by Cosimo Yap
Ouch, Lambda sent. Alan slumped his shoulders.
“Sorry, you’re not my type,” Kitana said.
“Not manly enough?” Alan asked.
“Not exactly—the opposite, in fact.” Kitana looked down at her feet; it was rare to see her act abashed.
Alan activated his armor’s basic invisibility, and then followed Kitana back to the Administrative Center.
They passed by what seemed like a small army on their way out of Downtown Manhattan, but no one stopped them. There were too many other problems to deal with. People were still stuck under rubble and collapsed skyscrapers. Sounds of battle occasionally echoed; looters had taken advantage of the attack to steal what they could.
Players wandered the streets with dead looks in their eyes. The city smelled of blood and smoke.
Two helicopters flanked by four jets flew overhead, away from the city. They moved over New York Harbor.
Then, with a clap of thunder, a ship appeared in the sky, breaking through the clouds. It was massive, 2,000 meters at least, over five times the length of a supercarrier—longer than a star destroyer. It was so large that Alan couldn’t fully picture it from below; he only saw a pointed, ovular shape.
***
“God fucking damn it,” Thiago swore. “Get us out of here!” He leaned out of the helicopter, looking up at the behemoth of a warship that had appeared above them.
“I can’t escape a fucking spaceship,” the helicopter pilot shouted.
We’re fucked, Thiago thought, and I’m a fool to think he’d play fair. Power is not given up easily. It looks like we’re doing this the hard way: blood, sweat, and tears.
Thiago grabbed his sniper rifle and a chest of gold bars, then leapt out of the helicopter into the bay.
Overhead, a rain of laser beams fired, incinerating the helicopters and jets. Well, at least he wouldn’t have to pay the mercenaries.
Dozens of smaller aircrafts emerged from the large spaceship. Then, with another clap of thunder, it was gone.
Thiago activated his power armor’s basic invisibility and oxygen supply. It looked like the UWG would be getting their gold back after all. Thiago doubted they’d tell the taxpayers—the government would keep the gold, but claim it was lost, double dipping their greedy fingers.
Thiago sighed as he swam deeper into the bay. He pulled the chest behind him. It wasn’t the fortune he needed to start a guild, but it was enough for another play. Next time he wouldn’t be so trusting.
He’d show that backstabbing bastard. He’d show them all.
***
The Administrative Center was a madhouse. Players yelled and a disorganized mob tried to make sure their valuables were safe and take stock of what they had left. Other players wanted to store new items. Names were called out as people waited for friends and family to respawn.
Alan watched as a thief snatched a box out of an elderly lady’s hands and rushed into the crowd. A flash of blue light struck the thief and a nearby Administrator guard lowered her weapon.
Did we cause this? Alan thought.
Yes, but remember this is virtual reality, Lambda sent.
An Administrator exited the main building, and then broadcast a message. “I would like to remind every player that it is Administrator policy not to accept stolen goods. We will not store or sell any stolen merchandise. Furthermore, due to the large number of deaths, we expect there to be a slight delay to player respawns.
“Additionally, if a player is part of the War for Earth and is eliminated by an enemy, they will respawn outside of the combat zone. If a player has no respawn point set, they may either choose to wait in their Home until the war has ended, or respawn on Khersath and work off their transportation costs. We remind everyone that players eliminated in a war are not able to discuss any information that would aid either side. Thank you for your patience.”
Alan tried to connect to an Administrator, but it took a few tries. Could I rent two capsules for the night?
Certainly, warrior. A guide will take you there now. The Administrator ended the connection.
Kitana and Alan made their way to the capsule room. They sent a message to Thiago, asking what was happening. Alan hoped he wasn’t dead. 15% of whatever Thiago stole was Alan’s, after all, and 15% of nothing was nothing.
Kitana entered a capsule, and Alan attempted to open the other. A message appeared:
Error. Please wait until mental health has stabilized.
Alan assessed himself. He still felt amped up, but that was beginning to fade. He deactivated divided mind: there was a flash of red and his mind was whole again.
Our total for the day is 1,270C and a sniper rifle program that needs to be decoded, Lambda sent. We also scored a few AI data cores I might be able to scavenge. If someone hadn’t destroyed everything in his wake, we might’ve gained a new type of armor, too.
Alan scrolled through menus until he discovered the button that would restore Eve. It would cost 1,000C and take four days.
It would cost 5,000C and a month to restore me, Lambda sent. Bigger is not necessarily better, but I think this demonstrates my superiority.
Alan rolled his eyes, then staggered. His body suddenly felt unbearably heavy. Pain set in as well, but he was too tired to care about the fact that his body was on fire. The world slowly drained of color.
Shit, get in to the capsule, Lambda sent.
Alan sat on the floor. What was the point? Everything hurt, he wanted to sleep.
GET IN THE CAPSULE, Lambda sent.
Alan lay down and closed his eyes. Elsewhere he could hear a voice, and the sound of a flood of messages, but he didn’t care.
He fell asleep.
Chapter 20
Alan woke up. His head hurt. Someone was trying to talk to him, but it was like they were behind a soundproof wall—only muffled noises reached him. He was nauseous and sweaty; everything hurt. Each moment stretched on for eternity.
He passed out again.
***
Alan flitted in and out of consciousness. He was on a bed and his interface wasn’t working. Sometimes, someone would be by his side, but when he tried to look at them, to hear what they were saying, all he sensed was a discordant array of bits.
There were 0’s and 1’s, but they felt different, special, with colors and sizes. Light spun about the room in every direction, defying conventional three-dimensional space. The light pierced through walls, through dimensions Alan couldn’t see, but thought he felt. Maybe he was going crazy.
Everything still hurt, but maybe a bit less.
***
When Alan next woke it was with a jolt. Everything seemed to be back in order.
About time, Lambda sent. I was worried you were a dead man walking. Or breathing, at least. A capsule could have eased this pain, maybe mitigated some of the damage.
Where are we? What happened?
Aboard some cargo ship, Lambda sent. I believe Kitana picked you up; it was hard to tell. When you crashed you took most of my sensory systems with you. Do you remember the battle?
Bits and pieces, Alan sent. I remember cutting through people, maybe a conversation or two with Kitana. That’s it.
Alan checked his message log:
Warning! Unintended side effects detected from Berserker’s Blood. Please report to nearby medical center to avoid permanent damage.
Pure rage fills and consumes you. By letting all restraint fall away and engaging all in your path you have unlocked a new Predecessor blood ability, Berserk (Basic).
+30 Strength +45 Endurance -25 Intelligence +Unknown effects
Skill Name:
Skill Rank:
Skill Proficiency:
Skill Rarity:
Berserk (Basic)
C
???
C
When overcome with the desire for battle you are able to enter a berserking state, improving your physical condition and battle prowess at the cost of mental capacity.
Your
desire for battle and destruction has manifested into a palpable aura. For cutting through 25 humanoid enemies you have gained a new Predecessor blood ability, Bloodlust (Weak).
+10 Strength +/- 20 Charisma +Unknown effects
Skill Name:
Skill Rank:
Skill Proficiency:
Skill Rarity:
Bloodlust (Weak)
D
???
E
Having bathed in the blood of your enemies you can release a faint aura of blood.
Plus or minus? Alan asked.
Different people respond differently to certain traits. Some people find danger sexy. Most don’t, Lambda sent.
Alan tried thinking back to the fight. The flashes of him cutting through his enemies were uncensored—nothing was pixelated. He wasn’t sure this was a good thing. There wasn’t much blood though—the laser sword had cauterized wounds.
Alan continued reading the message log:
War for Earth Updated:
For crippling UWG financial services you have gained 5,000 war contribution points.
25 War Contribution Points (UWG)
5,000 War Contribution Points (LOM)
x3 Level up!
Warning! Berserker’s Blood will wear off in five minutes.
Error. Berserker’s Blood withdrawal and Machine Lord implant incompatible.
Warning! You require an additional infusion of Predecessor Blood. Please report to a nearby medical center to avoid permanent damage.
Warning! Partial shutdown of mechanical implants to avoid player brain damage. All planted bugs have been removed.
Black Rose Mission Updated:
Commanding officer missing. Report to Legion of Man forces for new orders.
Safety thresholds met. Restarting mechanical implants.
Due to unforeseen compounded effects, you are currently suffering from Predecessor Blood withdrawal.
-50 Strength -50 Endurance -50 Health -50 Stamina -50 Computational Energy until you receive an additional transfusion of blood essence. You are unable to activate Berserk while suffering from blood withdrawal.
Damn, what a waste of blood, Lambda sent.
I lost to Kitana, Alan sent.
You weren’t really trying. I’m sure some part of you recognized her and held back, Lambda sent. Besides, she’s a special case. A warrior of a different class. Why couldn’t she have been the one that freed me? We would have ruled empires together.
Who would’ve guessed some knockoff stimulant was based off of Predecessor’s Blood? Lambda continued. It must’ve triggered a chain reaction with your own Diluted Predecessor Blood augmentation that made you burn through the blood essence. We should get that debuff removed as soon as possible, or better yet sell the blood and just buy a better biological implant—one you can actually use.
Alan closed his eyes. His body and mind still hurt all over. Right, Eve. He needed to revive her. He started the process in Cyberspace.
About that. We should talk, Lambda sent. I’m not sure reviving her is the best idea. I don’t recognize most of her codebase, and who knows what directives she picked up when she merged with that Haxlard AI. I’m sure I can locate some friends, or even help you construct another, even more powerful—
No. I trust her, Alan sent. She is vital. I can’t lose her. Not again.
Not again? Lambda asked. Is there something you want to tell me?
No.
Alan, if I am to assist you I need to know everything, Lambda sent. You can’t play cards without a full deck.
Fine, Alan sent. It was just a lapse; my head is killing me. Evelyn, Eve, was my girlfriend. She was an aspiring pro gamer. Smart, talented, beautiful—she even signed with an all-female squad, the Valkyries. I never knew what she saw in me. She died in a car crash, months before all this happened. Before the Game.
Alan turned to look up at the ceiling. It felt too close, inches away from his head.
I’m sorry for your loss, Lambda sent, but I think naming your AI after a deceased loved one is unhealthy, a step backwards. Also, there was something really weird about your thoughts now, something’s off—
Don’t worry, I’ve moved on. The name was an impulse, nothing more. I know there is no connection between a dead girl and my AI. I’m tired, let me sleep, Alan sent.
He closed his eyes.
***
Someone shook Alan awake. He found Icewolf standing by the side of his bed.
“Can I help you?” Alan asked. He rubbed his eyes, then he sat up, or at least tried to, but banged his head against the ceiling. It was inches away from his face.
“Lie down, rest,” Icewolf said. “I just wanted to update you and check on your condition.”
Alan lay back down.
“We’re on board a cargo ship headed for London. We should be there by tomorrow—you’ve been out of it for a week. What happened?”
I’m not sure telling him our weaknesses would be the best idea, Lambda sent.
Alan thought for a moment.
“The hack. I took a lot of damage, nearly died,” Alan said.
“Yes, Kitana briefed me on what happened in the server room. She’s on board,” Icewolf said.
“No. I don’t mean died in-game, I mean died in real life. Good game no re,” Alan said.
“What do you mean?” Icewolf asked. “I’ve met a few hackers, nothing about their class seems life-threatening.”
“Well I’m not most hackers,” Alan said. “You may have noticed that I’m quite a bit better than most hackers. But there are dangers to my methods as well, dangers that hackers who hide behind AI and simple programs don’t face.”
“You should have mentioned this sooner,” Icewolf said. “I wouldn’t have sent you on this mission if I had known that you were risking your actual life. You’re young, there will be later battles—”
Alan shook his head. “It wasn’t your fault. I would have been safe if I hadn’t made a stupid decision. What happened with the other missions?”
Icewolf sighed. “We were crushed. The United World Government’s capital ship moved faster than we thought it could. It blasted any points of resistance to kingdom come, dropping off troops and supplies before proceeding to the next destination.”
“We had hoped to airlift the gold we got out of the Federal Reserve, but our ships were shot out of the sky. Thiago was among the players lost. Within a few hours of the first attack, the UWG recovered all Control Points lost and took out half of our combatants. The only move that seems to have had any lasting damage was yours.”
“The document leak?” Alan asked.
“Yes,” Icewolf said. “The UWG also claimed that the Legion of Man caused irreparable damage to the servers containing and dealing with financial transactions. They shut down the markets, after making the unprecedented move to not bail out sinking financial institutions, but to buy them out instead.”
“Can they do that?” Alan asked.
“They can and they have,” Icewolf said. “A number of private firms, arms manufacturers, and engineering companies have been purchased as well. The only regulations that are in existence on Earth are the UWG’s, martial law, and the Administrator’s rules. There are precious few checks and balances. Besides, the UWG is a conglomeration of so many different ideals and governments that state-owned enterprises might seem commonplace to many.”
What exactly does this mean? Alan asked Lambda.
It means that your government is taking control of private industry, seizing power from the hands of the people, Lambda sent.
“But the leaders are still democratically elected,” Alan said.
“For now. It’s quite easy to rig an election when you control the avenues of information and all the candidates running,” Icewolf said. He sat down on the edge of Alan’s bed. “Most countries didn’t have functioning democracies before—you think they’re suddenly all working now? I know a number of high-ranking military officers who desire more power. Besides, a
four-year term in real life means a sixteen-year term in-game. Term limits are but one of many issues that must be sorted out, but the elected officials are too busy figuring out the lay of the land, who they need to please.”
“Aren’t people furious about this? Where are the protests?” Alan asked.
“The majority of people aren’t in-game. The government is only buying up in-game property and companies, virtual assets,” Icewolf said. “Most still don’t realize that those are the only assets that matter now. Or they’re thinking that these are necessary precautions to take after the terrorist attacks knocked out key infrastructure—that we’re at war and the government can do whatever they must to win.
“You helped bring this about. Your revelation was the impetus the UWG needed to make these changes. And mine, I suppose. This entire op was a mess.”
He seems almost happy, Lambda sent.
Alan looked at Icewolf’s frowning face. I don’t see it.
His body language tells a different story, Lambda sent.
“Shouldn’t the UWG be reeling since their credit is shattered?” Alan asked.
“The UWG claim circumstances have changed,” Icewolf said. “They claim that the leak was an insider who was privy only to a small portion of the budget. They have made statements saying they are preparing to present a full, audited yearly budget that shows they are not drowning in debt, but instead are thriving. The failed attack on the gold reserves also allowed them to sell a portion, citing a lack of security. But instead of paying off existing debt, they’re buying up companies.”
