Desert Storm (Puatera Online Book 3)

by Dawn Chapman

  Desert Storm

  Puatera Online Book 3

  Dawn Chapman

  Contents

  Untitled

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Coming Soon

  From the Author

  Also by Dawn Chapman

  Litrpg Links

  Aleron Kong’s Links

  An NPC’s story

  Inspired by the cover

  created by

  Sarah Anderson

  and set in the game world of

  Puatera Online

  Desert Storm

  Copyright © 2017 by Dawn Chapman

  Published by Dawn Chapman

  A+ Game Engine adapted with Christopher Mayer and

  © 2017 by WoodBine Street Games

  Puatera Online © 2017 by Dawn Chapman

  Manuscript Services Provided by

  Literary Editor, Rogena Mitchell-Jones

  www.rogenamitchell.com

  Cover design by Sarah Anderson

  Ebook Edition

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system without the prior written consent from the author, except in the instance of quotes for reviews. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded, or distributed via the internet without the permission of the author and is a violation of the International copyright law, which subjects the violator to severe fines and imprisonment.

  This is a work of fiction. The names, characters, incidents, and places are products of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real except where noted, and authorised. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or actual events are entirely coincidental. Any trademarks, service marks, product names, or names featured are assumed to be the property of their respective owners and are used only for reference. There is no implied endorsement if any of these terms are used.

  The author and editor have taken great effort in presenting a manuscript free of errors. However, editing errors are ultimately the responsibility of the author.

  This book is written in United Kingdom English and includes relative diction.

  For those who inspire me on a daily basis, my closest friends and my family, especially the husband who puts up with everything.

  x X x

  For those who work with me, from cover designers to my editors—you’re all awesome.

  For those who talk to me daily, especially the LitRPG Society Discord Crew.

  Blaise Corvin, Stephan and Sam Morse, Luke Chmilenko and

  Michael Chatfield for the continued push and sprints in MWC.

  Thank you, all of you.

  Dawn

  Chapter 1

  “TURN TO MADDIE for guidance. Protect our eggs, for the clutch will hatch next year. There’s a war coming, but not just from the Port. It is a war between good and evil on Puatera. It’s been coming since the day I was stolen from my mother. Hear this. We will return. We will bring back the forces to wipe this world clean of everything in our wake if you do not succeed.” Sakril’s warning reverberated in my head.

  If Sakril had said anything else but for them to look to me, I think everyone would have looked elsewhere, and maybe I wouldn’t have a couple hundred sets of beady eyes staring my way.

  Seriously, I couldn’t breathe. I wanted to turn and run away from them, from everything. A deep fear for our wellbeing settled in the pit of my stomach and wasn’t going to budge.

  How did leaders of cities and more manage to quell that fear?

  Candice moved to my side and looked out at the many faces. “They’re waiting for you. Say something.”

  I stared, not mustering up any words at all.

  Blood stained the sands, and the stench of death drifted much further than the planes around us. The animals who lost their lives here, I didn’t want them to have died for nothing. I sucked in a breath, pushed myself up tall, and moved to address the crowd.

  “There are a lot of things we’re going to need. People, resources, first things first, though. We need to clean up, then get a working camp up and running. Food supplies are next. The water we have.”

  Candice motioned around her to the people left waiting for Maddie to speak, she grinned and whispered to me. “You were born for leadership.”

  I snorted. “No way. I was born to be a Runner.”

  “Then you know exactly how they’re feeling right now.”

  Of course she was correct, I did know. So that is how I began to let my words out. “You’re terrified. I know, and I feel it. Our future has changed a thousand fold. We’re not just Runners anymore or Visitors. We’ve become guardians. I know some of the eggs can be moved, but there is one which cannot. That egg must be protected as the heir of the Clan.

  One man approached me, his face confused. “We’re going to get paid, right?”

  “There are many riches we have access to, but this isn’t about just getting paid. This is about doing what’s right for all of us. For all of Puatera.”

  He stared at me. “We’re here for the money, not to risk our lives again.” The crowd around him booed and hissed. Yes, a few nodded their heads in agreement. I couldn’t win everyone over. To try that would be stupid.

  “Then you’re free to leave. I can’t force you. I won’t.” I really didn’t want them to go, but as I waited and watched, it seemed the majority didn’t want to go. I could see it on their faces, the worry, the hesitation as they bounced from one foot to the other. I addressed the crowd with only hopes I could persuade them. “Anyone who wishes to leave can do so. I will not force you to participate. This is a long-haul job. I am risking my life here. We’re risking more than our lives here.”

  Candice pointed as a few of the attendees started to move on. I can’t say I really blamed them. I just wished more of them would stay. They seemed to all be going.

  Then it stopped.

  I had in front of me a large enough crowd to help me.

  Josh was the one to look at me this time. “We can always get more soldiers, more people to stand with us.”

  “I know. The three teams we had to help get the cattle are here, and I could easily organise them to start up a protection and working ring.”

  I admit without Alex I felt lost, but no matter the ‘love’ I felt or having lost it, those beady eyes staring at me had hope blazing in their souls.

  I looked at the long-haired rider from before. “Thank you for sticking around. If you would like to head the transport expedition, I think getting supplies here is a must.”

  “On it. We’ve a couple of caravans we can use, wagons too. The horses can pull them easily enough.

  Then a large man stepped forward. I’d also seen him around. I then noticed the players tag. Abel Rimmer—Visitor. It was why he seemed familiar. He was a regular at the Runners Vine.

  It was his eyes that sucked me in. Deep, blue, but there was something odd—he wasn’t completely human. He was something else, something strong and feline. It confused me. “I can organise more men, soldiers. Players if you’d allow them here.”

  We both looked to Candice. “An open call? For an event?”

  When Abel nodded, I wasn’t sure what or why that was important to them, but it was. “This warrants it, yes.”

  They were on the same page. I just
didn’t want either of them taking over.

  We need a large party for this, she said to him. I wasn’t ready to start or even think about a guild, but it was necessary to protect this land and the eggs. So maybe that was what we needed to do.

  “Still in alpha stages,” he replied. “But I think it would work out okay.” Worth a shot.

  “There are gold and things we can sell in the caves, right?” Candice asked.

  I nodded. “I know there are. Just don’t know how much it’s all worth. Millions to you guys, artefacts, things stolen along the years. The way things are supposed to be found wouldn’t happen here. There are probably items no one should see yet. We need to also protect those.”

  “A big task for any real player to do and not be tempted to loot and then sell.”

  Abel moved closer to Candice. “You trust your team?”

  She nodded. “I’ve been playing with these guys for ten years. They’re close friends and wouldn’t ruin the play just for loot.”

  “Good, because this is one hell of a test for the gaming system and the betas.”

  “And what about Maddie?”

  He looked at me, and I just stared back as he contemplated his next words. “Maddie has to become a guild leader?”

  Candice coughed. “She’s an NPC though.”

  “Yes. Just not like any NPC we’ve come across before.”

  I placed a hand on Candice’s arm. She looked at me. “I’m a freak of an NPC, just as much as the Tromoal are freaks of the game’s design. They shouldn’t be here, but they are.”

  “So maybe a guild leader she can become then.”

  “What kind of things would be required of me?”

  “We don’t know. It’s all new to us. Generally, a leader would have access to all player’s stats, can work with their skills, and to make a decision for the better of the whole of them.”

  “Sounds complicated.”

  Abel and Candice nodded. “For those who play games a lot, it’s not hard to understand. But you’ve never been in a game so it might be a shock to you to get there. I think you’re more than smart enough.”

  I chuckled. “I hope so.”

  “Then that’s settled. Sarah’s organising the horses and ebolos to get back to the village to start the supply runs, and then we’ll get the paperwork going.”

  Candice hesitated, but I saw the glint in her eye. “Might we have a look at the cave system? The main cave where the loot is kept.”

  “It’s very important only a few have access,” I said. “You don’t talk about it to the others, and you don’t let them know any more information than needed.”

  Candice frowned, but she nodded. “I agree. Just Chip and me for now.”

  I frowned. Really? She chose him?

  Candice laughed loudly and leaned in. “I know he looks and sounds like a lump most of the time, but he’s loyal as hell. Think he’s got a crush on me.”

  Now I was the one laughing as I looked towards the big guy who stood by his bike. I couldn’t help but catch his tortured looks towards her. I think she was right. He really was sweet on her.

  Candice waved him over. “Help the others get the area sorted and cleaned up as much as possible. We’ll be camping here for a few nights. The others can work out guards and patrols with those who have stayed. You, me, Abel and Maddie are going back into the caving systems.”

  I saw how much his eyes lit up, but when he glanced at me, he nodded. “We’ve already started to work out cleaning crews. Not every Tromoal could eat clean, so there are debris and blood that needs to be washed away just so the area doesn’t start to turn rank on us.”

  “Thanks,” I said. “Takes a lot of the pressure off.”

  He glanced at Candice and added. “Gotta admit, though… this is the weirdest game I’ve played, where an NPC takes over the world.”

  Candice let out a giggle. “It’s different, but I like it.”

  Standing between the three players, I glanced to Josh who smiled at me then lowered his head. Did I command such respect? Glancing back to the caves, I knew I did. “Josh, watch the entrance. I’m taking a few of us inside.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” With a mock salute, he turned and walked away. I didn’t understand why, I wans’t in any kind of military, but it did get a laugh from me.

  “Anything weird down there?” Chip asked. “Monsters?”

  I cringed. The Tromoal used to keep the eggs safe there. I’d never even thought about that side of things. “I have no idea.”

  “Maybe we should all go?” Candice asked glancing back to the rest of her team.

  I thought about it for a few moments. It wasn’t worth risking our lives. “Okay, I agree. Be good to have you with me.”

  Chip was the one who coughed this time. “Maddie, this is the most exciting thing we’ve ever done. Don’t believe otherwise. We’re here for you. Just like when we went to the Mayor’s estate, we’re not afraid to die for the right reasons. We just have to believe what we’re doing makes a difference.”

  I stared into his blue-green eyes and noted the scar on the top of his forehead. “It will make a difference. It will shape the world of Puatera for many years. The outcome here will stick. There is no reset on this one for us.” He looked confused, so I moved closer to him. “This program we’re in is evolving. The creator himself, Dresel, stays in the Alstead Village. Where you set your respawn point to. Even he knows something’s going on. Stick with me, and we’ll all find out the truth.”

  Chip’s grin spread even more. “Gaming gone rogue. Best thing ever.”

  Candice rolled her eyes at me, moving away to go get the others from her crew. I noticed the exchange with a few nods and shakes of the head. When they moved to return to us, the rest of the people milling around were starting on their jobs. I was glad they were so willing. This place would be a bustling fortitude for us all soon enough.

  Candice stopped before me. The party all looked at me. Candice spoke. “You’ve met Steve, Rose, Amanda, and Mark before, but I hope now we’ll get to know each other better.”

  Steve stepped forward first. “An honour, Maddie.” He was the one who looked at me with bright yellow yet very shy eyes. He wasn’t human by any means, but I couldn’t work out what kind of species he’d followed after. I wanted to ask him, to at least understand where he got his mana and magic status from. But the others excitedly talked about the inside of the cave, so I went with the flow and led them in.

  I hadn’t had a chance to go back to see the eggs. There were the main four where Riezella and Sakril had just performed the ritual with Alex, but the other eggs were further back. I wondered if once I’d made it inside the system again, would their voices breakthrough? Since the Tromoal left, there had been nothing. No inclination I had a new family. As the lady of the skies, I wasn’t doing much of a job when I couldn’t even hear them anymore.

  The trip to the main cave wasn’t hard. A few twists and turns and then a lot of walking downhill. It was easy to see why the water would run this way when the autumn came, and the rain filled up the caverns.

  I stopped, finally getting a murmur of something inside my head. Was it talking? Was it actually the Tromoal I was hearing?

  I listened in closely to see if I could identify anyone in particular. In all honesty, I was looking for Alex. I needed to hear his voice, to know his actual transformation to the digital world and the body of the Tromoal had worked.

  There was nothing specific; just different tones and squeals. The closer I got to the cave, the more I wanted to soothe them, to talk to them all.

  When we rounded the corner, I moved a few steps ahead. “Do you mind if I go this alone?” I said to Candice. When she questioned me with a stern look, I answered, “I need to make sure there’s nothing strange before you see them. I’m not hiding anything, I promise.”

  She nodded. “I understand if you don’t want us all in there, but please let Steve have your back. He won’t do anything to disturb what you wish
to do, but he’s a good defender and healer if anything goes wrong.”

  I didn’t want to agree, but I lowered my head and then motioned for Steve to follow me inside.

  The cave had a damp, egregious, and certainly, an eerie feel to it as the edge of the water shimmered at the far side of the cavern. I walked carefully over to where the first patch of eggs glittered. There I knelt down and laid a hand on the brightest one of the bunch. Steve didn’t do anything. He did as Candice had promised and stood behind me watching the other side of the cavern. I was surprised he never once mentioned a number of gems and loot or even acknowledged they were there.

  I felt the warm leathery egg behind my hand. The Tromoal inside felt my presence and pushed itself against the inner wall of the shell, attempting to feel comfort from my warmth.

  “Steve,” I said. “I need you to do something for me.”

  He glanced down and then knelt by my side. “What do you need?”

  “Place your hand on the silver one, and tell me what you feel?

  He smiled, doing as I asked. I waited while his eyes dimmed, focusing on the egg. “A growing warmth, a male presence, concern.” He looked back at me, eyes furrowing into a heartfelt frown. “These guys are terrified.” I noticed the change in his emotion then. “Maddie, we have to help them all now. Please let me get the others.” A single tear melted down the side of his face, and I reached out to wipe it away.

  “I’m sorry I had to ask, but yes, go get the others. I think we have a rather large task to do before we can look around at the loot.”