《Lockzaga: Path of The Bull》


 New Beginnings

    ¡°WHERE THE FUCK IS MY LASAGNA!!!¡± I scream at the pulsing orb in front of me. Hazy flashes of memory remind me how close I had come to consuming the succulent, six layer nine cheese lasagna. ¡°TWO HOURS. TWO AND A HALF FUCKING HOURS I WAITED!¡± Spit flys out of my mouth. The orbs semi liquid state ripples slightly at my auditory assault. ¡°I told you already, the planet you know as earth has been virtualized in accordance to Galactic Law 40.762473.9738 NW, your ¡®lasagna¡¯. ¡° the orbs deep monotone voice seems to somehow still carry a hint of disdain at the mention of the word. ¡°No longer exist.¡±


    I reign in my emotions by repeatedly counting numbers in my head. 12345 the orb ripples provocatively at me 87... my voice comes out slowly ¡°You mean to tell me, that you chose the exact time in which I had sat down fork in hand, ready to eat my lasagna to ¡®virtualize¡¯ earth?¡± The orb stays silent for a moment testing my already stretched mental state. ¡°Yes, it would appear so.¡±This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    ¡°Okay.¡± I sit down. ¡°So what exactly is Galactic Law 40.762... 2¡± my voice leaves me as I remember my brains distinct inability to recant long strands of digits. The orb shrinks, returning to its professional demeanor. ¡°Galactic Law 40.762473.9738 NW states that ¡®Any new sentient life form found in the vast reaches of space is to be instantly virtualized and integrated into the SYSTEM.¡¯ ¡± Seems simple enough. ¡°What exactly is vir-¡± my question is cut short ¡°Virtualization is the process, in which the host consciousness is directly transferred into the SYSTEM¡± the orb pauses ¡°I-¡± am cut off ¡°After a brief probation period your conscious will be placed in a virtual world in which you can do... whatever it is you humans do to stay entertained.¡± Once again there is a silence, I give the orb my best deadpan look. Fool me once shame on you, but fool me twice? The silence continues...


    ¡°So-¡° bastard ¡°in the meantime you are permitted to ask me questions relating to the SYSTEM.¡± Any questions? ¡°Any questions?¡± The orb speaks. ¡°Yes.¡± I give myself a moment to collect my thoughts ¡°My lasagna... where is it?