It was another busy day for the staff of Kurt Technologies. The past two weeks had been nothing short of chaotic. With the recent launch of the highly anticipated VR Pod and game, their office had turned into a whirlwind of activity, unlike anything they had ever experienced before.
Initially, the excitement was palpable. The phones rang constantly, with calls pouring in from all over the world. At first, it was exhilarating. Staff members were eager to answer questions, basking in the company's newfound fame. Everyone felt like they were part of something monumental.
The release of the world's first true VR Pod and game was groundbreaking, after all, and they were on the frontlines of history in the making.
But as days turned into weeks, the exhilaration faded. The calls, which had once been an exciting sign of their product's success, became overwhelming. Now, instead of receiving thoughtful inquiries or relevant questions, most calls revolved around two things: how to gain backdoor access to the game's beta testing or how to purchase the VR Pod in secret before the official release.
What baffled them the most was the fact that people weren't even calling to pre-order the game or the Pod, as one might expect. No, they wanted to bypass the entire system and get their hands on the products immediately, in the most covert ways possible. The desperation was palpable in their voices, with some going so far as to offer bribes to the unsuspecting customer service representatives.
The staff, though initially amused, were now frustrated and exhausted. Every new shift felt like a never-ending barrage of repetitive questions and increasingly desperate pleas.
"It's ridiculous, isn't it? I mean, I expected us to be busy, but not like this," said a young lady, Emily, dressed in a sleek, black office attire, as she plopped down into her chair. She looked at her phone, bracing herself for the next round of calls. Her fingers ached from typing, and her throat felt dry from explaining the same thing over and over again.
Her colleague, Claire, dressed in a slightly skimpy red office outfit, was equally tired but not willing to show it. Claire flicked her long, curled hair behind her shoulder and exaggerated a pout. "Girl, seriously. I thought I wasn't going to make it home yesterday! The way people were staring at me as I walked out of the building. So creepy.
I was sure someone was going to jump out and snatch me."
Emily rolled her eyes, smirking as she adjusted her seat. "Honestly, with the way you dress, I wouldn't be surprised if someone did drag you into a dark corner."
Claire gasped dramatically and placed a hand on her chest. "Excuse me? This is office chic," she replied, standing up to give a little sashay in her tight red outfit, causing a few heads to turn.
"You're one wardrobe malfunction away from an HR violation," Emily said, stifling a laugh.
Before Claire could snap back, the air shifted in the room as the tall figure of Silas entered the office. His mere presence was enough to silence the banter. Everyone straightened up, whether out of respect, fear, or the simple fact that Silas commanded authority in a way that was hard to explain.
Claire's eyes brightened as she spotted him, and she immediately went into action. She stood up and began making ambiguous and slightly sensual movements with her body, hoping to catch Silas's attention as he passed by. She thought she might have a shot; after all, he was young, handsome, and the wealthiest man most of them had ever seen. But her efforts were wasted.
Silas walked right past her without even a glance in her direction.
Emily, seeing Claire's desperate attempt, couldn't hold back her laughter. She made a mocking face at her before turning back to her work, tapping away at her keyboard. She had too much to get done to waste time with Claire's games.
Silas, as focused as ever, moved toward the elevators that led to his private office. He barely noticed the interactions around him. His mind was already on the tasks ahead.
The company was buzzing, not just because of the overwhelming interest in their products, but because today marked the first day of the expanded beta testing. The initial test had gone so well that Silas had decided to add more testers. It wasn't just an ordinary extension; this was something larger.
The elevator hummed softly as it descended, carrying Silas toward the testing area.
When the elevator doors opened, the hallway beyond was bustling with staff and testers, some chatting nervously while others waited eagerly to be called in.
These new beta testers had no idea what they were about to experience. The initial testers had barely scratched the surface, and even though their feedback was overwhelmingly positive, Silas knew the full depth of the VR world—Terrasis Online—had yet to be revealed. And with this second wave, they would get closer to understanding the technology's true potential.
As he walked down the hall, staff members nodded respectfully, some offering small greetings, but most just moved out of his way. Silas's presence commanded respect, even more so now with the success of the company riding high.
He arrived at the observation room, where Luna was already pulling up detailed information about the new candidates. The live feeds from the VR Pods showed each one of them getting settled into the futuristic devices, excitement, and curiosity visible on their faces. Silas watched for a moment, his fingers idly tapping the table.
{They're ready. Shall I begin the orientation?}
Silas nodded. "Yes, start the process. Let's see how they react."
---
Elsewhere in the city, the atmosphere was completely different.
At a small café downtown, Elizabeth sat at a corner table, her fingers wrapped around a steaming cup of coffee. She was staring out the window, but her mind was racing, filled with conflicting thoughts.
She had always prided herself on being able to remain calm under pressure, on being able to handle difficult situations without losing her cool. But this was different.
A shadow fell across her table, and she looked up to see David sliding into the seat across from her.
"You look like you haven't slept," he remarked, taking a sip of his own coffee.
Elizabeth gave a half-hearted smile. "It's been a long few days."
David nodded, understanding. "Daniel is getting reckless."
Elizabeth's jaw tightened at the mention of Daniel. She didn't know what to say or do about Daniel.
David's eyes narrowed slightly. "He's not the only one obsessed. The Bureau is watching closely, waiting for him to fail so they can swoop in and make their move."
Elizabeth shook her head. "I don't care about the Bureau's games. This isn't just about politics or power struggles anymore. We are probably cooked at this point."
David chuckled. "I know that. I just hope we don't get burned."