Omni-Corp Home Network

Please enter LOGIN:

UserAnon: ******/********

Welcome, Mr. Stone. Please select voice input / video output mode by saying 'voice', or continue to use keyboard for text mode. Please note that current network traffic levels may result in reduced quality or service interruptions in voice-control / video mode. Select interface mode now.

Zstone: *TEXT, damn it.*

You have selected text interface. Additional input not recognized.

Please choose from one of the following categories. You may choose at any time:

1. National Interface

2. Home Maintenance

3. Communications

4. Options

ZStone: *1.*

NATIONAL INTERFACE

The National Interface, powered by INTELCOM®, serves as a direct link to the National Information Grid. While active, information may be viewed at any installed monitor throughout your home. You may disable this feature from the options menu at any time.

By using this feature, you acknowledge that any and all information obtained herein is subject to approval by the United States Bureau of Media Censorship, and therefore wave any rights of litigation you deem necessary from harms associated with, but not limited to: defamation, slander, shock and offense.

By proceeding, you acknowledge that you understand and accept these terms.

ZStone: *International News.*

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

1. "Al-Qaeda's latest attack cripples Allied Military Power."

2. "'We stand with our brothers against all Imperialists,' says Kim Jong-Il"

3. "Allies prepare for war while France remains indifferent."

4. "North Korea fires on Allied forces at DMZ."

5. "Evangelists declare Judgment Day; Indulgence sales hit record high."

ZStone: *1.*

"Al-Qaeda's latest attack cripples Allied military power."

ANTARCTICA - The Allies took a heavy blow to their military strength after an Al-Qaeda suicide attack left the Global Defense Force's headquarters in ruins.

The GDF counts its casualties at 500,000, though it is unknown how many Al-Qaeda members were involved in the attack.

"The casualties were catastrophic. Many lives were lost and I fear many more will suffer because of what's happened here today," US President Hitlin said in his speech Thursday.

Al-Qaeda was succeeded by Hamin bin Laden, one of Osama Bin Laden's nineteen sons. It is unknown whether or not Osama bin Laden is still alive. Recent speculation suggests that North Korea funded the terrorist cell in an effort to strengthen Axis power.

A National Information Grid employee was executed upon an attempt to question North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Il.

Re-

INCOMING MESSAGE FROM, "TheWifey." Switch to COMMUNICATIONS, Text mode?

ZStone: *Yes.*

TheWifey: You're up awful early.

ZStone: Couldn't sleep.

TheWifey: Something on your mind?

ZStone: Do we really need to talk about it on here?

TheWifey: It's not like you talk about anything in person, anyway.

ZStone: That's not true.

TheWifey: Yeah, ok. Anyway... I've decided that you can keep the house.

ZStone: You're joking.

TheWifey: No, I've thought a lot about it. After talking with Janice and my mother, I think it'll be good for the kids to be back home.

ZStone: You want to move back to Montana? Oh, that's just great, Clara. And when am I supposed to see the kids?

TheWifey: There's an invention called an Airplane.

ZStone: Yeah, there you go again. Who cares that I have a job and can't take time off to fly to God damn Montana every time I want to take my kids to a movie?

TheWifey: You see, that's just your problem, Zeke. Nothing is good enough unless it's convenient for you. That's why you're in this situation to begin with.

ZStone: No, I'm in this situation because my wife decided to take a shit on me.

TheWifey: You're in this situation because you never cared. And only now that reality is catching up to you do you decide to play the role of father. But it's too late for that.

ZStone: What the hell do you expect me to do? I have a lot of work. You don't seem to be complaining much when it buys you a new Coach bag every month.

TheWifey: No, the truth is you're bored with your life and you blame me and the kids for it. You should've thought about that before you decided to get married.

ZStone: Whatever.

TheWifey: Look, you can be miserable and depressed all you want, but if you think I'm going to sit around and let you pull our children into it, you've got another thing coming to you. Do you know what the kids asked me the other day? They asked me when their dad stopped loving them. What am I supposed to do Zeke? Tell me. Please.

ZStone: Maybe you should try to save your marriage.

TheWifey: No, I'm finished with it all. We're moving to Montana. If you really are the father you say you are, then you'll do whatever's necessary to see your children. They are your children, after all. I'm done talking about it.

ZStone: Hey, did you catch the news?

TheWifey: I‘ve got enough of my own problems.

ZStone: Well, I don't think you should move to Montana right now. It's not safe to split up.

TheWifey: Oh Christ, Zeke. Goodbye.

"TheWifey" has logged off. To resume previous activities, please reselect.

ZStone: *International News.*

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

1. "Allied forces too small to aid South Korea."

2. "Al-Qaeda's latest attack cripples Allied Military Power."

3. "'We stand with our brothers against all Imperialists,' says Kim Jong-Il"

4. "Allies prepare for war while France remains indifferent."

5. "North Korea fires on Allied forces at DMZ.

ZStone: *1.*

"Allied forces too small to aid South Korea."

SOUTH KOREA - The GDF is unable to aid South Korea due to a crippling attack on their base late Thursday.

North Korea used hidden tunnels underneath the DMZ to infiltrate South Korea, sources say. North Korea's attack breaks the armistice between the two countries.

The invasion began as an attempt for Kim Jong-Il to secure highly potent surpluses of plutonium, and to settle an age-long conflict between the two nations that began during the last world war.

As tensions between nations built over the ethical issues involved with drilling into the oil reserves of Anwar, it was North Korea that stood as a strong opponent to the United States, which planned to distribute the oil to its allies only.

The Axis is comprised of North Korean, Japanese, and several Middle Eastern militia.

INCOMING MESSAGE FROM, "PeRfEcTChI1D". Switching to COMMUNICATIONS, text mode, per your Preferences.

PeRfEcTChI1D: daddy can i borrow 100 dollars?

ZStone: What for?

PeRfEcTChI1D: my friends and i want to get pizza after my Hover Ball game today

ZStone: Ask your mother.

PeRfEcTChI1D: pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeassssssssssssseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee :,-(

ZStone: Fine.

PeRfEcTChI1D: yay!!!

PeRfEcTChI1D has logged off. Resuming previous activities per your Preferences.

BREAKING NEWS:

"Japanese and Middle-Eastern forces attack UK; Axis exploits weakened Allied military."

Type "READ" to continue.

ZStone: *Email, "TheWifey."*

EMAIL

TO: TheWifey

FROM: ZStone

SUBJECT: Listen....

Clara,

Sorry I'm saying this in email, but I hate fighting with you. Why don't I see if I can't get transferred to Montana and we can all move together? We can start all over again.

It's not the kids Clara. It's not even you. There's just so much that I wanted to accomplish and I failed. But it had everything to do with you and the kids. I just wanted so much for you guys, and I'm angry at myself. Not any of you.

Ther-

EMERGENCY ALERT. REDIRECTING.....

EMERGENCY ALERT

The President has issued a CODE RED and instructs citizens to prepare for Air-Drill Procedures.

Several Eastern US cities have come under heavy contention. You are encouraged to activate emergency security features through the "Home Maintenance" option.

ZStone: *Audio Message, HOME:* Guys, are you watching the news?!

ZStone: *Security.*

SECURITY

Welcome, Mr. Stone. Please select from one of the following categories:

1. Cameras

2. Locks

3. Defense

4. Fire

5. Noxious Gas

ZStone: *Cameras, Exterior.*

ERROR: FIRE DAMAGE. CAMERAS UNAVAILABLE.

ZStone: *Fire.*

FIRE

Welcome, Mr. Stone. Here is the status of Fire Exposure to your home:

.....EXTERIOR: FIRE DAMAGE IN FRONT LAWN (A), FRONT LAWN (B), REAR YARD (A), MAIN STREET.

.....EXTERIOR: EXPLOSIVE DAMAGE, SIDE (D)

STATUS: ONGOING.

Emergency Fire Procedures have been automatically activated to prevent interior exposure. You are advised to contact the Fire Department immediately.

INCOMING MESSAGE FROM, "TheWifey"

TheWifey: Oh God, Zeke!

ZStone: Clara, get the kids to their rooms. I'm going to activate the barricades.

TheWifey: Zeke. I love you.

ZStone: Clara, now!

"TheWifey" has logged off.

ZStone: *Emergency Services.*

EMERGENCY SERVICES

Welcome, Mr. Stone. Please enter your message:

ZStone: Help!

We are sorry - All Emergency Services are currently unavailable. Please try again.

ZStone: Please help.

We are sorry - All Emergency Services are currently unavailable. Please try again.

ZStone: Home under attack. Is anyone still alive?

ERROR: COMMUNICATION GRID DAMAGE. LANDLINES UNAVAILABLE.

SECURITY ALERT: YOU ARE NOW BEING AUTOMATICALLY REDIRECTED.

SECURITY STATUS:

Your home is under attack. Automatic barricade and defense has been implemented. You may adjust these at any time from the SECURITY sub-menu.

Here is the status of damage to your home:

.....EXTERIOR: FRONT DOOR

.....INTERIOR: CHILD BEDROOM (A), FIRE AND MUNITION DAMAGE. (1) OCCUPANT DECEASED.

.....INTERIOR: CHILD BEDROOM (B), HEAVY EXPLOSIVE DAMAGE. (1) OCCUPANT DECEASED.

.....INTERIOR: MASTER BEDROOM INTRUDED. STRUCTUAL DAMAGE TO

DOOR (A), BATHROOM (A), BED (A). (1) OCCUPANT DECEASED.

ZStone: *Message, "PeRfEcTChI1D:"* Lacey! Answer me. Lacey!

ZStone: *Message, "TheWifey:"* Clara! Clara, baby, answer me. CLARA!

ALERT: ATTEMPTED BREACH OF OFFICE PERIMETER! COMMENCING EMERGENCY LOCKDOWN PROCEDURES.

SECURITY STATUS

Mr. Stone,

Intruders have been detected in your home and wish to compromise OFFICE. As Omni-Corp Home Network is configured in OFFICE, automatic security features have been initiated in order to protect user.

Barricades and steel shutters have been activated. If you wish to implement lethal measures, please return to the security sub-menu.

By using lethal measures, you acknowledge that you are fully responsible for all fatalities, and remove Omni-Corp from liability.

EMERGENCY ALERT. REDIRECTING.....

UNITED STATES - The United States is currently being invaded by Axis forces. All citizens with adequate security networks are advised to implement full security features.

Those with military or police training are asked to aid militia and National Guard forces.

This is a NATIONAL EMERGENCY and you are ordered to seek shelter and barricade yourself immediately.

Zstone: *National news.*

NATIONAL

1. BREAKING NEWS: "Nuclear threat imminent as South Korea falls."

2. BREAKING NEWS: "Axis forces storm East Coast. Manhattan occupied."

3. "United States to intercept Axis forces in London."

4. "Al-Qaeda's latest video promises a new world order with Kim Jong-Il at helm."

5. "President Hitlin prepares Home Security for possible invasion."

ZStone: *1.*

"Nuclear threat imminent as South Korea falls."

WASHINGTON - The President has issued a Shelter In-Place Warning as North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Il acquired vast amounts of plutonium after an invasion of South

Korea.

"There is no doubt Kim Jong-Il will use these weapons. We ask that all citizens seek immediate shelter," says President Hitlin in an emergency press release Friday.

The country has expressed concerns since North Korea fired at Allied forces in the DMZ. An Al-Qaeda video was released later in the evening showing Hamid bin Laden.

The video ensures that "Nuclear fire shall rain on America for a week, and a new world order will rise from the ashes of the fallen empire."

EMERGENCY ALERT

UNITED STATES - Long-Range radars have detected objects matching profiles of "cruise missiles" steadily approaching the Eastern Border.

All citizens are advised to immediately seek out their nearest bomb shelter.

SECURITY COMPROMISED

ZStone: *Message, "TheWifey:"* Clara. I'm so sorry for everything. I'm so sorry....

SECURITY STATUS

1:30 PM: Omni-Corp has administered a SYSTEM OVERRIDE. You are hereby advised to cease all Home Network use and seek fortification immediately.

3:35 PM: Unidentified Objects have been detected in LOCAL NETWORK VICINITY. Please implement emergency protocol as outlined in the "Bomb Shelter" sub-menu.

4:00 PM: RADIATION EMISSION has been detected. Initiating Radioactive Emission Protocols.

4:15 PM: Mr. Stone, you have been idle for (30) minutes. Do you wish to log off?

4:30 PM: Mr. Stone, you have been idle for (45) minutes. Automatic logoff initiated for your protection.

Thank you for choosing Omni-Corp Home Network: Always There For You and Yours.

THE END

Bio: Joseph T. Christopher describes himself simply as "a new writer eager to break into science fiction."... preferably before the world ends.

E-mail: Joseph T. Christopher

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