by Eden Redd
David leapt over the barrier and charged. Mina moved like ice flowed in her veins. The commander fired at any Nalik in view until a shadow fell over his body.
“I got you boss,” David said as he stepped past Morgan and used his body as a shield.
Morgan was to his feet and behind David, firing with him as Naliks struggled at the valley entrance. Morgan’s power suit marched indifferently, bolts striking it. The forced march began to fail as the suit struggled to stay on its feet. When it reached the valley entrance, a bolt struck it dead center and it fell onto its back.
“Back up,” Morgan shouted before a pulse filled the air and an explosion followed.
Rocks, sand and bodies flew into the air as the explosion rocked the area. The valley entrance crumbled, boulders bouncing and falling. Naliks continued to fire until rocks crashed into them. The rumbling vibrated along the area as shouts, screams and grunts rose up. Morgan peeked out from behind David and watched as tons of rock crushed bodies. The remaining autocannon continued to spit out plasma death as confusion took hold of the enemy.
David rose a metal fist into the air when a bolt slammed into his knee. The power suit fell to one knee, smoke rising up. Morgan stepped around his friend and fired into stragglers that remained. A Nalik aimed at David when a bolt caved in its face, Morgan’s eyes watching as the body crumbled. The commander felt the chain in his heart snap. Legs moving of their own accord, he rushed toward the enemy, pulling the trigger in rapid succession.
Logic fell away to controlled chaos. Morgan stared unblinking as he watched fear take root amid the enemy. Where once there was no fear, now it bloomed into an uncontrollable storm among the Nalik ranks. The reaming autocannon shattered battle suits to smoking husks. Plasma bolts fired past his shoulders, enemy bodies falling. Morgan huffed as he reached the fallen debris. Climbing like a mad man, he reached the top and fired. Some returned fire, but many more began to turn and run. Morgan jumped and landed by a severed arm with an enemy plasma rifle still in it. Picking it up, he gave chase, silent except for the noise of his commandeered rifle hissing with each pull of the trigger.
Power suit gone, he lost all communication with his team and for that, he was silently grateful. Charging, he blasted the enemy without remorse. The battle had turned and alerts filled the corner of his vision.
“Campaign Success! Campaign Success!” filled the edges, but Morgan pressed on.
The running turned to a walk as the enemy fled. Morgan let out a huff as his lungs cried out and a stitch radiated from his side. The smell of burning flesh blanketed the area and the commander took solace in it. In the vast distance, canyons rose up, the enemy fleeing to them but the player continued, searching for an intangible taste. Bodies and bright blood painted the sand as Morgan marched.
Movement caught Morgan’s attention and he aimed his rifle to the side. In the sand, a lizard woman tried to crawl, her right leg nothing more than a bloody stump. Her black gaze on a pistol laying fifteen feet from her. The player stepped closer, eyes cold as he watched the Nalik desperately try to reach the pistol.
“I can end it,” Morgan said in a low tone.
The Nalik glanced to him, but continued to crawl toward the pistol. Morgan stepped along slowly, keeping the same pace, but not interfering. He watched with cool eyes as she pressed on. A trail of blood followed the lizard woman as she grunted with each slide forward.
“You earned a peaceful death,” Morgan whispered.
The Nalik ignored him, her scaled hand reaching out and inches away from the pistol. Morgan stood over her, his shadow touching her burnt and bleeding body. The decision was already made in his head, but he had to see it out. The moment her scaled hand touched the pistol, his boot stepped on her wrist. The Nalik looked up with defiant fury and fire as Morgan looked down with a chilly gaze. The wind flowed over them as Morgan pointed the barrel at her back.
“Sleep well,” Morgan whispered before pulling the trigger.
A bolt struck her back, punching through her spine. The Nalik flopped on the sandy ground, eyes rolling into her head and her last breath hissing to nothing. Morgan nodded before he reached into a thigh pocket on his battle fatigues and pulled put a small pair of pliers.
The commander knelt to the sand beside the Nalik body, shadows under his eyes.
***
David grunted as his power suit struggled to stand. The motors shorted out and he remained on one knee. The sound of footsteps filled his helmet, but he couldn’t turn around to see.
“Need a hand?” Mina’s sickly-sweet tone came over the speakers.
“Are you going to make fun of me if I do?”
Mina’s power suit stood over David’s, “You know I will.”
David sighed as he initiated the eject command. The back of the power suit flowered open and David was pushed out of the suit. An armored hand grabbed the player by the waist and set him down.
“Thanks,” David said.
“Morgan went that way. We should go see if he’s okay,” Mina said simply.
David looked back to the smoking barrier and armored soldiers high-fiving each other. “What about them?”
“Campaign is over so they’re going to celebrate,” the player said without emotion. “I’d rather hang out with you guys before we exit.”
“Are you going to talk to him about Digital Hearts?”
Mina’s armored head nodded. “No time like the present.”
David stretched out his arms, “Pick me up. I don’t feel like walking.”
Mina barked out a laugh. “You’re such a baby.”
The armored player reached down and picked David up. Holding him to her chest, motorized legs began walking through the sand.
“You lost the bet. Pay up,” David smiled.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Mina said with a hidden smile.
David tapped his fingers on Mina’s visor. “I know you know you lost. Pay up or I’ll get gross.”
“I don’t recall any kind of wager or bet,” Mina laughed.
“You asked for it,” the soldier said as he pulled himself up slightly and ran his tongue over her visor.
Mina watched with a wide smile as David slathered against her visor like some dog.
“So gross,” the player laughed as she marched on with her fellow player in her arms.
***
Morgan stood up, one hand sliding his pliers into a pocket and placing something else in another pocket. The thrill began to ebb away and a serene calm pressed against nerves. A sensation touched his mind and he slowly turned around to see a power suit walking toward him with David in its arms. The Commander picked his new plasma rifle from the sand and waved with his other hand at them.
Ten thousand credits have been awarded to your account! Thank you for your service on the Southern border.
Morgan eyed the alert as his friends approached. Despite the long hours and brutal battles, the amount was a drop in the bucket. A sliver of despair touched him and he quickly pushed it away.
There will be more missions. I can handle this. I can reach my goal.
The suit’s visor slid up and Mina looked down with bright warm eyes. “Now that the campaign is over, David and I have an offer you simply can’t refuse.”
Two
The back of the power suit flowered open as thick arms placed David on the sand. Morgan watched as David dusted himself off and Mina emerged from the back of the power suit. The redhead climbed down, spotted freckles across her nose and upper parts of her cheeks tanned across her pale white face. The sunlight gave her exposed neck and face an almost supernatural glow, diffused by the light spattering of dark freckles.
David ran his fingers through his short dark hair as Mina came around and stood at his side. Morgan approached his friends, a lightness touching his heart and demeanor. The long campaign was over and he allowed himself a chance to take a breather.
“What is it that I can’t refuse?” the player asked with a sma
ll smile.
Mina looked up to the bright sky, her hand reaching up and blocking out the sun from her eyes. “Is there a place we can talk in private? As fun as this place was, I think we can all relax while we talk.”
“Yea, I have sand everywhere,” David said as he reached behind and pulled at his brown and tan fatigues. “It’s even in the crack.”
Morgan nodded before raising his hand and calling up his personal menu. A 2D screen appeared out of thin air, a list of commands glowing blue against a white background. The player tapped at the screen a few times. Two screens appeared, one in front of David and the other in front of Mina. Words blinked, indicting if they accepted to be fast-traveled to Morgan’s private server. The two friends tapped the “Accept” button and the screens faded away.
Morgan tapped a few more times at the commands and the desert swirled into a light streaking tunnel. The three stood, David tapping his boot and pulling at his pants. Mina tried to not smile as he moved around awkwardly and a moment later, the three stood in The Study.
“I need a copy of this place,” David said as he scanned the room.
Dark, polished wood shelves surrounded the three friends, books filling every space. High-backed chairs stood facing each other while an old-fashioned giant globe stood off to the side. A mahogany desk stood about ten feet away, a large window behind it and a lush green field with patches of trees dotting the landscape beyond. The floor was covered in dark red carpet and small, wooden round tables stood between chairs. Busts of famous authors stood in each corner of the room and a warm, earthy book scent filled the air.
“I’ll make a copy and send it to you,” Morgan said he moved toward the giant globe.
Touching it, the top part of the globe opened to reveal glass bottles of various shapes and sizes, each filled with dark and light liquids. Mina took a seat in one of the comfortable chairs while David brought up his personal menu and tapped at the 2D screen. Instantly, his clothes changed to black pants and a sweatshirt. The player took a seat next to Mina while Morgan poured amber liquid into three glasses.
“I hope whiskey is okay?”
“Whiskey is perfect,” smiled Mina.
“I’ll have a glass,” David said softly as he leaned back in the chair.
Morgan nodded and placed the top back on the whiskey bottle. Picking up the three glasses, he moved to the small table between his friends and placed two glasses down. Morgan then took a sip of his drink a she sat down across from them. Classical music began to play lightly in the background as the three friends took sips of their whiskey.
“I can definitely get used to this,” David said he swirled his drink.
“What’s up?” Morgan smiled.
David looked to Mina as she took a deep sip of her drink and placed the glass on the table beside her. Leaning forward in her seat, she dazzled Morgan with a cheery grin and bright eyes.
“Have you ever heard of Digital Hearts?”
Morgan smirked, took a sip and eyed the redhead. “Isn’t that a romance and life simulation game? I’ve heard of it, but thought it was a throwback to a similar game over a hundred years ago.”
Mina nodded. “It is…sort of. It’s a private game where you can only play through invite only. Before the battle at the Southern Border, I told David about it and we wanted to talk to you about joining us. I was invited, but I have two more invites, one for each of you.”
Morgan kept his small smirk as he looked down, not saying anything.
“I’ve heard about the game before. Despite its age, it really lets you do almost anything. You can build your dream home, find romance and follow your passions,” David quickly added.
Morgan let out a small exhale. “Thanks for thinking, of me but I don’t have time for romance and following dreams. I’m sure someone from the guild will join you.”
Mina kept her positive light as she spoke, “You have been working yourself to the bone in the Grid Wars. Your name has been in the top one hundred of the leader boards, but you still live on the lower levels. We were kind of hoping you’d join us so you can take a break and maybe relax a little.”
“It will be like a vacation for all three of us. We can build homes together and hang out,” David grinned.
Morgan gave a polite smile. “I appreciate it, but I have too much to do. A new campaign will start in two days and I was hoping the three of us could talk strategies.”
“Morgan, Digital Hearts is a rare chance. I can’t think of anyone else I would want to play with then both of you. They only allow a certain number of players to play the game and it could be years before I’m considered again. It will give us a chance to take some time off from killing and have some normal fun together.”
Morgan eyed Mina and David without showing a hint of emotion. It was plain as day his friends were interested in playing some secret game, but inner thoughts flowed back to his responsibilities and a promise. Seeing Mina and David so eager to drag him along made him feel good even though he already knew his answer.
“It sounds fun but…,” Morgan said before he was cut off by Mina’s wicked smile.
“There is an 800,000-credit payout if you finish the story line.”
Morgan’s eyes widened a hair. Taking a sip of his drink, he placed the glass on the nearby table and leaned forward, elbows on knees and fingertips touching.
“So, tell me more about Digital Hearts.”
Mina and David smiled at each other before their bodies mirrored their friend.
Mina spoke first. “Like I said, it’s a life and romance simulator. It allows you to live the life you always wanted, but has a storyline. Your objective is to find your true love. I’m not sure on the details because most of it is kept secret, but what I do know is the game is littered with clues to find a buried treasure.”
“It takes place in a seaside town with a small population. From what I’ve read, the game is outlawed because it doesn’t follow the government credit system for rewards. No game gives out such a large payment and that’s why it is moved from server to server and it’s invite only. I’ve heard enough players talk about it to see people would kill to have a chance at it.”
“Sounds difficult, especially if there are many players. And I’m not exactly a Romeo,” Morgan chuckled.
“That’s the beauty of it, the reward is tailored to each player which means everyone is not competing for the same pot. There is a bonus if you find true love first, but it really depends on your personal experience. I’m not sure how they worked out what true love is for each player, but they must have some kind of guidelines,” Mina smiled.
A dark vibration pulsed along Morgan’s mind as he mulled it over.
“There is a time limit, but I heard its slow. The storylines play out and give you every opportunity to achieve your goals,” Mina nodded.
“I heard a rich player repurposed the old Digital Hearts game to give those living on the lower levels a chance at a better life. I don’t know about you guys, but I’m ready to give it the old player try,” David laughed.
Mina’s smile dimmed as she looked to Morgan’s thinking face. “We’ve been fighting for credits for over two years. You have led us through more battles then I can count and we survived. David and I have been able to move up to new levels in our towers, but you are still on the eighth floor. This could be our chance to move up past the fiftieth level and access better games and a better life.”
David nodded. “Didn’t two players kill each other in your tower the other week? This might be the universe saying it’s your time to move up.”
Memories washed over the player as he sat. Two players who discovered their identities started a feud in his very tower. They would constantly steal from each other in different worlds and arenas. It had gotten so bad, one stole a legendary item from the other. The player disconnected from his Mind’s Eye Gear, marched over to his door with a plasma pistol. He shot his way through the lock, stormed in, pressed the pistol to the back of the player’s
helmet and pulled the trigger. The event was all over the media feeds as images cycled through of the player with his mouth hanging open and a large hole where his eyes and nose were. The other player was arrested, but the whole situation only highlighted what it was like on the lower levels. Morgan didn’t like that is was just a few doors down from his place.
Morgan scratched his head, “It sounds tempting, really tempting but I’m not sure. The credits sound good and it does seem like a relaxed experience. Can I think about it?”
Mina nodded. “The invite expires in twenty hours. If you can, let me know sometime tonight and I’ll send you the access code.”
“I’m in, so send it to me,” David said eagerly.
The redhead shook her head. “Yea, I know you’re in. I wish you had bought me dinner first.”
“I’ll get you an extra slice of pizza. Only the best for you,” David said with a sarcastic smug edge.
Morgan laughed as Mina rolled her eyes and stood up. David was next to her, finishing his drink. The air took a comforting hue as the two players made their way to the one door in the room. Mina opened it and white light shined in. Morgan stayed seated as he waved to his friends. Mina gave him a warm smile before stepping into the light. David spun around on his heels before waving and jumping back into the white light. The door closed shut behind them and the room took a dimmer glow.
Friends gone, shadows crept into Morgan’s face. Drinking down the last of his whiskey, he placed the glass down and called up a 2D screen with a wave of his hand. Tapping at the screen commands, a live feed appeared of the man in a white room with tubes and wires sticking into him. The image sent a pang of sadness through Morgan as he stared. The player looked down at the fund account at the bottom of the screen.
Neal’s Recuperation Fund - 101,000/600,000
Morgan called up another screen and accessed his credit account. Hitting the transfer command, he funneled eight thousand of the ten thousand credits he had earned into the fund.
Neal’s Recuperation Fund - 109,000/600,000
