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

on a sunny day. The perfection traveled to another level; even the weather knew better than to destroy the image.

“Can anyone watch this?” She wondered why she’d never seen this before in her schooling. Granted, her schooling usually only dealt with their own history of wars and innovation.

“It costs to have eyes on the city and even this view is limited, but we keep a constant eye on things. We are a global company that has important business throughout the world. We need you to help protect our interests inside VLEX.” The director stood, one eyebrow raised as if expecting an answer.

Did she really have a choice? She signed her contract and if she didn’t have to hurt anyone, she’d do what she could. And being here, she could do more for her family financially than anywhere else.

“I want to see my family again,” she said, changing the subject.

“Of course.” The director said with a smile. He had an air about him, like he was God himself. Turning to Niomi, the almighty commanded, “See that it happens.” Without another word he left.

Ari let her breath go and relaxed in the chair.

“Do you know how much work and money it takes to contact your family?” Niomi asked. “It would better to focus on your training.”

Ari shrugged. She knew but didn’t care. “So, bill me.”

Niomi shook her head in disappointment and headed towards the screen, pulling up the command key in the corner. “While I get your request in order, I want you to start memorizing these skins.”

“What are skins?” Ari turned in her chair to study the screen. A pale girl, with red hair and freckles appeared on the screen.

“People you will be in the VLEX. You need to memorize their back stories, their co-workers, drink preference, what they wear and other appearances down to the freckle. You will be required to become these people when necessary.”

“Where do they come from? Am I taking over their jobs? Won’t someone notice?”

“Don’t worry about that part. You work on being a chameleon. You’ll never show your true self in the VLEX and may have to change appearances in a second’s notice. Changing code from within will alert the authorities but you’ll be long gone before they find you.”

“Anytime people say ‘don’t worry’, somehow it makes me worry more.”

Niomi left the girl on the screen and took a seat next to Ari. “Do you trust me?”

Pulling back slightly, Ari considered the question. She had worked with Niomi for the past six months. Hell, they had sort of bonded over hours of martial arts videos—the old school ones from before computer manipulation ruined film. Niomi was hard, yet fair. But what did Ari really know about her?

Niomi sensed her hesitation. “I’ve always been honest with you. Ask me and I’ll tell you.”

“I can’t beat someone to a pulp like in that video. I can’t kill anyone.”

“We aren’t asking you to. This isn’t real. And your training is more for the mental and physical benefits. But you’re telling me you’ve never played games, killing orcs or whatever the hell kids are playing nowadays?”

Ari rubbed an invisible spot on the desk. “That just looked so real.”

“Never forget where you are or who you are.” Niomi’s voice hit a stern intensity usually saved for training. “There are great differences between these two worlds, but the person is the same. There are several ways to handle a situation in the VR, as you know. Your other tools are a lot more powerful than your fists.”

“What did the agent do to that man’s mind?” The image of blood and then the massive amount of code unsettled her. Invading someone secrets, their beliefs, felt wrong. Despite her natural aptitude, she loathed the idea of VRs to begin with.

“That tactic is only used in serious circumstances, where information is vital. The information will be taken to the authorities. Think of it as interrogation without real or lasting pain. Society has spent years painfully torturing others to get information and a lot of the time that information would be forced or false. That age is passed, at least with warpers.” Niomi placed a hand on Ari’s shoulder. Even though they touched all the time as they fought, this felt important. Her steel eyes held a softness to them. “Warpers are a blessing.”

The verdict was still out for Ari. When she was first called to study virtual reality programming, she thought it a curse. As she came to accept her position in society, she realized the power she had, and the price tag placed on her new ability. Yes, warpers had gifts others dreamed of, but did they really help society or just push it farther down the electronic rabbit hole?

“You’ll see soon enough.” Niomi broke the tension between them and headed to the screen. After a couple clicks, she turned back. “I sent you the files. You can check them out this afternoon, then take a break tonight. Why don’t you watch an old movie while you eat? You could probably use a break.”

“Are you sure I heard you right? Did you just say I could use a break?”

Niomi rolled her eyes. “Don’t make me regret it, newbie,” she replied, pushing Ari out the door.

“Guess that means I’ll order the sushi?” Ari said to the door. Since they lived on an island, Niomi pushed fish along with fresh fruit and veggies more than anything. Raw fish was hard to swallow at first, literally, but now sushi was one of Ari’s favorites. Now sea urchins were disgusting; Ari had to draw the line somewhere.

Back in her room, Ari called Reed, and he appeared on her huge screen.

“What are you smiling about?” He sat at his desk, working on an art table in front of him. Island life agreed with him. His skin tanned to a nice light brown while his hair had sandy blond highlights.

“Every time I see your face two feet tall, I can’t help but smile.” She never tired of looking at