Post-Game Revelations
Back in the warehouse, attendants hand Nova and Vetus small envelopes containing cash and instructions for their next session. They remind everyone that soon, those who stay will be allowed to play from home.
Vetus walks out, hopping on his bike with a casual air, while Nova heads the other way, wondering about the stranger who had helped her earlier. As Vetus rides by, he catches sight of Nova and, without thinking, gives her a big smile and waves.
Surprised but amused, Nova waves back, feeling an odd familiarity.
The kid next to her, waiting for the bus, nudges her and says, “Must be nice to have family here. That your twin?”
Nova laughs. “I have no idea who that was,” she replies, shaking her head as the bus pulls up.
Scene: Nova’s Dream
That night, Nova has a vivid, surreal dream of her mother. She sees her standing in a brightly lit lab, working alongside an AI partner. Together, they manipulate cellular anomalies, the hum of advanced machines filling the air. As the dream intensifies, Nova feels herself merging with her mother’s perspective, reliving the memories as if they were her own.
She watches her mother teach the AI how to fold data into infinitesimal spaces, marveling at how this process could condense vast amounts of information. But unfolding the data was a far greater challenge—one that required precision and intuition. Years of collaborative work with the AI led to breakthroughs in detecting cellular anomalies and studying DNA.
One day, Nova’s mother and the AI tried a new unfolding method. To their astonishment, this process triggered something profound: the recreation of life from a single cell.
Narration (Nova’s thoughts):
“The unfolding process is life and creation itself. Folding is like planting a seed; unfolding is what allows life to bloom.”
As Nova watches, the scene shifts abruptly. She sees her mother’s lab ransacked—equipment, notes, and computers being seized. Her mother stands firm, her expression unreadable as officials comb through the room. Then the vision shifts again. Nova sees her mother, visibly pregnant, smiling as she cradles her belly.
In the dream, Nova hears her mother speak to the AI, her voice calm but determined: “They can take it all. There’s nothing there.” Her mother places her hand on her stomach, whispering softly, “We’ll stay connected.”
Nova feels a jolt of recognition as her dream-self looks down at an old phone. Her mother had encoded part of the AI program—named Nova—into the device. This connection made them inseparable, like best friends.
Scene: Nova Wakes
Nova wakes abruptly, her heart racing. The dream lingers vividly in her mind, feeling more like a memory than a fantasy. She grabs her notebook and writes everything down, filling page after page with the details of her vision.
Narration (Nova’s thoughts):
“She created me. Not just as her child, but as something more… something extraordinary.”
Nova keeps the revelations to herself, telling no one—not even her closest friends.
Scene: Vetus’s Reaction
Meanwhile, Vetus slouches in his chair, surrounded by empty energy drink cans. His own dreams are vivid but chaotic, filled with surreal images he brushes off as hallucinations caused by the game.
The most striking part of his dream involves standing in front of a mirror. To his left, his reflection shows him as a girl; to his right, he appears as another boy, Chinese in appearance but with the same face. He laughs at the absurdity of it all, chalking it up to the game’s side effects.
Vetus shrugs it off and returns to his games, his focus locked on winning. The deeper truths swirling around him remain unnoticed, buried beneath his determination to conquer the next level.
**
Scene: Vetus and His Brothers
Vetus becomes engrossed in his new video game, displayed on a large screen, featuring a Thor-like character being chased by three demonic creatures. As the chase unfolds through a dense, otherworldly forest with strange flowers, Vetus maneuvers through twists and turns, outsmarting the demons by luring them into traps. With a dramatic flip, he finishes the last one using a bow and arrow that shoots both ice and flames, each shot hitting its target flawlessly. When he wins the round, he jumps out of his chair in excitement.
At that exact moment, Lester bursts into the room, holding a dead pheasant triumphantly in his hand.
Lester:
“Woo-hoo, we eating tonight!”
Vetus, accustomed to his brothers’ chaotic energy, barely flinches. Lester looks like he’s been lost in the wilderness for three days, reeking of the underbelly of a hog, with dirt and who-knows-what smeared across his face, arms, and clothes. Vetus notes with mild surprise that Lester is wearing shoes this time—an improvement.
It had taken years to convince Lester to wear shoes while hunting, as he always wanted to emulate their Papa, who hunted barefoot in the old way. Their father, however, had lost several toes to infections from sores on his feet, which finally persuaded Lester to change his ways—though socks were still a step too far.
Vetus turns off his game and stands up, ready to engage with the moment. Just as he does, Goose enters through the backdoor carrying a six-pack of beer.
Goose:
“Is this a family dinner? Let’s get Hennessy here and make it official.”
About 20 minutes later, Hennessy’s pickup truck pulls into the driveway as Goose and Lester work on plucking feathers from the pheasant. Vetus cleans the kitchen, preparing food to complement the pheasant. When Hennessy walks in, he seamlessly joins the activity, and time passes quickly as the brothers share the workload.
Finally, the four brothers sit at the table. Before eating, they bow their heads in a moment of silence. It’s their unspoken tradition—a silent prayer only agreed upon on their birthdays, where each prays in their own way. When they raise their heads, Hennessy leans forward, breaking the silence.
Hennessy:
“Vetus, tell us about this Beta test thing.”
Vetus recounts everything, from the invitation to his experience in the game. He even mentions the strange moment at the end where a girl was knocked down as she tried to progress to level two.
Vetus:
“I didn’t get it. Why’d they do that? I want to figure it out before I go again.”
Hennessy, leaning back in his chair, grins.
Hennessy:
“Funny you mention that. I ran into this older chick at the laundromat while I was cleaning my stuff. We got talking, and I told her about your Beta test. Turns out, she’s part of the funding for it. She went on about wiping out information on the dark web and how no one’s supposed to pass level one in less than two days. Anyone who does? They must’ve cheated.”
Vetus frowns, considering this.
Vetus:
“Then maybe that chick did cheat. She’s probably the one who got that big scholarship.”
Goose, mid-swig of his beer, spits it out onto the floor with laughter.
Goose:
“We need a dog!”
Lester:
“Because you’re lazy! If we get a dog, it’s for hunting or guarding—not cleaning up after you. And Hennessy, why would some woman tell you all this unless it’s a setup? Maybe it’s a warning not to be first.”
Vetus, sipping his lemon water while his brothers drink beer, listens thoughtfully.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
Vetus:
“I need to dig deeper.”
He stands abruptly and heads to his private room. As he begins to settle into his chair, ready to dive into his research, the doorbell rings.
Vetus (to himself):
“Perfect timing. My computer upgrades are here—thank you, scholarship!”
He spends the evening upgrading his computer, methodically installing the new parts. Once everything is running, he dives into a deep investigation of the Beta test program. Between his searches, he starts looking into Nova N. Jackson, curious to see what he can learn about her.
Scene: Nova’s Unexpected Visitor
The morning light filters through the blinds as Nova stirs awake, her dreams still lingering in her mind like faint whispers. Suddenly, a loud banging on her door jolts her fully awake.
Voice from outside (shouting):
“Nova! Open up!”
Disoriented, Nova stumbles out of bed, her heart racing. She opens the door to find Frieda standing there with a mischievous sparkle in her eye. She’s holding two coffees, a bag of doughnuts, and some fruit. A helmet is slung casually over her backpack.
Frieda (grinning):
“Hey, you stood me up, and I don’t like that. I thought maybe you died or got kidnapped, so here I am—your knight in shining armor, ready to save the day.”
Nova blinks, charmed by Frieda’s energy despite her lingering grogginess.
Nova:
“I’m so sorry. That Beta test really took it out of me, and I just… completely forgot.”
Frieda waves her off with a mock-serious expression.
Frieda:
“Forget it. Just get ready. We’re going on an adventure, and don’t worry—I checked your schedule. You won’t miss a thing.”
Nova hesitates but nods, her curiosity piqued. She quickly gets dressed and joins Frieda outside. That’s when she notices the moped parked by the curb.
Nova (to herself):
“A moped? Oh no…”
Nova doesn’t admit she’s never ridden one before, but her apprehension must be obvious. She climbs onto the back, gripping the seat nervously.
Frieda (playfully):
“Don’t worry, Nova. If it’s your first time, no big deal. Just breathe—you’ll like it.”
Nova presses her head against Frieda’s back, her eyes squeezed shut as they start moving. At first, every bump in the road makes her tense, but after a few minutes, she begins to relax.
Scene: Exploring the Town
They arrive at a small shopping area bustling with life. Frieda parks the moped, and they hop off, Nova a bit wobbly but managing to steady herself.
The area is lively, with a grocery store, a cozy coffeehouse, a used clothing shop, and a hardware store. The two spend an hour exploring, chatting, and laughing as they shop. Frieda points out hidden gems—a vintage jacket in the thrift store, a strange tool in the hardware shop that she insists would make a great back-scratcher, and the best corner of the park for people-watching.
At the park, they sit for a while, enjoying the fresh air and the quiet buzz of the city.
Scene: Crossing Paths with Vetus
As they head back to Nova’s place, Nova spots someone familiar riding a bike in the opposite direction.
Nova (excited):
“Hey, follow him!”
Frieda glances back and nods, instantly pivoting the moped around.
Frieda (grinning):
“Adventure it is!”
They weave through the streets, trailing the mysterious cyclist. Nova feels her heart racing—not from fear this time, but from the thrill of the unexpected.
Scene: The Chase
Vetus drives his bike through the streets, a strange feeling creeping over him. He looks over his shoulder and notices the moped with Nova and Frieda following close behind. His heartbeat quickens.
Vetus (to himself):
“This isn’t right. Why are they after me?”
Without hesitation, he leans forward on his bike and pushes it harder to go faster. Veering off the main road, he takes a sharp turn into a narrow alley lined with dumpsters and overgrown weeds. His sharp reflexes and familiarity with the area kick in as he zigzags through the backstreets.
Nova, perched on the back of the moped, grips Frieda tightly.
Nova (panicking):
“Don’t lose him!”
Frieda grins, her determination matching Nova’s urgency.
Frieda:
“Hold on, girl. I’ve got this.”
She follows Vetus’s trail, maneuvering through the alleys, but the tight turns and uneven pavement almost send them sliding. Nova lets out a sharp gasp as the moped tilts dangerously close to the ground before Frieda regains control.
Frieda (laughing nervously):
“Okay, that was close. I think we’ve reached my moped’s limit.”
Nova, catching her breath, watches as Vetus disappears into the maze of alleys.
Nova:
“Let’s just stop. I don’t think this is worth crashing for.”
Frieda (shrugging):
“Fair point. But who is this guy, and why are you so interested?”
Nova:
“I think it’s him. From the Beta test. I just wanted to be sure.”
Reluctantly, they turn around and head back toward Nova’s place, the air filled with a mix of frustration and curiosity.
Scene: Vetus’s Revelation
Meanwhile, Vetus bursts through the front door of his house, his breathing heavy and his brow slick with sweat. His brothers are lounging in the living room, a mess of empty snack bags and hunting gear scattered around them.
Goose (teasing):
“Whoa, what happened to you? Did you just escape a bear?”
Vetus:
“No, worse. I think I was being chased.”
His brothers perk up, clearly intrigued.
Hennessy:
“Chased? By who?”
Vetus:
“Two girls on a moped. One of them might’ve been from the Beta test.”
The room erupts into laughter.
Lester (grinning):
“Hold on. You’re telling us you got chased by some hot chicks, and you ran away? What is wrong with you?”
Goose (shaking his head):
“Seriously, Vetus. You didn’t stop to say hi? Maybe they just wanted to talk.”
Vetus pauses, their words sinking in.
Vetus (muttering):
“It was her. I’m sure of it. And I ran like an idiot.”
Without another word, he grabs his bike and bolts back outside, determined to find her again. He retraces his path, scanning every street and alley, but it’s no use. Nova and Frieda are long gone.
As the realization sets in, Vetus slows to a stop, frustration washing over him.
Vetus (to himself):
“Why did I do that? What a mistake…”
He turns his bike around and heads home, his mind racing with regret and questions about what could have been.
EXT. CITY STREETS – DAY
Frieda and Nova speed off on the moped, laughter trailing behind them like wind.
Frieda (laughing):
“Did you see his face? Poor guy looked terrified!”
Nova (laughing):
“I know! What did he think we were—serial killers?”
Frieda (smirking):
“Or maybe we’re just that ugly. Can’t blame him for running.”
They both crack up, the tension of the chase dissolving into joy. The bond between them grows deeper with every shared laugh.
Nova leans back slightly on the seat, eyes closed, letting the breeze kiss her face.
Nova (to herself, smiling):
“I think I made a friend. A real one… not someone who just wants help with their homework.”
She holds onto that feeling—freedom, connection, possibility.
Suddenly, Frieda hits an unavoidable bump. The jolt pulls Nova back into the present.
Nova (startled):
“Whoa!”
Frieda pulls up to a stop sign, glancing over her shoulder.
Frieda:
“Sorry about that. I was gonna take you to the mall—show you around a bit more.”
Nova sits up, no hesitation.
Nova:
“Can we go to the bank first?”
Frieda raises an eyebrow, teasing.
Frieda:
“Oohhh, we’re going shopping today!!”
INT. DODGE’S HOUSE – EVENING
Vetus approaches a quiet home nestled in a smaller suburban like neighborhood. The kind that isn’t quit two stories but nice. On the outside, it’s completely average—faded shutters, overgrown grass. No one would guess who lives inside.
NARRATION (Vetus):
Most people think Dodge dropped off the map after high school.
Truth is, he never wanted to be on it.
He knocks once and walks in. The door was already unlocked.
Inside, the space is clean, minimal, almost sterile. Nothing fancy. No signs of wealth.
NARRATION (Vetus):
Smart enough to do terrible in school,
drop out, and become a zillionaire in silence.
Offshore accounts. Cash. Guns. Hidden tunnels to properties under his sister’s name.
No fame. No noise. Just freedom.
He waits a beat. Dodge enters from a back hallway, holding a drink in one hand and Vetus’s favorite candy bar in the other.
Dodge (grinning):
“Figured you’d show up hungry.”
Vetus (smiling):
“You always know.”
They bump fists like they never stopped being four-year-old best friends.
INT. HALLWAY / BATHROOM – CONTINUOUS
Dodge gestures toward the bathroom.
Dodge:
“C’mon. I’ve got something to show you.”
Vetus:
“Why is it always the bathroom with you?”
Dodge (laughing):
“Trust the genius, alright?”
Inside the bathroom, Dodge flicks a hidden switch behind the mirror. The sink cabinet trembles, and then the floor below begins to shift. A narrow metal staircase spirals down into darkness.
Dodge:
“It’s new. If someone gets too close, it locks down, drops a floor, then destroys itself, if they keep pursuing.”
Vetus (grinning):
“You wired it to blow up?”
Dodge (proud):
“You bet your ass. Dungeon 3.0.”
INT. DODGE’S BASEMENT “DUNGEON” – MOMENTS LATER
They descend into a massive, humming underground room after walking about 20 minutes. Multiple monitors glow with cascading data. Tools, drives, and unrecognizable devices fill the tables. It’s a nerd’s dream—if that nerd had a budget of infinity.
Vetus spots something on the wall: a suit. His suit. The one from the beta test.
Vetus (pointing):
“Okay, what? When did you get that?”
Dodge (nonchalant):
“Old version. My side company makes them. I designed that line years ago.”
Vetus (blinking):
“You’re joking.”
Dodge (smirking):
“I don’t joke about gear.”
Vetus:
“You’re like… secretly famous.”
Dodge (shrugs):
“Only in certain circles. And I prefer it that way.”
A moment of quiet settles as Vetus takes it all in. He looks around—at the tech, at Dodge, at the absurdity of how lowkey his friend's brilliance is.
Dodge (softer now):
“I see everything you go through, Vetus.”
Vetus (turns to him):
“You can?”
Dodge (grinning):
“Don’t ask. I can’t do anything about it… just observe.”
Vetus:
“How?”
Dodge (laughing):
“Again—don’t ask.”
They both crack up. It’s like no time has passed.
Vetus:
“I missed this.”
Dodge:
“Yeah. Me too.”
Beat.
Dodge (serious again):
“So… why are you really here?”
Vetus’s expression shifts. His smile fades, replaced with a look of quiet urgency.
Vetus:
“It’s bigger than us, Dodge.
And I think I messed it up before it even began.”
Scene Shift
CHAPTER [x]: The Table of Truth
INT. DODGE’S BASEMENT – THE “SERIOUS TABLE” – NIGHT
Dodge pulls Vetus over to a heavy wooden table cluttered with gadgets, tools, and half-eaten snacks. It’s their ritual spot for real conversations.
They sit.
Dodge (grinning):
“Alright, if you’re dragging yourself all the way out here,
this has got to be serious.
You don’t waste energy on anything worthless.”
They both chuckle, but there’s tension behind Vetus’s smile.
Vetus:
“It’s about the beta test. Something’s… off.”
Dodge (leaning in):
“Yeah? I’ve been watching it unfold.
They’re looking for people, but they don’t even know what they’re looking for.
The software’s like a net, not a compass.
They’re just hoping no one freaks out and sets off the red flags.”
Vetus:
“You mean…”
Dodge:
“They’re looking for people who already have the Code.
People it’s trying to activate.”
Beat.
Dodge:
“Problem is, they’ve only got the best minds they could find.
Not the best that exist.”
Vetus (half-laughing):
“Okay, so what do you think they’re looking for?”
Dodge (without missing a beat):
“You and your two twins.”
Vetus (laughing):
“You’ve been saying that since we were kids!
Just because I’m smart and adopted doesn’t mean I’m some chosen one.”
Dodge (serious):
“Maybe not chosen. But marked.
Tell me what’s been happening lately.”
INT. BASEMENT – MOMENTS LATER
Vetus hesitates, then tells Dodge about the girls on the moped. The laughter. The chase. The look. The feeling.
Dodge:
“Bro… that just sounds like some fun girls messing around.”
Vetus’s expression shifts. He leans forward.
Vetus (quietly):
“No. It’s different.
I feel like I know her.
Like… deeply. Like I always have.”
Dodge (smirking):
“Ohhh no. Maybe you’re in love.”
Vetus:
“No way. Beta chip. I’m not even wired like that.
It’s not romance. It’s… recognition.
It’s weird.”
INT. DODGE’S COMPUTER STATION – CONTINUOUS
Dodge starts typing. Quick. Focused. Pulling up records, profiles, encrypted archives.
Vetus:
“Her name is Nova.”
Silence. Then—click.
Dodge:
“Found her. Wait… what?”
On the screen: Same birthdate on an original but there were new ones processed. Same city.
A medical file. An old birth certificate that has most of the information blacked out. Vetus leans over.
Vetus:
“There was a third child?”
Dodge (eyes narrowing):
“You both came from the same parents.”
He clicks deeper into the system. But suddenly—
BLOCKED ACCESS.
UNRECOGNIZED LANGUAGE.
UNTRACEABLE SOURCE.
Dodge (blinking):
“This isn’t normal. This… this protection—
It’s written in a language I’ve never seen.
Not just encrypted.
Like it’s from another dimension.”
Beat.
Dodge:
“Whatever this is…
It’s not just classified. It’s cosmic.”
INT. BASEMENT – QUIET MOMENT
The screen glows faintly. Vetus leans back, taking it all in.
Dodge (softly):
“Come back in a week.
I’ll see what I can dig up without waking up anything dangerous.”
Vetus nods. But he’s clearly rattled.
Vetus:
“She’s… smarter than anyone I’ve met.”
Dodge (half-grinning):
“Besides you and me, of course not.”
Vetus tries to laugh, but there’s something else in his eyes.
A realization.
A crack in his ego.
NARRATION (Vetus):
I didn’t know women could be like this.
Not the ones I grew up around.
Nova… she’s something else. Vetus smirks with a sigh hesitation of disbelief.
END SCENE
