[00] The Teleporter

[DA 2009]

Vincent awoke, not in a hospital, but inside his containment unit within the player chamber. He could feel the steady flow of oxygen streaming from the mask attached to his face, and he suddenly became aware of every needle and tube penetrating his skin. He struggled against it uncomfortably until a member of the medical team noticed he was awake. The white-clothed leader punched in a sequence on his unit’s panel until the hatch door opened.

“Get me outta this thing,” Vincent grunted.

“Hold on,” the medic instructed. “If we don’t do this properly then you’ll end up with complications.”

Vincent then waited patiently for everything to be disconnected. The needles in his brain receded, which was an unpleasant sensation unto itself, and he was totally and completely unhooked from the machines. They wrapped bandages around his arms and cranium to staunch the flow of blood, and gave him a bottle of mild painkillers for the headache that he was likely going to have later due to the cranial needles. The other contestants at least had the advantage of letting their bodies adjust before they woke up, but Vincent, being on the payroll, was given no such treatment.

“Oh, by the way, this was left for you,” the Syntex personnel mentioned, and he produced an envelope.

Vincent took it and tore it open, revealing a hand-written letter. It read:

“Dear Vincent,

Although your career with Syntex was short, I am most pleased with the service you have provided us. You were direct, confrontational, and your timing was absolutely impeccable. I do apologize for my interference during the game, and hope that it didn’t put too much of a damper on your designated task. Should this event be run again next year, I would greatly enjoy your presence as a formal competitor from the very outset of the tournament, and see just how you perform under the same conditions as the others. For your exit, one of my attendants will guide you to a teleporter; simply enter the location of your choice into the keypad of the teleporter, and it will take you anywhere you desire. While I typically have given gifts to the competitors, since you were on the payroll, I will simply add to your compensation. Our accountants will be sure to cut you a check. Pleasure doing business with you, my good sir.

Regards, Your Humble Host,
Damon Dukes”

Before Vincent could do anything more, a pair of Syntex security guards ushered him out the door.