But we don’t need that, do we? Why do you want me to accept it?
This might allow me to penetrate their intranet, which is not connected to the web, and search it for any information about Wargs and their technology. We could use that.
Well, if you say so. I still had my doubts. Won’t they get us?
Your Earthly surveillance technology is too primitive. As for the silicoids, I’ll be able to shield us from their observation. Just two or three more missions, as I’ve told you.
Yes, I remember. You’ve repeated that more than once. I was really annoyed by the artifact butting in my choice of missions, while keeping me away from alien planets and stations.
Agreed then. You’ve been silent for too long. You’re making her waiting.
That brought me back. My internal dialogue had really lasted too long. Looking at Mariya’s face, even prettier without that lipstick, despite her red nose and puffy eyes, I decided to make a joke. Let Masha see that she’s not the only one who can jump into a new relationship. I’ll take a couple of photos with my new “date” for my social networks and make her bite her nails with envy and regret. Her and Stepan, both of them.
“Three dates with you—and I’m in.”
“WHAT?” she screamed indignantly.
“Refuse and we’ll part ways. This time forever,” I replied, crossing my arms.
Casting a suspicious glance at me, she thought it over, and then said: “If you get handsy, I’ll slap you again.”
“Agreed.” I outstretched my hand before she could change her mind.
She nodded, and we sealed the deal with a handshake. She then opened her folder and made me read and sign all of the papers, but I was happy. I kept casting glances at Mariya, who frowned and pursed her lips whenever she’d catch me staring. This probably made her recall the terms not included in the written contract; she blushed slightly and quickly averted her eyes.
***
Seeing the dumbfounded girl off, I finally returned to my capsule and the game. I kept perceiving my adventures there as gameplay. My real body wasn’t there, after all; and the built-in interface only supported my delusions. Besides, I needed a way to distinguish between my space journeys and my real life on Earth.
Six hours before the next qualifying round, I thought, arriving at the square. I can take a short mission to pass the time.
Great idea, Researcher agreed at once. Let’s put this time to a good use. You’ll hardly have time for any missions tomorrow. I need to see what I can make of our current position. It’s rather sudden that the military is providing access not through the intranet, but on the same terms as to regular users. We need to prepare and see how to make most of this contract.
Sure, I said, remembering the terms.
Since my official employer was not the military but Galaxy Corp, despite the military actually managing the whole process, I had to start practicing with other pilot team members early the next morning. Researcher and I used to think that we would get inside the building, similarly to how it had been during game testing, but we were wrong. Our employer decided to train us in the game only because some of the team members were foreigners.
The contract I had signed prohibited me from telling anyone that I was part of the Galaxy team. We would be officially introduced to each other only during the first team broadcast. They were apparently sure that we would make it into the finals. Losing seemed hardly possible, considering that they only hired people like me.
Better sleep on it. I decided not to think about it till the next morning. I have things to do right now.
***
Waking an hour sharp before the practice, I had enough time to complete all of my morning routines. At nine o’clock, I lay down into the capsule and came to the Central District square.
“L0St!” A girl standing nearby with four guys called me. I barely kept myself from glancing around. Instead, I approached to their small company without hurry. The green-skinned girl bore a vague resemblance to Mariya; the guys were completely unfamiliar to me.
“Guys, meet L0St. L0St, these are Mario, Tor, Joker, and NumberOne,” she immediately introduced us. When we nodded to each other, she continued: “Come. I’ll show you the practice yard.”
“Wow! We’ve got a designated space?” Tor was surprised. “And you with it? What’s your name, darling?”
“I’m Mariya. Your supervisor,” she calmly said. “I can arrange your replacement if you cross the line. Is that clear?”
“Yes, ma’am,” he replied in a very obedient voice, but gave us a wink when she couldn’t see him.
“Follow me. Tomorrow, and after that, you’ll be on your own. Today’s your orientation. Is that clear?”
“May I ask a question?” I was curious about how they had arranged that. Taking screen shots in this game was prohibited so far, and now they were going to provide full-fledged video recordings for everyone on the web to see.
“Yes?” She kept leading the group without even looking at me.
“How did you separate the tournament from the game to enable its video recording?”
“Our developers created a designated space zone for tournament rounds. Don’t worry. We have everything under control.”
That did not fully answer my question, but I knew better than to insist that she clarifies it further. Mariya was, apparently, reluctant to talk.
While the other team members got to know each other, I spoke to no one and kept to myself. They would glance at me occasionally, but did not try to engage in conversation. I was grateful for that.
Soon we saw a small shop with Everything for Victory written on its sign. Mariya stopped and turned to us. “Come in one by one. The threshold has a built-in teleport set to identify each of us personally. You may feel a bit sick. That’s normal.”
Saying that, she ascended the porch, opened the door, and vanished inside. One by one, we followed. I crossed the shop threshold last.
Chapter 39
Choose you ship, said the system message; the picture of the only available ship by its side. Selecting it, I experienced a brief tunnel effect. In a few moments, I was in my ship and in space.
Scan, I commanded and soon realized where I was. One didn’t have to be an astronomer to figure out that we were at the edge of the Solar System. The nearest planet, surrounded by the very familiar giant rings, could be nothing but Saturn.
“How beautiful!” Mario screamed in the chat. “Is this our practice yard?”
“Yes. We’ll fight one on one first to pick the leader. Then we’ll practice teamwork,” Mariya’s voice came from the chat. She was nearby, piloting a very simple fighter. “Let’s start. The first pair is Mario and L0St. I’ve marked the coordinates on your tactical maps. Fly there and attack each other on command. Avoid doing lethal damage.”
“But we may kill?” my opponent inquired merrily. I said nothing there was no point in this idle talk.
“You may. But you’d better not. The more time we waste on ship repairs, the less we have for actual practice.”
“I have a question too, ma’am,” I said.
“Listening.”
“They said on the news that we’d be fighting using company-provided ships. Why are we practicing using our own?”
I knew too well that all of these ships were real and that they’d have to pay for the destroyed ones out of their own pocket. However, I wanted to hear her explanation.
“It’s simple, L0St,” she quickly replied. “So that you aren’t tempted to destroy your spar partner’s ship. You’ll get our ships and enough practice with them when the final team list is announced.”
“Thank you. I get it now.”
“Then get to it. We have much to do today. On the count of three.”
Will you do it? I asked Researcher. Being unaware of who my opponent was and what skills he had, I could lose. Today was the first time that I heard of my teammates’ nicknames. I’ll be able to see how they fight and assess their proficien
cy once everything is done.
3…
2…
1…
Battle over.
Winner: L0St
“Hey! That’s unfair!” Mario protested as one of his wings got chopped off by Researcher. “I couldn’t even see him! He vanished from the map!”
“Consider yourself lucky that you just lost a wing. He usually kills pilots with a direct hit to the cockpit,” the supervisor comforted him in her special way. “Fly to the teleport spot. The robots will repair your ship. Next battle: Tor and L0St.”
This battle, and all the other ones, ended with the same result. I never gave them a chance to trace me so the battle was over the moment Researcher detected the ship and hit the target with a single precise shot.
“Looks like we have a temporary leader,” Mariya sounded confused.
“I’d rather not take this role, ma’am. I want to be the fifth. I’ll give the lead role to the one who defeats everyone else.”
“Let’s continue then. L0St may rest,” she agreed surprisingly fast. The chat livened up again; it had fallen silent when I had started to shoot their ships down. NumberOne and Mario were heard most often.
NumberOne also appeared to be the best pilot, fully deserving his nickname. He became the leader of our team.
“I have a question, Mariya. Who of us will take part in the three-versus-three battles?” Joker, who was silent before, asked. “Who but for L0St, I mean?”
“We’ll determine that after team practice. Now, as everyone’s repairs are done, I’m inviting another instructor to continue your practice.”
Two minutes later, our small chat was joined by a pilot with a leader’s crown who greeted us in a brisk voice. He didn’t like the manner in which we greeted him back, so he started with testing our vestibular systems. I turned out to do best, not caring a damn about the loop-the-loops he had us make. My gravity compensators enabled me to do such acrobatics that tired out the instructor when he tried to repeat them. Finding out that the ship I was using was my own creation, he promised to arrange its replacement with a standard one, like his, by the next practice session. This rocked my confidence, but it didn’t prevent me from doing my best on other exercises.
At the end of the six-hour practice session, when everyone was exhausted and even I started to lose concentration, he showed some mercy and said that we’ll continue tomorrow and that he was leaving us to another supervisor for now.
Mariya’s ship, which had vanished once the other instructor arrived, came back from the teleport. She announced that the flying tests were completed and that we would spend the remaining hours discussing the strategy that we’ll at the tournament. She provided us with handouts that we’d have to learn by heart; who should say what when answering the most popular questions that people asked pro gamers. No one should have any doubt about us not being the “Corp’s” real employees. The handouts contained our fabricated biographies. We had to learn those perfectly so as not to confuse any dates, positions, and similar info.
Doing that was far less fun than flying, but our cross-examination during a tea break provided me with an opportunity to get to know my teammates better. Even the talkative black-haired Mario became less annoying, despite him constantly dotting around Mariya. His attempts at courting her looked rather funny: he was like a short goblin trying to win an elven woman twice his height.
“Practice over for today. We’ll meet tomorrow at the same time,” Mariya said, dismissing us after a two-hour talk.
I hurried after the others. I wanted to use what remained of that day to play just for fun—and money.
“L0St,” she called while I was making my way to the entrance. I looked back at her. Mario cast an envious glance, but did not dare to stay in the café and walked out, apparently displeased, leaving us alone.
“Yes?” I gave her a slight bow.
“I wanted to ask you about…about our dates. When could we do that? I need to put them on my schedule.”
“What about this weekend? Maybe Saturday?”Things were much simpler for me. I had no schedule to follow.
“I’m free after six p. m. Is that fine with you?” She kept avoiding my gaze.
“Absolutely,” I nodded and walked toward the entrance, not wanting to make her feel any more embarrassed.
***
Don’t be so nervous. It’s just a date.
I got nervous beyond belief when two hours remained till my date with Mariya. A table in a posh restaurant had been reserved and taxis for both of us had been ordered, but I was still anxious.
The past week passed as if it got merged into a single day. During mornings and afternoons, we were tortured by the guest coach who appeared to be a Starry Sky pro. I even got to know him in person while still playing that game. We didn’t talk to each other much during practice sessions, though; everyone was too busy honing the skills needed for good teamwork.
He had kept his word, by the way. I was provided with a ship far below mine in all properties. If not for Researcher helping me complete it and taking control when I was in extreme danger, I doubt that I would have been able to proceed without a single loss or injury. Due to Researcher’s help, I passed with flying colors and was even on par with Mario and NumberOne, though not as dramatically far ahead of them as I had been before ship replacement.
“How?! This is my first date in five years!” I stood up and looked at the smart device displaying the current location of my taxi. “I forgot how to behave near a woman.”
Researcher kept silent, which further increased my anxiety. I regretted making that stupid dating joke. I’ll look ridiculous if I cancel now. Why am I so dumb? Why the hell did I need to do this to myself?
Mariya apparently had zero interest in me. We had only met as co-workers before, and she was always so reserved and business-like. I already found it hard to believe that this woman once stood at my threshold and cried like a child.
We’ve discussed that before, the artifact reminded me. This could be a trap. She may be tasked with spying on you.
“Oh, shut up. She would have been all over me then, throwing herself at me. So far I got slapped every time I tried to get more intimate with her. I don’t think that that’s a good way to win my trust.”
“Viktor. The taxi is here,” Home informed me, adding to my nervousness.
Darting out of the apartment building like a bullet, I got into the car and started pondering about what and how I should tell her to make this a proper date.
Chapter 40
“Hi.” I stood up from the table when she entered the restaurant. Her straw blonde hair was slightly wavy and her usual uniform was replaced by a skin-tight black dress. A little bit of brighter make-up made me barely recognize her. She looked even more beautiful than at work.
“Good evening.” She apparently felt uncomfortable and was casting glances around as if she was afraid of something. She only calmed down when we sat at the table and my back shielded her from the eyes of other diners.
“Sir? Lady? Would you like some aperitif? We have a lovely selection of wines.” The waiter in a tail-coat and white gloves approached us instantly. This place looked—and was—very expensive.
“Anything works. You decide,” Mariya nodded to him. When the waiter looked at me, I just repeated her words. Giving us the menus, he withdrew.
“I’ve gotten so used to your uniform… But you look like a real goddess in that dress,” I dared to break the silence with a compliment she seemed to appreciate.
“I rarely go to dates these days. Please forgive me if I do something wrong,” she smiled slightly in response to my awkward compliment.
The waiter brought a bottle of wine and glasses; pouring each of us half a glass, he stood behind my left shoulder with the bottle in hand. I had to tell him that we’d be able to pour our wine ourselves. We didn’t need anyone listening to our conversation.
To my surprise, she drank so fast that I barely managed to refill the glasses. Before we eve
n got a chance to taste the second half of our meal, she had already drunk too much. We barely did any talking; she just kept making more and more toasts.
“I think I’m drunk.” She put her chin on her hands, peering at me intently.
“Same.” I felt somewhat dizzy, but I kept myself together. It was nine p.m. It was time to go home.
“M-maybe we had enough for today?” she offered, still staring. “I’ve had a g-great evening. I learned so many new things about you. W-will you see me home?”
“Sure!” Catching my glance, the well-trained waiter came back in a minute with the check; a very old-fashioned one, printed on paper and enveloped in good cardboard, with Mariya’s and my names printed on the envelope.
We didn’t have to wait for the taxi; there was always one waiting by the expensive restaurant. She put her address into the navigator and the car rode off.
With her back straight, Mariya sat by my side; my head kept turning toward her perfume fragrance. I really liked that sweet smell; her bare arms and legs that were visible through the side slit of the dress and were attracting my gaze.
She suddenly closed her eyes and moved her hand toward mine, almost touching my fingers. Apprehensive of getting slapped again, I warily reached for it. She didn’t move her hand, so I took it. For a minute we just sat there, caressing each other’s fingers. She then turned to me and stared at me with desire in her eyes. Our lips met. In a moment, we were kissing lustfully, almost biting each other.
Attention! You can be fined by up to $2,000 for having sex in a taxi, a voice message instantly warned us. The dome lights blinked.
“Screw it,” she said so I forgot about the fine.
I didn’t even hear if I was actually fined, and how much. Once we reached her apartment and closed the front door behind us, the madness came over us again. We had sex in the hall twice, and only then did we continue to the bedroom.
***
Opening my eyes, I was at first confused about where I was. The strange ceiling and the hard bed filled my heart with anxiety. Turning my head and seeing her sleepy face close to mine, I recalled everything. My self-esteem soared. I raised the blanket a bit to see what I had been holding so hard yesterday and make sure that it was no dream.
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