What was the same and what was different in ancient and modem context? Jack drew a line down his napkin. Aggression itself was the same, vitality in excitement, achievement, and courage as value. Not seeing who you attacked as being human, like yourself, was—maybe—the same. The reason why was different. Modern alienation was not the same as tribal insularity, but the effect was all too similar.
Jack thought of the positive principle in his game, of what did give a player a sense of achievement. Why did it matter to the Plune to fight an adversary they had to look in the eye? Courage, yes; honor, yes. But not just their own. To fight an adversary you could honor imparted a sense of honor and worth to a warrior. A player, and a player’s character, could understand that principle. The understanding could make the game more challenging, and thereby more fun to play.
Frances came by with the water pitcher, topped off both Jack’s and Sheila’s glasses, taking care not to drop ice cubes into Sheila’s. Sheila smiled. Jack never noticed a thing. Frances continued her rounds.
Jack’s notes began to take on form. What did Xenon’s warrior band have in common with modern gang kids? Physical aggression, of course. But also the size of the group who knew each other. Personality, Jack thought. Xenon wanted to be recognized for his warrior prowess by someone. Give the game-generated other members of the band personalities for Xenon to matter to. Start with King Fi-lander…
Nah… Jack crossed out that idea. The napkin he wrote on tore. Jack turned it over and wrote on the other side. Start with a couple of the other young warriors. Give them attributes Xenon respects: Endurance on the trail. Skill in the hunt. People in whose eyes Xenon’s honor would matter.
“Tough guy—cold,” Jack wrote. Then: “Tougher guy whose secret is self-respect.” Kids, of all people, would not tolerate preaching. Jack’s own moral sense required a distinction between learning and brainwashing. But genuine learning, including moral learning, could be its own reward. Some players would want to win this game. In a society whose civilization seemed to be crumbling on all sides, could he not carry forward the historical concept of warrior’s honor on which so many societies had built civilization? For Gary’s sake, Jack had to try.
Frances brought Jack and Sheila’s dinners.
Jack even noticed how good his chile relleno tasted.
“Warrior’s Honor, Level Two.”
Jack’s hair looked about as distinguished as a raven’s nest. He didn’t care. He knew what came next. In Level Two, Xenon had more information in his electronic personality… of a sort relevant to both his own world and Jack’s:
…“You’ve proven yourself a hunter,” said King Filander. “We’ll see if you make a warrior.”
Xenon felt the mingled confidence and doubt of the other Plune warriors. Kortez, big as himself and tough as flint. Filon, thinner, and tough enough to wear Kortez right out. Xenon knew none was stronger than he. Most of the other Plune raiders had hunted with him. Xenon it was who had taken the great beast, twice his height with legs as thick as a mighty man’s chest, on whose tusks King Filander now sat. Surely the warriors and the king could not doubt Xenon’s courage.
The raiding party set out for the Kronx village…
Physical sensations remained the same in the scene at Level Two: Strong sun on Xenon’s strong shoulders. Rugged hills. Pteranodons swooping overhead. Scent of pine and of skunk-bear. But when Xenon released his arrow, he heard Filon stifle a cough. Not loud enough to alert Kronx warriors; just loud enough to inform Xenon, before his arrow struck, both that and why he did wrong.
Xenon knew why it was Filon who coughed. Not weakness. Kortez was stronger, almost as strong as Xenon himself. But on a starved and sun-blasted trail, in desiccating wind, Xenon knew Filon would outlast them all. Filon breathed the warrior Spirit of Plune honor. Xenon could feel this because Xenon knew Filon. When Filon coughed, Xenon knew what Spirit hitched breath in disapproval.
“Congratulations,” the game announced. “You have found a key to Level Three of Warrior’s Honor.”