by Kris Schnee
The crew had attended Manusite sermons as required by royal law. Miles actually bought into the ideology, mostly, but Eva's beliefs were more in line with an old hedonist cult that was considered tolerable but odd today. For Players like her, to honor the Maker of Everything meant the use of games and challenges, more than the building of starships and colonies. They could agree that starships ought to be built, but their reasoning was that the ships would expand the scope of humanity's games. Most of the time, nobody cared about the distinction. The Playerist churches were just odd organizations that lobbied to build stadiums, made their charity work entertaining, and described their members as having ranks, levels and achievements.
This game was one of the times that the difference between work-focused Manusism and play-focused Playerism mattered. Miles said, "So you think we've had our brains sliced up and fed into a machine?"
"Oh, I hope so! If that's what happened, they gave us immortality!"
Miles' stomach churned, and he wasn't even sure he physically had one. "But that was disproven. It's not physically possible."
"Copying a brain like that was abandoned as impractical, not proven impossible. Hey, GMs, you owe us an explanation. Let's talk."
There was a knock on the tent flap. "Vizier?" said Miles.
"Yes."
Eva said, "One of the GMs, in person?"
Miles let the creature in, saying, "Some agent of the GMs, or a rival to them. We've spoken a little."
The Vizier bowed and sat cross-legged. The Vizier said, "We are not at liberty to --"
"Stuff it!" said Miles. "You attacked us. You've killed several of us."
Eva said, "Have they, really?"
The Vizier remained placid. "We may say this: defeating the dragon will grant one person power on a level similar to Miles' magic."
Miles said, "That's just great. You want us to run around on a dragon-slaying quest so we can raise our stats some more, and then what? You said last time that you'd like to tell me more, later. It's later."
"You were discussing your religious beliefs. Would you care to explain them further?"
"In return for what?"
"Access to an item that you will want, if you desire to slay the dragon."
"I need information, alien! You haven't even given us a name besides that you're 'the Viziers'. What is your race's name? What did you do to us?"
"Our name simply means 'the People' in your tongue, and is unpronounceable in yours. You may call us the Hexapods, having seen hints of our form already."
Eva said, "So our beliefs matter to you? You care what we want?"
The Vizier's glowing green eyes brightened in its hidden face. "This is the sort of question we may answer. Yes, most of our kind are very interested. The matter of names, too, interests us."
Miles glared into the hidden face of the Vizier. This faction of them was severely constrained in what it was willing or allowed to say. Had that last remark been a hint about what they could reveal? He said, "Names, then. What do you call us?"
"Besides 'human', we have been discussing your people as the 'Outsiders', but more interesting to you is the other term in use: the 'New Toys'."
Miles swore. "Then you really are playing with us, not just observing us for science!"
"Is there a sharp difference?"
Eva got between them. "I'm pleased to meet you, Vizier. Are we in fact plugged into VR equipment, or did you upload us? Do you have that technology? You must have some kind of advanced neuroscience either way, to be able to control our senses however you're doing it."
"Why does the distinction interest you?"
"True uploading means immortality for humans!"
"Sadly, we may not answer your question."
Eva said, "Then what about the other Hart crew? Are they imitations of the real people, or what?"
"We may not --"
Miles said, "Then give us something to go on, other than telling us what quest will get us more in-game power. Let's have another Contest to squeeze more information out of you."
"A moment. Hmm." The Vizier paused. "We have agreed with the Hosts that we may answer your question, Eva, if you slay the dragon. If you personally deal the final blow."
"All this questing just to get information, Vizier?" Miles asked.
"And power. We understand this is something humans value." The Vizier began to fade out.
Eva tried to grab it, but her hand passed through its cloak. "One more thing. If I do get this power, I want to choose its form. If you've built this reality by stealing my game notes, then I think you know what I mean."
"Your wish will be granted," said their visitor, and vanished.
* * *
Miles said, "I've been dealing with this cryptic adviser the whole time. And watch what you say; I figure they're listening even now."
"That's a given if they control this reality," Eva said, and paced around the tent. "I see two main possibilities. If we're really floating in glass tanks full of mystery fluid, hooked up to sense-controlling VR gear, then we can eventually go free and get our original job done. If we've been uploaded, then our physical bodies are gone and we need to send word to all of humanity that this tech exists. Either way, we're completely at the aliens' mercy unless you can think of a way to forcibly shut down or hack their simulation servers."
"You don't think this is somehow an actual planet?"
"If so, then they've hacked our minds to create a built-in interface and they control reality thoroughly enough to make objects appear out of nowhere. Figure that it's true nanotech, or enough brain-hacking that we're effectively in VR anyway."
Statistically, any alien race that humans met -- just the one so far -- was probably very primitive or very advanced by human standards. Meeting them at anything like an equal level would be a huge coincidence, unless maybe all races stagnated at the same level humans had reached. "Old alien species," Miles said. "There was no sign of a civilization on planet Tafl but the one artifact site."
Eva's eyes widened. "The unusual warmth, the magnetic field despite no tectonic activity... something big is underground. That must be where we really are, in whatever form. A giant server farm or an underground city."
"Then we have no real choice but to win their game. I don't see us hacking our way out of a computer we can't even see."
"Right. So, the next step is the same as before: get to the settlement. Then, we go dragon-hunting."
Miles said, "The village near here, right? We still don't know if that's the real one."
"We may as well assume it is. The people act like the crew I know." Her stomach rumbled. "At the very least, they have food."
* * *
They geared up as well as they could, then dismissed the tent and trudged west across the snow and ice. Night fell soon, along with the temperature. Miles said, "We need to camp soon, but there's a good chance we'll be attacked."
"You're the one with the Survival skill; pick a spot."
They walked a little farther by moonlight. Miles said, "Using that Survival skill; give me a roll for shelter."
Dice rolled. Since Miles now had a skill of 3, even his mediocre +1 roll beat the difficulty of 3. The wind howled loudly enough to call Miles' attention to a ravine that looked broad enough to hold his tent. He wondered if it had been there before.
Down in that gorge he made camp. The wind blew crosswise, so it couldn't do much to Miles and Eva. Still no food, and they had only boiled snow in a thick fabric pouch to drink.
Eva said, "We should arrive tomorrow. But there might be trouble with the captain. He wanted everyone to stay put, and I snuck out on my own."
"What, to fight the dragon?"
She looked away from him. "To try reasoning with it. The GMs put this big obvious dragon next to our settlement, had it occasionally fly menacingly over the land, and all but put up a neon sign telling adventurers to come and investigate. Based on what I'd experienced, the GMs weren't likely to just have the dragon eat me, when
they could milk the situation for something interesting to watch. And so, they did. I got captured."
"You have a cavalier attitude about this game."
"The captain is treating this like a military outpost in hostile terrain, but I know better. The aliens want to play with us, not to kill us."
Miles said, "But they already did kill a few. As far as we know."
"I bet that they're fine. Really, want to wager?"
"Sorry, but I don't want to win a bet by predicting our crewmen are dead. Let's regroup at your settlement."
He made a slight change to his character sheet that night, so that it now read:
Miles
Fate Points: 3 (Refresh 3)
Master Artificer
Engaged To Eva
Need To Learn Why I'm Here
Fateweaver
Skills:
3: Magic, Survival
2: Craft, Mind
1: Shoot, Athletics, Toughness
Stunts: Magic Bolt, Workshop Tent, Got You Covered, Stately Pleasure Dome
Stress: Body [][][], Mind [][][]
Consequences:
2:
4:
6:
* * *
The next day, a snowbound wooden fort appeared. Miles viewed it with dread. First, there was a good chance Thorn was going to have Eva arrested for leaving without permission. And second, "Thorn" might well be a false simulation or a mental clone along with everyone else there.
But hey, they had food.
Eva called out to the stockade's lone visible guard, who looked miserable in his chilly uniform. "Eva Callahan returning, with Miles Hochen!"
"Eva? What? You're in some serious trouble."
"Well, that's familiar," said Miles.
The gate opened. Superficially this Fort Necessity was similar to the other one, Hartstown, but there were iron weapons and tools in evidence. Each of the few buildings was slate-roofed and had a chimney pumping out smoke. "You found metal?" said Miles.
The guard said, "There's a mine near the forest. Go on; I'm sure the captain will want to see you both."
Miles turned to Eva. "Think I should start doing magic to impress people?"
She answered quietly. "Hold off; we may need the surprise. Have you got my back on this?"
"If he orders you locked up? I'm a little impressed that you even have locks here. The south fort hadn't found metal yet." He eyed the chilly-looking garden that filled a third of the fort's area. "On the other hand, the crops look more scraggly here. Where's the mess hall?"
They went over there first, where the same cook Miles knew was on duty and serving a hot stew made from the bacon-root plant. He slurped greedily before he even reached the crude bench where more and more people were coming to see him.
Eva murmured between gulps, "Seriously. Will you protect me?"
"Thorn was put in charge of the ship. That doesn't make him king, when there's no ship around." Miles stalled by drinking while he thought. "I swapped out one of my aspects while you were sleeping. I had a generic heroic one, but I've changed that to, 'Engaged To Eva'."
She blushed. "Thank you. I'll do likewise."
He smiled back at her, then looked at the people starting to crowd around. "Hey there. Hochen here. Is Astrogator Samatra around?"
"Here, sir." The man was eerily identical to the one that Miles had left behind far to the south. "What do you need?"
"Sir?"
"They say you fought the dragon and rescued Eva!"
Miles grinned. "One out of two. The dragon's still around. Say, Samatra, when is the election for governor?"
The space navigator looked confused. "We haven't had one."
"Maybe we should. By the way, you all look like you need some blankets and clothes, and I can help with that."
A woman arrived in the doorway, looking grim. "The captain sends his compliments, and will Callahan and Hochen see him immediately."
Miles had never understood that expression. He slurped the last of his soup, hoping he'd get another serving soon, and nodded gravely to Eva. "Let's get this over with."
Captain Thorn had his own cabin, like his other copy. Miles pushed open the door and called out, "We're here."
"Enter."
He held Eva back from complying. "We need to see you, sir."
Thorn stepped out, looking wary. "So you left and now you expect a welcome? Get in here."
Eva set her spear aside and they entered. Miles felt deja vu from seeing the simple furniture, and from being ready to offer beds and clothes once again.
Eva said, "Miles and I met up in the dragon's lair. We got a view of its defenses, and we were contacted by a creature representing the aliens. It promised more information on our situation if we defeat the dragon."
The captain said, "Then the stalemate continues. When our captors agree to diplomatic talks without some absurd precondition, I'll be happy to speak with them. Until then, we wait. Hochen, where were you all this time?"
"I believe I was in stasis after our capture, sir. Has it been roughly a month since then, from your perspective? For me it's been only a week or so."
Thorn nodded. "The enemy has advanced technology, but we don't know exactly what. But we can hold out here until they grow bored enough to converse face to face."
Miles sighed, faced with the same deadlock as before. "Captain, I have a clue already. Namely, that there's another settlement very much like this one, to the south. Not just a kobold village but one containing most of the crew, and you."
"What."
"Hartstown, it's called. If we organize an expedition to the south, past the hills, you can see those people for yourself. Or, we can focus on another visit to the dragon."
"You propose that I lead my poorly-equipped crew into an uncharted territory known to be infested with... creatures, to meet alien doppelgangers? And you, Callahan: this comes right after you wandered off muttering about negotiating with a dragon, violating my orders to remain here."
Miles said, "This isn't a military expedition, sir, and the Silver Hart isn't available. You don't need to agree to lead an expedition, but I intend to recruit people who're willing."
"I see," said Thorn, and rose abruptly. In the doorway he called out, "Arden! Johnson! Come at once."
Two large men arrived, holding spears. Thorn told them, "I will meet with the command staff in ten minutes. Search and confine these two until we can question them in more detail."
Miles grimaced, having expected this. "Mister Thorn, I will be acting independently from now on, as will Eva."
Thorn drew a knife from his sleeve and said, "Seize Callahan first." The battle system appeared.
Miles silently thanked him for the excuse to fight back. He used his action to conjure a heavy tarp meant to fall on the two guards and pin them. "Stand down, everyone!"
Eva fell back, grabbing her spear and brandishing it defensively. "If you touch me, by the Game I will hurt you!"
Arden and Johnson charged at Eva, trying to trip and grab her at once. Thorn began to feint at Eva, an obvious distraction. All six humans were caught in slow motion, starting to move yet caught in the distorted flow of time imposed by the aliens' rules.
[Full Defense] appeared above Eva's head. In a flurry of dice rolls, most of which Miles couldn't see, the guards reached Eva and one of them grabbed her by the arm just in time for the summoned tarp to drop on the three of them. Thorn's feint did nothing. Thorn looked at the tarp and said, "What the hell was that?"
The timer reset. Miles said, "Thorn, I have more power than you know. Call this off now, or I'll have you imprisoned for starting a fight."
A crowd spilled out of the mess hall to see what was going on. Lines appeared along the ground to mark battlefield zones. Thorn said, "These two are traitors! Seize them!"
Miles shouted, "He's attacking to stop us from solving the aliens' game. Help!"
Eva squirmed her way out from under the tarp and stabbed down into it, saying, "Using Pinne
d, and using a point for Fighting Spirit!" The guards struggled to get free, and Thorn turned his attention to Miles.
"I see," said Thorn. "You're a power-hungry traitor who accepted pretend mystical nonsense from an alien gang, in return for agreeing to be their pet and seeing what trouble you could cause among your fellow humans. Isn't that right? Did you betray this other copy of me, too?"
Miles saw, [Thorn's words are a mental attack using Charm.]
Miles blinked, having expected a stab from the captain's knife. Just words... but there was some truth to them, and words in this world could cause injury, too. Miles summoned a heavy knotted rope to fly at Thorn like a bola and tie him up.
The attacks started resolving. Eva's spear came down and there was a scream from under the tarp, even as one of the guards emerged. The other didn't.
Miles saw, [Incoming mental attack, power 5.]
"The Mission Is Everything," said Thorn.
The GMs stated, [Power 7. Your Mind defense: 2.]
Miles wasn't going to lose this time due to hoarding fate points. "Need To Learn Why I'm Here," he said. With his defense boosted to 4, he took just 3 mental stress, using a stress box.
Thorn glared at him; they'd each learned something about the other's aspects. "This might not count as an attack, but it's the truth. You're endangering everyone by playing around."
Miles gritted his teeth and focused on his spell. The rope flew out from nowhere to entangle Thorn, knocking him down. A note said, [Tied Up**].
[Magic backlash damage: 5 versus defense 2.]
Miles cursed. "Spend another point for Fateweaver." His 1-point mental stress box filled.
Round 3 began. "You're beaten!" said Miles.
The remaining guard, Arden, stared in shock at Eva. Eva's spear was stained red, though it didn't drip. She stared at it too and said, "He... he's just unconscious, right?" She looked to the heavens. "If he's 'taken out' according to the rules, I decide what happens, and I say he's still alive!"
