I asked him to tell me more about “Team Gnat,” and Ivan Lozovsky started eagerly explaining:
“I have to admit, it wasn’t my idea. It came from our staff psychologist. After all, you’re a Gerd in status, and such visible players usually have a crew of companions and like-minded individuals. Both Tamara and Igor Tarasov, for example, have trusted players, adjutants, advisors and assistants. Although there is a small nuance. All their underlings stay within faction territory. But your unique path means you will often be gone for days at a time and thus cannot always be observed. Radugin was not willing to take a group of players away and let them go off wherever, even if it would mean new technologies and knowledge for the faction. But I am not so conservative.”
As for a Gerd having companions, I had already heard about that from Anya and Imran, so it came as no surprise. But what was this about being gone for many days at a time? After all, I was back on Earth after my journey with the Geckho, and I didn’t have any more space trips planned. Did the Diplomat know something I didn’t? Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to figure that out. Lozovsky activated his radio, and an unfamiliar female voice said:
“The prisoner Minn-O La-Fin has just entered the game in her prison cell. She is calm and wants to speak with Gnat. She says that she will not talk to any other player from the H3 Faction.”
Authority increased to 19!
It was clear that the Diplomat was surprised, and I understood that perfectly. During her last two prison terms, the proud and haughty granddaughter of the old mage had not uttered a word. But now she was asking to talk. The Diplomat took out his radio and looked at me:
“I think the Dark Faction Leng wants to tell us something through his granddaughter. Gnat, go speak with Minn-O and find out what her grandfather’s offer is. And I have a massive request from me and the whole faction. Try to chat about other topics like the weather, or nature then, as if in passing, ask about yesterday’s battle. If possible, try to figure out whether Minn-O knew when the merchant ship would arrive. It is very important, because it could give our investigators the missing puzzle piece needed to identify the traitor.”
* * *
I DIDN’T GO to the meeting with Minn-O La-Fin alone. By radio, the Capital citadel guard post had told me the Miyelonian Translator had been up for a while, had left her room a few times and had even left the fortress, deftly slipping away from her observers. The orange lady cat was considered a guest, so she was allowed to move freely, and they tried to treat her with delicacy. But the guards still didn’t like having an alien gallivanting around a strictly controlled site. So they told me to look after her and, in the future, try not to leave my guest by herself.
I found Ayni in the residential building the Miyelonians had been put up in yesterday. The cat had found a page of the faction bulletin and was lying in bed trying hard to study our unknown alphabet. I could not say how much progress she made but, when I appeared, Ayni immediately jumped up and said she had to get out of this camera- and microphone-packed building.
Was that so? I activated Scanning, then had to agree with Ayni. There were microphones and cameras in every corner, ventilation grate and light switch. For the Morphian, who was trying not to advertise its nature, such intrusive surveillance must have been a huge annoyance. I promised to speak with the people responsible for building security and ask them to stop spying on our guests.
I didn’t find my second companion. The kitten’s room was empty. I was told by my allies that Tini immediately left the game after getting into the room and had yet to return.
The prison block was deep under the capital citadel. Just like faction headquarters, the only way to get down there was an elevator.
“She’s with me!” I declared presumptuously to the Second Legion soldiers guarding the prison. They did not object.
Authority increased to 20!
How nice it was to be a Gerd! Before, I would have had to explain myself for a long time, negotiate with the leader of the guards and placate a bunch of other players. But now, I just said the Miyelonian was a friend, and lesser faction members, even of a higher level, respectfully made way, not daring to object. Just as they’d told me when I started playing: “A Gerd never has to explain themselves.” And now, I could take advantage of that privilege.
After passing the guard post and going down into the underground dungeon, I walked down the long cold corridor and stopped before the only locked cell. The guard was an unfamiliar lady of middling years with her hair cut short, a level-34 Bodyguard. When she saw me, she sharply shot up from the chair and, embarrassed at the bushy-tailed Miyelonian and somewhat hiccupping, gave a report:
“N-no incidents. P-prisoner has been f-fed and is now exercising.”
I didn’t embarrass the lady, who was clearly already uncomfortable, although my tongue was itching to tell her that I imagined the Bodyguard class was meant for something other than keeping watch over prisoners. Instead, I asked her to open the cell door, but the prison guard was moving slow and, glancing at the Miyelonian Translator with mistrust again, lowered her voice to a whisper:
“Gerd Gnat, here’s th-the thing. Wh-when we were examining the detainee’s clothing, on the inner side of her shirt near the collar, we f-found this.”
She pulled out a drawer from her little desk, unfolded a thick paper packet and showed me a small object that looked like a pill alongside a tiny circuit board with a battery and antenna. The board had a little fiber stuck to it and a piece of dark colored fabric, which led me to believe it had been forcibly ripped off Minn-O’s clothing.
Ampule of contact poison.
Long-distance activator.
“Curious little thing,” Ayni commented in Miyelonian, also looking over the object. “It’s triggered by a secret word or signal, which breaks the ampule, releasing the poison. It’s a reliable guarantee that a high-value player won’t be taken captive.”
Very interesting... So what did this mean? As soon as Minn-O came to her senses in the Peresvet on its way back to base and before she was put into prison, the granddaughter of the great Mage could easily have killed herself and gone to respawn? But why hadn’t she done it? I figured I should lead with that question.
The lock clanked, and the heavy door opened. I entered the prison cell accompanied by Ayni.
Minn-O was tall, standing on a rug next to the far wall and holding her left leg almost vertical, nearly touching the low ceiling with the tips of her bare toes. She was stretching. And when I entered, she didn’t stop, allowing me to take in her flawless vertical leg spit and the seductive curves of her feminine body, temptingly emphasized by the form-fitting athletic suit.
“Gnat, I can tell you like her. I sense the background emotion,” Ayni chuckled but I, also in Miyelonian, asked the Translator to keep the inappropriate comments to herself, especially those of a sensitive nature, because this prisoner had the Astrolinguistics skill and could quickly pick up new languages.
“Look at you, Gnat! So embarrassed!” The Morphian, clearly enjoying this situation, wouldn’t back down. “She feels a certain inclination to you as well and is trying her hardest to make you like her. That is exactly why she hasn’t stopped her exercises, even though normally she can’t stand them. She is showing off her body and offering to be your female.”
I strictly admonished the Translator, saying one more inappropriate comment and she would have to wait on the other side of a locked door until I was done. Ayni seemed to understand that I was not joking and promised to keep quiet. I then, politely bowing, started speaking with the Dark Faction girl:
“Princess Minn-O La-Fin, I’ve been told you called for me. I suspect that your ruling grandfather Thumor-Anhu La-Fin would like to tell me something through you. Is that right?”
Instead answering, Minn-O asked a question:
“Is seem this orange cat to insult I. What she is say?”
I translated the answer, although quite differently from its original form:
“Ayni was saying that Miyelonian females perform such exercises in order to attract a mate. In her opinion, you purposely didn’t kill yourself with the poison ampule hidden in your suit and allowed yourself to be brought to prison because you want to be with me.”
Minn-O clearly grew embarrassed, lowered her sore leg, adjusted her clothes and sat on the very edge of the cot, modestly placing a hand on her knee.
“No dying is not this reason as catgirl think. I just no know about poison!!! So, I wanting use grenade for respawn. But then you Gnat in armor give me choice: either tie I proud princess like simple prisoner naked, or promise no to run. I choose second and no try get away, because I have noble honor and no is break oath.”
I assured Minn-O that I didn’t share the Miyelonian’s point of view and valued the princess’s ability to stay true to her word. Also, I said if I had wounded her noble feelings, I would apologize for my lack of tact and change topic.
“No, this topic good!” Minn-O did not want to stop discussing the details of her imprisonment. “Ampule poison is many, many explaining one strange thing I no understand. Leng Thumor-Anhu see I losing battle and going prisoner, can to help with strong team and beat all you. But no he do!”
Everything inside me turned cold. The great Mage Thumor-Anhu La-Fin had been present at the scene of our skirmish?! News to me! So, that was whose cautious mental probing I sensed! But why didn’t he do anything? A level 100+ Psionic Mage could have tipped the scales even alone and provided his faction a victory. But with a retinue of elite mages and Dark Faction soldiers, he could have easily suppressed our entire small squadron. But then why didn’t the fearsome Mage interfere?
Furthermore, I found it very hard to imagine the respected elder sitting for days on end in ambush, waiting for a starship to arrive. Such discomforts could not be tolerated at his advanced age. So that meant the old geezer knew the precise landing time! I quickly tried to get her to admit that clearly:
“Your Grandfather Thumor-Anhu came to support your squadron? So, did he know the exact time the space merchants would arrive?”
“Not only he, all we is know when. But I with squadron take many days for trudge through all you territory, then to sit night in ambush and wait. But grandpa is fly on antigrav just before.”
Very valuable information!!! Seemingly, I’d distracted Minn-O into giving away somewhat more information than she was planning on. The Dark Faction not only knew the exact time and place the starship would land, but also had that top-secret information at least one and a half days before the merchants arrived!
So, rough estimation. I told Radugin when the starship would arrive, then made my purchases and loaded for around six hours. The space flight lasted about thirty-six hours. So that gave just forty-two hours between the arrival of the starship and my conversation with Radugin. And of that time, for thirty-six hours at the very least, the Dark Faction was in possession of that secret information, preparing for the encounter. That meant the leak had happened in the first six hours. And more likely that could be narrowed further, because the darksider spies would have needed to prepare and pack before the long voyage.
“But then why didn’t the great Mage save you? Or at the very least, why didn’t he activate the poison ampule in your suit?” I had to admit, these anomalies had me very worried.
Minn-O looked at me thoughtfully, as if sizing me up, then answered:
“When I is ask grandpa why he no save, he give very strange answer that I no understand right away. He is say that I should to be...” here Minn-O faltered and, not able to find an analogue in my language, used a word from hers, “wayedda. Also Thumor-Anhu is say that is fate decide, he no can contradict high power, and this necessary for saving dynasty La-Fin.”
“Wayedda? What does that mean?” I asked.
“How is I explain...” I noticed that Minn-O was very embarrassed, and her ashen gray cheeks even turned a bit red, “is old tradition my people. Wayedda mean ‘lawful plunder.’ Strong warrior can, when victory, take girl from defeated family, if he like she. No is of violence, no! Take as junior wife or travelling mistress, promise wayedda care, defense and love. And this girl no can refuse, otherwise very insult victor and lose protection, become like common lady.”
Yikes... What a surprising twist in the story of my conflict with Minn-O. I didn’t even know what to think. The ghastly old Mage, Dark Faction Leng and coruler of his world was insisting and almost violently forcing his beloved granddaughter into my arms, meanwhile talking about “fate,” “higher power” and “ancient traditions.” But did I want this?! Minn-O was indisputably a woman of remarkable beauty, but how could I explain having a Dark Faction “junior wife” to my allies?
“My people do not have such a tradition of ‘lawful plunder,’“ I answered as neutrally and delicately as possible. But even without using the Psionic skill, I could tell that my answer pained her. “And among my people, the ‘strong warrior’ would have to start things or, at the very least the ‘girl of a defeated family,’ never someone else.”
“My grandpa Thumor-Anhu is no else!” the prisoner burst out, raising her voice, but immediately got herself together and continued in a normal tone. “But you’re right, Gerd Gnat. Strong warrior is supposed to starting. If he not to want, no one is to force. And now, I want change topic!”
Then, it became entirely impossible not to notice her upset state. Minn-O started periodically sobbing. Her eyes grew damp and she was having a hard time holding back tears. I really didn’t think that refusing to discuss the wayedda would have such an effect on the princess. Nevertheless, despite the bawling, Minn-O continued, and notes of resolve appeared in her voice:
“I is give message from ruling grandpa Leng Thumor-Anhu La-Fin. Not just one, but three. First: my strong faction offer you weak faction to give tribute. Twenty-thousand red crystals in day. If yes, we no destroy you hexagon and will be peace and trade. Second is offer: we agree no shoot no base with long cannon or rocket. We know where all you base, and you also know us. Destroying these is bad for every side. Both no grow and very stupid. Defend Earth after one tong is us common mission, so both need develop and strong. And three message: Thumor-Anhu discuss plan of counterfeit crystal and say that respecting you after this clever move. For my faction, is very pain from Geckho. My grandpa say you wise and crafty, can to join my side and be right hand of Leng. And that is he promise!”
Yikes... even without using the scanning ability I could be sure this cell was packed with microphones. Every word of this conversation was being recorded and would soon be sent to the fed and a whole bunch of other people. Many in the faction already mistrusted me and, after such a flagrant attempt to convert me, they might think I was interested if I didn’t respond forcefully enough. I needed to answer immediately in a way that left no questions:
“Minn-O, I will send your first offer to my leadership, but I doubt it will be seriously considered. I will send your second as well. I hope I’ll have an answer by evening. But as for the third so-called ‘offer,’ I told you before and I repeat that you will never defeat us! I will stop at nothing until my faction wins this war!”
The cartographer gave a slight bow, then turned away, letting me know the conversation was over. I was already heading for the exit when I suddenly realized that I had not heard one important thing from the prisoner:
“By the way, Minn-O, what did your grandfather say about a ransom? How many crystals is he willing to part with for his beloved granddaughter’s freedom?”
The Princess turned very slowly and met eyes with me. In her teary gaze, I could read sadness and lack of hope:
“Thumor-Anhu is very annoy with last I failure and, in front of many courtier, he is swear that no more is he pay even one crystal for ransom! Grandpa say that only way for me not hurting honor of house La-Fin, it is become Wayedda of Gnat and be honorable junior wife. Otherwise aristocrat and courtier no is approve, and big fall in honor of me.”
While saying thi
s, the Princess had her eyes glued on me, although she knew for certain about my psionic abilities. It would have been fairly easy for her to turn away or lower her eyes, so I couldn’t read her thoughts, but Minn-O did not do that. It was as if she was inviting me into her mind... And so, bowling over all the guidelines of good conduct, I used my Psionic abilities to dig around a bit:
“Will he guess or no? I will not mention his magical abilities, so the guards listening won’t know, even though it’s the topic I’d most like to discuss. After all, it is thought that there is no magic in his world. But what was that during the battle on the Centaur Plateau? Did none of Gnat’s allies even notice? No, he clearly does not understand my hints. Seemingly, I overestimated his brainpower. And too bad...”
What did she want from me? And what was I supposed to be figuring out? Did she want me to confirm my ability to converse mentally? Most likely. So, I concentrated and sent a message:
“I just learned Psionic abilities, so don’t judge me so harshly. And I have very little time, my Magic Points run out fast. So, if you have something to say this way, make it quick.”
A whole wave of her feelings cascaded over me. There was joy, elation, relief, some embarrassment, and a lot of hope. After that, a distinctly formulated thought appeared:
“Gnat, my grandpa is willing to give very, very much for me to become your official wife or wayedda. To him, it is a matter of the survival of house La-Fin, which is an ancient dynasty of magical rulers. So, if you like me even one bit, let me know any way you can. Then ask for whatever you want either personally or for your faction: political favors, a large number of crystals, or even...”
My eyes suddenly went dark and I stepped back. I probably would have fallen on the cold stone floor if Ayni had not run forward to grab my falling body.
External Threat (Reality Benders Book #2) LitRPG Series Page 29
