by Paul Ormond
“What? How did that happen? What kind of treason?”
“He was found guilty of sabotaging the property of the Government of Chalthantar and being in league with terrorists. The execution is going to be broadcast over the network.”
“You’re lying.”
“Don’t believe me?” General Varalis said bringing up her panel. “Have a look for yourself.”
A video image appeared before Mitch, and he saw Drak sitting in the center of an elaborate room surrounded by stern officials. Standing at a pulpit overlooking the proceedings, a woman wearing an ornate gown and an enormous headdress delivered her verdict.
“According to the laws of the Republic of Chalthantar I find Drakon Trendago guilty of treason and sentence him to die,” the woman said as murmurs spread through the crowd.
“How is this possible?” Mitch asked. “Drak said his people were fighting against the Masters. How could they execute him?”
“Things are not as they seem on Chalthantar. Up is down and right is wrong, it would seem these days. And you are not telling me the truth either.”
“I told you everything I know. If you don’t believe me, that’s up to you.”
“But you didn’t tell me everything.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Your companions were captured along with Drak, but you never mentioned them.”
“Yes, I did. There was a skirmish when they discovered us. We three escaped while the others were taken by the soldiers.”
“It’s a nice story, but it is far more likely that you were all captured and taken to Captain Juvius.”
“I have no idea what you are talking about.”
“Is that so? We searched your pack and found rations with UAFC markings.”
“We found those when we were searching for food.”
“I suggest you stop lying to me, or I will make things much more difficult for you. I’ve been kind so far, but if you think I’m going to keep gobbling up your lies, you’re dreaming.”
“I’m telling you the truth.”
“You are not. I can see it all over your face. Look, I know how Captain Juvius works. I’ve seen it before. He’s using you to get to me. Luckily, you fell into our trap and we were able to disable any outside communications, or this place would be crawling with UAFC fighters right now. Got nothing to say? That’s fine. You’ve already incriminated yourself enough. You’re not the first to fall for Captain Juvius’s tricks. He and I have a long history. I bet he told you to come here and kill us all or he would kill your friends, and you, like a fool, went along with it.”
“If my friends are in trouble, I’m going to do everything I can to help them.”
“So you do admit it?”
“I’m not admitting anything.”
“I can’t help you if you don’t start telling me the truth.”
“The truth is I just want to go home.”
“Don’t we all. When the Masters came here, my home was destroyed in the early battles. After the ceasefire, I thought I could return, but the security council signed that treaty with the Masters and we were forced to grovel at their feet. I was one of the first to break free from their clutches. Soon others followed, and we managed to form a minor resistance. As the Masters expanded their operations on our planet, more people flooded to our cause. The UAFC has managed to maintain power because of their alliance with the Masters, but they are despised among the people. As much as they try to manipulate the message, they have ingratiated themselves with the Masters while subjecting the common people of Chalthantar to slave-like conditions in order to meet the Masters’ demands. Your friend Drak is being used as a pawn in the UAFC’s game to control the message. They have painted us as terrorists and villains to justify their security measures. But it is only an excuse to crack down on any uprising. This execution is another attempt to terrify people into submission.”
“How can I help him?”
“You can start by admitting that you are here to kill me.”
“And what if I do?”
“Then we can talk about what comes next. Come clean to me, and we can find a way to help your friends. Not all is lost. We’ve been waiting for our moment for sometime, and I don’t believe your arrival on our doorstep was a coincidence. Juvius may have sent you here to kill me, but we’ll show him that two can play at that game.”
“But what about my friends? They’ll all be killed.”
“So it is true. Juvius did send you here. I look forward to shoving this mistake down his throat.”
“I didn’t have a choice. He told me to kill you all, or he’d hand us over to the Masters.”
“And what makes you think you could kill us all?”
“Because I am the Most Dangerous Man in the Multiverse, or so they say.”
“I’ve heard the rumors, but what is it that makes you so dangerous,” Varalis said as she pulled out Mitch’s bulbous spear. “Does it have anything to do with this?”
“It might, but don’t get too excited. It won’t work for you.”
“And why is that? Is it protected by some kind of magic?”
“You could say that.”
“And you know the magic words I take it. Go ahead, then. Do what you came here to do. What could I possibly do to stop the Most Dangerous Man in the Multi-verse? But if you do kill me, you’ll never see your friends again.”
“Why doesn’t it surprise me that you said that?”
“It doesn’t surprise you because it’s the truth. Captain Juvius never intended to let you go. You are merely bait for a trap he thinks he has cleverly laid. He wouldn’t put any tracking devices on your person, because he knew we would find them immediately. But he will certainly have logged the heat signature of your weapon. The moment you activate your powers, the grid will notify him of your location and he will focus all his firepower on this base. He won’t tell the Masters until it’s over, though, because he will want the credit for wiping us out.”
“It looks like you’ve thought of everything.”
“When you expect to be betrayed it becomes easy to spot.”
“Now that you’ve discovered the trap, how are you going to counter his move?”
“By using you as bait again, of course.”
“Once again, I’m not surprised by this.”
“Don’t worry, you’ll like what I’m proposing. It will play right into your mystique, Mitch Mythic.”
“If this plan of yours will help me free my friends, then I am listening.”
“It will help your friends and then some. You may be able to help us all.”
“Go on.”
“You probably noticed that your weapons and devices don’t work within UAFC territory. There is a reason for that. Using a high frequency grid they are able to block out any unregistered equipment. The grid is maintained by several control towers positioned near the borders of UAFC territory. If we can wipe out these control towers, we will be able to launch an offensive on central Command.”
“So you want me to charge in there and take out these towers.”
“Not the towers. We need you to take out the main power generator. If you take out this facility, you knock out the grid. As weak as it sounds, the UAFC and the Masters don’t believe we have the firepower to disrupt their control grid. But the Most Dangerous Man in the Multi-verse can.”
“Can you please stop saying that?”
“You don’t like it? I would be honored to have such a moniker.”
“Mitch will be fine.”
“Ok Mitch, do you accept?”
“Even if I can take out this facility, how will your resistance army muster enough guns to take on the Masters?”
“Don’t underestimate our strength. As much as the UAFC would have you believe, there is much more support for our cause than can been seen on the surface. Once the grid is taken out, the people of Chalthantar will take up arms against their oppressors.”
“You’re certain of this?�
�
“I would bet my life on it.”
“It sounds like it will be me betting my life on it.”
“How it sounds is up to you, but you have a choice to make. You can take my offer or reach for your weapon and strike me down. I’m certain I wouldn’t be much of a match for The Most Dangerous Man in the Multi-verse.”
“I thought I told you to call me Mitch.”
“I’m sorry. How about ‘The Most Dangerous Mitch in the Multi-verse’?”
“That’s not even remotely funny.”
“I think it’s funny.”
“That says a lot about you.”
“It does, but you still haven’t made your choice.”
“If I decide to help you, what will come of my friends? As soon as the attack begins they will be in grave danger.”
“They are already in grave danger. This is your chance to free them from the clutches of Captain Juvius. I highly doubt you’ll get another chance. As we speak he is plotting how he can get the best price possible from the Masters, especially for your precious SoHee.”
“How do you know about her?”
“It’s all over the network. They say you long for her with all your heart. It’s quite a romantic tragedy they have painted.”
“That’s enough. So you’ll just send me off on my lonesome to take out this power generator.”
“Your companions can accompany you, and we will provide you with transport. But getting into the facility will be up to you. Your powers will be useless until you strike the generator. As I said earlier, the moment you activate your powers they will be notified of your position.”
“Yeah, I got that. So all I have to do is sneak into a heavily fortified facility without any protection and take out your enemy’s defenses so you can mount an attack.”
“Or you kill me now. When you are done, Captain Juvius will hand you and your companions over to the Masters and your friend, Drak, will be executed for treason.”
“All of that is speculation.”
“And it’s up to you to decide what becomes reality.”
“You’re certain that Captain Juvius doesn’t know I’m here.”
“I cannot prove it, but the fact that he hasn’t attacked already adds some credence to my hypothesis.”
“How long until they execute Drak?”
“I believe the execution will take place tomorrow at midday.”
“Not surprised by that either. How long will it take to reach the generator?”
“If you leave immediately, you could make it there by dawn.”
“No rest for the wicked, is there?”
“There never is.”
“Let me speak with my friends. I wish to inform them myself.”
“So you accept my offer.”
“Would you rather I struck you down here and now?”
“It would be an honor to die at the hands of the Most Dangerous Mitch in the Multiverse.”
“It’s still not funny.”
“It’s still funny to me.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
A THUNDEROUS CRASH knocked Sage back several feet as the second worm’s torso dropped to the ground and slithered forward. Gnashing its teeth together as it approached, the creature let loose a roar from its pulsing mouth.
“This is not looking good,” Sage shouted while he scrambled to his feet. “Any luck on the summoning?”
“I’m trying, but I’m not getting any answers,” Gareth shouted while he glanced at the black skull hovering before him. “Pick up the phone, Donnie.”
“That’s just typical,” Sage shouted, slicing another grub. “You got any summons, Candace?”
“I’m calling now,” Candace shouted after dodging a worm. “Shaundra, you’ve got to get in here.”
“What have you gotten yourself into?” Shaundra said as she peered through the screen. “Is that a giant worm? I am not diving into that. I’ve got a bunch of gold I’m saving up. If I die in that encounter, I’ll lose everything.”
“You’ve got to help us out here,” Candace shouted. “If you die, I’ll give you all my gold.”
“That’s not going to be enough. If we survive, you give me all the loot you pick up.”
“Fine, just get in here,” Candace said, cutting down another grub.
“I’m coming in now,” Shaundra said before the video screen went blank.
A fiery silhouette appeared to the left of Candace as Shaundra’s character manifested itself.
“Welcome to wormfest,” Candace said, slicing a grub in half.
“You weren’t kidding,” Shaundra said while she pulled out a long spear.
“What level are your fireballs at now?” Candace asked while defending herself from an attack.
“I’m at 187, totally overpowered for most encounters,” Shaundra said as she drove back a grub.
“Overpowered is what we need. Start bombing those things back there. We’ll stay focused on the grubs,” Candace said, driving her sword into another slithering creature.
“Just watch my back and I’ll let loose,” Shaundra said while raising her fist. A ball of fiery light appeared in her hand, and she pulled back and lobbed it at the first massive worm lurching toward them.
“That’ll do it,” Candace said as a burst of fire slammed into the creature's back. Roaring in pain, the worm thrashed its body while the fire burned into its flesh.
“Donnie, we need you in here now,” Gareth shouted into his screen while his friend’s sleepy face stared back at him.
“No can do,” Donnie said, rubbing his eyes. “I’ve got to go help my uncle clear some rocks on his ranch tomorrow morning.”
“You don’t get it,” Gareth shouted while impaling another worm. “We’re up against a couple giant worms. Sage is packing an important item of the egg variety. If we don’t survive this encounter, he’ll lose it.”
“An egg? Like a real egg?”
“One that bunnies leave.”
“Oh, jeez, how the hell did he find one of those?”
“We’ll explain later. Just get in here. There might be a way we can help Mitch.”
“What does this have to do with Mitch?”
“Stop asking questions and get in here.”
“Okay, I’m coming.”
“That’s what I’m talking about. We’re gonna need your fire scythe for the worms,” Gareth said, swinging his ax.
“You weren’t kidding,” Donnie said as he manifested next to Gareth. “Those are some massive worms.”
“Get to work. We’ve got to kill everything in this room,” Gareth said before cleaving a grub in half.
“The whole room? There are hundreds of these things,” Donnie shouted while he snapped his scythe into spear mode and lunged forward, impaling a grub. “We’re gonna need some more help.”
“If anybody wants to join the party, they’re more than welcome,” Gareth said as he dodged a grub. “We’re all out of summon spells, so we can’t call.”
“I’ve got a couple more,” Donnie said, pulling his blade out of a writhing worm. “I’m calling Darren. He’s probably playing right now.”
“And anybody else you can think of,” Sage said. “There’s no way we’ll clear this room without a whole army.”
“Darren, it’s wormaggedon down here,” Donnie shouted as Darren Francis’s face popped up on his panel.
“What have you got yourself into?” Darren said while he watched the carnage happening in the background.
“Not quite sure, but it looks like Sage found an egg, and he got pinned down by these worms. Gotta kill ‘em all or we’ll lose it,” Donnie shouted.
“That’s just what I needed. I’ve been farming ghouls to level up my armor all night. I need some action. I’m on my way,” Darren said, ending the call.
“Darren’s coming,” Donnie yelled while dodging an attacking grub.
“The more the merrier,” Sage said as he swung his claymore. “Where’s Greg? He’s always online.”
“I’ll call him, but he’s been working on this new build. Keeps saying he’s busy,” Donnie yelled.
“This is more important than whatever build he’s making,” Sage said, leaping backward to avoid a grub. “Those heavies are closing in on us fast. We’re not gonna have much room in a minute. We need to pound them back as far as we can.”
“You weren’t kidding about these worms,” Darren said after he materialized next to Donnie.
“If you’ve got a fire weapon, you should activate it now,” Donnie said as a bolt of flame flashed down the length of his scythe. “Fire cuts right through them.”
“I’ve got a fire cleaver I’ve been dying to use,” Darren said, reaching into his satchel and pulling out a lengthy piece of steel connected to a carved wooden handle. With the snap of his wrist, he opened the weapon and a stream of flame ran down the blade. Raising the cleaver over his shoulder, he sliced into an approaching worm. “That’s how it’s supposed to feel.”
“Keep it up,” Gareth shouted as he halved a grub with his ax. “But we’re going to need a plan to deal with Mom and Dad.”
“What about Mom and Dad?” Greg said as he materialized next to Darren.
“That Mom and Dad,” Gareth said while the two monstrous worms thrashed toward their prey, crushing the brood of writhing grubs underneath their massive weight.
“If you’ve got a fire weapon, bring it out now,” Sage yelled after he backed up against the jewel-encrusted wall. “We’ve run out of real estate. We need to do something now, or it’s all over.”
“Anybody with ranged fire barrage those brutes,” Candace shouted. “If you’ve got a melee weapon, just keep swinging. Maybe we can hack our way into this mass of flesh.”
“It’ll work for now. I’ve got some fire potion I can spare. Anybody need a dose?” Sage said as he poured the contents of a small bottle over his blade, and a blue flame enveloped his weapon before he sliced into an approaching grub.
“It looks like fire is the trick,” Gareth said, dousing his ax in some fire potion of his own.
“It’s a good thing I’ve been working on this armor,” Greg said. Raising his arms over his head, he was immersed in flame. “Fire armor from the pits of Volcanis. It took me forever to craft this armor, but I guess there is a reason for everything.”
