by Tripp Ellis
We slipped into the forest and left the base behind in chaos.
“Bodybag, this is Archer. Do you copy?”
“Go ahead, Archer.”
“I got the package and have left the premises.”
“Copy that. I’m sending grid coordinates for the rally point now.”
A few moments later, a blip appeared on my map.
“That’s a solid copy, Bodybag. See you shortly.”
37
Congratulations! You’ve completed your mission objective.
You’ve gained 450 experience points.
Congratulations! You’ve leveled up!
Health: 100%.
Strength: 100%.
Armor: 100%.
Stamina: 2 of possible 20.
Charisma: 2 of possible 20.
Skill: 3 of possible 20.
Level 2: Lance Corporal.
Lives: 2 remaining.
Experience: 450.
“A klick north of here is the gateway,” Carver said.
“Gateway to what?” I asked.
Carver and I had met up with the others at the rally point. The entire platoon was present with the exception of one.
Enemy gunships rumbled through the air, searching for us. Patrols combed the woods. We wouldn’t be able to stay put for long. We were hiding out in an enclave at the base of the cliffs. It provided good cover from above.
Carver’s eyes narrowed at me, losing patience. She finally answered my question. “The gateway is a portal to the Primo Eläma mega-structure.”
“What’s that?”
She pointed to the sky. The faint, hazy outline of the mega-structure was barely visible as it orbited the planet.
”The portal is the only way into the installation." Carver said. “Krong is going to use the technology of the mega-structure to destroy all sentient life.”
"So, how do we access the portal?” I asked.
“That’s where Titan comes in,” Carver said. “We need the ancient artifact to activate the portal.”
“Where’s the artifact?” I asked.
“Titan has half of the map stored in his databanks,” Carver said.
“Where’s the other half?”
Carver grinned and pulled out a data disc. It was a thin piece of smart glass she had hidden in her bra. She inserted it into a slot on Titan’s faceplate. A moment later the drone projected a holographic map of the terrain, pinpointing the location of the artifact. “We need to find it before the Skrags do. I can’t tell you how devastating it would be if they accessed the mega-structure and learned to use the technology.”
You have a new mission objective: find the ancient artifact, access the megastructure.
“I’m transferring the location to your map function now,” Titan said.
The entire platoon was updated simultaneously.
“The Skrags will be searching in the wrong location, but it won’t take them long to figure that out,” Carver said. “Time is of the essence.”
“You heard the doctor,” Parker said. “Let’s move out. Tug, you’re on point.”
“Hey, I’m sorry about Quick Draw,” I said.
“Me too.” Parker looked crestfallen. “That’s life in the grid.” Despite her tough as nails exterior, I could see the constant fighting was taking a toll. As she started to march away, she craned her neck back, and her sad eyes met mine. “You did okay, Archer. There may be room for you in this squad after all.”
It was the first time she had called me anything but newbie.
We slipped through the forest, heading for the artifact. According to the map, it was located deep inside a mountain. Spelunking through the caverns was okay by me, but I was going to stay out of any cave pools.
The area was crawling with Skrag squads. Unfortunately, it didn't take long for us to stumble across an enemy patrol. A flurry of plasma bolts zipped through the trees. I took cover behind a large trunk. I angled the barrel of my weapon around the tree and squeezed off several rounds at the encroaching enemies. The rattle of gunfire erupted all around me. Smoke and muzzle flash filled the air.
I took one of the aliens out with my plasma rifle. The bolt vaporized the creature’s head, splattering blood on the underbrush. The squad made short work of the enemy patrol. These guys were good. They were accurate, had good discipline, and didn't get flustered under fire. But, then again, they had been playing this game for decades. It was finally starting to register with me. If they had been playing for so long and still hadn’t been able to win, I wondered what chance I realistically had?
My eyes scanned the area, looking for Doctor Carver. She had flattened herself on the ground behind a tree. Her white lab coat was stained with grass and dirt. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, thank you,” she said with a thin voice. It wasn’t entirely convincing. She was slightly dazed.
I looked her over, checking for injuries, patting her down. It was a habit. I knew many people who had gotten shot and didn’t know it until a few minutes after the fighting was over. The rush of adrenaline could mask symptoms. The game world had no shortage of adrenaline, or so it seemed.
“What are you doing?” Her face crinkled, and she pushed me away.
“Just checking for signs of trauma.”
“I told you I’m fine.”
The sky rumbled with the sound of enemy fighters. Engines rippled the air as the vehicles loomed overhead. The canopy of the forest provided a degree of cover. My eyes gazed skyward, watching one of the crafts swoop above the tree line.
I pushed off the ground and moved to scavenge extra magazines and grenades from the dead Skrag soldiers. Then our squad marched forward. The commotion of the fire fight was going to attract more of the Skrags. We had to keep moving.
38
According to the map, the entrance to the cave should be right here," Titan said.
I stood at the base of the mountainside with the rest of the platoon and Doctor Carver. The cliff face was solid granite—there was no entrance.
"Are you sure you're reading the map correctly?" I asked.
Titan scowled at me. “I can assure you, when it comes to calculations and logistics, my processing is flawless."
"Perhaps the map is wrong?" Hazard said.
"I spent years deciphering the ancient texts," Carver said. “I triple checked my transcriptions." She began second-guessing herself. Disappointment washed over her face. “I suppose I could have made an error, or misinterpreted something. The language of the Primo Eläma is complex. I created the map and split it into two parts for security purposes. The original texts are aboard the Endeavor.
“Were aboard the Endeavor,” Hazard muttered, correcting her.
Carver’s eyes narrowed at him, unappreciative of his condescending correction. “I destroyed them before my escape." Carver looked crestfallen. "I didn't want them falling into the hands of the enemy. There is no referencing the old texts now."
"I've scanned the mountain with thermal imaging. There is indeed a passageway behind the stone," Titan said.
I moved to the cliff face and pressed my hand against the stone. I traced my fingertips across the granite. Perhaps there was some type of active camouflage concealing the entrance to the cave. It seemed unlikely, but I figured in the game world anything was possible. I kept pushing against the rock as I moved along. Then, suddenly, there was no resistance. My hand disappeared into the stone. My eyes widened with surprise, as did the rest of the platoon’s.
I cautiously stepped into the rock, passing through the active camouflage into the cave. My HUD flashed the message:
Congratulations! You’ve reached another checkpoint!
On the interior wall of the cave, the ancient language of the Primo Eläma was etched into the stone.
“Are you okay in there,” Doctor Carver shouted.
“Come on in. I’m fine.”
The rest of the platoon eased into the cave with their weapons in the firing position. Tactical flashli
ghts slashed the darkness.
“Somebody want to tell me how an ancient civilization developed active camouflage like that?” Tug asked.
“They were far more advanced than we could ever hope to be,” Carver said.
“Can you read this?” I asked, motioning to the text carved into the wall.
Carver surveyed the ancient characters. “Their language is so elegant. I’d give anything to meet a living Primo. So much knowledge could be shared.” But the look of awe on her face quickly shifted to concern.
“What’s the problem?” I asked.
“It’s a warning.”
“Do I want to know what it says?”
“Not really.”
“Shit, this whole place comes with a warning,” Hazard said. “Warnings are for pussies. Excuse my French.”
“I should point out that this text speaks about guardians of the artifact, or perhaps the mega-structure. I’m not sure. It also says all who enter the cave are cursed.”
“Like I said, Doc,” Hazard muttered. “We’re all cursed anyway.”
“What type of guardians?” I asked.
Carver shrugged.
“Archer, you found this place,” Parker said. “Lead the way.”
“Aye-aye, sir.” I edged forward, weapon in the firing position, my tac-lite shining down the dank tunnel. Titan hovered behind me.
The air was cool, and the cave gave off an eerie vibe. I followed the twisting path of the tunnel until it narrowed to a crevice. I had to take off my backpack and squeeze through sideways. Even then, my chest armor hung up on the rocks. A wave of panic washed over me for an instant as I felt stuck. With a little effort, I was able to wedge myself free.
A thin mist of sweat had formed in the small of my back. My face flushed red. I didn’t really consider myself claustrophobic. But the thought of getting stuck in a cave for all eternity was disconcerting.
I hadn’t gotten hungry since I entered the game. As far as I could tell, I didn’t need food or water to survive. I was just a bunch of ones and zeros floating around in a circuit board. I hadn’t asked anyone about aging either, but I got the distinct impression that characters didn’t age in this environment. Parker looked no older than 25, though she had to be much older. It was conceivable that you could get stuck in a section of the game and stay there forever. Of course, if you had enough lives you could kill yourself and re-spawn at your last checkpoint. But that wouldn’t do you much good if your last checkpoint was in an undesirable location.
The passageway tapered to a small opening. I knelt down and peered through the narrow tunnel, shining my tac-light. The passageway was barely wider than my shoulders. I was likely going to have to take off my chest armor and shoulder pads to fit through. The tunnel meandered, and I couldn’t see through to the other side. It could have been a dead end.
“Titan, you’re up,” I said. “Scan the tunnel and see if it’s navigable.”
Titan dropped to ground-level and slipped into the tunnel. His headlights illuminated the passageway. He mapped the area and relayed the information to the platoon’s HUDs.
I watched the map fill out as he proceeded. The tunnel opened to a larger space on the other side.
“According to my measurements, the tunnel should be wide enough for everyone to fit through. Though, it may be a tight squeeze for some.”
“What’s on the other side?” I asked.
“More of the same,” Titan replied.
I dropped to the ground and pushed my backpack and rifle into the tunnel ahead of me. Then I crawled on my belly, slithering like a snake through the dark tube. Dust swirled in the beam of my flashlight. I clawed my way through the narrow passage, dirt wedging under my fingernails.
The rest of the platoon followed behind me. We were halfway through when the rumbling began. The cave began to quake. Dirt and rock fell from the ceiling. My heartbeat skyrocketed. There was never a good time for an earthquake, but now was exceedingly bad timing.
39
I scrambled toward the end of the tunnel as the mountain rumbled. Large slabs of rock shifted. Dust and dirt filled the passageway. I reached the opening, and clawed my way out.
Congratulations! You’ve reached a new checkpoint!
My jaw clenched, and the muscles in my face flexed. I didn’t want to reach a new checkpoint. If something happened to me, I wanted to be able to re-spawn outside the cave, but that was no longer an option.
I helped the others, pulling them out of the narrow passageway one by one. The ground still quaked, and I could barely stand. It felt like I was on the deck of a small boat, pitching and rolling with furious waves.
Horrifying screams echoed from the tunnel as the ceiling collapsed. A gust of dirt and debris blew from the opening. Scar was the last member of the platoon to emerge from the tunnel.
The ground finally stopped shaking, but the cave still spun for a moment. I was a little woozy. It was like stepping ashore after spending months on a boat. Steady ground didn’t feel so steady.
Scar and the others brushed the dirt from their shoulders. Coughs and hacks filled the air as the platoon tried to clear their lungs.
“Sound off,” Parker said. “Who’s missing?”
Hazard, Tug, Carver, and Scar had all emerged unscathed, along with Parker, Titan, and myself.
Flack had been crushed—the weight of the entire mountain smashing his fragile body.
Parker’s eyes filled with sadness and rage when she didn’t hear his voice. “Does anyone know if Flack had any lives remaining?”
Hazard shrugged. “I don’t think so. I think the raid on the enemy base took its toll.”
Parker grimaced. Her eyes brimmed. “Titan, get in there and tell me what you see.”
Titan zipped back into the tunnel. He snaked through the passageway until he came upon the collapsed section. There was no sign of Flack, other than dark blood oozing underneath the stone slab that had flattened him. It mixed with the dirt and looked like chocolate syrup.
Flack’s tracking data no longer appeared on my HUD.
Titan called out for him, just to be sure. “Flack, can you hear me?”
There was no response.
“I’ve got bad news, and I’ve got bad news,” Titan said. “Which one do you want to hear first?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “Flack is dead. The cave is sealed. This tunnel is impassable. Either we find another way out of this cave, or we’re not getting out.”
Titan’s words hung in the air like smoke. The mood of the entire platoon sank.
“We’ll worry about getting out of here after we find the artifact,” Parker said. “ Let’s keep moving.”
The platoon was about to start moving when a horrid screech echoed off the cave walls. Something was out there, lurking in the dark, and it didn’t sound friendly.
“What the hell was that?” Tug asked.
“Sounds like my ex-wife,” Hazard muttered.
“Then we’re really in trouble,” Tug said.
I pushed forward, winding through the narrow cave, fully expecting something to jump out of the shadows at me. The virtual equivalent of adrenaline coursed through my veins. My pulse pounded in my ears as the beam of my flashlight darted from point to point. Each nook and cranny got extra scrutiny.
As I rounded a corner, the cave appeared to dead-end. There was a small pool of water about the size of a jacuzzi. A frown tugged at my lips. I had no desire to get into the water again, but this was looking like the only way forward.
I stood at the edge of the water and peered down into the well. My flashlight illuminated the clear liquid. The bottom sloped to a shaft which presumably continued to another section of the cave.
“Are you waterproof?” I asked Titan.
“Waterproof is a subjective term. I am water resistant to 50 meters.”
“Then it looks like your up again.” I smiled.
The expression the bot displayed on his face plate wasn’t one of enthusiasm. “Some environments ca
n be more caustic to seals and gaskets than others.”
“It’s just water,” I said. “I think you’ll be fine.”
“Why do I have to be the one to go first into the scary dark places?”
“Because you don’t need to breathe. Now go play submarine and see if you can find a way out.”
Titan muttered something under his breath, then plunged into the water. My eyes followed as he descended and moved into the horizontal shaft.
I had to admit, the little guy was growing on me. I caught myself worrying about Titan as I waited for him to return. There was no telling what was lurking in that water—more piranha like snakes? Aquatic predators? Perhaps even corrosive chemicals that might damage his seals?
40
Water dripped from Titan as he emerged from the well. He shook from side to side like a dog, clearing the water from his ports.
“So, what did you find?” I asked.
“Well, I don’t think there are any monsters down there because nothing tried to eat me.”
“I can’t imagine that you’d be very tasty.”
Titan’s digital face scowled at me.
“Is there an exit?”
“Yes. According to my calculations, it would take the average swimmer 4.2 minutes to reach the other side.”
A slight grimace curled on my lips. The average person could hold their breath for two minutes. But holding your breath while submerged in a pool was entirely different than swimming through an underwater passageway with your muscles burning up energy at an accelerated rate.
The galactic record for longest breath hold was 28 minutes and 32 seconds, set by Sven Lindström in 2162. He was a five-time world free diving champion. None of us were even close to that capacity.
During combat water training, I routinely practiced underwater breath holds—not to the extent that the Navy Reapers trained, but my time in the pool was rigorous nonetheless. (The Reapers were the Navy’s elite special warfare operators. They were trained to operate in any environment, space, sea, air, and land. The Marine Special Operations Command Space Raiders (MARSOC-SR) were the Space Corps’ rough equivalent. Though, even I had to admit, the Reapers were some tough hombres.
