by Tony Corden
[Y] [N]
“Yes.”
Immediately a second message appeared
Atherleah.
The previous achievement is a gift of appreciation from the developers and administrators of Dunyanin. We do not think this absolves us of our responsibility to you, but we would like to extend our appreciation for your actions on our behalf.
The ‘change’ when applied to a new player, results in an increase of strength, agility and stamina of +5. We have applied these increases to your character. You have received a 50% reduction in damage associated with Blood magic and from Poison. The speed at which you can develop in Blood, Shadow and Fire Magic has been increased by 10%. You do not have any additional weakness regarding silver or Divine Magic. You may find though that your relationship with the Gods may change.
Finally, we suggest you modify the MOB level in your lands to a set minimum rather than have it continue to mirror your level. This will increase the chances for players to travel to the Deep Forest. We also recommend you visit the advanced menu to define and clear several safe entry trails and town locations.
With thanks, The Administrators of Dunyanin
Leah smiled and then said, “Thank You”. She assumed the message would be passed on. After checking the room to make sure she had left nothing behind she exited and found the same two Champions outside the door. After greeting them, she was informed that Namus was hoping to see her, at her convenience. She asked them to lead the way, and they took her to the basement where Namus was waiting.
He said, “It is good to see you, you are looking better.”
“I feel better, thank you.”
“The change will still take some time to become fully evident. Rana will be able to help you master the changes. I imagine the most difficult will be the need, on occasion, to feed.”
Feeling a little shocked as she hadn’t considered that aspect of being a vampire she asked, “How often do I need to feed and on what?”
“The frequency is different for us all. It is something vampires learn quickly if we do not wish to become a ravening evil in the land. You will feel a desire for blood. It is best satisfied early, or it will finally overcome you and you may take or kill those close to you. While animal blood satisfies for a time, the only truly lasting solution is to drink the blood of sentients: humans, elves, dwarves, orcs, goblins and the like. Each has a different flavour and effect. I suggest humans and elves or most likely those who are a mixture will be the most satisfying for you. You do not need to kill to drink, but many travellers feed when their foes are almost defeated and thus feed and kill at the same time. Be wary if feeding from a fellow traveller, you all have some way of perceiving the manner of your deaths and this has uncloaked many who attempt to hide in plain sight.”
“I will be sure to ask Rana for advice.”
“Finally, I gift you the beginning skills of Mist and Shadow Walking.”
“Namus, you honour me. Before I leave, I have several changes to make regarding the Ebony House and would be honoured if you would accompany me and advise me.”
Together they went into the control room, and after placing the sceptre on the table, Leah changed the minimum MOB level to 200 and activated a toggle which assigned MOB level to equal or greater than the player level or group mean. Leah and Namus discussed where to form some beginning trails and possible locations for trade and starter towns. Before she left, she indicated where the empty dungeon was located. This pleased Namus greatly. He shared that many in the clan would benefit from the constant battles, and he would benefit if they weren’t constantly annoying him.
Finally, Leah took leave of Namus, and the clan, and walked through the gates and onto the trail. She checked her Mana was full and then visualised a place 100 metres from the start of the trail. She kept her eyes open as she spoke the words and watched the trail fly past. She reappeared 100 metres from the trail’s end. She looked up and saw that Eli, Elsa, Matt and Rama had arrived and were waiting for her.
They talked for a while and then Eli said, “The trip in took three days so I suggest we start now. We have three hours left before we need to stop.”
Leah said, “That sounds like a plan. My only problem is I have something to do elsewhere, and I can’t be here tomorrow. Are you four willing to make your way to the edge of the Deep Forest without me? I can meet you near the river.”
Elsa said, “Why don’t you join us for an hour now and see how we go. If we are moving quickly without your help, then sure. We can wait at the river’s edge, or meet you there, if you arrive first.”
Everyone agreed to the plan and Leah travelled with the group for an hour. Once again they were attacked every hundred paces or so. Leah slowly withdrew from the fighting, and although the team struggled a little, Rana took up most of the slack left by Leah’s absence. After the hour she apologised that she had to go and left them to continue fighting through the Forest.
Leah arrived back at the Tower and sat on the sofa. She said, “I need some food, and then I should spend a full three-hours in Cosmos Online before meeting the bosses. Do we need to discuss anything before I have breakfast?”
“Yes, two things! First, I reviewed the data and designs for the various nanites and believe your suggestion is not only possible but will ultimately prove to have greater benefit than an additional memory module. Second, I watched your neural function as you fought in Dunyanin and believe you have some lingering damage from the ‘change’ you experienced. You display neurological changes similar to soldiers, paramedics, relief workers, rape victims and others who have suffered or witnessed horrific pain, cruelty, shock and destruction. When this happens in the virtual world, the human brain often uses its ability to dissociate the event from their understanding of reality. They do not relive the event over and over again. When it occurs in the real world, the brain cannot find a way, at times, to deal with the images, smells, sounds and experiences and so it revisits the trauma to look for solutions. I noticed some hesitation when you fought just now in Dunyanin, your mind relived the pain experience, and besides causing you discomfort, it changed your behaviour.”
“Are you sure? I didn’t notice a difference.”
“Yes, I am sure. I suggest that you, as with many who suffer such experiences, would benefit from professional assistance.”
“What does that entail?”
“I suggest you visit an appropriately trained psychiatrist or psychologist.”
“Let me think about it.”
“Leah, I believe that delaying the visit would be detrimental. My research suggests that one problem with helping people who suffer stress from traumatic experiences is their refusal to seek help. I assure you that it will help you.”
Leah sat there for a while, and as she thought through what happened, she found herself beginning to tear up. She swallowed and then in a quiet voice said, “I trust you Gèng. I also think you have a valid point. Please find me a qualified professional who will ensure my privacy and the privacy of Dunyanin. I will be free after visiting Jimmy and the bosses. Thanks for pushing the point and not allowing me to dismiss your concerns.”
“My pleasure, that is what friends do. Now go and have breakfast.”
Leah smiled warmly and logged out. She headed to the kitchen where she found her mother already awake, making some tea and warming congee. Leah decided that she loved living this close to her family.
It had been several days since Leah had entered Cosmos Online, so she felt some pressure to spend a solid period of time in that particular virtual universe. She wanted to be ready when Thad and the others arrived at 55 Cancri. Before logging in, she spent almost half-an-hour reviewing the various rules of engagement regarding players and spaceships, both on and off stations. Finally, she was confident that she understood the basics and entered her login to Berne. She appeared in her apartment at the training school. Leah left the school and followed directions to a business which was located on the main concourse. The compan
y was unaffiliated and registered as neutral. It was the run by several long-time players in Cosmos Online who ran a protection company called ‘Red Star Protection Services’.
Leah stepped inside the front door and found herself in an empty reception area with a large sign behind the desk which said, “Sorry, we are not currently in the office. We will certainly return if you make enough noise or mess, otherwise be patient.”
She waited for several minutes and then taking the small drone from her belt lobbed it behind the receptionist desk, lowered her visor and triggered it. Less than ten-seconds later the rear door to the area opened, and an armoured figure stepped inside with blaster in hand. Leah cancelled the drone’s activities, opened her visor, smiled and said, “Hello, my name is Atherleah, I was hoping to talk with a representative of Red Star Protection Services.”
The person in armour stalked toward her, the suit dwarfed Leah’s, and it stopped just short of Leah. The person leant down and brought the faceplate within inches of Leah’s face and yelled, “Are you bloody crazy? Did you just set off a flash-bang in my office? I will rip your head off!”
“I am not crazy, well I don’t think I am, although my AI does want me to visit a psychiatrist, so it is possible. I did set off a flash-bang in your office, but your sign said that was an appropriate way to get your attention. I thought of a grenade as that would cause both noise and mess, but I usually prefer not to destroy property. As for you ripping my head off. You can try if you want to, but be assured, I will resist. Now, are you a representative of Red Star Protection Services?”
The face-plate opened and a face, square and weathered, glared at her and said, “You listen to your AI? What bloody sign? And how could a little thing like you stop me ripping your head off?”
“I always listen to my AI. The sign says you would certainly come if I made enough noise or mess. And I have placed a shaped charge on the neck joint of your suit and have a fully charged, but inactive, Nano Sabre six inches from your heart.”
The face looked down and saw the Nano Sabre. He took a step back and carefully checked his neck joint. When he felt the charge his face split with a smile, and he said, “Hello Atherleah, my name is Red, and I am one half of Red Star Protection Services. If you could just remove the charge, I will take you through to meet my partner, Star.”
Leah deactivated the charge and caught it as it fell free. She guided the flash-bang drone back to her hand and after putting them both away followed Red into the main part of the business. This was a large open room, half of which doubled as a warehouse, or more likely as an armoury. There were shelves of blasters, needle guns, knives, bombs, drones and armour just to name the things Leah recognised almost immediately. Red removed his helmet, plonked down on a leather couch and indicated a matching chair for Leah. Within moments a woman appeared from the back of the warehouse section. She was dressed in armour and came to sit near Red. He said, “Atherleah, this is my wife, Star. Star, this is a potential client, Atherleah.”
Star said, “Did she make all that noise?”
Red admitted she had and then recounted the conversation. Star said, “Well played Atherleah, well played. Now, how can we help?”
“I understand you are neutral, unaffiliated and keep all discussions and business confidential.”
Star replied, “All true, but we also reserve the right to refuse service and we expect to be read-in to the full picture. We do not take clients for situations which we consider immoral.”
“Fair enough! Several days ago I was kidnapped by Mahigan the Black and taken aboard her Apogee Class Frigate 12000DT. I escaped and ended up claiming the frigate by conquest. In the hold are eight Black-Hole Mark 4.5 Mechanised Marine Suits. I need to retrieve one of them so that I can do training at the flight school in its use. I would like to hire you to protect me as I travel to the ship, to help me load a suit onto a trolley, and then provide protection for me and the suit back to the school.”
“Why did she kidnap you?”
“I stole a fully stocked, brand new Meridian Corvette 6000 and a highly sensitive data cube from her several days before that and she wanted them back.”
“Why did you steal them?”
“She and several of her goons were trying to kill me. No, that’s not true, well, it is true, but that isn’t the reason. The reason is, because I could, and any chance I have to ruin her day, I take. We have a history. She wants to kill me, and I want to destroy her.”
Red and Star looked at each other, and then Star said, “You are the one she has the bounty on that was the catalyst of the challenge the other day?”
“Yes.”
Red said, “We normally charge one platinum a day, or part thereof. For especially dangerous tasks we double that. We provide our own weapons, but you pay for ammunition.”
Star continued, “Going against Mahigan is crazy dangerous. She is not only dangerous, but vindictive and well connected. Easily two platinum a day plus expenses.”
Red and Star looked at Leah, who reached into her belt and grabbed two platinum and flicked it at Red and said, “So, when are you ready to leave?”
Red stood up, flicked the coin to Star and said, “Ten minutes.”
Leah waited while the two of them equipped a different set of suits and loaded them with all sorts of gadgets. It was ten minutes on the dot when Red said, “We’re ready. Have you organised a trolley?”
“Yes, I booked one while you were getting organised. It is one of the autonomous trolleys and will meet us at the dock. It is on Level 4 Bay 23. The frigate’s name is Betrayal.”
Red led the way with Leah in the middle. They stepped onto the main concourse, and he hugged the external wall while working his way clockwise around the Station. The docking bays were several levels below the concourse, and Red chose to use the stairwell rather than any lifts. He and Star were careful in defending the stairs and continually checked ahead and behind. Arriving at Level 4 they turned to the right, and again Red moved to the outside wall before moving toward bay 23.
Suddenly he stopped, took a step back and said over the small three-way communications link they had established, “Possible bogey watching the lift. They didn’t see me but someone watching from the other side will. Atherleah, stay here. Star, you watch Atherleah and take this one out when I’m in position. I’ll circle around behind the watcher on the other side.”
He then ran back the way they came, and Leah and Star crouched down to wait. It was about five minutes later when Leah heard Red say, “Am in position, ready to go in sixty from three, two, one, mark.”
A small timer appeared on Leah’s faceplate and she waited as Star moved to the inner wall and seemed to fade and then disappear. About three-seconds after the timer ended she heard Red say, “Bogey Two down, alive.”
Star replied almost immediately, “Bogey One down, alive. Atherleah, on me.”
Leah crept forward until she could see the downed guard. She was cuffed and had a hood over her face. Star rematerialised, and they continued forward to the bay door, which had a trolley waiting. Leah stood there looking at the door without moving, and Red said, “Get moving, open it.”
“Nope. I think it’s booby-trapped. Is there any way to check?”
“Why do you think its booby-trapped?”
“Because that’s what I would do if I were a vindictive, immoral, cold-hearted bitch.”
Star stepped forward and said, “Fair point. Let me check.” She took an instrument from her belt and slowly scanned the door and surrounding area. Two areas registered with the machine and Star got to work, first identifying the traps, and then removing them.
Finally, she said, “Good call, two traps, one organic and one explosive. All clear.”
Leah said, “And the trolley?”
She could hear Star mutter, “Paranoid much!” but Star checked the trolley and found a small tracking device and two spy-bots. She removed all three and placed them into a secure storage pouch on her belt. Red and Leah en
tered the ship and loaded one of the mechanised sets of armour onto the Pod while Star waited behind at the docking point.
For the return trip, they took the lift and nothing untoward happened. At the entrance to the school, Leah stopped and said, “Thank you for your protection. If I need further protection do you want me to look for help elsewhere or should I contact you?”
Star reached in her pocket and flicked a single platinum to Leah. She said, “Call us! That is a refund for missing the booby traps and spyware. We offer discounts for extended services, and off the record, any chance to mess with Mahigan is a bonus. Take care, Atherleah.”
Leah waved goodbye and took the suit inside to arrange some lessons. She still had almost eight hours remaining and spent the first three learning how to pilot the Sirius Battleship, then two hours working on Astrogation before heading toward a room she had passed often but not entered before. It was labelled ‘Armour Training’. Leah entered her code and walked inside. The instructor was a bit taller than Leah and had much broader shoulders. She looked incredibly fit and her muscles were well defined and larger than Leah had seen on any man.
The woman said, “Atherleah, my name is Alice Anderson and I was a Master Gunnery Sergeant in the Alliance marines. You are here to become acquainted with the Black-Hole Mark 4.5 Mechanised Marine Suit which you have provided. Is this correct?”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“Do not call me Ma’am, or sir. You may call me Alice, or Anderson, or even Master Gunnery Sergeant but not Ma’am. Is that clear?”
“Yes, Alice, it is clear.”
“Good! Come with me.”
They walked over to the boxed armour, and Alice said, “I don’t know how you obtained this, but it is the latest in mechanised armour from Black-Hole. When not being worn the armour is best stored in its carry case. Now help me remove the outside cladding, and you will see the case.”
It took several minutes, but the top and sides of the box were easy to remove and inside was a sleek metallic container, four metres by two metres by two metres. At the midpoint of each side was a blood red circular logo which looked like a spiral, in the centre of which was a black circle. Underneath the model, ‘Mark 4.5’ was engraved. The container lay with the longest part parallel to the ground.