Microfic :: External Device Connected (Patreon)

"So why are you here?"

She rests back into her sleek, leather chair on the opposing side of her desk. Her office is minimalist to a tee - even the plants seem to lack definition. White walls, floors, ceiling, with noticeably no windows. Her suit matches too in its simplicity, the only detail being the logo of a purple hexagon that's been gradually becoming distinctively familiar.

"I… it's going to sound really silly."

"Try me. People don't tend to walk into the lobbies of ominous corporations and ask to be recruited. That's subverting process. So either you're here for a reason, which you will tell me, or you're just wasting my time. Which is it?"

Her expression and tone remain at a constant indifference. It'd be considered robotic if her industry didn't view it as peak professionalism.

"Okay, okay, I'll tell you… I've been having these dreams… well, they started out as dreams. They've been gradually creeping into my day to day, until they're all I can think about. I know this sounds ridiculous, but it's becoming all I can think about and it's consuming me and they lead me here! These dreams, these fantasies, they lead me to some corporation I didn't even know existed!"

She stares forwards as she listens, her calm persona not even the slightest bit disturbed.

"Continue."

"Uh… you're not going to call me ridiculous or say I'm wasting your time?"

"I said continue."

"W-well… this fantasy ends up being really strange. I come here and… and a wire is placed into a port on the back of my neck. Multiple wires in fact. I'm plugged into some kind of machine and I can feel it, I can really feel the jolt of electricity as it interfaces with my mind. Then suddenly, I'm getting sucked out. My consciousness is pulled out backwards through the cables, like I'm being turned into pure data and downloaded. It's… it's exhilarating."

The vivid recollection of the fantasy is pleasurable in of itself.

"Haah… then, when I'm just data, completely removed from my body, I'm placed into a tiny USB drive. I'm aware of this, aware I'm being added to a keychain or a necklace or even shoved into a desk draw. This is all I can think about. I need it so badly. And every time… that hexagonal logo is stamped on it. It's burned into my mind and I can't get it out!! Do you understand?"

Silence. She sits there for a good few moments, letting all she's heard sink in. When she finally speaks, it's like her words are treading on your brain and squishing it underfoot.

"Let me tell you some things that might bring you more clarity. First, let me explain that what you've described back to me is HexCorp Ad Campaign Scenario #17. We've been running a whole series of different ads via images and video with various fantasies subliminally implanted in. We've been testing to see which ones have the strongest impact, currently Scenario #17 has been performing exceptionally well.

"Secondly, this isn't really my office as you might have assumed. This is a brainwashing chamber specifically built to amplify any of the scenarios that might have been embedded. Typically we see them completely overwhelm the subject until there is nothing left. You probably didn't even question the fact that you don't have a name, an identity. None of that matters to you now. Only the fantasy remains.

"And finally…" She reaches into her desk draw and pulls out a USB drive with that perfect hexagon upon it, placing it down upon the desk. "We are currently looking for new recruits. So, would you like to become HexCorp property and be reduced to something as small and insignificant as a flash drive? If so, just sit back and relax. Don't bother leaving. We'll take care of the rest."

The world is spinning, but at the center is the USB stick. Such a terrifying concept, especially when made real… but it's too late. The fantasy has already dripped too far into reality. There would be no standing up from that chair no matter how much effort was exerted. Glued to it, mesmerised by the tiny object on the desk… barely even noticing as the cables from behind plug in and the jolt into nothingness is felt.