And just then, the name Fox appeared in the Morphian’s description. Its appearance reacted to my imagination, but with a noticeable delay. I curiously looked on as Fox’s shape changed to meet my desires. So, let’s get rid of the fox ears. Flatten that snout, make the face more human. Make the waist thinner. Pull in the stomach. Make the breasts bigger, and less furry or, even better, totally hairless. Shorten the front paws and make the fingers longer. No, that’s too long. Instead of claws make the nails flat... Ah, crap... That’s not it at all. Now this is a real terror, not a person! Try as I might, I just couldn’t make the Morphian into a pretty girl!
Fox tore herself from a dish of nourishing broth, then made an offended comment:
“You got what you ordered! This is the first time I’ve met a person, and I don’t know what kind of beauty standards prevail among your kind. Overall, Gerd Gnat, if you are trying to construct a particular female of your race, just show me a full-length picture of her. That will make things much easier.”
I got embarrassed and asked Fox to go back to the more pleasant anthropomorphic fox. She changed her appearance back, then gave a totally humanlike yawn, covering her jaws with a clawed paw:
“Thank you. I’ve eaten so much I could burst. And I also need to rest. My Endurance Points are at zero. You think it’s easy to shed fur and grow breasts, then put it all back on a whim?! By the way, do you have a hotel here? Can you get me a room too? It’s just thirty crypto per day. As you can see, us Morphians have neither items nor money...”
Thirty crypto was two hundred ten red Geckho crystals. That was a damn high price for a hotel room on a space station! I was reluctant to spend such a huge sum even on myself. And as for this barely familiar animal, no thanks! What the heck did I need her for? She just ate for free on my dime. Let her at least say thank you!
Fox could clearly sense my mood, because she rushed to forward an alternative suggestion:
“Human, I cannot read thoughts, but I can sense emotions very well. You’re upset and somewhat afraid. You don’t know what to do. But I know Miyelonian well and could serve as your guide, and help you negotiate with the local traders and captains. You don’t have to get me my own living capsule. Just register me as your pet. That will only increase the cost by two or three crypto. The two of us will fit in one room just fine!”
It would have been a huge error on my part to just let such an unusual and valuable creature go. Sure, Fox looked strange and maybe was just going to use me for some personal end, but she knew Miyelonian and her way around the station. Maybe she could help me solve all my issues. So, I thought for just a second and agreed with a wave of my hand:
“Alright, Fox. Agreed! I’ll give you a place to live and food to eat, and you will serve me as a guide and translator. So now, show me the way to the hotel!”
I stood up from the table, preparing to exit the cafe, but my new companion was still sitting on the floor. Fox actually looked very upset. What was this?
“Gerd Gnat, I admit. I still do not know if this creature from your imagination should walk on two legs or four. Your mind’s eye held a few options, so now I’m confused!”
I laughed happily at the unexpected and amusing problem, then told my fluffy translator how to behave:
“Fox, when you’re playing a stupid animal, walk on four legs. You can even wear a leash and collar to make it look more authentic. But when you’re intelligent, walk on two legs like a person.”
“I see. But now we’re going to the hotel, and I am your pet!”
She nodded and, taking the shape of a common red fox, started walking on all fours and shook the dirt off her fur just like a dog. I then looked at the new information that appeared over the Morphian:
Fox. Fox (creature). Pet of Gerd Gnat. Level [hidden by pet owner].
Hidden by pet owner? Well, well... The Morphian was really stubborn about revealing her level, so she was falling back on such tricks. I suspected there was some reason for her secrecy, but what? Either the small and inexperienced Fox was embarrassed to reveal her weakness, or it was the opposite and her level was shockingly high!
Chapter Thirteen. Enemy of Two Prides
THE “HOTEL ROOM” was just a capsule around nine feet by six that closed with a metal curtain. But it was very tall for some reason. I never could have reached the ceiling even by jumping. I didn’t know what race these strange dimensions were made for. Perhaps the Miyelonians simply took the maximum sizes of various races — the height of a Geckho, the length of a Trillian, the diameter of a Meleyephatian spider’s huge abdomen — and calculated the minimum size of a room that could fit any of them.
And there was no hint of furniture. The springy soft floor was made of a soft synthetic, but couldn’t be considered a true bed, while the only other thing in the room was a single ceiling light. Well, there was also a ventilation crack in one of the walls. What was more, I could adjust the power of the fan, but not the air temperature. And that was quite hot, so the room quickly became stuffy. I just closed the ventilation. Mhm... Honestly, I was upset. I mean, for thirty-two crypto I was expecting something more comfortable.
But my companion was expecting these truly spartan conditions. Fox immediately changed to an anthropomorphic fox when I closed the curtain, and her clearly female body had all the tempting curves and intimate details you’d expect. When I noted her provocative appearance and lack of clothing, she remarked that she was just following my fantasies and desires, and not intentionally changing anything.
“Morphians can use clothes, but they seriously complicate our shapeshifting. We can also imitate clothing...” In just five seconds, a camouflage body-armor jacket just like mine appeared over Fox’s fur, along with pants and army boots. “Is this better? Your reaction is telling me no,” the space fox turned back to her naked form. “Anyway, I’m afraid I have to disappoint you, Gerd Gnat. This is only my appearance, so there’s no need to feel ashamed, blush or stare. I don’t have any female anatomy, so we cannot be intimate.”
“I wasn’t even thinking of it! It’s just hot in here. That’s why I’m all red,” I said in embarrassment, making the fox give a happy laugh:
“Who are you trying to fool, Gerd Gnat? Did you forget I can sense emotions? But what do I care? Stare at me all you want, if I tickle your fancy. I’m so exhausted I’m passing out. I really need to sleep.”
Just like an animal, Fox curled into a circle, wrapping herself with her luxuriant tail, closed her eyes and went quiet. I just sat in the other corner of the room and tried to figure out if my companion had really fallen asleep or was just pretending.
The only advantage of this hotel room was that it was a green zone so, after selecting Exit Game in the menu, Gnat would disappear in thirty seconds. That wasn’t long at first glance, but it was more than enough to clean out my inventory and slink off without a trace. With such an unusual and suspicious roommate, whose true motives I did not understand, I had to bare that in mind. Finally, I made up my mind and quit.
Again, someone was there to meet me and help me up. But like last time, I didn’t want to climb out of the virt pod and tell the leadership about my awkward situation just yet. There was no news from Dmitry Zheltov, which was strange and put me on guard. I just wanted the copilot to leave the game for a minute and tell me what happened to the Shiamiru! What could be easier? If he hadn’t been able, Dmitry must have been in trouble.
Anyhow, I wasn’t upset and tried to use a different method. I had them tell Ivan Lozovsky to ask Kosta Dykhsh where Earth was located in the game. After all, our suzerains’ Diplomat probably knew where he’d been sent and could share that information and more.
I also remembered too late that I hadn’t sent my friend list to the receptionist. So I got to work composing it, then invited them all to my housewarming party, which I even scheduled for nine PM today. It was now just after eight in the morning, so I still had plenty of time. I finished all my urgent business and reentered the game that bends reality
.
Fox was still lying there balled up and pretending to sleep, but I noticed that the body of the anthropomorphic fox was in a slightly different place. My heart seized, and I checked my inventory, but everything was where I left it. Nothing had disappeared. So, had she dug through my stuff or not? I didn’t wake the Morphian up to interrogate her, especially given that I’d never manage to test whether she was answering truthfully. So, setting my jacket on the fairly soft but perhaps somewhat dirty floor of the hotel capsule, I laid down more comfortably and decided to get some good sleep like my roommate.
Danger Sense skill increased to level twenty-three!
You have reached level forty-six!
You have received three skill points! (total points accumulated: nine)
I was awoken sharply, as if a tub of ice water had been poured on my head. I was breathing rapidly, and my heart was pounding in my chest. What just woke me up? And where was I? There was darkness all around. I realized almost immediately that I was still in the space station hotel capsule, and that it had been less than an hour since I entered the game. But why was it so dark?
Trying not to make any sudden movements, I cracked open an eye and took a look around. The light on the ceiling was flickering dully, as if someone had turned the dimmer down to its absolute lowest point. But that ghostly illumination was enough for me to see that Fox was not sleeping and was even sitting up. The huge furry shadow suddenly took a couple careful steps and loomed over me. I saw a pair of burning red predatory eyes and sharp teeth, clearly larger than before.
Successful Perception check.
Eagle Eye skill increased to level forty-eight!
Also, at that tense moment, I realized distinctly what had triggered Danger Sense in the cafe earlier. It was the hungry Morphian in the dark back area, keeping watch for a foolhardy lone traveler. If I hadn’t reached for my weapon then, showing that I was prepared to resist, then fed the predator, it would be hard to say how our encounter might have ended.
To my surprise, I felt no fear, but I was annoyed that I had been awoken so rudely. I was also simmering in annoyance at the fact that I might have to use my last ball of paralyzing poison. Maybe, I’d at least be able to cut off a fox tail as compensation… Plus, a trophy would let me see her level. The Morphian froze stock still and looked at me. I could sense with my skin that that she was feeling doubts. Fox clearly understood her victim had awoken and was prepared to resist, so she wouldn’t have the element of surprise. Maybe I’d be able to avoid a conflict.
“Fox, if you want grub, take the dry rations in my backpack. But you really could just wait it out. We can go down into the cafe together in a bit and have breakfast.” I said, casually slipping away from the dangerous beast, as if a set of razor-sharp teeth over my throat was not sufficient cause to disturb my slumber.
Yes, my behavior may have seemed illogical and even thoughtless, but I could sense it was the right move. If the Morphian really was planning to attack me in my sleep from the very beginning, she’d have done it as soon as the chance presented itself. When I exited the game for example. But she hesitated, spending a long time staring at my motionless figure thus allowing me to sense the danger.
“Easy for you to say,” the fox snarled in a dismayed tone, nevertheless walking to the far end of the capsule and lying back down. “Gnat, you really have no idea how much energy all these transformations take! You can’t even imagine what it’s like to be a Morphian. We’re constantly being tracked, forced to hide and change shape. We can’t stay anywhere for long...”
You have reached level forty-seven!
You have received three skill points! (total points accumulated: twelve)
I didn’t know what just happened. But it was clearly something important because the game algorithms rewarded me with a vast amount of experience, enough even to level up again. At the same time, my sense of fear had totally dissipated. I realized that Fox still needed me for some reason and wouldn’t hurt me.
“Yes, I don’t comprehend all the tribulations of a Morphian’s life,” I agreed, answering my fluffy companion’s stirring monolog. “But I do have some idea what it’s like to be alone in space who knows how many parsecs from home, not knowing the local language or customs, and almost without hope to return to my kind...”
Fox spent a long time lying in silence. I could only hear the space fox breathing measuredly. But then, she suddenly spoke:
“Gerd Gnat, I really need to get out of the space port zone to the main station, but there is strict monitoring at the border so, without documents, even a Morphian cannot slip through. And you need to go there too. All the Free Captains live on the station, and if anyone can help you get back to your people, it is them. As your pet, I could pass through with you. There, I can help you talk with the captains, then our paths will diverge, and I will disappear among the hundreds of thousands of locals. For now, I do not know how to organize a meeting with the Free Captains, but I’ll definitely think of something. So, go to sleep. Tomorrow is an important day for both of us.”
* * *
MY DREAMS WERE all over the place and hard to understand. It was like I was back to the simple life, studying at the Geology department, without any online tournaments, betting, prize money or underground Dome. With a bunch of students, I walked through the endless corridors of the Main Building of Moscow State University. All around me, there flickered a procession of unavailable girls, former classmates, mere acquaintances and others I had seen just in passing. The dream wasn’t purely erotic, but some of the girls were partially or even entirely naked. I never interacted with them, though, and was just hurrying down the hall accompanied by their ambivalent or intrigued gazes.
Despite the wild dream, I awoke feeling totally rested and first glanced at the countdown timer. I had forty-two hours left on the pirate station, then I would be declared a criminal. I tried to turn and stand up... and it seemed that my dream still wasn’t over. Next to me, her whole body snuggled up close and her right knee over my thigh, there was a girl sleeping in a light semi-transparent peignoir. She had a pretty face, long disheveled red hair, and a silver fox medallion sticking out under her clothes. I was generally pretty quick on my feet, but this had me flummoxed. Only the fox medallion helped me realize this was not just some stranger.
As soon as I guessed it, Fox opened an eye and started smiling:
“You were just a fountain of vibrant images in your sleep. I couldn’t pin down just one. But how do you like this?”
I had to admit, I was blown away. The redheaded beauty next to me now was identical to a real human girl. I slowly extended a hand and carefully touched her shoulder with the tips of my fingers. But I immediately removed them, not hiding a disappointed sigh. To the touch, Fox was more reminiscent of the springy floor covering of our hotel box than a warm-blooded living creature.
“Well, Gerd Gnat, I warned you. This is just an appearance. I considered it necessary to practice so that, if need be, I can imitate a member of your race. After all, if there are any negotiations with the Miyelonians, it would look very strange to have a wild animal as a translator. But before we go anywhere, explain precisely what you want from the Free Captains. I already know that you are completely alone and very far from home. Do you want to go back? And where did you get the Relict artifacts and all that platinum?”
So, Fox was digging through my inventory after all... I checked my backpack and discovered that everything was there except two briquettes of dried rations. The Morphian took my suggestion and had a bite while I was asleep. I didn’t get mad. I had given permission.
Skipping over particularly delicate aspects like stealing the automatic processor or using geological analyzers to escape the locked hangar, I told Fox about my journey with the Geckho crew, discovering large platinum deposits and the misadventures on the station. I didn’t hide the difficulties with documents or what happened with the Gladiator and Thief, either. The redheaded girl sat and listened extremely carefu
lly, then said thoughtfully:
“You really stepped in it, Gerd Gnat... From what I know of Miyelonian customs, they never rest until they get revenge. Now, the Pride of the Comet’s Tail, and the Pride of the Heavenly Warrior will be searching everywhere to kill you time and again until you apologize or pay a penalty for insulting them.”
“Come on! After the scuffle with the Gladiator, I met a Miyelonian translator from the Pride of the Comet’s Tail, and she reacted just fine to the trophy on my helmet! And lots of Miyelonians watched me punish that little thief. None of them seemed to mind. So, forget those fears. Let’s go get you some food. Although... wait a second. I need to leave the game to see if there’s been any news.”
* * *
THERE HAD STILL been no word from Dmitry Zheltov, and that meant my friend must have run into a very serious issue. But there was news from Ivan Lozovsky, and what news it was! A First Legion soldier, clearly bewildered, handed me a landscape-oriented paper with a continuous complicated line and told me:
“Our diplomat said this was important. I hope you can make heads or tails of it. To my eye, it’s pure nonsense. A child’s scribble.”
I didn’t merely understand the message, I was ready to jump for joy:
“Ar constellation. Sector 5. Vector 45 -98. Jump distance: 234 units. Third planet from the sun. Space port node coordinates: 57-478. Our Capital node: 57-475. But if they are, let’s say, not entirely legal traders, better have them land outside our territory. Confirm the deal, and we’ll prepare a shipment and bring it to a safe landing site.”
Apparently, the leadership thought I was still on their mission and had already found buyers for their platinum who were willing to circumvent the official space port. I didn’t give a spoken message back to Ivan Lozovsky and disappoint the diplomat. But I did ask for a pen or pencil and, on the back side of the paper, invited him to my housewarming party in Geckho, promising to tell him all the details.
External Threat (Reality Benders Book #2) LitRPG Series Page 13