Otherlife Dreams: The Selfless Hero Trilogy

by William D. Arand

On their entry into the outskirts of the area there had been a dramatic rise in the number of players. Many of those they passed undoubtedly had little to no experience with video games. Their motions were hesitant, exploration limited, and their gaming sense as a whole was minimal. A handful approached to either to inspect the curious party and their wagon, or to ask questions about what lay outside of the city.

  Katarina had placed herself at the foot of the drivers box after one man decided Thana could be purchased and wouldn’t take no for an answer. It wasn’t until Katarina drew her weapon that “No” was accepted as the final response.

  Runner really wasn’t surprised of course. From the memories he had on the subject the entire unit was new, from the very ground up it had been formed from nothing. They’d cobbled together veterans from other postings, green recruits, and those freshly minted guilty convicts from their gloriously modern judicial system. Unfortunately the majority was comprised of the latter two of those elements.

  Greenies joining on promises of anything and everything, to recruits and those sent by a judge with no say so on the matter. Little did anyone care what happened to those who had to serve with them. After the collapse of the global government a century ago, and it’s reformation into the Sovereignty, the world government became a stratocracy. Military recruiting policies changed over night and the ranks swelled.

  It had been late afternoon by the time their wagon rolled into the city itself. Runner leaned up against the side of the wagon as he watched everyone go about their business.

  A hand lightly smacked him in the back of the head. Shaking off his wool gathering he looked up to see Katarina sauntering past him. Her smirk was plain as day as she addressed him over her shoulder.

  “Keep an eye on the wagon and Nadine. I’m on escort for Thana while she makes arrangements for us,” Katarina said loudly. She’d been taking a delight in catching him off guard, or getting little victories and one-ups on him.

  “Oi, be sure to keep an eye out. I’m betting on a few grabby hands around here,” Runner rubbed the back of his head. It hadn’t caused any damage and might as well have been a poke, yet it still annoyed him.

  Katarina’s face flickered through an emotion he couldn’t pinpoint before she smiled broadly at him. She ducked her head in acceptance and followed Thana into the inn. Pausing to consider the fact that he’d used a colloquialism Runner tilted his head to the side. No one in the game would have had an experience with them since they were culture based. In fact he’d been using them with the entirety of the group, yet everyone understood. There was no culture gap in language.

  Interesting thought, does that mean the linguistic database is being accessed? It would definitely ma-

  Shaking his head deliberately Runner forced his thoughts back to the task at hand. Stepping into a mounting stirrup for the drivers box Runner vaulted up. Pulling the front flap open a fraction he peered in to find Nadine and Hannah going through the daggers he’d made. It was clear Hannah and Nadine were sorting them out by quality, after securing a few for themselves of course, and were now contemplating prices for them. Blowing his breath out in a grumpy sigh Runner sat down, his hands resting on his knees.

  What else what I going to do with them, not like I need a collection of knives. Maybe step out of alleyways and hold open a coat with knifes sewn into the lining. “Wanna knife?”

  Grimacing, it felt like his stomach turned over and twisted into itself. Runner opened up the ships medical status log for himself. Under the Medical Assistance Required tab there was a flashing yellow dot. Beside that flashing dot was only one word, “Stress.” Clearly the system agreed with his own self diagnosis. Stress felt like the most mild description of what he was dealing with though. Waving a hand at the screen it flickered once and then went out.

  His mind cataloged the people around him and he began watching them in earnest. It would be best if he sold the knives in truth. The ones to buy them would be players and he’d have the most safety against them. Not to mention he could jack the price up. He’d let them have their fun though in sorting and planning. No harm, no foul.

  Half of the little band would journey out into the town to begin the tedious process of leveling skills, classes, and abilities. Then they’d switch for the other half to complete the same tasks. Then they’d have to settle in and start grinding up quests, faction, and relations. All the while Hannah would be dodging guild rats and city guards. Then get out of dodge with no one the wiser and start heading for the capital. She’d have to be in Stealth mode for nearly the entire duration of their trip. There wasn’t any other option unfortunately.

  It was in that span of thought that Runner came to notice a man. He wasn’t anything out of the ordinary, looked like a normal enlistee for all intents and purposes. Dressed in simple brown leathers he stood at an average height and normal build. It was hard to pick out details from this distance but he’d write it off as brown hair and call it done. Leaning against a fountain he was attempting to disguise his interest in Runner’s wagon by pretending to manage windows by hand. His hands moved in front of him as if he were cataloging and shifting inventory but it was just a little over exaggerated. Too much in the wrist. His hands didn’t settle in the same spot with each “button press” either.

  It was so blatantly suspicious now that Runner had noticed, that he had to force himself to keep his eyes moving past the man rather than let on that he’d been spotted. He was staring at the wagon all throughout this little show. Runner jumped to the conclusion that this was the same player who had seen them atop the wall.

  This man had followed them all the way here. There was little doubt in Runner’s mind now. This fellow had to be the one who invaded their campsite to boot. It all added up.

  Covering his mouth with his hand he scratched at his cheek.

  “Hanners, company. Take a peek,” Runner muttered. Letting his hand drop he twitched his nose as if he had only succeeded in making his nose itch now. After a second he reached up again and started scratching his nose. “Brown leathers, fountain, looking this way.”

  Sniffling he let his hand drop down between his knees. Runner kept his vigil and watched everyone around and paid no extra attention to Creeper than he would anyone else. Creaking wagon axles signaled movement in the wagon. Runner could only surmise that she was doing as he’d instructed.

  “I see him. Never seen him before,” her whispered words tickled his ear. “Has the look of any of the shit stains from your ship.”

  Runner grunted in the affirmative then slowly turned himself around. With the intent to appear as if he were simply checking the contents of the wagon he opened the flap and ducked his head inside while his right arm reached in to adjust something.

  Runner found himself peering through Hannah’s ghostly torso about an inch away from his face. He could see Nadine on the other side who was watching him in return. Addressing Nadine rather than Hannah, who was acting like a gauzy window, seemed like the best course of action.

  “Pretty sure I saw him once before actually. When I was pretending to be a rock falling from the wall. He was watching us as if he could see us but not really. Best guess? One of us is a quest marker for him. Personally, my money is on Hanners, since she’s an NPC as far as the game is concerned,” Runner shrugged, smiling at Nadine.

  “I see. Th-th-that makes sense. Han-n-nah?” Nadine asked.

  Hannah made no immediate response. Runner couldn’t tell if it was because of his position in relation to her own or if she was thinking over the situation in a deep manner. Runner idly moved his right arm as if he were shifting things around.

  “I’d agree. You explained the rules about city guards already. Do they apply here? Can he do anything?”

  “No. Nothing overtly in front of guards. That doesn’t mean he wouldn’t try something. I figure I go have a chat with him to see if I can discourage him. Not like he can do anything here but talk to me. If I’m lucky, the simple fact that we’re aware of him ma
y make him leery. Feel free to join me after I get his attention Hanners if you want a better look at him. Nadine, please keep out of sight. He may not have seen you and I’d rather not give him more information if we don’t have to,” Runner grinned at her. Nadine nodded her agreement, to which Runner turned to the left he leapt down from the drivers box. Kneeling down in the shadow of the wagon he cast Stealth and made his way quickly for the man.

  While en route Runner called up the in game camera and took a screen shot of the man’s face, noted his name as Ted Henshaw, then logged the man’s name into his personal notes section of his social panel. Dumping the picture off into an in game party memo he attached Ted’s full name and sent it to the rest of his group. They’d be able to access it the next time they stayed in an Inn. As the window cleared he sat down next to Ted, deactivated Stealth, and dropped his hand on Ted’s shoulder.

  “Afternoon friend!” Runner cheerfully said, a touch too loudly.

  Ted jumped in his seat, his head snapping around to lock on to Runner.

  “You’ve been showing a great deal of interest in my wagon. I promise I’m not here to sell snake oil, elixirs of youth, or anything like that. Maybe some porn holomags on the side, especially if you’re into the kinky stuff. Huge collection of solid midget work. We can work that out later. Maybe I can interest you in something?” Runner emphasized that he’d like this conversation to continue by tightening his grip on the mans shoulder. He knew he was pressing the boundaries of what would be considered acceptable by the game. He was betting that his demeanor and open question would allow him a little bit of wiggle room.

  Little Teddy stared at him, saying nothing at all. Brown eyes that sat in a perfectly normal looking face stared at Runner in shock. Framed by boringly dull brown hair.

  He could take first place in the most average contest.

  Opting for the most direct route Runner cleared his throat. “Ted, my name is Lieutenant Runner Norwood. What’s your rank soldier?”

  “Specialist. Specialist Ted Henshaw.”

  “Sir.”

  “Sir, sorry sir.”

  “So, why the interest in my wagon? Or better yet, what’s in my wagon? Maybe, someone in my wagon?”

  There was a battle going on inside Ted’s head. Following orders from superiors was instilled deeply in every citizen of the Sovereignty. On the other side lay whatever Ted needed. An item he valued so desperately the very idea of disobeying orders was being considered.

  “Speak up Specialist, lest I rule you in violation of insubordination. I’d hate to turn you over to the courts when this is all over just because you wouldn’t talk to me.”

  “Sir, I have a quest given to me by my class leader to neutralize a target, collect a trophy, and return. This would complete my quest, sir. The specialist feels his best chance to survive is by becoming as high level as possible, sir.”

  Reflecting on those words Runner idly patted Teddy’s shoulder. Nodding his head as if he agreed he smiled.

  “A fair response to the situation at hand. Good work specialist. I fear I must order you to cancel this quest. The NPC in question is working with me to resolve this mess. As you’re probably aware, leveling up has a restorative affect on memories and dying turns you into a vegetable. I’ve hired the NPC in question to assist me in solving this situation. Allowing you to waste her would prove to be counter productive.”

  “Sir, I can’t quit the quest. I already tried once and it only offered me the same quest again. The only thing the class leader wants is the target, a snitch, dead, sir.”

  “In that case I’m afraid I can’t help you with that. What I can do though is offer you to join me. I find those I’ve recruited for this to be expertly skilled for this mission. They carry themselves in such a way that I have no doubt as to success of the operation. Otherwise, I’m afraid you’re at an impasse specialist. I can’t have you fragging an asset. I’d be forced to hit you up for insubordination and dereliction, and we wouldn’t want that. We clear, specialist? Clear as a fucking bell I hope? This’d be an awful thing to turn into a soup sandwich on you.”

  Runner patted the man on the shoulder and got to his feet. Dusting his hands off he started walking back to the wagon. On the other side, out of sight of Ted, Hannah and Nadine had been joined by Katarina and Thana. Nodding his head to the party he flicked his eyes to the inn and raised a brow to Thana.

  Catching his look she nodded her head at his mutely expressed question. Turning to Katarina and Nadine she said said something to them while motioning a hand to the crates of inventory. Smiling she turned and addressed Runner directly.

  “I anticipate you’ve provided us with another charming enemy? Perhaps another God or Goddess? Oh! I know, the mayor maybe?” Thana inquired.

  “Har har. No. Hopefully trying to get rid of one honestly. I’ll explain it in our room, where we might escape from prying ears and eyes. Suffice it to say, I’m hopeful that this is over before it began. We’ll see.”

  Thana shook her head and fell in next to him. “Such a rouges gallery, a truly worth while collection of villains arrayed against us already. Such an exciting life you lead.”

  Scoffing Runner could only grin, thinking about what little he knew of his life. “I get the impression I was a bit of a hermit. An academic you could say. There was work and going home to be by myself.”

  “Ah, you clearly have such a way with people though. I never would have guessed.”

  “Shut up, counselor.”

  1:27pm Sovereign Earth time

  10/05/43

  Runner was working his way through the long list of abilities. Pausing in his information perusal, Runner smiled at the appearance of another customer and completed the sale of a dagger without a single word being exchanged. Few had much to say after he’d paid the town criers to advertise his offering. Enchanted daggers at one gold coin each, to be purchased at the front gate.

  Katarina had choked when he first stated the price. Runner was sure of himself but had a moment of panic when no one immediately came to see him. He’d almost changed his price and reduced it down to half a gold when people started coming up to him in ones and twos. Then there was a line that stretched ten people deep.

  Thinking about it in retrospect he managed to figure out the little puzzle. It wasn’t that his price was wrong, it’s that most people probably had to go get money out of their bank account. A thief could technically pick pocket a portion of whatever money you had on you. To that end, the vast majority of players didn’t take out more than they were willing to lose.

  Letting his paranoia get the better of him, he’d decided he would need to take steps to protect their growing wealth. He probably looked like a gigantic piggy bank to would be thieves. A guaranteed piggy bank.

  Once they had a break in the line he’d mentioned the concern to Katarina who immediately took this as a challenge. Originally she had just been nearby, keeping him company. Now she’d put herself directly behind him with her back to the wall. Anyone who got close was awarded a glare and her hand going to her sword. No one would be willing to cross such an imposing figure as level twenty four Katarina.

  As an added precaution Runner took to reverse pick pocketing Katarina. He’d checked the contents of her coin purse to make sure she had no gold on her before he began. He didn’t want there to be any confusion afterwords. Preoccupied with everyone else, she’d failed to notice his hands on her person with each and every sale.

  “Thank you, enjoy,” Runner nodded his head at the latest customer with a smile. Without a word he reached backward and passed his hand over Katarina’s side, depositing yet another coin into her purse.

  “Only a few left Kitten. We’ll be getting out of here soon enough. Been reading through the skills that will be available to you?” Runner asked her. He’d already put together a list of things for her to look at just in case she hadn’t already put in the effort. Suggestions really, but one was always better to be prepared.

  “Yes.
Also been reading the forum. Thana showed me it,” Katarina replied.

  While the shortness of her answer had been expected, the in game forum had been a surprise. Up to this very moment Runner hadn’t considered that they’d be able to access it.

  “I see, anything of interest?”

  “Yes and no. The news that dying turns you into a, what was it you said, a vegetable? This information has spread. Everything else is about the officers being missing. They did a roll call and no one responded. You weren’t on the list.”

  Runner scratched at his cheek while frowning. “I transfered in a day or two before departure. Quite possible that whatever list they have isn’t updated. If that’s true, than I really am the last officer. Did they escape? Are they the reason we’re here?” Shaking his head Runner felt like this new bit of information made things infinitely worse.

  “That’s what they’re asking too. I would be wary of telling others you’re an officer. Officers are becoming scapegoats.”

  “Yeah, not exactly uncommon. Quite a few of the enlisted don’t actually want to be enlisted. Every officer is here by choice and has to enforce the soldier’s terms of service,” Runner explained, lips pursed, his mind still working on the problem of the officers. Either they were behind it, dead, or not logged in.

  “Strange, why would they enlist but not want to?”

  “Oh. Many were forced in by the government as terms of their sentencing. They’re shipped off world to remote destinations. Even if they desert it’s irrelevant since they’re stranded. The number who actually try it is less than one percent,” Runner supplied distractedly. He worked his way through the Ship Command console once more and checked the number of logged in users.

  /Current active Users

  499,928

  Now that’s concerning. Admittedly this was an enlisted boat but it still had officers aboard. They would have numbered at about seventy or so. Nearly the exact number missing.

  Runner was shaken from his thoughts when another customer arrived, eager to pay for a weapon nearly guaranteed to give them a leg up. No sooner than the trade window closed he reached backward, his mind chewing at the problem.