Dreamer's Paradise

Chapter 1: The Beginning

"TSG 8: TN 7 step forward." A simple formed light yellow cat stood and stepped forward to the desk. "Please register your name." The white functionary firmly stated.

"Nathaniel." The yellow cat said.

"Negative."  The white humanoid functionary behind the desk answered abruptly cutting him off. 
"Please remember all chosen names must be different from you own name, and no average names." There were several snickers from the group behind him. 

"Maybe you should stick with your designation little kid." A gruff voice stated from behind him.

Nathaniel was only 18 and now the youngest ever to allowed into a T.A.N. Corporation study group. True there was a 19 year old lab worker, and a few young 20+ year old programmers and technicians but as for test subjects only a few had been under 25 and most were twice that age. [TSG 8 TN 7] his current designation stood for test study group 8: tank 7; although most were calling him kid or worse baby.

"Tanyear" Nathaniel finally spoke.

There was a pause "Tanyar? Correct?"    The functionary finally spoke.

Nathaniel/Tanyar now, decided not to argue, it was close enough. His name was a bet he had made against his older brother that in ten years -tanyear- this program would be in real life applications, not just some back shelf project.  Being able to share dreams with someone across the country, continent, or even the world seems like a true fantasy but he was here!  Tanyar was the youngest test subject in what seemed like a virtual world but was actually a dream link project, and he was currently sleeping.

('") 

After running a gambit of acuity, agility, and several all around embarrassing tests Tanyar found himself back with the others who were left out of the TSG 8 group. They were sitting in a lecture hall    waiting for what would happen next.  He scanned the twenty six left out of the original forty people and wondered how many would be left at the end of the day.    A young looking well dressed female anthro cat walked in and stood in front of them.    Among a few whispered 'who' and 'wows' and one muttered 'smokin', she introduced herself. 

"My name is Kalrena one you should try to remember. I will be doing most of your training and assessments for this week.  If any of you have any problems, find me." She gave a quick glance making sure to catch the attention of each person as best she could. "If there is anyone who wants to back out now this is the last time for today.  You will now be paid a small consultation fee if you leave, as long as you answer a survey."

"How much?" came from a power blue dog like form in the front row.

"It doesn't matter." A near black humanoid form stood, "I want out now." 

"That is fine, the door at the back will lead you to a hallway, you will get directions there. Thank you for you time." Kalrena pointed to the back of the room.

"That's it?!" the blue spoke again.

"Sun is it?" Kalrena turned to face the speaker.

"Yes Sun and Sky."    The dog answered.

"Well Sun yes that is it, although I should let you know now.    If all your here for is the cash, you might well be asked to leave before the week is up. We prefer those who are interested in testing the limits of the program not just collecting a check. You are here to see what effects multiple people can have on the system by working together, separate, and against the program. We are trying to find out if there are any flaws or constructions that have to be remade or fixed. You should already know this and more by now, but right now if you wish to continue I need you to sign a final consent form."

With a wave of her hand Kalrena had a tablet in front of each person with a stylus floating above it. "You may all read this but it essentially it says you will spend 15 to 17 hours in a sleep tank. Your other 7 to 9 hours will consist of a meal when you wake up and a physical when asked, which I will add may take up to an hour. After that you will be on your own time as long as you stay with in the compound. We have multiple areas with computers, several within small private kiosks where you will be able to keep track of your life outside of T.A.N. Corp. There is also gym, pool, and sport areas to amuse yourself.  The last hour you will have a meal, get ready, and a briefing if any is required before you return to the tank."

All except for a few had already signed and watched the tablet disappear before them, "You should not have any questions by now but, if for any reason you do please take the back door and ask for a consult or simply for time to think." There were three who stood with that comment and walked to the back door. "Are you going to sign Sun?" 

Sun was the last of the twenty two remaining who hadn't signed, taking its time reading the tablet. "I can still leave whenever I want."

"Not quite." Kalrena answered.    "If there is an emergency yes but otherwise from this point on you must finish your allotted time before you can opt out."

Sun signed mumbling, "Like you can stop me if I want to leave."

Kalrena clapped her hands as the last tablet disappeared, "Alright, real training begins!" For the rest of their initial day the new test subjects were trained in basic manipulations of the administration area. 

Everything from the basic motions to call up a watch to check time, to a rather complicated method of using a tablet to send a message to another person.

"But I don't understand." a fluffed gray haired humanoid figure spoke, "We are here to be trained. There should always be someone to talk to, why should we learn how to message someone unless we are allowed to call others to help us."

"Invites are a different setup and one which we are not using yet." Kalrena answered, "And yes you will usually be with others. This is more if you find yourself caught or maybe you are suddenly walking on the ceiling.."

"It's a bug report."  Tanyar interrupted, "The system isn't perfect. We're supposed to report problems right?"

"Correct." Kalrena stated. "But it is more than that, with this program you are able to send a message anywhere with in the complex it is the best and most effective communication to reach outside the dream." Their training continued for several more hours till Kalrena told them that was sufficient for the day. A large silver arch appeared and the group slowly filed through.

Nathaniel, well Tanyar, took a deep breath and blinked his eyes. There was a hiss and then with a hum as the top of the sleep capsule slowly drew back.  When the bottom of the lid reached his knees it lifted open allowing Tanyar to sit up. Tanyar, Tanyar he repeated in his mind over and over. They had been told earlier to use there assumed name or designation within the complex to accustom themselves to the new name because it would make it easier to respond to later on.

"Malty, Tanyar, Freena, and Jolty please go to the medical wing directly following your meal. Outside all of you will follow the blue line to the cafeteria."  A rather static voice echoed from overhead. There were four white lab coats playing leapfrog down both sides of the tank room slowly checking each person. There were forty tanks in all, split evenly lining the walls of the room, each with its own complex lite up display and controls on the wall behind the head of the tank.  The young man tried to check those who were left while waiting. 

Tanyar, after his first day, wondered if he was going to lose the bet he made with his brother. This was all far more complex, high tech, and well more like science fiction than what he expected. Ten years now seemed a woefully short time to have anything like this available to the public or even to profitable companies possibly a unit here or there but not yet marketable like their father taught them.    He continued to look around while he waited for the technicians to reach him.  He suddenly noticed that he was now the last person on his side. Earlier he was sure there had been someone on his left two if he recalled right, but the three remaining tanks on the wall were sealed and powered down.

Tanyar looked around now trying to place names to the now unmasked group he had spent the last day with. Sun could be the mid 30's guy who was just being told a second time to not get out of his tank yet. He tagged the gray haired avatar as the rather elderly woman who was just now walking out the door Diamond if he had the name right.

"Hey Tanyar?"    He followed the voice across the room and two tanks to the left, "How come if I'm tank four and your seven, they're working with everyone on the other side.    Shouldn't they start with tank one?" Tanyar just shrugged in response.

"No clue."    He replied, "Soooo, who are you?" 

"Freena." the mid to late twenties female answered.

"SUN AND SKY!!"  The shout came from several tanks down. Tanyar looked and noticed an older female with a rather rough voice, wow did he have that wrong.

"Sorry Sun but the computer doesn't register multiple word names if you wish to change your name you will have to go to the applications department or speak with your resourcer."  The lab tech stated.   
Tanyar's view was blocked as the next person sat up to meet the approaching technician. He laid back down this was going to take a lot of getting used to, Sun was a woman. He wondered if he would be able to get the names right or if maybe he should just concentrate on the study.

He waited several minutes before finally hearing a voice next to his tank. "Everything okay Tanyar? Are you feeling alright?"

"Fine"    He replied sitting up. There was an eye check then strangely he was told to hold his breath for 30 seconds as the tech held out his watch to count.    He was left gasping for a few second after which the lab coat assured him was excellent. Then after wiggling his hands and feet he was allowed to stand.
"Alright you're fine, go eat. Remember any problems no matter how small sit down and call for help."

Tanyar nodded as the other finished talking.    They had been told that the cameras would be trained on each of them to make sure they were well cared for and would have immediate help if they needed it.    He left quickly not even casting a backwards glance for the three who were still left in their tanks. Following the blue line on the floor he make it to the noisy bustle of the cafeteria where nearly fifty people were eating, alone or in groups, but the noise seemed like twice that number. 

He was stopped from going further by a security guard by the door, "This is the main cafeteria everything here is free. If your interested in something special you can head down to the end of the hall where a smaller eating area is, everything there you have to pay for. They can order you pizza, Chinese, and a variety of other things, along with their full menu."  The guard pointed and continued,  "Grab a tray and start at that end. DO NOT go backwards. If you miss something return to the start of the line." With that Tanyar was promptly ignored as the guard sat back on a stool. 

Tanyar stepped up and filled a tray, the meal was a quick affair which he ate alone deciding to stay away from others of his study group. He did have to endure several people staring and pointing in his direction while he ate and he even caught the phrase 'how old is he' not once but twice before he got up and left. Sure he looked a little young but couldn't they see he was at least old enough to be an adult.

('")

He got stuck twice having to ask for the medical wing from people around him before finally walking under a covered path on the west side of the eighty-seven acre property that Technology Applied Naturally Corporation (TAN for short)owned. He passed through two sets of double sliding glass doors in to a small waiting room much different from the one he had been in previously. 

T.A.N. Corp. had surpassed all others in brain development area; companies, institutes, and schools; all were considered second best to the Corporation. They  the leading edge in all brainwave to motion technology and had put out the best most advanced Virtual Reality applications and V.R. remote operation equipment. In fact in the last five years they had become one of the largest most advanced human testing/training grounds. They had to ability to allow more than 800 human test subjects, in various study groups, to be housed on site. With virtually no bad publicity or any serious medical problems arising from testing they were considered the best, maybe even better than that.

"Welcome Tanyar we are expecting you. We have several test set for today so if you'll follow me." The nurse had already open the door and greeted Tanyar before he had even had a chance to choose a seat in the small room. He follow the female down a long hall and took several turns before she opened a door that said M.R.I. Room 2. 

"But didn't we just take a full scan yesterday?" Tanyar asked.

"Just a few more today." The nurse sounded a tad to cheery as she bustled him in to a changing room quickly firing off all the warnings and what to expect next speech, like he wasn't here just yesterday. Today though was much faster than the day before, it was barely a half hour before Tanyar was back in the hall being led to another room. He was still wondering about the whole thing as the doctor was calling up multiple images on the computer. He watched the man compare images while he sat trying to decide whether or not to speak out. 

The doctor began administering several reflexive and time response tests before he finally asked, "Is there really some point to this?"    Tanyar sat listening as the doctor tried to recite some premade excuse before one of the many wall communication units buzzed. 

"Tanyar you are the youngest and barely legal applicant we have had to date." Kalrena's voice suddenly sounded from out of the unit. "Understand that a few extra tests and extra procedures    will be required of you. They are not just for yourself, but hopefully for any more young applicants that apply. Also there are many people from different departments that insist extra care be given to you. To tell the truth they are just trying to make sure that if some how, something did go wrong, they can blame someone else." Kalrena waited making sure the young adult understood. "If you want to stop at any time just say so." 

"No it's not that, I was just wondering what exactly could change in a day." He stated.

"Likely nothing." her voice said from the wall.

"Now that is just not true." The doctor spoke up, "There are already many subtle differences that might show up and.."

"Doctor!" Kalrena interrupted stopping him from continuing, "Tanyar we are asking for a full mapping every two days. We already have that from several people over twenty-five but only one full set from a 25 year old female. We would like add yours to the on site records and to be able to compare them with others both on and off corporate records. We would also like to ask and will pay you for continuing on after this week with a few medical checkups to help show no long term effects."

"Okay." Tanyar stated simply.

"Are you sure about that?" The doctor butted in, "You may want to consider.."

"Doctor!" Kalrena's voice again ended his vocalization. "He and I will have plenty of time to talk later. Please finish the exam and send him out." The doctor stated he was pretty much finished and passed Tanyar off to a nurse who led him out to the main medical waiting room. He now found himself in a much more familiar place especially after he stepped outside.     Although the fountain was off and the sky dark above the courtyard outside it was easy to recognize with the shining lamp posted at its perimeter. Off to his left was the path that would lead to the three large dorm/apartment buildings where he had spent the first two nights here prior to starting the actual dream tests. Instead Tanyar moved straight across the courtyard moving along the edge of the silent fountain and took the wide path that would lead him back to the main complex area. 

He didn't have a clue as to what the time it was but he wanted to send a message to his brother before he tried anything else out. He found a large computer library, a large hall with wide tables and quite a few people for the late hour.  Each table was filled with multiple computer or interface units with a variety of types and brands. There were also several signs hanging from the ceiling over certain areas; GAMING which had people sitting in front of flashing monitors and a multitude of color surrounding the area; in the back he noticed MOVIES on one side and SOCIAL on the other. There were actually sofas and armchairs, along with round tables with coushy chairs. Tanyar grinned when he saw under the movies sign a male stand up with a laptop removing headphones. 

Tanyar headed to the wall where PERSONAL was hanging. Here there were a few tables partitioned off each section having its own computer.  Grabbing the first chair at the corner kiosk he was on and had his email account up in moments, scanning though the inbox for messages from his brother. The first he found was just a check in message; did you get there, was everything okay, drop me a line. The second however was a Martin Special:

Hey little Natty, you being quiet cause you know I won? 
Well ten years is a long time to wait to get paid for a bet,
so I decided you gonna owe me for interest as well. We'll
go for say 5%. You can of course admit defeat now little
bro. I'll take your $100 as soon as you get home. Don't
worry I decided not to rent out your room while your
gone. Oh... Dad found out you quit and... well PISSED
is a good word. I told him you wanted some quick cash
and could get it this way. He made several comments
about guinea pigs and stupid 18 year old decisions before
he hung up. I'm not sure but if he wasn't out of the country
he likely would have drove there to drag you away. So drop
me a line when your not busy, let me know they didn't fry
your brain. Later.

Tanyar even though he was upset when he first started reading he was at least smiling by the end. He didn't need to worry about his dad.    T.A.N. Corp. had assured him that as long as he had willingly signed up and agreed to participate his father could not stop his participation. Popping open the reply box he typed out.

Greetings Matty, do you have to keep being an ass and
calling me "little"?  Things here are well beyond what I
expected or researched. Your right I think you won the bet
but, not because this is some stupid pipe 'dream'. THIS IS REAL,
so real. The problem is the stuff is like near sci/fi some of
the equipment here well, it will likely be top of the line stuff
in like three years! I just don't see how it could be open to
the public in ten years so you will win the bet. 
Later Tanyar.

Let him try to figure that out he grinned leaning back after pushing send. He took a few moments before sitting back up and began the process of clearing out the junk mail from his in box. Since he had the time he opened several opt out links and followed to the unsubscribe. Most of the stuff was junk that he had recently added while looking in on T.A.N. Corp. Checking out online magazines and searching out people who had participated in past study groups. He had wanted to get first hand opinions before he actually signed on board to the Dream project.

Tanyar was nearly half way though the inbox when a loud knock sound came from the computer startling him, there was a pop up window asking if he wanted to accept a video chat with SolarE4. He was quick to hit accept and watched the loading circle make a few laps before his brothers picture and part of a familiar bedroom appeared in the box. "Hey Bro." He said moving the video to full screen.

"Hmmmmmm........" the pause went on for several seconds, "Quick what's 24 x 8." Martin said.

"What?" Tanyar asked.

"AWW CRAP, they went and fried my brothers brain, what am I gonna tell dad."  Was said as the head of Martin dropped in to his hands shaking.

"Verrrry funny. So did you read my message?"    He glanced at the time display in the corner, "and what 
are you doing up so late?"

"Ya I got your message, so you're gonna pay up?" Martin asked while Tanyar nodded. "Cool, easiest hundred I ever made thanks bro. So what's this Tanyar thing?" 

"That's my name while I'm here, but don't you have to work in the morning?" He asked. 

"Ya but I took a nap, I was actually able to talk with a real person when I called today. They said you were in testing and wouldn't be out till at least midnight. So what took you so long to get on and write back, you promised as soon as you could." Tanyar was about to respond when Martin added, "Dad's gonna end up calling again in the morning I think he was almost worried when I told him you hadn't checked in." 

Tanyar gave a small sigh, "I was busy they ran lots of tests the first two days. Then even more today when we were inside. Hey Martin is getting several MRI's and CAT scans in one week bad?"

"What do you mean... why do you need more than one, that sounds really fishy." Martin replied. "And aren't they like x-rays or something? I suppose it's not bad a few times if it is just this week. I could try looking it up for you if you need me to."

"No that's alright I'll just ask," Tanyar could see his brother shaking his head. "It isn't like that. They want a entire mapping and I guess any changes that happen for the whole week every two days, it's going to go in their records or something. It seems they haven't had any 18 year olds to play with. Probably because most guys my age are into getting out and having fun, not crammed in some tube 
then being poked after each day."

"Well I think you had better get a job again when your done like A.S.A.P. dad's ending his trip early by five days and unless you plan on moving out you better have a job. We may pay rent here but dad will kick you out if your not working or in school." Martin concluded.

"Ya I know."    Their father had both sons sign rental agreements for the family's other property, a small double bedroom apartment. Rent for the boys was dirt cheap at $500 a month for both to share as long as they kept decent jobs or were going to school full time.

"Hey Martin, do me a favor on my computer desk there's a notebook stuffed with papers. See if you can't give dad some of the information I collected on T.A.N. Corp."  Tanyar said. "It's got all my work for last month including the people I talked with about the study."

"I don't know what good that is gonna do, dad wants you to be a success to him that means work or school." Martin replied

"Well this is work, or it might be.  I might have to go to school for a couple of years but I could work here easy. Dad always told us volunteer work is pointless unless you have time to waist. At least this way I get to look around and get paid at the same time."    He pointed out.

Martin was grinning trying to stop a chuckle.    "Oh I'm gonna love smacking dad with that one, even if your not serious. Getting paid to check out a potential company to work for, that's priceless. He sent me to three office sites  I even got an application in or an interview telling me to look around and I never got paid for it." 

"Well," Tanyar said, "he sent me on one too, he said 'let them know your interested before you try for an application'."

"Oh Natty that's so perfect dad's gonna choke when I tell him."    Martin sat there grinning.

"Hey bro don't forget for this week please call me Tanyar, and stop calling me 'Little'!" Tanyar could tell there was something running though his brothers head like little Tanny. "And no Tanny either. This is important I'm supposed to learn the name so I can react to it easier later on, in the Dream."

"Okay no problem... Tanyar. So what is it like?" Martin asked.

"Well it's only day one most of it was tests I think they were meant to measure our linking ability or something, then it was all about how to manipulate the Dream." Tanyar had trouble explaining more than just the basics to his brother, "I think it would be much easier to show you than tell you." He concluded.

"Well some of us just can't quit and go trapezing off to dream land." The brothers grinned at each other over the joke. "Anyway it's late I need to get some  sleep." Martin finished. Tanyar thought about what sleep now could mean, wishing to convey how he really felt about what he had been though.

"Matty I didn't lose I only got the time wrong, if we can sometime, I'll show you everything." Tanyar told his brother.

"Okay nite Nath.. um Tanyar?" He nodded to the screen as his brother grabbed his mouse.

"Nite bro." Tanyar said he watched as his brother closed the chat box.    He did the same and leaned back in the chair. The voice beside him startled him so bad he nearly fell out of his seat and onto the ground.

"Hey... Oh sorry. I was just wondering if you're, like part of a study group here." Tanyar looked over the gentleman in a full dress suit sitting in front of the alcove next to him. 

Tanyar took his time before answering. "Yes." To bad personal didn't mean private.

"Oh. You just looked a little young, may I ask your name?" The suit continued.

"Tanyar."    He replied turning back towards the alcove trying to ignore the man.

"Tanyar? That is very unusual. My name is Bob.. Bob Riley pretty average right?" Tanyar looked back at Bob several things clicking at once. He obviously wasn't part of the dream project. Besides the name, there was the cloths. Easy loose fitting clothes were near to required as part of the test or at least comfort within the tank.   

Tanyar stood and rescanned the room paying attention to the attire this time. There was close to a third scattered here and there that he could easily dismiss from the Dream group and several he could figure were employees by the uniforms. Looking back to the movie/social area, those all fit the look he was now acquiring in his mind. 'Figures.' he thought to himself with just a few hours out of tank you might want a little more physical interaction, face to face as it were. 

"You looking for someone?" Bob asked as Tanyar sat back down.

"Nope just trying to figure out where I sit in the room." Tanyar stated with a little sarcasm. It was obviously enough because Bob finally turned back and started paying attention to his own computer.    Tanyar had deleted or spammed the rest of the emails and was trying to decide what to do next when he heard a set of swivel wheels rolling in behind him. 

As Tanyar began turning a female voice behind him said, "Well if it isn't the kid. How was your first day in the Dream?"

Tanyar frowned,  "Well if it isn't another old lady." The female who looked under thirty stopped. Ass a near five inches from resting in the seat and after a pause she stood back up.

"You know you won't go far being so rude." The female said.  Tanyar spun back around as Bob made a quick exit.

"I totally agree so many people in this place are so rude." Tanyar added with as much acid in his voice as he could, "Obviously some test subjects believe they are far better than other lowly or new subjects." He replied trying to think of something to do on the computer. He opened a new draft for an email and began typing 'My first day'.

As he began typing out what had happened after he first arrived several days ago, he wondered if the female would leave.    Adjusting his eyes so he could even see her shadowed shape in the reflection off the screen he kept typing. Tanyar kept going paying more attention to the time display in the corner than his document, waiting for it to count off another minute. 

Click 3:00 Tanyar spun in his chair, "Oh hello there is there something I can do for you on this wonderful very early morning."

"That would depend.  Do you mind talking?" She asked finally sitting down.

"As long as I'm not insulted by everyone who walks up." 

She watched him for several seconds before speaking, "You don't like being called a kid I take it."

"I don't like everyone calling me kid or baby including those who are only a few years older than me."    He said.

"Well you might have to get used to it nearly everyone I know is interested in you and yes they keep referring to you as "The Kid"." She put up both hands crooking the index and middle finger fingers on both to emphasize the point.

Tanyar sighed heavily, "Kid isn't as bad as baby, or Mr. Bob who just left wondering if I should even be here." 

"Well you'll just have to deal with it. By the way my name's Tinyrose." She introduced herself.

'Tinyrose?' Tanyar thought while saying, "Tanyar." and offering his hand.

She shook the hand and asked, "Can I see?"    He wasn't sure what she was talking about so she gave his chair a nudge pointing to the computer.     He turned back as Tinyrose squeezed in beside him closing the email and opening a icon off the desktop.    After two clicks a search box appeared and she typed down 'tanyar' when he nodded she hit enter.

His avatar picture was displayed on the left half of the screen while the right had a small synopsis of the days activities in the dream, along with the time in and out, at the bottom was a side note stating Medical. "Ya it's sad each batch they keep getting more and more simple. Wanna see me?" She asked.
Tanyar nodded and Tinyrose clicked on the search in the corner adding her own name and hit enter.

A slightly less basic antro appeared, blood red in color with a large tuft of fur below the neck, and ear tufts with long thin top hairs on each ear. "Not really flashy but I've really grown to like it." she told him.

Tanyar took control flipping through pages of logged activities and notes every so often looking back at Tinyrose herself.    She stopped him before he got back to her first week admonishing him not to try and cheat in some way.  Asking what she meant she explained the more grand plan. 

The testing lasted only a week but she had been here for almost a month. The tests were two fold, to check the system and to see if there were good candidates who would further help out the project. There were usually a few from each group that were asked to stay on the project as participants and she was one of those.

"That would be so awesome!" Tanyar interrupted her,  "Really, really awesome."

Tinyrose grinned at his enthusiasm,    "Listen just do your best don't ever treat it like a game that is the best advice you can get."

"I DON'T! I wouldn't. I did far to much research and careful planning to get here." He told her. She watched his excitement realizing "The Kid" was probably far more ready than anyone realized and much more so than the average subject. She checked the time and realized how little left she had.

"Listen, check my logs when ever your out and see if I am too. Do you know how to find someone here?" Tanyar shook his head. "Well I'll try to watch out for you but if you want to find me ask someone how to use the tracking system."    She stood up. "You can be a bit prickly and rude you know but I think your alright -kid- just kidding Tanyar. I'll see if I can't spread your name around instead. Bye." 

He watch Tinyrose till she had left the hall hoping he really had made a real friend before he turned back to the computer and tried various names Kalrena's first. The computer showed a pink anthro feline in a nice long buttoned down lab coat, with the short bio about her current projects and teams, TSG 8 was at the bottom.

Tanyar played with the search engine finally typing in 'Dream test, subjects' this gave him a list to scroll down, one on top of the next each with a picture name and latest tank times, highlighted near the bottom was  for those who were currently sleeping.    As Tanyar scrolled down he realize most were in there tanks. 

He paused here and there trying to memorize the more unique names or avatars before he decided to try a different way and scrolled back up to the top. In the search box typed 'Employee, Dream program' the screen went blank. Well not blank but a dull yellow color.   

Tanyar spent several moments tapping keys, the space bar, and the escape key, he was deciding on 
weather to flick the power button when the display came back with the same info as before. With a little frustrated grunt he typed employee dream again only to have it switch to a blank no results. He spent several minutes thinking typing and erasing before finally deciding on 'Dream project, list, all users' and hit enter.

The screen flipped back to solid yellow, as he decided to give up he realized there was a small loading circle in the middle.    Upon waiting what seemed like days, finally there came a full screen display with pictures and names in each box. Hovering over a box enlarged it so you could clearly see the picture and name.  Tanyar smiled with his success with this at least he could start memorizing avatars with names. With a quick glance down the list after counting five boxes across he scrolled counting as he went.    A quick estimation was that there were just over a hundred lines, a bit rough, but five hundred seemed like a decent nearly accurate number if he was trying to include everyone.  With that number he started a closer study; there were six blood reds including Tinyrose; twelve near solid blacks.
Tanyar was to involved in the screen to notice the person behind him till he received a solid tap on the shoulder and heard chair wheels move. "Don't you think that is more information than you need kid."    He suppressed the urge to want to turn and deck who ever was behind him. Although he couldn't concentrate now he kept slowly scrolling back to the top of the list, losing the stack of name and faces he had started at the bottom.

"Obviously you don't care as much about the project as I do." The last insult had gained him a possible friend and he was willing to see if it would work again. 

The hand that was placed on his shoulder was firm and heavy, "You can turn around and explain or I can just cut your access now." The hand gave a pull that began to spin Tanyar's chair and he didn't resist. The man sitting in the chair behind him was very gruff; stubble for a beard, thick arms, and a tank like middle but definitely not fat, he sat quietly staring at Tanyar.

He realized right away that flippant remarks were only going to make it worse as he asked, "Am I doing something wrong?"

"That depends on why your requesting information, is this a prank, personal, or are you just goofing off?" The man said ticking off each topic on a finger. 

Tanyar decided to treat him like his father when he was being unreasonable. "Are those the only options Sir, or can I offer an answer of my own." He kept his voice firm but polite.

The change was slow but the man definitely 'eased up' he crossed his arms leaning back more on the chair. "I would like to talk. So please answer the question as best you can."

Tanyar copied the move exactly crossing his arms and leaning back, "The short answer would only be that I am curious. The long answer is I'm trying to memorize names and faces even if I only get fifty or so it's a one in ten chance of knowing anyone I might meet in the dream."

"I see," the man slightly nodded, "and is there some point to that?"

Tanyar couldn't stop himself, "Oh! I don't know, maybe," and Tanyar spaced out each word, "I        hate     everyone     calling     me        KID!"  He glared at the man making sure that he was included as part of the problem.

"So you want their names to catch them off balance, or to cuss them out?" 

"I don't usually cuss."

"Very well then."  The male said pushing back the chair while standing, he offered his hand out and said, "My name's Hummer." 

Tanyar took the hand and answered, "Tanyar."  More pressure was applied and Tanyar's hand strength was rendered useless. Hummer had a perfect grip, tight enough to keep the hand immobile while not actually causing more than a little discomfort to Tanyar it felt like his hand was encased in concrete. 

"You caused a bit of a problem, had several people scrambling trying to decide if you were spying or something. Also they were trying to figure out how much information to actually offer you."  He stated before finally freeing the hand.

"Well I got exactly what I needed no tank times or bios, just a name and a face. Although a body might be better some faces are just so bland."

"Listen next time you might do better asking instead of random searches. There is a black circling question mark at the top of the icons. You can type any question there and get a fairly fast answer."    Hummer finished turning to leave. While walking off he added.    "Have a good time.... young one." Tanyar didn't bother to respond or watch him leave, it was going to be an uphill climb no matter what he did.

He spent more than two hours studying the register that had been updated a few minutes after Hummer had left. It now had been split in to three sections: teachers, workers, testers, also there were now seven pictures across in a row each box being longer and narrower. They now showed a top half of a picture with the name overlaid at the bottom. Each box still enlarging when he hovered over it giving a much better look at the avatar. 

He was finally interrupted again by a pop up dialog box stating he had a half an hour before he was to report to the cafeteria.    At the bottom there was a countdown timer saying time left to tank and the display was reading just under ninety minutes left.  Tanyar worked to try to close the box and failed it didn't come up under the programs either. Wondering why it persisted he decided to see exactly how close he was being watched. With his hand above his head he waved it and then gave a thumbs up sign and watched as a little 'x' button appear to close the dialog box. 

"Figures."  He muttered to himself.  Sadly had long since lost the stack he was working on and decided to call it quits. Tanyar closed his eyes and leaned back in the chair names and pictures were slowly swarming though his head.   He sat gently rocking back and forth trying to get everything settle. It was probably close to ten minutes before he was able to allow his brain to wander and listen to the now busier background noise.  Sitting back up he closed out all the programs still open before wondering if he should leave.

Looking at the black '?' he decided to click on it. A box opened up stating 'What is your question?' in the open field Tanyar typed out 'Thank you very much.' 

The reply was instant. 'You are most welcome Tanyar. Enjoy your day in the dream.' He smiled as the box closed itself, who ever answered had been very nice. He was tempted to open the box again and repeat the thank you but instead got up and headed to the cafeteria. He was ready so start his second day and hopefully even more prepared than yesterday.

The cafeteria was busy. It seemed like nearly every table and chair was occupied except two long tables with benches against one wall. The fact they were mainly empty and he recognized three of the five sitting there he assumed that was where he was supposed to go. He ran though the line with a tray grabbing a sandwich and fruit instead of all the breakfasty stuff. He could still see several people that watched him as he crossed the room and sat down at the end of the second table but it seemed that in the bustle of the morning crowd he blended in a little better.

"Good I'm glad some people do not need to be told where to go." A female voice came from down the table. He stopped sandwich in hand, half way to his mouth, to stare at the speaker. Standing between the tables was a young woman maybe 25 in loose fitting outfit of shirt and shorts both with T.A.N. Corp logo and blended the companies brown and silver colors. 

"Kalrena?" Tanyar asked and he received a nod. He ate slowly watching his instructor as she waved, greeted, or called drawing her group to her asking them to sit at the tables. 

"Alright that's everybody but one I will be back in just a moment to brief you for the day." She told them before walking away. Talk was quite as the food was eaten at the cramped tables. There were ten people squeezed at each table with a man on the far end from Tanyar sitting in a chair. 

"So what do you think we have to do today?"    The question hung over Tanyar's table the voice had been male but he wasn't sure who spoke.

"Probably more of the same weird tests and things."    The middle aged lady replied who was sitting at the far end of the bench at the other table.    Tanyar had strained to hear her quiet response.

"Do you really want to know?" Tanyar asked loud enough to reach both tables causing nearly everybody to stop eating and look over at him.

"Oh yea the little baby know what's next, wouldn't that be a surprise." One of the four males sitting with Tanyar spoke rather snidely.

"V-12 right?"    He asked receiving a nod. Tanyar remembered him talking about cars before they had been tanked the previous day. "V-12 light gray pattern almost white. If you paid half as much attention to yesterday as you do with cars you would already know what today holds.     And no it won't be more tests nor will it be more learning although there might be some." As Tanyar wiped his hands off on a napkin he continued, "There are several options and things that we might do today but I assure you it won't be sitting down."

"Well that's so helpful."  V-12 remarked nearly spewing sarcasm.

"Actually that should be quite helpful." Kalrena surprise the whole group with her quick reappearance. 
"Here is the last one so we can begin." She waved and the bodies shuffled down the bench to make room for Freena who had just arrived. "So Tanyar care to put the knowledge you have been studying to work?"  She asked gesturing to the group. He was looking a little lost so she added, "Name the group."

"Oh." Tanyar stood looking up and down the table. He wasn't really ready yet but he did want to try to impress Kalrena.

"Just start down the line, if he gets your name wrong just tell him." She added to everyone else.

"I can start across right?"    He asked and received a nod from Kalrena. "Velva at the corner then Pathona, ' then comes Chopper and V-12, ' umm Crios."

"Wrong" the man said.

"Skip then for now, next is Freena and at the next table is Jolty,  and Malty, then it is Vash?" Tanyar question and received a nod. "Pass for the next so at the end is Miros?" nod again,  "Then there's Alross on the seat and Fried,"

"Wrong" the older man spoke, likely the second to oldest of the group.

Tanyar noticed a smirk from the man sitting across the table, the one he had just passed before and he felt he had nailed the last few. "Okay going back, Starbit is the gentleman I first passed at my table, then Fried the second pass sitting next to Vash, the older gentleman on the end is Crios, then Studly , Sun is next, Criton. That leaves Mantoo and Bigleg I'll guess Mantoo is on that table, then the first here is Diamond , then Bigleg, I know the next is Laery, and last next to me is Windier."

"Excellent!" Kalrena stated, "You will be the leader of the first team today, and Sun you will lead the second team today. I believe since the tables are even you are now each split in to two teams."

"Wait a minute." V-12 tried to stand, Starbit had to grab his arm preventing him from toppling backwards. "Why do I have to follow him?"

"It seems you have some problem V-12 care to tell me what it is?" Kalrena suggested.

"Ya we're supposed to be testing stuff and shown how this works, not following some kid around." 

"Jolty," Kalrena said, "do you mind changing?"

Jolty the next youngest tester in the group after Tanyar, and who looked to be at least 23 or 24 nodded. "It's fine with me."

"Good choice," Kalrena said, "I would gladly follow a leader who did his homework before coming to T.A.N. Corp. Especially one who spent the last few hours studying on, not just his group, but everyone who he might meet in the Dream." The whole group was now watching Tanyar who felt uncomfortable enough to start blushing. "He has been far busier than the rest of you even though he is a young adult, he shows much promise."

Tanyar caught Kalrena's wording and suddenly felt ecstatic if he shows promise maybe he would be asked to stay on. "So..," Tanyar swallowed, "Is today a game day then?"

"In part, I want everyone to finish up we have less than fifty minutes to get you all in and we still have several tank rearrangements to complete." Kalrena stopped placing a hand on Freena's shoulder, "Are you ready for today?"  The young lady glanced back and gave a short nod.  "Then,"  Kalrena addressed everyone else, "is everyone ready for the second day, no back-outs?" 

The group looked at each other across the tables. Tanyar who was still standing grabbed his tray and headed to the garbage can. "I'm ready!" and with that he left the cafeteria heading back down the blue line towards his next session in the Dream.

Chapter 2: Learning a few tricks

Tanyar was wondering if this too wasn't some kind of twisted test. The tank rearrangement had him set closer to the door but between Sun and V-12. "Don't expect us to go easy on you." Sun said from his left while they waited for the last checks to be made.

"Nope we're gonna crush ya kid." V-12 told Tanyar. He bit his tongue and laid down, later he could show them every bit of their stupidity for thinking age played any part in the Dream.

"All tanks green. Everyone please lay down." A voice called from overhead, "Please remember you may press the button for help if you don't feel like you're going to fall asleep within five minutes." the voiced finished as the lids began slowly closing over the group. 

T.A.N. Corp believed in the most natural options. A light sleeping agent was introduced to the tanks air supply which helped to relax a person and help them to fall sleep. If the subject could not fall asleep in five minutes then a heavier dose was given. Following that the person would have the option of taking and injection or wait a few hours and try later. Once the subject was asleep it was up to the computers and programs to catch and link the minds in to the network. 

Tanyar was breathing easier as soon as the tank shut clearing his mind and mentally relaxing his body. He had practiced for weeks and now it seemed easy as he felt his self shift. He opened his eyes as his avatar had just stepped out on to a wide enclosed field. Tanyar looked around as he walked to the center of the field where Kalrena was waiting just as several other members began to appear as they were linked in.

He was closely studying Kalrena's face before he said, "I didn't notice the tattoo thing before."
Kalrena's hand touched her right cheek to the rounded asterisk shape, "It's a gift from a friend." Tanyar took a step back as more avatars began closing in, "Alright everyone we will wait a few more minutes for the last ones, but first I would like to welcome you all to the indoor arena. This is just outside the administration area so you will get your first taste of what it is like outside of the Southern Cross's rules." The final two Alross and Windier approached as she finished.

"So we begin." Kalrena clapped her hands then spread them wide and a white line bisected the field into two halves. Then hillocks, large rocks and huge boulders, and various sized bushes and scrubs began growing from the ground. All of this happened as most of the Dreamers huddled together watching in awe at what seemed to be creation taking shape.

"Today's game is capture the flag. The rules are fairly simple get the flag and bring it back past the half way mark. First Rule, a flag can not be moved by its own team color, where it falls is where it lays. Two, if an apposing team touches you with in their boundary you must stop, you are captured, if you have the flag drop it. Now if you capture someone you have the choice to escort them back over the center line or let them go. You escort someone by holding their hand or arm and leading them. The captured is not allowed to break contact or try to escape. So Tanyar blue on that side," Kalrena pointed, "and Sun, red team this side." Instantly each person had corresponding colored bracelet bands on each wrist.

Tanyar stepped quickly as his team moved to their side of the field, he could already feel the extra bounce to his step as he did a small jump. True rules here would be much different and that wasn't game rules. Speed, reaction time, even laws of physics would be altered and bent according to the will of the dreamer. Finally now on his side Tanyar jogged ahead and behind a huge bush trying to jump towards the ceiling. He cleared an easy five feet off the ground jumping just higher than his own avatars head. On the way down he glanced over the bush wondering if anyone saw him, but his team was starting to group together and talk.

"So are you going to lead?" Starbit asked as he rejoined the team, Tanyar looked over his ten team mates and wondered if they understood yet what being outside the admin rules meant. This was there first time outside of the cross shaped building and there first experience at truly being a part of the Dream.

"There is nothing to lead, it's a game have fun. I only ask you to listen for two things, either all protect the flag, or all go for the flag." Tanyar told his group. Sure they could plan all they wanted to but in the end this was going to be about who learned the rules first.

"So then no plan of attack, no set defense." Chopper asked, "I though you would want to win."

"Oh, I am going to win. You all need to forget about everything you know and remember this is a dream, and my dream says I WIN!" Tanyar told Chopper. 

He might have said more but there was a referee whistle which echoed from several small black orbs hovering over the field quickly followed by Kalrena's voice "Game begins now good luck!"

"This is going to be so much fun." Tanyar told them as he trotted off.

He could hear Chopper behind him, "Bigleg you and her go guard the flag."

Hearing a noise Tanyar jumped around a bush catching Mantoo by surprise. "Come on back to the line." Tanyar said grabbing the others shoulder. It was barely fifteen steps to the line where he gave Mantoo a nudge in one direction while he bolted straight across in another. Tanyar could see two bodies move to intercept so he charged up a small hill and leaped with everything he had at the top. He cleared over thirty feet before crashing in to some small brush rolling his body to make it though the vegetation. It took less than a second for Tanyar to scramble up and back on his feet and he was off running again. 

You could be hurt and feel pain in the dream, but at the same time you could make your skin tougher, bones stronger, and body faster. This was the Dream. Tanyar grinned shrugging off the light pain from bruising that his mind felt and quickly healed.

He was close to the flag now, it should be in the center towards the back he thought. Tanyar almost ran straight past the clearing sliding to a halt seeing Vash and Criton both a few steps from the flag. Tanyar backed slowly away as Vash advanced. Vash a simple orange cat like himself stepped forward ready for a feint and dash. Tanyar continued stepping back till he could sense, almost feel something behind him. He quickly dropped any though of what it might be like to have a real tail as his opponent leaped forward hoping to catch him against the obstacle behind. 'To slow.' Tanyar thought throwing himself at the ground and rolling back up on three legs launching himself forward to the flag. A few steps and he moved upright with grace that he felt his avatar should have. As Criton moved and reached out Tanyar dropped back onto all fours easily scampering across the ground avoiding Criton's arm while reaching out to snag the flag for himself.

A horn sounded as Tanyar fled running flat out back to the center line of the field. With exhilaration and extra exertion Tanyar forgot that he wasn't really gasping for air and that he should be easily able to dodge the obstacles he was now trying to frantically evade in his mad dash forward to victory. Tanyar made it more than half way back before he was tackled from the side making his two pursuers try to stop only ending up in a pile on top. 

I took a minute before he was upright again Vash holding his arm. Sun strolled up and taking his other arm said, "I got him. This way." she spoke giving him a hard jerk.

Tanyar took a deep breath and screamed out surprising those around him, "The flag is here, BLUE Team everyone go for the flag, hurry all Blue team here." Sun was trying unsuccessfully to cover his mouth to silence him before nearly yanking him off his feet forcing him back to the middle of the field. Tanyar's plan was already working before she had gotten him ten steps Loory and Freena stepped out in front of them. 

"Hurry everybody they can only capture one person each." Both women were swiftly captured but it was apparent that too many of the blue team were appearing for the few defenders present. Sun was furious as she marched him in front of her almost shoving as Tanyar dragged his feet trying to find out what was happening behind him. "Go Diamond hurry." He pointed trying to urge the gray haired across the line that was a few steps away.

"No need." she replied pointing. Windier had burst from behind a bush and was sprinting past not five feet from where he was being pushed. Twin alarms sounded one a horn signaling the blue flag had been captured, the second a loud gong.

"Blue wins. Everyone return to their own sides." Kalrena's voice echoed from the multiple black orbs. 
Tanyar grinned at Sun, "I win this one." She glared as she gave him a shove strong enough to send him tumbling across the line.

"Red Team this way." She called out stalking off in to her territory.

"Are you okay?" Diamond asked watching Tanyar as he took several steps trying to avoid falling and working to recover his balance.

Tanyar noticed a larger silver orb dart over Diamond's head circling around the pair, "Just fine." he stated absently as he watch the orb zip across the field following the path Sun had taken.

('")

"Well?" Kalrena asked watching from a vantage point above and to one side of the field.

"He shows great potential." The first orb near her ear said.

"Indeed." A second echoed from the other side. "Two days, how has he learned so much?"

Kalrena answered. "It is simple he knows it is a dream. He is deliberately pushing the Avatar to what he thinks is possible."

"He did very well till he got the flag." The second voice, a rather quiet and soft noise, stated. "With a little work he could jump beyond his group."

"He already well beyond this group."  Kalrena told them.  "He spoke with other testers in the program before coming here. I got a notice from Tinyrose earlier recommending we keep him after the test. When have you ever heard of a participant recommending a testee especially after just meeting them?" 
Kalrena curled her hand and raised it up. "Both teams get ready, the second game starts now."

Back on the field Kalrena's voice stopped and a whistle sounded again. Blue team was still celebrating
and quickly broke apart.  Tanyar called out, "Remember this is about numbers. All we have to do is have more to either protect or to get the flag."  He turned sprinting off to the center line as he finished.

Most of red team was waiting there so Tanyar ran a tangent till he reached a bush covering the line and ran across just before it. "Get HIM!" a shout echoed off to his side.

Tanyar ran dodging here and there looking for a suitable vantage point deciding the rock ahead would do. He launched himself up the side of the rock and jumped out when he reached the top. He spun around to look behind him, three avatars were close no more than five feet behind already moving to dodge the rock. Then a sudden movement behind him caught his eye as he started to spin back forward. 

For a second it seemed as if a small section of scenery jumped forward and Tanyar saw the avatar perfectly, dark yellow and small spikes on his head, Jolty! Tanyar nearly laughed out loud as he landed. Jolty was running behind the group driving deep and unchallenged on to the red side. 

Tanyar changed his plans and angled towards the corner of the arena drawing the three opponents after him. Three to one left more of his team free and he hoped Jolty could take full advantage of that. He quickly realized he was running out of room as the wall approached no more than a stones throw away. 
Tanyar ran straight up to the wall skidding to a stop placing his hands against the stone as the red team sprinted forward closing in. He pushed off the back wall and began running parallel to it as his opponents drew closer. "We got him!" The shout came from behind as a twenty foot plus boulder growing out of the wall and ground ahead of him blocked the way. 

The yellow cat didn't even pause angling himself to run up the wall. Three paces up he could feel gravity dragging at him as he pushed off with his feet. He placed his hands out in front of him, and nearing the top of the boulder moved to cartwheel over the summit of the stone and a second later was stumbling his way down the other side.

"Cheater!" he heard the scream from the other side as Tanyar worked his way back to where the flag should be, still moving fast. The horn sounded seconds before he ran into the clearing.  He was able to catch a blur of dark yellow disappearing in to the bushes on the far side. Tanyar deliberately crashed though a bush making noise on the outside of the clearing to be sure that others could hear him before running parallel to the center line to the far wall. 

"Over here!" the shout sounded behind him. Tanyar huddled down in a large bush near the wall listening and waiting for those who pursued him to get closer. 

Sun's voice shouted from midway. "Everyone on Red go for the flag!" Tanyar stood while he heard her shouting and worked to ruin her plan. 

"That's right run off you'll never reach the flag before I get back to the center line." Tanyar strode boldly forward as Mantoo reached out and grabbed his arm.

"Drop the flag."  He told Tanyar as Malty ran up to grab his other arm.

He looked at Mantoo first then Malty, "I don't have it. I'm just a decoy, so you can let me go or escort me back." Tanyar listened as the gong sounded, "Never mind. Good game though." Tanyar said shaking off their help.

"Blue team wins all players back to the center of the field please." Kalrena voice echoed from above. Looking up Tanyar noticed several silver globes running back and forth across the field. He knew there had been one following him since the second game had started and wanted to know what they were. No one he had spoken with had mentioned something like that.

('")

"You know," the soft voice said near Kalrena's ear, "we can try to give him the acceleration test we do at the end."

"Do you think he would pass?" the male voice asked.

"Very likely." Kalrena told the pair as she made her way back on to the field. "Sheriah will you please see to that, test him tomorrow."

"Wait what is he doing now?" The male voice said. Kalrena said nothing while she walked on to the field. The blue team was still cheering at Jolty who had snatched the flag had made it all the way back without being caught.

"He is accessing the outside system, looks like....  he's linked with ARENS."  Sheriah said.

Calling out Kalrena asked, "Tanyar, what are you doing with that tablet?" Everyone stopped looking over at the cat as he lowered his arms, mentally canceling the program as he dropped the tablet and it vanished.

"He was cheating." Studly called out, "Mantoo says he jumped over twenty feet. He can't do that."  There were several more grumbles from the red team and silence from the blue.

"Tanyar please tell me what you were doing accessing the outside system." Kalrena asked again.

"I was asking a question." Tanyar answered, "And I didn't cheat!"

"Oh, I know you did not cheat. There is no way you could have." / "But what about..." Kalrena held a hand up stopping Suns question. She made a complicated motion calling up a tablet choosing several options before raising it and reading. "Question, There are several silver orbs on the playing arena I am in. What are they?"

"I was only curious." Tanyar tried to defend himself.

Kalrena let the tablet vanish, "Curiosity is fine Tanyar I am glad you noticed them. I just not happy with the fact you would ask the system instead of me. I hope each of you will come to me with any problems, any questions, anything personal or general, you should be asking me first." She stared at Tanyar who felt some what ashamed, he could easily have waited a few minutes to ask his instructor.

"I'm sorry. Its just that there have been several following me." Tanyar said softly.

"Kalrena,"  The male voice said from the orb, "you don't have to be mean. He looks like you just kicked him in the pants."

"You should be careful as well, he seems a little to eager to please you." Sheriah added.

"Mmmhhh." Kalrena mumbled to both voices only she could hear. "Very well Tanyar. I expect any more questions to come to me okay?" Tanyar nodded his head.

"But wait." Criton said stepping closer to Kalrena, "What are those silver balls?"

"They are cameras in a sense, we call them vidballs, they allow people outside the dream to watch what is going on." Kalrena finished. The group looked at each other digesting that tidbit. 

"Moving on we have a new game." Kalrena manipulated the field riding it of obstacles and allowing a lush short green turf to spread out from its center, goal posts grew at each end and soon a soccer field was formed. "Alright same teams anyone need instructions or rules?" Kalrena asked.

"I'm not good at sports." Miros stated.

"Don't worry we can take 'em." V-12 quickly put in.

Kalrena immediately stepped in making sure no arguments were started. "I am going to give you all a tip. Since many of you do not seem to realize this yet." Kalrena moved her hands in a circle crafting a soccer ball, "Studly hands up!"  Kalrena ordered launching the ball towards his chest. Reacting quickly Studly raised his hands to catch the ball only to have it move through his hands and slap against his chest.

"What?.."  Studly stared at his hands, "The hell?"

"It is simple," Kalrena stated, "you can not cheat. If you try to use your hands the ball just passes through, unless you are declared the goalie." She walked forward picking up the ball. "This is the Dream!" As she tossed the ball high it blew up like a firework with a flash of light and sparkles. "So today's tip, remember your body is in a sleep tank.  The you that is here has nothing to do with your body or how good you are at sports." Tanyar on impulse rushed forward leaping up and vaulting over Kalrena somersaulting over her head. He landed on the soft turf doing two elegant bows to each side when he finished.

"Show off!" Mantoo jeered while V-12 was just grumbling.

"Exactly! Showing off or maybe it should be called a demonstration for some of you. I could have had you in a gym room tieing weights to your ankles and having you running laps with hurtles, or doing the high jump to get your mind to try and work right. But we found people prefer a few games and some friendly competition. So blue this side red that side, you have one minute to choose your goalie and then the game will begin." Kalrena waved to each side before leaving the field. 

Blue team moved towards Tanyar, "So who wants to be the goalie?" he asked. After a short discussion Chopper chose the roll and trotted back to the goal while the team split up and Tanyar called out,    "Just have fun."

('")

"You know your not supposed to be helping the group out like that." the male voice spoke at Kalrena.

"Bolt quiet. There was nothing I could do. Tanyar is not cheating, he is just to far ahead of the rest." Kalrena replied.

"I agree." Sheriah stated, "Although we may have to terminate the groups test data if this alters it to much."

"Great a whole wasted week not to mention all the preparation." Bolt complained.

"You would both be stupid not to recognize what he means to T.A.N. Corp. Not just the dream project but medically as well, not to mention he wants a job here." Kalrena informed the two.

"He what?" Sheriah said surprised: while Bolt's reply was, "Really?"

"Yes he told his brother this morning that he was interested and would even go to school for a job here although, I would rather train him in house." Kalrena said.

"That would almost make it worth losing the group." Bolt replied. Kalrena motioned and a ball dropped on to the field center circle and with a little flick the whistle sounded. Not the best way to start a game but it would do she thought.

('")

The game played on for more than two hour with no breaks or pauses, several goals were scored for each team. Especially in the beginning before the goalies were warmed up to the task. Nearly every player improved in agility and more importantly in marksmanship. Even though several only made slight contact with the ball, the force of will put out behind each nudge, bump, or tap, had the ball flying off in the direction that the user wished. 

There were also several odd leaps, rolls, twists, and odd floating dives, but most were concentrating more on playing the game than trying to perform some cool stunt. Tanyar was often favored when people were passing but since he felt he was attracting to much attention, he more often passed back than tried to break out for a goal shot.  Even though he did not exert himself there were several others who did and had unexpected moments.  Jolty at one point had become near blur like, shifting forward on the field blocking a pass, only to end up on the turf when he tried to slow down. Each time a player made an unusual move or a physics defying motion most of the silver orbs overhead would race to the spot trying to catch the action.

"What, is most of the staff and participants watching?" Bolt asked.

"Likely some of those are linked back here to the dream." Sheriah said, "You know several.."

"Have we seen enough?" Kalrena interrupted sounding irritated. "Yes." both answered in unison. Kalrena stared back to the field sounding a gong ending the game. Red team immediately started cheering being four goals ahead as the whole group gravitated back to the center. "I want a request put in to limit the number of scopes during training sessions these orbs are far to distracting." Kalrena stated as she walked on to the field. 

"Alright," she called out to the dreamers, "did everyone have fun?" There were a few more cheers from the reds and some good natured jibes from both sides.

"Its been a good morning right Sun?" Tanyar said.

"Mostly." Was her swift answer.

"Is there some problem Sun?" Kalrena asked.

"Well yes I would like to have chosen a different name especially if everyone is just going to call me Sun." She said to the instructor.

"Very well you prefer SunandSky?" Sun nodded to Kalrena. "Alright I will change it now.  Just like that." Kalrena said after a second looking at SunandSky.

Sun smiled like she had just won some big prize, "Now everyone has to call me Sun and Sky!" She told the group.

"Is there anyone else with a problem, name, avatar, anything?" Searching though the dreamers and receiving only silence Kalrena continued. "Next is going to be a small challenge. Each of you  to pay attention. In a moment you will set out from here and make you way to the administration building. Once there you will head to the south hall and go into the Gamma Lecture room, this is the same one we were in yesterday. For now though I want you to split up in to groups. We need six groups so that will be four or three in a group." 

Several people had already moved to Tanyar's side before Kalrena stepped forward pulling two away leaving a group of four: Freena, Diamond, Vash, and Tanyar. With a bit of shuffling and a few nudges from Kalrena there were six groups; four 4's and two 3's. 

"Now there are six exits." she pointed showing the now six glowing doors spaced out on one wall. "Each group will move together, there will be some obstacles, there will also be some help. Hopefully you can all make it to the hall without needing someone to go back and show you the way." Kalrena looked over the group one last time. "You may start when your ready.  There is no time limit, but I will not wait around all day for just one group to show up." 

Tanyar headed out to the farthest door his group following behind meanwhile Studly, V-12, and Mantoo were racing across the grass to reach the closest door. Most of the groups were still deciding which door to choose when V-12 closed the door behind himself. There was a loud locking sound as the door stopped glowing. 

"One group per door." Kalrena said leaving the field to the opposite side. Tanyar opened the door and allowed everyone through. Looking up at the four silver orbs still following him he quickly moved through and slammed the door leaving them behind. Tanyar shook his head seeing the long hallway already had three orbs floating against the ceiling.

"So what do we do now?" Freena asked. 

Vash was starting to gesture wildly disgusted at the lack of results,  "There is no map."

"Likely they shut it off." Tanyar said. "This is supposed to be a challenge." the group headed off down the dim brown walled hall following Tanyar. After some two hundred yards the group came to a 'Y' intersection having the option of going right or left.

"Which way?" Diamond asked. "Right would lead back towards the others."  She pointed out.

Vash looked down both halls, "So then the question would be do they want us back with the others or not. I say left otherwise they wouldn't have let us split up."

"Once again I'll say it doesn't matter, this is a dream, taking every right won't lead you in a circle. Mean while choosing right then left may end us back to the start." Vash glared at Tanyar wanting to argue and Tanyar almost sensed something turned to face him, "I agree with you, we should go left. I was only trying to say logical thinking may not help but, I think your right."  He gave a flourish with his hands implying the other should take the lead. 

They had moved down the hall, taken a corner, and had moved a short way before Freena called out. "Wait there's a door here.  Should we open it?" The door in question seemed odd and barely noticeable. It was nothing more than just a seam in the wall and a small nub sticking out where a handle should be.

"Well now I see why Kalrena said pay attention. Go ahead and open it Freena." Diamond told her. Freena grabbed the small nub and pulled dragging the door open a few inches before her hand slipped. Vash stepped up to help grabbing the door and together the pair slowly hauled the door back far enough to look inside.

"Well there we go." Vash said looking in to the new brighter metal walled hall.

As he stepped in Tanyar stopped him, "Wait, Freena you noticed the door do you think we should go this way?" he said.

"I don't know." Freena replied quietly. Vash stood in the new hall looking like he wanted to tap his foot and say 'let's hurry up'.

Diamond placed a hand on Freena's shoulder. "I believe Tanyar has the right idea who ever finds the path should choose which way we go." Freena looked at Vash then the others nodding and stepping forward.

"Okay, but next time you need to choose for yourself." Tanyar gave her a light nudge from behind.
Freena stopped halfway though the door looking back at Tanyar, "I did. This feels right." They spent the next while walking down the shinny bright hall checking doors which lead to empty rooms. They chose two turns and after backtrack from their first dead end the took the other path and turned a corner and saw two avatars standing at the next junction. One was blood red, the other light tan with large over sized blue eyes.

"Well didn't I end up lucky." Tinyrose called to the group waving.

Diamond who was currently leading spoke as the group approached, "Are you part of this test?"
"Definitely." The tan spoke.

Tanyar stepped forward hand extended to Tinyrose, "Everyone this is Tinyrose and the other, sorry I'm not sure, I don't recognize the eyes."

Tinyrose chuckled, "The eyes should give it away this is Occulus." Occulus blinked several times drawing attention to himself but ignoring Tanyar's out stretched hand.

"Business lady Rose." he spoke shortly. 

"Right sorry." She answered. Stepping closer to Occulus both placed there arms behind their backs and stood up straight as rods.

"Some kind of test." Freena spoke out.

Diamond stepped forward facing the two, 'obstacle or help' she muttered. "You." she pointed to the tan avatar, "which way should we go?"

"<That way." Occulus pointed off to the left. Diamond turned to the group nodding, she took a few steps forward down the hall before she heard Tanyar speak behind her.

"Tinyrose what is the fastest way to the admin building?" He asked.

She paused for a moment before contradicting her partner pointing to the right "That way.>"

"Is this one of those, one of you tells the truth one of you lies things." Tanyar asked. "NO!" both Occulus and Tinyrose stated together. 

Vash had to stop ask for clarification. "So wait this is the fastest way?" He started down the right side. Tanyar watched Tinyrose frown with a little head shake as the other moved down the corridor.

"Vash stop!" Tanyar shouted down the hall. He turned back to Tinyrose, "Is it dangerous down..."

"Yes!" She blurted out before he finished his question.

Diamond had moved back down standing next to Tanyar. "So let me get this straight, we should go that way.<" she said pointing left, "but that way> is faster, and dangerous?" The pair both answered yes to her question. While the rest of the group discussed which way to go Tanyar felt he needed to experiment. Using the same motions Kalrena used earlier on the field Tanyar concentrated on a soccer ball, he tried several times with no success. 'Maybe a bouncy ball' Tanyar though maybe something smaller might be easier. He cupped his hands together rolling back and forth concentrating, still nothing. Freena who had been adamant on going left was now ignoring Vash and Diamond who were still arguing over speed vs. danger.

"Tanyar what are you doing?" She asked him.

"I was trying to create a ball or a superball." Tanyar answered.

Occulus chuckled, " You noob you can't make anything here without first understanding what you're creating. You don't even know what rubber is do you. Everyone's all excited about you and you still don't know much."

Tanyar had a slight but profound mental break though. He understood steel, his father had taught him when he was a kid. Both he and Martin knew how it was mined, refined, smelted, even the best temperatures for different materials. Tanyar placed his hands back together imagining a two inch steel bearing, a round ball of steel, he could remember the weight, and the feel... suddenly he felt it. Opening his hands grinning, he bounced the metal in his palm. Tinyrose gasped at the ball he now played with while Occulus was stunned large eyes open full and mouth stuck in a elongated oval. 

Tanyar took two steps in to the hall and threw the bearing down the hall. A foot from where Vash had stood before several arcs of electricity stabbed at the steel while it sailed past. 'PING' 'Ping' 'ping' 'pink' Everyone watched as the ball bounced a few times before rolling to a stop against the wall.

"I think we should head the other way." Tanyar stated.

"Agreed." Diamond replied, "That makes it your lead."

They turned to walk away when Occulus grabbed Tanyar's arm, "How the hell did you do that!" He demanded.

Tanyar pulled his arm and body away, "You just taught me." Occulus took another step forward ready to demand answers when Tinyrose stopped him. 

"Occulus, we both had a job and I think we both failed let them go." The group moved on as Tanyar took the lead only now there were six silver orbs floating and darting around the group.

"Tanyar what did you do?" Diamond complained as an orb zipped past her head making her jerk back to avoid it.

"Something I wasn't supposed to be able to do yet I guess. I'm not sure. But I'm going to try and stop this." Tanyar waved a hand at the orbs as he summoned a tablet and leaned against the wall. He address the note to Kalrena and requested help. The reply came a minute later.

*Kalrena: What is the problem?
*Tanyar: Orbs, gangs of them it's more than annoying. (Watching Freena duck) We are being dived 
bombed here.
*Kalrena: Continue with the exercise, do your best.

Tanyar let the tablet vanish, "Let's get out of here." he started a brisk walk yanking open two doors as he passed and continuing on to a dead end. "Someone else want to give it a shot?" He asked.

"There was a door in the room back there." Freena spoke she led the way back to the first door on the right. Tanyar noticed along the way back that all but one orb popped and disappeared. The group walked through the door and into the room looking around. There was not one, but two black doors along the side wall. Freena took a moment to choose before walking forward opening the first door. The blur of movement was to fast to catch but whatever happened caused Freena to fly back to the middle of the room clutching her stomach screaming. 

"This is not the way!" the orange and cream avatar shouted out slamming the door shut. 

There was only one avatar in the entire system with the long rabbit like ears that Tanyar had seen, a worker named, "Neworleans." Tanyar screamed launching himself at the door, yanking it open.

Tanyar blocked the first two jabs and dodged the next two punches, side stepping to avoid a kick. Growling the cat stood in the doorway as the rabbit ears stepped back a pace and assumed what Tanyar could only guess was a fighting stance.

"This is not the way!" Neworleans repeated. Tanyar glanced over his shoulder at Freena now curled on the floor Diamond kneeling over her trying to find out what was wrong. 

Tanyar knew she couldn't really be hurt there was no damage suggesting it, but that didn't mean he would allow this person to get away with out paying for it. "Back up and close the door this is not the way." Neworleans spoke again.

Tanyar needed a weapon he realized, 'steel' he concentrated forming a pole between his hands. Quickly his hands were jerked down as the forming pole clanked on the floor.    Too heavy he thought and altered his minds picture choosing a long thin hollow pole. The steel was already adjusting as Tanyar stepped forward it was still heavy but he would just have to be stronger. 

Neworleans was just barely able to get over the shock of what he was seeing to be able to put up a defense only the blur Tanyar had become made it hard. Neworleans spun accepting the blows to his arm and side which came in rapid succession. The blow to his leg however unbalanced him enough to drop him to all fours. Neworleans quickly jumped back scrambling to his feet and rushing forward.

Tanyar watching Neworleans fall planted the pole in the floor firmly with both mind and body then he took a step back then with all the will he could muster, grabbed the pole and launched himself feet first against his opponent connecting deeply into his chest. 

Neworleans flew a full seven feet before slamming in to a wall denting it before dropping to the floor. Tanyar pulled his feet under him and stood up yanking the pole from the floor and with a great heave threw the pole down the hall. The pole bounced against the floor with a clang before landing on the defeated avatars leg. He stepped back in to the room and slammed the door with all his might and was just a little irritated when it only closed.

Diamond had Freena sitting up still clutching her middle and moaning, "What did he do to her?" She looked at Tanyar hoping for help.

"Nothing." Tanyar told her.

"No no no no my baby." Freena mumbled at them. 'her baby?' Tanyar thought? 

She had another medical yesterday just like him and then this morning before the tank Kalrena had to go get her. Tanyar knelt down before her and shocked the whole group as he slapped her face hard.
"Tanyar! What.." Diamond started. 

"SHUT UP!" Tanyar roared at her grabbing Freena's shoulders shaking her some. "Did I just slap you?" he asked the stunned light peach colored dog, "Did I?" he repeated shaking her lightly. 

Freena's head bobbed as her mouth hung open. "NO I did not!" Tanyar told her firmly, "You are not even here!"  Tanyar switched speaking in a very soft comforting tone.  "Your body and your baby are safe back in your tank."  He raised a finger and Freena flinched as he moved his hand poking her in the forehead. "That is the only place you can be hurt, and only if you allow it." He took Freena's hand as he stood up hauling her to her feet. Next he made a point of dusting off her shoulders. "See no worse for the wear, right?"

Freena stood upright and shivered for a moment, Diamond stepped in behind her and gave her a hug.
"Group hug." she called to the two men glaring at them daring them to try to argue. Tanyar stepped up and after a few second Vash joined as well. "You're alright." Diamond continued. As the two men stepped back she gave one final squeeze before letting go.

"Your lead." Tanyar spoke. Freena stepped back eyes wide shaking her head. "Okay I'll lead but, you still have to tell us if you think we are doing the right thing or not." he told her.

Vash stepped back up to the first door. "We should make him apologize!"

"NO!" Tanyar shouted, "He is just an obstacle and I already beat the crap out of him, let him be."

"Really?" Vash asked.

"Well I think after smacking him with a metal pole then sending him flying in to a wall. He should have learned his lesson." Tanyar grinned at Freena as she smiled back weakly.

"Men only truly know violence." Diamond told him, "Open the door and let's get out of here."

('")

Ten minutes later had Diamond open a door out in to a well lit and much more familiar hallway. Several avatars were moving in different directions and several were going in and out of doors along the hall. 

With a bit of confusion and finally accessing a now working map that showed the cross building that was the administration center. Tanyar's group entered the Gamma Lecture Hall, the third group out of the six to arrive back. SunandStar group had made it back first, a point she had to make sure was known before they had even finished entering the in to the room.

Tanyar suddenly felt horrible for what he did when he heard Kalrena's voice tell them to find a seat.
He walked towards his instructor wondering if he was actually feeling his ears press back against his head or if it was just his imagination.

Kalrena looked at Tanyar as he approached and spoke, "I am sorry."

She waited before answering, "Sorry for what?" Tanyar struggled for words before Kalrena held up her hand and said, "Wait, Sheriah link up a video and put it on the screen here." Kalrena stepped away and faced the wall across from the seats. The door opened again and she called out, "Take a seat." with out even bothering to see who had entered.

A group of three men sitting at a table appeared on the screen. "Kalrena we can not allow anyone to go around beating up on someone. Such violence would only be allow in one place." The center male said.
"I will say this one more time. No one was supposed to harm a test subject EVER! We are here to make sure that never happens. Bolt now please." A short clip taken from a over view angle showed Freena opening a door only to fly back seconds later landing several feet away screaming. The clip centered solely on Freena as she wailed and curled in to a ball crying out. The scene faded as Diamond tried rolling Freena on to her back cradling her. "Gentlemen," Kalrena said as they reappeared, "any action taken because of that." Kalrena paused taking a deep breath, "I will not allow you to discipline anyone who took action after seeing that." The gentlemen looked at one another.

"You can't just wipe this away, rules were broken." The center man spoke again.

"No there were no rules broken." Kalrena informed them, "This being a test group is not held to any of the Dream's rules except what is set forth in the challenge. The group is meant to try to work past each segment as it is given. They were attacked, a logical solution might be action. In fact in the past several fights have broken out in test groups and nothing but a reprimand was given." Kalrena stopped having seen the man on the right wave his hand.

"None of them took a pole and attacked someone." The suited man stated.

"Exactly!" Kalrena replied, "I will not allow you to punish someone for surpassing the system. If anything he should be praised for being able to react and defend himself. This challenge posted help and obstacles, whom ever instructed Neworleans to actually physically attack the testers is entirely at fault. Unless you have a good reason or can some how convince me that he acted beyond what could be expected from a tester, then I will not allow any action against Tanyar."

Sheriah's quiet voice echoed in the room, "Neworleans is whining because of his own punishment. He has been banned from working with any test group and had his tank privileges revoked for the month. When he found out he decided, on his own, to involve the board in the matter that had already been decided."

"I don't like this." The center man said, "Make sure your little star isn't going to go breaking more rules or we will remove him from the program."

"Yes Sir." Kalrena said while turning back to the group. She waved to the bodies that stood by the door where the last of the test subjects had entered but been unwilling to interrupt. "Now," Kalrena said facing Tanyar, "What are you sorry about Tanyar?"

He thought trying to come up with a good answer. "Sorry for causing trouble."

Kalrena looked at the young yellow cat. "You are too impulsive. You call me about vidballs but when one of your group seems injured you forget to call."  Kalrena glance to Diamond and Vash before looking back to Tanyar and sighing, "I will say it again, if you have  tell me. You do not need to try to handle it yourself."

"What happened?" Tanyar wasn't sure who spoke but he was able to place several 'ya's' that followed, "What did he do?" Alross asked standing up.

"Well we only have a little time left." Kalrena concentrated on Freena, "Is it alright to let them see what happened?"

"I don't mind." she answered quietly.

"Bolt on the screen please, no sound." The entire group watch this time as Freena was again knocked back and landed on the ground, "I had asked for only one vidball to a group, but there ended up being three." The picture split showing Freena on one half and a door opening on the other side. Tanyar stood there dodging several blurring fists and a kick. The view drew back so you could see both avatars squaring off before the screen split a third time. The new view showed an overhead above Tanyar looking towards Neworleans as the scene continued. 'How'd he do that' someone spoke as a sudden flurry of movement erupted coming to a conclusion a few seconds after it started Neworleans flying back in to the wall.

Kalrena waited allowing the scene to continue listening to a hiss and several muttering with a long drawn out 'oowwwch' when Tanyar slapped Freena. "That is enough Bolt." Kalrena stated as the group came together in a hug. "Tanyar I never heard you apologize for hitting her."

Tanyar walked up to the seats looking at Freena in the second row, "I'm sorry. I was only trying..."

"No excuses!" 

"Freena I am sorry for slapping you." Tanyar said.

Freena smiled, "I accept your apology."

"Good," Kalrena spoke, "Now I think we will end the day here. I know it is a little early, but there is a small amount of training outside the tank." With a motion Kalrena summoned the silver arch, "You will all need to stay in or beside your tank until the entire group is ready. Then you will be told where to go." 

Tanyar was the first through the arch slowly blinking his eyes open to the real world. Most of the applicants stayed prone while the lab coats began their leapfrog though the twenty two tanks. The static voice from the day before spoke overhead, "All participants will have a medical checkup after their meal. Please stay in the room till you are instructed where to go next." Tanyar went though the same check as the day before then stood next to his tank after the tech left.

V-12 looked over his tank, "How the hell did you make a staff?"

"It's a dream I though it up." Tanyar turned looking over Sunandsky's tank waiting for the techs to finish.

"Ok everyone if you will all come over here to the door." The group shuffled forward standing in front of a pair of T.A.N. Corp employees, dressed with the company's logo, one male one female. "Alright please follow us." The group was lead down the hall taking two turns before walking under a archway in to a large locker room. "You no longer have rooms in the dormitory. All of your clothes and items have been moved here, your names are on your locker."

"You touched are stuff!!"  Fried jumped forward searching for his locker opening it.

"Yes we had two employees one for the males one for the females." The woman explained. Fried quickly shoved clothes he pulled out of his duffel bag back in to the locker before slamming it shut with a sigh of relief.

"There is no reason to worry." the man stated, "The employees who moved your items are trustworthy and discrete. You have no need for a room now, these locker will act as your new base. There are changing room with showers here. Men on the left and ladies on the right." he said pointing.

"Tanyar please wait," the woman called out as he turned to stepped way, "we are not done. There are towels and toiletries in the showers but against the back wall are simple clothes with the T.A.N. Corp logos if you would like to wear them."  Waiting for the last instructions Tanyar altered course heading to the back wall instead of the shower. 

Cubbie holes full of shirts, pants, shorts, sweats even packages of single underwear with socks filled the wall from one side to the other. Tanyar checked the left side finding briefs and boxers on the bottom row. He snatched shorts, shirt, and underwear all in his size and headed to the first changing/shower combo. He showered and changed putting his clothes in a bag provided and passed them over along with the towel he used to the gentle man who was waiting by the entrance.

"Tanyar right?" he said writing down the name on the bag as Tanyar nodded, "I'll have these cleaned and put back into your locker." He walked down the hall smiling in his new light brown clothes with the T.A.N. Corp logo on the back, at least now people wouldn't wonder if he was meant to be here. 

Today it took Tanyar under and hour to eat and run through some simple tests in the medical wing. He stopped at the first computer, a private enclosed Kiosk just inside the main complex, and checked up on his emails. There was a long notice from his brother explaining how well or nearly poor his fathers reactions were. Martin informed his brother that sleeping was not satisfactory work according to their father but, making money to investigate a job was 'brilliant' and that there would be a long discussion when he arrived back home. Martin ended the email with "Best of luck Tanyar." Showing his support to his younger brother.

Tanyar finished his emails and opened the question mark menu asking for yesterdays list of dreamers which swiftly returned to the screen. He had made several passes rechecking some names and trying to learn a few new ones. After four passes he remembered about Tinyrose and wondered if she was out. 
Tanyar closed the list and checked the dream project search engine, Tinyrose was currently out of the Dream. Tanyar went back to the black question mark typing out, 'How do I find Tinyrose.' again just a few seconds a reply was posted. 'Tinyrose is currently in the cafeteria.'  Tanyar checked the clock and saw it was just a little after one am. He closed all the programs and headed to the cafeteria hurrying as he figured Tinyrose was likely to be heading to the Dream if she was eating.

('")

"Kalrena I need a moment." Diamond said to the group sitting at one of the long bench tables in the cafeteria. Kalrena and several staff members sat at the table with Freena while Fried stood at the end looking very upset. 

"Just a moment Diamond. Fried you have all your belonging Marcus here told you everything he did. The fact that there are items you wanted to be private is not an issue." She told him.

Still upset Fried said, "I just don't see how you can grab my stuff and move it!"

Kalrena finally made her decision when she nodded towards the end of the table, "Fried please go with Rase and Beander they will write up a report and I will speak with you when I finish here." With any luck she hoped she wouldn't have to see him again. Kalrena took a large bite out of a bread roll on her plate and took a long sip of water. "Very well Diamond what can I do for you?"

"I have to leave." Diamond stated bluntly.

"I can not authorize you to leave while your in the study group." Kalrena told her.

"I know, I'm quitting." 

"I am sorry to hear that will you have a seat? Is there some way to change your mind." Kalrena asked the older woman waving her to a seat.

"No, I need to leave as soon as I can. It's a three hour drive and I want to be back before my great granddaughter wakes up. She was told by a friend that if you sleep to long it means you're dead. Now she is convinced that I died. She only just turned six and her mother passed a few months ago. The message said she was crying all night." Diamond explained.

"That is awful of course we will get someone to get your things immediately but it is still early, or late, however you wish to view it. Can we offer you a meal or anything to help you out?" Kalrena asked.

Diamond stood considering while Kalrena made another offer, "If you can wait and hour or so and give us a short verbal experience log I can have the full weeks pay ready for when you leave. There is also a daycare center here for some of the study groups and employees we can find a new toy to take home with you as well." Kalrena finished.

Diamond nodded, "Thank you. I am sorry for not finishing the test but my family comes first."

"Sheriah?" Kalrena spoke. 

"All ready done." The slight small female across from Kalrena said, "Leah is in accounting she will handle it and I'll help collect her things and take the log."  She said standing helping Diamond stand and walking off with her.

"Well that just about ruins our group that's what four down now. What eighteen left?" A heavy male voice said.

"Bolt," Kalrena paused, "just drop it." She said to the thin male who looked twice her age.

"I'm going to go lay down I still don't feel well." Freena stated climbing over the bench.

"What ever decision you make Freena is fine. As I told you we will have an emergency out program set up for you. If you feel the need to leave the Dream for any reason you will have that option." Kalrena said watching Freena nod. Kalrena watch her all the way to the door before her attention was drawn to the young male who entered as she left. "When it rains it really pours." Kalrena muttered rapping on the table twice to get everyones attention before she pointed to the entrance.

Tanyar nodded to Freena as she passed, but wrapped up in her own thoughts she hadn't even noticed whom she had passed. Tanyar scanned the room hoping to pick out Tinyrose, as he guess who she was she turned around to look at him. Tanyar smiled and started raising his hand only to stop. The whole table had turned to stare at him. Tanyar was worried unsure what was going on especially when Kalrena stood up at the end of the table waiting for him to approach.

He slowly made his way across the room as most of the people turned back to eat or talk. When he was a few feet away from Kalrena she spoke, "Is there something I can do for you Tanyar?"

Wondering if maybe he should apologize for interrupting the group, and feeling like he was causing more problems for his instructor he started in. "I was wondering." ~ "Yes?" Kalrena prompted when he stopped. "It's nothing I'll just try later." Tanyar said stepping back.

"You did not come all the way here for nothing Tanyar. Do you need something or not?" Kalrena asked. Tanyar shook his head in response.

"Then why did you come here?" One of the tables occupants blurted out.

Tanyar glanced at Tinyrose who was eating, "It's nothing," he said turning to leave.

The look was not lost to Kalrena. "Tinyrose, do you have some free time?"

"Yep." She said grinning as she tossed the fork on to the tray and picked up her napkins. "I'll show him around." Tanyar mumble a good bye and followed after Tinyrose.

"What was that about?" Bolt asked.

"Nothing. He did not even realize the rest of us were here when he came. Tinyrose can show him around and introduce him to some more people." Kalrena sat back down addressing a man sitting by himself at a round table just a bit away, "Radder, you can test him tomorrow.  Make it a little difficult after you finish the regular testing. I would like it if you could make sure there is no doubt that he should be moved to be a participant." 

Kalrena watched as he signed with his hands with several gestures,  "Be creative."  She told him, "I doubt you can scare him or stop him.  Just make it a little more difficult." Kalrena watched as Radder grinned a evil little smirk. After tomorrow Kalrena thought Tanyar would either prove himself or be left in a rapidly deteriorating test group that was going to be labeled a failure.