Civilization

[To all Settlement Players,

I hope this email finds you well, it is great to see that you all are enjoying and playing, Settlement, to the fullest. In light of your active participation in our game, we are rewarding everyone with one of Lotus's recent technological advancements, the VR Capsule. The VR Capsule is already sent to your current mailing address and will be delivered within the week. This is the reward we at Lotus have decided to gift our players.

More information will be available on our website regarding the new VR Capsule, as well as the terms and conditions. Please let us know, on the website Help page, if there are any concerns or queries that may arise during this process.

Best wishes from the Lotus Team.]

Even though the email was short and concise, I still reread it a few times in amazement. When was this even developed? How did they develop it? What would it mean for the game? What will be changing? How will this affect the old and new players?

"Looking at everyone's expressions, it seems like you have read the email. Since Nina, Evan, and Rebecca are not here yet, I won't go into too much detail, especially since we are still digging up the information as we speak. However, the initial players who had the chance to acquire the game prior to today, they will be receiving a VR Capsule.

This VR Capsule has been designed for comfort and long hours of gameplay, which might imply that the game will be running for longer than 6 hours a day. There is a small capsule within the machine that will be containing a nutritional liquid for players who will be playing for extended periods of time. From what we have found, Aqua's pharmaceutical chain, Turquoise, is the company producing the nutritional liquid, N1, in New Oceania.

I will be going around shortly along with some of my trusted staff to the headquarters of Turquoise. Ian, I would like for you to come with me, especially since the other leaders, Devel, SanShiGo, and Helioc, will also be at Turquoise." - Sam

"Umm, I'll be glad to go but what about everyone else?" - Ian

"Unfortunately, the meeting is with some of the more important people in each company, buttttt don't worry. It doesn't mean we can't relay the information back to everyone once we are done. Hmm… It is kind of a formality and since you and I are part of the top 10 in the recent leaderboards, they will be looking at us more. Despite that, Nina, Rebecca, and Sabrina have both been extremely active in the last Event so, they will already know about them. Our hidden cards are Kingston and Evan, best to keep them hidden." - Sam

"But I already met Devel…" - Kingston

"Ah… HAHAHA! That is right! I forgot about that. EVAN! WHERE IS HE? Sigh… He isn't even here for me to share the excitement with." - Sam

"So, what do you want us to do until the game starts again?" - Sabrina

"Just relax, enjoy the facilities. Spend some time outdoors. Anything really. We will have a more in-depth meeting once more information arises or when both Ian and I return. Adam and Eve will also help provide anything you may need. So, are you ready Ian, although I can't have you dressed like that. Alice, please get Adam to help Ian with his fit." - Sam

"Yes, Mr. Sam." - Alice

Once Alice finishes plating the food for everyone that has currently arrived, she picks up her phone and dials a number. After a short conversation, Adam is seen walking into the lounge. During this time, Sam and I had to quickly eat our breakfast, while Sabrina and Kingston were leisurely watching us struggle. Evan, Nina, and Rebecca eventually join us not too much later as Sam and I finish eating.

"What's happening, babe? Did you get your thing… Sorted?" - Rebecca

"Yes, I'm fine. I'm currently choosing to ignore the voice in my head. So far it has just been a lot of exclamation about the world and the taste of food, nothing substantial. By the way, Sam was going to take me out to a meeting, so I will be gone for a bit." - Ian

"Oh, higher-ups?" - Rebecca

"Uhh… Yeah. Why?" - Ian

"Well, you aren't leaving looking like that, and I know your wardrobe doesn't do you any good either." - Rebecca

"Adam is uhh… Here to help me." - Ian

"Oh, he can be here to help, but I'm the one styling you. ADAM!" - Rebecca

"Yes, Ms. Rebecca? I was told by Mr. Sam to help find some clothes." - Adam

"Yes, I know. However, I'm going to have to override his and your say in what Ian wears. Tell me what were the plans?" - Rebecca

"Uhh… Well, to match Mr. Sam's attire, it was going to a dark navy suit with a black tie and white undershirt." - Adam

"No, no, no. Sam will look great in it, but I have a better idea. We need Ian to be presentable right? However, he is also one of the top 10 players, so there needs to be more pizzazz. Get him a long gray overcoat, a beige, or light brown scarf, a silky black button up, and pants. Also, we need to style his hair a bit, and make it more full and puffy. After that, some cologne, make it musky but light, something that doesn't stick for too long. Then-" - Rebecca.

"Wait, wait, babe. Are you sure we need all this?" - Ian

"YES! I can't have you go out looking unpresentable, that would be preposterous. Adam, make it quick. I need to make sure he looks amazing before he has to go." - Rebecca

"Understood. I will acquire everything within the next 15 minutes." - Adam

"Can't get out of this one can you, Ian?" - Sam

" I guess so…" - Ian

After 30 minutes of Rebecca, changing how I look and dress, we were finally ready. Stepping outside to a private helicopter, I said goodbye to everyone as Sam, Eve and I left. Keeping the door open, I gaze down, seeing the blue ocean below us and the houses small enough that it looked like ants lived in there. For a first-time flier, I thought I would be terrified, but maybe it is because I have experienced much more life-threatening events in Settlement, that I don't find this scary. Maybe a little closer to excited than anything.

The ride only took an hour or so, but we quickly arrived at an airstrip, different from the one I landed here in. Sam tells me this was his private airstrip, and he had to build it away from home so that the noise wouldn't interfere with his daily life since he doesn't need to fly as much anymore in recent years. Take a small private jet, and we eventually arrive at our destination after another hour, in New Straya.

Eve leaves the private jet first, returning soon after in a black sedan. The car was pleasant with the three of us casually chatting about the recent events, as we quickly arrive in front of Turquoise. Much like the name, the exterior of the building was very blueish green, with a simple yet effective logo at the top, of just the company's name.

"Are you ready?" - Sam

"Ready as I will ever be."  - Ian

"Good. I like that. Remember it isn't just us and the other 3 companies that we have been competing with. It will also include 5 other guilds, each while not as big as these super-powers, still relatively well off." - Sam

"I know, you told me on the plane ride. Partnered with Bones, Knights of the Round, a mid-sized guild consisting of many players from previous VR, RTS, and MOBA games. Eden, partnered with Lotus, a guild consisting of a lot of female players, a jewel in the gaming society. Alongside Aqua is Blood, a guild of players who primarily play strategy games, as well as a house for current and retired athletes. Finally, the two casual player guilds, Infinity and Adventure Alliance." - Ian

"Good, we are about to meet all of them." - Sam

Following one of Turquoise's staff, we go through several security checks, before being given temporary passes. Using them, we pass through a small gate, before heading to the elevator. Reaching the 50th floor, the staff member kindly instructs us that the room we are headed to is at the end of the hallway. Strange enough, this floor had no other doors than the one we were told to approach.

With Eve in the lead, Sam and I walked side by side as we drew closer to the door. Giving us a nod, Eve opens the door for us, letting Sam inside first before me. Welcoming us, was a brightly lit room, with thick panels of glass on all 4 sides and a singular large circular wooden table. Each seat was already taken, with small name tags on the table to indicate who sat at what seat.

It only took a second, but I could tell, all eyes were on us now. Glancing around, I could see the familiar faces of the ones who had helped at the end of the event as well as some new faces. Sitting directly in front of us, looking at us with a wide smile, was Helioc, who gives us a nod before signally us to sit down.

On his left was the leader of Blood, then Devel and the Knight of the Rounds. Whereas on his right, was SanShiGo, Eden's leader, Infinity's leader, and Adventure's Alliance's Leader. Sam and I sat down at our designated seat, and the moment we do, Helioc claps his hands, bringing the attention back to him.

"Well, then since everyone is now here. Shall we start?" - Helioc