Category: Alternet

[WP] The first fully immersive online VR game has released in which anything is possible. After months of saving you eagerly log in and hit ‘random server.’ [Link to post.]


Thomas Fincher smiled at his reflection in the bathroom mirror. His dark brown eyes roamed up and down his mostly naked body, making sure he attached the electrodes in all the right places. He grabbed the instruction pamphlet and checked all the marked spots on the pamphlet and himself.

“Wrists.” He checked the golden stickers on each wrist, each had a golden AlterNet logo on it. “Temples.” He looked in the mirror, the stickers appeared to be affixed in the right places. “Back of the neck.” Thomas reached behind his neck and felt the textured sticker attached to where he guessed his spine connected to his head. He grabbed his phone from the grey marble counter top in his bathroom and padded out, in just his boxers, to his newly built ‘Game room’. It’d taken him a long time to save up enough money for the remodel, but his patience was rewarded with the release of AlterNet 2.0 just as he reached his financial goal. He smiled at the large pit of soil taking up the center of the room.  He placed his phone on a nearby table attached to a charger, then grabbed a small vial of thick, bright red liquid and walked to the pit.

He stepped a bare foot into the soil and enjoyed the cool sensation as he squeezed it with his toes. He giggled with excitement, then laid down in the center making sure he was completely on the soil. He lay on his back and stared up at the clock he placed in the ceiling to keep his bearings about him whenever he logged out. He sat up, opened the small vial then drank the liquid inside in one gulp. Thomas laid back down. He kept his hands to his sides, making sure to keep the golden electrodes in the soil. It wasn’t long before he felt a tingling in the back of his neck, then he felt nothing. He closed his eyes.

“Welcome to the AlterNet 2.0,” a bright female voice spoke in his ear. “You may be aware of a sense of paralysis, please understand that this an intentional safety feature. Your body will remained paralyzed until you choose to log out of the AlterNet.” The voice said. Thomas’ eyes remained closed, but images and light filled his vision. He stood outside in a large empty wheat field, the golden grains swaying in the wind. He felt the wind brush his skin. A dark black, featureless, female mannequin appeared in the middle of the field then walked towards Thomas.

“Please select a server,” the mannequin said though it had no mouth. Around her small windowed images appeared, each with a different name.

“Random server,” Thomas said. The figure nodded, then projected a single image in front of itself. “Server: Random chosen.”

“Wait, there’s a server named, ‘Random’?” Thomas asked. The mannequin nodded. “Alright, whatever. What’s next?”

“AlterNet 2.0 is an upgraded version of the AlterNet. There are several varieties of games played within the AlterNet. Though you do not need a character profile for each game, it is recommended. Would you like to go through the games?” Thomas shook his virtual head.

“No thanks, I’m just here for Derby,” he said.

“Okay. Let’s create your Roller Derby character,” the mannequin said. Again, Thomas shook his head, in a hurry to play.

“Just default everything,” he said.

“While Roller Derby allows you to customize your character as you progress, there are some choices that cannot be changed later. Due to the nature of the AlterNet, it is recommended you think about these choices carefully. You will be unable to create a new character later.”

“Default everything,” Thomas repeated. The mannequin nodded its blank head.

“Default character created. Switching to tutorial mode,” the mannequin said. Thomas’ vision went black and he lost all sense of feeling again. Instead of the wind and grains brushing his legs he felt nothing. When he regained vision the wheat field was gone. Instead he stood in the center of a stadium surrounded by winding Roller Derby track. He moved around, taking in the sights. The stadium was empty, but the track was impressive. Sharp turns and corkscrew ramps dotted sections of the track.

“*Totally worth the wait*,” Thomas thought to himself. He pumped his fist in the air happily, then realized his body felt wrong. He looked down and realized his character was a girl.

“Uh, help?” He squeaked out the word. The black mannequin appeared next to him.

“How may I help?” she asked.

“I don’t want to be a girl,” Thomas said.

“I’m sorry. Once your character is attuned, that is one of the choices that cannot be undone.”

[WP] “The jailer is the key, kill him and you’ll be free…” [Link to post.]

“So that’s it? We just gotta kill the jailer?” Mickey hovered around Fig, the tall blue skinned troll that gave him the hint. It was Mickey’s first day in the prison and he took to exploring the exercise yard when he ran into the aged troll. Fig shook his head, almost swinging one of his tusks into Mickey’s fluttering form. 

“You’re new. You’ve still got hope, that’s understandable. But let me tell you, ain’t no way you’re killing the jailer,” Fig laughed heartily and gestured at Mickey, “you’re not even a fighting class, you’re a merchant. Maybe you can save up enough to bribe him, eh?” 

“Bribe him? But isn’t he one of the Forest guards?” Mickey asked. The Forest was the virtual prison they were sentenced to, destined to live out the rest of their days as player characters. A sly smile came over Fig.

“Nope. Everything thinks that, but he’s just an overpowered NPC. I’ve tried talking to him a few times, it’s all scripted. Anyway, good luck. Let me know if you need any help getting situated.” Fig gave Mickey a dismissive wave and walked away towards a group of of assorted trolls and ogres. Mickey hovered in place while he debated about his options. Fig was right, he didn’t stand a fighting chance as a merchant, but he had other skills. The jailer being an NPC meant he had a chance. Before he entered the Forest, Michael Anderson chose to be a merchant in the hopes that they wouldn’t think much of his skills. He brought up a skill menu, translucent blue text formed in front of him, then scrolled through it. He smiled widely when he realized his skills were still intact, he was after one skill in particular. Charming Gift – Once a day give a gift to someone to increase their favor of you by 5 points. Rewards 10XP

“That’ll do it,” Mickey said to himself. He flapped his wings and scoured the prison yard looking for anything suitable. He found a small red flower blooming in one corner. He plucked the flower and flew it to the Jailer’s tent. He kept a presence in the yard whenever the prisoners were outdoors. The jailer was a tall naga. The bottom half of his body looked like a diamondback rattler, complete with rattle at the tip of his tail. The rattle came to life the second Mickey flew into the tent.

“Sorry sir! I don’t mean any trouble, I just wanted to give you a gift,” Mickey said. He held the flower, fluttering just inside the tent’s entrance. The jailer stared at Mickey, but the rattling stopped. Mickey flew forward slowly, holding the flower in front of him, stem out, to make his offering clear. He smiled when the Jailer reached out and accepted the flower. A green +5 appeared over his head for a second, then disappeared. Mickey used another of his merchant skills, Appraisal, to gauge his favor with the Jailer. He needed to give him 999 more gifts to get to the next level of favor.

“Well, I’ve got nothing else to do,” Mickey sighed and flew out of the tent. His mind began to fill with ideas about how he would kill the jailer once his favor got high enough. While scrolling through his menu he also noticed he earned experience points for using the skill. He flew to Fig in a hurry, the troll seemed surprised to see him.

“Accepted it already?” Fig asked. 

“Can’t we take him if we level up?” Mickey asked. Fig shook his head.

“They nerfed all our XP skills, and they won’t let us out to kill in the world anyway. No one’s leveling up in here.” Mickey nodded. He would tell Fig some day, maybe after he already had a couple of levels under his belt. But it did not need to be today. It was only the first day, and he had plenty of time to plan his escape. 

[WP] In the distant future, prisoners have their brains extracted and uploaded into a computer system in order to save space and maintain peace within prisons. [Link to post.]

“You are hereby sentenced *immediately* to the Forest.” The judge’s gavel slammed down. Michael Anderson broke down into heaving sobs while the bailiff escorted him out of the courtroom in handcuffs. He had no resistance to give as the burly guard walked him to the transport, and he remained silent for most of the two hour drive. An hour and a half into the trip the driver yelled back at him.

“Man, I’m sorry you got Judge ‘Appleseed’. Shitty luck.” Michael nodded his head ever so slightly. “Hey. You want a burger or something? Look. I don’t know if you’re guilty or not, but even if you are… the Forest ain’t right. It’s too much.” The vehicle slowed down, but Michael kept his silence and shook his head. The guard shrugged. “Suit yourself.” The van sped up again. Half an hour later they stopped moving, then the guard opened the door. Michael stared out at purple-orange sky. The sun began its descent into the treetops. He stepped out of the paddy wagon and looked over the edge; the Forest inmate processing station functioned as a dam once. The guard guided Michael along the tall sheer wall towards the elevator. He glanced at the trees. Giant redwoods grew tall and proud for miles and miles, as far as Michael could see. Thousands of trees taking up hundreds of miles. The guard undid Michael’s handcuffs then pressed the elevator button. The doors slid open, waiting for Michael.

“God bless you,” the guard patted Michael on the shoulder and walked off. The elevator was as spacious as a bedroom, at least 10′ x 10′. A female orderly stood next to a comfortable looking chair  in the center. She nodded her head at the chair and Michael stepped in to sit down. 

“It’s a slow, deliberate, ride down. We prepare you on the way,” she said quietly. Michael nodded his head to indicate he heard what she said. 

“What do you know about the Forest?” she asked while she pressed the button closing the elevator doors. Michael watched the sunlight disappear for the last time, then he felt the elevator begin its descent. He knew he couldn’t get by with a nod this time.

“Everything,” Michael said. 

“Oh you’re one of those? Well there is some info that you won’t find on the internet, even on the conspiracy sites,” she said. She presented him with a glass of water and a small white cardboard cup full of pills. “We’re supposed to show you an orientation video, but most people skip it.” Michael lifted the white cup of pills and poured them all into his mouth, then he grabbed the water to wash them down. 

“Those pills I swallowed will start germinating in a few hours,” Michael said, staring directly into her dark brown eyes. Her mouth dropped slightly, then she recovered with a smile.

“A lucky guess. Pretty much everyone has *some* idea what the Forest actually is,” she said. She grabbed the empty glass and cup from him, then turned to put them on a counter top against one of the Elevator walls. She turned back to hand him a brown mesh jumpsuit that resembled a burlap sack. Michael stood and began to change into it. She turned her back to give him privacy. 

“You ever wonder what it’d be like if you could be someone else? Some *thing* else?” she tilted her head back slightly to ask. “Like, wouldn’t it be cool to be a fairy, or an ogre or something?” Michael chuckled behind her. 

“I’m dressed,” he said. The orderly turned around to find him sitting in his seat again. 

“So? Pretend you could be anything you wanted to be. What would you choose?” She asked with a friendly smile. Michael scratched at the itchy uniform, then smiled at her. Now that he took the pills he felt at peace with his fate. He decided to have some fun. 

“A dragon,” he said. She giggled, then shook her head. 

“No c’mon. Something more reasonable. Like maybe an elf, or a dwarf.”

“Oh. I’ve always thought something like a ferret man would be cool.” Her eyes rolled upward to think, then she shook her head. 

“Nah those don’t count. What about like a cat man or a dog man?” she asked. She grabbed a strap from under the chair and began to fasten him to it. 

“A moth man,” Michael said. She paused while tightening the strap. 

“No, but how about-,” she paused. Her eyes narrowed and she stared at him for a second before gasping. “You *DO* know! You’re doing it on purpose.” Michael nodded.

“Alright wiseguy,” she stood and crossed her arms, the smiled. “Tell me what you know so I can do my job. I’m supposed to make sure you know the process.” 

“You’re going to connect me to the AlterNet where my consciousness can live on in another universe. Of course it’s a prison so there are guards over there keeping us prisoner. While I’m in there I’ll be planted so that taking care of my body isn’t a burden on the State. The pills I took will bond with me and grow. The soil and sun will keep me alive until my body becomes a tree. Eventually my consciousness will just fade away into nothing. Even if there’s no pain, it’s like a death sentence. Just crueler. Sound about right?” Michael asked. The orderly nodded then walked around him to tighten the strap around his other wrist. 

“Yeah. You got it all,” she said. The elevator stopped moving suddenly. “Race and class?” she asked. 

“Fairy Merchant,” Michael said. The doors opened. 

[ImagePrompt] Cybermonk [Link to post.]


The bright orange morning sun illuminated the temple’s courtyard and the small group of prospective students standing within. The temple master double checked the list displayed as a hologram hovering over his metal hand, then counted the recruits again.

“Only Seven out of 15 showed up. Good, this’ll be easy,” he smiled to himself and walked out of the shadows to approach the group. When they saw him approach the newbies made an effort to stand at attention. 

“Good Morning,” the monk smiled at the group. He noticed a human female, the only human in the group, flinching. She tried to keep her eyes forward, but her head seemed to involuntarily turn to her left while her left eye blinked rapidly. He approached her.

“Something wrong?” The monk asked the woman. She now faced forward with ease.

“Sorry, Sir. I had something in my eye. I think it’s gone now,” she said. The monk nodded, though a couple other group members chuckled. The monk stepped back and addressed them.

“My name is SteelDragon7, and I run this guild,” he paced back and forth in front of them, then paused. He turned to face a minotaur. Every recruitment brought a hotshot that thought he could take on SteelDragon7, and it was always the minotaur. “I’m sure some of you think I don’t look like much,” the master held his metal hand up for the group to see. “But let me remind you; I’m the first, and so far *ONLY* player to finish the Oversoul quest.” The human raised her hand.

“Is that good?” She asked, after SteelDragon7 gave her his attention. The other six, two elves, a slime folk, a faun, a naga, and the minotaur, burst into laughter at her question. The monk walked to the girl, though he noticed she began flinching and blinking her left eye again. Her fidgeting stopped when he stood in front of her. 

“What level are you?” the monk asked. She looked down at the ground, seemingly embarrassed.

“One, it’s my first day. I finished the tutorial and saw a monk guild recruiting.” The six laughed even harder. The monk held his metal hand up.

“Silence! All of you were new once, as was I.” SteelDragon7 caught the woman flinching again out of the corner of his eye, but ignored it for the moment. He lowered his hand and the minotaur spoke out.

“Yeah we were all new, but we didn’t try out for the best monk guild on our first day,” the big black cow head said, not bothering to conceal the glee in his deep voice. 

“Of course *you* didn’t.” SteelDragon7 faced the woman again, gave her a slight smile. “The Oversoul quest lets you choose an elite race, and you get those bonuses on top of whatever race benefits you already have. I’ll be happy to explain more in depth later, but I hope that satisfies your question for now?” he asked her. She nodded so the monk paced back to stand in front of the entire group. 

“It’s a small group today, we can take all of you if you’re worthy. Normally we’d have a tournament to whittle down the numbers, but I think we’ll try something different this time. I’m going to ask a single question. Your answer will dictate whether you join my guild or not.” SteelDragon7 looked over the recruits and tried to guess which ones would give the right answer, then he noticed the human flinching again. He shook his head to ignore it for the moment, but decided to ask her about it after. Whether she made it into the guild or not. 

“The question is this: Why do you want to join this guild?” As soon as he finished speaking the woman raised her hand. “You can take time to think about your answer, it’s not a race.” 

“But I know why I’m here.” The monk nodded and extended his hand to encourage her to speak up. 
“I’m a monk, and I thought it’d be fun to hang out with other monks, and this is a monk only guild, and I just want to have fun.” SteelDragon7 walked toward the girl, ignoring the laughter of the rest of the recruits. 

“That’s your answer, then?” he asked her. She nodded. “Very well. Now that you’ve given me your answer please go wait over there.” He pointed her toward a shaded spot near the courtyard entrance. The minotaur spoke up while she walked away.

“I’m here because this is the strongest guild, and I’m planning to be the strongest monk.” The master monk looked the minotaur up and down, then nodded. 

“Please go wait over there.” Instead of sending the minotaur to the shaded spot next to the human, SteelDragon7 sent the beast man to a sunny spot near the temple’s dorm rooms. The next five had their answers ready shortly after that. The two elves and the faun also wanted to grow their strength at the temple, they were sent to stand in the sun next to the minotaur. The slime folk and the naga admitted to just wanting help in progressing toward their Oversoul. They were sent to stand in the shade. Each time SteelDragon7 sent someone towards the human, he noticed her flinching. It began to get on his nerves. After everyone gave their answer the monk stood in the middle of the courtyard and waved both groups to join him. 

“I’m sure you’ve realized by now that you’re divided into groups of yes and no. I won’t waste time with suspense,” he turned to face the human, slime folk, and naga. “Congratulations and welcome to the guild. You’re in.” While they cheered the other team made their outrage known. The minotaur going so far as to grab SteelDragon7 by his orange training robes and lifting him into the air.

“HOW did those losers get in, and not us?” SteelDragon7 smiled. 

“The success of this guild is not due to us having the strongest people. We’ve succeeded because we choose people that *want* to be here. We support each other, we have fun. You four are looking to selfishly use this guild as a stepping stone to greater strength. They just want friends. I’d also like to remind you that this courtyard is a PvP zone. If you don’t unhand me, you’re going to have a long walk from your respawn point, and I can’t guarantee your items will still be here when you get back. The minotaur loosened his grip and SteelDragon7 fell two feet to the floor.

“This guild’s going downhill anyway. C’mon guys, we’ll start our own monk guild.” The minotaur led the two elves and the faun away. The monk master turned to watch them leave, then noticed the human flinching again. He walked over to her quickly.

“Are you sure nothing’s wrong? Why are you flinching so much?” he asked. She looked at her two new friends. The naga stood about a foot taller than her, and the slime folk was shorter by about two feet. 

“Sorry, Sir. You’re just so *shiny*. Your head’s been blinding me like crazy.