A Hero's Song (Darkest Secrets Volume 1)

Chapter 28 - After Hours

 He usually slept like a baby, but tonight, nestled under the covers in his pajamas, there was a question keeping Gabriel awake. Tossing for the thirtieth time in the night, he let out a long sigh.

"Alfred?"

"Yes?"

"I have something to ask. Something I've been wondering." Gabriel said with curious eyes.

The automated Spartan armor sat on the side of his bed. A smiling pixelated face appeared on the visor. "Go on." Alfred coaxed.

"When I go to sleep. What do you do? Do you just stand guard at my bedside, or is there someplace you can go to... shut down?"

Alfred tossed his head back and laughed that beep-boopy laugh of his.

Gabriel made a face. "What? Come on, I'm curious."

The AI made a move like it was wiping a tear from its face. "I've been wondering when you'd ask. Honestly, I can't say I didn't expect this. Yes. There is a place where I can go to unwind. It's a space in the global VirtualNet reserved solely for the AIs here at the Spire. I leave the suit's sensors on - you don't have to worry about your safety at night."

"My safety? You have a private server on the VNet, and you never told me? I've never even been there!" Gabriel crossed his arms. "Take me."

"Gabriel, please. The Spire doesn't have VNet stations for a reason. It's too easy to get addicted to the Cyber."

Gabriel stared daggers at his friend.

The pixel face changed to a frown. "The Private server is on custom settings. It runs programs not meant for human consciousness."

Gabriel squinted wryly. "From the conversation today with Dr. Atomic, I'd say I'm a Class 5 Mind, at least, and I know my Neural Link could project me into the Cyber. Come on!"

"I- Fine." Alfred Relented. "But I'm pulling you out at the first sign of trouble."

Springing back into his pillow, Gabriel crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm ready."

Alfred stood, locking the Spartan suit back into sentry mode as he started fiddling with the network to stream Gabriel into the VNet. "Breath deep; the stream will be rushed. I'm late as it is."

Cyber Link Activated: Commencing Stream

Entering the VNet was supposed to be an effortless process. Deemed safe after extensive testing, the simulated planes of the Cyber welcomed users with a seamless transition from the Real, offering a space where everyone - no matter their mutations - could experience an equal playing field. That's what it said on the old pamphlets, at least.

As soon as Gabriel closed his eyes, he felt his consciousness enter a streaming tunnel. It almost felt like the dream space where he'd met with Lucian, but he could see. The swirling mass of color engulfed him, and a bright speck of light emerged in the distance. He leaned into the movement and was almost out of the tunnel when something grabbed him. The stream stopped what felt like inches from his destination.

Wiggling didn't help; Gabriel didn't have a body to move while in transit - he was just data. All he could do was look around. He managed to make out a silver ring around the tunnel's blinding exit. It spun hypnotically, and strange symbols around the band lit up in random sequences. The VNet translated whatever was happening to him into a string of sensations. Strange, he felt like someone had pinched his chin and was turning his face side to side as if giving him a once over. Is this a firewall?

After a few seconds, the force disappeared, and he was nudged across the radiant threshold to be greeted by an avatar creation screen. He selected the option to use his own appearance. Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw his body and a dark glossy floor materialize beneath him while a simple white door popped into the unadorned room.