I Am Gamer III

by Gabriel Rathweg

  “Ach, fuck that noise. We’re here till the end now Law. We want to see this beauty in action.” Billy replied.

  “Aye, I could not leave now if I wanted. We may just finish this bastard in time to greet the incoming army of shite fuck monsters.” Patty added.

  I grinned at their enthusiasm which was mirrored on the three Mage Builders faces.

  “Let’s keep on keeping on then.” I said, then began issuing orders and then making the new cannons.

  These didn’t take long as they were just variations on the six-pounders I had made and were smaller four-pounders. The cradles and carriages came next, these were also variations, smaller and made for shorter recoil. This way they’d be more compact for the vessel. After those were knocked out, we moved on to placement of the artillery and the building of storage spaces for supplies, ammunition, and other things needed for an independent warship riverboat operating on its own. Eventually, warships like this would go out and scout and then secure the rest of the continent. Each one able to function as its own base, but I was getting ahead of myself. I refocused on the task at hand.

  We worked on the gun port covers and then the railings, more ladders, gun firing positions, cover areas, and all the other minutia that comes with the details of finishing a craft for war. The final thing I did was the wheel for steerage. I placed this on the upper deck which was going to double as an airship landing pad on the front half and we had made the rear third higher, a raised and covered quarterdeck. You could steer from the inside as well, and in battle if we needed to armor up, we could. You just went down below as you would do in a tank. Most of the time though, we wouldn’t need to, and it would be easier and more enjoyable to pilot from the top quarterdeck.

  “That’s it then?” Billy asked.

  The six of us were standing on the ground and looking at the now completed riverboat. It had taken us the entire day, but we had done it and completed the warship.

  “That’s it.” I replied, my periphery had been blinking so I quickly accessed the message.

  THREE ELEMENT IRONCLAD

  VEHICLE TYPE – Steam River Ironclad

  DURABILITY – 5000/5000

  CLASS – Unique

  UPGRADES – Fire Resistant, Earth Strength, Water Resistance,

  WEIGHT – 2000lbs (4000lbs with gear, provisions, and crew)

  WEAPONS – 10 Six-Pounder Cannon (5 per side), 4 Mortar (2 Forward, 2 Aft)

  DIMENSIONS – 65 ft length, 18 ft beam (20 ft at paddlewheel),

  CREW – 40 Max

  This ironclad is infused with three different magical elements. Fire Magic, Earth Magic, and Water Magic give strong resistances and benefits beyond that of normal water vessels. It is simultaneously stronger and lighter than other ironclads. Fire Magic helps power the boiler. The Water Magic imbues the ship with more strength and ease of movement in the water. There is room on the top deck for landing and storing the Airship, WSAF Firefly II.

  “What are you waiting for a god given invitation? Launch the boat Law.” Billy said, exasperated.

  “Ok, ok, I’m on it.” I said, laughing and grabbing a smith’s hammer then walking down to the launching pin that held the newly built boat in place.

  “I christen thee, the WSS Firefly.” I called, then pulled back in a baseball batter’s swing and swung forward knocking the pin free.

  I stepped back as the whole frame started groaning and the vessel slowly began to slide forward and down, towards the water. It moved so slowly that I thought maybe we should go give it a push, then as if reaching a tipping point, it rocketed forward and hit the water with a massive splash. The ensuing wave so large it drenched the six of us as we stood soaking wet and watching the newly launched boat bob in the slowly calming water.

  “You guys want to go for a boat ride?” I asked, with a grin.

  TRACK 24 – MIRACLE MILE – COLD WAR KIDS

  Fifteen minutes later we were cruising out of the northern water gate, the Illinois River Fort. The boiler was burning merrily, and the paddlewheels and screw propeller were both engaged moving us along at a good clip. We were managing to go at a good twelve knots and that wasn’t even at top speed.

  I thought back to our departure and smiled. It had been a day of amazing technological and magical marvels for the tribe. The entire tribe had paused their work and training, lining the walls to watch the steamboat chug along. All the SEALs minus Dusk and Dawn ended up coming aboard, Sage, Arun, and his sister Freya joining us as well. That was the minimum number of people needed to operate the ships tasks efficiently.

  I figured we’d do a test run and meet up with the Airship and get advanced notice of the incoming enemy, two birds one stone and all that. We turned a bend in the river about a half mile away from Thrudheim and I scanned the surrounding area and sky with my eyeglass. I had made one for all the elites and didn’t see the zeppelin or anything else, plus my Danger Sense was quiet.

  “This is a good spot I think, let’s test out the weapons, starboard side first.” I called out.

  “Aye, Aye.” Billy replied.

  Once on board the boat the SEALs reverted to their familiar roles, with Sage going with Cunning Wolf who was steering, and Arun and his sister taking over Dusk and Dawn’s roles. Billy shouted out orders and the gun ports were opened, the cannons were loaded, and aimed.

  “Starboard side first. Ready! Aim! Fire!” Billy ordered.

  The five cannons boomed in rapid succession, not quite in unison. We watched a small hillock explode when the rounds hit, and a cheer rang out. Billy continued the testing and I turned my attention to our surroundings and scanned with the eyeglass again. I checked on Freak and got a mental, everything is fine let me do my job, then turned to the sky. I was expecting the zeppelin back soon and was eager to get this fight enjoined and ended. The weapons testing finally ended and I sighed as I still didn’t see the airship then turned to order the boat back to Thrudheim.

  “What’s that?” Freya asked.

  “What’s what?” Arun replied.

  “Listen.” The gorgeous Norse Ojibwe woman said, exasperated.

  I did, actually we all did. With the absence of the cannon and mortar fire the rest of the world’s sounds returned in force, but I didn’t notice anything different. There was the sound of the water, the wind, some animals, and then I heard it. There was a pop, followed by another pop, pop. It was faint but I could hear it when I focused. Closing my eyes, I listened intently and heard it again and discerned the direction. I opened my eyes and lifted the eyeglass and scanned the sky to the north. Another few moments went by, and then I noticed a speck way out in the distance. I enhanced my vision and with the aid of the eyeglass the speck resolved itself.

  “Oh shit! Full speed ahead, get ready for battle!” I called.

  Billy repeated my orders and the boat began to move forward as it picked up steam. I kept my eye on the image, as we started to get closer. In the distance, far away was the Firefly II which normally would be great news. The thing was it wasn’t alone. I could make out dozens of flying Owl Women attacking them. The sounds were musket fire from the crew of the airship. They were just holding the monsters at bay, but I could tell they wouldn’t last long. These bird women were becoming a real pain in the ass.

  “Get ready for a fight ya’ll, Long Rifles for this one.” I commanded.

  A chorus of aye-ayes rang out, with yeses from the Norse Ojibwe, they’d get it eventually, and we readied ourselves for battle. The airship was coming our way and we were heading theirs, so we should be in range in a few minutes or so, but it was a long few minutes.

  There is an old math problem, if a train leaves point A at X time and point B at X time and they are heading towards each other at X speeds, when do they meet? The answer is, in too fucking long. Owl Women fell from the sky, but there were so many it made no difference. So far, the MOBs were trying to attack the people in the gondola, and it was giving the defenders an advantage. Eventually though, the Owl Women would wis
e up and attack the balloon or the lines themselves. We needed to get there before that happened.

  “Push it full speed Cunning Wolf!” I called, keeping my eyes on the aerial battle.

  The Firefly noticeably increased its speed and I checked the info screen and saw our speed was twenty-one knots. We were practically flying across the water! This catamaran idea was a win. My elation was short lived though, as the first Owl Woman landed on the balloon and it punctured as her razor-sharp talons gripped it. The airship fell a few feet in the sky as the tear let more hot air escape. Some of the other monsters caught on and more of them started to puncture the balloon and the zeppelin began to fall even further.

  The kids seemed to notice the MOBs on the balloon and being the intelligent kids that they were started trying to attack them with their hatchets and knives. I cheered them mentally at not shooting at the monsters on the balloon. Then I put my eyeglass away and raised my Long Rifle, we were finally in range.

  “Fire at the ones surrounding the airship. Don’t hit the kids!” I called, then sighted on an Owl Woman and fired.

  “Ach, stupid Owl Bitches, what’d you call them before Harpies, half women half bird, right? Well, these are Owlies!” Billy called, joking and firing at another of the newly termed Owlies and dropping it from the sky.

  More shots sounded out around me and I kept up the attack, our continuous firing dropping dozens of the MOBs each few seconds. The damage to the airship was done though and its balloon was too torn up to keep it aloft, it fell faster and faster approaching the water at high speed. They were going to hit and hit hard.

  “Slow us down to half speed Cunning Wolf.” I shouted, pausing in my firing and gauging where on the river the crashing airship would hit.

  “Jump!” I yelled, as loud as my bodies new enhanced lungs would let me.

  The airships crew must have heard me because when the airship was at about fifty feet the four teenagers leaped off the crashing vessel and into the river. We were about a hundred yards away when the zeppelin and cloud of Owl Women hit the water with a massive splash and hissing cloud of steam. Then the superheated steam engine and cold water exploded, and pieces of balloon and airship went everywhere, including the flying Owlies.

  “Billy, Arun, and Patty with me, were going melee.” I called, placing my rifle down and drawing my two blades.

  “What am I chopped elk liver?” Freya snapped, pulling her hand ax and setting her shield.

  “Freya as well, the rest of you keep firing!” I commanded again, this time with a small grin.

  The Owlies had already noticed us, and the remaining mass of flying MOBs were heading our way. I had a moment of clarity as I watched them come. There were at least twenty times the amount that had tried to get Freak and Silent Mouse, then added chaff to my list of weapons to make in the future. I didn’t think I’d need to worry about air enemies, well things change, and you needed to change with them, or you died. That’s what my grandma used to say, she was a cool chick. Then we were in the cloud of enemies and I focused on the now.

  I activated Flame on my blades with a thought and struck at the first divebombing Owl Woman. Screeches, screams, yells, fire, burning flesh, and fluttering feathers became my world as I danced a deadly dance of steel and death all over my ship. I weaved around my crew stabbing and slashing every MOB that came within range. The glowing orange of Fragarach and the bright light blue of Patty’s Spear glided around doing the same. I could hear Arun chanting a war song while flailing about him with his hammer, its purple light flaring every time he connected with an enemy.

  Then I saw Freya and was almost taken from the battle by her vicious beauty. She blocked attack after attack with her shield but riposted with her ax, covered with a light blue aura, striking limbs from Owl Women with each swing. She was a Norse Goddess, a beautiful image of what a warrior female is supposed to be. If anything, she reminded me of my Moon Flower and thoughts of her kept me in the now. There was no one who compared to her even as ravishing and amazing as Freya and other women were. I struck down another Owl Women as it attacked from behind me and then looked around for another enemy and found none.

  All the MOBs had been taken out and we had slowed to a stop just a dozen feet from the wreckage of the Firefly II. I wiped my blades on the body of a downed Owl Woman then kicked the body over the side and sheathed my weapons.

  “War Shaman!” Dawn’s voice called.

  I looked to the voice and saw the four former airships crew swimming our way, just fifty feet out. Grinning, I waved and then went down to the lower deck at the bow. Once there, along with Billy, we helped them on board. The four of them were still wearing their Airmen’s Leathers and the things were so waterlogged the kids reminded me of children wearing their parents clothing. That is if their parents were giant fluffy animal looking water-soaked things with giant wide smiles.

  “I’m glad you all made it. Is everyone ok?” I asked.

  “We are all fine, just scrapes and bruises, but we are sorry War Shaman, we crashed the ship.” Dusk said, her smile turning into a sad frown in a blink of an eye.

  “That’s ok I’m just glad you are all here and alive, we can build another airship not another one of you. What news of the enemy?” I asked, switching the conversation.

  The four of them immediately went serious and gave each other grim looks. This time Dawn took over.

  “They are just a few miles away, probably less now. The enemy numbers are unbelievable. Thousands of them, we couldn’t count the amount of them War Shaman. I’m not even sure your weapons or the walls of Thrudheim can stop them.” She said, her tone laced with fear.

  “She’s not exaggerating War Shaman they were like a blanket covering the earth.” Boulder said.

  “I believe you all. Let’s see how they fare against cannon and fifty-foot high stone walls.” I said, trying to assuage their fears.

  “Law, look!” Patty shouted.

  I looked over and saw he was pointing, I followed the line of his hand and there was another cloud of flying Owl Women, this one larger than the last. That wasn’t all though, coming from what seemed like the entirety of the north were monsters. The earth, river, and sky were just enemy. Everywhere you looked was either Nirumbee, Aglebemu, Tie-snake, Wendigo, Chenoo, or Kuku, not to mention the sky full of Owl Women. I was about to yell for Cunning Wolf to get us going, when the boat started moving and we began bouncing a U-turn and heading back to Thrudheim.

  “That’s a lot of fucking monsters.” Patty said, softly from my side.

  “You ain’t kidding brother.” I replied, staring behind us at the slowly receding monster army.

  “Do you think we can hold?” he asked, this time even softer.

  I turned and gave him a raised eyebrow then grinned.

  “I think we are going to turn them into ground beef. Not a single one of those motherfuckers back there are going to make it out alive. We are going to end this shit today.” I replied.

  “Good, just making sure.” He said, loud enough for everyone to hear.

  I shook my head and slapped the man on the back then refocused as Thrudheim’s walls came into view. We had a shit ton of enemies to kill.

  “As soon as we get back it’s go-time. There is no holding back on this one.” I said.

  “You’re telling me, I’m gonna start firing our artillery the second those fuckers come into range.” He replied.

  “On the plus side, it’s not like anyone is going to miss for lack of targets.” I said, deadpanned.

  Patty gave me a raised eyebrow and spit over the side and into the frothy water.

  “Has anyone ever told you that you’re not that funny?” He said, just as deadpanned as me.

  TRACK 25 – I LIKE IT – CARDI B, BAD BUNNY, J BALVIN

  MOON FLOWER

  Shining Eagle was leading the monster army to an area called Mt. Rushmore by Law, he said it was kind of an important place where he came from. I didn’t know all the details, but I did kn
ow it was the perfect bottleneck and place to build the fort for our trap. The area ended in a blind canyon. We only needed one wall and had the perfect area for firing, a kill zone Law called it. If this all worked to plan, the fort would be the anvil and ideally, we’d be the hammer.

  I kept up a brutal pace making the Cheyenne warriors run at full speed. I knew it was unfair considering I was on Winston and they were on foot, but it didn’t matter, they needed to move as fast as they could short of dying. The whole plan hinged on us making it in time to meet up with the other groups. Timing was critical, if any of us was to late it would all fall apart.

  I checked my mini map and saw we were making good time. I reigned in Winston, calling a halt to the party. The Cheyenne collapsed to the ground, sucking air in and resting as best as they could. I grinned then pulled the magical waterskin from Winston and took a long deep drink. When I was satiated, I tossed it to Bull Bear.

  “Drink from that and pass it around. It will help with fatigue. Make sure everyone drinks from it.” I commanded.

  He lifted the waterskin and looked at it dubiously, then took a swig. His eyes opened wide as he drank and then he looked at the waterskin again this time in awe.

  “It is a gift from Coyote, as I said, make sure everyone drinks from it, we leave in five minutes.” I said, then trotted off and scouted the area while the warriors recovered.

  Coyotes waterskin had restorative properties as well, they needed it and would need it until we reached the battleground. It was still night, dawn was only a few hours away, if we kept up this pace, we’d make it in time. I returned to the warband and Bull Bear tossed me the waterskin, now that everyone had drank and recovered their stamina. I put it back in Winston’s saddlebags and ordered everyone to move out. They did so with a renewed vigor in their step, the water had that effect on people.

  The next few hours went by this way. We’d move as fast as I deemed that we could and then would rest for a few minutes. I’d pass the waterskin and then we’d continue. We were just continuing about ten minutes after our fourth break when I heard a sound in the distance. Winston’s ears perked up as well, he’d heard it to, and his body bristled a bit. Another minute went by and then I recognized the sound, the booming of falconets and harquebuses sounded out. I checked my mini map and then smiled. We had made it. We were less than a mile till we reached the entrance to the trap.