The Russian Minister of Defense’s office
“Comrade General, I’ve invited Major Ivleva, the suspect’s supervisor, to take part in this discussion.” A balding colonel nodded toward the secretary office.
“We’re under a lot of pressure, Viktor Petrovich. I must know for sure if I am to report to the Security Council: Is it him or not?”
“Major Ivleva is not sure. There’s no evidence that the suspect has any super knowledge or superpowers.”
“Call her in. The matter is too serious for us to turn in the wrong one.”
Two minutes later, the secretary led a young woman, whose slender body was accentuated by the uniform jacket and skirt, into the Minister’s office.
“Sit down, Mariya.” The general nodded at the chair next to the one in which her senior was seated. “I know what you’ve done for this mission. But I must repeat myself—we can’t make a mistake by turning in the wrong man. All our researchers say that it has to be him. What he’s doing at the tournament can’t be done by any ordinary man unless they’re using dope. Although our partners have told us very little about what the missing artifact can do, all that we see now fits their vague descriptions. But I’ve heard that you still have doubts. Why?”
Bowing her head slightly, the woman thought it over for a bit before answering. “I’ve been living with the suspect for several weeks now. During all that time, there has been not a single occasion when he showed any superior ability. I have his psychological profile—he’s a typical pro gamer; good at what he does, but socially awkward. All information on him that I’ve found fits perfectly into this image of a typical game geek who’s only good at piloting his virtual ship, but who’s just an ordinary, or even below that, man in real life.
I’ve tried to provoke him into doing or saying something that would reveal what he’s been hiding, but it was all in vain. Even after sex, when one usually opens up to their partner, I couldn’t get him to do that. That means that he’s either an ordinary, innocent man; or a brilliant spy. I don’t think that the latter can be the case.
Another reason why I have doubts is his ascetic lifestyle. He spends enough to cover his basic needs, and only using the money he makes in the game. I’m trying to put myself in the shoes of a man who’s got unlimited power, and I ask myself: Would I be able to keep doing nothing when I could do anything? If it was him hacking into all of those databases, he would probably have made some use of it. To sum it up: I think that he’s just an ordinary man. Perhaps a bit better at gaming than most people are.”
The general frowned. The major’s words made sense, but the pressure imposed on him by other government members outweighed any doubts held by a single participant of the undercover operation. Even if the participant in question was the core of the operation.
“I see what you’re trying to say, major. But your words are currently the only thing supporting his innocence. I need him arrested immediately after the tournament. On one hand, I’m under a lot of pressure to solve this problem as fast as possible. On the other, the money bags are coming to every meeting to point out the game’s crazy ratings and its substantial contribution to our GDP. They’re forcing us all, including me, into making difficult decisions that are necessary to sustain the cash flow into the state budget.”
“What about another check if time permits?” the colonel suggested. “Let’s remove him from the 3vs3 contest and see how he reacts to that. With a high degree of probability, our pilots will still win the competition without him, and his behavior will give us more information. I don’t think that we’ll ever be forgiven if we turn in the wrong man.”
“There’s always some risk, Viktor Petrovich.” The general shook his head. “But what you say makes sense. Some important people will surely be displeased by us removing their golden goose from the tournament. Are you ready to try that, major? The success of this mission will strongly depend on what you do. He trusts you. The messages you send will be of crucial importance for him and, eventually, for all of us.”
“Comrade General. Prior to this meeting, I wanted to ask you about ending my mission. Now I see that that’s not an option, so I’m ready to do anything to in order to complete it as fast as possible. Although, as I’ve said before, I don’t think that the suspect is the bearer.”
“I appreciate your understanding, Mariya. I see the advance given to you has not been wasted. Few people have been promoted to major at your age.”
“I know that, Comrade General.”
“Then you may go.”
Hearing that, the colonel and his subordinate stood up and went to the door. Waiting for them to leave, the general picked up the old-fashioned, unlabeled phone. Hearing a voice on the line, he said just one short sentence before hanging up: “The parcel will be ready for pick-up in five days.”
Chapter 43
Moscow, Pilot contest commentator studio
Beginning of the 3vs3 battles
“Are you disappointed, Nikolai? Was that the outcome of individual battles you’ve expected at the start of the tournament?”
“No, I’m really not. I feel understanding and satisfaction from watching each individual battle. Our pilots should now prepare for their biggest challenge—meeting the tournament’s undisputable favorite who’s heading toward the victory like a steam roller, crushing everything in his way.”
“Yes. When interviewing those who’ve made it into the final, all of the reporters seemed focused on one question: How are you ever going to overcome this monster?”
“Totally. I’ve asked our Drones the same thing. They just made helpless gestures and admitted that no one could beat L0St in individual battles this year. They actually predicted his victory! But when the 3vs3 and 5vs5 rounds were mentioned, they smiled and said that they have a surprise for him. I agree with them. It’s quite possible for three, not to mention five, ships to put up a strong defense against a single sniper.”
“But don’t forget, Oleg, he’ll not be alone. He’ll be in a team of other top-class pilots who, as our audience probably remembers, have kept many pros from other games away from the finals.”
“I know, Nikolai. The world has only learned the names of Mario and NumberOne recently but, if it weren’t for Viktor, one of these two would have probably won the tournament. They haven’t scored third and second by accident.”
“I believe that no one will object when I say that their piloting skills are just fantastic.”
“By the way, Nikolai, how much have you won in the round between Viktor and Masha? I’ve heard that the bookies expected him to blow up her ship to pieces and deviate from his usual strategy.”
“Yes, there were such bets. It’s pretty obvious what’s going on between them. It’s no secret that Masha demonstratively made it official with Stepan on the first day of the tournament. Before, they’d just occasionally eat out together, getting spotted by no one but few other diners. It’s not exactly clear why she did that, but it caused a backlash. If you look at the viewer comments on the battle video, there’re a lot of negative comments about her, and the most often used word is ‘slut’. I beg your pardon for using it here, but that’s just how things are. So, I bet on L0St proving himself a real pro and putting his personal sentiments aside. And I was right. I won!”
“Yes, that battle ended just like any other. He gave her no chance. She made an abrupt maneuver right from the start, but she was greeted by a ten-pound shell shot from his railgun.”
On the screen behind the commentators, the 3vs3 contest splash screen appeared and they turned to it. “Finally, the competition kicks off! Let’s have a look at the team composition. I wonder who’ll face L0St from those who’ve already fought him.”
“Ummm, Oleg…” The other commentator peered at his half of the table showing the lists, his face utterly confused. “No L0St on the Galaxy team.”
“No L0St? How’s that possible?” his colleague screamed, scrolling down the list on his half of the screen table.
“We must reach out to them now and find out what has happened. Why has everyone’s favorite been excluded from this part of competition? Let’s check if his nickname is still on the list for the most awaited part, the 5vs5 battles.”
“It is. He’s listed among the pilots so far.” The anchor gestured to lift the participant list from his screen table and put it on the large screen behind his back for the audience to see. “But why did they make this decision? I can already hear the fans raging, and see the angry comments about battles not involving him.”
“Yeah, that’s really weird. We must get the devs to comment on that,” his colleague agreed. “And now, since the teams are coming to the stadium arena, let’s welcome them! The first team I’d like to introduce is Drones, my favorites. In 3vs3, they’ll be represented by…”
***
“But why? Why the hell?!” I raged, sitting at my place by the video wall. “What if they lose without me?!”
“Dear,” Mariya affectionately put her palm on my knee. “That would serve them right for excluding you.”
“But I’ve proved that I’m the best!” I nodded at the prize cup standing on the cabinet and the giant, 4.5 by 6 feet, ten-million-dollar check resting against the wall. “Why did they exclude me?”
“Maybe you should go there and try to do something about it?” she smiled and nodded at the video wall.
“Masha,” I turned to her. “They’re your employers, too! Can you find out the why they did it?”
She shook her head. “I’m just a tester supervisor. I know nothing as much as you.”
“Do you think I should make a scene and demand that they include me in the team?” The first victory in the tournament made my head spin with excitement. I wanted to win the other two cups, too. This sudden replacement was just dumbfounding.
“I think you’d better not let them get away with it.” Reaching up to my lips, she kissed me. “I believe in you. Go for it.”
“Thank you! You’re the best!” Encouraged by her words, I rushed to get dressed and sort the matter out.
I can edit the lists, Researcher suddenly said. He usually remained silent in Mariya’s presence, and never and never shifted my attention away from her. I could introduce another replacement. Most fans will side with you. They won’t dare change “their” decision again.
I’ll think it over if I fail to sort it out myself. I smirked. They don’t yet know with whom they’re messing with.
***
Same day, evening
Entering the apartment, I hurled my winter cap at the rack but missed. The cap fell to the floor. Being too tired to lift it, I just sank removed my shoes.
“Dear?” Mariya came from the kitchen hand and apron white with flour. Over the past week, she’d often spoil me with home-made meals and desserts, making me love her even more.
“They wouldn’t even listen,” I shrugged. “They just promised to list me for the next contest.”
She came up and sat by my feet. Embracing my legs, she softly asked, “Can nothing be done? Nothing at all?”
I closed my eyes and thought it over. What if I finally tell her? About the Forerunner artifact in my head that keeps helping me win? I’d try to do that every evening, but I’d stop myself every time since I’d be in a bad mood, or because I lacked courage, or because Researcher would intervene—just like he was doing now.
Viktor, what’s the point letting her know? I could have put you on the team. But you refused.
My victories are already attracting too much attention. I’ve asked you to do at least two or three shots! And if you change the list they’ll surly suspect me.
You or one of your fans. What does it matter? They won’t be able to prove anything.
They won’t. But let’s not risk it. You think that I shouldn’t tell her?
As you’ve just said: “let’s not risk it”.
“Dunno, Masha. What can we do? I’ve knocked on all doors today and asked everyone, but nothing helped.”
She looked up at me, her eyes shining with love and affection. “You know so much about computer networks. Maybe you could fix the lists?”
“I don’t know that much. And that’s illegal, anyway. Let’s not talk about that, please.”
She agreed and stood up. “I’m making an apple pie for you. Wash your hands and come to the kitchen.”
“Thank you, baby.” I pulled her warm body closer and kissed her soft, delicious lips. “Your support means really much. All that fighting… You’re the only thing keeping me afloat, Masha.”
“What about your ex?” she calmly asked. That was one of the things I loved about her the most: she’d never get angry when I’d occasionally mention my ex.
“She still unable to forgive me that defeated her like I did all of the rest. She’s writing such awful things about me on her social media pages.” I winced at recalling our recent encounter. Surrounded by fans and reporters, I was walking to the hall to be interviewed as the tournament winner. Standing on the way was Masha who wasn’t even on the top three list and who was apparently displeased by getting all of the attention. When one of the journalists spotted her and rushed to ask her a couple of questions about our relationship, she got really mad and told him gross things about me that I even felt ashamed of her saying that for all the world to hear.
“Yes, she’s a bitch.” Masha shook her head and kissed me back; then again, and again, until we were far into it to stop.
“What about the pie?” I said. Her caressing arms had smeared the flour all over me.
“It can wait,” she said firmly, leading me to the bedroom.
I’m the happiest man on Earth, I thought, smiling broadly, and followed her.
Chapter 44
“Dear audience, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the final round! First of all, I’d like to thank you for electing Oleg and I to comment on this truly grand event. We never would have made it without your support and outcompeted all those TV and YouTube stars who wanted to anchor this round. We’re here thanks to you! Yes, Oleg?”
“I absolutely agree, Nikolai. Our audience’s support is priceless.”
“We’ve all come a long way; learned many new names and remembered old ones. How do you feel about this tournament, man? What would you like to share with everyone?”
“A good question. I have no response ready at hand, but one thing I can say for sure—Galaxy is definitely a breakthrough in technology and game design. It’s a two-in-one. No other game in the world has that many new features and advancements. Just remember how flexibly it was changed during the tournament. Remember that urgent patch issued by the developers overnight to remove the asteroid storm that suddenly disrupted the playfield?”
“And what about players? Who was the best? Who surprised you the most? Who made your palms the sweatiest?”
“The brightest star of this tournament needs no introduction. His name is never off the TV channels and video ads. I don’t think that there’s anyone who hasn’t heard it yet—Viktor Maximov, ака L0St, the former fifth for Drones from Starry Sky, now the fifth for Galaxy, the strongest team of this tournament. Four of its members are already being honored as ‘Best Pilots’. Only one is short of tasting this sweet fruit but, from how we’ve seen him do in the team and individual rounds, he’s already close at hand. Today is the Grand Final, with the two splendid teams I’ve already named coming together to fight for the championship and thirty million dollars!”
“Don’t you think that this is all rather symbolic—teams that used to have the same man on board fighting in the final round?”
“What can I say to that, Nikolai? L0St is a strong player. It’s not surprising that he’s wanted by top teams. But still, we’ve seen one good response to his tactic: the FTM’s third covered his teammates brilliantly with his shields, reducing the sniper
’s role in the semi-final to the minimum. L0St didn’t contribute much to that battle; its outcome was decided by his teammates.”
“Yes, that was unforgettable. Their rivals had the time and think of such a smart response to his ship build. If he were the only top-class pilot in his team, they probably wouldn’t have made it far into the team rounds. But Mario, Tor, Joker, and NumberOne are all excellent pilots as well, who never pass on an opportunity to strike when they see a gap in the enemy’s defense. More than once we saw these guys turn the game around when they seemed to be on the verge of defeat. The 3vs3 rounds showed what they can really do.”
“And now they are being joined by Viktor and his matchless shooting tactic.”
“Yes. All rival team attempts to expose him as cheater only attracted more fans. His fan army is now so great that they’ll rip to pieces anyone trying to slander their idol.”
“But we must not forget, Nikolai—the crowd’s love is as passing as the wind. Today you’re on top of the world, and tomorrow no one remembers your name.”
“That’s beyond doubt, Oleg. We’ve seen that happen many times before.”
“Well. There are some five minutes before the teams start to come out and get into their capsules and we start holding our breath as we watch them fight. I’m sure that this round will exceed all expectations.”
“While waiting, let’s see some ads.” The other anchor gestured at the clock behind his back, counting down the minutes remaining time till the Grand Final.
***
“Here we are again. I’ll put the countdown on the screens.”
“And I’ll show the player capsules for you to see how much attention to detail has been put in them by the organizers. Each capsule is custom made for the player using it and reflects his or her role in the team. These capsules are real works of art!”
“Yes, the attention to detail in this tournament deserves praise. Just look at our water bottles placed in fashionable metal holders,” one of the anchors showed to the camera what he was talking about. “A minor detail? Yes. But all these minor details come together to form the amazing show we’ve been enjoying this entire time.”
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