by Han Yang
I nodded, not sure how to reply. While barely older than me in appearance, she was ancient. That was the reality of my dating life. Sex was always confined to a rented shower room. There was simply no other space for us besides a dining hall or the only park in this section of the ship.
We hadn’t even approached that line, even though I had considered broaching the subject. My dating life sucked - which was on par for any twenty one year old - and was mostly a product of my standing and situation aboard a crammed ship. Privacy didn’t exist. Well, not without a high cost.
“Is this a ‘mold me’ sort of thing because I’m so young?” I asked.
She giggled with a head shake. “Your father?” she assumed, and I nodded. “There’s a hundred thousand men and a hundred and ten thousand women on these three ships leaving a lady without a whole lot of choices. I sought you out because you’re a dreamer in the real world who doesn’t care about the trials.”
“Uh, I’ve been checking my linker every five minutes for when the next Reincarnation Trials start. I’ve done nothing but study general tactics and practice in meaningless simulators when I’m not in here or the park reading,” I countered.
“And why do you focus so hard that way?”
I sighed, seeing her point. “To have a better life out here, and I do find the park lovely. Taiyo, I don’t know what to say besides having you as a colony neighbor would be wonderful. I’m interested too. However, the Citizen options in the Reincarnation Trials have romance.”
She giggled as I squirmed from saying that.
“So boyish of you. Everything in there goes away. Trust me, the design is meant for you to try your hardest and care while at the same time you avoid an attachment. The first ones are always the hardest, they really are. I had a beau who would have been perfect in real life, and -”
“Beau?”
“Sorry, that reincarnation was about swamps and gators. A man. A man who whisked me off my feet. It was marvelous and the only thing in life I wanted was for him to be real. He wasn’t. And…” She hung her head with a sigh. “The next one who I thought was like that, strangled me, robbed me, and I started again with a massive deficit,” Taiyo said sadly.
“I’m sorry,” I said.
“See, you don’t get it yet. Don’t be sorry, or jealous, or spiteful. I watched your report that humanity needs an outlet. This is that outlet. Only the strong should rule,” she said.
I cringed but softened with a nod. “Are you saying what I think you're saying?”
“There is a slim chance that out of the hundreds of millions of people in the Trial, you will encounter another real person. I’ve done that and made some lasting friends over the years. However, do you see them having a water and salad date with me? No, no you don’t. It’s all trivial, even real life is. So yes, young Theodore Karo, do whatever it takes to win. We’re both not virgins, and we’re both not committed,” Taiyo said bluntly.
“I - I - I don’t know what to say to that.”
She giggled with a warm smile. “We are four days away from Earth. In five days, Hope will slip into the atmosphere, dump all this shitty stale air, and the interior will be fresh with not only oxygen but joy. If I had to guess -” A ping through the ship interrupted her sentence. “Right on cue.”
The chimes continued, initiating a fleet wide broadcast. Even those folks who were in stasis in some meaningless simulation would be getting this message.
“This is Darcy broadcasting all across the Salvation Fleet. I have good news, bad news, and just news. I will start with the bad. No clusters of civilized life remain on Earth. The great cities that stood when we departed have all fallen, and their structures are home to nature now.
“The narocks are still the dominant species in the land and sea. They’ve adapted to become smaller while finding new methods to hunt. While their numbers have dwindled with the loss of an abundant food supply, my initial assessment is negative for a colony spot.
“Onto the news. We need more data. Once we slip into Earth’s atmosphere, we will send all three ships on counter-rotating orbits over the planet to map the new terrain that has had four hundred years to foster growth. The process will take at least four months, and when finished, we will need to park the ships to allow a recharge - either on the surface or in space. Likely in space.
“We know that a Reincarnation Trial normally lasts a full five-years between themes. This time, it will be one year inside the Trial. Time will be condensed at three to one. We will adjust this as needed to fit the time for when we are ready to begin colonization.
“After much deliberation, the final roster has finished, but the council has decided to postpone the next trial. They wish to wait for the carbon purge and the intake of fresh air. Once again, our lungs will feel the joy of a clean atmosphere.
“Additionally, Earth is experiencing a high oxygen, jungle type climate. The average temperatures are high with a high humidity. This is completely natural and in thirty-thousand years or so, the planet will cycle into a natural cooling.
“Your cybernetics will need to be tweaked by medical before anyone can depart for the surface. The moderate news about this is that you will hack up carbon from your lungs once we have fresh air again. This is perfectly normal and to be expected.
“The good news is that we have arrived, and humans still exist! They dwell in caves, in tree homes, and wherever they can eke out a living in peace. Most of the survivors are descendants of those thought lost during the great walling of humanity. They lack power, machines, and have reverted somewhat, but they live!”
Cheering erupted throughout the ship.
“I’m going to freshen up on my training. I hope you make the cut for colonization. If you do, ping me where you want to go if there are options. Good luck in the Trials, Theo. I know you’ll do well,” Taiyo left her seat, and I watched her depart.
She never gave me a chance to reply, leaving me to mull over the announcement and her earlier words.
To me, all this was fantastic news. I wanted to see the ocean, remove the dirty air, and watch videos on the newest variations of the alpha predators we’d have to combat to settle on the planet. After that, the Reincarnation Trials would begin!
Starship Hope
2 days inside Earth’s atmosphere.
We all got sick. Sure, the air was fantastic, but the constant vomiting of crud from my lungs became tiresome. Apparently, cybernetics were doing a whole hell of a lot to keep me alive.
The airborne contagions caused medical to create a cocktail of drugs to calm the outbreak which was nothing more than a common cold. Perfectly normal, and they meant to tell us… but forgot to mention it.
Call me skeptical.
The ship’s doors sealed, the air stabilized, and a filtered influx of air flowed in. We dumped over four-hundred years of dust out of the ship, knowing the planet would recycle it.
My linker chimed, and I left breakfast for the last time for what would likely be months. I ate alone, not wanting to disturb Father or Taiyo before the big day.
A secret part of me expected the theme to be revealed, and the disappointment that I couldn’t study up on the new world bothered me.
The clean halls combined without having to wick through nasty air revealed that change wasn’t just on the horizon, it was here. As a boy who grew up in the halls, it was drastic, and I could only imagine how it must feel for the originals.
I entered the one-bedroom suite I shared with my father and six others. The furniture had been repurposed long ago to make room for the six vertical pods that adorned the walls, five of them showing faces I knew all too well.
The sights of Earth and the reality that our long-awaited trip was over and had everyone eager to compete. These five waited in queue or had already spawned into the world, eager to get a head start. I ran a hand down dad’s glass, wishing we could team up or spawn together.
I could make allies once in the Trials. Plotting beforehand was useless due to t
he random nature of the event. I touched my forehead to his capsule and silently wished him luck. The door of my unit slid open, and I stepped into the device.
The lid hissed closed, sealing me into the capsule. One moment I psyched myself up and the next - blackness.
∞∞∞
You are about to enter the realm known as Snagglewood.
You are number 37 of 37 in Queue.
Warning, you are about to enter a realm with six shooters, action lever rifles, explosives, mystique, and more. Your mind will be filled with relevant data to the setting. This only means you will recognize and understand things a local would.
Warning, due to the nature of this competition, your starting location will be random, the date you enter will be random, and your body will mimic how you look in real life. A dice roll could mean a bad start, or a good one. Enter at your own risk.
Warning, you are set as a Citizen. You can die, be tortured, face mutilation, and much worse. You can change this setting at any time. Once you go into pleasure mode, you cannot go back to competition mode as a Citizen.
Warning, you are set as a Citizen. Upon death, a ten-thousand-point penalty will be assessed and double for each subsequent death.
Warning, there is a plague of prog’narock monsters roaming the continent with webo’narocks on the coasts. This is on top of the naturally hostile land. This may bring traumatic flashbacks to those who survived the exodus. Select Pleasure mode to enter a location away from the invasion.
Warning, you are allowed one exit per standard Earth day, or three Snagglewood days. Additional breaks will result in a penalty based on frequency and duration.
Warning, you are not allowed to trade real world currency, favors, items, or anything at all for in-game manipulations.
Warning, only the top 20,000 contestants will be able to apply for colony slots. Only 2,000 leadership roles MAY be assigned. Leadership numbers will vary greatly based on many factors.
If you are okay with these terms, please select that you accept by mentally signing your name.
“Damn, that’s a lot of warnings. Are there lions, tigers, and bears, oh my?” I sassed.
Darcy didn’t miss a beat and said, “Cougars, bears, and coyotes who’ll eat a man as he lays dying.”
I jolted instinctively, realizing I didn’t have a body to jolt with but somehow being okay with that fact.
“Hi Darcy, how are you?” I asked.
“Swell, thanks fer askin’,” she said with a southern twang. “Ya gonna accept or what, partner?”
“Uh, do I have to know slang?” I asked.
“Right, it's been a while since we had a first timer. Since the breeding restrictions and all. No matter where I send you, your accent adjusts. It will take some time, but eventually everyone will speak plainly, and that is for the best, else you come out with new dialects at the end of the ordeal. Mannerisms, like butt scratching, and chewin’ tabbac, well, they’ll stick.” The AI swapped back to dialect. “Ya nervous?”
“Somewhat,” I admitted. “Any pointers?”
“Follow the rules. Always follow the rules. I won’t help you one smidge, but if you take a three hour break instead of one in the hopes of not dying…” She let the sentence hang.
“No PG settings. Will sex feel real?” I asked.
It is important to note that Darcy had always been there for all of us humans. She was the one we talk to when we were alone in our pods, unable to get out due to density in the zones we want to travel. Asking her a simple, direct, and personal question didn’t bother either of us in the slightest. While weird, everything aboard an overcrowded ship was different.
“I wouldn’t know, but I’ve got a clue. The answer is a close yes. Look, Theo, you might find love in here, and it’ll feel real, but it's not. When the realm finishes, I tweak your emotions, making letting go easier. Does that make sense?”
“A friend tried to tell me something similar. So, you’re saying let loose, live the best Snagglewood life I can,” I summarized.
Instead of replying, a prompt hit my face.
Queue complete. Enter Snagglewood as a Citizen - YES or NO - Yes selected.
Snagglewood Day 1
Location unknown.
A bell rang in the distance, stirring me from my slumber. I groaned, feeling dehydrated. Caked-on drool coated my cheek all the way down to my chin. I smacked my lips, wondering if I had a smidge of a hangover headache.
I peeled my eyes open, seeing I slept next to a pile of horse dung, at least, I hoped it was horse dung. I raised myself off the straw flooring, noticing the stall absent of an actual horse. That damned bell rang again.
Crack!
“A rifle!” I blurted.
I assessed myself quickly, knowing that if bullets were flying, I best be ready for a fight.
A six-shooter rested in a shoulder harness under my left armpit. The ivory handles faced up for an easy grab with my right hand. Hanging on a hook meant for a saddle rested a long rifle, no scope, just good ol’ iron sights. The caliber seemed small, but it was better than the pistol for distance shooting.
After I snatched the rifle, I rushed out of the stall, finding myself in the middle of a big barn. A big mare with a white coat and fawn patches roamed the middle of the barn. Her saddle was already strapped tightly to her back, and she nickered happily at my arrival.
I wasn’t sure if this was my horse, but if there was ever a time to steal a ride, it was during a gunfight. Especially since I was away from the danger at the moment. The mare clomped over to me for pets.
“Okay, you clearly know me,” I said, rubbing behind her ear.
Crack! Crack! Crack! Crack!
The repeating gunfire spoke of chaos just outside the barn. The mare’s head turned as if she could see through the wall. Her friendly demeanor pushed me over the edge to say screw it. I kicked a foot into her stirrup and vaulted onto her back.
“Argggg.”
I solidly squished my nuts by getting in the saddle so aggressively. While I whimpered, the main barn door flung open, and a woman dashed into the building. She wore a pretty blue bonnet and lovely blue dress. Her garment was ruined, though, stained red with blood.
Based on her fluid movement as she barred the gated entry, the blood didn’t belong to her.
A snarl from the door warned me we had a visitor.
Thud!
The animal or beast outside nudged the barn doors with an exploratory bump. The beast’s sniffer inhaled large clumps of air, causing puffs of loose dirt to billow from under the door when it exhaled.
The woman quaked, fearing for her life. I shifted nervously, lifting the rifle towards the door. I’d never shot a gun in a real competition, only at a practice range in a custom simulation.
The only real realm I’d adventured in, I had stabbed mutated bunnies with a sword, which was a far cry from firearms.
I could feel the tension in the warm air, and I manned up, firmly sticking the weapon against my shoulder.
Crack!
A hole no bigger than my pinky burst through the wall. The whizz of a bullet zipped by my ear, and I ducked about five seconds slower than the round that almost killed me.
The mare nickered nervously, and the scraping claws of the beast faded away. A shrill scream from a dying man told me the monster didn’t like being shot at.
The woman finally came to her senses and stormed by me with a nasty scowl on her face. I could see her wanting to call me a coward. She bit her tongue and marched to a different stall to release a hazel stallion. The magnificent beast stood a few hands taller than mine, and I wondered if I had got stuck with a small mare because I had just arrived.
The big brute sniffed her dress, clacking hooves down hard in anger when his nose reached the sticky blood.
“We ain’t fightin’, Brutus. They killed Ma, the bar’s a ruin, and it's three of ‘em this time.” She struggled onto his back. “What’s yer malfunction?”
I pointed to my chest wit
h my free hand. “Me?”
“Yes, you. You coulda shot the damn thing when it was at the door.”
“Rightly so, I suppose. Does a single shot kill them?” I asked.
“If you hit the head, heart, or somethin’ vital. They’re not too much tougher than a bear,” she said with a shrug, kneeing Brutus forward.
“I guess my malfunction is: dying hurts. I don’t want to take a blind shot,” I said with a sassy snort. “The man who almost shot me, well, he learned the hard way that missing comes at a cost. What do you think we should do?”
“We need to flee. All of Lornsto was trying to get out of here. The coast is being overrun, so the interior will be safer. Will you escort me to Laro?” she asked.
I expected a pop-up notification or something, but it never happened. I tapped on my linker, causing her to frown.
“Why are you messing with your shirt on your forearm like its haunted?” she asked.
“Right. I can mess with it later. I see a camping bag there. Blankets over there.” I pointed to a few upper shelves on the walls. “We can steal backup horses too.”
“I saw Caity and Teebin die. Get those two horses saddled, and I guess you have a point. No sense in fleeing to only die from the elements. I’ll gather the supplies. What’s yer name, sailor?”
I noticed her drawl slide in and out, almost as if my ears were adjusting to her accent. I glanced down at the bandoleer on my chest and the white undershirt. I didn’t immediately think that my backstory was that of a sailor, but if I was on the coast, it might be true. I’d need to study my character sheet after the action.
“Theo. Just Theo. And yours?”
“Norma. I’d say it’s nice to meet you, but it’s not,” Norma said.
