The New Adventures of TunnelVision: Reloaded

Enter The NEO (2/2)

Sterling, Markus, and Tyler all walked into the mayor's office and sat down at the table, "I know this isn't real food, and you'll experience just a digital sensation of consumption, but would you boys care for some drinks?" Sterling asked, the two guests nodded to say yes. Sterling poured them all hot mugs of coffee. He sat down and handed everyone their drinks, Markus accidentally touched the mug while it was too hot and felt the burn, "Fuck, ouch. Forgot you still feel pain in the digital world" He said, "And when you come back to the real world I'm sure your hand will still look a bit red" Sterling replied.

Tyler took a sip of his drink and thanked Sterling for the drink and then again for his hospitality over the past month he had been there. After their conversation, Tyler looked over at Markus, who was caught in a trance. Staring off into space as if he was fixated on something in his mind. "Do you think he's alright?" He asked Sterling.

"Something troubling you Markus? You seem preoccupied", Markus snapped out of his blank stare look down at his drink, "Sorry Mr. Silver, it's just that I'm glad Tyler is okay, I'm quite overjoyed to see him alive and well. But I wish we could see him outside of this place as well, I wish he was still with us in the living world, or hell even able to join us on virtual missions"

Sterling smiled at the two, "Well, I think that can be aranged, since our good friend Tyler here is no longer a part of the system or is alive. He's a spirit like me and therefore immortal. Theoretically if I could just re-attach his soul to the character of Jance then there's a good chance he'll be able to come along on missions with your team" Sterling's words made the two friends' faces beam with glee, Markus was excited that Tyler could see his friends again, and Tyler was excited that he could pick up right where he left off and continue to fight.

Tyler shook Sterling's hand with as much enthusiasm as he could, "Thank you so much Mr. Silver thank you thank you thank you!" he said with great joy, "You're quite welcome son, and don't forget that when you're not out chasing those evil and bastardly excuses for locomotives, you know where home is" Sterling reminded him.
Then the three began to discuss what they know collectively about TunnelVision and the eight realms, about Torrey, and about how to win.

Sterling shared about his experience, and his findings before his demise. "Markus I assume you ended up finding that glitched siding?" Sterling asked, "How did you know about that?" Markus questioned, "You're the prophecy, the one who's name in numbers means 64, it was stated that the player would subconciously create himself an escape, revealing to the gamerunners that their power trip would soon come crashing down as the ultimate resistance was now known and rising to defeat them. You had Torrey shitting bricks ever since you were thrown in there, he sensed your power. The only player he ever regretted luring into the game was you. He knew that the prophecy was true, and his life was about to be cut short, bad luck for one of the seven deadly engines" Sterling said,

"Seven deadly engines? Like the seven deadly sins? who the hell are they?" Tyler asked, "Well, as you know there are so many players throughout the eight realms, each with varying power. Yet there are seven of them who work for TunnelVision, they aren't prisoners. They are seven of the most powerful and brutal killers ever seen by anyone, I have personally created a list and chart ranking them all. Here, read my list" Sterling handed the list over to Markus and Tyler, reading over it.

"Seven Deadly Engines
1. Demolisher, The Engine of Wrath
2. Torrey, The Engine of Pride
3. Getmore, The Engine of Greed
4. Fourteen, The Engine of Gluttony
5. Lucilla, The Engine of Lust
6. Clash, The Engine of Sloth
7. Slash, The Engine of Envy

*Please also note that Clash and Slash are identical twin engines, they can only be told apart by their horns"

"Do you mind if we keep a copy of this Mr. Silver?" Markus wondered, "Go ahead, I have another in my war room" Sterling replied, "I know you boys have already ran into Torrey and took care of him, and then you've taken out Getmore. Good work, and you shouldn't have to worry about Lucilla and Fourteen for a while as they've not been seen in many months, or however long time passes. Can I be honest with you boys, I've been here so long I've forgotten what year it is"

Markus answered his question, "It's June 2035 Mr. Silver", "Goodness me, It's 2035? By god I've been here for the better part of nearly 16 years! I got here in 2021, during pandemic times I was desperate for money because I'd been laid off and was living off stimulus checks" Sterling was amased at how far time had passed, sad it had been so long, but was glad that the nightmare was soon to come crashing down.

Sterling looked at his watch, "Oh dear it seems we're out of time, Thank you boys so much for coming to visit me, Tyler good luck with your team once again. Markus it is an honour to finally meet you, your team will all be at the town square. Good luck to you all, I will see you again soon" Markus and Tyler left the town hall as Sterling waved goodbye to them.

At the town square, everyone else was waiting for them as they saw the two walk up. "Is that who I think it is?" Gregory asked, "I knew it! I knew it!" Cried Henry, "By god, It's Tyler!" Michael added, "Everyone, Guess who's back!" Markus shouted with glee. Everyone cheered as they ran up to see their old friend who they thought they'd lost for good. "It's great to see you all again. Now, let's get back to showing those fuckers who's boss!" Tyler said as they boarded the train and headed back to the entrance.