"Now moving on… hmm, let’s see here, yes, on to advice,” a large diagram opened in front of the Chief Administrator, covering the entire screen.

“Alright, I already told you about not accepting data from strangers, although I suppose you don’t need to be as wary of most registered data brokers, if they do plant a virus of some sort and you discover it you’ll be paid well and then some. Oh, right, the nature of the Game,” all the screens closed, and Alan finally got a full view of the Chief Administrator.

His face seemed to be marred by multiple scars, burns and other wounds, with large patches of his skin replaced by metallic plates. He might have once been human-like, and the Chief Administrator was definitely humanoid, but it was difficult to tell beneath all the modifications. His eyes, his ears and his nose were all replaced with cybernetic augments, making Alan unsure if he was talking to a machine, once living, or a living being, once machine.

Wearing a simple blue space uniform, with an insignia that Alan assumed represented his rank, the Chief Administrator stared into Alan’s eyes, and said, slowly, “The Game is not just a Game, nor was it originally designed to be such." The Chief Administrator took a deep breath, then continued.

“The Game will change you, more than you ever imagined you could change. This fact tends not to be widely spread to newer players, but gamers evolve, the capsules evolve them. Nothing noticeable, at least not at first, but higher tier capsules evolve their users further, to match the abilities and skills and attributes of their in-game character. You see, once you become a Machine Lord, you will become one both inside the Game, and out.

"The liquid found in capsules is trillions of nanomachines that work to ensure you are connected to the Game. But they also develop and transform the body and mind. Of course, you won’t ever reach the full potential of your in-game character, but with the highest tier capsule you might reach a tenth of it. Your reality will change… in fact, it already has. The Game has always been an out of body experience. By now the nanites have added countless immunities to your body, eliminating any disease that might have once contaminated it. They’ve also increased your natural lifespan by, let’s see here… nearly 200 of your years. And that isn’t even taking into account the fact that a single real life second is a bit over four in-game seconds.

"You should know that you are now something more than you once were, and perhaps something less. You are now a player whether you like it or not. Such is the nature of the Game,” the Chief Administrator said. He stared into Alan’s eyes for a few seconds more, then returned to his screens, opening and subsequently closing another onslaught of messages, requests and reports.

“Well, you seem to be taking this rather well, but then I suppose that’s part of why you were chosen to be a Machine Lord. Contact me again once you’ve decided to become one, or not. This should be your choice. I advise you make it before your AI finishes merging, as it will doubtless convince you to go forward with this change, as it was designed. Proceed to the Administrator in the med-bay, and notify them of your decision. I’m a busy man. If you have any questions direct them to the Administrator there.”