Summary

The narrative describes a futuristic scenario where a new technology called FutureYou is being tested through a system known as CallWarp, which encounters a significant anomaly during its first use.

Abstract

In a setting where technology has advanced to allow for communication across time or dimensions, the CallWarp system is put to the test. The initial attempts to attract clients are met with silence until the first call comes through. During this call, the caller's identity changes, causing a system malfunction and a security breach. The incident leads to a realization among the Acolytes, the users of this technology, that they must pursue the mysterious caller outside the safety of their base, the Sanctuary. The author, Thomas Mullen, teases the reader with cryptic clues about the story's world, suggesting that appearances can be deceptive and that the truth may be more complex than it seems.

Opinions

The narrative implies skepticism about the reliability of new technology, as the CallWarp system is not functioning as expected.
There is a sense of urgency and concern among the Acolytes regarding the security and control of their technology.
The author seems to enjoy building intrigue and suspense, leaving the reader with more questions than answers.
The mention of dragons as "mere worms with an ego malfunction" suggests a world where common fantastical elements are reinterpreted in a unique way.
The author playfully acknowledges the complexity of the narrative, hinting at deeper layers of the story that are yet to be uncovered.

The Call Up

Can you be the best you can be? If not, try something new!

Static hissed down the line as they watched the screen fizz in black and white. FutureYou was a new technology, and the CallWarp had not been successfully tested.

The advertisements had been sent out via the usual channels, but there had been no callers as yet. Clients, by the very nature of the business, might be easy to identify but would be difficult to locate.

“I trust you have the ID field scanner up and running?”

It was running, but still far from a perfect system. Not all citizens were signed up to the database, and those remaining to be tracked down were not often left alive.

Audible tones sang through the silence as the first call arrived. The familiar flash of light on-screen. A hooded figure turned away from the screen. “Seven four three five six five eight niner.” The code flashed on-screen, and the image on screen distorted several times. Another long hiss as static dripped down the screen, obscuring the hooded figure, who appeared to be changing colour.

Numbers changed on several of the displays.

“We have lost him.”

“What do you mean? He is still on screen!”

The hooded figure remained through the flickering static, the dark brown cloak now a shimmering ruby.

“The ID field has changed. The caller is no longer who they were before.”

The image of the cloak stalled.

“Did you write them both down?”

“Of course not! They should be stored automatically!”

“Then access the database!”

Frantic tapping on screens.

“SECURITY ALERT. ACCESS DENIED. CLEARANCE BREACH ATTEMPTED.”

Silence as lightning ripped through veins.

“Are you? Oh. Oh no.”

The remaining Acolytes rushed to disconnect their fallen brother.

“You all understand what this means, don’t you? We have to find him. It also means that we cannot do it from the Sanctuary.”

Thomas Mullen is a reformed Abraham Lincoln impersonator (and recent science fiction author impersonator) participating in short fiction guerilla warfare.

A clue as to the world: Dragons are often mere worms with an ego malfunction. Give us a call if you want to share information.

Come now, you didn’t think I’d make it that easy, did you?