by Rick Scott
“We think it could be a Builder.”
Mikes face goes deadpan. “A Builder? Here?”
“We think so,” Bruce says.
“Have they found us?”
“We’re not sure. But the last Builder nearly wiped us out 300 years ago. And we were in much better shape back then.”
300 years ago? Wiped us out? What the heck is going on here?
“On the plus side, if you want shards…there’s no better source.”
Mike looks furious. “You want me to go up against a damn Builder? Those things running around up there are bad enough! But a builder?”
Things? What is he talking about!?
“That’s why we need you,” Bruce says. “And whoever else you can convince to go up with you.”
“If you’d let me do it my way, I’d take the whole damn city with me. We’ll all die down here, asleep playing these damn games, left to you two.”
“You know that’s impossible,” Dennis says. “We don’t have the nano left to gamble. Whoever goes to the surface has got to be fit to task. Speaking of that, how’s your team coming along?”
Mike shrugs. “What’s it matter. I can’t force them to come. You know that.”
“The reason I ask is because we’re moving the timetable up,” Dennis says. “With the potential of a Builder finding us, we’ve got to act now.”
“How soon?” Mike asks.
“We’re moving it up three weeks.”
“What!” Mike shouts. “That’s less than a week away!”
A week? In less than a week my brother is going to the surface? To take on a builder? I don’t even know what that means!
“I’m sorry,” Bruce says. “But these are dire—”
His words cut short as my foot slips on the pipework and sends a flake of rust falling to the floor.
Oh Crap!
“Hey!” one of them shouts.
I bolt back the way I came, trading stealth for speed. I hear Mike shout from below me as I bounce along the pipework. “Someone’s up there!”
I hop over the railing onto the catwalk and take off at top speed. I can hear heavy foot falls running up the stairs a level below me. I have a good head start but I’m bound to be spotted if I hit the open street. I clamber up another set of stairways instead, close to the exit and then crawl onto a piece of the large machinery and make myself small in its shadow.
About a minute later Mike appears, followed by the two others. They’re all breathing heavy, although Mike not so much. They look outside into the street and then return to the building again.
“Who do you think it was?” Bruce asks.
“Looked small to me,” Mike says. “Could have just been a kid.”
“Probably a street rat then,” Dennis says distastefully. “If they’re living way out here, they probably don’t even have shard access.”
“Not much risk of a leak then?” Bruce asks.
“Not where it matters,” Dennis says. “Still I’ll put a trace out. If anything we’ve mentioned pops up on the shards I’ll let you know who it is.”
My throat goes dry at hearing that.
Then finally they disperse and I’m left hiding alone in the dark and trembling with fright.
Chapter 22: Aftermath
I wait for more than an hour sitting there, making sure that they are gone and none of them return to look for me. My mind is awash with what I’ve just overheard. Builders? The surface? It’s almost too much to take in. The only thing I know for sure is that my brother is going to risk his life facing both, and all to save my mom.
That’s almost as hard to believe as everything else. My brother, the king jerk and reclusive loner, has been risking his life on the surface, doing who knows what, all to save our mother? I suddenly feel like the stupid little kid he thinks I am. Here I am thinking he’s abandoned his family while in reality he’s risking everything for it.
It makes my own efforts to save our mom seem almost trivial. But, darn it! Maybe if I had told him the truth about the scroll and my plan. Maybe if I had come clean, he wouldn’t have gone and made that crazy deal and put his life at risk.
In less than a week he’ll be going to the surface again. And to face a builder?
I still don’t even understand that part.
This Builder, or whatever it really is, doesn’t sound anything like what I learned about in my education feeds. What did that guy mean by one nearly wiping us out? I though builders built this place. Why would one want to destroy it? It can’t be the same thing.
I feel like I need to talk to someone about this. But who? From what that guy was saying, no one should even know what I know. And if I even mention it while connected to the shards, he’ll be able to trace it back to me?
I feel so alone. And scared.
I thought this was only about saving my mom. But now it’s about saving my brother too. A guy I normally hate. But the thought of actually losing him tears my guts apart. I can’t let Mike go through with this. To work for those guys and do whatever it is he’s supposed to do up there on the surface. He has to know there’s another way to save our mom.
A better way.
But would he even believe me if I told him? Especially now? After I’ve already lied to both of them? No, not likely. No, I can’t talk to him about this…I just need to make it happen.
That’d be the only way he’d believe me.
When he sees mom is cured, he can go tell those two guys to go buzz off and deal with that Builder themselves, whatever the heck it is. My plan hasn’t changed. It’s just accelerated now. Val Helena even hinted it was possible. She said I could end up earning enough for mom’s operation sooner than I thought. That I could earn millions, just like Aiko.
But could I earn 3.5 million credits in less than a week?
“I have to,” I say to myself.
If I’m going to save both Mike and Mom, I need to get back to Crystal Shards immediately.
I need to level like I’ve never leveled before.
Chapter 23: Insomnia
I sneak back through the hub to take the elevator back home. It’s a daunting trek and I spend half the time looking over my shoulder, expecting to see Mike charging at me at any moment. Although I know it probably wouldn’t make any kind of sense for that to happen at all. They didn’t get a good look at me, thank goodness, and my disguise is still holding up pretty well. I basically look no different than most of the people roaming the streets down here.
I’m relieved to get back to the hab without incident and doubly so to see mom still sleeping soundly on the couch and Mike nowhere in sight. I feel dead tired from mental exhaustion and adrenaline, as well as the couple mile hike through the hub.
Hitting the sack would feel great right about now, but the imperative of my new goal has me giving myself no quarter. Literally every hour counts right now. If I want to make 3.5 million credits, I need to be level 85 yesterday and soloing Gruzug by tomorrow.
I order a couple of energy drinks and down one before jacking into my rig.
I’m slightly disappointed when I don’t see a response from Gilly. Although, given present circumstances, a tiff with my online girlfriend seems hardly worthy of my concerns right now, but still I can’t push her totally to the side.
Not again. I made that mistake once already.
I look into setting up a live stream. If I’m going to make money, I need to exploit every opportunity available. It takes me all of five minutes. I call my channel Dodge Tank and have all of zero subscribers and no idea how to get more when I log into Nasgar.
I materialize into the warehouse and get to work.
I hit and run the dockworkers in chain succession. It’s a mind numbing experience after a while and not fun at all, but I’m not playing for fun anymore. I’m playing for my brother’s life. After an hour I hit level 20 and get a new ability called Charge Strike.
Charge Strike
Use your extreme agility to close the gap on your enemies with a lightni
ng quick attack.
Activation: Instantaneous
Cooldown: 5 seconds
Cost: 10 TP
Seems I get abilities every 10 levels instead of 5 on an advanced class. This looks like a pretty good one. I test it out on a dockworker that’s standing a good thirty feet away. I use it and my heart pumps with adrenalin as I literally fly toward him in less than a second, jabbing him with my katana. I go toe to toe for a bit, able to evade the dockworkers attacks without too much difficulty. I then try out the Active Dodge ability I got at level 10. Again my body shifts almost on its own in a blur, avoiding a punch that was dead set on hitting me a split second before. I cast Shadow Copy and continue to fight head on. My damage is low since I’m still using noob weapons and without the backstab, the fight is prolonged.
I lose my shadow to a punch and screw up on an evade, taking a hit that drops me to 10%. I go to use Shadow Copy again but it’s still on cooldown. And so is Active Dodge! I retreat, barely dodging another swing and run to hide behind some crates. My heart is still pumping from the close calls when the dockworker draws near and then gives up his search for me. I can really feel what it means to Dodge Tank now. Operating so close to the edge. One hit from defeat no matter what you fight. In truth, I’m loving the feeling of it.
I continue on for another two hours to hit level 30, dumping my points into dex to catch up with my 50 agility. The new Ability I get at that level is called Retreat.
Retreat
Perform a backflip that instantly takes you out of melee range.
Activation: Instantaneous
Cooldown: 5 seconds
Cost: 10 TP
I remember the ninja frog master guy using this on me, moving quickly out of my range so he could cast his spells. I try it out and it’s pretty effective, allowing me to escape after a backstab much faster than simply running. I’m even able to chain it with Charge Strike and perform wicked hit and run combos. It feels like a dream, like I’m someone else. Like I’m a real honest to goodness superhero ninja with badass moves that can take down any foe!
At least in virtual form.
Despite my fatigue I feel invigorated and continue on well past level 30.
I don’t actually remember when I stop, because I think I fall asleep at some point.
When I come to again, I notice I’m at level 34.
And it’s almost 4 am. Up way too late!
I log out and remove the rig to get a couple hours of real sleep before my mom wakes up. 34. Not bad. If I can keep this pace. Maybe I can do it. I slide on to my mattress and am asleep before I know it.
* * *
I wake up with a groan.
The payback for staying up late and running on nothing but energy drinks all night is brutal. I’m barely able to operate as I hear my mom calling me from the living room. I feel irritable from lack of sleep and my body aches all over. Part of me wonders if I wasn’t back flipping for real last night.
I also remember the conversation I witnessed with my brother and that causes me to sober a bit. I drag myself out of bed for a shower and almost stand when I remember I left Mutt and Jeff leaning next to the hatchway door in the kitchen.
Oh crap!
My mom is already awake. I can’t just walk out there to get them now. I sigh inwardly. I feel terrible for what I’m about to do, but there really isn’t any other way.
“Hey, Mom,” I call out to her. “Can you check to see if Mike put Mutt and Jeff somewhere? They’re not in here with me and I need to get up.”
Geez, this feels bad.
“All right honey,” she replies weakly.
I endure my remorse, as I hear her strain to get up off the couch. She’s weaker than I am and I’m forcing her to get up due to my stupid carelessness and lies. I need to not slip up like this ever again.
She comes in with my crutches and looks paler than ever. “Here you go, sweetie.”
“Thanks, mom.”
She coughs a bit as she turns to leave.
“I’ll get breakfast in a sec,” I say.
“It’s alright, I’m up. I’ll get us something.” She then cocks her head and looks at me funny. “You don’t look so good, Ryan. Are you sick?”
“No, just… long hours with the new job, I guess.”
She frowns. “Well try not to push yourself too hard.”
“I won’t,” I lie. Way too late for that.
“I know you worry about me, Ryan. But I don’t want you to put your life on hold or stress out because of me. I’ll be fine. You need to focus on yourself too. About what you want to achieve in life. Have you even given any thought to that? You’re 17, you know.”
I don’t like where this is going. Sounds like parting advice. From someone who thinks she’s about to die. I want to tell her she’s the one who doesn’t need to worry. That I’m going to make sure she’s okay. I’m going to make sure everyone is okay. “I… got some plans I’m working on.”
She doesn’t look convinced.
I give her a smile and she finally leaves.
* * *
After breakfast I log back in.
On my streaming page, I’m shocked to see that I have 13 new subscribers. How the heck did they even find out about me? I also see a couple of messages they left on my board.
Riley: Man you are a leveling machine! I’m going to tell all my friends about you, dude! GG
Evertonthefirst: Cool moves! ^_^
Selle: Definitely no Aiko… but not bad.
The messages are unexpected and motivating all at once, well except for the last one maybe. I’m sure 13 subscribers isn’t netting me much, but it’s a start. I check for any messages from Gilly next. None. But I do see a ton of hate mail from Aiko’s followers that I send straight to the junk bin.
I check for Gilly herself and see she’s online. I send her a message and am happy when it goes through.
Me: Hey, can we talk?
There’s a long delay before I get a reply.
Gilly: I don’t want to talk. I’m embarrassed by the whole thing <:(
Her response is much better than I’d hoped it would be. At least she’s not totally ticked off still. I check where she is in game and fast travel to see her in person. I materialize in Swifttide and find her hanging out in the smith’s guild, which is a close cousin to miner. She’s wearing a thick leather apron and is working over an anvil. I can’t tell what she’s crafting but she’s slamming a piece of red hot metal with a hammer. Her green eyes dance with the light of sparks as they go shooting off with each bang.
“I know what you’re going to say,” Gilly says still working. “And you’re right. What I did really sucked. I’m sorry.”
Bang…Bang…
“Gilly...” I feel like moving closer to give her a hug, but the flying sparks keep me at bay. “…you don’t have to apologize.”
She finally stops hammering. “Yes, I do. It was your big moment and I…I got stupid and messed it all up for you.”
I open my mouth to say she didn’t, but my raw feelings from that night get the better of me. “It’s fine really. So much has happened since then. Honestly, I barely remember about it. Besides, I know how you feel about Val Helena.”
“It’s not just her,” Gilly says. “It was everyone else too…”
Then I see what look like tears forming in her eyes. “You okay?”
She shakes her head. “I’m an only child, remember? I’m not used to sharing things.” And then she pauses to look me in the eye. “Especially my only friend.”
Her words make my heart skip and melt all at the same time.
“I know it sounds stupid. But when they all came rushing in there, I felt replaced. Like you’d moved on. Like you had better friends and didn’t need me anymore.”
“Gilly no one could ever replace you.”
She sulks. “You sure about that? Not even Val Helena?”
“Val?” I laugh. “She’s not like that to me. She’s like my…”
“
Friend’s hot mom?”
I laugh again. “I was going to say mentor.”
She shrugs. “Anyway, I’m sorry.”
“Hey,” I say and tug her towards me by the crook of her elbow. “It’s in the past. Water under the bridge.”
She relents and lets me give her a hug, but then she stiffens in my arms. “34?”
“Huh?”
She steps back and gives me a shocked and almost hurt look. “When did you hit 34?”
“Oh… yeah, a lot happened last night.”
She then folds her arms looking deflated again. “So I guess you don’t want me to go adventuring with you anymore either.”
“What?”
“We need to be within 3 levels of each other to share xp.”
“Gilly…”
“Never mind, it’s ok,” she says looking down at the ground. “I was only doing it for you anyway. I’m just happy I was able to help you get this far. If you want to move ahead, I understand.”
“It’s not that I want to, Gilly. I have to now.”
“Right, your mom. I get it.”
“No, not just for my mom. Something’s changed. I need to be able to afford the operation in just a couple of days now.”
“What?” Her mouth drops open and her eyebrow crease with concern. “Oh no, Reece! Did your mom get sick?”
“No, no… it’s not her. It’s my brother.”
“What?”
“It’s hard to explain and I can’t really do it here.”
This has her brow furrowing even more. I want to tell her so bad. About what I overheard that night. About the surface and my brother and the Builder. And I would if we weren’t on the net. But maybe there was a possibility…
“Were you serious about wanting to meet in real life someday?”
She swallows. “Well… sure. I guess. Were you?”
“How about today?”
She goes dead still for a second, like maybe she’s just fallen out of her rig or something. Finally she reanimates. “Today, today?”