Condition Evolution 2: A LitRPG / Gamelit Adventure

by Kevin Sinclair

  “What’s with the mask?” I asked.

  “They can control you with their voice. It’s important not to take it off. I will be sending a communication that you’re on the way to the client. Can I have your ship’s tracking details, so the client can monitor your progress?”

  “Uh, sure. Except, we’ll need to go check first. I don’t have them on me.”

  “You can go. The girl and the prisoner will stay here until you get back,” the blob said.

  Ember shrugged acceptance.

  I laughed in response, “No fucking chance. Keep the prisoner until we get back.”

  The blob didn’t seem to like the answer. “Doesn’t matter. Just give me your docking bay number and I can get it from that.”

  “Suspicious, but okay. It’s Docking Bay thirty-one,” I answered.

  I saw Ember about to correct me. I stopped her with a look.

  “Come on then, criminal.”

  I took hold of a rod from the guard that was attached to the prisoner's handcuffs. It wasn’t until I had hold of it that I realized it wasn’t even attached, at least not physically. It clearly had some kind of link to the prisoner’s cuffs, leaving them no choice but to follow us. We led them back to the ship and felt glad to get out of that stinkin’ hellhole. I felt like I’d been using a soiled baby’s diaper as a facemask.

  “What was all that about, Shaun?” Ember asked me.

  “Why did they want you to stay? They could’ve asked either of us to go to get our tracking number, yet they specifically wanted you to stay. They didn’t even need that information. They were trying something on. I don’t know what, but I wasn’t leaving you to find out.”

  “I’m sure it was just because of the way you were talking; it was a little odd. You seemed extra paranoid.”

  “I dunno. Maybe it’s just some kind of slime-blob aversion that I suffer from.”

  When we arrived back at the ship the supervisor came over and stopped us to say, “Your cage has been delivered to your pilot.” He said the word ‘pilot’ with distaste, and looked meaningfully at us.

  “Is there a problem?” Ember asked.

  “Your pilot. He’s a Torax.”

  “Okay? Is that supposed to mean something to us?” I replied.

  “They’re the scum of the universe. They cannot be trusted. No one would hire a Torax. Why have you?”

  “He seems okay to us,” I said, starting to get a little angry now.

  “Well, I don’t want a Torax in one of my docking bays. Either get rid of him, or get out of here.”

  Ember and I looked at each other in surprise. I was thinking we’d made a mistake and needed to get rid of Calegg. It seemed Ember had a totally different reaction. “Well, fuck you. And you can shove your docking bay up your skinny, green ass. Calegg is a good guy and a member of our crew.” She marched away towards the ship and I followed quickly after her.

  Once on the ship we deposited the prisoner into the cage and locked it, then we went to see a certain Torax pilot named Calegg.

  “You’re still here?” Ember asked.

  “Don’t know why, but yeah,” he laughed.

  “Have you ordered the parts?” Ember asked.

  “No. I haven’t.”

  “That’s strange. Any reason why not? You seemed to think we were barely flightworthy.”

  “I’ve had a good look at all your systems. There’s lots of work to do, but if we’re going to be working together, then every penny counts. I know somewhere we can get much cheaper parts. They’ll have your eyes out here.”

  “Really, and where is this place you want to take us to?” I said, suspiciously.

  Calegg took a deep breath, “Look. You guys seem okay and I don’t want to ruin this. You’ve trusted me to be part of your crew, so I’m going to level with you. I assume you don’t know about the Torax, my race?”

  “No. We know nothing about your race. Is there something we need to know?”

  “Nobody wants to work with a Torax. We’re considered untrustworthy from a racial misdemeanor, long in the past. Our ability to both withstand and create fire makes people very uncomfortable.”

  “Seriously! You can create fire?” I said in awe, but Ember talked over me.

  “What was the misdemeanor?”

  “My people didn’t come into space navigation on our own. Around a thousand years ago we were invaded by one of the more powerful races of the galaxy at that time. They were far more advanced with much better weapons, yet still massively underprepared to face the Torax. We’re essentially fireproof. Even laser rifles only sting. You want to fight the Torax, then you better be packing a projectile weapon. Which are pretty much obsolete in the more technologically-advanced races.”

  “That’s pretty fucking cool, Calegg. So, what the hell happened?”

  He looked both defeated and excited to continue the story. “They came. Just a small exploratory crew at first. They tried to build a base, only it was destroyed, and their crew were all killed. A larger force came next, and they too were destroyed. Before long, wave after wave came, full of wrath. They just couldn’t get it into their technologically-advanced brains that we were impervious to their weapons.

  “Eventually, when they realized they couldn’t take control of us by force, they made an offer; Submit, or have our planet destroyed. At this point we discovered they had a huge planet-destroying ship in orbit.”

  “Hang on a damn minute,” I said angrily, scratching my head. “So, how the hell are Torax considered the bad guys here? You were under attack on your home planet!”

  “The story isn’t yet finished. My ancestors chose another way. This war had gone on for nearly twenty years and in that time they learned all they could of the technology, and had been capturing enemy vessels too. Hidden in the massive cave systems on our planet was a fleet of our own. They surprised the enemy in a space battle and took control of the planet-destroyer ship. They flew the ship all the way back to the completely-terraformed home solar system of their enemy. They were helpless against their own ship. My ancestors destroyed fifteen planets back to the bare rock. An entire race wiped out of existence.”

  “You’re shitting me, right?” I asked, gob-smacked.

  Ember looked equally dumbfounded, mouthing ‘what the fuck.’

  “I’m afraid so. The other powers in the galaxy united against us and massacred my people. Those who survived are generally not allowed off Torax. We can leave for specific purposes but aren’t allowed to gather in big numbers, and no one trusts us.”

  “Woo! Now, that’s what I call a misdemeanor,” Ember chuckled. “Still, totally justified if it’s exactly as you said,”

  “I won’t hold what your people did against you. I agree with Ember. As long as you're cool with us, we're cool with you,” I said.

  The relief was palpable on him. “I’ll be cool. Promise,” he said, almost childlike, and we saw his vulnerability then. “I must be honest, though,” he continued and hung his head. “I did qualify as a mechanic two years ago. I aced all my classes too. But I haven’t been able to find any work since, so I’m a little rusty. Please don’t judge me too quickly. I promise I’ll make a good impression. You’ll be wanting me to stay on by the time we’re finished with this job, I guarantee. I’m willing to give my all to help you.”

  “Well, I hope so. That’s pretty much what we hope for if it works out. So, why did you really not buy anything to fix the ship? Would they not sell to you?” I asked.

  “I didn’t even try. I know for a fact that the prices are extortionate here. Even docking is an arlar a day. It’s normally a few irons on most other planets. Same for repair materials. There’s plenty of planets on the way to Weka Four where we can get reasonable prices for everything.”

  “Sounds good to us,” Ember said. “And, it means we can leave straight away. Neither of us like this planet, so we’ll be glad to go. How long until you’re ready?”

  “I’m ready now.”

  “Don�
��t you need to go and get your things?”

  “Nah, I’m homeless. I just slept next to the job boards.”

  “Oh, right,” Ember said, sadly.

  “I hope that doesn’t put you off.”

  “We’re all strays here. As long as you can fly and maintain the ship, we’ll be happy,” Ember added.

  “I promise you. I can do those things.”

  “Well, let’s get the fuck off this rock. Whoop Whoop!” I shouted, and fist pumped the air.

  My attempt at motivating everyone was met with a less than spectacular response. Some might call it embarrassing, and they’d be right. But I just pretended I hadn’t noticed the patronizing looks.

  We had food, fuel, a pilot, and a job to do. Things were looking up. Calegg took us out of the dock. It was a little bumpy to be honest. I swallowed down my concerns.

  “Sorry about that, guys. First time flying in two years. It’ll be great in a few hours when it all comes back to me,” he grinned.

  C12

  A Quest!

  Now we had a pilot, life would be a little less stressful for me and Ember on the ship. Nevertheless, every rattle still set my nerves on edge. I won’t lie, I still had my reservations about Calegg’s actual ability. Still, he seemed genuine and willing, not to mention create fire and resist lasers. Really, he was quite the boon, and it was always good to have another set of hands if any trouble came our way.

  We were sitting in the seats on the bridge talking mainly to each other, and occasionally to Calegg when he had a minute.

  “You know, we should probably go and check on our prisoner,” Ember said. “We’re going to have to feed them and take them to the toilet at some point.”

  “Oh, shit. I hadn’t even thought about that. Who's doing the toilet job?” I asked.

  “Well, it’s a guy, so it’s going to have to be you, obviously.”

  “Is it a guy?” I said, puzzled.

  “Well, yeah. Sure he is, I think. Come on, dipshit. Stop causing trouble.”

  We entered the room the cage was set in. The prisoner sat huddled in the corner of the cage. “Sorry about the level of comfort,” I said. “We’re new to this whole ‘prisoner transport’ thing. Well, we’re pretty much new to…”

  Ember nudged me. “Shut up telling the prisoner our life story, Shaun,” she hissed. “And stop apologizing. They’re a criminal, and a prisoner. We probably shouldn’t even be talking to them.”

  “I dunno. It just seems right. They’re still a person after all. I’m sure the Fystr have thought similarly about us.”

  Ember sighed, “You’re such an idiot, Shaun. This will only lead to feeling sympathy for them. Just leave it. We’ll keep them alive, get our money, and get onto the next thing.”

  “No!” I said firmly. I was always one for following Ember blindly, apart from when it went against my basic moral impulses.

  “If we’re transporting prisoners they’re still going to be treated with respect. Don’t forget where we came from, Ember. Now, I need to know who we're dealing with. I’m sorry if you disagree. But I won’t just ignore them, or treat them like an animal.”

  “Okay, okay. I know you’re a soft hearted dumbass really, but we’re definitely not taking the mask off. I’m taking no chances.”

  “Fair enough. I wonder if they’d be okay if we went into their mind.”

  “Just do it, you pillock. But go alone in case anything happens, and I can kill him,” she sighed. “Or her? Find that out while you are in there.”

  “Will do, Captain.” I saluted.

  “You better believe it, Shaun. You’re the captain of the ship, but I’m your captain and don’t you forget it,” she said, pointing at me with a grin.

  “I won’t, boss,” I smirked, then I looked at the prisoner.

  Closing my eyes, I concentrated and spoke to them in their mind. I didn’t enter their Mindscape. “Hi, I’m Shaun. What’s your name?”

  The alien’s eyes shot wide open. No response came.

  “Just try and form your thoughts into words directed at me.”

  “Can you hear me?” came a voice.

  “Fuck me! That was quick. Well done.”

  “Oh. Thank god you can hear me. I thought I’d never have a chance to defend myself with this thing on.”

  “First things first. What’s your name?”

  “Elyek, and I’m not a criminal. I was captured on false charges. They do it all the time, and would have done it to your girl there if you had left the prison.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “They would have taken her in on some made-up charge, and you would have had to pay for her release. If, you could have afforded it. As a Fystr she would be worth a fortune on the Slave Markets, so you would probably have never seen her again.”

  “They were planning to take her as a slave?” I asked angrily. “I’ve heard of this before. Is slavery really that common around here?”

  “Very, yes. It’s only supposed to be for lawbreakers, or those who have been defeated and captured in a recognised war. I was taken for no reason other than those they made-up. I’m now being sold as a slave.”

  “How can I trust you?”

  “I don’t know. Can’t you read my mind or something?”

  “One minute. I need to speak to Ember.” I quickly broke the connection and turned to Ember and said, “Their name is Elyek and say they’re not a criminal, that they’re being sold into slavery on made-up charges.”

  “Wow. What a surprise. Well, let’s free them and give them the keys to the ship, Shaun. What could possibly go wrong?”

  “You’re a real dick, Ember. Elyek said the same would’ve happened to you if I’d left you in the prison, and that you would be worth a fortune as a Fystr slave. This seems to be a common theme. Remember Xzonico?” I said, sarcastically.

  “Yes, Shaun. It’s empowering to know that everywhere I go people want to own me, and I have to rely on you to keep me free from certain slavery. Oh, what it must feel like to be a dominating male.”

  “That’s not what I meant, and being me is terrifying and confusing. Even so, obviously, I would’ve killed everyone in the prison until I got you back. I’m sure you wouldn’t have left me either.”

  Ember got up and walked out of the room. I followed, wondering if I’d upset her, or gone too far. Once the door closed behind us she started talking and I quickly realized it was just so we could talk freely, without the prisoner overhearing. “Why would we trust them? Him, or her? Which one was it?” she asked.

  “Shit. I didn’t ask. Still, they said we can check their thoughts to see if they’re lying.”

  “Well, we could do that if we had half a clue how to tell if someone is lying, stupid-ass.”

  “Oh. Well, I do actually. It’s pretty simple.”

  “And just how the fuck do you know how to read minds, and I don’t?”

  “I’m smarter than I look.”

  She stared daggers at me, and after a few moments I couldn’t take it any longer and confessed, “Alright, alright. It was Ogun. He told me how to do it.”

  “And, why did you never tell me?”

  “It never came up. It was when Ogun came to see me after that fight with Roger. He said, ‘Roger told me what happened, and I could see he was lying.’ I said, ‘how?’ And he said, ‘Easy, I go in your control room while I’m asking questions and I can see you replay the events on display in there.’”

  “Ogun told you that?” Ember said, disbelievingly.

  “Come on. Let’s try it out?”

  “I will. Besides that, I’m still not happy you didn’t tell me about it. It’s like that bloody deception skill all over again.”

  “Yeah, but you know I meant no harm then and I reckon you know I meant no harm this time, either.”

  “Okay, Shaun. I’ll let it go because I do know your Wisdom and Mental Clarity are a total clusterfuck. Let’s do this. I hope it’s worth it.”

  Going back into the room and s
itting on the bed again, I nodded to the prisoner. We both closed our eyes and entered the prisoner’s mind, appearing in the same hallway as we would in our own Mindscapes.

  “I wonder if everyone’s Mindscapes are the same, or if we just see what we expect to see?”

  “The latter, I suspect,” Ember replied.

  “Right. Let’s go in.” We entered the control room and the prisoner was sitting in a chair, eyes closed.

  “Hey,” I said.

  “Oh, good. You’re back to assess the veracity of my story.”

  “Yeah, we are. Mind explaining exactly what happened to you?” Ember said with undisguised distrust.

  “Of course. I was part of a small team, but my crew left the ship for supplies one day while I remained on board. They never returned.

  “After a couple of days the city police force arrived. They came on board and told me that my team had started a fight and that they’d all died. Then, I was arrested for my involvement.

  “They took me to the prison and the ship was taken as payment for owed docking fees. Now, I am to be sold to someone who has a penchant for my people. We’re very rare, hence why I stayed onboard the ship in the first place.”

  We watched the screen intently, while Elyek spoke. It wasn’t exactly like watching a movie. It was a disjointed collage of thoughts and experiences. Nonetheless, it looked like what they said was true.

  “Is there any other reason that the police would come to take you?”

  “Like I said, my race is rare. We’re viewed as a valuable commodity. It’s highly likely my shipmates were killed just so I could be taken.”

  This time, the images that flashed up were of Elyek turning invisible, then Elyek with valuable looking things.

  “You’re not being straight with us. What exactly was your job in this team? and…,” Ember paused, and looked at me.

  “Can you turn invisible?” I finished for Ember, who clearly felt it was a ridiculous question, still, a question that needed asking. And, who better to put it out there, than the big, axe-wielding dipshit.

  Similar images to last time flashed over the screen, then an image of Elyek being hunted by a group of men.