Hard Wired Trilogy DeAnna Pearce (if you give a mouse a cookie read aloud txt) 📖

VR were of her own making. Even the code she saw with Advisor Williams was after her battle with him in the VR.

“Why didn’t you tell me this before? Then I would know not to push things.”

Niomi flashed a glance at Vinh. “In retrospect, I should have. We don’t have many warpers around here. I worried that if you knew, you would hold back in training. There isn’t a training manual that comes with you. I studied all the information we have on warpers and do the best. Trust me, we want what’s best for you. VisionTech has invested a great deal with you and wants to keep you healthy and happy.”

“You have information on other warpers?” Being unique, Ari wanted to know as much as she could about herself and her ability. Hence why she reached out to Hailey and Emil in the first place.

“Yes. I can ask for access if you are interested?”

“I am.” She paused for a moment, then blurted, “What if I ever change my mind and decide I’m done being a warper?” Ari hated to ask but had to know.

“Again, it would be breach of contract. Which would cost you more than you have earned. Do you have anywhere to go? Really? Why would you even consider that?”

Niomi was right, but Ari wanted to hear it again. Hear what her options were for her and her family. She needed to hear it to help her understand, this was the best place for her, despite what her gut told her.

With a loud exhale, Niomi stood. “If we are done here, you should rest. Maybe a sleep aid will help you heal faster.”

“Sure.” She had a lot to think about, but with this headache it would have to wait.

Vinh placed a hand under her elbow and helped her to stand. “I kept the patch in. I’d like to keep you on fluids and some supplements while you sleep.”

“Okay.” She zombie walked down to her room, anxious for oblivion.

Saturday, Ari stayed around her rooms. Niomi sent over the files she promised, and Ari dug in. They were far from thorough, mostly snippets of reports and accounts. When Virtual Reality exploded there was a rush for programs, and thus programmers. Usually programs took six months to write. Then there were rumors about people who could program in weeks, days even.

Most of the industry was baffled. These programmers soon fell off the screen, realizing they could make more money flying solo and selling them to companies for distributions. VisionTech purchased several of their programs from such entities—not that Ari could blame them. They could change or copy the code where needed, and it improved production to a couple months.

In an industry like this, Ari knew from school, months meant millions of dollars. If some program or game became hot, then other companies needed their product out as soon as possible. Hundreds of companies fell, while a handful grew and took over the industry.

None of the files Niomi provided showed any new information for Ari. It looked like they got most of their information from these ghosts, or people programming for themselves. Every now and again, a company would obtain a warper, but no one wanted to share information on such a valuable asset. Unfortunately, their drive for money had warpers turned into tools not humans.

VisionTech had a few warpers over the years, but only for a short time. One warper, an older male, thirty-five years old, worked for VisionTech for several years. A lot of the information was deleted from the file. Maybe to protect his identity or maybe to protect themselves. It didn’t say much about health issues though. Only that a healthy diet with regular cardiovascular exercise improved his ability and reduced headaches. No reason was listed for his departure.

Maybe he went solo as well? Ari could only guess. Before she could call Niomi to ask, Reed called her.

“Hey, stranger.” His voice echoed in her room.

“Reed.” Ari couldn’t help the excitement in her voice. She put the call on her big screen while she sat on the couch.

“When are they going to invent teleporting? So I can just jump through this screen to see you.”

“I don’t think I could ever trust my body floating through the air. It’s bad enough with my consciousness meandering the VR.”

“True. I just miss you.”

“Me too.” Her plan of creating distance from Reed to leave him on the island to pursue his dream appeared dumber by the minute. Not that she felt completely satisfied by Niomi’s explanation and the secrets they kept from her, but leaving Reed would be too hard. “Where are you at, by the way?”

“Outside your door.” His smile lifted on one side, melting Ari’s heart. “I got some food and wondered if I could convince you to go to a picnic at the beach.”

“You had me at food.” She stood, ready to head out. “Let me grab a swimsuit, and I’ll be out.”

After ending the call, she realized she may need to do more than find a swim suit. She cleaned her teeth, brushed her hair, and threw a sundress over her suit. It wasn’t every day she got to spend time with Reed.

After a kiss that was way too short for Ari’s preference, they headed down to the beach. He kept her up to date on his new transfer to the Art Department with Kimmy. Swallowing her jealousy of his relationship with Kimmy, she was happy for his joy. It was his dream job. Honestly, she wouldn’t even know what her dream job would be anymore. It definitely wouldn’t be pretending to be other people, though.

They finished dinner, and Reed turned the conversation back to Ari. “So, I know you are limited with what you can tell me, but how is your work going?”

“It’s definitely work.” Ari dug her fingers in the sand, not sure how much to say.

“And…” he prodded. “Vinh treating you okay?”

Deciding she didn’t want to dampen his happiness, she swallowed her worries.