It was just after noon when he pulled up to the family eatery. He found his mom, dad and sister waiting for him at a booth. His dad waved him over, and gave his mom and sister a hug before sitting down. Before getting down to business Alan had them all order.

They chatted a bit, his mom and sister wanted to know more about his recent breakup. His dad remained silent, content just to listen during the meal. It was near the end when Alan’s father finally spoke up.

“I’m hoping you could clue us in on how you’ve been doing so well financially. One minute you're broke, the next you’re paying your mother and I back with interest.” He added with a smile, “Though I don’t mind you paying for lunch.”

Alan cleared his throat as his Father, Mother and Sister turned their eyes to him. “Well, I stumbled up on opportunity. You see I uh…” He hesitated, he didn’t like lying to his parents, there was something about telling his Dad that ‘he’d made a small fortune playing what was generally known as a game’ to be pretty unbelievable not to mention dangerous. “.... I gone ahead and signed up for Cosmos.” He parents gave him a puzzled look. Before he could elaborate however, his sister Alice jumped in.

“Bro, are you serious!?”

He held back rolling his yes, and nodded. Alice looked at her parents. “That game is all over the news. People are reporting everything from crazy realistic planets, future-tech, and even ways to change your looks. Permanently! It’s amazing!”

Mom cut her off. “Yes dear, your father and I watch the news, and we’ve heard about the game.” She turned, and said in a matter-of-fact tone, “But Alan, that still doesn’t explain how you could afford it, or where you got your money. From what everyone says it sounds like a money sink” Dad nodded thoughtfully along.

“Well, you’re not completely wrong. But there is more to it than just spending lots of money. In fact, there are lots of opportunities to make great money. I just happened to find a way to make a lot of money on the first day.” He added quickly, “Though I can’t make the same kind of money the same, I think I’ve found a few other ways to earn a real living.”

They both looked skeptical.

“What about your schooling?”

“Dad didn’t you hear? One girl from school said her brother did it, and he said they’ve got a way to directly download information. Schools are going to be a thing of the past!” His sister jumped in excitedly.

“Sounds dangerous, and you know how I feel about shortcuts.” He looked at her sternly.

“Dad, right now I see a once in a lifetime opportunity. I promise I won’t stop learning. I feel I’ve got to try this for a few months at the very least.” Alan paused with emphasis “Besides I paid off the year of loans I’d taken out already. So, I’m only losing time at this point.”

Eying him sharply his mother spoke up, “A year’s worth of loans? I thought you only pulled out enough for the current semester”

“I had pulled a little extra out recently, but that doesn’t matter. It's all been paid in full.”

She continued to look worried. Alan felt he was losing the point of the whole conversation. Part of him felt a little annoyed at their worry. However, once he remembered that in their eyes, he’d only just left the house. When he’d realized their perspective, his annoyance changed to a feeling of love. They really cared for him.

“Mom. Dad. I didn’t come here to fight about money. I came because I really feel like Cosmos is the future.” He deliberately held out his hand and intentionally activated his Matter Ring. It glowed verdant green as 4 envelopes materialized in front of him. All their eyes widened at the demonstration of the matter ring. With only a brief pause he continued.

“Inside each of these are $3200 Dollars. It’s enough to buy you the basic Matter Ring and 1 day of going inside. I’ve also left some instruction about character development and planet choice.” Their eyes were still widened at the demonstration of the Matter Ring. The first one to recover was his sister.

“Woah. That was so cool.” She picked up the envelope as if to test if it was real.

“As amazing as it sounds. I’m not sure we can accept this son.” His mother spoke, reflexively, taking the money out of her daughter’s hand. “But mom this is a ton of cash, and he clearly wants to give it as a gift.” Alice looked to each other and then to Alan’s father.

Alan’s father sat, arms crossed, for a long moment, trying to make up his mind. Finally, coming to a conclusion, he spoke, “Son why are there 4 envelopes?” His words carried more weight than the unrelated question seemed to warrant.

“I uh…” Alan was surprised by the question. “The fourth is for James and I added a little money for his wife and kid to have a day. I would have added more but I didn’t have a lot left over after paying my debts.”

His father relaxed, as if the answer had lifted some unknown burden he’d been carrying. His Father then spoke firmly. “Mary, if he feels it’s important enough for James and his family too. I say we give it a shot.” A meaningful look passed between them. His mother nodded in complete agreement.

It took a few moments for Alan to try and decipher what had passed between his parents. What did James have to do with it. It wasn’t until he realized that he wasn’t the same person he’d been in the future that the meaning became clear.

In the past, he and his brother James had been on pretty rough terms throughout high school and college. James was 4 year older than Alan. Throughout high school, every class Alan took, he was always compared to his older brother. Whenever he’d come home for visits from college, his parents would always fawn over him. James, the valedictorian, scholarship recipient, the guy who managed to marry his high school sweetheart, get into medical school and have the first blessed grandchild.

Inevitably, Alan didn’t measure up, he’d never gotten a scholarship, couldn’t go to the best college, and as far as getting married, well his crazy ex-girlfriend saw to that. He’d always felt like he’d disappointed his teachers, parents, and mostly himself. Instead of just giving up on comparing himself to his older brother, he’d just resented him instead. Alan had always picked fights with his brother, doing whatever he could to bring him down. Sometimes he could get under his skin, but most the time, James just tolerated it, and never put his brother down. This of course made it worse for Alan, deepening his dislike for his older brother.

It was funny how growing up, and going through hard times can wipe away all those childish feelings. James had been so involved in Medical School, he didn’t have time or money to start Cosmos. By the time he had, it’d been too late. His medical knowledge was considered primitive as Cosmos went mainstream. His peers who'd gotten some of the few medical downloads easily surpassed him. He never had the chance to even finish school, and served only as a med tech in the fleet. Throughout the hardships, Alan had realized how stupid he’d been, he’d buried the sibling rivalry, and both had grown really close. Both just trying to eke out living for their family.

When he’d prepared the envelopes, he hadn’t even given it second thought to prepare one for his brother.

“This is obviously important. Why don’t we all go this weekend.” His mother agreed warmly. The rest nodded in agreement.

“No mom. It’s important that you and the rest of the family go in tomorrow.” Alan insisted.

“What's the rush son?”

“Dad, right now there are some limited choices for new players. First come first serve. I’ve written some instructions for each of you. I didn’t pick everything out, but I did leave you some information to help you for the future.” He paused for emphasis. “It’s important that you get this to James today, and go to the facility to sign up for tomorrow.” He added as an afterthought, “Alice, don’t tell your friends what’s in the envelope for now. At least not yet. Ok?”

They all nodded in agreement. As he left, he overheard his family talking making plans. “I better take off work tomorrow.” His Dad told his mom. “Does that mean I can miss school? I can’t wait to tell Janice”

“Of course dear, but we’ve got to take you back to school. After I drop you off I’ll head over to James’s apartment to let him know.”

Alan hopped back into his car. It felt amazing being able to give his family a leg up. He hadn’t been able to do much for his family in the past, and he’d been the first sign up in the past there too. He felt calm knowing it would make a big difference for his family now.

Pulling on the road he was eager to get back to the planet Kragga, but he had one more errand to run. Taking an exit, he passed a billboard with sports boat bursting from the sign. Xtreme Sports Vehicles! Next Exit.

Entering into the lot, he passed sport boats, motorcycles, and dune buggies. He didn’t waste time and moved up to the front counter. He removed his bank card, and surprised the sales attendant by purchasing an ATV and a few gas cans on the spot. He didn’t know what shocked the salesman more. The fact that he didn’t ask any questions. Or the fact that he simply activated his storage ring to place it into his storage.

Probably the latter.

Alan stopped by a gas station to fill up the four 5-gallon tanks. Whipping out his bank card to pay for the 40 gallons of gas. He pulled up, once again, to the private entrance of the Cosmo’s Facility. He walked past the attendant, who had seemed to adjust to Alan’s odd behaviors, and entered once again into Cosmos.

He returned to where he had left. Next to him, the refining machine, covered by a few bits of odds and ends he’d covered it with as camouflage. He extracted the ATV and a 5 gallon can to fill it up.

“I’m an idiot. I can’t believe I didn’t think of this earlier.” He put away the refining machine and gas can. Then started the engine. Alan couldn’t help but laugh, he’d hoped to get to the site in a day or two. Now he’d probably cover the remaining 63 miles in 3 or 4 hours. He may even have time to set up a base camp.

He sped through the heaps of rubble feeling relaxed and free, as the wind rushed past him. Looking out over his surroundings, he noted there were some areas of the sea that had started to grow strange grasses and sickly-looking trees. It was odd, but the alien landscape held its own beauty, despite its desolate appearance.

He passed what must have been the frame of a huge skyscraper lying on its side, more massive than anything he’d seen on earth. There were trees and grasses shooting up between the wreckage of abandoned buildings. He could imagine the city in its heyday. Millions upon millions of residents moving around one place to another. Likely never believing their glorious city would someday be no more than an eerie dark mark on an abandoned planet.

There wasn’t much wildlife in the area, he noted. Some winged creatures floated through the sky, on leathery wings, with 5-foot wingspans. Occasionally, they would dive, only to rise again, clutching something in their claws. Alan was near enough to one diving creature, as it snatched what looked to be an insect the size of a rat. He wondered what his sister would do if he snuck something that large into her bed as a practical joke.

Then again, he cringed, and wondered if he could even get his mother to live out here when she saw those bugs. His thoughts drifted to his family. He’d left them some instructions, suggested they all decide on a world together. He’d let them know that he wouldn’t be telling them his world, but suggested more friendly places work and learn. He’d hoped they would listen to his suggestions for genome and learning, rather than the AI’s picks. He’d have to wait and see. He didn’t want to tell them everything. They needed to start playing the game eventually on their own terms.

As the sun grew closer toward the horizon, he passed between 2 ancient structures. He turned a corner, and eyes widened with excitement. He’d come to the right site. Stopping his engine, he looked it over. Before him lay a vast field, where ancient relics of space ships were housed. This site was the place where, both before and after the disaster of Kragga many ships were left. Ranging in size from a school bus to skyscrapers. Before it had been an airport, after a convenient area to leave old and dangerous ships. It was now, just a ship graveyard.

Alan’s hopes rose as he looked at the field of dilapidated and antique ships. First, there were a lot of ships, and he hoped, perhaps unrealistically, that there were perhaps wreckage others deemed worthless, but were actually quite valuable to him, perhaps even making a ship of his own. Second, each ship was often made of some of the best materials. Materials left untouched for one reason or another.

Noting the fading light, he sped around the site, making a rough map of the area, and noting if there were certain ships that looked in better condition. As the light began to dim, he hopped right back on his quad and weaved through ships of every shape imaginable. Until he found the ship, he’d seen in his search which seemed suitable. Pulling up to it, he noted it’s practical appearance. It wasn’t sleek lines, or chrome details or other such notions which had brought this ship to his attention. No. This rusty hulk was built like brick, a red rectangle, dull and basic in every way. It was nearly 90 feet in length and 25 feet tall. It’s beauty was sub-par, but it didn’t have a single missing deck plate or gaping hole. From what he could tell, it was intact from the outside, and he hoped, whatever was left inside.

The ship lay on the earth, semi buried, the wind covering any landing struts it may have once had. He approached a circular oval on the side of the ship. He spoke to himself, “All right, I think this is one of the air locks. Let’s see how much I can explore before I need to log out.” He removed a cutting tool from his matter ring. It had a long shaft, which burned hotly at one end where you could adjust the length of the plasma blade. It wasn’t like a torch or even a fantasy lightsaber. Instead, plasma was generated along a blade at the end and energy fields protected the tool itself. He was reminded of the description it carried when he purchased it.

Metal Cutting Tool, Basic. This tool can utilize VE to assist in cutting most basic metals and alloys.

Looking at the door in front of him. He spotted the hinges, and where bolts would have been to secure the door. He energized the tool, threw on a pair of goggles, and began to cut.