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‘Introducing the Latest Online gaming program. Play online with friends from across the Nation in your own virtual reality, on Swords Art Online- With the latest nervegear, ‘become the player’ and enter a whole new world with an in-game experience, ‘Like you never have before!’
‘I’ve never experience anything else like it’, says Beta tester Samtaka. ‘It’s like you’re actually there!’
On Sword Art online increase your own skills by fight monsters and even duel PvP. Not a fighting person? that’s fine! SAO offers a wide skill set. Become the best cook, fisherman, architect or blacksmith around.
Are you a fellow of the dark side? Well, lurk the shadows of SAO and become the finest thief. Take up a hobby and join a guild to help each other out, the possibilities are almost endless. But don’t forget about your personal needs-Or your avatars! you’ll need to satisfy your players needs as-’
Nate scoffed, and rolled his eyes, dropping the magazine back on the counter. The’d been at this nonstop for weeks and with no more leads. Not to mention all the junk accumulating in ‘his’ apartment, which was really starting to smell.
They agreed to this job, ‘mostly’ because it was Hardison’s birthday, but they’d because also heard word of something not quite right about the programing. Two more days left of beta testing and the game would be released. Hardison had yet to pass level 8 or (floor), ‘whatever’ but he was convinced that the ‘problem’ would directly involve the players.
Some poking around and small jobs had only backed Hardison’s suspicions, Eliot and Parker got one while he and Sophie grifted another. They’d picked out all the fine details on the Nerve gear company and Sword art online and came to the same conclusion.
Gamemaker Kirishuma was up to something and now they just needed to know ‘what’. That’s how they ended up with the one man that nobody trusted in his living room.
“Sterling don’t touch that.” Nate said half heartedly reading the file he’d brought in, it’s contents only confirmed their found suspicions.
Sterling sighed shifting his hand away from the remote in silent surrender.
“I know you’ve been looking into it Nate, that’s why I’m here. But unless you’ve proof, I can’t tell ‘the biggest’ advancement in technology to ‘shut it down’ on some shifty evidence” Sterling finished in one breath.
“SAO is going online in the next 48 hours, if you go online and find out what Kirishuma is up to, than we can shut him down.” He finished looking Nate in the eye.
“How do we know it’s safe,” Nate glared back.
“I’ve got a team of professionals, for you and your team with a state of the art set up; nothing's gonna happen.” Sterling stated as they both looked over to the prone figure of Hardison in full nerve gear on the couch.
“Well if that’s anything to go by.” He finished.
“What’s in it for you Sterling.” Nate replied curtly, keeping his eyes on Hardison.
“Well the programs insured...not exactly our usual cup of tea but...”
“But, if you can prove there’s no faults in the system…” They both shared a knowing look, 90% of what they insured at IYS was art or company blueprint’s. But occasionally they’d get computer programs worth Billions. If nervegear worked out than Sterling, let alone the company, would be set for life.
The apartment door opened then as if to save them any awkward silence. Eliot and Sophie came through struggling with some bags of groceries while Parker having trailed behind immediately saw sterling and stopped dead in the doorway.
Scrunching her face in an impressive display of disgust and confusion she looked directly at Sterling with her most tormenting evil eye.
“What’s ‘he’ doing here?” She asked to nobody in particular while moving to stand behind Hardison.
Having freed his hands Eliot was now able to see what she was talking about. And he did not seem happy upon inspection of their unexpected visitor either. There was a low emitting growl from his throat and Nate barley had enough time to warn Eliot off before he beat Sterling to a pulp.
“Wait Eliot he’s offering us help.” Nate explained as they all gathered around for the full story. They’d fill Hardison in later, he’d probably enjoy the news more than anyone.
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“I still don’t like this.” Sophie relays.
“I know,” Nate replies
“Nobody does, you know that right?” she asks.
“If they don’t like it they can back out. That’s always been an option.” he retorts before stopping short in front of a rather larger commercial building.
Sterling had of course pulled one last piece of information to make up their minds about going ‘in game.’ And it all had to do with reaching the game database while playing Sword art online. And If they could find what was wrong than maybe they could just fix it themselves.
“I’m not backing out. I just don’t like it...not knowing.” Parker says stopping next to Nate and Sophie.
“We don’t have to like it, it’s just the right thing to do.” Nate replies.
“The right thing to do could also be the most dangerous. I don’t know what’s gonna happen and if we’re all in the game then I don’t know if I can protect you. Let alone in the real world.”
“That’s why Sterling's remaining IRL.” Nate states cringing inwardly as he says it.
“STERLING!?” half his team shouts in unison.
“Seriously Nate?” Sophie asks.
“mm-mm, you didn’t, nope Nah-man you didn’t say nothin earlier. I got nothing against guiding you through the game, but if Sterling’s the one watching our backs.-” Hardison already shaking his head.
“We can trust him…” Nate says, and with a pause asks one final time. “If anyone wants to back out, then now’s the time to do it.” He states and then looks at each member.
“We’re a team Nate, we do this together.” Sophie says in finality.
“Then let’s go steal the internet.” Nate tells them and walks towards the building with his team in tow.”
“Nate..man you can’t steal the internet its-”
“Dammit Hardison he knows that-.” Eliot grumbles the last bit just under his breath. .