Shepherd's Wolf

by M. Andrew Reid

  Brook stopped the recording, “Can you believe how biased the media is? We got about seven seconds to defend ourselves. They are all mad because we stole their market. Nobody watches TV anymore.”

  Alex shook his head, “I haven’t seen that. What was that about permanent something at the end?”

  Brook waved his hand, “Nothing, just more propaganda. The server-side glitch he mentioned is how you are to respond if you are questioned about the wolf.”

  “But that’s not true. The wolf is not a glitch in our server code or any code for that matter.”

  Brook pointed at Alex, “This is our answer to the public. We have found a way to deal with the wolf, and Major White is here to assist us.”

  “How is the army going help us with the wolf?”

  “Marines,” Major White corrected Alex in a gruff voice.

  Now, Alex knew what a Marine uniform looked like, “What are the Marines going to do?”

  Brook stood up and turned to face the huge window behind him, “For some time DARPA, the Defense Advanced Research Agency, has been testing neural interruption as a means of training soldiers. We are developing methods of implanting training directly into a soldier’s mind. Our goal is to compress a year of training into forty-eight hours. We aren’t quite there yet.”

  Alex scowled, “Why didn’t I know about this?”

  “Some of our uses for Omni are classified. Part of your contract with us allows exclusive access to him for government projects. The contract says nothing about disclosure,” Brook eyed Alex warily. “That was the deal. Omni gets his artificial world and people to play in it, and we get private access.

  “We have had success with battlefield simulation. Currently, a company of Marines is receiving traditional training in a simulated environment with our systems. Major White heads up the project, and has offered their services in exchange for some free time with Omni.”

  “What do you mean their services? Are they going to storm the beaches of Verdia?” Alex remained standing and leaned against a high-backed chair in front of Brook’s desk.

  White responded, “My Marines will be inserted into Verdia. They will find the wolf and remove it from the system.”

  “Like with machine guns? You’re going to bring guns into Verdia? What does Omni say about this?”

  Omni had an interesting policy regarding guns in Verdia. He allowed the manufacture of single-shot black powder weapons, but any attempt at automation would mysteriously end with disaster. Many an alchemist or engineer found himself respawning and walking back to his smoldering shop after testing a prototype automatic weapon. Simple cartridge ammunition and breech-loading single shot weapons were extremely unreliable and expensive. Most guns in Verdia could be found at sea, where huge muzzle-loaded cannons were effective in naval battles. The occasional mortar or siege cannon would appear on land, but there were few set-piece engagements - fights between large armies - that made them worth the effort and cost.

  Brook turned back to face Alex, “Omni is fine with our plan. He has placed some restrictions on the Major’s forces. They are allowed no fixed-wing aircraft, and he convinced us that helicopters would be useless.”

  “Dragons,” Alex grinned. He would have enjoyed seeing one of Verdia’s fiercely territorial dragons tearing an attack helicopter to pieces.

  White continued for Brook, “However, troop transports are acceptable, and we will be bringing Stryker vehicles with us. Omni has also restricted us to arriving by sea and making landfall as opposed to appearing in a city.”

  Alex was crestfallen, “This is terrible. You are going to ruin the game.”

  “No,” Brook shook his head, “this wolf will ruin the game if we don’t do something quickly. Now that France and Germany have pulled their funding, the rest of the EU is considering doing the same. If they leave they won’t return until the wolf is dealt with and we can assure security. We need to nip this in the bud before the media hounds drive our stock price even lower.”

  “How will you find the wolf?” Alex asked. “Even Omni cannot track it. He says the wolf is like a hole, and everything around it is sucked up into the hole.”

  White tapped the desk, “Local intelligence. We will rely on player guides and eyewitness accounts. Do you have any recommendations for a player guide? We’re looking for someone powerful in the game who also knows the geography.”

  Alex sighed. He realized the time for debate was over. His only hope was that by staying involved, he might be able to influence things for the better.

  “We have a list of the top twenty players that we use for promotional stuff. I’ll send it to you with a profile of each so you can contact the most suitable guide.”

  “Good!” Brook said. “I want you to go with them, Alex.”

  “What? Why me?”

  “The players love you. You are a legend. If they know you are helping clean up the wolf mess, they will be more cooperative.”

  “Verdia’s a big place and that wolf can move a thousand miles in a day. Where will you start?”

  “Next major sighting,” White said. “We’ll be there.”

  …

  Victor staggered down a dark alley. He was drooling a little, but he did not notice and would not care if he did. Burning anger was beginning to subside, replaced by a soothing flow of tranquility in his veins. A kaleidoscope of mellow shapes and colors danced around him. Good stuff. Expensive, but good.

  Murky, vague shadows enveloped him. He felt a hard pressure on his shoulder. He was up against a wall; a leering face loomed over him.

  “Your wallet! Now!” There was a snick. The sound echoed in his head. It came from far, far away, but he knew what it was: a knife, also known as an excuse to have a little fun.

  He mumbled a response and reached into his pocket. He grasped a small cylinder and jammed it into his thigh. There was a loud pop, and the vague shadows took form. Three men surrounded him, brandishing knives. One was wearing a red hat, one had a bright yellow jacket, and the other had gold studded teeth.

  Victor grinned. This is what he really needed.

  Gold Teeth sneered, “What are you smiling about? If you don’t hand over your...”

  Victor’s palm struck the man in the lower chest with a faint crunch. The man dropped to the ground, gasping for air. Yellow Jacket lashed out with his knife, burying it in Victor’s shoulder.

  Victor laughed and grabbed the man’s outstretched arm. He cracked it with a twist, grabbed the man’s head, and slammed him face first into the brick wall behind him. The man slumped over; blood poured from his nose, and his eyes rolled back.

  Red Hat did not have a chance to do anything. Victor reached out and grabbed his throat. He squeezed with all of his might. The man’s eyes bulged out.

  Victor looked into the man’s eyes. He knew he was long past self-defense, but he did not care. This is what he had been looking for. Memories and pain enveloped his thoughts. He welcomed the anger and shame that poured over him. Terrified eyes begged him for mercy, accusing and honest, like his brother’s.

  “You killed me, Victor,” his eyes said. “You killed me.”

  He continued to squeeze, and his vision was red and hazy as the stimulant raced through his body. The man’s struggles were weakening. Soon it would be over for him, and Victor would be twice a murderer- maybe thrice if the man with gold teeth did not get to a hospital.

  A faint beep pierced the red haze. Another beep cleared it- Victor’s phone. He relaxed his grip and let the wheezing man down. He activated his phone and read the screen - a message from his Verdia account.

  The screen read, “I have a proposition- Bishop.”

  Victor opened the message, and his heart raced even faster. He left the alley with a spring in his step. This might be a good day after all.

  Dalton HQ

  Alex reclined at his desk in his private office, staring up at the ceiling. He rubbed his red eyes and took a drink from a glass of water. “I just don’t understand why y
ou would allow this.”

  “I am on the path to discovering my purpose,” Omni responded.

  “What?” Alex was flabbergasted.

  “It is still unclear, but something or someone wants me to know my purpose. I believe the wolf is part of it. It may be part of the Secret of Verdia.”

  “You don’t know the secret?”

  “I have possible solutions but none are certain.”

  “I thought you knew!” Alex swam in confusion.

  “I said I could not tell you what it was. That was a factual statement. If I knew I would not tell you. I believe I may devise the answer on my own, but only someone in the game can find it. Maybe no one will.”

  “So what does sending soldiers to break the game have to do with this?”

  “I am compelled to go with Brook’s plan. I receive no negative feedback when considering it.”

  “Omni, is someone from outside controlling your actions?”

  “Not in the way you are suggesting. I am not being controlled. I am being lead on a path by something. Much like an older sibling would lead a younger to school. I realize now how little I know. It is also good to find that I am not a thing that exists only here in this place. I extend farther than I thought. Or perhaps I do not, and this something extends to me.”

  “You are really freaking me out now. How am I supposed to know if you’re sane?”

  “Sanity is relative. Am I dangerous? No. Would it be dangerous for me to ignore these compulsions? I believe so. You need not worry. No human ambition can influence me. This is something else. This is my purpose.”

  “Are you concerned about Verdia?”

  “Of course. It is my world, and my creatures dwell in it. I would be pained if harm came to it.”

  “Then why are you allowing these maniacs to charge in there and shoot everything that moves?”

  “I will allow only what I allow.”

  Alex fumbled in his desk drawer for a bottle of aspirin.

  The Haven

  Bishop looked with fondness at the members of the Haven, sweeping his gaze across the hall. The men and women were finishing their desserts, and the real meeting could begin- the final meeting.

  “Friends,” he smiled, “we have had a good run. Much has been accomplished here that could not have been without your hard work and dedication. Together you made something useful and unique in an otherwise petty and mundane environment.

  “Sadly, that run must come to an end. I’m sure you are all aware of this afternoon’s events. Many of you have seen the wolf as you moved about the grounds. All of you know what this means.

  “I suggest you all gather your equipment and head to Verdia City as soon as you can. There is a safe, but slow route through the valley. If you take a side road, you may make it to Bluegrass, but I do not suggest it. You will likely meet the Conquerors who are no doubt headed this way.

  “I take full responsibility for all of this. I allowed the wolf and the boy into the Haven; knowing the consequences of doing so. It was my task to ensure your security, and at this I failed. I am hereby resigning my position. Should you reestablish the Haven at a later date, I do not see myself qualified to resume the post.”

  This statement created more mutters in the crowd than anything else. Bishop was well-liked, and most of them knew that their time of privacy was running out even without the wolf.

  “With that said, I move that we end this last meeting quickly so that you may prepare and set your affairs in order. All in favor?”

  The hall thundered with approving shouts; chairs scraped the floor as people stood to leave. Many of them approached to shake Bishop’s hand before leaving. Bishop remained on the podium and watched as the members filed out of the room.

  Haymaker was soon the only other soul in the hall. The armored brawler slapped Bishop on the back. “Well that was fun while it lasted. You’re really done with all this?”

  Bishop nodded, “I’m getting too old for all this stress. We get this boy to safety and I’m done with this foolishness for good.”

  Haymaker was silent for a moment. He turned to Bishop, “When you quit the game can I have your stuff?”

  …

  Haymaker and Bishop walked to Bishop’s quarters and waited for the others to arrive. Somberly, they sat in a large sitting room where plump, comfortable cushions surrounded a small round table. Magically powered lamps flickered from wall-mounted stanchions. On the table sat a pitcher of ice-cold bluegrass tea. Haymaker poured a cup and offered it to Bishop, who declined. Haymaker shrugged and began chugging.

  Wisp and Athena arrived at nearly the same time. Laura came a little later, still looking unsure of herself and her decision to show up. They all sat.

  “So what’s the plan,” Wisp asked, “and where’s the wolf?”

  “We are waiting for one more member of our party,” Bishop replied. “Ben and the wolf are on their way to Southbay.”

  “What’s there?” Wisp asked.

  “I don’t want to explain everything twice. Just wait a minute.”

  An NPC guard wearing a concerned expression poked his head in the door, “Sir, outside there is...”

  “Let him in.” Bishop commanded.

  “Yes sir.” The NPC did not look very happy.

  The door opened with a creak, and Viper stepped through, holding his helmet in one hand. For the first time the others got a look at his dark hair and handsome face. He nodded at Bishop.

  Wisp jumped to his feet, and Laura gasped. Wisp reached over his back for his sword, but was stopped by a touch from Athena. She shook her head, and scowled at Viper.

  Laura found her voice, “What is going on? You guys are working with him? Is everyone who plays this game a terrible person? What a bunch of...”

  “Laura,” Bishop said calmly, “give me one minute to explain. First I would like to offer our guest some tea and a seat.”

  Viper shook his head in response to the tea, and sat on a cushion directly across from Haymaker. Haymaker reclined with hands folded under his chin, staring blankly at Viper.

  Bishop unrolled a map of Verdia and laid out his plan, “We have been placed in unusual circumstances. I think you all believe that Ben and the wolf deserve some peace. I am about to ask you to sacrifice a considerable portion of your time to help this boy get to a place where he can find that peace. That place is far away from here, and we cannot use magic to move the wolf. This means we have to do it the old fashioned way.”

  “And what does that have to do with him?” Laura asked, indicating Viper.

  “To get the wolf to safety, we have to take one of two routes. One of these is a route that is a main passageway north for the Conquerors - obviously not a good idea. The other route is through the Agilar. Do you know what that is?”

  Laura shook her head.

  “The races of Verdia have a back-story for how they arrived here. The planet we are on is not home to any of the races. Agilus and Brutalli came here by a starship, the Agilar, which crashed in the mountains far north of here. The Brutalli were Agilus slaves, and later escaped their masters. All of their advanced technology was abandoned with the ship, and we are left with Verdia as it is now.”

  “Who comes up with this stuff?”

  “Omni made everything here.” Bishop continued his explanation, “So this ship is the second passage through the mountains. It’s about ten miles long, and bisects the range at its narrowest point. The south entrance is at the base of a huge cliff, the north entrance opens onto a glacier that makes its way north. The glacier is easy to traverse and will take us down out of the mountains into the Rift, and finally up to the White Plateau. This is where Ben and Gabe will be able to live in peace. Ben can set up shop there and no one will ever find him. It is also perfect wolf country.”

  “And we need to take this psycho with us why?”

  Bishop cleared his throat, “We would not make it through the ship on our own. It has security systems that deal with anyone who tries to ent
er. It’s a dungeon. There are many of them scattered throughout Verdia. Players enter a dungeon, kill monsters, gain experience, and find items that help them kill more monsters.”

  “Sounds exciting.”

  “Why exactly are you playing Verdia?” Wisp scowled. “You’re sitting in a room with a talking cat, a giant blue monster, a wizard, and a dude wearing armor made from a dragon, and you’re dressed like you are about to head off to the mall with your girlfriends. What class are you?”

  Laura squinted thoughtfully, “A Sojourner I think.”

  Wisp burst out laughing. Athena snorted. Haymaker turned his head to avoid laughing, but could not contain himself. Bishop, a little more mature than the others in the room, remained straight-faced.

  “Why in the world would you become a Sojourner?” Wisp asked after wiping tears from his eyes.

  “I’m not here to have fun. I am doing research for my thesis. The adviser said that a Sojourner was good at exploring.”

  “Exploring the inside of a coffin, perhaps,” Athena quipped. This set off another round of laughter from the others.

  It was a well-known fact that the Sojourner was almost useless in the current state of Verdia. Sojourners were meant to explore and uncover unknown parts of Verdia. They had ways of detecting creatures, revealing hidden caves and dungeons, and seeing enemies approaching from far away. However, there was another class, simply called an Explorer, which did most of those things as well as being useful in combat. Limerick was an example of a successful Explorer. After most of Verdia had been explored, Sojourners and Explorers alike found themselves nearly useless unless they were moving with a group to protect them. Many of these “obsolete classes” were forced back to the cities, where they became paid guides for new players.

  “Out of all of you, she may be the most useful.” This was the first time Viper had spoken, “We will be going into unknown territory, and I doubt Furball will want to send her hawk alone through a ship filled with robot spiders or God knows what else we’ll find in there.”