When Yuli arrived at the meeting, she found the room populated with young faces—interns and lower-level employees who did not yet have a demanding, rewarding Initiative career. Yuli had spent half a decade working toward such a career, and made frustratingly little progress. Maybe the others here felt equally disillusioned.

She instantly spotted Mira in the front row. Sitting near the back of the room was Mavis Richa, an intern in the software division who once attempted to ask Yuli out on a date. He waved to her as she walked in. When Mira glanced over and noticed Yuli, she seemed surprised. Did she think Yuli wouldn’t want to interrupt her perfect Initiative life to volunteer for something like the Colonists Program? A stab of resentment hit Yuli unexpectedly. Quickly, she shrugged it off, taking a seat near Mira and giving her an honest smile.

She was amazed that the presenters had taken time out of their busy schedules to offer this opportunity to the dozen or so college-age people in this room. Dr. Kova, head of the research division, stood beside Dr. Luzi, head of the software division. Setting up an eye-catching presentation was Dr. Arilus Kallo, the man in charge of designing many aspects of the Otherworld simulation. Yuli had worked on code used in the Otherworld simulation for the past five years, but she knew next to nothing about the enigmatic project. These people were important, by Initiative standards—perhaps by the standards of A-Corp as a whole. 

“Alright, let’s get started,” Dr. Kallo nodded. An intern dimmed the lights, making the graphics on the semi-transparent screen behind the important man stand out sharply. His pale hair looked blue in the soft glow. “So you want to learn more about the Colonists Program. I assume that’s why you’re here. If you’re here because you wanted to take an extra break, I insist that you leave this room right now.” He paused for a moment, then smiled crookedly. “Looks like we’re all here for the same reason. Wonderful.”

Yuli didn’t like Arilus Kallo much. He was another ‘favorite’ in the organization, and he wore that label with pride. Though he possessed a sort of charisma, Yuli found his delivery rather abrasive. Combined with his intimidating physique and intense approach to management, he seemed altogether aggressive. Yuli had worked twenty-hour days because of Arilus Kallo, and no matter how well she performed at the tasks assigned to her, he never spared her a word of praise or encouragement. 

“I assume most of you already know what the Colonists Program is, but if this is your first time hearing about it, I’ll go over it briefly. The Colonists Program was created by the esteemed scientists standing behind me. Its purpose is to test whether the Otherworld simulation is a viable place of residence for humanity. We’re looking for a team of competent people to participate in a series of trials that will take place in the Otherworld,” Dr. Kallo said. “Dr. Kova and Dr. Luzi are most qualified to explain this next part, so I’ll give the floor to them.”

A gray-haired man whom Yuli vaguely recognized stepped forward, followed by a black-haired woman Yuli knew well. “I know many of you have been wondering what the Otherworld simulation is,” the man—Dr. Kova—smiled good-naturedly. “It’s not like your typical VR immersion. We have created a legitimate digital planet, complete with its own AI civilizations. Now isn’t that something?” His eyes twinkled in an almost mischievous manner. “At this time, we’re looking for volunteers to take part in a little experiment called the Explicator’s Maze. Participants will report to the digitalization room a week from today and be transported into the Otherworld. Don’t worry—it won’t hurt a bit. In the Otherworld, you’ll be working alongside AIs to solve a series of puzzles and tests that take place in an intellectually stimulating maze. A powerful AI we’ve named ‘the Explicator’ will gather data on your actions and use it to improve the AIs you’re working with.” He paused for a moment, continuing to smile. “Any questions?”

“I have a question,” a man spoke up. His voice was very soft, and his demeanor seemed perpetually apologetic. Yuli noticed that he was older than most of the others interested in the program. “What do you mean by transportation into the Otherworld? You’re saying it isn’t like VR immersion?”

“No, Dr. Cielis, it isn’t,” Dr. Luzi spoke up. “A little over ten years ago, a reliable link between code and matter was made. We managed to develop a system for converting physical materials into a digital form. Now, human beings can be sent in and out of cyberspace at will. When we say you’ll be traveling to the Otherworld, we mean it in a literal sense.”

“That’s... not what I expected,” Dr. Cielis frowned slightly.

“I have a question too,” Mira said, tentatively raising her hand. “Um, would participation in this experiment count toward my degree?”

Dr. Kova answered briskly. “Yes, any experience like this is recognized by A-Corp universities as a sort of elective course. We can discuss requirements with your advisor after this meeting.”

“Nice,” she grinned.

“Uhh... when you say we’ll be working with AI, what kind of AI are you talking about?” another prospective Colonist piped up.

“Artificial mimicries of humans,” Dr. Luzi clarified. “The purpose of the Explicator’s Maze is to gather data on human psychology and synthesize it to produce accurate simulations of humans. Each will have a distinct, organic personality based on the data gathered.”

“Alright, that’s enough questions for now,” Arilus Kallo cut in, before Yuli could finish digesting this flood of shocking information. Conversion to a digital form? Direct transportation into a digital reality? AI designed to mimic humans based on a complex collection of observations? She could hardly wrap her mind around it.

“Though the Otherworld has been tested thoroughly and confirmed safe for human use, certain aspects of the maze might be a bit... distressing. We’re testing the full range of human reactions, after all. You might ask, ‘why should I participate in an experiment that may be distressing?’ Well, if you’re not motivated by the idea of experiencing the world of software firsthand and seeing all your hard work come to life around you, we’re offering a rather substantial sum of money to each volunteer,” Dr. Kallo announced. A new graphic appeared on the screen, and the audience’s eyes collectively went wide. “This is how much we’ll give to you—or a recipient of your choice—in exchange for your participation.”

“Wow,” Mira gasped, gripping the armrests of her seat tightly. “Can they really spare that much for each of us?!”

“Yes, we most certainly can,” Dr. Kova chuckled.

Yuli stared at the screen hungrily, checking again and again to make sure she was counting the correct number of zeroes. All she had to do was sign up for this experiment, and the money would be hers, to do with as she pleased.

Sofiya... she thought, suddenly finding it difficult to breathe. I can finally help you, the right way...

Yuli simply could not focus on the remainder of the presentation. She tuned back in just in time to hear Dr. Cielis ask, “So, how long will the experiment last?”

“One year,” Dr. Kova responded.

“Damn,” Mira muttered under her breath. Others seemed equally uncomfortable with the timeframe, casting wary glances at the presentation screen.

“You can rest assured that your current position at the Initiative will be reserved for you upon your return,” Dr. Kova reassured the small group, slowly shaking his head in amusement. “We wouldn’t ask you to volunteer for something that would interrupt your progress in this world.”

“Now, if you have any further questions, you can come talk to Dr. Kova and Luzi during the signup period. Those of you who want to participate in the program, come see me and get your name on the list,” Dr. Kallo announced. He pulled out his tablet and activated it, holding it out toward the group. Hesitantly, they began to leave their seats. A few headed for the door without looking back, but most stayed.

As the group converged at the front of the room, Yuli overheard Mira striking up a conversation. “So who’s going to do it?” she asked. “It sounds pretty interesting.”

“I’d like to,” Mavis said, scratching his head. “I could use the experience.”

“I’m not sure about this,” Dr. Cielis said softly. “As much as I’d love to see what I’ve accomplished come to life before my eyes... Forgive me for saying this, Drs., but I feel your presentation was a bit misleading. A person can’t just be converted into code and teleported into some cyber dimension, can they? The closest I can picture is the dematerialization of our physical bodies, followed by the creation of an identical digital copy in the Otherworld. There are all sorts of philosophical complications—”

“We’ve been perfectly straightforward during this presentation, Dr. Cielis,” Dr. Kallo said rather fiercely. “The Otherworld is not for everyone. If you don’t want to join, then don’t join. I can assure you, though, it’s perfectly safe, and no part of you will die on your journey in and out of the cyber realm. Hell, I’m going there myself – Clearly, there’s nothing to worry about.”

“Yes, Dr. Cielis, if you want to see your designs come to life, you should go,” Dr. Kova joined in. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

The man hesitated, then held his ID tag up to Dr. Kallo’s tablet. His name appeared on the surface of the screen, beneath Kallo’s own.

Mavis was the next to add his name, emboldened by Dr. Cielis’s decision.

Mira hesitated for a moment, then asked, “Uh, if I don’t sign up now but decide I want to later today, will I be able to, still? Or does it have to be now?”

Dr. Kallo gave her a rather judgmental glance, then said, “We’ll be accepting volunteers at any time. The deadline is twenty-four hours before the experiment begins.”

“Okay, good,” Mira nodded, then quickly left the room.

A shiver of anticipation filled Yuli as she stepped forward, unclipping her ID tag with trembling hands. She took a deep breath, then held her ID up to Arilus’s screen. The moment her name appeared on the list, her eyes welled up with tears.

Finally. Finally, I can save you.