The first of the Intermission chapters. I admit, this one should probably have been it's own actual chapter in the story, given how much longer than my original plan for this one actually was.
Anyway, without further ado...
Intermission 1 - When The Going Gets Tough...
~ November 6th, 2022 - 01:32am (GMT) - Brislington, Bristol, England ~
'Breaking news coming out of Japan now, as the Japanese government have confirmed that the sales of the game, Sword Art Online, have been indefinitely suspended, after the developer, Kayaba Akihiko, published a manifesto on his future of virtual reality gaming. The Japanese government have confirmed that around 200 people have already perished, and although these deaths are considered suspicious, they have not confirmed nor denied the involvement of the NerveGear system. The planned expansion of the system to other territories is now looking extremely unlikely, although no retailer has confirmed any cancellation of their orders yet. We'll hope to have more on this story, as it develops. In other news, the Prime Minister has caused outrage amongst...' - Unsurprisingly, the BBC had been the first to make any real announcement of the ongoing situation... Sam looked back at his phone, currently lighting up his darkened room. - ''I did say that would happen! Well, Mike owes me a trip to Japan now.'' - Sam looked awfully pleased at himself for a few seconds, before realising how awful of a person he currently sounded. God knows what those families were going through, and here he was, happy that he'd won a bet made when the other person wasn't really paying attention. ''Though, I should probably message him, check he's okay. Eh, I'll do it in the-YAWN- morning.'' - He dropped back to sleep, forgetting that morning for him was, in fact, early evening for his best friend...
~ Later that day... ~
Sam thought back to the old saying 'When it rains, it pours'. In this case, it felt less like rain, and more like a hurricane. The NerveGear incident, as some commentators had started referring to it, was far more wide ranging than he (and the BBC) initially believed - at least 10,000 copies of the game had been distributed, and around 10,000 players had logged in upon launch. It was now known that around 310 players had died, and that the game itself was the trigger for the deaths, rather than a defect in the console, as he'd previously believed, alongside the fact that his idiot of a best friend was amongst them. ''Michael, you'd better survive this. Because if you don't... I suspect your sisters are going to kill you.'' - was all he could muster, in response to that news.
~ November 8th, 2022 - Narita International Airport, Tokyo. ~
Gabriella had seen a lot of things for a 25 year old. She'd seen the carnage wrought by a pointless war, the aftermath of the air disaster that claimed her parents, and left her and her younger brother orphaned, but even for a reporter, the idea that Tron might actually have become reality was... well, just a bit unlikely. Her boss had sent her to Tokyo to report on what was being labelled as a stunt, albeit one in rather poor tastes, by the vast majority of the internet, and quite a few politicians, though a PR stunt was still a more likely option than some commentators had made it seem - the one about it being proof of a US plot to steal artificial intelligence technology had raised a slight laugh out of her, before realising that some people probably actually did believe that.
Unlike her younger brother, she did try to see the best in humanity... it was just unfortunate that she often reported on the worst of it. Still, she hadn't seen him since he'd moved over to Naha, so maybe she could take a day out to go and see him, and her adoptive siblings... assuming the girls hadn't roped him into yet another misadventure. Having to report on the last one, where her dopey brother had fell out of a window whilst wearing an Oculus Rift was just embarrassing.
"Y'ello? Gabriella Edmondson speaking."
"Sis, it's Ell, Michael's in hospital. He..."
"He fell out a window again, didn't he?" - This was odd, Ell was usually the stoic one, and yet, she sounded almost in tears.
"He's... he's in that Sword Art Online game."
"Oh." - Those words hit like a ton of bricks. Her only blood relative was now... well...
"Is that it! Your brother is trapped in a death game, and all you can muster is 'oh', like someone told you that your bag's open!?" - Her sister shouted, with enough volume to generate static.
"No, it's just that... well, I'm supposed to report on it. I... well, I can't really be impartial now, can I!"
"Since when were the media impartial anyway..." - Ell mumbled under her breath.
"I'll pretend I didn't hear that, Ell. Where is he?"
"A hospital in Tokyo, I'll message you with the address."
"I'll pop by later..."
~ Meanwhile, a few days later, in Aincrad ~
"Jet?" - A hand waved ahead of his face, snapping him out of his daze.
"Oh, right. What's up?"
"You've been like that for 20 minutes now, what's up?"
"Just wondering about my family. Still, if nothing else, Gabby'll be thrilled to get a big scoop for once. Think she's still pissy about being sent to Kabul last year..." - Michael thought back to the phone call from the terminal in Heathrow. The swearing that came down the phone on that one would've made a sailor in Portsmouth blush...
"Who's Gabby?" - Koharu looked at her partner quizzically.
"My eldest sister, she's a reporter. Hope this has given her something to work with." - How that was one of Jet's biggest concerns, she would never understand...
~ Tokyo, November 16th, 2022. ~
Yeah, this was going at the top of her 'Things I never wanted to see' list. Possibly just about edging out the footage of a live execution, which she still had nightmares about, and the CGI reconstruction of her parents fateful trip. Her brother looked oddly well, for someone in another world, but she knew from what that lunatic Kayaba had mentioned, that even the slightest damage to the internal workings of the NerveGear could cause... unusual glitches. Some were relatively minor, almost like lag, others far more serious, including loss of eyesight, and possibly just killing the user outright. Hopefully, Michael was sensible enough to keep safe, and wasn't doing anything too daft... what was she saying? This was her brother... yeah, he won't be too far from the frontlines. "Why do younger siblings never listen" - she thought aloud to no one in particular. Still, hopefully, he'd survive this, and Sword Art Online would be over soon, right?
~ Meanwhile, a few days later, in Aincrad ~
"Who'd have thought a piece of bread would be the meal to make our days..."
"It's a bit... umm, solid." - Koharu looked at the item with hesitation, whilst Jet bit into the bread... and almost immediately regretted it, as his teeth failed to do any real damage to the item.
"We didn't pick up rocks by mistake, did we?"
"I don't think so, at least..." - A quiet giggle from just across from them, as Jet just looked around for anything that might resemble food at this point, interrupted the pair.
"Sorry, I was just listening to you. It's nice to hear people talking about normal things. Empty stomachs, terrible food, you name it." - The girl giggling was young, probably younger than them by a little bit, with black hair and blue eyes, and clad in the starter gear.
''Normal things, huh. No monsters, no quests... just normal, everyday stuff.'' - Koharu spoke wistfully at the idea.
''Chance'd be a fine thing.'' - Jet mumbled, still in pain from the breaded brick he'd just bitten into.
''Exactly! Just talking about nothing. It's almost relaxing to hear that here. I'm all for it!''
''So, umm, you're always round here, right? Are you alone?''
''Oh, no, I'm here with my IRL friends from school. We're all just split up at the moment. Do you mind if I talk to you for a bit, you're kind of the talk of the group lately.'' - Both Jet and Koharu looked a bit surprised, enough to speak in unison - ''We are?''
''There's talk about how you're out on the front lines, even though you're only about our age. I saw you from a distance during that duel, we were all pretty impressed.''
''I'm nothing to admire, I just follow Jet around... kind of embarrassing really...'' - Jet gave Koharu a sincere smile, trying to tell her not to sell herself short. If she did understand the intent, she didn't show it. - ''Oh, right! Almost forgot! I'm Koharu, and that there, is Jet.'' - Jet gave a small salute as he considered the pros and cons of attempting to eat something with the stats of a rock.
''Right, well... I'm Sachi, nice to meet you both! You two haven't eaten yet, right?'' - Jet almost frantically shook his head - ''Here, have some of this.'' - A sandwich was handed to the pair, and divvied up by Koharu. Much like a human vacuum cleaner, Jet hoovered up the sandwich. Koharu, in contrast to her partner, was more methodical... but in either case, the sandwich barely lasted a minute. - ''Hehe, you two really are something, huh?''
''Yup, that was literally the best meal I've had here.'' - Jet summarised, wiping his mouth.
''Agreed, that was really good!'' - Koharu presented the more civilised image of the partnership. - ''Hey, Sachi? Can I ask something?''
''Uh, sure, go ahead.''
''Why didn't you go with your friends?''
''Uhh... well...'' - Jet saw the girl fidget awkwardly, clearly uncomfortable at the question.
''Oh sorry, you don't have to answer if you don't want to, didn't mean to push you.''
''No... no, it's fine. It's weird, right? I'm just... afraid of fighting. Just the sight of a monster, and I freeze up. I'm holding everyone else up too.'' - Jet sighed, realising that what Sachi described wasn't anything to be ashamed of, just basic human nature. Most people weren't going to be all that capable of throwing themselves onto a battlefield, and coming out unscathed, be that physically or mentally. Much less children and teenagers... - ''So my friends said I should use a long spear to fight from a distance, until I'm used to it. That's where they've gone... to earn money to buy one, so that I can fight alongside them.'' - Koharu looked at the younger girl in sympathy, understanding her own hesitance in battle. Maybe if she hadn't had someone like Jet, willing to take the lead in a fight, she'd be in the same situation. - ''If I wasn't such a chicken, I wouldn't have caused them so much trouble...''
''They're your friends, right? I'd put money on them not seeing it that way. I certainly don't. You're scared, and right now, that is perfectly normal. You're afraid, but did anyone ever tell you, fear is a superpower. Fear can make you faster, cleverer and stronger... and uhh, I've kind of forget the rest of that speech actually, but that whole 'Don't be afraid' thing. Nah, be afraid, but use it wisely. Everyone's scared, Sachi. Both of us are, even if we don't look it currently, and I'd take a wild guess that everyone in this town is afraid right now. Maybe it's this game... maybe it's for their loved ones back home. Maybe it's neither of those things, but just remember that, being scared doesn't make you a chicken. Feathers and a beak make you a chicken.'' - Sometimes, Jet could curse his sense of humour, but the fact that someone nearby had started applauding his little speech sort of suggested that maybe improvising did help even pretty mediocre speeches sometimes.
''Is there anything we can do to help? Where are your friends now?'' - Koharu asked, as Jet looked around at the people now staring in his general direction.
''They're out in the Plains, they're doing a quest. There's 4 of them, so they should be okay, but they have trouble with monsters they've never seen before.''
''Okay then, Jet, how about we go gather info on the monsters, and you could give that to them? Even new monsters shouldn't be too bad if you know what to expect, right?''
''Really?! You'd do that for us?'' - Sachi's tone become upbeat at the kindness being shown.
''Yup, call it thanks for the lunch.'' - Jet answered, turning away from the amassing crowd behind him.
''Alright, if you really don't mind... be careful out there though, please.''
''You just wait here for us!'' - For once, Koharu took the lead, and Jet followed in tow...
~ About an hour later ~
The pair had just finished gathering data on the last lot of enemies in the Plains, and were preparing to head back. ''Hey, Koharu?'' - Jet asked, as he sheathed his sword.
''Hm, yes?''
''You know earlier you said you just followed me around?''
''Yeah...'' - Koharu looked down unhappily, almost expecting some form of telling off.
''You don't, you know that, right?''
''You always give off this... I don't know, vibe. The hero, and the speeches don't do anything to dissuade that image either. It's hard to feel like I'm anything more than a hanger on when you do all of this. I know I sound pathetic, but...'' - Jet placed his hands on his partner's shoulders.
''You took the lead then. All of that fighting just, that was you, not me, leading. Earlier, with Sachi, you took the lead then. I made a speech, sure, but that was it. The rest of it was you. I suppose, what I'm saying is... please don't think that way, you're my partner, and my friend, after all. We're equals, not a commander and his subordinate.''
''You really think I was leading?''
''Doing a better job of it than I do most of the time too.'' - Koharu shrunk down slightly, and grew increasingly more red under the praise - ''Still, think we should get back to Sachi now, don't you?'' - And with that, the duo headed back to the plaza, in the Town of Beginnings...
''Thanks, by the way.'' - Koharu uttered quietly, around 10 minutes after they'd set off.
''You're welcome... umm, what for though?''
''For believing in me. I'd probably still be in the town, if it weren't for you...''
''Same to you too. I know I act all confident an' all that, but... well, it's nice to have someone to talk to, have a laugh and joke with, just... I dunno, be a teenager with.''
''I can't imagine you being any other way though...''
~ Town of Beginnings, Aincrad - Floor 1 ~
The duo took up their seats next to Sachi, where they gave her all the information on the enemy attack and defence patterns that they could get. - ''Wow, that's a lot of information! I'm sure the others will be grateful, thank you so much for this!''
''Eh, no big deal. Just doing our bit to help out, every little helps, right?''
''I'll be sure to tell them when they get back. They wanted to meet you, but they've just gone on a quest. Talk about bad timing, huh.''
''We'll run into them soon enough, I bet''
''I'll be sure to introduce you next time!'' - As the three of them continued to just chat amongst themselves, a tall... well, by Japanese standards at least, man walked up to them. Usually, that wouldn't really be that uncommon, but this particular one had blue hair, meaning he stood out amongst the players in the Town of Beginnings. - ''I'm impressed. You two went out of your way, not only to help this young lady, but made sure not to ask for any payment for the task, sharing the information freely, and fairly. Considering that, in this world, knowledge can save lives, you may have saved a number today. I hope you continue to act in this way.''
''Umm, thanks... friend of yours, Sachi?''
''Uhh, no, I've never seen him before...''
''Oh, where are my manners? I am Diavel. Salutations.''
''Hello.'' - Sachi said quietly, but politely.
''Right...'' - Koharu commented, apprehensively.
''Awl rite.'' - Jet commented in a neutral, and almost disinterested tone, his natural accent breaking through, much to the surprise of Sachi and Diavel, both of whom had now seen a Bristolian speaking fluent Japanese. Needless to say, the result sounded weird.
''I am gathering forces to take on the floor boss in battle with me. If any of you are willing to join, head over to Tolbana. I will be awaiting you there. Bring yourselves, your friends, and share this message with anyone who will fight for our cause! With that, I'm off!'' - Diavel departed, as the three teenagers just looked at each other blankly. ''The floor boss is the toughest monster around, right? That's way out of our league. We're not ready for anything like that yet...''
''It's not like me and Jet are that strong either, but it sounds more like he wants to gather people. Strength in numbers, right?''
''Pretty much, it's your call Koharu. You want to head over to Tolbana, or...''
''I think we should, at least hear him out.''
''You two are going?''
''Can't hurt to hear what he has to say.''
''If you do go to face the boss, promise me you'll make it out alive, won't you?''
''Sachi, we...''
''On my life, we will.'' - Jet held his hand over his virtual heart.
''Okay then, that's a promise, don't go breaking it now!'' - Jet gave a small salute to Sachi, as they walked towards the gate for the Plains. Tolbana was at least a 3 hour journey on foot, and that was without any monsters. The pair walked out of the gates onto the Plains, as Jet commented - ''Well, once more unto the breach, Koharu...''
{Author's Thoughts}
As usual, favourite, leave a review, send a PM if you have any questions or want to leave constructive criticism.
I'm hoping that the next chapter will be done some time next week (by 8th October, if I pull my finger out.), so until then...
Midland 2541, signing off.