Gamers' Rebellion Read Online Free PDF Page B

Josie.
    ‘That’s a lot ta takes in.’
    ‘Yes,’ agreed Josie. ‘I imagine it is. Get used to it. There’s still a lot more for you to take in.’
    ‘Yeah,’ agreed Tark. ‘Like wot yar lot’s all about?’
    ‘I really think you should at least try to speak like everyone else.’ Tark opened his mouth to protest, but she continued. ‘If we are going to help you get Zyra, we need you to be able to blend in. Surely Zyra is worth the effort?’
    ‘I’m not stupid, you know,’ said Tark, the gutter speak dropping away. ‘I can fit in if I need to. I’ve spent enough time in Suburbia to be able to speak just like you.’ He paused, a little surprised at how right the speech pattern felt. It didn’t matter – no one was going to tell him how he should be talking. ‘But till I needs ta … Why shoulds I?’
    ‘Suit yourself.’ Josie spun and walked to the centre of the room, stopping to turn back and spread her arms. ‘This is our research laboratory.’
    ‘Looks a bit like a storeroom,’ Tark said, unimpressed.
    ‘Beggars can’t be choosers,’ Josie snapped back. ‘We’ve converted this run-down Community Youth Centre as best we can. We’re not a big-bucks corporation like the Design Institute. We’re just a bunch a kids doing what we can to stand up for what’s right.’
    ‘Bit full of yaself, isn’t ya?’
    Josie took a deep breath, clenching her hands, then let it out slowly.
    ‘We are on the same side,’ she finally said. ‘We share a common enemy. The Designers.’
    ‘I isn’t on no one’s side ’cepts mine and Zyra’s.’
    ‘This is so much bigger than just the two of you,’ said Josie. ‘Aside from all the Game entities that have gained sentience, but are stuck in the Game … there are the people in this world that the Designers are kidnapping.’
    ‘Kidnapping?’
    ‘Yes,’ said Josie, pleased that she had at last gotten Tark’s attention. ‘The Designers have been taking kids.’
    ‘How? Who?’ asked Tark.
    ‘Orphans, street kids, runaways, slum-dwellers – people who won’t be missed, except by other people who don’t matter.’ Josie paced up and down. ‘You see, there are different rules for different types of people in the real world – just like in the Game.’
    ‘So why does the Designers want ta steals kids?’
    ‘We’re not sure,’ admitted Josie. ‘All we know is that it has something to do with the Game. And that they are never heard from again. We are trying to find out what’s going on. And we’d like your help.’
    ‘Eh?’ Tark looked bemused. ‘Wots can I dos?’
    ‘You can go back into the Game,’ said Josie. ‘You can help us to find out what’s going on.’
    Tark’s eyes widened. ‘I’ve only just gotten outs.’
    ‘I know,’ said Josie. ‘I know it’s a big ask. But before you refuse, please hear me out.’
    ‘Okays. I is listening.’
    ‘We have a contact in the Design Institute,’ explained Josie. ‘And he, or she, has been slowly feeding us information and supplies. We now have a way into the Game.’ Josie paused to lick her lips. ‘But we can’t use it.’
    ‘Ah-ha.’ Tark stared at Josie.
    ‘There is some sort of security program on the Game,’ continued Josie. ‘It won’t let any of us in.’
    ‘Wot makes ya think it will lets me in?’
    ‘You’ve just come out of the Game.’ Josie’s voice rose a notch, the hope and excitement evident. ‘You’re from the Game originally. I’m willing to bet that you’ll get in. I think the security program might recognise you and let you through.’
    ‘And wots does I do once I is in there?’
    ‘You don’t have to do anything for the moment,’ said Josie. ‘We just need to know that you can get in … and out again. Piece of cake.’
    ‘Ahhh.’ Tark pointed at Josie. ‘That’s it, ain’t it. Ya isn’t sure I can gets out again, is ya?’
    ‘Well,’ admitted Josie, avoiding Tark’s eyes. ‘Theoretically, you should be able to get out again. The