As the darkness receded, I found myself again in a white room, with a desk, and the same brunette woman sitting behind it. “Welcome to Pulsar, at this time please select your character’s name.”


    “Hmm, I think that I will go with Cal Warren. That is the name that I choose for almost every game I have ever played.”


    “Ok, your Character’s name is now set as Cal Warren. Please pick a starting location in the currently explored universe.” As she said this, a holographic map of a spiral galaxy appeared in front of me. It then zoomed into one of the arms. It continues zooming in until about 3000 star systems remained.


    “Is there any way to filter the systems?”


    “Yes, I can. Please specify how you would like the systems filtered.”


    “Ok, lets start with removing the easiest starting systems.” Immediately about half of the systems were removed. “Ok, now let’s remove the extreme difficulty starting systems.” Again, systems started disappearing from the chart, until there were about 800 remaining. “Hmm, how many of the remaining systems have functioning economies?’


    “680 of the remaining systems currently have a functioning economy.”


    “Ok, please remove all those that do not. Please remove any system that does not have a strong mining presence.” Hopefully this will allow me to have a good source of starting income. This will allow me to be able to generate a modest nest egg so that I will be able to explore and figure out how I will turn this game into a good income generator.


    After the chart updated with the recent requirements, there were 10 systems remaining. “Please remove any system that has habitable planets.” Hopefully with this I will not have to deal with too many other players right off the bat either. So that I won’t have too much competition while I start off.


    Now the chart only had two systems remaining. “Are either of the remaining systems independent systems, or are they both currently part of an alliance?”


    “One system is independent; the remaining system is an independent system.”


    “Then I would like to start in the independent mining system.”


    “Very well you will start at the Garium IV mining station medical office. Furthermore, if you need to explain away any time that you are not in the game to the residents, please inform them that you are Travelers, this will make it so that they will ignore any time that you are not present in the game. Thank you and have an enjoyable experience in Pulsar. You will be transported in five seconds.”


    Suddenly a countdown appeared right in front of me, going down from five. Then everything became complete darkness again. When I opened my eyes, I was laying on a stretcher, in a white room, with a nurse standing next to the bed.


    “Ah, excuse me, what happened?”


    The nurse jumped when I spoke, “Oh, sorry you just surprised me, yes well, you were in an accident on the freighter that was bringing you to Garium IV, and were rendered unconscious. They brought you in here immediately and that was about an hour ago. Everything seems to be in order and you will be allowed to leave as soon as you feel you are able.”


    “Thank you ma’am, if that is the case then I will leave now. I hope you have a good day.”


    Anna, are you here?


    Yes, I am currently here. I will be able to interface with you when you think of me, if you wish for me to have more access to the game, you will need to buy an A.I. bracelet. That will allow me to be you’re A.I. in the game. Otherwise I will be limited in my abilities.


    Thank you, can you give me directions to a shop on the station where I can purchase a bracelet. Immediately a line appeared in my vision that led me further into the station and away from the medical office. After about ten minutes of walking, I was in the central area of the station, with businesses lining both sides of the hallway. I approached a storefront that was advertising electronics.


    When I walked into the store there was a rather portly man, probably in his mid-40’s, and already balding. “Hello dear customer. Welcome to Al’s Electronic Emporium, what can I do for you today, Mr.?”


    “Hello, Cal Warren, I am currently looking for an A.I. bracelet.”


    “Ah, yes, I have many models, they are all along the back wall in the right corner. Please let me know if you have any questions.” As I walked back to the corner indicated I tried to pull up my inventory, but unfortunately no matter what I tried to do nothing would come up.


    Master, there is no inventory system in this game, you must be able to carry everything you need. There are storage options, either banks or in your personal property. Either ships or land, and you can store your items there. This game relies on providing the most realism that it can.


    Thank you, Anna. I proceeded to search the pockets of my pants and jacket, and came up with three items. A small communication device, which looks very similar to an old flip phone. A small identification card, which provided the general information about myself, height, weight, age, hair and eye color, and other such data points. Lastly there was a small credit card looking piece of metal, with a small screen on the top of it with a button next to it. When I pressed the button, the display lit up with the number 5000.


    Master, that is your credit chip, you can have multiple, and each chip can hold up to 100 million credits.


    Hmm, so I have 5,000 credits currently. Looking over the A.I. bracelets on display they ranged from 100-40,000 credits. Anna, which bracelet in our price range would you recommend to start off with?


    Well, Master, I would recommend the 1000 credit bracelet, it is not the lowest end, and should be able to last for a while until you can afford a more expensive model. It comes with a map function, that I will be able to fill in as we explore everything, and will be able to be displayed holographically above your wrist. It also comes with a communication add on so that you do not need a separate com device. I think that this will be the best option for now.


    Sounds good to me then. After I buy the bracelet I would like to go find a mining company that has openings, and are willing to accept new personnel with no experience.


    Absolutely Master, I will be able to find you such a company once you have me uploaded into the bracelet.


    “Ok, Al, I would like to purchase a 1000 credit A.I. bracelet, and upload my personal A.I. into the bracelet.” I said, as I approached the counter Al was standing behind.


    “No problem Mr. Warren. Would you like to buy a security upgrade to the bracelet? It will help prevent anyone from hacking your A.I. bracelet and stealing your information. It is an additional 100 credits for the basic module, and 500 credits for the advanced module. The advanced module will be able to provide more comprehensive protection.”Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    “Hmm, I think I will take the 500-credit module, wouldn’t want anyone stealing my information, Haha.”


    “Ok, Mr. Warren, your total comes to 1,500 credits.” I inserted my credit chip into the reader, and 1500 credits were deducted. “If there is ever anything else I can do for you please let me know, you are always welcome here at Al’s Electronic Emporium.”


    “Thank you, Al, and if I need anything electronic wise, I will come back here and see you. Have a good day.”


    Ok, Anna, can you please find a mining company fitting the criteria we talked about.


    Absolutely, Master, there are two mining companies on the station willing to hire and train new miners. One company pays by the hour, at 100 credits an hour, minimum of 8-hour shifts, and at least 5 shifts a week. The other company offers to pay on commission, 25% of the market value of the ore, again with 8-hour shift minimum, and a minimum of 3 shifts a week. The shift minimum allows you to stay out longer should you wish while mining. I would recommend that you apply to the second company. It will allow you more time to learn more skills in a training hall, while providing an income. Also, I have done a search of the common minerals mined in this system, and the most often mined are Titanium, Silver, and Thallium. While there is a chance to also find Platinum, Gold, and Gravium. Of course, there is a chance to find any mineral in this system, however it has a very low probability.


    Ok, Anna, if we work at the company that pays off of commission, how much would a haul of Titanium, Silver, or Thallium earn us? Also, please just call me Cal, while in game, not master, it just does not feel right to be called master.


    Understood, Cal, you would earn approximately 150 credits per 100 m³ of ore for any of the three listed. Gold is worth approximately 330 credits per 100 m³ of ore, Platinum would be approximately 540 credits per 100 m³ of ore, and Gravium if located can earn at a minimum of 2400 credits per 100 m³ of ore. This is due to the fact that Gravium is required in almost all parts of space craft construction.


    Ok, Anna, we will go apply, and hopefully we can find some good mining locations so that we will not have to search all the time for it.


    As I walked towards the company, I passed all kinds of people going about their daily activities, most were human but there were a few Elves and Dwarves interspersed in the traffic. I did not see any Uvelt (lizard people) or androids in the crowd. The other thing I do not see is anyone running around looking at everything as though this is the coolest thing they have ever experience. Hopefully this means I was right in my selection, and that there are not many players choosing this system as their starting location.


    As I approached the door of the company, I learned that it was called Star Ore Inc., which while not a very imaginative name, does get the point across as to what it offers. When I entered the lobby, there are chairs lining the walls of the room, and a single desk, with a man, probably around twenty to twenty-five years old sitting behind it looking like he would rather be anywhere other than here.


    “Hello, I would like to apply to be a miner. Would you be able to help me with my request?”


    “Absolutely, please fill out the forms on this tablet, and then see me when you are done. If you have any questions you can come and ask.” He told me as he handed me a tablet that has definitely seen better days.


    As I take a seat at one of the chairs I see three other people also filling out forms on a tablet. The forms are nothing special, just a generic work application, with all the normal questions. When I finished filling out the form I approached the desk again. “Here you go I have finished filling out the forms.”


    “Ok, please take a seat and wait for your name to be called. They will call multiple people at the same time so please pay attention.”


    It took about ten minutes for a woman to come out of the door next to the desk, and she immediately starts calling out names. “Mr. Warren, Mr. Schmidt, Ms. Adams, and Ms. Grey please follow me.”


    We all stood up and followed her back to a conference room where we were all instructed to sit down and began a presentation.


    “Welcome to Star Ore Inc.. My Name is Mrs. Evans, and I am the chief of personnel management. We are currently looking for new miners as you obviously know, and from what I read of your forms, none of you have any experience with mining. If we could go around the table and tell each other why we want to start as a miner. Ms. Grey if you will start please.”


    “Absolutely, Ma’am, My Name is Elanor Grey, and I am a traveler that has just arrived here, and I need to earn some money to be able to continue on my adventures through the stars.”


    “Hello, my name is Joshua Schmidt, and I too am a traveler, and I have always been interested in mining so I figured why not start sating my curiosity now, and of course to earn money, haha.”


    “Hello, my name is Amy Adams, and I am also a traveler, I am trying to earn money to buy an explorer class shuttle. I want to try to find new systems and maybe even new life forms. Unfortunately, these ships cost far more than I currently have, and I figured that this would be best way to earn enough for the ship.”


    Well Anna, it seems that this system was not as deserted of travelers as I thought it was. Maybe we can use some of these people to further any goals that we have. I am planning on being very ambitious in this game.


    Absolutely, Amy and Joshua would be good additions to any corporation. Finding new systems and exploiting them would be a great way to increase your wealth in this game.


    “Greetings everyone. My name is Cal Warren, and I too am a traveler. I thought this system would have less travelers but I guess we all had the same idea haha. I want to become a miner so that I can earn enough money to be able to do whatever I want in this galaxy. Who knows what the future has in store for any of us.”


    “Well thank you everyone. I will pair you up into teams. The person you are teamed with will be your partner on all mining runs with the company, as well as your training partner. You are required to work a minimum of three shifts a week and each shift must be a minimum of eight hours. If you have no further questions I will go ahead and tell you your partner.” When she saw that no one had any questions she proceeded. ‘Well Mr. Warren, you will be partnered with Ms. Adams, and of course Mr. Schmidt you will be paired with Ms. Grey.”


    “You will be required to show up tomorrow at 0800hrs here for your simulator training. The training will last for eight hours at a minimum, and you are welcome to stay as long as you would like after the eight hours. After the day of simulator training you will be able to take out any of our miners that are available. Welcome to Star Ore Inc.”


    Mrs. Evans led us all back out to the lobby and spoke with the man at the desk about our training tomorrow. “Well have a good day everyone and I will see you tomorrow.” With that Mrs. Evans left back through the door.


    “Well Ms. Adams, do you mind if I call you Amy, and you can feel free to call me Cal.”


    “Absolutely, well it seems that you and I will be together here for the foreseeable future. I am a full-time gamer, so I will be on until it is time for me to change out the modules on my Pod, what about you?”


    “I too will be in game full-time and plan on at least 4 runs a week if that is good with you. I need to earn a rather large sum, just like it sounds you will as well.”


    “Yes, I have all the skills of a pilot already, from the tutorial, what about you Cal, are you too a Pilot, or did you take a different set of skills to learn. Since I am assuming you are also a pre-order.”


    “I trained my skills as a mechanic currently, but I plan on learning all the skills that I can. I need at least a rudimentary ability in both pilot and combat skills. I might learn some basic first aid skills just in case of an emergency, but for now I will focus on the others. That is what ill be doing when I am not pulling a shift with you.”


    “Ok, well then ill see you tomorrow Cal. Hopefully we can earn a lot together, so that we can finish our separate plans.”


    With that I left and started looking for a room that I can stay in while I am at the station. After wandering around the station for about an hour I found a reasonable room to rent. It was only 25 credits a day, or 125 credits a week. With that in mind, I decided to pay for the full month, now down to just 3000 credits in my wallet.


    Having found a place to stay I start creating a list of all the things that I need to do. First, I need to get a few weapons for self-defense. Second, I need to find out how much it would cost to buy my own mining barge, once I have my own ship I will be able to make the full price of the haul instead of just the 25%. Third, I will have to start my own corporation, and find employees to staff it. Starting with a mining company so that I can build up my capital, and hopefully I will be able to locate a system that I can claim for my corporation. From there the sky is the limit.


    With that basic list of things I need to do, of course it doesn’t show everything just the immediate to the future goal, I lay my head back and set an alarm for 0700hrs so that I can make the training on time.