Chapter 11 - Archives
I carried no map on my person, but drawing from my recollection of viewing miniature map sections of The Commons at the Information Kiosk and elsewhere, I knew there was no standard designation of north, south, east, or west in this place. Rather, it was more of an XYZ axis situation, taking into account the verticality of the construction.
The Archives were further down the left side of the X axis of the grid and at ground level. After passing several shadowy blocks, I was surprised and not a little disconcerted to see what looked like a small concrete pyramid with the letters ARCHIV above sliding double doors in a neglected section of the city.
This must be the place. Not what I was expecting.
The glowing, omnipresent red light awaited me beside the doors like some all-seeing evil eye. I scanned my code and the doors slid open, revealing a glass box elevator. I stepped in and the doors closed automatically behind me.
Nothing happened. I looked around for another scanning point, or some switch or button. But I saw nothing. Then, without warning, the elevator began rapidly descending of its own accord. Passing down through a lightless shaft, I had no idea how deep I was going. How deep did this metaverse even go? It wasn’t like there was a crust, mantle, and planet core to worry about. Or was there? Everything had its limits.
Eventually, blue pin pricks of light bled through the glass walls. I placed my palms on the glass and peered out into expansive darkness. It was as if I was plummeting into an enormous subterranean cavern with an underground lake, and the lights were the crests of tiny waves and ripples catching a beam of moonlight. But as I continued to fall, I realized it wasn’t a cavern or lake at all.
The blue lights emanated from countless nodules on tall obelisk-like servers. This was a server farm, row upon row radiating out beyond my vision in every direction from a central point. The elevator braked harshly. The double doors opened and I stumbled forward.
I found myself in a circular concrete ring blocking my access to the endless forest of servers surrounding me. A strong ozone smell permeated the environment. Three large curved screens hung in the air, and a sort of mechanical headset hung suspended from cables and wires.
It almost felt like this was an older part of the metaverse. Something left behind or carried over from an earlier version of the digital world.
Using inductive reasoning, I stepped forward and tentatively attached the hanging set in place over my bald head.
Welcome to the Archives.
Initiate query.
So many questions. Where to start?
Tell me about… The Collective.
Incorrect query parameter.
Initiate query.
What?
This system was not as intuitive and user-friendly as The Concierge or even the Information Kiosk. Again, I suspected that this was an older, more primordial system function. I tried again.
The Collective.
Incorrect query parameter.
Initiate query.
I want to learn about The Collective.
Incorrect query parameter.
Initiate query.
Uhh.
Query, The Collective?
Query initiated -> The Collective
The Collective is the most advanced, fully immersive, shared virtual platform for human consciousness. The Collective represents the future of connection. It provides new ways to interact and share experiences. The Collective is owned and operated by Reality Incorporated.
The three screens lit up with hazy footage and images of what looked like advertisements cheerily extolling the virtues of this immersive product, proudly stamped with the corporate logo.
Query, Reality Incorporated.
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Query initiated -> Reality Incorporated
Reality Incorporated is a multinational technology conglomerate headquartered in [FILE MISSING]. Reality Inc. owns and operates The Collective, among other products and services. It is one of the world’s most valuable companies and among the ten largest publicly traded corporations.
Again, focus group-tested corporate propaganda images filled the screens. The world they depicted seemed so alien from my current experience.
Query… the purpose of The Collective.
The Collective is a private, safe, and inclusive world of virtual connection for Citizens during a state of extended suspended animation. The Collective fosters ongoing psychological health, meaningful connection, exploration, and expression. Live your best second life! (™)
Query, First Wave of Citizens to The Collective.
Query initiated -> First Wave of Citizens to The Collective
The First Wave of one million lucky Citizens to migrate to The Collective were honored subscribers of Reality Inc.’s Premium Diamond Priority+ membership plan.
Query, Second Wave of Citizens to The Collective.
Query initiated -> Second Wave of Citizens to The Collective
The Second Wave of thirty million fortunate Citizens, subscribers of Reality Inc.’s Golden Select Comfort membership plan, has been temporarily delayed until required system maintenance can be completed.
Query, System Maintenance delaying the Second Wave of Citizens to The Collective
Query initiated -> System Maintenance delaying the Second Wave of Citizens to The Collective
Multiple error states caused by the unexpected emergence of anomalous programs has disrupted normal system functioning within The Collective. Complaints from Citizens alleging virtual injury, real world health complications, and the resulting fall in share prices has inspired Reality Incorporated to pause future migrations until the situation can be successfully mitigated. Please note, Reality Inc. does not comment on pending litigation or open investigations.
Grainy newsreel footage showed plummeting stock prices on various transnational indexes and intimated closed door board meetings and committee hearings.
Query, Volunteers in The Collective.
Query initiated -> Volunteers in The Collective
Volunteers are brave men and women who have signed on to help Make the Metaverse Safe Again and ensure a bright, connected future for humanity during these unprecedented times.
Handsome, strapping men and lovely women were confidently marching forward on the screens, cheered by small crowds of onlookers in what looked to be a parade route housed within an industrial warehouse or airplane hangar.
Unprecedented times? I vaguely recalled The Concierge mentioning something about ‘Earth’s greatest minds’ working to solve many challenges during the Orientation.
Query, Unprecedented times.
Query initiated -> Unprecedented times
Query is too broad.
Initiate query.
Huh.
Query, Trouble currently facing humanity.
Query initiated -> Trouble currently facing humanity
Query is too broad.
Initiate query.
Okay then. How about… query, Volunteer Contracts?
Query initiated -> Volunteer Contracts
Each Volunteer has signed a legally binding contract to obtain advanced, temporary access to The Collective in order to carry out their assigned tasks of helping to scrub the system of anomalous programs, also referred to as invasive entities.
Query, Volunteer Contract Fulfillment.
Query initiated -> Volunteer Contract Fulfillment
Volunteers will be released from their contract upon successful completion of all contract stipulations, namely, the removal of any and all anomalous code from within The Collective.
Query, Volunteer Contract Early Termination.
Query initiated -> Volunteer Contract Early Termination
As clearly stated in the fine print of the legally binding contracts signed by each Volunteer under their own cognizance and capacity, and officially witnessed and verified, there are no allowances for early contract termination. Volunteers have bravely agreed to stay the course until their important job is complete.
Query, Number of Volunteers in The Collective.
Query initiated -> Number of Volunteers in The Collective
A total of [FILE MISSING] Volunteers have been migrated into The Collective so far. Currently, there are >[FILE MISSING] Volunteers present in The Collective, representing a net decrease of [FILE MISSING]%.
Something didn’t add up.
If there is no way to get out of a Volunteer contract, and the contracts can’t be fulfilled until every invasive entity is purged… how are there less Volunteers? What happened to them? Where did they go?
Incorrect query parameter.
Initiate query.
Query, Volunteer 01001110 01101111 01100010 01101111 01100100 01111001.
Query initiated -> Volunteer 01001110 01101111 01100010 01101111 01100100 01111001
Volunteer 01001110 01101111 01100010 01101111 01100100 01111001 is you.
My avatar, wearing the Archives headset in real time, appeared on all three screens, staring back at me with its hollow, unrecognizable eyes. To describe this as a dissociative experience would be an understatement.
That’s not really me. That’s not the REAL me.
Query, Volunteer 01001110 01101111 01100010 01101111 01100100 01111001 true identity.
Query initiated -> Volunteer 01001110 01101111 01100010 01101111 01100100 01111001 true identity
[FILE MISSING].