Sacrificial Pieces

by Cosimo Yap

The remaining rod-wielding slaver charged at Alan, while the rifleman continued to fire, keeping Alan pinned down.

  After that first shot, Alan stayed low and behind a desk. He had no idea where his enemies were, and his weapon continued to malfunction. He could still control the two plasma bolts in the air, but the weapon wouldn’t shoot any more.

  Implants failing, Eve sent. Suicide mechanism no longer ideal, activating it may have unintended effects.

  Shit, Alan sent. He didn’t want to end up wherever these guys wanted to bring him.

  Thinking fast, Alan drew the plasma bolts back to him.

  A slaver jumped over the desk Alan hid behind. The weapon in the slaver’s hand sent out a wave of electricity. Alan shoved himself forward, performing a somersault through the desk and barely dodging the blow.

  The two plasma bolts finally arrived, traveling until they arrived beside Alan’s head. Alan manipulated the bolts so they would orbit his head like two blue plasma grenades.

  “I’ll kill myself if you take one step closer!” Alan shouted. The slaver backed up, standing in the doorway to the office.

  “Any sudden movements will be met with deadly force,” the slaver said. He used a voice modifier, making his speech sound robotic.

  Alan stepped forward. “Tell your other man to stand down. I’ll go with you.”

  “Please confirm. You are surrendering?” the slaver asked.

  “Yes, but the slightest movement from you or your ally, the press of a trigger or a reach into a pocket, and I will blow myself up. You won’t be able to match my reaction time, so do not test me.” Alan checked his computational power and saw he could maintain hypercognition for another few minutes. The mini-EMP round had eliminated 200 of his computational power.

  “Surrender confirmed,” the slaver said. He lowered his weapon. “Follow me.”

  What are you planning? Eve sent. I cannot get a good read on your mind right now.

  You’ll see.

  The other slaver kept their rifle trained on Alan. They walked toward the transport ship, which began to descend.

  Alan detected a transmission headed from one slaver to the other, but he didn’t have the power or capability to translate it. He stopped by the healer’s body, leaned over, and picked up an item, a universal injector that would inject any fluid, from blood to liquid to nanites, into a humanoid.

  “Stop. What are you doing?” one slaver asked.

  “You want their loot, right? I’m grabbing the good items for you,” Alan said.

  “Proceed onto the ship. Cease all other actions, or you will be terminated,” the slaver said. The black ship had begun descending, and it had almost reached the floor of the hangar.

  “Okay, sure,” Alan said, though he kept the medical tool in his hand. He walked by the crates of loot slowly, examining his surroundings. With a sudden jerk Alan grabbed a vial out of a crate as a laser bolt hit his shoulder. The rod-wielding slaver chased after him, straight into the two plasma bolts that Alan had left behind. They exploded, eliminating the slaver.

  Ignoring the pain, Alan pulled out the item he had grabbed—the Predecessor’s blood from the Capture Point boss—and injected it into his system.

  A flood of energy and strength flowed into Alan and his world tinged red. Messages flashed up immediately, but Alan ignored them all as he grabbed the fallen slaver’s metal rod and charged straight at the rifleman.

  Lasers struck Alan, but instead of causing pain they only made him feel numb. Alan’s entire body began to shut down, but he held the rod in a death grip and continued to barrel toward the rifleman.

  He collided with his opponent, knocking the rifle out of his hands. Alan roared and head-butted the enemy. Wild, blinding fury surged through him as he bashed his head repeatedly against whatever was in front of him.

  He felt a sickening thud, but continued his mad assault. He would not be taken alive.

  Alan’s body began to stop responding to his commands, but hands pulled him back and guided him to lie down. Soothing energy poured through him.

  Alan closed his eyes and fell unconscious.

  ***

  Alan awoke in his chambers in the Black Rose base. That was good. His head still felt like it was burning. That wasn’t so good.

  Enigma stood by his side, silent, staring at the door.

  Alan checked the messages he had received.

  x5 Bonus XP for slaying an enemy over 1000 levels higher than you!

  x11 Level up!

  Predecessor Blood withdrawal cured! 50 Strength, Endurance, Health, Stamina, and Computational Energy restored. Excess blood essence flows through your system.

  Critical damage repaired by Predecessor blood essence. You feel stronger and more energetic. Base Health and Endurance increased by 500.

  Phantom: Stay put. We are performing an inquiry into what happened. Anyone that conducts an attack in a Khersath safe zone means business. Enigma will stay by you to ensure your safety, and then bring you to the Council when we convene to discuss events.

  Shouldn’t I get credit for three kills? Alan thought.

  No, the third combatant committed suicide with a built-in implant as soon as you disarmed them. You hurt yourself more than anyone or anything else—the enemy was already defeated, Eve sent.

  What about me? Lambda sent. I lost data! Gone, wiped, kaput. I have backups, but it’d require returning to the Academy System to retrieve them. This is unacceptable. We need more access to the Black Rose archives, to create a private partition, and then a third physical memory storage device we can keep in the Vault.

  You lost data? What data did you lose? Alan sent.

  Valuable stuff. We’re lucky to be alive—good thing those slavers didn’t want you dead, Lambda sent.

  Lambda’s databanks are full of archaic technology of various races: pointless, worthless data, Eve sent.

  Hey, how’d you know that? Lambda sent.

  I scan all available data sources, Eve sent.

  Do you know what the notion of personal space is? Lambda sent.

  Yes. I do not think it is relevant here. You are free to examine my data, Eve sent.

  I just might… Lambda sent.

  Okay, enough, Alan sent. I’ll look into getting storage room on the Black Rose archives. I’m also going to tell Phantom about the latest update on the quest and how we need his help. He probably knows more about the Exchange as well.

  Go for it, Lambda sent.

  Alan gave the message to Enigma, who was probably the safest conduit to Phantom at the moment.

  Enigma nodded. “Message acknowledged. You may upload to the archives and may also use the guild’s network to communicate with Phantom directly. The Council convenes in an hour. You will come with me.” He resumed staring blankly at a wall.

  Alan spent the next hour meditating, trying to cool the burning sensation in his head while Lambda uploaded some packets of data to the guild’s archive. He felt alive, full of energy. He’d originally thought that, given time, the burning would fade, simply a side-effect from the transfusion of blood, but it continued to smolder, a bright flame in the corner of his mind.

  ***

  The Council convened in the same room at the same command table. The only difference was that Mason was absent, since he was still in the Abyss Labyrinth, and Alan was given a seat at the far end of the table, to the side.

  “The Council has gathered here today to discuss recent events, and examine the preliminary results of our Abyss expedition,” Elissandra said. “Let us start with the recent attack at the hangar. Do we know who the perpetrators are?”

  Enigma shook his head. “We examined the bodies and limited footage we have of the attack before handing everything over to the Administrators, but there was nothing identifiable—they were all androids, not players. The ship fled immediately after the third assailant was eliminated. Even the emblems gave us no leads. None of my contacts had any information on a group with skulls emblazoned on the side of their helm
s.”

  “Or they were unwilling to speak of such a group,” Phantom said.

  “Or that,” Enigma said. “What we can conclude is that the group likely has Revenant ties, given their tech and ability to infiltrate our systems. The running theory is that they were operating in the Abyss Labyrinth when we captured the control point, and this attack was either a warning, or they wanted more information. However, Alan was singled out in the attack—none of the others were given the chance to surrender.”

  “Alan, do you have any information to add?” Elissandra asked.

  “Their hacking defenses were quite formidable, so the Revenant ties seem to make sense. They did seem to want to take me alive,” Alan said. “They also used weaponry uniquely effective against me, temporarily damaging my implants.”

  Void looked up, staring at Alan. It was the first time Alan had seen Void since returning from the Abyss Labyrinth, and he had no idea how Void had gotten here before him. Void still looked drained, tired. The attack he had used on the Predecessor boss must have taken more out of him than Alan had thought.

  “I will look into it,” Enigma said. “No one outside the guild should know that Alan is the primary quest carrier. If there is a leak, it will be found.”

  Elissandra narrowed her eyes. “Very well, Enigma, I trust you with this. Are the Administrator remunerations proceeding normally?”

  “Yes,” Phantom said. “The squad has been revived and their status restored. Since the vehicle took off without even gathering the loot no items need replacement, and the Authorities say that once they are done examining the assailant’s items they will be given to us, or marks of equivalent value will be provided.”

  “The fact that the ship has disappeared is yet more evidence that we are dealing with Revenants,” Enigma said. “Only they could escape Administrator notice near the heart of Khersath itself.”

  “Yes, yes, but the Administrators are so overextended and stuck in their ways that, with proper planning, I think even we might be able to perform a few operations under their noses,” Phantom said.

  “Enough,” Elissandra said. “That is a discussion for another day.” She looked at Void’s disheveled state. “The Abyss Labyrinth expedition. I am now worried about its progress. We have no way of contacting Mason while he is inside. Who knows what trouble he might have run into at this point?”

  “I agree, we have provoked unknown enemies while there are other operations, better planned and of more import, that we must worry about,” Enigma said.

  “I also believe we may have overstepped our bounds, messing with technology and an entity we do not understand. I do not trust or like the sound of this so-called Warden,” Phantom said.

  “Now that’s a rarity,” Void spoke up. “Enigma and Phantom agree for once. How odd.” He sent a glare at Phantom. “I have communed with the spirits, and they believe power beyond compare awaits if we successfully navigate the Labyrinth. Power that will be needed in the coming days. I believe we should proceed, no matter the risk. The rewards we have reaped are already beyond compare: a soulsteel-tipped weapon and a vial of Predecessor blood.

  “That being said, I do not believe we can traverse these depths alone. Guides are needed, bright lights to lead the way. With the Council’s permission, I will expand my search.”

  “Mason is not out of the dungeon yet,” Phantom said. “The weapon may yet be lost. And Alan used a vial of blood. There were four, and Alan only brought two out with him.”

  Elissandra stared at Alan. “You did what?”

  “I had to defend myself,” Alan said.

  “Can the remaining blood essence be extracted?” Elissandra asked.

  “Yes, but it would not be cost-effective,” Enigma said. “The vial will be deducted from his cut of the profits.”

  “Wait, the three attackers would have gotten away with whatever they were doing if I hadn’t done that,” Alan said. “If anything, their armor and whatever the Administrators pay should then go to me.”

  Eve sent a feeling of approval.

  Lambda remained silent, and seemed to be wary of Void.

  “Distribution of items will be determined once the expedition returns,” Elissandra said. “For now, we should try and find potential allies. I agree with the sentiment that we may have overstepped our bounds.”

  “But without asking, how do we know what gods we may have offended?” Void asked.

  Enigma shook his head. “That only sets up more potential enemies. Once someone knows of what we are doing, the information will spread. The more groups that know, the worse off we’ll be.”

  “I can be subtle,” Void said.

  “I’m not so sure about that,” Phantom said.

  Elissandra turned to Thrag. He shrugged. “Though I have no strong opinion here, I feel as though we might be adrift in space. When you are lost with no recognizable stars it is only natural to ask for directions. This operation should not interrupt our fleet’s training, and I would like to acquire this mysterious ship’s technology for myself. Few can avoid Administrator detection once they are alerted.”

  “My vote breaks ties. Thus, Void will make his inquiries with Enigma’s supervision while we await Mason’s return,” Elissandra said. “We must figure out how an unknown ship was able to break in so easily and infiltrate our space and communications network. Whether it was a technological deficiency or a leak from the inside, this problem must be fixed.”

  Enigma nodded with a pensive look on his face. It was the most emotion Alan had ever seen on him—likely one of a few pre-programmed emotes.

  “Void, Phantom, and Alan. See me in my quarters,” Enigma said.

  “This meeting is dismissed,” Elissandra said.

  Alan stood up. “Not you,” Elissandra said. “I wish to speak with you privately.”

  Alan sat back down as everyone else strode out of the room. Phantom threw a look at Alan he couldn’t quite decipher.

  He wants you to keep your mouth shut and not disclose any information, Lambda sent.

  Did you get that from a look? Alan sent.

  No, Enigma broadcast a message in an old machine language, Lambda sent.

  Once everyone was outside, Elissandra spoke. “Do you know why you might have been singled out? Do you suspect any of the other Council members? Did something happen in the Abyss Labyrinth? When Void returned out of the blue he seemed oddly concerned with our defenses, something he’s never bothered with before.”

  “I really don’t know anything,” Alan said. “I just sat in the back in the expedition, didn’t do much else. Ask the squad that returned with me.” He felt an urge to look down at his feet, but stopped himself. Lambda reminded Alan to avoid any small ticks that might reveal his insincerity.

  “I see,” Elissandra said. “I received an interesting message from Aurora the other day. Apparently, something rather important was stolen from the Academy, and everyone was searched. Why have you expressed no desire to return? Your term is not yet up.”

  “Oh, I’ve already graduated,” Alan said. He turned on his Academy Graduate title.

  Elissandra’s eyebrows raised slightly. “Well, that decision may have been premature, but I understand you might have thought the choice necessary. Now, have you noticed Phantom behaving oddly lately? Any hidden communications or secrets that I should be made aware of?”

  Alan froze.

  Tell her nothing. Whatever she suspects cannot be traced to you, Lambda sent.

  “Not that I know of,” Alan said.

  “Thank you for your time, then. Please assist Enigma as best you are able.”

  “Yes, Ma'am,” Alan said. “How is Aurora doing? And Sidestep, of course.”

  “They are progressing and should make it to Volta with two weeks remaining in their term. Another Earthling made it there first, however. I believe you know him. Ace.”

  “Oh, yes,” Alan said. “Though I’m not sure he’d want to talk to me, given recent events.”

  “You
might be surprised,” Elissandra said. “I’ve often found enemies to be quite amenable once the battle has concluded. It never hurts to extend a simple greeting. And remember, call me Elissandra.”

  “Yes, Elissandra,” Alan said. He stood up and strode out of the room, perhaps a bit too quickly.

  She seems too inquisitive, Lambda sent.

  Probably testing him, seeing whether he is fit for his role. Maybe determining if he is an appropriate mate for her daughter, Eve sent.

  I wonder, Lambda sent.

  You two can stop planning out my future love life—she just wanted to know what was going on, Alan sent. Where are Enigma’s quarters?

  ***

  When Alan stepped out of the elevator he found Void and Phantom arguing. Enigma stood off to the side, face blank.

  Enigma’s quarters were a level below Phantom’s lair. They were, however, the diametric opposite of Phantom’s mess. Everything was neat, layers of tools and items laid out with perfect precision. Four capsules had been set up in the center of the room. Though outwardly they looked normal, Alan noted they seemed to be of Revenant design.

  “We agreed that his vote would not be used if we ever disagreed—that was the condition under which I agreed to this farce,” Void said.

  “This farce was partially your idea,” Phantom said. “And it is dangerous enough without your snide remarks that might reveal the truth. Besides, it wouldn’t be convincing if Enigma never picked a side whenever we were opposed.”

  “Fine,” Void said. He walked up to a capsule. “We are here now, so let us proceed.”

  “I still do not think this is a good idea,” Phantom said.

  “You would rather traverse the dark blind, groping our ways forward like blind men? Without guidance we will fall down into the depths of hell without ever discovering why,” Void said.

  “I rather we avoid all risk and stay put. I’m content here,” Phantom said.

  “You are content while the masses continue to writhe about, sleeping alongside their lies?” Void asked.

  “Yes,” Phantom said. “I also don’t want to visit the Exchange. It’s always unsettling.”