by Michael Ryan
“We talked with friends of friends, people we didn’t know. They’ve heard you talk about your opinion of the volunteer programs. I’m sure you’re a target – even if you think you’re not.”
“Who sent you to ask me about this?” Dale’s face burned.
“Nobody. I came on my own. I want to offer you a deal.”
“For the fucking Troth! Are you nuts?” Dale stood up. “I want you to leave.”
“No, sorry. For God’s sake, you’ve misunderstood me. I want you to reconsider the buddy program. That’s all.”
“Oh,” Dale said. He looked at the ceiling and spoke loudly. “Good. I hate the Troth.”
“I know, Dale. Shit. You think I want to get executed? Jesus.” Brian paced for a minute and waited for Dale to calm down before saying, “Well?”
“So, the buddy program,” Dale said. “What’s the benefit to me? I don’t want to leave school. Shit.”
“We can get guaranteed assignment in the same platoon–”
“You’re talking about the military?” Dale raised his voice. “You know–”
“We’ll be together at least–”
“I don’t want to join the military. I thought you were talking about going to Ecuador or something.”
“The only way to avoid getting a shit assignment is to join up ahead of the crowd. We can watch each other’s backs. I know you’re more skilled than I am, but don’t forget you promised me before.”
“I don’t know.” Dale took a deep breath. He didn’t like the way the day was turning out. “I don’t want to join the army,” he finally said.
“You don’t have much choice, but the good news is that it’ll be in an MMO. It’s what you’re best at. You’ll do your time and then come back here. If you join now, you’ll level and rank and grow faster than all the suckers who will be forced to join later.”
Dale looked at the floor. “Jesus.”
“Think about it. If you have to go anyway. If you have to delay your university. If you’re going to end up having to go to war no matter what. We should go together. It’s what we talked about.”
“I need some time to think,” Dale whispered. He felt like when his high school sweetheart dumped him.
Dull. Sad. Hopeless.
“Alright,” Brian said. “Can you let me know soon?”
“By tomorrow or the next day,” Dale answered. “I need to talk to my dad.”
Brian stuck out his hand.
Dale reached out and shook with his best friend.
And realized that his life had probably just changed forever.
Chapter Twelve
It doesn’t feel like cheating when you’re in a simulation.
~ Director Blaine
Six months earlier
Samuel Smith enjoyed his work.
He found satisfaction in debugging software, fixing other people’s mistakes, and giving advice.
In his free time he played VR-MMOs, and his favorite had always been Water Witch Werewolf War, often referred to as Four-W by fans, and Four-Wackos by detractors. Samuel, who preferred to be called Smith, nearly always played the Paladin Knight in Four-W, a support character who had a versatile range of skills and magic.
He was working at his desk on a Tuesday morning when his boss sent him a message summoning him to the level six supervisor’s office.
When he arrived, Mr. Blaine, the level six supervisor, asked if he was Samuel Smith.
“Yes, sir,” Smith replied.
“Says here you’ve been working here for less than two years.”
“Sounds about–”
“Never mind that. Sit down,” Blaine instructed.
Smith sat and waited.
When Blaine was done reading from his monitor, he looked at Smith as if to question him.
“Sir?” Smith said.
“Oh, nothing. You came here right out of high school, yes?”
“Yes, sir,” he answered.
“That explains your youthfulness, but I was trying to figure out how…is this correct?” he asked. He turned the monitor toward Smith and pointed to a screenshot taken of an old Four-W scoreboard.
“Um, yes, sir. It looks correct,” Smith said. He didn’t want to sound arrogant, but the scores were accurate. He’d memorized the screenshot a long time ago.
“But, you’d be–”
“Fourteen, sir,” he said. “I don’t want to brag.”
“At fourteen, you were the best player in the world at this – this, what do you guys call this?” Blaine asked.
“Four-W, sir. Or by the full name, Water Witch Werewolf War.”
“That’s a mouthful.”
“Yes, sir. Thus, I think, the reason for the short version, Four-W,” Smith said.
“I see.” Blaine turned the monitor back around. “Do you enjoy working here, son?”
“Absolutely.”
“Good. I have a proposal for you. A special assignment,” Blaine said. “You’ll be paid your regular salary, of course, but there will be a little something extra. I think this will appeal to you. The job entails playing a game.”
“Really?” Smith stiffened and sat up straighter. “I’ll get paid to play a game?”
“Yes, it’s that simple, really,” Blaine answered. Then he laughed under his breath. “There’s a catch, of course. But I think you’ll find it…intriguing. A challenge.”
“Okay,” Smith said. “Can you explain?”
“We’re about to begin our final round of testing for a new game. A new MMO. It’s called The Nagant Battle Online for now, but that may change. We’ve got to make sure it’s debugged the best we can before unleashing it on the world. If you know what I mean.”
“Understood, sir,” Smith said.
“The projected soft release date is in about three months, and we hope to get…never mind. The details won’t concern you. What I need to know is if you’re in good health. Do you think so?”
“I believe I am, sir,” Smith answered.
“Well, I have the company reports, but they aren’t recent enough. Not detailed enough, either. Frankly, we need access to your full psychological profile. I mean, if you have one somewhere?”
“Um, no, sir, um, not that I’m aware of,” Smith answered.
“Well, you’d know if you’d been sent to a head doctor,” Blaine said.
“No, I haven’t,” he said.
“Good. You’ll have to take a physical. That’s protocol, but I’m sure you’ll pass.”
“I think so, too,” Smith said. He was in good shape. “Why do I need a physical?”
“The game has pain.”
“You mean like–”
“No. I mean like when you get hit in the face with a war hammer, you feel something. Not necessarily as if someone had actually hit you with a war hammer, mind you. But it’s still going to hurt. Real pain. Simulated death.”
“That doesn’t sound very…” Smith search for the right words. “It doesn’t sound like something people are going to line up to buy, if you want my opinion.”
“Oh, you’d be surprised,” Blaine said. “Our new VR suit…it’s beyond anything you can imagine. You’ve heard the rumors?”
“Of course. The word is that it’s amazing,” Smith answered. “I don’t know that everything I’ve heard is true–”
“Oh, it’s true,” Blaine stated matter-of-factly. “The rumors actually don’t do it justice. You see, it’s not only pain we’ve learned how to deliver without real damage, but we’ve also accomplished pleasure delivery. That’s what people pay for.”
“You make them face painful death scenarios to level up so they can, what? Build harems? Have sexual fantasies in virtual reality?”
Blaine ignored the questions.
Smith asked another. “You’ve been in a Rhith Suit, sir? A real one?”
“Yup.” Blaine smiled. “I went to this thing in a virtual Las Vegas. The girls…” Blaine blushed and rubbed his eyes. “Let’s just say I wouldn’t want t
o tell the missus about it. Not that it was, I mean, the girls weren’t real. It’s just…never mind, Smith. Can you use a sword?”
“Well, I’m pretty good with one in a game, sure, but that’s–”
“Different. Exactly! What’s unique about this game, this Nagant thing, is the suit requires you to have physical dexterity to play at the high levels. This isn’t about pushing a mouse button fast or being able to coordinate your thumbs. It’s not about being able to use a handheld controller with a lot of skill. This construct is far beyond that kind of thing, Smith. Way, way beyond.”
“So you’re saying I’m gonna get paid to play this amazing game, and it’s the most awesome thing ever?”
“That’s right,” Blaine said with a half smile. “I just need you to sign this little waiver.”
Chapter Thirteen
When it comes to seduction, the difference between a sixteen-year-old and fifty-year-old is only a few degrees of cunningness.
~ Ambassador Robur
“Don’t be negative,” Ruthann said. “It only seems like we’re trapped in here. There’s always a way out.”
“She’s right,” Kelty agreed. “We need to find a keyhole or a secret doorway or a magic gate.”
The group searched for a way out of the room. They checked the walls, the floors, and the stone throne of the dead cobra.
“I can’t think of anywhere else to look,” a soldier said.
“Keep trying,” the princess said. “There must be a secret exit. I can’t imagine we need to break down that gate.”
“I found a set of numbers, my lady,” a soldier said.
“Great. New rule, no more with the ‘my lady’ or the ‘my princess.’ This isn’t a historical romance novel. Just call me Rohini. Or Roh would be okay.”
“As in row, row, row your boat?” a soldier asked.
“I’d row her boat–”
“I’ll be in my bunk–”
“Pigs…” Lia-Rohini shook her head. “Okay, personal avatars, everyone. I’m still in charge here…I think.”
“You are, my…Rohini,” Ruthann said. “I’ll start thumping them if you ask.”
“I’ll take a thumping,” one of the men said.
“Enough already. Let’s have a feast and rest,” Rohini said, “while Kelty and Ruthann figure out the puzzle. I know if I ask any of you to do it, we’ll be stuck here so long we’ll starve.”
“But not before we turn to cannibalism,” one of the braver soldiers said.
“I call dibs on–”
“Watch it,” Rohini said. “I have a sense of humor, but I’m still a lady.”
“I thought you said–”
“Shut up and eat something. Oh, Mama Cochin, save me from these fools!”
“Rohini,” Kelty said, “the puzzle is a grid made of ten rows across and ten down, one hundred numbers.”
Rohini inspected the apparently random numbers. She looked at the group. “Okay, everyone, get your minds out of the gutter and think about math. Do we have any math majors in here?”
“I didn’t major in math, but you can have my numbers anytime,” one of the soldiers offered.
“I’d sooner bring back the cobra,” she said.
“Ouch.”
“Did she just say she likes snakes?”
“Now think, people, and I mean with the head on your shoulders. I didn’t come to another world just to hang out with junior high boys.”
“Hey! I think I’ve got it,” Kelty shouted.
Rohini’s eyes hurt when they left the mines and entered the sunlight. She breathed in the fresh mountain air and surveyed the valley before them. “Wow. The smell of pine is amazing.”
“What? You didn’t appreciate the dank air of the mines?” Kelty asked.
“Nope. Thanks for having the foresight to get a degree in math,” Rohini answered. “I think I would have killed one of these jokers if we’d been stuck much longer.”
The princess’s map showed a valley, but only with the very minimum of details. It was called the Valley of Shadows, and it was the correct place to be if your destination was Pierstone Castle, which was where she wanted to go.
“We need to locate a large river, then head upstream until we get to the Bridge of Askgorothian. According to the map, passing over the bridge will lead us to a safe trail. After that, our way leads us past a landmark called the Three Queens. From there, the path will take us directly to the castle.”
“I can hear a river,” said one of her soldiers, whose avatar was a Sidheagin, a race of werewolf-type creatures with excellent hearing. “It’s in that direction.” He pointed. “And not far away, either.”
He stepped into the open for a moment, only to immediately back into the trees. “Take cover! Something approaches.”
“Roh,” Ruthann said as she dove for cover, “I sense that we’re being watched.”
“I concur,” Kelty said. “It’s a large party, too. Platoon size, at least.”
“Arms, everyone,” Rohini ordered. She realized as she spoke that it was a redundant command. Her soldiers had already drawn their weapons.
An arrow struck the tree next to her with a scroll wrapped around the shaft.
Rohini sheathed her weapon. “Stay alert,” she said. Probably another redundancy, she realized, but giving orders helped her feel in control. She raised her shield, just in case, and leaned towards the neighboring tree. She pulled the shaft from the trunk and opened the scroll.
By Order of His Majesty King Moschatel
Dragon Slayer & Lord of Castle Pierstone
You are hereby ordered to stand down.
Failure will result in your destruction.
Treachery will land you in the Dungeon of Bones,
Where you will be fed to wraith dragonlings.
Signed, Robur
The representative of King Moschatel
Long live the king!
“Stand down,” she said. “Put away your weapons. We’ve received an offer of peace from the king’s ambassador. King Moschatel is an ally of my father’s. I believe we’re safe.”
“I sense no treachery,” the witch concurred.
The soldiers followed her instructions. Once their weapons were sheathed, a creature appeared out of the woods.
“A Sigtrygg,” Kelty said. “Kind of like a dwarf. Are you familiar with this race?”
“No,” Rohini said. “Are they friendly?”
“Usually,” Kelty answered. “And believe it or not, they are the best cooks on Almaach.”
Rohini moved to the front of her party and observed the dwarf approach. He was shorter than her, and stocky, with long curly hair and a beard braided into dozens of small strands that hung down to his chest. He wore light armor, but his head remained uncovered. He was not bearing a sword or a bow.
Rohini assumed he had well-armed guards hidden in the trees.
The dwarf reached her and nodded his head. “I am Robur, ambassador to King Moschatel. My king rules the lands from Castle Pierstone to the great Blue Leaf Meadow in the south, and to the Sea of Serpents in the east.”
He paused and looked at Rohini’s soldiers. “You have entered his kingdom uninvited. He is Lord of Herbs, Lord of Time, and Dragon Slayer. State your business and intentions.”
Rohini smiled. “I have met your king,” she said. “I am Princess Rohini Talargo. My father is King Talargo. We come in peace, Ambassador.”
“I know of your father,” Robur said.
“I bear news of the coming war,” Rohini said, “and I wish to ask your king for sanctuary.”
“Very good, Princess,” Robur said. On his outstretched left arm, he placed a piece of bloody meat on the dark brown gauntlet. He whistled, and a multicolored falcon dropped out of the sky. It shrieked, landed on his arm, and gulped the meat in a single swallow.
A new Sidheagin appeared from the woods carrying a scroll. He dropped to a knee in front of Robur and unrolled it.
“Princess, may I have your seal?�
� Robur asked.
Rohini inspected the parchment.
The words were handwritten in a beautiful script. The scroll presented a description of everything that had transpired since they’d shown up in the valley. The number of soldiers in Rohini’s troop, their apparent strength, races, and the presence of the dogs and ponies was included.
Finally, the scroll memorialized Rohini’s request.
Reading down, she came to a spot that required her seal.
“Wax?” Rohini asked.
The scribe produced a charmed candle, which lit itself and dripped red wax onto the parchment.
Rohini pressed her ring into the melted pool and smiled at Robur.
“Very good, Princess,” Robur said. “I shall send it off.”
The scribe rolled the scroll tightly and placed it into a tiny cylinder attached to the falcon’s leg.
Robur spoke a chant over the bird of prey, and it flew away. He whistled several new notes, and a party of eighteen walked out of the woods. He instructed them to set up camp, prepare a meal, and post guards.
“Princess, allow my Sid servants to make you a feast tonight,” he said. “We shall camp here until tomorrow morning. My falcon is fast, but there are many dangers to avoid. I expect his return by the third hour after sunrise tomorrow. Until then, you are our guests.”
“Thank you, Ambassador,” she said. “This is very gracious of you.”
Being a guest under such conditions meant that to leave would be considered an act of war. Rohini instructed her party to also set up camp, and then said, “Enjoy yourselves, but don’t, for the love of Odin, drink so much mead that you can’t march tomorrow.”
Chapter Fourteen
Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God.
~ Lester David Franklin
“This is Joshua Strobel, live on the scene reporting for Channel Seven News. We are standing in the quad at the State Department of Prisons and Punishments. There is a firing squad, as you can see over my left shoulder,” he said, speaking into the camera.
Dale and about twenty-five other students were watching the local news in the dorm’s rec center.
