I had just finished an online game on my computer when I heard a beep. Turning around I stared at the screen and the code that appeared. "Okay, what is that? Maybe it's a new card." I muttered, looking from the code to my scanner and back. "Well, I don't have anything to lose." Shrugging I carefully put the code into my scanner though once I locked me out of my online deck I blinked, trying in vain to access it. After several minutes passed and nothing worked I groaned, pushing my ponytail over one shoulder.
"Perfect. Guess I'll have to forget all about playing online for a while. I was really looking forward to it too." I muttered, slipping the scanner back into my backpack with a frown on my face. "Maybe I can ask Tom or Kaz about it. They seem to know a lot about Chaotic."
The next day straight after school I had made up my mind to ask Tom or Kaz, knowing that they'd be playing Chaotic as soon as school had let out. As I got closer I heard they mention Chaotic and Perim which made me pause a few feet from the tables set up to play the physical card game, curious despite needing their help with my scanner.
"Are you going to port to Chaotic? I'm trying to find a scan of…." Kaz trailed off when they noticed me staring at them. "Can we help you?" He asked me and I nodded, moving forward before I took my scanner out of my jeans pocket.
"Actually you can. I got some weird code after I played Chaotic last night and when I put it in I can't access my online deck anymore." I explained, handing it to Tom when he held his hand out, both guys exchanging a grin which made me raise an eyebrow. "I'm Ashley Watt by the way."
"Yeah, I know you. You won your last five games online." Tom answered, fiddling with my scanner before he handed it back with a smile. "Just press that button on the top and you should be able to access your deck." He added, giving Kaz a grin when I shrugged, tapping the button on the very top of my scanner.
When nothing happened I narrowed my eyes at Tom and Kaz, shaking my head at them. "You know if you didn't want to help me you could have said something before you played that trick on me," I grumbled, turning to leave until Tom stepped forward waving me towards a seat.
"It's not a trick, Ashley. Come on we'll explain everything." Kaz told me and with nothing else to lose I took a seat beside them. "Well you're not going to believe this but…"
Seconds after I pressed the button I found myself standing in what looks like an arena. Shaken that I'd gone from standing inside my school to somewhere completely different my hazel eyes widened, my left hand clutching my scanner as I tried to make sense of where I was my right hand fiddling with my ponytail as I let out a shaking breath. It wasn't until a familiar face waved at me to get my attention that I relaxed, at least a little when I saw Tom sitting at a table with Kaz. After I managed to get my slightly shaking legs to move I reached the table and Tom clamped a hand over his mouth, trying very hard not to laugh as I blinked at them.
"Everyone has that reaction when they first port to the Beta Drome," Kaz explained, looking over at Tom with a smile. "Tom arrived the first time here in his boxers." He added and Tom's stifled laughter cut out abruptly making me grin when he narrowed his eyes at his best friend. "Now that you're here we have some answers for you."
"Yeah like where am I?" I replied, looking at Tom who glanced at Kaz for several seconds. "Does this have something to do with that weird code that messed up my scanner?" I added, something clicking when they both nodded at me.
"Welcome to the Beta Drome and a whole lot more, Ashley," Tom said, leaning forward slightly, and as I listened to him and Kaz I began to realise that all those rumours about a secret code weren't just rumours after all.