JASON

…

« My name is Toh Rian. I am one of the other Players. We need to talk. » the metallic voice said, while those same words appeared on the screen that was on the fridge door. Damn, those high-tech fridges were spooky!

« Players? Is this some sort of prank? If it is…well played, man, you freaked me out! » answered with a half laugh Jason. It was his honest response to an unwelcome surprise, but his brain soon started to process what was going on. That man, or woman, or whomever was behind that fridge screen, knew his name. And knew where to find him.

« You don’t seem to be understanding. I am a Player! Didn’t you receive the card? » the voice emphasized. The card? What card? Jason’s memories were triggered by that word, searching back to the day he found out about his new gift.

« Right, right, the card…7 Players and something about chapters, right? » he answered, stepping back once again from the machine. His nerves were tensed, his face not so smiley anymore. He wasn’t worried, he could still jump away if needed, but first he needed to know how that person had found him. « So, you also have powers? »

« 89 Chapter left as of today, to be precise. » the fridge corrected him. « And yes, I also have a talent. That’s how I call it ».

« And that’s how you found me, I suppose » the boy followed up quickly, impatient to know the answer.

« That’s right, but hey -» somehow, Toh Rian seemed to have notice that Jason’s face was growing increasingly suspicious and wary of the “virtual intruder”. « - I mean you no harm, I swear! I am only here to talk. If I really wanted to harm you, I could have…called the police on you, for example! Well, not that it would have actually been a threat to you…I mean with the whole teleportation gimmick and all… » their well-prepared speech seemed to have gone off the window, as they were quite clearly just speaking their mind. Also, not helping with putting Jason at ease.

« You know about my powers? And what do you mean you are here? Where are you?? » Jason grabbed the two beers he had picked up from the fridge from their necks, holding them as weapons of last resort. He moved his head from side to side, trying to locate the intruder. Was he perhaps behind the fridge? To be honest, he looked more comical than menacing, or even worried. But he was giving his best.

« Wow, wow, relax man. I am not “here” as in the room with you. I am several thousand miles away. And yes, I do know about your powers. You don’t exactly try to hide them, you know? There are at least a dozen high-definition camera shots of you just disappearing. Banks, public parks, cultural sites, private venues, ecc… » the voice explained. Jason did relax a little bit, admitting with a guilty nod that he had been a little carefree with where and how he used his powers.

« And if it’s on camera, then it’s easy for me to find it. See… » suddenly all the screens in the apartment started to light up. The television, the smart microwave, the tablet and the thermostats. All of their screens turned on and displayed the same words, as well as sounds, as the smart fridge door. Jason reassumed his comical “ready to fight” posture, beers in hand as nunchakus.

« I am a Technopath » there was a slight hint of pride in their digital voice.

« Which means… » Jason prompted a further explanation.

« Which means that I can control technology at will… » Toh Rian sighed. They were hoping for a more dramatic entrance. The fact that the kid didn’t know what a technopath was, definitely spoiled the mood.

« I mean technology is a wide word. Specifically, I can control electronic powered technology. Anything with which I can interface, physically or virtually, I can manipulate at will. I can tell it to do something – within its capabilities of course – and it will do so. More than that, it seems like my brain functions like a perfect Human-Machine interface. I can communicate my thoughts to a computer system and it will try to implement them, which fortunately also happens to include database scouting according to my specifics. Pretty interesting, if you consider the computational load of having to- » the voice stopped. Jason’s brain seemed like it was about to catch fire.

« Ok ok…so you basically control computers and shit, I get it… » Jason summarized unceremoniously, as he shook his head trying to get rid of all that useless technical mumbo-jumbo. « That still doesn’t tell me at all why I should stay here to listen to you instead of enjoying this cold – well, now “fresh” thanks to you – beer with my beautiful Bella. ».

« Because I have to give you some extremely important information. About your powers. About the man that gave us those powers. And about the other players » the digital voice answered.

Jason thought for a second. He was not enjoying that conversation. But what if that “thing” could give him useful information? He wasn’t so interested about the other players, but he definitely wanted to know about his own powers. And about that man…

« Ok, ok, I’ll listen to you…but I have to apologize to a pretty lady first. You wait me here. ».

…

Half an hour later, Jason teleported back to the penthouse. He was carrying a large pizza box.

« You sure took your sweet time… » Toh Rian complained, through the television screen.

« Put some nice jazz tune, will you? » the boy sat on the large sofa in front of the television, as he opened the box and started eating the smoking hot pizza. Another sigh left the microphone of the television, before a soothing jazz background music started playing.

« Muuuch better. Now, Mr…Mrs…which is it? » Jason asked.

« Mister, but you can call me just Toh Rian ».

« Very well Toh » not what the voice said « you have my attention. Spit it out. »

That boy was really incorrigible in his manners, Toh Rian thought. Then again, he had been a teenager too. Though he remembered being more polite… In any case, they didn’t have time to lose. In a stern voice, the man through the other side of the connection, murmured to his microphone.

« We are running out of time ».