Mission to the Moon

by Mark Cheverton

  If you can’t play on a server, do not fear; we’ll also be making a version of the game that is downloadable. This version won’t have all the custom-programmed monster bosses, but you’ll be able to see all of the incredible structures described in the book, as well as waves and waves of monsters to battle. I think it’s gonna be epic!

  We’ll be putting QR codes into the story, as you can see below. This will let you scan the QR code and see what we’ve built on the server, based on the story in the book. There are numerous free QR code readers that can be downloaded to a smart phone. Be sure to ask your parents’ permission before downloading anything to your phone; you want to be careful and know where it’s coming from. I tend to stick to things that actually come from the app store, just to be safe.

  These QR codes will be embedded throughout the story, just to give the readers that extra bit of content to make the story come alive. Maybe we’ll put a few hints or secrets on these pages to help you find hidden armor or weapons in the game, so make sure you keep checking them, as the pages will be changing over time.

  This code above will take you to the ancient church where a really cool battle takes place in the game. Turn on your QR reader app on a smart phone and point it at the QR code. It will instantly take you to that page, where you can see the old church, as well as other information about the game and the Gameknight999 Minecraft Network. You can find information about the Gameknight999 Minecraft Network, as well as information about the interactive game, at www.gameknight999.com.

  If you pay attention to hints in the book, you may find some extra loot in the game to help you face off against the Zombie Warlord. You can also play it with your friends, though the game gets more difficult when more users are playing.

  I don’t think anyone has tried anything this complicated before with Minecraft literature. We’ve hired programmers from all over the world to develop this custom game, and the builders are working to create the most amazing structures ever. From what I’ve seen so far … it’s really cool. I think you’ll really get a feel for the story and the locations when you play the game, but, more importantly, you’ll taste a little of the battle that Watcher and his friends will face as they go through the adventure.

  I hope you all fall in love with these new characters and the Far Lands, as I already have. Maybe you can play the online game with Monkeypants_271 and Gameknight999 (who’s he?). It’s gonna be awesome … but be prepared for some serious battles. Only the bravest Minecrafter should consider trying!

  Good luck, and watch out for creepers.

  Monkeypants_271

  EXCERPT FROM ZOMBIES ATTACK!

  The party moved quietly through the forest, approaching the dilapidated church from the west. They’d traveled along the road for an hour, maybe less, when they saw the tall tower of the church sticking up above the trees. When he saw the tall structure, Cutter led them off the road and approached the church from the cover of the forest, hoping to keep any unwanted eyes from seeing them too soon.

  They moved from tree to tree, using the trunks to hide their presence. Watcher kept a tight hold on the rope tied around Er-Lan, keeping the monster close. The smell of the creature was terrible, and at times, Watcher had to get upwind from the monster to reduce the odor. But it did little to help.

  “Everyone stay here for a minute,” Blaster said.

  The boy removed his black leather armor and replaced it with something colored forest green, then ran toward the edge of the forest, fading into the background. In minutes, he returned with a smile on his square face.

  “I don’t see any guards around the church,” Blaster said. “In fact, the whole place looks deserted.”

  “Hmmm,” Cutter said, then turned and faced his prisoner. “Where are all the zombies?”

  “Er-Lan does not know,” the zombie replied. “Perhaps they headed for the fortress already, but Tu-Kar had to come here and collect all the NPC prisoners. The zombie warlord might still be here with many soldiers.” He turned and faced Planter and Watcher. “All must be very careful.”

  “Great advice,” Blaster said with a mischievous grin.

  “Were there any guards on the entrance to the church?” Cutter asked.

  “No,” Blaster replied. “But they were all sealed with cobblestone. If we are going in through the main entrance, then we’ll have to dig our way through with pickaxes.”

  “We can’t do that; everyone will hear us,” Watcher said.

  “You have a better idea, professor?” Cutter asked.

  Watcher moved to the edge of the forest and looked up at the church and tower. It was built from stone brick, some of the cubes cracked with age, others green and mossy. Vines hung down much of the structure, giving it a sad and forgotten look. Dotting the sides of the tower were many windows, each filled with colored glass. It seemed as if a torch flickered from behind the windows, filling them with bright color. Some of the windows had iron bars across the opening, likely to keep unwanted visitors from getting in. The top of the tower was partially missing, the roof of the tower completely absent.

  Surveying the structure with his keen eyes, Watcher looked for a path in without getting noticed. And then he saw it.

  “Of course … we can jump,” he said to himself.

  Turning, he sped back to his friends.

  “I figured out a way we can get in without being noticed,” Watcher said. “We won’t need to dig through any stone, and we’ll be completely silent.”

  “Oh, really?” Cutter asked. “Tell us your magical strategy.”

  “Here’s what I think we should do,” Watcher said in a low voice. “We climb up the outside of the tower. There are iron bars we can use. We’ll jump from iron bar to iron bar. We’ll be able to climb much of it by using the vines.”

  “I like that plan,” Planter said, patting her friend on the back.

  Watcher beamed. He felt as if he were charged with electricity.

  “What do we do with him?” Blaster asked, pointing at the zombie.

  “He stays here,” Cutter said. He grabbed Er-Lan and pulled him to a tree, then wrapped a rope around the prisoner and tree, tying him tight. “When we’re done, we’ll come back and get him, but we aren’t gonna have this monster give us away in there.”

  “Er-Lan will stay quiet,” the monster moaned. “It is not necessary to tie up this zombie.”

  “Be quiet!” Cutter snapped. “You’re staying here.”

  The warrior pulled out a cloth and tied it around the zombie’s mouth, making it impossible for him to speak. Er-Lan looked at Watcher and Planter, his dark eyes pleading for help.

  “Don’t worry, Er-Lan,” Watcher said. “We’ll be back for you.”

  “Yeah,” Planter added. “It’ll be okay. In no time, we’ll return and set you free again.”

  The monster nodded as a tear slowly dripped from his eyes. Watcher could tell Er-Lan was afraid. Maybe it was fear of being tied up, or more likely of being left alone. They had formed a bond with the zombie in their short time being together, and found they had more in common than not. Er-Lan, like Watcher, felt alone in his zombie community. Being small and weak, everyone felt the monster was worthless; it was an attitude Watcher knew a lot about.

  “Just be calm, Er-Lan,” Watcher said. “We’ll come back soon.”

  “How cute, the little villager trying to keep the little zombie from being afraid,” Cutter said. “How pathetic.”

  “Be nice,” Planter scolded, but Cutter had already turned his back and was heading for the church.

  Watcher sighed, then followed the big NPC toward the church tower.

  They sprinted across the clearing that ringed the structure, each of them glancing to the left and right, watching for monsters. Cutter was the first to reach the building. Instantly, he started climbing the vines that ran down its rocky sides.

  “No, not there,” Watcher said. “You can’t make it to the top from that spot. Over here.”

  The young NPC
ran around the tower until he found the spot he’d identified earlier. The vines led upward to a bar-covered window. Watcher was the first to climb, scaling the wall as if he were walking down a path. When he reached the end of the vines, Watcher climbed to the top of an iron-barred window, then sprinted forward a step and jumped out into the open air. He landed on another bar-covered window, then jumped to the next and the next, slowly rising up the side of the tower. Behind him, his friends were doing the same, Blaster and Planter following easily. It was fun, like the game they used to play as children, jumping from tree to tree in the forest, but Cutter looked uncertain and afraid, though Watcher knew the big villager would never admit it.

  They moved slowly up the side of the tower, switching between the parkour jumps to climbing the vine covered walls. It was arduous work, and Watcher’s muscles were soon screaming at him with fatigue. Finally, after one last terrifying leap, Watcher made it to the top of the tower, where part of the roof was completely missing. Below was an open room, with shelves of books and chests lining the wall, making the descent into the room easy.

  “Look out!” Blaster shouted.

  He made the leap and landed gracefully next to Watcher. Stepping on the bookshelves, he jumped down into the room and surveyed their surroundings. Planter then landed next to him and followed Blaster into the dark room.

  “Come on, Cutter,” Watcher said, motioning to the big warrior.

  The soldier was to the last jump, but he looked nervous.

  “Hurry up. Planter and Blaster are already down there. If any zombies come, they’ll be in trouble. We need you … now!”

  The warrior gave Watcher a scowl, then sprinted forward. He took one step and leaped into the air, but his foot slipped a little and he stumbled; Cutter wasn’t going to make it. Instantly, Watcher dropped to his stomach. He scooted forward as far as he could, hooking his toes on the edge of the wall and extended his hand as far as he could. Cutter floated through the air, slowly getting dragged downward. They both knew if he fell from this height, he wouldn’t survive.

  Stretching his entire body, Watcher reached out and grabbed Cutter’s wrist. Instantly, his grip started to slip; he wasn’t strong enough to hold Cutter for long. Suddenly, Cutter’s iron grip clamped around Watcher’s wrist. It felt as if a blacksmith’s anvil had just somehow been wrapped around his arm. The weight of the soldiers was too much to bear.

  “I can’t pull you up,” Watcher said, gritting his teeth. “You have to climb.”

  Cutter glanced up at the boy, a look of uncertainty in his eyes. He swung his body until his boots touched the wall, then he used them to push himself up. Climbing Watcher’s arm like a rope, Cutter slowly moved higher and higher until his fingers reached the edge of the stone wall. He released his crushing grip on Watcher’s wrist and grabbed the edge with his other hand, then pulled himself upward. Grabbing the edge of his armor, Watcher yanked hard, helping the soldier up onto the ledge. Finally, he made it to the top and was safe.

  “You two done playing around up there?” Blaster asked.

  Watcher laid down on his back, breathing heavily, sweat dripping down his face. His wrist throbbed with pain, the skin red and sore.

  “You okay?” Watcher asked.

  Cutter stood up and glanced down at his two companions, then back to Watcher. “Why shouldn’t I be okay?”

  Adjusting his armor, he jumped down onto the bookshelves, then climbed down onto the chest and made his way to the floor.

  “Hey archer, are you coming?” Cutter yelled.

  “Yeah,” Watcher sighed, then lowered his voice. “You’re welcome.” But of course no one heard him.

  Standing, Watcher leapt down the shelves and chest until he was on the floor. Instantly, he drew his bow and notched an arrow as he sniffed the air. It smelled bad … really bad.

  “I think there are zombies nearby,” Watcher said.

  “You hear or see any?” Cutter asked.

  Watcher shook his head. “No, but I can smell ‘em.”

  “I think you’re imagining things,” Cutter said as he drew his diamond sword. “Come on, we’re going to the ground floor to look for that underground chamber.”

  “It would be best if we went slowly,” Watcher said. “We don’t want to be surprised by any monsters.”

  “There’s nothing to be afraid of,” the warrior said. “I can take care of anything in this building.”

  “I’m not afraid, I just think we should be cautious and think this through.”

  “There’s time enough to think after all our friends are free,” Cutter said with a sneer.

  He turned and headed for the stairs, barreling down the steps two at a time, Planter and Blaster following close behind. Watcher ran after them, trying to keep up.

  The stairway descended into the darkness, moving to the next floor. Cutter stopped for just an instant, but seeing only darkness, he moved to the next floor.

  “We should slow down,” Watcher whispered, but no one answered.

  The stench of rotten flesh was getting worse.

  Cutter led them to the next floor. He paused for moment, trying to peer into the darkness, but the inky blackness was impenetrable. Just as he was about to head to the next floor, the sound of something sharp scraped across the wooden floor. Everyone froze. Watcher stared into the darkness, looking for movement, but it was so dark, he couldn’t see anything … but he knew they were there; the smell was terrible.

  “Zombies,” Watcher whispered. “But I can’t see any of them.”

  No one replied.

  Blaster removed his forest-green armor and put on his favorite, black, then darted off into the darkness, his leather boots hardly making a sound. Suddenly, light flared on the opposite side of the room; a torch had been placed on the ground. The shuffling of leather scraping the ground sounded off to the right, then another torch came to life. More torches appeared as Blaster darted across the center of the room.

  In seconds, the entire center of the room was lit, but still no zombies. Blaster put the torches away and drew his two curved knives.

  “I don’t think there are any monsters here at all,” the boy said.

  Suddenly, a moan floated out from the far side of the room. Then another moan came from the right and left sides, almost simultaneously.

  “They’re along the walls,” Watcher said. “I told you I could smell them.”

  Just then, a growling moan came from the top of the stairs, but it wasn’t just one voice … it was many. The same sound came from the steps leading down to the next floor.

  “They’ve sealed off the stairs,” Planter said. “We have no way to escape.”

  Now, zombies were stepping into the circle of illumination that flickered across the room. Razor-sharp claws extended from their fingers, the dark nails reflecting the light from the torches.

  “We’re … surrounded,” Planter said, her voice cracking with fear.

  Watcher glanced at the monsters approaching from the right, then turned to those on the left. Zombies were standing at the top of the stairs they’d just descended and another group was slowly coming up from the lower floor.

  They had nowhere to run … they were trapped.

  Watcher drew an arrow and notched it to his string, but didn’t know where to shoot. There were at least a dozen monsters in the room, if not more, and three times that many on the stairs.

  It was hopeless.

  He’d failed his father and sister, and now he’d led Planter, the person he cared most about in the world, to her death. Fear enveloped his body, making every nerve feel as if it were on fire. His heart pounded in his chest and his breathing was short and raspy. Looking to the left and right, Watcher tried to figure out what to do. The situation seemed impossible. This was the end, and all he could do was wait for his doom.

 

 

  you for reading books on Archive.