It wasn't a long hike into the woods. Somewhat disappointing to Martin. The meeting of the individualists had to take place in rather remote areas. Places where satellites couldn't linger and listening devices would lose power rapidly. The national park hills was one of the last remaining areas where the group could get together. Coming from a number of states and nations the group had to make the trip appear random. The Feds had a number of flag systems in place to track irrational behavior. Personalities, hobbies, work, a number of underlying factors were weighed on each individual that walked through an airport. It required a tremendous effort to keep up with or stay off of.
Martin didn't like running dark. He was a programmer, he didn't feel like he was alive until he was immersed in the net. Being out here with limited reception and no devices was frustrating. His pack contained the bare essentials, some MREs a TAR-22 assault rifle. He bought an older model, minimal upkeep with a minimal electronic signature. The bag also contained a few different colored camo tops. While walking under a thick patch of forest or at night he would change his top.
The destination of the meeting changed every year. A special cypher was given out and the instructions to the next event were placed in an RFID of a different product every year . Martin didn't know who began the group but he could tell the person was well organized.
Martin had been following a stream for some time when he came across the last tube cyber. He spotted it a ways off and casually approached it. After it was apparent that there was no one around he walked over and picked it up. He pulled the paper out of the small metal tube. There were a number of characters on the tube. He then folded the edge of the paper so he could wrap it around the tube. Only when set like this would the letters be in the proper order to decrypt. The message said the next post was in a cave to south.
Martin ripped the paper up and threw it in the stream. He used to think the precautions were overkill until about two years ago. Not all the members had shown up and later a number of them were found at the bottom of a ravine.
Coming up on his destination Martin found some brush. He took his bag off and covered it with some leaves. He loosened the strap that his rifle was on and grasped the handle. Martin crept towards the final destination. He could feel his heart pounding and his hand throbbed slightly.
Martin made his way to the cave entrance. He ended up coming up over the back of the entrance. Staring down into the cave he thought he saw some movement. He stalked down to the cave entrance.
"why so paranoid?" came a firm voice came from behind.
Martin jumped, he felt his finger squeeze the trigger on his gun. The person whose voice had cut the silence walked up beside Martin.
"Calm down Martin." The Voice continued, Martin could finally see the figure that had caught him off guard. Smirking ever so slightly and with a twinkle in his eye the character introduced himself.
"You most likely don't know who I am Martin, but let me start off by letting you know that you don't need to point the gun at me."
Martin looked down at the weapon in his hand. His finger was still squeezing the trigger. He relaxed it and rolled his finger over the safety. It was on.
Noticing Martin had relaxed a bit the character continued.
"Martin I know that you were here to meet O'Mailey. I have come to inform you that something terrible has happened to him. He has passed away and has been planned to be plugged in."
Martin felt a cold rush through his body. O'Mailey was one of the orchestrators of the group. He had intimate knowledge of the organization and if the Mind had access to him all would be lost.
"That still doesn't answer who the hell are you." Martin said as he lowered his weapon.
"I am Jester, I was one of O'Mailey's original patrons." Jester said with a grimace.
"He was a good friend and had provided myself and others with shelter."
"Original patrons?" Martin said aloud, he furrowed his brow. "That must make you over sixty years old."
Jester's frown disappeared a smirk appeared back on his face.
"Well yes, I'm glad my looks are at odds with my age. I am "
"You're Reliving," Martin said
There were a number of people who once they went into the virtual world didn't enjoy their experience and decided to leave. They were cast back into robots or biological bodies. Judging by the look of this one Martin figured he was in a biological cast.
Jester held up his hands and turned them back and forth.
"No tricks, you're right about what I am, I just wished there was another word for it. Reliving makes me sound fiendish." Jester said
"anyways, back to the matter at hand. We need to get out of here." Jester said as he jumped on a nearby rock and began to look around. " I don't know what the time table is for Os plug in but we need to get going just in case."
"what about the other members?" Martin asked
"Oh, I think they will get the message not to come." said Jester with a twinkle in his eye.
In the background a loud explosion went off breaking the serenity of the forest. Yellow smoke shot into the air and Martin could hear the screams of campers down by the lake.
"It's just smoke I swear." Jester laughed and jumped off the rock. "Let's get going"