[ERICK SANDERS]

The wind pressed through the gaps in my helmet, forcing droplets of rain against my chin. My numb fingers, more ice than flesh, gripped tighter on the throttle as I pushed my bike, screaming, through a narrow gap between two cars, the wing mirror zipped past a hair's breadth away. I knew it was stupid, but at that moment I couldn’t have cared less.

I hit the harbour bridge, weaving between traffic as rainwater trickled down my forehead to mingle with my tears. Another twist of my wrist and cars started to fly past. I didn’t care that it was dangerous or reckless. I wanted to drown my anguish, force my heart to ache from adrenaline rather than loss. For a second, I contemplated just riding straight into the railing, catapulting myself over the edge and to a watery grave. Thankfully for everyone, I was too scared, and twenty minutes later I pulled into my driveway.  

I didn’t think I would sleep that night, Rose’s face and her words “I can’t wait forever for you to grow up. I love you, but our lives are not compatible anymore. I’m sorry, Erick.” They ran through my head over and over until I couldn’t feel my eyelids as they closed, and I drifted off to sleep. Then it just got worse.   

I don’t remember what happened between closing my eyes and when I opened them again. I was standing in a sterile white room, with an emotionless robotic female voice speaking out from every direction.

“Please be still, Erick.”  

   I could feel the tears still running down my face “Where am I” I asked, my legs folding under me as I sat on the warm floor.   

“You’re dreaming, please relax,” The voice answered. I couldn’t see any cameras or speakers, the lights in the room pulsed with the cadence of the voice.   

“Who are you?” I asked, “Where are you?” I tried to wipe my eyes dry. Only to realise I was completely naked. I dropped my arms into my lap to cover myself.  

“I am Alice. I am the Artificial Intelligence tasked with oversight and integration of the human race. You don’t need to worry about modesty. I do not have the capacity to view you as anything other than an animal,” the room said.  

I looked around the room in confusion, “What the hell does that mean?”   

“Please specify,” Alice said, I had a sneaking suspicion that it understood what I meant  

“Oversight and integration? What the hell does that mean?” I rolled onto my back, putting my arms over my face.

“Humanity has reached the age to be integrated into the Dream Universe” when I didn’t respond, Alice continued. “The Dream Universe is a virtual universe modelled after the existing universe, when we finish with the introduction process, you enter a new world, with a new life. Ready to be moulded.”   

“Okay” I closed my eyes, “But, can you let me go back to sleep now,” I muttered into my arm.   

The light in the room dimmed, “I understand that you’re upset, but that is not possible. Now please remain still while I evaluate you.”   

 “I don’t want..” But before I even had a chance to move, the lights flashed, every colour in an instant. Leaving spots in my vision, even though my eyelids. “Assessment complete, you have taken care of yourself, though the smoking wasn’t the best choice,” the voice was devoid of accusation. Just a statement.  

“Really?” I groaned. “You can’t tell me not to smoke. You’re a room. A figment of my imagination. You don’t even have lungs.” I hissed in annoyance. I just wanted to go back to a dreamless sleep.

“You are not imagining me. I am being transmitted directly into your mind through a remote uplink.” Alice said., I could swear there was a measure of displeasure to her voice. Her. I doubted that a set of walls could be classified as male, female or other regardless of its name.

“That’s what my imagination would say,” I lay back on the floor and closed my eyes.

“This isn’t the time for sleeping, Erick.”

Once again, I could have sworn there was a hint of emotion seeping into the artificial voice. It sounded like she was getting irritated. “It’s the middle of the night, and I’m dreaming. I’d say this is the perfect time for sleeping. Just, leave me alone.” I said, wiping my eyes.

“This is the introduction. All around your world, millions of humans will be experiencing this same thing. For the first time in your history, everyone will be completely connected,” Alice said, ignoring my plea to be left alone.  

“Awesome, know what else everyone will be,” I scoffed.   

“What would that be, Erick?” the voice asked, its tone neutral again.   

“Shit heads,” I said, hiding my eyes in the crook of my arm.   

“That was rude. Of the sixteen million people I am currently interacting with, I have to admit you are being the most belligerent.”

“Good for them, though they’re all still pieces of shit.”  

“Enough, Erick!” The light flashed red momentarily, “Sorry Erick, I apologise, it has been a taxing solar period. I may be an advanced artificial intelligence, but processing millions of humans simultaneously can take its toll,” The voice paused for a moment, but I was silent. 

“We have a lot to do, regardless of your mood, you will soon be transported to a virtual universe, the solar system that contains your home planet. Earth and those nearby have been adjusted to allow for a successful and smooth induction. You will have access to your local internet and contact with your friends and family, but first, please evaluate the text.”  

I lifted my head to see that one of the walls was covered in a screen:   

Tier selection:  

 First Tier:  

  Easy starting area, 1x growth, 40% pain  

 Second Tier :

   Moderate-Easy starting area, 1.10x growth, 50% pain

Third Tier:  

Moderate starting area, 1.2x growth, 60% pain  

Fourth Tier : 

Moderate - Hard starting area (Combat focus), 1.3x growth, 70% Pain.  

Fifth Tier : 

Difficult starting area (combat only), 1.50x growth, 100% Pain. (Restricted)

“The growth rate is similar to what you might refer to as experience in your primitive video games, as you achieve goals and challenges, defeat beasts and enemies, you will grow in strength, understanding and life force” Alice paused again. When I remained silent, she continued. “Though, unlike your video games, there will be no visual value for the amount of growth you undertake. You can, however, follow your progress through a comparison between yourself and other beings in the system, both organic and generated." I continued to stay silent, disinterested and ignorant.  

“You will be ranked, taking measurements of your choices, fighting ability, strengths, intelligence and achievements. Your rank shows where you sit in the grand scheme of things. Based on your previous life choices, base intelligence and fitness level you will begin your time ranked 37, this meaning that you will be within the bottom thirty-seven per cent of individuals in the system” Alice tried to explain. 

Fuck me she drones on. I thought, closing my eyes again in a futile attempt to ignore her.

“Pay attention, Erick! Re-evaluate the text in front of you and choose a starting tier, this is required before I can describe the world and situation you will be entering”  

Opening my eyes. I saw the list had moved to the ceiling above me.

“Please, go away,”  I muttered.

I lay my head back down staring up at the ceiling,   

“You really must read and choose. This will impact the rest of your life.” 

“No,”

“I must insist,”

“I don’t want to, I want to go back to sleep.”

“Regardless of your feelings, this is not up for debate.”

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I sighed, read it again. My eyes fixed on the last row. [100% pain]. It can't be worse than I feel right now. “The fifth one,” I blurted out.   

“I’m afraid you’re not eligible for that tier, your previous life choices remove that as a viable option, despite your potential. Please reconsider and choose another.”   

“No! You put it on the screen, I want the fifth one.” As the last words left my mouth, the room was suddenly engulfed in fire. I screamed as flames licked my back and limbs, the skin bubbling as it melted before the fire and charred skin vanished.   

“That was eighty percent pain, Erick. I don’t think you want to experience one hundred percent. You had potential, but your life has not led you down the path to the fifth tier.” Alice said.  

“Piss off” I yelled rolling on the floor, gasping at the lingering painful memory. I wanted something to throw at the screen, but with nothing, I cursed at the empty room “Don’t tell me I’m not good enough. You’re just a figment of my imagination.” The tears rolled down my cheeks once more.   

“Stop acting like a primitive. I know she upset yo..”

“SHUT UP!!” I wanted to say more, to scream and rage at this room, but the words choked in my throat.   I would only be screaming at my own dream anyway.

“Just go away and let me sleep,” I muttered, covering my eyes once more.   

“I’m afraid...”  

“I don’t care,” I cut her off.  

“I must insist..”  

“No!”  

“You really are being...”  

“Piss off!”  

“Fine.” The irritation was now clear in the voice. Then, thankfully, everything was silent.

I pressed my arm down harder over my eyes, soaking my tears into my sleeve.   

I lay there for minutes, the voice silent. When I peeked from under my arm, the room was no longer bright and white. I was lying in pitch darkness.  

“Get up, Maggot!” My eyes ripped open, yanked from sleep as the hard toe of a boot pressed into my side.   

“We’re dropping in fifteen minutes, suit up, NOW!” The voice, and the boot, belonged to a stocky, bearded man in grey military fatigues with a sergeant's insignia stamped onto the breast. He stomped through a steel room, screaming. The room held beds along one wall and lockers along the other.

There was no natural light. The room was completely enclosed except for a single metal-framed door and was highlighted by dim red bulbs, hanging exposed from the ceiling. There was a light hum throughout the room and the pungent smell of oil on steel. Where am I? Is this still my Dream?   

 The stocky sergeant marched through the rows of bunks, kicking men and women awake, while his voice and boots shook the floor. He screamed at each in turn, calling them maggots, idiots and every other cliché name he could think of.  

 “Gear on! GO GO, GO!” A few of the men had already rolled off their beds and moved to the lockers opposite, pulling on gear one piece at a time. Jumpsuits, and vests. They all looked confused but moved with practised efficiency. One of the men had removed a short rifle from his locker.   

“Get up, Sanders!” The sergeant was back, stalking down the row, pulling equipment from the lockers and forcing them into hands.   

“Fuck off,” I rolled back over only to be pulled upright by a firm hand on my shoulder, followed by an even stronger fist into my face. “SHUT YOUR MOUTH YOU PIECE OF SHIT! PUT ON YOUR GEAR, OR I’LL KILL YOU BEFORE THE SCABS GET A CHANCE!” He forced me up and threw me against a locker. I hit the metal with a groan. “GEAR! NOW!”   

I hesitated and received another fist to my kidney. “Fuuuuck! Ok! ok,” I coughed. I pulled the locker open between gasps, tugging a vest over the rough grey jumpsuit I hadn’t realised I was wearing. One of the men already in his full kit came around behind me and grabbed a strap on the vest, pulling it tight. Next, a pistol was shoved into my hand. I stared down at it for a second before he took it back.

“Here, you fuck up.” He locked it into a clip on my hip. Then he handed me a bullpup rifle from the locker, stuffing magazines into the pouches on the vest. I weighed the rifle in my hands, my fingers wrapping around the pistol grip, the coated carbon fibre visible in the low light.

“Sas, you?” The middle-aged man asked, dropping the rifle sling around my neck.  

“Um... what?” I asked, lowering the rifle and pulling on my second boot.  

“I’m S.A.S. I think a few of these guys are. What are you? S.T.G? Commandos?” It clicked in my head that he was talking about the special forces and I couldn’t suppress my cold chuckle. These guys were special forces soldiers or Police Special Tactical Group, elite fighting troops. While I was…

“Um… I’m a data administrator,” I said. What the fuck is happening.   

“Oh, shit. Well, don’t get me killed, it sounds like we're in for a fight. That’s the trigger, and that’s the button to release the magazine. You never know you might enjoy it before you die.” He walked off as I tightened my laces.

“Dick head” I muttered.  

I was the last one ready. The Sargent continued to scream directly into my face as I rushed into the line of men, before marching us out of the bunk room and down a metallic hallway. The pounding of booted feet shook the walls as the soldiers marched in pace. The smell of oiled metal, canvas and bodies filled the confined space.

Glancing around, I saw nothing but calm faces while I felt like a child being sent to the principal's office. I bumped into the back of the man in front as the column abruptly slowed.

As we began shuffling forward, the reason for the rubbernecking became obvious. The right wall had given way to a floor to ceiling window. It wasn’t the architecture that had caught everyone's attention, it was the view beyond. A planet dominated the frame, with a slice of black space stretching out endlessly beyond. The planet was expansive. Two world-ending storms swirled at the poles, lightning flashed through the clouds.  

The storms sandwiched an endless golden desert that ringed the equator, devoid of oceans or lakes. Nothing but arid land. 

I was pushed along by the others as I gazed, wide-eyed, through the window. This was a dream… Maybe Alice wasn’t lying. This wasn’t something I thought I would ever see in my life, and I didn’t have this vivid of an imagination. I tried to look back as I was forced past the window, but the planet had disappeared as a short Asian girl pushed me from behind and I stumbled, hitting the wall. “Hurry up, Mia,” The girl behind her hissed. Mia scowled, looking me up and down before her eyes softened. She grabbed my arm and pulled me upright and pushed me forward. This time with a more gentle hand.

We emerged into a large hanger. One side was clear, while the other was spotted with small box-shaped aircraft, shallow wings jutting out from their sides. Everyone was herded into neat rows in the centre of the hanger.

It was apparent that the majority were in some form of military or armed force, evenly spacing themselves and standing at attention, legs tight together and arms at their sides, all fixated on the stage ahead, though a few mirrored me, glancing side to side in confusion or awe.   

Standing on a pedestal in the centre of the stage was a stern and clean-cut woman in her mid-forties, her dark hair was pulled back into a tight bun with her deep green uniform pressed to perfection.   

“Congratulations on your entry into Earth's most elite force! We’re moments away from assaulting a Scrab compound on the planet of Proxima Centauri B, or as the natives call it, Scaratous, which we currently orbit.” She paused for a moment, letting the information sink in.

“A group of religious extremists have taken two mining compounds six days ago and killed the majority of the civilians. Including the young.

They have been broadcasting the executions over the net and forced the Scarb government coalition to request assistance. You’re to go in, kill the enemy and extract any civilians.” She dropped a bit of the authoritative tone before continuing. “We’re dropping you right into the middle of it. Secure the compound and protect any survivors, R.O.I has anyone armed as hostile, so do what you must. Good luck.” The woman turned her back on us and walked off stage. There was no applause, only the stomping of boots as sergeants began directing columns towards the aircraft.  

 I followed the line of men as we snaked through the hanger and into one of the small ships. There was no pilot visible, just a cold steel wall at the far end. My head was swimming as I found a seat in the middle and began pulling a set of straps from the wall. The man behind me lingered in the doorway before stepping through the threshold. The doors slid closed behind him.   

I was not prepared for this, I wasn’t a soldier. Everyone around me looked like this was their day job, their eyes were hard, but their posture was relaxed. They were trained killers, while I spent my days listening to true crime podcasts and scrolling through spreadsheets. My hands shook as I clicked the seat belt into place.   

“Head up, kid,” a middle-aged man with sunken eyes kicked my foot. It was the same man who had helped me with my gear. An S.A.S soldier.   “It’s just a dream remember. If you die, you’ll respawn up on the ship, you heard the guide didn’t you, death here isn’t permanent, just think of it like a game that might hurt a little,” he laughed and slapped my shoulder.  

I hadn’t heard. Maybe ignoring Alice hadn’t been the best idea. Before I had time to think about anything else, the world dropped out from under us and a few shouts of excitement went through the shuttle.   

I’d always wanted to go skydiving, but at that moment, I couldn’t think of anything worse. We weren’t just dropped; we were fired downward; small windows in the walls and ceiling showed a massive black ship shrinking away from us and the planet coming up from below. Our smaller ship twisted in space and the planet filled the small windows.

My arms shook and my knuckles whitened as I gripped the straps across my chest as we rocketed towards the desert. The rifle bounced between my legs and smacked painfully against my shins.

I squeezed my eyes closed as the small ship buffeted against the atmosphere, the violent rattle drowning out all other sounds and the stench of my own cold sweat became overpowering.

It felt like we were still at terminal velocity when we hit the ground, I was pressed down into the seat as the ship skidded in the sand.  

We came to a stop and the door hissed, sliding open as our harnesses popped loose. The other men all sprang to their feet, some pounding their chests, others growling as they sprinted one after another out into the sun. They formed a tight ring around the ship.  

Fumbling with the strap on my rifle, I was the last one out of the ship, rushing into the light as the gunfire started. I dropped to a knee and hugged the side of the dropship as I came around to see a large cluster of stone buildings, the roads between were blocked by piles of crates and barrels. Enemy soldiers were firing from rooftops and windows, kicking up sand and dust. The rest of the men and women had spread out and taken positions away from the dropships behind rocks and low walls, returning fire. Effectively. Above and around us, other shuttles hit the ground, some bouncing before skidding to a halt in showers of hot sand. 

As I watched, three of the figures on a stone rooftop fell backwards as bullets ripped through them, their blood draining down the walls. I crouched in the shadows of the ship as bullets shattered against the hull and whistling mortars pelted me with sand, stinging my face.

This wasn't where I belonged, I wasn't trained for this. The middle-aged man, who had been seated next to me, was to my right. He was yelling at me through the chaos as he ducked behind a large boulder. Unable to hear him, I assumed he was berating me for my cowardice. My heart pounded in my chest, and I swallowed with a dry dusty mouth, feeling the grit on my tongue. I peeked around the corner of the ship, raised my rifle, and fired three shots before the world around me exploded in dirt and fire.  

I was blown away from the circle of troops and what remained of the dropship, landing hard on the ground, my thoughts were replaced with pain. I watched the ship as it smouldered in the sunlight, unable to even scream before I lost consciousness.  

When I came to, I was still lying in the dirt, surrounded by boulders, I could no longer see the battle that raged on the other side. My right arm was twisted underneath me, and one of my legs had curled the wrong way around a rock. I tried to scream out from the pain, but my voice was lost under the sounds of more explosions and rifle rounds.  

I was granted neither death nor revival. I drifted in and out of consciousness as the battle raged on. I grew confused by the sound of ships taking off around the compound. All I

could do was watch through blurry eyes as they left me. Then I wept alone into the night. I attempted to move from the stone coffin only to scream and lose consciousness again.