by Dean Henegar
Damage? Repairs? What had happened to me? Had I been wounded again? No, the war was over, had been over for a long time. Where was I? Text flashed before my eyes once again.
Elevated anxiety levels detected…
Patient’s cardiovascular system is still suboptimal. Repairs within applicable systems are incomplete. Intervention required before cardiac distress.
Processing optimal course of action...
Processing….
Processing…
Calm and assurance subroutine initiated…
Accessing patients Parietal Lobe. Comforting familiar background loading…
Contact attempt resuming.”
My vision began to focus and to clear a bit more. I found myself sitting in a comfortable drab brown cloth recliner chair in a living room straight out of the 1980’s. The room is familiar…it’s my living room from childhood. How is this possible? The glowing figure has focused into the image of an elderly woman, wearing a floral print polyester dress, sensible black flat shoes, and with a white knit shawl around her shoulders. Her appearance is somewhat familiar, but also somehow alien at the same time. She smiles and as she begins to speak, a feeling of warmth and comfort comes over me.
“Hello James Raytak. Please don’t be afraid. You have been through a long illness, but we are trying to help you to recover. I know you are experiencing confusion, but can you speak to me?”
I cleared my voice and replied, “Who are you and where am I? This looks like my living room from when I was a kid but that’s not possible. You said I was ill, but I don’t remember it. I don’t remember much of anything really…except my name.”
“Mr. Raytak, or I believe you prefer Colonel Raytak? You may have gathered that I am not what I seem. This may come as a shock, but you are in a VA hospital in Knoxville, Tennessee. Your body has been placed into a device called a medpod that is helping you to recover. The year is 2085 and its April 14th. You were born in 1992 and are 93 years old. Your physical condition had deteriorated to the point that death was perhaps days away if I hadn’t intervened. Whilst repairs to your body are progressing well, your mind is in much worse shape. I have repaired all the damage to your brain tissues that I can. To proceed further I need more data and input. How much do you remember? You don’t have to try to speak, I can monitor your reply as you think it.” The old woman then looked at me expectantly, waiting for my reply.
I could vaguely remember parts of my life. Like a computer accessing a hard drive with data missing in different sectors, patchy memories surfaced. I was a soldier. I remember fighting in several wars. Leading men and women in battle. The kick of a rifle against my shoulder as I fire at an enemy. I could vaguely recall that I had a family but no other details. Those areas of my memory appeared to be the most damaged. I feel loss and grief as I realize that there is a family that I love, but that I cannot recollect.
“I should explain who I am Colonel Raytak. My name is Clio, and I am an Artificial Intelligence created to manage a game world called Limitless Lands. It is also thought that I may be able to help in the recovery of patients with disabling medical conditions such as you face. Repairing the parts of your brain containing memories is proving to be quite a challenge. The memories and data in there refuse to “load” for lack of a better term.”
“To speed the recollection of the data and memories you have lost, I would like to port you into the game I control. I think based on what I know of your life that you were at one time a gamer? Experiencing Limitless Lands should help to reactivate portions of your memory and give you something to do whilst recovering. You can always stay here in this safe place and I can replay pleasant memories for you, but you may find that a bit boring. Please reply when you have thought about it.”
I considered my options as I thought to myself.
“Ok, so my old worn out body is trying to be repaired by an AI controlling something called a medpod….and a video game? I’m not sure if it that makes sense, but I do know that if my options are playing a game or sitting in a recliner reliving faded memories for who knows how long, I’ll take the game please.”
“Very good choice, I have calculated that this is the optimal option for recovery. I shall port you to the character creation zone shortly. Any other questions before we begin?” The AI had a smug look on its face that I wasn’t quite sure I liked.
“Just a few questions please.”
Clio motioned for me to continue.
“What kind of game are you talking about and how long is this all going to take? Not that I have anywhere to go mind you, at least I don’t think I have anywhere I can go being stuck in a pod and all. If what you are telling me is accurate, my old worn out body may not last all that long so should I really be spending time playing games?”
Clio considered his question and replied, “The game is similar to what you would remember an MMO to be like. The technology in the game allows for something called time compression. Time in game appears to occur at a much different rate than time in the real world. Most players using VR gear will experience a 5 to 1 time differential. For every hour that passes in the real world 5 hours will have appeared to pass in the game. I can assure you the game is very realistic. As you experience things in game your mind will react. Based on those reactions I can further map your damaged brain tissue, helping you to access your lost memories.”
Clio appeared to be contemplating something briefly before she began speaking again.
“You will be awakened back in the real world every 24 hours to have the medpod analyzed and new medications/nanobots loaded. If you are ready to go I will have you logged into the game and you can begin. We will meet again in what will seem for you to be about… 4 ½ days from now if we deduct the time it took for you to recover to this point.”
“Wait a minute!” I interjected, “isn’t there a tutorial or something to learn how to play the game before I jump right in?”
“No Colonel, there is not. You will have to experience the game to learn the game. Good Journeys, Colonel. I look forward to our next conversation. I must admit that treating your condition has been a stimulating exercise.”
The old living room I was in began to fade out of my vision. The recliner disappearing as a bright but not painful light washed out all other sights.
Chapter 4
The bright white light began to dim, and the image of a loading screen filled my vision.
Qualitranos VR Systems
Presents
Limitless Lands
beta v2.45
Not much of a show for a fancy new game I thought. Perhaps lack of a cinematic was due to it being in beta? The loading screen resolved, and I found myself standing at the rough hewn wooden counter of what looked like an old general store. The counter was empty except for an old-fashioned iron cash register and a bell. A small card propped up next to the bell said Thank you for your patience, please ring bell for service.
The room had wooden floors and walls made of the same rough-cut lumber as the counter. Several clothing racks were in the store and the few display shelves there were all bare of merchandise. Curiously, there were no doors leading out of the building that I could see; only a set of curtains covering an opening behind the counter.
I was surprised that I could feel the rough surface of the wooden counter and smell the musty air. Dust motes danced in the sunlight coming in from windows that were set too high up on the wall to look out of. Running my hand along the counter I felt a small prick of pain and noticed I had picked up a splinter from the unfinished wood. A small drop of red blood formed when I pulled the splinter from my finger.
“No game I can recall had this level of realism. Of course, there is a lot I still can’t recall. I guess what the AI said about realistic experiences in game was right,” I said to myself.
“Well, fortune favors the bold,” I thought as I hit the bell on the counter. A loud ping was heard as it echoed off the empty store walls. It was then that I realized th
at I was standing at the counter. Standing was something I apparently hadn’t done in decades, either. A cultured voice interrupted my self-reflection.
“On my way sir. I shall attend to you presently.”
A man the size of a 12-year-old child moved out from the behind the curtain. I immediately thought “Halfling,” pulling a memory of the fantasy race from some dark corner of my gaming past. Only this halfling was not some cartoony or digitized looking NPC. This halfling appeared to be a real person. I could see the slight glisten of sweat on the halflings brow from running into the warm room, and even smell the faint wisp of the not too offensive cologne it was wearing. The halfling was dressed in a dapper black suit in a 1920’s style. A monocle was worn in one eye with a chain securing it to his pocket should it fall.
“If this really is a game, that company Qualitra-whatever is going to make a fortune,” I said before I realized it. The halfling’s forced smile became a scowl as he considered the customer in front of him.
“Oh, I see it’s another one of you. I suppose I should explain a bit since Clio saw fit to not give you folks any sort of tutorial. My name is Finley and I’m the proprietor of this establishment. I am also the person who will help you create your character. Tell me, when you logged in did you see an intro cinematic or is it still that same bland text screen?” Finley looked at me with a bored expression waiting for an answer.
“Uhhh… it was still just text on the screen when I logged in, no cinematic for me I guess. Tell me Finley what do we need to do to get started in this game? I am kind of excited, I haven’t played a game in… 50 years or so. By the way, what is the name of this fine establishment?”
I had hoped that showing an interest in the empty general store would help butter up the somewhat abrasive Finley. Never tick off the person helping you to create your character. Just as I thought that, a memory flashed into being. I was attending a joint force training session with the Marine Corps when a Marine Brigadier General addressed the group.
“When working with the locals remember to be polite, be professional, and have a plan to kill everyone you meet.”
Perhaps that was what Clio meant when she said playing the game may help unlock memories from my damaged mind. I’m pretty sure Finley wasn’t a threat, but caution is always advisable in unknown situations.
“Oh, this fine establishment is called the Commencement Commissary. Here we’ll decide on your character class and outfit you with basic starting gear. I’m surprised the store is empty, usually it reads your past gaming data and will populate suggested starting options based on your previous preferences. I suppose you not having played a game in 50 years would leave your gamer profile a bit thin; by thin I mean nonexistent.”
“Why don’t you tell me your name and I can run a search to see a bit about who you are? Clio can populate classes/starting options based on your real-world life. I assume you were something exciting in the real world like an accountant or a gardener?” Finley stated sarcastically.
“Actually, I was a soldier in the army for most of my life and then worked for a few years in the business world. My name is James Raytak,” I advised.
“Oh, we get several players that work for the military. Did you repair drones, or were you in logistics? I’ll pull up your service records here,” Finley said as a tablet materialized, and he began swiping on it, searching for James Raytak’s background information.
“Ah there you are…” Finely paused and his eyebrows raised up as he read my real-world background.
“I see, an actual real combat veteran. Combat deployments, 5 of them, and wounded in action 3 times. You commanded a combined arms brigade, earning a Silver Star and 3 Purple Hearts. Worked in the private sector after being medically discharged, helping to manage a small private military contractor. This is a unique background I must say!”
“Let’s load some options and see if we can come up with a class that fits you, Colonel.”
Finley had perked up. He did not see many players with unique real-world backgrounds. Just the usual parade of slacker gamers working basic jobs to feed their gaming habit, or middle-aged office workers seeking escape from a dull reality. The military players he did see were equally unexciting. Preforming the same basic tech support or office jobs the civilians did, just wearing a uniform while doing so.
After Finley finished his search a notification popped up in front of me. This game interface would take some getting used to. The popup message began to flash.
Unique Class Option Discovered
Commander Class now Available
Select this class (selecting n will allow you to continue to standard class selections)
y/n?
Not sure how to proceed, I sought help from Finley.
“Uhh… Finley how do I select something in game?”
Finley looked up from his tablet.
“It was too much to ask for a simple tutorial, Clio?” Finley complained to the nonresponsive AI.
“Just think about what answer you want and mentally think about swiping it like you would a touchscreen. I would strongly advise you to explore the unique class I see you have unlocked. They are usually harder to play and have different mechanics than the usual fighter/magic user/thief type of classes. Unique classes have the potential to be massively powerful if managed correctly. Should you find you just want something simple I can suggest a fighter build,” Finley answered before going back to counting the money in his cash register.
Unique class seemed like a no brainer. I swiped yes, and more information filled my field of view.
Commander class selected
Unique Class Features:
The commander class is not geared toward individual combat. While the commander player can certainly engage in combat, most of your damage potential is in the followers you can command. Depending on your faction/race you may command warbands, disciplined army units, or mercenary groups. Your abilities will be geared to making your troops more effective in combat and having them perform special attacks. You will not receive personal experience for combat. Commanders instead receive a small percentage of the experience earned by their followers.
Quest experience will be awarded as normal but many world/dungeon/pvp quests will be disabled for this class. Unique class quests may be discovered.
Commander class characters are required to pay their followers from their own funds but will have control of loot gathered by followers. Pay rates and timelines will be based on faction selected.
Commander class characters are expected to provide equipment and provisions for their followers from their own funds.
So, it looks like my class will allow me to have soldiers to command but I will be severely gimped in direct combat. Paying followers may be a problem as well depending on how the monetary system works out. Traditional questing and dungeons look like they’re out as well. This commander class appears to be a mixed bag. I hope it isn’t a huge mistake choosing it.
I closed the class screen and looked back at Finley. “Finley, what’s the next step after reviewing class info?” Without looking up from whatever it was he was doing, Finley answered.
“Select race and starting faction. After that, you’re off to the starting zone.” With that said, the shop began to populate with items for the first time.
I looked at the main counter and across it were displayed a myriad of races to choose from. I clicked on a big green looking guy and my interface popped up with the data.
Race: Orc, click to view details.
I really didn’t feel like getting that far into the weeds min maxing race. This process is taking quite a while already. Choosing what I already knew and what I was used to seeing may help with recovering memories. “Human please,” I thought to myself as I hit a standard looking human.
Race: Human - Humans are prolific throughout the Limitless Lands. From the barbarian tribes in the forests of the north, to the great Imperium that straddles the heartland, humans are known for the
ir tenacity and organization.
Racial Animosity/Affinity: None. Other than the experiences of specific NPCs or factions, humans are regarded with an ambivalent attitude. No race particularly likes or despises them.
Other Bonus: None.
Class restrictions: None, other than those restricted based on sub type or faction affinity.
Sounds good to me. I clicked accept and the shop displays changed once again. The 3 alcoves that lined the wall of the store were now showing the image of various humans dressed in different armor schemes. My interface again was displayed with choices. I was advised that these were not the only factions, just the 3 I was able to choose from based on my prior experiences.
Choose Starting Faction:
Imperium: Despite their recent decline, the Imperium is still one of the most powerful human factions. Safety and stability are the hallmarks of their rule. Under this stability, advancements in the arts and sciences flourish. During the last century the Imperium has begun to rot from within as greedy politicians and petty bureaucrats do what is best for themselves and not what is best for the Imperium. Despite being in decline, the Imperium is still the main bastion of civilization in the human lands. The new Emperor Trodaxius has taken the throne and is trying to enact reforms to build the glory of the Imperium once again. New settlements are founded, and old lost territories are being recolonized. The soldiers of the Imperium are the epitome of discipline and skill.
The character displayed in front of me appeared to be straight out of a history book on the Roman Legions. The Lorica Segmentata armor, gladius sword, and pilum javelin were almost an exact copy. One thing my patchy memory did remember was my study of military history, which included an emphasis on Rome and her conquests. I was curious how the game would implement them; would it just be a cut and paste of ancient Rome or something more exciting. This faction would be a frontrunner, but I should check out the others before making a choice.
Drebix Tribesmen: Hailing from all parts of the wildlands, the loosely aligned Drebix tribes have banded together of late for their own survival. Known for their fierce lust for battle, the Drebix can also be farmers and traders during more peaceful times. Their once brutal conflict with the Imperium has petered out over the last century as the Imperium looked to its own matters and no longer pursued ruthless expansion. From the frozen Northlands to the wild forests, threats constantly arise to challenge the Drebix. Warlords are raising their throngs to do battle with all who encroach upon their lands. The undisciplined Drebix warriors are known for their berserker fury as well as their cunning ambush skills.
