Four Weeks Before Launch.

Jack was sitting at the table of a restaurant waiting for Sam. Jack didn't have a wife, children, or much of anyone he really felt the need to say goodbye to. In fact, this was the first of only two farewells he planned on having. It had become increasingly hard over the years to pin Sam down for an in-person meeting. It wasn't like Sam intentionally ducked him or anything, but the man's position as the face of their investment company kept the man busy and on the move. It was also just part of Sam's personality to want to be where the action was, and it just so happened that where the action was opportunities were sure to follow.

Sam did, of course, show, and precisely on time down to the minute. Jack watched his friend approach from across the room. Sam was tall and regal looking with grey hair that appeared more silver than grey. A suit that was no doubt expensive was worn with the kind of comfortability Jack could only achieve in jeans and a tee-shirt. Everything about the man exuded confidence and ease.

To the outside observer, the two men couldn't be more different in both personality and appearance. Jack wasn't short, but he was broader than his height would suggest giving him the squat appearance of a human bulldog where Sam was tall and lean. Jack was reserved where Sam was outgoing and boisterous. Sam looked rich even in this high-end restaurant where Jack looked like a working man dressed up for an indulgent night on the town.

Jack stood to shake his friend's hand as Sam approached.

" Jack, my man, it's been too long," Sam said with a warm smile.

" Looking as good as always, Sam."

The two men drank more than enough over the next hour while they ate, and eventually with an after-dinner brandy got to the point of the meeting.

" I'm heading out to the edge Sam," Jack said.

" Really, no shit. Can't say I'm surprised. I knew retirement wouldn't suit you." Sam replied, then followed up.

" How far out are you going? "

" End of the line. " Jack replied.

" Wow, that's a hell of a trip. What's that five or six years in one of those oversized trash cans?" Sam asked, curiosity gleaming in his eyes.

" Just over five on the Frontier."

" Wait, the Frontier? Did you get the game option?" Sam asked, showing even more interest.

" Yeah, It's over five damn years, so anything to help with that is a blessing," Jack admitted.

" This is ironic. I literally had a meeting before I came to dinner regarding that game." Sam confessed.

It was Jack's turn to look surprised. He held up his brandy glass to get the waiter's attention, then asked, " What's that about. It's just a game, why would you care? "

" That was my original thought, but some smart people I know seem to think that early investments would be like early investments in Disney," Sam explained. Then continued, " Some big names seem to be at least considering buying large amounts of land. It seems the company is selling some pieces of land in the game that include some kind of royal title and even an army. Kind of like a feudal lord, it seems." Sam explained.

" Why would an investor even care? " Jack asked skeptically.

" It appears that the company plans to make a real economy. In the game, people will be able to trade credit for whatever it's currency is and vise versa. The idea from an investment point of view is that buying now before the launch will net a significant return on investment as the virtual world becomes more inhabited. I guess a better way to word it would be like anticipating a virtual land grab."

" What would stop someone from conquering said lands resulting in a complete loss of investment? " Jack asked.

" That, of course, is the other half of the rub. On one side, you have a potential profit, and on the other, you have a complete loss due to either the game being a failure or someone taking your investment by force."

The two men paused as the waiter dropped off Jack's drink.

" Are you planning on investing in this? " Jack asked.

" Well, it is too early to rule it out completely. I have to say I find the option less than appealing." Sam confessed.

They slowly said goodbye over another drink and went their separate ways. Jack only had one more goodbye before he left the planet, but that was in a dive bar on the other side of town two weeks later. The men that attended that meeting were all old warriors. The conversation had very little to do with the game besides some loving shit they gave Jack about playing games in his retirement. Mainly it was a loud, foul-mouthed, drinking binge.