I leave this story here. So that past trials and pacts shall not be forgotten.
Kovon Ducker, worthless piece of trash
21:00 UTC, May 5th, 2031 CE | Earth / New Boston / Kovon's Apartment / Bedroom
"Yeah, go get 'em!" I say into the microphone. To the AI that is currently serving as my teammate in an online FPS game. Of course, the AI is still garbage, and we proceed to lose. I mean, I'm seven years old, and this stupid AI can't even help me win a single game. How is it supposed to help five year olds, which is the minimum age required to play these games nowadays?
Of course, I'm not your typical seven year old. I have an IQ that easily matches that of your average adult. I am also a genius. School is a complete joke and I barely even bother to show up. No one says anything about it though.
Frustrated at my defeat, I drop out of the link. It takes me a second to remember what reality is like. Gravity and realistic physics can be such a drag. The virtual world is just so much better. Though, I suppose the real world does have one thing important in it. My best friend Ray of course! (By the way, she is also a genius, that is of far greater talent than myself)
We always get up to so much mischief, it's often more fun than anything online. When we play together online, it is simply the best. But she is always too busy studying or whatever to play online though. Her parents are kinda strict. We only get to goof off at school. To be honest, she is the only reason I even go anymore.
We don't go to the same school, but ones adjacent. I met her last year when I was wandering around 'cause I didnt wanna go to my boring class. It just so happens that I went to the nearby playground and there she was. Sitting on a swing, looking somehow as bored as I was.
Naturally, I approached her. We started talking occasionally. But she was quite a stuck up arrogant brat (I was too). Every time I minorly offended her she would either punch or slap me. But eventually, we grew closer and declared each other best of friends. She still physically abuses me though. Old habits die hard I suppose.
Nearly every day from then on we skip school to meet in that park. We ventured around the local city, played pranks on our schools' administrators. And we just have a fun time.
My in-brain monitor shows that my father is currently home. Quite rare, he often spends weeks at the office working on his inventions. I never got a chance to meet my mother, she died before I was born. But her death really hit him hard. He threw himself entirely into his work, only sparing an occasional thought for me. However, that approach did lead him to great success.
About four years after my mother died, he successfully launched his company NeuralSink. One year later they went on to develop the device that has revolutionized humanity over the past few years. A brain-tech interface. I have had one installed since I could start to form sentences, so a world without it is completely foreign to me. The entire world's interface is always a mere link terminal away.
My friend Ray is two years older, so she does have a few memories from before. But she never really likes to talk about it. Whenever we aren't at school she is always busy studying or attending cram schools. She is attending a school for geniuses though, so I guess it's not completely pointless. Especially when it comes to people, she just runs laps around me.
Speaking of Ray, I have an incoming call from her. Which is strange, she never calls me. Let alone this late at night. Naturally, I pick it up.
"Ko?" She says in a very weak voice. I think I can hear some people arguing in the background.
"Ray?"
"Ko? Can I come over to your place?"
"Of course, but why?"
"My father, he just returned home after a week of no contact. My mother is certain he was being disloyal and is currently throwing a massive fit."
"Oh, well I'll ask my father to send over a shuttle quickly."
"Okay." She says very weakly, but I can tell a massive sense of relief washing over her. She ends the call shortly after.
Immediately, I put in the request for a shuttle. My father, as usual, doesn't even question it and approves it near-instantly. He always gives me whatever I ask for, even if it's absurd. Once I asked to go sightseeing on Mars and he arranged a tour guide and everything within a few minutes. The next day I was on a ship to Mars.
About ten minutes pass and then the doorbell rings. I rush to answer it and find a very disheveled looking Ray. The side of her head is bleeding and her platinum blonde hair is dirty and reeks of some alcohol.
"Ray! Are you ok?"
"Ill be fine, I've had worse." She says as she near-collapses into my arms. I quickly grab her and walk her into the relief room. There the drone proceeds to patch her up and washes her hair.
I then bring her into my room and lay her down on my bed. She seems to relax after a few moments. I bring her some cookies and juice from the kitchen. As usual, my father pays no attention to me as I move even right next to him.
She gratefully accepts the cookies and juice without saying anything. I just sit on the bed next to her and wait. After a few minutes she finishes her cookies and juice. Then, she unexpectedly leans into me. This is very strange, I've never even felt a hint of weakness from her. It's almost as if she has completely shattered.
"Ko. Let's go to the Moon." She says in a whisper that I barely pick up.
Having no reason to refuse, especially given her state.
"Okay, let's go tomorrow on the midday transit."
"Can I stay here?"
"Of course, I doubt my father would care even if you decided to stay here forever."
Her hands grip my shoulders tighter. Almost as if she is afraid this is all a dream.
"Okay." She says, this time it seems like a bit of her normal joyfulness has returned.
We stay like that for quite a while. Eventually I start to get tired, and I lay down as well. She still keeps her hands firmly grounded on my shoulders. Eventually, I drift off to sleep.
07:00 UTC, May 6th, 2031 CE | Earth / New Boston / Kovon's Apartment / Bedroom
The morning sunlight filters into the room. Casting long shadows over most of the room. The sunlight reflects brilliantly over my link terminal that sits in the corner, abandoned since I rushed to help Ray last night.
Speaking of Ray, she is currently laying on my bed next to me. It seems she has made herself quite comfortable, curled up against my side. The wound on her head seems to have pretty much healed and she looks generally much healthier.
For about half an hour I just sit and watch her. She has always acted so strongly, far more strongwilled than I ever have been. To think, she was just carefully hiding her own weakness. Though, I suppose everyone does to some degree, very few completely open themselves up to any random person they meet.
I notice her starting to stir. Suddenly, she sits bolt upright, wide awake. She looks to be in a panic. I gently place my hand on her arm.
"Calm down, you're fine."
The tension in her body relaxes slightly, but she doesn't seem wholly convinced. She frantically looks around, almost as if she expects a ghost to jump out of the walls.
"Where am I?"
"You're in my bedroom. You were kinda out of it and wouldn't let me go."
"Oh, right. Sorry about all this."
"Its all fine, nothing to be sorry for. What else are friends for?"
"Are you sure? What about your parents?"
"Uh, my father barely acknowledges I exist, and I'm pretty sure he just left for work again. Maybe he comes home one day a month. My mother died before I was born."
"Oh, that's kinda sad."
"Hmm, I think your story is equally as sad."
"I don't want to talk about it."
"Thats fine. Do you still want to go to the Moon?"
"Did I really ask that? How shameless of me."
"We can go if you want, the next transport is in six hours. I have a vacation house there that we can stay at, right in the heart of Lunaris."
"Really? Then, let's go!" she seems to regain a bunch of her normal energy at this idea.
"Okay, I'll go make the arrangements. I'll be right back."
I start to get up to go make the schedule, but before I can stand up I am grabbed.
"NO! Don't go." Ray cries out. "Wait, uh, I mean, go do it, sorry."
"It's fine, I'll stay right here." At this, she tightens her grip on my arm. "You can lay down if you want, I won't go anywhere for now. We've got all the time in the world, its summer break remember? No worries about school whatsoever."
She seems to relax a bit more. She shifts around until her head is laying in my lap. I gently start combing through her hair. After a while, I start to sing a lullaby my mother supposedly liked.
We stay like that for many hours, just existing, alone. Apart from the world that is a mere link terminal away. I don't think I've been off the net for this long since before I had my NeuralSink. It feels very strange. But not in a bad way.
We both fall asleep once more. When we wake it's eight hours later.
"Hey, we still have time to make the midnight transport to Luna. Will you be alright if I go to arrange it?"
She seems to ponder this question for several moments. She then releases her grip on me.
"Ill be fine, it's not like I'm some kid." Then she proceeds to punch me in the shoulder, quite gently.
I walk over to my link terminal and make the necessary arrangements. We leave in two hours and will be on Luna within four. Naturally, my father approves the request without even a second thought.
I walk back and sit down next to Ray. She looks far better than she did when she first arrived here. My drive for information wants to ask what happened, but I manage to make the good decision to resist.
"Our transport departs in two hours, we have to head to the spaceport in about ninety minutes. Would you like to take a shower? I have some spare clothes that should more or less fit you."
"Okay. That sounds good." Perfectly timed, as they always seem to be, her stomach growls.
"Ill also make some breakfast, at night. How do waffles sound?"
"Sounds wonderful!" This seemed to be the right approach
While she takes her shower, I make a nice waffle breakfast. I even add my special ingredient that makes it all the tastier. She emerges from the hygiene room looking even more improved than earlier. She also seems to have some of her usual energy back.
"Oh my gosh, those look so delicious!"
"Well, it is my cooking after all. I can make a decent waffle or pancake. Those are the only two things I can make."
"Fine with me. Thank you."
"Naturally. Now eat, we've gotta get going in a few minutes. Ima take a quick shower, if you need anything then just give me a call."
"Smahga!" I think she tried to say 'sure', but her mouth was full of waffles.
I quickly take my shower and prepare a few things that we need to take to Luna. It should have most things, but better to be safe than have to bother ordering it. I head back out into the living room to find Ray plopped down on the couch and watching some TV program.
"You really just settled in, eh."
"Wait, should I not have?" She seems to panic slightly, fearful of something.
"Of course you can, what is mine is yours." I sit down next to her and she seems to calm down at my words.
"Oh, that's nice of you."
"We are friends, right?"
"I guess, but do friends normally do things like this?"
"Well, I don't think it's common, but I'd assume any true friend would do the same."
"Oh, that's interesting. Uh, can I lay down for a while?"
"Anytime you want. I'll even carry you to the moon if you don't feel like walking."
"You know, I might just take you up on that offer."
"Go right ahead."
She then proceeds to lay her head down in my lap. Naturally, I begin to brush her hair. We just sit and watch one of our favourite net streamers on the TV until it's time to go.
"It's about time for us to depart. Would you like me to carry you milady?"
"I was kidding! I can walk on my own, no problemo."
She then proceeds to stand up quickly, almost as if to prove her point about being able to walk. We head out to the shuttle that will take us to the starport. Which, by the way, is at the top of a space elevator. Humanity really stepped up its game once it unified and the AI boom started.
The closer we approach the space elevator, the more in awe Ray seems to be.
"Is this your first time going to Luna?"
"Of course! I've never even been into space. Are you saying you have?"
"Ive been to Luna a few times. I also got my father to send me on a trip to Mars once."
"Wow, so cool. I'd love to visit Mars someday."
"We can go together. Let's skip out on society and just travel the solar system."
"Hmm, school is still somewhat important. It's the key to our futures after all."
"*scoff* the only thing school is good for is meeting hot-headed brats that are too full of energy." That statement earns me an immediate slap to the face. "Case and point." This time it's a punch to the shoulder. Yipee! Variety is always nice when it comes to her physical abuse.
"Congratulations, you are now Mr. Jerk. I hope you enjoy your new position as the worst person on planet Earth."
"Well, good thing we are going to Luna then. I won't be the worst person there!"
"You might hold the title there as well."
It is at this point that we reach the space elevator and begin our ascent into orbit. Throughout the entire trip up, Ray looks absolutely ecstatic, she is glued to the window. To be honest, I am also still amazed by the sight. It never gets old watching all of the humans on Earth just grow smaller and smaller.
We reach the top and board our transport that will take us to Luna. It is a private luxury cruiser. Part of my Father's personal business fleet.
"Woah, this thing is fancy. I didn't realize how rich your father was."
"Well, he was the primary inventor for the technology that has revolutionized how humanity reacts to reality."
"Hmm fair enough. This ship is still insane. And we get the entire thing to ourselves! We truly could just skip school and travel the solar system couldn't we…"
"We could, I highly doubt my father would care."
"I doubt my parents have even realized I am gone."
I place my hand on Ray's, we are sitting next to each other on a very comfy couch. She gives me a smile in return.
"It will take about four hours to reach Luna. So let's just relax again."
"Okay." She then proceeds to lean against me and I turn on the TV to our previous program.
Exploring Luna together is going to be so fun. I can't wait!
End of Chapter 30
A/N: Hiya dear reader. Author here. I hope you've enjoyed this chapter looking a bit deeper into the Ray/Ko dynamic. I thought that it would be very important to highlight the exact nature of their bond and the strangeness of their relationship before moving further in the main plot. Plus, you might even get an explanation for a few things that have been mentioned in the main story! So stay tuned.
As always, if you are enjoying this ever-expanding story, be sure to follow/favourite/share it with a friend, it is always appreciated! Until the next one, dear reader.
Cathrix