Trojan: An Epic LitRPG Adventure (Afterlife Online Book 3)

by Domino Finn

  "All of you have had your minds mapped. We haven't experienced a single failure case. These brain copies have run through Haven completely independent of your real minds. The test batteries have proven our methods viable. Brain data is lossless. Haven can finally guarantee a neural interface floor of 82%."

  Pete cleared his throat. "Dumb question, but shouldn't we wait until we're closer to 100%?"

  "It's not necessary." The team traded hesitant glances. The CEO sighed. "Each brain image is fully formed. It's essentially a black box of code that simulates all of a person's thought processes. Even if Haven can't keep up yet, the mind profile is unaffected. As Haven improves, so will neural connectivity."

  Larry sucked his lips. "But isn't deferring to caution the ethical choice? We can delay the rollout—"

  Christian held a single hand in the air and the room went dead. "Listen up, everybody. I've already notified the investors. Like it or not, we've hit Alpha. We need outside participants to move forward with the trials. And most of all, I need you."

  Christian shut off the projector and sat in his chair with a casual lean. It was distasteful to hand down proclamations from on high. He wanted to be one of the people.

  "We're all aware of the complexities involved with so much data present. More storage space, more processing time, more bandwidth—these factors only add to the task. The real crux comes at the intersections of thought."

  The CEO swiped through his tablet hunting for the right charts to reassure the team. After a moment and a soft sigh, he clicked the display off and slid it aside. The TED Talk could be saved for the board. For his inner circle, Christian spoke as plainly and as earnestly as he could.

  "Haven isn't a normal system. It's well beyond the point of being analyzed from the outside. The only way to take meaning from the simulation is to live within it. That's why we've worked to implement in-game checks and controls. You are my community team." Christian chuckled. "My saints, as it were. That's why your roles are so vital right now. I can't proceed without you fully on board."

  Blank faces studied the slick tabletop. Pete, the community manager, spoke without reservation. "I'll help to the best of my ability." He turned to his team. "This is what we were trained for. Focus testing indicates our guidance means everything in a player's first moments."

  Christian smiled. Saint Peter would be the spearhead of his new world. With his support, and short discussion later, no one had reservations about the advanced timetable. The CEO stood and opened the boardroom door.

  "Take the rest of the week off. Come back Monday, fully recharged and ready to welcome in a new player population."

  Larry avoided eye contact on his way out. He was clearly upset by the meeting's outcome, but they were nervous jitters. The time off would do him good.

  After everyone was dismissed and Christian was once again alone, he made his way to the dark room where the magic happened. A small stack of servers chugged along the wall. They weren't the entirety of Haven but merely an interface. An entry point. The aged solid state drive that had bookended his shelf for years now had a lead plug into the sim. Christian smiled as he checked multiple log screens. The data transfer was almost complete.

  A tear welled in the CEO's eye. This day was a long time coming.

  Christian leaned over the command console and sent a quick message.

  >>Input>> It's finally time.

  After a minute, he was surprised by a response, which had been all too rare of late.

  >>Output>> I'm scared.

  In that moment, he could barely keep from breaking into a full sob. Here was a man, master of his emotions, king of his domain, but with a gaping weak spot for a bunch of ones and zeroes.

  >>Input>> To tell you the truth, I'm absolutely horrified.

  He smiled at the sad irony, strapped himself into the bed, and fitted the EXSIL over his head.

  1330 Two Crude Dudes

  Kyle, Grug, and I emerged from the north river tunnel into Stronghold. As the warm sunlight washed over my face, I couldn't help but smile. We'd made impressive time, with an hour at least till sunset. It felt good to be home.

  I opened the faction menu and sent a message.

  Black Hat Broadcast:

  The mission was a success. Potential allies are in town. Let's treat the Brothers in Black with respect. If you have any guild business for me, see me in the morning if it can wait.

  I relaxed in the skiff, despite continually checking the depths below for glittering undine scales. I was probably just paranoid and seeing things. Exactly why I wanted to take the night off.

  Of course, fate doesn't always agree with recreational aspirations.

  "Ho there!" cried a gangster standing on the riverbank. He and a cohort on the opposite bank lifted a chain from the water and hooked it to the ground, barring our passage. The skiff bumped gently against the wall.

  "What's the meaning of this?" I demanded.

  "Oi!" called the gangster. "It's that Talon feller."

  "Marbles," said the other. "I'd better check with the big guy." He trounced away.

  "Hey!" I called, but they ignored me. I drew my dragonspear and spoke to the remaining criminal. "You have exactly zero seconds to get this chain out of my way before I break it."

  The scruffy man arched an eyebrow. "That's triple-gauge steel, sir. Ain't no way you kin break it."

  I lifted my legendary weapon high.

  "Wait!" called a man. "Wait!" Nooner, the deposed gangster boss, rushed over with the other man. "Whatcha doin' here, Talon?"

  I cleared my throat and eyed them with a dubious expression. "I really should be asking you that question."

  "This? Why, it's a simple transactional parlez vous."

  I paused and scrunched my brow.

  "I'm taxin' the river, dammit."

  "You can't—"

  "Course I can. That dirty Chadwick took Hillside and the roads, so I'm takin' the slums and the river. Simple as that."

  I flashed a stern frown. "You don't have the authority to do that, Nooner."

  "Why not? Yer buyin' up Oldtown."

  "Key word being buying. I'm filling the city coffers for land that nobody's using."

  He shrugged. "Well, they ain't sellin' the river."

  "Exactly my point."

  He pouted and struggled with a comeback.

  "Listen, Nooner, we're on important business. Defense of the realm and all that. We don't have time for this."

  I triggered deadshot and swiped the dragonspear at one of the chain's links. Orange sparks leapt into the water and the spear wobbled, only the chain held.

  "Hey, now!" exclaimed Nooner. "There's no need fer that. Didn't my boys tell ya this is triple-gauge steel?"

  I gritted my teeth.

  "I'm on it," said Kyle, digging into his inventory for a vial of black corrosive.

  A double-wide luxury cutter paddled behind us. Papa Brugo's booming voice rang out, half-annoyed and half-amused. "Problems with local governance, Protector of Stronghold?"

  Nooner stiffened. "Papa Brugo!" His eyes ran over the black-clad assassins paddling the vessel. Hadrian, the advisor. Two skimpily-dressed serving women. "The Brothers in Black! What are you doin' here?"

  Brugo's cheek scar sagged in disappointment at having to answer even a single question. "I'm here to enjoy my inaugural visit to the core city." He rubbed his belly and stretched his shoulders. "It would be a shame if something gets in the way of my enjoyment."

  The gangsters watched the infamous crime boss with wide eyes. "Unhook the chain," snapped Nooner. "Really, boys, it ain't becomin' to be blocking off royalty like this. My apologies, Papa Brugo. 'Twon't happen again." Nooner completed his speech with a full bow at the waist.

  I rolled my eyes. Kyle shrugged and stuffed the alchemical vial back in his sack as the gangsters unhooked the chain and lowered it below the river surface. Passage was no longer barred.

  "You git a pass too, Talon. But next time, don't embarrass yerself. That's t
riple-gauge steel."

  "I don't care what gauge it is!" I snapped.

  Grug and Kyle took up paddles and we started on our way again. I simmered in jealousy. How did Brugo command more respect in this town than I did? Not only that, he had a whole entourage and luxury cutter. I reminded myself that his position of power had grown organically over the course of months.

  Brugo's vessel was larger and had six men paddling. As they began to overtake us, he chuckled and leaned over. "Don't take it personally, Protector. I grew up surrounded by men like that. I cultivated my entire reputation on handling them and their problems."

  I scowled. "Nooner's not big enough to be a problem."

  "Perhaps not yet, but some day. Trust me when I say this. Men like that one, they need agency. Trying to keep him down will only hold you back. Instead, you give him leeway. Enough to keep him on a leash." The crime lord's face darkened. "And if you so wish it, enough to hang him with."

  There was the ruthless gang boss I'd come to expect. When the Papa said he would let a man hang himself, he wasn't speaking metaphorically. It was just a day ago that he'd dangled the boggart witches from the town center. This was the man I was making an alliance with. On the other hand, it proved I was ready to make tough decisions when I needed to.

  "What will you do?" I asked him.

  The big man shrugged. "Let us not talk of business tonight. I am weary from sailing. I wish to see your famous city. Take in the sights." I traded a glance with Hadrian, mine cautious and his reassuring.

  "I'm holding a grand opening for my pub tomorrow night. Why don't we throw a big party and formalize our business then?"

  Hadrian smiled. "A great idea, Papa. Oldtown is—"

  "A pub?" spat the crime boss. "That's hardly fitting for a meeting of such import." The brash man scanned the city skyline and immediately found the towering columns to the south. "Ah, the famed Arena of Stronghold. That is where we shall meet."

  Hadrian frowned. "But that is a place of battle. Shouldn't we confer with the Black Hats in their territory?"

  "The decision is made," said Brugo. "The Black Hats and the Brothers will meet on neutral ground. We'll put on a grand assemblage before the people."

  I nodded. "I like that idea. I'll let Saint Peter know—"

  "No saints," he interrupted. "I hear whispers that you run this city now. The saints are more than just treasonous slimes; they're outdated fossils. They have no business determining the future of Haven."

  I tightened my lips and pondered his words. I'd already seen proof of Saint Peter handing various responsibilities to me. Brugo had the wrong idea about the saints in general, but given Loras and his betrayal, it would be impossible to convince him otherwise.

  I nodded. "No saints, then. If you need lodging, there are some nice villas in the Pleasure Gardens. And your men have a place in my inn."

  "Kind of you to offer, but it would be wiser to avoid an international incident the night before our summit. My men and I will sleep on the boat outside town."

  It was obvious Hadrian wanted to object, but Papa Brugo was in a proclaiming kind of mood at the moment. The advisor nodded as they paddled off. The luxury vessel overtook us as we sailed past the slums.

  Both boats had to squeeze around the flat barge Errol had built. At the moment it was docked at the southern end of the Forum. The Arena towered on the opposite riverbank. Further upriver were the smaller bridges connecting the Foot and Hillside to the major marketplaces. That was as far as the barge could go.

  Brugo's cutter docked on the far side to scout the Arena. Grug sailed us along Front Street and dropped us off at the last bridge. The pirate paddled back to the frigate and Kyle and I marched to the west gate.

  "It's kind of crazy to be involved in all these politics," said the brewmaster as we walked. "I usually play games where clans are just for fighting. It's simpler that way."

  "Tell me about it." We hiked down the thoroughfare to the gate. I recalled going down the same path with Kyle the first day I spawned in Haven. This was the main way out of the city, so it was a common enough walk, but something about Kyle and I being alone and the wonder of bigger things to come made me think of old times.

  "Look what the saints dragged in," announced Chadwick as he and a small band of gangsters filled the street.

  Ugh, so much for nostalgia. "I was just thinking about you, Chadwick."

  "Is that right?" returned his weaselly voice. "I—" He paused and Kyle and I weaved around him and continued marching to the gate. After a quick flash of anger, he hurried to keep pace. "I'm here to give you fair warning as to our business arrangement. We agreed on three days of hauling your lumber and supplies tax-free. Today's day three, hence tomorrow we'll be collecting payment."

  I chuckled at the upstart's audacity. Nooner was just as greedy and disrespectful, but he'd apparently been the boss for a while. Ensnaring the Black Hats didn't really top his list of criminal enterprises. Chadwick was much more ambitious. After conning the empire away from his old boss and partner, he was aiming as high as he could.

  The gangster sneered at my bemusement. "Let's be straight with each other, Talon. I'm not gonna take you on."

  "Damn right."

  Kyle flipped the crossbow in his grip. "I'm accepting challengers."

  Chadwick reddened. "I don't want to fight you either, brewmaster." He took a breath and feigned a smile. "We're businessmen, one and all. But I can't say the same for everyone in my employ. And when they don't get paid, they get... a little rowdy. They wouldn't be so unreasonable as to attack you directly, but I can't afford the same guarantees to the lower-level members of your faction. Your supply chain and builders would be... compromised."

  I snorted. "Really?"

  His face hardened. "Yes. Where are you going?" Chadwick tried to stand in my path again but I shouldered through him. Up ahead, a centurion atop the west gate sounded a horn. A small garrison of city watchmen scrambled into position. Chadwick ground his teeth. "I hope you don't plan on the city watch fighting all your battles, Talon."

  "Who said anything about fight? We're talking business, aren't we?" I flagged the olive tunics before they could shut the gate. "It's okay," I told them. "Let them in."

  "But they're pagans!" protested the guard.

  "If they were pagans, the Eye of Orik wouldn't allow them in the city. They all abandoned the faction."

  The city watchmen stood with weapons ready as Izzy led a group of goblins and ogres through the gate. Baz nodded cheerfully as he stomped by. Jixa paused beside me, eyes wide at the impressive sights. Shorehome didn't have anywhere near the infrastructure of Stronghold.

  "I'm glad you showed up, Chadwick," I said as we watched the group march past. "It gives me a chance to tell you you're fired."

  The gangster stiffened, eyes still on the monstrous beasts.

  "The Black Hats hire our own labor from here on out. We'll run our own supply lines. Feel free to run your oxen business without me."

  His jaw sagged. "But you're the biggest game in town."

  "That's right, and Baz and his crew are the biggest workers in town. It just makes good sense. I'm sure you'll understand. After all, it's just business."

  We turned the procession south into Oldtown. The gangsters held back and stood listless. Chadwick needed to regroup after the turn of events, which would keep him out of my hair for a while.

  "Hey, Jixa," said Kyle, leaning down and speaking to her slowly. "Are you the boss?"

  She gave him a judgmental side-eye. "I no stupid, big man. I no deaf either. Speaks normal if you don't likes being slapped."

  Kyle turned to me and lowered his voice. "I'd like to see that." Jixa readied an open palm but Kyle threw his arms up in surrender. "Just joking, just joking." He laughed. "You'll fit right in, I think. Why don't I introduce you and the crew to Buildmaster Trafford?"

  She nodded. "Is good." They veered into the ruins.

  "Everything okay?" prodded Izzy.

  I smiled
and took her offered hand. "There's a bunch of stuff to figure out, but I think we're doing okay."

  She kissed me. "I'm glad you're less worried about inviting an army into our city than I am. Remember what happened last time that happened."

  "The Brothers in Black are hardly an army. But you're absolutely right that we need to keep an eye on them. Brugo and his men are sleeping outside Stronghold tonight. We're holding a big summit in the Arena at noon tomorrow. I'll talk to Gladius and make sure the city watch is on top of security."

  "But not too on top," she hedged. "We don't want to insult the good Papa."

  "We wouldn't want that."

  "Okay, then. I'm gonna check in with Lash and Crux. See if there's any word on Hex."

  My face darkened as I nodded her off. We both knew there wouldn't be word, but it was a good move to check on them anyway. I wondered if Lash was still avoiding me after our blowout.

  Forcing my mind off things, I opened the headquarters menu and checked progress on the vault.

  Construction:

  Vault 89%

  Everything was going as planned. Construction would be finished sometime overnight, rendering the vault operational in the morning. That would be a celebratory precursor to the summit and then the grand opening of the guildhall pub. If that didn't make for a big day, I didn't know what did.

  Alone now, I wandered back to Dragonperch. Bandit greeted me inside. I gave her some rubs. Artax was there too, a little homesick perhaps. I was glad they weren't alone and fed them some treats. As the sun was setting and I was once again in a city connected to the central hub, I made my way to the privacy of my room for the last task of the day.

  Papa Brugo and his band of rogues had only been half the reason for the voyage to Shorehome. The little chat with Lucifer was just as important. It seemed external factors had a much larger potential to affect Haven than I'd presumed. I needed to understand more about the outside world, and since I was living life in digital reality, there was only one real way to do that.