Virtualization

Jeremie, Yumi and Ulrich go through the sewers towards the factory.

Yumi: Your new roommate seems nice, Ulrich.
Ulrich: Yeah, he sure makes an effort to seem nice.
Jeremie: It's true. He can be a bit excessive with the joking, but he stood up for me against Sissi a while ago.
Ulrich: (looking at Jeremie) Sissi bothered you a while ago?
Jeremie: Yeah, nothing out of the ordinary, except for the new and incisive comments from Odd.
Yumi: Huh, it's not very nice of her to try to mock you while Ulrich is away.
Ulrich: That girl needs to find something better to do.
Jeremie: Well, it's always been like this. Luckily, Odd was by my side this time; but I doubt that we can make things change from one day to another.
Yumi: For the time being, I'm coming with a few ideas for a payback. I'll write them when I can.

…

Odd watches the dorms building. The bullies haven't moved from their spots.

Odd: Damn, I see they're determined to making it difficult for me. I'll have to come with a plan to get back. Hmm…

Odd thinks for about fifteen seconds. Then something comes up.

Odd: Kiwi, would you like to feast on half of my lunch for tomorrow?

Kiwi starts barking and moving his tail, excitedly.

Odd: Okay, this is what we'll do…

…

Yumi: Hey, Jeremie, the way to the factory is a bit long. Maybe we should take a measure in order to travel faster from next time onward.
Jeremie: Could be. Any ideas?
Yumi: Um, I don't know. I can see myself crossing this on a skateboard. I have a couple at home, but I don't know if you use that.
Ulrich: When I was smaller I learned how to skateboard, but I'm sure I lost practice. Maybe we could bring bikes, but I get that it might have its issues.
Yumi: That's true. What do you think, Jeremie?
Jeremie: Well, maybe I can convince my parents to bring me my scooter from home. I haven't used it in a while, but it might be enough for me, at least.
Yumi: Sounds good! Ulrich, I'll lend you one of my skateboards. We could race as well, if you're up to it.
Ulrich: (smiling) Looks like you like to compete, Yumi.
Yumi: Maybe… It's a good way to play and learn at the same time, don't you think?
Ulrich: Probably… Anyways, I'll take your offer about the skateboard. Thank you.

The three friends keep walking for a few more minutes. After that, they arrive to the factory, and then head to the computer's room. Once inside, Ulrich turns the machine on. Jeremie starts Lyoko.

Jeremie: Aelita, are you there?
Aelita: Hi! How's it going?
Yumi: Hi, Aelita!
Ulrich: How have you been?
Aelita: Good: not much has happened, but I'm more at peace now. Thanks for coming to visit me.
Jeremie: Don't sweat it! Today we come with a mission.
Aelita: What's that?
Jeremie: We're going to test the virtualization program more rigorously. If everything goes well, one of us will visit you some time through the night.
Aelita: Oh! Really? That's fantastic! At last I'll be able to know your faces.
Ulrich: Wait, do you not know our faces?
Jeremie: Of course not! We need a camera for that, and there is none at the moment. Truth is, I hadn't thought about that…
Yumi: Next time, we'll bring a camera! I won't forget it.

Aelita laughs.

Jeremie: Sorry to change the subject, Aelita, but I'm trying to locate some information about your father. Did he belong to a college or university?
Aelita: He did so, yeah. I don't remember the institution, but I think it had something to do with Marie Curie.
Jeremie: Oh, could it be the University Pierre and Marie Curie?
Aelita: It certainly sounds like it.
Jeremie: Great, that restricts the search quite a lot. Do you know if this computer can connect to the world-wide web?
Aelita: It can connect to other machines, but I wouldn't recommend it. If we do, it would be easier for XANA to spread, and we should try to seal it as much as possible.
Jeremie: You're right. I guess I'll have to wait until we're over with this: even with my laptop, it's hard for me to connect to anything from a place this enclosed.
Aelita: I doubt that one more day would make a difference. Let's get to what concerns us right now.
Jeremie: Okay.

…

Odd is now inside his bedroom. From there, he hears Kiwi scratch the door from outside; he opens and closes it quickly, locking it afterwards.

Odd: Well done, Kiwi! You'll get your prize at the proper time. For now, here's a treat.

While he gives the dog treat to Kiwi, he hears steps outside his bedroom, then voices.

Sissi: Well?
Voice 1: (sighs) He's inside there.
Sissi: Oh, great, and how do you explain that he's inside there?

Silence.

Sissi: I'm talking to you!
Voice 2: He tricked us! He made us think that he was somewhere he wasn't.
Sissi: Okay, let me see if I've got this clearly: (brief pause, inhales) Nicholas was by one entrance, while Herve was by the other one, is that correct?
Voice 2: Yes…
Sissi: Are you sure you were at two different entrances? To be honest, I wouldn't be too surprised if you'd made such a mistake.
Voice 2: Yes, we were… we were each on one entrance, Sissi.
Sissi: Okay. Then, the only two accesses to the building were being watched, right?
Voice 2: Yes, but…
Sissi: Silence!

Silence indeed.

Sissi: Despite of all accesses to the bedrooms building being watched and our dear classmate being outside of it, he managed to get to his room. Do you realize how that sounds?

Silence.

Sissi: Well, honestly, I don't know what I expected from you two. I won't even bother in getting angry. It's clearly my fault (raises her voice) for trusting a couple of blind clowns!

Still no answer.

Sissi: It's redundant to state that none of you will have lunch with me for the next two weeks. Goodbye.

Odd hears footsteps walking away.

Voice 2: Sissi! Wait, I'm sorry, I'm really sorry!

Another pair of footsteps, now running away.

Odd gets closer to the door. When his ear is really close to it, someone hits the door really hard from the other side. Odd stumbles as he gets startled and falls to the floor. Kiwi starts barking furiously.

Voice 1: Hey bird-brain! I suppose you think you're really smart.

Odd hesitates, and then opens his mouth, but gets interrupted.

Voice 1: Because of you, Sissi rejects us for a week. You don't know what you got into, runt.

Odd doesn't answer; Kiwi's barks prevent the scene from being silent.

Voice 1: Sooner or later, you or your little pet will have to go pee. And then, you're gonna have to choose: either a smelly bedroom or a bruised eye. What will it be?
Odd: Well, I guess it depends on whose eye gets bruised, doesn't it?

The door is once again hit from the other side. Odd gets startled again, but he doesn't fall this time. Kiwi barks more intensely, and he approaches the base of the door.

Voice 1: You've just won your second bruised eye, worm. Don't worry, I'm patient. I'll wait for you to inevitably leave your room.
Odd: Well, I hope you brought something to eat meanwhile.

Another hit to the door. Kiwi's totally out of it.

Odd: I'd offer snacks, but Kiwi doesn't seem too willing to share.

Odd hears a forced laugh.

Voice 1: Very funny. Let's see how good your jokes are at this side of the d… Ah!

Odd hears agitated movements.

Voice 1: What the…?

A small object falls to the ground.

Voice 1: Ow ow ow! What happened to it?
Odd: Everything alright?
Voice 1: Shut up, runt!

Odd notices a smell of burnt plastic.

Odd: Hey, partner, I think the toilet is down the corridor.

The kid hears a small blast.

Voice 1: Aaaah!

Steps running away. Odd hears some doors opening, and a commotion begins to scale. He decides to put the cord on Kiwi and open the door. A few steps in front of him, two complementary cellphone bits lie on the floor, emitting smoke.

Odd: Hey, that's bizarre!

Kiwi gets close in order to smell the bits. Once he does, he starts coughing in disgust.

Odd: Watch out, Kiwi! It looks dangerous. (he pulls the cord)

Another small blast is heard, and the bit that was smelt by Kiwi breaks in two. The two new bits spread widely along the floor.

Some screams from the corridor. The children start descending the building and calling the teachers.

Odd: I'd never seen a cellphone do that. I wonder what brand it is.

Odd hears some quieter flicks. Suddenly, a fire starts around one of the bits. The kids' screams intensify.

Odd: Oh, no you don't, I just arrived here! I won't have my debut ruined like this! (looks down the corridor and locates a fire extinguisher) Aha, gotcha! Come on, Kiwi!

…

Back to the factory; on the computer's left monitor, several elements of a list are coupled with a plus sign.

Jeremie: Nice; it seems like it passed all the tests. Virtualization is safe, guys!
Yumi: Great!
Jeremie: Now then, who wants to go first?
Yumi: I do!
Ulrich: Okay, me second, then.
Aelita: Go ahead, Yumi!
Jeremie: Hold up: I think it's best if you leave your electronic devices here, just in case.
Yumi: No problem. (takes out her cellphone and her keys)

Yumi gets to the scanners and enters the one on the left.

Yumi: All set, Jeremie!
Ulrich: Uh, Jeremie, are you sure about this?
Jeremie: Absolutely. I'm familiar with how the process works and it passed every test we made as well.
Ulrich: Well, Yumi's fate rests in your hands then.
Jeremie: Don't worry, Ulrich! Not only me, but also Aelita can attest about the procedure's safety.
Yumi: Hey, what's taking so long?
Jeremie: Trust me, Ulrich.
Ulrich: …Okay.
Jeremie: Now!

CONSOLE
In: virt 0 yumi

The kids hear several tonal frequencies around them, like last time they used a scanner. Yumi hears them more strongly and all around her, although not overwhelmingly so.

Yumi: Wohooo!

Silence. The boys looks at the main screen. After one second, they see a digital version of Yumi on the screen. She looks around in amazement.

Yumi: Jeremie, Ulrich! I'm here! Do you hear me?
Ulrich: Yumi! We hear you. Are you alright?
Yumi: I'm great! Lyoko looks a lot better from within!
Aelita: (arriving) Welcome, Yumi!
Yumi: (turning back) Aelita!

Yumi approaches Aelita enthusiastically.

Yumi: I don't know if it's too soon, but can I give you a hug?
Aelita: Oh! It's okay, go ahead. (opens her arms; Yumi hugs her energically)
Yumi: It's a joy to meet you in person, Aelita! Even your voice sounds more clear-cut.
Jeremie: Of course! Just like the screen, our speaker has a certain resolution, pretty limited to be honest.
Yumi: I can see that. Hey, now it's your turn!
Jeremie: Do you want to give it a try, Ulrich?
Ulrich: (sighs) Okay. Which scanner do I choose?
Jeremie: Hmm, either the second or the third.
Ulrich: Okay.

Ulrich leaves his phone and earphones next to Jeremie. He then goes to the scanners and approaches the middle one. He hesitates a bit before entering.

Jeremie: Transferring Ulrich!

CONSOLE
In: virt 0 ulrich 1 1

Noises.

Ulrich: Whoa, hey, I'm float…!

Jeremie looks at the screen. Ulrich appears a bit displaced from Yumi's spawn point.

Yumi: Ulrich!

Ulrich breathes heavily and runs his hands over his body, checking that he's in one piece. Then, he looks around.

Ulrich: Wow, this is surreal.
Aelita: Hi, Ulrich!
Ulrich: Hello, Aelita! You look different in person.
Aelita: Well, I hadn't seen you before, so I can't say the same.
Ulrich: This place is curious. It seems even more defined than the real world at times… as if my sight had improved once I got here.
Jeremie: Those are the advantages of modelling using topological algorithms, Ulrich.
Ulrich: Whatever you say, genius.
Aelita: Well, Jeremie, it's your turn now! I'll go to the forester's cabin in order to enter the commands.
Jeremie: (looking at his hands) … Wow… Suddenly, the nerves came in.
Ulrich: Come on, Jeremie, if I could do it, you can do it!
Aelita: Wait a second!
Jeremie, Yumi and Ulrich: What's up?

Aelita closes her eyes and puts a hand on the floor.

Aelita: Do you feel that? The floor's pulsating.
Yumi: (puts her hand on the floor) It's true. Wait, didn't this happen when…?
Aelita: When XANA activates, that's right.
Jeremie: Oh, no!

- END OF CHAPTER 7 -