The New Adventures of TunnelVision: Reloaded

Absence

Jason was worried at the lobby of the hospital, his leg twitching and his eyes darting around at the speed of sound. Hoping Markus was okay. Markus was rushed to the hospital by his parents because they heard him coughing and wheezing in his room loudly, they thought he was having an athsma attack or was choking on food. His lung was examined and it did show that there was trauma and damage to his lung. Even though his injury was aquired in the digital realm, it still reflected into the real world.

Markus was just waking up from a nap in the hospital room, He was still having trouble breathing. He saw the door open to the room, but it seemed like nobody was there walking through. He rubbed his eyes and there he was. Sterling had come to visit him, he manifested as an apparition. Markus jumped and nearly fell off the bed. "How the hell did you get here? I thought you were trapped in the digital realm" he wondered, "I'm a ghost, I exist beyond the living realm. I can manifest anywhere" Sterling told him, "I'm here to check in on your status, make sure you weren't hurt too badly. You'll be pleased to know the nightmare twins have been dealt with. You won't be seeing them anytime soon" he added.

"Listen Mr. Silver, I-" Markus could only get so far before continuing to cough and struggle breathing, "Fuck this hurts, urgh..." He said while gripping his chest, Sterling grabbed an oxygen mask and put it on Markus. "Save your breath kid, We'll take it from here until you're healthy. Stay strong soldier" Sterling said as he vanished.

Jason then walked in the room, relieved to see Markus was still alive and for the most part well. "Who was that you were talking to? I swear I heard you talking to someone" Jason asked him, "It was Mr. Silver, he came to visit me. Told me the news and said he'll handle everything in my absense" Markus informed him, "Well that's all good and well. You'll be happy to know we aren't experiencing any threats right now, and after the nightmare twins were killed, the rest of us were sent to free the surviving players who hadn't been executed"

Markus smiled and put his hand on Jason's shoulder, "Take over for me while I'm gone, go lead us to victory" He said, Jason nodded and smiled back. "Now, go get em buddy" Markus told him. Jason walked out of the room and made his way out and back to the base.

Back at base, everyone was working on renovations. They were building a proper perameter around the base, and building a lot to park any vehicles they currently have or aquire in future. The symbols previously painted by TunnelVision were being scraped off and painted over with the rebellion's logos. Jason walked up to Henry and asked him what he could do, "Ah Jason, good to see you here. How was Markus? he holding up well?" Henry asked, "Yes he's doing well, his breathing is still shot unfortunatley, before I left he gave me temporary status as trietary commander until he recovers. However I think I'll just let Mr. Silver and Doubleback give us orders"

Jason proceeded to help Henry with painting the rebellion logos. Jason still couldn't believe that he was by chance roped into being part of such a massive ongoing battle to save humanity from digital enslavment, he felt proud knowing that his work was making a massive impact. With his new allies by his side, he felt safe and powerful.

Eventually after painting was complete, Henry left to his headset to visit NEO city in the digital realm. Jason had decided to head home for the day, and take a well deserved rest.