“And, at the risk of exacerbating the rumors about Jay, he was one of a very few players higher than level ten in the game,” Andy said. “Is it possible he was targeted?”
“His disappearance is strange, but it can be explained,” Julie said. “He might have had his account compromised. He might have had some real-life responsibility that took precedence.”
“Those things wouldn’t inspire him to just vanish though,” Andy replied.
“Maybe he got bored and started an alt,” Kacey offered.
“I hope it’s something that simple. It would be nice if we heard from him though,” Brian said. “Even if it’s just a Blibber post or an e-mail to let us know he isn’t shipwrecked someplace or something.”
“Now to the other hidden quest,” Andy said. “Is anyone out there still taking the Wyland Wackos seriously?”
“The man is dead,” Julie said. “There’s no disputing that at this point. He didn’t leave a treasure map in his game. He isn’t hiding in a house somewhere as has been reported by some people who think they deciphered GPS coordinates from the quantities of coins dropped by the Stonehill instance boss. It’s fun to speculate about nonsense like this, but in the real world, Wyland pulled a gun on a cop.”
“Much easier to see your plans to fruition if the world thinks you’re dead,” Brian said.
“Not you too!” Julie exclaimed.
“There are players who have a start date and time for their accounts that are a good seven hours ahead of everyone else,” Kacey said. “There’s only about sixty of them, but they are unique accounts because they all logged in at roughly the same time the night before the Kings and Conquests servers were officially announced. Now I’m not prepared to draw any conclusions, but I’d like to know the answer to a very simple question: How did those sixty accounts know where and how to log in? According to Fairly Unusual, the servers weren’t officially open, nor were any accounts even provided login credentials until early AM Pacific Time the next morning!”
“Someone got a heads up,” Andy offered.
“That or they were some kind of playtesting team,” Julie added.
“But if KNC is emerging from beta, why would they invite playtesters only hours before launch?” Brian asked. “Sounds to me like a group of people who got a head start on something for some reason.”
“The hidden Wyland quest?” Kacey said.
“Bring our viewers up to speed, Kacey,” Brian said. “What exactly is the hidden Wyland quest?”
“Just before Kings and Conquests launched, when all the rumors were flying around about Garrett Wyland, some of them mentioned a quest Fairly Unusual hid in the game that made shares of the game company into in-game loot. Apparently you could find real shares of Fairly Unusual stock in the game. Some claimed you could get a majority voting share as well, which would put you in control of the company.”
“Nonsense,” Andy said. “Why would Fairly Unusual give the entire company away in their own game?”
“Well, there were reports someone found 1000 shares while looting during the City of Rook attack, but nobody could confirm the find and so far, nobody has made any attempt to claim them. Someone else claimed they found 500 shares during the Ashelrian Casino massacre, but that’s been proven false. Now it’s possible only certain player accounts are flagged so they can ‘see’ the shares as treasure and the NPCs that make them available, but if that’s true, there’s no way to test their claims without access to a flagged account.”
“It’s also probably illegal,” Andy added.
“I think the guy just hid some money in the real world and used the rumor about the shares to cover it up or throw people off,” Julie said. “He was caught with cash and an airline ticket before he got shot. Where was he going? Was he adding to his stash or starting one?”
Brian nodded. “We have to start asking ourselves just how much more there is to this game than simply leveling a character and beating dungeon bosses.”
“How far are they willing to take this real-world thing?” Andy speculated. “Could someone wander around their neighborhood and gather up treasures? Could someone go on real-world quests?”
“The maddening thing is Fairly Unusual Games hasn’t said a word about any of this,” Julie said. “They won’t confirm or deny the features. They won’t comment on any of the stuff that’s being found in and around these real world locations. There’s also no telling how far the real world game map extends. For all we know there could be an unlimited variety of encounters or treasure caches right outside your front door that interlock with the game world in some way. It’s really exciting when you think about it.”
“For all we know, there are more shares of the company stashed in your front yard,” Andy quipped.
“Not mine!” Julie exclaimed.
Brian chuckled. “Well, we do know where most of their stock shares are. Maybe someone will take their phone to the floor of the Western Stock Exchange and discover something amazing.”
Chapter Ten
MILWAUKEE, WI. – Kings and Conquests enthusiast Carlos Delgado apparently discovered a unique in-game treasure today when he attached his mobile phone to a low-flying remote-controlled drone and flew it over a local neighborhood park. Hidden near the park’s playground was a collectible treasure Delgado claims is a blueprint for an autonomous pet which can apparently be constructed using in-game materials and parts and then used both in the game and outside in the real world as a treasure hunting companion. The pet blueprint is the first treasure of its kind to be discovered in the game, and reportedly earned its new owner a unique world-first achievement.
The discovery set off a brief flurry of activity in the Milwaukee suburbs as players of the popular Fairly Unusual online role-playing game began scouring the park and surrounding neighborhoods for other similar treasures. A mother of three who reportedly plays Kings and Conquests casually and runs an in-game shop as a side job claims she discovered a recipe for in-game potions that allow her to seek more advanced treasure in the real world. A third player who requested anonymity took his mobile device with the augmented reality app to the roof of a downtown office building and reportedly discovered a gateway that spawns challenging monsters with the potential to help a player improve their in-game combat skills.
Chapter Eleven
After a full day of gaming and eating more breakfast than they probably should, the No-Name Games guild was eager for an interlude at Captain Crawley’s Seafood Shack.
“I’ve been looking at the documentation all day, chief,” Robb said, gesturing as he walked across the parking area with the others. “I have no idea where we can find golden flax seeds.”
“Seems strange there would be such a rare ingredient for such a low-level crafting goal,” Dave said. “Your crafting project is making cotton rope to upgrade the ship. Why do you need something weird like seeds?”
Jordan shrugged. After progressing almost halfway to level ten, his mind could handle no more statistics, monsters, treasures or combat modifiers. All he wanted was beer, and based on the menu he had fallen asleep under two nights before, Captain Crawley’s Seafood Shack had a delirious selection of ales, stouts, pilsners and brews sufficient to distract nearly anyone for days, even if they didn’t particularly like beer.
“I hope they have popcorn shrimp! But after you promised to show me what Fairly Unusual gave you.” Unlike the other four more experienced gamers, Alyssa was relatively energetic. She was holding Jordan’s hand and swinging it back and forth playfully as they crossed the little footbridge from the Beachcomber lot to the little pier that formed the foundation for the rickety wooden restaurant.
“It’s a surprise for after dinner. I think everyone is going to be rather impressed by our new mounts.”
“Mounts, huh? So we can travel faster in-game?” Amy asked.
“Yeah, and maybe a bit more,” Jordan replied with a grin. “Six for dinner.” The host gathered up a stack of menus and led the group throug
h the cozy tables to the back. Everything inside Crawley’s was done up like an old wooden sailing ship, with nets, ropes, helm wheels, sails and various large fish mounted on plaques everywhere. The tables were lit by real oil lamps, and food was served on metal plates that looked as if they had been hammered into shape. All drinks were served in either chilled or warmed metal cups.
The No-Namers arranged themselves around the table and got situated. The bread course was first and was obviously intended to set the mood. Each piece was shaped like a length of thick rope, with the outer edges baked to a golden brown and the centers a fluffy white. Two metal cups of butter were provided. Jordan ordered a dark stout. The waiter recommended a “South Seas Sunset” for Alyssa. The entire table was appropriately impressed when a drink the size of a wine bottle that contained ingredients in at least seven colors including green and yellow was placed in front of her. The other members of the guild variously ordered soda, white wine or iced tea. Robb thoroughly enjoyed the fact all the ice cubes in his oversized chilled glass were shaped like anchors.
Jordan lost himself in his ale in between trying to follow Alyssa through the menu. She repeated every dish she wanted to try, but true to her earlier statement eventually settled on popcorn shrimp, which were served in a hollowed out model of a wooden lifeboat with two miniature barrels for sauce.
“I wonder if this restaurant is trying to tell us something?” Marc asked. “We just had a nice ride on our new ship, now we’re eating out of one.”
“Huh, that demon thing is gone,” Alyssa said.
“What demon thing?” Dave asked.
“When we first got here I looked through my phone with that app thing and there was a big red crater on the patio of this place. There was smoke coming out of it.”
“Sounds charming,” Robb said as he broke another piece of edible rope in half. “I’m in the mood for about a gallon of vegetable soup. What say you, mister half-giant?”
“Make it two,” Dave said. “Normally I’d go for some New England clam chowder, but those carrots in the picture look too good. Plus they have sourdough rolls, and I can’t resist a good sourdough.”
“Can we afford all this?” Amy asked.
Jordan made a dismissive gesture while he finished his beer. He set the metal tankard down. “Absolutely. The food is a distant second to what I spent on computers yester–”
Alyssa elbowed Jordan in the side, then leaned close. “That guy over there, see him?”
Jordan looked around. By now there were several occupied tables, so “that guy” wasn’t really sufficient information to pick out anyone in particular. Alyssa made an urgent face and nodded again. Jordan scanned the restaurant and his attention finally settled on two men sitting at a table near the register. Both were dressed in similar outfits. They looked unusual mainly because they were both wearing rather heavy leather jackets and had apparently only ordered minimal-cost drinks. They didn’t look up. For some reason Jordan couldn’t shake the idea one of them looked a lot like the guy he had locked in the closet at his house. He had close cropped silver hair and his face looked as if he had been in several unsanctioned and violent fistfights. He leaned across the table and pushed a card across the polished wooden surface.
“Robb, listen to me very carefully–”
The NNG cameraman looked up from his glorious vegetable soup with a serious expression.
“Something is about to happen in this restaurant. We’re going to have to split up for a while. On this card is public key and a phone number. Set your KNC augmented reality app to use this public key to reconfigure to a different identity. The password is the name of our ship in game. As soon as you log in, change the password and set your app to use GPS. Drive down the beach about a half mile, get to the edge of the water and dial the phone number. Once you and the rest of the group are safe, text me and I’ll explain.”
“Dude, I have no fucking idea what the hell you’re talking about.”
“But you understood what I said, right?”
“Yeah.”
“All the instructions are printed on the other side of the card. Stay safe. Don’t take any chances. If we need to have a long conversation, we’ll do it in game.”
Jordan leaned over to Alyssa. “We’re going to have to cut our evening short. Take this card, read it and do everything it says. Go out the back door.”
Alyssa looked like she had just discovered a medium sized shark under the table.
“Do you trust me?” Jordan asked. She nodded, eyes wide. “Read the card and do what it says. You have about 60 seconds.”
By now Robb had signaled everyone else to act normal, but to start making preparations to depart.
“Let’s go,” Jordan whispered. “You guys go out that side door by the bar.”
The NNG group went in three different directions. Jordan quickly made his way to the front of the restaurant. He shoved his hands in the pockets of his jacket and tried to slip past the two men near the front door. They watched him carefully, and were just about to climb out of their booth when he stopped to pay the dinner check.
“Just charge us for whatever we’ve ordered so far,” Jordan said evenly, trying to look like there was nothing wrong. The hostess wasn’t paying much attention to him. He stole a glance sideways. Both men were staring, ready to follow him to the parking lot. He noticed it was already dark outside. He chose to believe that was a beneficial development, even though depending on one’s point of view it could have worked either way.
The hostess handed him the receipt. His hand only trembled once before he got the point of the pen on the hard surface. He gathered his card and stepped past an elderly couple before slipping out the door.
He knew he had only moments. Jordan darted towards the parking lot side of the building, desperately hoping Alyssa had accomplished her task. His throat almost closed when one of the men stepped into his path and confronted him.
How did he get here?
“Hand over the authenticator.” His voice was as cold as graveyard dirt. “Now.”
There was no more time. He knew the man was armed even though he wasn’t brandishing a weapon. With no way to defend himself, Jordan seriously considered giving up the key to his prize. What he already had could take him pretty far from his troubles.
But then he thought of all the friends he had just sent to what would hopefully be a safe place. Would he let them down? Should he? After all they had already faced together?
Jordan was trying to think of a way to stall for time when the piercing lights bathed one entire side of the restaurant in stinging brightness. The roar of a throaty engine floated out over the water. The man put his hand up to shield his eyes just as the black frame of an overbuilt muscle car accelerated out of the darkness and pitched over in a white-smoke-billowing slide. The driver door opened. Jordan caught a glimpse of Alyssa in the passenger seat and ran to climb in. The door thumped shut with a sound not unlike an aircraft cockpit closing.
The man drew and opened fire. Jordan and Alyssa both jumped in their seats and reflexively raised their hands to cover their heads. The sound was strangely muffled. The fifth shot ricocheted off the windshield and Alyssa screamed.
The vehicle sat there idling. Nothing had happened to either occupant. None of the shots had penetrated. In fact, there wasn’t even a mark on the windshield where one of the bullets had apparently impacted.
Not willing to take a chance on just being lucky, Jordan hastily pulled the car into reverse and backed over the flowerbed at the edge of the parking lot. The wide stance of the powerful vehicle stripped the narrow grassy area virtually bare as Jordan performed a clumsy but effective J-turn. The car banged against a parking stanchion and thudded over two asphalt lane barriers before it swerved towards the Bungalows.
The brand new Condor V performance muscle car stuck to the asphalt as it roared across the narrow service road and into the Beachcomber lot.
“You stay here! I’m getting the computers!” Jord
an shouted, trying to be heard over the engine. Alyssa nodded, scarcely able to breathe much less speak. The black hotrod drew to a stop, engine throbbing. Jordan figured he had perhaps 30 seconds before his pursuer could catch them on foot.
He fought his keys into the trunk lock and thanked all that was holy the new computers came with a hard case for the set. He hauled the container out of his car and jammed it into the suddenly inadequate back seat of his new racer. With only seconds to spare, he clambered back into the driver’s seat and shoved the transmission back into gear. The shadowy combination of thick tires and horsepower made a glorious noise as the Condor fishtailed up the narrow road towards the highway. Alyssa held the sides of her seat with white fingertips. She shrieked as the wheels soared over the crest of the resort’s entrance road and wailed as the car bounced off the asphalt and fought its own momentum. Jordan held the turn before spinning up a frightening cloud of white smoke with the rear tires. He let the chassis lurch to a rest and shifted gears. The tread caught and two tons of steel alloy, Detroit design and Stormchaser aluminum composite wheels merged into southbound traffic at nearly 90 miles an hour.
“Do you have your phone!?”
Alyssa couldn’t move. Jordan swerved around a slower car and punched it up to 110.
“Do you have your phone!?”
“Yes! Yes! Who’s car is this?!”
“Okay, good!” He swerved again, back into the number one lane. There wasn’t much traffic, which Jordan considered an unexpected bonus. This was Southern California after all. “It’s my car! We’re going to Texas!”
“What?!”
“Texas!”
“Why?!”
“It’s the next step in our quest to become the first video game couple to reach max level together!” The vehicle’s headlights showed the lane paint going by at an unsettling rate.
“That’s not very funny!”
“Text Robb and tell him to transmit his GPS coordinates when they stop to send the app message!” Jordan activated the vehicle’s navigational display. A glorious full color map of coastal California appeared on the Condor Five’s center console’s screen. Alyssa fumbled for her phone, lifting and twisting in her seat as the car effortlessly slid from lane to lane to avoid slower traffic. The engine took what sounded like a deep breath and shifted into yet another lower gear and began to accelerate again. The digital speedometer climbed past 120. “Tell him we will meet on the beach right off the train station.” Jordan dialed up a coastal location near a seaside park. “Right here!” He pointed at the vehicle’s center screen. “Send these coordinates.”
Stunlocked: A LitRPG Thriller (Kings and Conquests Book 2) Page 7