Theo apparently, was not impressed, and his response showed it, “Very brave of you, Caveman.”
Just as he said that, a circular hole appeared in the table in front of each of us, and mugs emerged from it. They filled with something dark and steaming that smelled exactly like coffee. I watched, almost entranced, as the liquid poured in with precision. The rich, nutty aroma wafted up, hitting my nostrils and sending a jolt of familiarity through me.
I took a tentative sip, half expecting it to taste off. The liquid was warm and smooth, with a creamy richness that reminded me of the perfect cup of coffee with cream, despite its black appearance. It coated my tongue in a comforting, slightly bitter embrace, with a hint of sweetness and a velvety finish that lingered just long enough to be satisfying. It was like someone had taken my favorite cup of coffee and made it taste even better—rich, creamy, and perfectly balanced, but somehow managing to look as black as night.
Silently rejoicing over having coffee again, I realized I had missed it more than I thought. This simple pleasure made me close my eyes for a moment, savoring the familiar taste and the comfort it brought.
Theo continued talking, apparently undeterred by my silent coffee ecstasy. “As I was saying, it is very brave of you to choose an Epic scale first quest. As an original pre-system VR, VERTEX has a detailed array of quests she can select for you. You may regret choosing to be surprised.”
“Why is that?” Elyria asked, her eyes sparkling with amusement at my obvious delight over the coffee.
Theo's tone carried a note of condescension, “I would think it was obvious. She can pick whatever she wants now, and you have no agency over her selection because you ahem... like surprises...” His voice seemed to drip with the implication of rolled eyes. “She has had over a thousand years to think up grand quest scenarios. I shudder at what will be waiting for you.”
I perked up at that, the idea of a thousand years of potential surprises stirring my curiosity. “I get what you mean, I guess. But it’s just VR.”
“I mean, sure it’s dangerous but how bad can it be? It’s not real,” I continued.
“I am lowering my expectations for your intelligence by 5%, Caveman.” Theo’s response was dripping with sarcasm. “Truly, ‘just VR.’ VERTEX is STILL the greatest virtual REALITY system that exists in this galaxy. It was created to feel real, and it will, Caveman. You are going to feel everything. Find yourself caught by a group of forest goblins, you’ll feel them eating you. Cornered by a vicious Wyrm? You’re going to FEEL yourself being buried alive. Is the VR system real? No, but will it feel real? Oh yes. Choosing to be surprised” He scoffed. “Ridiculous, disastrous. I only hope you don’t get brain damage.”
Brain damage. The idea of suffering a real, physical consequence from a VR game sent a chill down my spine. I had only considered the positives of VERTEX, the adventures, and the excitement. I hadn't taken the risks seriously. Before I could dwell on it, my thoughts were interrupted by another cup appearing next to the coffee. This one filled from the bottom with a thick, rust-colored liquid, swirling in a way that made my stomach turn just looking at it.
"What in the universe is that!" Elyria exclaimed, almost falling out of her seat as she recoiled from the cup. "It stinks!"
“That,” Theo said, his voice laced with a hint of smug satisfaction, “is your sustenance beverage. All the nutrients you need in one serving. Enjoy!”
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“It smells terrible!” I said, pinching my nose. I leaned closer, trying to identify the smell. It was pungent, like a mix of iron and rotten vegetables. “One of these cups is all we need for the day?” I asked, hoping that would be the case.
“Yes, of course,” Theo replied. “Scans of your body mass were taken, and your physical condition was compared with the ideal body composition of an adventurer of your type. Your drinks will match the caloric intake necessary for you to achieve peak readiness, along with the ideal fats, carbohydrates, proteins, and vitamins.”
I stared at the cup, trying to muster the courage to take a sip. The smell alone was a formidable challenge, making me wonder what I had gotten myself into.
Elyria eyed her cup suspiciously and then glanced at me. “Why do we have the same amount then?” she asked, her voice sharp with irritation. “I’m much smaller than him.”
Theo responded, his tone brightening slightly as if pleased with her question. “Good question, Elyria. You continue to meet my high intellectual expectations. After scanning, it was determined that you both needed changes in body composition. Elyria, you are lacking a bit in certain areas necessary for adventuring. It was determined that more muscle would be necessary for you. Your frame, while no doubt beguiling to those you meet, is lacking the mass it needs for the highest survivability when you reach Earth. And you, Everett, are too fat.”
“Hey, bro, I’ve lost a lot of weight in Salve,” I protested, patting my stomach defensively. “I almost have a six-pack.”
Theo’s response was immediate and matter-of-fact, with that infuriating nasal undertone. “According to something on your phone called the Urban Dictionary, ‘almost’ only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.”
Elyria burst out laughing, nearly spilling her sustenance drink. She clutched her sides, her laughter echoing off the cold, metallic walls of the galley. “He’s got you there, Ev.”
I conceded the point with a grudging nod, a smirk pulling at my lips despite myself. “Good one, douche.”
After a pregnant pause where Elyria and I choked down our drinks, it really was nasty. Ever see one of those reality shows where contestants have to wolf down disgusting food while trying not to puke? That was us. The sustenance beverage had the consistency of sludge and a taste that lingered on the edge of unbearable—a mix of spoiled milk and rust. Each gulp was a battle, but the thought of maximizing our bodies’ potential was enough to keep me going.
Elyria gagged a bit, her face contorted in disgust as she managed to swallow another mouthful. “I think I’d rather eat the goblins,” she muttered, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.
“Yeah, not a fan,” I agreed, forcing the last of it down. The taste clung to my mouth like an unwelcome guest. I quickly washed it down with the remaining coffee, letting the familiar bitterness chase away the lingering taste of the sustenance drink.
Theo finally spoke, his voice breaking the uncomfortable silence. “You should finish your drink. We are nearing the gate, and you can see it from a viewing window on the starboard side in the middle.”
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Hey, you know Navy terms?”
“Most likely the Navy, whatever that is, knows standard space terms. Are you going or not, Caveman?” Theo’s tone was as dry as ever.
I exchanged a glance with Elyria and shrugged. “Yeah, let’s go. Should be interesting.”
“Sure, sounds interesting,” Elyria agreed. “I’ve only seen space travel like this a few times on the way here.”
We left the galley and followed the corridor to the starboard side of the ship. The metallic walls seemed to echo with every step we took, the hum of the ship's engines a constant background noise. As we walked, the corridor gradually opened into a larger space—a viewing room with a massive window that stretched from floor to ceiling.
The room was dimly lit, the primary source of illumination coming from the stars outside. I could see the gate through the viewing window and was completely blown away.