GAME SPACE - Full Novel

by Peter Jay Black

  Other balconies stretched from far below to the ceiling high above, hundreds of floors and thousands of apartments.

  I leaned over the railing, peering down at a giant rectangular courtyard taken up by a park with trees, lush gardens, and a play area. Children ran among the swings and slides, their laughter and cries carrying on the air while parents watched, chatting.

  Opposite our balcony was a school several stories high, with wide windows showing classes of kids of various races and creeds—some alien, some human—learning from enthusiastic teachers standing in front of interactive whiteboards and holographic displays.

  One class resembled an archaeological dig site with stone steps leading down to a tomb door. The kids carried precious artifacts to a table and examined them with lenses and magical scanners, chatting excitedly about their discoveries as they made notes.

  Near the ground level of the apartment complex were shops, restaurants, and cafes with people coming and going.

  It was like an alien Utopia.

  I shook my head at it all.

  “Now you can see what I’m fighting for,” Grandma Alice said. “What we’re all fighting for. This is a small fraction, and there’s a whole lot more besides.”

  “Antares too, right?” I said. “The birthplace of Bluestone? On the home world?”

  For a second Grandma Alice looked taken aback that I knew where the fleet was heading.

  “Yes, Antares. We need to get the fleet repaired as soon as we can.”

  I nodded, remembering Eve saying that the Kraythons were going there to destroy it, and my blood ran cold.

  Even with all the aliens going about their daily lives, the details, I couldn’t help but still feel confused.

  I studied my grandmother. “This is a game. It’s not real.”

  “What’s real?” she said. “Hasn’t everything you’ve felt and done here been real to you?”

  I blinked. Philosophy was never my strong point.

  I looked out at the micro city within the vast belly of the Leviathan, at all the people and alien families living together, and sighed.

  The truth was that I wasn’t sure what to think, but home was real. Colorado was real. My parents. Grandpa John. The snuffling, snorting lunatic of a Pekingese. All real.

  Is this place real?

  I looked back at my grandmother.

  “I’d like you to stay for a while longer,” she said.

  My eyes narrowed. “To do what?”

  Forty-Seven

  Grandma Alice strode to the far end of the balcony, and I followed her through another arch, down a flight of twisting stairs, and into a narrow room with a high vaulted ceiling. It had plain wooden walls and a circular table in the middle.

  My grandmother gestured, twisting her fingers, and Bluestone smoke drifted from under her right sleeve, encircling the table.

  A white orb appeared, hovering, and its definition sharpened to reveal the ice planet.

  “We had information about the Ancampi’s world,” Grandma Alice said. “So I asked Kelvin to check it out.”

  I stared at her. “Wait, Kelvin sent that drone under your orders?” He hadn’t exactly lied to us, but he’d left out a big part of the story.

  “He was under strict instructions not to reveal his orders to anyone,” Grandma Alice said, noticing my expression. “If I’d known about the planet’s heavy protection, the fleet would not have gone anywhere near it. It’s my fault entirely, not Kelvin’s. He’s a trustworthy and valued member of the fleet.”

  On that, I could agree.

  She eyed me. “I have a mission for you, Leo.”

  I cocked an eyebrow. “A mission? Me?”

  “The Azurean monks took Class One artifacts from our home world and scattered them across the galaxy in the hope they’d remain hidden from Valorion and his Kraython army.”

  “Of course.” I smacked my forehead. “Those missiles. They’re not there to protect the Ancampi.”

  Grandma Alice shook her head, indicating the ice world. “There’s a Class One artifact hidden on the planet. From your account of events, it’s confirmed to be one of the most powerful I’ve ever heard of.”

  “You already knew it was there?” I said. “How?”

  Grandma Alice lowered her voice. “A Bluestone memory. I couldn’t know it was still there after all this time, but I suspected it was. The way you describe the Ancampi leaves me in no doubt they’re harnessing the artifact’s power and using it to their own ends.”

  I nodded, remembering the way the Ancampi mined Bluestone magic, trapped it in jars and used it to float their buildings—not to mention shoot one of my friends. So they’re siphoning that immense power from a Class One artifact?

  “I would like you and your crew to help retrieve the information needed to find the exact location and entrance to the artifact,’ Grandma Alice said. “We must have it, Leo. The missiles use only a fraction of the Bluestone’s energy and they decimated the fleet. Even with our modified shields, the Class One is so powerful that if the Kraythons get hold of it they can potentially destroy the Leviathan, along with everyone on board. It could take us years to develop a countermeasure. Also, the Kraythons may well already know the Class One artifact exists, so I need to get to it before they do.”

  My eyebrows lifted. “Why do you need us to gather the intel?” I said. “Send people who are trained for that kind of thing. We’re kids.”

  She fixed me with a stern expression. “There’s a traitor on board the Leviathan. Information and plans have leaked to Valorion and the Kraythons.” She balled her fists. “For the past year they’ve been one step ahead of us, and our spy within the Kraython army has gone silent.”

  “You have a spy?”

  Grandma Alice nodded. “One of the bravest women I’ve ever known.” She glanced at the door. “Forty years ago we learned of Valorion’s plan to return to the home world and destroy it. He’s building a super-weapon, and we must stop him.”

  “Using Class One artifacts?”

  “He picked his route through the galaxy carefully, deviating occasionally from a straight course so his army can collect powerful artifacts on the way.”

  “There must be other people you trust,” I said.

  “No one with their own ship.” Grandma Alice’s gaze was steady. “Please, Leo. Help us get to that Ancampi artifact before Valorion does.”

  “We can’t take the artifact from them,” I said. “The Ancampi’s whole world is built around that Bluestone’s magic. If we remove it, their society will collapse.” I visualised the floating buildings. “Literally.”

  Grandma Alice gestured toward the planet. “You’ve already seen a glimpse of the artifact’s power. If it fell into Valorion’s hands . . .” She lifted her chin. “No, there’s only one person who’ll have an idea how to find the entrance. Artherius.”

  “Who?”

  Grandma Alice took hold of my shoulders and locked eyes with me. “Artherius is the Wisdom Carrier. He knows Bluestone’s history. He’s one of the few people left I still trust. I can ask for his help, information on how to find the entrance to the artifact, but I can’t risk Artherius transmitting those details back to us. You need to go see him in person.” She released me and paced back and forth, her hands clasped behind her back. “Meanwhile, I’ll speak to Professor Kingman. He’ll design technology to replace the Class One artifact with something able to maintain the Ancampi world. Artherius will build it away from prying eyes and have the device ready and waiting for you.”

  “Where is Artherius?” I said. “How do you expect me to find him?” I’d barely reached this moment in the game without dying painfully several times over.

  Grandma Alice continued to pace. “He’s on Halo Station, helping the Mahki.’

  “Helping the who?”

  “Artherius is on the trail of another Class One artifact; one Valorion’s army couldn’t find.” Grandma Alice stopped and turned to me. “Get to him, Leo. By any means necessary.
I’ll sneak a message out, telling Artherius to expect your arrival, and I’ll also ask him to build the device once Professor Kingman has the designs ready.”

  “Don’t you think this is all a huge coincidence?” I looked at the ice planet. “How do you know it isn’t another trap?”

  “With Bluestone, there’s no such thing as a coincidence,” Grandma Alice said. “We’re here because we are supposed to be.”

  That explained the other happy fluke with the grav module, when it had been waiting for me in the real world. All part of the game.

  I queried the Mahki with the CodeX implant, but it either didn’t know anything about them or didn’t want to share.

  “Who are the Mahki, then?” I asked my grandmother.

  “Traders and mercenaries.”

  My eyebrows lifted. “Oh, they sound precious.”

  She smiled. “The Mahki have no interest in Bluestone artifacts. They think they’re more trouble than they’re worth.”

  “They’re not wrong,” I muttered.

  “The Mahki work in exchange for standard technology, food, and supplies. But if you’re with Artherius, you shouldn’t have much trouble.”

  I sighed. Much trouble?

  Yeah, right.

  This was getting more complicated by the minute.

  Grandma Alice gestured, and the image of the ice planet vanished. She studied me. “I can’t pretend it will be easy, Leo. I know I’m asking a lot. Once you return with what we need, I’ll assemble my own team to retrieve the artifact. The Azurean tasks protecting the Class One will be formidable. Before you leave here, though, you’ll need extra help.”

  “Extra help?” I repeated. “Who?”

  “The CodeX will lead you to them.”

  Yeah, well. The CodeX had been a bit of a dick, and I wasn’t sure how much I could trust it.

  Grandma Alice stepped toward me, imploring. “Please, Leo. I would go to Artherius myself if I could, but my every move is monitored.” She lowered her voice to barely a whisper. “The CodeX has led you and your friends to me for a reason. Your ship is perfect for the mission.”

  “The Last Horizon is the only ship left in the fleet,” I said, incredulous.

  “You can move about with little to no resistance,” Grandma Alice persisted. “Until the traitor is flushed out, I don’t know who to trust, but you are family.”

  A twinge of annoyance tugged at my insides. So family isn’t enough of a reason for her to return to the real world, but she wants me to head up a team of treasure hunters? There had to be a lot more Grandma Alice wasn’t telling me, and I was struggling to understand.

  My shoulders dropped.

  I was too exhausted.

  Too bruised, both physically and emotionally.

  “Come back for a few days,” I said. “See Grandpa John and Mum and let them know you’re okay. Do what you have to, but please come home for a while.” I glanced around us. “Then you can return here, if you must.”

  Grandma Alice crossed her arms and pursed her lips.

  Perhaps Grandpa John would have better luck with her, but I was done.

  I’d achieved what I’d set out to do—find her.

  He’d have to figure out the real reason she refused to come home. Maybe she’d tell him the truth.

  But I sure as hell wasn’t looking forward to passing the message on to my grandfather. Forty years of searching and Alice couldn’t pop back for a quick hello? Not even for a minute?

  It was ridiculous.

  I straightened up. I’ll return to Colorado, explain everything to Grandpa John, and he’ll have to come back himself.

  I squirmed as I thought of all the trials I’d gone through to reach my grandmother. With my help, though, Grandpa John could do the same. Minus the near-death experiences.

  I would write a cheat sheet.

  “I’m going home,” I said. “Sorry.”

  Grandma Alice stared at me, and I could see her disappointment.

  “I understand,” she said. “Your mother, father, and Milo are your family, and they’re important. I wouldn’t force you to do anything you don’t want.”

  I could tell she didn’t understand. How could she? And family clearly meant a lot more to me than it did to her.

  “Your crew will have to find a way to manage without you.” Grandma Alice raised her arm and spoke into her phase-band, ordering Captain Logan to bring the others to us.

  I leaned against the table, glad I’d get the chance to say goodbye. “Do you have a CodeX implant?” I said. “Mine’s malfunctioning.”

  Grandma Alice inclined her head. “How so?”

  “Ayesha told me the CodeX would be a guide. An encyclopedia,” I said. “But it only works some of the time.” In fact, the CodeX was glitchy as hell.

  “The CodeX implant guides you when you need it most.”

  My eyes widened. “I needed it plenty of times,” I said. “I asked for its help a lot. But how come I ask a question at a crucial point and it stays so bloody silent?”

  “The CodeX is . . .” Grandma Alice pursed her lips, thinking. “Temperamental.”

  “You’re telling me,” I grumbled. “It’s a stubborn piece of crap.”

  The corners of Grandma Alice’s mouth twitched. “If you have people nearby who know the answers to your questions to the level of detail you require, the CodeX won’t help. You must ask them instead.” She shrugged. “I rarely use my CodeX implant anymore. I’m surrounded by clever people.”

  I remembered the moment I’d designed the Last Horizon.

  Grandma Alice unclasped her locket and handed it to me. “Take this. Tell John I love him, and your mother.” Her eyes filled with tears again, and she swallowed. “Please explain how much I miss them every single day, and tell them I’m doing something bigger than all of us.”

  I gazed at the infinity symbol on the locket. “This was on the cover of the CodeX.”

  “Yes,” Grandma Alice said. “That doesn’t surprise me.”

  I gave her a curious look.

  “The changing CodeX symbols point the way through each trial,” she said. “You wanted to find me, therefore it displayed that Azurean glyph.”

  “There’s another thing that’s been bothering me.” I gripped the locket. “When I first met Ayesha, I chose to be on the Antarians’ side, rather than Valorion’s Kraython army. I chose. She gave me that choice, didn’t she?”

  Grandma Alice opened her mouth to respond, but a side door opened, and in walked Captain Logan and my friends. They looked confused, no doubt wondering what had happened in my private meeting with their admiral.

  Snapping back into her commanding persona, chin held high, Admiral Floyd straightened her jacket. “I like your new ship.”

  Skylar grinned. “The Last Horizon, Admiral.”

  Admiral Floyd nodded. “I look forward to my first inspection.”

  Everyone’s jaw dropped.

  “Wait a minute,” Mason said. “We can keep it? The whole thing? Us?”

  “You’ve earned it. It’s the least I can do.”

  “Admiral, please.” Captain Logan stepped forward. “I must protest.” He leaned toward the admiral’s ear. “Such actions would need senate approval.”

  The admiral rounded on him. “They’re bonded to the ship—the only ship left in the Antarian fleet—and they’re her new crew. They designed the Last Horizon to save us in a selfless act.” She turned her back on him. “The matter is settled.”

  “Yes.” Mason punched the air and grinned.

  Eve smiled too. I could see a million thoughts passing through Kelvin’s mind—he was no doubt thinking of all the missions he could do on our very own spaceship—and Skylar looked as if she might burst with pride.

  Logan scowled at us, saluted the admiral, and marched off.

  “Now,” Admiral Floyd said to Eve, Mason, Skylar, and Kelvin, tugging her sleeves down. “Return to that ship of yours. We have a lot of work to do.”

  “Can we get s
ome food?” Mason asked. “I’m starving.”

  Admiral Floyd smiled. “Feel free to check in to supplies.”

  Mason grabbed Skylar’s arm and made to hurry off, but Skylar turned back.

  “Leo, I’m sorry I got on your case about lying to us,” she said all in a rush, eyeing the admiral. “If I’d known—”

  “It’s fine,” I said. “Totally understandable. We’re good.”

  Skylar saluted and raced off with her brother, Kelvin jogging after them.

  Eve stopped at the door. “Leo?”

  “I’ll be there in a minute,” I murmured.

  Eve hesitated, as if about to say something, then hurried after the others.

  I faced the admiral.

  “Yes, Leo?” she said in an inquisitive tone.

  She bloody knew what I was going to say. All the show? Getting my new friends down here before I left? Deliberate. I wasn’t stupid. Psychological manipulation, for sure.

  I cleared my throat. “If I help you get that Class One artifact, will you tell me everything that’s happened here? Why you’re still keeping secrets?”

  Grandma Alice nodded. “I promise.” She held up a finger. “In fact, I’ll go one better. If you and your crew are successful in retrieving the artifact from the Ancampi world, I’ll go back to Colorado with you.”

  “To Grandpa John and Mum?” I said, shocked.

  Maybe staying wasn’t such a bad idea.

  Besides, the outside world stood still for me. I could spend as much time in the game as I liked. My parents would never know.

  I straightened up, thinking of Eve, Mason, Skylar, and Kelvin. I’d risked my life for them, and they’d done the same for me.

  We were friends.

  They were as real as anyone, and I wanted to get to know them better too.

  I lifted my chin. “I’ll stay and help.”

  Grandma Alice smiled.

  I turned to leave, then clicked my fingers and faced her. “Can I have a phase-band?”

  “Of course,” Grandma Alice said. “You can—”