Skye is the Limit by Phenomenal Pen (best time to read books txt) 📕

“So, you think we’re gonna have some sort of training?” asked Luiz.   

<What for?> Chul-Moo said. They were all sitting on egg chairs in a horseshoe layout, which complemented the minimalist interior design of the meeting room.

The pro gamer guessed all the high-tech R and D stuff was on the other floors, probably even underground. So far, the impression he had of the world-famous Omni Systems HQ was lots of open spaces, most likely to encourage free thinking. The rooms themselves were open-plan, which meant that there were no rooms, only semi-private ones in lots of break out areas. The meeting room they were in was perhaps already the most secluded, but it had no lock and the door was a sleek, cool, modern version of the barn door. The French backpacker Zacharie had noted to himself that it had a 90’s, Mondrianesque design on it.     

<It is just a computer game,> Chul-Moo spoke in his native language Korean but, with Athena’s help, his words were translated into English almost simultaneously, with barely a pause. Athena was also able to mimic Chul-Moo’s voice and accent and apply them to her insta-translation.

Although Athena employed state-of-the-art natural language-processing, the technology still had it kinks like lack of contractions and all too literal translations of idiomatic expressions. The technology wasn’t new and had been well-marketed by Omni Systems to governments and corporations in the form of a device called the Omni Collar. Because it was quite pricey, most individuals and students didn’t own one and now its precision both amazed and unsettled them.

<We are not astronauts or Olympic players,> Chul-Moo finished.

<Says the guy who is dressed like one,> Zacharie quipped in French. It was rapidly translated into both English and Korean.  

“I thought we’d at least be trained for imaginative suggestibility or something,” Ayodele spoke to nip the tension in the bud. “You know, because we’d be performing mentally, not physically.”

<I do not think so,> Zacharie replied. <They did not have to do anything like that with Bev Stanton.>   

<Do you believe everything you see on TV?> Chul-Moo asked, not backing away from Zacharie’s earlier bait.

<On TV, sometimes. On the computer, never. I do not fool myself that e-sports is a sport and playing it makes me a sportsman.>

Luiz coughed nervously.

“Guys, guys, we’re not here to compete with each other. We’re here to work together.”   

“He’s right,” Ayodele said.

<Tell Mr. Analog over there,> Chul-Moo said. <He is the one who has a thing against gamers. I just happen to be really good at what I do.>

<Oh, do you mean signing autographs and cashing in on this whole circus?>

<If you did not want to be in the circus, you should not have entered the cage with the freaks.>

<I have my reasons. In the end, maybe I will pour sand on all this toying-with-fire and expose fakes like you.>

<Well, watch your back out there too, because I most definitely will not do it for you. Let us see you last a day with your ‘real-life’ people skills.>

 The ensuing silence stretched. The ice between the Korean pro gamer and the French backpacker had just turned into a glacier.

****

“Don’t they know they’re still being televised?” Omni Systems President Freddie Patel asked with a wince.

“I was about to go in there and orient them,” Mr. Chase said.

“Let them work it out by themselves. Teens will be teens,” Mr. Spaulding said nonchalantly. “Remember when you were like that, Fred? Idealistic and ready to take on the world because of your ideals and the slightest slight?” 

Now that the SKYE train was out of the station, Mr. Spaulding had switched strategies. He was a very practical man. He knew that the best way to make the project work at this juncture was for everyone, including himself, to get completely on board.   

“Let’s give the audience snatches of raised voices or a glimpse of tears. They crave drama. You know what SKYE is closest to? It just occurred to me. It’s not MMORPG or social media. It’s reality TV. So let the audience pick sides and root for their favorites. When the shared dreaming starts, the fans are gonna want to be by their idol’s side, laughing and crying with them.  

“Way I see it, it all depends on Luiz now. His leadership skills. Is that your game plan, Athena?”

<That is correct, Jay,> a feminine voice with a British accent spoke from a speaker mounted on the ceiling. Although Athena constantly monitored most of the rooms in the office building and was in effect omnipresent, she had been programmed to never eavesdrop and to not speak unless spoken to.

<Subject # 4: Luiz Henrique Costa e Silva Senna a.k.a. Luiz scored an impressive 93.7 on his leadership test,> Athena explained. <If there is anyone who can bring synergy and/ or collaboration to this highly diversified team, it is him. He plays a crucial role in the group dynamics. But let me add that Subject # 2: Zacharie Michel a.k.a. Zee is not that far behind in terms of leadership potential.>