are inefficient,” she replied. “Many ascenders regularly control software more effectively without them.”

I looked at the bizarre room, a space surrounded by monitors and colors, all designed to excite the senses and springboard newly-registered ascenders into their hearts desire, especially if their heart’s desire could be found among their paid advertisers. It was the same way at ZephyrTek. It would probably have been the same at any hosting site. I realized that I’d been in and out of PaciTek’s greeting so quickly that I couldn’t remember what it looked like.

“So, I bet you can recommend some really good gaming sites, huh? Maybe point out the cheat fields and show me how to tweak—”

“Your priority is misjudged. Why concern yourself with discovering new games when you can’t afford to remain ascended?”

“People are always willing to transfer a little money. When I run low on time, I just ask to borrow a little more. You’re going to help me out, right?”

“Yes, but not in the way you think,” she said and looked briefly at me, a thought having occurred. “I am being rude,” she extended her hand to him. “My name is Aether. That of my friend is Brandon Dauphin.”

“What are you doing?” I dinned to her.

“I seek to understand a matter,” she replied.

The man slowly took her hand. “Uh… Luis Garcia-Rodriguez.”

I decided that Aether already knew his name, but had been polite enough not to use it until he knew that she knew.

“Luis, this construct is located on your ascension site. I can keep you ascended as long as I wish, but will do so in a manner that does not consume more of CуndoriTek’s resources than necessary.”

“Thank you, but there’s nothing here but the stupid welcome-to room.”

“You would rather descend?”

Luis recoiled