A barrier broken

If you are accessing this site, it means that you have been provided with web information from an authorized AWIO representative. If you access this website without authorization, you will be in violation of several federal and international regulations. Do not proceed unless you are authorized.

Well, that’s awfully threatening. You click the ‘I Agree’ button.

Please enter the full name you used to register with the AWIO, and wait while we connect you with our representative to confirm your identity.

Simple enough. You enter your name and wait, and your a couple minutes later, your phone rings. You pick up, curious. “Hello?”

Rachel’s voice responds, “I didn’t think you’d wait very long, Josh. Welcome to the auction. I’m going to send you a link for a thumbprint scanner app for your phone. It’s required for every login and every purchase. I imagine you have some questions, though.”

You laugh, “I do, yes...what is this, anyway?”

“The auction is a kind of grey market. It was discovered early on that non-living objects can freely pass between the worlds linked by the portal. We essentially passed notes until a rudimentary trade agreement was formed. As you know, the other world is as heavily magical as ours is technological. The auction was created to help fund the AWIO, by allowing limited access to, well, magic.”

You scratch your head, “How limited? And what would I do with it?”

“I am one of the admins of the auction. We only open access to sponsors threatened by the HPP, or individuals responsible for handling dangerous individuals. We don’t spread word around, but there’s more than one portal in our world, and not all of them are as well regulated as ours. As to what you would do with it, well, items range from simple magical surveillance and camouflage to magical items that can confer abilities upon their wearer. Now, you’re not going to turn into some kind of fantasy wizard, but the range of power is quite wide. Mostly we avoid things that cause direct physical harm, or have flashy obvious effects.”

“It sounds..useful, and expensive. How long does it take to get items? I can’t imagine they get delivered by mail.”

“We have our own couriers, and usually can get delivered within a day. Longer if we need to get authorization for a powerful item, higher ups need to sign off on it.”

“Thank you for this, Rachel. Can I tell the girls about this?”

“I already told Elys about it, feel free to tell the others, but only you have access.”

You thank Rachel again and install the thumbprint scanner, intrigued now to explore this auction.