Paul Watson,
CINumber: 3699259.
Age: 14
Paul Wilson is an aspiring basketball player, with a quickness rating of 933–well above normal. Nearing the thousand point cap. Most professionals work their entire lives, never coming close to 800. Their overall score is of course much higher than Paul --that’s why they’re professionals–still, some have all the available upgrades, and it is not enough. 933, and he is one year too young to even get upgrades.
When a human birth is licensed by the state the embryo is injected with a randomized equality nano-program. It binds at the molecular level for life, allowing for further nano-upgrades and utilities throughout their time. The Naturalists call the Randomization Engine the ‘False Deity,’ apportioning the fate of the Second World. Those within the game call it a functional equivalence. Paul just got lucky–statistically a miracle–but life carries on, a steady stream. Will he make a name for himself? Maybe; but then again you see Tier Nine’s around, just sort of doing nothing.
Second World is carefree bliss, but as the philosophers points out: “We will need some type of drama, for that is largely who we are.” They were right. Marxist arguments fell away from relevance. No more money; instead a conglomeration of technology for a bettering goal. A fun goal.
“How did he get that rating? Can anyone explain that to me? I thought the GBI was supposed to be fair?”
He had overhead his friends one time, discussing him with the rest. In many ways verbal communication is the most secure, but in as many ways, physical location is just as relevant. The human2 ear can discern multiple faint sounds at a distance.
“Maybe he can read the code?”
“Code reading is impossible.”
“It’s probably a glitch or something.”
“I doubt it.”
Later on Paul shoots around alone in silence where his friends had been. The ball pounds the ground; his feet glide with sufficiency. He has more questions than anyone else. He remembers the HBA officer’s explanation soon after his Tier 9 speed had manifested had been curious, and definitely left something wanting. They had met in a locked room, without his parents. He was five.
“Son, we don’t see anything wrong in the code, and it seems conclusive enough that you did not tamper with it. You are free to go.”
The five-year-old leaves the officer with a mixture of admiration and fear. Could Paul beat him in a foot race? When one becomes an HBA officer, any remaining attributes which might happen to be below, get bumped up to Tier 9, or 900 points–that is the public line at least. To say they are capable is an understatement. Their decision is final. Or is it? Demigods, but with feet like the rest of us.
As he flew home (just for fun) with his mother that day he looked down at the city below. It was so large then, what he was to be a part of. He would dream of running across the whole thing, and the people he would meet. He dreamed of a lot of things. The waking reality is that the world is bigger than he could have ever imagined. To big to comprehend.
The Human Biotech Agency is involved in nearly all facets of life. It is the media, army, government–for all Paul can really discern, it is literally everything. Unlike the First World of duality, technology is “ubiquitous” as his father used to say, and it goes on forever. “We are all one, Paul, Biotech infractions are the most serious offenses, the penalty for which, in many cases, is death.”
Second World was not without it’s birthing pains. Early in his childhood Paul had repeatedly learned about the Sundial Event, the catalytic day of some forty years ago. Perhaps the most famous day ever, the world watched in surreality the images of what became of Corporal Nian Dyce of the Northern Americas when he illegally upgraded himself past Tier Ten equivalency. The few public videos on the circuit contain images that should be “Impossible, for everyone’s safety and direction.” Only two of Dyce’s emergences are available on public record, though it is often claimed, if not accepted widely, that there have been many more. Some talk to the Naturalists to get this information. Some of them do not return.
After the Sundial Event the scientific extent of nano-machinery and other esoteric technology was removed from the depth of secrecy and into public knowledge and consideration. This was the day the world stopped; when everyone was finally filled in. When it started again acceptance towards this social makeover seemed salient from the beginning. Most of the intellectuals and celebrities embraced the idea, and before long people began to realize that if everyone was simply smarter, and stronger, those who pray on the weak have no advantage. It was decided, more-or-less as one: let us take this next evolutionary step together, as planned. No more slaving away at rusty nothing machines, none of any particular repetition unless sought after. You just exist however you want because, fundamentally, everyone wants to do something and do it well.
So far, it’s been good.