The OASIS Foundation

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'Cade, anomaly energy is starting to rise. Expect anomalous event in 2 to 3 days.'

A soft voice speaks into my head. I still haven't gotten used to the implant, or that she can speak directly into my mind.

'Thank you, Eleanor. I will begin preparations tonight. Inform HQ for me please.'

Eleanor is my AI. Given to me by the Foundation to assist me in field operations. We have been together for 6 months during my training phase. This will be our first mission.

'I accept your gratitude. HQ has already been notified, givin your poor communication skills I figured you would push it to me anyways...'

She ends with a teasing sigh.

'Sorry Ela. I'm just anxious to be taken there again.'

'It will be okay, not every situation is like yours. It would be better to say that you were an extremely rare case. Plus you have me now, you're not alone. I'm your partner and I will keep you safe. You promised me a body after all.'

Her tone is gentle and becomes more mischievous with her last sentence. She has very caring personality with a streak of playfulness every now and then. Promising her a body may sound weird, but the Foundation is able to give bodies to their AI's. However, this privilege is only granted to higher class personal.

As a new agent, I'm at the bottem. Ranks are determined by a few factors such as; time with Foundation, number of anomalies participated in, and difficulty of the anomaly. There are other factors as well, but for now that covers the big three. I'm currently at F rank. Only A ranks or higher are allowed to receive a body for their AI. This is due to the cost and resources it takes to create a human-like body.

For most AI's, according to Ela, rising through the ranks and obtaining a body for themselves is one of their biggest goals. Constantly watching someone experience things you can't isn't a great way to live after all. While implanted in my head she can only receive the data from my senses, she can't actually touch, smell, or taste anything. Having a body will allow her to have those experiences. I want her to be able to experience those things.

<riiinngg>

'It's time to prepare for school Cade.'

Eleanor pulls me from my thoughts

'Thank you for reassuring me. I'll be okay, let's get ready.'

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As I get out of bed to get ready my laptop starts going crazy.

'Ela What's wrong?'

I ask seriously.

'The scanner is seeing a spike in the anomaly. It's entirely possible the event will occur today. I recommend getting ready for the day with haste and to prepare for deployment immediately.'

'Damn my first op, and things are already going off expectations. I give you permission to unlock my vault and open locker 3A.'

I get out of bed and start putting on my clothes.

'Confirmed, vault is unlocked and locker 3A is open. Otherwordly equipment is ready for removal.'

Finished with my clothes, I walk over to a bookshelf on the right side of my room and pull an unspecified book. The bookshelf lowers into the floor revealing a

metal door. As I reach for the door, I begin to hesitate. Self doubt and second guessing my choices up until now takes over my mind. Should I really be doing this?

'It's okay Cade.'

I hear a voice in my head. It's soft and has a gentle tone.

'I'm here for you. I'm your partner. I will take care of you.'

I'm still not use to it, but it's reassuring and warm. I know that if I had the chance, I would still make the same choices.

'I know what you're scared of, I won't allow you to lose yourself. Trust me.'

I put my hand on the door and open it. Inside is a row of lockers on the left side, on the right is a set of equipment used for crafting, forging, and alchemy.

In the middle of the room is a glass case with a floating, dark red, spear and shield. The shield is round, about the diameter of a large tire. It's center dark red with gold accented spikes along the rim. A dragons head is carved in the middle. The spears blade appears as if it's shining silver. The pole is dark red with golden accents around the guard and pommel. A carving of a serpent coils around the pole.

'Ignore it Cade.'

As I feel the weapons pulling me in, Eleanor's voice shakes me out of it.

'Thank you.'

I turn and go to the lockers. I open locker 3A and pull out the bag that's inside. I check to make sure everything is in it's place. A few sets of clothes, food rations, and items with universal value such as raw materials like gold and silver.

I walk back to the case in the middle of the room, and open it. As soon as the case is open, I open the bag and the weapons are sucked inside.

'hehehe'

In the few seconds it takes to transfer the weapons between the case and the bag, a faint giggle can be heard. I'm not alone this time. This time, things will be different.