Chapter 4C: False Utopia
She wanted to follow the vehicle, but there was no time. Not only that, they took off faster than she could keep track. By the time she left the building and got in a vehicle, it would have been long gone.
After a decent bath, Alex lazed around on the bed, enjoying the comforts after a long journey of sitting in the shuttle. Her pale skin had become a faint pink after the scalding hot shower. Sleep seems to near as she closed her eyes, but after a few minutes, a knock on her door woke her up before she fell deeper into sleep. Around an hour passed and it was time to meet up in front of the elevator.
“Hey, looking fresh!” Nell gave a sarcastic thumbs up.
“Thanks,” Alex replied with sarcasm after she realized who knocked on her door.
“So where is this main meeting room?” Ruri asked.
“The man named Gerald said its downstairs, we just have to follow the signs,” Kurt replied.
Thankfully, the signs were detailed enough for the group to find the main meeting room. Once they stepped in, they were amazed by the facility’s beauty. At the center of the room was a giant floating hologram of the entire Gaia mothership. It was a very detailed model. Gerald was already there standing behind the podium, staring at the model.
“Welcome kids, to the main meeting room. Let’s get started shall we?” He said with an almost sinister tone.
He waved his hand, and the hologram of the mothership split into eight different sections like a sliced fruit.
“There are eight major cities in Gaia. Currently, we are in Lumistein,” He used a laser pointer to pinpoint one of the eight sections. It was glowing a neon pink and had a very soothing aesthetic.
“The other cities…well, we will get to those later. Let’s just focus on our humble little city first.”
The other seven sections vanished as the section containing Lumistein grew in size.
“We are currently in the Abyssal district, population fifteen thousand,” Gerald pointed his laser as the western corner of the slice. “It is closest to the shuttle ports thus enjoy plenty of new people coming in from the seed ships.”
“How big is the city of Lumistein?” Kurt asked after immediately raising his hand.
“Not very big, around six square kilometers,” Gerald replied, “Walking around the whole city would take around five hours give or take.”
“It’s already bigger than the seed ship and its only one city…”
“We can’t compare the small ships to the mothership.”
“Indeed we can’t…”
The kids chatted around as Gerald explained the various facilities and infrastructures in Lumistein.
“Now that you have a basic idea of the area, let’s talk credits,” Gerald clapped his hands to get their attention, “You all have been technically living for free for all your life. Since you are all of the age, it’s time to earn your keep. You need credits.”
Gerald handed each a card. Alex looked at the silver card in her hand. On it was her code already inscribed.
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“On the card current is one hundred credits, you can use it to purchase any living needs for the next week until you start earning credits,” Gerald explained, “Also, don’t worry about losing it. The cards are DNA bound and will only work in the hands of the original owner unless given permission.”
Ruri raised his hands and awaited being called. Unlike Kurt’s bluntness, he was more cautious and respectful.
“Ruri, you have a question?” Gerald smiled.
“How will we earn credit?”
“By working. You will work with your mentor for a fixed credit rate. You can also do part-time jobs here and there on the side if you require more.”
“So the job we get will be based on the criteria we fulfilled to get to Gaia?” Nell asked.
“Yes, your job will be your specialty. After all, we must take advantage of what each individual is good at.”
“I see…” Nell was lost in thought. She developed a social media network so her job may be a little abstract. After all, she left the system behind on the seed ships. The tethers connecting Gaia to the seven ships are too long for data to efficiently transfer at high speeds, so each seed ship is a closed network. Gaia itself has its own internet. Other than gathering data, Gaia doesn’t provide many services to the seed ships.
“Now let me tell you the easiest side job you can take,” Gerald waved his finger as the hologram transformed into a pamphlet, “You can lend your body to the Mother AI.”
“W-what?” The kids all gasped.
“Your consciousness will be transferred elsewhere, and the AI will use your mind for extra computing power. You technically will become a computer for the AI. After you return, you may feel a little mental fatigue, but I assure you, it’s one hundred percent safe,” Gerald said with the best salesman tone he could muster.
“How much credit will we earn?” After hearing that it’s safe, Alex asked boldly.
“The same amount as what you will get working with your mentor.”
“T-that’s a lot of credit.”
“Indeed, Mother is a generous AI,” Gerald laughed as he looked around at the kid’s frowning faces, “What did you expect? This isn’t the socialist utopia you are looking for. Nothing comes for free.”
“We know, we know…” Nell sighed.
“At least we now have a bit more responsibility in our hands,” Kurt said as he tried to cheer everyone up.
“Credits huh?” Alex pondered about the side job and asked another question, “Where would our consciousness be transferred?”
“I thought you would never ask,” Gerald said with excitement in his voice as he opened up a second holographic pamphlet, “This, is the ARK system.”
The pamphlet opened up and revealed three separate planets.
“The first is Agraria. Each person will receive a micro-dimension locked within the virtual planet Agraria. It will be your virtual home and hearth. Receive it well and make it your own.”
The luscious green planet rotated in virtual space on the pamphlet. Several images of people farming under the sun and cultivating crops on hillsides flashed back and forth.
“The second world is Rubion. A world of fantasy and adventure. A place of danger where you will never be bored.”
A brilliant red planet replaced the green globe on the screen. It showed many armored men and women fighting strange abominations with armed weaponry and flashy magic. It looked surreal.
Kurt’s eyes glared at the combat scenes. His excitement peaked.
“The last world is Knowledge. It is a second world to all, a place where one can mingle and socialize. A place where they can just enjoy the extravagance of life with no repercussions,” Gerald said with yearning in his voice. One can tell just how much he wanted to go back.
A deep blue planet replaced the red one. It was covered in bright lights showing signs of civilization. Several pictures flashed by revealing the city life on the planet. It was similar to that of eighteenth century Europe. One word that describes it was perhaps ‘Steampunk.'
The hologram closed down as Gerald explained one last thing.
“The ARK system is to many a second life. Don’t take it as just a game; it is training. Mother created the ARK system to allow humans to gain firsthand experience in farming, combat, and rebuilding society. It is the ultimate simulation,” Gerald said with a stern tone.
“You can earn credit as well as train; I don’t see a single downside to this,” Ruri said with excitement as well.
“Indeed it would seem there are no downsides,” Nell added, “But as Mr. Gerald said, nothing is for free.”
“Quite right you are, Nell. It is a training simulation, so if you don’t show progress, you will be expelled, thus stripping you of the job opportunity,” Gerald replied.
“I see, so we can’t just remain stagnant in the virtual world…” Alex sighed, but she too was very excited.
“Old man, is this what you wanted me to see?” She wondered as she once again clutched her necklace, “A second world full of opportunity. Did you know about this?”
“Now then, I release you for the evening, go shopping with the credit. Enjoy freedom while you can before the burdens of life stacks upon your shoulders,” Gerald said as he walked away, leaving the kids on their own to daydream.