Brian Saves the World, Maybe

Chapter 15 - Connections

Lights flashed in Brian's mind, and the next thing he knew, he was back in Dale's barn. As he was getting his bearings, the phone clattered to the floor, causing Brian to jump.

Brian, can you hear me?

He almost jumped again, and then sighed. Yes, TV. Where were you? Did you see that? I was stuck inside some kind of ancient computer game!

I am afraid not. I lost connection with you.

Well, it's good to have you back. Brian frowned. Had he really just thought that?

"Freeze!"

Startled, Brian turned and found Dale standing in the doorway, holding up a shovel. "Dale?"

Dale slowly lowered the shovel. "You're awake."

Brian wondered if Dale really felt that no explanation was needed. "Uh, what are you doing?"

He shrugged. "I heard a noise, and thought there might be an intruder." He leaned the shovel against the wall. "I'm more interested in what you were doing, sitting there frozen for an hour, with that phone glued to your face like an idiot."

Brian told Dale about his experience inside Zed's game.

"That sounds a lot like the classic text adventure games of the 1980s," Dale said, "only, it seems this one has been augmented with a Virtual Reality interface. I don't think this Zed understands how text adventures are supposed to work."

"I don't think I care," Brian said, "I'm just glad I got out of there."

Dale snickered. "By getting eaten by a grue—Pffft—amateur."

"Whatever. It got me out."

Dale slowly shook his head, a superior look on his face. "You'll need a flashlight or a torch, next time."

Brian cocked his head. "What?"

"Grues only live in the dark."

Brian rolled his eyes. "I won't be going back in there, so it doesn't matter."

"Brian, that game is probably there for a reason. We won't know until we beat it."

"Yeah well, too bad you can't go in there," Brian said, with a dismissive gesture.

That actually may be possible, TV said.

What? Seriously?

If we can connect the phone to a computer, it would enable Dale to see the text output from the game and to communicate with you while you are inside.

That sounds like a nightmare, Brian thought.

* * *

That evening, North Korean President, Mim Kong Jun, made a statement, claiming that the missile attack was unintentional and that it was meant to be a test fire. He then went on to blame the United States, saying that the President's recent provocative language had lead to the missile test.

As for Japan, the Prime Minister stated that this attack, regardless of intent, was viewed as an act of war. The President of the United States rebuked North Korea, stating that retaliation would be "swift and strong," while Russia and China warned the United States not to get involved.

The next day at work, everyone was talking about the crisis, giving their opinions on what should happen. There seemed to be two main camps: "hit them with heavy sanctions," or "hit them with heavy bombs." Basically, pursue diplomacy, or go to war.

What a mess, Brian thought.

As Brian sat down at his desk, his phone rang. The name "Phil Batdorf" appeared on the screen.

Dale had talked Brian into showing the phone to Phil. He said if anyone could find a way to connect it to a computer, it was him.

Brian picked up. "Hey, Phil."

"Brian." It was hard to hear him. He seemed to be whispering into the phone.

"Hi, what's up?" Brian said.

"That device you gave me." Long pause.

"Yes?" Brian said.

"I think I did it," he rasped.

Brian looked at the phone and grimaced. "Really?"

"Give it a try, and let me know if it works."

"Wow, thanks, Phil. I'll come by and pick it up later."

Brian hung up, frowning. Well, this will be interesting, he thought.