by Cosimo Yap
“But I was going to meet up with friends in the city,” Aphrodite said.
“Well too bad. And who did you tell you were in town? Let them know that you had a change of plans. No one should know we’re here,” Thiago said. “We’ll talk about this later. I have a secure warehouse that we’re heading to now.”
Alan gazed out at the city, observing the UWG outposts and players in power armor that breezed by. He tested whether those in range were hackable. They were, and nothing put up any resistance. He debated placing bugs on everything.
It’d be best if we minimize the number of bugged individuals and places to around ten, Lambda sent. It’s not unheard of for bugs to be traced back. It also takes a certain level of processing power to maintain.
Very well, Alan sent.
They proceeded into the city on the I-278. Where the Statue of Liberty should have been was a large blue shield, blocking the statue from view.
It’s the city’s control point, Eve sent.
And where is the North America Control Point? Alan asked.
The Pentagon, Eve sent.
Thiago directed the semi-truck into a warehouse south of the Brooklyn Bridge, along the East River. Alan got out of the truck, scanning the warehouse’s safety. Its systems were the hardest to hack since he landed on Earth, requiring the effort of both Eve and Lambda to bug the place undetected and bypass the small laser turret that guarded the system in Cyberspace.
Alan wondered who Thiago’s Legion of Man contact was. The contact definitely wasn’t short on security. Hopefully dinner would be good—Alan was quickly tiring of eating gel cubes every day.
Chapter 16
“Is that what you’re wearing?” Thiago asked.
Alan looked down at his power armor, then at Thiago’s suit. “Yes.”
“Do you have another outfit?” Aphrodite asked.
“No. Let’s get moving,” Alan said. He walked out to the armored, black Mercedes-Benz that had arrived, sent by Thiago’s contact. It sat by the curb, motionless. Alan saw no driver, and when he tried the door it was locked.
Looking back at the warehouse, Alan listened in on Thiago and Aphrodite’s conversation.
“Are you sure I can’t come? I’m certain Kitana can handle any would-be thief,” Aphrodite said.
“It’s not a thief that I’m worried about, but unwanted attention,” Thiago said. “You can deflect interest better than her. A trail of dead bodies is not what we want, not in the city. I also want you to talk to Kitana—see how amenable she is to the plan.”
“Fine,” Aphrodite said, “but I think I’d be better at convincing Alan.”
“You wouldn’t,” Thiago said. “He’s still convinced this is all a game.”
“Yeah, who only has a single outfit? I think he might be autistic,” Aphrodite said.
Alan watched as Thiago came out of the warehouse. The armored car’s back doors popped open. Alan and Thiago got in. Alan’s helmet scraped against the roof of the car.
The car’s engines roared to life and it began moving. The windows rolled up—they were blacked out.
The vehicle is also blocking all incoming and outgoing signals, Eve sent. However, based on acceleration forces I can estimate where we are headed.
“Alan, I am going to be direct,” Thiago said, turning to face him. “How happy are you with the Black Rose guild?”
“Quite happy,” Alan said.
“Really? Even after they pulled you out of the Academy and forced you to pick a side in this war?” Thiago asked.
Alan hesitated.
Be honest, Lambda sent.
“I learned what I needed to at the Academy, and at this point don’t care who I fight for. Both sides are trying to do what they think is best for humanity,” Alan said.
“But they can’t be paying you very well,” Thiago continued. “You stayed in a tiny room aboard the Titan, and have only been eating those tasteless gel blocks. We’re funded, and can pay well.”
“I’m bound to the Black Rose guild for five years, and to buy out the guild contract would cost a million credits,” Alan said. “I’m not sure what your offer is here, but the Black Rose guild has contacts and tech that you don’t. And for your information, my diet and quarters were of my own choosing to save credits.”
Thiago frowned and said, “Doesn’t building your own contacts and gathering your own tech sound more fun? Still, fucking indulge a little, Alan. You can do what you want here, taste whatever forbidden fruits you desire. And you’re what? Sitting in your room all day, training, eating gel.”
What an idiot, Eve sent. Alan agreed.
I’m not sure, he may have a point, Lambda sent.
“I’m happy playing the Game as I have been,” Alan said.
“You have no desire for building something greater, something more? Living as someone else’s lackey is only fine until they give you an order you can’t handle,” Thiago said.
“I think you should concentrate on improving your abilities,” Alan said. “Everything else will fall into place.”
“Fine, fine,” Thiago said. He pulled something out of his pocket. “But here, I insist you take this. Don’t use it if you don’t want to.”
Alan examined the small clear capsule Thiago handed to him. It contained a red liquid:
Berserker’s Blood (Rank C):
A battle stimulant. Increases strength, stamina, and health. Lasts 1 hour. Potential debuff after use.
Accept it, Lambda sent. We should examine the stimulant’s properties, at the very least.
Alan took the drug, pocketing it. “Fine, it might come in handy.”
Thiago smiled. “Trust me, it will.”
The rest of the trip continued in silence. When the car finally turned off its engine, Alan checked his map. According to Eve, they were in Downtown Manhattan, having travelled only a few miles despite half an hour of transit.
The car doors opened. Alan stepped out and found himself in front of a restaurant named the Wolf’s Head Steakhouse.
A bouncer stood at the entrance. “No weapons allowed inside.”
Try to detect their security scanner, Lambda sent. I would prefer not to enter this meeting defenseless.
Alan stretched out his senses. Other than the bouncer’s armor, a few tablets, and the security cameras, he didn’t detect anything. Maybe there weren’t any scanners.
No, they’re somewhere. Hand over everything, Lambda sent.
Alan slowly pulled his pistols, rifle attachment, and sword out and handed them to the bouncer. The weapons were placed in a keypad safe by the entrance.
The maître d’ greeted Alan and Thiago at the entrance to the dining room. It was lighted by a crystal chandelier and held a handful of diners in formal wear. None were armored.
“The sky was once blue,” Thiago said. Alan glanced outside; it was grey and cloudy.
“And how large is your party?” the head waiter asked.
“Two, but with the hope for more. If the resistance is not too great,” Thiago said.
“It is not. Please, follow me.”
Alan and Thiago went past the main dining room and up a flight of stairs. Two additional guards stood outside a private room. The waiter knocked on the door.
“Your guests have arrived.”
“Let them in,” a familiar voice called out from inside. The door swung open to reveal Icewolf, seated at a table set for three and wearing a suit and tie. Three freshly cooked rib-eye steaks with all the fixings sat on the table alongside a bottle of wine and pitcher of water.
“Please, come in,” Icewolf said. “Good to see you, Alan, and nice to finally meet you face-to-face, Thiago.”
Alan and Thiago sat opposite Icewolf, shutting the door behind them.
“I hope you like your steak rare. I’d rather not be bothered while we eat, and the fewer people who know you’re here, the better,” Icewolf said. “Let’s dig in.”
They began eating. Alan bit into the marbled beef. It was juic
y and tender and quite possibly the best cut of meat he had ever tasted. Maybe he was missing out; he had half forgotten what real food tasted like. He felt Eve sigh.
“Now, to business,” Icewolf said after taking a few bites out of his food. “We’ve recently learned that the UWG has recalled their main players to Earth. We need to get off Earth and back to Mars before they arrive. Our schedule is tighter than I would like.”
“Their main players?” Alan asked.
“The original soldiers, the spec ops forces that joined the Game. They’ve been off-planet training and leveling, but it seems the UWG thinks the Legion is enough of a threat to warrant their return,” Icewolf said.
“And they weren’t here originally why?” Thiago asked.
“I don’t know,” Icewolf said. He took a sip of wine. “The Legion has been quiet, preparing other operations. Maybe we spooked some official. Either way, these people have been in-game years longer than you have, level 1,000-plus, badass commandos. You do not want to be around when they arrive.”
“Okay, so what’s the operation?” Alan asked.
“New York is thriving,” Icewolf said. “Because of the nature of the Game, it was only a matter of course for all the financial institutions to transition to in-game offices. Faster connections, more time, unique technology, larger markets, and special abilities: what more could you ask? The people wandering about unarmed have non-combat classes. Don’t harm them, it will give you penalty points.”
“So all the banks, they’re in the Game now?” Alan asked.
“Yes, as are the stock markets and the quants and every other company,” Icewolf said. “The economy is run more or less the same way it has always been. In other words, everyone continues to invest, trying to make a quick buck, except now the major currency is credits and the New York Stock Exchange is small potatoes compared to the Khersath Markets. Everything is more or less the same—the rich get richer, the fat get fatter. But we’re going to change that.”
“We are?” Thiago asked.
“Yes,” Icewolf said. “The world needs to invest in its future. People have gotten too used to peaceful times. No one knows war, not real war. We are going to cause the single largest market crash Earth has ever known. With the UWG already drowning in debt, they’ll run out of money and take themselves out. We’ll sit back, comfortable on Mars, as they bleed to death.”
“So that’s why you had us transport the precious metals and commodities. They’re hedges,” Thiago said.
“Yes, plenty in the Legion are poised to make a pretty penny if this plan works out,” Icewolf said. “Get your cargo into an Administrative Center Vault as soon as possible—I don’t know what the other Legion teams are doing. More than a few will probably rob a bank or two.”
“How will you trigger this recession?” Thiago asked.
“Well, with the recent lull in the war, markets are rallying, stabilizing,” Icewolf said. “However, when new attacks begin—twice as fierce, concentrating on relatively undefended warehouses and factories—the market will take a sizeable hit. Compounded with that, we have a number of portfolios that we will liquidize, causing greater panic. A few other operations are underway as well, but they aren’t your concern.”
Icewolf pointed his fork at Alan. “Your job is to hack in to the stock exchange and do everything you can to incite a depression. Make numbers disappear, corrupt data, overload servers, I don’t care. Get in there and mess them up, but not so bad that they can’t sell their assets.”
“And when will this happen?” Alan asked.
“Day after tomorrow,” Icewolf said. “Do any preparation you can. I have the plans for the New York Stock Exchange building, and ID badges for you.” He handed a data chip to Alan. “I am playing the faithful portfolio manager, running Omnitech Industries’ investments.”
Alan raised a slice of meat to his mouth and then froze. There were two additional presences outside the door, standing there.
89% chance of hostiles, Eve sent.
“We have company,” Alan said. He activated his power armor’s advanced invisibility.
Icewolf pulled a high-powered laser rifle from beneath the table as Alan shoved the door open. The two guards looked his way.
Alan rushed past them, downstairs through the dining hall to the safe at the front of the building.
He heard laser fire overhead. Diners began screaming; there was a mad dash for the exit.
1119, Eve sent as Alan reached the safe.
Alan entered the code, grabbing his weapons and two grenades next to them. He glanced at the other weapons in the safe.
No time, get back up there, Eve sent.
Guided through the crowd by Eve, Alan reached the upstairs hallway in time to see one of the guards beheaded by a silver-masked Haxlard.
The other guard clutched his arm, screaming in pain.
Activating hypercognition, Alan attempted to hack into the Haxlard’s armor.
Their shields are too strong; we don’t have time to break through, Eve sent.
Time to put your sword training to the test, Lambda sent. A series of green outlines appeared in his head, various combo attacks. Alan executed one.
Right slash. Left slash. One dead Haxlard.
The other turned to Alan, raising a blue laser sword.
Don’t directly block any attacks, your strength is inferior, Eve sent.
Besides, it’s bad for the blade, Lambda commented.
The Haxlard faced Alan’s crimson blade; Alan stared back. A flurry of laser bolts came through the door, striking the Haxlard.
Taking advantage of the distraction, Alan lunged forward and with an upward thrust pierced the Haxlard’s faceplate, killing him.
Alan glanced at his experience bar; he’d gained 10% of a level.
“When did you start using a sword?” Thiago asked.
“I think we should be more concerned about why there are two Haxlard assassins here,” Alan said. “I thought Haxlards can’t interfere with the war.”
“They can defend their assets, and right now they own most of Earth’s debt,” Icewolf said. “What I would like to know is which of you two tipped off the Haxlards.”
He raised his laser rifle.
Lambda? Alan asked.
It wasn’t us, nor was it Thiago. Who’s the weakest link? My bet is Aphrodite, Lambda sent.
Right, her friends, Alan sent.
“It was Aphrodite,” Alan said, turning to Thiago. “She told her friends we were here, but I have to imagine even she wasn’t stupid enough to randomly let people know our whereabouts after your explicit instructions not to.”
“Shit, and she’d know where we were as soon as we emerged from the car,” Thiago said. He froze. “The goods, they’re all with her and Kitana.”
Thiago flipped open his tablet. “My messages aren’t getting through, and she and Kitana aren’t responding.”
“They wouldn’t be able to—no messages can get into that warehouse,” Icewolf said. “Making sure that capital is safe is our first priority. I’ll take care of this.” He gestured to the dead Haxlards.
Alan and Thiago ran back outside. It was pandemonium, with screaming pedestrians and a number of military and police vehicles already converging on the scene. They hopped into the armored car, which took off like a rocket as soon as they were inside. There were a few crashes as it raced through the city, but Alan paid them no mind.
Eve and Lambda tried to develop simulations for potential battle plans against Aphrodite, Kitana, Thiago, and any combinations thereof.
The car stopped and let them out a few blocks from away from the warehouse. Alan leapt out with basic invisibility activated. He sprinted to the warehouse, Thiago right behind.
Alan burst into the warehouse, and found Aphrodite sitting at a table, legs up on the desk, chatting with Kitana.
Kitana unsheathed her sword.
“It’s just us,” Thiago said, looking around the warehouse. He walked up to the metal b
oxes, making sure everything was still there.
“Back so soon?” Aphrodite asked.
“We had a run-in with a few Haxlards,” Alan said. He watched Aphrodite’s and Kitana’s reactions.
Slight surprise on both their faces, but that could mean anything, Lambda sent.
“Neither of you would know anything about this, would you?” Thiago asked.
“No,” Kitana said.
“Of course not. Why, do you suspect one of us?” Aphrodite asked.
Push the issue, Lambda sent.
“Yes,” Alan said. “You, specifically. Give me your entire data log for the past month. I can look up your friends and see if they’re legitimate.”
“What? You want to perv on my friends?” Aphrodite asked.
“Just give him the names,” Thiago said. “Data logs include personal stuff, like quests and abilities—I think handing that over would be overkill.”
“She can lie about the names,” Alan said. He thought for a second. “Show me the contract. If it’s broken, then we’ll know you’re working with the Haxlards.”
“What contract?” Aphrodite asked. “I never signed any contract with you. The one that I was forced into was by him.” She pointed at Thiago. “Maybe he’s the one you should be worried about.”
“The contract not to reveal any information gained before and during the Tutorial,” Alan said. “I’m fairly sure that’s the only information you’d have about me, and that the Haxlards would want.”
Alan looked around at everyone. “Actually, it would be best if everyone brought it out, just to make sure no one has broken it. I’ve learned a bit about contracts, and if someone did break it, that wouldn’t be revealed until we examined their contract screen. Here, I’ll start.”
Alan brought up his contracts screen in a menu that appeared before him, and showed it to the others. Unbroken.
Kitana revealed hers, also unbroken.
Thiago sighed. “I got an offer from the Legion of Man I couldn’t resist. But hey, it’s how I got this job. Guess I owe each of you 125k credits.” He turned to Aphrodite. “However, there should be no reason for you to have broken the contract unless you really did backstab me.”
