contact information.
"Now, you have tommorow off. You can rest and relax and unpack all your things. Your apartment has three bedrooms, all your boxed items were placed in one of the extra rooms. The apartment is also fully furnished with a V.I., cleaning Bots, and security measures such as blast-proof glass and ECM. A Short-Term FIVR Pod is also a part of the package. With it, you can be in Fate Online seventy-two hours before eight hours of forced logout.' Marc stated as he pulled up images on the screen in the car. 'Now the Spire has private apartments on the first three floors, twenty-nine through thirty-one, and finally the fiftieth floor. Your apartment is on the fiftieth floor as well. Your comm unit will get you access to the building, elevators, and your apartment. Once we get to the Spire, security weill encode your Comm Unit to allow you access. There are a gym and pool for those living in the building on the fiftieth, thirtieth, and basement floors." Marc stated as the car flew through the city.
Security vehicles were floating in front and behind their vehicle with drones hovering around all of them. The busses and their escort had peeled off a few minutes before to stop at the Pearl. The Pearl was a high price five-star hotel, but it also offered concierge services for the right price and Kevin was sure BlackRock paid out the nose to ensure the forty-nine guildmates were well taken care of. Jacob snorted at the thought of what they were going through as he pulled up his bank account and checked it, damn...
"Ahh Marc, I think I got overpaid...by a LOT!!" Kevin pointed out as he displayed the screen and Marc laughed.
"Nope, between your paychecks and the money you have made from your Streaming services. No, Kevin, you did not get overpaid. That five hundred thousand credits is all yours. Think about it, you have been in a FIVR Pod for almost six months strait, no expenses during the whole time. Your Stream has been active for just over a month which earned you a nice initial windfall that has been steadily increasing. Believe me, you earned every credit my friend. Now the last Fate Online fact I am going to say for this conversation, Patch twelve notes will be posted to the net this coming Thursday." Marc stated and Kevin nodded his head as the Spire came into view.
The Spire was called that for several reasons, first and foremost, because the building was HUGE. Emphasize on large, and do to the fallout of World War III, every inch of the planet had to be utilized for something. So building upwards in populated areas had become even more important. The Spire was three hundred stories tall, although it was not the tallest building in the world, in the Greater New York Conglomerate, it was the largest building. It was HQ for over a dozen businesses including BlackRock.
People were all over the place as they slid to a stop and Kevin started to get out but Marc stopped him immiedietly. "We have security there for a reason. Let them do their job please Kevin otherwise they will yell at both of us." Marc responded as the men and women exited the vehicles in front and behind him. Kevin had spent the manditory four years in the military before getting out, he had seen dangerous men and women, these were not quite as dangerous as them, but Kevin was sure given the right circumstances they would kill a threat to their charges.
Two of them made their way over to the car Marc and Kevin were in and opened the door. Marc immiedietly exited the vehicle and Kevin followed the developer as the two security people followed close behind. "Is this where you work Marc?" Kevin asked and the Dev shook his head.
"No, this is where the business side of BlackRock is located. I work at another facility in the city, I have access to this building because I am required to present my work to the Board and CEO from time to time.' Marc responded as they walked up to one of the entrances. Marc scanned his comm unit and the doors opened automatcly. 'Now, this is the resedential entrance. Unless you have a meeting with the Board or CEO, you won't ever have to worry about the other parts of the building. Security has a day time crew and night time crew. Seth here is in charge of the daytime crew, Jiame is in charge of the night shift. Yes, they are BlackRock employees." Marc said as a man cameout from behind his desk and walked up to them.
"Welcome back Marc and I assume this is Mr. Jones," Seth stated as he offered his hand to Kevin.
"Yes I am but please just call me Kevin unless it will get you into trouble," Kevin responded and Seth nodded his head.
"Well Kevin, please follow me so we can get your Comm Unit encoded for access to the building and your apartment," Seth responded and Kevin nodded as he followed the burly man.
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The apartment was huge, easily four times as large as his last crappy apartment. A large living room was huge and took over half the main area. A large tv, couch, and love seat were predominate in that area. There was also a pool table, dining room table, and state of the art kitchen unit nearby. There was also a small outside area that was enclosed so his neighbors could not see or hear what was going on. Three bedrooms took up the remainder of the apartment, two of them were set up for residence and the third was set up with a Short-Term FIVR Pod. The Master bedroom was dominated by a bed with two walk-in closets and a large bathroom. Overall the apartment flouted wealth and prestige, neither what Kevin had despite what was in his bank account currently. "So...how do you like it?" Marc asked as Kevin walked around.
"Isn't this a little much? I mean, I am very thankful for what BlackRock is doing, don't get me wrong, but don't you think this is a little over the top?" Kevin asked as he walked into the kitchen.
Marc was laughing, "Kevin, believe me when I say this. You are in the shallow end of the pool, you are still working to get into the deep end. I am not trying to insult you, but this is nothing for BlackRock. I know you are used to a simple life, but if that was truly what you wanted, you should have said no.' Marc stated and Kevin nodded as he yawned. The sun was still up, but he had been up for about twelve hours. 'Get some rest buddy, take it slow and easy for the next couple days. We put some memorabilia in the extra room as well about the launch of Patch twelve. I will be in contact with you soon enough." Kevin nodded as he walked him to the door and said bye.
"Hey Juno, " Kevin called to the apartments V.I. 'Can you look up the closest Chinese restaurant that delivers with the best reviews. Place an order of beef and broccoli with an order of egg rolls. Please let Seth know that I am expecting a food delivery and please notify me when it's here." Kevin ordered and a small chirp on his comm unit acknowledged the order as he sat down to catch up on all the news.