Mars 9 50,031 BPS
Sigh... another one left barren by their actions, when will the cycle end?
- J
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March 3, 2035
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Beep... Beep... Beep...
Mmmm nothing like the feeling of floating on air, this is a really good bed...
Wait my bed is one of those crappy firm mattresses, why do I feel comfy...
Ah there's the usual crappy mattress... Why do I only feel it on my shoulders?
"Nurse can you raise his bed up."
...
... ...
I don't like the sound of that...
"Chris, I know you're awake; can you try opening your eyes for me?"
*Blink Blink*
After getting accustomed to the stupid bright light, which obviously isn't my bedroom's light, I finally take a look around the room.
First verify surroundings; beeping sound is not my annoying alarm clock, bed is not my usual evil firm-queen sized bed.
Second verify voices; let's see four people, I recognize two of them, but not the two I heard talking.
"Welcome back to the world of the conscious, let's get the check up over with, then we can talk."
Several people came in to read my machine entourage, then do some annoying medical poking and prodding...
"Can we have the room, while I talk with your son..."
"No." "Okay."
"I assure you Mr. Raphael, I'm just going to go over the same stuff we already talked about."
*Blink Blink*
"Okay then... So Chris, what is the last thing you remember?"
"The last thing? I remember heading to the soccer field, I was going through the parking lot and then falling. Next thing I know I'm dreaming of a better mattress."
"Well short term memory loss is understandable; unfortunately, your fall was caused by a car accident. It seems that the driver attempted to run you down, and when that failed he got out and started beating on you."
"Why would someone want to run me down; we haven't even been in this country for more than a few months."
"We can talk about that later Chris, once the doctor has finished."
"Putting aside the why of the event, there are some things you should know about your current status. The initial damage from the vehicle was relatively minor; the usual bruises, cuts, and scrapes from a hard impact on asphalt. The problem was the beating you took, was severe enough to cause both head and spinal trauma, as well as some internal bleeding.
Once the local hospital got you stabilized and in a condition to be moved, you were transferred here for your continued care. We had to put you into a medical coma, to help with the spine and head injuries. You've recovered from most of your injuries, you'll see some remaining discolouration from bruising for a few more days."
"Let me guess Doc, the spinal damage crippled me; it's not that I feel a comfy mattress, but that I have no feeling below my arms..."
"Partially correct, you are paralyzed; however, it shouldn't be permanent. The reason you can't move right now is because of us, we did so to make sure everything continues to heal properly. That's the good news, the bad news is that the damage to your spine will likely mean that after we stop the drugs, you will have to work to regain use of your legs."
"So how long until I'm off the drugs?"
"A couple more days of observation, we've already started reducing the amount your I.V gives you."
"Doctor is there anything else, or can we talk to our son?"
"No that is all for now Mr. Raphael, I'll see you at the end of shift Chris."
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As I watch the doctor leave, I hoped that the damage isn't as bad as he said it was; otherwise how am I supposed to play soccer, not to mention grow my Avatar...
I look over to my parents to see them doing that silent communicating, telepathy, rock-paper-scissors thing they do some times; especially when it comes to who gets to tell me we are moving again.
"Chris, there are some things we need to go over."
Looks like Mom lost this time...
"Okay, because I have a few questions I want to ask as well."
"Why don't you start Chris."
Hmmm... She's giving me control of the conversation, no good news ever comes when that happens.
"Let's start with the simple things; Why was I transferred to a different hospital, I thought the nearest hospital was the best in the country? How long was I in the coma? Why is dad being so silent? Oh yeah and why did the doctor say I was targeted?"
"Sigh... All of those things are pretty much related. You were in a coma for the last 6 months, you were transferred to this hospital after the first month; when the doctors agreed you were stable enough for transport.
You were moved to this hospital because we are back home, we aren't overseas anymore; there are a few reasons for this, we can talk about them later.
The doctor said you were targeted because that is what the investigation concluded; as to why, that is because we were foreigners as well as military. As to your dad being silent... he's being all mopey and 'momma bearish' because he picked that posting for us."
"Let me get this straight, I've been in a coma for 6 months and may be paralysed, because someone didn't like foreigners? That makes no sense, we weren't even in the country for very long."
"Unfortunately the amount of 'patriotism' and 'anti-foreigner' sentimentality has been increasing a lot lately, people aren't happy about 'outsiders' taking 'their' resources. That doesn't stop them from buying things they want, but they don't want to be reminded about it."
"Idiots... Anyway, what does that mean for you guys and the military? I thought that your terms were going to be up after the posting and you were going to renew?"
"Considering recent global events, as well as your condition, we decided to retire from the service. They posted us to the local base for the first 4 months after we got back."
"Wow"
"Anyway we're glad your awake and things seem to be getting better, we'll let you relax and maybe get some more sleep."
Jeez, I've read stories about people waking up to a changed world after being in a coma. I can't believe how much my world just changed in what seems the span of a couple hours.
Parents no longer in the military...
No more being forced to move around every few years... and starting a new social circle.
World going crazy, wait no, the world was like that before the coma.
Now I just need to deal with potentially living in a world without the ability to move my legs, or at worst feeling anything below me arms...
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
Wait how am I supposed to grow my Avatar if I can't be active? I guess his arms may get super strong, would need to try and change classes then though...
"Hi Chris, I'm Elyse, your nurse. You've been kind of zoned out since your parents left 3 hours ago. Dr. Markson stopped by to talk to you, he asked me to give you some medication to help you sleep."
"Oh, Huh..."
Mmmm... Comfy bed...
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*Yawn*
Sigh, this hospital must really like keeping their patients asleep, I guess it would cut down on people walking around.
Well I guess yesterday really happened, I guess the good news is that I won't be moving around anymore.
I'm 18 so I should probably have been looking into university by now, I've certainly got the grades. Score one for online education.
Nah I've got time, doesn't everyone take a couple years off nowadays, to 'discover' themselves.
I was originally just planning to go to the Military College anyway, then again, my parents actually left the military so now might not be the best time for that option.
*Knock Knock*
"Come in, I'm awake."
"Good morning Chris, how did you sleep, and how are you feeling?"
"Sleep was okay, usual mattress hate; as to feeling, I'd say I've felt better but that would require less paralysis."
"Well I can't do much about the mattress, hospital standards I'm sorry, I can however say the food passed the monthly health inspections this year. As to the paralysis, the drugs will be out of your system within the next 36-48 hours. After that we hope you should have almost no paralysis left; unfortunately, your motor control will likely be an issue."
Sigh...
Great, that means my likely hood of playing soccer this summer is gone.
Guess I'll look into classes that rely on standing around swinging my arms... maybe Paladin?
"I guess, if that is the best I can get then so be it."
"Just don't try and move around and cause problems, and you should be fine. Also, there is a gentleman here that wishes to talk to you, do you have a few minutes?"
"Who is he?"
"He says he represents 'The Game', and just want a few minutes of your time. He apparently got permission from your parents to talk to you."
Sigh...
"That doesn't sound troublesome or anything... Sure, send him in."
I wonder why "The Game" wants to talk to me, as far as I know they aren't connected to my injuries.
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*Knock Knock*
"You can come in."
Seriously, why does everyone have to knock every time. It's not like I can get up and open the door for them.
Well, safe to say this guy is definitely a 'representative of the company'; black suit, black suitcase, and a nondescript haircut. I don't think you could get any closer to 'miscellaneous minion #2', without using clones.
"For the record, you are Chris Raphael, correct?"
"Yes..."
"Good, the reason I'm here is to offer you access to our latest control system for 'The Game'. If you accept, then you will need to sign several documents; which basically say you won't disclose anything about the device to the public, we have access to your device for testing and information gathering purposes, we aren't at fault for any damage caused by the device, etc..."
*Blink Blink*
"Just a few questions before I sign my soul over to a bunch of legal deforestation. Why am I being given this offer and what exactly is this new device"
"Don't be silly, all the documents are digital and are frequently reviewed and updated with generally no impact on the people that previously agreed to them. As to why your being given this offer, there are a couple reasons.
First, your medical condition places you into the candidate group, primarily the fact that you were not born with your physical disability; Second, your family has a military history; and most importantly your name was randomly selected."
That means the gods of RNG were actually on my side? Past experiences with treasure chests says that is doubtful... After all, how many different chests only give you a Broken Iron Sword, especially after beating that Frost Giant...
"So I'm not the only one getting this offer? And what do you mean the documents are frequently changed?"
"Correct, can you agree now, so we can get on with things? I have an Avatar match scheduled in an hour."
"Whatever, you still haven't told me what this device is, I'm not signing until I know what your plotting."
"Oh... I forgot you haven't had access to the Internet for the past couple months. It's a new piece of headgear for your Avatar, which allows for neural interaction and control of your Avatar. No more clunky annoying wrist gear or dinky glasses."
Neural interaction and control? Doesn't that mean I can control him with my mind, no more stupid button mashing?
Yes! Finally, I can't believe how long it's taken them, we've been hearing "Coming soon" for years. Everyone basically assumed it was never going to come and they were going to go the route of stupid pods or something.
"That sounds fun, and I can guess how my 'condition' makes for a good device tester. I can't wait to start using my Avatar again, I was busy farming for the tier 4 armour set before my accident."
*Blink Blink*
"Yeah... about that... I've got some good news and bad news, which do you want to ignore the most?"
*Blank look*
"Spill"
"Okay, bad news is that you'll need to start from scratch with the neural device, Avatar migration is still in development; the new device isn't currently compatible with the wrist devices."
"Which currently store all Avatar information... Great, so what's the good news?"
"Also your current Avatar will be wiped, due to the fact your Universal Identity Number can only be connected to one at a time. The good news is your new Avatar will get a reward based on your current one, after you finish the tutorial."
"WHAT! That is so not acceptable, why couldn't they wait for the migration to work?"
"No clue, I asked the developers and got a headache once they started talking."
Ugh... next generation device I've been waiting years for, in exchange for my current Avatar; is it worth it? Sigh, whatever, as if I'd pass on the chance.
Plus, not everyone gets a chance to start fresh, in fact no one does, that's the down side to playing so young and not having a restart option; lots of silly mistakes picking what is 'cool' and 'popular' for your avatar.
"Fine I'll sign"
*Takes the data pad and blindly plays whac-a-mole with the agree button for a few minutes, then signs on last screen*
"Did you guys have to make the agree button jump around the screen?"
"The legal department made us add that, something about adding an extra layer to prove people didn't blindly agree to the terms. Expect delivery in two days in the morning. Bye"
Huh, I guess he didn't want to hang around.
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Well, that is the first chapter of the story, hopefully it flows well. I'll probably have to tweak things much further down the line, once there's more chapters.
Feel free to PM me comments about flow, grammar, etc... I've long since been told I abuse commas; I'd stop, but they deserve it.