Burning Passion Chapter 152

That the X-suit isn't realistic enough. If it were that realistic, then at least one in every third house would own an X-suit.

Even people who didn't like games traditionally could easily be convinced if they found themselves fully immersed in a virtual world. So even though the X-suit has become established worldwide, people within Microsoft have found these statistics to be very unsatisfactory.

Thus people like myself and David have been commissioned to develop the next stage of the X-suit; a fully virtual world where you can smell the virtual aftershave while you rub it on, or taste the virtual pork chop when you roll it around your mouth.

So why do you think you are here now?"

Paul answered before Caroline could. "You've done it haven't you? And who better to test it than X-tors? People who work with the suit day in and day out, and know exactly how it feels and all its different attributes."

David and Helen both smiled, "Exactly! We think we're very close now to making it commercially viable. But we still have to test it with some of the best. Are you two willing to try?"

"Yes!" They answered in unison.

A couple of minutes later, they were both relaxed on the dentist's chairs. David and Helen were busy attaching the wires to their arms and chest. "What are these for?" Caroline asked. "So that we can keep track of your vital functions during the test." "What exactly is going to happen?" said Paul. "You still haven't explained what you're going to do to us."

David started speaking. "Well when we were developing the system, we spent a long time working out ways to simulate smell and touch, but we were totally unsuccessful.

The problem is that every person reacts to these things differently. Some like the taste of salt and some don't. Some like the smell of coffee, and some don't. We had reached a bit of a dead end when a new idea began forming.

What if, instead of trying to simulate these impulses, if we generated them directly? Instead of actually having to create them, we could actually appeal to the brain itself, and tell it that a pork chop is on the tongue at this exact moment in time, or that a horse has just crapped in front and it really stinks.

The only way we could do that successfully is with nanobots."

"Nanobots?" Caroline became a bit worried by the suggestion. "How?"

"Well, we have developed a very specific type of nanobot. It attaches itself to the neurons leading the brain, and sends different types of signals to the brain, depending on what we want to simulate. The brain is almost tricked into seeing something different.

Although your conscious mind always knows that it's a simulation, the rest of your brain believes what the nanobots tell them."

"Are nanobots dangerous?"

"Of course not. They're specifically designed for one purpose only, and they're so small they're incapable of anything else. Totally harmless."

Caroline didn't find this very reassuring, but she really wanted to see what it would be like. After a couple of moments of struggle in her brain, she relaxed. "Alright. Let's do it!"

David produced two sheets of paper from nowhere and gave one to each X- tor. "This is a compensation contract for the both of you. In the case of an problems our corporation will provide full compensation and cover any necessary costs. If you are willing to carry on as testers after this then we will provide you with employee contracts." The contracts were basic legal documents, and the X-tors both signed without a second thought.

Helen opened a small cabinet next to the chair which Caroline hadn't noticed before. She removed two small syringes, both filled with a clear, viscous liquid. Turning to the two X-tors she showed them the syringes and said, "Now I'm going to inject you with the nanobots. Then they will spread through your system and attach themselves to the neurons leading to your brain. From then on we will send a transmission to the nanobots, and they will send the corresponding signals to create the simulation we want."

Caroline winced as the needle penetrated her skin. As the liquid was pushed into her veins she could feel a slight twitching under her skin; maybe it was her imagination but she could almost feel the nanobots making their way to her brain.

Helen and David moved across to the room to two computer terminals. They began typing in commands. "We're now setting up the transmission while the nanobots settle in your system," said Helen, fingers flying over the keyboard as she programmed in the planned simulation. "Now close your eyes." Caroline was buzzing in anticipation as she closed her eyes and prepared for what would possibly be one of the greatest moments of her life.

And nothing happened.

"Damn!" She could hear David from across the room furiously hitting away at the keyboards. "Shit!"

Opening her eyes, she called out, "What's going on?" Helen turned and replied, "Well, it looks like the nanobots are going to need some reconfiguration before we can get this sorted out."

"How long is that going to take?" Caroline was feeling deflated with disappointment. "A couple of days maybe? I can't really say at this moment because of the amount of factors we have to deal with when reprogramming the nanobots."

"A couple of days!" Caroline just wanted to go home.

"Look, can we do this tomorrow then? I'm really tired and I just feel like sleeping."

"Shouldn't be a problem." Helen turned to Paul, "What about you?" Paul looked at Caroline for a moment, and she could see determination in his eyes. "I'll stay for now," he replied. "I really want to have a go at this and be a part of it." "Good!" Helen picked up the phone and pressed a couple of buttons. "Amy?" she spoke into the receiver, "Can you arrange a taxi to take Caroline home? Thanks."