Scott, lying in the pod bathed in the electrolyte solution, disconnects the umbilical plug on the roof of the pod then removes the helmet. The SEVR-Pod is basically a remodeled sensory deprivation pod, however this didn't fully sit well with Scott, who was an original member of the first group of consultants brought on-board 22 years ago to aide in the marketing, design and release of the consumer SEVR-Pod model.
Scott is an Engineer focused more on the external design and auxiliary functions, he was heard by Regi mentioning to another engineer that he didn't like the complete disconnect from his surroundings. Especially when inside the Pod. During the survey, Regi was able to pick Scott's reply out because of what he had overheard. There was a suggestion on the survey about adding an external camera to monitor the room while linked to the SEVR-apps or within the Pods. This he noted was for security concerns while also suggesting an internal override to lock the Pod from the inside, for no longer than 4hrs. Enough time to call and get aide if something was threatening you in your home, but not enough to kill you.
As Scott recalled the first time he met Regi, as he opened the roof of the pod and ran over to his computer still wearing the SEVR-suit. Regi was one for details and perspective, Scott noting his concerns about external factors affecting a user was not something they had fully considered in the market design phase and decided to bring Scott in further. Shaking off such thoughts, Scott knew he had little time to gather as much information as possible on what was happening, now, before it was shut down and publicly forgotten or tabooed.
“Shit! Corin was at work today. I better send her some extra instructions.” Scott said as he searched for his phone amongst the mess that was his office. His data mining programs do their work in the background as the sound of completed downloads ring out through his unceremonious search. Before, “Eureka!” is shouted as a hand clasping a phone emerges from between two cushions laying on the ground.
**-***-***-**
Corin emerges from her pod in the SEVR-room within the Independent News Services, a few more faces appearing around the same time. One who is Kelly, looks over at Corin, “Did you see it?” to which Corin nods. Five other pods are opening and people are getting out and running out of the room, not even bothering to dry themselves off.
“Looks like everyone saw the same thing. Hey Kelly, did you notice the news reels, stories and eye witness accounts started disappearing?” Coring asks her?
“WHAT!!? Better get on to it quick before it is all gone, now I know why everyone was in a panic to leave!” Kelly responded as she suddenly jumped out of the Pod, only to stare off blankly into space, thinking...
Corin unconsciously looks in the same direction, when they both snapped the heads back and once again lock eyes. “The backup server downloads!” Both say in unison.
“Yes that should still have some of the latest files and stories, quick lets go.” Kelly says as goes to help Corin out of her Pod, the electrolyte solution rolling off the SEVR-suit.
Corin looking over to her locker in the room, “No, you do that. I have got to get home and check on some sources, they may be able to shed more light on it. Hopefully.” She says while lifting herself out of the pod and into a wheelchair nearby.
“Let me know what you find out, this is like... the biggest story of the year and EVERYONE has seen it, so there is no denying it!” Kelly says, stressing that Everyone, as she then runs towards the exit, “Oh, we could work together on this one, compare notes and, and That would be Awesome!” a large smile on her face, before finally disappearing around the corner.
Corin sighs with some relief, thankfully Kelly didn't press anymore. Reaching for her phone bud found in a compartment on the arms of her wheelchair, she notices 3 messages with one from a certain S.Thorn.
“Today is your lucky day Corin, I am going to let you in a few design secrets, don't tell anyone now, ok. Firstly I know you are at work today, you mentioned your Pod being sent in for service on Monday. As such I am going to need you to do a couple of things to reconfigure and reboot the pod. Towards the head of the Pod you'll see a panel, you will need to be inside the pod to do this. Push in order these button on the pad: Red, Green, Blue, Blue, Green, Blue, Red after which a Yellow one will appear. Push the button above and under the Yellow at the same time. The panel should eject.”
Listening to the instructions, Corin finds the keypad which looks just like a keyboard. Except there are red, green and blue LEDs constantly cycling between on/off behind the keys. She followed the instructions, however the lights all disappeared there was no yellow light. She curses Scott, and his stupid mind games as she notices the lock button on the inside has turned yellow.
“God damn riddles!”, fuming Corin looks closer at the sliding switch, it is not a button.
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
The lock slide-switch looks a little something like this... [ - < O > - ] Lockdown.
It takes a moment before - “It's a word puzzle of symbol association!”
Going back to the keyboard she presses both the “<” and the “>” buttons simultaneously and the panel slides out revealing some inner circuit boards and hardware.
“After the panel is removed, remove the piece of glass, clean it making sure not to knock it off or nick it. Then invert and reinsert. You will also need the to switch the Ram sticks and remove any liquid, gel or build up. Before closing the panel, exiting the pod and rebooting the system. That should help, see you game-side soon.” the recording of Scott's finishes it play back.
“God damn it Scott, he never talks likes this normally.” Corin says as she pops the 5' glass cylinder out of the core circuit-board. The lights in the Pod fade as it ceases all functions. After looking a the glass cylinder, Corin understands why Scott was talking weirdly, invert and reinsert. He wants her to 'nick off' or steal the cylinder. Frustrated over the continuous puzzles and double entendre, she switches the ram stick places, before noticing a two tubes. These tubes look similar to old fashioned “Vacuum Tubes” except they had liquid or some semi-solid in them. Remembering the instructions she removes these tubes, before closing the panel and exiting the Pod.
Upon closing the Pod, a locking sound is heard from it as there is a light indicating that the SEVR-Pod is temporarily out of order.
Getting back into the wheelchair and removing her things from her locker, Corin gets changed and leaves the Independent News Services HQ. A total of 70 mins after the incident with the CAC.
**-***-***-**
After Scott has sent made the message for Corin, he grabs his S-Pack, tosses a few hard-drives into his backpack and leaves his office. The same out of order notice appearing on his SEVR-Pod, and his computer slightly smoking. He leaves the mess of a house, leaving via the back door with a bike, while not even taking a glance back.
“I hope Corin understood the instructions. Well, I'll find out soon anyway.” Leaving his life, house, car and everything behind, he mounts the bike and cycles down the street. The people on the street, don't even take notice, as this is something that Scott does quite often. Going for long bike rides and hiking trips, he tells them all it keeps him fit. Scott even waves a few of his neighbours and chats about the “squid-ship” as he calls it with them, before leaving on his journey.
**-***-***-**
It takes Corin 60 minutes to returns home, everything looking the same as when she left. There doesn't seem to be anything out of the ordinary so far. Rolling up the ramp into her unit, she unlocks the door and everything is how she left it. Going to the compu-phone she notices that the 2 missed messages she had are now 4 missed messages, one from Kelly and the last one is from her mother.
Her mother left a message, talking about the Spaceship and other various concerns she has, trying to use it an excuse for Corin to return home. The usual overbearing and over protective motherly love, she has gotten used to and somewhat ignored over the years. 'I'm a 29 year old woman mother, I can live on my own and take care of myself, sheesh.' Though she thinks that, Corin is still somewhat touched by her mothers ways.
That calm atmosphere is shaken, because of the next message. “You don't have too much time, I'll stall as long as I can. It looks like the top brass is looking for you, he's meeting with some people I haven't seen before. They could be from a major news network. Hurry up and check your contacts, you may have a front page story. Heee – !” Kelly's voice says in an excited whisper.
When her phone rings again, an unlisted number, it goes straight the message recorder, Corin listens while looking through her materials, yet the message sends a chill down her spine, “They've taken the backup server drives... all of them.” The voice is muffled and sounds like a mans voice, however Corin links the information to Kelly, after all they are the ones who thought of the backup servers. She deletes her messages, even the two unheard. Leaving her phone bud and tech behind, on the kitchen counter, grabbing her hard copy notes and materials.
Goin straight to the garage Corin takes the S-Pack that Scott had given her, years ago. While it is covered in dust however, there seems to be a cleaner part with a note sticking out. She takes it out, It reads:
Corin,
there is a lockup garage, two blocks south, you'll find what you need there. Leave your car,
R
Taaking the key taped to the bottom of the note, she leaves.
It has now been 4 hours since the spaceship took off and 3 hours since total information lockdown, as Corin is at the lockup garage. There she finds an off-road Jeep, modified so she can drive it, waiting for her and another note. “Meet up with the others, you'll have much to talk about. R.”
Driving in the opposite direction of her home, town and community, Corin is passed by groups of darkened windowed cars, both white and black traveling extremely fast towards the town she just left. Her heartbeating extremely fast.
**-***-***-**
Scott stops at a park just outside town, sitting on a bench he final opens his S-Pack and finds a note.
You're somewhat predicable Scott,
due to your routine it wasn't that hard to find your bunker. It'd be safe all of 6-months maybe before someone finds you. Well that is if you're trying to hide from everyone.
However, because we like your preparedness and drive and we've worked together for a long time. We've decided to give you another option. There is a New Map, in your bag, follow it and you'll be well hidden in comfort, forever maybe.
MS.
There is a faint smell of colon coming from the paper, and Scott knows exactly who's this is. Miguel Sanchez, the security expert who briefed Scott, and had befriended in the CAC. However what surprised him most, was that Miguel knew he had an exit strategy. 'Did he have me under surveillance? I would have noticed, I am always so careful'. Not to mention Miguel also knew about the bunker and where it was, even though he'd gone to great lengths to keep hidden from everyone. He didn't even tell his friends in the guild, even the S-Pack's he had given them only mentioned a rally point. Not to mention it remained their secret, never mentioned anywhere until today.
Scott pulls out the map, which now has another path on it. However it requires a rather long road-trip while also following off-road trails. It'll take weeks, if not months to get there on foot. Cars can be tracked, planes and radar have flight plans, well there is no river or stream so boats are out, it'll just take too long. As he is thinking this to himself, 3 beat up cars he has never seen before show up. Scott gets ready to cut and run...