Intro to the VR (Part 2)
The drive through the tunnel takes longer than you would have thought.
Of course, my system has to send all of my models to the server I'm going to.
Travelling through these tunnels actually is a giant "Loading..." screen, while the two servers (the one you come from
and the one you're going to) exchange the modified files, i.e. models, skins, equipment, etc.
Then there were the so-called "special models". This term covers all non-human models designed by users of the VR.
To prevent extreme loading times resulting from all users using special models, most servers disabled this feature.
This was also a great relief to servers sponsoring online games because most special models brought special abilities with them:
A very large model could just squish some enemies, while very small ones were almost impossible to hit.
So the only place where special models could be used now are private servers or chat rooms.
Fortunately, the Virtual Knights could easily afford private servers.
Too bad this is just a name and not a concept you think as you watch the status bar.
We are just another Clan acting in present-day games. The only difference is the way we handle a problem.
Perhaps I should just quit. Go solo for a while.
As you think about this, you notice another thing.
Why should I test this drone? The Virtual Knights have more than enough members!
Besides, there are more than enough competent warriors who could show a good fight.
I've got the feeling that I've been tricked.
"Abort loading. Return home." you order the car.
"All loading-related commands have been overridden."
"Who did that?" you ask, your voice calmer than you would have suspected.
"The Clan Leader.". the car answers.
Clan Leader? We never had one!
"And who is the Clan Leader?"
"Lady Bayliss"
Lady??? Until last week all of us were Clan members.
"When did she officially assume the title of Clan Leader?" you ask although you can sense the answer.
"Unknown."
A secret power assumption. But how is that connected to the loading options?
Then you think about it.
I'm a life-time member, but an unmotivated one. More than enough members, an advertisment video, life-time...
The facts connect and form a very dark picture of the Clan structure.
So she's doing... adjustments to the list of active members. Some minor accidents...
You swallow hard. Although this is the Virtual Reality, when a character dies he still looses everything he took with him.
My equipment, my car,... MY MODELS! And everything just to get me out of the Clan...
You look at the status bar. It has just passed 90%.
Not much time, but I will need some extra equipment to get home safely.
You start to search your car for the emergency equipment that was stored in every car. You find it under your seat.
It is a small case and when you open it you find three things: some tracking beacons, some visual position signals
and a tracer which is able to guide you to a dropped beacon.
You take the tracer and the beacons out of the case and activate the model of the mage you like so much.
The enchanted purse comes in quite handy you think as you open the purse attached to your belt.
When you look into it, you see nothing, but stored in it are your staffs, some coins, another robe and now the tracer.
95%. Time for a final dress-change you think as you click the picture of the man in the black suit.
