“The big one that’s probably on all of your minds is how we keep you physically healthy while you’re in the pod.” He opened the pod and the camera view shifted so they could all see inside. “The interior is lined with sensors that monitor, well, everything. Blood chemistry, heart rate, brain activity, even your bone and muscle density.” Rosenbloom spent the next hour describing the monitoring and maintenance systems in the pod and how each worked to keep the occupant alive and healthy. “Any pertinent questions?”
He fielded the handful of questions that people had, as most of it had been clear and easy to understand. He smiled broadly at the audience, “I look forward to caring for all of you. Thank you for putting your faith in myself and my team. Mr. Brouch, back over to you.”
The camera shifted to Alvin Brouch, now seated at a desk. “Now for the part you’ve all waited so patiently for. Once the presentation is dismissed, you’ll split up according to gender and follow the signs for the final medical examinations. Once you’ve done that, you’ll have access to phones and computers to make any arrangements needed should you opt for one of the longer immersion trials. From there, you’ll be assigned in groups of three to the pod rooms.”
Alvin sat back in his chair, a broad smile spreading across his face. “You’ll be joined by other long term testing groups based in Europe, Russia and Asia. There are a total of two thousand participants in the initial trials, helping make history with us. We thank all of you for your eagerness to help us get these trials completed.”
The screen went dark and began to retract into the ceiling as the lights came back up. The rising screen revealed the signs Alvin had mentioned, indicating that women should go through one door that had been concealed behind the screen and men the other. There was a rising murmur of conversation and people jumped up to hurry over to the doors.
Gerald stood up and faced the main part of the room. “Alpha Company recruits, hold your ground.” His voice carried over the noise of conversation, and a number of people turned to look at him. “We’ll take the end of the line. We’ll all have plenty of time to take care of anything we need to, there’s no reason to rush.”
Some of those who’d said they wanted into the guild ignored him, but something like a hundred people clumped loosely around him, chatting among themselves. Gerald circulated through, thanking each of them as they joined the group. “Alright, ladies and gentlemen. I am the second in command of Alpha Company. Our fearless leader is already testing, so we’ll be joining him. How many of you are opting for longer than a month?” Thirty-six hands were raised. “Okay. How many are opting for six?” A dozen hands stayed up.
“We’ll be doing the six month test,” Marysue said from her place next to Gerald. “We’ve met already, but in the excitement it’s easy to forget. I’m Marysue. In game I’m a healer and also an officer of the guild.”
“I’m an officer as well,” Karen added, “I’ll be opting in for six months.”
“I’m also an officer,” Fluff added in her normal soft tone, which only those nearest her heard.
“Fluff here is also one of our officers, as she stated,” Gerald repeated for those who hadn’t heard. “Alburet, our leader, will be waiting in game to welcome you all. We’ll get invitations issued to you all as quickly as we can. If anyone ever has any issue with a fellow guild mate, the matter should be brought to an officer. We’ll do our best to help resolve the problem.”
“Why is he the leader?” A redhead amazon, whose tag read Bloodmoon, asked with challenging eyes.
“He created the guild,” Karen replied. “Along with me and Fluff. Marysue and Gerald joined us once they had been confirmed for the test.”
“Not great qualifications,” Bloodmoon snorted. “At least Gerald was here to meet us. We should promote him to leader.”
“No,” Gerald cut in simply. “Alburet, while at times being difficult to deal with, is the guild leader. This is not open to discussion. One of my jobs as second is to help quell dissention. I will not abide talk of a guild rift already.”
Bloodmoon shrugged, “Whatever. Can we go get in line now?”
The mass moved as a group and took up the end of the line, chatting as they waited. Fluff and Karen took their spots at the very end of the line. The line moved forward at a steady pace as people were directed to follow nurses in groups of three.
Marysue, Fluff and Karen stuck together and were led toward a room by a female nurse. Gerald was with DrBone and one other, following a male nurse down another hall. Gerald gave a tight smile to Marysue, who beamed back at him before they split.
The nurse led them to a room with a slew of medical equipment and three of the advanced pods they’d seen in the conference room. The nurse got them started with the paperwork for the extended immersion while she performed the final medical exams. She also pointed out the two phones and computer terminals, in case any of them needed to make further arrangements.
Karen and Marysue stripped quickly as the nurse got machines ready. Fluff hesitated, then finally began to slowly strip as well. Fluff was down to her undergarments by the time the others finished undressing. She was soon the center of attention from the other two.
Fluff’s skin was pale and smooth from head to toe, unmarked by any visible blemish or ink. Marysue frowned as her eyes raked over Fluff, “That is so unfair. I’ve spent so much to look as good as I do and she looks like a living doll with no effort at all.”
Fluff went crimson and turned away from Marysue, “I’m sorry. I know I don’t look right.”
Karen took two steps over to Fluff and patted her shoulder, “She didn’t mean anything bad, Fluff. She’s just a touch jealous, and who wouldn’t be? Come on. You need to finish for the medical exams.”
Marysue eyed Fluff for a minute as she recalled Gerald’s earlier words, her face going hard. “Fluff,” Marysue asked, her voice gone cold, “are you interested in Gerald?”
Fluff rapidly shook her head, not looking at Marysue, “No. I… I… like Alburet, but he’s married now.” The blush that had started in her face had by now crept halfway down her chest.
“Oh.” Marysue smiled sheepishly, “I’m sorry for my comment.”
Karen rolled her eyes, “He would say yes, Marysue.”
Marysue spun on Karen, “What?”
“Gerald. He would say yes. He’s afraid you’ll say no, so he won’t ask. He claimed you refused him once before.”
“We were eight! Of course I said no. Dad would have had a meltdown. Besides, how do you know? He’s never given me any sign that he wants to.”
Karen rolled her eyes. “Has he ever gone after another woman? Has he always been glued to your side? Get a clue-by-four already and thump it on your head.”
Blinking, Marysue just stood there as she considered Karen’s words. “But… why hasn’t he…”
“Fear, plain and simple. He wants to be with you and is afraid you’ll make him leave if he steps wrong. For the next six months, we’ll be in Alpha World and no one can interfere with you two. So, maybe take the time to grab him and shake some sense into him,” Karen smiled as she finished the paperwork.
Karen went to Fluff, “You okay?”
Fluff nodded, “I’m fine...” She was breathing a touch fast and not looking at anything but the floor.
“Fluff, look at me please,” Karen asked.
When their eyes met Karen smiled and gently rubbed a hand through Fluff’s hair where her ears would be in game. “Your eyes are amazing, please don’t hide them so much. It’s me and Marysue here with you. Everything is okay.”
Fluff gulped, her cheeks heating as she kept her eyes on Karen’s smiling face, “I’ll try.”