*Date: 33,476 - Telula Space Station - 4 Years Ago*
A giant conference room stretched before them, its massive windows offering a breathtaking view of space. Holographic screens filled with planet images floated in the air, various information scrolling alongside each celestial body. At the center, a tall man with a good haircut and an expensive suit gestured toward the display.
"And this one is called Kepler-442-b, filled with land suited for legacy farmers to grow. This is our latest terraformed success, and I believe you will love it." Terrance was a glorified contractor and businessman for new planets, his enthusiasm barely contained.
Ilkay Strovan leaned back in his chair, impressed. "Terrance, how much is this? All the others you showed aren't much improvement from our planet."
"Deals can be reached. You just tell us which one you like. We have gates to each and every one of them. We can visit all of them. We have time. For one month, we booked you a place."
"I will of course visit, but rather than spend a day on a rock that I have no interest in, I would like to invest most of my time on your latest planet. I want to test different zones."
"As you know, Kepler-442-b is a legendary prospect discovered nearly 30,000 years ago. It has many lookers."
Ilkay was irritated by the man's behavior, but of course they wanted to drive up the prices of their best asset. Then someone's phone rang. Ilkay looked across the table.
"Altos..." He swung his head in disapproval at this unacceptable behavior.
Altos Orvellis looked stricken. "Sir, something came up. I need to verify." He bolted outside the room.
"If you have urgent business, we can reschedule," Terrance offered.
"No need. Please continue."
Altos came back, his face white. "Sir, sir..." He looked between Alison and Ilkay, turning his head back and forth for several seconds.
"What happened?" Alison asked.
Altos finally gained his composure and walked toward Terrance. "Give me access to connect," he said, showing his holographic phone screen. After Terrance gave him access, he made a sweeping gesture and sent whatever was on his phone to multiple screens along the conference room.
There was an image of the World of Aethyros with text written across it: "Coup in Realmforge. Game shut down. No in or out."
"What the hell? Did you call the officials?" Alison demanded.
"I tried premium and AI numbers, but no one's picking up. And the AI is trying to convince everyone it's safe and it's just a bug."
Terrance looked uncomfortable. "Are any of your relatives inside? I thought your people didn't like that kind of..." But his gauche comment was cut by Ilkay's stare.
"Two of my grandsons entered today." Even though Aris wasn't his grandson, he didn't want to explain to that inconsiderate executive.
"I have a friend at VP level in marketing. I will reach out," Terrance said quickly.
"Please do that."
Terrance, somewhat embarrassed by his stupid comment, immediately started calling and trying to reach his friend. Finally, his friend picked up. Terrance projected the call to the conference screens.
"Don't tell me your brother was in," came the voice from the phone.
"No, but my friends' kids were in. They are here with me. Is it true, the news?" The call cut suddenly. Calls across star systems were done by technology similar to portal traveling. It worked, but sometimes lines cut unexpectedly. Unlike traveling, there were no safety protocols for the data.
"I am calling again." After he connected the second time: "Terrance, look, we are doing everything we can to reopen the gates, but—"
"But what?" Ilkay interrupted.
"Sir, I am in marketing. Technicality is not my strong suit. We are working, but the safety features we developed for keeping intruders out are being used against us."
"So you are saying we made a giant lock and the door shut in our faces? Is that it?"
"I am not saying that."
"Can people live there, survive?"
"It is a self-repairing, self-sustainable place. If they don't get hurt, they can live."
"What caused it?"
"We suspect NPC uprising. They took charge and neutralized our assets and closed the gates."
Alison leaned forward. "Aren't they supposed to be barbarians? How could they take charge of the most sophisticated technology?"
"We are looking into that. I gotta go, sorry." The phone imitated the long-lived tradition of closing with dial tone sounds.
Terrance looked stricken. "I am so sorry this happened to you. Normally it is very safe even the most harmful NPCs can't kill you. Their protection saves you from actual harm. It is top-notch."
"Have you been in? How does it work?" Ilkay asked.
"I entered constantly with my brother before my higher education started, but I stopped fifteen years ago. I think there are tiny invisible machines filled throughout the pocket universe. Since it's so small, each machine is constantly in communication with the source in the core of the planet. It is both creating gravity and powering the whole pocket universe."
When Terrance saw everyone looking at him for further explanation, he continued.
"Let's say you are a mage creating a fireball. Your nanites understand your intent, send your information to the game software, and the game manipulates air around your hand to materialize the fireball. Same for strength - let's say you have fifty times strength in there as a warrior. Your nanites send information, and where excessive power needs to be applied, machines do the work flawlessly."
"Are players and game characters helpful? Can a sixteen-year-old and thirteen-year-old survive?" Ilkay asked.
"Depends on their level and friendship with locals."
"One played three years ago for three days, and one never played." With that information, Terrance's face visibly paled.
Terrance made an "IGGGH" face without noticing.
"It won't be easy, I am afraid."
The silence in the conference room was deafening. Ilkay stared out at the stars, his mind racing with possibilities and fears. Somewhere in that digital world, two boys he cared about were trapped, possibly in danger, with no way home.
Altos broke the silence. "What do we do now?"
Ilkay's jaw tightened. "We wait. We hope. And we prepare for when they come back." He paused, his voice dropping to a whisper. "If they come back."
But Ilkay had no intention of waiting. He would take action knock on doors, go wherever necessary. Even the Game Designer himself would not be beyond his reach.