by Tripp Ellis
Despite my training, 4.2 minutes was a long time underwater in a stressful situation. Up to this point, I had been breathing normally. The need for oxygen seemed to be a very real component of the game world. I assumed my virtual body would perform similarly to its real world counterpart. But there was no way to be sure until I put it to the test. I was worried that my low stamina rating would affect my ability.
Doctor Carver was taking slow deep breaths, preparing for the dive. Her eyes were closed. She almost looked as if she was meditating.
“See you people on the other side,” Tug said. He slung his rifle over his shoulder and dove in.
The sound of splashing water echoed off the cavern walls as the platoon entered the pool, one by one. Doctor Carver had a look of trepidation on her face as she stood at the edge.
“Not much of a swimmer?” I asked.
“I’d rather be lounging poolside with a Margarita than cave diving.”
“I hear you,” I said. “I’ll be right behind you.”
She flashed a nervous smile, then dove into the water. It was the first time she’d shown me a remotely friendly gesture.
I followed after her, and Titan brought up the rear. Swimming in full battle rattle created a lot of drag in the water. It made things twice as difficult. Cave diving was inherently deadly, and the additional gear and weight didn’t help. Perhaps the most dangerous aspect of cave diving was the sediment that lurked on the bottom. It didn’t take much to kick it up and turn the water into a soupy haze. By the time I entered the horizontal shaft, the water was already thick with particles. The once clear water was now murky. It was going to make navigating the winding passageway a challenge.
I pulled my way through the shaft. In the haze, I lost the sense of how far I had traveled. It was all starting to look the same. My lungs burned from the CO2 buildup. The edges of my vision were starting to dim—hints of peripheral vasoconstriction. Soon I would feel a general urge to breathe. Eventually, I’d reach the point where my body was demanding oxygen. I’d experience diaphragmatic contractions. Everyone reaches a breakpoint at some time—the point in which the body says, fuck it, I need air. Whether you like it or not, at that point, your body is going to take a breath. It doesn’t work out well when submerged. It doesn’t matter whether you’re 1 meter under, or 20—with lungs full of water, you’re going to die.
My lungs were on fire. If I was feeling this bad, I could only imagine how Doctor Carver felt. She hadn’t been through the extensive training that I had. Panic was your worst enemy in a situation like this. All it was good for was making you burn resources faster. I could tell Doctor Carver was panicking.
Her stroke became weak and erratic, then she blacked out.
I grabbed onto her and pulled her limp body through the shaft. By some miracle, we reached the other side, and I started our ascent to the surface. We were 15 meters below. I could see the blurry distorted shapes of the platoon hovering around the edge of the well.
Tug dove into the water and helped me pull Doctor Carver ashore. She was non-responsive. I rolled her onto her back, made sure her air ways were clear, and began CPR.
41
After a few moments of chest compressions, Doctor Carver spit water from her lungs. She sat up, gasping for breath. She coughed and hacked for several moments, expelling the last remnants of water. Then, she glanced around with bloodshot eyes, taking in her new surroundings. “What happened?”
“You pretty much died,” I said.
Her confused eyes gazed at me, trying to reconcile her last memory of blacking out underwater with her current position ashore.
“Did you save me?”
“For the second time,” I said with a cocksure grin.
Her eyes narrowed at me.
“Hey, I helped too,” Tug added. He smiled and waited with expecting eyes like a puppy dog awaiting a treat.
“Thank you, Tug,” Carver said.
“What, I don’t get a thanks?” I said.
She shot me a look.
I helped her up as she tried to stand. She swayed, still woozy. I held onto her arm as she attempted to steady herself. This time she didn’t seem eager to jerk it away from me.
“Tug, you’re on point,” Parker said. “Let’s keep this train rolling.”
I helped Carver take a few steps.
“I think I can manage,” she said softly. “Thank you.”
I let her arm go and watched her take her first unassisted steps. She was like a toddler learning to walk, unsure of each step. After a few paces she seemed a little steadier. She tilted her head to the side and tried to knock the water out of her ears. It was messing with her equilibrium.
Titan hovered alongside her. “Are you sure you’re okay, Doctor Carver?”
“I’m fine. But I’m not looking forward to getting in the water again anytime soon.”
We strolled through the cave, following the twists and turns. It was dark and damp, and the air felt thick and cold. I couldn’t quite explain it, but this place filled me with a sense of dread. The hairs on the back of my neck stood tall.
The narrow passageway opened up into a larger cavern. An architectural structure was carved into the rock. There were four tall composite columns. Steps led to the entrance, and relief panels were carved into the stone. The alien figures carved into the panels were, presumably, representations of the Primo Eläma—sleek, elongated bipedal forms. The facade was topped with a triangular pediment. It reminded me of the tombs at Petra.
I advanced to the entrance with the rest of the platoon. With tactical precision, we flooded in through the doorway, clearing the area. We were either in a tomb or a temple, it was hard to tell which. We crept down the passageway into a larger antechamber. The walls were lined with statues atop pedestals. The beam of my flashlight illuminated their hideous faces—grotesque demons with ferocious fangs and sharp claws. Were these the supposed guardians of the artifact, intended to scare off trespassers and would-be thieves?
A blue glow emanated from the main chamber. It was a large rotunda. I pushed inside with the rest of the platoon. Composite columns lined the wall, and the domed ceiling was painted with figures of the Primo Eläma. The center point of the room was a pedestal, above which the artifact hovered in a blue energy beam. It was a circular object with spiral arms that resembled a swirling galaxy. Perhaps it was indicative of the destructive power contained within the ancient mega-structure—a weapon that could destroy the galaxy itself.
Congratulations! You’ve reached a new checkpoint.
Doctor Carver looked upon the object with awe and reverence. The sculpted features of her face were illuminated by the blue glow, and the silver artifact sparkled in her eyes. She stepped closer to it, almost in a trance. She reached out her hand, inching closer to the energy beam.
“Are you sure this is such a good idea?” I asked, her fingertips almost piercing the beam.
“The mega-structure must not fall to Krong and his Skrag army,” she replied.
I had watched enough movies to know the the minute she grabbed the artifact bad things were going to happen.
Her smooth, manicured hands pierced the energy beam. She clutched the artifact and pulled it free. She held it before her, gazing at its mesmerizing form.
Congratulations! Your team has acquired the ancient artifact.
You have a new mission objective: Proceed to the portal. Use the artifact to activate the device. Infiltrate the mega-structure.
My worried eyes glanced around the rotunda, waiting for the other shoe to drop. But nothing happened.
“Well, that was easy,” Tug said with a proud grin.
I cringed the moment he said it.
Horrid screeches echoed through the chamber. Earsplitting shrieks, worse than nails on a chalkboard.
I moved to the entrance of the rotunda with my weapon in the firing position. The grotesque statues had all come to life. The antechamber was filled with a dozen snarling demons.
42<
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Glistening fangs and razor-sharp claws launched toward me. The growls of bloodthirsty demons echoed off the antechamber walls. My finger squeezed the trigger, sending blistering bolts of plasma across the room. My face flickered with a blue glow as the projectiles rocketed out of the barrel.
The attacking demon was torn to shreds. What remained of its vaporized carcass flopped to the stone floor.
The antechamber filled with a torrent of weapons fire. Bullets and plasma projectiles sliced the air. The angry creatures roared and slashed with their deadly claws.
Scar’s rifle jammed.
His face filled with terror as he frantically tried to eject the casing. He pulled the charging handle, but it was completely locked up. The jammed casing was keeping the rifle from cycling. It was impossible to pull the charging handle hard enough to dislodge the casing. MR-17s were finicky in this regard. The typical solution involved slamming the butt of the rifle against the ground and pulling the charge handle back simultaneously. This would cause the inertia of the bolt carrier group to pop out the stuck round. This was referred to as mortaring the rifle by the grunts. But Scar didn’t have enough time to perform this procedure.
He was mauled by one of the demons.
Razor-sharp claws ripped flesh from his throat. Blood spurted from his carotid arteries. Scar’s gurgled scream was horrifying. The grotesque creature gnawed at his flesh. Scar tried to fight him off, but it was no use.
Hazard peppered the beast with bullets, sending the creature to the stone floor. It yelped and kicked as it gasped its last breaths.
Scar was dead.
The fighting continued.
The hail of gunfire in the tiny space was deafening. By the time it was all over, my ears were ringing. The programming of the virtual world was extremely detailed. But with the ability to recharge my health to 100%, I didn’t have to worry about going deaf later on in life. Though, if we didn’t get out of this cave, it wasn’t likely there would be a later on.
I surveyed the carnage. A dozen carcasses of demon-like creatures lay on the floor of the antechamber. Within moments, the remnants of their bodies turned to stone fragments.
Scar lay in a crimson pool of blood. The fact that he didn’t re-spawn in the rotunda indicated this was his last life.
Tug, Hazard, and Parker all stared at his lifeless body with solemn faces.
My eyes found Doctor Carver. She was trembling with a mixture of fear and adrenaline. Without a weapon, she had taken cover in the rotunda.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
Carver nodded.
Titan had hovered close to the ceiling, out of reach of the creatures. He was still floating high above the area.
“I hope that thing’s worth it,” Parker said, referencing the artifact.
“I hope so too,” Carver replied.
We moved through the antechamber, down the passageway toward the exit, and emerged back in the cavern. Titan scanned the area, looking for a way out. He found a small crevice on the far end of the chamber. It was another narrow crawlspace which none of us were too anxious to enter.
“I’ll check it out,” Titan said.
He zipped into the small passageway and disappeared into the darkness.
Carver stuck close to me and spoke softly. She was still frazzled from the frenzied attack. “I’m sorry I was so… rude earlier. When we first met.”
“I don’t know if I call it rude,” I said, trying to be nice. “Maybe standoff-ish is a better term.” I followed it with a smile.
“Rude. I was definitely rude.”
“Okay, fine. You were rude.”
“I apologize.”
“Apology accepted.”
“I’m a scientist. Not a soldier. I hate violence. And guns scare me. This whole conflict is maddening to me.”
“Let me ask you something. You weren’t aboard the Renaissance, were you?”
“No. Were you?”
“Yes and no.”
She looked at me perplexed.
I explained my situation. “So, you’re a—”
“Sentient AI, like Titan. You may be a visitor to this world, but it’s the only one I’ve ever known. This is home. This is my reality.”
“I don’t think any of us are visitors anymore.”
Carver was cute. I didn’t care if she was a program or not. Besides, I was a program myself now. I didn’t know if I would ever make it back to the real world. And I wasn’t sure there would be anything there for me if I did.
Titan’s voice crackled in my earbud. “It’s a tight squeeze, but you can make it.” He paused for a moment, then added, “Provided there aren’t any aftershocks.”
“You sure know how to instill confidence,” I said.
“Hazard, you’re last,” Parker said.
“Why am I last?”
“Because you’re the biggest one. I don’t want you clogging up the pipeline.”
Hazard frowned at her. “Glad to know you care.”
“Tug, you’re up,” Parker commanded.
He dropped to his belly and crawled into the narrow tunnel. Carver followed after him, and I followed behind. Parker and Hazard brought up the rear. I pushed my pack and rifle ahead of me, just as I had done previously. This passageway was a little wider. It didn’t instill quite the same claustrophobia as the previous passage of death.
The narrow tunnel opened into a larger passageway. I pulled myself through, slung my pack over my shoulders, and readied my weapon. The others followed after me without incident.
Titan led us through the meandering tunnel. I almost couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw daylight spilling in from a distant exit. My cheeks tightened as a grin pulled on my lips. It looked like we were finally going to catch a break. We picked up the pace as we marched toward the brilliant daylight.
I stepped into the fresh air and felt the warm sunlight on my face. But my beaming smile faded as the barrels of hostile plasma rifles surrounded us.
43
I think you have something that belongs to me,” Krong said. His low voice rumbled.
He was a thick, muscular behemoth that resembled an orc. He stood nearly 9 feet tall, and his head disappeared into his bulging shoulders. He wore black battle armor adorned with red accents. Brutal fangs protruded from his lips. He towered over the other Skrag pawns that accompanied him.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Carver stammered.
“The artifact. Give it to me. Now!” Krong demanded.
The multiple plasma rifles that were staring us in the face were quite convincing.
Titan had vanished at the first sign of trouble, launching himself high into the sky. The soldiers had taken potshots at him, but Titan was too quick and maneuverable for them.
Carver reluctantly handed over the artifact.
Krong grinned from ear to ear, displaying his prominent yellow stained fangs. His narrow eyes marveled at the artifact for a moment, then flicked back to Carver. “I knew I could count on you.”
Carver’s face twisted up.
“You didn’t think your escape from my compound would be that easy, did you?”
Carver’s face fell flat, and so did mine.
Krong’s cold gaze met mine. “I let you capture Doctor Carver. Not only did you lead me to the artifact, you brought it to me.” He let out a sinister chuckle. “Fools!”
I clenched my jaw, and my whole body tensed.
“It’s pretty bold of you to make an appearance,” Parker said.
“I have nothing to fear from the likes of you,” Krong grumbled. “My forces are superior. Besides, why should I let you have all the fun. I have watched the action for too long.”
“The game is rigged,” Parker said.
“Defeat me, and you shall earn your freedom,” Krong said with a sly grin. “Nothing is rigged.” His tone was innocent. “We all play by the same rules. There is no fun or honor in cheating. I relish the challenge.”
It was hard to t
ell if he was sincere.
“Take Doctor Carver to the portal,” Krong commanded.
“Shall I execute the others,” a soldier asked.
“No. They’ll re-spawn somewhere and we’ll have to track them down again. Bring them back to base and confine them. I’m sure we can find a labor camp to scurry them off to. Welcome to your new life as slaves.” Krong had a diabolical glimmer in his eyes.
Two of Krong’s goons grabbed Doctor Carver and dragged her along. Her terrified eyes glanced back at me as they pulled her away.
I clenched my fists, my face flushed red with rage. There was nothing I could do. A goon shoved me in the back and marched me at gunpoint in the opposite direction. I shouted over my shoulder, setting a mission objective of my own. “Don’t worry. I’ll find you, Doctor Carver!”
“Dream on,” the goon behind me said as he jammed the barrel of his rifle between my shoulder blades, nudging me forward.
A platoon of Skrag soldiers marched us back through the woods to their forward operating base. We were placed in the same prefabricated unit where they had previously detained Doctor Carver. A glowing red force-shield sealed the door, and two guards stood watch out front.
Congratulations! You’ve reached a new checkpoint.
I growled with frustration. It meant I couldn’t kill myself and re-spawn back in the cave. I was truly trapped in this location. The congratulations was probably the game’s way of taunting me.
Tug, Parker, Hazard, and I probed the room for weaknesses. But unless someone deactivated the shield from outside, we weren’t getting out of here.
You have a new mission objective: Escape the FOB. Use the portal to access the megastructure. Rescue Doctor Carver.
Unlike myself, native AI programs like Doctor Carver wouldn’t re-spawn. She had one life. I wondered if we would lose this level automatically if she perished? Or, would the parameters of our mission objective change? Could we still defeat Krong without Doctor Carver?
