Chapter Fourteen - Mesh

    Chapter Fourteen - Mesh

    The Mesh is a world onto itself, with communities and markets and entire micro-civilisations all packed into one somewhat united world running on code so complex and convoluted that no one human could do more than scratch the surface of it.

    Its not just the internet but more; its a whole new world, where with enough dedication, effort, and creativity, you can become someone entirely new.

    --Anonymous, 2045

    ***

    Alright, Daniel said Whats the address you need to head over to?

    I spun around a few times, doing figure-eights beneath Daniels huge squid body to get used to the motions of my strange cat-body... avatar thing. I was pretty sure I was completely messing up the terminology, and I was also pretty sure I didnt care.

    Myalis has it, I said. Myalis?

    Sending. You know, I do believe I could set a waypoint and guide you there myself.

    And would you be able to guide me without stopping by every virtual veterinarian shop along the way? I asked. Nope, I dont trust you.

    Oh, how awful it is that a Vanguard can no longer trust her AI. Would petting you restore your confidence? Perhaps some digital catnip?

    Now youre just fucking with me, I said while glaring out ahead.

    Daniel spun around, legs twisting about behind him like, well, like a squid. You know, talking to yourself like that? Not all that great when it comes down to making you look sane.

    Im talking to my dumb AI, I said. Did you get the address?

    Yeah, I got an email for it, he said. Its in nyan speak though.

    My eyes narrowed. Whats nyan-speak?

    The squid wiggled, and Daniel started to laugh. Nah, just fucking with you.

    That was a good one. Do compliment Daniel for the joke, and thank him for the idea.

    I sighed a kitty sigh and sat down. For all that I was complaining about the avatar, it was still pretty neat, in an existential-crisis sort of way. I imagined that Lucy would very much approve of me being in this form.

    Right, I said. Float a bit lower, I need to get on you.

    Daniel dipped down a bit, his... head part coming closer to the ground.

    I bunched my legs under me, then jumped majestically about half a foot off the ground before flopping onto my stomach.

    Could you do that again? It was amusing.

    I got back onto all fours, then bounced on the spot a few times. Okay, I can do that, but why cant I jump? Im a damned cat.

    You can, actually. Youre just really bad at controlling yourself.

    Daniel was shaking, and I suspected the bastard was laughing at me. My second attempt at jumping was far better. I made it to Daniels head before finding no purchase on his metal skin and falling backwards and landing on my ass.

    He was outright laughing aloud by the time I tried a third time and made it on top of him. Stop laughing and tell me how to hang on, I said.

    Just hang on as best you can, Daniel said.

    Your feet can stick to things. Physics dont matter entirely in a digital world.

    I tried to raise an eyebrow at that, but all that happened was that the whisker-y things above one eye wiggled. Right, I said. A bit of fiddling with my feet did have them sticking to the top of Daniels body, so that was nice. That works. Okay Daniel, youre my valiant tentacle robot steed for the evening.

    I might have to tell Lucy that, he said. And please dont call me by my name. Its bad netiquette to use real names.

    You have a stupid name, dont you? I asked.

    Better than Stray Cat, he said.

    I shrugged. Alright, fair enough. What is it?

    404_Legs_Not_Found.

    I looked down at Daniel, then snorted. You idiot.

    He chuckled, tentacles wiggling for a moment. I thought it was clever. You know, apropos.

    Get moving, Legs. Weve wasted enough time here.

    ***