Aces High (Reality Benders Book #6) LitRPG Series

by Michael Atamanov

  What??? The absolute last thing I wanted was to keep the all-powerful Krong of my suzerains waiting and tick him off. It was after all in his power to exterminate all humans on Earth. But by the looks of things, there was no other option than to send a message through that same Ayukh that the talks would have to take place in the real world.

  “Coruler Gnat La-Fin, I still have a poor understanding of the Geckho tongue, but have I understood correctly that you need to communicate long-distance in the game?” came San-Sano, my assistant Engineer from the magocratic world.

  I turned her way. My main Engineer had told me often that San-Sano was capable and even talented, but it was hard for me to take her seriously due to her diminutive stature and schoolgirl appearance. Her always messy red hair, light gray skin with freckles or pock marks, whimsical braids poking out in different directions with little white and blue bows. Add to that at complete lack of make-up and perpetually grease-stained overalls, and she was the epitome of a tomboy — someone who could never be expected to produce intelligent thoughts or reasonable suggestions. So at first I wanted to rebuff the girl, who had come with an idiotic question at such an inopportune moment. But I held back and confirmed we really were having a long-distance communication issue — we wouldn’t be able to jump to a star system with a proper communication point for the next two ummi, while the important figure would not wait that long to talk to me.

  “Well, you know you could use the Pyramid Contact Hall!” she suggested, as if it was self-evident. “My boss Orun Va-Mart said it is essentially a long-distance communication point, just much more advanced than normal. He thinks you could even use it to communicate with the real world!”

  San-Sano’s suggestion sounded totally outlandish. And good thing no one other than my wayedda could understand what she was saying in the language of the magocratic world. Minn-O La-Fin also had her doubts, turned her head and breathed a heavy sigh:

  “You’re wrong, sweetie. I don’t think Relict technology could possibly be tuned to work with modern communication systems...”

  But the enthused San-Sano was unstoppable:

  “With all due respect, mage ruler Minn-O La-Fin, you are mistaken! The laws of physics are the same everywhere, and it doesn’t matter what species produced the hardware. Frequency, encoding and everything else can be adjusted. Recipient and source parameters can also be regulated. Orun Va-Mart and I have already nearly gotten a handle on the complex technology in the Pyramid Contact Hall. And I would put my neck on the line to say the main Engineer and I could establish a connection!”

  Well, her stubbornness and confidence inspired respect.

  “Call in the Engineer! At once!” I demanded and the redhead darted away.

  Orun Va-Mart appeared a minute later in the common room, already up to speed on the problem. Choosing his words carefully, he declared:

  “It won’t be easy, captain, but I’m certain we can do it. We just need to know the receiver settings on the other end. They usually use seven-digit modulation or the root of their fundamental immateriality equation point. And I will need someone who knows Relict to translate all the numerals into that ancient language. As far as I understand, captain, you should be able to help with that.”

  I confirmed that I would help the Engineer translate all the numbers and text, then looked inquisitively at the Navigator. Ayukh, who had recently been rejuvenated by the Precursor stone, nodded understandingly:

  “Yes, Captain Gnat! I’ll go into the real world and figure that out right away. And now, you go work on setting up the tech!”

  “FINALLY! YOU SURE TOOK your sweet time, Human!” a rumbling discontented voice crashed down on me as soon as Orun Va-Mart completed his thirtieth or fortieth attempt to input the digits and got the long-distance communication system up and running.

  Authority reduced to 87!

  An alarming and even frightening start to the conversation... And to make matters much worse, I couldn’t see a thing due to the shadows and bright sparks undulating all around. It was as if I was beneath a troubled stormy sea with bolts of lightning shooting through the water. But I was more or less able to orient myself by the voice and tell which direction the Krong was in, turned that way and got down respectfully on one knee:

  “My Krong! My frigate is located in a different galaxy without any long-distance communication points. But for the chance to speak with you, my crew and I have worked a miracle and turned on and set up the communication system on an ancient Relict laboratory.”

  “Is that so...?” the rumbling voice for some reason came from a different direction — not in front of me, but almost to the right. “Well then, that changes things entirely.”

  I didn’t stand and turn in the new direction. Instead I commented:

  “It isn’t all working properly yet, my Krong. I can’t see you; I can only hear your voice. But I am prepared to attentively hear out your orders and answer all your questions, my lord!”

  Authority increased to 88!

  Authority increased to 89!

  “Admirable zeal, Human. First, I need a clear answer to the most important question of all: when will you be able to deliver the ancient race’s laboratory to Geckho space?”

  Wow, just come right out with it, no beating around the bush? Just gonna grab the bull by the horns? And seemingly, the fearsome Krong hadn’t even considered that I might refuse. I tried not to reveal my anxiety and answered in an even, confident tone without giving any precise timeframes:

  “My Krong, as soon as I am able to grasp the Relict navigation systems and enter parameters for a null jump. For now, my Navigator with all his reams of experience cannot even figure out exactly where we are. None of the hundreds of thousands of stars we can see are on any of the star maps. No known methods of determining coordinates are functioning. But we are working on the problem, constantly learning more about the ancient hardware and nearing a solution.”

  Based on the roar he let out, I couldn’t understand whether the invisible Geckho was satisfied with my vague answer. But the Krong changed the subject nevertheless:

  “Human, I’m sure you are already aware that our unreliable Miyelonian allies have exited the war with the Meleyephatians. That means the Horde’s forces will be freed up to fight the Geckho, and the battles are going to start heating up. The Geckho require the aid of all our vassals. And meanwhile, I have been informed that your people, despite their status as Geckho vassals, are doing little to nothing in service of their suzerains’ military campaign. I consider that improper! And so I am ordering the factions of Earth to muster two hundred fifty thousand well trained and fully equipped soldiers to fight against the Meleyephatian Horde! I give you twenty standard days to prepare, after which we will send landing ships from Kung Waid Shishish’s Third Strike Fleet to pick up your recruits. And I hereby appoint you in charge of recruitment as the most famous and authoritative Human of Earth. I give you all due authority, but also personal responsibility for carrying out the mission. Do you understand me, Gnat?”

  Authority increased to 90!

  Fame increased to 93.

  A quarter million trained and equipped soldiers? Were there even that many players in all the Earth factions put together? To say nothing of soldiers. I had my doubts. But even if there were, my prospects were fan-effin-tastic — I would need to get back to Earth immediately and go on a mad dash all over the planet, acquainting myself with every terrestrial faction and giving them a target for how many troops I expected them to recruit. And where would so many people get decent weaponry, especially a quarter million spacesuits? And that was to say nothing of the fact that taking two hundred fifty thousand humans off Earth would be the final nail in the coffin of my plan to build a planetary shield and other defensive structures. It would also leave my home planet completely undefended and vulnerable to threats from outer space.

  No, I simply could not allow it! And thus, despite the anxiety and trembling in my knees, I took a risk and objected t
o the great Krong’s order. No, under no circumstances was I going to impugn the words of a higher-profile player (thanks Gerd Tamara for once teaching me never to do such stupid things), but I could try and negotiate for more realistic and charitable conditions. And of course I had to be sure to tell the truth and not say anything that could even be construed as a lie because the consequences of an attempt to deceive such a mighty figure could be very severe indeed.

  “My Krong, I understand your mission and will spare no effort to complete it. But might I share some thoughts and apprehensions?”

  “Speak, Human!” the ruler of my suzerains graciously afforded.

  “I just now left a conversation with Kung Keetsie-Myau, commander of the Miyelonian fleet. And I am obliged to inform my Krong that some important information came from the mouth of the Miyelonian war leader. The Meleyephatian Horde is sending its main fleet back from the outskirts of known space to combat the Geckho. She also said a war between the Union of Miyelonian Prides and the Geckho would be coming soon and was in fact inevitable now that you are ‘tied up with the war against the Meleyephatian Horde.’“

  Psionic skill increased to level one hundred fourteen!

  I still couldn’t see his face, but the fearsome indignant roar the Geckho leader let out made my ears ring and nearly knocked me off my feet. Seemingly, the perfidy of his former allies had upset the Krong, to put it lightly.

  “Continue, Human!” he demanded. “What else did Kung Keetsie tell you?”

  Okay then, now I had his attention. This was the very time to try and direct the Krong’s thoughts down the proper channel and negotiate more achievable conditions for my homeworld.

  “Kung Keetsie-Myau said that all Miyelonian analysts forecast tough times ahead for the Geckho. In her words, the suzerains of humanity will be forced to send all their fleets to defend Shiharsa and other core systems. That the Geckho wouldn’t have the forces to defend secondary settlements, distant colonies and especially vassals. And so the Earth will be left defenseless against space invasion and will inevitably be seized by either the Meleyephatians or Miyelonians. After that, Keetsie tried to turn me to her side — she suggested I facilitate the transfer of the virtual planet Earth and both real ones to Miyelonian control. And she promised me all kinds of personal benefits if I did so — help attaining Kung status and even the chance to change race from human to Miyelonian. I refused. And now, when I heard the great Krong Daveyesh-Pir ask for this entirely feasible aid, I figured I should make an offer to my mighty suzerains.”

  Psionic skill increased to level one hundred fifteen!

  Psionic skill increased to level one hundred sixteen!

  Mysticism skill increased to level fifty-seven!

  I fell silent, awaiting his reaction and noting anxiously that my character’s Magic Points bar was draining at breakneck speed. I barely had a third of my mana left, and the conversation had just gotten started! Seemingly, I had been using psionics to the utmost of my ability just to add a bit of mental suggestion to my desperate plea. And the reaction didn’t keep me waiting — the Krong told me he was willing to hear my offer.

  Authority increased to 91!

  Fame increased to 94.

  “Not to disparage the Geckho military strategists’ calculations, but I believe us humans could be of much greater use to our suzerains in a different way. My planet, Earth, has undergone only half of the tong of safety the game provides. Many terrestrial factions are only just now entering the game and have very low numbers. And thus drafting two hundred fifty thousand soldiers from Earth’s factions would be very challenging, though I still estimate it would be possible. It would be much harder though to purchase weapons and armored spacesuits, considering clan Waideh-Dykhsh’s practice of jacking up the prices for space imports six to seven times and bring down purchase prices for terrestrial goods by the same amount. I am of the opinion that it is in the interests of the Geckho themselves, if they want a quarter million human soldiers, to do away with this price discrimination and bring prices into a normal range, leaving just the enough margin for space traders to turn a profit.”

  “Rational suggestion,” Krong Daveyesh-Pir agreed, “I will convey an order to that effect to the Viceroy.”

  Authority increased to 92!

  I thanked the mighty ruler and continued, with every new sentence gathering confidence and making my voice louder:

  “It is a near inevitability that Earth will be attacked after the term of safety is up. Our two inhabitable planets, which have a total population of fifteen billion, would make a tasty morsel for any force involved in interstellar politics all on their own. Furthermore, Kung Keetsie-Myau does not make a habit of throwing threats around willy-nilly and will not forgive having the much-desired Relict laboratory slip through her greedy paws. And so, an interesting situation has taken shape. We know the precise time and place of the enemy strike — my home planet just after realities synchronize! The Meleyephatians and Miyelonians regard it as easy pickings, and they believe the Geckho will not be defending their vassals. But humanity could in fact be a thorn in the side of Earth’s enemies! We are already constructing a planetary shield and planning to build artillery batteries and other defensive systems as well. We have even begun forming our own fleet — I have purchased Earth’s first three interceptors with my own funds, and there will be plenty more where that came from. I’m certain we’ll also have cruisers, and well-leveled crews for all of them. In half a tong, the enemies will come up against a true fortress with an impenetrable shield, equipped with the most modern weaponry in existence, even technology from the Relicts and the Composite, which is a previously unknown race from a different galaxy! The enemy fleets will be depleted trying to get through Earth’s defenses and will suffer substantial losses. And at that very moment, the Geckho fleet can come obliterate the diminished enemy in one fell swoop!!! This is a chance for the Geckho to turn a situation that could shape up rather poorly to their advantage! And everything I’ve described is in fact very realistic and will require only one thing: my Krong’s permission to let those quarter million human troops remain on their home planet to guard this highly perilous defensive sector. These living resources will be utterly essential for constructing all the defensive structures I have described and to form an army of defenders who will fight for their home planet to the very last drop of blood!”

  Mysticism skill increased to level fifty-eight!

  Mana down to zero, I was spending Endurance Points on the last few sentences as I waved off the game system’s offers to take skills like Endurance Athlete, Porter, and others that would give me more Endurance Points or bring up their restore speed. I was reeling in exhaustion. I no longer had even the strength to raise my head. I was doing everything in my power, even more in fact. But how would the Krong react to my speech?

  The Geckho leader took quite some time to respond. All I could hear was rasping and muted rumbling — either the Krong was wracking his brains, or he was consulting with someone. Finally, the ruler gave his answer:

  “You’re an eloquent speaker, Human. And you pour on magic generously to bolster your words...”

  A cold sweat ran over me — all was lost! He sensed the mental suggestion and now was wary! Oh, I was about to take quite the nasty blow for psionically attacking such a mighty player! This’ll be curtains for me. Such things are not forgiven. All I could do now was try and direct the Krong’s rage away from humanity as a whole and concentrate it on me in particular.

  I had already mentally made peace with dying, so the Krong’s next few words came as a complete surprise:

  “I like commanders and leaders with gumption. But what matters is that you sincerely believe what you’re saying. The ability to crush a weakened enemy is valuable and saving loyal vassals from destruction is an honor for the Geckho. However, I cannot accept your offer, Human. You see, I promised the commander of the Third Strike Fleet that I would send him Human reinforcements, and a Krong’s word is sacred! F
urthermore, Kung Waid Shishish believes that you bring luck, which is why he wants to see you, Leng Gnat, and your army in this war. And so, here is my order!”

  The Krong fell silent, gathering his thoughts. I then held my breath anxiously.

  “The number of Human soldiers I expect to see under Geckho banner will not change — two hundred fifty thousand. It is not my wont to alter my decisions. But two hundred thousand of them can be mustered later, and remain on Earth — to level, grow stronger, and build defensive structures. But the first fifty thousand must be ready to load onto landing ships in just twenty days! With weapons and full space-battle gear. And you will personally be at their head, Leng Gnat! Your priority shall be to draft shock troops, heavy infantry and space landing troops. I hereby confer you all necessary authority to complete this critical endeavor. You may act in my name! That is all, we are done here!”

  Chapter Ten. Primus Inter Pares

  “CAPTAIN GNAT!” Orun Va-Mart, the level-106 Engineer gathered the courage to approach me after I gave him a very severe excoriation a few hours earlier for the lack of video during my long-distance communication session. “San-Sano, the three Kirsans and I have completed the repairs to the frigate’s exterior. I have also composed a full list of our hardware that has been damaged or needs replacement.”

  I silently took the tablet the Miyelonian extended and ran my eyes over the long list. A-hem... One hundred seventeen items. Well, that’s no surprise for a starship that just miraculously squeaked its way out of a losing battle. We had only haphazardly welded shut the breaches in the hull and got it back airtight, but the bulk of the repair work was still ahead of us.

  “And as for the recent snafu with the video,” the disheveled Engineer took a second’s pause and breathed a heavy sigh, as if gathering the courage to continue, “I seem to have found the error in the settings. We have to test the long-distance communication. The thing is... maybe don’t call someone quite so great and mighty next time. Just in case. And yes captain, I have gotten a handle on the additional settings and now can confidently say the Pyramid Contact Hall can in fact communicate with the real world as well.”