Forsaken 2027 Read online

  [Have you noticed, Cain seems to be walking like a normal person, he doesn’t have that wobble and stutter that some have using prosthetic legs. Maybe there is a change which will improve his life, and then you can ride him. Ye Ha.] Rahab said then laughed into the echo of Toni’s mind.

  Cain showed her around several rooms, the safe house was laid out in an capital H shape, the utility area being the cross bar of the H. The cross, joining the long sides, held a large living area with an open-plan kitchen. The left-hand corridor held four large rooms, each sixteen by sixteen foot.

  Three of the rooms were empty while one held four bunk beds, all made up with quilts and pillows. Beyond, the bunk beds at the end of the room was a door that led to toilets and showering facilities. According to Cain, the bunk rooms could sleep thirty-two operatives.

  Returning to the utility area Cain told Toni the other side corridor held the armoury, pistol shooting range, planning space, communications room with EI server. He added that his bedroom was at the top of the corridor, near the armoury, while John's was at the opposite end near the comm room. Picking up the clothing bag, grabbing Cain's hand, Toni headed to the top corner door and Cain’s bedroom.

  "Where are we going?" he asked, though had an idea where Toni was heading.

  "You don’t expect me to sleep in one bunk, on my own now, do you?" she replied and laughed while pulling him through the door.

  Men, sometimes they are so stupid.

  [I think you must draw him a map,] said Rahab. An image flashed in Toni's mind as she entered the long corridor, heading for Cain's bedroom. The image was an anatomical female body. [There, all you have to do is show him this drawing, not bad if I say so myself. Point out the areas he should be interested in,] Rahab would have continued but Toni spoke to her.

  Yeah, nice drawing but one problem, how do I show him something you drew in my mind? Anyway, No, I think he’s worried about not getting an erection. Didn’t you listen to his story, about how he lost his legs, and it damaged his nerves, Toni replied?

  [Yes, but according to Enoch, everything is working fine, his legs are now likely attached permanent, they're not coming off. Then he’ll not have any erection problems. I suggest you go find out, he’ll thank you for it, I’m sure,] Rahab finished. After listening to Rahab, Toni decided to test what they told her.

  "Cain, could you do me two favours?" she asked as they walked through the door into the corridor. Toni's walk to Cain's bedroom paused as he was going into what the sign beside the door said was the planning room.

  "Yeah, sure," he replied. Tugging her hand as he disappeared through the door. Toni still holding Cain's hand rushed after him, entering the planning room. She would say the bedroom was their target but the sight of the very large room and two PODs caught her breath. Letting go of Cain's hand she said.

  "Wow, so this is where the PODs are?" Toni walked over and looked at the sleek black, full immersion PODs. "I thought they were all white?" she asked.

  "Well, the technician, sorry John, thought black was more impressive. I’m inclined to agree." Running her hand over each POD she felt a slight tingle while feeling the first one.

  "I’ll have this one if that’s all right with you and Enoch. Me and Rahab will fit like a hand in a glove, nice and snug in this one." Toni said while she stroked the outer shell of her POD.

  "They are both the same you know, but sure you and Rahab take that POD," Cain replied. He then gave her a demonstration on how to open the PODs as his lid hissed open.

  "Where are the connectors and goggles," Toni asked, while her POD opened, once open she stuck her head in the POD, giving it a good look.

  "Inside the PODs is a small handle for a box, it's at head height, there are no goggles, these PODs use a face mask, and the neural link connector is in there," said Cain.

  [These PODs according to the details Enoch sent me use a special Nanogel, John made, they infuse the Nanogel with active Nanobots. They make connections to your body as you immerse yourself in the nude. No need for goggles or a haptic feedback suit, just a special face breathing/feeding mask. It will be you taking me for a ride,] said Rahab.

  Cain noticed Toni had that far away look, she was holding a conversation which took place between Rahab and her, so he guessed he didn’t have to tell her anymore how her POD worked. Waiting until she had finished her conversation, he asked her,

  "What are these two favours then?" Cain asked.

  "Oh, you’ve done one by showing me the PODs," Toni replied. He raised an eyebrow, waiting for the second favour. "Can’t you guess," she teased. Laughing as she noticed that deer caught in the headlights gaze.

  "We’re sleeping together now, tonight or whenever we go to bed. I know you said you often slept without your legs. You can do so tonight should you feel the need to. But I want to feel safe like you made me feel safe last night, you wore your legs then," Toni said.

  Don’t panic, this isn’t sex she’s talking about but sharing a bed. Just like last night, making her feel safe.

  "Yeah, that’s no problem," looking at his watch. "How about we hit the sack in two or three hours? It’s almost eight now, we can read more about the game, how we will tackle it. What do you think?" Cain replied

  "Do you think we should enter the game early in the morning, or just after breakfast or more like midday?" she asked. She could see he was talking to Enoch, so she spoke to Rahab.

  I think his panicked look when I suggested sleeping together was worth it, don’t you, Toni said.

  [Well, if I could have seen it, yes. Enoch said he thinks he is coming around to thinking things are not right with his legs. I’m sure you will find out tonight, won’t you?] Rahab said.

  Oh, most definitely, she replied.

  They looked again at Forsaken, the game. Once the game goes live after Beta testing there are four different zones where a player could start their campaign. Together they planned the time they would enter, Cain wanted after breakfast, while Toni was more looking towards midday. They agreed on mid-morning, as a workable compromise, with them both accessing the game at the same time.

  They would enter, agreed because of Vince’s letter, into the zone, Earth 2027, the zone was set in post apocalyptic area, after WWIII, placed in Las Vegas. According to the information they held a player can appear into one of sixteen starting zones, scattered through Las Vegas. Each of the starting zones came with beginner gear regarding their character selection and a zone NPC with two starter quests.

  Sharing a pizza and chicken wings, which Cain retrieved from the small walk-in freezer and cooked in the oven. They sat around one end of the large table, laughing at the games they had played as children and console games as teenagers. Cain had Toni in stitches as he told her about breaking his left wrist as a thirteen-year-old. He was going with a group of friends for a game of rugby down at the local playing fields.

  At the bottom of the main road was a street sign they all jumped over. Cain being the last to jump over the sign went to jump, tripped on a stone as he leapt in the air. He knew he didn't have the momentum to clear the sign, was heading for a painful meeting as the street sign headed for his balls. Acting quick he thrust his left arm down pivoted off the road sign. In pivoting he heard a double snap.

  Thinking nothing, Cain played rugby and football. It was in the football kick around he went to save a shot on goal. The ball hit his left hand, his wrist bent backward, like it had a hinge fitted. Leaving it over night he went to the doctors the next morning with his mother, the doctor said it's only a sprain but go have an x-ray. The x-ray showed two neat breaks on his Radius and Ulnar.

  Cain cleared away some of their plates as Toni was still laughing after his tale of a youthful break. After Toni calmed down they talked about their preferred style of gaming play. Cain preferred playing as either a warrior or paladin type. Toni was more of a ranged fighter but would play at being a mage. They agreed to make what they felt was the best choice from the options provided when they began the
game.

  Food all finished, together they cleared the rest of their mess away, Toni made them both a hot drink, while Cain checked the internet for any news. Drinks in hand they headed to his bedroom. Toni picked up her pack of clothes, which she had left by the door earlier.

  "After you," he said, pushing the door open. As she entered the lights came on, showing her the bedroom for the first time. On the facing wall was a larger than normal bed, you could get six or seven in that beast, turning to Cain she raised an eyebrow. She found it sweet he had the grace to blush, but keep quiet.

  "So, how do we get your legs off? Do I have to take a screwdriver to them, or maybe a wrench or a huge Stilson?" Toni sat on the edge of the bed looking at his face, waiting for his reaction.

  "If you take a look at the top of the legs, they don’t appear to unclip, because it's more I slip them off my thighs. Both, together at the same time. I wedge the feet into a plate use the control panel and the legs release themselves, once I had to remove them singular," was his reply. Cain laughed then said, "I don’t think I’ve ever used a screwdriver, wrench nor Stilson, but you never know.” This brought a large guffaw from Toni followed by a long laugh.

  "Nice, you never know, do you? I could be a wench who likes a long screw though," she replied still laughing. Cain, stood saying nothing, yet had a huge smile on his face, while she brought her laughing under control.

  "Can I watch as you do it, or are you embarrassed?" she asked. She could see that Cain was trying to work out the correct response. "If you would rather do it on your own, I understand. But I thought we were trusting each other. You know how I feel about you that includes with and without your legs." She hoped that would help him decide.

  "OK, you can watch. There is nothing I want to hide from you, it’s easy as you will see," he said. He kicked his trainers off, then unzipped his trousers, lowering them past where the legs joined the thighs. Cain did everything by feel, not once did he look, his eyes focused on Toni. Sitting next to her he said. "All I have to do now is push that button here," pointing to the indent near the top of his left artificial leg. "Once I press this the legs release their grip, so I can slide my thighs out. Look," he added and pressed where the button was supposed to be. Nothing happened.

  Cain pressed it several times, all with the same results. Now he was getting concerned. He hadn’t taken his legs off since yesterday morning, nor had he charged them. All of a sudden he had an idea, he spoke to Enoch, while Toni still waited, patient and quiet, sat next to him.

  Enoch, can you bring up the UI, I can’t get my legs to release.

  Enoch spoke to Cain, causing Cain to speak out loud rather than in his mind.

  "What, you are bloody joking. How can this be?" Cain said out loud as he surged to his feet and fell on his face since his trousers were around his ankles.

  "Cain," Toni squealed, as she slipped off the bed, knelt down and helped him stand.

  "I can’t believe it," he almost shouted.

  "Can’t believe what?" she replied. Shaking his legs out of his trousers, he turned to her, noticing she did not have an innocent nor shocked look on her face.

  "You knew, didn’t you? You knew?" Cain said. Toni scrunched up her face before answering.

  "Well, err, Rahab told me Enoch said he thought."

  "What, wait, our AIs talk to each other, about me, us? That aside, I can’t get my bloody legs off. My UI message tells me I assimilated my legs, all the enhancements are active."

  Growing Closer

  Toni moved closer and stood in front of him, so he had to tilt his head up to see her face. Toni reached out with her left arm, putting her hand behind his head, pulling him towards her lips.

  "It also said it repaired all your nerve damage," she whispered, blowing across his ear. Being gentle she kissed him twice before forcing her tongue into his mouth. Just as he relaxed and respond she reached down and touched his penis through his boxers. Feeling it stiffening she squeezed it more enjoying the feel as it moved under the boxers. Cain was enjoying the news about his legs becoming part of him, but enjoying the feeling of Toni's hand on his penis even more.

  The kiss, Toni was leading him through, was one of the best feelings he had in several years. Then it happened, he could feel her touching him, he would have stopped her if he hadn't responded. Feelings he thought lost returned, it was like being a virgin again as the sensations began. He could feel himself swell then stiffen as her hand took hold of him. He pulled her back onto the bed, forcing his tongue deeper into her mouth while she held onto him, one hand still behind his head the other held his penis.

  Cain rolled Toni over to his right side, still kissing her as she crept her hand up and down his penis. He moved from her lips, tracing little kisses at the side of her jaw, onto her neck. While his right hand unfastened the buttons on her lilac blouse, seeking a way inside. With most of the buttons freed, he paused, whispering to her in a panting breath.

  "Please, you take the lead, it’s been so long I don’t want to get it wrong." He kissed her again, catching her breath along with her reply, with his mouth, waiting, straining to be. Freeing herself from his smothering sensitive kisses, she bit his bottom lip.

  "Finish taking my top off," she demanded with a firm yet quiet voice, still holding his penis, gently stroking it, feeling its size, her hand hidden by his boxers. The last blouse buttons fell prey to his strong fingers, he pulled the hem free from the jeans then gazed into her green eyes, waiting for direction. As she released him to free her bra, throwing blouse and bra to the floor.

  "Kisses," she said, as her hand sneaked beneath the waistband of his boxers. He couldn’t remember when she told him to remove her jeans, but she was almost naked, sitting astride his hips leaning into him, running her hands over his chest as he played with her nipples. Teasing them into hardened points, ideal for sucking and flicking with his tongue which he did as she bent forwards. His hands worked at removing her thong.

  Toni couldn’t remember how he removed his clothes nor hers, yet it was all at her command, as she knelt poised hand reaching between her legs, directing his penis between her lips, nudging her entrance. Being tentative in rubbing him coating his head with her juices.

  Satisfied with his groaning along with her own gasps, they moved in unison, she down and he up. Her feelings changing as his penis slipped between her lips, entering her vagina. Feeling him filling her, was one of completeness, like someone meant it to be. It touched all the places and when she squeezed her muscles around him drawing moans from them both. Together they slowly made love, time had no meaning, until Toni spoke.

  "Faster, harder, deeper," she gasped. Feeling Cain drawing close, their bodies tensed with his increased tempo. Damn, he’s almost ready, it must be like his first time, a virgin all over again. Well once he’s rested, we go again. In near perfect timing she moved her body, her hand reached between her legs her middle finger rubbed her clit.

  Several more thrusts from Cain and she came before him, trembling with a mix of exertion and pleasure, then Cain came deep inside heightening her own pleasure. Riding him until he finished, she collapsed forwards, kissing him, fighting his tongue, gasping for breath, short but satisfying, Toni had a smile on her face.

  "Sorry about that, it’s been so long, to be honest, I thought I would have cum once you slid down on me, the feeling was exquisite," Cain said and drew Toni in for a deep kiss. Spent, they laid together, she draped over him, claiming what she wanted.

  His head twisted towards her, gazing deep into her eyes, she returned the stare. Neither said a word, their bodies gathering themselves, after spending so much energy. Toni ran her fingers across his left pecs, teasing his nipple. He captured her hand bringing it to his mouth, kissing each finger before leaning towards her, kissing her mouth, fighting her tongue.

  "If I had known my bits were working, I would have tried making a move in the vehicle on the way back from your apartment. But I’m glad I didn’t as this would have been different
, lessened somehow," Cain whispered, not wanting her to move from his side.

  "I don’t know about you, but as we were making love, it seemed to last forever, while now we have finished it is as if no time at all has passed." Cain said.

  {Actually, you were fully engaged for twenty-six minutes and thirteen point two nine seconds,} Enoch informed him.

  [For a first time in ages, you spent over twenty-six minutes doing a physical activity.] Rahab said to Toni, who missed the message while kissing Cain.

  OK, I get it,Cain replied struggling not to laugh out loud

  "I sort of knew, well Rahab and Enoch believed it, but I’m glad we only kissed in the car and cuddled during the night. Those men scared, no terrified me, yet you were my rock, protecting me from my fears," she replied. "Perhaps we could try again if you are up for another try. Don’t you want to know it wasn’t a fluke, a one-off? You can lead this time since you followed my instructions. So admirably," she laughed as her hand touched his penis, it responded to her ministrations.

  Both took turns leading as they explored each other’s bodies, several times in most of the rooms in the safe house, before returning to the bedroom. Later, Toni rested on Cain’s left shoulder, her left leg across his, a thin sheet covering them as they slept. Cain ran his fingers over Toni’s back as they rested, feeling the puckered skin where bullets had hit Toni.

  "Nice, that tingles. Someone shot me, once, the area around the wounds are a little sensitive," Toni said as they basked in their mutual exhaustion and feelings as they fell asleep.

  Chapter 10