Freelance Saga: Learning Curves by Scottie Futch

Chapter I: The
Job
    Insanity, this conversation could only be the product
of insanity. Scott Hunter, former soldier and currently unemployed
job-seeker, was certain that everything that the man had just said
was a lie. The idea that such a thing could be true was
ludicrous.
    “So, you aren’t interested?” asked Michael
Jameson, a supposed talent scout for what had to be the most
dedicated game creation company in history. It was strange that he
had never heard of Alterra International before. Even start-up game
companies with technology like the man claimed would be big
news.
    “I’m interested, but what you’re saying
sounds crazy. You do know that, right?”
    Jameson smiled a toothy shark-like smile.
“That’s to be expected. No one believes it when we first discuss
the matter.”
    “Of course they wouldn’t. You’re trying to
convince me that your game company has made a deal with god-like
alien intelligences, and that deal entails sending people from our
world to be players in a reality they created based on our games
and pop-culture.”
    “Well, certainly when you say it like that it
does sound insane.” Jameson laughed in a good-natured way.
    Scott could not help but be confused by the
situation. He had received a query letter to be a beta-tester for a
new full-immersion role playing experience. He had assumed that had
meant a new game, not an alien world that operated like one!
    Still, even if the guy was off his nut, so to
speak, he could not pass up the possibility that this was on the
level. It was insane, but he wasn’t stupid. He firmly believed that
the guy was just trying to hype him up for some new advancement in
virtual reality software. “If I accept this gig, what do I have to
do, and how much will I be paid?”
    “Ah, all you have to do is interact in the
other world for a minimum of forty-eight hours each week. As far as
payment, you will be able to access the Alterra International
auction database and will be able to sell items that you don’t
need.”
    “I wouldn’t receive any direct pay?” That
could be a deal breaker for Scott. He needed a job, not a promise
of potential pay if he found something cool to sell to other random
players.
    “No, but if it helps, we do provide a
one-time sign-on bonus of four thousand dollars. This is to cover
main expenses while you adjust to the environment. Also, the
average player can earn roughly that much on a weekly basis just
using the auction. We take a ten percent cut, so we like to make
sure you make money so that we can make money.”
    Scott stared at the man blankly. He honestly
expected him to believe that he could make four grand a week just
playing a game?
    Jameson waved his disbelief away. “You’ll
understand things better once you have visited the other world. Are
you interested?”
    “Sure, I’m interested. I’m not sure why you
are so insistent that this game is a real world, but that’s fine.
What I don’t understand is why you queried me for this job in the
first place.”
    “We queried you because of your background.
You are someone who has extensive knowledge of role playing games.
You served in the US military field artillery for four years, and
spent one of those years deployed. You don’t have a criminal
record, but you do need employment. You are also single with no
children.”
    Scott was uncertain about how to react to his
admission. They hired him because of those reasons? This job
sounded more like para-military security work selection than a game
company sign-up. “Ok…”
    Jameson smiled that toothy smile once more.
“So, do you want the job?”
    “I have to admit, you’ve got my interest
peaked. When can I start?”
    The agent pulled out a contract and they went
over the finer points. The thing that really got to Scott was the
non-intervention clause. Alterra International refused to provide
any in-world help no matter how many times you died even if you
were stuck in an endless death loop. Essentially,