by Sable Hunter
Saxon breezed through the user interface portion of the menu, knowing all the hotkeys by rote. In mere moments, Jak Kage was standing before him on his computer screen. Jak was Saxon’s heroic archetype, with the combined characteristic of Beowulf, Theseus, and Odysseus. All wrapped up in the feudal period of an ‘alternative Earth’ as Tolkien would say. Six-three, with maxed out stats in strength, dexterity, and intelligence, he was also equipped with the finest, rarest obsidian armor sets, and elvenglass weapons. Many, many hours had gone into turning Jak into the superlative of the heroes that inhabited the world Saxon had breathed into life. In fact, Saxon often joked to himself that if he entered into one-on-one combat with someone at this advanced level, he would probably have to struggle to lose.
Until Alivia.
No matter, since their last battle he’d tweaked his hero and it was high-time he showed off what Jak could do.
He brought up the user search bar in interface, which allowed a player to find the location of other player characters on the map if you knew their username. He typed out alyxpaine, and a little red dot popped up on Saxon’s mini-map to the bottom right of his screen.
“There you are. Thought you could hide in the marshes of Torwood, did you? I guess I’ll just have to use the secret fast-travel portal behind the waterfall to surprise you.”
Golden ribbons of magic swirled around Jak and his intimidating figure, clad in the ebony dark demonic armors he’d won from the ghouls of the volcanic peaks of Anakarth. As his form faded away in one place, that same form instantaneously materialized in a small cave hidden behind a waterfall in Polax. Through the water, Jak could see Alyx doing battle with one of the non-player character trolls who lived in the marsh.
He decided to sit still and watch her, so he could learn her weaknesses and develop his battle tactics further, leading her to even greater embarrassment. He just wished her character wasn’t so seductive. Just watching her move turning him on. Saxon found it hard to separate the avatar from the woman he’d taken to bed. The memory made him hard.
Alyx leapt around the beast, easily dodging his knotted woody truncheon swinging through the air. She was equipped with light armor, bronhide leather, and only had a dagger and a bow it seemed. Saxon laughed to himself. “This is going to be easy.”
The monster parried a jab from Alyx’s dagger, and counter-attacked with an armor-break. In this case, a kick that knocked Alyx back and prone on the marshy ground. She was caught in the mandatory three second recovery period after an armor-break, so she was helpless to stand up and fight back. The marsh-troll lifted its wooden club into the air and brought it down hard with a sickeningly wet thump.
At that very moment, in a move faster than the Troll could respond to, but obvious to Jak, the figure of Alyx vanished from beneath the truncheon. Like a jet with camouflage technology, she morphed into an almost invisible form, her movements barely disrupting the view of light through the trees. In amazement, he watched her climb rapidly up the back of the troll to sink an elvenglass blade into its neck.
“That shouldn’t be enough to kill it, the hit points are too high for that marsh troll,” he whispered as she continued to battle. To his shock, the beast collapsed to the ground, and the troll’s attacker removed her cloak of invisibility to reveal the triumphant warrior-queen, Alyx Paine, as she jumped to safety.
“Dang, I forgot about the stealth bonus when you attack an unaware enemy with an elvenglass blade. It’s a multiplier for damage dealt,” Saxon murmured in admiration as Jak looked on from his hiding place.
Alyx sauntered up to the beast’s cadaver and collected its treasure, seven rolls of bronhide leather, and four hundred rubies.
Jak emerged from behind the waterfall. “You’re a worthy opponent, Alyx Paine. You have very impressive agility and illusion stats. Good thing, too. I’m sure you know you wouldn’t be able to defeat an elder marsh troll head on with that equipment.”
“Is that right?” Alyx adjusted her armor and drew her blade again. “Is that a challenge, since there seems to be a troll standing in front of me right now?”
“Oh shit! Good one. I didn’t think you’d be so eager to be wiped from the game. I hope you saved your progress.” Jak drew his weapon and cast a vitality and attack strength buffing spell on himself. His armor began to glow red. “This amulet of Nymeria will keep you from casting any illusions while we are in combat. Just so you know, it’s just you and me.”
“Sounds perfect,” Alyx murmured as she began to strafe around Jak. “I wouldn’t want anyone else watching a young elvish girl take that fancy obsidian armor set you worked so hard for away from you.”
Saxon laughed. “I’m afraid your beautiful mouth is writing checks your fabulous ass can’t cash, Princess. Your armor is a little beneath me, but after I take your dignity, I may give you a lesson or two at swordplay.” Jak swung his sword, but Alyx dodged to the side.
“Looks like all that gold in your treasury is weighing you down, Gilded Kage. You fight like a slow peasant…woman.” Alyx jumped over Jak forcing him to about-face rapidly.
Saxon thought to himself, lucky guess about all the gold, there’s no way she could have known what’s in my inventory. Aloud, Jak responded, “Just testing you. I need to know how little effort I need to invest to obliterate you,” before switching into a defensive stance.
“Little effort? Like about how much you invested in the character build screen?” She teased as she lunged forward with her blade.
Saxon pursed his lips, thinking, there is nothing wrong with Jak’s build, he’s perfect, as Jak executed a perfectly timed parry, knocking Alyx’s dagger out of her hand. He then repeated his flawless gameplay skills with a counterattack, full strength, aimed at her head. Before he could connect, he replied, “You know, we should really meet up in person again. I’d love to show off my hand-to-hand combat skills.” But just before Jak’s sword could connect with Alyx’s little pixie face, he froze in time. “What the fuck?”
“I’m not sure anything could be as much fun as this, actually.” Alyx began as she collected herself and walked around Jak. She began to loot his inventory.
‘You harpy!’ Saxon shouted to himself in front of his computer as he beat on the keys frantically. “How the hell?”
“I will meet you again,” she continued as Jak watched his precious gold disappear from his inventory slots, “in battle.”
Saxon was pulling his hair out.
Alyx ripped open a portal using one of Jak’s teleportation stones. “Just so you know, I don’t have to fuck with the game’s source code to rob anyone else, so you should feel special. But remember, don’t bring a sword to a nerd-fight.” And she promptly disappeared.
Jak’s sword fell down as he completed his swing, fatally too late. He now stood, penniless, surrounded by nothing but marsh.
“Actually, I forgot one thing.”
Jak whipped around to see Alyx’s face staring at him through another portal.
“I need that armor, too.” A speeding arrow was the last thing Jak saw before the screen went blank.
“Fuck me stupid.” Saxon leaned his chair as far back as it could go, his back bowed in frustration. “This woman will be the death of me!”
* * *
The next day, Alivia was riding off her frustrations on the Peloton bike when her cell rang. She answered without looking, presuming Violet to be her caller. “What’s got your panties in a wad? I’ll be at the office within the hour.” She’d wasted too much time haunting Saxon’s Conquest, hoping Saxon would come challenge her, just so she could best him at his own game.
“Well, my shorts aren’t in a wad, thank you. I would love to talk business with you if you have time.”
Removing the phone from her ear, Alivia glanced at the display. “Good Lord, you’re Kyle Chancellor, the Governor of Texas.”
“That would be me.” He chuckled. “Sorry to just call up without my people phoning your people, but I need your help.”
&nbs
p; “Of course, what I can do for you?”
“Perhaps you should let me explain first.” Kyle didn’t waste any time. He gave her a brief rundown of what they were facing. “I want to get a handle on this investigation. These women died senseless deaths, and I want to make sure that whoever did them is brought to justice. All we need is a damn serial killer on the prowl. Bottom line, I need answers. I’ve heard of your work in computer forensics, and I want you on my team.”
“Whatever you need, I’m ready to help.”
“Great!” Kyle was pleased. “You’ll be working with two of my Equalizers. Micah Wolfe and Saxon Abbott. They’re the best.”
Alivia’s eyes widened. “Uh…uh…”
“I can’t tell you how happy I am. I’ll have Micah call you shortly. Thank you for being willing to help me serve the good people of our state.”
Once Kyle hung up, Alivia fumed. “Damn, you Saxon.”
She logged onto Saxon’s Conquest and left him a private message. This task force, it was your idea for me to be part of it. Wasn’t it? Confess, you low-life Troll.
About five miles away, Saxon’s computer dinged when he received the message. After reading it, he smirked and answered, Not by a long shot. Don’t flatter yourself, Hart. I hope you’re up for it – because, I’m not cutting you one bit of slack.
* * *
“What am I getting myself into?” she wondered aloud. As much as she wanted to help find this killer and ensure he didn’t kill anyone else, she dreaded facing Saxon again. Remembering how she’d acted at the fundraiser, and knowing she was still attracted to him, Alivia would rather have avoided another confrontation.
After receiving an early morning text, Alivia agreed to meet with some of the members of the task force she’d agreed to join. At first, the meeting place seemed odd, but after arriving at Snooze on South Lamar, she decided Micah Wolfe was a man after her own heart. The heavenly smell of breakfast food assailed her senses, and Alivia knew she’d be unable to resist the temptation. “I’m meeting someone,” she told the hostess. She glanced around the eclectic diner with its burnt orange walls and bright yellow upholstered seating, until her eyes landed on the man she was looking for, holding up his hand to grab her attention. He was seated at a booth with two people she couldn’t place at first.
“Alivia, over here!”
The hostess let her go unescorted. “The Havana Daydreaming is simply sinful,” Micah said in a conspirator’s voice as he rose to his feet to greet her.
“Sounds good. I’ve eaten at the Snooze in the north end of town. My favorite is the sweet potato hash, but I’m always willing to try new things,” she said, nodding to the other couple, whom she now could put a name to their faces. “Mr. Cartwright. Ms. Kraft. Good to see you again.” She recognized the current state official, and the well-known philanthropist from several benefits she’d attended in the past.
“Alivia, it’s an honor.” Destry stood and took her hand, bowing his head in greeting. “Call me Destry, and this is Victoria.”
She nodded, taking her seat next to Micah. After they gave a perky gum-chewing waitress their order, he began to speak. “I’m glad we could come together and talk things over before we get to work,” he said as he sipped from a yellow pottery mug. “Unfortunately, not every member of the task force could be here this morning, but they’ll all be brought up to speed.”
Despite her reluctance to see Saxon again, Alivia knew she’d had him in mind when she dressed this morning. She wore the one sundress she thought might make her look sexy, and she’d actually used a curling iron on her hair. The feeling of regret she felt at Micah’s announcement confused her even more.
“Let’s don’t talk shop just yet, Micah,” Destry suggested. “Why don’t we get to know one another first.” He smiled at Alivia. “I’ve been following your progress with artificial intelligence. I must say, it’s fascinating.”
“Thank you,” she answered. “I have a working prototype at home that I’m testing for various applications. There are times when I forget she isn’t human. Her personality is much more pleasing than some people I’ve met, for sure.”
Micah choked back a laugh and covered it up by sipping water.
Alivia noticed his reaction and wondered if he knew about her and Saxon. To cover up the awkward moment, she returned to one of her favorite topics. “There are so many applications to explore. I’m working on several projects, some in healthcare, others in media. One of the more fascinating I’m exploring is an affordable robot companion for the elderly.”
“Aren’t you afraid of the ramifications of putting countless people out of jobs?” Victoria asked, her expression pleasant, but an underlying censure could be easily detected.
“Presently, we’re trying to meet needs that aren’t being met.” She knew Victoria voiced a widespread concern. As Alivia began her brief, somewhat scripted, response, she decided her dining companions could handle a more direct answer. “Actually, we’re standing on the precipice of an inevitable revolution. Robots aren’t just entering the workforce; they’re expanding skills, increasing productivity, moving up the corporate ladder, and will inevitably replace some of their living/breathing counterparts. There is one bot in production that can cook a gourmet burger in ten seconds flat, and has the capability of running a fast food restaurant on its own. There’s another manufacturing robot who not only paints, screws, saws, and glues, it also can build replacement parts for itself as needed and never go offline. These worker bee types will soon come with personalities. If you were to speak to my Savvy on the phone, you wouldn’t be able to tell she runs on a battery.”
Her three companions were listening raptly. Destry stirred sugar into his fresh cup of coffee. “I’ve been thinking about this. As a member of the state government, it’s my job to look ahead to protect our workforce and prepare for what might lie ahead. I think anyone would be naïve not to realize that AI and robotics will soon overhaul our economy.”
“Very insightful, Mr. Cartwright,” Alivia spoke carefully, still unsure of her reception in this group. “Researchers at Oxford University estimate that within the next twenty years, forty-seven percent of the jobs in our nation will be automated.”
“Sounds like the American workers are in for a rude awakening,” Micah murmured.
Victoria snorted behind her napkin, clearly thinking of her own family’s empire and what might lie ahead for them down the road. Destry, however, leaned forward and appeared energized by the topic. “There’s a fork in the road coming, for sure. I don’t think this is something we can stave off. Once knowledge like this is available, there’s no stopping it. We’ve gone through something similar in the past.”
“What are you talking about, Destry?” Victoria asked with doubt in her eyes. “I think this is unprecedented.”
“I think he means the Industrial Revolution and the Technological Revolution,” Alivia clarified. “I don’t think anyone can deny that computers and robots are able to do most routine, repetitive types of jobs, that’s what a machine is for. Lower skill jobs aren’t the only ones that will be affected, many professional types will also, like accountants and lawyers.”
“Whoa.” Destry held up his hands, good-naturedly. “As a member of the bar, I have to tell you that you’ve just quit preaching and gone to meddling.”
Alivia laughed. “Well, many think a new economic state will emerge where humans are given guaranteed incomes generated by those futuristic machines and are allowed the time and privilege to be more productive and entrepreneurial.”
“Sounds far-fetched if you ask me,” Micah grumbled. “I’d like to see the machine that could replace me.”
Alivia knew when to change the subject. “I think I see our waitress coming with a tray of something that smells good.”
“About time.” Micah looked over the table at Alivia. “I understand Kyle briefed you on our mission.”
“Yes, Governor Chancellor gave me the overview,” she responded as th
eir food arrived. Alivia was starving. The shaved ham and gruyere cheese sandwich she’d ordered on Micah’s recommendation looked and smelled amazing.
When Victoria realized Alivia pushed her plate back in order to have the discussion first, Victoria leaned across the table to whisper, “Don’t let your food get cold, go ahead and eat. We can talk at the same time.”
“Yea, eat,” Micah encouraged as he dug into his own sandwich. “I plan to. Now, as I was saying, our task force will approach this investigation from a different angle than the police.”
“In what way?” She picked up one half of her sandwich carefully and took a small bite.
“Well, let me lay this out, then I want your opinion. There’s been two murders, hundreds of miles apart. They were both strangled, but one was killed in her car, and the other was killed in her apartment. At first, the cops thought Mona, the girl in East Texas, was murdered during a burglary, but nothing was stolen. Two things link them, other than the fact they were strangled. They were both Miss Texas contestants, and there was a similar clue left near both bodies.”
Alivia was about to ask what kind of clue when Destry spoke up. “I understand you knew Mindy Nixon, Alivia.”
“Not well, I worked with her father a few times on municipal projects.” Alivia took a sip of her coffee, grimaced, then added more sugar.
“Of course, I still think this could be just a coincidence,” Victoria murmured as she picked at her food, her face full of worry. “I hate to think the connection has anything to do with the pageant.”
“It might not, but we can’t ignore the possibility,” Destry reassured her with a familiar hand on her shoulder.
“With your skill-set in mind, Alivia, how would you approach the investigation?”
Micah’s question gave her pause. “Well, I would want to know more about the clues you found…” When no one filled in the blank, she went on. “To begin, I’d run each detail of the crime through my Dragnet program. If anything pops out, I’d revisit those cases to determine if they’re connected. To be on the safe side, I’d also alert the other contestants and the local authorities where they live.”
