Condition Evolution 2: A LitRPG / Gamelit Adventure

by Kevin Sinclair

  “Guilty as charged,” I said.

  “Shut up, Shaun,” Ember growled like a panther. She didn’t really. Still, the thought amused me.

  All of a sudden Ember levitated herself above me and Elyek, then levitated a table up from the side of the bed, moving it quickly around the room before putting it back where it went. She announced, “We do have powers, and just so you know, we’re very capable in a fight. We can protect you. If you really want to join us, we’ll have you.”

  “Yes. I do. Really, I do.”

  “Well, that’s settled,” I said, happy to get another crew member under our belt.

  “Now, if you want your next job I can give it to you,” Elyek offered.

  “I thought you said you couldn’t give us a job?” Ember asked.

  “You said you would not take my money. But, what if it’s a job to rescue my money from the evil clutches of the Juntos Bank?”

  “Go on,” she enquired.

  “I’m now marked as a criminal and also the future property of someone else. My case will be working its way through the galactic records and courts as we speak. These people are as corrupt as can be. They won’t question my crimes, unless they think it is worth it for them to do so. I’ve no doubt we can get a ship from my credit line. However, once we do, my account will flag as used and will be frozen. We may not then be able to withdraw funds from the bank. Once we make the withdrawal, I will flag and we will be hunted,” Elyek explained.

  “But, even if we get the money first, we’re gonna be fucked sideways in this piece of junk. So, we need a faster ship without a doubt,” Ember said, following along with Elyek.

  “In my mind that is our best option. With that ship you will be able to take the job I offer. I’ve never really needed to use the money I made from my work, so everything has always just gone into the account. We could build something with what I have put aside. A bigger crew. A future.”

  “It sounds like a fair plan,” agreed Ember. “Is there a bank we can use on the planet we’re visiting?”

  “No. Unfortunately, we will only be able to withdraw such a sum of money from one of the main branches,” Elyek told us.

  “I assume we’ll face resistance once we’ve made the withdrawal?” Ember asked.

  “I think we probably will. We may have to hire fighters to help. Except, I don't know how we’ll afford them, other than with promises,” they said.

  “Nah. I back Shaun here,” Ember said.

  Elyek raised an eyebrow at me. “We’re talking about a serious physical presence. The main bank will have possibly a hundred guards on hand, and they’ll be Tri-bor, the warrior caste of the Mazltor.”

  “I don’t know who, or what the Mazltor are, but Shaun will sort them out.”

  I really didn’t have Ember's confidence. By the look on their face, neither did Elyek. “You're trying to tell me that Shaun will deal with a hundred Tri-bor guards?”

  “Well, Shaun and his axe, Havok. You haven’t met him yet. He’s great.”

  “An axe named Havok that I’ve yet to meet?” Elyek said, looking deeply concerned.

  Ember had been playful until that point, now she leaned forward conspiratorially and said, “I was taken as a prisoner on some fucking shithole of a planet called Xzonico. They had an army of over a thousand men out to drive our people away. Our crew were chased off the planet and I got left behind.

  “Shaun, this big cuddly bag of stupid over here, wouldn’t leave me behind. This crazy mofo had it in his head to get me back, or die trying. He killed over six hundred fighters before they surrendered, handed me over, and gave us this ship.”

  “Nope. You're wrong. It was only five hundred. Drabu told me.”

  Elyek sat slack jawed as the exchange unfolded.

  “Ha. Lying shit. No, Shaun. Including the first two fights, where you did most of the killing anyway, over six hundred people died out of a thousand fighting men. And you weren’t going to stop.”

  “No, I fucking wasn’t!”

  “Who were you fighting? Spear-wielders, or something? No one can kill that many people.” Elyek said.

  “No. They had force-shields and laser rifles. They even fired a few laser cannons at his big daft ass. But he and Havok just moved through it all, slaughtering everyone in front of them. Seriously, and I know to look at him he’s a massive softie, which he really is. But you don’t want to set him off,” she said.

  “So, you think we can take the bank?” Elyek asked Ember, but looking at me with a little awe in their eyes.

  “We’ll need a solid plan, but yes, we can take the bank. How much are we talking about here?”

  “Oh, I would say around six million senlars. More, rather than less.”

  Our eyes goggled. Ember being quick to the point as usual, asked, “And what’s our cut?”

  “Cut? There isn’t a cut. The money is yours, or rather ours as a crew. I imagine if we use it wisely it will grow rather than shrink. If I’m honest, I didn’t think I was going to see that money again. Our paths are intertwined now. If, you’re sure you will have me?”

  “You’re in. Don’t worry about that. It sounds like a great opportunity for us all,” I said.

  “Do you have any idea what you would like to achieve?” Elyek asked.

  “Grow stronger firstly. Both individually and as a team,” replied Ember.

  I agreed with Ember, “I want to build our strength massively, then go back to Earth, our home planet, and kick the Fystr out. We need to be strong enough to fight them off should they come back. They’ve treated humankind, and apparently most of the galaxy like shit, bullying and cajoling. We’ll get strong here, then go fuck them up.”

  Ember looked shocked by my outburst. I don’t think she really understood how I felt about going back to save the Earth. I was relieved when she nodded and added, “Obviously, we’ll have to get very strong for that.”

  “You're telling me!” said a surprised looking Elyek. “We’re going to need to build an army for that. We could focus on military contracts as a line of business?”

  “Is that something you could help with?” asked Ember.

  “I know a few avenues to pick up work. We’ll probably have to start as a mercenary company. Still, with the money we have behind us we should be able to grow and develop quickly. There are a couple of mercenary companies that are so powerful the galactic Empire is essentially balanced by them.

  “Allow me to elaborate. There are sixteen races who form the Galactic Government who are in some way responsible for all of the races that occupy our galaxy. Apart from the Fystr who no one wants to fuck with. Is that the word?” Elyek asked.

  “Yes. You used it right,” Ember said, smiling.

  They continued, “These sixteen races are not equal in power. Five of the races are much stronger and approximately equal in strength to one another. There is a quagmire of political alliances and dealings that keep them all in check. The Xeres and the Rotushna mercenary groups are also part of that spinning shitstorm. Either one is probably powerful enough to take control of the Empire, except for the other mercenary group keeping them in check. If we can become like them we may have a chance.”

  “I can see you’re going to be an invaluable member of our crew, Elyek. Let’s go get some money, get a ship, and then fuck some shit up!” Ember shouted, happily.

  “The girl loves a wild plan,” I said, indicating Ember with my eyebrows. “And, maybe we should hire some help. I mean, unless you’re taken captive again I don’t know if I could repeat the Xzonico feat.”

  “Yeah we could!” Havok shouted in my mind, and I had to smile.

  Meanwhile Elyek said, “Our main problem with manpower would be that most fighters are already part of a crew. Our best hope is to hire small time crews and try to absorb them if they are suitable. Or, pick people up at places like Ipsis, until we have a bit of pull, that is.”

  “Hey. I know this is a little out there seeing as I just had a whole fucking history less
on on the hatred of the Torax over here, but maybe Calegg has a few friends who need some steady work. I mean, shit, they’re laser proof, can shoot fire, and can go fucking nuclear. If we do it right, we can have a whole army of motherfuckers who can explode,” I said, enlivened.

  “Won’t the whole galaxy just come after us?” Elyek asked.

  I paused for a moment before answering, “Well, not necessarily. We can keep them on the down-low and get others involved. It wouldn’t be a Torax army, but by my reckoning they’re potentially the best warriors in the galaxy. Come to that, can we not free some of your people, and have an army that can go invisible?”

  While Elyek looked thoughtful Ember said words I never ever thought I’d hear from her again, “Shaun. You’re a fucking genius!”

  “It’s certainly an idea to pick up the most powerful outcasts of the galaxy. It would be a massive shock to the major powers. If we do it right we could potentially become unstoppable,” Elyek said.

  “This is a great plan. We can do this. Let’s go torture Calegg for names and places,” I said.

  “Hold up, Shaun. We do still need a ship, and the money,” Ember pointed out.

  “Fuck me, Ember. You were the one who was all excited about this a second ago.”

  “Yeah, I am. I just meant we need to talk ships too.” She smiled sweetly, and we all jumped up to go tell Calegg our new plan. The fucker’s head would be spinning in a minute.

  C14

  Role Play

  Calegg, as usual, was bent over reading a display screen. “Hey Calegg. Do you need glasses?” I asked as we walked in.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, you’re bent right over to see that screen to read it. Do you need glasses?”

  “Oh. Right, yeah. It’s a racial thing. Torax have shit eyesight. Probably in lieu of being able to shoot fire.”

  “Yeah, but would glasses not help?”

  “I can see better than this orange bat, and I’m a bloody axe!” Havok said in my head. I mentally chuckled back to him whilst listening to Calegg’s response.

  “I’m fine, and I’m happy,” he diverted and turned his attention to Elyek. “Oh. Hello prisoner. Are you ok?”

  We all looked at Calegg strangely.

  “Calegg, this is Elyek. Now a full member of the crew. We’ve a lot to talk to you about. Do you have a minute?” Ember said.

  “Yeah, sure. I always have a minute for my favorite captains.”

  “Captains?” Ember asked, confusion wrinkling her face.

  “Well, I fully respect Shaun as the captain, but in my opinion you’re kinda like a dual-captain. I mean, if you tell Shaun to do something he’s pretty much going to do it. Yet, I can totally see that Shaun is himself a driving force. So, with that in mind I kind of think you are both the captains.”

  “I totally agree,” Elyek said. “You act as one. Do you know what common sense is?”

  Ember and I looked at Elyek like they were stupid. “Of course we know what common sense is,” I said.

  “Well, from my limited observations, Shaun is the focal point of most events that happen around here, but you are Shaun’s common sense.”

  Ember started laughing, “I have to admit, you’re probably right. I’ve even said the same thing myself a seemingly long time ago in a weird fucking game. Shaun finds the roads and I lead him down them, while he kicks the shit out of everything we find along the way.”

  I responded with a confirmation shrug.

  “So, it’s agreed. On this weirdest ship, captained by the weirdest aliens I’ve ever met, that you are joint-captains,” Calegg said.

  “Absolutely,” I replied. Always happy to share responsibility around a little, especially when things went horribly wrong, I thought. But wouldn't dare say out loud.

  “Man the fuck up, Shaun. The captaincy is yours. You’re the bomb. Own it!” Havok said to me.

  “Thanks, Havok. It means a lot to me that you think that,” I thought back.

  “I know, Shaun,” he replied, but I had to block him out to listen to what was being said.

  Elyek was speaking, “I agree. However, I don’t care either way. You could be second in command to Shaun and that would provide just as much clarity.”

  “Shaun is, and should be the captain. He’s a complete doofus, but trust me when I say none of this would be happening without him. He has a really frustrating knack of…well…I can barely put it into words, but if there’s one person in this universe I’ll follow knowing that things will turn out better than they were before, it’s Shaun. You haven’t seen it yet, but trust me. Besides, it’ll just lead to confusion if we're both in charge. I’m his second in command and that’s an order from the captain. Isn’t it, Shaun?” Ember said, grinning her ass off.

  “Whatever you want, leopard lady.” I knew better than to argue on things like this, and she still had the next most important position to me, so it was all fine.

  “In Veiletian, from what you say, Shaun would be known as an Onnekus. A person who everything goes right for,” Elyek stated.

  Ember laughed, “In our language he’s known as a jammy bastard. Now, with that stupid shit out of the way let’s get to the point of this discussion.

  “Calegg, we want to recruit as many Torax as possible. We’re going to build a big ass army. We don’t want to take over the galaxy, but we want to be able to if we fucking wanted.”

  I had never seen Calegg smile so wide since we met him. “You know how crazy that sounds, right?” he said.

  “Totally, but what choice do we have? All the people with power are total shitheads, and we’re sick of people abusing us and everyone else just because they can. So, can we count on a few more Torax if we get the new ship?”

  “You better believe it. I can get you Torax crewmates,” He said, then turned serious for a moment. “But, realize we’ll be hunted if you go down this path.”

  “We know. We’ll keep it concealed as best we can until we have such a complement. There’s nothing anyone can do about it. Now, do you know where we can find more of your race?”

  “Of course I do. Our home planet, where we’re rarely allowed to leave. Only, if you want to get there and back out again. We’re gonna need a crazy fast ship and a reason for going.”

  “What’s the fastest ship you know of?” I asked.

  “I believe it’s the Furfola 890,” Calegg said.

  “That’s probably the most expensive ship,” Elyek replied. “I’ve heard the fastest ship is actually the Guegumar Star. Over a straight sprint the Furfola 890 has the edge, but the Guegumar Star has the newest folding technology. As far as I know not even the Fystr have anything like it. I’m sure they’ll acquire it soon enough. They won’t stand to be outrun for long. Oh also, the folding drive is said to be more economical too. Just thought I’d mention that.”

  “But we won’t get either ship this far out. We’d need to head further inwards. Though, we still could do that while en-route to Weka Four. As long as we consistently head towards the planet we shouldn’t flag,” Calegg added.

  “There are ship dealers out here that’ll stock these ships. If you know where to look. Enter these coordinates,” Elyek said, confidently.

  Again, Elyek was very informative. I couldn’t help but be impressed with our newest member. Calegg did as he was asked and entered the numbers Elyek shouted out. “Those coordinates you gave me are only five days away. We can make that,” said Calegg. He looked more closely at the screen. “There’s nothing there!”

  “There is. Trust me,” Elyek replied with a knowing smile. “It’s in Hixus space. They are very secretive about what they have, and what they don’t. The richer the planet, the less they want people to know about it.”

  “Who are the Hixus?” I asked.

  “They’re one of the five elite races in the Empire. There are fifteen races who have representatives in the Galactic Council. Five of those are known as the elites, the real ruling body of the galaxy. If they could wo
rk together they could probably fight the Fystr, but they are forever bickering and trying to undermine each other. It's less one-empire and more loosely-united group of smaller Empires,” Calegg answered.

  Elyek nodded in confirmation at what was said.

  “Let’s do it then,” I said, and Calegg punched in the coordinates.

  “I should add,” Elyek said, “that for this first mission I should stay concealed. If any of the cameras pick me up before the transaction is made, then our cover could be blown. We would then have much less time to move on the bank.”

  We grudgingly accepted their advice. If Elyek thought that was for the best, we had to agree.

  We all sat back and relaxed on the bridge. I looked around at our burgeoning new team and I was happy with what I saw. All outcasts and all adding something to our future success. Not to mention, we were on our way to get a sweet, new ship. Life was looking up. Dangerous, but up.

  “Okay, Elyek. Calegg, Shaun, and I really need to go train. We’ve a lot we need to do before we land so if you will excuse us,” she said, getting up from her seat.

  Elyek said, “I would like to train with you both at some point if you have time. I think we should learn to work together a little and figure out each other’s styles.”

  “It’s a great idea, Elyek. From tomorrow we’ll make sure one hour of each day is spent training together.”

  “Excellent. I look forward to it,” they said happily.

  Calegg just grunted noncommittally and focused on his screens.

  “Me too,” Ember said and headed for the door.

  I jumped up, “Sounds good, Elyek. Catch you guys in a bit. Sounds like I will be busy.”

  I found Ember in our room. I put Havok in the corner. “So. Training, huh?”

  “Yes, you have the Mental Clarity of a plankton. We need to bring you up to speed.”

  “I think you’re wrong. We need to sort you out first, I have Havok, whatever my stats say. When Havok is in my hands, stats go out of the window.”