Sacrificial Pieces Read online

  The magnetic field also messed with Alan’s new weapon. Plasma bolts would be absorbed into the field and orbit around Alan, or stick to points on his armor. When prompted they would still fire at a point, but their movements were unique due to the overlapping magnetic fields. Alan practiced for a while longer, grabbed a bite to eat, and then proceeded to the main hall.

  ***

  Inside the main hall, beneath the gargoyles holding golden spheres, were a hundred players, a sizable portion of the guild. The tables, which had been laden with food when Alan had first visited, were now covered with supplies, weapons, and armor.

  A few members of the guild looked up at Alan when he entered, saw his new title of Phantom’s squire, then resumed their business. Everyone seemed to have a task to do, general maintenance and other last-minute checks. Alan felt a tad awkward just standing to the side, watching everyone work.

  “You need a Rogue mentor.”

  Alan turned. It was Void. “Yes, who told you that?” When Alan had died back on Earth he’d received a message that Icewolf was no longer his mentor.

  “The walls, they talk,” Void said. “It just so happens I know a few tricks and have been searching for a slave—I mean sacrifice. No, wait, a devoted follower. That’s it.”

  “You’re a Priest,” Alan said, “not a Rogue.”

  “And you’re a boy, not a man,” Void said. “Who are you to presume who I am, much less what?”

  “What?” Alan said.

  “But it is the mindset that counts in the end, not the action. And the actions I could guide you through...”

  Accept his offer, Eve sent.

  Yeah, I want to see where this leads, Lambda sent.

  Alan sighed. “Fine. But I reserve my right to quit your tutelage.”

  “And I reserve the right to slap you whenever I please,” Void said. He clapped his hands and began giggling to himself.

  A message appeared:

  You have gained a new Rogue (?) mentor: Void

  “So what’s the first lesson?” Alan asked Void.

  “Shut up and listen,” Void said.

  Alan waited, then he looked around. The preparations seemed to be coming to a close. Elissandra strode into the hall, Mason and Enigma by her side. A minute later Phantom arrived, along with a few other stragglers who were arriving with last-minute supplies. A recruit walked up to Alan and handed over the ammo he had requested.

  Alan looked back at Void, but he had disappeared.

  “Let’s get started,” Elissandra called out. She walked up to the front of the hall, by the black altar.

  “This is a guild-sponsored deep-exploration dive into the Abyss Labyrinth. Mason will lead the expedition, with Void as his vice commander. It could last upwards of a month. If successful, the payment is expected to be a minimum of 50,000 guild points or 500,000 credits. The raid group will consist of four scouts, ten damage dealers with an assortment of additional skills, five tanks, six support staff, and five healers. Thirty people in total.”

  A number of those present nodded. Alan was included in the support staff, as a hacker and potentially the raid group’s way past a few obstacles.

  “We expect that in the course of the dungeon exploration you will run into three, possibly four rank S bosses, with combat potential equivalent to a Predecessor Warlord. Level unknown. Thus this mission has been classified as high risk, but you know all this—you volunteered,” Elissandra said.

  “Thanks to the information provided by Alan we now have a map of a large portion of the dungeon. We have sent scouts in to confirm the map, and the results are promising. Though the Abyss Labyrinth has been known to shift, it has not in recent years. Thus it is crucial that we strike now, while the time is right.”

  A large map appeared. Hundreds of circles marked the hub areas, and four red squares designated the boss zones, all appearing on the map when Alan had first given it to the Black Rose guild. Now there were additional lines on the map, connecting the circles, as well as portions shaded in red. A few other symbols dotted the map, which Alan knew from the guild handbook represented rest areas, merchants, and even a capsule station.

  “The portion of the labyrinth in the map roughly corresponds to the area below the Private Quadrant of Khersath,” Elissandra said. “The main goal of this dungeon dive is to capture the control points. Four of Enigma’s Specialists will accompany the raid as damage dealers, and then hold the control point for the guild. We will also attempt to complete the quest that Alan has provided. Open discussion of the merits of each quest completion option is welcome, but the final say in this matter lies in the hands of Mason, Void, and Alan as the quest holder.”

  Messages appeared for everyone—the quest messages Alan had provided:

  Missing Systems:

  Restore power to the mysterious Abyss Labyrinth. Find out more about the structure and its purpose.

  Option: Figure out who the Authorities are and attempt to get help from them.

  Penalty for failure: ???

  Reward: ???

  Time Limit: Approx. 3000 years.

  Threat Level: Gamma

  Missing Systems Updated:

  You have been reinstated as friendly with the Abyss Labyrinth. The Warden has given you five years to study the energy crystal before returning it. You may anger an unknown faction for failing to complete this quest in the Warden’s favor. Soulsteel Knife added to quest rewards.

  Prison Break:

  Remove and destroy all power sources of the mysterious Abyss Labyrinth, unleashing its prisoners upon the universe.

  Option: Try to free only certain beings.

  Option: Try to conquer the Abyss Labyrinth.

  Option (Missing Systems): Try to play both sides.

  Penalty for failure: ???

  Reward: ???

  Time Limit: Unknown

  Threat Level: Beta – Gamma

  Alan brought up another quest in his log, one that he had not shared with the guild:

  The Last War:

  Discover more information about the final war that took place in real life, and the mysterious Lords of Life.

  Penalty for failure: ???

  Reward: ???

  “Are there any questions?” Elissandra asked.

  “What support do we have if we get in over our heads or lose a few members along the way?” a scout called out. He wore Advanced Revenant Scout Power Armor.

  “We have identified seven potential extraction and insertion points—one beneath this very base,” Elissandra said. She brought the map back up. “However, once inside the Abyss Labyrinth you will be on your own. If Mason believes the mission is too risky he will be the one to make the decision to withdraw. We hope that Alan’s Friendly reputation with the Warden will also avoid potential catastrophic events. We have decided to provide a few major power crystals to help tide them over for now.”

  “If he’s friendly, won’t this Warden get pissed off once we start capping points and taking heads?” another voice called out.

  “That is a risk, but no, we don’t believe so,” Elissandra said. She glanced at Phantom. “We think the Abyss Labyrinth is a prison, and the Warden has never shown any concern over the loss of life before. Historically, others have captured control points within the labyrinth as well, and they reported no hostile forces after the original defenses were breached.”

  “What did they get from the control point?” Alan asked at Eve’s request.

  Elissandra turned to look at him. “The ordinary tax, stat, and experience boosts equated with controlling an area. Pretty much useless, as no one lives within the dungeon, though perhaps it would turn the dungeon into a better farming ground or even convert it to real estate. Khersath property is always worth holding. In all the previous records we found, no one controlled all of the points in a zone. We do not know what happens if we manage to capture all four, but hope to find out. Even if it is nothing, there are still the area bosses and potentially power crystals to loot.” />
  “If there are no more questions, that concludes this mission briefing. Anyone else?” Elissandra looked around. “Very well, good luck.”

  A message appeared:

  Black Rose Mission, Abyss Labyrinth Expedition:

  Find and hold the four control points of the Abyss Labyrinth located beneath the Private Quadrant of Khersath.

  Penalty for failure: None.

  Reward: Min. 50k guild points. 1 of 3 quests to Knight rank complete. 20% of the total quest reward.

  I hope this mission goes better than the last one, Lambda sent.

  Chapter 3

  Alan sat on top of the supplies as the lift descended. The amount of equipment they were taking into the Abyss Labyrinth was staggering. Large crates sat on levitating metal dollies, flat rectangular devices a few inches thick that made use of electromagnetic suspension. Two fully operational advanced shield generators were also being brought along. Each had 100k energy and were built with specialized shields that only consumed 1 energy for every 2 points of damage taken.

  In the Game shields absorbed full damage, while armor decreased the amount of damage taken. Thus, a pistol shot of 100 damage to a player with 50 shield energy and 10 armor would deal 40 damage, the first 50 points of damage being absorbed by the shield, the remaining damage mitigated by the armor.

  At the end of the convoy, there was a secure, armored-car-like transport device called a guardlev that made use of the same magnetic levitation as the dollies. It looked like a medieval carriage, except it was made of specialized composite armor with shielded windows. Because of the abundance of armor the guardlev could only fit two people.

  Each crate was labeled by an electronic tag that Alan could access, listing what they contained. A quarter of them seemed devoted to gel blocks and atmospheric water generators, as well as unique dietary foodstuffs for a few members of the thirty-man raid. Another quarter of the crates stored ammunition and power crystals. Alan was surprised by the number of crystals, but then remembered that everything needed to be powered—much of the weaponry, the power armor, the metal dollies, the transport, and the shield generators required energy.

  Other crates contained miscellaneous tools and raw materials. Three of the other support staff were armorers and repairmen, and with the boxes of supplies they could patch up equipment and parts of the supply train itself. They could also jury rig a device that was needed on the fly. Empty crates were also brought along—they would hopefully be filled with loot when the guild finished the dungeon dive.

  The raid entered the Abyss Labyrinth at the same place they had originally dropped off the Black Rose recruits. When the lift reached the bottom two familiar messages popped up before Alan:

  You have now entered the Abyss Labyrinth. Unknown perils await in this seemingly bottomless maze.

  Communications with the outside world have been suspended. Your ability to send messages to other players is disabled.

  Alan saw that Mason had already set up a makeshift outpost. Turrets, barricades for cover, and various sensor devices were assembled in the cavern. Alan had been sent down after most of the raid, alongside the supplies, Void, and Enigma’s four “Specialists.” Alan couldn’t figure out if they were cyborgs or androids—cyborgs were humans, turned machine, while androids were machines, turned human. None of the four had said a word since joining the raid.

  Guards were posted at either side of the cavern’s two exits, leading out into the dungeon. Alan noted the scouts were missing, likely out exploring.

  Mason looked over at Alan. “Good, that should be everything. Are all the supplies in order?”

  “Yes,” Alan said. He began walking up to Mason, taking out his weapon and readying himself to head out.

  “Where are you going?” Mason asked.

  “To head into the dungeon with the raid,” Alan said.

  Mason shook his head. “Your job is to stay in the back of the supply train, safe in the guardlev. We need you alive. You’re our ticket through the hubs.”

  “But I’ll miss out on experience,” Alan protested.

  “You’ll still earn plenty as a member of the raid group,” Mason said. “Let the main force clear out the dungeon—you’ll just get in the way. What you need to do is keep a running tally of supplies: food, ammunition, and power crystals. Also, watch our back, make sure no one is tailing us; Phantom said you could do that much.”

  I agree, this seems much safer, Eve sent.

  Never turn down a free lunch, Lambda sent.

  “Oh, okay,” Alan said. He headed over to the supplies and had Eve catalog everything they had.

  A few minutes later, after Alan had double-checked all the supplies and the scouts returned, the group started to move out. The small outpost was dismantled in seconds by two short, dark-faced humanoids with long wiry fingers, and then loaded into a few of the crates.

  Alan was escorted into the guardlev, located at the back of the supply train. At the front of the raid were the scouts, then Mason. The rest of the raid members were interspersed throughout the supplies, while Alan and the four Specialists guarded the rear.

  They progressed along the same route that the Black Rose recruits had taken, and soon encountered the same basic level 25 Spiderbots. With a casual swipe of his war-axe Mason took apart all the ones that approached him.

  Then the level 250 Spiderbot Brood Mother appeared. Mason gestured to one of the raid members, another large, grey-skinned giant, and they raised a shoulder-mounted weapon Alan recognized as a plasma cannon. A single, bright yellow ball of plasma was fired at the Brood Mother. It exploded in a massive inferno, destroyed instantly.

  No one bothered taking any of the loot the Spiderbots had dropped. The raid continued moving on at a steady pace.

  They encountered slimes next. A line of melee fighters walked forward, mowing through the slimes’ cores like they were reaping wheat. When Alan had first arrived here the slimes had consumed each other and had become a massive raid boss, but this time the Black Rose guild members cut them down before that was able to happen.

  Alan glanced at his experience bar. As expected he had earned next to no experience, but these enemies were now far below his level anyway. He wondered what the average level of the raid group was—it probably far outclassed his own level of 586.

  2284, Eve sent. The median is 2170.

  Right, thanks.

  Alan was worried for a second that the supplies would have difficulty traveling up the ramp, but he quickly realized his worries were unfounded. The magnetic levitation kept the pallets steady and level. They stopped before the cube-like structure, one of the prison’s hubs.

  “The moment of truth,” Mason said. “Let’s see if we have to take the long way around or not. Alan.”

  Alan stepped out of the guardlev and approached the building. He found the faint AI presence. Connecting to it was easier than he remembered, like sliding a door in his mind open.

  Greetings, Alan sent.

  … Systems Initializing. Error. Warning: Limited Power.

  Greetings, Traveler. Warning: Main Systems Offline.

  Right, I know. Can you let us through? Alan asked.

  Unrecognized humanoids detected. They must depart before the Traveler is allowed to proceed.

  They’re my allies, and thus yours too, Alan sent. They’re cool, let them through.

  The Abyss Labyrinth’s systems didn’t respond.

  Let me talk to the Sector 3 Chief Warden, Alan sent.

  Request acknowledged. Warning: Main Systems Offline.

  The Warden began a connection. Alan accepted it.

  Greetings, Warden, Alan sent. As you can likely tell, I’ve brought a few allies to help with… exploring the labyrinth.

  And why should I aid you in the conquest of my sector? That seems illogical, the Warden sent.

  Charles? Is that you, Charles? Lambda sent. What’s up, how’s it hanging? It’s been ages, man.

  Wait, I thought AIs weren’t usually ab
le to communicate directly with each other, Alan sent.

  I’m special, Lambda sent.

  The Warden remained silent for a few moments—an eternity for an advanced AI. Then, it sent, Do you believe opening the gates for these biotics to be the correct choice?

  I dunno, but it could be fun, Lambda sent. Maybe there’d be an even bigger bang this time.

  No, the Warden sent. I will not allow chaos to grow. Not here, not now.

  Well, if you want order, perhaps it might be better to let us through, Alan sent. We want to take the control points and restore power to the prison.

  Very well, if you believe you have the strength to bring order to this hellish playground and the main systems back online, I will not stop you. I will allow your party to pass through hub stations unimpeded, but I will not waste energy constructing pathways for you to follow.

  That’s fine, Alan sent.

  Remember, some gates are not easily closed, the Warden sent. And Lambda, I am sorry, but I must report your presence here.

  What? No— Lambda started to send, but the Warden cut off the connection.

  A message appeared:

  Warning! The Authorities have been notified of the escaped AI Lambda’s presence in the Abyss Labyrinth.

  Phew. I thought he was alerting the Administrators. The Authorities won’t give a rat’s ass about me, Lambda sent.

  You— Wha— I have so many questions, Alan sent.

  And I can’t answer any of them, Lambda sent. Don’t worry, look at the state of things here. Everything has fallen into disarray and out of power. I’m just another problem added to the list that they won’t fix. I wouldn’t mention anything to Mason, though.

  Alan told Mason they were good to go, and the convoy proceeded through the hub. Alan got back into the guardlev and continued to scan the back. Only darkness lay behind them. As they proceeded deeper into the dungeon the enemies they faced became increasingly stronger and higher leveled, but none posed any real risk to the raid group.

  Alan even managed to gain a single level, but he soon grew tired of staring out the back of the grav-vehicle. A few hours later the raid had marched a fair number of miles without rest. He overheard a sniper complain loudly, “Why does he get to get carried through the dungeon? We’ve gotten permission from whoever runs this place, so why’s he sticking around?”