by Jack Crosby
Great. “So how do you know so much about this cat?”
“I was the leading lady in that game, before I was redesigned as the wasteland witch.”
Well fuck me running. “Can’t say I expected to hear that.” Talk about a plot twist. “How do you feel about your redesign?”
There was silence and then a sigh. “Going from the starring role to the mysterious witch wasn’t grand, but with the new role comes power. I’ve come to love that power.”
Her voice echoed that sentiment. Still she’d given me a lot of useful information and a back history to the game I didn’t even know about. It was time to put that knowledge to good use and go confront the Old One. Taking my gun out of my holster, “I guess it’s time to go introduce myself.”
“Good luck; as I said, don’t underestimate him. He’s incredibly powerful.”
Baba’s connection broke, leaving me once again by myself. That was okay, if I couldn’t take down the Old One, I had no business trying to be the hero of the story.
Steeling myself, I went up to the far door and readied myself to face the Old One. I tried to open the door, but it didn’t budge. That was unexpected. I tried again to the same result. Annoyed, I kicked the door, but all that did was injure my toes.
There was a slot on the door, it looked like something thin was supposed to be slid in to unlock it. Then I remembered something important – the dagger the Oracle gave me was also a key to a side quest! Could this be the spot it was needed?
I inserted the dagger into the door and hoped for the best. When the entire blade was in up to the hilt, the door popped open. I pulled the dagger out and opened the door successfully. Phew, that would’ve been bad if I hadn’t remembered!
I had no expectations of this guy, except that he’d be old – hence the name the Old One. When he turned around and he came off as about my age, that got me off my game for a second. Then he opened his mouth and spoke, “Welcome to my home. I’ve been expecting you.”
If the son of a bitch didn’t sound just like me. “How’s that possible?”
“Don’t ask me questions Ash Wilde. I’m just a digital program put together to challenge you. I know nothing.”
Bitter, party of one, your table’s now ready. Man, the hostility coming off this dude’s voice was like little sucker punches. “I think you know more than you’re letting on.”
“If anyone cared about what I knew, I wouldn’t be here waiting for only you to arrive.”
I did feel kind of bad for him. “Why me? What’s so special you’ve been placed here to challenge me?”
He took a step or two towards me, but not in an attack sort of movement. “Why do we look and sound the same? These are questions only the makers of the games can answer.”
So was it Zeus Industries that was behind the problems of a digital level or was it Tanaka Corp pulling the strings from the real world? Man, my head started spinning. “I can help us then. Give me the Typhon motorcycle and help me get past the Electric Mile race with Draxler.”
“Help you?” He sounded confused. “Maybe I’ve been put here to replace you. Yes,” he started to get excited. “That’s it – I kill you and I can take your place as the hero. The place I should’ve never lost in the first place.”
“Whoa man, chill.” Not that saying that ever worked. “There’s no reason to kill anyone today.”
He pulled out one bad ass looking gun. I couldn’t read what was engraved on the handle, but it was damn impressive. “Yes, there are plenty of reasons to kill you. Plus I know she’s helping you.” He spit on the ground. “Yes help him and leave me to rot!”
He was obviously talking about Baba. “Put the gun down and we can hash this out, the three of us.”
“No, after I rid the world of you, I’ll rid the world of her meddling ways, too.” The fire burning within my doppelgänger was burning bright. “Ash, you came into this world to do the job that was meant for me. I’m sorry, but I cannot allow you to live.” He fired off two shots at me.
I ducked out of the way and ran for my life to the far end, away from the Old One. He laughed as he lined up some more pot shots, enjoying the chase. It seemed he really was a mirrored version of me. That made little sense. But what did make sense was every good video game had a mirror image boss battle where your strengths were negated. I couldn’t think of this as any more than that.
Part of me wondered how he’d fair in hand to hand combat. If this was truly a mirror match that the game somehow (and that was another topic to have a long, hard discussion about later), then he would suffer from the same weaknesses. I pulled out the Oracle’s dagger and waited for the right opportunity.
That came when his gun overheated. I’d been slowly working my way in closer, so it was a one-two pounce and I tackled him. His gun went flying and the two of us were tussling on the ground. I got in a solid punch to the face which seemed to stun him. Was my chin really that weak?
As he stumbled back, I followed up with a kick to the gut. The Old One fell down, away from me. I pushed myself up and jumped again, landing some good old fashioned haymakers. I was tempted to use the knife, but using it on someone who looks like you is a lot harder than you’d realized. It was even tough to see the asshole leak blood from the corners of his mouth as I unloaded on him. I didn’t even care about his life gauge, as I figured each blow took away a chunk of it.
I quickly exhausted myself before I defeated him. The Old One took advantage and socked me one good across the jaw. I saw stars as I twisted myself around and fell down very unceremoniously. From there it was a scramble for each of us to get to our guns first. Both of us lifted our respective firearms at the same time, resulting in a two man Mexican standoff.
“You’re scrappy, I’ll give you that,” he said, trying to be polite I guess. “Still, even with your best effort, I am still standing and have the advantage.
It looked like a draw to me. “I think we’re both in a position of power. There’s no need to continue this nonsense.”
“Is Baba there, talking to you?” She wasn’t, I was on my own. “If she is, tell her she chose the wrong champion. Only I can bring down Zeus and through them Tanaka.”
“Tanaka, the company that made this game?”
“Yes Ash, it’s all connected. It is a shame you’ll not see this through.” He fired again at me and I waited for my life to end. Whether it was fate or maybe poor eyesight from the beating I gave him, the bolt missed my head and hit the dirt beside me.
With nothing else to do, I pulled the trigger on my gun. The bolt hit him in the chest and threw him back again. His life bar had indeed been depleted. I ran over to him, shocked at how the battle ended so quickly. Fuck! “I didn’t mean to kill you!”
“I know, that’s why I had to give you reason to. Little bastard,” he choked a bit, “wouldn’t even get pissed off when I was taunting you.”
He was fading fast. “You meant for me to kill you?”
“I’m a boss in the game, so I had to fight you. What no one knew was I’ve been rooting for you this entire time. With me gone, there’s nothing left to stop you from finally beating this game.” A key fell from his pocket. “Take it, that’s the Typhon motorcycle, whether you wish to believe it.” He coughed again. “To activate it, just drop it on the ground and it’ll transform.”
I picked it up and it felt much heavier than the silver key it looked like. “I’m so confused. There’s just way too much happening all at once.”
“You’re close kid, real close. I wish you would’ve had the chance to play me in my prime.” He reached up and tugged my shirt down closer. “If you ever find a copy of Neon Death Race, you best get it and see what I can really do.”
His smile began to fade. “Old One, you can’t die yet…”
“Sure I can. I’ve had a good run. And stop calling me Old One… I’m the original Vector.” And with that, his eyes closed and he passed on to the digital afterlife. The silence was broken with another achievement e
arned and with it one hundred gamer points. This one was a bit bittersweet though – ‘The Last Vector.’
Chapter 27 – Closing Time
There was the click-clack of heels on the ground. “Baba…”
“Well I didn’t really expect Vector to give up so easily, but he must’ve seen something in you. Probably the same thing I see.”
My oculus was making noises and there was loot to be had, I just wasn’t in the mood to do anything about either. “I need the truth. It can’t be a coincidence that he looked like me, sounded like me even, and carried the same name as my fucking gamer handle.”
She knelt down beside me and placed a hand on my shoulder. “It’s no coincidence, that I can tell you. What no one truly understands is how Tanaka Corp is connected to you. The magic that brought you here works in strange ways.”
I’d agree with that. “I need to get inside and find out. All of this, it just makes no sense.”
She helped me to my feet. “And you’re close, so very close. Have you collected your prize yet?”
Pulling the key out of my pocket, “He told me this was the Typhon motorcycle. I have no idea what that meant.”
“I will show you later, but you are missing the biggest prize of them all.” She pointed over to Vector’s body. “Amongst the spoils you will find something destined for you.”
I did a little digging and found a silver ring shining up at me. I picked it up and put it on my right ring finger. It fit perfectly. “What is this?”
“That is yet another Easter Egg, the Velocity Ring.” She said it like it meant a whole bunch. “With it, the rider of the Typhon motorcycle unlocks the boost function. No boost, no beating Draxler.”
When I rubbed it, a little blue streak made a complete rotation around the ring. “There’s more to this ring than just that.”
“Maybe there is, Vector never took it off.” A portal opened behind her. “You got what you came for and the game is ready to move on.” She took my hand and guided me towards the portal. “Let’s close this chapter and enter the final act.”
Together, we entered the void once more.
****
Zoe was waking up just as I returned to the spot where we defeated Helsing. Stretching out, “I needed that. A nice long nap after violence and sex, that is.”
I was worn out again (maybe from having more sex with Baba, I can’t confirm that). “I’m glad you’re rested up. I’m going to need your help for a bit.”
“You okay?” She examined me closely. “Just what have you been up to, Vector?”
I came clean for the most part – i.e. I left out the romps with Baba O’Riley and the fact she was the Oracle. She actually requested that Zoe be allowed to think the Oracle was dead for reasons that were not shared with me. Whatever.
I went over the side quest that I had to do myself, the confrontation with the Old One who turned out to be a young dude who looked like me named Vector, and the motorcycle/ring combination. Honestly, upon listening to my own retelling of everything, I was pretty pumped at how fucking awesome of a story it was. And it was my story, no one else’s.
When I finished, Zoe wasn’t really sure what to say. “It’s obvious that the conspiracy against this world runs right into Zeus Industries, but might even go further than that. Could the outside world be influencing the game, besides what you have done?”
I didn’t know. As far as Ali told me, I was the only player to ever make it into the game. “There’s only one way to find out. We need to close up shop here and get to Spark City.”
With nothing else to do here, we gathered up everything and moved towards the exit of the pirate’s territory. With Helsing dead, the rest of the pirates hid; scared they would meet the same fate as their boss. In fact, we didn’t cross anyone until we got to the exit, where a strange little man with a cart was waiting. “Hello potential buyers!”
This was weird. “Ummm, who are you?”
He gave us a short bow. “I am simply known as the Roving Merchant. I seek out those in need and peddle my goods to them.”
I had a shit ton of credits to use. “Okay Merchant man, show me what you got.”
He pulled out a cable and linked his cart to the port in my oculus. “You’ll find browsing much easier this way. Just go to the companion screen and click on my name. It’ll bring up my entire stock.”
Sure enough it did. That was really easy. I began browsing, starting with armor and equipment, none of which really jumped out at me, and then making my way to weapons and upgrades. I was quite fond on the Nemesis gun, but there wasn’t anything to hurt to see if the upgrades he carried made it even better. My eyes immediately went to the scope and barrel combo called Sniper’s Dream. The accuracy and additional damage output were off the charts.
I tapped on the combo. “I want those, please.”
“Manners, I like that. That combination is an excellent choice, sir.” I transferred over the absurd amount of credits to him and he handed over the goods. “And for the lady? Would you like to browse?”
She waved him off. “No thanks, I got exactly what I need here.”
“Very well.” He closed up his little mobile shop. “Until we meet again, gamer.”
It took me a minute to realize he called me a gamer. By the time it dawned on me, he was gone. “Where did he go?”
“Beats me. One minute he’s there and the next, he’s disappeared.”
Well with nothing left to do, I entered Helsing’s code into the locked gate and it swung open. We traversed through the last part of Coffin Cliffs with little to do. I wasn’t about to get the Typhon bike out just yet, as it was pretty tight and I wanted to give it a test drive on a clear road. When we exited the cliffs, the lights of Spark City could be seen across the B.O.R. wasteland.
I couldn’t believe how beautiful it looked from here. Last time I’d seen the city, Ali and I were riding for our lives to get away from Draxler. This time, I came back to confront him and finally complete the Electric Mile. I pulled out the key and dropped it on the ground. The Typhon motorcycle materialized in front of us, looking sleek and black with an angry head of a titan engraved between the handlebars.
I swung my leg over and Zoe climbed on the back, wrapping her arms around me. “Are you sure you can drive this? It feels angry.”
The mood of the bike reflected my mood. The game was getting closer to the end. I was angry, angry at the circumstances that brought me here and all the deception that was going on. Draxler was just a road bump in getting the answers I needed from the CEO of Zeus, and maybe even the Tanaka Corporation.
I revved the engine and took off into the night. The bike handled like a dream, the sheer power of the Typhon was incredible. We made great time, kicking up dust and dirt as we zoomed towards the city limits. I was tempted to blow right on into town screaming ‘Fuck it!’ and confront Draxler now. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the way things worked. Getting to Draxler meant making it to the front of Zeus Industries and by now, they were probably expecting me. This was going to be a dog fight.
We rolled into town and stopped at the bar and inn right off the main rode called The Circuit Board. This was the last little respite before entering the main part of the city and being confronted by Zeus’s shock trooper. “I hope the beer here is good.”
Zoe rolled her eyes and we got off the bike. As soon as I got off, the bike went back into its key shape. I picked it back up, still amazed at how this all worked. We walked into the bar together, which was good because we were the only ones in the place.
The chunky old bartender didn’t even look up. We slid up to the bar and ordered a few drinks and he shuffled off to grab them… or so I thought. It seemed to be taking a long time when someone else came from the back, but she wasn’t carrying our drinks. She was carrying a very large sword. “Vector? Is that really you?”
My eyes couldn’t believe it. “Ali?!” There was no mistaking the black cat suit she was wearing. “You’re still alive?”
> Chapter 28 – Frenemies
Her story from the time the mysterious troops ransacked The Neon Underground until now was pretty damn exciting. After escaping the clutches of those goons, she made her way here, as the bartender was an old friend. She hadn’t seen Ira since then and wasn’t sure if she was alive, either.
Once shop was set up at the bar, the two of them here had been picking off Zeus troops as they came in; which is why the place had been so quiet. Ali apologized for the disappearance and not coming to find me. I was ready to forgive her, but Zoe seemed put off by the other lady’s interest in me.
“I figured you went to the abandoned power grid, but there was too much amiss to go after you,” she explained. “Plus Draxler has been a lot more active than he should be. He’s been preaching freewill to anyone who will listen.”
“That’s my fault.” Zoe spoke up a little bit too much I thought. “The Oracle said because of my appearance in the game, the parameters changed, giving everyone here more choices than they had before.” I had tried to get that information out of Baba, but all she would tell me was ‘What was done was done.’ I wanted to give Zoe a little something to ease her guilt.
Ali didn’t blame her either. “Programs are controlled by the ones who create them. Someone from the outside must have uploaded a code to bring you into the mix.”
What I wouldn’t give to be able to talk to the programmers that brought this entire world to life. I was curious if other video games had the same sort of master file stuff happening. Or was it just this game? “Going forward, how bad is it to get to the front gates of Zeus Industries?”
Ali took out a knife and began carving into the wooden countertop. “We are here,” she marked with an X. “Zeus Tower is in the middle, probably about three miles from here.” When she was finished carving a simple building, “I would imagine they have their ground forces active, waiting for any resistance to strike. You might not be the only one trying.”
