Chapter 141: The Code Part 1

"So, I didn't just come here to make fun of you and only tell you how the world is going to end, hehe. No, we have a lot to talk about, and I saved up a bit of time, so don't be afraid to ask questions. If you don't, then I might get worried, hehe!"

"You are way too jovial for this kind of talk, Simon, but alright, spill the beans; what news do you have about our existential crisis?"

"Okay, there are a couple of things, but I'll start with the best part, The Code."

"Well, don't get all dark and mysterious with me, Simon. Just tell me what this 'Code' is."

"I told you, we have time, stop being so damn impatient! Do you know what I do while your out cavorting with women? I work on this problem; Dave, I haven't left the office since you went in! I have a cot set up in the room I work in, and I catch a few hours where I can, but I am always working on this problem, so cut me some slack if I want to be dramatic or conversational, just humor me."

I had never really thought about that; I was too caught up in my own worries. I still wasn't sure about Simon and this all, but if he is telling the truth, then whatever he has planned might decide the span of our infinite life cycle. Simon was right, though, and I really did need to give him a break and humor him.

As far as I could tell and from what I had gathered from the people I had talked to, no one but me was talking with Simon. I was in my own separate orientation that was even separate from Serina, but she had never said anything about it. Maybe that was part of the things she couldn't tell me about in the past, masked behind God-given knowledge that couldn't be revealed.

"Okay, I believe you."

"Oh, so now you believe me?"

"Give me a break Simon, you have been lying to me this entire time, hell everyone has, but I get it now."

"Well, I guess that is a fair point, okay, back to The Code; it is something I have been picking at for a while now, but only just got my hands on a rough copy of it. The Code is a special access key of sorts given to Game-Masters, allowing them to move between and enter any games. On top of that, they have the ability to unfreeze players, and The Code prevents them from being frozen."

"Are you kidding me? That's great, Simon! Load me upright know with that bad boy!"

"Haha, if it was only that easy. The Code Tequila helped me pull was from MainFrames trash; it was one of the original codes and far out of date. Now I am updating it and changing some things, important things you will need if you are going to defeat MainFrame."

"MainFrame? Is that the thing that bleeps us when I get naked and fight with my clothes off?"

"MainFrame the main part of that other system, but it does so much more. Not only does it help keep most unwanted hackers out, but it also distributes all the feeds and monitors them. Not just in the game either; the room I need to get to is monitored by MainFrame here in the real world. I partially think MainFrame might be more than a studios A.I."

"Meaning what?"

"That MainFrame is being controlled from the inside by all the heads of the company. Even before you left, Since Reborn has come online, we have nothing but conference calls with Mr. Datum over video calls."

"I'm missing the point here. If The Founders are in the game, then they won't let the game die, right?"

"You are right about that, but remember The Code! What happens when they come out of the mainframe and start imposing their will on everyone? What will we do?"

"Why haven't they done it already?"

"They need the world to end first. If The Founders show their hand now, the world will see, and things might change, but as the world knows it, Reborn is trying to help save it. Instead, they are leaving it to rot; I found out just before I came in that Reborn has seized control of over fifteen thousand nukes across the world. Do you know what that means?"

"So, they are going to destroy the world?"

"Yeah, and then launch us into space to float around the barren earth with solar power, a crew of self-repairing droids, and others that can be controlled from inside the game by MainFrame. We have to get MainFrame out of the game before we leave in two months; the average game takes six to ten days my time, so that means you have at least six more games."

"And after that? If we fail?"

"Don't be stupid, Dave, or just give up now. I need you one-hundred percent with me on this, do you understand? There is no room in this plan for doubt; there are over five million souls on ice right now that are going to turn into five million slaves."

Alright, I get it. We will do this then, no doubt, but now I need you to tell me how this Code you have will help me accomplish it. The problem keeps getting bigger and bigger every time you come to see me."

"HA! Tell me about it, do you know how long it's been since we last talked? Five minutes, I had just stepped into the lunchroom for coffee and walked back. Now imagine watching you live half of one of these lifetimes, waiting for you to hit a point that I could talk to you."

"It's just hard to believe that this is all happening."

"Well, I might be able to help with that. Another reason I came in was to show you this footage I was able to sneak in."

"Footage? of what?"

"Of the world, or what's left of it."