by Taj McCoy El
“We’re devising a protocol for forced removal. It’s going to be very tricky to get the balance of medications right. Just the cocktail of ACE inhibitors, Beta blockers, anti-seizure medications, and blood thinners alone could do more harm than good if we administered the wrong dose. Sedatives alone have had no effect on her immersion. We’ve been testing everything we can think of—even some illegal opioid compounds. In small doses, of course. So far nothing is strong enough to make her brain disassociate from the pod.”
The faces around the table looked somber at that news.
“She is stable, and barring any physical complications or an attack from Malcipher, she could remain healthy for an indeterminate length of time. That is all we have for now, and we’ll continue to send hourly reports.” The doctor sat down and folded his hands on the table.
“Please keep working at it, Doctor. Let me know personally if you make any breakthroughs.” Josh fingered his data pad that lay in front of him, “Next, let’s hear from Ronald and the techs from Gamma farm.”
“We’ve found out that the Ouroboros code is now in Majesta.” Ronald paused briefly to let the murmurs subside. When they didn’t, he held up a hand to forestall any questions and shush the room.
“With Mayah’s help, we have identified Ouroboros as a paladin named Malcipher. It is sentient, but only deemed to be a danger to Mayah. The main safety protocols enacted across all pods will cause automatic shutdown at any outside interference in the least. The pods used to boot up and check their base code against the official code and make the needed updates when they booted. Now they will check their code constantly. I repeat, any outside interference will cause an emergency shutdown for the affected pod—ejecting the user immediately. The difference between Mayah’s case and the rest of the players, is the drone in her neural helm. Without access to the drone, Malcipher is locked in game and, we believe, will be held to game rules.
“New patches against any counter attack are being developed as we speak. The main point of all this, is that Malcipher is no longer a computer virus but an AI in our mainframe—and that comes with its own set of problems. For the time being he can’t escape because we’ve separated the command code from the drone. When those two link up, it goes badly for Mayah. So, in doing our due diligence, we’ve been cleaning out the last of its digital fingerprints and locking it down as best we can. Malcipher is stuck on a level playing field with Mayah at least.”
He thought about it for a moment. “I take that back, Mayah has the advantage because she’s been there longer. At present, Malcipher can only expand and grow more powerful in the context of the game. Which is probably the best thing we have going for us.
“We lost track of Malcipher when he was first spawned—a glitch caused by piggybacking Mayah’s signal. Our usual player tracking methods have been unsuccessful. But, with the data that we got from their interaction, we are extrapolating a viable solution. Once we are able to track and identify him, we'll be able to create and then implement countermeasures.”
Ronald looked around the room. The inevitable questions loomed behind tightly pursed lips. The only people in the room were a select few: Two doctors, three people from the Design and Mechanics section, two high-level pod techs along with a trusted PR rep or two. They were all working on their own solutions. Ronald finished his short presentation and the questions exploded from the mouths like a dam bursting.
After a half hour, Josh finally spoke up. He could see the exhaustion and stress on all of his employee’s faces. “Okay, let’s stop here for now. Contact a team leader if you want more data or cooperation. I know everyone has been going full tilt for the last day, but make sure you get some rest. Fresh minds work better. Switch off in teams and get some fresh perspectives. And, Ronald, if you’re going to sleep, let somebody know so they can cover for you.”
“Yes, sir.” He said sheepishly, rubbing his neck.
“Now let’s talk about how the tournament system we’ve set up is going to affect Mayah.”
…..
Since Mayah didn’t get injured or lose HP no matter how hard Grax chopped at her, they determined that it was mostly safe for teammates to get hit with friendly fire. They also found out that blows carried weight. So, while your health might not drop, you would still feel the force and pain of impact. Grax made sure to test the limits of that theory, much to Mayah’s dismay.
They finished off by Mayah testing the rest of her runes on Grax.
He said, “Spike was the worst because it was so cold. Thought my fur was gonna freeze off.”
Making their way out of the park towards the dorms, they followed a circuitous route that completely avoided any views of the square. They quickly found themselves at the doors.
“Hey, Fluff, it’s Friday night so I’m gonna have to go have dinner with my family, around 11 game time.” He couldn’t meet her eyes as he said it.
“I mean, it really just figures you’d disappear when there's work to be done.”
“C’mon, Fluff, I’m gonna be gone for at least twelve hours. I want you stay safe in here.”
“It’s okay, Grax. I think it’s great you get to have dinner with your family. Just pray for me and mine.”
“That I can do.”
He smiled. “I’m gonna sneak around a bit. What are you gonna do?”
“I’ve gotta go enchant the rest of the stuff for Maam. Meet you at the Tavern at seven?”
“Sounds like a plan. Let Mags know.”
Before she thought to respond that he could do that himself he said, “Later, Fluff,” and trotted off.
“Don’t forget to talk to John about your specialization!” Mayah yelled after him.
He turned and gave her a quick salute. “Yes captain.”
She messaged Margaret as she climbed the steps of the dorm and found her room. Great, it’s still kind of clean. Let’s see what’s in the bin. Bobbins, bobbins—oh, and more bobbins… I gotta find a way to automate this stuff.
She pulled a bobbin free and used her new skill, Analyze. It showed not just the single item but it’s constituent pieces. There were four components listed on her screen: The thread and its length, the wooden bobbin along with its dimensions, and the small blob of wax that held the string secure to the bobbin. That fourth item she hadn’t noticed before. Probably because she hadn’t finished any of her bobbins yet. But there it was, a sticker on the body of the wooden bobbin. it appeared to be a manufacturer's brand.
It’s the same as the shield Jensen gave me. Why would that be here?
She analyzed another bobbin; the brand was there again. She pulled out a thimble; The lion from the symbol was there on the maker’s mark. She pulled off her boot and found the symbol on the arch of the shoe and then analyzed it to make sure she wasn’t missing anything. She went through all of the stuff she bought from the magical and general supply store and it was all marked in one way or another with the symbol on the shield. Even the vial rack in her alchemist’s kit bore the mark.
Why is the symbol from the shield on everything? And what makes this shield so special if everything has the symbol? Jensen has some real splainin’ to do.
She began to enchant the last of Maam’s goods absentmindedly, as she was distracted by the possibilities of her discovery. She sometimes did one item and sometimes did two. She abandoned the dregs of the bin for the bigger battle as her 6:45 reminder went off.
As she walked out her room towards the tavern, she cast Achilles Heel and Analyze on everyone she passed. She was beginning to like the village less and less with every moment. People were staring at her PK mark and she was still sketchy about Malcipher. She tried looking over her shoulder every few steps. Just to make sure.
She could see blue on everyone here since it was player safe and most weren’t equipping their armor. Analyze, however, made the blue from Achilles Heel into shaded hues of blue. There were brighter blue spots in the center of the normal blue. At first glance, Analyze allowed her to see weap
ons and armor if they were present. A closer look at any object would help her determine any parts of what she could see. For instance, as she studied a sword on a player's hip, she was able tell what materials the hilt and the scabbard were made from, but not the blade itself. She could also be able to see some details on how these elements were combined to form the item.
She loved how the skill worked, but she was on a mission, and waiting had done nothing for her temper. Her usual feelings on trust were give them enough rope to hang themselves. That way, if they hang it’s their own fault. The reason that this situation with Jensen had her so upset was because he was complicit in espionage against her.
He knew what he was doing the whole time. He was gathering information to be used by who knows, against who knows what, and for who knows what reason!!! He better get this right or we’re gonna have problems.
She walked into the tavern and found a booth. She pulled one chair to the table outside of the booth and slid in all the way to the back. Grax and Margaret showed up together.
Grax jumped into the seat and sat quietly, knowing what was coming. Margaret, however, was practically bubbling over.
“Guess what, Fluff! You were right—Cloutus and I made friends, and then we started talking about Class Skills and third magics. So, guess who’s gonna be a full-blown necromancer with life drain?”
“Congratulations, Margaret. With that bow, though, I still think you should go with Ranger. You could be the first Necro-ranger.”
“Did you know that he lives in a castle called Nomunoruru? It translates as ‘Gnome’s Rule.’ Well, I guess you figured out he was royalty when he told us that story. Yeah, that Cloutus is a real prince.” She barely heard Mayah’s voice, let alone the words. She had a dreamy smile plastered all over her face.
“So, did you guys make up or make out?”
Margaret flushed and opened her mouth to speak even as Mayah waved her off.
“Rhetorical question… it’s above my age bracket.”
Margaret fumbled and stuttered. Mayah and Grax chuckled as the color rose to Margaret’s flustered face again.
“I’m really happy for you, Mags, but we’ve got bigger fish to fry.” Mayah said seriously. Margaret finally noticed how tense she and Grax were.
“This morning we confirmed that Jensen has been spying on our progress and reporting to someone else. We gave him until tonight to clarify everything—so here we are.”
“Um… spying on us? Are you certain? Wait—go back. what happened?” Margaret shook her head trying to get the idea to fit into a sane frame of reference.
“Yesterday, I saw a man in a cloak at Jensen’s booth and he gave me a weird vibe. Jensen downplayed any info about the player and I marked it up to NPC algorithms. But today the same guy was at the stand and he looked at me for a second before running off. Jensen got flustered and spilled enough beans for me figure out what was going on. The only reason we're even meeting him was because he swore an oath that he had never meant any of us any harm. He’ll be here at eight to get this settled. I would’ve told you earlier at Cloutus’s, but you were being a petulant brat.”
“Wow, that’s a lot to take in—especially the petulant brat thing.”
“You’re telling me,” Mayah huffed.
Margaret cut her eyes at the princess.
“I think there’s gonna be a good reason,” Grax said quietly, as Margaret turned to him. “Also, I smell quests.”
“You think?” Mayah asked. This anger was starting to cloud her judgment.
“Yup, some type of hidden quest. We’re about to unlock the secrets of the game.” Grax greedily rubbed his paws together.
“Geez, after Malcipher I keep missing the little things again. I’m constantly looking over my shoulder. Playing a video game should not be so shazzing stressful. Playing with your life on the line is way different than what I’m used to. I really need to talk to my parents. I’m a hot mess right now. Matter of fact, hold on a sec…”
She typed up a quick letter to the Attactus support team, Josh Bannon, and her parents. Basically, she needed to be able to see her parents and spend some time with them. Time lagged text messages weren't cutting it anymore. She pressed send.
“What was that, Fluff?” Margaret asked.
“Quick letter to the Attactus team and Josh Bannon asking if they could find a way to insert them into the game so I could see them. I just need a mom hug.”
Margaret slid an arm around her. “Yes dear, I’m sure you do.”
Grax hugged her from the other side. “Yep, you definitely do.”
“Thanks guys. I think I’m kinda hungry now. Let’s eat before we meet Jensen. Don’t need to be ‘hangry’ when we talk.”
“Hangry? What’s hangry?” Margaret asked.
“Hungry and angry,” Grax responded.
“Oh yes, I suppose you’re right.”
…..
“Remember, just because it’s rare shouldn’t make it a weapon. Make some of them incomplete sets or crafter’s gear as well.” Ronald was giving the design and mechanics team a good lashing.
Ashley Wiggins from the design and mechanics team responded, “What—did you think we were just going to do give them Thuderfury?!?! Not to some noobs! And at this point they’re all Majesta noobs. We know how to do our jobs, Ronny my boy, so let us.”
Josh heard a ping from his MemCrystal and quickly looked at it. The only messages he would receive in a meeting were direly important. It turned out to be a message from Mayah.
“Hey,” Josh Bannon announced to the core of the Attactus team. Heads all around the table turned towards him as they all ended their diatribes and gave him their full attention. “Mayah just sent me a message. She wants to know if we can get her parents in the game to see her. How should we proceed?”
Ashley looked at the ceiling for a second. “Getting them into the game isn’t that hard. Getting them to the same training village will be a one point three million to one shot. Unless you have the group release which places all of the paladins in the group into the same starter village. To give the Butlers the group release, we would have to upload the same version into all the necessary pods. Obviously, that won’t work in this situation. But we’ll keep looking.”
“Does anyone else have any other ideas?” Josh asked.
The room fell silent.
“Well isn’t that great.” The frustration was evident on Josh’s face. “So, we can put her parents in the game but then they have to level up to find her? That’s ridiculous.”
“There is another option…” Ronald spoke up. All heads turned to him, “but you’re not gonna like it.”
“Why not?” Josh asked?
“Because we’d have to hack the IMCs.”
Josh leaned back in his chair, “Explain…”
…..
Jensen walked in, and when he spotted Mayah, his face become serious as a heart attack.
“Hello, all.” He made polite smiles at them as he sat in the single chair in the aisle.
“Okay Jensen, spill the beans.”
“What beans?” he looked puzzled, “and why would I spill them?”
“It means give us the information we want,” Grax helped the conversation along.
“To start, I would like to apologize for any misconceptions that ye may have about me. It was not my aim nor will it ever be to see any harm befall ye. With that being said, we get to the heart of the matter. I have been allowed to tell ye some of what I know in order to mollify yer suspicions.
“My name is Jensen Clanmeister, my rank—well, my rank is Grand Sergeant. I work for the Majestan Royal Column, Marine Tactical Division.”
He paused to see if they understood, then continued. “I swear by all the gods of Majesta that everything that I’ve said while sitting here with ye tonight is the absolute truth and the absolute limit to what I am allowed to tell ye. May Ba'alquion take me if I’m lying.” The golden glow passed over him and disappeared.
&nbs
p; “That’s it?”
“That is all I can say.”
“So, you’re some government spy? What makes us so special to your government?”
“Besides the fact that ye found out that I’m a government spy?” he hisspered. “Do I really have to spell it out? All the paladins know we need ye to be the best versions of yerself to help us fight Ba'alquion. Ye’re some of the best, so far.”
“So now we’re just supposed to trust you to do right because you work for the government?” Mayah rolled her eyes. “That doesn’t always end well where I’m from.”
“On yer world I would say no. But every soldier in the Column swears on his life to the Emperor to defeat Ba'alquion. Anyone who goes against that receives the Oathbreaker mark. It’s pretty hard to hide. That’s how the ranks stay clean.”
“So, the ranks are clean, great! How does that work for us?” The sarcasm dripped off of Mayah’s voice.
“We’ve known for 200 years that Ba'alquion’s crypt was leaking—well before we called on the paladins. We planned fer every eventuality as we battled the darkspawn, hoping either that our mages or scientists could fix the leak. But the crack has been growing every year, leaking more and more of Ba'alquion’s foul essence into the world. The truth of the matter is that they don’t know how stop or reverse the inevitable.”
“Which is?”
“The rise of Ba'alquion.”
He leaned in closer to the trio. “Look, Fluff, we need yer help. Need it bad, we do. Yer learning Flesh of the Magii and the Wellspring/Adamant hybrids were genius. It will allow us to ready more forces than previously expected. We want ye to continue working with us. For the good of all Majestans.”
“I’m sorry, Jensen, with just that little smattering of information I wouldn’t trust whoever was paid to dole it out.” She looked at Jensen pointedly.