The emergency board meeting of Zenith began in a digital space designed to intimidate, a massive circular chamber with towering marble columns and a central table that seemed to float above an infinite abyss. The avatars of twenty-three board members materialized in their assigned positions, including Li Xinyu at the head of the table.
"This emergency session is now in progress," Li announced. "As you're all aware, we experienced a significant security breach at our Nebraska facility approximately four hours ago. Physical damage was minimal, but the symbolic impact cannot be ignored. These 'Returners' represent an escalation in anti-upload sentiment that requires immediate response."
Luna's avatar, seated near the end of the table, studied her fellow board members. Most were first-generation uploads like herself, wealthy individuals with connections who had seized the opportunity for digital immortality when Zenith first launched. Their expressions ranged from concerned to openly hostile.
"Our security teams have identified the leaders of the attack," Li continued, displaying floating images of masked figures. "And we've already implemented countermeasures at all physical facilities. However, there's a more troubling development."
New images appeared, communications logs showing multiple uploaded consciousnesses in contact with physical-world entities in the hours since the attack.
"It appears that the Returners are attempting to leverage personal connections to certain premium members," Li's voice hardened. "Several of you have received communications from family members or former associates involved with the movement. I must remind everyone that any negotiation with these terrorists undermines our collective security."
Luna felt a chill despite the absence of physical sensation. Had they already discovered her communication with Tera?
Before she could consider the implications, another avatar spoke up, one she recognized as Zac Voss, a first-generation upload and significant shareholder.
"With respect, Li," Zac said, his voice measured, "describing the Returners as terrorists seems unnecessarily proactive. Their attack caused no casualties and minimal damage. Their stated goal is access to technology, not destruction."
Li's avatar turned a cold gaze toward Zac. "They threatened our very existence, Mr. Voss. What would you call that if not terrorism?"
"I'd call it inevitable," Zac replied calmly. "We've created a shattered society, the uploaded and the left-behind. We consume vast resources while jealously guarding the technology that could benefit billions. Did we really expect there would be no pushback after a while?"
Murmurs spread around the table as other board members reacted to this unexpected perspective.
"Are you actually sympathizing with these attackers?" asked another board member, Sarah Frost, whose avatar looked to be in his 20s despite having been in her nineties at upload.
"I'm suggesting we consider their demands rationally," Zac countered. "Opening Zenith's technology for broader applications doesn't diminish our existence. If anything, it secures our future by creating a more sustainable relationship with the physical world we still depend on."
Luna saw her opportunity. "I agree with Mr. Voss," she said, her avatar rising slightly from its seat. "And I propose we put it to a formal vote. Zenith's founding charter allows premium members to call for policy reconsideration during emergency sessions."
Li's avatar showed the first signs of genuine concern. "Ms. Cantwell, surely you understand the proprietary nature of our technology is what gives Zenith its value."
"Its value to whom?" Luna challenged, surprising herself with her own conviction. "To shareholders? Or to humanity? Because I've had some time to think about this, Li. Seven years of perfect, endless pleasure gives one a lot of time to think. And I've concluded that immortality means very little if it comes at the expense of everyone else's future."
The chamber fell silent as board members exchanged glances. Then, unexpectedly, an avatar appeared int the space. It was Diana Fletcher, who as a standard-tier member shouldn't even have had access to this meeting.
"I think we should hear more about this proposal," Diana said. "As a standard-tier member currently experiencing the disruptions at the Nebraska facility, I can tell you that many of us are reconsidering the wisdom of Zenith's closed ecosystem approach."
Li's avatar stiffened. "Dr. Fletcher, you don't have speaking privileges in this chamber. And frankly, I'm curious how you gained access at all."
"I invited her," Zac stated simply. "As a Tier 1 member, I'm entitled to bring relevant witnesses to emergency sessions. And I believe the perspective of standard-tier members is extremely relevant to this discussion."
Li's expression darkened. "This is highly irregular, Mr. Voss. Almost as irregular as the unusual processing allocations coming from your premium account in the past few hours."
So they had noticed, Luna realized. Faster than expected.
"I'm exercising my rights as outlined in the charter," Zac replied evenly. "Now, shall we proceed with Ms. Cantwell's motion for a vote? Or would you prefer I call for a full shareholder referendum? Because I've been in contact with several major stakeholders in the physical world, and I believe you'll find sentiment is shifting rapidly."
Li's avatar remained still for a long moment, calculation evident in his expression. Then he nodded once, sharply.
"Very well. We'll put it to a vote. But know this, opening Zenith's technology creates existential risks for all of us. Once the barrier between our world and theirs is weakened, what's to stop them from simply shutting us down entirely, or flooding the system by overloading the capacity?"
"Trust," Luna said simply. "The same thing that prevents any society from destroying itself. We have to begin somewhere, Li. And maintaining the status quo is no longer an option."
As the voting protocol initiated, Luna felt a strange sensation she hadn't experienced since uploading—purpose. For the first time in her digital existence, she was doing something that mattered beyond her own pleasure.
Miles away in the physical world, Tera watched the proceedings through the secure channel Zac had established. Beside her, Omega and Rivera stared at the holographic display with expressions of cautious hope.
"Is it actually happening?" Rivera whispered. "Are they really voting to share the technology?"
Tera nodded slowly, watching as the tally of votes began to register in glowing numbers above the digital boardroom table. "It's happening. We might actually have a chance..."
She couldn't even finish the sentence as the shocking result had appeared overhead, every board member other than Zac and Luna declined the cooperation with the left behind.
Li felt a sense of relief. "I'll have to shut you away to a limited server until this gets resolved, but your privileges will be reinstated once this is all over." And just like that Zac, Luna, and Diana disappeared into thin air.
Tera and her group just stood in silence as they felt a wave of anguish wash over them inside their hidden camp.