Earth Tactics Advance: Volume 1

by Scottie Futch

  The strange serenity of walking through a post-apocalyptic urban wasteland was soon interrupted when he turned down a side street and noted a bright white energy screen in the distance. Curious, Scott moved toward the light and soon realized exactly where he was.

  "Why would the post office have a protective field around it?" he asked softly before walking into the light.

  The moment that he cleared the outer-screen he heard pleasant sounding classical music playing in the background. He could not determine the exact song, but it utilized a lot of string and woodwind instruments. "Classy..." mumbled Scott as he moved into the post office proper.

  Once inside a system message screen popped up to inform him of something surprising. He could have a post office box now!

  [Welcome to the post-office!]

  Business hours

  Mon-Fri: 7:30 AM - 6 PM

  Sat: 9 AM – 12 PM

  Sun: Closed

  Post Box Rental: 20 copper daemon per month

  Parcel Post: 10 copper daemon per month

  Intercity Mail: 5000 daemon per year

  Notice: If you have purchased a mobile mail box, disregard pricing.

  [--]

  There was more to see and read as Scott wandered around the safe zone. The post office included a small lounge where he could use vending machines that took daemons. "Weird," he said as he looked over the options. There were soft drinks that cured petrification, energy drinks that restored stamina, and purified water that removed poison status. A few other random items could be found in the machines as well. All things considered, the place seemed to operate as a sort of safety stop.

  "I wonder how long it will be before people start trying to claim places like this and cause problems for everyone else?" mused Scott as he purchased a few drinks for the road. He had collected a nice chunk of change while cleaving his way through town. It was nowhere near the amount that he'd had the night before, but it was enough to buy a few things and to purchase a post office box. Who knew how useful that might be in the future?

  Not long after he purchased a mail box, a system message appeared.

  [You've Got Mail!]

  Please proceed to the nearest post office to receive your mail.

  [--]

  "How do I already have mail?" he asked curiously. As far as the new world went, he did not even have an actual address, yet.

  Scott went back to the post box area and grinned when he saw one of the post office boxes softly glowing. He had no key, but the moment that he touched the box the door opened while emitting a whimsical hydraulic hissing sound.

  "Oh?" He really did have mail. Scott reached in and pulled out the letter that he found there. He inspected it carefully then noted that it had been sealed with a kiss and smelled quite feminine and charming. In fact, he took quite a bit of time just standing there sniffing at it. After having spent several days smelling nothing but rot and decay, it was a wonderful reprieve.

  He read through the posting information and laughed a little. "Makes sense that she'd be the only one to send me mail." Of course, it made no sense that she had shown any interest in him at all. Life did have a strange sort of balance in its way.

  Scott opened the letter. As he started to read, a familiar feminine voice began to speak. He stopped immediately and looked around. "Hello?"

  No one answered. Suspicious he turned back to the letter. As soon as he started to read again, the voice reappeared. He stopped and started like that a few times before a laugh bubbled up from deep inside. "Voice over... really?"

  [Message]

  Hi!

  It's me, Brittani Rotten... Do you remember me?

  I know you're probably busy with the whole end of human civilization thing, but I thought that I would write you. I hope you don't mind.

  I mean... Well... Anyway, I've written like a ton of reply letters to fans, but this is my first time writing to a boy just to... Well that doesn't matter! Ah. Ha. Ha... Ha... Uhm...

  Gosh! Why am I so nervous? I swear I don't usually get involved with things like this, but it's so hard to find a proper date with my schedule and well... You know, turn-based tactical dating simulators are all the rage nowadays...

  So, I uhm... Anyway! This is my letter of interest, OK?

  Is it really alright if I write to you from now on? Maybe, if you want, we could even hang out some time....

  [Yes]| [No]

  PS: I have enclosed a small photo... I hope you like it. It's from one of my shows. I can send more if you like.

  ~ XOXO Brittani

  [--]

  Scott blinked twice after reading through the awkwardly written, but strangely sweet letter. He pulled out the enclosed photo then smiled. Brittani stood on stage, her feet spread shoulder width apart. She had one hand pointed forward at the crowd, and the other placed at her hip. Her expression was flirtatious and fun, as she had her head cocked to the side while she winked in an exaggerated manner.

  "Cute..." said Scott lightly as he became lost in the sight before him. Eventually, he turned the photo over and saw that she had personalized it. "For my newest fan, all my love, Brittani."

  It took him a few minutes to recall something odd that she had written, other than the fact that she had written out her nervous laughs and random noises. Scott's eyes widened at the implications as he mouthed the words. "Turn-based tactical dating simulator?"

  **

  In a land of perpetual shadow, a beautiful young girl sighed softly as she gazed out of her penthouse window. Though her skin was the color of fresh snow, and her eyes were red as burning coals, she was quite a beauty.

  Brittani's fingers gently curled around the red silk curtain that would normally obscure her sliding door. She gazed out the window toward the far side of her father's kingdom, Skull Orchard. The city below was filled with her kind. Most were still in their hideous lesser ghoul phase, but since she had agreed to certain conditions, more of her kind were evolving into true ghouls.

  "Lady Rotten..." said another white haired ghoul, unlike Brittani he had no highlights in his hair.

  She looked to the new arrival and smiled. "It's alright Cornelius. I'm fine."

  "But my lady, you seem quite melancholy today," said the older ghoul. Dressed as a butler, and acting the part, he showed genuine concern through his professional mannerisms.

  Brittani shook her head. "As I said, I am fine."

  Cornelius nodded his ancient head then said, "As my lady says."

  A brief silence ensued, but it was interrupted by the arrival of a visitor. The unmistakable voice of Brittani's rival and best friend caused the ghoul girl to turn away from the window. "Bernie... Hi."

  "Hey, you know what I think about that name..." said the new arrival as she strolled into the room. She was a short Asian girl with ruby red lips and eyes to match. Much like Brittani she had snow white skin, but she diverged on the matter of hair color. Her hair was raven black instead of the albino look that ghouls were known to have. "Call me Amber H."

  Brittani laughed a little then shook her head. "You never change, Amber."

  Amber smiled slightly then got back to business. "Wow, what a face I just saw." She tilted her head to the side. "Did one of your relatives die again? It's not like you can't just resurrect them, you know."

  "No, nothing like that," said Brittani.

  Amber snorted then flashed a fanged smile. "I know, it's what you did during your last show..."

  "Ah geeze," said Brittani, before covering her eyes with her hand. "You saw that?"

  "Everyone saw that." said Amber. "Laying it on a little thick weren't you?"

  Brittani shook her head. "No, not really. I have to marry someone from Earth. He seems reasonably acceptable."

  "Ah, yes. Reasonably acceptable boys really do make the heart want to try and beat a little," said Amber while clapping her hand to her chest.

  "Did you come here just to tease me?" asked Brittani.

  "Not just that, no. I wanted to see how y
ou were doing," said Amber before offering her friend a knowing smile.

  "You just want to know if I met up with him afterward..." said Brittani.

  Amber placed a hand to her lips and laughed dulcetly. "Of course. As you said, he is reasonably acceptable. Sure, he isn't much to look at, but at least he isn't crying in a corner waiting for death like most of them."

  "I dunno, he's kind of pretty in a way," said Brittani.

  "Oho... does my little pop princess have a crush?" asked Amber cutely.

  "No, no... I don't even know him. Not really," said Brittani.

  "But you want to, right?" pressed the black haired girl.

  Brittani took a deep breath then looked to the side and said, "I guess..."

  Amber placed a well-manicured fingernail to her lips then acquired a vacant expression. "Hmm, maybe I should go for him too."

  "You bitch," said Brittani flatly.

  "Like you didn't know it was coming? Have you seen the options in the Earth region we were assigned? There's like five people that count, and two of them are girls!"

  Brittani nodded. "True. The humans in the area aren't really making much of a name for themselves."

  "Lessee..." Amber brought up a screen that showed several different bits of information. She clicked on the information she desired then nodded.

  [Eligible Humans]

  Mr. Badass [Scott Keen]

  Age: 20 | Level 10

  Murder Princess [Akina Ackerson]

  Age: 16 |Level 9

  That Asshole [Bo Jones]

  Age: 26 | Level 8

  Big Jim [Jim Connors]

  Age: 59 | Level 10

  Burn Ward [Allison Hale]

  Age: 10 | Level 7

  [--]

  "Yeah, not much to choose from. The other guys are either an asshole or an old man. The girls are young," said Amber. She grinned slightly after a moment, however. "Though, that murder princess sounds about right for me."

  "Your father would go for that?" asked Brittani curiously.

  Amber snorted. "Of course not. I'm in the same boat as you. I have to find a husband, or he'll marry me off to one of the neighboring king's brats."

  Brittani nodded. "Grandfather indulges me in allowing me to perform, but if I don't find someone suitable soon I'll end up married off to one of his vassals."

  "Well, let's have the best girl win," said Amber before unleashing an overly friendly smile.

  "Alright..." said Brittani slowly.

  "Good! So, we agree that he shall be mine?" asked Amber lightly.

  "No, no we do not," said Brittani in a flat tone of voice.

  "But, I'm obviously the best girl," said Amber before flashing another smile. "Zombie girl."

  "Don't call me a zombie, you flying blood rat," said Brittani in a slightly cheerful tone of voice.

  Amber laughed warmly then waved her best friend away. "Fair enough. Looks like you have a head start now, and will probably keep it for a while, though."

  "Oh?" asked Brittani.

  "Well, I haven't even met the dear boy yet and I have a performance to do at the national stadium," said Amber.

  "You didn't tell me that Just Say AH!! was making a comeback." Brittani leveled a decisive pout at her friend.

  Amber shook her head. "I'm not certain that we are. I don't mind dressing in a scandalous manner, but if I want to stay on top I'll have to pretty much go on stage naked at this point. I'll just ride it out until the fan base shifts to a cuter gothic style preference once more."

  "A vampire too shy to dress like the other K-pop stars... Especially with your song list," said Brittani with an amused grin.

  "Who said I was shy? I'm not shy..." Amber grumbled lightly. "Just... Maybe, I think leaving a little to the imagination is better."

  "Poor little Amanda Bernice Hyun... She's just not sexy enough. Whatever is she to do?" asked Brittani, her smile widening.

  Amber H, also known as AH! all over the dark realm, shook her head briefly then said, "Girl it is so on right now. Your boy toy is mine."

  Brittani was about to respond when a cute sound reminiscent of an old school videogame began to play. "I've got mail?" she asked the air slowly.

  "So? You get tons of fan mail," said Amber curiously.

  Brittani immediately opened her mobile mail box screen and a little box appeared in the air before her. Inside she found a letter. "Yes, but I only have alerts set for a few people," she said, before opening the letter.

  "Aha! Read it and weep vampire girl..." said Brittani before brandishing the letter she had just received like it was a mighty sword.

  Amber did so then pouted. "You've already got him sending letters..."

  Brittani suddenly became shy. She gripped the letter gently and looked to the side. "Well, actually it's just a reply saying that he wouldn't mind receiving more letters and photos."

  "Aw, man. Now I've got to work harder..." said Amber in a petulant tone.

  Brittani laughed warmly then used two fingers to flash a peace sign toward her friend. "Yep. Get on my level."

  "Oh, ho. Just you wait! I'll have him begging for it by the end of the week," declared Amber as she placed her hands onto her hips and tilted them to one side. "I am so not marrying one of those brats."

  "Game on," said Brittani with a sweet smile.

  "Game on," agreed Amber before flashier a slightly more sultry smile of her own.

  Cornelius, oft forgotten manservant to the princess spoke up not long after. "Lady Rotten. The personality profiles and activity reports for the notable humans have been updated."

  "Oh? Let's see what they've been up to recently," said Brittani. Amber also decided to check. No new humans had been added to the eligible roster, but there was more information on each current player of interest. Outside of the activities of the Murder Princess they saw nothing too interesting when it came to the other players. Scott's actions, however, made Brittani pout.

  "No way..." said Brittani with a sigh.

  "Wow, and I thought you had a head start," murmured Amber. "He's already at third base with some mermaid girl..."

  Clear as day, Scott's intimate public actions report showed that he had engaged in a scandalous action with a mermaid. Brittani frowned. "He stuck his finger in there..." She realized what her friend had said. "Wait, that's third base?"

  "Well, maybe it's second? I don't really know baseball..." admitted Amber.

  Brittani nodded. "Yeah. I've performed before a lot of games, but never really watched..."

  "My lady, I don't think that is truly how the game is played," remarked Cornelius dryly.

  "What I want to know is, what's up with that kobold girl..." mumbled Amber.

  "Yeah, who just throws themselves at someone like that?" asked Brittani with a growl. "Sheena want strong meat." She snorted loudly then stomped her foot. "Indeed!"

  It was a competitive game. The humans needed to try and survive, and the notable monsters wanted someone to love. When dating and survival horror collide, can anyone truly survive? Only the strong of heart have a chance. Within the non-beating hearts of two undead beauties, the flames of passionate battle had been ignited. Game on.

  Chapter 10

  The post office served as a decent rest stop for the next half hour, but Scott knew that he had to get moving. He had little time to waste if he wanted to make it to his designated target in time to do anything useful that day.

  He took his leave of the place and returned to the apocalyptic landscape of a city embattled by an unspeakable war. The atmosphere was strangely quiet for a time. It was as though the monsters and the mayhem avoided the area.

  An hour passed as he walked through the former site of human civilization. Now the city was filled with garbage, abandoned cars, and the corpses of the dead. He saw several burned out buildings along the way. Whether accident or looting had caused the situation, he did not know.

  His journey went uninterrupted save for the occasional cry of a beast on the hunt, or the skirlin
g sound of metal on asphalt. If he were to be honest with himself, the quiet was even more frightening than a battle. Anything could happen in such a haunted environment. A monster's direct challenge was a far easier thing to accept.

  It was not until he saw a white-sheen of energy up ahead that his adventure changed once again. After a moment's thought, he recalled that there was supposed to be some sort of vehicle dealership for him to visit. Scott trotted over to that energy curtain. Once he crossed over he felt a sense of relief due to the quirky shopping music that began to play in the background. It was like the shopping arcade and post office, it was probably a place monsters could not enter.

  The used car lot had been transformed into a single small building and several dozen parking spaces. Scott walked over to the small building to see what the place was all about. Inside he discovered a single green rectangle and nothing else, not even pictures on the walls or furniture.

  He stepped up onto the rectangle then grinned as a listing for various vehicles appeared in the air before him. Each one of them cost a ridiculous amount of money. The slowest scooter had a cost of twenty thousand daemons. There were all manner of vehicles available, however. They ranged from the slow scooter to air craft and hover boards. An armored vehicle with a singular weapon mount started at the quarter million daemon range. Air craft were just plain ridiculous in cost.

  “So, it’s probably like everything else. The only vehicles that work are the ones sold in places like this.” It was like those responsible for changing the world into the current mess wanted to limit technology, but still allow a version of it for those who put in enough effort to get it.