“But is it possible?”
William nodded. “The programs that we designed in house are simpler, and you can retain awareness of who you are.” He took his glasses off and wiped them on his shirt. “But since you are the only human that I can test the machines on, I prefer for you to do the full immersion version. Most of the intended users will be immortals, but just in case we get Dormants or more humans in here, I want to get a human’s feedback and compare it to that of an immortal.”
“I’ll think about it. When do you need an answer?”
“There is no rush. Let me know whenever you and Stella are ready, and I’ll set it up for you.”
49
Stella
“Can I get you coffee?” Richard pulled out a chair for Stella. “Something to snack on?”
“Maybe later.” She sat down. “You said that you had something important to discuss with me.”
When Richard had called asking if she could meet him at the café, Stella had tensed. Usually they met in the evenings, and sometimes for lunch, but rarely in the mornings. What was so urgent that it couldn’t wait for later in the day?
Sitting next to her, he took her hand. “If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?”
That was the last thing she’d expected him to ask her.
“That’s what you dragged me out of the house for? To ask where I would like to go?”
“Yes. It’s very important.”
He was stifling a smile, so maybe it was a joke.
“I told you already. I would like to visit Finland. Lapland in particular.”
“And if you could have any adventure that you can imagine, what would it be?”
“What do you mean?”
“You could visit the Space Station, travel to Mars, climb Mount Everest, visit the ancient Mayas. Use your imagination.”
“You are confusing me. What is it all about?”
“Virtual adventures. I spoke with William earlier, and he is looking for volunteers to test the new machines he and his team built. He tried it himself, so I know that it’s perfectly safe. He just wants feedback on what can be improved.”
She’d heard about it. “Those are designed for virtual hookups, right?”
“Originally, yes, and that’s the majority of the existing programs. But we don’t have to do that. We can try one of the new themes that William’s team designed. Kri and Eleanor did a ski adventure together that involved springing a spy out of a Siberian top-security prison and a chase through the snow.”
“Sounds exciting. But if the choice is between a romantic getaway and a spy chase, I’ll take the romance.”
He grinned. “I hoped you would choose that. William says that the Perfect Match themes are amazing and highly customizable. You can design your dream encounter as well as your dream guy. The program uses avatars, and while you are in it, you forget who you are in the real world so you can have a completely immersive experience.”
Pulling her hand out of Richard’s, Stella leaned back. “Frankly, it sounds scary. I’d rather not be one of the first to try it. I want to hear what others who went through it have to say.”
She had no intention of ever trying it, no matter what others reported. If she lost awareness of who she was, she might blurt out things that she shouldn’t. It was too risky.
“You can talk to Kri and William. Or even Eleanor. I don’t like the woman, but if you do, that’s fine with me.”
“I don’t like her either.” Stella crossed her arms over her chest. “People don’t change overnight, and until recently, she was luring people into servitude in the government program. She is not a good person.”
“My thoughts exactly.” He smiled. “We think alike, you and me.”
“Not really. You seem eager to lose yourself in a virtual adventure, while I’m scared of it.”
“It’s perfectly safe. William is not a brave guy, and he wouldn’t have done it if it wasn’t. He said that he had the best time of his life.”
That was one hell of an endorsement.
“He did?”
“Yeah, and Kri said the same thing. She wants to do it with Michael next.”
“I need to think about it.”
Richard smiled. “At least it’s not a flat no. I consider that good progress.”
“What if I say no?”
“Then I will be disappointed. William needs my feedback as the only human in the village, so I will have to go solo, which isn’t going to be nearly as much fun. I want to do that with you.” He leaned forward. “Think about it, we will be the first couple to try the sexy virtual experience in the village. We will be pioneers.”
It was tempting.
She hadn’t traveled in years, and with the virtual program, she could go practically anywhere without leaving the safety of the village.
Then another thing occurred to her. If she blurted out her secret during the adventure, would it count as breaking her vow?
She wouldn’t be herself, and she wouldn’t remember her real life, which meant that she couldn’t be held responsible for the actions of her avatar.
Except, if she didn’t remember her old life while in the program, she wouldn’t remember her secret either. Perhaps it was safe to indulge in a virtual fantasy.
It could be so liberating, but it required courage that she’d lost somewhere along the way.
Motherhood had changed her. From a free spirit who had walked into danger without giving it a second thought, she had become fearful and overly careful.
Her once free-spirited life had become stifled, stagnant, and dull.
She didn’t regret any of it. Vlad had been worth every sacrifice. But now that he was an adult, perhaps it was time for her to find the old Stella who had lived for adventure.
Except, it was difficult to break the new mold she’d built, the habit she’d adopted, and go back to how she used to be, careless and free.
“I don’t know. It still scares me to lose my identity and become someone else.”
“Only for three hours. You can experience a two-week vacation at no cost and no real danger. When was the last time that you traveled or did anything exciting?”
She smiled. “Last night, and the night before, and the night before that. You excite me, Richard.”
His eyes softened. “That’s the best compliment I’ve ever gotten.”
“From me?”
“From anyone.”
50
Sari
Sari had spent another night in the waiting room, but most of it hadn’t been spent sleeping.
Miranda had brought her a folding table, an office chair, and a pile of files, so Sari had had everything she needed to catch up on work. It had been nearly four in the morning when she’d given up the fight to keep her eyes open and had collapsed on the cot.
It hadn’t been a deep sleep. She’d heard Bridget and Steven conversing in hushed tones, and she’d been aware of them tiptoeing around her to go in and out of David’s room, but since none of that had sounded urgent, Sari had kept dozing. But it was time to get up and check on David.