Chapter 14 - Teaming up

In the real world, Gray was born and raised in the domed city Washington, named after some important guy from the 18th century of a country once known as the United States of America. Long before Gray was born, these domed cities were constructed on elevated areas of land that were still large enough to support them without any major earth moving. Around the world, only twenty domed cities still existed and each one was ran by a major corporation as politicians had proven themselves time and time again to be incapable to manage them effectively. Of the original fifty cities, ten had been lost due to accidents or sabotage by extremists and the other twenty in the eastern hemisphere had all been lost due to negligent leadership hence why the remaining cities used a Corporate Republic system of governance.

Gray's family were all involved in a shuttle mishap when trying to move together. His parents never died fortunately, that would be too cliché, but he was still separated from them due to a miscommunication so he could only holochat with them now due to the city they returned to being partially submerged. This was not uncommon as people did what they needed to do to survive.

"I know Mom, I'm taking care of myself." Said Gray to the holochat of his parents.

"Son, we just worry about you like all good parents worry about their children." Said Gray's mother with a worried expression on her face. "I know you like to game a lot and I've heard stories about some that go without eating or sleeping for days due to addictions."

"Mom… those things haven't happened in decades, where do you get your news from?" said Gray while shaking his head at his Mom.

"Son, your Mother is just worried is all, as long as you are happy and doing well is all that matters... but your Mother and I are both in agreement that we need grandkids so stop playing games and go meet a nice girl!" said Gray's Father with a slightly indignant tone.

"Listen, playing Alterra Online is going to be a great social outlet. I've already met a few nice girls so let's just leave it at that."

This is usually how Gray's conversations went with his parents. It may seem annoying and such, but it did at least show that his parents cared about him, or at least his ability to give them grandchildren… Although he never remembers physically being with them as he was only 3 when they were separated, technology has advanced to the point where they could still interact fully.

"Mom, Dad, I know you spent a lot of your savings on me when I went to college, I want to try and buy you both a VR bed each."

"What for honey? We do not play video games." Said Gray's Mom.

"No, but with full dive VR technology, we can still meet up and it will be almost 100% the same as if we were together in real life." Gray had only considered this after experiencing full dive VR for himself. It felt so real to him that he could understand how some people become obsessed and never logged out.

"We appreciate the sentiment, but you do not need to worry about us, we're happy just seeing you doing well. Save your money for yourself and maybe take a nice girl out some time." Said Gray's Dad.

"Yeah yeah, I'm working on it, there are just so many girls that desire me I can never decide which one to pick!" said Gray boastingly.

"We never raised you to be liar so don't try and pull that with us, just be yourself and you will find someone that accepts you for who you are."

"You make it sound like I'm a charity case Mom…"

"You know what I mean Gray!" said Gray's Mom getting flustered.

"I know, but it's still fun to mess with my parents every now and then!"

__________

The next morning Gray logged back in to Alterra Online. Apparently Geoff had had the same idea as Gray and took time off from work to also play the game so they agreed to meet up as soon as possible in game. They thought about meeting up in real life, but figured that was pointless for now since they can only play Alterra Online from their VR beds.

"I was thinking, if we create our own team, we need at about as many female members as there are male members." Said Gray to Geoff.

"I do agree that we should maintain a balance." Geoff replied.

"Screw balance, I just want us all to have at least one girlfriend!"

"At least one Gray?" said Geoff slightly exhausted from Gray's short-sightedness.

"If I had it my way, you and any other guys would be my lackeys and the girls would be part of my harem." Gray said passionately looking off into the distance like some anime hero.

"While you are undoubtedly as dense as a male protagonist in a harem anime, I'll be impressed if you attract even one girl."

Gray and Geoff frequently got into these types of boasting 'competitions' with each other, just showed how well they got along.

"Anyways, let's at least ask Stacia and Yurika if they want to join us. Only twelve of us are in this camp so we should pick from our own camp until we are able to better gauge other's skill through matchmaking." Said Geoff.

"On it!" Gray tapped his Armlet and searched for nearby friendly players. He saw that Yurika and Stacia were already together online and were near the simulators. They seemed like a strange pair as Stacia was very calm and down to earth while Yurika was very loud and loved to be the center of attention. Still, girls like to form groups so Stacia and Yurika teamed up and the other two girls that Gray never got to know had formed another group.

Gray walked up to Yurika and Stacia and said with a very confident tone. "We have deemed you worthy to join our group, you are welcome." Gray flashed his best playboy smile while slicking his hair back in a typical cocky playboy manner. Both girls stared at Gray then looked at Geoff next to Gray and watched as Geoff slowly started to creep away from Gray.

"I am sorry Yurika and Stacia, it seems my friend here forgot to take his medicine this morning." Said Geoff apologetically. "What he REALLY means is that we were hoping to be able to work together with the both of you as we believe it is in all of our best interests to work together."

Stacia whispered something to Yurika, Yurika nodded back at Stacia.

"We agree, we just want to play the game so if guys hit on us too much or make us uncomfortable we will leave." Said Yurika pointedly at Geoff and Gray.

"Agreed, we just want to play and win as well!" said Geoff while holding Gray in a headlock while to keep him from saying something stupid.

"Have room for one more?" Caleb asked after overhearing their conversation. "I admit I am at a loss on teammates until the game fully launches and we get more people here."

Geoff and Yurika both looked at each other and shrugged. "Sure, let's give another quick introduction about each other and what we want to specialize in." said Geoff as he finally released Gray.

Caleb spoke up to the group. "Wanting to specialize and actually being able too are two different things. I would suggest we let our AI trainers suggest our roles based upon our performances in matchmaking."

"It is different, but it's a game, we can just do what we want and have fun. If all of us want to be assaulters, then we can all be assaulters!" said Yurika excitedly while making shooting gestures with her hands.

"Well, let's just jump in to matchmaking and go with our own preferences and see what happens from there." Said Gray to everyone. "I might end up liking a different role than what I first wanted to be."

Geoff stared at Gray in awe. "That's the first normal thing you've said!"

"I am perfectly capable of being normal!" yelled Gray.

When he looked back at the other 4 in his new team, they had ignored him and were already walking away to the matchmaking station to find a match.