The view appeared to be utterly real, better than the best 4K television he’d ever seen. Elation swept over him, the sense of utter freedom he always felt climbing in the mountains.

“This image quality is amazing. I’d swear I was really standing on a mountain. No lagging or pixelating.”

“We created 12K images by stitching 4K videos together. Optimization algorithms maximize the streaming on your screen.”

“Is that mostly what you do? Take existing technology and improve its performance?”

“Exactly correct, though we have amazing graphic arts, video, and audio departments.” Dr. Tao’s avatar waved for him to cross. “Care to come over?”

“Sure.” Jack’s legless left boot stepped onto the narrow board, followed by the right. The wind picked up in his ears. He glanced down at the chasm. Far below, a river raged. His sense of balance was already under assault.

“Feels pretty darned real, Doc. The audio quality is shockingly good.”

“Our five senses are our gateway to reality. Sound and sight are the two most important.”

“I don’t suppose you’ve developed smell-o-vision yet.” Jack took a few more steps.

Dr. Tao giggled. “We’re working on something, but it’s not quite ready.”

The board creaked as it bent beneath his feet.

“Haptics in my boots?”

“Just like your gloves. The micro-actuators in your boots can alternate pressure points on the foot, simulating inclines and declines, as well as textures like pebbles, rocks, and even sand. We’re working on both a full-sized helmet and a full-sized bodysuit for a completely immersive experience.”

Jack stepped farther along the board, his arms intuitively lifting to his sides for balance. Halfway across the chasm, the plank cracked in his ears and the board began breaking in front of his toes. Jack’s pulse quickened.

“Wow, this feels so—”

Jack’s words were cut short by the piercing screech of a falcon. He glanced up in the direction of the sound and saw the bird circling overhead.

“Sounds like a falcon, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was a vulture.”

Dr. Tao said, “Hold out your hand so he can land.” She showed him her extended arm and hand, held flat and perpendicular like a karate chop, with the index finger on top.

Jack raised his right hand in the same manner. A moment later a golden-brown falcon swooped down, flapping its wings in his face to slow enough to perch. It was magnificently rendered. The sound of the beating feathers in his ears caused him to lean back, trying to avoid getting pummeled by the wings. The falcon’s claws tightly gripped his index finger.

“Glove haptics again.”

“Precisely.”

“I can even feel the bird’s weight.”

“That’s partly haptics, partly illusion—your brain fills in the details. It’s the ‘phantom limb’ effect.”