Suddenly he had an idea.
“So, this Jason and his team, they only test shooters?”
“Yep,” Marco answered. “They’re hardcore shooter fans. While most teams are happy for changes in between genres from assignment to assignment, those guys explicitly apply to test shooters. And all of them are almost Level Five. In fact, they will be Five after this tournament.”
“They are really, really good,” Francois agreed. “Let’s face it. We stand no chance.”
“Not necessarily,” Kai said, and everyone jerked their heads and looked at him. “Maybe we need a different approach to beat them than the tactics we’ve used in the matches so far.”
“What do you have in mind?” Marco asked.
“They’re shooter pros, which means they can do any common shooter tactic in their sleep. They’re probably better than us at every possible tactic and scenario. Yes, we know the maps better, but let’s be honest. All shooter maps basically follow the same principles. There’s nothing we could do they wouldn’t anticipate, if they’re really as good as you guys say.”
“Tell us something new,” Josh said with resignation in his voice.
Kai smiled. “How about we play in a way they don’t expect at all. How about we play it with the tactic we’d usually use in an MMORPG match.”
Everyone stared at him in surprise. Then Marco grinned.
“You sneaky bastard. I know where this is going and I like it. Keep talking!”
Kai did.
***
Loading map…
3…
2…
1…
Map: Sky Bridge
Modus: Capture the Flag
Faction: Proms
“Fuck me,” Marco said while the loading screen displayed the map in 3D. “We are so lucky. If it had been a Death Match we’d have been screwed. CtF is our best shot.”
“So is the map,” Claudia said. “Remember when we played Sky Bridge for the first time? It’s pretty challenging.”
“It is,” Francois said. “And you can fall off so easily. How many times did you fall, Josh?”
“Shut up,” Josh replied, sounding embarrassed.
“Let’s assume we’re even luckier and Jason’s sublime team has never seen this map before,” Kai said. “With ten different maps the game can choose from randomly and four matches played, the chances of that are high, right? We can use the map as a weapon and lure them into places where they will fall off.”
“Assuming they haven’t practiced like we did,” Claudia said.
“I don’t think they have,” Marco said. “Jason’s guys are so cocksure of themselves, they think they can play every map in every shooter and win. I bet they didn’t even bother to practice.”
They materialized at the base around their flag, which was waving in the wind. This time they were the Red team, playing the slower, heavier cyborgs. That was another bit of good fortune as the Red cyborgs were sturdier than the other two teams, and for the plan to work out, they would need to sustain as much damage as possible.
The map itself couldn’t be more different from the first one they had played that morning. While that scenario had been set in a post-apocalyptic, destroyed village, this map was located in the heart of Olympias City, the futuristic megalopolis that served as the backdrop for the Behind Blue Eyes series.
The midday sun was shining brightly, reflected by the gigantic forest of glass towers surrounding them. Its glaring rays were reflected in many places, creating spectacular lighting effects. No doubt the game engine was flexing its muscles here, and the level designers and lighting artists must have been very proud of themselves. Gamers often took no notice of such artful installations, however, and Kai and his team were no different.
The scenario was set high in the sky on top of three high-rises arranged in a triangle that were connected with each other by a massive glass bridge, which gave the map its name. This map had been designed as a nightmare scenario for people with vertigo as the skyscrapers were more than a mile high, and the ultra-realism of the game made it seem 100% authentic to the players. Misty clouds circled between the tops of the highest buildings surrounding the map and a warm wind blew in the players’ faces.
What made the map even trickier to play was the fact that it had two levels. Between the faction base and the glass bridge, every building had a hatch leading inside. From there, two tunnels led straight to the other buildings – and enemy player bases. Those tunnels were not made of glass, and so it was impossible to see if someone was approaching from there.
When playing Death Match, all three factions’ players basically met at the center platform connecting the three bridge parts leading to the main buildings and engaged in a fierce battle there. Kai’s team would have had no chance in such a fight, but in the CtF mode, the chances were even.
“Ok,” Marco said as the countdown ended and the match started. “Remember, we stick to the plan. We don’t engage, we wait for them to either go at each other’s throats or come for us. Then we stand our ground for as long as possible and let Kai do his magic.”
“Yes, sir,” Claudia said with an obvious grin in her voice. “You almost sound like Topher.”
“One day I’ll whip your ass, girl.”
“Empty promises.”
While still bantering, everyone took a position at the point best suited for their designated role.
Claudia crouched at the flag pedestal, her sniper rifle at the ready. Marco and Josh took cover behind AC vents close to the bridge, and Francois crouched behind a vent behind them. Kai focused on the hatch. If someone approached from there, he would hear and see them. If not, then he was ready to jump down and sneak up on the enemy base as soon as they were under attack.
The tactic they were about to try was indeed highly unusual for shooters, which normally only required a straightforward approach to succeed. It was based on the ‘hold the line’ tactic known from RPGs. Marco and Josh would both play the part of the tank, meaning they would try to get as much of the enemy’s attention as possible. Francois’ job would be to keep the two alive, at least temporarily. The game allowed every player two utility slots, which were by default filled with two healing sprays and two grenades. Francois had swapped his grenades with Marco and now had four healing sprays. Once he used those up, he could swap with Josh and Claudia, who would try to snipe out the hostiles as they approached over the bridge. She had deliberately chosen ammo that didn’t cause lethal damage but had a high-velocity impact that would make the target stagger backward. The goal was to have the map kill the enemy players for them.
While his team would do everything they could to hold the fort, it was Kai’s job to retrieve the enemy flags, plain and simple.
He felt a bit nervous when the game began. Even though it was a team effort, in the end, victory would depend on his skills. He took a deep breath and focused.
We can do it.
“Claudia, can you see anything?” Marco asked.
The map was so cleverly designed that antennas covered the direct views of the enemy bases. Unless they went onto the bridge, the hostiles stayed out of sight.
“Negative,” she replied, looking through her scope so that she could see further.
Nothing moved.
“Maybe they went against each other?” Josh asked hopefully.
“It’s too early to know that,” Marco said.
Kai licked his lips. A gesture that came from his real body as his virtual one couldn’t get dry lips when nervous, at least not in a shooter game. The anticipation was tangible.
Finally, Kai spotted movement.
Holy shit, he thought.
This wasn’t at all what they had expected.
“They’re coming!” he called out.
“Where?” Marco asked. “I can’t see anything!”
“Through the tunnel!”
“What? How many? Blue or Yellow?”
This only could mean that their enemies knew the
map. At least one of the teams, possibly both.
“Not sure!”
Carefully, he leaned forward and peeked deeper into the hatch and the darkness below. A slight blue shimmer shone in the dark.
“Blue. I’m not sure how many though. Oh, wait–”
Kai froze. He could see shadows moving now. A lot of them. And there was also a yellow glow.
A second later, shots were fired as a fierce battle began right below their base.
“Blue and Yellow,” Kai corrected himself.
“Shit. Both have decided to come for us,” Josh said.
“And now they’re fighting in the junction,” Kai added.
An elfish grin flashed over his face as he had an idea.
He produced a grenade from his quickslot and armed it. Then he leaned down the hatch and threw the grenade deep into the tunnel. A second later, everything was shaken by a massive explosion and Kai got a status notice informing him he had killed three people. A feeling of satisfaction every shooter fan knew too well filled him.
It was no secret among players that there was hardly anything so satisfying in the gaming world as defeating an enemy player. Fighting NPCs was one thing. Fighting real people behind their virtual bodies was something completely different. It was a phenomenon psychologists had been debating for decades, yet, of course, neither Kai nor any of his friends had ever wasted a thought on any of that. All they knew was that it was a deeply satisfying feeling, almost comparable with a good meal – or sex.
“Marco!” he called out. “Take over for me here. Shoot at anything that moves. But be careful, they might try to throw grenades, too.”
“And you?”
Kai grinned. “I’m going to get us a flag.”
Without waiting for a response, he sprinted off toward the glass bridge. He couldn’t tell for sure, but he guessed that each enemy team had sent at least three people into the tunnel, maybe even four. Both had had the same idea to ambush the Red team with full force, which meant their bases were being guarded by only one or two people.
The Red faction didn’t possess the Rush ability like the Blues. Instead, they could activate a damage shield. In this situation, Rush would have come in very handy, but Kai had to manage with what he had. Crossing the bridge, he avoided looking downward. The floor was made entirely of glass, or more likely plexiglass. Running over it felt like running over thin air. It was extremely unpleasant and required him to convince his brain over and over again that he wouldn’t fall a mile down with the next step he took. Even though you didn’t fall all the way down but dematerialized after a couple hundred feet, the experience was still a disturbing one.
When they had trained in this map, Kai had learned that the easiest way was to focus on the high-rises on the horizon instead of looking down. However, neither the bridge nor the platform in the middle had rails. One wrong step meant the end. Until he respawned, of course.
After a few seconds, Kai reached the central platform. It was round and had a radius of about 70 feet. Technically it was part of the bridge as it hung in the air. Seemingly defying gravity, it connected the three buildings with each other via bridges that were hardly more than catwalks.
Bright sunlight reflected from the glass surface and blinded Kai. An effect set by default, designed to make crossing and particularly fighting on the bridge even more challenging.
He didn’t hesitate for a second but took the connecting bridge to his left. He couldn’t possibly know how many players stood on guard at each base, so it would be better to attack the Yellows, who were more agile but physically weaker than the Blues.
“How’s it going over there?” he asked his team.
“Splendid!” Marco answered sarcastically. “If you’ll excuse us, we’re a little busy here…”
A moment later, Kai had a clear view of the Yellow base and couldn’t believe his luck. It was empty! Only the yellow flag moved frantically in the wind.
However, his excitement only lasted for a second.
As he hurried to the Yellow base, a massive impact hit his shoulder. Kai staggered and almost fell off the bridge.
Critical hit!
Health 65%!
Looking up, Kai saw movement by the AC vent closest to the flag. The enemy team had left a sharpshooter on guard.
Damn it!
It would have been too good to be true if the base had been unguarded. He didn’t have time for a stand-off with the guy. His comrades would respawn any second, and then he’d be toast.
Kai had only one chance to succeed here, and the Red character would help him do the trick: go in full Rambo. He had learned that the reference came from a series of old movies Topher was particularly fond of. It meant a full-frontal assault, no matter the risk and casualties.
Kai clenched his teeth and charged forward, activating his damage shield. Sunlight reflected off the glass and hit his eyes as the sniper moved his scope around the corner. He fired and hit Kai again, this time in his torso.
Critical hit!
Shield capacity 18%!
Health 60%!
The sniper retreated behind the AC vent, reloading. Kai continued his charge at full speed. When he arrived at the cover, the sniper was waiting for him, his long, sharp, samurai-style blade ready to strike.
But Kai didn’t give him a chance. Instead of trying to parry with his own melee weapon or seek cover, he rammed the hostile with full force, using his momentum. The much shorter and lighter fighter was thrown back through the air – and fell from the ledge into the metropolitan abyss.
“Yes!”
Kai could hardly believe his insane plan had worked.
Quickly, he grabbed the flag and disappeared into the hatch leading to the tunnel.
In a way, the original plan had been reversed as he had had to improvise. He had wanted to use the tunnel to sneak up on the enemy and take the direct way back over the bridge. Now the tunnel was his escape route.
“Got it!” he informed his team. “I’m coming through the tunnel, so make sure they’re all dead by the time I’m there.”
“Copy that!” Claudia replied. “We got them all, we think. Hurry up! They’ll respawn any second and then screw you from behind.”
Kai laughed. “I think I’ll pass on that.”
“Then move your ass!”
“What do you think I’m doing?!”
He advanced through the darkness and carefully peeked over his shoulder. No yellow gleam behind him – yet.
But it was only a matter of time.
A few steps further into the darkness, Kai took another peek – and saw yellow-glowing eyes approaching. At least two pairs, maybe three.
“Fuck!” he swore as bullets hit the wall only inches from his head. “They’re on my tail!”
“We’re coming to back you up!” Marco replied.
“No! Stay where you are!” Kai’s voice sounded unusually fierce. “Stick to the plan, no matter what. Somehow they know we’re the weakest team and are deliberately going for us.”
Another bullet almost hit Kai.
“Son of a bitch!”
Anger rose inside him. This claustrophobic, dark tunnel hanging a mile over the ground was bad enough by itself without someone trying to blow his head off.
Then a crazy idea popped into his head.
Kai stopped in his tracks and crouched, turning around to face his pursuers. He could see them clearly now as they approached swiftly. He would have had no chance of reaching the Red base before they got to him, that much was clear.
Without wasting any more precious seconds, Kai brought up his inventory and selected his second grenade. In real life, what he was going to attempt to do would have been certain suicide, but he had played this map often enough to know that the tunnel was designed to be indestructible.
Kai threw the grenade at his pursuers and couched deeper, shielding his head and neck with his titanium arms.
The detonation shook the tunnel but didn’t destroy it. But the three Y
ellow cyborgs chasing Kai were downed in a massive ball of fire.
Kai felt the heat wave approaching him, but his heavy body was strong enough to sustain it without being blown away.
Warning! Fire damage!
Heavy damage to biological tissue!
Shield: 0%!
Health: 19%!
Damn, one more hit and he was done for. And it didn’t even have to be a critical one.
Nonetheless, Kai grinned as he jumped up and continued his escape through the tunnel.
His HUD was telling him that two of his pursuers had died in the explosion and the third one was barely standing anymore.
That meant four kills for him in this match so far and hopefully a successful flag run in less than a minute.
“You bastard!” he heard Francois say. “That was incredible!”
“Thanks! I’m almost there!”
He could see light at the end of the tunnel. But then, crossing the junction with the tunnel leading to the third base, he saw something else: glowing neon-blue eyes.
“Watch out, Kai!” Marco, who was standing at the hatch, saw them, too. “Blues are at your ass now!”
“Geez, why do all of them go for us?” Josh asked.
“Doesn’t matter,” Claudia said icily. “Let’s kill them all.”
“If they don’t kill me first!” Kai was certain that his real body was dripping in sweat by now as the situation turned increasingly stressful.
He wondered if he should keep running or try to engage the enemy.
But he was almost there… only a couple more feet left.
A bullet hit him in the hip and made him stagger.
Health: 2%!
He felt the familiar unpleasant sensation, yet kept running. Miraculously, he was still alive. But now, he couldn’t possibly make it up the hatch.
“Marco! Take it!”
He stretched out his hand that was holding the flag, blood dripping down his body and forming a puddle at his feet. Marco leaned down and extended his hand.
Suddenly he heard a loud bang, and everything turned black.
Critical hit!
You died!
Respawn in 15 seconds.
A countdown appeared and the loading screen showed the map.
Cyber Squad - Level 1: A Gamelit/LitRPG Lite Cyberpunk Adventure Page 24