Chapter 5: Chapter 1.4 Meeting. Part 1

Chapter 1.4 Meeting. Part 1

 

The alarm clock on her cell phone rang. Melinda set it for 5:45 in the morning. She got up quickly and took a refreshing shower, then began packing. A bit of a problem appeared to be her swimsuit. She hadn't thought of taking it with her on a journey and had to look for a store to buy a new one. But it turned out that it was difficult to find a one-piece swimsuit for her build. That's why she settled on the separate one, consisting of a sports bra and shorts.

Another problem was the choice of tops. Her favorite sundresses did not fit under the sports bra. The only suitable dress was light, classic, short-sleeved, below-knee length with a thin belt at the waist.

After packing, she went downstairs to a restaurant on the first floor. A short breakfast and Melinda hurried on to her destination. She was afraid she would be late for her appointment. And she was right. The subway was a living hell. She had to miss two trains before she could squeeze into a third. She changed trains at the center, and the situation was the same, except she got on the second train.

Melinda reached the corporate building by half past eight. It took her more than two hours to get there.

Inside the building, the hall was empty, which seemed a little strange after yesterday's crowding. She noticed immediately the presence of two holographic projections on each side of the hall. One of the holographic projections was a young-looking elven woman in a light, revealing dress. She was constantly moving and changing poses. It was even more like a dance.

Melinda involuntarily stared at the elf woman as she walked toward the reception desk. Suddenly she noticed that the elven woman was looking in her direction. This interested her, and she moved closer to the dancing elf. The woman kept her eyes fixed on her. Then the dance was over and the woman stopped. She stretched her hand toward Melinda, wanting to touch her cheek. If she were a living person, Melinda would have certainly felt the touch of her hand. But to her surprise, she only took a couple of steps back and stared at the elven woman in surprise. The woman giggled joyfully but silently, covering her mouth with her hand. They stared into each other's eyes for a few seconds. Then the elf woman began a new dance.

Melinda stood for a minute watching the dance, and when it was over, went to the reception desk.

"Good afternoon."

"Good afternoon. Melinda Butthurt? " Asked the receptionist, and it was confirmed with a nod. "Your pass is ready," she said and pulled out a plastic card with Melinda's photo on it.

"How does it work?" Asked Melinda, pointing in a half-turn with her hand at the elfish woman. The woman waved her hand cheerfully and sent an air kiss, leaning forward slightly.

"Security cameras are hanging in the hall. So, she's using them," the receptionist replied and pointed up at the hanging camera with her hand.

"She?" Melinda realized, interrupting her view of the cameras and staring at the receptionist in surprise.

"Serena, that's the name of that cute little minx," the receptionist smiled, "She's a full-fledged AI and can talk, but we mute her so she doesn't distract the visitors too much.

"Wow," she marveled, "That's the first time I've ever seen anything like that."

"Amazing technology, isn't it?" Said the receptionist, and then added. "You can go upstairs, and take the elevator up to the second floor. On the right-hand side will be the Concert Hall. It will be starting soon.

Melinda turned around and waved goodbye to the elf woman. The latter waved back as well.

 

It was easy to find the concert hall because there were signs everywhere about where to go. The hall was large, if not huge, brightly lit, and with two floors of side rows for seating.

Even though it was still twenty minutes before it started, the hall was already full. There were hardly any empty seats. Melinda had to walk down the aisle all the way to the stage until she saw an empty seat near the aisle.

"Is it free? " She asked a young girl in her early twenties who was sitting in the second seat, chatting with the guy in the third seat next to her. When the girl heard the question, she turned her head.

"Yes, it's free," she replied and then turned back to her companion.

Melinda quickly took a couple of selfies and sat patiently waiting for the beginning, carefully observing the people around her and the scene. In front of her sat a woman in her thirties, average height, wearing light-colored jeans and a sleeveless T-shirt. Behind her sat a man in his forties in a strict business suit.

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Surprisingly, there were few young people. Melinda didn't notice anyone under twenty. All the people present were between twenty-five and thirty-five years old. The most she saw were a couple of people under forty-five. Both men and women were equally represented in the audience.

The stage at the front was empty. Not even a table was visible, like at yesterday's press conference for the media. At the back of the stage, there was a big screen with the game trailers on. But all of them were old, or not very interesting.

 

Five minutes before the start, there was some commotion. The overhead lights in the hall dimmed to semi-darkness, leaving the stage illuminated, and soon a man stepped out onto the stage. He looked about thirty-five years old in gray pants and a T-shirt with the logo of the game, holding a microphone. Melinda recognized him immediately. He attended yesterday's press conference for the media. The man didn't hurry to start the meeting but waited a few minutes until the room had calmed down a bit.

"Ahem, ahem," he coughed before speaking, drawing extra attention. "I'm glad to welcome you all in this hall," he began. The hall fell even more silent. "Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Eric Schneider, CEO of New Age Technology Corporation. I oversee the MMOGs project of Soul World Online. Today I will be assisted by Ms. Selena Atkins. Please welcome her."

The audience erupted in applause and a tall young woman of thin build in her thirties, wearing dark pants, a vest, and a snow-white shirt came on stage. She, too, was holding a microphone. As she approached Schneider, she stopped and bowed first to the hall and then to him.

"I am pleased to welcome future beta testers in this hall," she said after bowing. " I'm Selena Atkins, responsible for running the beta testing of the MMOGs game World of Souls Online. So, you know who to throw tomatoes at if anything goes wrong during today's testing and the beta test that follows."

Laughter erupted in the audience.

"We hope it doesn't come to that, Ms. Atkins," Schneider said, "because we've done a tremendous job in the last five years. And I'm not afraid to say that Soul World Online is a revolutionary game. Let's recap the previously reported information for those who may have missed it."

Then Schneider and Atkins briefly and concisely repeated the information that, unfortunately, Melinda had already heard.

"Now new information, and we will begin with organizational matters. Please, Ms. Atkins."

"Thank you, Mr. Schneider. So… Today will be the final selection for the beta test. But don't be alarmed," she hastened to reassure the audience. "By selection, we mean testing for compatibility with our hardware. Let's hope that everyone will pass it without difficulty. The testing will take place in a specially constructed building. There you will also be provided lodging for the entire four months of the beta test if you sign a contract with us after today's testing."

The hall stirred, and a wave of discontent swept through it. Not everyone agreed to give four months of their lives to the corporation. Therefore, by calling the participants in advance, the corporation gave verbal consent to these conditions.

"We understand that it is difficult to take such a step," said Schneider, "so the corporation is giving everyone who passed the test two thousand dollars, regardless of the test results. In addition, those who signed the contract will be equal to the corporation's employees and will receive a salary of six thousand dollars a month. Food and lodging will be on us. Plus, possible bonuses."

After hearing what was said, the hall literally exploded with discussion. Nothing was surprising in this, as the conditions offered were too tempting. Waiting for the hall to calm down, Ms. Atkins continued.

"All those who have passed the test are assigned separate apartments in the same building. You can move in today. If you cannot move your things in time, please contact us - the corporation will provide assistance. Next. If you are injured, the corporation will cover all the costs of treatment and compensation. Before we start testing, we will have another meeting, but in a different setting. I think you've already guessed that it will be in virtual reality."

"Speaking of which," Schneider took the lead. "I must introduce two special guests who will be taking part in our meeting. Their duties include in-game administration."

Schneider made a gesture with his hand, and particles of light appeared from the side of Ms. Atkins, forming a bright cocoon.

"Meet. From the western part of the great forests, the elder of the kin, Lord Daeron."

When the light of the cocoon dispersed, a tall, slender, blond elf, judging by his long-pointed ears and clothing, stood on stage. He was dressed in a long, light-colored costume, the bottom of which was stylized as a leaf. The clothes were adorned with silver embroidery that resembled a forest ornament. Silver embroidery was also on the high leather boots. Behind his back was a long cloak, and on his head was a carved metal hoop.

Schneider made a hand gesture in the other direction. Beside him, particles of darkness rose from below the stage. They also formed a cocoon.

"From the eastern continent. The incomparable Duchess Lilith."

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