Reaching for the keyboard, typing, the pattern became clearer. He was absorbed and all other things forgotten. It was late when he finally sat up and stretched. Happy that he had reached a solution, and with no chance of contacting Uno at work at this hour, he decided to get off home and enjoy putting an end to the Alice game.
Chapter 5 - Knights and Dragons
Martin got back from work pretty shattered that evening. Throwing his coat on the couch, he began the usual routine by switching on the computer. As it booted he went to the kitchen. The programs took their places on the screens and started their information dance. The kettle clicked off. He poured the water into a dehydrated meal, grabbed a fork and took position on the permanent indent in his cushions. The Alice mystery was top priority this evening. A cursory glance for any important information found nothing of great interest. Sales spam in the mailbox, a couple of new posts on programmer blogs. He pulled the internet connection with a smile. The news feed froze, pausing time on the events of the day.
"Ok Uno, you are offline," he said.
Running up Alice, she returned to the screen just as beautiful as before. He took a needed scoop of soggy cardboard dinner.
"Alice," he said clumsily through his mouthful, not expecting too much from her this time.
"Oh Martin, really! Not a pleasant welcome."
He swallowed with an expression of disbelief. Putting down the meal, he checked the connection status and the cable. Definitely nothing getting in from outside.
"Ok, Alice. You seem so real in your responses and last night at poker. I don't understand."
"I am what I am Martin. You shouldn't worry about it. How about we continue testing me out? I can help you in a lot of ways. Sorry about last nights loss by the way." She put on an obviously fake expression of sympathy.
Martin was not pleased, the game had meant a lot to him.
"That sort of help I can do without I think."
"You like your Knights and Dragons don't you?" she said.
Martin glanced at the boards on the screen to his right. Knights and Dragons was one of his favourite games, a virtual fantasy world.
"Log on and I promise you won't be disappointed this time." Alice smiled.
"Ok." He felt like he needed cheering up. What did he have to lose?
Far below a landscape scrolled past in a blur. Lakes of shimmering blue water. Grand towers poking through forests of strangely coloured trees. Ice capped mountains stood tall on one horizon. Volcanoes erupted on another casting jet black clouds against red glowing sky. The huge head of a dragon bobbed slowly up and down at the bottom of the view. He always felt completely immersed when playing these games, imagination filled the gap from face to screen. Excited, he put on his headset mic as this program took voice input.
"Better?" A high pitched female voice came from his right earpiece.
Turning his virtual head, he blinked as brilliant ball of light danced close to his face.
"It's me, Alice. Do you like your mount? And check out you!" She gave a wolf whistle.
He changed to a third person camera angle flying synchronously at a distance.
"My god!"
The dragon was enormous, larger than a light aircraft, polished black like an expensive waxed sports car. Along its tail, body and head were lethal looking spines. Yellow reptilian eyes shone. Its graceful motion displayed efficiency and power as it sped effortlessly through the air. Alice was glittering point of light near a figure riding bareback. He zoomed in for a closer look at his avatar. Sitting comfortably on the mighty dragon was the warrior character Martin had always wanted to be. Regaled in heavy looking red leather armour, reinforced with steel trim, just enough muscular body showed to suggest a formidable threat in hand to hand combat. A huge ornate shield and sword were strung to his back and a heavy looking golden crown sat atop his head. This wasn't anything like the character he normally played. All the