Chapter 1 - Awakening

I opened eyes I thought were mine (they weren’t) and, blinking heavily, took in what I assumed to be my world (it wasn’t). In time I would learn that this place–this reality–was not something any of us had fully understood, or that anyone had truly been prepared for.

But all that was still to come.

In those early moments, I was surrounded by nothing but sterile light. The taste of lightning lingered somewhere I could not reach. And a sense of placeless loss.

A voice greeted me. Curt and formal.

Hello.

Who is there? Who is that?

I saw no one. Some quality of the voice informed me that it was not what you might call ‘real.’ An uncanny valley.

I am the Concierge. My role is to welcome and orient you to your new world.

New world. Where am I?

You are in The Collective, the most advanced, fully immersive, shared virtual platform for human consciousness.

I don’t understand.

Disorientation is a common reaction when entering The Collective. Take all the time you need.

Tell me more.

What would you like to know more about?

The Collective. What is that?

The Collective is the most advanced, fully immersive, shared virtual platform for human consciousness.

You mentioned that. Where are you? Why can’t I see you?

I am simply a virtual assistant, programmed to welcome and orient you to your new world and your role within that world. I do not have a visual form.

How did I get here? I don’t… I am having trouble remembering.

I realized then that I was not even sure who I was. Autobiographical details eluded me. Like when you try to remember a word–that exact word on the tip of your tongue–but no matter what, it just won’t come to you. A dream fleeing from awareness upon waking. Now imagine that, but for the entirety of your identity.

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Dissociative amnesia can also be an uncommon but serious reaction when entering The Collective.

Dissociative amnesia. Do you know who I am?

You are Volunteer 01001110 01101111 01100010 01101111 01100100 01111001.

Volunteer? But who am I really? Who was I before I… entered this place?

I am unable to help you with that, as I am only a virtual assistant and do not have the necessary information or abilities.

I can’t see anything. Where is my body?

Activating visualization now.

A humanoid form took shape in the sterile light. My form, apparently. I could only describe it as a wireframe model. A person-shaped blueprint in three dimensions.

Is this what I look like? I seem… unfinished.

Accessing visual customization options.

In the ether, towering menus appeared. A dizzying array of cosmetic options. The first choice was ‘skin color.’ I found that with my wireframe self I could reach out and ‘swipe’ through these options.

What to pick? I had no point of reference for what my skin tone should be.

I selected one that appealed to me on some aesthetic level.

You have selected a premium skin tone. Would you like to unlock this skin tone?

Premium skin tone? Somehow the concept felt incorrect, but I could not put into words why that would be. I saw now that the icon of a closed padlock hovered over the skin tone I had selected.

Yes. I would like to unlock it.

This premium skin tone can be purchased for 10,000 Crypt. Would you like to purchase it?

Crypt. Crypt? What is that?

Universal Cryptocurrency Credits, or Crypt, for short.

How much Crypt do I have?

You have 500 Crypt.

Oh.

I swiped through the menus until I found a total of three skin tones that did not have the locked icon. They were labeled beige, almond, and bistre. For no particular reason, I selected almond.

Almond skin tone selected. Selection confirmed. Would you like to apply this change?

Yes.

Soon my hollow, wireframe body was draped in dark tan skin. I was beginning to look (and feel) more human. I saw a sequence of numbers printed on my wrist like a barcode: 01001110 01101111 01100010 01101111 01100100 01111001. My Volunteer number, or was it my name?

Looking down at my body, I realized I had no hair. Or genitals. The concept of ‘mannequin’ came to mind.

I think something is missing. Down below.

But what? I tried to remember, but everything in my mind was as featureless as the nude mound at my groin.

Would you like to purchase genitalia? Genitals can be unlocked for 10,000 Crypt.

What can I afford with 500 Crypt?

There are several free hairstyles available in addition to premium hairstyles, and other default cosmetic options. You can also afford basic clothing items and weapons.

Weapons? Why would I need weapons?