Free Virtual Prophet by Terry Schott Page A

all to do one simple thing.”
    He scanned the crowd one last time, giving them his best motivating posture and smile.
    “Stop wondering when the Game feed will come back on, and start believing that it will come back on no w .”
    Trew exited the stage as two million people sprang to their feet and loudly began to cheer and chant two simple words.
    “We believe!”
    Trew took a drink of water and smiled confidently.
     

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
     
    “She just killed Daniel,” Brandon said as he watched the monitor.
    “Indeed,” Thorn agreed.
    “How does that work, then? Wesley has no viable body on Tygon, so does he come out of the Sim now?”
    Thorn didn’t answer, which caused Brandon to look up from the monitor in concern.
    “I want to see them,” Brandon stood up.
    “See who?”
    “My Hand.” 
    Thorn didn’t move from his chair.
    “Take me to them,” Brandon said with authority. “Now.”
    “Brandon,” Thorn said gently, “I explained the situation to you already. We are running extremely low on power. Every spare ounce is being diverted to the Simulation to give us as much time as possible.”
    “You told me you had to unplug the other teams,” Brandon’s voice was icy, “you didn’t mention my Hand.”
    “They’re not dead,” Thorn said, “exactly.”
    “Exactly? What in the name of all that is digital does that even mean, exactly?”
    “Calm yourself. We had to unplug them just like the others,” he raised his hand before Brandon could interrupt him, “but we were able to put them in cold stasis. Their bodies are in suspended animation. The power required for that process was available at the time.”
    “But you don’t have the power to bring them out of stasis,” Brandon guessed.
    “Correct,” Thorn said.
    “So when Wesley just died in the Game, did his consciousness zip back here into the skull of his frozen body?”
    Thorn raised his eyebrows and grimaced uncomfortably. “So much of this is happening for the first time, son. We’ve never experimented with this type of thing before.”
    “You have no idea,” Brandon shook his head.
    “I have no idea,” Thorn admitted.
    Brandon returned to his seat, his attention returning to the monitor.
    “I want back in, Father, and I think the correct time is now.”
    “You’ve been out for only a few hours,” Thorn said. “You’ve done your part, Brandon. Let it play out now. The chances of success look extremely promising right now.”
    “I did one part,” Brandon said. “I’m still needed in there. Trew and Cooper are doing well. Danielle is doing better I’d hoped. The rest of the players are doing their part, but Stephanie becoming the Devil is a wild card, and there are other wild cards. I must go back in, and the time is now.”
    Thorn looked at Brandon sadly. “Time is running out, my boy. Life support is not an option, and even if it was, your body cannot withstand the stress of full immersion again so soon. I told you already, going back in is very likely a one-way trip for you. Do what you can from out here. Talk to the men on the phone if you must.”
    Brandon looked at Thorn and his eyes took on a faraway, serious tone. “I know how it will play out here, Father, but I have no choice. We are in the home stretch, and my plan has been to go back in for some time now, no matter the cost.” The boy put his hand on Thorn’s shoulder and squeezed it reassuringly. “This is my choice. Put me back in.”
    Thorn stared at Brandon for a long moment, and then nodded.
    “All right,” he said. “Let’s get you back to Tygon.”
     
     
     
     
     

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
     
    Carl touched down in the middle of the empty city street. He looked around slowly, searching with his eyes as well as his other senses to determine if anyone was nearby. A few moments passed and he nodded to himself, satisfied that the hooded person standing in front of him was the only individual within at least a one-mile radius.
    “You’re lookin’