“Well. I think it best if we sit down for lunch and discuss it. There is a lot to go over.”
“Great idea. Then the least I can do, besides helping with the guild, is buy everyone lunch. Let me check in.”
Cornelius turned to one of his men, who reported to him quickly in a low tone that made it hard to overhear.
Turning back to us, Cornelius smirked. “So it seems we are safe to leave this part of the wall. The craftsmen wanted to look it over in the light before declaring it finished. We won’t have to worry about the goblins getting in here. What do you guys say we escort the NPCs to the front gate? I hear they have about a thousand goblins surrounded. It would be a shame to let them have all the fun. Do you mind if we make it a late lunch?”
We all looked around at each other, and despite not being fully recovered, we all readily agreed. I'd have a few minutes more to recover while everyone formed up. I hoped.
“Good. I’ll send the command. If you don’t have coffee, there is nothing like gutting goblins in the morning!”
Chapter 23 – Check Point
June 18, 2387
Stage one complete. The first event was designed to push the Codename: Freedom participants to show them their need to grow stronger. It has been a great success.
Report: Our nanobot technology has surpassed all nutrient delivery mechanisms that have come before it. Each nanobot is able to work as an individual and as a part of the whole with the rest of the nanobot population to observe and deliver the perfect steroid and nutrition combination. Their ability to customize distribution levels according to the participant’s needs has been the key.
Stage one continued. The psionic unlocking compound that was introduced to the participant’s bodies through our nanobot technology should be starting to bear fruit in as little as two weeks. Each individual selected for Freedom was determined to contain at least moderate psionic potential. Some have already been documented to possess psionic enhanced strength and a few have shown a weak telekinetic pushing ability.
Stage two commencing. With the participants now highly motivated to push themselves to grow in strength, we are introducing the best training available. These trainers and facilities, in combination with our nanobot tech, should allow each participant to progress in strength as quickly as possible.
That concludes the Codename: Freedom progress report.
I have included the above report because I’m torn in how to respond. My original goal was to create the perfect training environment, which in turn would produce the ultimate soldier. It’s still early, but it is reasonable to hope that we have achieved that very goal.
No new developments to report in regard to the criminal element in Codename: Freedom. I have still been unable to track down the responsible party. With my current workload, I may not be able to give this problem the attention it deserves. I’m considering bring someone else in on my discovery. But who can I trust?
Sr. Director of Game Development
Otto Konig
Chapter 24 – Moving On
I’d never really been a coffee drinker, but with the amount of chocolate in this thing, I wasn’t sure it should be considered coffee. When we had gotten done finishing the goblins near the front gate, Cornelius had introduced us to a new tavern, The Over Eatery. The owner hadn’t decorated the log dining room much except for four large busts of stuffed boar on the walls. Two hung on either side of the dining hall, with the longest wall free of décor to allow for full wall viewing of any Freedom coverage.
“So just like that, 3,621 players have left Codename: Freedom, unwilling to continue. In their defense, many of them suffered some pretty gnarly wounds, which is a testament to how lifelike this game really is,” Mia said, from the augmented big screen.
Her head rested in her hands, and she shook her head back and forth. With a sudden jerk, her hands fled the screen and her jaw dropped into a mouthy grin.
“But on a lighter note, just as many players, some of whom you know well, have taken their place.”
“Lucius!” cried the voice of a towering mop that had just stepped in front of the screen where Mia’s show was playing. It was Treetop. He was across the table behind Cornelius's men, but still tall enough to block the screen.
“Hey man.” I moved to stand, but he held up his hand and began making his way through the mob of players celebrating. It was packed, making it hard to squeeze around while carrying his double large mug.
“The gamers?” Kline said. He sat to my left, our pups between us sharing milk from a bowl.
I nodded.
“Did they join Harrison? I think he started his own guild.” Kline leaned forward, while looking around for him, but decided against standing. “Eh. He’s gone.”
“Lucius.”
Turning, I stood, tabling my mug.
“Treetop. What’s up?”
“Drinking.” His cheeks hugged his ears with a grin. “Saw you so I thought I’d say hi.”
“Is everyone else here?”
“Yeah. They’re around here someplace. If I can find them.”
“We were leaving soon anyways. I’ll stop by when we go. We’re taking the rest of the day off.”
“Now that sounds like a plan!”
As Treetop left to find the gamers, Kline’s chair screeched against the well-worn floor as he stood.
“I’m going to head to the new building,” Kline said. “Should I let Victoria know you will be by later?”
“Yeah. It should be fairly soon.”
“Come, Lulu. We are going to sell stuff on our way. Tell me if you see any ladies that deserve complimenting.”
I shook my head, chuckling, as he left.
Remembering vaguely which direction Treetop had headed, I followed with no assurance he had known where he was going. Much of the tavern was standing room only. The only reason we had gotten a seat was that we had gotten here over three hours ago, among the first visitors after the battle was over.
I found them near the corner of the room by the entrance. They were huddled as a large group, each with a mug in their hand. They weren’t as physically impressive as many of the athletes close by, but there was no denying them. There was a solemn air as they raised their mugs.
Stopping short, I let the moment continue, unwilling to interrupt.
The violet eyes of the beautiful LadyHeadshot spotted me despite my intentions. Her smile greeted me. When HandshakeDeath noticed her reaction, everyone else became aware. Their eyes fell on me.
Not too sure if I was intruding, my concerns were relieved when Vector stepped out of the huddle and offering me his hand.
“Join us for a toast?”
***
We stood together, mugs in hand. I felt it without having to be told. The battle hadn’t been easy for them, but they had made it through and were stronger for it. When I noticed that even Treetop was quietly staring into his mug, I realized that we were all facing the same reality. The first event had been hard, but this was just the beginning.
It was Vector that spoke up to give the toast. “Gamers. We face the most difficult game of our lives. As true gamers we must play. We must face every challenge and figure out the way to conquer it.” He allowed a moment of silence before raising his mug. “To victory!”
“To victory!” I managed to repeat with the others while swallowing down a lump in the back of my throat.
Everyone drew back their mugs to drink, except for Treetop who emptied his mug into a wastebasket behind him.
My surprise joined that of every gamer there. All eyes were on him.
When he saw us staring at him, the look he gave was the soberest one I had ever seen from him. He sighed and said, “I don’t drink.”
***
“So what are we to make of the event Survive Week One ending in four days, not even a five-day week?” Drool asked.
Vector stood at her side, with Treetop and LadyHeadshot crowded around as a part of our conversation. The rest of the group was talking about weapon choices for the future.