Chapter 5 – Try Out

Dr. Joe Neons, the man of the year and the current century.

The man who was known throughout the entire world for such a magnificent discovery.

The brain behind the recent discoveries by Nexus and the chief executive officer of NERVE, one of the world's largest medical and technology companies.

Dr. Joe spearheaded the project along with a few of his friends from the top one per cent of the world's wealthiest that he had and together they formed an idea and brought to life the vehicle that transported humans into Nexus — the gear called Axon.

An Axon is a gear built to look like a gas mask with round netted outlets for breathing and a transparent glass that serves as a screen for visualising the prompts that pop up; the shape, design patterns and styles were dependent on what the players requested to be built for them.

In the case of Beth and the other individuals who had come to NERVE to take part in the beta testing program for Nexus, they were getting the first model of the Axons that came in a fine glistening coal black colour with silvery linings on its edges and around the outlets.

The obsidian Axon gears were the first models ever made and were called the 'Obsidian Alpha'.

They served as the template for coming models that were produced.

Dr. Joe and his team of genius scientists and developers were able to tap into the world of Nexus and recreate the manner of their travels in such a way that made it into a virtual reality massive multiplayer roleplaying game (VRMMORPG) with infinite possibilities and the world of Nexus serving as the setting for the game.

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Beth was stunned to dumbness by the grandeur of the NERVE company.

The interior was made entirely of smooth and finely carved glasses and the floors of the company were dressed with a material that looked like tiles and reflected the image of a person walking on it.

"Must be nice to be this rich," she said, talking to the large banner of Dr. Joe Neons' portrait that hung down at the reception.

"Hello and welcome to NERVE, how may I help you?" the receptionist inquired of Beth, her fine feminine voice pulling Beth back to the real world.

Beth gazed blankly at the receptionist — a young beautiful lady with low cut hair that she dyed red — before recalling her senses back and shaking her head.

"Hu-huh? S-sorry," she stuttered.

"I am Beth. Beth Vance and I'm here for the beta testing program that was advertised."

"Welcome, Beth. Will you be participating as a player or a supervisor?"

'Whichever of the two pays more, to be honest,' Beth answered in her mind since she could not say such things out loud.

Unfortunately, the ticket that Lucia had secured for her clearly had [Participating As A Player] boldly written on it in Comic Sans font and because of that, there was no room for her as a supervisor during the beta testing program.

"Player, I guess."

She handed the ticket to the receptionist, who took it and looked at it closely before bobbing her head.

"Player it is," she said, marking the ticket with an indelible ink and a NERVE company stamp afterwards.

Her fingers raced through the keys of her spotless white keyboard and Beth's details that she was inputting manifested on the computer screen in a matter of seconds.

This woman knew her onions and was equally fast at it.

"Here you go," she said, handing Beth back her ticket along with a form and a pen.

Beth filled out the form quickly and returned it to her with the pen.

"That will be all. Good luck."

Beth smiled and adjusted her leather jacket.

"Thank you."

After her time with the receptionist, Beth was directed to another section of the building.

From there, she was ushered into a hall, where men and women lined up in rows and columns like they do in the military parades.

Contrary to what Beth had in mind, the people who showed interest in beta testing for NERVE were many.

With that sort of incentive, of course every Tom, Dick and Harry of the lower class in New Carley City was sure to find their way to the NERVE tower even if they had to force or sneak their way in.

'For a thousand bucks, I'm not surprised that so many people are here already,' she thought to herself.

It was quick and free cash and all you had to do was play some video game for some time.

As she pondered over the situation, a man stepped out and joined them.

It was the man behind it all — Doctor Joseph Neons.

Dr. Joe footed to the stage, taking his steps leisurely and majestically until he reached the podium.

He adjusted his suit and buttoned up a few of his buttons before clearing his throat to speak.

"Hello, everyone," he said, his voice spreading out through the mic.

"Welcome to the first beta testing program for Nexus Online."

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A/N: I don't have to tell you, do I?... READ THE AUTHOR'S NOTE