Fire at Will: A Space Opera Adventure With LitRPG Elements

by Christian Kallias

“That won’t make me fix the problem any faster,” Ziron protested.

  “I beg to differ. Fear is a great motivator.”

  “Maybe on your planet.”

  “What if I served you lightly salted for my next meal?” barked Boomer.

  “Savage!”

  “When my master and best friend’s life hangs in the balance, you bet your furry ass. Now shut up and fix this, Kevin needs me!”

  Ziron hissed and almost immediately regretted it. Boomer opened his mouth wide, displaying yellow canines and white-foaming spittle.

  “On second thought—” Ziron added.

  Boomer waited until Ziron returned to quickly entering commands on his holo-console to crack a smile. However, it didn’t last long. He was worried for Kevin and worried that without backup, Kevin might put himself into a situation where he would be unable to escape on his own. The fact that Ziron had temporarily lost connection with Mira didn’t help either.

  Everything was going fine until the twenty-seventh floor. There had been far less engagement for Kevin than in his simulation, even though the elevator had refused to let him climb as high as it did in the simulation, which Kevin didn’t anticipate. Upon arrival to the floor, bullets and blaster fire started ringing near his ears the moment he exited the stairway. It definitely was bad luck for Kevin to walk into a gang war, two factions living in the building trying to destroy each other. And, still, he needed to get to the upper floors, and no one seemed interested in letting him go on his merry way.

  Unlike in the simulation, elevator access began at the hundredth-floor level, which didn’t make any sense but was an efficient way of separating the higher class from the rest of the peons.

  Kevin made a mental note to kick Ziron’s ass for the lack of so-called realism he had sold him on in the simulation. Clearly, the rules were different here.

  Mira had failed in hacking the elevator, no matter how many times she tried; there seemed to be an army of skilled hackers always defeating her attempts at every turn. Kevin had exhausted less than five percent of his power reserve, which was about what he expected, but he hoped to find a charging port that he could hack to give him a boost, should his suit need additional juice.

  What bothered him the most was the fact that there was no sign of Boomer. Ziron would definitely get an earful if Kevin survived the day. But he had to, as Kalliopy’s life was in his hands.

  Rogue blaster fire bounced off his head, his armor shield deflecting it away and bringing his mind back to the present.

  Damn!

  Nothing to worry about, your shield is still strong, corrected Mira in his mind.

  Well, at least there’s that.

  May I ask why you are lost in your thoughts? This hardly seems like the optimum time to do so.

  I’m worried about Boomer, and Kalliopy, though I must admit worrying for someone I barely know is strange. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed meeting her, but…

  But you wonder if this is your fight?

  While he wouldn’t have put it exactly this way, that was the correct sentiment. After all, why was an outsider doing this? Wouldn’t a highly trained Arcadian military veteran have better chances of helping the princess?

  I can sense your emotions, said Mira. I think it’s mighty brave of you, putting yourself in danger. It speaks volumes about your character.

  Thanks, I guess. Truth be told, I’ve barely had time for a breather since that assassin came to Earth for me. I guess I just went along for the ride, but now that you mention it, I do have my doubts.

  That’s perfectly normal. But you’re probably safer with the right tech here than you and your family would have been back on Earth with the Kregan sending more operatives to finish the job.

  My family? Please tell me they’re not going to hurt them while I’m away?

  It’s always a possibility, but Ziron sent enough sentries to your world to guard them. Eventually, the Kregan will get the message that you’re not there and will leave.

  That did nothing to reassure Kevin about his family. Granted, he wasn’t fond of his father, but losing his mother or his sister was an entirely different story.

  And how certain are you of this?

  I estimate there is a seventy-two percent chance your family won’t be caught in the crossfire.

  That still left a twenty-eight percent chance they might. All of a sudden, Kevin’s mind raced to places it shouldn’t go, especially not in the middle of a gang war with blaster fire flying about in all directions. Kevin became lightheaded as his heart raced stronger than he thought was possible. The sensation against his ribcage compressing on itself also made him feel uneasy.

  I can’t do this! I need to get back to Earth. My parents must be worried that I haven’t been home for more than a day.

  Kevin, I sense you’re in distress right now, but understand this: the robotic sentries have already dispatched two Kregan incursions to Earth with no danger to your loved ones. They’re still operational, and I have real-time data on your family as well.

  You should have started with that piece of information. Show me!

  Mira superimposed some holographic footage of his family having dinner back on Earth. Everyone seemed happy, even Kevin. Wait! What?

  Why am I looking at myself? How is that even possible?

  One of the sentries is using a holographic projection to impersonate you.

  And my parents, and even my sister haven’t noticed it’s not me? Bullshit!

  As a matter of fact, they haven’t shown any signs of doubt.

  Great, a dumb robot can pretend to be me.

  You seem to forget that we have your neuronal footprint. I can assure you that the sentry depiction of you is quite accurate, down to the things you usually do at night when you’re alone in your bed.

  Kevin felt so much shame upon hearing Mira’s words that he turned redder than a ripe tomato.

  I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that.

  Whatever works for you.

  Like that would help. He was a young man, after all, bursting with hormones. But no matter how he tried justifying it to himself, he still felt ashamed.

  At that moment, a nearby explosion took him out of his self-condemnation.

  I really suggest we get back to the problem at hand, said Mira.

  Kevin actually wanted nothing more than to change the subject, so he scooted out of cover and started blasting anyone that stood in his way. It felt like a game of Doom all over again.

  Even though she had had trouble falling asleep, Kalliopy actually slept like a baby once she finally succumbed. Being given luxurious quarters with soft satin sheets had been quite the step up from the cold and damp cell she had woken to when this all began.

  She felt rested and able to think. But that alone was a double-edged sword. She knew this gesture on the prince’s part was not without reason. Surely, his apparent kindness was part of his plan. It was still surprising though as Kregans weren’t exactly known for their subtlety. They were the “fire first ask questions later” kind of people, using sheer strength and numbers to bring their enemies to their knees.

  It was clear that Xonax was being nice to obtain something from her. But she wondered what that was even though it was pretty clear it had something to do with Kevin. She had no doubt that eventually he’d be making his next move and reveal a little more information. Then she could try and figure out what his endgame was.

  However, for the time being, she felt less like a prisoner and more like a guest. That would change when she resisted whatever Xonax wanted from her, so she would have to try and buy some time or try to escape on her own.

  But her quarters were not only sealed from the outside, guards were also stationed in front of her door.

  Appearances didn’t matter, she knew she was a prisoner and that they wanted something from her. Being the leader of the Arcadian Confederate, she also intrinsically knew that whatever the Kregan wanted, it would mean bad news for her people.

&nbs
p; The war had reached a standstill, thanks to Kevin’s incredible mind and ability to wield Ziron’s advanced neuronal prototype weapon. But the ship had been destroyed, so what could Xonax possibly want with him?

  She wondered.

  If Kevin thought the twenty-seventh floor had been tough, that immediately changed upon arriving at the ninety-fifth floor. The shit really hit the fan and fast, with larger enemies, including humanoid aliens piloting armored mechs, mowing through civilians and authorities alike.

  Not that there seemed to be a strong presence of law-abiding people on this god-forsaken world. He did see a few people in uniform on his way up, but here, they were outgunned and, like Kevin, stayed mostly behind cover.

  When one of the mechs blew Kevin’s cover with a couple of explosive projectiles, sending rocks, dust, and flames around him, he knew it was time to get a move on and engage the mechs.

  With a single thought, Kevin boosted his shield and turned both his shotgun-shaped guns into more massive rail cannons. Kevin instinctively shot at both mechs, hitting the one that had fired at him previously dead-center, piercing through its armor and making a mess of the humanoid body controlling it.

  The second shot was aimed at the other mechs head, which raised its arm and a red circular shield blocked it just before impact. The force of the strike still sent the mech flying backward, crushing three aliens in the process.

  Nice shot! Mira cheered. The coast is clear.

  Thanks. I really worry about Boomer though.

  Kevin made a run for the next stairwell. Up until now, he did not understand why the same stairwell didn’t simply go all the way up, and why he had to traverse the entire building’s length to get to the next floor. It apparently had been by design, no matter how dumb it seemed to an outsider or at the very least to a human.

  Since the building was housing different people of different castes and stations that literally ascended in position as they moved to higher floors, it made sense that the floors were not accessible to just anyone willing to climb the stairs.

  No, Omicronia was definitely alien in many regards. It seemed everyone was inclined to burn a hole in the center of a person’s skull to advance their own lives.

  I’m not in Kansas anymore. That much is certain.

  I’m confused, said Mira. Kevin, my neuronal link to your brain tells me you have never been to Kansas in your entire life.

  Kevin smiled as he rushed up the stairs two at a time.

  Never mind, Mira. But what about Boomer or Ziron? Any news?

  I’m afraid not. Looks like we’re going to have to complete this mission on our own.

  That wasn’t what Kevin wanted to hear. Finishing the mission alone didn’t bother him, he just hoped nothing had happened to his best friend. Ziron better not have put Boomer’s life in jeopardy. Even with Mira's reassurances, Kevin got angrier the more he thought about it.

  I think it’s just a technical glitch, you’ll see Boomer again.

  Is that a fact, or are you patronizing me?

  When Mira took too long to respond, Kevin had his answer. Right now there wasn’t anything he could do about it, so he pushed the unpleasant thoughts aside and readied himself for the next level as the ninety-sixth floor’s access door swished open.

  12

  By the time Kevin reached the three hundredth floor, his mind felt like warm jelly. He had dispatched so many enemies on his way up that he had lost count, and his armor energy levels were down to forty-two percent. While it was all well and good blasting pixel-generated enemies from the comfort of his bedroom on a computer screen, his stomach turned inside out every time he thought about the fact that this was no longer a simulation.

  He brushed the thoughts away. If he stopped to question it now, he would probably not find the strength, both mentally and physically, to climb one more level. And he was barely halfway through. That thought was depressing, and he wished Boomer were here so he wouldn’t feel so alone.

  You’re not alone, said Mira.

  Thanks, and while I’m glad you’re here with me, hearing a voice in my head compared to seeing and touching a friend is a bit of a different experience.

  There was a brief pause as Kevin wondered if he should have used another word, like interacting.

  Would you like to touch me? I mean if that were an option.

  Kevin turned red as his brain sent him a rather kinky image as a result of Mira’s question.

  Mira laughed. That’s not what I meant, Kevin, but consider me flattered.

  Kevin thought he would die of shame on the spot. Having a sophisticated AI in his head was starting to feel more like an emotional minefield rather than an augment.

  “Let’s. . .let’s just get going,” said Kevin out loud.

  On that subject matter, I think you’ll be happy to learn that I have successfully hacked the elevator, we can climb to the seven-hundredth floor in a matter of minutes.

  “That’s good news, but what took you so long? I thought we could access it starting on the hundredth level. You had also said it was impossible for your matrix to crack the code.”

  That part hasn’t changed.

  “I’m confused.”

  Yes, I have noticed that about you, she said with a short laugh. You see, the security protocols on lower levels were stronger. They seemed to get laxer as we climbed.

  It kind of makes sense, really.

  As one climbed the echelons of this massive skyscraper, they were also climbing the social hierarchy, and therefore, the higher one was, the less one had to prove or work to go higher.

  “Does that mean it will get easier from now on?”

  Let’s hope so. But before we do, you haven’t answered my question. Let’s forget about the touching part, but would you find our interactions easier if you could see me?

  “Is that a philosophical question? I have seen your face already aboard the Thalamos. It did feel more personal I guess.”

  A translucent purple female hologram appeared in front of Kevin. Her silhouette was perfect, and as Kevin noticed, also naked. It took half a second for him to react and he covered his eyes.

  “What the hell? Why aren’t you wearing any clothes?”

  “I’m sorry, Kevin,” said Mira. “I’m such a klutz. All fixed now.”

  Kevin swallowed hard and lowered his hands. To say that Mira was now clothed was a little bit of a stretch. She had small shiny metallic-looking garments covering her sensual attributes, but she basically looked like she was ready for a day at the beach, with a really, really tiny and see-through bikini.

  “Too much?” she asked.

  Kevin blinked noticeably three times in a row trying to form words. “Too much? What about too little?”

  “Easily fixed,” she laughed.

  A whirlwind of sparkle particles engulfed her hologram, and she was now wearing a cloak that reminded Kevin of the multiple MMORPGs he’s played. Except, she was wearing it over the same bikini, which now turned metallic. Not exactly masking much of her virtual female beauty.

  “Better?” she inquired with a wink.

  Kevin shook his head as if he wanted to shake something out of his hair. “Yeah, let’s just move on. You mentioned the elevator? Should we get going now?”

  “Follow me.”

  Mira took off so fast her cloak flew behind her like a cape in the wind and revealed her svelte long legs all the way up to a part of her body Kevin knew he shouldn’t look at but had a hard time turning away from.

  In the hydroponics bay of his flagship, Xonax and Kalliopy were admiring the stars out the viewport along with the lush and colorful vegetation of the land.

  “That was a lovely meal,” said Kalliopy.

  “I’m glad you enjoyed it,” said Xonax. “How are your quarters?”

  “A definitive upgrade from my first accommodations.”

  “I must apologize for that. My instructions to my people were obviously not very clear.”

  Kalliopy knew that if she spok
e her mind, her stay could be relegated back to the cold, damp, and dark cell. But she just couldn’t take the charade anymore, and knowing full well that she might regret it, she spoke her mind.

  “What game are you playing with me? We need to start being honest now.”

  Xonax delicately brushed a strand of hair to the side of his face. “I’m not sure I understand your meaning, Princess.”

  “First, you attack my ship, kill my subjects by the dozens, throw me in a hole, and then you go out of your way to make my stay here comfortable. I have no illusion that I’m a prisoner of war.”

  “It doesn’t have to be this way.”

  Finally, let’s get it out of him.

  “What is it you want?”

  “To end this war.”

  Kalliopy chuckled. “You mean to win it.”

  “Semantics.”

  “Not where my people are concerned.”

  “Well, you could tell them to surrender.”

  Kalliopy didn’t know whether to be offended or mad, but she felt both at the same time.

  “Never!”

  “I was afraid you’d say that. But I’m a flexible man.”

  I’d love to test that theory on your spine.

  “Somehow I doubt that very much.”

  Xonax’s entire expression changed for just an instant, but Kalliopy caught it. What was under the masquerade persona Xonax had been playing all this time? Anger? Not that she had doubted it for a single moment, but the visual confirmation was welcome anyway. She was growing tired of the illusion of diplomacy.

  “Let’s call it a night, shall we?” said Xonax, “A good night of sleep might do you some good.”

  “I’ve slept more than enough, thank you. I’d rather we discuss your terms so that I can tell you where you can shove them.”

  Xonax’s left eye twitched. “I did not expect such a reaction from you. That’s—disappointing.”

  Fire burned in Kalliopy’s eyes. “Life is disappointment, better get used to it.”

  “I’m willing to overlook this—incident, and resume our lovely talk at a later time.”