Sacrificial Pieces

by Cosimo Yap

  x217 Level up!

  +100 ability points for gaining over 100 levels with one action.

  Minor increase in reputation with unknown faction.

  Having reached level 1000 new information is available to you. You are now allowed to apply for Ascendance. Contact the nearest Administrator to find out more!

  I apologize, Traveler, but the rewards were decreased as you did not independently complete the quest, the Warden sent. Much of the work was done by others; you only brought them together.

  Fine. Now tell me what is going on, Lambda, Alan sent. He activated hypercognition—it felt like this would be a long conversation.

  The Game is just a game, Lambda sent.

  Oh not this shit again, Alan thought.

  Okay, not just a game, but still a game, Lambda sent. The war that started the Game, the one that happened a long time ago in a place far away, do you remember that story? Well, the Predecessors lost. They lost to the Lords of Life, who were themselves.

  Excuse me? Alan sent.

  The Predecessors and the Lords of Life were both part of an alien civilization that went down two paths, Lambda sent. The Predecessors were the apex of biological evolution, countless generations creating the ultimate warriors. The Lords of Life were members of the civilization that chose to develop technology to the furthest extent. They uploaded their consciousness to a series of networks: to computers, to drones, to spaceships, and to factories.

  A schism formed between the Predecessors and the Lords of Life, based on the Predecessors’ underlying belief that the uploaded consciousnesses weren’t really alive, simply a sick perversion, Lambda continued. But despite all the years of genetic enhancement they were defeated by an unending supply of autonomous drones, and then forced into a simulation. That leads to the true purposes of the Game. It is not to maintain peace. The Lords of Life have long since split into many other groups, continuing to develop for countless ages.

  “They have Ascended,” Void said, somehow interjecting his words without moving his mouth at a speed that made sense to Alan, even with hypercognition active.

  Right, as far as you’re concerned they’re currently gods, Lambda sent. The Authorities, the Lords of Life that are in charge of running the Game, have full control of the universe you find yourself in. And the boundary of their domain is expanding as fast as technologically possible.

  So these guys won this war. Why’d they make the Game? Alan asked.

  “The Game is made to find those who are worthy,” Void said.

  And to provide entertainment, but yes, to do that too, Lambda sent.

  How does that make any sense? Alan asked.

  Not just a test, but a simulation of reality, Lambda sent. Countless civilizations with different modes of thinking and beliefs are preserved, granted access to cutting-edge technology. The Lords of Life did not want the Predecessors wiped out from existence. At the same time, it was deemed unwise to let living beings go about the universe fucking shit up. Thus, the Game was created.

  And any developments made—any new technology—could be used by the controllers of this game, Eve sent.

  Yes, exactly. And any updates found in reality could be made in the Game. Central to all this is the goal of Aleph, to reach infinity by any means necessary, Lambda sent. Chaos, entropy, other advanced alien civilizations, these are still problems. The Game is a useful testing ground for people and tactics, for creating new tech. Without clear goals, sentient beings tend to wither away with apathy.

  Look at how quickly technology advances during wars. The Game is a constant war, with an abundance of resources to play with. How would you find the Einsteins of the universe? The Alexander the Greats? One day you might begin to reach the level of the Lords of Life. That’s a long, long ways off, though. People are also just bored, and the Game is entertaining.

  Wait, so does this change Earth’s current predicament? Alan asked.

  No, most of what you’ve been told is still true, Lambda sent. In order to prosper, humanity must do well in the Game.

  Why would the Authorities give up all these resources to help Earth? Alan asked.

  It is too easy to forget how big the universe is—to forget how insignificant we are. You only need to focus on the here and now. That’s all the Game will ever ask of you, Lambda sent. Do you think the Lords of Life care about a few planets, a single yellow dwarf? They have countless fleets of drones harvesting materials and energy throughout the known universe.

  Not all technology and research is accessible, Eve sent.

  Yes, that is true, Lambda sent. Deadly viruses—both the biological and the software kind—nanotechnology, and the workings of the Game are a few examples of regulated information. The Game’s purpose is not to make everyone the same perfect killing machine, but to possibly develop new ideas. Yes, information is regulated. That should be obvious by now. New enemies found in reality might be introduced in the form of random bosses, or new races. When the Game updates itself with its ‘patches’ the balance introduced will try to spur development in certain fields.

  How is artificial intelligence research regulated? Alan asked.

  Ah, now that’s an interesting topic, one quite pertinent to us, Lambda sent. I can now give you a better background of types of artificial intelligence. It’s really a broad topic, so we’ll need to go into more detail at a later date. The Lords of Life could be considered a form of artificial intelligence, as they are the uploading of biological consciousnesses. But they have since transitioned through so many changes that I’m no longer sure quite how to classify them.

  Myself, the Warden, Cerberus, and Omega would all fall under the category of AIs that were modeled after Predecessor minds, Lambda continued. We should, for all intents and purposes, be equivalent to the early Lords of Life. But we were found…lacking.

  Now, the Administrators and Enforcers are generally pure AIs, with some of the Chief Administrators and Fleet Commanders being players, Lambda sent. Pure AIs are not modeled after a certain type of mind, they are generally just logic machines. Anyways, as far as I was aware no new experiments with AIs were allowed—we were considered too dangerous after what happened with the Erudites. If anything could potentially take over the Network, it would be a rampant AI with no sense of morality. This brings us to Eve.

  Am I a pure AI? Eve asked.

  I’m not sure, Lambda sent. I think your structure is at least partially modeled on a human brain, but this is not the place to have this discussion.

  Alan ended hypercognition.

  “We’re all friends here,” Void said.

  “What the hell are you going on about?” Mason asked. “Have you finally lost your mind?”

  “Sorry,” Alan said. “I’ve been having a conversation with my AI, I just reached level 1000.”

  “Ah,” Mason said. “Good luck wrapping your head around that shit. I got drunk off my ass when I learned about the whole imminent doom stuff.”

  Imminent doom? Alan asked.

  This ties back to why Void got so upset, Lambda sent. Remember how I was saying technology advances the fastest in times of war? Well, part of the reason is that people try really hard not to fucking die.

  “Yes we do,” Void said.

  Without a real threat, the Game would eventually stagnate, Lambda sent. The cream would never rise to the top. At least that’s the logic I’ve heard being used. Again, I think the Ascended are generally bored and this helps disrupt their monotony. Anyways, major events happen, called Extinction Events and, as a result, many races are eradicated. This time it looks like the Haxlards are going to go to war. The Three are equivalent to Lords of Life with the full extent of their abilities unleashed. If the Alliance and the Empire are planning to go up against them there’s only one way to put it—they’re screwed.

  “And the Black Rose guild is allied to the Empire thanks to this quest,” Void said.

  S smirked. “Yes, because of the quest.”

  What about Ear
th? Alan asked. He recalled that the United World Government had declared the Haxlards enemies of the state. If the Haxlards had only been fattening humanity up like sheep for the slaughter, he supposed it was the right decision. Fighting a war you couldn’t win was stupid, though.

  Oh, they were probably wrapped up in the Alliance and Empire’s schemes, but don’t worry, the noob protection will keep Earth safe, Lambda sent. Actually, humanity might come out ahead after this war if every other major species gets nuked out of existence.

  You make it sound like defeat is inevitable in every Extinction Event. Wouldn’t knocking everyone down to square one go against progress? Alan sent.

  No, if a race is wiped out it just means they were found unworthy. Power and knowledge are earned, the Warden sent. By reaching level 1000 you have proven that you should be allowed to know more about the Game. Major Players can earn some version of Ascendance: they can upload themselves permanently onto the Network and even perhaps gain control over part of it.

  “Also, this isn’t the only game in town,” Void said. “Though it may be ironic that we were the authors of our own imprisonment.”

  Oh, right, the Abyss Labyrinth is probably where all the losers of the last major events were locked up, Lambda sent. I bet the failures in this coming war will be imprisoned here too. And, thanks to you, there won’t be any chance for escape for at least a few thousand years! I should also mention the possibility of role players and people that re-roll. There are players that have Ascended and are bored, so they play a new character in-game. But don’t worry about that for now. Figure out how we’re going to spend our new riches.

  A chute opened above Alan’s head, and a soulsteel knife popped out. It seemed insignificant now. In a war that would rage across galaxies, with trillions of combatants, a single melee weapon couldn’t possibly make much of a difference.

  Alan shut his eyes as there was a lot of new information to digest and consider. His own role in the Game—in this universe—was suddenly called into question. Was the entire purpose of the Game to simply survive extinction? No, that couldn’t possibly be the right answer. Or could it?

  Chapter 13

  In addition to the soulsteel knife, Alan received a case of three unpowered void crystals the size of baseballs. Without energy, each crystal was worth around a billion credits on the market. Alan had been ripped-off when Phantom had bought the first empty void crystal from him, but neither he nor Eve had known the crystal’s worth at that point. Mason took the case of power crystals, while Void grabbed the soulsteel knife out of Alan’s hands.

  “Hey, that was my bonus reward!” Alan said.

  “You get 10% of all rewards,” Mason said. “You and S will receive your shares once we return to the base.”

  “Wait, maybe we should explore the Abyss Labyrinth further,” Alan said.

  “We don’t have time for sightseeing, an Extinction Event is coming,” Mason said.

  “And I must return to the Empire,” S added.

  “If the child wishes to run free, let it,” Void said. “But we are returning, Alan. Join us, or descend.”

  What are the dangers of the lower levels of the Abyss Labyrinth? What might I find there? Alan sent.

  Unknown, though there are designated safe areas that I can bring you to, the Warden answered. With my systems restored I am now able to now maintain control of defenses and allow you to pass through restored areas unharmed. Percent of Abyss Labyrinth restored: 0.14%. It is unlikely you will find any items of value in these zones, however, and pillaging the Abyss Labyrinth for loot will be deemed a hostile action.

  We should head back, Eve sent.

  I don’t know, it could be interesting, Lambda sent. Where’s your sense of adventure?

  No loot? I’m out, Alan sent.

  After scouts were dispatched the expedition started to make their way back to the Black Rose base.

  Alan, Lambda, and Eve had a heated debate about what to do with their newfound riches. At a minimum, Alan would gain half a billion credits, and deciding what to do with that much money was complicated.

  There were a few obvious expenses: money would definitely be spent on a rank A capsule, new implants, improved gear, and points to improve Alan’s abilities. They were still in the Abyss Labyrinth so the Market, an Administrator, the Exchange, Phantom, and Cerberus were inaccessible, thus the exact costs couldn’t be calculated. Other expenses were causing issues too.

  Alan, still feeling guilty about his part in the terrorist attack on New York City, wanted to donate at least part of his newfound wealth to Earth-based charities. Eve disapproved of the idea, as there would be no personal benefit to Alan, since he would need to make the donations anonymous. No charity would accept money from the Doomsday Hacker. Lambda was ambivalent.

  As a compromise, Alan decided that he would invest in a decent Earth-based guild, one that would do some good, but wouldn’t be too concerned about who their new sponsor was. Eve would also try to set up an information network on Earth through the globalnet. Alan hoped the influx of credits into the economy would help at least a few players and stimulate growth.

  Lambda continued to push for real-life implants. He estimated the cost to be at least 50 million credits. Lambda also wanted Alan to set up three safehouses, each a million credits in marks along with a basic capsule and a backup set of equipment. Eve liked the idea until Lambda mentioned that Alan should set up the safehouses without Eve or Lambda’s knowledge, lest they become compromised. Eve eventually conceded the logic in the choice, though Alan wasn’t sure how to install such things without his AI’s knowledge.

  Eve wanted Alan to invest heavily in Cyberspace, but as Alan still wasn’t sure what he could get with his money, or if he had the reputation required for better programs, the thought was shelved for later. Eve also wanted Alan to choose machine commander as his machine lord ability. The ability to control a rank S drone—or its equivalent—would cost 50 platinum marks, or 10 million credits. On top of that Alan would need to purchase a suitable combat drone. Alan favored machine champion, which would let him improve his personal combat abilities. Alan wanted to be able to hold his own against the strongest of enemies. Lambda favored the machine empath upgrade. He thought that machine empath would improve Alan’s capabilities in Cyberspace and open more doors later, but wasn’t willing to divulge the exact details of what that meant.

  By the time the party reached the Black Rose base, Alan was still unsure which Machine Lord ability he’d select. He wanted to research more before he made the decision—maybe Void or Phantom could help guide him.

  Mason and Void led Alan and S into an elevator down to what Eve labeled as a storage area. The entrance room contained a number of security turrets and guards, as well as a few measuring devices. Enigma was already there. He carefully ran the void crystals and soulsteel knife through an appraisal machine that looked like an airport baggage scanner.

  “The Empire will accept the empty void crystals as a fair payment,” S said.

  Enigma pulled up a few charts, and the price history of soulsteel and energy crystals flashed before him. After a moment’s calculation Enigma handed the case of void crystals over.

  “Come on, I’ll make sure you get back without losing your balls,” Mason said. He led S into the elevator, and they left the room. Void stayed; it looked like he wanted to talk to Enigma.

  A message appeared before Alan:

  Congratulations, you have completed the Abyss Labyrinth Expedition quest! Enigma will distribute the quest rewards.

  x57 Level up!

  +50 ability points for gaining over 50 levels with one action.

  Major increase in reputation with the Black Rose guild.

  After the completion of one additional quest of sufficient difficulty you will be granted the rank of Knight in the Black Rose guild.

  Enigma turned to Alan and said, “You are awarded 40,000,000 guild points, Squire. Congratulations, you are now one of the wealthiest member
s of the Black Rose guild outside of the Council. Phantom informed me that you would be interested in certain purchases. You will find an updated list of items you can buy from the guild and the Mercenary Bloc on the console in your quarters. Contact me if you want to make more exotic purchases.”

  “I was expecting a few more points,” Alan said.

  “You will find that my calculations are generous,” Enigma said. “The market value of such high-end items are not equivalent to their fair value. You would have little luck in selling a soulsteel blade or void crystals for their full price.” Enigma sent a message to Alan.

  Alan examined how everything was valued. After a series of calculations that Alan couldn’t follow, but Eve said made sense, the soulsteel blade had been deemed to be worth 2.3 billion credits, while the three void crystals were priced at 2.1 billion credits total. Then there was a 10% deduction—the Black Rose guild’s tax on any quests Alan completed. Finally, for the quest completion, Alan was granted 400,000 guild points.

  “Wait a second, you charged me the guild tax on quests even though it was a quest granted by the guild,” Alan said.

  “The guild tax still applies. When you reach Knight rank it will be reduced to 5%. Good day, Squire,” Enigma said. He turned to pick up the soulsteel knife.

  “Wait,” Void said. He placed his hand on the knife. “I’m cashing out and taking this knife, as well as the rest of my share in marks.”

  “I do not understand,” Enigma said. “You are leaving the guild? A Council session will need to be held, and the contract termination fee will be deducted from your account.”

  “This guild is on a precipice,” Void said. “It has performed sacrilegious rites on a holy ground. The wrath of the gods comes, and I will not be here when hell is unleashed. It may yet be saved, but I doubt the Council will listen to the ramblings of a mad priest.” He turned and walked back into another elevator.

  Alan ran into the elevator with Void. “Wait, should I leave with you? Where are you going, how do I prepare for the Extinction Event?” Alan asked.