It's a game

Chapter 11

Hamiltonian's POV
I stare at my worker, Mason, who had just told me the strangest thing. "So... you're saying these new advanced NPC's have showed up and made their own business?" I ask. He nods and shows me the screen. Kitsu... cafe... what's that? "And apparently if players go in there the manager gives them a mission to destroy a rival business and two others challenge you to street races to help you build up your skill and when you're at a certain point they race for money. The workers in it are also advanced. They can have conversations with the players so that they can actually order food." Mason explains and taps some stuff on his iPad before turning it back around and shows me a game showcase where some youtuber talks about our "new update" and how cool it is. After the video I sit in silence, thinking. Mason stares at me anxiously. "I say... we let it be. Maybe try to see what makes the NPC's so advanced and try to copy that onto others. This might be something we can work with in the new GTA Online game." I say. He nods and walks out. Then officer Tyler buzzes in. She comes up only minutes later. "Hello." She says. "Hey Tyler. What is it this time?" I ask. "Same case as the last time. I haven't found the perp. It seems he actually disappeared." She says. I nod. "I know what you mean." I say. "Anyway has anything suspicious happened lately?" She asks. I think. "Yes. There actually is." I say. I press a button. "Bring Mason back in here and have him bring his iPad." I say. "Yes sir." Margaret says. "Mason?" She asks. "He pointed this out right before you got here. These advanced NPC's that can do things that none that we've made can do. I just waved it off as something one of the workers did behind our back but. Rethinking it. It's kind of suspicious." I explain. She nods. Mason walks in and shows her the video. She pauses it and pulls out a binder. She looks back at the screen and then at her binder. "That's one of the victims. Do you think there's a way to communicate with them?" She asks. "Yeah. They're on servers that console players can talk to." I say. "Let me play the game. I need to talk to them. You need to find a way to get them out. And I'll have a techno come to track down how they got there and who sent them there." She says. I nod to Mason. "Let her play the game. Get someone to work on a way to get those people out of the game." I say. "People?" He asks. "Yes. Someone managed to make a virtual reality version of this and is trapping people in the game. We need a way to get them out so get 8 people and redirect them to a team to work on that. I'm trusting you. This will be your promotion. Usually I'd put more planning on this but it's an emergency and you earned it. Go." I say. He leads Tyler out.
Vanoss' POV
I was working at the Cafe, dressed in my usual butler outfit serving players and NPC's when I see some woman walk in. I walk over with a smile. "Welcome to Kitsu Cafe how may I help you?" I ask. The player model stands still for a bit. "Welcome to Kitsu Cafe how may I help you?" I repeat. She's not selecting any options nor talking. Finally she talks. "Evan Fong?" She asks. I blink. I haven't been called that in months. Since I got here I've been Vanoss. "H-how do you know my name?" I ask. "My name is Tyler. I'm in the FBI in the real world. Do you realize you're in a game?" She explains. "U-uh... yes ma'am. Me and my friends got trapped in here about two months ago." I say. I notice Delirious walk over. "Welcome to Kitsu Cafe how may we help you?" He asks. "Del this is a console gamer. She knows we aren't advanced NPC's." I say. His eyes widen. "Really?! Do you think you can get us out of here?!" He asks. "I really hope so. We're getting all the technos to work on a way to get you out and arrest the man who trapped you here." She says. We cheer. Ben walks over. "Start working guys we need cleaning in the kitchen." Ben says. "Ben we're getting out of here!" Delirious cheers. She blinks. "Ha. Funny guys. Is the game master messing with you or something?" She asks. Realization hits me. This player might not be what we think she is. "No. The "game master" isn't messing with you. My name is Tyler. I'm an FBI agent investigating your sudden heart attacks and comas." Tyler explains. Ben gasps. "You're... you're that girl I heard. Two months ago you were talking to a man about me. Saying the thing all of us had in common is our gaming hobbies." She says. "You heard that?" Tyler asks. "Yeah. I got injured and went into a haze and during that I heard you talking. You must really be here to help us! But... But the game master will be pissed if we try to escape. How will you be able to do this?" Ben asks. Tyler blinks. "Again I just found where you guys were and will be giving you updates. The technos are gonna be the ones to get you out. But I'm pretty sure this "game master" won't be able to get in the way." Tyler says. We nod. "That's great." Delirious says. "Guys we can't tell the others. We don't want to get their hopes high. This might take years." Ben says. I agree. Delirious hesitates but also agrees. "Uh-Oh hey. Guys I've got to go. I'll come back as soon as I get any updates." She says.
-2 Years later-
She's still not here...