Chapter 13 - Prospecting Friends 2 (1/2)
Balthazar being an over achiever got into the electronics engineering division at Asklepian University at a young age of 15. At that time, everyone around him in his classes were at least 3 years elder to him.
In such a situation, everyone tried to bully him except for Rudra Powers, who like him was younger than the rest. Although Rudra was two years elder to him, he was considered in the same bracket as Balthazar.
Rudra was about 6-feet high with thick limbs and torso, with orange spiky hair. He had a heavy frame with bulging muscles like he was some kind of professional wrestler or fighter. But he was least interested in such jobs and hated to go workout.
Rudra wasn't the typical over-achiever who had a lot of focus and interest in studies. He was a happy-go-lucky guy who was very free-willed and did whatever he felt like. He was more of a genius who manages to be successful at what he gets interested in.
Rudra was from the Powers family, a family name which became a brand in the metal processing industry. He was never interested in the company and got into the college in asklepian, away from his home planet just to escape from his strict disciplinarian parents.
He got addicted to playing games at the nearby cyber drome during their first year. He and Balthazar had many good memories at that place. During those times, Rudra involved him in many gaming competitions and became a well-known personality in the gaming circles.
He knew that Rudra was the manager and captain of the team representing cyber drome in a bunch of competitions in the virtual game industry. He also knew that Rudra would leave the team in a few months later to establish his own workshop.
This was an age where virtual technology was the norm. Any video or picture which wasn't in VR (Virtual Reality) mode would be considered ancient. Even lot of video call and entertainment services are provided in VR. Headsets in general only allow a person to see and hear the video.
Most VR games and interactive services had used a VR headset with a console to interact with the virtual reality. But this has also started to become a thing of the past.
Special suits which can allow the customer to interact while allowing a range of moments when confined in a virtual reality box were also very common. Attempts were made to create VR technology which would allow biofeedback by wearing a small device or helmet but were so far not very popular.
All the customers of a cyber cafe would use VR. The only reason that a person in this age would use a cyber cafe was because of VR and the high bandwidth that is required to support VR interactions is still something that is a costly affair.
”If I could just convince Rudra to leave his team earlier to join him, he could have another great asset with him,” thought Balthazar as he drove to the cyber drome. He had spent a lot of hours at this place and even knew the people working here. On entering the cyber drome, he noticed that there was no change to it over the past five years. He went to the receptionist, who immediately recognized him.
”Hey! we got a celebrity returning,” shouted Nancy, the receptionist. Other than a few who didn't wear headsets, none of them even moved their heads. Among the five, who looked towards him, only two actually knew him and the remaining went back to what they were doing.
”Hi Nancy, always so energetic. Huh,” complemented Balthazar.
”Rick, Harry, how are you guys doing,” asked the other two. They always used to play along with Rudra and Balthazar. They also left the cyber drome along with Rudra.
”Were all good man. Lizzy and Slaine are also here. We just had a match.”
”I thought Rudra also is with you guys. Where is he?”
”Manager Rudra? He is on a call with the boss.” answered Harry.
”He became the manager of the cyber drome?” asked Balthazar feigning ignorance.
”Well, he did always want to do something in the VR industry. It is a good start.”
”Yes, but he deserves better. He is the captain, technician and the manager. Any other owner would treat him better. But David just takes him for granted. It has been three years since we had a raise,” said Rick.
”Don't bother him with all that. He came here after a long time,” said Nancy shushing them.
”It's no bother. It had been such a long time. I just wanted to meet you guys. We will have a good talk over dinner. My treat!” said Balthazar to improve their mood.
”Barbeque!”
”Barbeque!”
”Barbeque it is. How about Tilda's? Let us book a table,” said Balthazar as he made the appointment through his wrist band..
”Shall we play a game in the mean-time? You still remember you Fight club account details?” asked Harry as he pulled Balthazar to a couple of headsets and consoles.
”I haven't played it over six years. My character wouldn't stand a chance against yours,” said Balthazar.
”Well you do you have an account in any of the new games?”
Balthazar could only put up a sad face in response. He really missed the fun these small things had provided after he joined the force. Playing virtual reality games and the like were considered childish by most of the society, but the entertainment and fun provided by them had their own value. Balthazar and Rudra always used to say, ”What worth is such a long life, if it doesn't have such fun and entertainment?”
”Haha. He must have worked his ass off that he became a colonel this young. It would be shocking if he had time for games,” said Rick logging into his account from the console and handed it over to Balthazar.
They played a couple of games with Balthazar, the opponent alternating between Harry and Rick. But Balthazar couldn't even win, a single game against them.
”Dude, you're horrible,” said Rick.
”I am not familiar with the character or your controls”
”Yeah. Even Nancy could beat the pants of you the way you are now,” said Rudra joining them.
”When did you come out?”
”Two matches ago. You really lost your touch.”