Entering Oasis

Vik's paused for some reason, stopping in his tracks as his instincts screamed at him.

His mind raced as he replayed the events in his head, a nagging feeling gnawing at him.

There had to be something more to the pods than meets the eye. He couldn't shake the notion that they were missing a crucial piece of the puzzle.

"Wait, Tory," Vik interjected, stopping his partner from entering the pod. He had a hunch that these particular pods might be rigged or have hidden geo-tags that could activate if they used them. His experiences growing up in the streets had taught him to be cautious and skeptical, saving them from countless traps in the past.

Tory raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "But you said not to reach out to our contacts. How are we supposed to get news without using the comms?" he questioned, gesturing towards the pods.

"We'll find the news, but not through these pods," Vik replied, shaking his head. He knew they needed to approach this from a different angle. Tory's muscles might intimidate adversaries, but Vik's instincts were their secret weapon.

Vik had grown up as part of a gypsy clan, experiencing life's harsh realities from a young age. While many dreamt of living in the city-states, he had seen the underbelly of their control. His survival instincts honed by years of hustling, he had adapted to various environments, always staying one step ahead.

Their current predicament reminded Vik of the time he met Fernando Torres, when he stopped acting like a lone wolf and found a sense of belonging with Tory. His extended family had embraced Vik, treating him as one of their own. Vik was determined to repay their kindness by helping Tory succeed.

Their current heist was supposed to be a stepping stone to a legitimate business, a chance for them to break free from the streets. But something had gone wrong, and Vik couldn't shake the feeling that they had missed a vital detail. That's why he felt compelled to explore Oasis Online for information, using avatars they hadn't used before.

Leaving the underground garage in an old Teslah, the duo found a pod cafe to book their pods for the night. They filled their stomachs with a light dinner, aware that they needed to consume nutritional fluids during their eight-hour Oasis Online session to avoid extra charges if their bodies showed signs of distress.

Money was tight for Vik and Tory, making every decision crucial. They were aware of the judgmental glances they received for opting out of nutritional fluids, but they couldn't afford to care about public opinion.

Finally settled in their respective pods, Vik and Tory opened a private audio channel to stay connected before immersing themselves in the virtual world of Oasis Online.

"See you on the other side, Vik. Just make sure you don't get lost this time!" Tory's voice crackled through Vik's mind as their neural systems synchronized with Oasis Online.

Vik couldn't resist a playful retort. "Don't worry, Tory. I also hope you will do my best to preserve that last brain cell of yours. Meet you at our usual spot. Over and out."

With their last exchange, Vik and Tory ventured into Oasis Online, ready to uncover the truth that awaited them within the virtual realm.