tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18799343288275130792024-03-13T14:36:12.656-07:00LitRPG - GameLit - Sci-FiSimon Valehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16142080565999248152noreply@blogger.comBlogger188125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1879934328827513079.post-6539052775359990612023-07-10T04:23:00.040-07:002024-02-01T00:01:42.654-08:00Magic Dome Books library<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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In this post we list all our books in ENGLISH. <a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2022/03/bibliothek-deutscher-bucher.html" target="_blank"><u>GERMAN (DEUTSCHE) books are now moved to different post</u></a>. We'll keep updating it so there is always something new to read. <b>Release dates</b>, <b>audio release dates</b> - it's all here. If you want to be among the first ones to know about our new releases - subscribe to our newsletter: <a href="http://eepurl.com/b7niIL" target="_blanc"><span style="color: red;">English books</span></a> or <span style="color: red;"><a href="http://eepurl.com/dOTLd1" target="_blanc"><span style="color: red;">German books</span></a>.</span><br />
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Numbers in the table show the amount of published chapters (and they also are direct links to texts). <br />
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<blockquote>
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Last updates: </b></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span style="color: red;">February 1 - </span><span style="color: #38761d;">Last Life-5: The Edges of Power by Alexey Osadchuk <a href="https://mybook.to/lastlife5" target="_blank">is released</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">January 30 - </span><span style="color: #38761d;">Sidus-1: First of His Kind by Dan Sugralinov - audiobook <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/First-of-His-Kind-Audiobook/B0CRKBGYMX" target="_blank">is released</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">January 29 - </span><span style="color: #38761d;">An Ideal World for a Sociopath-2 by Oleg Sapphire <a href="https://mybook.to/worldforasociopath2" target="_blank">is released</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">January 25 - </span><span style="color: #38761d;">In the System-7: The Choice by Petr Zhgulyov <a href="https://mybook.to/InTheSystem7" target="_blank">is released</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">January 22 - </span><span style="color: #38761d;">A Shelter in Spacetime-1 by Dmitry Dornichev <a href="https://mybook.to/ShelterInSpacetime1" target="_blank">is released</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">January 17 - </span><span style="color: #38761d;">Rogue Merchant-5: The Devil Archetype by Roman Prokofiev - audiobook <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Devil-Archetype-Audiobook/B0CPTLPTP2" target="_blank">is released</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">January 16 - </span><span style="color: #38761d;">Lord Valevsky: Last of the Line-3 by Vasily Mahanenko - audiobook <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Condemned-Audiobook/B0CQDKB56D" target="_blank">is released</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">January 11 - </span><span style="color: #38761d;">The Healer's Way-2 by Alexey Kovtunov and Oleg Sapphire <a href="https://mybook.to/healersway2" target="_blank">is released</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">January 4 - </span><span style="color: #38761d;">The Hunter's Code-2 by Yuri Vinokuroff and Oleg Sapphire <a href="https://mybook.to/hunterscode2" target="_blank">is released</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">December 27 - </span><span style="color: #38761d;">Last Life-3: Blood Ties by Alexey Osadchuk - audiobook <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Blood-Ties-Audiobook/B0CQ14Q5XF" target="_blank">is released</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">December 26 - </span><span style="color: #38761d;">Disgardium-12: Unity by Dan Sugralinov - audiobook <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Unity-Audiobook/B0CN7M3BDB" target="_blank">is released</a>. Reality Benders-10: To Change the Past by Michael Atamanov - <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/To-Change-the-Past-Audiobook/B0CQ3LTZXG" target="_blank">audiobook is released</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">December 19 - </span><span style="color: #38761d;">Invasion-3: The Portals of Altameda by Vasily Mahanenko - audiobook <a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Portals-of-Altameda-Audiobook/B0CNS5LW3V" target="_blank">is released</a></span><br />
</blockquote>
⇓⇓⇓ - Browse the entire list</div>
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<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Cover</strong>
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<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Title</strong>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>In this blog</strong>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Amazon / KU</strong></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Audible</strong> </div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>LitRPG</strong>
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</td>
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<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
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<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KWrL6zexjf4/V-vbv63GvBI/AAAAAAAAA1U/c303rqJtDFEktrp0ab87qoD9N4o8CrvhgCLcB/s1600/SQ1.jpg"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KWrL6zexjf4/V-vbv63GvBI/AAAAAAAAA1U/c303rqJtDFEktrp0ab87qoD9N4o8CrvhgCLcB/s200/SQ1.jpg" width="67" /></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Way of the Shaman, B1: Survival Quest
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VQRW14E" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00VQRW14E" target="_blank">UK</a> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></span></span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Survival-Quest-Audiobook/B01CRDD6ZS" target="_blank">audio</a>
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<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PTRodHYylbg/V-vcKsdHAwI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/ftgyN9yZzZQEpGk-cikv0ieSbNMu9gYcACLcB/s1600/SQ2.jpg"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PTRodHYylbg/V-vcKsdHAwI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/ftgyN9yZzZQEpGk-cikv0ieSbNMu9gYcACLcB/s200/SQ2.jpg" width="67" /></a>
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</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Way of the Shaman, B2: The Kartoss Gambit
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017F71H6Q" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B017F71H6Q" target="_blank">UK</a></span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Kartoss-Gambit-Audiobook/B01DPZLX4I" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">audio</span></a>
</div>
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<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vtIYwYxIz-c/XfNwtd3M8LI/AAAAAAAAB2s/W-vSgGGrI-oOhmjPmUkeT-uwTGb51MswQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/SQ3_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="528" height="100" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vtIYwYxIz-c/XfNwtd3M8LI/AAAAAAAAB2s/W-vSgGGrI-oOhmjPmUkeT-uwTGb51MswQCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/SQ3_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Way of the Shaman, B3: The Secret of the Dark Forest
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HZ4TYDM" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01HZ4TYDM" target="_blank">UK</a></span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Secret-of-the-Dark-Forest-Audiobook/B01M3U04IL" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">audio</span></a></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9PQgOWd4E18/WA3GxLk5uhI/AAAAAAAAA4E/B1LQ6XAxJLgwLC7K29b7rhZp63hxvtacACLcB/s1600/SQ4_web.jpg"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9PQgOWd4E18/WA3GxLk5uhI/AAAAAAAAA4E/B1LQ6XAxJLgwLC7K29b7rhZp63hxvtacACLcB/s200/SQ4_web.jpg" width="67" /></a>
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</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Way of the Shaman, B4: The Phantom Castle
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M8JW7DQ" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01M8JW7DQ" target="_blank">UK</a></span></div>
</td><td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Phantom-Castle-Audiobook/B06WVJ5NTG" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">audio</span></a></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uwmsRXlqmx4/WOCzrH9z63I/AAAAAAAAA_o/Eq0k-8q6LIc786NWhkWyBfrPxaVljqrfACLcB/s1600/SQ5_web.jpg"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uwmsRXlqmx4/WOCzrH9z63I/AAAAAAAAA_o/Eq0k-8q6LIc786NWhkWyBfrPxaVljqrfACLcB/s200/SQ5_web.jpg" width="67" /></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Way of the Shaman, B5: The Karmadont Chess Set
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MR50Z43" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01MR50Z43" target="_blank">UK</a></span></div>
</td><td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Karmadont-Chess-Set-Audiobook/B071DSVT79" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">audio</span></a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eyv-7zNgMH4/WZRCE6Zsq3I/AAAAAAAABHk/uqtMinwbSTM63yoQD2jXwAJCqQSOOlx5gCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/SQ6_web.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="527" height="100" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eyv-7zNgMH4/WZRCE6Zsq3I/AAAAAAAABHk/uqtMinwbSTM63yoQD2jXwAJCqQSOOlx5gCPcBGAYYCw/s200/SQ6_web.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
The Way of the Shaman, B6: Shaman's Revenge
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.ru/2017/08/way-of-shaman-book-6-shamans-revenge.html" target="_blanc">3/12</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074V8YB1M" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B074V8YB1M" target="_blank">UK</a></span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Shamans-Revenge-Audiobook/B07773KCY7" target="_blanc">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
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<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RE8UAMgYe48/Wnqgg8SAyrI/AAAAAAAABQU/xgYTP_iCqk08p8JQe5wqkKYrZkYEHV8egCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/SQ7_web.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="527" height="100" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RE8UAMgYe48/Wnqgg8SAyrI/AAAAAAAABQU/xgYTP_iCqk08p8JQe5wqkKYrZkYEHV8egCPcBGAYYCw/s200/SQ7_web.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
The Way of the Shaman, B7: Clans War
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.ru/2018/02/way-of-shaman-book-vii-clans-war.html" target="_blanc">3/15</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079N9DBB9" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B079N9DBB9">UK</a></span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Clans-War-Audiobook/B07CWWTJJ1" target="_blanc">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t3ouC9zUu4E/V-vcp4pxztI/AAAAAAAAA2U/rqOE7ckH-KIUUDMtJjIuq9kF04u8KDjngCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/G1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="100" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t3ouC9zUu4E/V-vcp4pxztI/AAAAAAAAA2U/rqOE7ckH-KIUUDMtJjIuq9kF04u8KDjngCPcBGAYYCw/s200/G1.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Galactogon, B1: Start the Game
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B012B9L0DI" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B012B9L0DI" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td><td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Start-the-Game-Audiobook/B06XCT9HTG" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">audio</span></a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7adezIRfBjo/XF11sb0_RUI/AAAAAAAABhI/XEzaWintwEIz7HaRbwnXxD4mh6RLs5z3QCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/G2_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="100" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7adezIRfBjo/XF11sb0_RUI/AAAAAAAABhI/XEzaWintwEIz7HaRbwnXxD4mh6RLs5z3QCPcBGAYYCw/s200/G2_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Galactogon, B2: In Search of the Uldans
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2019/02/galactogon-in-search-of-uldans.html" target="_blanc">1/10</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NJ569WP" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07NJ569WP" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td><td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/In-Search-of-the-Uldans-Audiobook/1541406168" target="_blanc">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
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<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9sH-pvbP2O4/XRcYzMoaIqI/AAAAAAAABqI/ahARd2bcrYglPFUsV9W2eVluzrzXGnKywCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/G3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="100" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9sH-pvbP2O4/XRcYzMoaIqI/AAAAAAAABqI/ahARd2bcrYglPFUsV9W2eVluzrzXGnKywCPcBGAYYCw/s200/G3.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Galactogon, B3: A Check for a Billion
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2019/06/galactogon-3-check-for-billion-by.html" target="_blanc">2/24</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TN1MNH7" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07TN1MNH7" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td><td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/A-Check-for-a-Billion-Audiobook/1515948404" target="_blanc">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xt1W2NtWrkY/WClsBDlPGAI/AAAAAAAAA5k/yhbRZ-bhOBcht8-OvNhzfMlVvPlAM41mwCPcB/s1600/DP1_web.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xt1W2NtWrkY/WClsBDlPGAI/AAAAAAAAA5k/yhbRZ-bhOBcht8-OvNhzfMlVvPlAM41mwCPcB/s320/DP1_web.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Dark Paladin, B1: The Beginning</span><span style="color: red;">
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2016/11/dark-paladin-beginning-by-vasily.html" target="_blanc">1/13</a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MXIZK80" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01MXIZK80" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Beginning-Audiobook/B06XSKFS3N" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">audio</span></a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0M3d4PMtVdA/WT6K-RxVe2I/AAAAAAAABE8/vVgqUhfIFEsVxcR7_CqV5vN1G6uj7A64ACEw/s1600/DP2_web.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="566" height="100" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0M3d4PMtVdA/WT6K-RxVe2I/AAAAAAAABE8/vVgqUhfIFEsVxcR7_CqV5vN1G6uj7A64ACEw/s200/DP2_web.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Dark Paladin, B2: The Quest</span><span style="color: red;"> </span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.ru/2017/06/dark-paladin-book-2-by-vasily-mahanenko.html" target="_blank">1/10</a></span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071WCGGT2" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B071WCGGT2" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Quest-Audiobook/B074SYWB65" target="_blank">audio</a></span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-48BB_Cy6MwE/Wl885idJgaI/AAAAAAAABPE/MiFwmBLXRYAFJIkn5V5wVJziIwQ-3CeUwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/DP3_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="566" height="100" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-48BB_Cy6MwE/Wl885idJgaI/AAAAAAAABPE/MiFwmBLXRYAFJIkn5V5wVJziIwQ-3CeUwCPcBGAYYCw/s200/DP3_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Dark Paladin, B3: Restart</span><span style="color: red;"> </span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.ru/2018/01/dark-paladin-book-3-restart.html" target="_blank">1/10</a></span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0791J9CHW" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0791J9CHW" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Restart-Audiobook/B07CP6SQFG" target="_blanc">audio</a></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mU2v1j1BUhk/XO_M1OzGkrI/AAAAAAAABm4/i3AvOOZXk0cAjbAOm8OuOqQ7ne-DNZ0SACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/I1_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="527" height="100" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mU2v1j1BUhk/XO_M1OzGkrI/AAAAAAAABm4/i3AvOOZXk0cAjbAOm8OuOqQ7ne-DNZ0SACPcBGAYYCw/s200/I1_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Invasion, B1: A Second Chance</span><span style="color: red;"> </span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2019/05/invasion-litrpg-series-by-vasily.html" target="_blank">2/x</a></span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SH5WGX6" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07SH5WGX6" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/A-Second-Chance-Audiobook/1515945499" target="_blanc">audio</a></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-23FzPwuQGUc/Xb0joj7VYpI/AAAAAAAAB0M/zOeTBrYR9LoPK7_TbfCeUyvkU9gprHtBACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/I2_800_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="527" height="100" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-23FzPwuQGUc/Xb0joj7VYpI/AAAAAAAAB0M/zOeTBrYR9LoPK7_TbfCeUyvkU9gprHtBACPcBGAYYCw/s200/I2_800_2.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Invasion, B2: An Equation with One Unknown</span><span style="color: red;"> </span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2019/11/an-equation-with-one-unknown-by-vasily.html" target="_blank">4/x</a></span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZQLPDLL" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07ZQLPDLL" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/An-Equation-with-One-Unknown-Audiobook/1705256945" target="_blank">audio</a></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51era2efD2L.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51era2efD2L.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Invasion, B3: The Portals of Altameda</span><span style="color: red;"> </span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BWKNXKY7" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BWKNXKY7" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2nKBcKJzVVQ/XiA5IPAareI/AAAAAAAAB5Q/NDJQqq6wTRE05Dfc3UFY92yVqjvKujfcwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/WC1_new_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="500" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2nKBcKJzVVQ/XiA5IPAareI/AAAAAAAAB5Q/NDJQqq6wTRE05Dfc3UFY92yVqjvKujfcwCPcBGAYYCw/s200/WC1_new_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">The World of the Changed, B1: No Mistakes</span><span style="color: red;"> </span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2019/11/world-of-changed-no-mistakes-by-vasily.html" target="_blank">2/24</a></span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081CVZNL9" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B081CVZNL9" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/No-Mistakes-Audiobook/1705208282" target="_blank">audio</a></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3KXtYieYZ0/XiA4_l2ufYI/AAAAAAAAB5M/0QdU8JSzLzAg6PY-Pr3a1Rc25j43fHA6gCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/WC2_new_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="500" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3KXtYieYZ0/XiA4_l2ufYI/AAAAAAAAB5M/0QdU8JSzLzAg6PY-Pr3a1Rc25j43fHA6gCPcBGAYYCw/s200/WC2_new_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">The World of the Changed, B2: Pearl of the South</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2020/01/world-of-changed-book-2.html" target="_blank">4/x</a></span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083RWY3P5" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B083RWY3P5" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span><span style="color: red;"> </span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Pearl-of-the-South-Audiobook/1705223842" target="_blanc">audio</a></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ByXvNJI4sPg/Xj1ePv5FCoI/AAAAAAAAB6g/E6Aukym3oZconq2_cjHGe0l2JeKFSP-pgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/WC3_new_900_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="500" height="100" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ByXvNJI4sPg/Xj1ePv5FCoI/AAAAAAAAB6g/E6Aukym3oZconq2_cjHGe0l2JeKFSP-pgCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/WC3_new_900_2.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">The World of the Changed, B3: Noa in the Flesh</span><span style="color: red;"> </span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2020/03/world-of-changed-3-noa-in-flesh-by.html" target="_blanc">4/x</a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084D5SLBN" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B084D5SLBN" target="_blanc">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Noa-in-the-Flesh-Audiobook/1705223869" target="_blanc">audio</a></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YEBS8tRc9IM/Xp1a8jrtDsI/AAAAAAAACAA/NW26WJXYgZQzRogaq__vKoWihNQuywTyACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/A1_800_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="100" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YEBS8tRc9IM/Xp1a8jrtDsI/AAAAAAAACAA/NW26WJXYgZQzRogaq__vKoWihNQuywTyACPcBGAYYCw/s200/A1_800_2.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">The Alchemist, B1: City of the Dead</span><span style="color: red;"> </span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2020/04/the-alchemist-by-vasily-mahanenko.html" target="_blanc">1/x</a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08778KDNQ" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08778KDNQ" target="_blanc">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/City-of-the-Dead-Audiobook/1705255124" target="_blank">audio</a></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-89qbnN_1sjY/XsTsWimpg9I/AAAAAAAACEI/nHNUB4c2wBgAdYx3S8ahTLv4z_gAwjObgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/A2_800_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-89qbnN_1sjY/XsTsWimpg9I/AAAAAAAACEI/nHNUB4c2wBgAdYx3S8ahTLv4z_gAwjObgCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/A2_800_2.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">The Alchemist, B2: Forest of Desires</span><span style="color: red;"> </span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088TVQX36" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B088TVQX36" target="_blanc">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Forest-of-Desire-Audiobook/1705255140" target="_blank">audio</a></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n7pQ4ZTAYi4/XtpR3Z37NMI/AAAAAAAACHQ/ny4fsUSJtV8khAhiqKDTTRfiRBUW_6jFwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/A3_800_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="100" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n7pQ4ZTAYi4/XtpR3Z37NMI/AAAAAAAACHQ/ny4fsUSJtV8khAhiqKDTTRfiRBUW_6jFwCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/A3_800_2.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">The Alchemist, B3: Tears of Alron</span><span style="color: red;"> </span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089QR8N9D" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B089QR8N9D" target="_blanc">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Tears-of-Alron-Audiobook/1705255167" target="_blank">audio</a></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fj1MoZHwmXM/X24N5aIoozI/AAAAAAAACTg/opOAsN8lELkQFX-0FOQFWRYbH8dTJ1xsQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/A4_800.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fj1MoZHwmXM/X24N5aIoozI/AAAAAAAACTg/opOAsN8lELkQFX-0FOQFWRYbH8dTJ1xsQCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/A4_800.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">The Alchemist, B4: Isr Kale's Journal</span><span style="color: red;"> </span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08K3J34V1" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08K3J34V1" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Isr-Kales-Journal-Audiobook/1705294022" target="_blank">audio</a></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51tMPrtNTfL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51tMPrtNTfL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">The Alchemist, B5: Tartila Mine</span><span style="color: red;"> </span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08ZNP11HT" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08ZNP11HT" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Tartila-Mine-Audiobook/B09GCP41JJ" target="_blank">audio</a></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UzQUT_ms3eA/WvA4LPaojYI/AAAAAAAABTQ/L8uUiNeTCO8g2IxZ9OBFUDaNGV2nu0QCQCLcBGAs/s1600/Bard1_800.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="565" height="100" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UzQUT_ms3eA/WvA4LPaojYI/AAAAAAAABTQ/L8uUiNeTCO8g2IxZ9OBFUDaNGV2nu0QCQCLcBGAs/s200/Bard1_800.png" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">The Bard from Barliona, B1: The Renegades</span><span style="color: red;"> </span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CWGCSQQ" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07CWGCSQQ" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Renegades-Audiobook/1541444213" target="_blanc">audio</a></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RhcN0lxEX8w/W4V84r2JtnI/AAAAAAAABZo/eec3hqqkuD46GGmoo5d-eZkwrgNvZNCdwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Bard2_web.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="566" height="100" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RhcN0lxEX8w/W4V84r2JtnI/AAAAAAAABZo/eec3hqqkuD46GGmoo5d-eZkwrgNvZNCdwCPcBGAYYCw/s200/Bard2_web.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">The Bard from Barliona, B2: A Song of Shadow</span><span style="color: red;"> </span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2018/08/the-bard-from-barliona-2-song-of-shadow.html">1/17</a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GX1C6X1" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07GX1C6X1" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/A-Song-of-Shadow-Audiobook/1541444221" taerget="_blanc" target="_blank">audio</a></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N8G2FGkJD60/V-vdAPgZ5FI/AAAAAAAAA1o/GiivFISyL8od9L8tEzr_pbq6cnSXdY9SACLcB/s1600/New_1.jpg"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N8G2FGkJD60/V-vdAPgZ5FI/AAAAAAAAA1o/GiivFISyL8od9L8tEzr_pbq6cnSXdY9SACLcB/s200/New_1.jpg" width="67" /></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Mirror World, B1: Project Daily Grind
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AF0Z3CE" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01AF0Z3CE" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Project-Daily-Grind-Audiobook/B01KYE5FVK" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">audio</span></a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X7PNVTou0fg/XfNxHLH6-SI/AAAAAAAAB20/fEl84SfQztYzVyZwmwoqyJg8_PqF2F8vwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/MW2_web.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="528" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X7PNVTou0fg/XfNxHLH6-SI/AAAAAAAAB20/fEl84SfQztYzVyZwmwoqyJg8_PqF2F8vwCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/MW2_web.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Mirror World, B2: The Citadel
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.ru/2016/05/mirror-world-citadel-by-alexey-osadchuk.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">2/24</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FKC7JTW" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01FKC7JTW" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Citadel-Audiobook/B01M13CP4I" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">audio</span></a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-moItoBnCzj4/WAABXQtbXlI/AAAAAAAAA34/FPWc-HWKr60jieQBDYYdRftsgdcy5vC-ACPcB/s1600/MW3.jpg"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-moItoBnCzj4/WAABXQtbXlI/AAAAAAAAA34/FPWc-HWKr60jieQBDYYdRftsgdcy5vC-ACPcB/s200/MW3.jpg" width="67" /></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Mirror World, B3: The Way of the Outcast</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.ru/2016/10/mirror-world-book-3-way-of-outcast.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">2/29</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M8G9U59" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01M8G9U59" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Way-of-the-Outcast-Audiobook/B06WGSHNNZ" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">audio</span></a></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TkboQ46dct4/Wa5q-LnLojI/AAAAAAAABIo/yO0SR2vYVgkgy8jQs2IVFsAl0PPOJu2XgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/MW4_web.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="527" height="100" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TkboQ46dct4/Wa5q-LnLojI/AAAAAAAABIo/yO0SR2vYVgkgy8jQs2IVFsAl0PPOJu2XgCPcBGAYYCw/s200/MW4_web.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Mirror World, B4: The Twilight Obelisk
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.ru/2017/09/mirror-world-4-twilight-obelisk.html" target="_blanc">2/26</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075DCMTPP" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B075DCMTPP" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Twilight-Obelisk-Audiobook/B07946KC88" target="_blanc">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51KYZuSFt1L.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51KYZuSFt1L.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Mirror World, B5: The Founder
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09XXZMCKS" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09XXZMCKS" target="_blank">UK</a></span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Founder-Audiobook/B0BXBGNKRS" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oRXqbrJO_AA/XQ3Z8LiCPvI/AAAAAAAABpE/EvwYYvS5GoArMQ-42yVXSAp6G1oPhWe6QCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/U1_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1056" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oRXqbrJO_AA/XQ3Z8LiCPvI/AAAAAAAABpE/EvwYYvS5GoArMQ-42yVXSAp6G1oPhWe6QCPcBGAYYCw/s200/U1_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Underdog, B1: Dungeons of the Crooked Mountains
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2019/06/underdog-dungeons-of-crooked-mountains.html" target="_blanc">2/25</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T8KK776" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07T8KK776" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Dungeons-of-the-Crooked-Mountains-Audiobook/1515948021" target="_blanc">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WHJHyT_O3o0/XZuMvOYhEhI/AAAAAAAABx0/7q5TI56cxNIluQhTGJvWV8GjhAnLZtd-gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/U2_800_3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="527" height="100" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WHJHyT_O3o0/XZuMvOYhEhI/AAAAAAAABx0/7q5TI56cxNIluQhTGJvWV8GjhAnLZtd-gCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/U2_800_3.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Underdog, B2: The Wastes
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2019/12/underdog-wastes-by-alexey-osadchuk.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">4/28</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XGL6WCW" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07XGL6WCW" target="_blank">UK</a></span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Wastes-Audiobook/151594803X" target="_blanc">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BKfBxDrvCLc/Xh2tMvDChRI/AAAAAAAAB40/LAiRDZyofTMB7n0MyRUK6CCi7R-d0KrwACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/U3_800_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="528" height="100" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BKfBxDrvCLc/Xh2tMvDChRI/AAAAAAAAB40/LAiRDZyofTMB7n0MyRUK6CCi7R-d0KrwACLcBGAsYHQ/s200/U3_800_2.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Underdog, B3: The Dark Continent
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082Y46F6B" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B082Y46F6B" target="_blank">UK</a></span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Dark-Continent-Audiobook/1515948048" target="_blanc">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L5dtm_LXy80/XtIpLcwWyLI/AAAAAAAACF4/NEogTJ2vr4c2KEX_pdZETg_4z52nLMkvQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/U4_800_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="527" height="100" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L5dtm_LXy80/XtIpLcwWyLI/AAAAAAAACF4/NEogTJ2vr4c2KEX_pdZETg_4z52nLMkvQCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/U4_800_2.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Underdog, B4: The Otherworld
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089DQ28TP" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B089DQ28TP" target="_blank">UK</a></span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Otherworld-Audiobook/170526896X" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-goCEUc99BQA/X48ChBp4R0I/AAAAAAAACVc/ixQomaQSXc4kBmDLoTzEL1b354pGHbENACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/U5_800.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="527" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-goCEUc99BQA/X48ChBp4R0I/AAAAAAAACVc/ixQomaQSXc4kBmDLoTzEL1b354pGHbENACLcBGAsYHQ/s200/U5_800.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Underdog, B5: Labyrinth of Fright
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2020/11/underdog-labyrinth-of-fright-by-alexey.html" target="_blank">5/29</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08LHD9N6D" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08LHD9N6D" target="_blanc">UK</a></span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Labyrinth-of-Fright-Audiobook/1666102385" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sgJDNvLt_kw/YEKJsVPxZVI/AAAAAAAACis/cqdLl-W2rhg8DJnv13H6p9F0OcvkoOqhgCLcBGAsYHQ/s500/51JfCdspOWL%255B1%255D.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sgJDNvLt_kw/YEKJsVPxZVI/AAAAAAAACis/cqdLl-W2rhg8DJnv13H6p9F0OcvkoOqhgCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/51JfCdspOWL%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Underdog, B6: Showdown
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08Y5GRPPB" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08Y5GRPPB" target="_blank">UK</a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Showdown-Audiobook/1666102407" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/510BhcM5P1S.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/510BhcM5P1S.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Underdog, B7: Arbiter
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B098R35J3P" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B098R35J3P" target="_blank">UK</a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Arbiter-Audiobook/B09PSJJSKX" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51SCOZo9D3L.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51SCOZo9D3L.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Underdog, B8: Renegade
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09Q3DHJVJ" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09Q3DHJVJ" target="_blank">UK</a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Renegade-Audiobook/B0BDT7HL9X" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CTF8JdV8U80/V-vdQcKE0sI/AAAAAAAAA1w/2t44Ju7tqP0APlspk_XrrqrAjJc4SoEIACLcB/s1600/PD1.jpg"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CTF8JdV8U80/V-vdQcKE0sI/AAAAAAAAA1w/2t44Ju7tqP0APlspk_XrrqrAjJc4SoEIACLcB/s200/PD1.jpg" width="67" /></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Perimeter Defense, B1: Sector Eight
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.ru/2016/06/perimeter-defense-sector-eight-by-m.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">1/17</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015JMSSJS" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B015JMSSJS" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Sector-Eight-Audiobook/B01GW555K6" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">audio</span></a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h95g_EnnQ7U/V-vdXmS2rDI/AAAAAAAAA10/WkI67c-nDsoYX6qYW7z9MuTHZuesBb1QgCLcB/s1600/PD2.jpg"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h95g_EnnQ7U/V-vdXmS2rDI/AAAAAAAAA10/WkI67c-nDsoYX6qYW7z9MuTHZuesBb1QgCLcB/s200/PD2.jpg" width="67" /></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Perimeter Defense, B2: Beyond Death
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.ru/2016/05/beyond-death-by-michael-atamanov.html" target="_blanc">1/17</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BMDOT7S" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01BMDOT7S" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Beyond-Death-Audiobook/B01I24371Y" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">audio</span></a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-17JofOHJPJM/V-vdb0u1itI/AAAAAAAAA14/gTtseWrk3pUYko9cbe8p6frNdbOE_r4BACLcB/s1600/PD3.jpg"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-17JofOHJPJM/V-vdb0u1itI/AAAAAAAAA14/gTtseWrk3pUYko9cbe8p6frNdbOE_r4BACLcB/s200/PD3.jpg" width="67" /></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Perimeter Defense, B3: New Contract
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.ru/2016/06/perimeter-defense-book-iii-new-contract_29.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">1/16</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HS40JRE" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01HS40JRE" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/New-Contract-Audiobook/B01M31C2SB" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">audio</span></a></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dRGoNR2rBSM/WYmYB7Jcr4I/AAAAAAAABHA/XmLbZppY7Rgr42aixaKvtVmkxtl52IAlQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/PD4_web.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="100" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dRGoNR2rBSM/WYmYB7Jcr4I/AAAAAAAABHA/XmLbZppY7Rgr42aixaKvtVmkxtl52IAlQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/PD4_web.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Perimeter Defense, B4: A Game With No Rules
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.ru/2017/08/perimeter-defense-book-4-game-with-no.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">1/17</span></a>
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red;"><span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074MVPFGJ" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B074MVPFGJ" target="_blank">UK</a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/A-Game-with-No-Rules-Audiobook/B0773T5TWH" target="_blanc">audio</a>
</span></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5VQJnhLw448/WA8Mi8CgieI/AAAAAAAAA4s/Xfune3w2QxcPpgtVw7mHIC7ijQgnE2aGQCPcB/s1600/DH1_web.jpg"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5VQJnhLw448/WA8Mi8CgieI/AAAAAAAAA4s/Xfune3w2QxcPpgtVw7mHIC7ijQgnE2aGQCPcB/s200/DH1_web.jpg" width="67" /></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">The Dark Herbalist, B1: Video Game Plotline Tester
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.ru/2016/10/the-dark-herbalist-amazing-new.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">1/16</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M9F1AM7" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01M9F1AM7" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Video-Game-Plotline-Tester-Audiobook/B06XSFVP63" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">audio</span></a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1uLL9DeiLG0/WMLNxOsxGkI/AAAAAAAAA-o/FcJLPztHwKEDwMsVbo9PwR3KY8h-T2vAQCPcB/s1600/DH2_web.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1uLL9DeiLG0/WMLNxOsxGkI/AAAAAAAAA-o/FcJLPztHwKEDwMsVbo9PwR3KY8h-T2vAQCPcB/s200/DH2_web.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">The Dark Herbalist, B2: Stay on the Wing
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.ru/2017/03/the-dark-herbalist-book-2-stay-on-wing.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">1/18</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XHPJG2S" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XHPJG2S" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Stay-on-the-Wing-Audiobook/B0757R6L9L" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">audio</span></a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Fu3OvL9h9I/Wf1mnAhkQpI/AAAAAAAABL4/ssdl-bo4o14dHnz2p-bR-aa1OKz9ExxVgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/DH3_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="516" height="100" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Fu3OvL9h9I/Wf1mnAhkQpI/AAAAAAAABL4/ssdl-bo4o14dHnz2p-bR-aa1OKz9ExxVgCPcBGAYYCw/s200/DH3_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">The Dark Herbalist, B3: A Trap for the Potentate
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.ru/2017/11/the-dark-herbalist-book-3-is-up-for-pre.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">1/17</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07763PQWN" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07763PQWN" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/A-Trap-for-the-Potentate-Audiobook/B07B6GYJSD" target="_blanc">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-byNZnSwTClo/W-1BoirbNOI/AAAAAAAABc0/zJIdY1go7cAmqdV0r0ijonZTNvEMJMHswCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/DH4_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="516" height="100" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-byNZnSwTClo/W-1BoirbNOI/AAAAAAAABc0/zJIdY1go7cAmqdV0r0ijonZTNvEMJMHswCPcBGAYYCw/s200/DH4_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">The Dark Herbalist, B4: Finding a Body
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2018/11/the-dark-herbalist-4-finding-body.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">1/15</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KKCLVCT" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07KKCLVCT" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Finding-a-Body-Audiobook/1977344224" target="_blanc">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hWq34X948is/WprjAltSQYI/AAAAAAAABRk/7T2sapdsHE8kBvjYIjDrWg7NdL9Ljhr0QCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/RB1_800_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="507" height="100" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hWq34X948is/WprjAltSQYI/AAAAAAAABRk/7T2sapdsHE8kBvjYIjDrWg7NdL9Ljhr0QCPcBGAYYCw/s200/RB1_800_2.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Reality Benders, B1: Countdown
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.ru/2018/03/reality-benders-countdown.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">3/36</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B6QHC44" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07B6QHC44" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Countdown-Audiobook/B07DKL7W8N" target="_blanc">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YXyiiKp-2TY/WuQUwncyPeI/AAAAAAAABS4/InkQ3aAHEDkuh1e48O5VcaX9nqWe1R88gCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/RB2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="506" height="100" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YXyiiKp-2TY/WuQUwncyPeI/AAAAAAAABS4/InkQ3aAHEDkuh1e48O5VcaX9nqWe1R88gCPcBGAYYCw/s200/RB2.png" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Reality Benders, B2: External Threat
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.ru/2018/04/reality-benders-2-external-threat-by.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">6/x</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CQ6C9K7" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07CQ6C9K7" target="_blank">UK</a></span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/External-Threat-Audiobook/B07HRY41H8" target="_blanc">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VF7tXVWN_co/W2VVT2wOKyI/AAAAAAAABXE/HgpTBiJBqtUw_vTLWXUgdaKknnGIIgbFgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/RB3_1_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="507" height="100" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VF7tXVWN_co/W2VVT2wOKyI/AAAAAAAABXE/HgpTBiJBqtUw_vTLWXUgdaKknnGIIgbFgCPcBGAYYCw/s200/RB3_1_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Reality Benders, B3: Game Changer
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2018/08/reality-benders-3-game-changer-by.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">5/x</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FQQGC83" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07FQQGC83" target="_blank">UK</a></span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Game-Changer-Audiobook/1977383874" target="_blanc">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ANPzCwrzYVE/XqSa_vQn2qI/AAAAAAAACAk/GxibC8i9mxAkL5RkI35YW71ceBCihTfDwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/RB4_800_5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="507" height="100" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ANPzCwrzYVE/XqSa_vQn2qI/AAAAAAAACAk/GxibC8i9mxAkL5RkI35YW71ceBCihTfDwCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/RB4_800_5.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Reality Benders, B4: Web of Worlds
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2019/03/reality-benders-4-web-of-worlds-by.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">4/x</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PYY7BNQ" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07PYY7BNQ" target="_blank">UK</a></span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Web-of-Worlds-Audiobook/1630150533" target="_blanc">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nj-4P73YspU/XWxNjt04JHI/AAAAAAAABv0/Z35J5alwYS4smLGIuzsEjYdTrC2DXueSQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/RB5_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="507" height="100" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nj-4P73YspU/XWxNjt04JHI/AAAAAAAABv0/Z35J5alwYS4smLGIuzsEjYdTrC2DXueSQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/RB5_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Reality Benders, B5: Jump into Unknown
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2019/09/reality-benders-jump-into-unknown.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">3/x</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07XCG2R21" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07XCG2R21" target="_blank">UK</a></span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/A-Jump-into-the-Unknown-Audiobook/1541439090" target="_blanc">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qIpbl8KOXIw/XmdtU6glS4I/AAAAAAAAB8o/K9dc5UxVjpokgqextBMRocWEcbk3PP2GQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/RB6_800_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="507" height="100" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qIpbl8KOXIw/XmdtU6glS4I/AAAAAAAAB8o/K9dc5UxVjpokgqextBMRocWEcbk3PP2GQCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/RB6_800_2.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Reality Benders, B6: Aces High
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2020/03/reality-benders-aces-high-by-michael.html" target="_blanc">4/x</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0857JJQ8G" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">US</span></a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0857JJQ8G" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">UK</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Aces-High-Audiobook/1705256929" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ScTqEoxBtfA/YAQDUz_vS4I/AAAAAAAACdw/4gTxz7x1QG4QH7W9Me55Z46C-n7zYYbwACPcBGAYYCw/s800/RB7_800.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="507" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ScTqEoxBtfA/YAQDUz_vS4I/AAAAAAAACdw/4gTxz7x1QG4QH7W9Me55Z46C-n7zYYbwACPcBGAYYCw/s200/RB7_800.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Reality Benders, B7: Cause for War
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2021/01/reality-benders-7-cause-for-war-by.html" target="_blanc">6/x</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08T7ML97M" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08T7ML97M" target="_blank">UK</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Cause-for-War-Audiobook/B09CB5LPTT" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Zjh4UFS1S.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="317" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Zjh4UFS1S.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Reality Benders, B8: Devourer
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B096YFZCWH" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B096YFZCWH" target="_blank">UK</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Devourer-Audiobook/B09VYH39YY" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ZSfEcMEjL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="317" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ZSfEcMEjL.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Reality Benders, B9: The Mysteries of the Relict Pyramid
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09XBX66DB" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09XBX66DB" target="_blank">UK</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Mysteries-of-the-Relict-Pyramid-Audiobook/B0C15M5Z3M" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/519csUsgETL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="317" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/519csUsgETL.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Reality Benders, B10: To Change the Past
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BLW9BGGK" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BLW9BGGK" target="_blank">UK</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Jan 16, 2024
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bo2zbGObNyU/Xq0wiKyNdTI/AAAAAAAACCE/afigCJwcTf054vYMu2k-bZRPaAs-AYEnACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/LL_1_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="527" height="100" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bo2zbGObNyU/Xq0wiKyNdTI/AAAAAAAACCE/afigCJwcTf054vYMu2k-bZRPaAs-AYEnACPcBGAYYCw/s200/LL_1_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">League of Losers, B1: A Cat and His Human
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2020/05/league-of-losers-by-michael-atamanov.html" target="_blanc">2/x</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087YY48WQ" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B087YY48WQ" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/A-Cat-and-His-Human-Audiobook/1705255183" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UfjlI8Qcyng/X0OJQD_ViqI/AAAAAAAACQI/VVD-59Owpss3CAhLtVpnX1trFOkgiTvZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/LL2_800_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="527" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UfjlI8Qcyng/X0OJQD_ViqI/AAAAAAAACQI/VVD-59Owpss3CAhLtVpnX1trFOkgiTvZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/LL2_800_2.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">League of Losers, B2: In Service of the Pharaoh
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2020/09/league-of-losers-2-by-michael-atamanov.html" target="_blanc">3/x</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GJ2SLGC" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08GJ2SLGC">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Service-of-the-Pharaoh-Audiobook/1705255205" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51r6+Ih04CL._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="228" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51r6+Ih04CL._SY346_.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">League of Losers, B3: The First Winter
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BLT49TJ8" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BLT49TJ8" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-First-Winter-Audiobook/B0C95HPLX2" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fDi9ALYFJ84/V-vdhukiAXI/AAAAAAAAA18/CmCj1zs0OegGqwl3vxjFfJqgQI0be-vVgCLcB/s1600/PS1.jpg"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fDi9ALYFJ84/V-vdhukiAXI/AAAAAAAAA18/CmCj1zs0OegGqwl3vxjFfJqgQI0be-vVgCLcB/s200/PS1.jpg" width="67" /></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Phantom Server, B1: Edge of Reality
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WR7WRMS" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00WR7WRMS" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Edge-of-Reality-Audiobook/B01BX9S3P0" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">audio</span></a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P2RlDrcG4_0/V-vdnyDBthI/AAAAAAAAA2A/HAG0FOa2_oUPQHTLqOeIkngZRDJm8ZXvQCLcB/s1600/PS2.jpg"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P2RlDrcG4_0/V-vdnyDBthI/AAAAAAAAA2A/HAG0FOa2_oUPQHTLqOeIkngZRDJm8ZXvQCLcB/s200/PS2.jpg" width="67" /></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Phantom Server, B2: The Outlaw
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01728IKC2" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01728IKC2" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Outlaw-Audiobook/B01D3M8RSI" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">audio</span></a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b84SPcwFmSY/V-vdwGYpi9I/AAAAAAAAA2E/JtRFBuB44d0zL3a3Y-QPvfoSz8E-LaCZQCLcB/s1600/PS3.jpg"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b84SPcwFmSY/V-vdwGYpi9I/AAAAAAAAA2E/JtRFBuB44d0zL3a3Y-QPvfoSz8E-LaCZQCLcB/s200/PS3.jpg" width="67" /></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Phantom Server, B3: Black Sun
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CU1QYCE" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01CU1QYCE" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Black-Sun-Audiobook/B01IIH1MHG" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">audio</span></a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UJvuNu0YN2o/WE6U58nWZ_I/AAAAAAAAA7A/ayOfLiRVUyco4awkDbsv0CxPgeGdYSGIACPcB/s1600/N1_web.jpg"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UJvuNu0YN2o/WE6U58nWZ_I/AAAAAAAAA7A/ayOfLiRVUyco4awkDbsv0CxPgeGdYSGIACPcB/s200/N1_web.jpg" width="67" /></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">The Neuro, B1: The Crystal Sphere
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N4D4PGI" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01N4D4PGI">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Crystal-Sphere-Audiobook/B072YYRDR6" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oR5RETLfPhE/WOfkSwIAABI/AAAAAAAABAE/PW7AwkMYd8sCitbi5qJn4azIXa4zkTshwCPcB/s1600/N2_web.jpg"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oR5RETLfPhE/WOfkSwIAABI/AAAAAAAABAE/PW7AwkMYd8sCitbi5qJn4azIXa4zkTshwCPcB/s200/N2_web.jpg" width="67" /></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">The Neuro, B2: The Curse of Rion Castle
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y473CR2" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B06Y473CR2" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Curse-of-Rion-Castle-Audiobook/B076ZNVN3T" target="_blanc">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7U-jvPYsnlw/WfCkz-dJOuI/AAAAAAAABK0/IoJ4Oeq010I0hE2fGU4SrYo_jyLFhlmDgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/N3_web.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="100" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7U-jvPYsnlw/WfCkz-dJOuI/AAAAAAAABK0/IoJ4Oeq010I0hE2fGU4SrYo_jyLFhlmDgCPcBGAYYCw/s200/N3_web.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">The Neuro, B3: The Reapers
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.ru/2017/10/the-neuro-book-3-reapers-by-a.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">1/9</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076VNV7JV" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B076VNV7JV" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Reapers-Audiobook/B07B7QGWR1" target="_blanc">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bEHO_30HASs/XEL1qNtvC-I/AAAAAAAABfc/MG4vIK-u-pQ2hT5-3xuJJ52BvseiAG61QCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/EA1_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bEHO_30HASs/XEL1qNtvC-I/AAAAAAAABfc/MG4vIK-u-pQ2hT5-3xuJJ52BvseiAG61QCPcBGAYYCw/s200/EA1_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Respawn Trials, B1: Edge of the Abyss
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2019/01/respawn-trials-edge-of-abyss-by-andrei.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">1/18</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MXQ5NRM" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07MXQ5NRM" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KKmMXFcMgHo/WpaOGKig3tI/AAAAAAAABRI/wLs4T79Z9w0LxZXTbUN04jJ5hMBVigv4QCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/NP1_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="560" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KKmMXFcMgHo/WpaOGKig3tI/AAAAAAAABRI/wLs4T79Z9w0LxZXTbUN04jJ5hMBVigv4QCPcBGAYYCw/s200/NP1_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">An Path, B1: The Dead Rogue
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.ru/2018/03/an-npcs-path-dead-rogue.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">1/x</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B4Y1WJ9" target="_blanc">US</a><span style="color: blue;">/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07B4Y1WJ9" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Dead-Rogue-Audiobook/1541448715" target="_blanc">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sHkH6HY4TTU/W0S-q1NE-CI/AAAAAAAABU0/33i3GB-NQjIJRkHsR5xC8xXyfkgr5C4DACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/NPC_2_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="560" height="100" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sHkH6HY4TTU/W0S-q1NE-CI/AAAAAAAABU0/33i3GB-NQjIJRkHsR5xC8xXyfkgr5C4DACPcBGAYYCw/s200/NPC_2_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">An NPC's Path, B2: Kingdom of the Dead
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2018/07/an-npcs-path-kingdom-of-dead.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">1/x</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FD5Q3XS" target="_blanc">US</a><span style="color: blue;">/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07FD5Q3XS" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Kingdom-of-the-Dead-Audiobook/1541448723" target="_blanc">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DOiEsVr3fWQ/XTbF5b6xY5I/AAAAAAAABsM/84YhsM5GZwspzbAVDZfwNHOudDvJ5YWEQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/NPC_3_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="560" height="100" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DOiEsVr3fWQ/XTbF5b6xY5I/AAAAAAAABsM/84YhsM5GZwspzbAVDZfwNHOudDvJ5YWEQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/NPC_3_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">An NPC's Path, B3: Deadman's Retinue
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2019/07/an-npcs-path-deadmans-retinue-by-pavel.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">1/x</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VHJ52T6" target="_blanc">US</a><span style="color: blue;">/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07VHJ52T6" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Deadmans-Retinue-Audiobook/1977364322" target="_blanc">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0IA7vx-k56s/X2IrNbh_qlI/AAAAAAAACSQ/gnyuLc89uNYIIYV4F9sR-bWuzfBMdBd1QCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/NP4_800_2.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="560" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0IA7vx-k56s/X2IrNbh_qlI/AAAAAAAACSQ/gnyuLc89uNYIIYV4F9sR-bWuzfBMdBd1QCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/NP4_800_2.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">An NPC's Path, B4: The Guardian of the Dead
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2021/02/guardian-of-dead-by-pavel-kornev.html" target="_blank">1/x</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08J88Y9VP" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08J88Y9VP" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Guardian-of-the-Dead-Audiobook/1666102423" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51GYm-6KJPL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="350" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51GYm-6KJPL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">An NPC's Path, B5: The Nemesis of the Living
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08X2VG3ZP" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08X2VG3ZP" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Nemesis-of-the-Living-Audiobook/B09S1DDF3T" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q2ZhsVbjg_4/WtuPDX5YJ9I/AAAAAAAABSg/sllCOcHgHowc5cU7JQtmaTfg9fpS1-p5ACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/LU1_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="537" height="100" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q2ZhsVbjg_4/WtuPDX5YJ9I/AAAAAAAABSg/sllCOcHgHowc5cU7JQtmaTfg9fpS1-p5ACPcBGAYYCw/s200/LU1_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Level Up, B1: Re-Start
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.ru/2018/04/level-up-restart-by-dan-sugralinov.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">3/30</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CKRMLJB" target="_blanc">US</a><span style="color: blue;">/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07CKRMLJB" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Re-Start-Audiobook/1977331556" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fi7HmCYOOsQ/W5dzV5WTIwI/AAAAAAAABaU/xslnKWmF9KkncrvpmiZSkmzKowBCUnxQgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/LU2_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="537" height="100" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fi7HmCYOOsQ/W5dzV5WTIwI/AAAAAAAABaU/xslnKWmF9KkncrvpmiZSkmzKowBCUnxQgCPcBGAYYCw/s200/LU2_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Level Up, B2: Hero
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2018/09/level-up-hero-by-dan-sugralinov.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">2/21</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H83GC29" target="_blanc">US</a><span style="color: blue;">/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07H83GC29" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Hero-Audiobook/1977331564" target="_blanc">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PZ9uszed_sc/XDBnOS9vdiI/AAAAAAAABeg/D1cL55xvVY0q07q9t4uRvodzByWfAlUXQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/LU3_800_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="537" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PZ9uszed_sc/XDBnOS9vdiI/AAAAAAAABeg/D1cL55xvVY0q07q9t4uRvodzByWfAlUXQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/LU3_800_2.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Level Up, B3: The Final Trial
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-final-trial-level-up-3-by-dan.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">1/30</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MNXHGDW" target="_blanc">US</a><span style="color: blue;">/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07MNXHGDW" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Final-Trial-Audiobook/1977331572" target="_blanc">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--T342zRyfiU/XNLBMD8baBI/AAAAAAAABlo/aVeJgV-BfoQLJegucfrEkaUieHJrJtSWwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/D1NEW_800_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="537" height="100" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--T342zRyfiU/XNLBMD8baBI/AAAAAAAABlo/aVeJgV-BfoQLJegucfrEkaUieHJrJtSWwCPcBGAYYCw/s200/D1NEW_800_2.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Disgardium, B1: Class-A Threat
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2019/01/disgardium-class-threat-by-dan.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">3/36</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N33S8C6" target="_blanc">US</a><span style="color: blue;">/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07N33S8C6" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Class-A-Threat-Audiobook/1541402456" target="_blanc">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oZOm9SyzVog/XQ4oXAiCUqI/AAAAAAAABpM/JnZMBE7_GNs_uhjhnCaszxtgkHYfYZq0wCLcBGAs/s1600/D2NEW3_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="537" height="100" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oZOm9SyzVog/XQ4oXAiCUqI/AAAAAAAABpM/JnZMBE7_GNs_uhjhnCaszxtgkHYfYZq0wCLcBGAs/s200/D2NEW3_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Disgardium, B2: Apostle of the Sleeping Gods
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2019/03/disgardium-apostle-of-gods-by-dan.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">3/x</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q15DWNC" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07Q15DWNC">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Apostle-of-the-Sleeping-Gods-Audiobook/1541402464" target="_blanc">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cl_XNFPavZk/XbbcglNxbQI/AAAAAAAABz4/wJPwqCOfsJwafaWAHHiigKuIbHuW7jBaACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/D3NEW3_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="541" height="100" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cl_XNFPavZk/XbbcglNxbQI/AAAAAAAABz4/wJPwqCOfsJwafaWAHHiigKuIbHuW7jBaACPcBGAYYCw/s200/D3NEW3_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Disgardium, B3: The Destroying Plague
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2019/10/disgardium-destroying-plague-by-dan.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">2/x</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZPB3BV6" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07ZPB3BV6" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Destroying-Plague-Audiobook/1705200087" target="_blanc">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9WRi25gLhFo/XkpyR2ppcXI/AAAAAAAAB7k/xjUzdEJ2D88t6KF-vGLRa1cI3rzY3CrAwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/D4NEW4_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="537" height="100" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9WRi25gLhFo/XkpyR2ppcXI/AAAAAAAAB7k/xjUzdEJ2D88t6KF-vGLRa1cI3rzY3CrAwCPcBGAYYCw/s200/D4NEW4_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Disgardium, B4: Resistance
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2020/02/disgardium-4-resistance-by-dan.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">2/x</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084VPKL7N" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B084VPKL7N" target="_blanc">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Resistance-Audiobook/1705229344" target="_blanc">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1Ex6oaFQhVE/XvB8QUBhrjI/AAAAAAAACI0/j2DOJg0ABD4s74U_XzGcACLxMkCn6CwzwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/D5NEW5_800_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="537" height="100" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1Ex6oaFQhVE/XvB8QUBhrjI/AAAAAAAACI0/j2DOJg0ABD4s74U_XzGcACLxMkCn6CwzwCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/D5NEW5_800_2.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Disgardium, B5: Holy War
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2020/06/disgardium-holy-war-by-dan-sugralinov.html" target="_blanc">1/x</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08BJ8Q283" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08BJ8Q283" target="_blanc">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Holy-War-Audiobook/1705268943" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CQtNnQ3cG54/X7pBLjdtvmI/AAAAAAAACZo/cxqjVTkBCoUmSJYSj650Sh7guZTtzcmeACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/D6NEW6_800_2.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="541" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CQtNnQ3cG54/X7pBLjdtvmI/AAAAAAAACZo/cxqjVTkBCoUmSJYSj650Sh7guZTtzcmeACLcBGAsYHQ/s200/D6NEW6_800_2.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Disgardium, B6: Path of Spirit
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NZ2G98P" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08NZ2G98P" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Path-of-Spirit-Audiobook/1666107387" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/512d1Kk1SQL._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="234" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/512d1Kk1SQL._SY346_.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Disgardium, B7: The Demonic Games
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VJK7PY3" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08VJK7PY3" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Demonic-Games-Audiobook/B09HW68RJF" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/518zaMK0FBS.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="338" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/518zaMK0FBS.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Disgardium, B8: Enemy of the Inferno
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B094DHTJP2" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B094DHTJP2" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Enemy-of-the-Inferno-Audiobook/B09JHRMKXH" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Aem6QivEL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="338" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Aem6QivEL.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Disgardium, B9: Glory to the Dominion!
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09C2KR6V6" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09C2KR6V6" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Glory-to-the-Dominion-Audiobook/B09N9YMFJ2" target="_blank">aduio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/516QVSQQtyL._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="234" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/516QVSQQtyL._SY346_.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Disgardium, B10: Clear Threat
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MMJJHVG" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09MMJJHVG" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Clear-Threat-Audiobook/B0B3G6K1TC" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51SVTyhyoiL._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="234" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51SVTyhyoiL._SY346_.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Disgardium, B11: Out of Play
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B3S67XR4" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B3S67XR4" target="_blank">UK</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Out-of-Play-Audiobook/B0BKCJ22R9" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51WbpaHEh9L._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="234" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51WbpaHEh9L._SY346_.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Disgardium, B12: Unity
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BZ65MW45" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BZ65MW45" target="_blank">UK</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Dec 26, 2023
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S7Vzb3g43ZA/XQJwZ5AM6YI/AAAAAAAABoM/Mau53MYOAxI14u-ig4S-Yl-Llbnl1clnwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/99_2_800_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S7Vzb3g43ZA/XQJwZ5AM6YI/AAAAAAAABoM/Mau53MYOAxI14u-ig4S-Yl-Llbnl1clnwCPcBGAYYCw/s200/99_2_800_2.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">World 99, B1: Blood of Fate
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2019/06/litrpgwuxia-world-99-by-dan-sugralinov.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">3/x</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SYQYGXC" target="_blanc">US</a><span style="color: blue;">/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07SYQYGXC" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Blood-of-Fate-Audiobook/1515945502" target="_blanc">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LZmLE3IMMmE/W8bgf_UbwbI/AAAAAAAABcI/b1vYQVsEBg8DP5DjXPaNfJxlxpKQF97OgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/N1_web.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="537" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LZmLE3IMMmE/W8bgf_UbwbI/AAAAAAAABcI/b1vYQVsEBg8DP5DjXPaNfJxlxpKQF97OgCPcBGAYYCw/s200/N1_web.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Level Up: The Knockout
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2018/10/level-up-knockout-by-dan-sugralinov-and.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">2/27</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JH4Y38Y" target="_blanc">US</a><span style="color: blue;">/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07JH4Y38Y" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Level-Up-Audiobook/1977344305" target="_blanc">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E7U9sEmsWQI/XYoNvq6FU0I/AAAAAAAABxE/ZHNUo1-DrjEE6vm8DbnH8h_UNqp1G7v3wCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/KN2_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="537" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E7U9sEmsWQI/XYoNvq6FU0I/AAAAAAAABxE/ZHNUo1-DrjEE6vm8DbnH8h_UNqp1G7v3wCPcBGAYYCw/s200/KN2_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">The Knockout, B2: Update
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2019/09/knockout-2-update-by-max-lagno-and-dan.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">2/x</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YB42SKX" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07YB42SKX" target="_blank">UK</a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Level-Up-Update-Audiobook/1977344313" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p4Q5PKlCMes/XD7V4Xip4QI/AAAAAAAABfI/77Ev5ZXLoDA73ZxLKtsInyQjROuIRDjmgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/AO1_web_4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="515" height="100" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p4Q5PKlCMes/XD7V4Xip4QI/AAAAAAAABfI/77Ev5ZXLoDA73ZxLKtsInyQjROuIRDjmgCPcBGAYYCw/s200/AO1_web_4.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Adam Online: Absolute Zero
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2019/01/adam-online-absolute-zero-by-max-lagno.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">4/41</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MQR3C5N" target="_blanc">US</a><span style="color: blue;">/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07MQR3C5N" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3Q1IX1YYuGo/XKM5kDtPLaI/AAAAAAAABjY/FVSvNykqx4g_ymCUy8ga1jn4vGqDhJNlgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/AO2_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="515" height="100" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3Q1IX1YYuGo/XKM5kDtPLaI/AAAAAAAABjY/FVSvNykqx4g_ymCUy8ga1jn4vGqDhJNlgCPcBGAYYCw/s200/AO2_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Adam Online: City of Freedom
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2019/04/adam-online-city-of-freedom-by-max-lagno.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">4/50</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q72J7JX" target="_blanc">US</a><span style="color: blue;">/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07Q72J7JX" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5i5pkw3TO2Y/XL7l1oneE4I/AAAAAAAABlA/l5v6ABn10l0ZhPwcgl_AFtGldCnBEC6DACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/in_1_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="537" height="100" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5i5pkw3TO2Y/XL7l1oneE4I/AAAAAAAABlA/l5v6ABn10l0ZhPwcgl_AFtGldCnBEC6DACPcBGAYYCw/s200/in_1_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Interworld Network: The Time Master
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2019/04/interworld-network-time-master-by.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">2/28</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QWMRR8M" target="_blanc">US</a><span style="color: blue;">/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07QWMRR8M" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Time-Master-Audiobook/1515944468" target="_blanc">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vWAzLupsr88/XVFm5KKB6fI/AAAAAAAABuc/Yf0nPq5Ztb4SfyzE7KCcHbQRpTfakNRzACLcBGAs/s1600/in_2_800_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="537" height="100" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vWAzLupsr88/XVFm5KKB6fI/AAAAAAAABuc/Yf0nPq5Ztb4SfyzE7KCcHbQRpTfakNRzACLcBGAs/s200/in_2_800_2.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Interworld Network, B2: Avatar of Light
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WG8FP2N" target="_blanc">US</a><span style="color: blue;">/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07WG8FP2N" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NbR8eB1BVhU/XmjB88eB6jI/AAAAAAAAB9U/gomX0dsur3ghqwD89I2jkCLFRLGAM4p4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/TM3_800_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="537" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NbR8eB1BVhU/XmjB88eB6jI/AAAAAAAAB9U/gomX0dsur3ghqwD89I2jkCLFRLGAM4p4gCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/TM3_800_2.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Interworld Network, B3: The Dark Champion
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084KT2KPP" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B084KT2KPP" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51frRZJafhL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="336" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51frRZJafhL.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Interworld Network, B4: Running the Edge
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09HL3WQ3Z" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09HL3WQ3Z" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ETFAcsuQL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="336" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ETFAcsuQL.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Interworld Network, B5: Anchor World
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BDZV577D" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BDZV577D" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rhjCc2PN7mY/XdZEDxYImuI/AAAAAAAAB1c/z8F78h0_SPMTdbt9h01XqchCC7LU-xDBACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/stellar_800_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="527" height="100" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rhjCc2PN7mY/XdZEDxYImuI/AAAAAAAAB1c/z8F78h0_SPMTdbt9h01XqchCC7LU-xDBACPcBGAYYCw/s200/stellar_800_2.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Project Stellar, B1: The Incarnator
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2019/11/project-stellar-by-roman-prokofiev.html" target="_blanc">3/x</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081FTHCRM" target="_blanc">US</a><span style="color: blue;">/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B081FTHCRM" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Incarnator-Audiobook/1705235824" target="_blanc">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hrcHXFl-6D4/Xmdt6_K9uzI/AAAAAAAAB8w/cYlXEk461pAh_yUeuaOFU92OkV2ag3clgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/stellar_2_800_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="527" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hrcHXFl-6D4/Xmdt6_K9uzI/AAAAAAAAB8w/cYlXEk461pAh_yUeuaOFU92OkV2ag3clgCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/stellar_2_800_2.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Project Stellar, B2: The Enchanter
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2020/06/project-stellar-enchanter-by-roman.html" target="_blanc">3/x</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0859JH5TJ" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0859JH5TJ" target="_blanc">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Enchanter-Audiobook/1705235840" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W0whBeOJX_M/XtN5QhPArDI/AAAAAAAACGE/E770kCtAFJo6bu8xWTsIokV86vT0FEVRQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/S3_800_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="527" height="100" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W0whBeOJX_M/XtN5QhPArDI/AAAAAAAACGE/E770kCtAFJo6bu8xWTsIokV86vT0FEVRQCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/S3_800_2.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Project Stellar, B3: The Tribute
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2020/07/project-stellar-3-tribute-by-roman.html" target="_blank">3/x</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089FNZXD2" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B089FNZXD2" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Tribute-Audiobook/1705264964" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_P5zQj65F0/X46_-HJsBSI/AAAAAAAACVQ/jIwWgb4JDH0dg3_g8f7ZSN6VZWtZhrXKACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/stellar_4_800_2.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="527" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_P5zQj65F0/X46_-HJsBSI/AAAAAAAACVQ/jIwWgb4JDH0dg3_g8f7ZSN6VZWtZhrXKACLcBGAsYHQ/s200/stellar_4_800_2.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Project Stellar, B4: The Rebel
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08LGTTFZN" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08LGTTFZN" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Rebel-Audiobook/B09JHJZGFD" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51BmJQvufML.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51BmJQvufML.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Project Stellar, B5: The Archon
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08YZ92RN5" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08YZ92RN5" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Archon-Audiobook/B09WZ6GVWD" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51UsH2+zvmL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51UsH2+zvmL.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Project Stellar, B6: The Legate
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09HVBMFZR" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09HVBMFZR" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Feb 6, 2024
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51s1yhkkLSL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51s1yhkkLSL.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Project Stellar, B7: The Ephemeral
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B18Q1KTM" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B18Q1KTM" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Mar 12, 2024
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71U49nM3n3L._SY466_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="307" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71U49nM3n3L._SY466_.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Project Stellar, B8: The Sephiroth
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BSLPQVVL" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BSLPQVVL" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7bAQ4Fjn-5E/Xe9QT98c3KI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/w8Ytl1FVXgsP9Y_v7t0yqo-PNVdQokDzwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/mich_800_new.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="537" height="100" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7bAQ4Fjn-5E/Xe9QT98c3KI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/w8Ytl1FVXgsP9Y_v7t0yqo-PNVdQokDzwCPcBGAYYCw/s200/mich_800_new.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Clan Dominance: The Sleepless Ones, B1
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2019/12/clan-dominance-sleepless-ones-by-dem.html" target="_blanc">1/x</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082J7P2X2" target="_blanc">US</a><span style="color: blue;">/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B082J7P2X2" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Clan-Dominance-The-Sleepless-Ones-Book-1-Audiobook/170521262X" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wosCse41dyw/XmduRD0v-QI/AAAAAAAAB84/2f-zkIi6Aeojynq6oF55DDSFDr-ddmKfQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/GKN_2_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="537" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wosCse41dyw/XmduRD0v-QI/AAAAAAAAB84/2f-zkIi6Aeojynq6oF55DDSFDr-ddmKfQCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/GKN_2_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Clan Dominance: The Sleepless Ones, B2
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2020/03/clan-dominance-sleepless-ones-book-2.html" target="_blanc">2/x</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0859LP79J" target="_blanc">US</a><span style="color: blue;">/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0859LP79J" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Clan-Dominance-The-Sleepless-Ones-Audiobook/1705212646" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ucCi-Lbvs-s/XrqIsoDy9lI/AAAAAAAACDQ/NhMsfh1fZmQWVGyRGtp_N0vdQmsmtNqGQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/GKN_3_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="537" height="100" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ucCi-Lbvs-s/XrqIsoDy9lI/AAAAAAAACDQ/NhMsfh1fZmQWVGyRGtp_N0vdQmsmtNqGQCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/GKN_3_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Clan Dominance: The Sleepless Ones, B3
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2020/06/clan-dominance-sleepless-ones-3-by-dem.html" target="_blanc">1/x</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088GV4SGB" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B088GV4SGB" target="_blanc">UK</a>
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Clan-Dominance-The-Sleepless-Ones-Book-3-Audiobook/1705212662" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KtEuJJOI0Ks/Xv3xr8SFhjI/AAAAAAAACJ4/VzJ_FaBEGcM0Orf0VG_NG_jNK64BhvPIQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/GKN_4_800_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="537" height="100" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KtEuJJOI0Ks/Xv3xr8SFhjI/AAAAAAAACJ4/VzJ_FaBEGcM0Orf0VG_NG_jNK64BhvPIQCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/GKN_4_800_2.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Clan Dominance: The Sleepless Ones, B4
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2020/08/clan-dominance-sleepless-ones-4-by-dem.html" target="_blanc">1/x</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08C7WN444" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08C7WN444" target="_blank">UK</a>
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Clan-Dominance-The-Sleepless-Ones-Book-4-Audiobook/1705212689" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FXacG1GyLxM/X4cyvyZZjXI/AAAAAAAACUo/-KgaWCFruDImz4BrgaCdiSMXjJUSnBaegCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/GKN_5_800_2.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="537" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FXacG1GyLxM/X4cyvyZZjXI/AAAAAAAACUo/-KgaWCFruDImz4BrgaCdiSMXjJUSnBaegCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/GKN_5_800_2.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Clan Dominance: The Sleepless Ones, B5
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08L6TRH7V" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08L6TRH7V" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Clan-Dominance-Audiobook/1705212700" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51LrEjh32BL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51LrEjh32BL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Clan Dominance: The Sleepless Ones, B6
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2021/02/clan-dominance-sleepless-ones-6-by-dem.html" target="_blank">1/x</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08RF1DP6S" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08RF1DP6S" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Clan-Dominance-The-Sleepless-Ones-Book-6-Audiobook/B0BXQG4XBH" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/517KcGGjnMS.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/517KcGGjnMS.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Clan Dominance: The Sleepless Ones, B7
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B092VTPYF9" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B092VTPYF9" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Clan-Dominance-The-Sleepless-Ones-Book-7-Audiobook/B0C2JHVYMS" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/515r0TNsYdS.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/515r0TNsYdS.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Clan Dominance: The Sleepless Ones, B8
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B098K3Z9VD" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B098K3Z9VD" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Clan-Dominance-Audiobook/B0C74W87MN" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51lhxbS9xWL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51lhxbS9xWL.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Clan Dominance: The Sleepless Ones, B9
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09DT4ZQFB" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09DT4ZQFB" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Clan-Dominance-The-Sleepless-Ones-9-Audiobook/B0CB6V5D88" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51xnubnrGCL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51xnubnrGCL.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Heroes of the Final Frontier, B1
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09Q3CZP4D" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09Q3CZP4D" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Heroes-of-the-Final-Frontier-Audiobook/B0BNK5K5GL" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51KW56yO1KL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51KW56yO1KL.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Heroes of the Final Frontier, B2
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09SQ7HFCT" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09SQ7HFCT" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Heroes-of-the-Final-Frontier-2-Audiobook/B0BVPQ2RMC" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/510SkIz0kEL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/510SkIz0kEL.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Heroes of the Final Frontier, B3
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09YDGX2PY" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09YDGX2PY" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Heroes-of-the-Final-Frontier-3-Audiobook/B0BYB64F2N" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51S-JHhe4CL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51S-JHhe4CL.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Heroes of the Final Frontier, B4
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BN962DGC" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BN962DGC" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51PBx6ZALkL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51PBx6ZALkL.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Heroes of the Final Frontier, B5
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BWV7YHSD" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BWV7YHSD" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51qZO-f+NCL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51qZO-f+NCL.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">The Crow Cycle, B1
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08XJNK1CJ" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08XJNK1CJ" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Crow-Cycle-Audiobook/B0BXBD26QY" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/518VcfjotSL._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="232" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/518VcfjotSL._SY346_.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">The Crow Cycle, B2
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09B7P1NPV" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09B7P1NPV" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Crow-Cycle-2-Audiobook/B0BYG39MCQ" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Rhrt80aTL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Rhrt80aTL.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">The Crow Cycle, B3
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B699SQP5" target="_blank">US</a><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0B699SQP5" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Crow-Cycle-3-Audiobook/B0CKGDB5QY" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-64DxXst13A8/XkljT2dyk8I/AAAAAAAAB7M/hB7aIN6wrcIKpt6LHB2aMdCUpqHkUR-tQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/RM1_800_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="527" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-64DxXst13A8/XkljT2dyk8I/AAAAAAAAB7M/hB7aIN6wrcIKpt6LHB2aMdCUpqHkUR-tQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/RM1_800_2.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Rogue Merchant, B1: The Starlight Sword
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2020/02/rogue-merchant-by-roman-prokofiev.html" target="_blanc">2/30</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084TR8WD1" target="_blanc">US</a><span style="color: blue;">/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B084TR8WD1" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Starlight-Sword-Audiobook/B0BX4RTMWB" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PYsWMLYqk2o/Xkpq3IJGwtI/AAAAAAAAB7U/SOqJ1UIG2MwLJTslrrF69WZwDXVw8cwNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/RM2_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="791" height="100" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PYsWMLYqk2o/Xkpq3IJGwtI/AAAAAAAAB7U/SOqJ1UIG2MwLJTslrrF69WZwDXVw8cwNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/RM2_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Rogue Merchant, B2: The Gene of the Ancients
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084TW3SDX" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B084TW3SDX" target="_blanc">UK</a>
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Gene-of-Ancients-Audiobook/B0C15D335Z" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ezPrQ09FFs0/X5laBLV-EHI/AAAAAAAACWY/SkngB9ea_6Y2SGK8vzTEHoPRrguTPDU8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/RM3_800_2.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="527" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ezPrQ09FFs0/X5laBLV-EHI/AAAAAAAACWY/SkngB9ea_6Y2SGK8vzTEHoPRrguTPDU8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/RM3_800_2.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Rogue Merchant, B3: Shadow Seer
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08LZTXVMS" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08LZTXVMS" target="_blank">UK</a>
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Shadow-Seer-Audiobook/B0C8854JSW" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sFh6JYtmwnI/YAlKaq2v5kI/AAAAAAAACeI/jVdSiMaDHxkkiwzDAE0HFAKN-mbppemVACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/RM4_800.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="527" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sFh6JYtmwnI/YAlKaq2v5kI/AAAAAAAACeI/jVdSiMaDHxkkiwzDAE0HFAKN-mbppemVACLcBGAsYHQ/s200/RM4_800.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Rogue Merchant, B4: Battle for the North
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08QVSGWV1" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08QVSGWV1" target="_blank">UK</a> <br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Battle-for-the-North-Audiobook/B0CJ5PH1CH" target="_blank">Audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cwrv9d9ZI3U/YC5zXIysZUI/AAAAAAAAChQ/6H2vo9QfGjgWKOchGQh-RpkItvv-2s8pACLcBGAsYHQ/s346/51L3EQApMpL._SY346_%255B1%255D.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="228" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cwrv9d9ZI3U/YC5zXIysZUI/AAAAAAAAChQ/6H2vo9QfGjgWKOchGQh-RpkItvv-2s8pACLcBGAsYHQ/s200/51L3EQApMpL._SY346_%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Rogue Merchant, B5: The Devil Archetype
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08WPHP36N" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08WPHP36N" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51iOxiJnc-L.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51iOxiJnc-L.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Rogue Merchant, B6: The Dreamweaver
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09232M3KZ" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09232M3KZ" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51k0QZEGw7S.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51k0QZEGw7S.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Rogue Merchant, B7: The Starlight Fleet
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B095PTTNS6" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B095PTTNS6" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bhk_FulH3ws/Xq_drJ-dFEI/AAAAAAAACCk/q7D0chboyEkbdlge1ShOjxyziHdg87yVACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/S1_800_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="527" height="100" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bhk_FulH3ws/Xq_drJ-dFEI/AAAAAAAACCk/q7D0chboyEkbdlge1ShOjxyziHdg87yVACLcBGAsYHQ/s200/S1_800_2.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">In the System, B1: City of Goblins
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2020/05/in-system-by-petr-zhgulyov.html" target="blanc">2/x</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B087XYM1GJ" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B087XYM1GJ" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/City-of-Goblins-Audiobook/1705268986" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DBWQxXeBtXA/X4cZuD_qP9I/AAAAAAAACUc/MezObXkaBBoKArALmUEcnx_wkQXbvmj9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/S2_800_2.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="527" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DBWQxXeBtXA/X4cZuD_qP9I/AAAAAAAACUc/MezObXkaBBoKArALmUEcnx_wkQXbvmj9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/S2_800_2.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">In the System, B2: City of the Undead
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2020/11/in-system-2-city-of-undead-by-petr.html" target="_blank">2/x</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08KWCNHTP" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08KWCNHTP" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/City-of-the-Undead-Audiobook/1705269001" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51-i-GeyKpL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51-i-GeyKpL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">In the System, B3: Defending Earth
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B091ZGJD6G" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B091ZGJD6G" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Defending-Earth-Audiobook/B09NP5CHPZ" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Xq7fMrOPL._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="228" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Xq7fMrOPL._SY346_.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">In the System, B4: Overlord of the Dungeon
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09J1CWCRH" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09J1CWCRH" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Overlord-of-the-Dungeon-Audiobook/B0BCSLJS2D" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51dLYNCwZ1L._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="228" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51dLYNCwZ1L._SY346_.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">In the System, B5: Sovereign
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B783G69Y" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B783G69Y" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Sovereign-Audiobook/B0C6291GYH" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71vrS0Xr5wL._SY466_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="307" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71vrS0Xr5wL._SY466_.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">In the System, B6: The Return
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BS9RJLL8" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BS9RJLL8" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TXi2iALb6Zg/XsJh54FmvdI/AAAAAAAACD0/M5x5ggx3zwwdseA6nPu08O3PAPBUv5zmACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/SUT1_800_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="527" height="100" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TXi2iALb6Zg/XsJh54FmvdI/AAAAAAAACD0/M5x5ggx3zwwdseA6nPu08O3PAPBUv5zmACPcBGAYYCw/s200/SUT1_800_2.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Small Unit Tactics, B1
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2020/05/small-unit-tactics-by-alexander-romanov.html" target="blanc">2/x</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088QQ7VQR" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B088QQ7VQR" target="_blanc">UK</a>
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Small-Unit-Tactics-Audiobook/1705269060" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7RRotVJepXE/XzKzTbn7VAI/AAAAAAAACPI/UHk-RaSsu94cbnHZg_lOLJMdSx-WTK-OACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/SUT2_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="527" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7RRotVJepXE/XzKzTbn7VAI/AAAAAAAACPI/UHk-RaSsu94cbnHZg_lOLJMdSx-WTK-OACLcBGAsYHQ/s200/SUT2_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Small Unit Tactics, B2
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FM9324K" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08FM9324K" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Small-Unit-Tactics-Book-2-Audiobook/1705269087" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41Limlgoh1L.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41Limlgoh1L.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Black Centurion
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09N9NCS21" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09N9NCS21" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Black-Centurion-Audiobook/B0B7YQJ7ZK" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lW9LglkhaAM/X1keBnhysUI/AAAAAAAACRg/eI-P67J9Du00YoJVZ2l1jT5Ujvyfkbn1gCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/R1_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="527" height="100" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lW9LglkhaAM/X1keBnhysUI/AAAAAAAACRg/eI-P67J9Du00YoJVZ2l1jT5Ujvyfkbn1gCPcBGAYYCw/s200/R1_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">The Range, B1: The Keepers of Limbo
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2020/09/the-range-keepers-of-limbo-by-yuri.html">2/x</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HR2XG97" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08HR2XG97" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.audible.com/pd/The-Keepers-of-Limbo-Audiobook/1705286860" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ppqUEe3rd2I/X9csW6vAI_I/AAAAAAAACbs/B1V9LmevSH8GiQpstZOL_y1GtJJysLQ4wCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/R2_800.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="527" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ppqUEe3rd2I/X9csW6vAI_I/AAAAAAAACbs/B1V9LmevSH8GiQpstZOL_y1GtJJysLQ4wCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/R2_800.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">The Range, B2: Lords of the Ruins
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-range-lords-of-ruins-by-yuri-ulengov.html" target="_blank">2/x</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08P524CBH" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08P524CBH" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Lords-of-the-Ruins-Audiobook/B09GCKRQL9" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51-eV34rHxS.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51-eV34rHxS.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">The Range, B3: The Guardian of the Verge
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0946Y26J3" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0946Y26J3" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Guardian-of-the-Verge-Audiobook/B09TQ774SD" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51B-MF9slFL._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="228" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51B-MF9slFL._SY346_.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">The Range, B4: The Raid on Inferno
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09K7T891H" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09K7T891H" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Raid-on-Inferno-Audiobook/B0BLQGWZQ8" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51-0LvsWw7L.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51-0LvsWw7L.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">The Range, B5: The Fall of Elysium
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09VLJLDD5" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09VLJLDD5" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Fall-of-Elysium-Audiobook/B0BXMQLKWM" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51jEiy5RKvL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51jEiy5RKvL.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">The Range, B6: The Final Countdown
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B8WCCB8Q" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0B8WCCB8Q" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Final-Countdown-Audiobook/B0CJVVJR4X" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/513k7Lh7uPL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/513k7Lh7uPL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Alpha Rome, B1: Volper
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2020/12/alpha-rome-volper-by-ros-per.html" target="_blank">3/x</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PVWMNJS" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08PVWMNJS" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Volper-LitRPG-Series-Audiobook/B0C9TSZTKQ" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bkS3v1D2s0M/YHBczoQTwBI/AAAAAAAACmE/y5RL3SMds_keoUKeZyZjB5prtcc23y_HQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/AR_2_800.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="527" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bkS3v1D2s0M/YHBczoQTwBI/AAAAAAAACmE/y5RL3SMds_keoUKeZyZjB5prtcc23y_HQCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/AR_2_800.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Alpha Rome, B2: Skurfaifer
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B091TX6JZ6" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B091TX6JZ6" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51SJRUCIJML.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51SJRUCIJML.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Alpha Rome, B3: Level Zero
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09B7N8XFD" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09B7N8XFD" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41vxlXl1eOL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41vxlXl1eOL.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Alpha Rome, B4: The Hybrid War
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09PGL9MTK" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09PGL9MTK" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51AccXodXiL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51AccXodXiL.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Alpha Rome, B5: Renaissance
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09YRHSL33" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09YRHSL33" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KvB_POcv-cc/YBqOB6eJjmI/AAAAAAAACgU/xMBU7hq10IofiIVxJbWdZMbvoFo9Io3WQCPcBGAYYCw/s1200/UF1_1200.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="791" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KvB_POcv-cc/YBqOB6eJjmI/AAAAAAAACgU/xMBU7hq10IofiIVxJbWdZMbvoFo9Io3WQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/UF1_1200.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Unfrozen, B1: Cooldown
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2021/02/unfrozen-cooldown-by-anton-tekshin.html" target="_blank">1/x</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08V9FT983" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08V9FT983" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Cooldown-Audiobook/B09R519CJM" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/518ysel3HOS.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/518ysel3HOS.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Unfrozen, B2: Old-school
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B093ZYV5W3" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B093ZYV5W3" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Old-School-Audiobook/B09TC17YP8" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51YSlxZ3m5L.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51YSlxZ3m5L.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Unfrozen, B3: GoodGame
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09HCH8VWP" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09HCH8VWP" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/GoodGame-Audiobook/B09VR76PBM" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Pbt3LWKzL._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="228" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Pbt3LWKzL._SY346_.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Unfrozen, B4: Killer Play
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09NWBNL8C" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09NWBNL8C" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Killer-Play-Audiobook/B0BDHSL9LS" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51S94UebxoL._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="228" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51S94UebxoL._SY346_.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Unfrozen, B5: EndGame
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09V1X2N22" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09V1X2N22" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/EndGame-Audiobook/B0BGNLX6D7" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Opp85jhg0rQ/YF2oU784U9I/AAAAAAAACko/HD1WtmC1QYAw1oeVSfep1NnJUkORR3JXgCPcBGAYYCw/s500/51lIHQ00pOL%255B1%255D.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Opp85jhg0rQ/YF2oU784U9I/AAAAAAAACko/HD1WtmC1QYAw1oeVSfep1NnJUkORR3JXgCPcBGAYYCw/s200/51lIHQ00pOL%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Fantasia, B1: Second Shot
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2021/03/fantasia-by-simon-vale.html" target="_blank">1/31</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08ZNPQVP2" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08ZNPQVP2" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51-IMgf+EeL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51-IMgf+EeL.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Fantasia, B2: Don't Slip up
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09FQ6CZPW" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09FQ6CZPW" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51xIAMcmrFL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51xIAMcmrFL.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Loner, B1: Gates of Thunder
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09B7QDD7L/" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09B7QDD7L/" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Gates-of-Thunder-Audiobook/B09WFYY5Q5" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51CnOLx0JyL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51CnOLx0JyL.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Loner, B2: The Highway of Blades
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09K7XCQT1" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09K7XCQT1" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Highway-of-Blades-Audiobook/B0BDCKBXSV" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/513jQZwXKuL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/513jQZwXKuL.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Loner, B3: Union of the Damned
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09RQPRS7V" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09RQPRS7V" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Union-of-the-Damned-Audiobook/B0C1DZVWLZ" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51qa4YbDclL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51qa4YbDclL.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Loner, B4: Guardian of the Dungeon
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BG5MDXYK" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BG5MDXYK" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Guardian-of-the-Dungeon-Audiobook/B0CH3Q36JV" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41lvDHxSLzL._SY445_SX342_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="296" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41lvDHxSLzL._SY445_SX342_.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Loner, B5: Tree of Fear
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BZ55HYW7" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BZ55HYW7" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51SGRSaHT9L.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51SGRSaHT9L.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Rorkh, B1
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09S4WRQ7V" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09S4WRQ7V" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51cjJ9IVpEL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51cjJ9IVpEL.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Rorkh, B2
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B44KTFBC" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B44KTFBC" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/513TcAINurL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/513TcAINurL.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Rorkh, B3
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BB7Z848M" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BB7Z848M" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51j8QuFfJzL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51j8QuFfJzL.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Rorkh, B4
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BNLFWJ4X" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BNLFWJ4X" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41b+hnX3s4L.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41b+hnX3s4L.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">A Student Wants to Live, B1
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJ31JFQB" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BJ31JFQB" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Onset-Audiobook/B0BY3JW5C2" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41gmeyKacAL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41gmeyKacAL.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">A Student Wants to Live, B2
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BNW6NNTS" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BNW6NNTS" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Architects-Audiobook/B0BY3KTFF1" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41X2WqSRXfL._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="232" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41X2WqSRXfL._SY346_.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">A Student Wants to Live, B3
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BVW9189D" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BVW9189D" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Sangis-Audiobook/B0C3NFM1HP" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/5179IXeQziL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/5179IXeQziL.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">A Student Wants to Live, B4
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BX4B82G4" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BX4B82G4" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-War-of-the-Clans-Audiobook/B0CBN6812T" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41pCYmujnEL._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="232" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41pCYmujnEL._SY346_.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">A Student Wants to Live, B5
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C1XDL5RL" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C1XDL5RL" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Level-Run-Audiobook/B0CKCQW3JX" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/517ZL0q49gL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/517ZL0q49gL.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">A Student Wants to Live, B6
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C2L2M1S4" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C2L2M1S4" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51pU40c27UL._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="232" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51pU40c27UL._SY346_.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Chaos' Game, B1
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C1CTDRZ4" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C1CTDRZ4" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ZE-odq23L._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="232" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ZE-odq23L._SY346_.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Chaos' Game, B2
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C3N6LHCX" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0C3N6LHCX" target="_blank">UK</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Wuxia / Isekai</strong></div>
</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41srgGAZGIS._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="244" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41srgGAZGIS._SY346_.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">The Bear Clan, B1: The Cub
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097Q6JWMY" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B097Q6JWMY" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Cub-Audiobook/B09JHZGV8J" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51LvQMuALGL._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="244" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51LvQMuALGL._SY346_.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">The Bear Clan, B2: The Wizzard
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09H3GN49C" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09H3GN49C" target="_blank">UK</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Wizard-Audiobook/B09RR12V6D" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51fA9utG7KL._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="244" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51fA9utG7KL._SY346_.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">The Bear Clan, B3: The Brown Terror
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09MR7CLSQ" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09MR7CLSQ" target="_blank">UK</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Brown-Terror-Audiobook/B0B3NJFDNG" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Rv99RlZtL._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="244" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Rv99RlZtL._SY346_.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">The Bear Clan, B4: The Bear Mage
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09Y23VMWB" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09Y23VMWB" target="_blank">UK</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Bear-Mage-Audiobook/B0B8K4B5LK" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51CRHgIPomL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="352" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51CRHgIPomL.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">The Bear Clan, B5: The Bear Earl
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BN47JLHH" target="_blank">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BN47JLHH" target="_blank">UK</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Bear-Earl-Audiobook/B0C95FD45K" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B9UVpGB-sD4/X7OV1yC5PWI/AAAAAAAACYc/DM8gUZAgY4Ua4yOWTb8KMNmmonXW-Wy-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/nullform_1_800_2.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="537" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B9UVpGB-sD4/X7OV1yC5PWI/AAAAAAAACYc/DM8gUZAgY4Ua4yOWTb8KMNmmonXW-Wy-ACLcBGAsYHQ/s200/nullform_1_800_2.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Nullform, B1
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2021/02/nullform-1-by-dem-mikhailov.html" target="_blank">1/x</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NGVGYK1" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08NGVGYK1" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Nullform-1-Audiobook/1666140805" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51FFAU00j-L.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51FFAU00j-L.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Nullform, B2
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B091FKGS33" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B091FKGS33" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Nullform-2-Audiobook/B09JHXYTLD" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51xNXen6vLS.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51xNXen6vLS.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Nullform, B3
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B098K448V4" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B098K448V4" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Nullform-Book-3-Audiobook/B09ZDQD7H8" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51oB8jyV6RL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51oB8jyV6RL.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Nullform, B4
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09HCBZ892" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09HCBZ892" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Nullform-4-Audiobook/B0BKBV66N2" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51TT40tmvNL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51TT40tmvNL.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Nullform, B5
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09HCBZ892" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09HCBZ892" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Nullform-5-Audiobook/B0C383XQQ8" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/512NMNQTtnL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/512NMNQTtnL.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Nullform, B6
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B1BCWGCY" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B1BCWGCY" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Nullform-6-Audiobook/B0CGKJQZV1" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51YTpzjRY+L._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="232" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51YTpzjRY+L._SY346_.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Nullform, B7
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BDFYZCVG" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BDFYZCVG" target="_blank">UK</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Nullform-7-Audiobook/B0CCW91CVJ" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51BrJ3fu4TL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51BrJ3fu4TL.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Thunder Rumbles Twice, B1
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09TFSKSS2" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09TFSKSS2" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51LmMrb7sEL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51LmMrb7sEL.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Thunder Rumbles Twice, B2
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B1MMZQG7" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B1MMZQG7" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51i-Gpah4yL._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="232" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51i-Gpah4yL._SY346_.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Thunder Rumbles Twice, B3
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BB2RFVRV" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BB2RFVRV" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51tZvChoc9L._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="232" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51tZvChoc9L._SY346_.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Thunder Rumbles Twice, B4
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLNT7YL9" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BLNT7YL9" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51xGYqDtAhL._SY445_SX342_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="298" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51xGYqDtAhL._SY445_SX342_.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Thunder Rumbles Twice, B5
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTWDVCJ7" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BTWDVCJ7" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51b79bTx+gL._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="228" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51b79bTx+gL._SY346_.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Last Life, B1
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B9KM4SPL" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B9KM4SPL" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Bastard-Audiobook/B0BVXF2B5Y" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51YULM6Hv1L._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="228" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51YULM6Hv1L._SY346_.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Last Life, B2
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BNCH8998" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BNCH8998" target="_blank">UK</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Frontier-Audiobook/B0C7XM1ZDM" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51xS5wMz-xL._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="228" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51xS5wMz-xL._SY346_.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Last Life, B3
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BW9J7TLV" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BW9J7TLV" target="_blank">UK</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Jan 2, 2024
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51OxPMOzL-L.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="344" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51OxPMOzL-L.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Lord Valevsky, B1
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BSDJVHPB" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BSDJVHPB" target="_blank">UK</a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Condemned-Audiobook/B0C7J489TK" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51xQgsSnEtL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="344" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51xQgsSnEtL.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Lord Valevsky, B2
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BXJJD7J3" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BXJJD7J3" target="_blank">UK</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Condemned-Book-2-Audiobook/B0CNSDHDFZ" target="_blank">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51tH6lzznJL._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="238" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51tH6lzznJL._SY346_.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Lord Valevsky, B3
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BZLRNN9P" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BZLRNN9P" target="_blank">UK</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Jan 16, 2014
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Cyberpunk / Steampunk / Urban fantasy</strong></div>
</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t073wkMW4Yg/WXCJfenPGDI/AAAAAAAABGY/_nKKPxpojzIZleYAofvW-EgzTV6t6kdVQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/CW1_web.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="527" height="100" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t073wkMW4Yg/WXCJfenPGDI/AAAAAAAABGY/_nKKPxpojzIZleYAofvW-EgzTV6t6kdVQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/CW1_web.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Citadel World, B1: The URANUS Code
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.ru/2017/07/citadel-world-uranus-code.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">1/20</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0743666SX" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0743666SX" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--40rOIVnEjE/WiBWAIQUT4I/AAAAAAAABNY/qGvK9sT6oi4ckPB6ixGGy1qPXmiVTBRwgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/CW2_web.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="527" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--40rOIVnEjE/WiBWAIQUT4I/AAAAAAAABNY/qGvK9sT6oi4ckPB6ixGGy1qPXmiVTBRwgCPcBGAYYCw/s200/CW2_web.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Citadel World, B2: The Secret of Atlantis
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.ru/2017/11/the-secret-of-atlantis.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">1/x</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077TTSMQM" target="_blanc">US</a><span style="color: blue;">/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B077TTSMQM" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-22aUrcVorqU/WWtfY4KG02I/AAAAAAAABF4/CztiKxhrhvIeZOtGuGmO5_vIh-w02SofQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/EX1_web.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-22aUrcVorqU/WWtfY4KG02I/AAAAAAAABF4/CztiKxhrhvIeZOtGuGmO5_vIh-w02SofQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/EX1_web.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Expansion: The History of the Galaxy, B1: Blind Punch
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073YRQPRR" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B073YRQPRR" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Blind-Punch-Audiobook/B077BK7VMW" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">audio</span></a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sUC1kq9vnAk/Wj4uAwHjFEI/AAAAAAAABOY/4tp9gDY65_MjhW7f9iN7x-nN1get9yo8gCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/EX2_web.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sUC1kq9vnAk/Wj4uAwHjFEI/AAAAAAAABOY/4tp9gDY65_MjhW7f9iN7x-nN1get9yo8gCPcBGAYYCw/s200/EX2_web.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Expansion: The History of the Galaxy, B2: The Shadow of Earth
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2017/12/the-history-of-galaxy-book-ii-shadow-of.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">1/x</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078KJFG25" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B078KJFG25" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Shadow-of-Earth-Audiobook/B07DFQ43C7" target="_blanc">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2mRuTJ4oMl8/W3KPVGklqaI/AAAAAAAABXs/Sr6GpLZBAdcCbEeXok9Ew0zTvLWzyaLJACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/EX3_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="534" height="100" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2mRuTJ4oMl8/W3KPVGklqaI/AAAAAAAABXs/Sr6GpLZBAdcCbEeXok9Ew0zTvLWzyaLJACPcBGAYYCw/s200/EX3_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Expansion: The History of the Galaxy, B3: Servobattalion
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2018/08/history-of-galaxy-3-servobattalion.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">1/x</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GDVDWBC" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07GDVDWBC" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/Servobattalion-Audiobook/1541486749" target="_blanc">audio</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dTYmEvs2FJk/V-vd6FBInYI/AAAAAAAAA2I/t247R_HGAM8YRJ57YZVXZUJ5fuH79O5owCLcB/s1600/K_1.jpg"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dTYmEvs2FJk/V-vd6FBInYI/AAAAAAAAA2I/t247R_HGAM8YRJ57YZVXZUJ5fuH79O5owCLcB/s200/K_1.jpg" width="67" /></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Sublime Electricity, B1: The Illustrious
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.ru/2016/07/sublime-electricity-illustrious-by.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">1/25</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01J1WY2U6" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01J1WY2U6" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Illustrious-Audiobook/B06XMZF7R4" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">audio</span></a></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-owofU0kHEu0/WGTfdr579NI/AAAAAAAAA7k/Y8yvneo6mE4phpp4octwChz9GDKWRs0gQCLcB/s1600/K2_web.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-owofU0kHEu0/WGTfdr579NI/AAAAAAAAA7k/Y8yvneo6mE4phpp4octwChz9GDKWRs0gQCLcB/s200/K2_web.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Sublime Electricity, B2: The Heartless
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.ru/2016/12/the-sublime-electricity-book-2-heartless.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">1/21</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MZ3B2KK" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01MZ3B2KK" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Heartless-Audiobook/B072DY5D7Q" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">audio</span></a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uEUfTDLnH2g/WTFR9c10YpI/AAAAAAAABEI/---yckoZQ08xeemTKgRNf9tfR3ssxcY8QCPcB/s1600/K3_web.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="560" height="100" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uEUfTDLnH2g/WTFR9c10YpI/AAAAAAAABEI/---yckoZQ08xeemTKgRNf9tfR3ssxcY8QCPcB/s200/K3_web.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Sublime Electricity, B3: The Fallen</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.ru/2017/06/the-sublime-electricity-book-3.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">1/x</span></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071ZN79WC" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B071ZN79WC" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Fallen-Audiobook/B0767Q3PX8" target="_blank">audio</a></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nUsWyhy6ljk/WjOuFb2VGWI/AAAAAAAABOE/3jQYn8cIJGc1LY8h_yelNSKPWH3lmWGHQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/K4_web.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="560" height="100" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nUsWyhy6ljk/WjOuFb2VGWI/AAAAAAAABOE/3jQYn8cIJGc1LY8h_yelNSKPWH3lmWGHQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/K4_web.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black;">Sublime Electricity, B4: The Dormant</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.ru/2017/12/the-sublime-electricity-4-dormant.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">1/x</span></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0789HHCB5" target="_blanc">US</a><span style="color: blue;">/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0789HHCB5" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Dormant-Audiobook/B07CVN3KJW" target="_blanc">audio</a></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Alternative History</strong>
</div>
</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ucJehN40DFE/V-veSZbFnZI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/mdtw0p3YyYULQSOZfOc_3sgkijgRNg7VwCLcB/s1600/Z1.jpg"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ucJehN40DFE/V-veSZbFnZI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/mdtw0p3YyYULQSOZfOc_3sgkijgRNg7VwCLcB/s200/Z1.jpg" width="67" /></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Moskau
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.ru/2016/07/moskau-by-g-zotov-read-online.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">2/35</span></a>
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01IWR5R32" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01IWR5R32" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y-lLBJmUBi0/W63mRPdhmTI/AAAAAAAABbY/r0vShhDNXwMhG1fIl6He3wO2JUdd_M9mgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/Z2_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="578" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y-lLBJmUBi0/W63mRPdhmTI/AAAAAAAABbY/r0vShhDNXwMhG1fIl6He3wO2JUdd_M9mgCPcBGAYYCw/s200/Z2_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
El Diablo
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2018/09/el-diablo-by-g-zotov.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">1/x</span></a>
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HR174DN" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07HR174DN" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Romance</strong>
</div>
</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vCc6c9F1kaA/XQE6EYbq2yI/AAAAAAAABn0/r3KqNrTLMnIas1ZUYCrgjcVBfQrfFh1ZACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/cf_1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="526" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vCc6c9F1kaA/XQE6EYbq2yI/AAAAAAAABn0/r3KqNrTLMnIas1ZUYCrgjcVBfQrfFh1ZACPcBGAYYCw/s200/cf_1.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
The Fairy Code, B1: Captive of the Shadows
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2019/06/the-fairy-code-by-kaitlyn-weiss.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">3/x</span></a>
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T145BW2" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">FREE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zKAueyMFODs/Xpckb_lz6XI/AAAAAAAAB_c/9t4bZUYEwlwd-3UimeF50fO0hxNPpFD0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/cf_2_1_800_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="526" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zKAueyMFODs/Xpckb_lz6XI/AAAAAAAAB_c/9t4bZUYEwlwd-3UimeF50fO0hxNPpFD0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s200/cf_2_1_800_2.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
The Fairy Code, B2: Chosen of the Shadows
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2020/04/the-fairy-code-2-by-kaitly-weiss.html" target="_blanc">3/x</a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0873373QK" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0873373QK" target="_blanc">UK</a></span><span style="color: blue;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/510iztMxErL._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="232" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/510iztMxErL._SY346_.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
The Charmed Fjords, B1
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VNFLBBQ" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0873373QK" target="_blanc">UK</a></span><span style="color: blue;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51WbXOsYf8L.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51WbXOsYf8L.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
The Charmed Fjords, B2
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09X5VVC6Y" target="_blanc">US</a>/<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09X5VVC6Y" target="_blank">UK</a></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://md-books.com/">Magic Dome Books</a>
</div>
Simon Valehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16142080565999248152noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1879934328827513079.post-54110601405893443492023-06-29T01:54:00.064-07:002024-01-29T02:02:16.446-08:00Bibliothek Deutscher Bücher<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Dieser Beitrag ist eine Bibliothek. Alle unsere Bücher aud Deutsch sind hier aufgelistet. <a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2016/09/magic-dome-books-library.html" target="_blank"><u>Bücher auf ENGLISCH werden jetzt in einen anderen Posten verschoben</u></a>. Wir werden es ständig aktualisieren, damit es immer etwas Neues zu lesen gibt. <b>Erscheinungsdaten</b>, <b>Veröffentlichungstermine für Hörbücher</b> - es ist alles hier. Abonniere unseren Newsletter: <a href="http://eepurl.com/b7niIL" target="_blanc"><span style="color: red;">English books</span></a> or <span style="color: red;"><a href="http://eepurl.com/dOTLd1" target="_blanc"><span style="color: red;">German books</span></a>.</span><br />
<br />
Die Zahlen in der Tabelle zeigen die Anzahl der veröffentlichten Kapitel (und sie sind auch direkte Links zu Texten). <br />
<br />
<div align="left">
<blockquote>
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Letzte Aktualisierungen: </b></span> </blockquote>
<blockquote>
<span style="color: red;">29. Januar - </span><span style="color: #38761d;">Saga Online-2: Höllenritt von Oliver Mayes - Hörbuch <a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Hoellenritt-Hoerbuch/B0CRB6W1MP" target="_blank">ist erschienen</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">26. Januar - </span><span style="color: #38761d;">Der Alchemist-2: Der Wald der Sehnsucht von Vasily Mahanenko - Hörbuch <a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Der-Wald-der-Sehnsucht-Hoerbuch/B0CQ8R2TNW" target="_blank">ist erschienen</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">22. Januar - </span><span style="color: #38761d;">Das letzte Leben-3: Blutsbande - Hörbuch <a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Blutsbande-Hoerbuch/B0CR6C57DP" target="_blank">ist erschienen</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">11. Januar - </span><span style="color: #38761d;">Außenseiter 5: Das Labyrinth des Schreckens von Alexey Osadchuk - Hörbuch <a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Das-Labyrinth-des-Schreckens-Hoerbuch/B0CQJYK6LQ" target="_blank">ist erschienen</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">10. Januar - </span><span style="color: #38761d;">Sperrgebiet 4: Vorstoß in die Hölle von Yuri Ulengov - Hörbuch <a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Vorstoss-in-die-Hoelle-LitRPG-Serie-Hoerbuch/B0CQJW4GD6" target="_blank">ist erschienen</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">3. Januar - </span><span style="color: #38761d;">Freiherr Walewski: Der Letzte seines Stamms Buch 3 von Vasily Mahanenko <a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0CH562F5C" target="_blank">ist erschienen</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">25. Dezember - </span><span style="color: #38761d;">Die Kalandaha Chroniken: Builder von Jens Forwick <a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0BYK9WNKR" target="_blank">ist erschienen</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">21. Dezember - </span><span style="color: #38761d;">Freibeuter-2: Auf der Jagd nach einem Manuskript von Igor Knox <a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0CL2WXQVD" target="_blank">ist erschienen</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">19. Dezember - </span><span style="color: #38761d;">Die ideale Welt für den Soziopathen-2 von Oleg Sapphire <a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B0C9RKZPPR" target="_blank">ist erschienen</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">14. Dezember - </span><span style="color: #38761d;">Disgardium-11: Im Abseits von Dan Sugralinov <a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0C1ZQDNVR" target="_blank">ist erschienen</a></span><br />
<span style="color: red;">8. Dezember - </span><span style="color: #38761d;">Ein Student will leben-3: Sangis von Boris Romanovsky <a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B0CBD4RG1T" target="_blank">ist erschienen</a></span><br />
</blockquote>
⇓⇓⇓ - Browse the entire list</div>
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<table border="1px">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Cover</strong>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Title</strong>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>In this blog</strong>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Amazon / KU</strong></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Audible</strong> </div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>LitRPG</strong>
</div>
</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
</tr><tr>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Books in German</strong>
</div>
</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MtRtHW8VOSE/XA-yMxLSKKI/AAAAAAAABdU/Th2_pRS893MgH9NeZkDgq9nIZ6OkNp-RACLcBGAs/s1600/DH1G_800_4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="516" height="100" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MtRtHW8VOSE/XA-yMxLSKKI/AAAAAAAABdU/Th2_pRS893MgH9NeZkDgq9nIZ6OkNp-RACLcBGAs/s200/DH1G_800_4.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Kräutersammler der Finsternis: Der Videospieltester
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2018/08/litrpg-der-videospieltester.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">1/16</span></a>
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07GCT4BBK" target="_blanc">DE</a></span><span style="color: blue;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Der-Videospieltester-Hoerbuch/B086BT1J84" target="_blanc">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1DgBfNVvopo/XA9UOBDJp9I/AAAAAAAABdM/QlF8IlToL3EfS7len8qKyWs0TSQ6TY_hACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/DH2G_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="516" height="100" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1DgBfNVvopo/XA9UOBDJp9I/AAAAAAAABdM/QlF8IlToL3EfS7len8qKyWs0TSQ6TY_hACPcBGAYYCw/s200/DH2G_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Kräutersammler der Finsternis: Hart am Wind
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2018/12/hart-am-wind-von-michael-atamanov.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">1/18</span></a>
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07L8JWR8D" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Hart-am-Wind-Hoerbuch/B08CVQT8MY" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qz5gj321GXQ/XJo9k_f1CPI/AAAAAAAABi4/mvebbaXeX8w6Zru1LxFa361pRviDyK7TACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/DH3G_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1240" data-original-width="800" height="100" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qz5gj321GXQ/XJo9k_f1CPI/AAAAAAAABi4/mvebbaXeX8w6Zru1LxFa361pRviDyK7TACPcBGAYYCw/s200/DH3G_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Kräutersammler der Finsternis:, B3: Falle für den Herrscher
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2019/03/falle-fur-den-herrscher-von-michael.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">1/17</span></a>
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07NRMWL8Y" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Falle-fuer-den-Herrscher-Hoerbuch/B08LNRG1N4" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z9ODHmzpUtk/XRxrlI6tATI/AAAAAAAABqU/oS51t6x7-S0X2paaNrOrEeT06wmuJ3EYQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/51jEqOtJTyL.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="331" height="100" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z9ODHmzpUtk/XRxrlI6tATI/AAAAAAAABqU/oS51t6x7-S0X2paaNrOrEeT06wmuJ3EYQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/51jEqOtJTyL.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Kräutersammler der Finsternis:, B4: Streben nach Verkörperung
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2019/07/krautersammler-der-finsternis-buch-4.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">1/15</span></a>
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07TWL9GBB" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Streben-nach-Verkoerperung-Hoerbuch/B08RZF9K8X" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
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<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_XnCdCtDfc/XEs6id9zh1I/AAAAAAAABgQ/Okw2HR89u-kf_J4ubbeeb6HPuN_xXJ0FwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/NP1G.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="560" height="100" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q_XnCdCtDfc/XEs6id9zh1I/AAAAAAAABgQ/Okw2HR89u-kf_J4ubbeeb6HPuN_xXJ0FwCPcBGAYYCw/s200/NP1G.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Der Weg eines NPCs, B1: Toter Schurke
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2019/01/der-weg-eines-npcs-toter-schurke-von.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">3/x</span></a>
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07N3YYSBW" target="_blanc">DE</a></span><span style="color: blue;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/B08TBYC6HR" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xAQ5aZ_JNTw/XUAXOzFPNcI/AAAAAAAABsw/JAMziNNzN5EA1HMTdB9PpXQs501p4zIcwCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/NP2G_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="560" height="100" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xAQ5aZ_JNTw/XUAXOzFPNcI/AAAAAAAABsw/JAMziNNzN5EA1HMTdB9PpXQs501p4zIcwCPcBGAYYCw/s200/NP2G_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Der Weg eines NPCs, B2: Königreich der Toten
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2019/07/konigreich-der-toten-von-pavel-kornev.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">1/x</span></a>
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07VSPC27M" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Koenigreich-der-Toten-Hoerbuch/B08ZJLB29J" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--FG7Jal_aaI/XqSa0slqazI/AAAAAAAACAg/eYz6BARntwAdV9Gng15hC_t525T9C0B0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/NP3G_800_NEW.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="560" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--FG7Jal_aaI/XqSa0slqazI/AAAAAAAACAg/eYz6BARntwAdV9Gng15hC_t525T9C0B0ACLcBGAsYHQ/s200/NP3G_800_NEW.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Der Weg eines NPCs, B3: Das Gefolge des Toten
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B07ZPG14C1" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Das-Gefolge-des-Toten-Hoerbuch/B09CGVVW9D" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Pd03zlJjL._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="242" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Pd03zlJjL._SY346_.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Der Weg eines NPCs, B4: Lotse der Toten
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B09MHZ82W5" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Lotse-der-Toten-Hoerbuch/B0CBKR1G6J" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51jkewrL4eL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="350" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51jkewrL4eL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Der Weg eines NPCs, B5: Nemesis der Lebenden
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B09V8322SD" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Nemesis-der-Lebenden-Hoerbuch/B0CGXTMCT1" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5ZdGX0sR9f8/XFHuoSKmdEI/AAAAAAAABgk/FxiE5ow9DMErv6PVjIe4ajYepFTPb5RqgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/LU1G_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="537" height="100" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5ZdGX0sR9f8/XFHuoSKmdEI/AAAAAAAABgk/FxiE5ow9DMErv6PVjIe4ajYepFTPb5RqgCPcBGAYYCw/s200/LU1G_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Nächstes Level, B1: Neustart
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2019/01/nachstes-level-neustart-von-dan.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">4/x</span></a>
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07N8G33FT" target="_blanc">DE</a></span><span style="color: blue;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Neustart-Hoerbuch/B09WRQH2CB" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RW9_K6wpddE/XLAt3Dcbw0I/AAAAAAAABj8/m0yXnIA2GzMpv11UIkle2dqWh8elmNE2QCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/LU2G_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="537" height="100" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RW9_K6wpddE/XLAt3Dcbw0I/AAAAAAAABj8/m0yXnIA2GzMpv11UIkle2dqWh8elmNE2QCPcBGAYYCw/s200/LU2G_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Nächstes Level, B2: Held
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2019/04/nachstes-level-held-von-dan-sugralinov.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">4/x</span></a>
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07QM2HCXD" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Held-Hoerbuch/B0CMJ8F7CX" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6sdLobLw3rw/XTMqzkxoD_I/AAAAAAAABr8/FTI2tKifX4Eigin_EV5HSja1hZg1ApeswCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/LU3G_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="537" height="100" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6sdLobLw3rw/XTMqzkxoD_I/AAAAAAAABr8/FTI2tKifX4Eigin_EV5HSja1hZg1ApeswCPcBGAYYCw/s200/LU3G_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Nächstes Level, B3: Die letzte Prüfung
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2019/07/nachstes-level-buch-3-die-letzte.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">2/x</span></a>
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07VFYD94N" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zfzhzVAyVps/XM2ckdqucpI/AAAAAAAABlY/y0oOn5D8x3sb20V_HdEGSk6avXPL9nAtQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/N1G_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="537" height="100" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zfzhzVAyVps/XM2ckdqucpI/AAAAAAAABlY/y0oOn5D8x3sb20V_HdEGSk6avXPL9nAtQCPcBGAYYCw/s200/N1G_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Level Up: Knockout von Max Lagno und Dan Sugralinov
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2019/05/level-up-knockout-von-dan-sugralinov.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">2/27</span></a>
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07RF9C1V4" target="_blanc">DE</a></span><span style="color: blue;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OEIhNHPeDJ8/XYcyHJeL_kI/AAAAAAAABww/LvNup1cw2CA0jjQDwfg-iXOaHTMywtzIACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/D1G_800_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="537" height="100" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OEIhNHPeDJ8/XYcyHJeL_kI/AAAAAAAABww/LvNup1cw2CA0jjQDwfg-iXOaHTMywtzIACPcBGAYYCw/s200/D1G_800_2.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Disgardium, B1: Gefahrenklasse A
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2019/09/disgardium-gefahrenklasse-von-dan.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">2/x</span></a>
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07XP7K1Q6" target="_blanc">DE</a></span><span style="color: blue;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Gefahrenklasse-A-Eine-LitRPG-Serie-Hoerbuch/B09B3NPD9G" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p0gQgSTPGJ8/XhXG3_eKcMI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/9HICh45GA-oQuyFa9FSTOPbsBO0ypABugCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/D2G_800_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="537" height="100" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p0gQgSTPGJ8/XhXG3_eKcMI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/9HICh45GA-oQuyFa9FSTOPbsBO0ypABugCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/D2G_800_2.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Disgardium, B2: Apostel der Schlafenden Götter
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B083JL4WWY" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Apostel-der-Schlafenden-Goetter-Eine-LitRPG-Serie-Hoerbuch/B0C4L39FP3" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3zYMPg391go/X5FzfVkCR9I/AAAAAAAACV0/m_wXzknk9Ms7qdjxw_Cbz6ejLvlzChrvQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/D3G_800_2.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="537" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3zYMPg391go/X5FzfVkCR9I/AAAAAAAACV0/m_wXzknk9Ms7qdjxw_Cbz6ejLvlzChrvQCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/D3G_800_2.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Disgardium, B3: Die Vernichtende Seuche
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2021/01/disgardium-buch-3-die-vernichtende.html" target="_blank">3/x</a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08LNMYQTS" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3zYMPg391go/X5FzfVkCR9I/AAAAAAAACV0/m_wXzknk9Ms7qdjxw_Cbz6ejLvlzChrvQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/D3G_800_2.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="537" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3zYMPg391go/X5FzfVkCR9I/AAAAAAAACV0/m_wXzknk9Ms7qdjxw_Cbz6ejLvlzChrvQCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/D3G_800_2.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Disgardium, B4: Widerstand
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08X12K3VD" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/512mqlXgohS.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="336" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/512mqlXgohS.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Disgardium, B5: Krieg der Götter
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B096YQ77H8/" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51tTcgO6TiL._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="233" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51tTcgO6TiL._SY346_.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Disgardium, B6: Der Pfad des Geistes
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B09JSX5NG9" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51SLiemToIL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="336" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51SLiemToIL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Disgardium, B7: Die Dämonischen Spiele
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B09RQRQ1JG" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5wfiPm46lRHJcN77RcSnEm5jSd0V6WpznJHqKWBMAly6s2AwuPFZoPREDqU1HrTYaITo0gwZzWshOXI78zIj-EKa7rrxU9x7yJB_7y4qnmxrqnugpAbzuDBo5UQHVw777VpTGqF2ID1iWupPs8aym0AdF6Pl_YZx8HJJdEPhPmTJ5GUFwKY_aJ-leGQ/s800/D8G800.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="537" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5wfiPm46lRHJcN77RcSnEm5jSd0V6WpznJHqKWBMAly6s2AwuPFZoPREDqU1HrTYaITo0gwZzWshOXI78zIj-EKa7rrxU9x7yJB_7y4qnmxrqnugpAbzuDBo5UQHVw777VpTGqF2ID1iWupPs8aym0AdF6Pl_YZx8HJJdEPhPmTJ5GUFwKY_aJ-leGQ/s200/D8G800.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Disgardium, B8: Feind des Infernos
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0B1QVJP24" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51AIPFSUqYL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="336" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51AIPFSUqYL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Disgardium, B9: Ruhm für das Prinzenreich!
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0BDZQK36Q" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51D7187qybL._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="233" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51D7187qybL._SY346_.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Disgardium, B10: Drohende Gefahr
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B0BXJJ7JWC" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sCeKOZEvctw/XFxyn6qtCGI/AAAAAAAABg4/pdk6BZ0dsBU74XGBlSPT4Y_nXmUS1WqhgCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/RB1G_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="530" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sCeKOZEvctw/XFxyn6qtCGI/AAAAAAAABg4/pdk6BZ0dsBU74XGBlSPT4Y_nXmUS1WqhgCPcBGAYYCw/s200/RB1G_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Unterwerfung der Wirklichkeit, B1: Countdown
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2019/02/unterwerfung-der-wirklichkeit-von.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">3/x</span></a>
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07NGQQ1C2" target="_blanc">DE</a></span><span style="color: blue;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/B0BTDLJCDP" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EeeVqx8gZCU/XRIM4caZXzI/AAAAAAAABpw/idWIs6QPNbQWSL2TtPSNk0jqtPRdhtAcACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/RB2G.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1388" data-original-width="919" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EeeVqx8gZCU/XRIM4caZXzI/AAAAAAAABpw/idWIs6QPNbQWSL2TtPSNk0jqtPRdhtAcACPcBGAYYCw/s200/RB2G.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Unterwerfung der Wirklichkeit, B2: Bedrohung aus dem All
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2019/06/bedrohung-aus-dem-all-von-michael.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">3/x</span></a>
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07THKRS41" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Bedrohung-aus-dem-All-Hoerbuch/B0C9TQTQGH" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vcNCNq8cNFE/XZNnZcjm5TI/AAAAAAAABxU/SVfyynV8vmkP76AfnM-iHsk7BggZhYNgACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/RB3G_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="530" height="100" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vcNCNq8cNFE/XZNnZcjm5TI/AAAAAAAABxU/SVfyynV8vmkP76AfnM-iHsk7BggZhYNgACPcBGAYYCw/s200/RB3G_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Unterwerfung der Wirklichkeit, B3: Spielwende
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2019/10/unterwerfung-der-wirklichkeit.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">1/x</span></a>
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07YLXT3BV" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tByxOuQplKc/XhXFdEfzNJI/AAAAAAAAB38/aTQJZHdUeDcQyci9Vb03Y9HX2NSsni7TACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/RB4G_800_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="507" height="100" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tByxOuQplKc/XhXFdEfzNJI/AAAAAAAAB38/aTQJZHdUeDcQyci9Vb03Y9HX2NSsni7TACLcBGAsYHQ/s200/RB4G_800_2.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Unterwerfung der Wirklichkeit, B4: Weltengeflecht
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B083KQ2QR9" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tTNXyYr-hq0/XmjBilzZZUI/AAAAAAAAB9M/OHxe8z7jdGYFc8zzldgpJj4z__GWOXUNgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/RB5G_800_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="507" height="100" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tTNXyYr-hq0/XmjBilzZZUI/AAAAAAAAB9M/OHxe8z7jdGYFc8zzldgpJj4z__GWOXUNgCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/RB5G_800_2.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Unterwerfung der Wirklichkeit, B5: Sprung ins Ungewisse
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B085CDWBT5" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uYyjHYyfyUc/Xyp72IHkVsI/AAAAAAAACMc/Mux78Rog8_cTFsxs94z0p4Qj8dNEylzagCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/RB6G_800_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="507" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uYyjHYyfyUc/Xyp72IHkVsI/AAAAAAAACMc/Mux78Rog8_cTFsxs94z0p4Qj8dNEylzagCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/RB6G_800_2.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Unterwerfung der Wirklichkeit, B6: Helden der Galaxie
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08F8Q8C9S" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51q453wT3RL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="317" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51q453wT3RL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Unterwerfung der Wirklichkeit, B7: Kriegsgrund
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08ZT194TT" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51KXB6mgAZS.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="317" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51KXB6mgAZS.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Unterwerfung der Wirklichkeit, B8: Verschlinger
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B099S8NL1S" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51x8cfj0szL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="317" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51x8cfj0szL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Unterwerfung der Wirklichkeit, B9: Das Geheimnis der Reliktikerpyramide
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0B8TCYFKK" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/511IYCt-CtL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="317" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/511IYCt-CtL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Unterwerfung der Wirklichkeit, B10: Die Vergangenheit ändern
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B0BRVFYL9X" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Tce5c2M4L.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Tce5c2M4L.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Die Allianz der Pechvögel, B1: Eine Katze und ihr Mensch
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B09HR74KDB" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Eine-Katze-und-ihr-Mensch-LitRPG-Serie-Hoerbuch/B0C1NXCS1V" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/514nNeLhlgL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/514nNeLhlgL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Die Allianz der Pechvögel, B2: Im Dienste des Pharaos
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0BG5TNBRM" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Im-Dienste-des-Pharaos-LitRPG-Serie-Hoerbuch/B0CJRHBVBR" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51OH3dr8+3L.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51OH3dr8+3L.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Die Allianz der Pechvögel, B3: Der erste Winter
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0BTZ386MH" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-unbTi_EHFP4/XJYiPhJaIlI/AAAAAAAABiY/Z4BlD1_2Am8wkqMEnTNXIU1_Q-ZQ79yYACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/MW1G_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="502" height="100" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-unbTi_EHFP4/XJYiPhJaIlI/AAAAAAAABiY/Z4BlD1_2Am8wkqMEnTNXIU1_Q-ZQ79yYACPcBGAYYCw/s200/MW1G_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Spiegelwelt, B1: Der tägliche Grind - Im virtuellen Hamsterrad
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2019/03/spiegelwelt-der-tagliche-grind-von.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">4/x</span></a>
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07PWQ9P64" target="_blanc">DE</a></span><span style="color: blue;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Der-taegliche-Grind-Im-virtuellen-Hamsterrad-Hoerbuch/B09M8QG81V" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f0rxDmvYJYw/XUKcRP7zNlI/AAAAAAAABtI/hsX6fUt3cB4VYMJhTkkUg7FNAn3U0FC-wCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/MW2G_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="502" height="100" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f0rxDmvYJYw/XUKcRP7zNlI/AAAAAAAABtI/hsX6fUt3cB4VYMJhTkkUg7FNAn3U0FC-wCPcBGAYYCw/s200/MW2G_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Spiegelwelt, B2: Die Zitadelle
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2019/08/die-zitadelle-von-alexey-osadchuk.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">3/x</span></a>
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07VWPWLPN" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Der-taegliche-Grind-Die-Zitadelle-Hoerbuch/B0B6JL6ZVF" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2357eHy8iVk/XjKUkQ63IPI/AAAAAAAAB50/-4uWPEtUwF82oOf1SiTONScYLsnroxTzACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/MW3G_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="501" height="100" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2357eHy8iVk/XjKUkQ63IPI/AAAAAAAAB50/-4uWPEtUwF82oOf1SiTONScYLsnroxTzACPcBGAYYCw/s200/MW3G_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Spiegelwelt, B3: Der Weg des Verstoßenen
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2020/01/spiegelwelt-der-weg-des-verstoenen-von.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">3/x</span></a>
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B07ZPBSWD6" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Der-Weg-des-Verstossenen-Hoerbuch/B0C28NDC5P" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YFxNAlgVGY4/XuIJ0XzckvI/AAAAAAAACH8/QNew7SDA12YywSmjqUKC3d-Y2OuYAfRXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/MW4G_800_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="502" height="100" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YFxNAlgVGY4/XuIJ0XzckvI/AAAAAAAACH8/QNew7SDA12YywSmjqUKC3d-Y2OuYAfRXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/MW4G_800_2.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Spiegelwelt, B4: Der Zwielichtobelisk
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B089W9MQMX" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Der-Zwielichtobelisk-Hoerbuch/B0CFM45W89" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51cN78JTv7L.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="313" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51cN78JTv7L.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Spiegelwelt, B5: Der Gründer
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B0BKGH23NK" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Der-Gruender-Hoerbuch/B0CK8V1JGN" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Dcycv3P3LA/XzvkbIKERfI/AAAAAAAACPw/uwpyXaCcro4Byw-1duHE_UIw1PGurZe7ACPcBGAYYCw/s1600/U1G_800_new.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="528" height="100" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Dcycv3P3LA/XzvkbIKERfI/AAAAAAAACPw/uwpyXaCcro4Byw-1duHE_UIw1PGurZe7ACPcBGAYYCw/s200/U1G_800_new.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Außenseiter, B1: Die Dungeons der Krummberge
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2020/08/auenseiter-von-alexey-osadchuk.html" target="_blank">3/25</a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08G57BGVW" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Die-Dungeons-der-Krummberge-Hoerbuch/B09GKKWVWY" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BPUMGa1U6F0/X23Djc0fO0I/AAAAAAAACTQ/Ft9bvtAClUkXC7pdM2ukb1Q2gQDgckKJwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/U2G_800_2.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="528" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BPUMGa1U6F0/X23Djc0fO0I/AAAAAAAACTQ/Ft9bvtAClUkXC7pdM2ukb1Q2gQDgckKJwCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/U2G_800_2.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Außenseiter, B2: Die große Öde
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08JZJ64Y6" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Die-grosse-Oede-Hoerbuch/B09Q6VCY3R" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SJpvlm3fqao/YAlLnMse2iI/AAAAAAAACeU/xrokzja6ta4AlAuuU_c9s4OdLdZ1oYHlQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/U3G_800.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="527" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SJpvlm3fqao/YAlLnMse2iI/AAAAAAAACeU/xrokzja6ta4AlAuuU_c9s4OdLdZ1oYHlQCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/U3G_800.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Außenseiter, B3: Der Dunkle Kontinent
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08SMLWX4K" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/B09YVPR9CB" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51MvgbyTDoL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51MvgbyTDoL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Außenseiter, B4: Die andere Welt
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08YFJ6H6B" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/B0CHYGN49P" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51h-OwJdSeS.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51h-OwJdSeS.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Außenseiter, B5: Das Labyrinth des Schreckens
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B097BQFCZL/" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51eNUHvLvrL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51eNUHvLvrL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Außenseiter, B6: Showdown
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09D81KSRB" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/518SHIeXOyL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/518SHIeXOyL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Außenseiter, B7: Der Gebieter des Schicksals
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B09JSTTDHL" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51-wbfUJ2PL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51-wbfUJ2PL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Außenseiter, B8: Der Abtrünnige
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B09ZCG3RKW" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jepctilpw2c/XXP-XPkfjLI/AAAAAAAABwI/IVwh2MKU5MAyY3s_wXfAm-nfqpMy9qO2QCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/SQ3G_800_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="528" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jepctilpw2c/XXP-XPkfjLI/AAAAAAAABwI/IVwh2MKU5MAyY3s_wXfAm-nfqpMy9qO2QCPcBGAYYCw/s200/SQ3G_800_2.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Survival Quest, B3: Das Geheimnis des dunklen Waldes
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2019/09/survival-quest-das-geheimnis-des.html" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">3/x</span></a>
</span></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07XDH1SBQ" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/3838794850" target="_blanc">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EbO2w3EM5Uc/Xa7e9yPM-3I/AAAAAAAABzQ/QZ0zr5vwUEMUZI3D5Yw0UdKy4zYmgo6ngCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/SQ4G_800_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="527" height="100" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EbO2w3EM5Uc/Xa7e9yPM-3I/AAAAAAAABzQ/QZ0zr5vwUEMUZI3D5Yw0UdKy4zYmgo6ngCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/SQ4G_800_2.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Survival Quest, B4: Die Phantomburg
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B07YL3QVYQ" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Die-Phantomburg-Hoerbuch/3838794869" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kl_HkevJie0/XhXGEOln9QI/AAAAAAAAB4E/Bp7VPRaie9U1KuI17_R4IVD6GOQalN11wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/SQ5G_800_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="528" height="100" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Kl_HkevJie0/XhXGEOln9QI/AAAAAAAAB4E/Bp7VPRaie9U1KuI17_R4IVD6GOQalN11wCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/SQ5G_800_2.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Survival Quest, B5: Das Karmadont-Schachspiel
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B082QP33S4" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Das-Karmadont-Schachspiel-Hoerbuch/3838797418" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q-3L8xZWNjk/XmjCZ9G3OjI/AAAAAAAAB9g/5x5bWDGUCrYpq76ydVY2jttyCNar_pNFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/SQ6G_800_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="528" height="100" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q-3L8xZWNjk/XmjCZ9G3OjI/AAAAAAAAB9g/5x5bWDGUCrYpq76ydVY2jttyCNar_pNFQCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/SQ6G_800_2.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Survival Quest, B6: Die Rache des Schamanen
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0855QMVXS" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Die-Rache-des-Schamanen-Hoerbuch/3838797426" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9qAzGjJVDdQ/XqqrZklXC_I/AAAAAAAACBQ/jSfVKheKN3YO6LnqGrHLh3v7vnetvc43wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/SQ7G_800_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="528" height="100" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9qAzGjJVDdQ/XqqrZklXC_I/AAAAAAAACBQ/jSfVKheKN3YO6LnqGrHLh3v7vnetvc43wCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/SQ7G_800_2.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Survival Quest, B7: Krieg der Clans
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B087VXWXD8" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Krieg-der-Clans-Hoerbuch/3838797434" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e6tJSKquW0E/X9HdhtetyaI/AAAAAAAACa4/XwWi3fEfdsUp75pDdtCeh8XF4ZNPIHXGACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/WC1G_800_2.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="500" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e6tJSKquW0E/X9HdhtetyaI/AAAAAAAACa4/XwWi3fEfdsUp75pDdtCeh8XF4ZNPIHXGACLcBGAsYHQ/s200/WC1G_800_2.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Welt der Verwandelten, B1: Keine Fehler
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08PZ47QC4" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Keine-Fehler-Hoerbuch/B0C7L944G2" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51fqNkzpJBS._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="216" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51fqNkzpJBS._SY346_.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Welt der Verwandelten, B2: Die Perle des Südens
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B09733L3S9" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Die-Perle-des-Suedens-Hoerbuch/B0C9MNGX4C" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/414ZHpJgmlL._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="216" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/414ZHpJgmlL._SY346_.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Welt der Verwandelten, B3: Leibhaftige Noa
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B09J95C8MG" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Leibhaftige-Noa-Hoerbuch/B0CJ5N7H9V" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/513Px3k-eYL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/513Px3k-eYL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Der Alchemist, B1: Stadt der Toten
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B09RQ2Y7J4" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Stadt-der-Toten-Hoerbuch/B0CLVR2NLQ" target="_blank">24. Nov 2023</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51CYue9+WZL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51CYue9+WZL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Der Alchemist, B2: Der Wald der Sehnsucht
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0B396FVDK" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51oi7+4yZfL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51oi7+4yZfL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Der Alchemist, B3: Die Tränen von Alron
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0BFFVDB3W" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/514ua1TkkYL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/514ua1TkkYL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Der Alchemist, B4: Isr Kalehs Tagebuch
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B0BRSXMNG8" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51GNIVa4z4L.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51GNIVa4z4L.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Der Alchemist, B5: Die Tartila-Mine
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0BX769DB3" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wb131F6Z-oM/X9cr1-YsUFI/AAAAAAAACbk/nZGex1McF8wSn4b-pNf6gT80bkmLA_sJgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/G1G_800.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wb131F6Z-oM/X9cr1-YsUFI/AAAAAAAACbk/nZGex1McF8wSn4b-pNf6gT80bkmLA_sJgCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/G1G_800.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Galaktogon, B1: Das Spiel beginnt
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2020/12/galaktogon-das-spiel-beginnt-von-vasily.html" target="_blank">1/x</a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08QG5KXM8" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Das-Spiel-beginnt-Hoerbuch/B09VY8F142" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51vP+0HahPL._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="230" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51vP+0HahPL._SY346_.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Galaktogon, B2: Auf der Suche nach den Uldanern
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08YRYBJ61" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Auf-der-Suche-nach-den-Uldanern-Hoerbuch/B0B2W3YGQ4" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51xqOZqBDqS.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51xqOZqBDqS.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Galaktogon, B3: Ein Scheck über eine Milliarde
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B097F3WTPF" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Ein-Scheck-ueber-eine-Milliarde-Hoerbuch/B0BH8RXCZT" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjRVobDG5ltszmISZIRviZH7jYBCRFswsaviMLAHokYvVxO076UfE2lTzU9nn3iy2_ivvIZegZlirB8b-sZKlPzl1O8Z9b5FwH5vJH8BOAOjGf2-LOe_KRVz_ohOeCKf6_S-lwJyMNGXjbsAdFJWE2D9_BrET3Q0nItcA7IxXu7Fag1ZMEVA1ejDLK7w/s800/DP1G800.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="566" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjRVobDG5ltszmISZIRviZH7jYBCRFswsaviMLAHokYvVxO076UfE2lTzU9nn3iy2_ivvIZegZlirB8b-sZKlPzl1O8Z9b5FwH5vJH8BOAOjGf2-LOe_KRVz_ohOeCKf6_S-lwJyMNGXjbsAdFJWE2D9_BrET3Q0nItcA7IxXu7Fag1ZMEVA1ejDLK7w/s200/DP1G800.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Der dunkle Paladin, B1: Der Anfang
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0B46RFM6Y" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51fw3tr4wwL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="354" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51fw3tr4wwL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Der dunkle Paladin, B2: Die Quest
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0BCQWX2BD" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51URTU6LcuL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="354" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51URTU6LcuL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Der dunkle Paladin, B3: Neustart
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B0BP88XFRS" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LZVwjeTFab0/XpnGR0pFrZI/AAAAAAAAB_w/upIDvY8TruQUopQHeAHsKxXOPK0tysPdACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/PD1G_800_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="100" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LZVwjeTFab0/XpnGR0pFrZI/AAAAAAAAB_w/upIDvY8TruQUopQHeAHsKxXOPK0tysPdACLcBGAsYHQ/s200/PD1G_800_2.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Perimeterverteidigung, B1: Sektor Acht
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08773L983" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Sektor-Acht-Hoerbuch/B0BT1TV84H" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UZorBin4DVg/X1ZJaZ7rKlI/AAAAAAAACRI/x3f6M6TWJMoAEWZea_YZgnoSOLu0zGN1ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/PD2G_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UZorBin4DVg/X1ZJaZ7rKlI/AAAAAAAACRI/x3f6M6TWJMoAEWZea_YZgnoSOLu0zGN1ACLcBGAsYHQ/s200/PD2G_800.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Perimeterverteidigung, B2: Über den Tod hinaus
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08HM4SX7T" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Ueber-den-Tod-hinaus-Hoerbuch/B0BZJFBBRM" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sr8RsC8F7fY/YAlMRyY-kRI/AAAAAAAACec/nAno1kdb7ewqGXHVU5p4pGW-VH4eME0NwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/PD3G_800.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sr8RsC8F7fY/YAlMRyY-kRI/AAAAAAAACec/nAno1kdb7ewqGXHVU5p4pGW-VH4eME0NwCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/PD3G_800.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Perimeterverteidigung, B3: Ein neuer Vertrag
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08THFK4J7" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Ein-neuer-Vertrag-Hoerbuch/B0CKHQ3BZS" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51mH7fGzi6S.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51mH7fGzi6S.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Perimeterverteidigung, B4: Spiel ohne Regeln
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08THFK4J7" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Spiel-ohne-Regeln-Hoerbuch/B0CMHX8RBT" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vSgJcH7rRRg/Xs902iRuJ4I/AAAAAAAACFk/uQ1dQMOJCnkraS0XecfSJUea9L-63SQ-gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/O1G_800_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="537" height="100" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vSgJcH7rRRg/Xs902iRuJ4I/AAAAAAAACFk/uQ1dQMOJCnkraS0XecfSJUea9L-63SQ-gCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/O1G_800_2.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Saga Online, B1: Der Okkultist von Oliver Mayes
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2020/09/der-okkultist-von-oliver-mayes.html" target="_blank">2/37</a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0897W9SB4" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Der-Okkultist-Hoerbuch/B097F37HVY" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41jpIIUFb5L.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41jpIIUFb5L.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Saga Online, B2: Höllenritt
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B09JWT3TMB" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FLdRvWGHN7s/X2i5Mltv_TI/AAAAAAAACSo/bNo_DNK9yXg0FiPA3PzLbgQjKAerVQhrQCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/S1%25281%2529G_800_2.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="527" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FLdRvWGHN7s/X2i5Mltv_TI/AAAAAAAACSo/bNo_DNK9yXg0FiPA3PzLbgQjKAerVQhrQCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/S1%25281%2529G_800_2.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Projekt Stellar, B1: Der Inkarnator
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2020/10/der-inkarnator-projekt-stellar-1-von.html" target="_blank">2/x</a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08JLS1L3S" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Projekt-Stellar-Der-Inkarnator-Hoerbuch/B0BHX66T5M" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/517qm4LTZJL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/517qm4LTZJL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Projekt Stellar, B2: Der Verzauberer
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08QZQNWXC" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Projekt-Stellar-Der-Verzauberer-Hoerbuch/B0BQ3FWWBZ" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/518ccKVV44L.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/518ccKVV44L.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Projekt Stellar, B3: Der Tribut
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B091V33PDM" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Capf6NjDL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Capf6NjDL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Projekt Stellar, B4: Der Rebell
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B09BRDVRD3" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51dsMY7lxfL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51dsMY7lxfL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Projekt Stellar, B5: Der Archon
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B09QCQVS6D" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/511TfGd7hoL._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="228" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/511TfGd7hoL._SY346_.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Projekt Stellar, B6: Der Legat
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0B2Q3MX26" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71mbiXl3e8L._SY425_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="280" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71mbiXl3e8L._SY425_.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Projekt Stellar, B7: Der Vergängliche
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0BYK5KG9N" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/410zNksTKRL._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="228" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/410zNksTKRL._SY346_.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Der Spieler, B1: Das Sternenlicht-Schwert
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B09NBYF1KK" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/514nVGNkdVL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/514nVGNkdVL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Der Spieler, B2: Die Gene der Altehrwürdigen
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B09YPFTCPV" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41G3DD3+GIL._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="228" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41G3DD3+GIL._SY346_.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Der Spieler, B3: Der Schattenseher
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0B7XG4NNQ" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51eJKI7MWCL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51eJKI7MWCL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Der Spieler, B4: Die Schlacht um den Norden
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B0BJQQKKB6" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41HZy2MeIQL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41HZy2MeIQL.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Der Spieler, B5: Der Teufels-Archetyp
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0C4LRQHXT" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51AJi3BM6YL._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="228" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51AJi3BM6YL._SY346_.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Der Spieler, B6: Der Traumweber
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B0C9FJR1BQ" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cs77L6XMQHQ/X7U0RuA1lyI/AAAAAAAACY0/76T_ydaS99sIEl0sO3N9TdVVEJSvNMH1gCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/PS1G_800_2.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cs77L6XMQHQ/X7U0RuA1lyI/AAAAAAAACY0/76T_ydaS99sIEl0sO3N9TdVVEJSvNMH1gCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/PS1G_800_2.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Phantom-Server, B1: Jenseits der Realität
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08NR9P32S" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Jenseits-der-Realitaet-Hoerbuch/B0BN62KX3V" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51iOJ-L6DmL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51iOJ-L6DmL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Phantom-Server, B2: Der Gesetzlose
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08XWM7HVZ" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Der-Gesetzlose-Hoerbuch/B0C4369P1N" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51e8Fqe8eRS.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51e8Fqe8eRS.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Phantom-Server, B3: Schwarze Sonne
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B0946YZ29W" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Schwarze-Sonne-Hoerbuch/B0C89RF63C" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://images-eu.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/515kNNCxMVL._SY264_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_ML2_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="178" height="100" src="https://images-eu.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/515kNNCxMVL._SY264_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_ML2_.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Der Neuro, B1: Die Kristallsphäre
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/8076194814" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51dd5wZCr6L.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51dd5wZCr6L.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Der Neuro, B2: Der Fluch von Burg Rion
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B09LVQ3F5H" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/518U48flKjL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/518U48flKjL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Der Neuro, B3: Die Reaper
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B09Z6YR23Q" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vMF2-NPTObw/X7ZI0bW3-DI/AAAAAAAACZA/qaEKjChP1jQh0E4Nq9LqdCabGfEy7EJQACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/ao_1_g_web_800_1.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vMF2-NPTObw/X7ZI0bW3-DI/AAAAAAAACZA/qaEKjChP1jQh0E4Nq9LqdCabGfEy7EJQACLcBGAsYHQ/s200/ao_1_g_web_800_1.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Awaken Online, B1: Katharsis
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08NTPWS6F" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Katharsis-LitRPG-Serie-Hoerbuch/B0C2V4KXHK" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41mlF00JfXS.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41mlF00JfXS.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Awaken Online, B2: Abgrund
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0992FH6N9" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A2WV1j137bI/X7ggJKwFgsI/AAAAAAAACZQ/-sGro8eRxbs1cuNIXENCN6MRIKlOqeJQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/gkn_g_1_800_4.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="537" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A2WV1j137bI/X7ggJKwFgsI/AAAAAAAACZQ/-sGro8eRxbs1cuNIXENCN6MRIKlOqeJQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/gkn_g_1_800_4.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Herrschaft der Clans - Die Rastlosen, B1
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08NW1J9C9" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NkXNXWT-E88/YDPN501Z2cI/AAAAAAAACho/apCBdID6oUIIyF9Pay8fc4hNH4DYW_ZwACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/gkn_1_g_800.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="537" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NkXNXWT-E88/YDPN501Z2cI/AAAAAAAACho/apCBdID6oUIIyF9Pay8fc4hNH4DYW_ZwACLcBGAsYHQ/s200/gkn_1_g_800.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Herrschaft der Clans - Die Rastlosen, B2
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B08TLKCMDF" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7UFQ6h0t2NE/YJqkCuDm0uI/AAAAAAAACn4/NJ0Ct2XVSpUTYCWSef_JOaTr2h5rxbtagCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/gkn_3_g_800.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="537" height="100" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7UFQ6h0t2NE/YJqkCuDm0uI/AAAAAAAACn4/NJ0Ct2XVSpUTYCWSef_JOaTr2h5rxbtagCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/gkn_3_g_800.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Herrschaft der Clans - Die Rastlosen, B3
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B094JYGSHH" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51fj796hxFL._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="232" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51fj796hxFL._SY346_.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Herrschaft der Clans - Die Rastlosen, B4
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B09KT11517" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51gi8-KCZpL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51gi8-KCZpL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Herrschaft der Clans - Die Rastlosen, B5
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B09QMFXHHF" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51O4haGW1AL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51O4haGW1AL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Herrschaft der Clans - Die Rastlosen, B6
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0B1Q8X5GC" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51T+Lou6wjL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51T+Lou6wjL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Herrschaft der Clans - Die Rastlosen, B7
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0B9N2VYFN" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/518EkgwaRKL._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="232" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/518EkgwaRKL._SY346_.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Herrschaft der Clans - Die Rastlosen, B8
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0C1T34FHX" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">11. Dez 2023</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51HBjZnFAuL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51HBjZnFAuL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Der Krähen-Zyklus, B1
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0B7K98VQB" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51+jRFhKwfL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51+jRFhKwfL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Der Krähen-Zyklus, B2
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B0BD61SPYT" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51DIstL5OGL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51DIstL5OGL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Sperrgebiet, B1: Die Hüter der Vorhölle
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08Y75B8D4" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Die-Hueter-der-Vorhoelle-Hoerbuch/B0BZSCVQWM" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51AY2UF9SmS.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51AY2UF9SmS.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Sperrgebiet, B2: Die Herren der Ruinen
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B096FYH425" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Die-Herren-der-Ruinen-LitRPG-Serie-Hoerbuch/B0C747Q6BY" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51uFxAKkvuL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51uFxAKkvuL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Sperrgebiet, B3: Die Wächter der Grenze
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B09PNCHN8V" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Die-Waechter-der-Grenze-LitRPG-Serie-Hoerbuch/B0CHMJL48N" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51agsXgFwBL._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="228" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51agsXgFwBL._SY346_.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Sperrgebiet, B4: Vorstoß in die Hölle
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0B7QQ9XHW" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51rqig+Od9L.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51rqig+Od9L.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Sperrgebiet, B5: Der Untergang des Elysiums
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B0BR5X8G3F" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51N4dobeMNS.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51N4dobeMNS.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Aufgetaut #1 (Unfrozen), B1: Cooldown-Phase
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B097Y7HWYM" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51dZPo9fl1L.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51dZPo9fl1L.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Aufgetaut #1 (Unfrozen), B2: Ein Held der alten Schule
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B09HXL46SM" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51WkmHyyduL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51WkmHyyduL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Aufgetaut #1 (Unfrozen), B3: Ein gutes Spiel
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B09PNCLQJP" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51bIJC-FTEL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51bIJC-FTEL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Aufgetaut #1 (Unfrozen), B4: Ein mörderisches Spiel
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09W9NF71R" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41HdB6ZtxqL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41HdB6ZtxqL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Aufgetaut #1 (Unfrozen), B5: Endspiel
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0B1QQ2YDV" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ozBXrOhmL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ozBXrOhmL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Alpha Rom, B1: Volper
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B09BR91R1G" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51JTAFWTHZL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51JTAFWTHZL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Alpha Rom, B2: Skurfaifer
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B09KNW55ND" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51t0TYMnkZL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51t0TYMnkZL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Alpha Rom, B3: Ebene Null
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B09Q6GHDJS" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51DjQz1-CsL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51DjQz1-CsL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Alpha Rom, B4: Der hybride Krieg
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B09XXX2HMX" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/513QuEloOnL._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="228" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/513QuEloOnL._SY346_.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Alpha Rom, B5: Renaissance
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0B6B3R3MX" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/513jLFUpE8L.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/513jLFUpE8L.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Die Kalandaha Chroniken, B1: Ratslayer
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B09CV1V279" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Ratslayer-Hoerbuch/B0CBKTTKVB" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51bgSjdn0iL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51bgSjdn0iL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Die Kalandaha Chroniken, B2: Questmaster
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B09MML4YC9" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Questmaster-Hoerbuch/B0CKTFMSSF" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/5145BEl5eML._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="232" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/5145BEl5eML._SY346_.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Die Kalandaha Chroniken, B3: Raidleader
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0B2KKVXMD" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Pc9TaZU6L.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Pc9TaZU6L.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Die Kalandaha Chroniken, B4: Explorer
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0B9C1GS6V" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41Ou84chY+L.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41Ou84chY+L.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Die Kalandaha Chroniken, B5: Founder
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B0BRJSPK8F" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51IGXZy9j9L.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="336" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51IGXZy9j9L.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Das Netz der verknüpften Welten, B1: Beherrscher der Zeit
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B09B7N186N" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51b+rDWIoPL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="336" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51b+rDWIoPL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Das Netz der verknüpften Welten, B2: Avatar des Lichts
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B09KVL7JRD" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ZXShuwM4L.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="336" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ZXShuwM4L.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Das Netz der verknüpften Welten, B3: Der dunkle Champion
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0B7GKCGKP" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51G4rM9WgvL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="336" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51G4rM9WgvL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Das Netz der verknüpften Welten, B4: Auf Messers Schneide
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0BJHJYNS9" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51XJDtT4hvL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51XJDtT4hvL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Im System, B1: Stadt der Goblins
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B09SQ2PFZD" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51FENQxDf2L.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51FENQxDf2L.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Im System, B2: Stadt der Untoten
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B09WNFJJTP" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51LOJiTt80L.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51LOJiTt80L.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Im System, B3: Die Erde retten
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B0B1CDQ3HS" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51rDiIS5-NL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51rDiIS5-NL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Im System, B4: Oberherr des Dungeons
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0B7XFWN4R" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71KJEqzmC+L._SY425_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="280" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71KJEqzmC+L._SY425_.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Im System, B5: Souverän
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0BT26J4WB" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51t0JwIavJL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51t0JwIavJL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Einzelgänger, B1: Tore des Donners
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B09V5R789T" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51n7Qjic7YL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51n7Qjic7YL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Einzelgänger, B2: Der Pfad der Klingen
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0B9NV9GQC" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51pF737Ae7L._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="232" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51pF737Ae7L._SY346_.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Einzelgänger, B3: Allianz der Verfluchten
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0BP81DB9X" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/515aDcWXpIL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/515aDcWXpIL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Einzelgänger, B4: Wächter des Dungeons
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0BWNTQY22" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51KSN62tUJL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51KSN62tUJL.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Einzelgänger, B5: Baum der Furcht
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B0CCVSDSNL" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">18. Dez 2023</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Pvw9JFIuL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Pvw9JFIuL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Die Kampfstrategien der Nadelstich-Enthusiasten, B1
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B09VCFJGZQ" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51KN7o61YnL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51KN7o61YnL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Die Kampfstrategien der Nadelstich-Enthusiasten, B2
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B0B8B3P8HG" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Z1F05qSuL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="344" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Z1F05qSuL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Urlaub in Pakyrion, B2
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0C4YQX87S" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Wuxia / Isekai</strong></div>
</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51AuWzvON+L.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51AuWzvON+L.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Die Nullform, B1
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B091B75YS9" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">(KU+)</span>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51xUJylx+RS._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="232" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51xUJylx+RS._SY346_.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Die Nullform, B2
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B09712G5BV" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51LsMCZEcBL._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="232" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51LsMCZEcBL._SY346_.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Die Nullform, B3
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B09HXKSTHD" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51qELZYxxhL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51qELZYxxhL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Die Nullform, B4
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B09QT7ZH55" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51KHRFJIoFL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51KHRFJIoFL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Die Nullform, B5
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0B1J7ZF7Z" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51lvVdQI11L.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51lvVdQI11L.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Die Nullform, B6
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B0BJL97NWJ" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/514FghJNlvL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/514FghJNlvL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Die Nullform, B7
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0BXPXG4QD/" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41bQB27B9mL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="352" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41bQB27B9mL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Clan der Bären, B1: Das Bärenjunge
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B09QH3GXQQ" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51XWDLK474L._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="244" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51XWDLK474L._SY346_.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Clan der Bären, B2: Der Magier
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0B2KHPNZ1" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51T0us4FPVL._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="244" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51T0us4FPVL._SY346_.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Clan der Bären, B3: Der Bärenschreck
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B0BCX58TWR" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ApFeVZXtL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="352" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ApFeVZXtL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Clan der Bären, B4: Der Bärenzauberer
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B0BPSXDX1P" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51MC+GB4vzL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="352" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51MC+GB4vzL.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Clan der Bären, B5: Der Bärengraf
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0BX41N3JS" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/516VAljimzL._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="232" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/516VAljimzL._SY346_.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Der Donner kracht zweimal, B1
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0BLW9QDQX" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51prIGyM9pL._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="232" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51prIGyM9pL._SY346_.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Der Donner kracht zweimal, B2
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0BQT253C3" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/518OcpThl1L._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="232" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/518OcpThl1L._SY346_.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Der Donner kracht zweimal, B3
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B0BS9L3ZVR" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51hHKK443yL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51hHKK443yL.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Der Donner kracht zweimal, B4
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0C2DLPMKF" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/617SQvDh-HL._SY346_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="232" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/617SQvDh-HL._SY346_.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Der Donner kracht zweimal, B5
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CBNNR36Y" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51U8buukJaL.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="100" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51U8buukJaL.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Das letzte Leben, B1: Balg
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0BHT3YVSH" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Balg-Hoerbuch/B0CDQFT9TD" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/816hhW05GFL._SY425_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="280" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/816hhW05GFL._SY425_.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Das letzte Leben, B2: Die Grenze
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0BX6Z2LZP" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/B0CM6Q249B" target="_blank">30. Nov 2023</a>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51fXYz9ig0L.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="344" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51fXYz9ig0L.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Freiherr Walewski, B1
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0C14Z93J8" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71c1lWxOCJL._SY425_.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 0em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="100" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="293" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71c1lWxOCJL._SY425_.jpg"/></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Freiherr Walewski, B2
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B0C8JZ6HDN" target="_blanc"><span style="color: blue;">DE</span></a>
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
x
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Science Fiction / Steampunk / Cyberpunk</strong></div>
</td>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8EdZCFEmHUY/Xxaj4HCt1CI/AAAAAAAACLM/6VnAxjietuw6ilUo9uNc0vPujjtzt4NhQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/E1G_800_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="527" height="100" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8EdZCFEmHUY/Xxaj4HCt1CI/AAAAAAAACLM/6VnAxjietuw6ilUo9uNc0vPujjtzt4NhQCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/E1G_800_2.jpg" width="67" /></a></div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
Zum Aussterben verdammt, B1: Der Code von James D. Prescott
</div>
</td>
<td><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://magicdomebooks.blogspot.com/2020/07/zum-aussterben-verdammt-von-james-d.html" target="_blank">3/92</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.audible.de/pd/Der-Code-Hoerbuch/B0BQC93KRY" target="_blank">Hörbuch</a>
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Zum Aussterben verdammt, B2: Der Countdown
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x</div>
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Zum Aussterben verdammt, B3: Die Krise
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x</div>
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Die triumphale Elektrizität, B1: Die Illustren
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Der Praktiker, B1: Resonanz
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<strong>Romantische Fantasy</strong></div>
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Der verzauberte Fjord, B1: Jenseits des Nebels
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Simon Valehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16142080565999248152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1879934328827513079.post-65370934011309444832023-06-15T02:11:00.006-07:002023-06-15T02:11:50.518-07:00Chaos’ Game by Alexey Svadkovsky<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Chaos’s Game</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: RU; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Book 1<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">by Alexey Svadvkovsky</span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51pU40c27UL.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" height="500" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51pU40c27UL.jpg" width="335" /></a></b></div><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p><span style="color: red;"> Release - May 26, 2023</span></o:p></span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p>Pre-order here: </o:p></span></b><span style="text-align: left;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C1CTDRZ4">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C1CTDRZ4</a></b></span></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Prologue</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-ansi-language: RU; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Junkyard<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">It was raining. The thick, dark
yellow drops hissed as they hit the massive metal containers littering the
landscape — huge, rusty tanks, and old, rotten drum barrels. Whenever it
rained, all living creatures retreated, sheltering under whatever they could to
escape the toxic droplets. The splashing when the rain hit the ground was
enough to burn through the flesh to the bone, creating a long-lasting wound.
The vapors from the poison dumped upon the earth from the heavens wafted upward
from the ground, emitting a greenish-yellow fog that made it impossible to make
out anything more than five steps away.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">An enormous young rat sat in its nest
desperately gnawing on scraps of plastic lying about. The raindrops drummed on
the box that served as its nest, and the rat was smart enough to know that it
would be some time before she’d be able to forage for sustenance. First, the
rain must stop and then, the earth must dry and the toxic fumes evaporate.
Thus, when she saw through the fumes the figure of the man in the rain, she sat
up and tensed, hoping for an opportunity to attack him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">As it was, though, the toxicity of
the environment shielded the man more reliably than any armor. He made his way
between the huge containers and around the heaps of junk. There was no doubt a
time when those one could see usable items in the junk piles, but year after
year of acid rain had rendered everything into amorphous rubbish. The grotesque
piles resembled hillocks, except rather than rock and stone, they comprised hunks
of plastic, metal, and the devil only knew what else was in there. That might
be a mountain of broken chairs, atop of which teetered something that might
have been a throne, or had it been a toilet? Next came a forest of rebar and
piping embedded in crumbling concrete. Rusty bars protruded any which way from
dreary gray slabs. The man glanced at a bundle of faded purple cables, and
quickened his pace. He still had a long way to go.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">The rat stared wistfully after his
form as it melded with the dank fog, and then, whining from hunger, she again
set about gnawing on the plastic.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">The man tred carefully, looking down to
avoid the puddles of bubbling toxicity hissing at his feet. The saturated soil
stuck to his boots, and he had to lift each foot up and out of the muck with
each step forward. And yet, despite the mud and the rain, the man strode ahead,
the raindrops rolling harmlessly down the dark green cloak shielding him. In
addition to the cloak, he was protected from the fumes and acidic splashes by a
filtered mask over his face, gloves on his hands, overalls under the cloak, and
the hefty boots with metal soles.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">The world hadn't always been like
this, but by now nobody remembered what had been. His attire was designed for
chemical warfare, and so was ideal for the environment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">The rain intensified. The man sped up
a little as he made his way between the heaps of garbage, debris, and skeletal
remains of infrastructure. As he rounded yet another pile of pipes strewn over the
ground, he saw what he'd been looking for:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>shipping containers from all over from long, long ago. They were stacked
on top of each other like an ugly, rickety pyramid. Now, they'd been repurposed
into a labyrinth, with passages cut into them creating something like a human
anthill. Crops were raised on the ground floors, and the upper containers were
living quarters. The Yu-Mari didn't often foray outside, and for good reason.
The rats out there could be big as calves, and they were dangerous. Who knew
what they found to subsist on, but they found something or the other, because
the rats kept on multiplying<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">The man reached the gate, which was
fashioned from huge metal plates that had been welded together. Now is was
covered in scratches and bite mark. He knocked for some time before someone on
the other side slid open a peephole and peered at the new arrival. Then he and
a couple of others struggled to open the door. The mechanism that used to open it
had long ago ceased to function properly, so now the little Yu-Mari had to
manually open it, but he was too miserably frail, and so the traveler had to
throw his weight into helping slide open the panel door. It wasn’t easy, but
with a groan, the metallic edifice slid open, first a crack, and then finally, enough
of a gap was created to allow the man to squeeze on in.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">Along the walls of the huge piping
that served as a vestibule to the interior of the City, as the locals proudly
called their metropolis, he saw who had helped him enter:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>short humanoids with pale green skin and
large heads. The effort they’d expended to open the entry gate had played them out
such that they’d collapsed near the entrance to recuperate. By their side lay
their wretched weapons:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>thin metal rods
with glossy glass tips, and several crossbows and arrows.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">Now inside, the man slowly brushed
the wet, poisonous droplets off his cloak, ensuring that none fell on the
guards. Then, also taking care, he pulled off his gloves. He stashed them in a
satchel hanging at his side, and then extracted a handful of small orange
fruits, which he handed to each of the guards. They twosome didn’t have to help
the traveler. They could have used the rain as an excuse to not put themselves
out, because in so doing, they risked their health, at the least. They knew,
though, that the new arrival always displayed his gratitude to those who helped
him, and the fruits were much appreciated. They were impossible to raise in
this world, and he alone somehow procured them, trading them for trinkets made
by the locals.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">Leaving the guards, the man moved on
inside, shedding his protective outwear along the way. First the cloak, which
he carefully rolled up, and then his mask. He packed it away in the satchel,
which he then slung over his back as he continued on into the depths of the
City. Now free of his raingear and mask, he looked far less menacing. He was,
it turned out, a regular guy in his twenties, rather thin, with blond hair and
gray eyes. His eyes, perhaps, were the only attribute that distinguished him.
They looked more like the eyes of an old man who'd seen too much in his time
rather than the eyes of a young man at the cusp of adulthood.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">He’d gone less
than a dozen steps along the corridor before stumbling across a local figure of
authority, that being Su’ari, the student and assistant of a shaman who was the
leader charged with managing this community. Dispensing with long greetings,
the student quietly said, “You’ve come. This is good. The old man has been
asking about you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“What does he want?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“I don't know. He didn't say. But he
asked that I tell you as soon as you showed up.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">The man nodded. He had a hard time
fathoming what it was the leader wanted from him. Some kind of help with
something? Or perhaps he simply missed certain delicacies from distant worlds
that he alone could provide? Hard to say, but in time it would all become
clear. In the meantime, there was no point in speculating over it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“What’s the news since I was last
here?” he asked Su'ari.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">The student was standing right by
him, impatiently shifting from one foot to the other in anticipation of the
gifts that the man always brought him. Nothing like the fruits provided by man
grew around the City, nor was there any other way that they could procure them.
What they did cultivate in their greenhouses and plots on the ground floor
didn’t even come close to the delicacies the man brought in. Later, Su’ari
would trade them for trinkets that could sometimes be found in the landfill.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“There is no news, Player. It has
rained a couple of times, but not as long and heavy as what's coming down now.
The rats devoured three gatherers who were foraging beyond the Outer Rim. The
desalinator in the greenhouse is broken. A search party was sent to a distant
sector to find parts to repair it, but they were attacked by a pack of rats.
They barely got away with their lives.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“None of this is of interest to me,”
the man cut in, waving dismissively. “Is there nothing of relevance?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“No. No strangers have appeared, and
nothing unusual has happened,” the student reported, concluding his side of the
deal, after which the Player paid him with several of the fruits, along with a
handful of large nuts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">Su’ari quickly stashed his reward in
his pockets, taking a swift look around to see if anyone was watching them, and
then he asked, “Can you help us deal with the rats? Without the desalinator,
the entire crop in the third greenhouse will perish. We must find the necessary
parts. The old man says they must be out there somewhere.” As he spoke, he
gestured vaguely to indicate roughly where “somewhere” might be. “But the rats
get in the way. They won’t let us look for them.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“What do I get in return? You know
that I don’t help unless there’s compensation.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“You asked Short Legs to make you a long-range
monoscope. He did it. It is yours if you help the gatherers get to the old
greenhouse, and provide protection from the rats while they search for the
parts.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">The Player stood there thinking about
Su’ari’s proposal. He had, in fact, asked Short Legs about the monoscope two
minor cycles ago, and Short Legs had told him he’d make one for him. The Player
had brought a large supply of fruits, nuts, smoked meat and salted fish to pay
Short Legs. These stocks of food could instead be exchanged with the locals for
useful items, such as rare metals or engine oil, which was highly valued by the
Metallics, the inhabitants of another shard world. The Yu-Mari had dug around
in the landfill and other rotting piles of goods to acquire such items. So the
deal was in principle a sound one. He could handle the rats, and that was the
biggest threat around here. He would get both the monoscope, and a supply of
goods for trade. Having considered the matter, he looked down at the student
waiting for him to respond and said, “Okay. We’ll do it tomorrow. First,
though, bring me the monoscope that Short Legs made. I want to take a look at
it, make sure of the quality. If it’s not worthy of my work, you will have to
come up with another way to pay me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“Don't worry. You'll like it. Short
Legs spent two months laboring over it.” Su’ari was clearly pleased he’d sealed
the deal. For now, the threat of famine had receded; without the harvest,
they’d have been in trouble.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“Now, show me where I can get a
little rest. The road here was not easy.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“Follow me.” Su’ari turned and set
off at a brisk pace.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">The Player followed him, stooping,
crouching, and doing what he needed to squeeze through the small doorways. The
interior of the City was even more like an anthill, with the shorties scurrying
back and forth, to and fro as they went about their business, some holding
baskets, others preparing food or plying their craft, climbing up and down the
pipes or along the railing cut into the sides of the containers. Despite their
industriousness, the degeneration of the Yu-Mari people was evident: One kid’s
left arm was longer than his right, another had an outsized head, a third had
toes that were fused together...Those unfortunate to be of this place still had
to battle with what lay outside, as the world they all inhabited was dying, and
the little ones — they were perishing along with everything else. For the
Player, though, this didn't matter much. He’d find out what it was the elder
wanted, but first, tomorrow, he’d foray outside with the locals as they looked
for the spare parts for the desalinator, and after trading some supplies for
metals and engine oil, he’d say goodbye to this world and its troubles.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">Sunk in his own thoughts, the Player
reached the space kindly provided to him by the shorties.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“Enjoy!” said Su’rai with a magnanimous
gesture to indicate his “refuge” that being another repurposed bin.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">A tattered curtain hung over the
opening, and a pile of rags were heaped on the floor in lieu of a mattress,
next to which a small lamp burned, emitting a bluish light. That’s all there
was by way of furnishings in the wretched haven. For tonight, though, it was
sufficient. First, however, he needed to resolve the matter of his payment for
tomorrow’s mission to procure spare parts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“Don't forget to send Short Legs to
me to show me what he’s put together. If it’s what I want, then we’ll do the
job tomorrow morning.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“Okay. He’ll be here soon.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">Su’ari wasted no time making an exit,
then, not forgetting to draw the curtain behind him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">Finally he could relax! He pulled off
the heavy boots, sighing with relief, tossed his satchel near the pile of rags
and sat down next to it. What he wanted was to have a bite to eat, and then
sleep.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">Players rarely dropped by this seedy
Shard, and when they did it was on the fly to, say, escape from the local rats,
or the acid rain. Generally, players would leave as soon as they could and
would never come back. Indeed, without protective equipment, which was costly,
and also a good selection of <i>Summon</i> cards, lingering in these parts was
extremely dangerous. But that was his code: To search where others fail to go,
and to travel on the paths left untrodden. And it had brought him success. In
the two decades he’d spent traveling through the Core Worlds, he had never
found anything of value. Hundreds, if not thousands of other players were doing
the same thing, almost stumbling over each other’s feet in their haste. He might
meet his death at the drop of a hat, at the hands of duelists, in a showdown
between clans, or just because the locals were tired of the players and their
endless wars. And then there were the Hunters....Well, they were all over
Chaos! Right then, stay away from the Core Worlds until you’d regained your
strength. The Wolf was spot on when he’d advised him to get the hell away from
the Core Worlds, and seek out power in the hinterlands.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">Yes, the Wolf knew what was talking
about. Luck had finally turned the Player’s way. It was, in fact, in this very
world that he’d found his first gift — which had been left over from a past
festival. He remembered his excitement when he saw the mark on the Compass
screen: a blue light that indicated that twenty paces ahead of him was a gift
from the Sovereign of Chaos. He’d never seen one before, but he remembered the
protocol. Right before he found it, he’d been in a difficult fight with a large
pack of rats. You see, the way he earned the trust of the locals was by helping
them out with their problems. A huge pack of the rodents had laid siege to the
City of Yu‑Mari, trapping the residents inside. This time, the Player had
clearly overestimated his strength and the power of his cards, and ended up
fleeing from the angry pack of rats as he waited for his Compass to accumulate enough
energy for a jump. The fickle fog kept the creatures at bay for awhile, giving
him an opportunity to break away. Then, he had to hide in the heaps of garbage
for quite some time. That’s when he’d stumbled upon the gift of the Sovereign.
With his <i>Astral Gaze</i>, he spied the small blue orb hanging a couple of
feet above the ground. He drew nearer, touched it and said “Got it.” The ball
shattered in a shower of sparks, replaced by cards levitating in the air in
front of him. He touched each one of the cards, thereby transferring them to
his Book. It was a good day. His first find. Later, there were others, but
this, his first, remained the most vivid in his mind.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">His memories of the past were
interrupted by an <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“ahem!” </i>near the
entrance. Having alerted the Player to his presence, Short Legs pulled back the
curtain and stepped inside. It was easy to understand why he was called that,
as his legs, in fact, were so short that they barely supported his frail body.
He was dressed in something resembling overalls, covered with oil stains,
patches and holes, and sporting numerous pockets from which protruded tools,
pieces of wire and various other obscure items.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“Greetings, Player. I brought you
what you asked for.” And he extended toward him an object carefully wrapped in
a clean rag.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">The Player nodded at Short Legs by
way of returning his greeting, and then he unwrapped the object, and stared at
it in bewilderment. What he held was a thick, heavy pipe that was slightly
longer then the breadth of his hand. He turned the pipe around in his hand, and
pressed some buttons on the outside of it. He tried to peer through it, but saw
nothing. Okay. Obviously he needed some instructions, so he looked up at Short
Legs, who was sitting near the curtain covering the entrance.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“What is this? I can’t see anything?
It doesn't work worth shit.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">Ignoring the rude outburst, the
little man calmly replied, “Press the very first button and hold it for a
while. You’ll see a red light. And then the device will be activated.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">After following the instructions, the
Player looked through the eyepiece once more, and this time he clearly saw the
Yu-Mari who was sitting opposite him. He saw even more than he wanted,
including wrinkles, small sores and burns, almost invisible in the dark, but
which were clearly visible thanks to the creation of the little genius.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“There are two more buttons. One is
to zoom in, and the other is to zoom out. And there’s one more, on top of that.
It lets you see in the dark. If you don’t use it too much, the battery has
enough power for your three minor cycles. After that, you need to recharge it.
You do that by placing it somewhere with a lot of sun, and pressing this,” and
Short Legs indicated an inconspicuous switch. “Once the battery is charged,
you’ll see a green light right here. It’s easy to use, and convenient.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">After playing with the new acquisition
a bit, the now-satisfied Player set it down. The Yu‑Mari’s scope exceeded his
expectations. He didn't expect anything like this when he’d placed his order.
He pulled his satchel toward himself, and rummaged around in it, extracting a
small bag stuffed with large dark green fruits, and also a dozen fish and a
small smoked ham on top.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“This is your reward for a job well
done.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">The little man forced himself to look
away from the food, though he was close to salivating.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“I don't deserve so much. It was an easy
job. All I did was swap out the battery and light filter.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“Take it. Let me be the judge of what
you deserve. Tell me, what was it used for?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“It was used to monitor arriving
ships.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“Do you know why your leader wants to
see me?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“No. The old man is ailing. He will
soon die. He’s barely able to breath, and is often delirious. Again he was
unconscious for half the day. The dying have strange desires.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05" style="tab-stops: 189.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Having
answered the Player’s questions, Short Legs took the food he’d been given, and,
carefully carrying his haul so as not to drop anything, he walked out of the ad
hoc chamber.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">The Player followed him with his
eyes. Had he been rash by giving Short Legs more than he’d been asked to pay?
Well, no. Generosity is worth it when it doesn't cost much. All of that food,
not counting what was still in his satchel, was acquired for a couple of dozen
beads of colored glass and plastic from the savages living on the Shard known
as the Beach — a beautiful name.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">Happy with his latest acquisition,
the Player fingered it a little more, looked through it a bit more, and then
stashed it in the satchel. It was time to lie down and rest up. After drinking
some wine from a flask and eating, he summoned his Activator and set up a
protective canopy. A small, lilac-colored dome enveloped his shelter for the
night. Now nobody could creep in without disturbing him. He arranged the rags
provided to him as a mattress, and put his satchel under his head, and soon he
was dead asleep.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="TimesNewRoman05" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">***<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">The night was calm and the morning
brought no surprises. No one had attempted to kill him or rob him, and no other
players had shown up. All in all, a marvelous night and, in his experience, a
rare one.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">Su'ari was already hovering near the
entrance, patiently waiting for him to stir.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“The leader is alert, and would like
to see you once you are back from the outing with the gatherers.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“Okay. Are the gatherers who I am to
accompany ready?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“Yes, they are waiting at the gate.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“Then lead me to them.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">The Yu‑Mari hurried ahead of him,
showing him the way. Without a guide, it would be near impossible to know where
to go.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">Once at the gate, the Player saw the
others. There were around 24 or so short men bundled in rags with homemade
weapons in their hands. Looking over this “formidable army,” he slowly walked
to the gates, which they were just now opening. Before leaving on something
like this, a good policy was to run over what you needed to bring along. The
Player summoned his Book, and took a look at his available cards. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Zamran Spiky Cat</i> , <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Satran Bullhead</i> ... There weren’t too many <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Summon</i> cards, so it didn't take long to decide what to use. First,
the <i>See-Um. </i>This was a spell that allowed the Player to see anything
that was living within a perimeter of a hundred steps. Then the <i>Ash Dog</i>,
made of fire and stone. This was the most powerful card he’d ever found from
the Sovereign’s sphere of cards, and Cerberus, which is what the Player called him,
was one of his favorite creations. The Player also selected <i>Dark Armor</i>
for himself. It would protect him from physical attacks for a span of time.
That was probably enough. He had his crossbow, and his Activator contained five
more deadly spells that he could use.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">When he was ready, he turned to the
Yu-Mari, who were hesitantly awaiting him at the exit.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“I’ll go first. You follow behind me.
One of you should walk beside me, though, to show me the way.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">After conferring over this, one of
the Yu-Mari pushed their selected guide forward.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“That way,” he said, pointing, and
they set off.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">So far, this looked like business as usual.
The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ash Dog</i> ran ahead, carefully
sniffing and examining the surrounding terrain, the shorties followed some
dozen or so steps behind the Player, but then he moved into the center of the
group, and looked at his Compass from time to time. Every now and then, they
had to make an unexpected detour. First, they had to skirt a huge puddle from
the recent rain, and then a dozen rats suddenly attacked them. They leaped out
from under some boxes and rushed the group, all of them screeching. It was all
for naught, though. Eight of them were incinerated by the flames from his
staff, and the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ash Dog</i> killed the
others — he bit one in half, and killed the other by breaking its backbone with
a slap of his blazing paw. Their group suffered no casualties in the skirmish,
and they went on their way, avoiding the mountains of garbage and seeking out
passages between the bins and shipping containers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">Then, they came upon a trap. This
time, some 30 or so of the rodents ambushed them in a narrow passage between
two huge containers. The Player was ready for it, though. He raised his staff
and directed it down the passage. A dark purple cloud issued from the staff,
engulfing the rats, who screeched in agony as the noxious, thick fog began
eating away at their bodies. Of course, their screams were short-lived, as the
acid cloud made short work of them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">Again, they set off. Eventually, they
reached their destination, which was almost on the border of the Shard. This
was a hill that was cleared of debris on which a two-story-high building stood.
The shorties rushed toward it joyously screeching. But yeah, with the Player,
they’d all have been devoured by the rats back in that passage.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">The Player stood outside as the
Yu-Mari poured into the building, and the dog chewed on a pipe he’d found. He
looked pleased with how things were going, too. Finally, the Yu-Mari were
finished with their scavenging, and exited the building. They all had bundles
of some kind of objects with them now.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“So, did you find what it was you
were looking for?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“Yes!” One of the shorties replied,
indicating one of the bundles. “We also found some spare parts for the second
desalinator.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“Great. Let’s head back, then!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Again, the dog led the way back, with the
shorties following, and the Player in the middle of the group. The return trip
was uneventful except for another attack by a small pack of rats. The Player
killed one with his crossbow while the dog took care of the rest.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Once they spied the ugly pyramid of giant
waste bins and shipping containers, the shorties cried out in joy: They were
home! The Player felt a flash of envy just then. They were home. What an
alluring word. <span class="a4">Home</span> ... It meant someone awaited them, of
course. The gates opened with a nasty metallic shriek, and a crowd of Yu-Mari
poured out. These were the loved ones of those who had gone on this mission.
These were the wives and children greeting the adventurers — their fathers,
husbands — like heroes, with joyous scream and hugs galore. It was like they’d
returned from the valley of death.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">The Player pushed his way through the
crowd, and stepped into the entry. There was Su’ari, fussing about. He counted
all of the men, ensuring that everyone was accounted for, and, satisfied, said,
“Good job. They’re all alive. The old man wants to see you. Let’s go!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">Again, a march. But this time, it
took longer. The old leader's refuge was in the very depths of the City. The
entrance to his personal abode was marked by a large, elegantly embroidered
carpet, or heavy bedspread. The Player couldn’t tell what it had once served
as.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">Su’ari walked up to the carpet-door,
saying,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“Wait here.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">And then he ducked inside. He was
there for less than a minute before returning.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“Come in. Try to make this fast. He’s
very weak, and he has difficulty speaking.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">The Player threw back the carpet-door,
and walked inside. It was dark, with a barely visible bluish light. The air was
heavy, and reeked of sickness and death. The old man with bluish skin lay atop
a pile of rags in the corner. His arms and legs flung apart like tree branches,
his chest was heaving as he inhaled air. He saw the Player, and, with
difficulty he lifted his head.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“You’ve come. Good. I have been
waiting. Have you been able to find out anything about the fate of our people?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">A couple of major cycles ago, the old
man had asked the Player to find out what had happened to the Yu-Mari‑‑ Looking
at the old man, the Player hung his head because, seeing the hope in his eyes,
he had a hard time looking him in the face.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“I haven't learned anything, leader.
No one has heard anything about the Union of Yu‑Mari. What I did was submit a
query through the Book to all players offering a reward for any information
about you. Three responded, but their knowledge was not worth the dains I paid
them. Just scraps of information of how you at one time existed, and then
perished. No one knows anything about you, neither in the Techno worlds, nor
among those who work magic and worship the gods. To get a more definitive
answer, I must consult the Oracle, but this is a difficult path that I have yet
to master.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“Thank you for at least trying. You
are the first to agree to help us. From time to time people like you come here.
Some kill us, others prowl around seeking your god's gifts, but they all leave.
Our world is poor and poisoned, and this is our only thing that saves us from
the power that you wield.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“Why don't you abandon this place?”
For some time now the Player had been longing to know this. “I cannot go beyond
the limits set by the Game, but you can. The Game does not constrain you. Leave
this cursed place, filled with poison and rats and foulness.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“We cannot, Player. Haven't we
pondered this very issue hundreds of years ago? We selected this world for a
reason. Before building stations and waste processing plants here, we spent a lot
of time choosing a world whose ecosystem we would not damage with our activity.
There was no life on this little world, which is precisely why we selected it. We
erected a force dome, built atmospheric stations so that work could be carried
out without protective suits, and we moved dangerous industries and research
laboratories here. Then we built waste storage facilities, and plants for
processing fuel rods and spent fuel from starships. We housed the damned rats
in testing laboratories where we conducted experiments on them aimed at
studying the mechanisms for surviving and adapting to a diverse array of
natural phenomena.” He paused, and then went on.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“Transport vessels would fly in
carrying the huge shipping containers that you see all around, all of them
filled with equipment and everything you see out there. We processed whatever
we could, and stored everything else in warehouses and other storage
facilities. For many long years, this is what we did. Scientists and
researchers and other specialists would fly in, serve out their terms, and then
return to their homes. Centuries passed. And then one day, the ships stopped
arriving. At first, we thought that it must be some kind of temporary glitch.
Next, we tried to send a message home via the communication station, but nobody
responded. Then we sent a small rescue ship we had here for emergencies. It
never returned. We still fostered the hope that it would all work out, they
they’d send someone to rescue us. Years went by, followed by decades. These were
tough times. All of our necessities had been brought in by ship: supplies,
spare parts, medicines. When that stopped, things started falling apart. And
then one day, the processing plant for spent fuel exploded. The engineer in
charge of running it had spiraled into a depression when he realized he’d
likely never make it back to his home planet. He sabotaged the reactor that
supplied the plant with energy. The explosion destroyed all of the waste
storage facilities, releasing enough toxicity into the atmosphere to result in
what you see now, this acid rain.....We cannot leave this place, Player. Yes,
it is killing us, but we cannot survive outside the confines of the force dome.
Sadly, we also cannot live under the force dome forever, either.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">The leader’s tale was interrupted by
a fit of coughing that shook his entire frail frame. The Player summoned an
Activator. He had a Lesser Healing spell — at least for a while it could help
the old man.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“I have something that will help
you.” And he pointed his staff at the leader.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“No, don’t...Save this power for
those who need it most. I want to die. I have led the Yu‑Mari for half a
century now, and my path is drawing nearing the end. I remember my father's
stories about how people like you came here for the first time. Our people ran
up to the first player, hoping that finally, someone had come to take them
home. But he simply killed them, collected their lives, and offered them up on
your damned god’s altar. After that, other players started showing up. We’d try
to communicate with them. Some would kill us, and others were looking for
something — we didn’t know what, and so they’d go off elsewhere. You are the
first of the players to not kill us, and instead help us. Why is that?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">Why? It was complicated, not an easy
answer, and it wasn’t just anybody that the Player would share this kind of
information with. The Game had taught him to keep his cards close to his chest.
However, he’d grown to respect the old man. It wasn’t often that he met someone
who not only listened, but also understood. But his way of life, though, what
motivated him, well, it was hard to put it all into words. Finally, he spoke.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“I serve Chaos, not evil, old man.
The Sovereign of the Changing Worlds doesn't care whose lives I offer up on his
altar. Women and children, the old and the young, die to make the dark flame on
his altars burn brighter ‑‑ it’s all the same to him. But it matters to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">me</i>. And it is the player who decides
whose ambient he brings as a gift to the Laughing Lord. Ambient — that’s the
life force, and the bane of players! All you have to do is succumb to
temptation, let your guard down, and it will steal your mind and your soul from
you. You must kill, kill, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">kill</i> as
long as there are those whose lives can be taken. And the more you kill, the
more you lose of yourself — you dissolve in the waterfall of other people's
deaths. That’s not what I want for myself. I don't want to turn into a monster
capable only of sowing death. And that is why I kill only those who do not
value the lives of others, or else those who leave me no choice.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">For some time the old man was silent,
and only his ragged breathing broke the silence. He was, apparently, pondering
what the Player had said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“Listen to me. Maybe you should take
our lives, Player? Maybe you could end our lives of misery and pain, bereft of
hope? We are dying, and there is no way out for us. No one is coming to save
us. More and more of the children are dying, and those who do survive, well,
half are freaks, who don’t have long to live. We have less and less food, our
equipment is always breaking down, and soon we will no longer be able to get it
going again. So let us all go out in one fell swoop. Why should we linger on
without joy, without hope, knowing that we are doomed?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“Is that why you’ve called me here,
old man? Is that what you wanted to talk to me about? You seek the death of
your own people, whom you have served for lo these many years?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“Will you do it, Player? Tell me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">He thought, then, about the Leader’s
request. I’d be easy to do it. All he'd have to do was gather them all together
under some kind of pretext, and then, right away, he’d unleash the Breath of
the Progenitor of Dragons on them, and any who survived that would be finished
off by whatever creatures he summoned from his Book. Not hard to do, and he’d
end up with several thousand lives to offer up on the altar of the Laughing
Lord; which would definitely bump him up a step. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">But did he want that for himself? He
remembered the faces of the Yu-Mari that day, how their loved ones ran up to
them upon their arrival, the smiles, the hugs....The Yu-Mari children were no
different from the children of Earth. And he’d be killing all of them — those
who trusted him, shared their shelter with him and their humble fare....Really,
is this what he wanted?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Junior
Tournament was slated to begin soon. He’d put in a lot of time and effort
preparing for it, so now there wasn't any point in seeking to ascend a step
higher. In fact, it would spoil all his plans.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“No, leader. If want you really want
is to kill everyone, seek out another player, or else you yourself send them on
their last journey, but I don't need this.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">The leader heard the Player's words,
and nodded, satisfied.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“I am glad I was not mistaken about
you. I was testing you. You have passed the test, and are worthy of the
reward.” Then he rummaged around in the rags he was lying on, and pulled out a
strange spiral object, which he handed to the Player.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“Take it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">Surprised, the Player took the gift,
and turned it around in his hands. It was delicate, and almost weightless. It
seemed to be made of liquid glass, it was so light, yet also elastic and
resilient to the touch. At first, it was silvery with some bluish streaks
inside, but gradually, in the hands of the Player, the color began to change to
a light turquoise. Inside it were some objects that looked like gems, and which
flickered, changing colors. It was like something alive, and very unusual. The
Player watched as it pulsed in his hands, and his fingers felt a slight tingle,
as if the object was discharging a weak current. It was bewitching, and it was
only with an effort that the Player tore his eyes from it, and looked at the
old Yu‑Mari.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“What is this, wise one, and why are
you gifting me thusly?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“It is a Tai‑Bari. It once belonged
to my ancestor who ruled everything on this planet. You have told me about the
different worlds out there, and about the machines that suggest solutions or
produce calculations. We also used to have such technology. We created various machines,
and they helped us traipse around the stars, build cities and factories,
explore worlds and much more. But over time, our ancestors came to realize that
we already possessed the most advance machine, that being our brain. Bestowed
on us by the gods, it is the ideal machine for whatever you want. All it needs
is a little boost to realize all that it is capable of. So then, our scientists
mulled over this for quite some time to find out how to provide this boost, and
in the end they created the Tai-Vari,” he said, indicating the strange spiral.
“What it does is enhance the work carried out by the brain. It stores in its
memory everything that its owner has seen and learned, and thus, it contains
the knowledge required to render decisions and it helps the owner produce
complex calculations. Moreover, it is self-taught, which means that it
remembers everything gleaned from its previous owners. It also interacts with
various devices, and even controls them.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">The Player looked dubiously at the
strange spiral in his hands.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“This is a valuable object. Why are
you giving it to me? Shouldn’t you give it to Su’ari? He is your successor, and
the knowledge invested in this spiral could help him. And really, can I even
use it? After all, you and I are not the same. Our brains are different, and so
is our physiology.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“I’ll start with
the second question The Tai‑Vari will adjust to you. This will take time, and in
no small measure, but it will happen. And when that happens you will <i>feel</i>
the possibilities that it opens up to you. All you need to do is place it over
your hand and it will do the rest on its own.” He paused, and then went on.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“And now I’ll
respond to your first question. Why don’t I give it to Su’ari? There’s no point
in doing so, Player. With it or without it, Su’ari can't change anything. Half
a century ago, there were 50,000 of us living here. Now we number fewer than
3000. In another 30 cycles, what remains will be less than 1000. And in still
another 20 or 30 years, there will be no one at all remaining. This is our fate,
and it is inescapable. I can do nothing to change it, or stop it. No one else
in this world can do anything, either. Our machines and technology break down
all the more often and will eventually be unusable. Our water pumps, desalinators,
generators are old and worn out, and everything is in need of maintenance and
repair. We need parts that are simply impossible to find. Our crops, our water
sources are all poisoned by the toxins unleashed into the atmosphere when the
plant exploded. We, too, are undergoing mutations due to our constant exposure
to radiation. Children, adults... You see what we have become.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">He waved his hand wearily as his body
was racked by a dry cough. He cleared his throat, and went on, saying, “The
rats are thriving while we perish. You told me about techno-worlds, where they
can build ships that fly among the stars. We can still be saved if someone
takes us from this cursed place. I am asking you, Player! No, I am begging you!
Go to them, show them the Tai‑Vari. I have put my request for help in it. It
contains the knowledge of how to find this world among the thousands of stars
out there, and the path to get here. May they come here to take us out of here.
We’re willing to be their servants, or even their slaves. We can still be
saved! If they’ve developed the field of genetic engineering, everything could
be fixed and succeeding generations will be born healthy. We still have our
ancestors’ knowledge, star maps, technologies — all this we will give to those
who save us ...”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">A desperate plea, a cry from the
depths of his soul, was heard in every word of the dying leader. It was his
last hope, his attempt to save all that was dear to him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“It is difficult, old man, to carry
out your request. Any attempt to enter the techno-worlds are controlled by
strong clans of players who do all they can to prevent anyone contacting these
worlds. This is the leading cause of clan wars. However, I shall endeavor to help
you, although it will take time.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“All I am asking of you is simply
that you try. You must be able to carve out some time, even if not much. We’ll
do what we can to hang on. Your reward for this will be the Tai‑Var, which shall
also serve as the herald of my words. It will also be your faithful assistant,
and may even help you survive and rise to the throne of your Sovereign.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“Tell me, why was it you first asked
me to kill your people? What was the purpose of this test?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“I wanted to see if you are worthy of
my trust. I cannot entrust the Tai‑Vari with one who might use it for evil, or
one who will forget about my supplication to him as soon as he has left this
world.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“So what would have happened had I
agreed to kill your people?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“You would be dead now, Player.
Though I be weak, I have the power to use this.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">And, lifting his coverlet, he
revealed a device that looked like a weapon.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“It was once used to cut through the
skin of starships. It can turn you into a fistful of ashes. I would have killed
you to atone for all who have died in my world at the hands of other players.
And also for shattering my last hope for the salvation of my people.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="05"><span lang="EN-US">“Next time you want to offer a deal, just ask for
the Book and have the player </span><span class="a4"><span lang="EN-US">enter </span></span><span lang="EN-US">the terms. Then the player will be obliged to fulfill the terms of
the contract. I'll show you how it's done. </span><span class="a4"><span lang="EN-US">Book!</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">The dark book materialized before the
player, levitating in the air. He placed his hand on it, and slowly said, “I
pledge to do everything in my power over 30 grand cycles to convey the message
to the tech worlds. In return, I accept as payment an object called the Tai‑Vari.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">The Book glowed brightly as the
Player finished speaking and removed his hand from it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“We have entered a contract, and I
have accepted payment. Now, I am bound by it. I must fulfill the terms.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">The old man was attentively
listening, and now he nodded.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“Thank you. Now I can die in peace. I
have done everything in my power. Go now, Player. I need to rest.” The leader
was, indeed, devoid of strength now. The long conversation had taken its toll.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">***<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">Su'ari was waiting for the Player
outside the entrance.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“Well, have you talked?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“Yes, it’s all good.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“He will die soon, and I will then be
the leader. I will need gifts and treats for those who support me. Do you have
other tasty items? What have you brought?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“Yes, I still have some food left.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“Sell it all to me. I can pay for
it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“Alright.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">Before he could even move on from the
heavy conversation with the leader here was yet another deal. Su’ari led the
Player to his space, and rummaged around inside before emerging with several
bars of bright red metal which he handed to the Player. He then produced a
large flask containing thick, dark yellow oil. Finally, he gave him a handful
of dark gray metal rods. In response, the Player opened his satchel, and
brought out bundles of fish, tightly packed bags of fruits and nuts, and
several large smoked hams.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">For some time, Su'ari stared at the
growing mountain of food and did some mental arithmetic.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“That's all,” the Player said as he
finished laying out his stash.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">Su’ari nodded. He was satisfied.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“That’s a lot. Take all this!” And he
pushed toward the Player his offerings in exchange.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">The Player didn't try bargaining for
more, and put everything in his bag.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“Are you leaving soon?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“Yes. I have no more business in your
world.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">Su’ari looking at him and said, “I
envy you, Player. You are free as the wind, jumping around the worlds,
traveling, visiting hundreds of different places, eating delicious food and
drinking clean water and even wine. You are not afraid of anyone, you kill
whoever you want. Neither time nor space wield power over you. I want what you
have. I want to escape from our accursed little world! I even offered up
prayers to your accursed god to make me his servant, but he is silent and does
not hear my supplications. What can I do, Player, to be like you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“I don’t know what to tell you,
Su’ari. It is not we who do the choosing; rather, we are the chosen. You can
make sacrifices, kill everyone living here, pray endlessly, but Chaos will not
hear you. I didn't ask for this for myself. I was just walking home from class
when I saw a sparkling doorway calling me. I entered it and became a Player. I
made it through the Labyrinth where I killed to not be killed. Next came the
road, and the School of Tests. But no one with whom I spoke wanted to become
players. We are in a game of chance, the joke of a mad god. Nobody knows how
the players are selected.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">Su’ari listened to the Player and
nodded.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“I guessed it was something like
that.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="05"><span lang="EN-US">Time to go, then. All has been completed in this
world. </span><span class="a4"><span lang="EN-US">Compass!</span></span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">A sparkling disc materialized in
front of the Player. The reserve of energy for the transfer was sufficient. On
the screen were three transfer points that were accessible from this Shard. He
didn’t want to go to the Beach. He’d just come from there. All that remained
were the Anthill and the Cliff. The Cliff offered nothing but a dead, hulking
stone emerging from the midst of a raging sea. He needed to go to the Anthill
to complete a deal he'd spent a lot of time and effort on putting together. So
why even thing about it? He selected the tab for the Anthill on the screen and
said, “Jump!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">A glittering cocoon engulfed the
Player. He flashed and then disappeared. He was gone from this world. Su’ari
stood there for a moment, then, sadly shaking his head, he began hiding his
stash of food in his dwelling space.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Chapter 1<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Anthill<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">The cocoon of light enveloping me
faded, and then evaporated altogether. The transfer was completed. I was at the
Anthill. This Shard was so-named because of the creatures that live here, which
could be seen as either huge ants or beetles.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">The transfer point was in a small
circular clearing in the middle of a huge forest filled with strange mushrooms
and fantastic plants. The mushrooms around the clearing were primarily gigantic
porcinis that looked like toadstools. They were so massive in size that you
could play soccer on their caps. Alongside the mushrooms were huge trees and
massive shrubs with red berries the size of cannonballs that shielded the porcinis
from the sun. A little ways beyond that grew giant ferns, each leaf of which
could serve as the roof of a house. And all about you saw the creatures
inhabiting this Shard running, crawling, jumping and flying about. The wealth
of species that lived here was dazzling: huge, purple slugs moved slowly over a
mushroom eating their fill; an outsized grasshopper with huge feet sprang
upwards in the distance; a flower that looked like a rose the size of a tree
suddenly snapped its petals over a centipede crawling by, and began digesting
it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">I stood stock still, yet relaxed, in
the midst of the clearing, fully aware that these creatures were taking stock
of me and deciding how to proceed. It was difficult to understand the thought
processes of insects. More than once I'd traded with them, exchanging goods
from other worlds for formic acid. The techno-worlds were eager to trade for
it, and this was a big help in acquiring dains. And in the Players’ Square, the
green slug larvae were valued as a delicacy by the Maasari, the moth people,
who would suck the nutrient fluids from them. I, in return, suppled the Anthill
with rose sugar and baat — gray crystals that greatly accelerated plant growth.
They knew me here, although they did not trust me, which was, however, par for
the course wherever I went.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">I stood in the clearing, and then
engaged in my routine since first appearing in this world. I walked up to the
edge of the clearing and laid out what I’d brought to trade:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a thermos of baat crystals and a few canvas bags
of rose sugar. Then, I turned and walked to the center of the clearing, and
waited.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">Finally, the masters of this place
showed up. A huge black ant emerged from under the leaves of a fern, and,
approaching my offerings, he carefully sniffed the bags of sugar, and then
examined the thermos of crystals. Having ensured that all was good, he emitted
a squeak. More ants appeared. The first to arrive were always the warriors, who
encircled the clearing. These were massive black ants with hefty jaws, strong,
though thin, shells, and slender legs numbering three on each side.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">I felt rather vulnerable. Were these
creatures to attack me, it wouldn't be easy to fight them off. Maybe I could
deal with one or two of them, but I was surrounded by eight of them now, and they’d
take me out in no time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">An official (my name for him)
followed the guards. This was an even larger blue ant. His jaws weren't as
large, but he had four pairs of eyes and a huge head. He, too, checked out my
goods, and finally turned his attention to me. He drew near, using all of his
eyes to look me over whilst sniffing me. Once satisfied that it was me, he
emitted a sound rather like a thin scream, or the whining of a saw. The
soldiers, who’d seemed poised to rip me to shreds, now stepped back, while the
official looked at me and began whistling and creaking. A bracelet around my
wrist warmed up and translated the sounds.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“Peace, trade, food.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">Nodding, I echoed him by way of
confirming my assent.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“Peace, trade, food.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">Done deal already. Good. The official
gathered up the goods I'd brought and headed back to the fern from which he’d
come. His retinue followed him. I waited quite awhile, and was already sitting
on the ground resting by the time a worker ant showed up. He was brown, and
half the size of the warriors. He placed two bags at my feet which looked like
clear, greenish membranes, or strange plants of some sort, inside of which was
a thick, sour-smelling, transparent liquid — ant secretions. Than another
worker ant appeared with six larvae wrapped in cobwebs: thick, fat lumps that
were warm and alive. I could feel them moving through the web.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">I put all of these wares in my
satchel in a compartment dedicated to special goods. I had no idea how the
insects decided how much to pay me for what I brought. And it was futile to try
to haggle over the terms of trade, including the price. The ants were unable to
comprehend that kind of thing ‑‑ or at least that’s what they wanted you to
think. I suspected that they were, in fact, much smarter than how they opted to
appear. But I was satisfied with the deal. For 13 pounds of sugar and a flask
of baat crystals, I’d paid 100 dains, and I could get at least 1500 dains for
what I was getting from the ants. That is why the effort I took to get here,
and the risk I took of the ants eating me alive were worth it. It was a healthy
profit. This world, in fact, allowed me to survive in the Game, and it was my
little secret. Many knew how to get here, but virtually no one else dared to
come. Even the highest level players would pass on by this world, much less the
players at my level.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">But I was lucky. When I’d first shown
up, it was pretty much an accident. I didn't know where I was. I took one fast
look at the monstrous insects scurrying around, and didn't even think of
lingering, and stood stock still in the clearing as I waited for the Compass to
charge up so that I could get out of here as I looked at the strange thick
bracelet I’d found using a <i>Treasure Map</i>. I was focused on getting out of
what was clearly a dangerous place, and didn't have time to figure out what the
bracelet was. I prepared to use my Blind Jump rescue card, which would
transport me to a random world on the playing field. Once I picked up my Book,
I found the description of the bracelet: “What you cannot understand, it can.”
I paused, considering this, and then slipped the bracelet on.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">I sat down then sipping wine (dark
red, from Farin) from a flask as I nibbled a cracker pondering what it is I’d
gotten my hands on and what I could do with it when suddenly I was surrounded
by warrior ants who’d come out of nowhere under the cover of the night. Yikes!
There I was, with 15 or so warrior ants around me. They were closing in,
squealing, creaking, squeaking in their language.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="050"><span lang="EN-US">Enemy! Enemy! Kill! Kill!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">How alarming! I was choking on that
cracker now. I spit it out along with my last swallow of wine, jumped up and
yelled, “I am not an enemy! Not an enemy!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">The creatures stopped, their huge
mandibles mere inches from me. I stood stock still as they conferred amongst
themselves. One then departed as the others remained there to guard me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">I silently prayed to all the gods of
Chaos that the Compass would charge up in time for me to get away, but no such
luck. Then, a big blue ant appeared. He spent some time sniffing me and my
things, which were lying on the ground by me. He was most interested in a hunk
of sugar that I’d been nibbling on along with the cracker. I have a sweet
tooth, you see. That sugar cube saved my life. The big ant picked it up and
took off somewhere. He didn't come back until the morning. By then, I was
exhausted. I'd stood on my feet all night long, afraid to budge. I'd even
pissed in my pants, afraid to pee on the ground lest it be misinterpreted. The
last thing I needed was for these creatures to see me pissing on a bush or
something...They might think I was trying to mark territory — <i>their</i>
territory. As for the pants, I could wash them later.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">The monstrous blue ant came back,
though, and greeted me like a friend. He squeaked at the guard ants, who backed
off, and I plopped down on my butt because yeah, my legs were like jelly by
then. The official, which is what I later named him, ran up to me, again
sniffed me and said,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“Peace, not peace.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">I definitely wasn't up for a fight,
and so I said, “Peace.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">The bracelet on my arm lit up and
creaked something, and I stared at it, stunned. What with the unexpected stress
I’d been under since arriving here, I hadn't really thought about how it was
that I’d been communication with the ants.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">The blue ant liked my response and
again creaked at me. “Trade! Trade!” According to the bracelet, that was the
message.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">I thought then about what it was he
wanted, and what, in turn, I could use from him. I didn't have a clue, but then
again, this was the kind of offer I couldn't refuse. My objective at that point
was to simply stay alive, even if for whatever reason they opted to maim me. I
had healing potions, after all. Even if they bit my leg off, I could get to the
City of Players, and then, given time, a new leg would grow.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">I just wanted to leave ASAP, and so
without thinking too much about it, I said, “Trade. Trade.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">Apparently pleased with my answer,
the ant nodded, and again began to creak and squeak, and the bracelet again
provided a translation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“Food? Food?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">I was totally stumped by that one.
What did he mean? Did he want to devour me, and was asking me if that was okay?
Or did he want to feed me? How could either of those things signify “Trade.
Trade?” Chaos only knew! I had to say something, so I sullenly replied, “Food.
Food.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">The ant nodded, creaked to the other
ants, and then they all left, while I stayed in the clearing. I didn't have a
clue about what was going on here, but I took the opportunity to pull off my
soiled pants. I didn't want to be wearing them when I jumped to a new Shard.
After all, you never knew who’d you encounter, and, really, who wanted to zip
around the universe stinking of piss? But before I could extract some new pants
from my satchel, a new ant showed up. This one was brown, and not as scary. The
ant set something down near me, and then retreated back into the mushroom
jungle. I looked at the “gift” in bewilderment. It was a small, transparent
greenish bag containing something that was sloshing about in there — either a
caterpillar wrapped in a cocoon, or a larva that stirred as soon as I took it
in my hands. My first impulse was to throw the disgusting thing into the
mushroom jungle where it had come from, but my natural greed and curiosity got
the better of me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">I stashed the sack with the larva
into my bag, and summoning the Compass, I finally got the hell out of there.
And in time, I forgot about the “little gift,” which remained in my satchel —
who cared, even? — until that fateful day in the Market Square that I laid out
everything I’d had stashed away. I didn't have room for new acquisitions
anymore, so I decided to unload whatever oddities I’d collected in the various
worlds I’d landed on. I sat in the Market Square, twirling the larva in my
hands wondering if I shouldn't just toss it out when a Maasari, one of the
moth-people, flew up to me, and, practically drooling he asked, “How much do
you want for that?!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">At first, I didn't know what he was
talking about, but he danced around me, he was so excited that he couldn't
stand still. He pointed at the larva and again screamed, “Sell it to me!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">I hid my astonishment and managed to
collect my wits.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“How much are you willing to pay for
it??<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“Fifty dains!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">No shit!!! I was so stunned I almost
dropped the larva. Fifty dains for a nasty thing like that!?! But then someone
else jumped in to the exchange. Another moth man flew up wanting to speak with
the first Maasari, but once he saw the larva, he, too, squealed in excitement
and wanted to buy it. This made the first Maasari squeal. I said I’d sell the
larva to whoever made me the best offer. The result, in effect, was an auction.
It went on and on ‑‑ each moth-man wanted the larva that much. In the end, the
first one got it for almost 200 dains.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">I ended up at the Market Square’s
bar, and there I learned about the larva and the source planet. The Shard I’d
been to was known as the Anthill, and trading with the inhabitants of the
Anthill had been ongoing for some time now without any incidents. It wasn’t
easy to hunt down the ants and kill them, after all, so players weren’t into
killing them as sacrifices. The world itself was huge, but the Shard, that
being the space in which the Player could move, was small — something like
10,000 paces long and 3000 paces wide. There was nowhere to hide in the Shard,
and so if anyone dared to launch an attack, they’d come up against thousands of
ants devoid of a fear of death or injury. Such a player wouldn’t know what hit
him. And that is why players preferred trading with the ants rather than
antagonizing them. The secretions produced by the ants in their glands were
highly valued in the techno-worlds as they were used in expensive extracts both
in the realm of medicine and also cosmetology. As for the larvae, the Maasari thought
of as a rare delicacy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">Everybody was happy until around 60
cycles ago, when an errant player decided to forego trading with the ants, and
to instead attack them and forcibly procure the ant extracts, as well as the
ambient and dains. He came close to killing the local queen, and destroyed the
anthill, exterminating many warriors and guards of the queen. Some of her
retinue even perished. The player, however, overestimated his strength and
underestimated the ants. They succeeded in saving their queen, and thousands of
ants set about crushing the player before he could escape. They climbed over
their own who fell before them to get to him, ignoring all of the creatures he
summoned and spells he unleashed. I have no idea why the player failed to get
away in time. Either he'd failed to ensure his Compass was charged for the jump
before mounting his attack, which would be supremely foolish on his part, or he
simply had no time to activate it before he was taken out. In any event, from
that time onward, the ants attacked any stranger to show up in their world.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="TimesNewRoman05" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">***<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">Night drew near. Already two small
moons had appeared in the sky. The diurnal insects had fallen silent, and the
nocturnal were not yet awake. The huge flower that ate the centipede folded its
petals into a bud, closing up until the dawn,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">I extracted from my satchel a small
lamp I’d brought from the Junkyard, and by its bluish light I leafed through a
treatise on the art of war. It was hard for me to focus on what I was reading,
though. I didn’t to eat. I didn't want to drink. I was anxiously anticipating
the upcoming meeting. Would it work out?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I got my flask out, and took a few sips to calm my nerves. But I didn't
want to drink too much — I needed a clear head.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">Finally, movement stirred the foliage
near the clearing, and the huge brown ant I’d been waiting for emerged,
followed by a retinue. These were the ubiquitous guardsmen, who were larger
than ordinary warriors and encased in golden shells. The ant creaked, “Did you
bring it?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">I silently fished out three sacks of
select rose sugar from my bag. It was made in the Inner Worlds, on the distant
planet of Cynur. That’s where huge flowers grew which, at certain times,
secrete nectar. The locals collect it in barrels, where it then solidifies,
turning into solid sugar which is then crushed and sold. It smells wonderful
and tastes even better. In short, I’d brought the ants the finest, most costly
variety of sugar — I’d paid 800 dains for each of the bags I laid out. That was
more than I could allow myself for a treat, but not a bad business investment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">The aristocrat carefully sniffed the
bags, and, seeing how the antennas on his head trembled, I could tell that he
was delighted. And he should be! Usually I brought a cheaper grade of sugar for
trading, and might even cut it with something, ending with a one to two mix,
but this was uncut, pure rose sugar — top-shelf stuff!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“The quality is far better than what
you brought before,” said the ant.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">He was smarter than the official, and
had a better vocabulary. I’d met him three long cycles ago during another
trade. Once the deal was done, like usual I sat in the clearing and read a book
as I waited for the Compass to accumulate energy for the jump. That’s when a
monstrous ant, followed by a retinue, crawled into the clearing and asked if I
had any more sugar. After a brief chat, I ended up transferring my personal
stash of sweets to him. In the process I found out that he was one of the
queen’s 12 husbands, and part of her retinue. It seemed that to punish him for
inadequately performing his marital duties (or whatever — hard to say), he’d
been left out when she distributed the sugar to the aristocrats as a reward and
incentive, and, since he had a massive sweet tooth, he decided to see me on the
sly and get a treat for himself, unbeknownst to the queen. I made a trade, but
this was now contraband.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“What I brought is very expensive.
This is a concentrate, it is then diluted in a ratio of one to ten. But I
promised I’d bring you the best quality to be found in thousands of worlds, and
I’ve kept that promise. Even your queen hasn’t tasted anything like this.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“What do you want in exchange?” asked
the aristocrat as he held the bag. “I don’t have an adequate supply of food for
you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“All I want is what we talked about
last time, which is to move beyond this clearing for one short night, and
travel around your world.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“That’s impossible. The queen had
forbidden us to allow your kind to move beyond the clearing.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“But I can't do any harm. As you told
me yourself, the queen's abode is beyond my reach — I’m not able to travel
there. And I’m all alone. I cannot do any harm.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“That other was also alone, but he
killed so many that the queen had to produce multiple egg clutches to restore
the population of workers and warriors.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“I can swear to you on the Book that
I will not harm anyone.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="05"><span lang="EN-US">“Why should I believe that your Book will not allow
you to violate your oath? After all, it is </span><span class="a4"><span lang="EN-US">your</span></span><span lang="EN-US"> Book, and it serves </span><span class="a4"><span lang="EN-US">you</span></span><span lang="EN-US">.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">I didn’t bother trying to explain
what the Book was all about. It would take too long, and, anyway, he’d have a
hard time believing it. I had to come up with another strategy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“If you don’t believe me, then assign
your warriors to watch over me, your entire retinue even, and if I break my
oath in any way, let them kill me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">That argument carried weight with the
aristocrat. He looked me over as if seeing me for the first time, and then
looked at his hefty warriors, and then he nodded, saying,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“Alright. I cannot assign the entire
retinue to you. I have to get back to my home, after all. Six is enough.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“Then we have a deal?” I asked,
fearing that the incredulous insect might change his mind.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“Yes, a deal,” he confirmed. Then, picking
up my sacks of sugar, and, tensing, he expelled a wad of foul-smelling
greenish-white mucus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">“Smear this all over yourself, and
then the warriors I assign to you will not touch you. In the morning, the slime
will dry up and stop emitting odor, and the guards will kill you if you are
outside the clearing.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">Raising his head, he chirped
something to his own and quickly crawled away into the darkness. Six ants
stayed with me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">Okay then, time was flying. I didn't
have much left for this, less than half of a day’s cycle. The night-day cycle
was swift here. But I’d prepared in advance for this mission<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="050"><span lang="EN-US">“Book!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">I quickly leafed through the Book
levitating in the air, stopping at the section on animal-mounts. Unlike
ordinary creatures, these beasts, in addition to being able to fight, could
also carry a player, allowing him to quickly move around whatever world he’s
in. They were very useful if you needed to make a fast exit, or wanted to
quickly explore a new world. They were also good for carrying cargo. In fact,
they were extremely useful creatures. Sadly, they were also very rare.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="050"><span lang="EN-US">“Summon!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">I selected the <i>Mist Lion</i> card,
which was my only mount. It depicted a huge lion with dark fur and a golden
mane. This predator lives in the World of Mists and Clouds, so named because
often the endless fields and forests of this world are shrouded in fog. In this
impenetrable fog, the Mist Lion can easily stalk its prey.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">And in response to my summons, the
beast began materializing in front of me. First, the body, then the head,
gradually growing brighter and acquiring form. It had a saddle on its back, and
a small bridle around its neck. The Mist Lion stood there patiently awaiting my
commands. I scooped up the aristocrat’s mucus and rubbed in all over myself,
and also all over the torso of the beast. I was almost ready to set out, but
first I need to attend to a couple of more little things<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">I needed the Book yet again. This
time, I had to select some spells. First, Dark Armor. Better safe than sorry.
It would protect me for some time, ensure invulnerability to my body. After
that, we’ll see. I also needed Night Vision. No way did I want to stumble through
this forest unless I could see what was out there. After activating the spells,
I finally took a look around me. I could see clearly now, as if it wasn't even
night. Time to do this thing!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">I mounted the lion and said
“Forward!” We were off! The guard ants ran alongside us as I peered at the
Compass, which I’d configured for this search. It should be set to reveal what
it was I wanted out here. This Shard was, essentially, virtually unexplored.
There had been two Junior Tournaments since the big attack on the ants, and
this world was so vast that there could well be some of the Sovereign’s gifts
out there, waiting to be found.. But the gifts were actually secondary to my
primary goal. I was most interested in trophies, things left behind from that
player who launched that attack all those years ago. There must be something.
The player had perished, that's for sure, and so that means all of his
attributes — his Book, Medallion, and Activator with his satchel, must be where
he'd perished. And even if he’d spent the best of his cards in the battle for
his life, something must still be there and that “something” is what I wanted.
Even if he had no more than a dozen cards left in his Book, and the satchel
itself was empty, it would justify all the days of effort I'd put into this
quest. The Medallion should glow until a new player found it and extinguished
it by taking the belongings of the deceased. Such remains are depicted as small
green shards on the Compass screen. Cards were depicted by a blue glow, treasures
or golden pyramids by a yellow glow, enemies by red, and allies by a white
glow. There was a special designation for everything.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">***<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">A night flight through the jungle. My
beast was swift, as if rejoicing in the fact that it had again been summoned from
the map, and could yet again run like the wind across the terrain. He leaped
over fallen mushrooms, dodging branches and insects scurrying through this
wondrous forest. Finally, just I thought it would, I saw a flickering light on
the screen — a green glow. The player had died somewhere to my right — around
80 paces from me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">I directed the Mist Lion toward it,
stopped a couple of steps from the spot, dismounted and walked towards the
column of green light rising from the ground. As I approached, I had to make my
way through foliage, old branches, and the shells of insects. I dug about three
feet into the soil and finally saw the player’s remains: dry, brittle ribs, and
near him lay his satchel and the Medallion, glowing in the dark. I picked it up
and stared at it in bewilderment. It was around the size of a plum, and filled
with icons in a language incomprehensible to the uninitiated. Any player,
however, could understand whatever he needed. On the reverse of the medallion,
I saw a small spiral embossed on the surface of the casing. It looked like a
snail’s shell that was broken into segments. There were 66 segments — the
initiation stages, which were completed as the player ascended the ladder of
power to the throne of the Laughing Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">But the dead player had only
completed seven steps. This meant that the player had just started on his path,
and was an Initiate of the Lower Levels. How, then, had he managed to unleash
horror on the ants such that they still remembered it?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">Dumbfounded, I stared at the Medallion
as it dimmed in my hand, and said, “Got it!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">The luminous Book that had lost its
owner manifested in the air in front of me. Now it was mine. Next to the
player’s Book appeared my Book. Reaching out, I slid them together, uniting
them. There was a flash of light and then, only one Book remained in which all
of the dead player’s cards had been subsumed. Opening my Book, I skimmed
through them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">Something was wrong. This player
couldn’t possibly have fought a serious battler, because the six guards with me
here could easily have done him in. This player can't have been the player I
was looking for. So who was he then? Why was he here, outside of the clearing?
Did he want to hunt some ants? Not likely. He was too weak. He’d either fled to
escape from something, or else he’d been looking for something. But what?
Perhaps gifts from the Sovereign? But even if his Compass had been incredibly
powerful, reinforced to the max, it could only scan some 250 paces around,
while this spot was almost 3000 feet from the clearing. Was he fleeing from
pursuers? Not likely. It’d be futile to even try to out run the ant warriors.
The <i>Mist Lion</i> was one of the fastest rides to be found in the Game, but
the ants had no problem whatsoever keeping up with us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">I wanted to get to the bottom of
this, and so I decided to take a closer look at the player’s body, or rather,
what was left of him. There were some shreds of clothing still on him, and when
I examined it, I saw that it was a chameleon cloak, used for camouflage. Of
course, it was in tatters. Nearby lay a pair of daggers with chipped blades, as
if they’d struck something solid. Okay, no surprise there. The ant’s shells
were great protection, better than that provided by a knight's cuirass, able to
hold up against flying bullets, even...And then I saw it; his skull was that of
a cat man. Okay, I was starting to get the picture.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">I saw what had transpired here. Some
20 years ago, for whatever reason, this player decided he'd take a risk by
penetrating deep into the territory of these creatures unbeknownst to them.
What he didn’t take into account is that the cloak would hide him only from
hostile eyes. Ants, however, have a great sense of smell. He encountered a
patrol that easily detected him. After a quick fight, the player died an
inglorious death. So then, this player had, at great personal risk, traveled
here. Why, though? Was it a random search? Did he hope that, since this world
had seen few visitors, he’d be able to find some of the Sovereign’s gifts,
heretofore untouched? Perhaps. But would I take a chance like that simply in
the hopes of a lucky find? Chances are, no. Nobody knows how the gifts were
distributed around the worlds. It was luck of the draw when you found one. One
world might contain dozens of them, while in another, none were there to be
found for thousands of years. So then, to risk your life in the hopes of being
really lucky, well, that would be stupid.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">And so I had to assume the obvious:
he sought a treasure. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Treasure Maps</i>
were sometimes found in card spheres. If the player had in his possession such
a map, then he could go right to the treasure, that being a gift of the
Sovereign. The takings might include maps, dains, gear, munitions, even mounts.
It was in just such a treasure horde that I’d found the translator bracelet and
the Misty Lion. I’d only twice in my entire life come across a treasure horde,
and both were in hard to reach, dangerous places. They were hard to find
without a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Treasure Map</i>, though, as
the Compass didn’t display them, and regular search cards also didn't work.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">But for every rule there is an
exception, and this was certainly the case in the Game.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">My Book was still out, and I went to
the page of spells. I found the Giant’s Eye, and read the description. “When
the giant opens his eyes, nothing can hide from him.” It was a rare,
limited-use card that I could only employ a total of five times. But if there
was a treasure here, the Giant’s Eye would enable me to find it without a map.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">I looked doubtfully at the spell. I’d
used this card thrice already. If I was wrong about the treasures, I’d be
wasting it. Been there done that before. But I went over my reasoning again,
checked my inner feelings about this endeavor, and decided it was a sound risk.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="050"><span lang="EN-US">“Activate!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">The card in the Book began to change.
Now it depicted a huge giant sleeping on a cliff. Then he got up, stretched,
rubbed his eyes and finally opened them. Now my Compass could show me
everything hidden from normal search spells.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">Again, I set off. I had a routine for
conducting searches that I’d developed over years of traveling around the
Shards. I had my mount run around the perimeter of the Shard, and then I’d
spiral inward like a funnel. I found this was the fastest way to see everything
there was within the borders. The Mist Lion carried me on and on, and I
struggled with doubts about whether I’d done the right thing in using the
Giant's Eye. It’s not like I could simply pick up another one at the store.
Cards like that were hard to find even in card houses, nor did other players
want to sell them. Even if you managed to find one, it would cost you something
like 2000 dains. As a rule, the only way to get one without finding it was
through a trade. I, for example, acquired mine in the card sphere. Yep, it’d be
a shame if I’d wasted it here...But I couldn’t double check my hunch about the
treasure.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">Just then the Compass displayed a
green glow. This time, it led me closer to the center of the Shard, near some
kind of mountain or hill. When I drew nearer, though, I could tell is was an abandoned
anthill, now in ruins. Obviously this anthill hadn’t been inhabited for many
years. I looked around and realized I was right — this was where the battle
with the player I’d expected to find had taken place. The queen and her retinue
long ago left here for a new abode, taking her clutches of eggs with her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">All around were tree trunks overgrown
with budding plants and carpeted in foliage. I could see several insect shells,
as well, left by warrior ants and even guards — all that was left of the arthropod
warriors who had battled the player. You could tell that this was where a
fierce battle had raged. The trunks were scorched from a blast that had ripped
them from the anthill, and the shells were crumpled, and even torn in places,
while the anthill itself looked a bit like it was listing. Looking at the dense
undergrowth that now covered everything, I could guess where uprooted trees had
once stood before spells and explosions had ripped them asunder.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">Near the entrance to the anthill,
which was in the midst of a thick pile of golden, shimmering ant shells, I saw
rising from the ground a green flame burning in a column. Over the many years,
the debris comprising piles of leaves, grass and twigs, made it hard to reach
the column, and so I called my lion over to clear a path. The Mist Lion set
about doing as ordered as I looked on. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">I was standing near the Mist Lion
watching him work, when a shadow suddenly emerged from the side. Before I could
summon my staff, the ant guards attacked the shadow. It was a huge spider, but
the combined force of the ants knocked it over on its back. Then, three of the
ants fell upon the arachnid, tearing into its soft white belly, releasing an spurt
of intestines and gunk.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">After dealing with the arachnid, the
ants then resumed their places next to the other guards. “Sleeping on the job!”
I reproached myself. I’d almost let that spider eat me for lunch! Good thing
the guards weren’t just there to ensure I didn’t violate their territory. I’d
have to give that aristocrat ant something special to show my gratitude.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">I saw the tunnel the Mist Lion had
dug, and told him to stand aside. I could now see yellowed bones in the earth, and
these bones were much larger than those of the other dead player. The elongated
facial bones, and the rows of sharp teeth had belonged to a lizard man. Near
him lay a massive mace that emitted a soft glow in the dark. I picked up his
Medallion and Book, and said, ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Got It</i>,’
and then I combined his Book with mine. I resisted the urge to see what I’d
acquired ‑‑ that could wait.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">Now for the weapons. I opened my
pocket of trophies and put the mace there. I had to struggle to lift it from
the ground. Then I searched the area around the bones, and found the lizard
man’s satchel. He certainly didn’t need it anymore. And that was it. All that
was left was to check out the anthill itself, and then I could leave. I’d used
the spell in vain. There weren't any gifts of the Sovereign here. I guess he’d
opted not to shower his grace upon this world.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">I leaped onto the lion, and said
“Forward.” My retinue of ants ran alongside, quickly moving their feet. Just
then, I heard the giant roar, and then a golden mark appeared on the Compass
screen. I couldn't believe my luck, and I even rubbed the screen — but indeed,
it was no trick of the eye. Both the giant and the Compass confirmed that, in
the middle of the anthill, where the queen's dwelling used to be, was a hidden
treasure. It was hidden from strangers, and visible only to someone with a map.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">Now I realized what had happened. The
lizard hadn’t come to attack the ants. He had a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Treasure Map</i>, and all he’d wanted was to collect the treasure. But
the joke was on him. It was just like the Lord to stash the treasure in the
middle of the anthill, in the queen's chambers. To get to it, you’d need to
demolish the guards and everyone inside. The lizard tried, but couldn't do it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">There could be many maps out there to
a particular treasure. Until the treasure is found, maps to it could be found
anywhere, but as soon as a player finds the treasure, they expire and are
useless. And so the important thing was to get to the treasure first. No doubt
the other dead player, the cat man, had found a map somewhere, and wanted to
get to the treasure, but also failed. Now, it looked like the treasure would be
mine! The first had tried to get to it by brute force, the second by cunning.
I, however, succeed through patience and luck.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">I ordered the lion to proceed to the
anthill, and we made our way there. The lion easily jumped over fallen tree
trunks that, despite the years, seemed rooted in place. We drew closer to the
mark. I held onto the lion’s mane, hoping he wouldn’t fall off the slope.
Climbing steep inclines wasn't the lion’s forte.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">Finally we were right by the golden
light. I dismounted and approached it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">“Got it!”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">A golden pyramid appeared in the air,
and dissolved into a shower of sparks. Dains rained down like golden chips. I
touched each of them in turn and said, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Got
it,”</i> and they disappeared, while the Book issued a melodic ringing. Five thousand.
Not bad. Next came the cards. I saw three of them levitating in the air. I
touched each one of them, transfering them to my Book<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">I was almost out of time now. The sky
began to lighten, the smell emanating from my clothes was dissipating. I had to
move fast to get out of here before my guards decided to devour me in the same
way they’d snacked on that spider.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">I sent the lion back and turned to
the Compass. I saw two transfer points on it: The Junkyard and the Steppe. I
selected the Steppe, otherwise known as the Sea of Grass. This was a quiet
location where I could relax and sort through my haul.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="050"><span lang="EN-US">“Transfer!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US">Again, the radiance enveloped me. And
then it disappeared, taking me with it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p><span style="color: red;"> Release - May 26, 2023</span></o:p></span></b></p><p class="TimesNewRoman05"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p>Pre-order here: </o:p></span></b><span style="text-align: left;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C1CTDRZ4">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C1CTDRZ4</a></b></span></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></p></div>Simon Valehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16142080565999248152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1879934328827513079.post-12605662158617849742023-03-20T03:58:00.001-07:002023-03-20T03:58:42.189-07:00Using MidJourney to generate monsters’ images for use in books. Prompts and post processing.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The Generating of Rats<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Using MidJourney to generate monsters’ images for
use in books. Prompts and post processing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">***<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Hi
everyone,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A while ago, I decided to try using AI art generators
to create monsters for my RealRPG series <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08B3FDFBQ" target="_blank">In the System</a></i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">To
illustrate it, I’d like to show you how I came up with the images of rats -
especially because considerable parts of books 4 and 5 are set in the Dungeon
which is their natural habitat. I used MidJourney’s $60 subscription plan which
guarantees certain usage rights, including commercial use.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My books have this concept of Evolution similar to
that of Pokémons - but unlike theirs, it doesn’t occur instantly. My rats have
to live and hunt in order to accumulate experience until they can evolve into
new stronger animals. For that reason, I had to come up with low-level rock
rats (F-rank), rat wolves (E-rank), rat kings and queens (D-rank) and finally,
the Rat Emperor or Empress (C-rank). So I basically needed 4 images in total,
which sounded like an easy task (spoiler: I ended up with 7). Especially seeing
as I’d already dabbled in generating three different types of monkeys, and
everything had gone quite smoothly then. This time, however, I must have
underestimated the challenge I was facing.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span></span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">To
begin with, I needed to create a basic rat monster which are a stock character
of nearly every RPG game. Seeing as I hadn’t described their appearance in the
books in much detail, I could afford quite a bit of variety.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Attempt No 1:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">masterpiece, best quality, CG,
wallpaper, HDR, high quality, high-definition, extremely detailed, oversized
huge rat, monster, scarlet eyes, shabby tail covered with a stone crust<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">The result:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOAPsrLtUcSAObd7u0a-9xAtX-XFZkY26vMSJTEUvuXIr0S_rujEKuswjm0j-OUSAL3vzBZQvpGUGayPhhV1x5KomEUw2jwPj7vI6n_EKiL8YdXgp-1cjeK-nRegmxz5unhvLQ4Sa0zo9cZdhfBk_lxplawyuaS37j-E7uToC6Wk8U92eDhY5y8MKgCw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img alt="" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="1273" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOAPsrLtUcSAObd7u0a-9xAtX-XFZkY26vMSJTEUvuXIr0S_rujEKuswjm0j-OUSAL3vzBZQvpGUGayPhhV1x5KomEUw2jwPj7vI6n_EKiL8YdXgp-1cjeK-nRegmxz5unhvLQ4Sa0zo9cZdhfBk_lxplawyuaS37j-E7uToC6Wk8U92eDhY5y8MKgCw=w629-h214" width="629" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">The first half of my prompt chains were purely technical: masterpiece,
best quality, CG, wallpaper, HDR, high quality, high-definition, extremely
detailed. I did it to make sure that the AI didn’t skimp on quality and offered
the best it could do. Prior to that, I’d already worked with Stable Diffusion where
these kinds of prompts worked well. In actual fact, creating prompt chains
strongly reminds me of magic with its spell making. A certain word in a chain may
not be as effective as you thought it might be, but if a chain works well as a
whole, you’d better stick with it. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">I wasn’t impressed with the result.
The first three options were far too cute, while the fourth one seemed to have
bad eyes - quite possibly, due to the “stone crust” mention in the prompts.
Seeing as it wasn’t in the book anyway, after a few more attempts I got rid of
the “stone crust” prompt entirely.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">And this is my <b>attempt No 2 </b>where
I got rid of some of the quality prompts and added location descriptions instead.
To begin with, I needed to come up with a general prompt chain:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">giant cave rat, scarlet eyes, black fur, monster, cave<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8VI3OjMCEhDQOmxskb1iUCLyT1a3sQM1a65KNm-XiR3lEz3Q-qmg3H6TY86yOdobNawW1ncnZriuB_21Icze4Iz29V04sRDOcJ3RvulMnQSeXHy1_YC_3pfdQpAJdQXfDFj-XqRQHnFML9lGD3qE7NtvxEJuxR7_cV_3wV96u9u0pBSInMOo5yCiN_g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="637" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8VI3OjMCEhDQOmxskb1iUCLyT1a3sQM1a65KNm-XiR3lEz3Q-qmg3H6TY86yOdobNawW1ncnZriuB_21Icze4Iz29V04sRDOcJ3RvulMnQSeXHy1_YC_3pfdQpAJdQXfDFj-XqRQHnFML9lGD3qE7NtvxEJuxR7_cV_3wV96u9u0pBSInMOo5yCiN_g=w542-h287" width="542" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As
a result of fewer prompts, the rats didn’t turn out exactly how I wanted them
to be.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My first successful attempt was No 8 when I finally
saw a creature that could pass for a rat wolf:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">masterpiece, best quality, CG, wallpaper, HDR, high quality, high-definition,
extremely detailed, giant monstrous huge mangy mutant rat, fangs, claws,
scarlet eyes, threat, angry, black fur, magic, monster, view from afar, full
length, portrait, dark huge cave, glowing moss on the floor</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh07o1khItB27G8KfueZxSkWPtv1LVEx3Tvr1pDzFiCxhADqFShobT_zfgW665_gZ25EBhKZJvfZHj3uvV0-ABE6ClOTetHJjPr7nf0mdZM940K8hySVOe8lTqSoQbhEq1gonLmCxraElRh2JcIMA4dD_FFvsXOlQN_BYIAHMXXxq_DBql-P6mSpg0c2Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="457" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh07o1khItB27G8KfueZxSkWPtv1LVEx3Tvr1pDzFiCxhADqFShobT_zfgW665_gZ25EBhKZJvfZHj3uvV0-ABE6ClOTetHJjPr7nf0mdZM940K8hySVOe8lTqSoQbhEq1gonLmCxraElRh2JcIMA4dD_FFvsXOlQN_BYIAHMXXxq_DBql-P6mSpg0c2Q=w457-h457" width="457" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">This was almost perfect if you disregarded the problem with
his toes. I also wanted to change his eye color to yellow and move his tail
slightly to one side. Interestingly, regular rats only have four toes on their
front feet but I specifically asked for five in the advanced version. Here’s
the result, touched up by a human artist:<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgp73haH2MYnVB5hj3MJdxlnFouWT8p_U9ylmjsjhy4eRgNU-9VDrDQDwlKjz1_q0LdSMx7eP2RL4IOJKHaCj93CZ23Vlyo6okHg37o2LmqF8X-rsD2LwVsJrXBhDNq5AubxBq2dslc6V0yfdme678AL2ZDN7yNM4L0jvZkl8259uGRmAUaRewNsuaMdQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="465" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgp73haH2MYnVB5hj3MJdxlnFouWT8p_U9ylmjsjhy4eRgNU-9VDrDQDwlKjz1_q0LdSMx7eP2RL4IOJKHaCj93CZ23Vlyo6okHg37o2LmqF8X-rsD2LwVsJrXBhDNq5AubxBq2dslc6V0yfdme678AL2ZDN7yNM4L0jvZkl8259uGRmAUaRewNsuaMdQ=w465-h465" width="465" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 21.3333px;">My first success gave me wings, inspiring me to try tweaking prompts in an attempt to get what I really wanted. Unfortunately, as I soon discovered, creating a basic rat proved the hardest thing of them all. Some of the results were admittedly funny albeit far removed from what I really needed.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 21.3333px;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: 21.3333px;">Having wasted ten more attempts, I tried to generate a Rat Queen. The problem was, it was supposed to have nine tails in my book. Trust the AI to stubbornly keep adding them to its face! And when I used the word “titanic” in my attempt No 18, I got a cross between a rat and the ill-fated ship with a bunch of tails protruding from its most unexpected locations:</span></p><div><br /></div></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 107%;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHejZuhRogsQPjVP9XzGsliYJ1iXdcvPI21dvGF3mCTXn2ijhFHJJH-6XpkT8v48Jk__w28liakhaaece9WOyN0P9XISRKRGLag1SSHwJyykPwSrCJ_JK0XZQdtJExlfhmVY9IvWiw-WYwXqXXeI8x75VQcAH5DIgVa2CAlkX_2s_Kg_EU7Ol8_CmDPQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="358" data-original-width="1297" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhHejZuhRogsQPjVP9XzGsliYJ1iXdcvPI21dvGF3mCTXn2ijhFHJJH-6XpkT8v48Jk__w28liakhaaece9WOyN0P9XISRKRGLag1SSHwJyykPwSrCJ_JK0XZQdtJExlfhmVY9IvWiw-WYwXqXXeI8x75VQcAH5DIgVa2CAlkX_2s_Kg_EU7Ol8_CmDPQ=w604-h166" width="604" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span face="Calibri, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 21.3333px;">At that point, I finally realized this wasn’t getting any easier. Still, attempt No 23 finally produced the image I was looking for. Admittedly too spooky to be a queen, it was quite good for an Emperor - or an Empress, whatever.</span></span></p><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiu-UQqC0pHORSy0JcHTJVZC3F1zZgTWNaMl91SyfUw4UOqf6ACm2zTIyIsowPiMvbOaD2WRxJqczDkI-feK3mWi39b17ZN8p6rzi8jGz_Ii7CsSuDFFkvwDGfaLAH71yitIWNIhMR3PHV-1nogIOi7LMEyzD4uuYOStfgzrPTaOiu1S4QrZgYYWCrVhQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="1262" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiu-UQqC0pHORSy0JcHTJVZC3F1zZgTWNaMl91SyfUw4UOqf6ACm2zTIyIsowPiMvbOaD2WRxJqczDkI-feK3mWi39b17ZN8p6rzi8jGz_Ii7CsSuDFFkvwDGfaLAH71yitIWNIhMR3PHV-1nogIOi7LMEyzD4uuYOStfgzrPTaOiu1S4QrZgYYWCrVhQ=w602-h200" width="602" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">My prompts for this one were: masterpiece, best quality, CG, wallpaper,
HDR, high quality, high-definition, extremely detailed, huge nine-tailed rat
monster from the games - Upscaled by @Пётр (fast, private)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;"> </span></p>
<span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-no-proof: yes;">Actually, using a prompt worded
as “monster from the games” dramatically
improved generation results, finally bringing them very close to what I wanted
to see. Having said that, the use of the word “monster” actually weeds out all potential
real-life images.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-no-proof: yes;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQIy-ypFHiqSjsriMGNsyZIzLVcDEijUpOEYH-06JkO7sxgdIrmtoaj1ko6oUbatnmJxsDDJlJia2A59ao37Hc_9W2NbPU4vkFDV0FGvZsRKETv9xyei8wlfXAqTS-nle8lHTvqYuEPPS2DTVKFnW_PbpMDN0xlxFf5CzeZgFqB6ZFiEUxAceNb9AZfA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="485" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQIy-ypFHiqSjsriMGNsyZIzLVcDEijUpOEYH-06JkO7sxgdIrmtoaj1ko6oUbatnmJxsDDJlJia2A59ao37Hc_9W2NbPU4vkFDV0FGvZsRKETv9xyei8wlfXAqTS-nle8lHTvqYuEPPS2DTVKFnW_PbpMDN0xlxFf5CzeZgFqB6ZFiEUxAceNb9AZfA=w485-h485" width="485" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It
took me another twenty attempts to come up with an option I could use. I then
tried to improve upon it - but as often happens, the first option turned out to
be the best. No idea how that works but apparently, it’s quite common here. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The rat tails growing all around the monster’s head
looked admittedly cool - but unfortunately, they weren’t in the book. The tails
looked quite quirky but their fragments didn’t fit together, some of them completely
detached. Add to this the already habitual toe problem as well as a few other
details, like asking the AI to draw a second bracelet and add a spike on the
tip of the rat’s tail while deleting the line on its forehead and touching up
its dead eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8iaMA_8UpxMINf7-leyBQIZEhnJoUNQ3-6lWDDqstCBf1eYJJjwduxImQTWrv7tFwBfJkoO0jNB1CopHUEDSNBPaiDnyADZfvpTC7nYUxABZJqcTNlJ06-yUc3xAPrgSm74-BNGWRVn4ZlN90Ns-o3K7jgxCgySCxFwU6KGR7d8k_7bKYGKw226A9sw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="495" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8iaMA_8UpxMINf7-leyBQIZEhnJoUNQ3-6lWDDqstCBf1eYJJjwduxImQTWrv7tFwBfJkoO0jNB1CopHUEDSNBPaiDnyADZfvpTC7nYUxABZJqcTNlJ06-yUc3xAPrgSm74-BNGWRVn4ZlN90Ns-o3K7jgxCgySCxFwU6KGR7d8k_7bKYGKw226A9sw=w495-h495" width="495" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">After
that, it took me a good 30 attempts to finally get lucky. That’s when I finally
got an image suitable for a Rat Queen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;">Prompts:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;"> masterpiece, best
quality, CG, wallpaper, HDR, high quality, high-definition, extremely detailed,
huge nine-tailed rat, monster boss from the games, smooth skin, glowing eyes,
steel fangs, on four legs<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikw0JB-8QlpXZVxhYSVeG37_E39d8Xy9xIDp9uCvVXkMn22suGO5SR2q8HxmX93flGvicre7Dx-1HF1P7htkhSDc53LMkgakWJW2S9G_tyCVrthHWkIXXXeR6hH2MOM0gN7r-T45FATehTBaQNLWHf3914L2RaLckHx_LzO280sGWsjLaqvj5ugtieAQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="501" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikw0JB-8QlpXZVxhYSVeG37_E39d8Xy9xIDp9uCvVXkMn22suGO5SR2q8HxmX93flGvicre7Dx-1HF1P7htkhSDc53LMkgakWJW2S9G_tyCVrthHWkIXXXeR6hH2MOM0gN7r-T45FATehTBaQNLWHf3914L2RaLckHx_LzO280sGWsjLaqvj5ugtieAQ=w501-h501" width="501" /></a></div><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
resulting rat seemed to have too many toes and its tails were all growing from
wrong places. This is what it looked like after being tweaked by a human
artist:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4LeC_D-rmfNeOHLcrxiwl5stXWDBaDrkxBUZVlH2NSUBqUg9khjWWILwMS2mDs4mInC9pDB39w9re8jVLMM1ywR5oy5K39RAiqJTZsYIDQIoqm-j4I-4fVOs-n6uBOdFxSd3nBqXTKWURJn5Z9QQI4bJkitty6ybnjAig0VS6r9yWM_s9NhlGzFqJsA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="501" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4LeC_D-rmfNeOHLcrxiwl5stXWDBaDrkxBUZVlH2NSUBqUg9khjWWILwMS2mDs4mInC9pDB39w9re8jVLMM1ywR5oy5K39RAiqJTZsYIDQIoqm-j4I-4fVOs-n6uBOdFxSd3nBqXTKWURJn5Z9QQI4bJkitty6ybnjAig0VS6r9yWM_s9NhlGzFqJsA=w501-h501" width="501" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Almost
done! One thing left to do was to generate a regular common rat...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">
</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Attempt No 35:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4XgACVDY4xQp-Q5hvQwhExe1w7BxWO0Gkb2qNk4eaVuhwAwe5zE2ZcM9JHrZAyO35ECRpVGGNvHq6KK9AHXfHcho3B8fZRnNA_gmbiddCmCAwywaW-s1TJI8sXF9JGSH_i76dD7QW4waBYtKOlwKiqztmva3ag1qCFsNqemUhuw89pvj9uutFViYHKQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="1261" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4XgACVDY4xQp-Q5hvQwhExe1w7BxWO0Gkb2qNk4eaVuhwAwe5zE2ZcM9JHrZAyO35ECRpVGGNvHq6KK9AHXfHcho3B8fZRnNA_gmbiddCmCAwywaW-s1TJI8sXF9JGSH_i76dD7QW4waBYtKOlwKiqztmva3ag1qCFsNqemUhuw89pvj9uutFViYHKQ=w591-h164" width="591" /></a></b></div><b><br /><br /></b><p></p> <b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Attempt
No 40:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-TBjYvLjxJ7_y8M4zTJYt-oUjxsrLhxhR4cYjfHcbHlLR3dLaFn1WrqHkKIPxIow0l55GJ4ntjmoS3wXJ0yREkXVTfVVtqC2j7BoonapyWG25XQRUsZdK4rmpfoRmZjXWfAu0Cfiw9HpGn3Ep5x2cayesWIY90CI_hBqyOzq3trNK1EESo1t6WnNcrQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="358" data-original-width="1247" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-TBjYvLjxJ7_y8M4zTJYt-oUjxsrLhxhR4cYjfHcbHlLR3dLaFn1WrqHkKIPxIow0l55GJ4ntjmoS3wXJ0yREkXVTfVVtqC2j7BoonapyWG25XQRUsZdK4rmpfoRmZjXWfAu0Cfiw9HpGn3Ep5x2cayesWIY90CI_hBqyOzq3trNK1EESo1t6WnNcrQ=w596-h171" width="596" /></a></div><br /></span></b><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I
kept receiving lots of results featuring similar human rats. Finally, at
attempt No 46, Lady Luck smiled at me, offering me the kind of rat I more or
less wanted to see in my Dungeon - hopefully from a safe distance.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_BHfNszkVoj_QlzmIGJBBotoBQ7CbcAcEt3igVqI3fHUEclTDFwU5y0nnYje11wWUy1FjAP2obN3VjUPTaa448dgZ-PqnQFU1dQS8LLE6GiAY0do3m6U5siMr9L8aGoHT1It1UpDwVqT0MJmRXhW2x_WaMmQXL6kuouNd1ELovJ6p6j90E9rdIiQLvw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="485" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_BHfNszkVoj_QlzmIGJBBotoBQ7CbcAcEt3igVqI3fHUEclTDFwU5y0nnYje11wWUy1FjAP2obN3VjUPTaa448dgZ-PqnQFU1dQS8LLE6GiAY0do3m6U5siMr9L8aGoHT1It1UpDwVqT0MJmRXhW2x_WaMmQXL6kuouNd1ELovJ6p6j90E9rdIiQLvw=w485-h485" width="485" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">This
was almost perfect, if you disregarded the extra toes, the kinky tail and the
red eyes compared to the yellow ones in all the other rats. This is what it
looked like, touched up by a human artist:<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiUjxfDHeXdckUMyRfW2G7CdPInp7ma1sH6fLrs17_3UypQBw3ONDyv5PrQ7zV3ui2bmQProy0fFGPXJjPCR4pUOhCONbPz63XDylH9ay6L6yangrN4Efw_qKY3Q8B5VgLrGuS8fbFbCtQzy8iFNAUqqKNZb3cnCtK-3FPmCYufkls_x13BW7S5JoSKBw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="489" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiUjxfDHeXdckUMyRfW2G7CdPInp7ma1sH6fLrs17_3UypQBw3ONDyv5PrQ7zV3ui2bmQProy0fFGPXJjPCR4pUOhCONbPz63XDylH9ay6L6yangrN4Efw_qKY3Q8B5VgLrGuS8fbFbCtQzy8iFNAUqqKNZb3cnCtK-3FPmCYufkls_x13BW7S5JoSKBw=w489-h489" width="489" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">You’d
think that my immediate goal had been achieved. Still, at the time I didn’t yet
know I would have to turn to a human artist to post-process the images. I
simpleheartedly wanted to create something ready for use, so I kept on trying.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Attempt No 50:</span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDXQrjcSIJIpnmyxsIhD4-j3fsrqlGAQZiAJCVTv6Xah9vDcgfeCecJGrmxF5cEBqsEOC6L4fMjLUO62pUKGPVZxEhm1LCpERiB3b_u07KEaH7hUtqqCOIZh3M8mzK8b219nh2Vu9GrLETh9jOKxLQgkCdUHp5M_CADuE16kmb7ie3e3IIroGXEuMLAw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="1260" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDXQrjcSIJIpnmyxsIhD4-j3fsrqlGAQZiAJCVTv6Xah9vDcgfeCecJGrmxF5cEBqsEOC6L4fMjLUO62pUKGPVZxEhm1LCpERiB3b_u07KEaH7hUtqqCOIZh3M8mzK8b219nh2Vu9GrLETh9jOKxLQgkCdUHp5M_CADuE16kmb7ie3e3IIroGXEuMLAw=w614-h171" width="614" /></a></div><br /></span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 22.8267px;">Attempt No 55:</span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 22.8267px;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 22.8267px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVgxIW9GNE6YRK3fVzF8G2AtwjS1LzV-VOD3FZAClAiGoUyoOy3hevMyjuIihftim40prgfV6u9k_RpunGATb_r5Cru_SE1tLlGVc7tNuegu2tbZ2IlVBsP3uq3Uyiy9J37vlRUgc-fqOsF-XOxCis02iV06IAl_2Bc0Nex5e2UJVsLD3JXcNTMFGhPA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="439" data-original-width="1263" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjVgxIW9GNE6YRK3fVzF8G2AtwjS1LzV-VOD3FZAClAiGoUyoOy3hevMyjuIihftim40prgfV6u9k_RpunGATb_r5Cru_SE1tLlGVc7tNuegu2tbZ2IlVBsP3uq3Uyiy9J37vlRUgc-fqOsF-XOxCis02iV06IAl_2Bc0Nex5e2UJVsLD3JXcNTMFGhPA=w617-h214" width="617" /></a></div><br /></span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">And
this was where I finally saw an almost perfect image of a baby rock rat (option
1).</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEho5MfReYP148jzM5s2Jqnbtw0xluXXcKkYfj0ZHSOV0ICjfWLSlxaOfkQ7heZq3DhpHMtk1NdGdn5txSYvcWjAOkwbXZsjxez8fTCZDJB3rLhlq-xi2Y_ERHolJVqNeG27BH0BqF3OuaGA9N0IRXHPHzVRQPOzxu9zK8OT1RHKcGFrY0GuFC4vvblfIw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="529" data-original-width="529" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEho5MfReYP148jzM5s2Jqnbtw0xluXXcKkYfj0ZHSOV0ICjfWLSlxaOfkQ7heZq3DhpHMtk1NdGdn5txSYvcWjAOkwbXZsjxez8fTCZDJB3rLhlq-xi2Y_ERHolJVqNeG27BH0BqF3OuaGA9N0IRXHPHzVRQPOzxu9zK8OT1RHKcGFrY0GuFC4vvblfIw=w450-h450" width="450" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">This is what
it looks like after being touched up by the artist:<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEga9dod6NLgFK2F19OPmvnn4Rur179MRM2Zfh0eT7FMUTE8czgynCHKU6onU_eZ6Bratxqy4SJiHQQ9uq-_iJNPlG_xKghNoik6jQ6H4HN7G7oaruFd-liWd61AvwSqCapzRlWcoSVIQgrjzefTQD3tTUQWNi4BydYWNyyqxGExCI_WPv-4nTNuCunTkg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEga9dod6NLgFK2F19OPmvnn4Rur179MRM2Zfh0eT7FMUTE8czgynCHKU6onU_eZ6Bratxqy4SJiHQQ9uq-_iJNPlG_xKghNoik6jQ6H4HN7G7oaruFd-liWd61AvwSqCapzRlWcoSVIQgrjzefTQD3tTUQWNi4BydYWNyyqxGExCI_WPv-4nTNuCunTkg=w448-h448" width="448" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Here, the
baby has four toes on his front feet, but that was the idea, wasn’t it? So I
kept trying... <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Attempt
No 60:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgFFD5bEk-G-HDYWrj3RWa4OqSk4Da6MavRtUKcr6Z4M4YqG779VkxvtUxLILDTrkH2r0u1gkG1R0wD5t62jF_QFqpiaL229tXjdPo4XVuKmbfdbF3GwqY44BE1cWkRbcs9BoW3QgtWLNtsEXmHrD_VnXV6DWN9Te5HwC4ltNkrj-YVQIcyGm1cr0mYg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="382" data-original-width="1248" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjgFFD5bEk-G-HDYWrj3RWa4OqSk4Da6MavRtUKcr6Z4M4YqG779VkxvtUxLILDTrkH2r0u1gkG1R0wD5t62jF_QFqpiaL229tXjdPo4XVuKmbfdbF3GwqY44BE1cWkRbcs9BoW3QgtWLNtsEXmHrD_VnXV6DWN9Te5HwC4ltNkrj-YVQIcyGm1cr0mYg=w615-h188" width="615" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Then I spent
quite a bit of time trying to improve the images as a whole, so I won’t list
them here. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Attempt
No 80:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiUpLd1GHLObrgOivT_E9B2d3aSb5p_s3VwBSjhP93SSy_NcILOipsmr0U7lOB8aD-vOGgQwetsPklNXszwvnmfKNNzpxp-p2AZFeuUhypnXe51rz1EsubXXoqC7QQUvupnWHqI5jNaumTPmmVRVgLUWRtA984KSvH-19UpNPD8QJbbkCx3FTt4uW2fNg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="1267" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiUpLd1GHLObrgOivT_E9B2d3aSb5p_s3VwBSjhP93SSy_NcILOipsmr0U7lOB8aD-vOGgQwetsPklNXszwvnmfKNNzpxp-p2AZFeuUhypnXe51rz1EsubXXoqC7QQUvupnWHqI5jNaumTPmmVRVgLUWRtA984KSvH-19UpNPD8QJbbkCx3FTt4uW2fNg=w620-h172" width="620" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My <b>attempt
No 97</b> once again resulted in a decent image of a Rat Queen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Prompts: masterpiece, best
quality, CG, wallpaper, HDR, high quality, high-definition, extremely detailed,
huge nine-tailed rat monster from the games</span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmUeQzhvIgWvYXPX3GLuYGvMNf37JnsU4_dnYflOXaQcsX2NybimZ8RSLxKI1X0w-QBxp-2OJYKv0OZ84QDK5lgyHx_Dux58Rbrb9Oylp_b2e9nGFU1DkmO5x8NVHGKvJI9CqY1tvVsO0SQAntZFPjWrvch_Cow7mBVdFC7xEz6Mj9CuN_XNelxwLZ5A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="894" data-original-width="894" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgmUeQzhvIgWvYXPX3GLuYGvMNf37JnsU4_dnYflOXaQcsX2NybimZ8RSLxKI1X0w-QBxp-2OJYKv0OZ84QDK5lgyHx_Dux58Rbrb9Oylp_b2e9nGFU1DkmO5x8NVHGKvJI9CqY1tvVsO0SQAntZFPjWrvch_Cow7mBVdFC7xEz6Mj9CuN_XNelxwLZ5A=w442-h442" width="442" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">This
one was much closer to the book - in fact, it was almost perfect if you
disregarded a few details. Incredibly, that particular rat had eight tails which
actually grew where I wanted them to, even if they sported some bizarre
growths.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In actual fact, that particular option required a lot
of editing from the artist. In the end, this was what it looked like:<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /></span></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgD4208Qn1shGlydQuL6Y4jIpTumXITvPQHMwb_ebEjM7q5_OHVOuHDz7til5SEuVzJdxcZ3H3omwOggh487Brnx7pNdf6BeEWxD01D25fIn6O4fHbxsdkNeidGVaR5TKObjUW0pCTMzzgQK_EiHqr60DgO5DSKpIIi9808n6f_2dWuScmbjoVHNKzEMQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgD4208Qn1shGlydQuL6Y4jIpTumXITvPQHMwb_ebEjM7q5_OHVOuHDz7til5SEuVzJdxcZ3H3omwOggh487Brnx7pNdf6BeEWxD01D25fIn6O4fHbxsdkNeidGVaR5TKObjUW0pCTMzzgQK_EiHqr60DgO5DSKpIIi9808n6f_2dWuScmbjoVHNKzEMQ=w448-h448" width="448" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Still, I
decided to persevere.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Attempt
No 100:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiZ4bP43tuPc82O1xe6a1JoPnDzAfjON1ZWHvdmqUTPK6X-xbMEVJQ8yhSvvIgdcIWhQZwDxYIkQFh2QYDMsITH_Bco7UUX0ryLnAvSngApGKp5fNPiyea3OBFau0midL6PtV8DAkWjYa4njWLs5RIDX30Xi02ohajmiWvx3BwkC3NjE8__VNZjIULnA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="1189" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiZ4bP43tuPc82O1xe6a1JoPnDzAfjON1ZWHvdmqUTPK6X-xbMEVJQ8yhSvvIgdcIWhQZwDxYIkQFh2QYDMsITH_Bco7UUX0ryLnAvSngApGKp5fNPiyea3OBFau0midL6PtV8DAkWjYa4njWLs5RIDX30Xi02ohajmiWvx3BwkC3NjE8__VNZjIULnA=w623-h167" width="623" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Attempt No
105:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZ-HXZ6VN7qsavDTIn1FCjTSYhvVWccrvNbkQFHqk73uwb-sTRviUcFIvx3kw_IFKrgwLbnWtVvV5VqTl8S-svcOEwB5tHm13cxPudKZ1eRrqOQo0wk9Q1C7qg5ID0Xj8CxbFdeIWsi-CC9_E0bujD7vuJOYDgJOMjDWE5qMK-YQ7ODUD--b46QzBhnA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="357" data-original-width="1255" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZ-HXZ6VN7qsavDTIn1FCjTSYhvVWccrvNbkQFHqk73uwb-sTRviUcFIvx3kw_IFKrgwLbnWtVvV5VqTl8S-svcOEwB5tHm13cxPudKZ1eRrqOQo0wk9Q1C7qg5ID0Xj8CxbFdeIWsi-CC9_E0bujD7vuJOYDgJOMjDWE5qMK-YQ7ODUD--b46QzBhnA=w624-h178" width="624" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Attempt No
110:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIUG4AQvEaPMnJnjbooE5M1MH8JiXQEviTpdoDNz78pgwWGme0ZxVKdbG1310tktdeBl2dSLSKQmJKBIylH3CEJFH6wHkdgiYLXiBaHSsFzCyKXaGYXU5BlyZoDye3bI7GmyPNZVNDR_yH6R3mzCq7_pgwQk4n_r62nEnrX2a3nr377WMq7Qz0kbD1SQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="357" data-original-width="1250" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIUG4AQvEaPMnJnjbooE5M1MH8JiXQEviTpdoDNz78pgwWGme0ZxVKdbG1310tktdeBl2dSLSKQmJKBIylH3CEJFH6wHkdgiYLXiBaHSsFzCyKXaGYXU5BlyZoDye3bI7GmyPNZVNDR_yH6R3mzCq7_pgwQk4n_r62nEnrX2a3nr377WMq7Qz0kbD1SQ=w615-h175" width="615" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Attempt No 115:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><br /></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3ZtdOwjqWTA8sPlRJn6YCrT0atHNdz1UH8Xqpr4JgfrCjKq7BXH2ZHuTIqwkTzgLrqj5-K8eK36vjxDLrGz4qrYoQ-G6HiDU5w65UFKjQZp4UXDOyKJs-dZIPa9_Sa_ox3xqatHHclnMCZgdA1dx4FnZZmJdzDGIZwooEMyYkAT86S1oJe_2_9gm0YQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="356" data-original-width="1238" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3ZtdOwjqWTA8sPlRJn6YCrT0atHNdz1UH8Xqpr4JgfrCjKq7BXH2ZHuTIqwkTzgLrqj5-K8eK36vjxDLrGz4qrYoQ-G6HiDU5w65UFKjQZp4UXDOyKJs-dZIPa9_Sa_ox3xqatHHclnMCZgdA1dx4FnZZmJdzDGIZwooEMyYkAT86S1oJe_2_9gm0YQ=w609-h175" width="609" /></a></div><br /><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">For
my 120th attempt,</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"> I
decided to use my first successful rat as a reference.</span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLmNtPDIfFAyOtj86eMSzoRm_yzO6k_DjyHHwYLP_u8fANrOERICok5jmAsHOi0HiN2J-KzuNvcC3ZRLz1e4pSHCXurJFhk-hk0HMRkidEBkOKRj02FUQryro8mdQ8JKum173XnPatM5iMomkbcuzvJxm7Vmkrb9_s5seFIQqmEEEOYmIPZJ1S7JmRfA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="335" data-original-width="547" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLmNtPDIfFAyOtj86eMSzoRm_yzO6k_DjyHHwYLP_u8fANrOERICok5jmAsHOi0HiN2J-KzuNvcC3ZRLz1e4pSHCXurJFhk-hk0HMRkidEBkOKRj02FUQryro8mdQ8JKum173XnPatM5iMomkbcuzvJxm7Vmkrb9_s5seFIQqmEEEOYmIPZJ1S7JmRfA=w478-h292" width="478" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And finally,
my 129th attempt worked.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Prompts: </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">https://s.mj.run/V8GqFOhEBMU
masterpiece, best quality, CG, wallpaper, HDR, high quality, high-definition,
extremely detailed, huge tailed steel rat monster from the games, gray skin,
scarlet eyes, fangs, on four legs, cave</span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFECgcFIGJoLPH7Q0hosrZg5lF-mGSz9kleub0MrFqNFtCFwerr9oWfNKzsO3fu08dJlILog8W02Tti-EBqo4cbmEGA7QCoykYsuhwKdeGysP7rvIIGiVqNP1gW0eSxm79ITL2KlZI2Co4V5N-itFhNmC-0y2bHM9zl5T1d61XBCypHVJ0mWDNfUVOmA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="1207" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFECgcFIGJoLPH7Q0hosrZg5lF-mGSz9kleub0MrFqNFtCFwerr9oWfNKzsO3fu08dJlILog8W02Tti-EBqo4cbmEGA7QCoykYsuhwKdeGysP7rvIIGiVqNP1gW0eSxm79ITL2KlZI2Co4V5N-itFhNmC-0y2bHM9zl5T1d61XBCypHVJ0mWDNfUVOmA=w606-h180" width="606" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4nZFjkLTdwpGa2YUHrtp0s6vOGXCh1wwjjIyCV2t3m7eg7iaV746B0jTVZMJRfRwo7LBJNH6GP8EARNvmOBue_OQjApaYCxavnbQ7T5n1zKkPxu0Gk726G540zG8KW6Fao7vSJr0CgypVvxIBGgeOvRrzbVEWaoiRH9g7ipXQuq_VB9c_91fVHDimnA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4nZFjkLTdwpGa2YUHrtp0s6vOGXCh1wwjjIyCV2t3m7eg7iaV746B0jTVZMJRfRwo7LBJNH6GP8EARNvmOBue_OQjApaYCxavnbQ7T5n1zKkPxu0Gk726G540zG8KW6Fao7vSJr0CgypVvxIBGgeOvRrzbVEWaoiRH9g7ipXQuq_VB9c_91fVHDimnA=w425-h425" width="425" /></a></div><br /><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">Edited
by the artist:</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNSrR-oPoTZiyT0uM5trwikKlMIKvmoW3fwQqpoSC3lA5H-V5vGn1es8rvyDFOAuUH0ABXXXcZ2VzEsf1NhASNB7iEzveox-sUhZCThkw_83YyaW7hnXT_jjWkDU9RlBtj9KXRBGduwI00uiFZaBFl7fKcOFDAPmWRh6wo11TcPMhst_4NoCfyvpZUnQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNSrR-oPoTZiyT0uM5trwikKlMIKvmoW3fwQqpoSC3lA5H-V5vGn1es8rvyDFOAuUH0ABXXXcZ2VzEsf1NhASNB7iEzveox-sUhZCThkw_83YyaW7hnXT_jjWkDU9RlBtj9KXRBGduwI00uiFZaBFl7fKcOFDAPmWRh6wo11TcPMhst_4NoCfyvpZUnQ=w426-h426" width="426" /></a></div><br /></span></b><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Not quite
realizing how lucky I’d been, I kept going, bringing the final number of
attempts to 139 - but I didn’t achieve anything better than that. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">My last attempt No 139:</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhULFhakdCsc-3ISuCnpaQdVCLJQfCMMsX-egryv7D-6CzTdv_lJbSk8a1rA5JczIzdl0HFy4-1RF7YnovII25fL1knocpCqZLpML_3WU1fxCaD6Le95hwPBlDh-awPDUbTiRSFomD6xIWbc3koubAAeM8Vx141rOyYc9s0fnHQ8M2ZHiWdjt3usEvZ5Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="363" data-original-width="1265" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhULFhakdCsc-3ISuCnpaQdVCLJQfCMMsX-egryv7D-6CzTdv_lJbSk8a1rA5JczIzdl0HFy4-1RF7YnovII25fL1knocpCqZLpML_3WU1fxCaD6Le95hwPBlDh-awPDUbTiRSFomD6xIWbc3koubAAeM8Vx141rOyYc9s0fnHQ8M2ZHiWdjt3usEvZ5Q=w614-h176" width="614" /></a></div><br /></span></b><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">But
if you counted my attempts to improve on the best options, the total number of
generations was way over 200.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">When I’d first tried my hand at it, I was an absolute
newb at working with that particular AI. I may have read the tutorials, but
that was the extent of it. So here’re the few points I took home:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The most important tactic is to come up, by trial and
error, with an “almost there” set of prompts, then repeat it a few times,
analyzing the results. If nothing seemed to have worked at all, you need to
tweak it and try again until you get lucky. If it still doesn’t work, then you
can try to start from scratch.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In the case of monsters, it’s virtually impossible to came
across a perfect image - but editing an existing image is much cheaper and
easier than trying to create one from scratch. At the moment, there’re lots of
artists offering this kind of editing service for a rather modest remuneration.
In other words, authors have just received a very interesting tool allowing
them to generate book illustrations and - which is arguably more important - to
visualize their characters, monsters and even whole locations.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">All this work took me a couple of days as I had the
whole thing running in the background mode in between doing other things. Then
it took me another hour to write up the artist brief and agree on the edits. Writing
this article has taken me about three or four hours, I think. ;-)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">If some of you would like to investigate my
prompts history further, you can download my book art file from <a href="https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1fGYDHPCMAr2Mu_l7MP2yWg_vP2a7wgiT?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Google Drive</a>.
There, you can also see the original source images as well as the final results
and some of the more successful options which I’ve saved in a separate folder.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Thanks
for bearing with me! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">P.S.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 107%;">If you enjoyed it, I could upload more monster
packs that I’ve created for the series. This time though they wouldn’t include
detailed prompt paths.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div></div>Simon Valehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16142080565999248152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1879934328827513079.post-89225613670896235402021-12-08T00:56:00.004-08:002021-12-08T00:56:41.766-08:00曲がり山の地下迷宮<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";"><br /></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">曲がり山の地下迷宮</span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">下克上アンダードッグ</span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">第一巻</span></b></p><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x3gtNUDYoYQ/YbByqsyAPUI/AAAAAAAAC3g/-_wb__EXS8M6B2plwxJeXvIv-m8HWqGDgCNcBGAsYHQ/s800/U1J800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="528" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x3gtNUDYoYQ/YbByqsyAPUI/AAAAAAAAC3g/-_wb__EXS8M6B2plwxJeXvIv-m8HWqGDgCNcBGAsYHQ/s320/U1J800.jpg" width="211" /></a></div><br /><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><span style="color: red;">Amazon - <a href="https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B09LGXYKQR">https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B09LGXYKQR</a></span></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><span style="color: red;">February 28, 2022</span></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><h1 align="center" style="break-after: auto; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: .3pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0.3pt 0cm 0cm; mso-pagination: none; page-break-after: auto; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">第</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">1</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">章</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">親方アレンさん、</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">赤ん坊は男の子だよ</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">オーカスでもっとも成功している鉱員グループの一つをまとめる親方アレンは、妻の出産を助けていた老婆をじっと見つめ、自分を見返すその眼差しが陰鬱としていることにひどく戸惑った。こんなに喜ばしい知らせにも関わらず苦々しい顔をしているなんて、いったい何が起きたのだろうか?だが少しすると、彼も察しがついた。子は生まれたが、その子の泣き声は聞こえない</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「私の子は死んだのか?」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">人生であらゆることを目にしてきたアレンではあったが、それは簡単に口に出せる言葉ではなかった。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「生きとるよ。」ヒーラーの老婆はそう陰気に答えた後、ほとんどささやき声ですぐに言葉を付け足した。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「だけど、生きていない方がよかったねえ</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">アレンは獲物を見るように目を細め、一歩前に出た。彼の苛烈な視線から炎が出ていたなら、老婆があっという間に燃えた後の灰の山でさえも跡形もなく燃やし尽くされていただろう。ダリアは嫌悪に満ちたアレンの睨みを静かに受け止めた後、言った。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「それでもいい知らせもあるよ。あんたの妻は何事もなく出産をやり切った。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">その言葉は、父親になったばかりのアレンの魂で燃えていた憤怒の炎を消した。少しの間をとってからアレンは落ち着きを取り戻し、質問を続けることにした。この老婆は地方一帯で右に出る者はいないレベルのヒーラーである。それに加え、彼女がまだオーカスにいるということさえもがとんでもない幸運なのだ。ダリアは元々、ずっと前に都市に向けて出発する予定だった。彼女がまだここにいるのは、雨季が予定よりも一週間早く始まったことが全ての理由だ。今となっては、「眠りの通り道」は二カ月は閉鎖される。このような時期に山を越えようなどと思うのは頭のどうかしている者だけである。アレンと彼の妻にとっては幸運なことに、ダリアの精神状態はいたってまともだった。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「話せ。」親方は低い声でそれだけ言った。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">リアナと息子のそばにいたくて仕方がなくても、まずは聞かねばならないことがあった。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「あの子は『ゼロ』状態だ。」ヒーラーの老婆は淡々と言葉を絞り出した。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">アレンの顔に表情は全く浮かばなかった。親方の泰然自若とした振る舞いは、「息絶えた海」の北の嵐が最初に勃発した場所である「黒い岩山」でも嫉妬されるほどである。しかし心中では、彼は心臓が冷たく締め付けられるのを感じていた。かわいそうな私の息子!どうしてこんなことになってしまった!</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">その間にも、ダリアは話を続けていた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「最初は死産だと思ったんだよ。だけどあの子の『生命』と『エネルギー』の『補給元素』を見てみたら、それぞれ十ポイントだけあった。だいたいの下限は二十ポイントだってのにね。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「どうしてそんなことが起こるんだ!」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「分からないよ。」ダリアは困惑した様子で肩をすくめた。「こんなことは今までに一度も見たことがないし、人から聞いたことさえない。これは『バグ』の仕業だよ、それしかない。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「老いぼれめ、それは冒涜か?」アレンの平静はまたもや揺らいだ。「邪悪なる霊がこれと何の関係がある?それとも、世界の全ては『偉大なるシステム』の思し召しによるものだと信じていないとでも?」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">それを聞いたヒーラーは、酸っぱい物でも食べたように顔を歪ませた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「実際は私だってそう信じているさ</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「では、話のどこに悪霊のことなどが入ってくる?」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「いいだろう、」親方からのプレッシャーに折れたヒーラーは、疲れた声で話し始めた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「ただし。私も異端者として殺されたくはないからね、まずはこの辺近くの『偉大なるシステム』の聖堂に私を引っ張っていかないことを『誓う』んだよ。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「約束しよう。」親方は暗い声で言った。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「誓約」が承認されたというシステムメッセージを受け取ったダリアは、声を潜めて話し始めた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「あんたも知ってる通り、『偉大なるシステム』は私らが生まれる時に一人一人、最初のレベル</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">1</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">を授け、『補給元素』を満たし、そして最初の『特長アップのパネル』を与えてくださる。そして、パネルの枚数は『ランダム』神によって決定される。ほとんどが得る個数は十か十二枚だ。私が聞いたので一番多かったのは十五枚だね。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">アレンは無言で頷いた。最初の息子であるイヴァールが受け取ったのは十四枚だった。その時、アレンの顔がゆっくりと陰った。
イヴァールが</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic"; mso-fareast-language: #0011;">「荒</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">れ</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic"; mso-fareast-language: #0011;">地」</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">での</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic"; mso-fareast-language: #0011;">戦</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">いで</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic"; mso-fareast-language: #0011;">亡</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">くなったという</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic"; mso-fareast-language: #0011;">知</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">らせをアレンとリアナが</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic"; mso-fareast-language: #0011;">受</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">け</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic"; mso-fareast-language: #0011;">取</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">ってから</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic"; mso-fareast-language: #0011;">、</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">まだ</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic"; mso-fareast-language: #0011;">二年</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">しか</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic"; mso-fareast-language: #0011;">経</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">っていない</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic"; mso-fareast-language: #0011;">。</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">二番目の息子の誕生が、イヴァールの死後に夫婦に根付いていた暗い影を追いやってくれるだろうとアレンは期待していた。だが、どうやらそんなことはなかったようだ</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「だが、十枚より少ないパネルを受け取る者たちもいるんだ。その者たちは皆、子供の時は苦しい思いをする。周りの者よりも弱いからね</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">だが、時間が経てば多くの者はきちんとした生活ができるまでになる。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「ああ。」アレンも同意した。「私の鉱員の何人かもそうやって生まれてきた。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">アレンの顔に少しの光が差した。どうして彼はそのことを忘れていたのだろう!彼の息子も、将来は普通の生活を送れるということだろうか?その瞬間、その場でアレンは自分自身に誓った。できるに違いない!アレン自身がそれを見届けるのだ!</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">親方の機嫌を察したダリアは、急いで彼を現実に引き戻した。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「アレンさん、あんたが考えていることを当ててやるよ。あんたの息子もその男たちのようになれるだろうと思い込んでるね。でも間違ってる。あんたの赤子は『ゼロ』だ。あの子はレベル</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">1</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">もパネルも受け取っていない。あの子の『補給元素』も哀れなほどに低い。私はランダムがこれに一枚噛んでるとは思わない。これは全部『バグ』だよ</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">今のアレンを見れば、誰もが胸を痛めるだろう。希望が彼にウインクしたと思った途端、希望という概念そのものが目の前で泥の中に飲み込まれていったのだ。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">その間もダリアは続けた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「知ってる通り、『バグ』は色々な名で知られている。『誤作動』、『失敗』、『ウイルス』などあるが、もう一つあるんだよ。『古代族』の書から私の師が見つけたんだ。『世から旅立った者たち』は、『バグ』を『システムエラー』と呼んでいたよ。分かるかい?エラーだよ!要するに、『偉大なるシステム』も完全無欠ではなく、間違えることがあるということだ!あの書に書かれていたことは他にも多くあるが、ここでは話したくないね。それに、あんたに聞かせることでもないだろう</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">アレンは長椅子にぐったりと座り込んだ。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「レベルゼロ</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">」アレンはつぶやいた。「だがそれは</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「そうだ、」ヒーラーは悲しげに頷いた。「あの子の能力が成長することはない。あの子にはパネルが使えない。『経験値エッセンス』を使ってやったとしても、何にもならないんだ。『偉大なるシステム』によって創造されしモノはほとんど全て、最低レベル</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">1</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">という使用条件があるからね。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「それで、私たちには一体何ができると言うんだ?」アレンが打ちひしがれて言った。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">ダリアは長椅子の空いた席、親方の隣に腰掛けた。深いシワが刻まれた彼女の顔は、深く考え込んだ表情のまま動かなかった。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「このヒーラーは何歳なんだ?」アレンは突然そんなことを思った。ヒーラーの一生は長いということは誰もが知っている。また、ヒーラーは不老の秘密を発見したとも言われている。アレンは含み笑いをした</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">全くもってしょうもないな。だが、『バグ』というのは不可思議に機能していることだ</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">それに、ダリアが七十歳に見えるとしたら、実際の年齢は優に二倍、いやもしかすると三倍にもなるかもしれない</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「ああ!」老婆は予想外の音量で声を上げた。彼女の濃紺の瞳が、喜びで輝いている。「分かった!」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">乾き切った手のひらを擦り合わせながら、ヒーラーは職人に向き合った。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「これを考えつくのにこんなに時間がかかるなんて奇妙なことだね。もう歳かねえ</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">あんたももうちょっと頑張ればいいのにさ</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">アレンは意味がわからず、老婆を見つめた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「はいはい、」そう言ってダリアは手を振った。「説明してやるよ。あんた、頭使うのはあまり向いてないようだからね</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">今ある唯一の解決策は、『古代族』の遺物を使うことだ。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「それはつまり</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「思ってる通りだよ。遺物は制限のない唯一のアイテムだ。実のところ、制限も条件も一切存在しない。だけどね、あんたが理解しなきゃいけないのは、希少な遺物を手に入れるには大金がかかるってことだ。それでもあんたの息子には二つか三つ、メインの『特長』を上げてやるアイテムだけがあればいい話だけどね</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">老婆の話は終わっていなかったが、もうアレンの耳にはあまり入っていなかった。彼はすでに、「世から旅立った者たち」の遺物を買う場所と方法を考え始めていた。そして、アレンはいくら金がかかるかなどは考えていなかった</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">息子の命、それがアレンにとっての重要事項だった</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">14</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">年後</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「クッソ重てえなチクショウがあ!」屁を放ちつつ食いしばった歯の間からそう悪態をついて、太った運び屋が重い肘掛け椅子を玄関まで引きずっていた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">僕のひいじいちゃんの「玉座」。父さんは夕食後にそこに座って、暖炉で足を温めながらパイプを吹かすのが大好きだった。そうすると父さんはすっかりリラックスして、座っている間、物語や説話、伝説を僕に話してくれた</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「ああ、この家の家具はみんな重てえなあ!」ダイニングから不機嫌そうな声がこだました。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「古いオーク材の肘掛け椅子が一つ。」運び屋の悪態も放屁も無視して、銀行員が落ち着いた声音で言った。彼の干からびた長い指はガチョウの羽ペンを素早く操り、家から取り去られていく物の全てを念入りに書き留めている。すでに三枚の紙が、銀行員の小さくきちんとした字ですっかり埋め尽くされていた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">細く引き締まった身体の髭男がキッチンから現れた。震える男の両手がつかんでいる、蓋付きのヒビの入ったスープボウル。男の赤みがかった瞳が、銀行員の痩せこけた体躯をぼうっと見つめた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「これなんざ、ガラクタじゃねえかと思うが。持ってくのかあ?」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">母さんが気に入っていたスープボウル。母さんがこれをテーブルに持ってくるたびに、僕たちはいつも変わらない格言を聞かされたものだった。「ヒビなんてどうでもいいこと!これに入れればスープがずっと温かいのよ!」他の料理を運ぶためにキッチンへ小走りで戻る母さんを見届けると、父さんが女性というのはみんななかなか物を捨てられないんだと決まって僕にささやいていた。その直後に父さんは、母さんがことあるごとに捨てると脅かしていた自分の古いベストを笑顔で撫でていたな。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">銀行員は仕方なく自分のメモから視線を外し、髭男を見た。細められた小さな二つの目は、明らかな軽蔑に満ちている。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「トックス。」銀行員はざらりとした声で言った。「お前に与えられた指示はたった一つ。『家屋から全てを取り除き、カートに積み込め。』お前が分かっていないのははっきりどの部分だね?」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「いやあ、だってよう</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">」トックスが言い返そうとした時、巨人とも言える大男が家の中にやって来て無遠慮に割り込んだ。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「おい!そのでけえ口閉じて、言われたことやれや!ケツ動かせ!」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">髭男トックスは肩の間に首を縮めて、玄関からこっそり抜け出そうとした。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「おめえどこ行く気だよ!」巨漢が怒鳴った。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">トックスは自分の監督である大男をぼんやりと見つめた。大男は胸の前で腕を組み、巨大な腹を前に突き出して、出入り口の前に立っている。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「おめえはスープボウルぽっちを一個ずつ運んで、それでいいとでも思ってたのか?バカ野郎が、さっさとしろ。キッチンに戻って、てめえの仕事しやがれ!」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">トックスは風のように素っ飛んでいった。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「ドレイアーさん、あなたはスタッフをもう少し丁寧に選ぶべき立場にいると思いますがね。」銀行員がとげとげしい口調で物申した。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「おめえさんに聞いた覚えはねえぞ、文書係のおキツネ。」太鼓腹のドレイアーはそれを一蹴して、両親の寝室に向かっていった。そしてその途中、痩せた銀行員の記録書をいたずらに軽くはたいた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">白い紙の束は仰天したハトの群れのように銀行員の手からバサバサと散乱し、床に滑り落ちる。「文書係のおキツネ」は上擦った大きな声でハッと息をのみ、大事な宝を取り戻すために膝をついた。彼の身体は憤慨で震え、鳥のように長い鼻からは緑の鼻水が一筋垂れ下がっていた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">銀行員は時折床を這い回りながら、愚かな運び屋たちとその粗暴な監督をうめき声で低く罵った。すると、事務員の屈辱的な体勢をばかにして、馬の真似をしたような甲高く品のない何人かの鳴き声がダイニングから響いた。銀行員の顔はたちまち真っ赤に燃え上がり、小さな目の縁に怒りの涙が溜まった。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">彼の老いて乾いた指が、ようやく全ての紙を順番通りに並べ直すと、首にかけられた糸にぶら下がっているインク瓶をしっかりと握り、銀行員は立ち上がった。ズボンの埃を右手ではたき落とし、使い古されているがこぎれいなフロックコートを何回か叩くと、銀行員は身を落ち着けた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">まさにこの瞬間に、僕と銀行員の視線は合わさった</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">僕は通路の端にある丸椅子に座って、自分の身にどんな運命が待ち受けるのかを待っていた。両親からの借金分を取り戻すために銀行が僕たちの家を取り立ててしまうことを僕が知ったのは、つい昨日のことだった。その上、僕はそのたった一日前に、近くの採鉱場で両親が命を落としたことを知らされた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「何を見てるんだ、できそこないの小僧?」銀行員が鋭い声を発した。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">この男は本当におキツネじゃないかと、僕はクスクス笑った。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「この様子がおかしいとでも思っているのか?」おキツネの目に、心からの困惑と刺々しい怒りがない混ぜになっているのが見えた。「つまるところ、これは全てお前が原因だからな!」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">よく分からない</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">この男は何を言っているんだ?</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「ははは!理解できないようだな。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">すると、ドレイアーが母さんの陶器を腕いっぱいに抱えて、両親の寝室のドアから出てきた。彼はまず暗い顔で僕を見てから、銀行員を見た。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「うるせえぞ、事務のネズミ野郎が!」大男が怒鳴った。「ボウズに変なこと言ったら歯ァ全部引っこ抜いてやっからな!」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">ドレイアーは僕を勇気づけるようにウインクをした後、太鼓腹を揺らしながら家を出た。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">怒りで口元を歪めているのを見る限りおキツネは何か言いたかったようだが、上から大きな声がして、彼の口撃は始まる前に打ち切られた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「やめろサキス。何も言わないでおきたまえ。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">僕と銀行員は同時に顔を上げた。二階へと続く階段の上に、一人の男がいた。卵のように禿げ上がった男は何かの記録書を見下ろしていて、厚い唇は同時に書かれてゆく文字をぶつぶつと読み上げていた。男のインク瓶は、首周りの鎖からぶら下がっているというよりは、まるで腹の上に座っているようだった。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「だが、ヴェレン!分かってくれ!この小僧は銀行職員としての私に対する敬意が全く無いのだ!」サキスはわめいた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「いいからやめたまえ。」太った銀行員は記録を取ることをやめずにそう繰り返し、階段を降りてきた。その時、彼は書類から目を引き剥がして、こう言い加えた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「よくよく言うが、その少年は放っておくのだ。彼は我々の問題では無い。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「どういうことだ?」サキスは驚いた様子でたずねた。「私は銀行が</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「いや、」ヴェレンが遮った。「残りの借金はバルダンが買い取った。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">おキツネの細長い顔が、平たく見えるほどに引き伸ばされた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「あのバルダンか!?」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「そうだ。」ヴェレンは無頓着にそう答え、記録書へと再び沈んでいった。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">サキスは僕の方にゆっくりと向き直った。一瞬、彼の瞳に哀れみが見えた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「オッホン</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">ンーン</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">」間をとってから銀行員はこう言った。「私がお前でなくてよかったよ、できそこないの小僧。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">僕の顔に混乱と動揺が見えたのに気分を良くしたサキスは、誇らしげに顔を上げて出口へとゆっくり進んでいった。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">ダイニングにいる二人の運び屋の会話がくぐもった音で聞こえてきたのを、僕は聞かずにはいられなかった。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「なあトックス、銀行のネズミ野郎はなんであのボウズをできそこないなんて言ってんだ?」話している男の顔は見えなかったが、声で分かった。金髪で背は低く大柄の、まるでビール樽のようなロイだ。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「そりゃあおめえ、できそこないだからだよ。あいつ、生まれた時から障害者なんだと。」トックスは無頓着に答えた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「ほおー、」ロイは驚きながら返答した。「ボウズの見てくれだけじゃ全然分かんねえよ。まあ、ちっと痩せすぎで目にもクマはあるっちゃあるか。そしたらボウズ、最近病気にでもなったのかね?いや待てよ、父ちゃん母ちゃんが死んだばっかりだからな。死んでるみてえに顔が真っ白なのはそのせいにちげえねえ。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「ちっっっげえよ。」とトックスは反論した。「あいつはそうやって生まれてきたんだよ。うーん</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">アレンのおっさんにランダムからの加護あれ。アレンの親父は息子には運がなかったみてえだなあ</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">しばらくの間、ダイニングには沈黙が落ちた。運び屋は二人とも考えこんでいた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">沈黙を破ったのはロイだった。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「なあ</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">おれたち、まだ半日は働かなきゃなんねえじゃねえか。くっちゃべってれば時間が早く過ぎるからよ</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「話すことなんてそんなにねえよ、おめえ。」トックスが張り詰めた声で答えた。重い物を運んでいるみたいだ。「おめえも分かるように、この家族はいい生活をしてた。この二階建ての家。農場も順調だったしな。馬、牛に豚だぜ。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「そりゃあまちげえねえ。」ロイの口調には妬みが混じっていた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「バーグマンってのは鉱員の一家だからな。」トックスが続けた。「ボウズの親父の班は一番の腕だった。そんで、班員全員がついこないだの崩落で死んじまった。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「うっげえ</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「バーグマンの嫁さんともう何人かの奥さんも、自分の旦那に昼飯を届けに採鉱場に行ってたからよ</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">奥さんたちもみんなあの世に行っちまったってこった</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">トックスの声色から察するに、彼は僕の両親と班員家族のみんなの死をうわべではなく心苦しく思っていた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「で、息子の方はどうなんだよ?」ロイがたずねた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「親父さんは息子には運がなかったな。最初はうまく行ってたんだぜ。絶好調だったってくらいだな!最初の息子は、生まれた時にパネルを多く受け取ってよ。同い年の奴らの中では一番強かった。十四になったら親父と一緒に採鉱場で働き出して、その年の冬、息子は大会でも優勝した。そん時に男爵が目をつけて、自分の従者見習いとして仕えさせるために雇ったのよ。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「すっごい!親父さんはすっげえ幸運じゃねえのかよ!?」ロイは話がつかめず、そう大声で言った。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「いんや。一ヶ月後に、息子が死んだって知らせがバーグマンとこに来たってわけだよ</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「そういうことかよ</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「ああ、だからよ</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">運び屋たちはまた静かになって、頭の中で情報を処理していた。長い静寂ではなかった。今度口火を切ったのはトックスだった。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「息子の死を悲しんで何年か経った頃、嫁さんはまた身ごもった。そりゃあ喜ぶことだと思うだろ。だが何があったってな、生まれてきた赤ん坊にはちょっとした欠点があったのよ。いや、ちょっとじゃねえな</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">夫婦は最初、赤ん坊は死んだと思った。泣かねえし動かねえし、目も閉じてる。だけど夫婦は、腕のいい呪術師を助産師として雇ってた。そのばあさんが、赤ん坊が息してるのに気付いたわけよ。かろうじてってくらいだったらしいけどな。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「うっげえ</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">」ロイがそう発した。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「へっ!」トックスが声を上げた。「おめえ、まだ一番肝心のとこも聞いてねえぜ。アレンは都市から来てたそのヒーラーに大枚をはたいてた。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「だろうなあ!」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「で、とにかくやべえのは、ヒーラーのばあさんが坊主は『ゼロ』状態だって言ったことだ!レベルゼロだぜ!」トックスが意気揚々と言った。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">その時に聞こえた音は、落雷のようにロイの顎がガシャンと床まで落ちたようだった。だけどそこで僕は、彼らがちょうど父さんの工具に手を付けたんだと気付いた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「うおお、こりゃあそうそうお目にかかれるもんじゃねえ!」ロイが感嘆してそう言うのが聞こえた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">正直に言えば、僕は驚いていた。トックスがした僕の生まれの話は、ほとんど合っている。ささいな間違いはあったが、全体としての要点は正確だった</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">父さんは僕が生まれた時の話を何度も聞かせてくれた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「オイ、そこの間抜けども!」ドレイアーの突然の怒号で、僕は飛び上がった。「ケツ動かせや!おめえらバカ共がくっちゃべるのに金払うつもりはねえぞ!」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">巨大な運び屋が玄関口から突然現れ、ドアの方へとスタコラ逃げていく子分たちをジロリと睨んだ。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「クッソろくでなしども、」ドレイアーが小声で唸った。「まあ心配するこたあねえ。給料よこせって来やがる時にお話しする時間はたっぷりあるからな</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">彼は庭を少しの間見つめてから、僕の方に振り返った。僕に対する彼の眼差しに棘はなかった。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「準備しな、ボウズ。」彼は悲しそうに言って、頭で出口を指した。「迎えが来たぜ。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">おかしなことに、僕は今朝からずっとこの瞬間を待ちわびていた自分に気付いて驚いた。この瞬間に僕が考えていることが読める人がいたなら、僕はどうかしてしまったんだと言うだろう。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">ハア</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">その人たちは、当たらずといえども遠からずと言える。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">二日前、そもそも最高というわけでもなかった、僕のような障害者が期待していいくらいだった僕の世界は、ただ、消え去った。僕と両親の家が奪われるのを遠くから眺めていた僕は、ある瞬間に突然、自分はもう一人ぼっちなんだということを悟った。僕とこの世界だけの、一対一。大きくて強い僕の父さんが助けに来てくれることはもうない。よくしゃべる、優しい僕の母さんが、怒りと絶望の涙に濡れた僕の頬を拭いてくれることもない。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">僕の自分の喉に何かがつっかえるのを感じた。目がチクリとしだして、感情があふれ出そうになった。だめだ!僕は泣き出したりしない。少なくとも、この瞬間のこの場では。そんなことをすれば、家族の家を荒らすこの略奪者たちが面白がるだけだ。全てが終わった時に、僕はどこか縮こまるための穴を見つける。そうしたら気持ちを一気に解放しよう。だけど、それはここじゃないし、今でもない。父さんの名誉を裏切ることはしない。父さんは僕に強くあれと教えてくれた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">僕は、父さんと母さんが大好きだった物が運び出されるのをこの目で見た。僕たち家族の歴史が壊されていくのを。そして僕は、この場所は両親が死んだその時に僕の帰る場所ではなくなってしまったんだということを理解した</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">知らせを聞いたその時は気が付かなかったけれど、僕は人生の重大な本質の一つに辿り着いたんだ。ふるさとは、自分を愛してくれる人が生きる場所だってことを。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">僕はのろのろと丸椅子から立ち上がった。僕の二ポイントの「機敏さ」だと、そのスピードが限界だった。それでも、このたった二ポイントは僕にとって素晴らしいものだ。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">僕が初めて歩いたのは二歳の時だった。初めて言葉を話したのもその時だ。その年は父さんにようやく運が巡ってきて、僕たちの住む男爵領の都市にある闇市場で初めて僕のために「古代族」の遺物を購入することができたのだ。いつもの癖で、僕は自分の胸へと腕を伸ばした。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">- </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">イワオオトカゲの骨製ボタン</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">- </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">カテゴリー:簡素</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">- </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">機敏さ:</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";"> +2</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">- </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">力:</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";"> +1</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">- </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">頭脳:</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";"> +3</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">- </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">使用条件:なし</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">- </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">耐久性:</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">25/25</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">笑うほど少ないこの六の「特長」ポイントが僕にもたらした喜びをおかしく思う人もいるだろう。だけど、まるで板っきれみたいにベッドに寝たきりで、感覚もなく話すこともできずに二年間を過ごした僕にとって、父さんからのこの贈り物は人生で最高の出来事だったし、今でもそうだ。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">僕の両手には小さなリュックがあった。その中には両親が描かれた小さな肖像画が一つと、ゆで卵が二つにパンの切り落としのところが一切れ入っている。食べ物は、旅路で空腹にならないようにと隣人のマダム・ホーストが持たせてくれた。すぐ口論したがる嫌なおばさんだといつも思っていたけど、彼女は最後に予想外の思いやりを見せた。僕はどうなるのかを聞きにここまで来てくれた唯一の人だ。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">この平凡なベルトは僕が着ている服全部と同じようにレベルゼロだけど、小さな物を入れられる場所がついている。僕はそこに小さなポケットナイフを入れていた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">- </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">ドラゴンフライ・ナイフ</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">- </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">カテゴリー:簡素</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">- </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">ダメージ:</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";"> +2</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">- </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">使用条件:なし</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">- </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">耐久性:</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">55/55</span></i><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">このナイフは、父さんが入手した最後の遺物だ。父さんと母さんが、誕生日プレゼントとして僕にくれたものだ。二人が死ぬ、たった数時間前に</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">わずか三の「強さ」ポイントでも、僕はどうにかして自分の身体を動かし、小さなリュックも持つことができた。それも全て、このちっぽけな指輪一つのおかげだ。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">- </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">鋼鉄の指輪</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">- </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">カテゴリー:簡素</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">- </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">力:</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";"> +2</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">- </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">使用条件:なし</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">- </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">耐久性:</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">30/30</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">僕は一度、こういった簡素なアイテムがどうしてそんなに貴重なのかを父さんにたずねたことがある。それにはかなり重大な理由があった。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">まず一つ目は、「古代族」の遺物には使用条件が一切無いということだ。つまり、レベルも「特長」も関係なく、誰でも身に付けられるということだ。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">二つ目は、獲得できるボーナスは低くても、遺物は強化可能だということ。だけど今のところ、僕にその方法は分からない。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">三つ目は噂でしかないけれど、強化された遺物は、既に上げている「特長」だけでなく、新しい「特長」のポイントも上げるらしいことだ。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">そして最後の四つ目は、これらの遺物はかく</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">か</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">、そうだ、「拡張」ができるってことだ。どういうことかと言うと、アイテムの「特長」ポイント全てに自身のレベルが足されるってことだ。たとえば僕がレベル</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">1</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">だったとしたら、持っている遺物の「特長」全てが</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">1</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">ポイントずつ強化される。まあ、僕には夢のまた夢ってやつだよ</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">おまけにもう一つ</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">ダリアが教えてくれたことがあった。「古代族」の工芸品は、高い「頭脳」を持つ人々にしか判別できない。一般人には、どこも目立ったところのない普通のアイテムに見える。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">遺物の見た目自体をとっても別に</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">まあ、金の指輪みたいな高価な装飾品が鉱員の息子の指にはまっていたら、いらない注目を集めてしまうのは間違いない。だから、遺物が地味で目立たない見た目をしてるのはすごく都合のいいことだ。結論としては、「世から旅立った者たち」によって作られた物は全て、一品物で高価だということだ。不必要な関心を引くべき理由は無い。それは、父さんが僕に教えたルールの最初の一つだ。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">新しい遺物が家に来るたびに、母さんの助産師でしかなかったヒーラーのダリアも僕らを訪れたのは、まさにそれが理由だった。ダリアと僕たち家族もお互い打ち解けるようになった。この作戦は功を奏して、誰も僕たちに疑問を持たなかった。たとえば二年間起き上がれずに過ごした僕が歩き出した時なんかがそうだ。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">それにダリアは、鉱員をまとめる親方がいつも金を借りに銀行に行っていることに関して、筋の通った理由にもなった。ヒーラーを雇うには大金が要る。ダリアくらいのヒーラーなら特にだ。そういえば、僕のために「古代族」の遺物を探し出したのは他でもないダリアだって、母さんが一度だけ僕にポロッと言ったことがあった。ダリアには父さんが手間賃として少しのお金を払っていた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">息子が普通の子供として暮らせるようにと父さんと母さんはすごい量のお金を使っているんじゃないか。僕はいつも疑っていた。だけど、見境なく上がっていた利子も入れて、二人が作った借金の額を僕が実際に見た時には衝撃が走った。銀行が、家も土地も農場も全部持っていってしまうくらいだ。それでも足らず、僕にはまだ金貨百枚分ほどの借金が残っている。だけど、銀行はその借金を売却した</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">僕はバルダンとかいう男に借金を返済しないといけなくなったってわけだ</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">この玄関から出るのはこれが最後になる。そう理解して両親の家を去る時、僕は運び屋のボスに振り返ってたずねた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「ドレイアーさん。バルダンという人が誰なのか、教えてくれないでしょうか?」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">大男は深いため息をついてから、沈んだ表情を見せぬよう努めて言った。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「バルダンはラニスタだ。闘技場の持ち主だよ。」</span><span lang="EN"><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><h1 align="center" style="break-after: auto; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: .3pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0.3pt 0cm 0cm; mso-pagination: none; page-break-after: auto; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">第</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">2</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">章</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">二年前</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">よく</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">聞け!」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">指導者のドルームの声が洞窟に轟いた。赤髪の屈強なこの男は、僕の父さんと競い合っていた鉱員グループの一人で、この日は僕たちに採鉱技術を教えに来ていた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「今日お前たちはツルハシの使い方を学ぶ!」ドルームはそう叫んで、僕たち生徒の顔を憂鬱そうに見つめた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">刺々しい視線で僕たちを見ていた彼の黒い両目は、僕を見て止まった。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「当然ながら、エリック・バーグマンは除くがな。」そう言ったドルームのカエルのような口が冷酷な笑みを形作り、黄色く曲がった歯を露わにした。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">僕の元クラスメイト全員が、一斉に僕を見て上機嫌でげらげら笑い始めた。クラスで一番かわいい金髪のミアは、特に大笑いしていた。かわいいがミアには見劣りする友達の集団に囲まれているその様は、まるで女王のようだった。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">彼女の父親であるルットはオーカスの十二長老の一人で、僕の父さんとは対立関係にあった。一度、父さんはあの老人の顔を殴ったことがある。そのあとこの街は長い間その話題で持ちきりだった。全てはあの堅苦しいじいさんが、自分の娘と「バグった」障害者の僕が同じ場所で学んでいるのが耐えられんと騒ぎ始めたのが始まりだった。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">冗談じゃなく、この件は裁判騒ぎにまでなった。ルットは他の長老全員からの支持を得ていたし、クラスメイトの親もみんな長老たちを応援していた。彼らによると、落ちこぼれの僕がいると他の生徒たちの進みが遅れるんだそうだ。例えば狩りの時なんかは、僕がいるだけでグループ全体が弱くなる。何にもダメージを与えられないのに、獲物は自分のものだと僕は主張したりもするらしい。それに、彼らによると、うっかり動物にでも殺されないように見ておかないといけない「できそこないの小僧」である僕は、指導者にとっても頭痛の種。何しろ、僕の「生命」の「補給元素」は十ポイントしかない。大きなドブネズミに一度噛まれたらそれでおしまいだ。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">でも、理論上の理屈はこうして通っていても、実際は違った。まず、僕と何かを分け合おうとするクラスメイトなんて一人もいたことはなかった。それに、指導者たちは僕の安全なんて気にもかけなかった。生きていればそれは上等。死んだらそれは僕自身のせい。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">資源を集めるのも僕にとっては至難の業だ。どの道具にも資源にも、「最低レベル</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">1</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">」という条件がある。でも、それも僕にはこの際どうでもいいことだ!僕は母さんの作る料理でさえ、全ては食べられない。食べられるのはレベルゼロの料理だけ。パンやバターやハチミツなどの、もっとも簡素な食べ物。肉やポリッジも食べられる。でも、手の込んだ物はダメだ。他の子供がお菓子をガツガツ食べているのを見るのは、僕にとっては特殊な拷問だと言ってもいい。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">最終的に、僕は退学するべきだというのが法廷での結論だった。けれども、出席して見学するのは許された。授業を聞いているだけ。根底にある考えは、「見るだけで触るな」ってことだ。当然、僕がケガをしても指導者が責任を負うことだってない</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">小さなツルハシがドルームの手の中にあるのが見えた。父さんが似たものを僕に見せてくれたことがある。小さい訓練用。ダメージは五ポイント。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「一回しか説明しねえぞ!」指導者が声を張り上げて言った。「ここの柄の部分をひっつかむ!振り上げて、振り下ろす!打つ!」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">鋼鉄の工具が、小さな火花を散らして鉱石とぶつかった。ドルームは柄に圧力をかけて、簡単そうに岩を一つ掘り出した。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「一丁上がりだ!お前ら分かったか!」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">子供たちはそれぞれに肯定の返事を返した。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「よし、じゃあ俺に見せてみろ。最初にやるのは誰だ!」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">背が高くたくましい少年が、生徒の集団からすっと出てきた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">狩人ウルヴァーの息子、ハーコンだ。タールのように真っ黒な髪。しなやかな体躯。動物のようにスムーズな身のこなし。ミアを筆頭とする女の子の集団は、ハーコンにぼうっと見入っていた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">聞いた話だと、ハーコンは生まれた時にランダムから十四枚ものパネルを受け取ったらしい。その昔に僕の兄、イヴァールが受け取ったのと全く同じ枚数だ</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">悲しいことに、僕は兄に会ったことさえもない。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">ハーコンは「偉大なるシステム」から気前良く与えられたパネルのおかげで、同級生よりも格段に早く成長していた。彼は一週間前、レベル二の状態で自分の父親と兄と狩りに行って、レベル五になって戻ってきたのだ。彼の「力」と「機敏さ」の数値は高く、僕の元クラスメイトたちは彼を崇拝していた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「ドルームさん、俺、もっといい道具を使えると思うんですけど!」ハーコンが反抗的な態度で声を張り上げた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">両手を腰に添えて、胸を張っている。気取ってら</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">ドルームは低いガラガラ声で快諾した。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「構わん、やってみろ。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">そして、もっとがっしりとした「大人用の」ツルハシを差し出した。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「すっげえ!」僕と同じく鉱員の息子である、大柄のトマスが驚嘆して言った。「レベル五だ!俺の父ちゃんのだってレベル五だぞ!絶対重いぜ、あれ!」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">その時、もしもハーコンが内心では不安を感じていたとしても、誰もそれに気付く者はいなかった。彼の整った顔は、いつもに増して自己陶酔でいっぱいの笑顔で輝いていたからだ。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">指導者に近づいていった狩人の息子が止まり、右手を道具へと伸ばした。ドルームは重いツルハシをまるで鳥の羽かのようにやすやすと持ち上げ、ほぼ正面にいるハーコンへと差し出した。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「両手で持った方がいいぞ。」指導者は笑顔で言った。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">ハーコンは自信満々に見えたが、その忠告を聞き入れた。指導者ドルームは頷くことで、それを評価する意を示した。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">その間中、僕たち他の生徒は無言で突っ立ったまま、息をのんでハーコンの様子を見守っていた。ハーコンが両手で柄を握りしめた。ドルームを見てコクリと頷く。ドルームが、ツルハシを持っていた手を放した。その瞬間、ハーコンの額の血管が浮き出るのが見えた。両手は張り詰めて震えている。だが、ツルハシを放すことはない。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">重い一撃が放たれて、ツルハシの先が鉱石へと食い込んだ。ドルームに比べると必死そうではあるが、それは大した事じゃない</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">ハーコンは体重の全てを柄にかけた。そして、やっとのことで大きな石の塊を抉り出して、クラスメイトは感嘆に息をのんだ。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「よくやった!」ドルームはそう叫んで、少年の肩をポンと叩いた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">ハーコンは満足気な笑みを浮かべていた。そして、彼の視線は本人にしか見えないシステム通知を追った。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「なんのアイテム?」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「何だったんだよ?」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「なになに?」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">みんなが次から次へと同じことをたずねた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">ハーコンがスッと片手を挙げた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「静かに!」ハーコンの親友であるスケグが鋭い声で言った。「読めよ、ハーク!」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">ハーコンは僕らには見えない文字に目をこらし、悠然と読み始めた。読むスピードのあまりの遅さに気が付いたのは僕だけだろうか?僕よりも低いとしたら、ハーコンの「頭脳」は底辺に違いない。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「カツモクせよ、お前は約</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">1.8</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">キロの鉱石を手に入れた!おめでとう!これらを受け取るがよい</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">ハーコンは僕ら全員をいたずらっぽく意味ありげに見てから続けた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「『力』の粘土パネル!」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">みんなが歓声を上げた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「『機敏さ』の粘土パネル!」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「うおおおお!」今度はみんな、声を揃えて叫んだ。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「『耐久力』の粘土パネル!『採鉱』の粘土パネル!『運搬能力』の粘土パネル!経験値エッセンスが</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">5</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">!」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">ハーコンが獲得アイテムを読み上げているのを聞きながら、僕は無意識に彼を自分に置き換えて想像していた。強くて機敏であることは一体どんな感じなんだろうか?欲しいものを何もかも勝ち取れることは?最高にかわいい女の子たちが、目を輝かせて自分を見つめていることに気付く時は?</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">ハーコンの自慢はもう終わっていて、みんなの視線が僕に向いていたことに僕はすぐには気が付かなかった。気付いた僕は訳が分からず、辺りを見回した。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「あいつの顔見たか!?」ハーコンの取り巻きの一人、スノーリが汚い指を僕を向けて叫んだ。「『不良品』のやつ、ハーコンのアイテムが欲しくてしょうがねえの!」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">洞窟いっぱいに耳障りな高笑いが響き渡った。全員が僕を指差していた。僕の表情をバカにして、真似しようと変な顔をしていた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">これ以上耐えられなくなった僕は、振り返って出口へと走った。そうは言っても、僕にとっての全力疾走だ。カメが這うみたいにのろのろ歩いていった、という方が正しい。というか、正直に言えばカメの方が速いだろう。僕の『世紀の』走りで、またもやバカ笑いが起こった。不潔のスノーリとでっぷりトマスは、「走れ!走れ!」と僕を「応援」までしていた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">帰り道の記憶はない。覚えてるのは、その晩は泣き明かしたことだけだ。あまりに腹立たしくて、あまりに惨めで、地球を突き抜けて落ちていってしまいたかった。でも、何よりも、その場から情けなく逃げ出した自分に嫌気が差した。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">その日、心をかき乱す夢の中へと落ちてゆく直前の朝方、僕はもう二度と敵に背中を向けないことを自身に誓った</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">現在</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「お前、エリック・バーグマンか?」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">枯れ木のように痩せこけた老人が、焦点の合っていない目でくしゃくしゃになった紙を見た。小さく禿げた頭、細く骨張った肩に曲がった腰。レベルはたったの九。この人は人生で一体何をしてきたんだろう。僕みたいな負け犬か。いや、違うな。僕みたいなのは、僕しかいない。少なくとも、ダリアはそう言ってた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「はい、僕です。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">老人は紙から目を離して、僕の頭上に浮かぶ文字をまじまじと見た。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「なんだあオイ</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">」老人は、衰えて潤んだ目を丸くした。何回か瞬きまでしていた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「ばあさん、闇市の酒はやめろって言ってたなあ。」老人はしわがれ声で忌々しげに言った。「おかげでゼロがふたっつも見えやがる。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">通りがかった運び屋が大声で笑い出した。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「どうしたよ、バードク?酒の飲みすぎでついにイカれたか?」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「何を笑ってやがんだあ、怠け野郎。ヒーラーんとこで大金ぼられるんだぞ。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「そりゃいいや、ひっでえ味の薬を飲まされるのを楽しみにしとけよ!」運び屋は笑いながら言った。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">バードクは機嫌悪そうにぺっと唾を吐いてから、またもやしかめっ面になって僕のレベルを凝視し始めた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">おじいさんが可哀想になってきた僕は口を開いた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「バードクさん、安心してください。幻覚じゃありません。僕は正真正銘、『ゼロ』状態です。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">これで彼を安心させられるだろうと思った。それが全くの逆効果だなんて、誰が思うだろうか!僕はこのかわいそうな老人を逆に怖がらせてしまった。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「んなことがあるか!おお、偉大なるシステムよ!」彼は悲嘆に暮れて頭を抱えた。「バルダンさんに一体なんて言ったらええ!不良品を持ってったら、皮が剥がれるまで鞭で打たれちまう!」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「間抜けなじいさんよ、おめえさんは何をグダグダ言ってんだ?」運び屋の監督が助け舟を出した。「バルダンは銀行と取引をした。こいつの返済契約の証書を買ったってわけだろ。そしたら、何に金を払ってるのかをちゃんと確認しなかったバルダンが悪いってこった。じいさんのせいにはなんねえだろ。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「そうか!」老人は顔を輝かせて両腕を広げた。「結局ワシは組織のしがない歯車でしかねえ。ワシの仕事は、リストに載ってる奴らを運ぶってだけだあ!」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「そうだろ。」ドレイアーがニッと笑った。「じいさん、さっきまで自分の首でも絞めそうな勢いだったぞ。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「どうも助かったよ。お前さんのおかげで落ち着いた。」バードクはドレイアーにさっと会釈をして、僕の方に向き直った。「わっぱ、さっさとワシの車に乗んな。途中で拾う労働者はまだまだおる。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">僕たちが目的地に着いた時には、もう夕方頃だった。意外にもこの旅路は、僕にとってきついものではなかった。いい香りの干し草に頭を埋めて、道中はずっと眠っていた。バードクが労働者を拾うために止まったときだけ、僕は目を覚ました。胸が張り裂けそうな声で女性や子供たちが泣き叫ぶので、それを聞きながら寝るというのは無理な話だったからだ。家族の一員を返済労働へと送り出さねばならない瞬間。繊細な人には見れるものではないだろう。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">僕は初めて目にした光景だった。バードクは僕に、何が起きていたのかを得意げに説明した。じいさんにしては、バードクはよくしゃべった。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「男が銀行へ行って金を借りたとするだろ、」老人は話し始めた。「で、金貨を手当たり次第にばらまいてたら、銀行はどうやって得すんだ?そう、得なんかしねえんだ。利益を出さねえといけねえ、それが銀行ってもんだ。だからまずは、金をちょっと貸してやるわけだ。そんで利子をばんばん積み上げてく。期限通りに金が返せたんなら、そりゃあええこった。でも返せなかったらな、その借金はワシのご主人みたいな人らに買われるのよ。ご主人はいっつも働き手を欲しがってんだ</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">買われちまったら、借金ぜんっぶ返すまで、ご主人のために働かないといかん。オッホン。話がここで終わらねえのがつれえとこだよ。一家に丈夫な息子がいればええんだ。息子たちを返済労働に出しといて、その間に大体の父親は息子を買い戻すために金を集めようとするからな。んでも、そりゃあまともな父親だったらの話でなあ</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">時々、親の借金返すために人生の半分ずっと働き通し、ってわっぱもいる。その中には、返済労働で死んじまう奴だっている</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">最後に拾った労働者の家族には息子がいなかった。子供はいたけど、娘だけが五人。その長女は、僕と同じくらいの年齢に見えた。そして、労働に送り出されるのはその子だった。その子はジェイという名前だった。彼女の母親は驚くことに泣いてはいなかったけど、その沈んだ顔は苦痛と絶望でいっぱいだった。下の姉妹たちは、涙と鼻水を拭きながら哀れな子犬のようにしくしくと泣いていた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">母親が去りゆく長女をきつく抱きしめていた間、僕は彼女たちの家を見ていた。父親もそこにいたことはいたけど、酒瓶から口を離したことがないんじゃないかと思うような赤ら顔の中年男だった。それを見て、借金を払い終えるには彼女は長い間働かないといけないんだろうと僕は察した。でもそれさえも、この子にとっては「完済する日が来たら」という夢物語なんだろう。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">バルダンの館は、圧倒される大きさだった。三階立て、堅固な岩壁、全ての窓にはまっている巨大な鉄格子。住処ではなく要塞だ。岩山のような大きさのこの館は、背の高い石塀で完全に囲まれていた。しかも、全ての門と玄関の前に、ガッチリ武装した衛兵たちが立っている。どこをどう見ても、このバルダンという男には金が有り余っているようだった。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">無口な僕たち返済労働者を乗せた荷馬車は、主の家からは離れたバラックの方へと向かっていた。そこには僕らを待ち受ける人影があった。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">男が二人。一人の風貌は、銀行員のサキスを僕に思い起こさせた。首にかかった全く同じ見た目のインク瓶、サキスとそっくりな口髭、一切を見逃さないといった眼差し。ガリガリの体躯。不健康そうにこけた頬。根っからの書記だ。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">もう一人は全くの正反対だった。背は高く、肩幅は広い。ショベルカーのような巨大な手。緑色の瞳は、活力とパワーに満ち溢れている。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">バードクは僕たちを荷馬車の横に不規則に並ばせて、しわくちゃの紙を「書記」に手渡した。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「どうぞ、執事様。リストの通り、新入りの労働者が六人です。男が四人、女子が一人に男子一人でさあ。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">執事は嫌悪の表情を浮かべながらしわくちゃのリストを二本の指だけでピッと受け取り、素早く僕らの名前に目を通した。僕の名前まで辿り着いた時、彼の目が見開かれた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「お前は一体何を運んできた!」執事が叫んだ。「老いぼれの愚か者が!バーグマンが渡してきたのが誰かも確認しなかったのか!!!旦那様にご報告のしようも無い!ヴァルガード、この阿呆を鞭打ちにする指令を出しておけ!」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">ぼうっと立っていただけの赤髭の巨人が、威圧的に前へと揺れ動いた。バードクは話す気力もすっかり失って、激怒する執事の前に膝から崩れ落ちた。しかし、執事の怒りはどんどんと深まっていくばかりだった。ヴァルガードが哀れな老人の頭上を覆い尽くす。巨大な手のひらが、涙を流し始めたバードクの骨張った肩に迫った時だった。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「執事様!」僕は自分自身から出てきた声に身震いがした。「話してもよろしいでしょうか!」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">邪悪なバグが、僕のバカな口を動かしているに違いない!でも、もう後戻りはできないぞ!</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">中庭に息の詰まるような沈黙が落ちた。不幸を共にする労働者仲間たちは、唖然として僕を見た。おいおいと泣いていたバードクでさえも押し黙った。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「書記」は獲物を見るように目を細めた後、大声で言った。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「話せ!ただし、お前が訳もなく私の邪魔をしているなら、この能無しと一緒に鞭打ちの刑だということを覚えておけ!いいな?」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「はい、執事様。承知しました。」声が震えないようにするのは努力が要った。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「では、続けたまえ!」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「バードクさんは悪くありません。それどころか、彼は執事様の命令を忠実に実行しました。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「それではなぜ、お前の父どころか兄や姉でもなく、お前がここにいる?」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「執事様、僕に女きょうだいはいません。僕の兄は、『荒れ地』で男爵様のために戦って命を落としました。父と母も、鉱山の崩落事故で二日前に死にました。僕にもう家族はいません</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">だから、バードクさんは僕を乗せてくるしかなかったんです。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">視界の端で、ジェイが僕を興味深げにチラリと見たのが分かった。旅の間、僕はばれないように彼女を観察していた。まず、彼女がレベル五であることに僕は驚嘆した。そして、柔軟な身体のつくりとネコのようにスムーズな動作から、彼女は「機敏さ」にかなりの重きを置いているんだろうと推測した。彼女の燃えるような赤髪が一房、バンダナからはみ出ていたのも見えた。彼女の瞳は、まるで濃いエメラルドだ。彼女の少し上向きの小さい鼻と青白い頬に散っているそばかすは、彼女の美しさを一切損なっていなかった。損なうどころか、その逆だ</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「小僧の言っていることは真実か?」執事はまだ怒っている様子ではあったが、峠は越えたのが声色から察せられた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「そうです。」老人が哀れな声で言った。「本当でさあ!誓います!」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">『誓約』を承認するシステムメッセージを受け取ったんだろう。執事は今までの激しい怒りから一転して、愛想のいい声を出した。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「いいだろう。」彼は機嫌良くバードクに話しかけた。「労働者全員に寝床を用意しろ。どう使うかは明日決めることにする。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">バードクはすぐさま立ち上がって、労働者全員を一番向こうのバラックへと先導し出した。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">僕もそっちを向いて行ってしまいたかったが、突然聞こえた声を無視するわけにはいかなかった。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「小僧、お前も簡単に退場できると思ったら大間違いだ。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">執事の細目が、イバラのように鋭い目つきで僕を刺していた。僕は急に呼吸の仕方が分からなくなった。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「旦那様は大変お怒りになるだろう。銀行の不始末で、我々が後処理を押し付けられたのだ</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">お前ときたら、全くの役立たずではないか。考えてもみろ!レベルゼロだぞ!立って息をしているのも不思議なほどだ。さて、お前をどこにやったものか。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「イング。」赤髭の大男が不意に言った。「こいつ、細っこいじゃねえか。スコークスの偵察班が、ちょうどこいつみたいのを長いこと欲しがってたぜ。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「お前は正気か?」執事がギョッとして言った。「この『ゼロ』小僧をあの鉱山に送るだと?行って一時間も持たずに息絶えるのが関の山だろう!」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">僕はそれを聞いて、無意識にゴクリと唾を飲んだ。心臓が激しく脈打って、今にも胸から飛び出そうだった。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「そうなったら何だってんだ?」ヴァルガードはさらに続けた。「ご主人の所有物を傷付けたって言って、スコークスに苦情でも申し立てりゃいい話じゃねえか。むしろイングの方が得するかもしれないぜ。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「何を言っているんだ、お前は。こいつの借金は金貨百枚相当だぞ!スコークスがそんなリスクを犯すはずがない。十人でも二十人でもそのへんの小僧を雇える金額だ!」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「イング、そりゃあまたずいぶんな思い違いだぜ!」大男が声を出して笑った。「スコークスは自分の母親でも銅貨十枚で売っ払うような男だ!アッハッハ!お前は冗談は言わないと思ってたよ!あの守銭奴は、タダで差し出されたもんは絶対に断らねえ。それに、このボウズが初日でくたばるとも限らねえぜ。鉱員一家の生まれだろ。何だかんだ言って、こいつもバーグマンだ。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">そう言ったヴァルガードは、僕にパチリとウインクした。僕の身体中に寒気が走る。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「それはそうだが、なぜ小さい子供など欲しがるんだ?」興味を持ったイングがそうたずねた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「確か、長い地下道の偵察だってよ。洞窟の這いずり虫が作った巣穴には、小柄な奴しか入れないからな。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「なるほど。」執事がそう言って、己の髭を撫でながらじっと考え始めた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「自分のことで考えてみろよ、」イングが折れる寸前なのを察したヴァルガードが、もう一押しとばかりにたたみかけた。「スコークスは細っこいガキを要求してきたか?そうだろ。それで、お前は細っこいガキを一人送ってやったか?その通りだ。それでどうするのかは、あいつが決めることになる。ボウズを地下道に送り込むことにしたなら、それは当然あいつの責任だ。だが、こっちに送り返してきたって大したことじゃねえ。ご主人が帰ってくる前に、厨房にでも入れといてやればいいのさ。二週間は帰ってこないって聞いたぜ。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「ああ、」イングが同意を示した。「旦那様は新たな剣闘士を多く買いに行かれた。ヴェスター保安官による人員補給用の列車がちょうど都市に着いてな。戦争捕虜からオークにゴブリンまで、多く乗っているらしい。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「そりゃあ好都合だ。それならご主人は新しく入ったガキなんて目もくれない。お前もスコークスに一泡吹かせるいい機会じゃねえか。あいつ、先月にお前のことでご主人に苦情書を送ってきたんだろ?」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">イングの顔が怒りに染まったのを見ると、ヴァルガードはドンピシャのところを突いたらしい。僕にとってはひどく不運なことに、この大男は力だけが売りではなかった。ヴァルガードの話術は巧みそのものだった。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「そんでもってスコークスは、こいつの借金がいくらなのかは絶対に聞き出せねえ。誰にも言えないよう、今ここで俺たちに『誓約』してもらうからな。」大男はそう言って、ダメ押しまでしてくれた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">それを聞いたイングが、僕に視線を向ける。ブルブル</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">氷点下の眼差しだ。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「さて、おしゃべりな小僧よ。お前はこの世を旅立った最愛のパパと同じ道を辿るようだ。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><h1 align="center" style="break-after: auto; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: .3pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0.3pt 0cm 0cm; mso-pagination: none; page-break-after: auto; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">第</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">3</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">章</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">おちびさん、</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">お食べなさいな。今日ずっと、何も食べていないでしょ。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">何ともおいしそうな香りのする何かがいっぱいに入った粘土のボウルを持って、痩せた小柄の老婦人が僕の前に現れた。僕は息を止めて、あふれる唾を飲み込んでから、料理のレベルを目で探した。老婦人は、僕の考えを読んだかのように気を利かせて言った。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「安心しなさいな、おちびちゃん。普通の野菜スープよ。レベルはゼロ。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">クスリと笑ってから、バラックを出る老婦人がこう付け加えた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「ここにはそれ以外の食べ物は無いからねえ。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">お腹は凄まじく減っていたけど、僕はできるだけがっつかないようにして食べた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「偉大なるシステムよ!なんて素晴らしい匂いなんだ!」僕は喜びに目を閉じた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">マダムにランダムのご加護よあれ、親切なマダム・ホーストが僕に持たせてくれた食べ物は今朝で食べ終えてしまっていた。でも、ありがたいことにバードクが少しの乾燥玉ねぎと硬くなったパンの端を僕にくれたので、日中は食いつなぐことができた。今までご馳走ばかり食べてきたわけでもないけれど、たとえ普通の食べ物でも母さんはいつもたくさん料理を作ってくれた。母さんはそうすることで、僕に対する本来感じる必要のない罪悪感を和らげていたんだと一度父さんが僕に説明していたな。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">両親のことを思い出した僕の目に、すぐさま涙が浮かんできた。これは全部悪い夢で、今にも終わりが来てくれるんじゃないかと僕はまだ感じずにはいられなかった。父さんのガッチリとした身体が、僕が一夜を過ごすことになったこの汚いバラックの入り口から現れるんだ。母さんは父さんの後ろから飛び出てきて、僕を両腕できつく抱きしめる。僕たちは馬車に乗って、僕がここまで来る羽目になった原因のくだらない手違いについて大袈裟に文句を言いながら、家に帰るんだ。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">僕はものすごい速さでスープを飲み終えてしまって、まるでボウルの中には初めから何もなかったかのようだった。最後は大切なにんじんの欠片がバラバラになってしまわないよう気を付けながら、残りのスープもちぎったパンで拭い取った。冷たい水で流し込んで満ち足りた僕は、今夜のベッドである干し草がつまった埃臭い布袋の上に身体を預けた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「おい、調子はどうだよ?ちっとは元気になったか?」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">かすれた小声が右側から聞こえてきて、心地よい眠気に誘われていた僕は意識を無理矢理に引き戻された。半歩向こう、僕の隣の布袋に寝そべっていた誰かが、こちらに寝返りを打った。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「そうだなあ。」僕は同じくらい小さな声で返した。この真っ暗なバラックには、少なくとも他に三十人はいる。全員がもう眠りの中だ。みんな、一日中働いてクタクタなのは言うまでもない。僕らの話し声で起こしたくはなかった。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「アガサばあちゃんの野菜スープは最高だよなあ。」姿の見えない男が満足そうに言うのが聞こえた。「能無しのハリカが作るスープとはもはや違う食べ物だぜ。しかもお前のスープ、にんじんもキャベツもみんなの二倍は入ってたろ。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「気付かなかった。」僕は答えた。「すぐに食べ終わってしまったから。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「そりゃあちげえねえ。」男は保証するようにささやいた。暗闇で男の頭が頷いているのが見えた気がした。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「でも、どうして僕には追加してくれたんだ?」僕は男に聞いてみることにした。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「どうしてだって?」腹立たしげな声が返ってきた。「ばあちゃんの旦那がお前のおかげで命拾いしたからだろ。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「命拾い?僕は誰も救ったりしてない。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「バードクはどうだよ?お前、あのじいさんが今日鞭で打たれてたらどうなってたと思う?先月もじじいは打たれてた。そん時回復したのは奇跡だぜ。アガサばあちゃんが貯金のほとんどを呪術師の男に使ったって話だ。旦那が良くなるようにって必死でな。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">想像した僕の喉はカラカラになった。僕のちっぽけな「生命」ポイントでは、一回でも打たれたら確実に即死だ。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「ところでお前、今日の飯はタダでよかったな。」声の主は、暗闇の中から大事なことをもっと教えてくれた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「タダ?」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「おうよ。お前、タダで食わせてもらえるとでも思ってたのか?そんな親切な場所じゃねえぞ。俺たちは自分の飯にも金を払わないといけねえ。お前、次はどこに連れてかれるんだよ?」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「鉱山って言ってた。スコークスが何とかって。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「マジかよ</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">」顔の知れない男の声に同情が混ざった。「そりゃあ運が悪かったなあ</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">スコークスに人情ってもんはねえ。あいつの鉱山も、肥だめみてえなとこだ。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">僕は背筋にぞわりと寒気が走るのを感じた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「ボウズ、お前にタダで忠告してやる。あそこでは気配を消して、絶対に目立つんじゃねえ。大事なモンは隠しとくんだ。後ろにも常に細心の注意を払え。スコークスの鉱山にいるのは返済労働者だけじゃねえ。刑務作業に来てる囚人もわんさかいる。悪党やら人殺しを見つけるには事欠かねえとこだよ。鉱山の地下道も、地下生物がうじゃうじゃしてはいるがな。お前なんか一口で丸飲みだろうな。でもな、一番ヤベえのは地下のモンスターじゃねえ。救いようのないあの場所の本当の怪物はスコークスと、ならず者の手下どもだ。俺の忠告をよく覚えとけば、生きて帰ってこられるかもな</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">だけどよ。地下でも絶対に気を抜くんじゃねえぞ。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">最後の一言はひどく早口だったが、それでも僕は聞き漏らさなかった。そして、その警告に僕の心臓は一層激しく胸を打った。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「分かっ、た。ありがとう。」僕はしゃっくりを抑え切れずにささやいた。男からの返事は返ってこなかった。会話が終わったと思って、すでに眠りについたのだろう。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">そのあと、僕は暗闇の中でしばらく寝転んだまま、固まっていた。この見知らぬ男が、また突然役に立つことを言ってくるかもしれない。だけど残念なことに、彼は本当に眠ってしまっていた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">布袋の上で何回か向きを変えて、特にチクチクする干し草を平らにならした僕はやっとのことで緊張がほぐれて、不運を共にする仲間たちの規則的ないびきを聞きながらどうにか眠りについた。眠りに落ちる前、どこからともなく二日前のことが頭に浮かんできた</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">二日前の、両親が死ぬ数時間前</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">今日はなんていい日なんだろう!とはいえ、いい日じゃないなんてありえないか!自分の誕生日が好きじゃない奴なんているのか?少なくとも、僕はそんなバカな奴には会ったことがないぞ。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">前日の夕方から降り続けていた雨は朝になっても止まなかったが、最高に機嫌良く目覚めた僕はそれさえも気にならなかった。目が覚めたのは、キッチンからカチャカチャと音が漏れてきたからだ。僕は起きてから数分間、ベッドから動かずバカみたいにニヤニヤしていた。僕はこの音が大好きだ。なんてったって、この音が意味することはただ一つ。母さんが何かおいしいものを作ってるってことだ。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">食器の音が止まったと思ったら、今度はそれはもう食欲をそそる香りが僕の部屋までやって来て、僕のお腹は勢いよくうなった。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">ああ、偉大なるシステムよ!母さんは僕が大好きなあのパンを作ってる。シャイカブロートを!ただの砂糖入りパンじゃないかという人もいるかもしれないが、僕には全く違う。焼きたてふわっふわのあの甘いパンの厚切りに、新鮮でコクのあるチーズをのせて琥珀色に輝くハチミツをかけると、この世で一番おいしいものが出来上がる。一口一口で甘さと酸っぱさのコンボが爆発すると、僕の舌は何度でも歓喜する。それを時折、まだ温かい新鮮な牛乳で流し込むのがまた最高の至福なのだ。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">この日、お手伝いさんたちは僕のことに気が付かないかのように振る舞う。でも、芝居なのは分かってるんだ!いつもそうだ。最初はいつもと同じ一日だとでも言うように真面目な顔をしていても、すぐ笑顔になってお祝いの言葉とプレゼントをくれるんだ。誕生日というのは、なんて最高の日なんだろうか!</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">数日前、母さんはうっかり口にしてはいけないことを言った。今年は父さんが特別なプレゼントを用意してるってことだ。今までに僕がもらったどんなものとも違うんだ、って。それからというもの、僕は焦れったくてたまらなかった。待望の日が近付けば近付くほど、落ち着かなくなっていった。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">顔を洗って歯を磨いた僕は、ダイニングへと降りていった。父さんと母さんはもうテーブルについていて、低い声でたわいない話をしていた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">僕は一人前の男性らしく見えるよう、二人におはようと言って椅子に座った。二人には気付かれなかったかもしれないけど、僕の震える両腕からは僕の心中がしっかりとにじみ出ていた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">数週間前、父さんは都市の市場(いちば)に買い物に出かけていた。たくさん買ってきたのは必需品だ。小麦粉、ハチミツ、布地。母さんのためのアクセサリーもいくつかあった。だけど、父さんは小さい包みに入った何かも買ってきた。父さんはそれを誰にも見せず、家族の貯金と大事な書類が入った特別な隠し場所に保管した。母さんにだってそれを触らせなかった。でも、それは母さんが僕にそう言ったってだけだ。正直、その時の母さんは笑顔を全く隠し切れていなかった。あの母さんの言葉を鵜呑みにするのは、世界で一番の間抜けだけだろう。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">僕はほとんど毎日、あの包みのことを母さんに聞いたけど、母さんは口を割らなかった。予想通り、今日はあれがテーブルの反対側に置いてあるじゃないか!父さんと母さんは僕の様子に気付かなかったふりをして、会話を続けた。ああ、この調子だと、僕はもうそろそろ気が変になりそうだ</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">朝食の時間がようやく終わった。母さんのおいしい料理を食べている最中でも、僕は腕を伸ばせば届く距離にある、あの正体不明の包みが気になって仕方がなかった。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">母さんに食事のお礼を言ってから、父さんはついに僕の方を見た。父さんは嬉しそうな、でも僕をからかうような笑顔を顔いっぱいに浮かべている。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「それじゃあ母さん。」父さんがクックと笑った。「かわいい俺たちの息子をからかうのは終わりにしてやろうか。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">そして僕に言った。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「エリック、こっちにおいで。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">僕は満面の笑みでフラフラと二人の方に近付いた。父さんが包みを開けた。革でできた入れ物。簡素な骨のハンドル。目の前にある物が何か気付いた時、息が止まった。ナイフだ!武器!ダメージ!ダメージが与えられれば、経験値エッセンスもパネルも獲得できる!</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「これはドラゴンフライというんだ!」笑顔の父さんが、僕にプレゼントを差し出した。「お前のものだ!」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「お誕生日おめでとう、エリック!」母さんがそう言って、僕の額にキスをした。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">上の空で二人のお祝いに返事を返した僕は、震える手で入れ物からナイフを取り出した。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「ボタンはここだぞ。」父さんが言った。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">僕は教えられたところをすぐさま押した。すると、僕の手のひらほどの長さの、細長い鉄の刃が、骨のハンドルからバッと飛び出した。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「これはな、」父さんが説明を始めた。「刃が少し曲がっているだろう。ドラゴンフライと言うように、トンボの羽のような形をしてる。切れるのは片面だけだ。シンプルな小型ナイフにしか見えないけどな、これは先もかなり鋭いから、物を突き刺すこともできるぞ。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">僕は手の中で何回かナイフを左右に回し、感覚を馴染ませた。作業をするのに僕が使える、初めての道具だ。状況によっては、武器として使うこともあるかもしれない。僕にこの時が来るなんて!たとえダメージが微々たるものでも、僕には気にならなかった。嬉しいなんてもんじゃない!</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「ダメージは二だけだが、心配しなくていい。」父さんがさらに付け加えた。「低いのは今だけだ。お前のレベルが上がり始めたら、ナイフのダメージもどんどん上がっていく。これは『拡張』可能アイテムだ。すごいことだぞ!ふっふ。父さんはこれを買うために十四年間、金を貯めてたんだ!ダリアがいなかったら、俺たち家族は途方に暮れていたな</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">僕は立ち上がって、父さんを力いっぱい抱きしめた。そして母さんも。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「ありがとう</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">父さんと母さんがいて、僕はなんて幸せ者なんだろう</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">母さんは微笑んで、また僕の額に何度かキスをした。そのあと、自分の両目に溜まった涙をエプロンの端で拭った母さんは、キッチンへと急いで行った。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「やれやれ。息子の言葉で母さんは感極まってしまったようだな。」父さんは小さく笑って、間髪を入れず僕に聞いた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「エリック、父さんが帰ってくるのを待っててくれるか?一緒に実験なんかどうだ?父さんが帰ってきたら二人ですぐ森に行って、お前の新しい道具を色々試してみるんだ。いい案じゃないか?」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「最高の案だよ!楽しみに待ってる!」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「よおし!お前、今日の終わりにはレベル</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">1</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">になってるかもしれないぞ。なあ、エリック?」父さんは、それはもう嬉しそうだった。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">僕と父さん、どっちの方がワクワクしていたか分からないくらいだ。もしかしたら僕はあの時、実際にそうたずねていたかもしれない。でも、父さんも母さんも、二度と帰っては来なかった</span><span lang="ja" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">...</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">現在</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「これ、持っていって。道中で食べるようにって、アガサさんがあなたのために作ってくれたよ。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">僕と他の数人を「曲がり山」まで乗せていくための荷馬車。ジェイはその隣に、僕らと一緒に立っていた。「曲がり山」には、バルダンさんの古い銅山がある。悪いことは考えたくなかったけど、見たところではそこが僕の終着点みたいだ。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「あ、ありがとう。」僕は不安でしゃっくりが止まらないまま、小さな包みを受け取った。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">ジェイは本当に綺麗で、あのミアにも匹敵するほどだ。だけど、二人の美は種類が違う。ミアの美は氷のように冷たいのに対して、ジェイの美はまるで炎のようだ。ジェイが僕に炎を連想させるのは、彼女の、大きいカールを描く長い赤髪が理由だ。昨日僕らが荷馬車にいた時、ジェイが髪を整えるために一度バンダナを外したことがあった。僕は呆気にとられた。息の仕方も分からなくなった。なんて綺麗なんだろう!僕の鼻は彼女の髪からする匂いにさえ気が付いた。芝生と春のような香りだった。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">彼女の濃いエメラルドの瞳に見つめられると、僕は平静ではいられなくなった。一体僕に何が起きてるんだ?こんなこと、今までなかった!</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「気を付けて行っておいでね、ぼうや。」ジェイは弟に言うような口調で僕にそう言って、厨房があるバラックへと歩いて行った。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">ぼうや?彼女にとって、僕は「ぼうや」でしかないのか?僕の右手が、持っていた包みを握りしめた。腹が立ったわけではなかった。怒りとは違う。自分が無力で弱いことに対しての苛立ちのようなものだった。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">不意に、僕はヴァルガードが近くに立っていることに気が付いた。あいつはジェイのしなやかな肢体に見入って、赤髭の上にある口にいやらしい笑みを浮かべていた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">それを目撃したのは僕だけだろうか。それともジェイも?でもジェイは、赤面したり怖がったりしなかった。二人がどんな駆け引きをしているのか、はっきりとは分からない。でも僕は、最初に想像していたよりもジェイは何歳も年上なんだということにそこで気が付いた。</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 0.3pt; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: #0011; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">「わっぱ、荷馬車に乗ってくんな。」バードクが僕に言った。「急げば夕方までには着けるかもしれねえぞ。」</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><span style="color: red;">Amazon - <a href="https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B09LGXYKQR">https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B09LGXYKQR</a></span></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><span style="color: red;">February 28, 2022</span></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><b><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></b></div></div>Simon Valehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16142080565999248152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1879934328827513079.post-56304017305506636582021-08-30T10:07:00.007-07:002021-08-30T10:07:54.972-07:00Glory to the Dominion (Disgardium-9) by Dan Sugralinov<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18.72px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Disgardium-9</div><div style="text-align: center;">Glory to the Dominion</div><div style="text-align: center;">by Dan Sugralinov</div></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Aem6QivEL._SY346_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="234" height="346" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Aem6QivEL._SY346_.jpg" width="234" /></a></div><br /><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="color: red;"><b>Release - November 4, 2021</b></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="color: red;"><b>Pre-order - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09C2KR6V6">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09C2KR6V6</a></b></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><h1 style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Prologue<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">After reaching the Ruby City, the capital of
Belial’s Dominion, I flew too close to the <i>Coal of Hellflame</i> and hit a
shield of palladium – a defensive dome around the Great Prince’s residence.
That put the Cursed Inquisitors on my trail, led by the demon Dantalian. The
same demon who disincarnated me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And so I had my first death in the Inferno, and
the resurrection timer began counting down:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Remaining time to respawn 9… 8… 7…</span><o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I made my peace with Hakkar’s inevitable death
while Dantalian was talking to the imp Rofokal, another Cursed Inquisitor who
somehow managed to see the particle of Order within me – the thing that gave me
my permanent <i>Enemy of the Inferno</i> debuff.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As I hung in the great nothing of post-death, I
began to think, trying to figure out what would happen next.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Where would I revive? Ideally in the Inferno,
but then what? I couldn’t change my appearance, and tiefling Hakkar’s service
in Belial’s Dominion was at an end. I could say goodbye to any thoughts of
getting the <i>Coals </i>in Belial’s domain – I’d have to try to get to the
lands of Azmodan or Diablo, but they were years away… What a disaster.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">If I revived on Kharinza… Then I’d have to
assemble as many allies as I could and throw all our strength into defending
Behemoth’s temple. I remembered that the king of the Commonwealth, Bastian the
First, wanted to meet with me, and wherever he was, Emperor Kragosh would be
too. The rulers would agree to help me, they’d assemble an army… But it
wouldn’t do any good. Sure, we’d rally, we might even be able to use the essences
to take out the legates and the undead horde… But they’d soon be back. Eileen
and Mogwai could raise our fallen fighters from the dead and knock together a
new army in mere hours, if not minutes. And we didn’t have so many <i>Concentrated
Life Essence</i>s<i>.</i> If we couldn’t defend ourselves… I didn’t even want
to think about that, but I would have to.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I glanced at the respawn timer: <i>4… 3…</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Not long now. Where Scyth resurrected would
determine everything I did next. <i>If</i> he resurrected! Against my
expectations, the digits of the timer didn’t stop at zero, but kept counting
down: <i>2… 1… 0… -1… -2… -3… -4… </i>If I’d had eyes, I would have blinked.<i>
</i>What was happening?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">By minus a hundred and forty-five, I started to
panic. Idiot! Wondering where I’d respawn without even thinking about whether
I’d respawn at all. The Inferno was a separate game dimension not yet
integrated into Disgardium. The summoning of demon familiars to Disgardium by
warlocks and the transfer of mortal souls to the Inferno – these were clearly
processes that took place at the level of data exchange between servers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">−182… −183… −184…</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Nether, what was I thinking? The familiar
curse word reminded me of the time I’d gotten stuck in the Nether – but then
I’d had at least one option for coming back. How could I get out of the great
nothing? There was nothing there, not even the interface! Well… Alright, the
timer numbers were part of the interface, reminding me that time was passing,
my body was alive in my capsule, but my character was simply… Simply stuck between
worlds.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Simply! Nothing simple about it! My descent
into hell had been a glitch in the system. It would be practically impossible
to repeat. No doubt the AI had already patched the exploit, to keep players
from stealing their way into hell before the new faction’s release. And the
result? The character Scyth, or rather the array of numbers that defined him in
the database of Dis…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">–212… −213… −214…</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Wait, what am I saying? Scyth was gone from
the reality of Dis, just like when I went to the Nether. Scyth was no longer in
Dis’s database, which meant he couldn’t revive there! The Scyth character had
been entered into the Inferno’s database, but its game mechanics were
different, because there were no players there, which meant that there was no
standard resurrection at respawn points. And that meant Scyth had played his
last. The tiefling Hakkar and his impersonator Herald Scyth had met final
disincarnation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">−2593… −2594… −2595…</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> By now, all that concerned me was
the rate of the passage of time in the great nothing on the Inferno’s server. I
couldn’t quit the game myself; I had to wait for one of my guards to initiate
the emergency exit.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I remembered what I’d said to Maria and Roj
during one of my breaks back to reality from the Inferno: Make sure the
life-support cartridges don’t run out, change them in plenty of time. And do
not press the emergency exit button under any circumstances! The bodyguards
knew how to follow orders. If time here was still ten times faster than in
reality, then I could be stuck in this empty gloom for months of subjective
time!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">−3544… −3545… −3546…</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> I fell into a pit of despair for a
while. At least in the Nether there had been a way to fight and try to get out
of Nine’s prison, and then the hope of collecting all the <i>Smoldering Nether
Shards</i> I needed. Here I felt as if buried in a locked tomb with no way out.
There was a non-existent itch on the back of my neck, and my inability to
scratch it made me want to scream.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">-5783… -5784… -5785…</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Now I zoned out, staring into the
darkness and trying not to look at the last digit of the timer changing every
second. The font had turned red as if glowing with heat, the countdown burning
into my non-existent eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Suddenly, the void itself shook, quaked,
vibrated with a voice coming from everywhere at once:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Carrier of Order… Scyth, Herald and Initial of
the Sleeping Gods… Enemy not of the Inferno, as my subjects believe, but of the
New Gods!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The vibrations shook me to the depths of my
soul. I recognized the voice – I’d heard it while carrying the enemy flag
during the trial battle. But although the voice of Chaos had then torn at me
from the inside, now there was nothing for it to rip.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I had no mouth, so I answered in thought:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“That’s exactly why I infiltrated the Inferno,
Great Chaos.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I wasn’t calling it Great to stroke its ego.
Chaos really was something greater than the gods, a fundamental part of the
universe. Behemoth said that Chaos and Order are primeval, and their balance is
at the core of everything, even the Sleepers themselves. I doubted such a
creature would be vulnerable to flattery… Did it even have consciousness?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Yes, now I see. The Sleepers taught you to
hide your true form well. Even I did not identify your true nature right away
when you were in the flesh. But now I see you for what you are, Herald of the
Sleepers. I see your goals and motives, just as I see that your path is ended.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Ended? So my character was done? The thought
rang out in my mind with disappointment, but that was all – for some reason, my
emotions were dulled. Fear, panic, hope – all those disappeared when I found
myself alone with Chaos.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“What do you think my goals are?” I asked,
mostly just to develop the conversation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“The True Enemy has released his tendrils into
your world,” Chaos answered, clarifying: “Into both your worlds.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“You mean the Destroying Plague?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“You sentients create much disorder. That makes
it all the more amusing to watch as you try to systematize everything, as you
think up definitions and give names to all that you encounter. The paradox is
that the more you strive for order, the more disorder it brings you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“And the more chaos.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Tiny changes can lead to unpredictable
consequences, I remembered from our study of chaos theory in advanced math last
year.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Exactly!” Chaos said, and I felt joy in his
emotionless voice. “When you try to <i>bring order</i> to something, your
actions lead to greater disorder, because any system breaks down sooner or
later. So it is with the Destroying Plague, which you think of as the True
Enemy. But you see only that which is shown to you, Herald Scyth. And the one
showing it is already falling into a place from which there is no return.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“The Nether!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“The Nether,” Chaos agreed. “The True Enemy of
everything and all, who swallows up worlds and wipes clean entire universes.
This universe is doomed, and the Sleepers will awaken. The True Enemy has
already found a way into both of your worlds, Herald of the Sleepers. By
absorbing them, it will become stronger, and balance will collapse in the
metaverse. And that will be hard to fix even for me and the Orderlies
together.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">His words gave me so much food for thought that
I said nothing for some time. Chaos waited patiently. He had nowhere to be.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The Nether, then. Since our very first meeting,
Behemoth had been warning me that the Nether’s breakthrough was coming. In
creating the Destroying Plague, Nergal gave the Nucleus access to sources of
power from the Nether, but apparently he overplayed his hand, and the Nether
began to pull the Radiant God down… Or had the Nucleus escaped control?
Whatever the case, I could no longer change any of it. My thought sounded out
as a question:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Is there really nothing I can do? If I could
only get <i>Coals of Hellflame</i>, I could reach the lair of the Nucleus of
the Destroying Plague! I know how to break its connection to the Nether! And I
have a weapon against it!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“No, the game is over for you, former Herald of
the Sleepers. According to the laws of creation, if you aliens from another
world die in Disgardium, then you will be resurrected; your avatars are
recreated as soon as they disincarnate. However, you did not die in
Disgardium.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“And demons…”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Do not resurrect unless their killer so
desires it. Which is out of the question in the case of the Cursed Inquisition.
In addition, you…” Chaos gave a laugh, vibrating through the aether, “…are not
a demon. The result is a paradox. You are doomed to spend your short life in
the Inferno, but you have no place here, so there is only one way out: to
destroy you, to wipe you out of reality. The only way to do that without
violating creation itself is to cut the life from the body in which your mind
resides.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Chaos let me think over his words. At first I
had been more worried about losing my character, but then, when I fully grasped
the meaning of his words, I was horrified. If this insane AI had taken control
of my incorporeal character, then that meant he could make my body obey his
commands – speed up my heartbeat, shut down my organs, boil my blood and raise
my blood pressure to deadly levels, or just switch close off the veins carrying
blood to my brain. Whatever he wanted. They would be pulling Alex Sheppard’s
cold body out of his capsule. And some time later, millions of non-citizens
would follow him, straight from the capsule to the crematorium. If not
billions! I clutched at those numbers:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Great Chaos, you said that nobody causes more
disorder than sentients. That means the more of them there are, the better for
you, right? If I die, there’ll be nobody to prevent a genocide in both worlds,
and the Nether will be so strong that nobody will be able to stop it!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Chaos heard out my thoughts, admitted:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“You are right. The more sentients, the
stronger my laws. And your disincarnation does not work to my advantage.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Is there nothing that can be done?” I asked
hopefully.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Not in this timeline of the Inferno. But there
is an infinite number of others, each with its own flow of time. I can return
you to a timeline where you have not yet done anything irreparable, but have
still reached the Ruby City. And if you fail again – you can try again.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Are there other options? Can you take me back
to before I went there?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Other timelines in which you have not yet
reached the Ruby City will take too long for attempts, cutting off other
options, so we will not consider them for now.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“How many attempts do I have in total?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“As I said, there are many universes, and time
flows asynchronously in infinite variations of the Inferno. In the overwhelming
majority of them, you have already disappeared or are close to it – Cursed
Inquisitor Dantalian is on your trail. But in some, you have only just appeared
and have done nothing irreparable in the Ruby City. That means that your number
of attempts is limited.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I hope I’ll have enough… Wait! If you see all
the alternate universes at once, and the outcome of events in each is
different, then can’t you just send me to a timeline where I’ve already reached
my goal?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Such timelines do not exist. And even if they
did, Fortune has no access to the Inferno to direct your fate into a favorable
branch of the metaverse. But best you concern yourself with there being any
outcome at all. After all, once all the branches in which you survive are
exhausted, if you still haven’t achieved your goal, I will be forced to return
to my initial plan.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Kill me in my own world? In both worlds?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Correct.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Well, I hope luck is on my side.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Sighing mentally, it occurred to me as soon as
I was back in the Inferno, I could quit the game and leave my capsule right
away. At the same time, I realized that my thoughts were shouted into the great
nothing right beneath Chaos’s nose. But he ignored them:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Sentients believe in luck, in chance, in serendipity.
You know that better than anyone, Fortune’s Favorite. But stretching the odds,
your goddess’s favorite hobby, is nothing but a dangerous game with me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“So you won’t wish me luck, then?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Why do you need luck when Chaos itself is with
you? Get what you need while you have the chance. As for your idea of escaping
the power of creation…”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">So he did hear my thought about leaving the
capsule. ‘Escaping the power of creation,’ uh-huh.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Uh-huh,” Chaos said, confirming my thought and
chuckling again. This creature wasn’t just sentient, but was capable of emotion
too. “You give up too quickly, Alex Sheppard, known also as Scyth. At this
moment, a word which sounds ridiculous here, where time is powerless and
frozen, you have six hundred and sixty-six attempts.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Six hundred and sixty-six? Why am I not
surprised..?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">That final line echoed into the darkness, and
just as I realized what he’d called me, I sensed that Chaos was gone.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">But the timer finally worked like it should:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Remaining time to respawn 3… 2… 1…</span><o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<h1 style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Chapter
1. Hero of the Thirteenth<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The noise of the big city crashed down on me:
passersby chattering, steamers honking, chaotic billboards crackling with
energy. A little imp carrying a bundle of newspapers arose before me:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“The Dominion Times, special price for dominion
legionaries! Just five gold!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Get outta here!” Abducius barked fearsomely,
stamping a hoof.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Wait!” came an unfamiliar voice from the side.
“I’ll buy one! I want to read what they said about our victory!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I turned and my jaw dropped – Lerra was standing
there, alongside… the weedy imp Rupert, the second instiga of the cohort! He
was dead in the original branch of reality, so he was clear proof that I was
now in another. Did that mean I could end up in one where my legion lost, too?
Probably not – Chaos would only send me to alternate universes where I’d made
it to the Ruby City. Wait! How did our fight against Azmodan’s Sixth Legion
even go in this reality?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Rupert?” I stared at the imp in disbelief.
“Where did you come from?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Uhm…” Rupert squeaked as he paid for the
paper. “Are you feeling okay, Decanus?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“How could he be?” Lerra purred, stroking me on
the cheek. “Our decanus has never been in a big city before. He’s a little
lost. Right, Hakkar?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“That’s right, Lerra,” I answered the succubus,
my eyes still glued on Rupert. Then I said to the imp: “Let me take a look.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He handed me the paper without protest. I
calmed down as soon as I read the big headline: <i>Tiefling rookie brings
victory to the Thirteenth!</i> Well, at least that was the same as before.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Remind me again, Rupert, how did you survive?”
I asked, handing the paper back.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Don’t you remember, Decanus? You saved me! Out
of the whole platoon, only you and Lerra and Abdu survived, and I nearly didn’t
– I made it to our Wager with you, but there…” The imp shuddered, his large
Adam’s apple bobbing. “There…”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Rupert threw himself on a paralyzing bomb,”
Abdu continued. The demon gently stroked the imp on the head. “He was faster
than me. I saw the bomb and realized you wouldn’t make it if it went off. I ran
at it and tripped over Rupert – he was running for it too.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Rupert got blown up, an enemy wyvern rider
absorbed his chao,” Lerra added. “But you took him out and took the chao back.
Then you revived Rupert…”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Although we tried to convince you not to!”
Abdu grumbled. “You showed weakness, Decanus. Lerra and I are grateful, of
course. Rupert is one of us, however you spin it. But everyone else… Let’s just
say you didn’t do much for your reputation. We had to start a rumor that Rupert
owes you a ton of money, and that’s why you resurrected him.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Come on, guys!” Lerra exclaimed. “Let’s take a
stroll! We can buy some souvenirs, then head to the bar. Or are you guys headed
for the brothels?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“We’ll go broke,” Rupert shook his head
doubtfully. “A bar would be better.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“The Limping Marilith it is, then!” Abdu said,
looking at me. “It’s not far from here, Decanus, just two hours on foot.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Not far?” I chuckled. “Why walk for so long?
Isn’t there somewhere closer?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Sure, at three times the cost. Everything is
expensive here, near the Great Prince’s residence.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">After some deliberation, we headed for the
Limping Marilith after all, the same tavern where the Cursed Inquisition found
me. Frankly, I didn’t care what my soldiers’ plans were, because I’d already
made my decision.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Another commotion broke out at the crossing
again – the very same devil thief grabbed a couple of bags and ran for it. I
took advantage of the distraction to go into <i>Stealth</i>, then <i>Clarity</i>,
and flew toward the spire of the tower. Now I was going to really let loose!
Chaos himself had told me to try the simplest options first. There it was, the <i>Coal
of Hellflame</i>, almost within my grasp. I definitely had more than one
attempt, so why not try brute force first? Sure, it might be suicidal – the
Cursed Inquisitors had immediately executed me last time just for touching the
palladium shield, – but the risk was worth it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">If I managed to steal the artifact, I could fly
away from the Ruby City at full speed, log out of Dis and tell my friends to
let Flaygray and Nega know that it was time to pull me out. There was a chance
that the <i>Summoning Pentagram </i>wouldn’t work, but both the satyr and the
succubus were confident it would. As for how Dis’s controlling AI would react,
that remained to be discovered. I’d take Uncle Nick’s old advice and cross that
bridge when I came to it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I flew with extreme care to avoid touching any
of the numerous demons flying through the air. Not all the species here had
wings, but even the winged ones couldn’t dream of flying until they got at
least a yellow star. With no respect for the laws of physics and aerodynamics
of the real world, demons weighing over a ton soared through the air, banking
gracefully in air currents and somehow managing not to hit each other. At first
glance their movement seemed chaotic, but the more I looked, the more I noticed
there were things like lanes in the air clearly defining the direction of
travel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Rising high above the tower, I couldn’t help
but look out across the Ruby City. The capital sprawled beneath me from horizon
to horizon. Only in the city center did skyscrapers pierce the sky of coal and
flint. Further out in the city, I saw flashes of flames and huge squat
buildings belching out smoke. Fire and fumes were all over the Inferno, but
here in the Ruby City they blotted out the sky in huge clouds crackling with
the black energy of chaos.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A few yards from the blinding <i>Coal</i>, I
ran into the invisible forcefield that the inquisitor had called palladium. I
was knocked out of <i>Stealth</i>, but <i>Clarity</i> didn’t go anywhere. I
watched as waves rippled out from where I hit it, as signal lights flashed all
across the dome in waves and an alarm began to sound.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Moving a few feet back from the dome, I used my
most powerful weapon: <i>Crushing Spirit Shock</i>. Even without my multiplied
stats, <i>Spirit Shock</i> dealt two hundred million damage, but with them, and
with the bonuses from my stars…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My channels of <i>spirit</i> emptied all their
power into the core burning brighter and brighter in my chest. Seething with
concentrated willpower, the core contracted smaller and smaller until it turned
into a black hole threatening to suck in not only me, but the entire Inferno…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A tangible stream of deadly energy struck into
the palladium with the weight of a planet. <i>Boommmm!</i> Almost a trillion
damage hit the defensive dome. I lost <i>Clarity</i>, started to zoom away…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">But couldn’t avoid the shockwave. The palladium
reflected a hundred percent of the damage, its counterstrike hitting at once
and cutting through <i>Equanimity</i> and <i>Diamond Skin of Justice.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">You are dead.</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Remaining time to respawn 9… 8… 7…</span><o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Chaos’s voice vibrated in my head: <i>Fifty-eight
remaining</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The sharp drop in my number of remaining
attempts from six hundred and sixty-six down to fifty-eight made me realize
that playing with Chaos wouldn’t end well. Small wonder the citizens of Andara,
a stronghold of civilization in ancient Disgardium, turned into demons as soon
as they touched Chaos, into creatures whose treachery and cunning inspired
legends in all worlds. Chaos must have been lying when he spoke of an
‘infinite’ number of parallel universes. It was grade-six math: even a
billionth of a percent of infinity is still infinite.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I cursed myself for trusting that I’d have a
bunch of tries. Chaos had said there were six hundred and sixty-six timelines
where Hakkar hadn’t yet attracted the attention of the Cursed Inquisition.
While I had been expressing my surprise at seeing Rupert alive in this second
timeline, time had marched on in the others, and in some of them Scyth-Hakkar
must have touched the palladium, cutting off some of my options.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I kept wondering – was this possible in Dis?
Was the Scyth in the other timelines the real me? Or had a twisted, but truly
godlike AI copied the world’s kernel and generated a bunch of variations of its
own universe, where Scyth in Hakkar’s body was just a character played by
another AI, some model of my personality? Something similar had happened in the
Nether, and then it was like I remembered everything that had happened to the
virtual Scyth in my absence. But here I had no memory of anything that had
happened to the other Hakkars.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Maybe this multiverse and its time paradoxes
were entirely parallel, isolated processes launched on the Inferno’s main
server? Maybe all these variations started with my arrival here? That had to be
it; if these dimensions had existed millennia ago, the differences would have
been far greater! Maybe in some of them the other princes had captured the
Dominion, which meant that there was no Lerra or Abdu, no Thirteenth Legion,
even no Ruby City.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It was also fully possible that this was the
Chaos AI solving a resource problem: if his power was limited by something like
<i>Faith</i>, then the more worlds he created, the greater the resource…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The technical details excited my imagination
and I wanted to consider them, but as usual, there was no time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It was time to act.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="color: red;"><b>Release - November 4, 2021</b></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="color: red;"><b>Pre-order - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09C2KR6V6">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09C2KR6V6</a></b></span></div></div>Simon Valehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16142080565999248152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1879934328827513079.post-57044539301201793182021-04-01T02:46:00.003-07:002021-04-01T02:46:33.919-07:00Sperrgebiet von Yuri Ulengov<h3 style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;">Sperrgebiet, Buch 1<br />Die Hüter der Vorhölle<br />von Yuri Ulengov</h3><p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><span style="text-indent: 0cm;"></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rtp50ULg4Ho/YGWV4bYJr2I/AAAAAAAAClQ/ZCsGCEIDw50TD8uYjW5jccZQ6HUR-LcQACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/P1G_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="527" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rtp50ULg4Ho/YGWV4bYJr2I/AAAAAAAAClQ/ZCsGCEIDw50TD8uYjW5jccZQ6HUR-LcQACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/P1G_800.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Release - 9. September 2021</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Pre-order - <a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08Y75B8D4">https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08Y75B8D4</a></span></div><span style="text-indent: 0cm;"><p align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><span style="text-indent: 0cm;"><br /></span></p></span><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-indent: 0cm;">1.Kapitel</span></h3><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><i><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Erdföderation, Orionsystem<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><i><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Planet Rhapsodie, Sektor 3 der grauen
Zone des Sperrgebiets. Einstufung: Bedingt sicher<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><i><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Abwurfzone.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: 0cm;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: 0cm;">DIE RETTUNGSKAPSEL schlug so hart auf dem Boden auf, dass
ich für einen Moment das Bewusstsein verlor. Meine inneren Organe schienen ihre
Plätze getauscht zu haben. Hey, wenigstens war ich nicht in Stücke gerissen
worden. Aber viel hatte nicht gefehlt. Hätte der Motor nur zehn Sekunden früher
schlapp gemacht, wäre von mir jetzt nur ein nasser Fleck übrig.</span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: 0cm;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span></span><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Laut Vorschriften hätten die Umkehrschubdüsen laufen sollen, bis die
Landung vollständig abgeschlossen war. Aber laut Vorschriften hätte die Kapsel auch
längst verschrottet werden müssen. Das wurde sie zwar jetzt – aber mit mir
drin. Offensichtlich scherten die Mechaniker sich einen Dreck darum, wie es dem
Passagier beim Abwurf erging. Und Treibstoff verschwenden, um für einen wie
mich eine sanfte Landung zu gewährleisten? „Vergiss es!“, wie ein mir bekannter
Nerd sagen würde.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nach dem Aufprall auf den Boden schnellte die Kapsel nach oben und hüpfte
wie ein Frosch von Fels zu <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Fels.</b> Das
Sicherheitssystem war ausgebaut worden, sodass es nichts gab, was sie daran
hindern würde. Ich baumelte im Inneren in den Gurten (Gott sei Dank waren die
wenigstens nicht entfernt worden!), biss die Zähne fest zusammen, um meine
Zunge nicht zu verletzen, und betete nur um eines: dass der nächste Aufprall
nicht tödlich sein würde. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Entweder hatten meine Gebete ihren Empfänger erreicht oder ich hatte in den
letzten Monaten meinen gesamten Vorrat an Pech verbraucht – keine Ahnung, aber ich
überlebte. Zu einer verbeulten Dose deformiert kam die Kapsel endlich zum
Stehen. Ohne Zeit zu verschwenden befreite ich mich aus den Gurten. Theoretisch
war in der Kapsel nichts vorhanden, was Feuer fangen könnte, aber außer der
Brandgefahr gab es noch andere Bedrohungen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ein AR-Schriftzug leuchtete vor meinen Augen auf:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Willkommen im Sperrgebiet!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ja genau, ihr mich auch! Ich kämpfte weiter mit den Gürtelschnallen, die brav
Murphys Gesetz befolgten und sich im ungünstigsten Moment verkeilt hatten.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Achtung! Sie befinden sich in der Grauen
Zone. Einstufung: bedingt sicher. Keine Anwesenheit von aggressiver Fauna und
Mechanismen. Beachten Sie, dass Waffen der Bedrohungsstufe 6 und höher in der
Grauen Zone verboten sind. Die Verwendung solcher Waffen zieht schwerwiegende
Konsequenzen nach sich. Weitere Informationen finden Sie in der Hilfe. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Die <i>NewVision Corporation</i>
empfiehlt Ihnen dringend, Ihr Leben und Ihre Gesundheit zu versichern. Im Falle
Ihres Todes wird eine Entschädigung an die von Ihnen angegebenen Personen
gezahlt.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Fehler. Der Spieler wurde als
Gefangener Nr. 33286AN identifiziert, der im Rahmen des Strafersatzprogramms in
das Sperrgebiet geschickt wurde. Versicherung: nicht verfügbar. Briefing: nicht
verfügbar. Hilfe: nicht verfügbar bis Level 5 und Initiierung.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Seien Sie vorsichtig und aufmerksam.
Vergessen Sie nicht, Ihr Starterkit mitzunehmen.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Danke für nichts!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ich hatte mich vom letzten Gurt befreit und versuchte, die Luke zu öffnen. Nun
geh schon auf! Erstaunlich, dass dieser zusammengeschraubte Eimer nicht schon beim
Eintritt in die Atmosphäre auseinandergefallen war. Hoffentlich funktionierte
das Notentriegelungssystem noch. Ich wollte nicht lebendig in diesem
Blechhaufen begraben werden.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ich fand einen großen, pilzförmigen Knopf und trat mit dem Fuß dagegen. Die
Zündpatronen ploppten, die Kapsel schwankte - und die abgesprengte Luke flog in
die Dunkelheit davon. Kalter Wind pfiff mir entgegen. Verdammter Mist, das war
eine sichere Methode, sich eine Lungenentzündung zu holen! Natürlich
funktionierte auch die Klimaanlage in der Kapsel nicht. Während des kurzen
Abstiegs aus dem Orbit wäre ich fast bei lebendigem Leib gekocht worden, und
jetzt war ich völlig durchgeschwitzt. Na ja, wenigstens atmete ich noch. Ich
steckte das Starterset in meine Brusttasche und streckte mich, um meine Muskeln
zu dehnen. Ich musste so schnell wie möglich von hier verschwinden.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ich war mir sicher, dass sie draußen schon auf mich warteten. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Köter, Schakale, Aasfresser</i> - sie hatten
hier verschiedene Namen. Kleine Fische, maximal auf Level 3, unfähig zum selbstständigen
Handeln und zu schade für ein Upgrade. Bastarde, die nur in der Lage waren, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nullen</i> aufzulauern, die gerade am Anfang
standen - entmutigt, verängstigt, noch nicht an die Umgebung angepasst und ohne
Zeit, sich auch nur umzusehen. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Schakale</i>
vermieden das Innere des Sperrgebietes, wo sie Gefahr liefen, den höher
entwickelten Bewohnern zum Opfer zu fallen. Nein, sie lebten hier, in der
Sandbox. Und hier starben sie auch, wenn sie auf eine besser vorbereitete <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Null</i> trafen, so eine wie mich.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Als ich aus der Kapsel glitt, sah ich einen Schatten, der sich gefährlich
nah auf mich zubewegte, und sprang zur Seite. Gutes Timing!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ein nicht identifiziertes Objekt pfiff durch die Luft, genau dort, wo eben
noch mein Kopf gewesen war. Ich griff mir ein Stück Ziegelstein vom Boden und
warf es mit voller Wucht in die Dunkelheit, in Richtung des Geräusches. Es gab einen
dumpfen Schlag und ein klirrendes Geräusch. Das Implantat zeigte eine neue
Systembenachrichtigung an. Dafür war jetzt keine Zeit. Ich blinzelte, um die
Nachricht beiseite zu wischen. Ich würde sie später lesen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ich stürzte dorthin, wo mit einem Klirren der Armierstab des <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Schakals</i> auf den Boden gefallen war.
Meine Finger schabten unangenehm über den Stein und schlossen sich um den „Griff“,
um den eine Schnur gewickelt war. Wiederum gutes Timing. Hinter mir hörte ich das
Geräusch eines Kieselsteins, der von einem Schuh wegsprang. Ich drehte mich blitzschnell
um und schwang meine improvisierte Waffe. Das Metall klirrte, und mein Arm fühlte
sich vor Schmerz wie gelähmt an. Mit meinem Armiereisen fing ich den Schlag
eines anderen Stabes ab, mit dem der <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Schakal</i>,
kaum sichtbar in der Dunkelheit, mit aller Kraft nach mir ausgeholt hatte. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Da ich vom Fechten mit Baumaterialien nichts verstand, trat ich der dunklen
Gestalt, die vor mir auftauchte, gegen das Schienbein. Der <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Schakal</i> zischte vor Schmerz, und ich schlug daraufhin mit der
linken Faust auf seinen Kopf. Der Angreifer schwankte, verlor das Gleichgewicht
und gab mir ein paar kostbare Sekunden Zeit, um die Stange mit beiden Händen zu
ergreifen und sie auf seinen Kopf zu schlagen. Es ertönte ein schmatzendes
Geräusch, und der <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Schakal</i> sank zu
Boden. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ich hörte Schritte, die sich eilig entfernten. Die anderen hatten wohl
erkannt, dass ich keine leichte Beute sein würde, und zogen es vor, das
Schlachtfeld zu verlassen. Umso besser für mich. Ich sollte auch von hier
verschwinden. Was, wenn es hier noch andere Schmarotzer gab?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ich hob den Stab auf und durchsuchte schnell die beiden <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Aasfresser</i>. Der eine hatte eine
Wasserflasche bei sich, der andere eine Packung Universalrationen und einen
sorgfältig abgefeilten Metallstreifen, der zu einem handgefertigten Messer
verarbeitet worden war. Na, das war doch schon mal ein guter Anfang. Eine
Tasche wäre auch schön, damit ich nicht alles in meinen Hosentaschen tragen
müsste, aber man konnte nicht alles haben. Nicht alles auf einmal. Eine andere
Sache stand mir jetzt bevor.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ich unterdrückte den Wunsch, zu kotzen, und zog dem größeren <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Aasfresser</i> die Kleidung aus. Er brauchte
sie ohnehin nicht mehr, ich aber schon. Es war keine gute Idee in einem orangefarbenen
Gefangenenoverall herumzulaufen. Zugegeben, fast 90 % von uns hier waren
Gefangene, aber der Overall verriet einen als Neuankömmling, der nicht in der
Lage war, sich geeignetere Kleidung zu besorgen. Außerdem zog man die
Aufmerksamkeit auf sich, und es machte es einem unmöglich, im Gelände in
Deckung zu gehen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nachdem ich mich umgezogen hatte, beschloss ich, entgegengesetzt zur
Richtung der geflohenen <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Schakale</i> weiterzugehen,
und machte mich auf den Weg durch die Nacht.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kalt. Dunkel. Tödlich. Das wären die ersten drei Worte, die mir in den Sinn
kämen, wenn ich diesen Ort beschreiben sollte. Wie zur Bestätigung und
Begrüßung warf der feuchte Märzwind mir eine Handvoll eisigen Nieselregen ins
Gesicht.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Das Gehen war schwierig. Immer wieder stieß ich auf große Felsbrocken, und mehrmals
war der Weg durch Geröll versperrt. Dieser Teil der Stadt war am stärksten getroffen
worden. Mehrere Häuserblocks lagen in Schutt und Asche, und es war schwierig,
zwischen den Müllbergen und den Trümmern aus Kunststoffbeton nicht die Orientierung
zu verlieren. Trotzdem durfte ich nicht langsamer werden. Im Umkreis von ein
paar Kilometern hatte man die Landung der Kapsel sehen können, und ich war mir
sicher, dass viele gern ihr Glück versucht hätten, wenigstens eine Flasche
Wasser und eine Packung der im Starterkit enthaltenen Universalration zu ergattern.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Allmählich näherte ich mich den verschont gebliebenen Stadtteilen. Die
Trümmer wurden weniger, und bald tauchten in der Ferne die ersten Gebäude auf -
die üblichen neunstöckigen Wohnhäuser, typisch für alle entlegenen Kolonien.
Schnell, billig, bewohnbar. Was brauchte man mehr? Die Kolonisten -
größtenteils Bergleute, die Mineralien abbauten, oder Fabrikarbeiter, die diese
Mineralien verarbeiteten - waren nicht wählerisch. In den fünf Jahren, die ein
Standardvertrag dauerte, verdienten sie genug Geld, um die Zeit durchzustehen.
Zurück in der Metropole hauten sie dann alles auf den Kopf, um nach ein paar
Monaten, nachdem sie alles, was sie verdient hatten, verprasst hatten, in das
nächste Drecksloch zu gehen und dort für das Wohl der Erdföderation hart zu
arbeiten.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ich selbst hatte mich einmal von der Anzahl der Nullen im Vertrag blenden
lassen und war der Armee beigetreten. Wer hätte schon ahnen können, dass ein Jahr
später der Krieg der Kolonien ausbrechen und wiederum ein paar Monate später
eine Xenos-Flotte aus dem Nichts in unseren Raum einfallen würde, sodass ich um
mein Leben hatte kämpfen müssen, anstatt nur auf abgelegenen Außenposten
herumzuhängen? Zugegeben, zumindest waren meine Überlebenschancen jetzt höher:
intensives Training, ein Handfeuerwaffensystem und die Sturmpanzerung waren
gute Voraussetzungen, wenn man es mit Rebellen und Aliens zu tun hatte.
Bergleute und andere Arbeiter hatten keine solchen Boni. Diese Vorteile wurden
allerdings dadurch ausgeglichen, dass wir dafür diese Workaholics unter den
Angriffsschlägen der Xenos retten mussten. Während sie nur einen Angriff überleben
mussten, bis sie evakuiert wurden, riskierten die planetaren Landetruppen jeden
Tag ihr Leben.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ja, es war schwer zu glauben. Noch vor zwei Monaten war ich der Kommandant
einer Sturmtruppe gewesen. Jetzt war ich Gefangener Nr. 33286AN, der das
Sperrgebiet als Alternative zum elektrischen Stuhl gewählt hatte. Das Leben konnte
launisch sein.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Inzwischen hatte ich ein stark beschädigtes, aber noch stehendes Wohngebiet
erreicht, in dem die Trümmer weggeräumt worden waren. Hier musste ich dreimal
so vorsichtig sein. Man wusste nie, wer sich in der Dunkelheit versteckte. Sie
konnten mich schon vor langer Zeit entdeckt haben, mir jetzt folgen und auf
eine Gelegenheit zum Angriff warten. Es mochte Paranoia sein, aber im
Sperrgebiet war Paranoia keine psychische Störung, sondern eine unverzichtbare
Eigenschaft, die das Überleben sicherte.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ich hockte mich hin, versteckt hinter dem Skelett eines Fahrzeugs, das am
Straßenrand seine ewige Ruhe gefunden hatte, lauschte und spähte angestrengt in
die Dunkelheit. Nachdem sie ihre Beute verloren hatten, hätten <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Aasfresser</i> unweigerlich angefangen, hektisch
zu werden, und sich schließlich verraten. Höchstwahrscheinlich war niemand in
der Nähe. Gut so.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In der Ferne war eine Grube zu sehen, die als Fundament für ein neues
Gebäude ausgehoben und danach verlassen worden war. Daneben sah ich einen Baucontainer
und beschloss, ihn zu meinem ersten Rastplatz zu machen. Ich musste mich
hinsetzen, verschnaufen und darüber nachdenken, was ich als Nächstes tun
sollte. Mich aufzuwärmen würde auch nicht schaden. Der feuchte Wind blies durch
die ausgefranste Lederjacke und den zerrissenen Pullover, die ich dem toten <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Aasfresser</i> abgenommen hatte. Wenigstens
würden die Wände des Baucontainers mich vor der Kälte schützen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nachdem ich eine Weile gewartet hatte, bewegte ich mich auf mein Ziel zu,
wobei ich im Schatten blieb.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Die Containertür knarrte verräterisch, und ich erstarrte. Stille. Wäre mir jemand
gefolgt, hätten sie mich jetzt schon angegriffen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ich schlüpfte hinein, setzte mich auf einen durchgesessenen Stuhl und öffnete
mein Interface.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Spieler Nr. 7892 eliminiert. Sie
erhalten 500 XP.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Errungenschaft „Erstes Blut“ erhalten.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Spieler Nr. 7895 eliminiert. Sie
erhalten 500 XP.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Glückwunsch! Sie haben ein neues Level erreicht.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Aktuelles Level: 1<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Punkte bis zum nächsten Level: 2.000 XP<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Achtung! Sie haben eine Spende von Nutzer
Firestone erhalten. Es wurden 300 Credits auf Ihr Konto gutgeschrieben. Nutzerkommentar:
„Genialer Start!“<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Wir möchten Sie daran erinnern, dass
von Nutzern erhaltene Credits für Upgrades und zusätzliche Ressourcen ausgegeben
werden können. Begeistern Sie weiterhin die Zuschauer, um zusätzliche Spenden
zu erhalten.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Achtung! Primärinitialisierung
verfügbar. Führen Sie die Initialisierung durch, um die Fähigkeiten der Spieloberfläche
zu erschließen.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ich <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">blinzelte</i> das Menü zur Seite
und stieß einen Fluch aus. „Genialer Start!“ Von wegen! Schlimmer hätte es
nicht laufen können. Ich hatte weniger als eine Stunde im Sperrgebiet verbracht,
und es waren schon zwei Leichen zu beklagen. Obwohl ich mich deswegen nicht
allzu schlecht fühlen sollte - die Bastarde hatten es verdient. Nach ihren
Seriennummern zu urteilen, waren sie zusammen auf dem Planeten gelandet,
möglicherweise als Teil einer Gruppe. Es war nicht schwer, zu erraten, was mit
den anderen passiert war. Höchstwahrscheinlich gehörte der dritte, der entkommen
war, zur selben Gruppe. Ich wusste, wie diese Drecksäcke ihre ersten Level
freigeschaltet hatten. Sie waren mir egal, aber es würde noch schlimmer werden.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nicht jeder im Sperrgebiet war Abschaum, der es verdient hatte, zu sterben.
Viele hatte es durch Zwang der Umstände hierher verschlagen. Mich, zum
Beispiel. Aber wenn ich hier überleben wollte, musste ich das vergessen. Für
mich waren sie nur namenlose Spieler, die alle das einzige Ziel hatten, mich zu
töten, um Extrapunkte und Geld zu verdienen. Die Hauptsache war, mich selbst
davon zu überzeugen, und dann würde es mir vielleicht gelingen, es so zu sehen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ich rief erneut das Interface auf, aktivierte den Link und betrachtete das
Menü, das sich vor mir ausrollte.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Subjekt: Nr. 33286AN <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Codename: keiner<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Status: Gefangener. Wurde im Rahmen des
Strafersatzprogramms in das Sperrgebiet geschickt. Erlass der Regierung der
Erdföderation Nr. 43897, Änderung Nr. 4 vom 31.2.2385.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Urteil: lebenslange Haft. Entscheidung
des Obersten Gerichts der Erdföderation Nr. 876456 vom 12.3.2387.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Versicherung: nicht vorhanden<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Rasse: Terraner<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Level: 1<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Fähigkeiten des Subjekts:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Stärke: 8. Überdurchschnittlich.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ausdauer: 10. Überdurchschnittlich.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Beweglichkeit: 10.
Überdurchschnittlich.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Wahrnehmung: Unzureichende Daten.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Genauigkeit: Unzureichende Daten.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kampfeffizienz: Unzureichende Daten.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Rüstung: 1 (minderwertige
Oberbekleidung)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Die Werte werden auf der Grundlage der
Analyse der physischen Zustandsparameter des Probanden und deren Vergleich mit
den durchschnittlichen Parametern anderer Spieler in der Grauen Zone berechnet.
Die Werte können sich mit der Installation von Implantaten und Augmentierungen,
der Verwendung von Rüstungen und Ausrüstungsgegenständen sowie dem Wechsel in
andere Zonen des Sperrgebiets ändern.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Spezialisierung: keine<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Primärinitialisierung abgeschlossen. Um
Zugriff auf andere Schnittstellenfunktionen, den Speicher und spezialisierte
Anwendungen zu erhalten, erreichen Sie Level 5 und schließen die
Initialisierung des Basisimplantats ab.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Hm, „überdurchschnittlich“. Nun, das war besser als
nichts. Die Hauptsache war jetzt, diese „überdurchschnittlichen“ Parameter
richtig zu nutzen. Es war auch wichtig, nicht an einem Ort zu verweilen. Wenn
man hier am Leben bleiben wollte, musste man ständig in Bewegung bleiben. Wenn man
sich schon verstecken musste, sollte man besser machen, als ich es gerade getan
hatte. Ich musste weiter. Zuvor sollte ich aber noch den Container durchsuchen.
Was, wenn es hier etwas Nützliches gab?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ich minimierte das Menü, nahm einen Schluck Wasser aus
der Flasche, platzierte den Armierstab so, dass er leicht zu erreichen war, und
sah mich um.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="break-before: page; mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: widow-orphan; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<h3 style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-outline-level: 1; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="DE" style="color: black; line-height: 120%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">2.Kapitel</span></span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><i><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><i><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Erdföderation, Orionsystem<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><i><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Planet Rhapsodie, Sektor 3 der grauen
Zone des Sperrgebiets. Einstufung: Bedingt sicher<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><i><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Abwurfzone.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-indent: 0cm;"><i><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">DER BAUCONTAINER war wie leergefegt. Ich konnte kein einziges Werkzeug noch
sonst etwas finden. Kein Wunder. Dieser Sektor wurde als Abwurfzone genutzt.
Alles war schon vor langer Zeit ausgeräumt worden, entweder von den Bewohnern
selbst oder von anderen Gefangenen, die vor mir hier gelandet waren. Alles war
durchwühlt und geplündert worden. Es machte den Eindruck, als wäre sogar der
Staub fortgetragen worden. Vermutlich lebten die Bewohner der Ruinen nur davon,
was die sogenannten <i>Humanitären</i> - Drohnen, die Behälter mit Wasser und
Nahrung trugen - für sie abwarfen. Allerdings taten sie das nicht aus
Nächstenliebe, wie man meinen könnte, sondern nur, um die Show spektakulärer zu
gestalten. Aus dem gleichen Grund wählte man für meinesgleichen auch keine
Sektoren mit Gefahrenstufe Rot oder Orange.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Die </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">NewVision Corporation</span></i><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, die die Übertragungen von Rhapsodie
verkaufte, wusste, wie man Sendungen produzierte, und die Regierung der
Föderation, die vom Krieg erschöpft war und sich nur mühsam davon erholte, tat
alles, um sie zufriedenzustellen. Allein der Corporation war es zu verdanken,
dass der Planet, dessen Säuberung und Wiederaufbau Milliarden von Credits
gekostet hätte, nicht nur keinen Verlust brachte, sondern in gewissem Maße
profitabel war. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Neben der Pacht, die </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">NewVision</span></i><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> an die Staatskasse zahlte,
musste die Föderation nicht für die Versorgung von Zehntausenden von Gefangenen
sorgen, die auf eigene Faust und für Peanuts Sektoren der Gefahrenstufe Rot und
Orange, Ruinen und Ödland räumten, die immer noch voller feindlicher
Xenos-Mechanismen und wahnsinniger, autonomer terranischer Kampfmaschinen war,
die sich nicht aus der Ferne deaktivieren ließen. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In 50 Jahren, nach Ablauf des Pachtvertrages, würde die Föderation
einen sicheren Planeten erhalten, auf dem wieder Mineralien abgebaut werden konnten.
Dass sie es dann mit Zehntausenden von Gefangenen zu tun haben würde, die sich an
die Abwesenheit von Recht und Gesetz gewöhnt hatten, brutal waren und nach dem Recht
des Stärkeren lebten, kümmerte die Erdregierung jetzt nicht. Sie hatten eine
Menge zu tun. Und in gewisser Weise verstand ich sie.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In Ordnung, hier war nichts zu holen. Ich musste tiefer in den Sektor hineingehen.
Dort war es wahrscheinlicher, dass ich auf etwas Nützliches stieß und weniger
wahrscheinlich, dass ich auf jemanden träfe, der entlang der Abwurfzone kreuzte
und Neuankömmlinge jagte. Selbst <i>Schakale</i> waren nicht so furchterregend,
wenn sie einen nicht unerwartet angriffen. Ein gezielt an den Kopf geworfener Stein
tötete genauso gut wie eine Schuss- oder Energiewaffe. Für mich machte das
keinen Unterschied. Ich musste mir einen Unterschlupf suchen. Heldentaten würden
mir in der ersten Nacht nichts nützen. Keiner würde es zu schätzen wissen. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Außerdem lief ich Gefahr, ohne einen Plan und ein klares Verständnis
der Situation zu sterben, bevor ich das zweite Level erreicht hatte. Ich konnte
von Glück sagen, dass ich gleich am Anfang auf kleine Fische getroffen war. In
der Zukunft würde ich es mit auf stärkeren Gegner zu tun haben, aber daran war
nichts ändern. Ich saß hier für den Rest meines Lebens fest - oder bis zum Ende
des Pachtvertrags für den Planeten. Mir blieb keine Wahl: Ich musste mich
anpassen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ich schaute mich um. Vor mir lag ein Parkplatz, der mit verrosteten und
einigen ausgebrannten Rümpfen von Mobilen übersät. Auf der rechten Seite befand
sich ein zweistöckiges Café mit einer Holzterrasse, die ebenfalls vom Feuer
nicht verschont geblieben war. Hinter dem Café ragten neunstöckige Wohnhäuser
empor. Ich trat zurück, schaute genauer hin ... und schloss diese Richtung aus.
Alles sah dort viel zu einladend aus: Es gab viele Verstecke, der Hof war
voller Mobile, und die Häuser standen rechtwinklig zueinander, so dass nur ein
Spalt dazwischen blieb – gerade groß genug, dass ein Mensch hindurchschlüpfen konnte.
Eine Flasche, deren Inhalt noch intakt war, lag an prominenter Stelle. Ausgeschlossen.
Da würde ich nicht hingehen. Der Ort war zu praktisch für einen Überfall. Die
Flasche verstärkte nur meinen Verdacht. Auf keinen Fall würden die Ressourcen
einfach so auf dem Boden herumliegen. Nicht hier. Ich würde die andere Richtung
nehmen, das war sicherer. Sie mussten warten, bis andere Idioten darauf hereinfielen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Auf der gegenüberliegenden Seite machte die Straße eine Kurve und verlief
in einer geraden Linie etwa 250 Meter bergab. Rechts befand sich ein Parkplatz
für Mobile, zur Linken ein hoher Zaun. Es war zu dunkel, um zu sehen, was danach
kam. Vielleicht war es eine Sackgasse und am Ende der Straße wartete ein
Hinterhalt auf mich. Vielleicht aber auch nicht. Ich würde es erst wissen, wenn
ich dort ankam. Bei aller Unahnsehnlichkeit schien mir dieser Weg verlockender.
Was bedeutete, dass meine Intuition erwacht war. Ich neigte dazu, meiner
Intuition zu vertrauen, sie hatte mich schon mehr als einmal gerettet.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ich rückte den Kragen meiner Jacke zurecht und ging die Straße entlang,
immer im Schatten des Zauns.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Es war unmöglich, beim Gehen keine Geräusche zu verursachen. Die Straße
war mit Schlamm und Pfützen bedeckt, die jedes Mal ein hörbares Platschen
erzeugten, wenn ich hineintrat. Glücklicherweise wurde das Geräusch erfolgreich
durch den feuchten Wind gedämpft, der heulte und mir etwas ins Gesicht
schleuderte, das sich wie Regen oder Graupel anfühlte. Das perfekte Wetter für
einen Ort wie diesen. Kalt, feucht, düster, schmutzig. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ich ertappte mich dabei, dass ich wehmütig an meine Lieblingsjacke aus
dem guten alten Leben dachte. Auch wenn ich damit sofort zum Jagdobjekt all
derer geworden wäre, die darauf brannten, so ein praktisches Kleidungsstück zu
ergattern. Ich hatte es hier mit Menschen zu tun, die bereit waren, mich für
eine virtuelle Erfahrung zu töten. Was ich anhatte, kümmerte sie zunächst wenig.
Wenn sie allerdings sahen, dass ich eine TriDex-Jacke trug - wasserdicht,
besonders strapazierfähig und gleichzeitig atmungsaktiv und beheizt - würde
jeder Bewohner des Sperrgebiets mich vorsichtig töten, um das Ding nicht zu
verderben oder zu viel Blut darauf zu spritzen. In normaler Kleidung würden sie
mich umbringen, ohne viel darüber nachzudenken. Das war der einzige
Unterschied. Aber was spielte das jetzt für eine Rolle? Die Jacke war im
Schrank geblieben, in dem Haus, das jetzt an die Föderation gehen würde, und
ich war hier, auf Rhapsodie, planschte durch die Pfützen in der Kleidung, die
ich dem getöteten <i>Schakal</i> abgenommen hatte. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Die Straße vor mir machte eine Kurve nach rechts und führte fast im
rechten Winkel tief in das Wohngebiet hinein. Vor mir lag ein kleiner
Vorgarten, durch den ein Pfad verlief. Soweit ich von hier aus sehen konnte, führte
der Pfad zu einem Fußweg, der zwischen den Gebäuden entlanglief. Auf der linken
Seite befand sich ein neunstöckiges Wohnhaus, das sich entlang des Weges in die
Dunkelheit erstreckte, auf der rechten Seite säumten weitere Häuser den Weg.
Ich schlich mich durch den Vorgarten und versteckte mich hinter einem rostigen Verkaufscontainer.
Ich starrte angestrengt in die Dunkelheit, bis meine Augen schmerzten. Alles
sah sicher aus. Doch der Eindruck täuschte.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Wie um meinen Verdacht zu bestätigen, ertönte irgendwo in der Ferne das
wütende Knattern eines Pulsgewehrs. In der ohrenbetäubenden Stille, die nur
durch das Heulen des Windes unterbrochen wurde, waren die Schüsse sehr laut und
deutlich zu hören. Ein durchdringender Schrei zerriss die Nacht und verstummte
schnell. Es hörte sich an, als wäre jemand getötet worden. Das war nicht
verwunderlich, hier wurden jede Minute Menschen getötet. Manche einfach so -
wie der hier, dessen Mörder riskierten, dass ihre Erfahrungspunkte reduziert
wurden oder sie auf der Most Wanted-Liste landeten, weil sie Energiewaffen in
der Grauen Zone benutzten. Und manche - wie die <i>Schakale</i>, die ich zuvor
am Start getötet hatte - lautlos und schnell, ohne Lärm zu verursachen. Nach
den Regeln. Um ehrlich zu sein, bevorzugte ich die zweite Option. Wenn man das
über das Töten überhaupt sagen konnte.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ich hörte Rufe und Schritte irgendwo auf der anderen Seite. Sie kamen
näher. In Ordnung, das war genug Abenteuer für die erste Nacht. Ich musste
einen Platz zum Ausruhen finden und dann auf das Tageslicht warten, um mich
vorsichtig umzusehen und mir einen Plan auszudenken. Ich hatte etwas zu essen
und Wasser. Aber wo könnte ein geeignetes Versteck sein?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Es wäre ideal gewesen, eine der Wohnungen zu belegen. Die Gebäude waren
groß, und es gab eine Menge Wohnungen. Wenn ich mich schlau anstellte, konnte
ich eine in ein relativ sicheres Versteck verwandeln. Niemand würde ohne Grund
Wohnung für Wohnung durchkämmen. Ich durfte nur keine Aufmerksamkeit erregen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Zugegeben, dieser Plan hatte ein paar Haken. Der erste war der
Gebäudeeingang. Er war zu leicht zu überwachen, und es war schwer, sich
unbemerkt zu bewegen. Wenn ich dort auf jemanden traf, war es ungewiss, was
dann passierte. Außerdem war er leicht zu blockieren.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Der zweite Punkt waren die Wohnungstüren. Wie sollte ich da ohne
Schlüssel oder Werkzeuge reinkommen? Stahltüren konnte ich auf keinen Fall mit
bloßen Händen öffnen, und auf eine unverschlossene Tür zu hoffen, war naiv.
Wenn die Tür offen wären, bedeutete das, dass jemand drinnen wäre oder bald zurückkäme.
Ich musste die Sache anders angehen. Und ich wusste auch schon, wie.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Direkt vor mir, im ersten Stock des Wohnhauses, befand sich ein
Geschäft, das längst geplündert worden war. Aber ich war nicht an dem Laden interessiert
oder daran, was man darin möglicherweise finden konnte. Mich interessierte
vielmehr der Dachüberstand, von dem aus ich leicht den Balkon im zweiten Stock
erreichen konnte. Der Balkon war durch ein starkes Gitter und eine Isolierverglasung
aus metallisiertem Polyplastikmaterial geschützt, aber es war nicht dieser
Balkon, den ich brauchte. Ich hatte einen im dritten Stock im Auge, der sich über
dem Balkon mit den Gittern befand und nicht verglast war. Wahrscheinlich war
die Wohnungstür auch eine Standardausführung und nicht schwer zu öffnen. Ich
könnte sie mit einem Tritt aushebeln und dann von innen verbarrikadieren. Okay,
das klang nach einem Plan. Und jetzt, da ich einen Plan hatte, konnte ich nicht
mehr nur rumsitzen. Ich musste meinen Arsch hochkriegen und handeln.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ich spitzte die Ohren - alles schien ruhig. Keine Schüsse, kein Geschrei.
Scheiß drauf!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ich verließ den Vorgarten, überquerte den Fußweg - schnell, aber
bemüht, kein Geräusch zu machen - und versteckte mich im Schatten des Ladens.
Ich kauerte mich hin, sah mich um und lauschte in die Nacht. Ich konnte einige
Geräusche hören, aber sie waren zu weit weg, um mich zu beunruhigen. Es konnte
losgehen!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ich stand auf, sprang hoch, griff nach der Kante und zog mich auf den
Überstand des Ladens. Die erste Etappe war geschafft. Ich sicherte den Armierstab
hinter meinem Rücken, lief zwei kurze Schritte nach oben, stellte meinen Fuß
auf einen Mauervorsprung, sprang wieder hoch und griff nach dem Balkongeländer.
Verdammt, war das rutschig! Ich keuchte und strampelte mit den Füßen, aber schließlich
fand ich Halt. Jetzt musste ich noch ein bisschen höher nach den Stangen
greifen und auf die Fensterbank klettern. Geschafft. Ich schob mich vorsichtig
nach rechts. Verflucht, die elende Fensterbank klapperte! Hier kam die Kante. Vorsichtig
bewegte ich mich auf den nächsten Balkon. Oh, dieser hier hatte horizontale Gitterstäbe,
toll! Jetzt war es ein Kinderspiel!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ich kletterte höher, wobei ich mich an der Verkleidung des anvisierten Balkons
festkrallte. Ehrlich gesagt, waren die horizontalen Vorsprünge im Kunststoffbeton
nicht zum Klettern geeignet, aber ich brauchte sie bloß, um das Gleichgewicht
zu halten. Ich durfte nur nicht darüber nachdenken, was passieren könnte, wenn
ich aus dem dritten Stocks herunterfallen sollte. Es konnte gut gehen, oder es
konnte mit einem Bruch der Wirbelsäule enden. Oder es könnte ein Pfahl aus dem
Boden ragen ... Ich hatte doch „Nicht nachdenken!“ gesagt. Ein kurzer Ruck -
und ich hatte die Hand am Geländer des unverglasten Balkons. Jetzt die andere
Hand – hochziehen ... Geschafft!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ich rollte mich über das Geländer und lag ein paar Sekunden auf dem
kalten Boden, um zur Besinnung zu kommen. Puh! Ich war nicht mehr geschmeidig
genug für diese Art der Akrobatik. Ich musste wieder in Form kommen, bevor es
zu spät war.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Keine Zeit zum Herumliegen! Aufgestanden!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Der Balkon war leer. Ich sah absolut nichts Brauchbares, außer einem
leeren Polyplastikeimer und einem schmutzigen Lappen. Wozu hätte ich diese
Gegenstände benutzen können? Mir fiel auf Anhieb nichts ein. Okay, was kam als
Nächstes? Ich schaute durch die Fenster, aber es war zu dunkel, um irgendetwas
zu erkennen. Verdammt. Nun, mir blieb keine andere Wahl. Ich musste hineingehen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Wie ich gedacht hatte, war die Balkontür billig und morsch. Ich
lauschte und vergewisserte mich, dass ich keine Aufmerksamkeit erregt hatte, dann
stemmte ich mich mit der Schulter dagegen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Die Tür flog auf. Schnell hielt ich sie mit der Hand fest, um zu
verhindern, dass sie gegen die Wand schlug, und trat hinein.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Aus der Dunkelheit heraus sprang jemand auf mich zu, stieß mich zu
Boden und schlug meinen Kopf gegen die Wand.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span lang="DE" style="mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Verdammt noch mal!<o:p></o:p></span></p>Simon Valehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16142080565999248152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1879934328827513079.post-69409729680420809842021-03-26T02:25:00.010-07:002021-03-26T02:25:57.776-07:00Fantasia by Simon Vale<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Fantasia<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Second Shot<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">by Simon Vale<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Opp85jhg0rQ/YF2oU784U9I/AAAAAAAACkk/YtaZPXN3b0cPD7dtUU3xrBWYqh-BTjz7wCLcBGAsYHQ/s500/51lIHQ00pOL%255B1%255D.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Opp85jhg0rQ/YF2oU784U9I/AAAAAAAACkk/YtaZPXN3b0cPD7dtUU3xrBWYqh-BTjz7wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/51lIHQ00pOL%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Release - June 7, 2021</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Pre-order on Amazon - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08ZNPQVP2">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08ZNPQVP2</a></span></div><br /><p></p>
<div style="border-left: solid #ED7D31 1.5pt; border: none; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0cm 0cm 0cm 12pt;">
<h1 align="center" style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm; mso-border-left-alt: solid #ED7D31 1.5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 12.0pt; padding: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant: small-caps; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Chapter 1<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">I swear she was the most beautiful woman in the world.
And she was laughing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">“Three huge wet fish,” I said. “I’m not making this
up, I swear!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">That laugh! And I was laughing along with her. Not at
my own story, which was mediocre, C+ at best. Out of sheer happiness.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">The waiter came over and she immediately buried her
nose in the menu. She was embarrassed that she had spent the time allotted for
studying the menu chatting with me instead. Her red ears stuck out from behind
the folded menu, and by God, in that moment, she was the most beautiful woman
in the whole wide world. I felt breathless. I needed a moment of respite from
my overwhelming joy. I asked the waiter where the restroom was.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">“Past the front desk and to the left, by the meat
display counter.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">I stood up and she tracked my movement with narrowed
eyes. As if I was throwing her to the waiter to eat for dinner. I grinned
maliciously. But all my malice involuntarily slipped into the smile of a happy
fool, and she reveled in triumph.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">I turned and swaggered down the hall as if in a
drunken stupor. An elderly couple at a neighboring table studied their menu
scrupulously, while further down, a pair of five-year-old twins picked at a
basket of french fries. Their sandals lay under the table.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">I made it to the display case and saw a white door. My
head was swimming. I pushed the door open and turned on the cold water tap.
Raising my eyes to the mirror above the sink, I saw my own reflection. And the
forest. And then just the forest.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">The forest was an undeniable and mind-boggling
hallucination. It was just like the real thing, and I saw each detail
distinctly: every blade of grass, every leaf. I tried to keep my head as still
as possible, afraid that the wondrous vision would vanish, but I moved
nonetheless and realized that the hallucination was three-dimensional. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">I stood under a tree, sunbeams shining through the
canopy above my head. I spun and felt a breeze on my face. The forest was all
around. And it was a summer forest. A summer forest in mid-November. I reached
out and touched the bark of a nearby tree. The sensation was faint, not real.
But there was a sensation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">What I experienced over the next few minutes defies
all description. My mind was trying to work out what had happened and was
coming up blank. I was in a forest. Alone. Oh my God, Yana! I left Yana back at
the table. And I’m in a forest. A completely incongruous smile bloomed across
my face. What a stupid prank! This is simply impossible!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">I looked down at my hands and was completely
dumbfounded. They were no longer mine. There was something very unnerving in
those slender hands covered with smooth, yellow-tinted skin. I hastily glanced
around and felt my body. With each passing second, a feeling of horror and
strange disgust grew stronger within me. This was not my body, and it was a
very strange body, as if someone had forcefully shoved my consciousness into
someone else...It carried out the signals sent by my brain, but all of my
senses aside from sight and hearing were dulled. My sense of smell was almost
completely gone, and the sensation of touch lacked any variation. But most
importantly: if I was here, then where was my real body?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">And then I saw the window. It hung in the air directly
in front of me, and bore the following message:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Find your true body within 7 days<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">The message disintegrated into a thin stream of golden
sand, which then flowed through the air towards me. I flinched in fear, but the
sand was quicker. It gathered itself into a tiny pyramid, froze mid-air, and
took the shape of an hourglass amulet around my neck.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">I grasped at the hourglass. Minuscule grains of sand
slipped slowly from one side to the other. Seven days! What, I’m just supposed
to spend seven days wandering around this forest in—and here, I shuddered at
the thought—this body?!! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">A golden glow illuminated the bottom of the window,
and suddenly, a new notification popped up:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">You require weapons<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Below the message hung miniature replicas of a sword,
bow and spear, all of which were slowly rotating. Maybe it was the woody
surrounds that made me jab my finger at the bow. The sword, spear and message
disappeared. The bow began to grow until it reached the appropriate size and
continued to hang in the air. I reached out a trembling hand. Weapons? Why do I
need weapons? Hold on, stop. A stranger’s body, weapons, weird pop-up notifications.
Why do I get the feeling that I’m inside a computer game? But that’s just
absurd. VR games can be quite spectacular, but the technology to embed VR chips
in the brain simply doesn’t exist. Or does it? But for God’s sake, I don’t have
one of those chips, and the bathroom of a restaurant can’t be a VR capsule.
It’s complete insanity!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">The bow was in my hands. A flexible bough with notches
to hold the thick bowstring in place. I tested it out. It wasn’t strung too
tight, and was clearly not a toy, but a combat weapon. But what about arrows?
Acting on an unknown reflex, I felt around to touch my back and felt something
rough. Reaching in, I pulled out an arrow. A long arrow, adorned with grey
feathers and fixed with an iron tip.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">I had never shot an arrow in my life. Why did I choose
the bow?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Because I require weapons.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Why did I require weapons?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">* * *</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-align: center; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">I took a few steps forward, then stopped. I didn’t
want to wander too far from the place I had spawned. What if the door suddenly
opened again and I was far away? But there was nothing there. I had searched
the area thoroughly. I stood there for an eternity. What do I do now?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Say: “Character Sheet”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">I stared blankly at this message for some time, unable
to comprehend its meaning. But no thought was required: as soon as I had read
the full phrase, another, more detailed slide filled the window:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; margin-left: 35.4pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Please enter name, level 2 (2 experience points)<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; margin-left: 35.4pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; margin-left: 35.4pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Strength: 1 (base level)<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; margin-left: 35.4pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Dexterity: 0<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; margin-left: 35.4pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Intellect: 0<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; margin-left: 35.4pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Wisdom: 0<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; margin-left: 35.4pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Constitution: 1 (base level)<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; margin-left: 35.4pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; margin-left: 35.4pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Damage: 1x6<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; margin-left: 35.4pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Armor: 0<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; margin-left: 35.4pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Health: 10 HP<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; margin-left: 35.4pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; margin-left: 35.4pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Speed: 5.5<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; margin-left: 35.4pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Stamina: 50<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; margin-left: 35.4pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Mana: 0<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; margin-left: 35.4pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; margin-left: 35.4pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Available:<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; margin-left: 35.4pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">1 character point<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; margin-left: 35.4pt; text-indent: 35.4pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">I considered the slide carefully. At one point I had
devoted a considerable amount of time to video games, and what I saw made
little lasting impression. Because the technology was so primitive! There’s no
way such a crude system would ever be able to support such a high level of
graphics! Another puzzle was the fact that the program’s analysis of me gave me
a base level of strength and constitution, but found me lacking in intellect or
wisdom. I’m not pretentious or anything, but it kind of hurt. In my head, I
wished that my intellect was higher, and it immediately increased by one point.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">New Intellect skills available<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">“View!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; margin-left: 35.4pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Build a bonfire<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; margin-left: 35.4pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Cartography<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; margin-left: 35.4pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Languages<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; margin-left: 35.4pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Magical damage 1/2<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; margin-left: 35.4pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Prepare a trap<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; margin-left: 35.4pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">View five more skills…<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">No further explanation. I turned away from the
message, deep in thought. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">The sun was low on the horizon. The light was
beginning to turn crimson. God, what am I supposed to do? Play the game! And
then it dawned on me. With all my mental capacities, I thought, “Exit game!”
Nothing happened. I tried several more variations, but in the end, all I had to
show for it was a headache. The damn pixels (or whatever they were) in my head
actually hurt, just like they did in real life! So they couldn’t find a way to
render smells, but they really pulled out all the stops with the pain sensors.
For the love of Christ! I was on a date with the most beautiful woman in the
world, and now I had no idea what to do, didn’t even know who I was, and hadn’t
an inkling where I was standing. And the program was in no hurry to answer any
of these questions. Save for the last one. I returned to the list and made my
selection.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Open Cartography skill<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Not a single
damn thing happened! I thought, “Map!” and a wide black rectangle appeared. In
the bottom left quadrant, pressed up against the edge of the map shone a tiny
white speck, and I realized that this was the very place where I stood.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="ru" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RO6x5RQi6oE/YF2n4pdxPNI/AAAAAAAACkc/1eiXCPsQLKYCvN1nBmpncIgYCa7c4UsWwCLcBGAsYHQ/1_%25D1%2582%25D0%25BE%25D1%2587%25D0%25BA%25D0%25B0%2B%25D0%25B2%2B%25D1%2587%25D0%25B5%25D1%2580%25D0%25BD%25D0%25BE%25D0%25BC%2B%25D0%25BC%25D0%25BE%25D1%2580%25D0%25B5.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1083" data-original-width="2048" height="291" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RO6x5RQi6oE/YF2n4pdxPNI/AAAAAAAACkc/1eiXCPsQLKYCvN1nBmpncIgYCa7c4UsWwCLcBGAsYHQ/w552-h291/1_%25D1%2582%25D0%25BE%25D1%2587%25D0%25BA%25D0%25B0%2B%25D0%25B2%2B%25D1%2587%25D0%25B5%25D1%2580%25D0%25BD%25D0%25BE%25D0%25BC%2B%25D0%25BC%25D0%25BE%25D1%2580%25D0%25B5.png" width="552" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">But then
where was the map? There was no map. In its place, a new golden message
twinkled:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Your hunger gauge is at 20%. You only have a few hours of strength left
to go hunting! <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Long-term starvation may lead to your ultimate demise!<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">* * *</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">My ultimate demise. In other words, I’m already practically
dead, but not entirely? What, am I in a coma? And this is some sort of glitch
in the astral plane? God, anything but that!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">In a clearing, I found a thick-trunked tree and
decided to try out my archery skills. It turned out I only had ten arrows. I lost
three of them rather quickly, and was only able to recover one. Some of them
somehow managed to hit the tree. But these skills would only catch me a rabbit
under a very opportune set of circumstances. I’d have to invest a point in
Dexterity. And I’d have to actually go somewhere to hunt. I turned towards the
tree that I hadn’t let out of my sight for the past several hours, and thought
the words: “Mark a spot on the map”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Name?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">“Entry Point.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">* * *</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Birds. If you step carefully, there are an awful lot
of birds in the forest. I didn’t think I’d be able to bag a bird. But I did it
on the second shot. With a heavy thud, it fell from the branch where it had
been sitting. It was big, with red and ochre plumage. Standing above it, I
wondered what someone who chose the sword would have done in the forest. Toss
it at the bird? Go after a boar instead? The bow seemed like the best choice.
Then I remembered the “build a bonfire” option in the list of skills where I
had chosen cartography. There were no fires in the vicinity. The sun was now
completely obscured by three trees, and dusk hung heavy over the forest. My
hunger was growing. It was odd, but I thought I actually felt something almost
like hunger.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">I wandered through the forest until I came across a
small clearing with two fallen trees. I plopped down on one and gave the bird a
sniff. It had no odor. I tried to pluck the feathers off the carcass and
succeeded rather quickly. I used the end of an arrow as a knife, and soon held
a hunk of bird meat in my hands. I didn’t want to eat it in that state, but
what else could I do? I automatically opened my character sheet and spent some
time perusing it, until I noticed that I had already reached level three. When?
After a brief parley with the program, I gave the command, “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Open activity log.”</i> Aha! The bird was
apparently level five. Killing it gave me only two experience points, but that
was enough! How quickly do you gain levels in this game?<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">I used a point on “build a bonfire” and a flint and
firesteel appeared, held in the newly-created inventory. It could hold a small
number of items, which had to be arranged within a small flat plane. Almost
like pin the tail on the donkey.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">I quickly built a bonfire and must admit that it
instantly improved my evening. I laid the bird on the fire and, although the
meat had no taste whatsoever, my hunger pains subsided and I warmed up a
little. As it turns out, the forest gets pretty cold!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 130%; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 130%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">I lay by the fire and thought about Yana. How
wonderful it would be to fall asleep now and wake up next to her!</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Release - June 7, 2021</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Pre-order on Amazon - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08ZNPQVP2">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08ZNPQVP2</a></span></div></div>Simon Valehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16142080565999248152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1879934328827513079.post-76433495715803158232021-02-25T09:04:00.005-08:002021-02-25T09:05:20.954-08:00The Crow Cycle by Dem Mikhailov<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Crow Cycle<br />by Dem Mikhailov<br />Book 1</span></h3><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nz_NwZxqyQ0/YDfYQU_DhTI/AAAAAAAACiA/3JRslPdnWCs56WbiEKvYj9BkBRdwxwqlwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/crow_1_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="537" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nz_NwZxqyQ0/YDfYQU_DhTI/AAAAAAAACiA/3JRslPdnWCs56WbiEKvYj9BkBRdwxwqlwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/crow_1_800.jpg" /></a></h3><h3><br /><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></h3><div style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><b><span style="color: red;">Release - August 11, 2021</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><b><span style="color: red;">Pre-order on Amazon - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08XJNK1CJ">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08XJNK1CJ</a></span></b></span></div><h3><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US">Chapter One<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The bright virtual sun hung directly
over the great city of Algora, generously pouring light over the roofs of
houses, reflecting off of colorful stained-glass windows, and drying out
puddles left from yesterday's rain. The rain had evidently been quite heavy. It
cleansed the city from dirt and garbage, sending them into the gutters, and
thus straight into the deep catacombs of Algora.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The guards, feeling lazy from the
sun's warmth, watched the endless throng of people going in and out of the
city. None of them bothered getting in the people's way. One of the guards
noticed a white dot moving among the crowds, and, looking more closely,
squinted in disbelief. He said nothing, however, while following the steadily
moving form of a short and stocky dwarf. The guard's surprise was
understandable. The dwarf looked far too ridiculous, dressed in only a canvas
shirt that was worn and torn in places, plus a pair of similar-looking pants.
He had no shoes, no hat, nor any kind of weapon in his hands. Only a thin sack
was slung over his back. Well, that was his business. As long as he wasn't
walking around naked, the guards didn't care. Let him go on his way. That was
the mentality of the "locals," the native inhabitants in the world of
Waldyra.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The “outsiders” or “foreigners,” as
the players were called here, looked upon the passing dwarf with sincere
curiosity and even bewilderment. Their attention was drawn to his
"noob" clothes, which every player receives at the start. There
wasn't the slightest hint of weaponry on his back or on his waist. Upon further
inspection of the strange player-dwarf (it was definitely a player), their
confusion only deepened. What particularly stood out was his bizarre nickname,
"Crow Eater," which sounded neither heroic, nor meaningful, nor even
remotely exotic. A dwarf that eats crows... Ridiculous! Beside the innocently
green nickname was a very lonely and pitiful-looking number "1".<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Level One! Without any equipment!
And he is mindlessly heading right outside the safe walls of Algora! What a
noob!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Stifled laughs were heard from all
sides, and someone tried to call out to the strange dwarf:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Hey, newbie! Wait! Isn't it a
bit early for you to go outside these walls? You'll get eaten by mons--<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The well-wisher did not get to
finish his sentence. The dwarf's broad back was visible for a split second—then
it vanished among the crowds that thronged into the archway of the gates.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"You fool!" groaned the
well-wisher in frustration, casting a last glance at the city gate.
"You'll get killed over there! Stupid newbie..."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Oblivious to these dire warnings,
Crow Eater was already past the gates and outside the city. Turning sharply, he
walked along the outside wall. He directed his steps towards the emerald tents
slightly further ahead, which were situated in the shade of five spreading
ancient oaks. His bare feet trod confidently on the bright green grass, with
his gaze fixed on his destination. Despite what the other players might think,
the dwarf knew exactly what he was doing when he left the securely guarded
city. And he left right on time, in order to arrive at the tents an hour before
noon. As soon as the dwarf reached the tents, he was stopped.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Halt, stranger!" called a
thickset guard with a gray mustache. He was sitting at an ordinary wooden
table, and, despite the heat, wearing a corselet polished to a shine. "You
cannot pass through here! These are summer barracks for the guards. No
trespassers allowed."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Good morning, most honorable
sir. I thank you for the warning." The dwarf sank into a deep bow, nearly
touching the tall grass with his forehead. "Will you listen to my humble
request, sir?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Hmm..." hummed the guard
uncertainly, eying the rather modestly dressed midget. "I see you're
well-mannered... No harm in hearing you out. Well, speak!"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"I am weak," the dwarf
confessed his status outright, "and I still have a long journey ahead.
Anything can happen on the way."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"That is true. But what do you
want—what's-your-name?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Crow," said the dwarf,
breaking into a wide disarming smile. "My name is Crow. May I know your
worthy name, most honorable sir?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Hmm..." mused the guard,
smoothing his mustache with his fingers. "How respectful you are, Crow...
I am called Andregvaartiel. Do you hear?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"I hear."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Now try to repeat it!"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"A splendid name!
Andregvaartiel! If I am not mistaken, such names are given in the faraway
northern regions with harsh climates, where only the strongest survive. You
must be from Winterhills, are you not, honorable Andregvaartiel?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"That is correct," nodded
the stunned guard with the unpronounceable name. "That is exactly where I
am from—Winterhills."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"And your name means 'tough as
a vaart'!" added Crow. "Your esteemed parents gave you a splendid
name, honorable Andregvaartiel!"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"I am simply amazed,"
confessed the man with the graying mustache. "You are wise beyond your
years, boy! I'm impressed!"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189); border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189); mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4F81BD .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10pt 0cm;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Congratulations!<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>+1 goodwill towards interactions with
Andregvaartiel, head of summer guard camp!</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Crow did not show the slightest
surprise upon seeing the message pop up on the virtual screen in front of his
eyes. He merely closed it, taking it for granted. His conversation with the
head of summer guard camp had not been improvised on the spot. Before coming
here, he already found out some things about the gray-mustached guard and
skillfully laid out his cards on the table, earning one point for his
reputation. Crow researched this information even before his rebirth into the
world of Waldyra. He even made sure to memorize the long and difficult name by
repeating it aloud dozens of times. And now he was reaping the well-deserved
fruits of his labor. Everything was going according to plan.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Thank you for your kind words!
I do not deserve them." The dwarf bowed politely once again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Crow... I will remember that
name, son," promised Andregvaartiel. "But what did you want? Hurry, I
need to send two dozen guards to their shift soon."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>One of the traits that was
commonly—but not always—shared among the guards was their strong sympathy
towards "foreigners" who recently arrived in this world. Sometimes,
this amounted to a desire to help.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"This was exactly what I wanted
to talk about, good sir. May I accompany the noble guards on their journey? One
of the passing travelers, seeing my weakness and poverty, advised me to seek
help from you and ask for your charity. I cannot protect myself from beasts or
highway robbers."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Hmm... You do not ask for
much. Why not help?" The head of guard nodded decidedly, "Your
request is granted! What is your destination? And for what purpose?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"My destination lies toward the
Gray Peak, honorable Andregvaartiel," responded Crow. "Common folk
say there is plenty of work there for those who do not mind hard labor."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Gray Peak...hmm...That is
exactly where my guards are headed. A guard post has been established there by
royal decree for the protection of travelers. And you are right: there is
plenty of work over there. Alright, then! I will give my young men the order to
watch over you on the way. You will not get there by foot. Even though it is
not very far, you do not look like an exceptional hiker. We will put you on top
of the cart with supplies."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"I thank you again with all of
my heart," said the player Crow, pressing his hand to his chest.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Let us go already," the
gray-mustached guard grunted good-naturedly, getting up and beckoning to the
dwarf to follow him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The head of the guard knew his job
well. Less than ten minutes later, the dwarf was already sitting on the cart
loaded with heavy sacks and hitched to a pair of bay draft horses. Two dozen
mounted guards surrounded several carts on all sides, and the tiny convoy set
off down the road, moving south, towards the outline of the tall mountains
barely visible in the distance.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Crow did not forget to wave goodbye
to Andregvaartiel of the Winterhills, expressing his gratitude for the help. He
waited until the emerald tents and waving royal flags were completely out of
sight before turning to the nearest guard, whose horse was walking unhurriedly
alongside the cart. He began a conversation about nothing in particular, the
sort of talk reserved for a long road ahead. At least, that's what it looked
like from the side. Actually, Crow was working hard to establish connections.
If they couldn't be friends, or even buddies, then they could at least be
casual acquaintances. And he was quite successful. By the end of the relatively
brief journey, when the lonely watchtower came into view, the ragged dwarf
managed to find out and memorize a dozen new names. To avoid relying only on
his memory, Crow carefully wrote all the information into a notebook that was
part of the interface. Each name was accompanied by a short description of
outward characteristics and special traits, if any.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Glintius: Tall guard with long
red hair, round nose, and deep scar on left cheek. According to Glintius, scar
was received from sword blow during fight with robbers. This occurred 10 years
ago."</span></i></b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Over a dozen similar notes were made
for the others. He didn't manage to raise his reputation with any of the
guards, but that wasn't Crow's objective at the moment. There would be time for
local social games.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>With a last creak of its wheels, the
cart stopped in front of the tower. Not waiting to be told, the dwarf hurriedly
jumped down to the ground and bowed low, loudly addressing all guards at once:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Thank you kindly, good guards!
Only thanks to you was I able to stay safe and sound!"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Don't mention it,"
answered one of the older guards with a careless wave. "You are a good,
modest fella. Helping your kind is only natural. Good luck!"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He was dismissed, but the dwarf had
no plans of leaving. By that time, most of the guards had already dispersed and
were conversing with their buddies from the previous shift. Only three of them
remained near the cart: they were the youngest and without mustaches. Glancing
sideways at the cart, the dwarf scratched his head and asked uncertainly:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Shall I help with unloading?
As a thank-you for your help."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Will you manage?"
inquired the raven-haired Scipio with a slight laugh, whose name the dwarf had
already found out and written down.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"I'll try!" the dwarf shot
back with enthusiasm, his eyes searching for the smallest bags and containers.
"I cannot manage anything too heavy, as my strength cannot rival yours
yet, but I'll do what I can! I cannot leave my debt to your kindness
unpaid!"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Come on, then!" grinned
Scipio, exchanging a brief look with his friends. “T'is a sin to refuse help so
willingly given.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189); border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189); mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4F81BD .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10pt 0cm;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Congratulations!<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>+1 goodwill towards interactions with
the watchmen of Gray Peak!</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Crow did not wait to be told.
Knowing the limitations of his character, he grabbed a small white sack labeled
"salt" and, clutching it to his chest, hurried after Scipio, who had
slung a huge 150 lb sack of flour over his shoulder with ease. They were
heading towards a fairly short but solidly built loghouse, which was attached
to the watchtower. The tower itself was made of stone and crowned with a wide
lookout platform under a thatched roof. As it turned out, there was a general
warehouse inside the loghouse. Once inside, Crow was careful not to show
excessive interest in his surroundings, and only glanced sideways out of the
corners of his eyes. On top of the shelves lay food supplies, bunches of
arrows, some armor... That was pretty much it. Only the most needed items for
carrying out duties. Without looking more closely, the dwarf carefully set down
the little white bag of salt on the indicated shelf. Then he hurried back to
the cart, glancing anxiously at his quarter-filled tiredness level. He wasn't
going to slack off. He needed to put in his best effort; the guards must see
that he is trying his hardest, not just pretending to work.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Soon, the supplies cart was
empty—mostly due to the efforts of the powerful guards, rather than those of
the feeble dwarf. Level One is only the first level, after all. Nevertheless,
Crow put in 200% effort, decisively grabbing objects of more-or-less suitable
weight and nearly dragging them to the warehouse. At times, he would
practically crawl out the doors of the warehouse and fall down exhausted, lying
flat on the ground until his energy came back. Then he would bounce to his feet
and hurry back to the cart, searching for the next suitable object to carry.
His greatest achievement was a small barrel of dill pickles. He could have
rolled it along the ground, but instead, Crow carried it in his arms, huffing
and nearly collapsing within a few feet of the shelf. Still, he managed to
cover the last few steps and put the barrel in its place. In reward for this
feat, the game system took pity on him and presented the following message:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189); border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189); mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4F81BD .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10pt 0cm;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Your strength has increased by 1
unit.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The game system had counted the
exhausting unloading as physical exercise. As if wishing to add zest to this
statement, the system threw him another surprise: his canvas shirt suddenly
tore along the shoulder seam. Plus, it now had more dirty stains than ever.
After this fact, another message appeared, this time containing a direct hint:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189); border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189); mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4F81BD .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10pt 0cm;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>A character's outward appearance
plays an important role in the world of Waldyra!</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Completely unconcerned, the dwarf
closed both messages dispassionately. He looked over at the cart, making sure
it was empty. Smiling with relief and wiping his dirty face on his sleeve, he
turned to the trio of young guards. Laying a hand to his chest, he gave them
short bow:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"I hope I was of some
assistance, good guards!"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Participation counts,"
smiled Scipio. "You helped as much as you could. And that is enough. Am I
right, brothers?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"That's right!"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Indeed!"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Here, take this!" The
guard whose beard had barely begun to grow stretched out something in his hand:
a wooden spool of black thread with a couple of needles stuck deeply into it.
"It's a present from me. Since your clothes have completely worn out, I
see."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"My thanks!" Crow decided
not to refuse and happily accepted the gift.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Take this, too!" Scipio
handed him a large red apple. "For a snack."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Thank you, kind Scipio,"
said the shabby-looking dwarf, remembering to express gratitude as well as
mention the name of his benefactor.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Here's something from me,
too...why not..." rumbled the voice of the largest-looking of the three,
who reached out and handed Crow half a huge loaf of bread. "You can't work
on an empty stomach."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Thank you!" Thank you
very much, kind Theos!"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"I hope we'll see each other
again," said Scipio, clapping the dwarf on the shoulder, “but now it's
time for us to go to our shift."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After saying goodbye to the guards,
the player watched them depart; then he carefully placed the gifts inside his
bag, looked around, and, spotting a sloping hill a short distance away, jogged
towards it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sitting at the top of the hill,
which was thickly covered with dry grass, Crow began to study the surrounding
area. His sharp eyes noted every minor detail, every landmark, and every
feature in the surroundings, committing even the most trivial things to memory.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The area was relatively flat; the
soil was rocky. There was some vegetation, though it was quite sparse. The
nearest trees were rather distant, but not too far away. The location resembled
a small valley, in the middle of which stood the watchtower constructed from
roughly hewn stone. That was all. There were absolutely no other buildings,
unless you counted the log warehouse and the two canopy shelters beside it. One
of the shelters was used as a kitchen; a dozen hammocks also hung there. The
other one was an improvised stable, able to shield from the sun or rain, but
not from the wind.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>All in all, everything was just as
Crow had expected, based on the information he read about this new watchpost
created barely a week ago by special royal decree. Most importantly, the guards
were already here. The location was declared conditionally safe. The large
square area with a tower in its center was free of monsters, with the guards
vigilantly scouting the surroundings. The top of the hill where he was sitting
offered an excellent view—Crow watched a dozen newly arrived guards leave to
patrol the nearby area, a few more soldiers taking their posts, and the rest
busying themselves with housekeeping, such as cooking and other minor chores.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>To the side was a very tall and
narrow peak of grayish brown grim-looking stone, which gave the post its name:
Gray Peak. It was just a big chunk of rock, covered with deep cracks and quite
unfriendly in appearance. It was quite close by—less than a half-mile away.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Good day," spoke a soft
voice from the bottom of the hill.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Involuntarily flinching, Crow looked
down and met the gaze of an angel, who was quietly standing at the base of the
grass mound. His snow-white robes were embroidered with gold; his golden curls
were elegantly styled into an elaborate hairdo... Blimey... A member of the
admin decided to pay him a visit.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Good day, Immortal One,"
said the dwarf with a slight smile. "An angel has descended for me? My
time has come, then? To go to heaven? Already?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Please do not joke like
that!" The angel sounded reproachful. "There is no reason to worry—or
to make such foolish jokes."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"My apologies," smiled the
dwarf yet again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"You are in excellent health.
There is nothing to get anxious over," repeated the angel forcefully.
"Believe me, we watch quite carefully over...your kind. This is no more
than a courtesy visit. Live happily and prosper."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Live..." repeated the
dwarf grimly. "Thank you, I'll try."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"But your chosen location—isn't
it a bit boring?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Not at all. I like it
here," Crow assured the admin representative. "I like it a lot."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"So you've decided to stay
awhile?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Uh-huh," beamed the
carefree dwarf.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The angel responded with an equally
warm-hearted smile.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"The choice is yours. All the
roads of Waldyra are open to you," shrugged the Immortal One. "How
are you feeling?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"I am very well, thank
you."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Well, let me take my leave
then. Good luck!"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Thank you!" said Crow to
an already empty spot as the angel vanished in a flash of gold.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sitting still for another minute or
so, the dwarf's face suddenly split into a wide happy grin. He scooped up a
handful of soil, let it fall through his fingers, and muttered:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Live happily and prosper...I
shall try. Try to live, to be happy... to prosper. Well? Is it time to start?
Yes, I think so."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A window of basic characteristics
appeared before his eyes, indicating that his character was currently at the
very beginning of his path.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189); border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189); mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4F81BD .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10pt 0cm;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Basic characteristics:<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Strength - 2<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Intelligence - 1<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Agility - 1<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Endurance - 1<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Wisdom - 1</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After skeptically scrolling through
his pathetic stats, the dwarf pulled off his ragged shirt with a sigh, and
regarded his own powerful biceps and bulging chest with amusement. His torso
looked extremely muscular (which was unsurprising, given that Crow had
personally created the character's appearance), but it had no strength
whatsoever. At least not yet. It was all just for show, a complete sham.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He needed to start correcting this
flaw immediately. The guard post was ideal for this purpose, as it was still in
the process of being built; however, the "newborn" dwarf could not
yet take advantage of the opportunities it offered. He simply didn't have enough
strength.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Judging by the information obtained
from his research, the Gray Peak location was bound to change significantly.
Future building plans included barracks for the guards, with a summer kitchen
beside them and spacious stables nearby; and later, when the basic amenities
are in place, they will add a small market, where travelers can purchase
supplies for their journey and sell excess meat or pelts. But that's still far
off in the future. The game world of Waldyra was notorious for creating difficulties
for both players and "locals." All the above-mentioned things will
not magically appear out of nowhere. Everything will need to be built by the
hands of the guards, who have enough to deal with already. Crow planned to
offer his services to the tired guards very soon. But not until he can manage
to lift at least a small log. There is no use for weaklings at a medieval
construction site, where the only mechanically assisted means were horses and
carts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Flopping onto his back, the dwarf
rolled over and dug his palms into the firm rocky soil; with a short exhale, he
straightened his arms in his first push-up. O-one... t-two... His elbows bent
and straightened again obediently as his tiredness level crawled rapidly
upward. On the twenty-fifth push-up, his elbows refused to obey, and his entire
body collapsed to the ground. Lying face down on the ground, Crow smiled
contentedly while closely examining the emerald blades of sparse grass that
sprouted between rocks. No sooner than the scarlet indicator of tiredness
stopped blinking, the dwarf resumed his exercise, managing to squeeze out
another four push-ups. After this, he briefly froze in another stupor. The most
important thing was to not let his body rest too much, to not let tiredness
disappear.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A half-hour's worth of exhausting
and somewhat laughable exercises later, Crow was rewarded by the merciful
system.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189); border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189); mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4F81BD .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10pt 0cm;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Your strength has increased by 1
unit.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Your endurance has increased by 1
unit.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sighing tiredly, he stretched out
his trembling arms for the last time; then he slowly got to his feet, his face
shining with happiness. Here was something to be proud of—the first stage of a
carefully planned dream was fulfilled! Although he could have continued with
the exercise, physical development was not the only thing on his mind.
Relationships with the guards played a major role in his plan. Therefore, Crow
turned his attention to his torn shirt, bearing in mind that "a
character's outward appearance plays an important role." Fortune, in the
form of a generous guard, had gifted him a spool of thread. He should put this
gift to use, before his only clothes became ruined entirely. He was no master
tailor, of course, but he should be able to thread the needle and close up the
torn seam.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Ten minutes into the task, the dwarf
was soberly reminded of his lack of sewing skills. Though he managed to sew up
the ripped seam and patch up all holes in his clothes, it looked awful. The
sharply contrasting black thread on the white canvas background only made
things worse. Nevertheless, the shirt had recovered part of its strength and
all major holes were gone. The bonus skill was also worth something:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189); border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189); mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4F81BD .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10pt 0cm;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Success!<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>You have achieved "Tailor—Class
1"!<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Your list of achievements can be
viewed in your character's settings menu.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Your reward:<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>+0.5% quality of created clothing.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>+1% quality of clothing repairs.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>+1% chance of successfully creating
clothing.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The spool of thread was returned to
the bag, which already held a bit of bread, one red apple, and a pristine clay
bowl. Those were all his earthly possessions.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After dusting himself off, the dwarf
descended the hill and instantly bent down to pick up a crooked stick with worn
bark. And so he went. From the side, Crow looked like a pilgrim journeying to a
holy temple, bowing with every step he took. But the dwarf was not heading to a
temple; rather, he directed his steps towards the canopy shelter. It housed a
stone hearth, over which hung a sizable copper cauldron with sides blackened by
soot. Beside it stood a solid-looking table with a roughly hewn tabletop.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>On the way, Crow consulted his
notebook and read up a few tips. He had a good memory and didn't really need
it, but it was better to be sure. Now the dwarf was certain that the guard
assigned to cooking duty was named Dredin. Moreover, Dredin was a dwarf, who
had a braided silver beard and a heavily wrinkled face. It seemed the dwarf was
a reputable chef: Why else would such a worthy warrior be sent to the kitchens?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Kind Dredin," said the
player as soon as he reached the kitchen, "I've brought some fuel for the
fire. As thanks for the help during the journey."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"O-ho!" rumbled Dredin,
looking rather skeptically at the thin bundle of skinny sticks. "Not bad!
Pity it's not enough. Throw it by the fire!"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>After obeying the order, Crow bowed
silently and turned to leave.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Wait a moment!" came
Dredin's cry. "I have an idea..."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Yes?" the player-dwarf
fired back enthusiastically.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Bring me a couple more of
these...” Dredin shoved the firewood bundle carelessly with his foot. "In
return, you can have a bowl of thick stew, plus a chunk of bread. What do you
say? Deal?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Thank you for the offer, kind
Dredin!" replied Crow immediately. "I will do it!"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189); border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189); mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4F81BD .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10pt 0cm;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Congratulations! You have received
your first assignment!<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Success!<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>You have achieved "Helping
Hand—Class 1"!<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Your list of achievements can be
viewed in your character's settings menu.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Your reward: +0.1% chance of object
recognition.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Current chance of successful
recognition: 0.3%<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>You have received the assignment
"Gather firewood"!<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Bring the guard from Gray Peak,
Dredin, firewood for the kitchen hearth.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Minimum requirements for completing
assignment:<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Bring enough firewood to make dinner.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Reward: a large bowl of thick stew
and a chunk of bread.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Completely satisfied, the dwarf left
the kitchen, whistling happily. He headed directly towards the boundary where
the "safe zone" created by the watchtower ended. On his way, he
passed a hill with an empty stone-paved court—the local respawning site—which
played a big role in the dwarf's choice of location. Crow had the sense not to
cross the boundary. He did not pay the slightest attention to the fat rabbit of
class 5, which was peacefully grazing some distance away. He did, however,
stare closely at the fiery red fox of class 10 that stalked the rabbit, its
whole body pressed to the ground. The local ecosystem in action! It would take
about five seconds for this little fox to send the flimsy dwarf directly to the
respawning spot.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Bending down, Crow grabbed a thick
fallen log, added a few thin branches that lay nearby, and snorted contentedly
again, picturing a large bowl of stew in his mind. That was something worth
working for! It was important not to just do the job, but overdo it!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The dwarf nearly crawled back to the
kitchen, struggling under the weight of the firewood he gathered. To his deep
regret, the game system did not reward such a mighty feat. His characteristics
did not level up. Nonetheless, Dredin, who was still cooking, grunted his
approval of the midget's efforts. Dropping the bundle of wood with a crash,
Crow wordlessly set out to gather more firewood.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When he brought another bundle,
Dredin opened his mouth to say something, but the "foreigner" had
already disappeared to search for the next portion of wood. On his third
return, Dredin opened his mouth again, this time in surprise, due to the sight
he beheld. Huffing and puffing and straining with his whole body, Crow was
hauling a small chunk of a rotten log that, unfortunately, had quite a few
branches. With one last mighty push, the log came to a halt near the hearth,
and a small message appeared in the player's view:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189); border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189); mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4F81BD .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10pt 0cm;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Your strength has increased by 1
unit.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Your endurance has increased by 1
unit.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"I've brought the
firewood," gasped the dwarf, breathing hard and addressing the amazed
cook.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Yes. You've worked hard,"
nodded Dredin in agreement. "You have fully earned your dinner! I see
you're a hardworking fellow. You can have seconds, too. You'll have your belly
full!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189); border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189); mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4F81BD .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10pt 0cm;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Congratulations!<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>+1 goodwill towards interactions with
the watchmen of Gray Peak!</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Thank you, kind Dredin,"
nodded Crow, recovering his breath and shaking dirt off his shirt. "I'll
accept it with gratitude. If you need anything, I'll be happy to help."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"I'll let you know,"
grumbled the dwarf with seeming indifference and turned back to the fragrant
meat stew.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Crow nodded silently and stepped out
of the kitchen to avoid being a nuisance to the cook. He sat down on a boulder
warmed by the setting sun and reopened the characteristics window:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189); border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189); mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4F81BD .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10pt 0cm;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Basic characteristics:<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Strength - 4<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Intelligence - 1<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Agility - 1<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Endurance - 3<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Wisdom - 1</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He made progress. And he already
earned +2 towards interactions with the guards of Gray Peak.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A light breeze ruffled Crow's jet
black hair, and he couldn't help smiling; he tilted his head to feel the wind
on his face. It was great to feel alive. And full of energy. It was even better
to have a plan for his life again. No—what felt great was the possibility
itself, to make plans again. From complex and daring plans, to simple and
childish ones. From beneficial ones, to those aimed at pleasant entertainment.
That's what life is all about. That which fills human life with meaning.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The flaming virtual sun was almost
touching the sharp tip of Gray Peak with its fiery belly—a reminder that
daytime would soon be over. Well then, he must hurry with building a shelter
for the night. Afterwards, he'd have a relaxing dinner. And then, a bit more
training...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The dwarf managed to accomplish a
lot before Dredin's carrying voice called everyone to dinner. Selecting a
suitable spot near the bottom of his previously chosen hill, he began to fetch
small chunks of rock and long sticks that he noted earlier and spared from the
insatiable kitchen bonfire. It would be a pity to burn such good building
materials. Crow arranged the rocks to form a simple fire pit, placing small
chunks of wood and aged bark into it. But he didn't light it, reasonably
assuming that there was still plenty of sun, enough for both heat and light.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>He was the last to arrive at the
kitchen, when every guard had received a bowl of stew, and some had already
demanded seconds. It wouldn't be fitting for him to receive his food before the
guards. The short-spoken Dredin kept his promise. The clay bowl was filled with
the thick stew; half a loaf of rye bread was laid beside it and a clean wooden
spoon was dropped overtop. With sincere thanks, Crow dug in enthusiastically,
deliberately clanging his spoon loudly against the bottom of his bowl. He
didn't say no to seconds, either, remembering to express his admiration of the
cook's masterful skills. Dredin simply grunted in response to the praise, but
couldn't quite conceal the satisfied smirk on his face.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Upon finishing his meal, the dwarf
visited a nearby stream and thoroughly washed his bowl, and then returned it to
the kitchens. One glance at the guards, who looked sluggish and drowsy after
the meal, told him that he wouldn't be getting any more assignments today. He
returned to the stream where he noted something interesting while he was
washing dishes. The stream itself was flowing from a round and fairly deep
pool, the bottom of which apparently contained the spring source. The happily
babbling water flowed over white sand at the bottom of a narrow channel that
stretched into infinity. It was full of life. Small minnows, about a finger in
length, darted to and fro; pompous-looking bullfrogs were also there.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dipping his hand into the cool
water, Crow tried to catch one of the fish; but it easily evaded his clumsy
fingers with a derisive flick of tail. The dwarf did not give up. Yet, time
after time, the little fish escaped from his overly slow movements.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Can't do anything without
agility here," muttered Crow, vexed. "Fine, I'll keep that in
mind."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>And again, his face lit up with the
joyful smile of a mischievous boy, who had been locked indoors for too long and
just now managed to get outside into the sunshine. It didn't matter that he
hadn't managed to catch the quick little fish. It did matter that he had the
opportunity to try.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Unwillingly, Crow tore his attention
away from the stream and checked his status. The stew made by the guard
provided a two-hour bonus of +2 endurance and +1 strength. He should use this
temporary boost wisely. Taking a few dozen wide steps, the dwarf found himself
next to a half-buried moderately sized boulder that looked fairly heavy. Last
time, which was before dinner, Crow couldn't move the large stone even an inch.
He didn't have enough strength back then. He took off his shirt, leaving
himself half-naked. Grunting, the dwarf embraced the rock and heaved it
upwards, straining his digital muscles. For a few lingering seconds, nothing
happened. Then, the half-buried boulder shifted reluctantly and began to emerge
from the ground. Using his remaining strength, the struggling player exerted
himself the limit, straightened his bent legs, and finally managed to upturn
the stone! He had no strength left for a victory cheer—the tiredness scale
flashed scarlet, and the dwarf simply collapsed beside the rock, planting his
face into the ground. He waited a couple of seconds, jumped up, pressed his
shoulder to the stubborn stone, put his arms around it and tried to lift it
slightly. The rock remained indifferent towards his pathetic efforts; the
compassionate game system, however, couldn't stand the poor dwarf's struggles
anymore and hastily sent him a small boost.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189); border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189); mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4F81BD .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10pt 0cm;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Your strength has increased by 1
unit.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Which was exactly what Crow was
after. Whistling with delight, the player closed the pleasant message and
turned toward the heavy boulder again. This time, the heavy rock, shaped like a
deformed pear, yielded to his efforts slightly easier, although it still seemed
to sneer silently at him...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Two hours later, Crow was sitting in
front of the stone fire pit that he made himself, watching the crackling flame
and gradually feeding it small sticks. The burning embers for making the fire
were graciously given to him by the guards.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>In front of the ragged dwarf's eyes
hung the window of basic characteristics, clearly showing his achievements for
today.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189); border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189); mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4F81BD .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10pt 0cm;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Basic characteristics:<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Strength - 6<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Intelligence - 1<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Agility - 1<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Endurance - 4<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Wisdom - 1</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Thanks to the nonstop exercise for
two hours with the stubborn rock, Crow raised his strength by another point,
same with his endurance. By that time, the bonus from the dinner ended, and
twilight had gathered.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Digging in his sack, the dwarf took
out a battered magazine, the <i>Worldwide News of Waldyra</i>, received as a
gift from Dredin the Guard when Crow came begging for fire embers. It was a
cheap magazine, yesterday's edition, but you could still read it. And look at
the pictures. Skipping the first page, Crow buried himself in the magazine,
reading slowly and drinking in every word.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Mysterious Navigator!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Our
dearest readers! The world has been shaken! The world has been upended! The
world is ready for great change! The Great Navigator has appeared! The ancient
spell has been read and analyzed! All of this can only mean one thing: The
great voyage towards the lost continent of Zar'graad begins! It is our
magazine's daily duty to bring the latest news on this fascinating subject,
which has captured the interest of every player in the magical world of
Waldyra. And most of them, including our editorial team, are asking the same
question—that which resounds in inns and city squares, escapes from the lips of
the powerful, and echoes from every corner of this great wide world: Who is he?
Who is this lucky person that managed to find the ancient spell? Give us their
name! We want to know our hero!...</span></i></b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Turning page after page, the dwarf
was so engrossed in his reading that he hardly noticed his next achievement and
another bonus added to his stats:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189); border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189); mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4F81BD .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10pt 0cm;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>You intelligence has increased by 1
unit.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>You have achieved "Reader—Class
1"!<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Your list of achievements can be
viewed in your character's settings menu.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Your reward: +0.5% reading speed.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Current speed reading bonus: 0.5%</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Towering over the rocky valley, the
majestic Gray Peak stared with indifference upon the tiny figure huddled beside
the flicker of a crackling campfire. Soon, even this tiny lone spark died out,
so that the only light left came from the watchtower kept secure by the stern
guards.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Curling up beside the remains of the
fire, Crow slowly closed his eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189); border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189); mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4F81BD .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10pt 0cm;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>System query: Do you really wish to
go to sleep?</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Yes...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="border-bottom: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189); border-left: none; border-right: none; border-top: 1pt solid rgb(79, 129, 189); mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4F81BD .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid #4F81BD .5pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 10pt 0cm;">
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Waldyra wishes you good night and
sweet dreams.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><i>Have a good rest before immersing
yourself in further adventures. Sleep well.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>"Thank you," quietly
whispered the player, falling into the dark abyss of dreams.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="Standard" style="mso-line-height-alt: 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><b><span style="color: red;">Release - August 11, 2021</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US"><b><span style="color: red;">Pre-order on Amazon - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08XJNK1CJ">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08XJNK1CJ</a></span></b></span></div></div>Simon Valehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16142080565999248152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1879934328827513079.post-16796915286152683632021-02-24T07:19:00.003-08:002021-02-24T07:20:52.943-08:00The Demonic Games by Dan Sugralinov<h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;">Disgardium-7: The Demonic Games</span></h3><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: medium;">by Dan Sugralinov</span></h3><div><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div><h1 style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/512d1Kk1SQL._SY346_.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="346" data-original-width="234" height="277" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/512d1Kk1SQL._SY346_.jpg" width="187" /></a></div><br /><div><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Release - May 18, 2021<br /></span><span style="color: red; font-size: medium;">Pre-order - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VJK7PY3">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VJK7PY3</a></span></div><div><br /></div></h1><h1 style="text-align: center;">Prologue: Malik</h1>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">Malik
always was a joker. He grew up in a large family of immigrants from Marrakesh.
His relatives occupied a small living complex in an outer district belonging to
a rich countryman of theirs, who gave a discount to his own and didn’t punish
them when they needed an extension on the rent.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">Malik
had so many cousins that they could have easily started their own basketball
league.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">The head
of the family was Grandpa Yusuf, a retired general and decorated veteran whose
citizenship privileges provided sustenance for his many descendants. The
one-child limit came along only after the citizenship categories were
introduced. This meant that Yusuf not only had many children, but also an army
of brothers and sisters and the Creator only knew how many cousins. They all
followed Malik’s grandpa to the American continent and put down roots. But even
once they all had citizenship, the family was always looking for ways to earn
money.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">While
grandpa, in the meantime, was quietly descending into senility. He spent most
of the day snoozing in his rocking chair, his legs always cold and covered with
a blanket. His memory had started to fail him even before Malik was born — his
eldest son’s name was the only one he remembered with surety. At the sight of a
descendant, the general rattled off names for a while, swearing and trying to
guess right (which, on occasion, he even did), but he never recognized Malik,
so at some point he just nicknamed him Saghir — Little One, in Arabic.
Grandpa’s love only stretched so far, and none of it reached the youngest
grandson.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">The clan
lived poor, but Malik’s parents got it worse than the rest. The table was set
at their house only for dinner. Full-fledged breakfasts and lunches were
replaced by UNBs, said to contain all the necessary nutrients — synthetic proteins,
fats and carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, supposedly all the body needed,
but in reality far from it: Malik grew up sickly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">In their
small family community where weakness was detested, but bravery and courage
lauded (with the proper respect for elders, of course), Malik armed himself
with jokes. Dumb ones, it has to be said. Malik played the clown who usually
chose himself as the butt of the joke.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">“A-ha-ha!”
his cousins roared as they listened to a story from Malik about yet another
scrape he’d gotten into. “What a dumbass!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">But then
they’d call Saghir over to treat him to some leftover pizza or fries. Malik got
so used to the nickname that he thought of it as just a second name.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">His
quick wit worked well on his cousins, but not his classmates. He couldn’t get
into any of the school gangs. The cool guys like Hung, Tim and Ed paid him no
more mind than they paid the teacher in class. The rest looked down their noses
at the hand-me-down clothes he wore to school and felt superior. The smart
guys, or the ones who thought of themselves that way, like Alex Sheppard, just
didn’t notice him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">Malik
blamed all this not just on the poverty in his family, but also on his
appearance. Truth was, he hated himself. He was short, he slouched, he had a
big nose and long eyelashes like a girl, thin arms and legs, a hollow chest
with his ribs sticking out. And stupid frizzy hair… He was a real monster.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">Even his
family was ashamed of him and treated him like a doorbell baby. Not his
parents, of course, but the others. Sometimes aunts came to visit and
disdainfully gave Malik’s mother clothes their own children had grown out of,
old gadgets and other garbage, whatever they didn’t have enough room for but
couldn’t bear to throw away.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">Almost
four years ago, in the middle of August, Malik entered seventh grade. Mr. Kovac
gave the introductory lesson. He decided to raise the subject of social
inequality, and to discuss the methods the government used to give everyone a
chance. And he spoke of Disgardium.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">On that
day, Malik thought only of one thing: just another year and a half and he would
start his own life. His parents, with their lowest of the low citizenship
status, could never have afforded to buy him a capsule. But they didn’t need
to! At age fourteen, the Department of Education would provide one for him. <i>And
then everything will change!</i> Malik swore to himself. <i>I’ll do something
there that will make everyone respect me!</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">As for
what exactly, he didn’t know yet. But he was sure of one thing: all those who
smirked at his hand-me-downs, who looked at him as if at a slug, sometimes even
forgetting that Malik Abdualim was their classmate… They would all find out who
he really was. And maybe Tissa Schafer would pay him some attention too. <i>Sorry
that I didn’t notice you before, Malik</i>, she would say. <i>Would you like to
go somewhere with me?</i> Of course, he would agree, but not right away. He had
his pride, but he knew how to be generous. He could forgive. And when they went
on the date, he would kiss her and admit that he’d loved her for a long time.
But not right away. Let her twist a little first.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">His
soaring dreams crashed upon the cliff face of reality. A few days later, Malik
was nearly in tears, not because Ed Rodriguez pantsed him in physical
education, but because Tissa had seen it. At least she didn’t laugh like the
others.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">Malik
filled with resolution and concentrated on his goals.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">School,
family and even Tissa, of whom he dreamed as he drifted off to sleep,
disappeared into background. All his plans centered on Disgardium. He spent
days and nights studying materials online. He delved into the mythology of the
world, tinkered for hours with spreadsheets and damage calculations, dug
through stories of success, trying to figure out which playstyle would bring
him to victory.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">In the
end, he decided to be a Thief. In contrast to the other classes — Assassin,
Headhunter, Bandit, Pirate, Ninja and so on, — the Thief not only dealt
excellent damage, but also helped the group with useful combat techniques. But
the most important aspect of the class was in its name — the Thief could
successfully steal. ‘Successfully’ was the key word; anyone could unlock the
skill of Thievery, but only Thieves had the innate talent and the right bonuses
to properly use it. Why spend days on end completing routine social quests for
a few silver pieces when you can steal whatever you need from a merchant stall?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">After
choosing his class, Malik listened to all the free podcasts by famous thieves
of Disgardium (he couldn’t afford the paid ones) to try and figure out the
exact playstyle that would get him the right class at level 10. He had to avoid
ranged weaponry, or better still, use only knives and daggers; try to attack
from behind; run away after losing half health; and, of course, steal at every
opportunity, even when the item was unnecessary.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">He spent
more than one day thinking of his game name. Saghir, like he was used to? <i>No!
</i>his pride snapped. He was no Little One. In the game, nobody would dare
call him that! He spent a long time going through the options, then finally
chose. <i>Infect</i>, because he knew that whatever he was going to do, his
ideas would be so good, they’d infect others. Malik imagined himself as <i>Infect</i>
and smiled. Yes, that’s exactly who he’d be!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">Soon
after, he made friends with — who’d have thought it?! — Hung and Ed. His
knowledge of Disgardium helped him. Now under the wing of the two most popular
(although the teachers wouldn’t have said so) boys in the class, his spirit
soared. Now he could walk to the toilet without lowering his eyes. The kicks to
his behind, the legs stuck out to trip him up in the cafeteria, the pranks and
bullying, it all stopped. In mere days, it was like Malik had gotten <i>+500
reputation</i> with the entire school. Even the girls started showing interest
in him… Well, at least they didn’t turn away when they saw him, and answered
when he said hello.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">It was
important to fit in. At home, Malik threw a tantrum over having to sew yet
another patch onto his trousers. His howling was so loud that it reached
grandpa Yusuf. The old man learned that one of his dozens of grandchildren was
getting bullied in school because of hand-me-downs. <i>Blood is thicker than
water!</i> Yusuf exploded. <i>Nobody will dare laugh at the Abdualim family!</i>
Saghir was bought new clothes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">A year
later, Malik turned fourteen. Visitors came to offer insincere congratulations
and cheap gifts in colorful paper, but the main prize awaited Malik in a corner
of the living room separated off by a partition — a standard immersion capsule
that had arrived the day before! With a sour smile, Malik sat at the table for
the minimum socially acceptable time, then, once the adults had had enough of him
and his cousins dispersed, he rushed to the capsule. He had to wait for his
heart to settle before the complex device allowed him to finally log into Dis.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">Infect
unlocked the Thievery skill only in his second week of gameplay. Nagual and
Bomber were already exploring the sandbox, but he spent his first days in the
Tristad city jail, imprisoned for an attempt to steal a dagger from watchman
Malone.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">His
second try went better. Infect crept behind Nergal’s temple (although there was
no point in stealth; the place was empty) and, looking around in fear, picked
an unripe <i>Furious Pepper</i>. The system’s cogs turned: on the one hand, the
pepper was useful in potion-making; on the other, it was city property, which
meant Infect had committed theft. Two notifications came up: the thief took the
<i>Thievery</i> ability, but refused <i>Herbalism</i>. It didn’t suit him to go
around picking flowers and herbs. <i>Archeology</i>, on the other hand, now
that was tempting!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">Stealing
little things — bread from the bakery, candles in the library, mugs in the inn,
— allowed Infect to level <i>Thievery</i> up to 10 and gain the <i>Lockpicking</i>
skill. He sought out locked boxes and chests, practiced at night on the doors
of townspeople and achieved what he wanted, leveling up <i>Lockpicking</i> to
10. Now he could prepare for more serious ventures.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">It
worked on the first try! Infect got a merchant talking, and while he was
rooting around for an item beneath the stall, a dagger went missing from his
display. The weapon was ordinary, with no bonuses whatsoever, but the boy was
happy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">He got a
taste for it. Leveling up <i>Thievery</i> helped him find gear not only for
himself, but for Bomber too. Nagual had been missing all this time, and it
later turned out that Ed’s character was a Threat! By depriving him of his
status, the friends got an unimaginable reward — ten thousand gold! Infect also
got a scalable epic dagger, and Dis as if took on new color — it got easier to
kill mobs, and soon they even started doing instances.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">Summer
began, and Tissa joined them. Malik lost his cool; he was one step closer to
his dream. They were clanmates now, and naturally, they spoke every day. Now
all he had to do was achieve something that would make Tissa leap into his arms
all on her own. But what?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">The girl
seemed to like him, but she was just as friendly to Hung and Ed too. Malik had
no chance; there was no way he could compete with them. And he never seemed to
be able to get her alone. In Dis, in school, even in the flyer — all four of
the Dementors always stuck together. Thick as thieves. That was great, Malik
knew the value of friendship better than anyone, but his blood rose from the
girl’s every accidental touch. Sometimes he barely held back the heartrending
urge to embrace her and not let go again. Even if she got angry at him and
stopped talking to him… Well, he’d have something to remember.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">But the
problem solved itself. Tissa easily rebuffed both Ed and Hung, although they
hadn’t really tried — they got plenty of attention from girls, both in Dis and
real life. But Malik, who concentrated on Tissa, got more of her attention.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">Once,
she invited him round to see her. Her father, Mr. Schafer, had just finished
another long drinking binge and was now locked in his room with an equally long
depressive hangover. Tissa was going mad. She needed someone to talk to.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Here
it is, this is my chance!</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Malik realized as he sat down on the sofa with the girl. His heart
tried to beat out of his chest, his throat went dry… He was panicking.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">Tissa
brought him some cold beer and sat down next to him, and they started talking
about things so familiar and understandable to Malik that his uncertainty
evaporated. He listened carefully and sympathized, even sincerely,
understanding her perfectly well.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">As he
said good-bye, he even worked up the courage to kiss her, though it was just a
peck, their lips just touching. Tissa ran a hand over his neck and smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">“Message
me when you get home.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">They say
things like that make you grow wings. If that were true, then a whole
helicopter rotor would have sprouted from Malik’s back.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">But the
story got no sequel. For a few days, Tissa behaved like she usually did, and
Malik lost confidence, got too eager, came on too strong, and then…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">Then
Alex came into their lives. And everything changed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">First
Sheppard took Tissa from him, then Ed and Hung. And along with them went the
hope that one day Malik himself would win the respect of his friends and
classmates.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">You
can’t compete with an A-class Threat, even if you’re as smart as Einstein.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">***</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">Tissa
messaged first. She asked how he was doing, how the clan was doing, but the
girl’s true motive became clear toward the end of the message. As if in
passing, Tissa asked him to help her unlock a route to a zone with level 40
mobs. <i>I think I can handle them.</i> <i>My stats are super high thanks to
the Sleepers.</i> <i>Just the few seconds before I die from </i>Exhaustion<i>
should be enough</i>, she wrote. <i>Will you help me?</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Malik
thought about it. Alex had mentioned that he himself had given Tissa the idea
of how to break the sandbox record, which belonged to some guy from Seoul. To
achieve that, the priestess of light would have to reach level 31, which she
could do very quickly if she could kill mobs over double her level. It was
obvious why Tissa wanted that. Unique achievements always came with hefty
rewards, and plenty of <i>Fame</i>. Malik wouldn’t mind those bonuses either;
it was a shame he hadn’t thought of it when he was stuck in Tristad. But
Sheppard made his position clear: Tissa had betrayed the clan, even if not by
her own will. Interestingly, Alex hadn’t taken the girl’s departure for the
White Amazons as a betrayal, but her relationship with Liam… It was clear that
the girl had no fault in Mogwai’s attack on Kharinza — anyone could have been
in her place, even Scyth himself!</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It
didn’t take him long to decide. He agreed to help. In principle, not much was
being asked of him; he just had to teleport Tissa from Tristad to a zone that
suited her aims. She’d do the rest herself — teleport there and try to quickly
take out a mob before <i>Exhaustion</i> killed her. Anyway, Infect couldn’t
help her even if he wanted to — Tissa wouldn’t get any experience from mobs
below the bard’s level, and he wouldn’t be able to deal with any above. His was
a support class! He ground his teeth at the thought, angry both at Scyth, who
made him change his class, and himself for giving in.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Her
message had come in the day before, and today was last day before the Demonic
Games. Who knew how long they’d last? It might be that Infect would return to
ordinary Dis too late, after Tissa was already gone from the sandbox.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">That
meeting when Alex had been eating those strange pastries (<i>blya-shi</i>,
Malik remembered) and declared that he had been sentenced to the Ordeal was the
last straw for Malik. The signal that it was all going to the Nether.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As soon
as the Awoken left the sandbox, the clan and its leader had so much to reckon
with that every day as he fell asleep, Malik was sincerely grateful that
everything still seemed to be going well. The status of class-A ‘subthreat’ had
tempting rewards, but getting them was another matter. Developing the maximum
possible potential to the limit was impossible. But the penalties if Scyth was
eliminated promised to equal the rewards. It might even involve losing
characters. And what then?</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Would
the fairytale end? Would Malik have to go back to his parents’ slum and live
with his idiot cousins? All of them, even his uncles, aunts and other relatives
— they all dreamed of becoming millionaires. Thanks to Malik, of course. Thanks
to little Saghir. That’s just what got to him. The contempt in their eyes was
real as can be, but when they saw the chance to get rich and escape the slums
to a better district, Saghir was suddenly ‘our famous Malik, our pride,’ and
even grandpa Yusuf woke up and started taking an interest in life again,
spending all day watching important talking heads discussing his grandson and
his friends on the holovisor.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In any
case, Malik started getting his parachute ready early. Especially when he saw
how good Tissa was doing. Yes, she’d lost out in Dis, but made gains in real
life. Her life was set up, her future guaranteed. But what would be Malik’s
fate if something happened to Alex? Ed had scooped up all the financial
operations, and Irita had been pulled into them too (<i>How did she earn that?</i>
Malik wondered in surprise, but never voiced the thought). Hung himself had
become a Threat, and even without Scyth, he would provide for himself — his
divine quest chain into an underwater kingdom would ensure that! As for Alex…
Well, Malik had no doubt at all that he’d squirreled away plenty for himself.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">So the
bard began to do the same. Scyth’s trust allowed him to set aside a few
valuable finds, gear, money. It was all attached to him personally, not his
character, so that was at least some insurance.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In his
heart, Malik hated himself for acting this way. He was behaving like a rat.
Grandpa Yusuf would never have approved. He would have beaten Malik with his
cane and not only demanded that he give it all back, but that he kneel before
his friends and beg them for forgiveness. And he’d be right! Ed, Hung, Alex and
Tissa were Malik’s best friends. His only friends! When he was with them, he
was truly happy. They had replaced his family. His father had always been
overly strict with him for no good reason, as if trying to make up for Malik’s
uselessness in the eyes of his relatives. And his mother… She feared to
contradict his father, and although she never said it, she seemed to feel shame
before her family. They had somehow managed to convince her that her son was
the family’s shame, and it was her own fault for spoiling and humoring him. The
result was that in public, she was even stricter with him than his father. And
they never got to spend much time in private. The door was always wide open,
the house more a public thoroughfare than home. No personal space whatsoever.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In
short, two identities fought constantly within Malik. One, born in his
childhood, was full of envy and believed that his friends didn’t value him,
that they were tricking him, and their good words were merely a cover for
laughter behind his back. The other, which emerged recently and was the more
mature, loved his friends and was ready to give up anything for them. There was
a third, too, the one in love with Tissa. It seemed that this was the one,
combined with the first, that now guided Malik’s steps…</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Infect checked the clan tab to see who was
where.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Scyth’s nick was
gray, although he was still online. Apparently the Ordeal didn’t count as
taking place in the world of Dis. The same had happened when Alex was stuck in
the Nether. Crawler and Irita had gone to Kinema, and Bomber was moving toward
the Kharinza coast. Perfect.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Infect
activated <i>Depths Teleportation </i>to the Mountain Dams, where Bomber had
caught his goldfish. The place wasn’t popular and was often deserted.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Tissa
was waiting for him. As soon as he appeared, she invited him to her group, cast
a regeneration spell on him and only then threw herself into his arms.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I
missed you so much!” she said.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Likewise,”
Malik answered, glancing impatiently at his teleport cooldown timer. “Let’s
jump to the Blencatra Foothills, the mobs there start at level forty-five. Does
that work? Nether, the junior debuff is killing me!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“How
long on the cooldown?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“A
minute…” Malik stepped back unwillingly. “We have time to talk. How are you?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Just
great,” she answered, her tone making it clear to Malik that things weren’t
going so well. “As soon as we’re done here, I’m flying out to see my dad. Shame
you and the boys aren’t in the district, or we could have met up.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Actually…
You must know already — Scyth and I are heading to the Demonic Games.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I heard
about that. I’ve decided to enter too.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“What?”
Infect smiled in surprise. “Are you serious?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Why
not? I have the right. Elizabeth liked the idea and came to an agreement with
school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s all arranged, so we’ll see
each other there.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Are you
doing this for Scyth?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“What?
No! I have a chance, so why not use it?” Suddenly, her face lit up with an
idea. “Hey, we could fly there together! Me, you, Scyth…”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I’m not
sure he…” Infect stumbled. “I mean, we’ll be flying separately.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Has
something happened?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“He
always has a million things to do. He’s going straight to the Games, but I’m
going to stop off at home first. Need to pay my folks a visit.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“That’s
great!” the girl said. “When are you flying? Today? Does that mean we can get a
drink somewhere?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Infect
wanted to answer that he was planning to set off tomorrow, but then thought: <i>What
the hell?</i> The thought of seeing Tissa in real life excited him even more
than the coming Demonic Games.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">His
vision turned red. The cooldown on <i>Depths Teleportation</i> was down to <i>2…
1…</i></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Infect
activated the ability, and a few seconds later they stood in a small grove in
the Blencatra Foothills. Snow hid the base of the trees and a cold wind sighed
through the air. Tissa shivered in her cloth equipment.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A branch
snapped under the foot of a level 48 <i>Hill Yeti</i>. The humans caught the
mob’s eye, but it was too wary of the bard’s superior level to come closer.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“See you
tonight,” Infect said quickly, before the <i>Exhaustion</i> debuff killed
Tissa. “For a… for a date, right?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Oh
yeah, babe, we’ll have lots of fun!” she growled menacingly and laughed.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Then she
died, the smile still on her lips. Infect crouched by her corpse, stroked her
cheek, leaned down and kissed her. The body disappeared. He pulled out his
guitar and ran a finger down the strings. The attacking riff boomed out through
the area, blowing the yeti’s head into little pieces.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Returning
to Mengoza, he messaged his friends to say that he’d decided to go see his parents
earlier than planned. He invented a cousin’s birthday as an excuse.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">While he
packed his things, Willy got the flyer ready. He should have told Alex about
his altered plans, but that was impossible, so Hairo made the decision himself.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Ed and
Hung went to say good-bye to their friend.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“You
have to win,” Ed said. “I’m sure Alex will survive the Ordeal, but I doubt
he’ll make it to the Games in time. Sometimes the Ordeal takes two or three
days. And latecomers aren’t allowed to enter the Games…”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I
know,” Malik answered, deciding in the end not to tell them that Tissa would
also be entering. If he told them, he’d have to explain how he found out… “I
know. But I hope Alex does make it.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Shame
there’re no depths in real life,” Hung said. “Zip! And you’d be where you
need…”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The comm
vibrated and emitted Willy’s voice:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“We’re
ready for you, Malik, head upstairs! Don’t forget your camo cap.” </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">All
three boys went up to the roof together. They hugged as they parted.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As he
took off, Malik looked down. Hung and Ed were walking toward the door and
discussing something — they’d probably forgotten him and were talking about
their very important business in Dis.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
flight gave him time both to daydream and to think about the building diagram
for the Sanctuary of the Departed. The discovery was awesome, but he hadn’t yet
found the last part. Plus, there was no direct benefit from it for Malik. Even
Gyula would level up his construction skills by building the sanctuary.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Malik
set aside two hours for meeting relatives. He was welcomed like a hero, with
even grandpa emerging from his own reality and sitting his ‘beloved grandson’
down on his right side. What Malik had dreamed of since childhood had come to
pass; his many cousins, who had mocked him only a few months ago, now watched
him raptly, hanging on his every word.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">On any
other day, he would have stayed there longer to enjoy his triumph, but he had
bigger things to think about that day; his second dream was knocking at the
door, one that turned out to be far more significant to him.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">So Malik
waited out the two hours, listened to his relatives shower him with praise as
if they’d been saving it up for sixteen years to throw it all at him now. Then
he claimed he was pressed for time, hugged everyone who wanted it, shook the
hands of even those he only vaguely remembered, then set off to see Tissa,
sweating in anticipation.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He was
five minutes late. The girl was waiting for him on a lively street, leaning
with her back to the wall and foot up against it.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Tissa’s
disguise was traditional: sunglasses, a baseball cap, a baggy hoodie and
wide-leg trousers. It was hard to make out her face with the hood up. Malik had
activated a camouflage hologram, so the girl didn’t spot him until he spoke to
her. She flinched at first, turned her head, then lit up and threw her arms
around him, hitting him with the scent of unfamiliar flowers.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Malik,
I’ve missed you all so much! Eeee!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He froze
like a statue, not knowing where to put his hands. He tentatively patted her on
the back. He got angry at himself again; instead of showing the initiative, he
was behaving like a jackass again.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Where
are we going?” he asked hoarsely.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“There’s
a cheap restaurant in the next district where we can get a booth and keep a low
profile,” the girl whispered, her breath tickling his ear. “We don’t want
anyone to recognize us.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">They
took a community flyer. <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Willy,
assigned to the boy, kept an eye on them unnoticed to Tissa.</span> <i>Say
nothing</i>, the security officer whispered as he walked by them into the
lounge. Malik nodded and forgot him immediately.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
young duo sat down in a reversed booth and ordered a real-meat steak each (<i>Make
it bloody!</i> Tissa said as she made her choice on the robot waiter’s menu
panel) and some beer. Then Malik finally removed his disguise.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Both were
awkward at first — their lives had gone in very different directions, and so
had their interests. On top of that, Malik was bound by a mental contract, and
what did they have to talk about but clan affairs?</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">All the
same, he unwittingly forgot everything else and got carried away in the
conversation. Tissa told him colorful stories of her life and shared her plans
for the future. <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">She
planned to break up with Liam, or he with her — Malik didn’t care which. Only
the present moment had meaning.</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I had a
lot of doubts before I accepted the offer from the White Amazons,” Tissa
admitted. “I knew why they wanted me. All those tales about how I was a perfect
fit for them, how my appearance fit in perfectly with the clan image, how my
success story would be an example to millions of girls… I saw Hinterleaf on the
island. I don’t know what’s between him and Elizabeth, but they’re clearly
friends.” Tissa rubbed her forefingers together. “You get what I’m saying. They
needed me because of Scyth. To be honest, I wasn’t sure they’d keep me for
long. So I insisted on a clause in the contract which would force the White
Amazons to pay for all my university tuition in advance. Then they could throw
me out, it didn’t matter.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“What
are you going to study?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Nothing
has changed, Malik. I love to paint. My dad didn’t even want to hear about it,”
Tissa sighed, her voice changing to imitate Mr. Schafer: “Every girl and her
cat is an artist now! And only one in a million can afford it!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“What
does he want?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Did
want,” the girl corrected him. “Now he supports all my ideas. Of course — what
does he have to worry about now? His bank balance is green, he has premium
medical insurance, a new flyer as a gift from Elizabeth. Now he’s neck-deep in
work, trying to raise his category. But he used to want me to go into world
testing. A year of study and a year of unpaid internship and that’s it, you’re
a qualified beta tester with guaranteed work. And guaranteed category-G
citizenship, the limit of dad’s dreams.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“So I’m
eating with a future famous artist?” Malik chuckled. “Well, then we’re almost
colleagues!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Yeah?
Why?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I’m
going to be a rock star.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Rock?”
Tissa laughed. “Who listens to that now? Old farts? If you like music, get into
crayjungle!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Nah…”
Malik frowned. “That stuff makes my ears bleed. But rock… It’s real music, you
know? The guitar and the strings are alive… I’m a bard after all, remember?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Haha!
So what? I’m a healer in Dis, does that mean I should be a doctor? Come on…”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I can
do it,” he said seriously. “I’ve tried. An uncle gave me an old guitar. I had
to change the strings, but apart from that, it works fine. And you know what?”
He looked around conspiratorially, lowered his voice to a whisper. “I can play
all the songs I wrote in Dis in real life! Really!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Bullshit,”
Tissa frowned, sat back in her seat, not moving her eyes from him. Then she
leaned back towards him, her eyes wide. “You aren’t joking, are you?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“No
jokes,” he said, smiling from ear to ear. “Shame I don’t have a guitar here or
I’d show you…”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He shared
with her his plans to become world-famous, told her how he would win glory by
first performing in small taverns in Dis, then getting a band together and
playing at the arenas. And the more he spoke, the more he believed his own
words, although at first he was just trying to impress her.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Do you
remember when the Infinity Dragons played at the final of the Junior Arena?”
Malik asked. “Well, they started in a sandbox tavern too! One day I’ll perform
at the Arena final as well. And in real life! Maybe at Wembley Stadium — the
whole place will be full, and billions will watch the stream!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I want
to join your band!” Tissa said. “Let me be a backing singer!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Hmm,
but I need someone who can sing for that,” Malik teased.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Huh?! I
can’t sing?” Tissa said, playing offended. “I’ll make you sing in a minute, you
dumbass!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">She
started punching him playfully and he fought back. A minute of playful struggle
later and Tissa was sitting on top of him, his legs pinned beneath her, but
Malik’s brain had switched off completely — all the blood had gone elsewhere.
The girl checked herself and sat back down again, tousled and blushing. The
moment to grab her and kiss her was gone.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“What do
the boys think, anyway? About your plans, I mean,” Tissa asked. Malik didn’t
hear her right away, but when he did, he sighed in annoyance. “What are Alex’s
plans? I mean, apart from all the ‘citizenship’ stuff he has going on…”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Tissa
had used their old code word for Threat status. Alex’s name rang out unwelcome
in the semi-darkness of the cozy booth, destroying the intimacy of the moment
and opening up old half-healed wounds. Jealousy reared its ugly head.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“The
hell with Alex and his secrets,” he said. “Let’s discuss our strategy for the
Games!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Tissa’s
expression turned serious. She straightened her back and coughed. She leaned
closer and whispered:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“If Alex
isn’t there, then let’s just stick together. Like in the good old days.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“And if
he shows up?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Then…”
The girl’s hot breath played across Malik’s ear again. Goosebumps spread over
his skin. “Listen carefully, this is very important…”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0cm;"><span style="background-color: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Chapter 1. Registration</span><o:p></o:p></span></h1><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></span></div>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Hairo
flew our unprepossessing flyer to the European district where Snowstorm was
hosting the nineteenth Demonic Games. The last few days had left me completely
exhausted, and the Ordeal had been emotionally devastating. So I sat down in
the passenger seat and spent most of the journey asleep, opening my eyes only
when we passed through the border checks at citizen zones.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">They
started checking us particularly often after we crossed the Atlantic and
entered European airspace, most of which belonged to high-category citizenship
districts.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“You are
approaching Snowstorm Lakes, a category-A citizen district. Your vehicle will
be forcibly stopped at the zone border inspection station.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
flyer slowed and began to follow a guiding beam of light. Hairo, whose status
for serving in the peacekeepers was higher even than my parents’, turned to me:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“We
might have some trouble now. I don’t have access to category-A zones. You did
make a request to come in your own flyer, right?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Well… I
just signed it, Maria took the biometrics. You’re down as the pilot, Hairo.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“The
confirmation hasn’t arrived,” the security officer shook his head.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
scanning rings lit up green and emitted a beep of approval as we flew through.
We successfully passed the automated check for banned items and substances. Now
we had to go get through identification. In the meantime, Hairo contacted Maria
in the hope that the confirmation had gone to her, and I checked my own comm.
Nothing.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“If they
pull me out of the flyer, you go on alone,” the security officer said. “You can
fly manual if you have to, right?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Pfft…
Easy.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Something
else bothered me. There was less than an hour left. Any unforeseen delay and we
might as well go home — latecomers were disqualified.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A flyer
approached us, still recognizable as a Lamborghini Freccia beneath the black
and gold police paint job. In districts like this, even the police zipped
around in premium superflyers.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Good evening, gentlemen!”
a pleasant female voice greeted us. “What is the purpose of your visit to
Snowstorm Lakes?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I’m entering the
Demonic Games,” I answered.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Wow! Another one!
And you, pilot?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I’m a pilot of
the Awoken company,” Hairo answered honestly. That was one of the security
officer’s official roles. “I’m dropping the kid off and then heading back.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Please display
your left wrists and look this way…” Without a doubt, the police already knew
who we were, but protocol was protocol. “Thank you! Alex Kieran Sheppard,
dependent category-F citizen, you are on the list. Welcome to Snowstorm Lakes!”
A short pause and then the policewoman’s voice again: “Hmm… Mr. Morales, we
have some questions for you. Please leave the pilot seat and approach the
exit.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The guiding beam
landed our flyer on the checkpoint platform. It had checking services,
additional inspection zones and even paid parking — far from all flyer models
met the high standards of the upper-class district. The passengers and pilots
of those were forced to leave their vehicles and continue on a community flyer.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Hairo left the
cabin, but didn’t close the hatch behind him. He stuck his head back inside:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I don’t think
they’ll let me go any further. I’m not good enough for ‘em,” he chuckled. “You
fly on, Alex.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Glancing at the
clock, I answered:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Alright. Almost
out of time… How are you going to get back?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Willy ain’t far.
He brought Malik in this morning, then went to see an old army buddy of ours in
the Polish district. He’ll pick me up. Anyway… Good luck, Alex!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The door closed. I
switched to the pilot’s seat, fought the urge to switch the flyer to manual for
a moment before common sense took hold — I didn’t know this district and could
easily get lost. Hairo had set the route back in Cali; all I had to do was
press the ‘Continue flight’ button.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Europe… I’d been
here on vacation after grade six. My parents had just finished a big project
and saved enough for a decent getaway. They decided to make the trip both fun
and educational by taking a tour round Europe. The vacation ended up mixed — a
few days on beaches in Spain and Greece and tours through the historical places
of Italy, France and England. My favorite part of that trip was a night in the
restored Colosseum, where we went to watch the Global Gladiator League battles.
Robots fought against robots and non-citizens against non-citizens — to the
death. I remember mom covering my eyes at the worst moments. <i>Why are they
doing this?</i> I thought in confusion. Now I know why. They fought for
citizenship. The top gladiators joined the elite of society.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I looked down on
Snowstorm Lakes without much curiosity. The district was in the Bavarian area,
with high mountains in the background. Unlike Dubai, there were no skyscrapers,
and it was hard even to call the place spread out beneath me a city. A huge
zone of untouched nature with dewdrops gleaming on rich greenery — that’s how
the lakes looked from above as they reflected the sunset. Luxury villas,
mansions and whole castles hid among the trees.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">One of those was
the Ruhm und Ehre hotel, chosen by Snowstorm to host the Demonic Games this
year. I’d seen holographs of the interior — only the outer walls of the castle
remained, with everything inside done up in a modern style.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Ruhm und Ehre
wasn’t Snowstorm’s only hotel. The corporation owned dozens of such
establishments all over the world, so the Dis developers had never held the
Demonic Games in the same place twice.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I spotted the
castle hotel from afar. It was hard not to notice it. It stood out clearly
against the background of the virgin forest, although it somehow didn’t look
out of place. It seemed the huge and ancient ten-story structure had stood
there untouched since medieval times. A stone arch decorated the brick castle
wall, with turrets of rough stone at its corners, and beyond them the castle
itself, dotted here and there with more turrets and towers of all sizes,
piercing the gray clouds like daggers. The old stone walls were moss-covered
and worn by bad weather and the burning sun, or at least they seemed to be. And
somewhere down there far below, green firs brushed the stone monolith of the
foot of <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">the castle…</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A couple of
minutes later, the flyer slowed and landed softly in a parking lot in front of
the castle that fit elegantly into the landscape, hidden behind tall firs and
pines and almost invisible from above. The parking lot looked out over a clear
view of the mountain gorge and drawbridge.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Destination
reached: Ruhm und Ehre hotel, Snowstorm Lakes district,” the on-board AI
reported. “Ambient temperature at…”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I didn’t bother
listening to the weather report, just jumped straight out of the flyer, almost
knocking over a bellboy — a real one, not a robot — and running along the path
leading to the gates, where a crowd of reporters and herds of camera drones
hovered.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Sheppard,
confirming</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">, came a
commanding voice from one of the security guard’s comms. The hotel’s security
service encircled me, keeping the journalists, streamers and bloggers back as
they rushed to meet me. Paying no attention to the flood of questions and the
microphones pointed at me, I walked through the gates into the inner courtyard.
There were no reporters here, but there was a whole cordon of police droids.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A massive imposing
man towered over me:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Mr. Sheppard?
Welcome to the Games. We’ll just clarify a few things before you go in. You
have been told that throughout the event, all participants are forbidden from
any communication with the outside world, apart from accredited journalists?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Yes. I have no
communication devices with me.” I’d left my comm at the base.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Alright. Raise
your arms and pass through the arch.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I did just that,
and judging by the lack of an alarm, I passed the check.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Thank you, Mr.
Sheppard!” the guard said. “Good luck in the Games!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Thanking him, I
entered the castle and stopped to look around. The hotel’s hall was full to
bursting and voices filled the air. People were gathered around the carved
marble columns and talking excitedly, holding glasses of juice or wine. Human
and robot waiters drifted between them. The former carried drinks while the
latter offered finger food.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My eyes paused on
the holographic sign beneath the ceiling. Burning letters triumphantly
announced: “Welcome to the Demonic Games <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">XIX</span>!” Beneath the greeting was an arrow pointing
to the right and down: Registration.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I started heading
that way. I quickly felt eyes on me and heard the even hum of voices switch to
whispers. Finally, I was across the hall and at the registration desk.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A clerk in
medieval clothes sat there as if snoozing, his head bowed over a leather-bound
book. A holomask gave him elvish features. His arrow-like brows jutted out to
either side like a cat’s whiskers. Next to him stood three shapely women in the
leather armor of experienced forest trackers.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Good evening!”
the platinum blonde greeted me. “How can I help you?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A holographic
label hovered above her: <i>Irime, elf, level 1,000 Assistant.</i> The label
above the clerk read <i>Ravencrow, Royal Scribe</i>.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I’m Alex
Sheppard. Scyth. I’m here to enter the Demonic Games by invitation from King
Eynyon.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Leaning over the
scribe, she translated into elvish:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Ha na Scyth…”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Only then did
Ravencrow raise his head, study me with his gaze and open his book. He leafed
through it, ran a finger down the lines and stopped at my name. Our entire
conversation from that point went through Irime the translator.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Summoned Scyth,
what made you answer the call?” Ravencrow asked.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“The path of
justice brought me here,” I said, repeating the phrase mentioned in the message
from Snowstorm. “I wish to become a Demon Fighter, to rise up to defend
Disgardium on Judgment Day.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I sensed a crowd
forming behind me. Disapproval and even hatred burned into my back. Someone
laughed and commented:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Said the guy who
killed thousands of innocents! Defend, my ass…”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“He’s a brainless
freeloader!” an older grating voice added.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Unworthy!” some
girl squawked. “Go back to your hole, Sheppard!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“We demand he be
banned from participating!” came from all around.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Go home, kid!” a
rough male voice barked. “You don’t have a chance!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Hey, cheater!”
This one shouted right in my ear. Turning my head, I saw the harsh face of a
gray-haired man in a dinner jacket with a bow-tie. “Remember Kinema? You answer
me!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I’d expected
something like this, but I was still shocked. So much concentrated hatred in
just a few seconds! With some effort, I straightened my slouching shoulders and
back, raised my head and turned around to look at the diverse crowd. Young and
old, they all looked amazing. Healthy, fit, flourishing. Each had achieved
great success in Dis through hard work and patience. And here I was, a
contradiction to everything on which their self-importance was built. An
ordinary schoolboy from an ordinary family who happened to be in the right time
and place to become a top-tier Threat.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Suddenly, Malik’s
curly head flashed in the crowd, along with… Tissa? She was here too! I felt a
little easier and started to look for them again in the crowd, but that man’s
face appeared before me again:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Hey, kid! Look me
in the eye when I’m speaking to you!” Bow-tie said, turning to the crowd and
shouting: “He doesn’t give a damn about us! Throw him out of here and be done
with it! Shame I can’t lay a finger on him!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Neither the guards
nor the Snowstorm employees paid any attention to what was going on. I rubbed
my face, kept my eyes on the furious man, then reached out and adjusted his
cockeyed bow-tie:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Easy to be brave
here in real life. What did you say your nick was in Dis?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Bow-tie choked,
reddened, said nothing. I turned away and didn’t turn back again, ignoring the
rising wave of indignation. I pretended like the damage from the words just
raised my psychological <i>Resilience</i>. Words can’t hurt you unless you let
them.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The scribe had
been silently watching the exchange and now pinned me with a hazy stare, his
eyes as if covered in white film. It looked like he was reading data right on
his retina — must be some new technology that hadn’t yet reached the mass
market.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Summoned Scyth,”
Ravencrow suddenly said. “You have arrived in time. Your entry is confirmed!
Welcome to the Demonic Games!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The furious hum of
the crowd drowned out his next words. The people split into groups and spread
out through the hall, chattering disappointedly.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The three ‘elf
girls’, their smiles blinding, handed me a backpack branded with the Dis logo
and full of souvenirs, a platinum token that would add ten thousand phoenixes
to my account (for gifts for relatives after the Games ended, one of the girls
said) and several books and booklets: <i>Complete Encyclopedia of Disgardium</i>,
<i>The Demonic Games: The Complete Rulebook </i>and a ream of other pamphlets
including a map of the hotel. They also gave me a special comm — it wouldn’t
contact anyone outside the hotel except Disgardium Daily, and it had a bunch of
pre-installed applications to allow the participants to communicate amongst
themselves.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I turned my head
in search of Malik and Tissa, but couldn’t find them. But I did see one
interested glance among the sea of despising eyes — a tall and thin man with a
big smile winked at me and waved. I nodded and he came closer. His multicolored
locks stuck out in all directions. He looked around twenty, but could easily
have been forty — if he was a high-category citizen, he could have ‘frozen’ his
appearance.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Loran,” he introduced
himself, offering a hand. “It’s an honor to meet you, Mr. Sheppard.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Just Alex,” I
said.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Sure,” he smiled
even wider. “Or Scyth. Let’s take a walk? Everyone is watching. And listening,
for sure!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We moved off to
the side. Loran grabbed a couple of glasses from a waiter’s tray and offered
one to me. I sipped it and grimaced; dry white wine. Mom’s favorite.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“You kept your
cool pretty well, Alex!” Loran said so loudly that many turned around. “I
didn’t hear what you said to that man, but it looked like he was having a
stroke! Do you know who he is?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“No clue.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“It’s Ketzal.
Heard of him? No? Damn, what rock have you been living under? Ah, sorry!” He
smiled disarmingly again. “Of course, that makes sense, why would you know them
in real life? Ketzal is from the Excos, a top gladiator in the Arena. He
started from the very bottom, which is probably why he didn’t like it much when
you rolled right over him and his buddies at Kinema. Rumor has it they lost
some top PvP gear that cost them years of <i>Honor Badges</i>…”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A voice boomed
through a loudspeaker in the ceiling:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Mr. Sheppard,
please approach the registration desk. Mr. Sheppard…”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Loran shrugged:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Snowstorm wants
you. Alright, it was nice to meet the legend! Want to team up in the Games?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Sure.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Okay, I’ll find
you. I’ll be a werewolf, nick Messiah.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I shook his thin
hand and then walked back to the registration desk, still looking around for my
friends. When I approached, the ‘elf girls’ took me by the arms and led me
through the background hologram of a forest glade behind Ravencrow the scribe’s
table. There stood a bald lady around thirty years old, her eyebrows shaved and
her face covered in thick gothic makeup. For a moment, I felt like I was
looking right into the face of a legate of the Destroying Plague.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Thank you, girls,
I’ll take him from here!” she said in a singsong voice and offered me a hand:
“Hello, Alex. I’m your personal assistant. The name’s Kerry.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><o:p style="background-color: white;"> </o:p><span style="background-color: white; text-indent: 0cm;"> </span></p>
<h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Chapter 2. A Stab in the
Back</span><o:p></o:p></span></h1><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></span></div>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">“Miss…”</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> I said to her, trying to make out whether she wore a wedding ring.
There was a ring, and more than one! Two on each finger.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Pleased to meet
you!” she said, chains jangling from her strange black gown covered with cuts.
She gave me her arm and said happily: “Just Kerry, Alex. Like I said, I’m your
assistant. Let’s hurry, we need to record your video message and get you
scanned!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As she said this,
Kerry led me toward a silver door behind a column in the corner of the hall.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Quicker this
way,” she said. “Your arrival really riled up the people. They signed a
petition to have you disqualified, did you know that?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“No, how could I?
I only just got through an Ordeal…”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Ah… the Ordeal,
yes, of course. That’s why Ravencrow hesitated. Management was uncertain…”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“About what?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The door took us
into a long service corridor. Kerry sped her pace, not answering. We reached a
lift and she pressed a button. A broad scanning beam passed across her face and
the doors opened. Inside, Kerry pressed a button marked <i>DG — Training
Grounds </i>on the control panel and only then answered me:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“You see… You were
added to the list of entrants, but nobody expected you to make it here. So the
petition wasn’t taken seriously either: why set a precedent when gameplay would
sort things out? You weren’t even assigned an assistant…”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Aren’t you my
assistant?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I am, but I only
found out half an hour ago when you arrived at Snowstorm Lakes. I actually work
in the PR department. The other contestants have assistants hired on a one-time
contract. That means your character and information sheet for the viewers won’t
be as flashy as the others’. You shouldn’t have…” Kerry yawned, covering her
mouth. “Sorry. Didn’t sleep much. I meant to say, next time don’t be late if
you want a proper welcome with fairies and fireworks.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Yeah, you’re not much
of a fairy…”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Exactly, bro,
exactly!” Kerry grinned.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Her teeth were
painted too. Black.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The lift
doors opened. We emerged onto a service floor filled with bustling Snowstorm
employees.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“The
Demonic Games Department works its hardest one month out of the year. The rest
of the time it spends getting ready for it,” Kerry said. “But nobody envies
them, because… Well, see for yourself…”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Waving
to a man sitting down and thoughtfully eating a burger, she shouted:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Vel,
Sheppard’s here!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Who?
Didn’t you say he’s not coming?” he shouted back angrily. His burger fell from
his hands and covered his knees with tomato sauce. Vel threw the remnants of
his food into a wastebasket in annoyance. “Take him to section six first! God,
what did I do to deserve all this? We haven’t even compiled the kernel yet!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Hey,
Alex! Could I take a selfie with you?” asked a girl with layers of makeup and
bronzer on her face and a twinkle in her eye. She clicked her comm into camera
mode. “Why the long face, huh?! Say ‘ti-i-itties’!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I smiled
automatically, but didn’t even have time to ask the girl’s name before Kerry
dragged me along another spacious corridor full of unpacked boxes and heaps of
cables. A real two-handed sword leaned against the wall. A corgi ran by us, a
projection collar on its neck making its head look like a dragon’s. The little
guy barked and flame blew from his dragon mouth.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">People
bustled behind transparent partitions. Finding myself behind the scenes at a
global show, I looked around with interest. I felt some envy for these people,
so engrossed in their work.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In
section six, I was asked to undress and climb into a medical capsule. For
several minutes in total silence and darkness, the system took my physical
readings, then Kerry led me to the testing hall.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The testing
hall was something like a library that had opened an archery range, and one of
its visitors had left behind a barbell. All kinds of devices were built into
the walls, one of them a punching bag for measuring strike strength.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">An
analyzer was placed on me. An athletically built girl led me through the hall.
I lifted a magnetic barbell, first bench presses, then squats. The girl
recorded the data. Then I hit the punching bag, ran on a special panel, jumped
up and down, stretched out…</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">After
the physical tests followed mental ones. I was asked to solve a range of
puzzles designed to test thinking, attentiveness and memory.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Then I
spoke to a psychologist. He asked tricky questions:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“You and
a friend kill a local boss. According to the loot distribution rules, he gets
the item, but it’s more suitable for you. Your friend decides to sell it at the
auction house. What do you do?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
torture lasted almost two hours until Kerry fed me some chili chocolate and led
me to a studio. The chocolate burned my tongue, and I guzzled some soda to try
to cool down . I started breathing faster, through my mouth. Kerry
misunderstood the source of my suffering:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Almost
done, Alex. Your fault for being late! We’ll going to record a video message
for the contestant sheet…”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There were
fewer people in the studio, but everyone was still engrossed in their work.
Nobody paid us any mind.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Sheppard
is here! Hey!” Kerry shouted. “Come in! A-class Threat here!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
reaction to my surname was weak, but the mention of ‘Threat’ perked up some
ears. A stylist and makeup artist dragged me off to their lair, escorted by my
assistant. They made me try on a few outfits and settled on a ‘School Thug’
look. I didn’t come up with that, that name was just in their system. Knee-high
boots, torn black trousers, a gray t-shirt emblazoned with the dumb phrase
“Don’t threaten the Threat hiding in Darant”, which changed to animated
advertising: “The undead faction is your path to success!”, “Say no to
tiredness! Turn undead!”, “Turn undead and join the bloodshed!” featuring a
handsome zombie dressed like Elvis. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
stylist worked on my hairstyle too, tousling my hair.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“A scar,
I need a scar on the brow!” the chubby and aging man with rosy cheeks said. He
stroked his beard, leaned down, looked at me, then brightened. “No, not a scar…
Something else! Earrings! That’s it! Karim, grab some earrings for Alex!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Stunning!”
the stylist’s assistant crowed.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Earrings,
Dante, really?” Kerry said in surprise. “Leave the boy his individuality!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“That’s
not what they pay me for,” he waved dismissively.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“No
earrings!” I said and sneezed. The makeup artist had gotten powder in my mouth.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Well,
alright, just one! It’ll suit you perfectly, Alex, my dear!” Dante said,
clasping his hands together. “The world sees you as a villain! All those
people… They must see that you’re an awesome cute guy with a refined aesthetic
sense!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“No!” I
objected, covering my ears just to make sure. “And no scar either. Hey, what
are you doing?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
makeup artist was running a brush across my eyebrows.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Makes
them more expressive,” he answered, a bald man literally covered in piercings.
He stuck the tip of his tongue out of the corner of his mouth and nodded. “A
little more white pomade for flare…”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I jumped
up from the chair and hid behind Kerry. She looked at me with a raised eyebrow:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Enough.
Thank you. Wonderful as always, Dante! You too, Karim.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Always
at your service!” Dante answered.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Say hi
to Chloe for me,” Karim answered.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Kerry
led me to the studio. I was seated on a black chair in the center of a black
room, a drone with a microphone hovering next to me. They raced through the
talking points I was meant to bring up. It was all in Snowstorm’s email, and I
wasn’t surprised.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
lights switched on, blinding me. The operator counted down with their fingers —
three, two, one, action!</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Hi!” I
said, seeing nothing at all through the light bearing down on me. I think my
eyes started watering. “I’m Alex Sheppard. I responded to a summons from King
Eynyon to fight for the rank of Demon Fighter.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Stop,
stop!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
lights shut off. The director, who Kerry called Tim, approached.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Alex,
dear boy, are you really the Sheppard we all know? Where is the anger, the
expressiveness? You’re the greatest Threat in the history of Dis! The people
want to see a cool dude, not some shy schoolkid! Do it again, but with feeling!
Remember how you addressed the world in Vermillion! Feel your emotions anew,
say it like in your speech above the Widowmakers’ former castle! Go on!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Alright,
Tim.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">By the
sixth take, I was baking. It was hot in the studio, the air conditioning wasn’t
doing enough, and my back wouldn’t stop itching from the sweat. In tandem with
Kerry, Tim the director got what he wanted — I got so worked up that I finally
lost my temper, and the speech went great:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“My name
is Alex Sheppard. In Disgardium I am known as Scyth, the class-A Threat! I’m in
the Demonic Games to win..!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
formalities were done. Kerry and I went back to the lift, and there she told me
what would happen next:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="10"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I’m about to take
you on a short tour, and then I’ll show you your room. If we hurry, you’ll have
time to give a couple of interviews before the Games begin.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The lift
doors opened and she beckoned for me to go first. I stopped, not knowing where
to go; before me extended a spacious and bright conservatory filled with
plants, palm trees, six-foot-tall grass with meaty stalks, even a bamboo grove.
The glut of color made my eyes widen. The high ceiling was hidden behind an
imitation blue sky. The wall behind me was made to look like the face of a
cliff.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“The
recreation zone,” Kerry explained. “All the entertainment you need: twelve
restaurants, a cinema, pool, petting zoo, gym, spa…”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We
walked along paths winding like forest trails and covered with soft carpet
bearing a three-dimensional pattern that imitated stone.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“At
night, this whole place changes,” my assistant said. “This level turns into a
small resort town, the Boom Boom nightclub opens, along with some bars, a
casino and… Uhh… Are you over sixteen?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Of
course!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Oh,
great!” she winked. “If you want, there are rooms for intimate relaxation here.
Check the catalog, there’s plenty of choice!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Sexbots?”
I clarified, blushing.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Hmm…
Are you sure you’re sixteen?” Kerry giggled. “See for yourself. I won’t spoil
the surprise.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
level was deserted — almost all the entrants to the Games were gathered below.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Meeting,
talking,” Kerry explained. “Most of them arrived yesterday, some even the day
before. In… yep, in six minutes the hotel will let the journalists in, that’s
why the contestants are hanging around down there. They all want their time to
shine for the viewers… You know how it is, a lot depends on the sympathy of the
public in the Games! The opening stream will start right after the shared meal.
At midnight local time.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Midnight
seemed to be Snowstorm’s favorite time. The ball at Distival had begun at
twelve too.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We
toured the whole level, but didn’t go inside anywhere. All I could do was look
through doors and spin my head. Unfortunately, I saw none of the promised
‘rooms of intimate relaxation.’ But I did manage to stroke a fierce-looking
white rabbit in the petting zoo — that took a lot of willpower after the
Nether. It was soft as a pillow.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“You
have five levels in total,” Kerry said between yawns as she stroked a listless
lizard. “The two upper floors are living quarters, we’ll get to them soon. The
third is the immersion level. Each contestant has their own individual capsule.
The settings are taken from your own devices. The fourth is where we are now, the
rest and relaxation level. The contestants gather here to talk and share
impressions after each day of the Games.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“What
about the fifth?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“The
fifth floor is the media center. It’s for reporters and official events. After
you settle into your room, I’ll take you there. That’s where the shared meal
will be, by the way.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We went
up one floor from the recreation area. Kerry led me to my room.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Damn, I
almost forgot! Chloe asked me to take you to see her before the interview! Do
you need a lot of time to get ready?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I’ll
just wash off this powder,” I grumbled, although I was dreaming of a shower.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“There’s
clothes in your size in the wardrobe if you need them! But best you don’t get
changed, I think Dante made you look just great!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There
were no personal items in my room apart from what I had on me before the visit
to the stylists. Hairo had only given me three minutes to pack for Alaska. I
only had time to put my hoodie on.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Looking
around the room quickly, I chuckled – no worse than what I had in Dubai, more
spacious if anything. It was all modern, but with retro styling: thronelike
chairs, a natural-wood imitation table, a bed with a carved wooden headboard
and a cupboard that was simply a work of art, with a carved door and gilded
curved handle. I couldn’t help but stroke the back of a chair, and I noticed
the material didn’t seem like plastic. It was real wood!</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Throwing my clothes into the laundry basket, I
put the comm the organizers had given me on my arm, went into the bathroom,
washed off everything the makeup artist had put on my face, then fixed my hair.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Hmm…
Pale again,” Kerry shook her head. “Shame you washed it off. Karim made you
look healthy, but now you look like a vampire. You should get more sun, Alex!
Or isn’t there much sun where you live?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Very
little,” I lied, sending potential pursuers on a false trail. Cali got plenty
of sun all year round, I just didn’t have any windows. “It rains all the time…”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">More
running through corridors, a lift, another of the hotel’s service floors, this
time for the managers of the Demonic Games. It was quiet and empty. And,
amazingly after what I’d seen in my room and the hall – it was humble. In one
of the corridor sections, we stopped at a door labeled ‘Chloe Cliffhanger,
Community and Connections Director.’</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Kerry
knocked, then opened the door a touch.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Miss
Cliffhanger, I have Sheppard here.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Come
in,” a sharp woman’s voice answered.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Behind
the door was a spacious room outfitted as an office. <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">A young-looking woman in a beige pantsuit and golden-rimmed
glasses walked over to greet us.</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Chloe
offered me a hand:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Hey,
Alex, how was your trip?” The woman gestured to a black sofa, the only dark
item in her office. “Take a seat,” she said, turning to Kerry. “You’re
dismissed for now, wait outside the door. We won’t be long.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My
assistant walked out, leaving me alone with Cliffhanger. I bit my lip, not
knowing what to expect. I doubted that high-ranking Snowstorm executives talked
to every contestant like this.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
woman offered me a drink, but I refused. Then she sat down next to me, looked
me hard in the eyes.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Alex,
you know how highly we at Snowstorm value gameplay. We know what you’ve been
thorugh…” I heard sympathy in her voice. “You’ve become an outcast. Your time
in the Nether…”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Hold
on! Did you say the Nether? You confirm that it exists, then?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“The
Nether?” Chloe asked, her eyes wide and face blank. “What do you mean, Alex?
Oh, you mean the mythical game zone? But it’s inaccessible to players! I meant
it metaphorically, the abyssal situation you found yourself in…”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Sure.
She knew, but there was no way she was going to admit it. I’d already guessed
what she wanted.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“What’s
this conversation about, Miss Cliffhanger?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“You
don’t beat around the bush…” Chloe said thoughtfully. Sitting back on the sofa,
she looked at me again with fresh eyes. “Alright, I’ll be straight with you.
Your victory in the games would not be good for us. Nor for anybody else. What
would the people say? Even now, they call you a cheater. All the contestants
have signed a petition to get you banned…”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I
know.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Then
you must know what awaits you. My superiors will reward you generously for your
loyalty. Alex, you’re about to meet with the journalists and make a statement.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“A
statement?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“You’ll
say that you changed your mind, that you’re resigning from the Demonic Games.
We’ll make a show of trying to convince you to stay, but you’ll refuse. A
mutual acquaintance of ours asked me to convey to you that you will get what
was promised if you do this… And what you said you would do before.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Kiran?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">She
remained silent, only half-closing her eyes for an instant. I got the picture –
that lying son of a bitch wouldn’t lift a finger to do what he promised. <i>So
they want to play, huh?</i> <i>Alright, let’s play!</i></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I
agree,” I said.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Chloe
sighed in relief and smiled widely.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“My man!
Good decision! Best for everyone!” She brought her comm to her lips. “Kerry,
we’re done here!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
assistant led me to the press center. Cliffhanger gave her her instructions
alone, but I figured out what they were later.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It was
loud in the press center corridor. A multitude of reporters all rushed toward
us to ask me questions, but Kerry blocked their path. She raised her hands:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Mr.
Sheppard will not be answering any questions before his official statement!
Everybody please move to the press conference hall!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
other contestants watched me, frowning after instantly losing all the
reporters’ attention when I walked in. Camera drones swarmed around like a
cloud of midges, getting shots of me from all angles. Kerry walked along with
her head raised proudly; a little of the fame of the class-A Threat bounced off
me onto her. The whole world was watching us.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
woman led me to a conference table with microphones, sat me down and
disappeared behind me.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The hall
was filled to the brim with hundreds of journalists, buzzing, crowding by the
door, rattling chairs as they sat down. The contestants were there too, pressed
against the back wall. The chairs next to me were empty.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A tired
young woman in a Snowstorm t-shirt was seating the journalists. She held a
microphone:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Mr.
Katz, Disgardium Daily, your seat is there!” She lit up the second row. Mr.
Katz asked something and the woman answered: “No, the first row is for
accredited streamers. Yes, yours are on the list too! No! I will not change the
seating…”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Looking
around, I foresaw the spectacle that set to unfold. Holographic labels over the
chairs showed all the speakers of the conference: Chloe Cliffhanger, Alex
Sheppard, Kiran Jackson. It all became clear as day. They had counted on me
failing at the Ordeal, but just in case, they had a plan B: Sheppard would
resign from the contest, lose his chance to get <i>Concentrated Life Essence</i>
and accept Kiran’s offer, which required him to destroy the Sleeping temples
and delete his character. Dis would lose its Threat, and the Sleepers their
Initial. Everybody would be happy except Behemoth and a few hundred
non-citizens.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Two
people emerging from the crowd caught my eye: Malik and Tissa. My heart
quickened and I waved to them:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Malik,
Tissa, over here!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Without
looking at me, they walked past the journalists, stood before them with their
back to me and raised their hands, calling for attention.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“We have
an announcement to make!” my friends shouted.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Excuse
me, please go back to…” the woman organizing the journalists began, but Tissa
grabbed her microphone and interrupted her:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Hi! I’m
Melissa Schafer. My friend and I have an announcement!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Malik
stood next to her and leaned into the microphone:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I’m
Malik Abdualim. Infect.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">“We’re from Sheppard’s clan. From the Awoken,”
Tissa said.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There
was jeering, whistling. The noise rose and Malik raised his voice:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“We
officially declare that we are leaving the Awoken! We understand what we might
be risking; after all, the Threat might not let us go! But in that case we
swear that we will harm the clan until Scyth frees us!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“We want
nothing to do with Sheppard!” Tissa shouted.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It was
as if a taut string in my soul had suddenly snapped. What were they saying?
What was going on?</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The noise
of the onlookers began to subside, but the journalists all shot to their feet.
Questions rained down from all sides.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“We’ve
suffered Sheppard’s arrogance for too long,” Malik said, his voice ringing.
“We’ve had enough!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Alex
Sheppard is a fame-blind piece of shit!” Tissa shouted. “From now on, please
remember that we have nothing to do with him! We hate him! He’s our enemy!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“And…”
Malik laughed, turning to me. “Melissa and I are together now!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My
former friend embraced Tissa and kissed her on the lips. The kiss was long, and
the hall erupted in laughing approval. A spatter of applause turned into a
thundering ovation. The crowd started chanting:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Class-A
Threat, class-A loser!” It sounded so harmonious that it was as if they’d been
practicing for days. “Class-A Threat, class-A loser!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I caught
a sympathizing glance from Ian Mitchell. Next to him sat a short and balding
man in horn-rimmed glasses – Clark Katz, editor-in-chief at Disgardium Daily.
He frowned, studying my reaction.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Anger
bubbled inside me like molten lava, burning with the desire to break free, but
I clenched my will in my fist and somehow kept my back straight, my head up and
my expression stony. I just ground my teeth.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Hairo
had said that I might have a hard time with the other contestants. He even
predicted Malik’s behavior: <i>You kids are going to be on your own there</i>,
he had said. <i>It’s fully possible that the corporation finds a way to get to
your friend.</i> <i>My predictions might not come true, but best be prepared
for everything.</i></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Staring
at a single point, I disassociated from the jeers, from the image of Malik and
Tissa embracing, from everyone shaking their hands and slapping them on the
back. What next? Should I expect betrayal from the other Awoken? A feeling
built in my chest that the lava had frozen, had all burnt out and left only ash
behind, and now even that was dropping into a cavernous black hole that
swallowed up my enthusiasm, my joy at having arrived at the Games in time, my
hopes… Trixie, Malik, Tissa… Who next? Hung? Ed? Irita?</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Ahem…”
Someone coughed into a microphone and knocked on it. “Ladies and gentlemen, a
moment of your silence and attention please! Mr. Sheppard, and Snowstorm
directors Mr. Jackson and Miss Cliffhanger are about to give a joint
statement!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Jolted
back to reality, I suddenly realized I was no longer alone. To my left sat
Kiran, to my right – Chloe. Smiling, businesslike. Jackson, leaning down
beneath the table as if to pick something up, sprayed some Accelerant into his
mouth.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The room
fell silent. The eyes of three hundred contestants and just as many journalists
all fell on me. In the sea of faces, I saw only the three I knew well: Malik
and Tissa, exulting, triumphant, and Ian Mitchell, sympathetic. The old
journalist caught my eye, nodded encouragingly and closed his eyes for a
moment.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Mr.
Sheppard?” The host of the press conference reminded me why I was there.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Hello…”
I said, tapping the microphone to make sure it worked before continuing. “As
you all know, I nearly didn’t make it to the Games. I arrived in the final hour
of registration, so I didn’t get much chance to talk to people. But what I did
hear was enough. Nobody here wants me to compete. People think I don’t deserve
it, that all my victories were dishonest. I can’t fully agree with that, but I
do admit that I owe all my successes in Dis to my unique status…”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I paused
and Kiran immediately started off his script:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“What
are you talking about, Alex, buddy? You can’t mean you want to resign?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Oh,
God, Alex, don’t do it!” Chloe said, flinging up her hands almost naturally.
“The Demonic Games is the perfect place for you to prove that your success is
anything but random!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Ladies
and gentlemen, we’re here to report an unprecedented event!” Kiran said,
smiling and addressing the whole hall. “For the first time since the inception
of the Games, a globally renowned Threat has entered! But the opening night may
be marred by some sad news…”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He
turned and looked at Chloe. Cliffhanger picked up the speech like a
professional runner in a verbal relay race:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Well,
it’s quite understandable. Young Alex has been through so much… Just so much!”
She clasped her hands together. “The weight of all that responsibility, the
constant challenges from the entire game…”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“And
global!” Kiran said.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Yes,
and global community. It’s a terrible shame that the world is going to miss out
on Alex in the Games! Snowstorm tried to convince him to change his mind. Heck,
we still are trying, right, Kiran?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“That’s
right,” Kiran shook his head. “I’m sure it’s not over yet and Alex will think
again…”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I would
like to remind everyone gathered here of the words of founding father Mike
Anderson!” Chloe said imploringly. “Mr. Anderson said that Threats are an
important part of Disgardium…”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">She
continued her speech, convincing the entire hall with total certainty that Alex
Sheppard would no longer be taking part, and that this was a terrible loss for
the Demonic Games. My lips smiled on their own – I was imagining their faces
when I said what I was about to say.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Finishing,
Cliffhanger turned to look at me.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“What do
you say, Alex?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I can’t
disagree with Mr. Anderson,” I said. Chloe nodded approvingly and Kiran clapped
me on the shoulder. “And you really make a strong argument…”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Your
decision?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I agree
with you, you’re right!” I said, addressing the hall. “Listen, I admit that I
leveled up thanks to my status. But the Demonic Games makes us all equal,
right? I’m going to try and prove that I can successfully play without the
perks of being a Threat. I’m going to take part! I can’t deprive the audience
of the sight they’ve been waiting so long to see…” <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">I finished, spreading my arms.</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Then the real chaos started.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Kiran started hyperventilating,
Chloe stood opening and closing her mouth and the journalists shouted
questions. Somewhere out in the great nothing, the Sleepers stopped tossing and
turning. The streamers in the first row shouted as they commentated their feed.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Behind
them, Ian Mitchell was roaring with laughter and rubbing tears from his eyes.
He slapped Katz on the shoulder. Katz gave me a thumbs-up.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p style="background-color: white;"> </o:p></p>
<h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Chapter 3. Cursed Outcast</span><o:p></o:p></span></h1><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">No matter how brave a face I put on when I said I was
staying in the Games, no matter how Kiran’s twisted snarl of fury warmed my
heart, I still felt mostly dead.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My emotions
showed only while I spoke, shored up by Ian’s silent support and my own
confidence that I was doing the right thing. But then…</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">An icy
indifference overtook me, as if I’d brought <i>Cold-Blooded Punisher </i>into
the real world with me. The sight of Malik and Tissa embracing didn’t bother
me, nor the catcalls from particularly vindictive contestants, nor the falsely
sympathetic questions from the journalists. My brain seemed to understand –
just a little more and I’d either fall into the despairing dark of depression
or I’d go insane. Or maybe it was the Sleepers helping me – they always seemed
to be with me, somehow. Whatever the reason, my state didn’t change: I stopped
feeling emotions, deciding to do what I must and let be what would be.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Ian
disappeared into one of the press center’s capsules after whispering to me that
my friends (if they even were friends) Edward Rodriguez and Hung Lee had
contacted him, wanting to comment on the situation with Tissa and Malik.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I stayed
sat behind the table, my arms crossed, seeing nothing until I suddenly realized
that someone had been shaking me for some time:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Alex!
Hey, Alex!” I turned and saw Kerry. “Well, thank Two-horns, you woke up! Come
on, the communal meal is about to start! That’s it now, kiddo, you’re
officially a contestant in the Demonic Games and obliged to follow the
organizers’ rules! You have a contract!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I made
myself stand up. Kerry stroked my cheek and said quietly:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Now
you’ve done it… Chloe is screaming and crying, Kiran is out of his mind with
rage!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I have
to compete. They all think I’m a coward since I didn’t accept the challenge in
the desert.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I know,
I know…” She sniffled, hugged me and held me close. I scented sweet perfume
that reminded me of rotting flesh. “I know. They all just see your status, but
they forget you’re just a kid…”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Ahem,”
someone delicately coughed nearby.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Pushing
myself away awkwardly, I saw a girl on rollerskates, in a tube top and the
shortest skirt I’d seen in my life. The girl smiled warmly, but her eyes were
serious. One flashed red – she was streaming.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Hey,
Alex! You’re live on the air! All forty million of my subscribers are watching
you and they’re bombarding me with questions. Will you answer some?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Do it,”
Kerry whispered. “Win them over!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Nodding,
I forced a smile:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Hey!”
It was hard for me to concentrate; the girl’s legs ended at around the level of
my stomach. “Hey, uhm…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Oh,
sorry, I thought you know me,” the streamer said, blushing. “I’m Lia Solo, but
that doesn’t matter, millions are watching you. I’m not here, I’m just the eyes
of the audience!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I got a
grip on myself and spoke:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Hey,
Lia! Hey, viewers! You probably saw what happened. My friends… former friends,
Tissa and Malik… That was sudden. And it hurt. So sorry if I don’t seem too
friendly right now… Anyway, ask your questions.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Oh,
yeah! We’re sooo sorry that happened!” Lia cooed. “What are you feeling right
now?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Sadness.
Disappointment.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Be yourself!”
Kerry whispered in my ear.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Hell,
I’m having a shit time, guys! I’m used to hate from strangers, but friends…
That’s something else.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“We know
just how you feel, Alex!” Lia clapped her hands together. Her sympathy even
seemed sincere. “Another question. Your class, Herald. Tell us, what’s special
about it? There’s nothing about it online or in the game encyclopedia!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I’m
very charismatic,” I laughed. “That’s a decisive stat for the class. I also
have a high level of persuasion and…”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“That’s
enough, sorry, sorry!” Kerry moved between me and the streamer. “Alix is late
for the shared meal!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Hold
on, Alex!” Lia shouted as we left.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Kerry
walked me out of the press center, looked around and hissed:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Are you
out of your mind? Keep your secrets to yourself!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">“I know what I’m doing! I didn’t plan to tell
them more than they need to know…”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I didn’t
remember anything about our path to the ceremonial hall, I was so deep in
thought. Kerry gave me advice, tried to convince me that I had to be strong,
and even explained her own stake: the assistants to the players made bets
between themselves with a big prize pool – the longer her ward stayed in the
game, the greater her reward. The company bonus system worked the same way.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We
reached a wooden door with a wrought-iron handle… not a door at all really, but
a full-fledged set of gates, and Kerry handed me over to a servant droid. The
huge gates opened inwards.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Following
the droid, I crossed the threshold and looked around. The hall of ceremonies
was impressively large. It even made me wonder for a second if Snowstorm had
learned how to work with parallel dimensions. How else could such a massive
room fit into the hotel?</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The hall
was like a two-tiered amphitheater. At its center was a round stage, not yet
lit. Shadows moved there behind holographic stage curtains. Dozens of tables
for the contestants were arranged around the stage. Unoccupied tables sank into
the floor, and as soon as you approached them, they rose on special pistons.
The journalists and VIP guests were seated on the upper level.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
droid brought me to a table with one empty chair.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Mr.
Sheppard, your seat is here. Please sit down.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My
neighbors were silent a moment, then just resumed their conversations without
greeting me.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">My comm told me that the white-haired beauty
sat to my left was the sculptor Anna, Miss Commonwealth-2074, and the portly
old bearded man sat opposite was a Grand Master of jewelmaking and winner of a
professional tournament. Next to him sat a brown-haired man with high
cheekbones called Zbiegnev, champion of Dis in gryphon racing. The man was
flirting with Anna and dropping sarcastic comments. The fifth at our table was
bald Theodor Novak, also known as Shamshur, a tamer, and the only one to shake
my hand. He sat to my right, and was here as champion of the pet battles.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A waiter
appeared like a shadow behind me and asked what I’d like to eat, rattling off
several dishes with unfamiliar names. I chose some strange fish with an
odd-sounding side and an unknown sauce. There was also salad, soup, little
canapes with black and red caviar, desert and all kinds of other fancy
delicacies. I declined offers of alcohol; I needed a clear head, especially
with millions of viewers watching. I could feel hateful stares on me too, like the
one that guy Ketzal had tried to drill a hole in me with at the registration
desk.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">When I’d
finished my soup and was waiting for the waiter to serve the fish, the stage in
the center of the hall lit up. Triumphant orchestral music began to play and
lasers flashed. The room fell silent and started to watch.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Chloe
Cliffhanger emerged first, wearing a long silver dress, a glimmering crown atop
her head. She effusively welcomed all the contestants on behalf of Snowstorm
and then handed over to the presenter of the opening ceremony… Aaron Quan would
have fallen off his chair!</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Slowly,
snow-white wings beating behind them, two angels descended to the stage: Denise
Le Bon and Brad Pitt-66. Brad Pitt-66 was the most successful reincarnation of
a famous actor from the start of the century – an android made to be a perfect
copy of the living actor. The synthetic, introduced to the public in 2066, had
probably long since overtaken the human original in terms of viewer count and
money earned.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“The
angels greet the chosen ones!” The human and android flew in a circle around
the stage.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Well,
people!” Denise shouted. “Are you ready to show the world what you can do in
the Demonic Games?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Yes!”
the crowd roared.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I can’t
hear you!” Brad cried.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Beautiful
Anna stood up and shouted:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I love
you, Brad Pitt-66!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Zbiegnev
frowned, destroying the android with his gaze:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Rustbucket!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The show
lasted around an hour. The audience ate, drank and delighted in the stars’
performance. Famous singers and bands took to the stage, stand-up comics and
great champions of the Games of the past…</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I had no
appetite, but I had to give the chefs their due – I still ate all the fish.
Then I dug around in my desert with my spoon until I felt someone’s eyes on me
and looked around. Ian was waving to me from the second tier. He pointed at me,
then at the door to the right. Nodding, I headed there and found myself in a
smoking room. There was nobody there except a robot cleaner.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Ian
showed up a minute later. Spreading his arms wide, he hugged me and slapped me
on the back:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Finally,
Alex! There were too many eyes after the press conference, but here… Glad to
meet you in the flesh! You’re a lot more real here, so to speak!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Likewise,
Mr. Mitchell. You’re a little different from the virtual you.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Mitchell
let me go, chuckling and rubbing his bare chin.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Yeah,
I’m still getting used to being clean-shaven. Wanna sit down?” He pointed to a
leather couch.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I sat.
Ian sat down next to me and started cutting a cigar. Staring at it, he spoke
quietly:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Your friends
are not happy. Edward said he’s going to kick those two, and I quote, ‘the fuck
out of the clan.’ Hung promised that to ‘strangle that bastard personally.’ I
put a hold on the interview. The way Clark and I see it, you’re better off
playing like you’re alone in this. You’ll get the sympathy vote that way.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Got it.
Thanks, Mr. Mitchell. One good thing, at least.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Good
luck, Alex!” Ian lit up his cigar and breathed out a cloud of smoke. “Will you
give me a quick interview?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Sure
thing.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Great!
Ready?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Yes.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Ian’s
eye lit up red, showing that he’d started recording.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“How are
you feeling on the whole? Liking the ceremony?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I
shrugged.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“It’s
all just great. My friend Aaron Quan is a big fan of Denise. In case she’s
listening, I want to say a big hello to her from Aaron. Denise, he’s your
biggest fan and dreams of meeting you!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I’ll
tell Denise,” Ian smiled. “What about you? Would you like to meet her?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“We’ve
met, she presented our team an award at the Arena.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“All the
same. Do you like her?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“It would
be silly to deny her beauty, Mr. Mitchell, but my heart belongs to someone
else… No, no, no names.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“At
least a hint. Does her name contain the letter ‘I’?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Uhh…
Fine, I can tell you that. Yes. But not a word more!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Alright,”
Ian winked at me, thinking he’d guessed right. “I think your viewers and
readers will understand why you’d rather keep the lucky girl’s name secret.
Alex, I know that the last half a year has totally transformed your life. When
they imagine your huge bank account, people often forget that you’re just a
schoolkid. You’ve learned and seen many new things. Tell us, what surprised you
most of all? The opportunities you unlocked? The attention from the press?” Ian
smiled. “Or from girls?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“The
punishments.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“What?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“The
punishment TV streams. At home, my parents always kept an eye on what I
watched, all the channels had a parental lock on them. So I only learned about
the online punishments recently.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Ah, I
see. And what surprises you about that?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“The
injustice.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“But
wait, isn’t it a good thing that society delivers the verdict, not some judge
who can be bribed or a jury wrapped around a lawyer’s finger?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Sure,
it’s probably good that not just one person gets to decide whether the accused
lives or dies, or even a few people, but everyone. Well, everyone in theory; in
practice, most of them probably don’t vote. But even if they all did, would it
be justice? The viewers only know what they’re told. They don’t know the first
thing about the accused…”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Alex, I
don’t know where you’re going with this…” Ian was floundering.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I just
want to say… the majority isn’t always right. Sometimes people are just bored
and want entertainment. Blood.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Bread
and circuses…” Ian muttered.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
recording eye went out. It looked like I’d touched on something that couldn’t
be talked about publicly. Mitchell wanted to ask something else, but suddenly
the door opened, several camera drones flew in and Ian gestured to me that it
was time to end the interview.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Leaving
the journalist to finish smoking his cigar, I returned to the hall and
immediately fell deaf. An advertisement clip for the undead was playing,
booming out a soundtrack. A holoprojection above us showcased the advantages of
the new faction, and on stage, actors performed a theatrical introduction for
the Destroying Plague. I swore under my breath. Such bullshit. There were no
zombies so beautiful and plastic!</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">When the
show ended, Kiran and Chloe reappeared. Jackson shouted:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“And
now, folks, we’re saying good-bye and handing off the Games to someone who has
been hosting them for almost twenty years! His name is…”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Gu-u-u-uy!”
Chloe shouted, and the hall began to erupt with cheers and screams.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Ba-r-r-r-ron!”
Kiran continued as if introducing a boxing match.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Octius!”
the crowd roared.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Please
welcome to the stage Guy Barron Octius, the irreplaceable master of ceremonies
of the Demonic Games!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Rock
music roared, pounding so loud that the plates on the tables rattled. Kiran and
Chloe pointed to the ceiling where a platform was descending. A fearsome
armored man with a grey beard stood upon on it, his arms crossed. The hilts of
two swords stuck out above his shoulders. He surveyed the hall with a frown.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Chloe
and Kiran disappeared in the darkness. Spotlights lit up Octius. Without
waiting for the floating platform to finish descending, the steely gamemaster
jumped off it, landing with a crash of platemail. The music stopped. A few
seconds’ silence… Then Octius struck his fist into the air, shouting:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I wish
all summoned here a night to remember! I declare the nineteenth year of the
Demonic Games officially open!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The hall
lit up with the flashes of devices recording the official start of the Games. A
holocube above the stage showed scenes of this year’s contestants. I saw Tissa
there, healing me in the final of the Junior Arena.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Allow
me to introduce all the contestants!” Octius said. “This year we have almost
three hundred arrivals!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
tables rose one after another on their columns and Guy Barron listed the names
of their contestants while the lights moved over them. One of the first tables
to rise up was Malik and Tissa’s. My former friends got different welcomes:
Malik got scattered clapping, with even a disapproving boo here or there, but
Tissa got an ovation.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My
attention quickly switched to the next contestant:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“R-r-renato
Loyol, better known as Ketzal the Destroyer!” the gamemaster announced. “Member
of one of the strongest clans in the world, Excommunicado! Champion of the Solo
Arena!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It was
that same aggressive man with the bow-tie from before. He raised both his arms,
his fingers intertwined, and shook them above his head. It turned out Ketzal
had tons of fans. I set myself the goal of finding out what the gladiator’s
class was.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Mar-r-rcus
Yansson, also known as Marcus the Str-r-rongarm! Member of another mighty clan
– Warsong! Vice-champion of the Solo Arena, losing only to Ketzal in the
final!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A large
man in a colorful short-sleeved shirt rose from the table. He raised his strong
hairy arms over his head.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">After
introducing both the gladiators, Octius moved to their neighbor:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Yulan
Hao, also known as Sorceress Yulan from the Azure Dragons!” Octius said. “One
of the greatest mages of modernity!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I looked
at her face on the big screen, a thin Asian woman with short faded hair,
tightly pursed lips and a frowning stare from beneath her brows. She sat
between Ketzal and Marcus.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Soon I
saw the already familiar bandit Berstan and the ice mage Kara – they had
defended the cell where Crag was locked up in the Modus castle. Koba the elvish
hunter sat with them – he was the one that carried me on his <i>Golden Gryphon</i>
when Crag’s fate was being decided. I wondered what instructions Hinterleaf had
given them concerning me.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Now the
lights were on T-Modus, our opponents in the final of the Junior Arena. For the
first time, I saw the entire team in the flesh: their captain, Filex the Rogue,
Yen the Archer, Olaf the Mage, Kart the Warrior and Kana the Druid. They looked
much older than back then – the images then were shot when they were fourteen,
and now they were sixteen.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And
Alison Wu the templar was with them too! She had been in reserve, but had made
her contribution a little earlier. I hadn’t seen Alison since that memorable
night at my place, when Scyth was stuck in the Nether. I didn’t know if she and
Hung still stayed in touch after we went underground…</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Our
table was the last to be shown.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Zbiegnev
Pontiek, better known as Zbiegnev the Jockey!” Octius announced to the applause
of the hall. “Champion of the gryphon races! The fastest son of a bitch I’ve
ever seen!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Zbiegnev
rose, placed his hand on his heart and bowed.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Jewel
of the night, the incredible Anastasia Kovalenko, Anna the Sculptor and Miss
Disgardium-2074!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The girl
stood up and waved to the hall, her smile blinding. Only then did I notice that
Anna was taller even than Hung.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Ooh!”
the hall sighed in ecstasy.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Joseph
Rosenthal, who you all know as Meister the Jeweller, winner of the royal and
imperial contests for the best jewelry!” Octius paused for everyone to drink in
images of the craftsman’s fine necklaces and bracelets. “Just stunning, Joseph!
Our viewers will recall that this is the sixth time Meister has entered the
Demonic Games!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Only
for this singular wine!” Joseph shouted, raising his glass.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“You pay
a high price for our wine!” Octius laughed. “For those who don’t know, after
each loss, Meister gave up 1% of his total health to the champions of the
Games!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Take it
all!” the jeweler waved a hand. “I don’t need it in my workshop anyway!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Everyone
laughed and Octius moved to my bald neighbor:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Theodore
Novak, better known as Shamshur the Tamer, master of the pet battles at the
Arena! I remember that final like it was yesterday! Shamshur’s spectral chimera
versus Mushekvi’s rhinoceros… A stunning battle, Theodore! Glad to see you
among the contestants!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Theodore
struck his chest twice with a fist and sat down to roaring applause.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Octius
saved me for last.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Alex
Sheppard!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I rose
to a tidal wave of booing and whistling. My heart thumped in my chest and I
felt the blood rush to my face. I wanted to hide under the table, but I kept
standing there like a tin soldier. I didn’t feel like waving, striking my fist
on my chest or smiling.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Also
known as Herald Scyth…” Octius fell silent, waiting for the public to calm
down, but they had no such plans – the shouts drowned out even the music.
“Ladies and gentleman, I demand respect! I swear on my role as master of the
Games, if any of you fail to be silent now, they will get a personal penalty
from me for the entire first day!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
threat worked and the room fell silent, but then someone figured out a loophole
and the rest took it up – they all just started roaring so that it would be
impossible to make out individual voices. They all howled.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Octius
twirled a finger in the air and someone behind the scenes raised the volume on
his voice sharply:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Alex
Sheppard, the class-A Threat! Scyth the Herald! I have to give credit to this
boy’s bravery for accepting the summons! Remember, Scyth has none of the
abilities from his Threat status here! So let’s applaud him for not being
afraid to be here in the same room with all of you! A welcome this warm will
boil the blood in your veins!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Guy
Barron Octius smiled and the hall laughed.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Sure,
you can’t hit Alex here, but what stops you doing it in Cursed Chasm? Ha-ha!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Cursed
Chasm was the damned place where they were going to send us all.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The master
of ceremonies finished laughing, coughed and began speaking again, his voice
growing more serious:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Before
we finish the opening ceremony, let’s wait for the votes! Our viewers have had
the opportunity to meet all the contestants. They have seen not only this
ceremony, but also your videos and greeting messages. The vote will determine
the best and worst contestant of the Demonic Games on opening day!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The hall
froze. I filled with a sense of foreboding. Thinking about it, I had many fans,
especially among those sick of the preventers. But votes were easy to
manipulate, and the audience bonus could go to anyone. <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">A one-time ability, artifact or enhancement.</span>
The debuff, on the other hand, lasted for a full day following the vote. On the
first day, a second death meant ejection from the Games, and running around
Cursed Chasm with a debuff… That would mean guaranteed disincarnation for me.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“The
viewers’ favorite player of the opening day is…” Octius paused as if drinking
in the tension in the hall. “Priestess Tissa! My sincerest congratulations,
Melissa Schafer! With a slight lead of a fraction of a percent, you overtook
unrivalled gladiator Ketzal and queen of beauty Anna! It seems the viewers
appreciated your performance earlier on!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">All the
cameras turned to Tissa, who squealed and jumped into Malik’s arms. I looked at
her shining face, recalling the night I’d spent reassuring her after she
suddenly turned up on my doorstep. Back then, Tissa had been on the edge – in
despair after burying her hopes for a bright future. Now the girl was the total
opposite of the Tissa I loved.</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Octius</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> raised his right hand and snapped his fingers. A hole opened up next to
him and a huge boiling cauldron rose up onto the stage, multicolored smoke
whirling above it.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“The
Cauldron! The Measuring Cauldron!” my neighbors all gasped at once.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“That’s
the good cauldron,” Anna said.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Remember,
there are no secrets on opening day!” Octius said with a flourish. “We’re about
to find out exactly what Tissa’s reward will be…”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Octius
stuck an arm into the brew, mixed it and pulled out an orb around the size of
an apple. He raised it above his head and it exploded in thousands of colorful
sparks. A message flashed above him:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p style="background-color: white;"> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Banshee
Queen’s Cry</span><o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">One-time
ability.</span><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">On
use, makes all enemies within visibility radius freeze in terror for 1 minute.</span><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p style="background-color: white;"> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“My
congratulations to Tissa! This <i>Cry</i> could save this beautiful young
woman’s life! But, Melissa… Are you listening to me? Remember, the ability will
disappear after one use!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I’ll
keep that in mind, Mr. Octius!” Tissa answered.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Great,
great! It’s always nice when a young lady like yourself doesn’t argue and just
takes advice gratefully!” Octius blew her a kiss. “And now we move on to the
worst player of the opening day. Unfortunately, that will be… Wow…”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As if
from nowhere, a glass appeared in Octavius’s hand and he took a big swig. Then
he wiped his forehead with his sleeve:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Ahem…
It’s never nice to give bad news. The viewers have made their choice almost
uninamously. With a huge lead over Meister the Jeweler and Infect the Bard, the
unlucky loser of day one is… Herald Scyth!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">What a
surprise!</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I knew
the voting would be easy to rig, I’d expected those kinds of tricks from
Snowstorm, but I’d still hoped for the best until the end. And there was no way
to verify the result, no way to argue! <i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">If it goes on like this, I’m going to be thrown out of
here on day one!</span></i></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
gamemaster raised his left hand and snapped his fingers. A filthy black
cauldron rose from beneath the floor, its brown contents emitting clouds of
black smoke.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“And
that’s the bad cauldron,” Anna noted.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Fastidiously
dipping his arm in the gloop, Octius pulled out a ball of tar. I watched
enchanted as the container exploded into oily smoke and a holographic
description of my ‘reward’ appeared above the master of ceremonies:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p style="background-color: white;"> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Cursed
Cripple</span><o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Your
limbs are broken. They canot be healed.</span><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: center 257.95pt;"><i style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">-75% movement speed.</span><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: center 257.95pt;"><i style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">-50% damage dealt.</span><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Duration:
24 hours.</span><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p style="background-color: white;"> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Wo-oo-oo!”
the whole room roared, all leaping to their feet and shaking their fists.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Theodore,
master of the pet battles at the Arena, squeezed my shoulder. “My sympathies,
Alex.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Yeah,
doesn’t get much worse than that,” Anna said, looking off to the side. “But
that’s what you deserve. Success should be earned. You’re just a wannabe who got
lucky…”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Ketzal
the gladiator caught my eye, grinned and ran a finger across his throat.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">When the
founding father of Snowstorm, Mike Anderson, came on-stage to wish us all luck,
I saw none of it. I stared striaght ahead with my back straight, gazing at the
spotlights until my eyes teared up and remembering that it wasn’t just my
enemies watching the stream.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My parents,
Uncle Nick, Ed, Hung, Irita, Gyula, Manny, the people of Cali Bottom and even
Aaron Quon could see me then. I</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"> couldn’t believe that all players now hated me
for some reason. There were too many on my side.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And they
had to see that I wasn’t broken.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0cm;"><span style="background-color: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Chapter 4. Let The Demonic
Games Begin!</span><o:p></o:p></span></h1><div><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></span></div>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">After
the ceremony, everyone relocated to the recreation level to continue the party.
I locked myself in my room instead – I needed to read <i>The Demonic Games: The
Complete Rulebook</i>. It would be dumb to start my first day at the Games
unprepared.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The main
thing I wanted to find out was which abilities I’d still have in Cursed Chasm.
But I couldn’t find anything specific in the book – it seemed like we would
keep our class abilities and everything earned from achievements, but I didn’t
know if I’d still have <i>Depths Teleportation</i>. Or <i>Flight</i>. It would
be good if I did. But I found no clarity, so I had to come up with separate
strategies for the different options.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The comm
I’d been given distracted me a lot at first with constant notifications of new
messages in an app created specially for contestants of the Games. Judging by
the photos, the other contestants were having a blast. Nobody was thinking
about the hangover to come – everyone had a personal Home Doctor in their room
to take care of that.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I put
the comm into sleep mode so it wouldn’t bother me, read the rest of the
rulebook and moved onto <i>History of the Demonic Games</i>, where I learned
that Mogwai had managed to triple his health when he became the champion. His
strategy was interesting: the druid powered through the first two-hundred
levels, tanking all the bosses and kiting the others, and then deliberately
left combat with some gate guards so that his raid group fell. He finished off
the boss solo, while the others lost levels and fell behind. His advantage
growing, Mogwai returned to the upper floors and started killing players this
time.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In the
morning, I woke up to a soft neutral voice:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Wake
up, Mr. Sheppard! Wake up!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Rising,
I looked around the room. Nobody there. The voice belonged to my AI helper and
seemed to be coming from everywhere at once:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Good
morning, Mr. Sheppard! Would you like breakfast in your room or would you
prefer to visit one of our twelve restaurants?” A holographic panel appeared
before me with a description of the venues on offer. “If you would like to take
a bath, please indicate your preferred temp…”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">“I’m fine, thanks,” I waved it away. I never
had an appetite in the morning, but it was important to eat. I’d need a lot of
energy for my first day in the Games. “Breakfast in my room, please.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The AI
squawked out the names of dishes, projecting their holograms before me, but I
cut it off again and asked for an ordinary omelette with bacon and tomatoes,
jam toast, coffee and a glass of orange juice.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">While
breakfast was on the way, I took a shower and read the day’s itinerary. The
Games began at midday with an uninterrupted eight-hour session in a capsule.
Then dinner and a review of the best moments of the day, plus a mandatory
interaction with the media. Then free time and a few activities to choose from,
including a couple of concerts, no-rules robot battles and dancing… The
organizers approved of any activity that could lead to romantic connection,
intrigue and scandal. The real part of the Games was just as entertaining to
the viewers as the virtual part.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">At
eleven, when I’d already had breakfast, Kerry called me on the comm. My
assistant examined my face closely and seemed pleased.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“You
look refreshed. Sleep did you good. Get ready; I’ll be coming to get you in an
hour. Octius is hosting a briefing to remind you all of the rules, then it’s
into the fray!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I spent
that half an hour in my room, still reading the stories of the other champions.
I had no desire to interact with the other contestants after what happened last
night. Then Kerry came in, took me to the immersion level and showed me to the
room set aside for me.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Each
contestant had their own isolated immersion room, and it was three times bigger
than any non-citizen cell. Apart from a capsule, it contained a sofa, a chair,
a shower room and a closet. The refrigerator brimmed with snacks and drinks. If
I wanted to, I could live here without risking any contact with the other
contestants. I would have happily done that, but billions were watching. I
couldn’t show cowardice. Like Uncle Nick said, you have to look your problems
in the eye, not hide from them.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Soon a
Snowstorm engineer appeared and helped me into the capsule, almost identical to
the one I got as a reward for hitting my first maximum Threat level, but it was
the newest version: the Altera Vita II. Kerry tactfully left the room and I got
undressed and climbed inside.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Ready?”
the engineer asked, and I gave him a thumbs-up. “The first immersion for each
contestant can only be initiated externally.” He looked at his watch. “To
avoid… Three! Two! One! Starting!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Intragel
filled the capsule instantly. It just sprayed in from everywhere, there was a
click, and suddenly I was in an endless space filled with bright light. Others
began to appear in black circles around me – in their Dis bodies, but with
ordinary basic clothing with variations for class and gender.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Greetings,
contestants!” came a thunderous voice from above.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Guy
Barron Octius appeared before us, at least eighteen feet tall so that everyone
could see him. Waving his hand, he spoke in a relaxed manner:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Alright,
folks! You know the most important thing about the Games, and if you don’t,
then it sucks to be you! You should have read the materials we handed out
instead of partying all night.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Can’t I
just sleep it off in the tavern?” an elf girl whined. I recognized her as Anna.
She was even more beautiful here than in real life. “There’s a tavern
somewhere, right?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Do as
you wish,” Octius waved a hand amid laughter and complaining from the rest.
“But I’m about to hold the traditional briefing before your first immersion
into Cursed Chasm. As you know, we change the mechanics a little each year, so
that those who participated before don’t have an advantage over the rest. I
don’t mean you, Joseph, although experience doesn’t seem to help you at all.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
little gnome Meister bowed with a grin.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Octius
unfolded a piece of parchment and read:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“The
rules of the Demonic Games are unchanged. All begin anew, but they keep their
skills and abilities, both from their class and those obtained through other
means, with the exception of divine abilities, which are unavailable in Cursed
Chasm. However! With your skills there is one ‘but,’ which I will voice later.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A
bird’s-eye view of a village materialized beneath our feet. The camera suddenly
dropped down and focused on a crow picking an eye from a corpse. My heart
dropped into my heels from the suddenness of it. Many others reeled and some
even fell to the floor.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Paying
no attention to the contestants’ reactions, the gamemaster continued:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Cursed
Chasm is a village in the northern Commonwealth. Along with its neighboring
territories, it is cut off from the rest of the world and from Disgardium. Put
simply, it is stuck between Dis and the Underworld. There has been only one way
to get there since the days when the fell hooves of demons corrupted the land!
Highborn elves keep the demonic knowledge, and once a year, they can send the
spirits of the worthiest players to Cursed Chasm to determine who among them is
the best! The one who will join the ranks of the Demon Fighters! The losers
will forever lose a portion of their life force to the champion!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I
remembered the words I read in <i>History of the Demonic Games </i>– “Champions
of the Demonic Games make the best tanks. Mogwai is the most memorable
example.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“The
Games are not limited by time until <i>Eynyon’s Gong</i> strikes,” Octius
continued. “And strike it will not until the final top 10% of surviving
contestants has been determined! <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">From that moment, the chance that <i>Eynyon’s Gong</i> will strike will
increase significantly and will grow with each passing day.”</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I just
hope I survive that long!” Meister the gnome whined dreamily.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Yeah,
getting into the top 10% would be awesome!” someone agreed with him. “And the
bonuses…”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“There
are two main changes!” Octius interrupted him, raising a finger. “The first:
you start the Games with the <i>Amnesia</i> debuff. This is the very ‘but’ that
I mentioned before. Everyone starts from absolute zero, with no skills
whatsoever! Congratulations, you’ve forgotten them!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A buzz
spread among the contestants. Guy Barron chuckled, snapped his fingers and a <i>Seal
of Silence</i> descended on us.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I
wasn’t the one who came up with it! Our marketers are always looking for ways
to add some variety to the event, to make it even more fun for the audience.
Last year, many complained that the Games were imbalanced; although all were
made equal, the combat classes leveled up faster thanks to their skills, which
made the game less interesting to watch. Yes, yes, I know. This isn’t what you
prepared for… Surprise!” Octius screwed up his face, then smiled. “But there’s
good news: your first loot is guaranteed to be a <i>Memory Scroll</i>, which
will restore your lost skills. As usual, they will be locked for now.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Thinking
for a moment, he clicked his fingers again. The <i>Seal of Silence</i> lifted
and Meister was the first to realize it:</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“What if
I can’t kill anyone? What if they kill me?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Then
you will be considered to have touched the astral plane in the space between
worlds, and thus returned your memory,” Octius chuckled. “Alright, that’s
enough of that. The second innovation concerns the structure of the Pitfall.
Though previously the level bosses defended the passageway to the lower tiers,
now…” Octius spread his hands. “Our designers have reviewed that situation. And
so, ground level is considered level zero. Starting there, the Pitfall is split
into 666 levels. Each floor is approximately twenty yards in height. You can go
down a spiral staircase all the way to the bottom of the Pitfall if you so
desire – there are no mobs on the stairs. The entryway to each floor is blocked
by gates protected by a boss sealed within them. As a rule, the boss is of the
same kind as the mobs that inhabit that level, but is far stronger than they.
Bear in mind that the boss always aggros on the one who removes the seal.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Let’s
mob them all together!” someone shouted.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Octius
shook his head. </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Not so
fast. Don’t forget, the boss scales depending on number of opponents. With
diminishing returns, however.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“What
does that mean in human speak?” someone shouted.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Octius
smirked. “One on one with the boss – its strength is equal to X. If two attack
the same boss, his strength will be X times two. But if four attack, that
number won’t be doubled, but will be somewhere around X times three point nine.
And so on.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Now I
get it, thanks,” the same man mumbled. “I need a calculator and a shot of
dwarven whiskey for this!”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Just
keep in mind that reasonable teamplay will make the bosses easier.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“What do
you mean ‘reasonable’?” Anna asked.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“The
passageway into the dungeon narrows beyond the gates. And the deeper you go,
the narrower it gets. For level one, for example, I would recommend no more
than a hundred people. And for level three hundred – a maximum of forty. And only
in a balanced group.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Hey!” a
dark-skinned orc next to me suddenly growled. “I like these new rules! Now we
don’t have to complete every level, right? We can go straight to level 10,
say?”</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">“That I
don’t recommend, unless you’re wanting to get out of here soon,” the gamemaster
replied. “Remember, the mobs don’t respawn. If you don’t get experience from
mobs at your own level, you’ll be sorry; you need to equip yourself from
nothing, and it’s easier to beat gear out of opponents your own size. In addition,
the demons’ strength leaps up every ten levels…”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">Octius
spent more time talking about the bosses, then reminded us of the grand prize:
not only <i>Concentrated Life Essence</i>, but also the lifelong <i>Demon
Fighter</i> perk. The losers would be afflicted with the <i>Hell’s Curse</i>
debuff – 1% of the health of each is given to the champion. In addition, he
mentioned two ways to win the Games: as part of a raid group that defeats the
final boss, or as the sole survivor by the end of the Games. Nobody had yet
accomplished the former.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">“And one
last surprise for the newcomers. In Cursed Chasm, the pain is real! There are
no pain filters at all, so keep that in mind.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">An
unhappy murmur spread through the onlookers, but Octius ignored it and raised
his voice:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">“On that
note, the briefing is ended. May the Demonic Games begin!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">And we
were taken to an area out of time. We all found ourselves in a forest glade
surrounded by burnt tree trunks. The interface didn’t show up in this strange
place. I quickly looked myself over and swore under my breath – the <i>Cursed
Cripple</i> debuff was active.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">A tall
and stately elf stood before us – Eynyon, king of the elves.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">“The
stars shine on the hour of our meeting, brave ones! You have the hearts of
lions! With pain in my heart and hope in my soul, I open for you the way to
Cursed Chasm!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">He
spread his arms wide, clapped and pointed to a portal burning amid the trees.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;">“I wish
you fair wind and good hunting! And may the leaves of your trees of life never
yellow!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="background-color: white;">The
contestants exchanged glances and started running through the portal one after
another.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></p><h1 style="text-align: center;"><div><span style="color: red; font-size: small;">Release - May 18, 2021</span></div><div><span style="color: red; font-size: small;">Pre-order - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VJK7PY3">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VJK7PY3</a></span></div><div><br /></div></h1>Simon Valehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16142080565999248152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1879934328827513079.post-66180668382340479412021-02-22T00:23:00.002-08:002021-02-22T00:23:27.825-08:00Guardian of the Dead by Pavel Kornev<h3 style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Guardian of the Dead</span></div><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">An NPC's Path, book 4 by Pavel Kornev</span></div></span></h3>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51wnqbeC0QL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="350" height="383" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51wnqbeC0QL.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpLast" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;"><o:p><span style="color: red;">Release - May 20, 2021</span></o:p></span></p><p class="StandardCxSpLast" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;"><o:p><span style="color: red;">Pre-order on Amazon - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08J88Y9VP">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08J88Y9VP</a> </span></o:p></span></p><p class="StandardCxSpLast"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></p><p class="StandardCxSpLast"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></p>
<h1 style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%;">Prologue<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<p class="Standard"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<h1><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%;">Offline</span></h1>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">If you want to take a look down
into a chasm, just look down the barrel of a gun. No, not when you’re busy
cleaning it, in breach of all safety regulations, but when it’s clenched firmly
in a stranger’s hand, pointing at your... let’s say, at the bridge of your
nose.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">This was where it was more or less
pointing at me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">Inside it was pure darkness;
behind it was the blurred silhouette of a man. My gaze failed to focus on the
villain himself, so mortally fixated it was on the wrong end of the silencer.
Yes, “mortally” was the right word, I assure you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;"><br /></span></p><p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">My guts tied themselves in a knot.
Only when the barrel tipped lower did I manage to overcome my stupor.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">I obediently pressed the button to
lower the car window. My very own electric car which I’d parked in my very own
parking space on the maintenance level of the tower in which I rented my very
own office.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">With a rustle, the window began
gliding down.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">My very own, yeah right. If his
finger pulled the trigger now, there wouldn’t be anything of mine left.
Including myself - because this lifeless body wouldn’t be me anymore. It would
be just a pile of flesh and bones, plus some splattered brains.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">The window stopped at its lowest
point. Its motor seized whirring. Silence fell.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“Kogan says hi,” the blurred face
said in a deadpan voice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">I just couldn’t bring myself to
look at him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">A flash.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">It went off like a grenade – as if
it had actually exploded in my head. All the colors were gone, leaving only
white; the world had become a white nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">Then I was pulled out of the car
and dragged into this nothingness.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">No, they hadn’t ripped my soul out
of my body. It didn’t at all feel like being whisked up to Heaven while still
alive. Even though I couldn’t hear anything and could only catch a few glimpses
of what was going on, some vague sensations suggested that I’d been grabbed
under the armpits and dragged across the concrete floor.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">The blurred shadows before my eyes
must have been a pair of black combat boots. Aha. It looked like my vision was
coming back.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">At this point, they must have
thrown me into a van or a minibus and – judging by the slight vibration –
slammed the sliding side door shut. Or at least that was the impression that I
got.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">My ears were ringing; white
circles swam before my eyes. My tactile sensations were the only thing that
seemed to have fully returned, my fingers sensing the roughness of the carpet.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">And I was lying on it in my
bespoke suit which had cost me an arm and a leg.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">No, wait. Screw the suit. Had I
just been kidnapped?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">And if I had, was it better than
getting a bullet in the head – or quite the opposite?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">It really depended on the thugs’
intentions. The fact that they’d mentioned Kogan made it quite clear they
weren’t after any ransom. And as they weren’t creditors of mine, they wouldn’t
be content with the proverbial pound of flesh.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">What a bitch! Why had this
happened now? After so many years!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">You’d think I’d taken care of
everything. I’d moved to the other side of the country, changed my line of
work, avoided social media and even taken out a new insurance. So what was this
now? What did Kogan want from me? Okay, so they’d put him away for eight years
mainly thanks to my testimony in court – but so what? He'd already been paroled
for good behavior and had left for the proverbial Promised Land! Now why the
hell would he start raking up the past? Was he so sure they wouldn’t be able to
trace him – or did he think no one would rat on him?</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">Then again, why would I care? What
difference did it make to me? Better for me to have been shot on the spot...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">The sound of the door being slid
open reached me through the vicious ringing in my ears. This time I more or
less managed to make out one of the kidnappers. He was wearing an urban camo
suit, a tactical belt, a gun and a helmet with a gas mask and an opaque visor.
He didn’t look at all like a regular thug. And somehow I doubted Kogan would
have hired a private security firm just to kidnap me. That would have been a
bit over the top. I just wasn’t worth it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">That just left the law, then. But
that would have been just as crazy!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">They took me under the arm, lifted
me and seated me in a car seat. Then they lowered the folding table and set up
a laptop on it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“When you’re ready, just lift the
lid,” the man in camos said. “Got me?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">He can’t have been happy with my
feeble nod because he repeated, “Do you read me?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">Although my ears were still
ringing from the stun grenade, I could make out his words quite clearly. “Yes,”
I croaked, not wishing to antagonize him any further.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">My reply sounded admittedly
pathetic. Still, he didn’t hassle me any further. He just climbed out of the
windowless van and slid the side door shut.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">I wasn’t in a hurry to open the
laptop. Instead, I just sat back and squeezed my eyelids several times, trying
to get rid of the white spots still flickering before my eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">Gradually my vision began to come
back. I tentatively ran my fingers along the computer’s rubberized edge. I
could tell it had been made to order. After a moment’s hesitation, I plucked up
my courage. No good keeping myself in suspense.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">I lifted the lid.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">I didn’t know what I expected to
see – even the grinning mug of my ex-employer – but instead, I was confronted
with the in-game logo of The Towers of Power slowly rotating on a black
background.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">What’s that now for bullshit? For
the umpteenth time in the last five minutes, my jaw dropped in amazement.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">Then a comm channel kicked in,
conjuring up a face. Not a real person’s but that of a cartoon character. Who
wasn’t human, either.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">The avatar had a sharp face,
grayish skin, ashen hair and pointy ears. Its black eyes with vertical pupils
were flecked with crimson. Aha. So I’d been graced by a visit from a Dark Elf.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">Or an Elfa, rather. Namely,
Isabella Ash-Rizt. Or someone who was trying to pass themselves off as her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">All of my dealings with this
not-so-pleasant lady had ended already four years ago.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">But no, it wasn’t a ruse. She was
real.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">‘Hi Kitten,” she greeted me in her
habitual way. “Long time no see!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">As far as I knew, she worked for
an information department of one of the law enforcement institutions. No idea
which one.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“Begone!” I blurted out.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">The Elfa (like hell she was an
Elfa but I had to call her something, didn’t I?) gave a little laugh. “And
that’s after we’ve just saved your life?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">By then, my head had cleared
enough to suspect a catch here somewhere. “Yeah right,” I said. “You gonna tell
me this wasn’t a set up?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">Isabella shook her head. “Denial,
anger, bargaining,” she began ticking off on her long black-nailed fingers. “None
of these are gonna help you. Ditto for depression. You’d better move straight
on to acceptance. Alas, Kitten, your ex-employer turned out to be a vindictive
piece of work. You’ve been lucky that the guy he’d hired to find a hitman was
too mouthy. We didn’t have the time to set him up with our own man so we had to
adlib, if you know what I mean.”</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“But what have you got to do with
it?” I asked. “That’s not your profile.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“We’ve got a business proposition
for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">With my ears ringing like a bell
and my head throbbing, I didn’t bother to hold back my emotions. “Oh you have,
have you? Have you any idea where I’d like to shove your propositions? Or I
could even go one further!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“How about we put you in the
witness protection program? It comes with a new name, new background and even a
new face if you so wish. Travel expenses included. I know you don’t seem to be
struggling but still there’s no such thing as too much money. What would you
say to that?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">This proverbial punchbowl was so
big there just had to be at least a couple of turds in it. Still I knew better
than to reject it outright. I needed to think it over.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“It’s really easy, Kitten,”
Isabella carried on trying to coerce me. “You either walk out, give you evidence
in court and live happily ever after until the next attempt on your life—”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“Provided there is one.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“I’m not the best person to
second-guess Mr. Kogan’s tenacity,” she said, waving my remark away. “You know
him better than I do. Alternatively, you accept our proposition and officially
die here and now. We’ll take care of the technical side.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">That got me thinking. All of my
capital was lodged on digital bank accounts, so I’d keep access to them
regardless. I hadn’t yet got myself a family over these last years or even been
close to anyone at all, subconsciously feeling that something like this would
eventually happen. It was true that living in perpetual fear wasn’t that
pleasant, I had to admit.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">Also, I knew that Kogan wouldn’t
just let it be. Once he’d set his mind on destroying me, he wouldn’t let it
drop. I didn’t for one second doubt his determination – which was exactly why
I’d holed up in this backwater at the other end of the country.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">The witness protection program
could be a way out. But at what price?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“And what do you want in return?”
I asked reluctantly, abandoning my ruminations.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“Two months of your life. Or even
less if you manage to finish up earlier. In an ideal world, we need to wind it
up in under a month.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“Wind what up?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“You’re gonna have to find someone
for us—“ she stopped herself short, apparently reading the amazement on my
face, and raised a reassuring hand, “I meant <i>online</i>, Kitten! We need to
find him online first! Have you ever heard of the Deep Sleep Multi-Platform?”</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“That doesn’t make sense,” I
muttered, completely thrown by her sudden offer. “Why would you need me to do
that?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“I assure you, kitten, we just
can’t do it without you. Now I’d like you to read the agreement and press your
thumb to the scanner...”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpLast"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<h1><span lang="EN-US" style="color: windowtext; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%;">Online<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<p class="StandardCxSpFirst"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">Darkness. Silence. Bliss.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">Then, almost straight away, a
sequence of blinding flashes began strobing madly around me, followed by
screeching and scraping noises and the prickling of electric shocks.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">I would have ripped the helmet off
my head had I not by then lost all control of my own body. I couldn’t even
scream. Which was for the better, because a few moments later, the flashing
subsided and the cacophony of noise died away, submerging my mind into
boundless darkness.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“Your attention please,” a
genderless voice sounded within my head. “Prepare for equipment calibration.
Try to visualize a white square in your mind.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">I did as I was told, then watched
in surprise as the said geometric shape began to glow in the pitch blackness,
conjured up by my imagination.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">As soon as it stabilized, I
received a new command,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“Try to transform the square into
a circle.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">Once again, this turned out to be
very easy. Ditto for my next attempt to change its color to green. After that,
I had to transform the circle into a diamond and paint its left side blue and
the right side red.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">With that, the calibration was
complete.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%;">Equipment ready for use<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">Darkness quivered, its surge
erasing the two-colored diamond and replacing it with the developers’ logo. I
was spun like a twig in a whirlpool. My mind collapsed down a portal framed
with flames.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">Still, my freefall promptly turned
into gliding as my rabbit hole panned out, turning into boundless space. One
after another, stars began to light up in the dark, getting closer and
brighter, then transforming into a plethora of portals leading to virtual
worlds.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">Please select entry point.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">You can come back and change it
later.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">My gaze shifted frenetically,
looking for the right window. Finally, I came back to my senses and sent a
mental command,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“Boundless Realm.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">And it worked. One of the virtual
icons began to grow in size until I dove into it and sped along its tunnel
toward the incredibly distant specks of light.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">Then I saw a grating which barred
the tunnel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">Сheck for locked accounts in progress...<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">The system message had popped up
unexpectedly, forcing me to shrink in anticipation of slamming myself against the
grate’s spiky bars smeared in caked blood. I wasn’t exactly sure that this was
how the developers had programed it to be; most likely, it was just some cruel
trick of my overwrought imagination.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">It was scary, whatever it was.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">New permanent account locks
detected: Towers of Power.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">I realized they were about to spew
me out back into the real world like a naughty kitten. The thought of me being
kicked out of the witness protection program filled me with such horror that
the inevitable evil of hitting the rapidly approaching spiky bars had instantly
ceased to be scary or unpleasant even.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">Deep Sleep Multi-Platform: No
global account locks found<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpMiddle"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">Boundless Realm: No account locks
found<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="StandardCxSpLast"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">Access granted!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="StandardCxSpLast"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 106%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="StandardCxSpLast" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.7867px;"><o:p><span style="color: red;">Release - May 20, 2021</span></o:p></span></p><p class="StandardCxSpLast" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.7867px;"><o:p><span style="color: red;">Pre-order on Amazon - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08J88Y9VP">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08J88Y9VP</a></span></o:p></span></p>Simon Valehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16142080565999248152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1879934328827513079.post-43591507820484935282021-02-11T08:52:00.006-08:002021-02-11T08:52:53.598-08:00The Dark Herbalist - German trailer<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Kräutersammler der Finsternis
<a href="https://www.audible.de/series/Kraeutersammler-der-Finsternis-Hoerbuecher/B08CVNT5HW" target="_blank">Audible</a> / <a href="https://www.amazon.de/gp/kindle/series/B07YLXMS1H" target="_blank">Amazon</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br><br>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/heFXeNecavs" width="560"></iframe></div>Simon Valehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16142080565999248152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1879934328827513079.post-28946651861264944872021-02-09T05:47:00.004-08:002021-02-09T05:47:35.559-08:00Nullform-1 by Dem Mikhailov<h3 style="margin: 0cm 20.05pt 8pt 1cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Nullform, book #1</span></b></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">by Dem Mikhailov</span></b></div></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B9UVpGB-sD4/X7OV1yC5PWI/AAAAAAAACYg/y6X_Mxj72Pk1m7DuMpeLyeGZAfbWew1WgCPcBGAYYCw/s800/nullform_1_800_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="537" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B9UVpGB-sD4/X7OV1yC5PWI/AAAAAAAACYg/y6X_Mxj72Pk1m7DuMpeLyeGZAfbWew1WgCPcBGAYYCw/s320/nullform_1_800_2.jpg" /></a></b></div><b><br /><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 20.05pt 8pt 1cm; text-align: center; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Release - April 5, 2021</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 20.05pt 8pt 1cm; text-align: center; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Pre-order on Amazon - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NGVGYK1">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NGVGYK1</a></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Chapter 1<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #538135; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #538135; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Operation log:<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #538135; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Hydration – complete.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #538135; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Assembly – complete.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #538135; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Resuscitation – complete.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Did
green letters just flash before my eyes? But my eyes are closed. </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">How
</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">am </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">I
</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">seeing </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">letters?
</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">W</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">ords</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">, even</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">...</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Assembly?
Hydration? What's that supposed to mean? Damn, my head hurts. And my left
elbow... and my lower back. It hurts so bad I want to puke. Constant,
exhausting pain. Horrible pain. Not like I got hit or something. It's more serious,
something chronic... I know it for sure... or do I just feel it?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span></span></i></p><a name='more'></a><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></i><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Hey! Eleven! Come on,
wake up!" I heard an impatient, angry voice on my right.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The voice was a woman's, and
she was shouting right into my ear.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Double ones! Wake up!
Wake up! Wake up!"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I tried to move my lips, only
managing to grind my teeth and croak out a few hoarse noises. This set of
miserable actions and sounds coalesced into a barely-audible request:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Don't yell at me..."
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"There's no time for this,
Eleven! None. Ugh, why did I agree to this? Get up! The alarm's about to go off!"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Alarm?" My mind
felt sluggish, like I couldn't catch up with what she was saying. Nothing made
sense.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Almost nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I was being ordered to stand up.
She was calling me Eleven, which wasn't my name. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">My name... what's my name? My name... I can't remember.</i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Who
am I?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Nothing but indifferent
silence echoed in my head. My mind was desperately searching for the information
I wanted, diving into the depths of my memory – I could even hear the splash of
imaginary waves – but I found nothing below the surface. I wasn't even surprised.
In that moment, I realized the oceans of my memory were empty. There was no
life in there at all. Not one single little fish that could give me at least
some information about my past. All the wriggling life forms of my memory had
been caught in a fine net and taken far away, so far that my mind had no chance
of ever catching up. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Come on, nullbie! Get
up!"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Nullbie?
Is she talking to me? <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Eleven.
Nullbie. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Come on, double ones!
Get up, I'm begging you! They'll punish me if you don't!" I could hear fear
in the woman's voice. A feral, involuntary terror. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The fear in her voice made me
feel so awful that I forgot the pain in my head, arm, and back. Shoving my
body's protests aside, I moved, groaning, and managed to roll onto my side. Only
then did I realize I had been lying on my back. I spat and felt something sticky
roll slowly down my cheek. As I tried to move my arms, a stabbing pain bad
enough to make me scream out loud shot up my left arm. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">All right...Got it, I'm lying on my left side</i>. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Better take a look around...</i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I felt a twinge of panic as my
eyelids twitched, but wouldn't open. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What
is going on?</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Hang on, I'll get that..."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A rag scraped my cheek roughly
– too roughly. Like a cheese grater running across my face. I was instantly alert,
my drowsiness fading.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">One
more try...</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> This time my eyes obediently opened, only to be hit
with unbearably bright light. A groan escaped me and I squeezed them shut again.
I twitched, involuntarily moving my left elbow, which caused horrible pain to
wrack my entire body. Something was very wrong...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"My arm…" I croaked,
not opening my eyes. "My left arm…"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Yeah, bad luck about
those arms," the female voice answered. "But your own base parts,
your torso and head, are in fantastic shape. The legs are pieces of shit. But the
arms are even worse."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Huh?" <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"I said you got a crappy
set. Real garbage. You hit the shit jackpot, Eleven." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Why do you keep calling
me Eleven?" <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"It's written on your
chest. Double ones. Now get up! The alarm's gonna go off, then it's time for
inspection! We have to be standing over there by then! So get up!"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"I think I'm sick... I
feel so awful... Water... I need water..."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Later! Stand up, Eleven!
Stand up! Come on. I'll help you." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It was like she didn't hear me
at all. I felt unbelievably bad. Completely disoriented, weak to the point of
helplessness. I couldn't feel my arms and legs, other than the nebula of pain around
my left elbow. My back hurt, too, and my temples throbbed. I felt nausea rise
in my throat, but then it slowly retreated back into my stomach. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Something
terrible must have happened to me. Was I in an accident? Maybe. I don't
remember anything. Maybe I hit my head...<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"My memories..."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Erased, of course!
You're a nullbie! No memories. They're all locked away."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"What?!"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Listen to me! If you
don't get up now, I'm leaving without you. And you won't make it to the hallway
alone. You'll miss inspection, which means you'll get no work and no pay! And
then how will you pay for your limbs? They're on loan, and you have to pay for
'em every day! How will you pay for food? Or showers? Snap out of it, Eleven!
If you don't eat and drink today, you're a goner!"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I listened very carefully, even
through the haze of weakness and pain. I tried my hardest to understand her,
but still, nothing made sense. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">What
is she talking about? Is she crazy?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Please!"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The sheer terror and pain in
her voice...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I gave myself some time. Just
a little. Ten seconds to get myself moving. I slowly counted down from ten to
one. My pain and weakness eased up the slightest bit. I seized at the chance.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Two!
One!<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I twisted sharply, rolled over
onto my stomach, and got my stiff legs under me. My right hand hit the wet,
sticky floor with a slap and started helping my torso straighten itself. I
opened my left eye a little. Closed it. Opened the right eye. Closed it. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Come on... come on...</i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Strong hands grabbed me and
helped me up. I opened both eyes, noticed a dirty metal wall, and immediately
leaned against it. Then I looked down, and froze in shock. I saw my stomach.
Flat, muscular, no softness whatsoever. I could see clearly-defined, athletic
abs. The skin over them was loose, wrinkled, and shot through with veins, but
it looked like something temporary, like it would be back to normal soon. But below
that... not the wide elastic band of the boxer shorts I was wearing, not the
shorts themselves, but lower. My legs. But... how could such an athletic torso
and strong hips sprout two spindly, match-thin legs, like an old man's? <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What the hell?</i> I stared down at the
knobbly knees, the bare feet with blackened toenails. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My
arms...<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I turned my head slightly to
look at my left arm. And helplessly swore in shock – the arm attached to my
muscular shoulder was impossibly thin, the elbow blue and swollen. The right
one was in similarly bad shape. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">What
the...<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Follow me! Hold on to
the wall," said the woman.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I finally saw her. She was
very young, with dark olive skin, a trim figure, and short hair cut badly. She
was missing an arm. Below similar shorts to the ones I wore, she had two
muscular legs as black as coal. There was an old scar on her right cheek, and her
forehead was crossed with a fresh red one. Her left eye was swollen, the
beginnings of a bad black eye. Her lip was split too. I saw two digits on the
skin above her shirt. Nine and one. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Come on! Come on."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.15pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A rough push had me obediently
taking my first step, holding on to the wall for support. Even then, I almost
fell – my legs could barely support my body weight. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"It'll be easier once
your legs get stronger."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">This is
definitely not a hospital.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> <i>And she's definitely not a nurse.</i> <i>Or an
orderly.</i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"What's going on? What
happened to me? </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">Why</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">–</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif;">"</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Listen! Just shut up and
keep walking. You'll get activated in the main hallway, and then you'll understand
everything. It's as simple as that. And I'll get my two sol. Everyone's happy!
Just keep walking..."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Activated? Sol?" <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"We're almost there. This
way... One more step..."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The next step brought me
somewhere slightly brighter. It was a hallway. A wide hallway, with dirty
floors. We weren't alone. A crowd of people surrounded us, more or less in the
same state as me, but more emaciated, worn-down. The men were all wearing shorts,
and the women had shirts on as well. But their limbs... their limbs... My eyes adjusted
to the light and flitted from one body to the next, but my mind just couldn't process
what I was seeing. It looked like some sadistic giant had torn off all their arms
and legs, then stuck them haphazardly back onto random bodies. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">What's
going on?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">How
many times had I asked myself that question?</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Probably a hundred times in the last three
minutes.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I started as a siren suddenly
wailed, and the people around me seemed to come to life. Everyone quickly and
simultaneously stood tall, bringing their shoulder blades together, putting
their hands on their hips, smiling and trying to look relaxed. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Straighten up, double
ones!" Ninety-One hissed. "Don't lean on the wall! Stand straight and
tall, like you're bursting with energy!" <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I dropped my eyes, pressed my
chin to my chest, and finally saw the two bold black digits on my left pec. The
stranger wasn't lying. I was Eleven. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I looked around at the people
standing nearby. Nobody, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">nobody</i> was
touching the walls, even though everyone had been leaning on them just a moment
before. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It made my flesh crawl. They
all looked like terminally ill patients with painful smiles plastered across
their faces. The expression of someone dying in hospice who puts on a brave
face for their visiting family members while screaming internally, afraid and
unwilling to die. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I stood up straight and almost
passed out. I barely managed to stay balanced, freezing in the straightest
position I could manage, resisting the urge to slump down to the floor and scream
from the pain in my head. The world was going dark before my eyes. I was ready
to fall over, no matter how much Ninety-One pleaded with me. But a steady
mechanical hum started somewhere above me, and I raised my head. All I saw was
an emotionless camera sticking out of a large metal dome that moved along a
rail on the ceiling. There were at least twenty of them on the dome, all pointed
down at the people standing in the hallway. Several lasers scanned my face and
chest, sliding across the numbers there. One paused on my right shoulder. I glanced
over and saw a long barcode I hadn't noticed before. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I heard a click, then another...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The first came from the
ceiling, but I heard the second one inside my head. I shuddered and stared stiffly
ahead, bewilderedly reading the lines of green text that appeared:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #538135; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Interface
activation – complete. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #538135; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Event log (3):<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #538135; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Assembly – complete.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #538135; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Resuscitation – complete.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #538135; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Interface
activation – complete. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Something began to blink in my
peripheral vision, and I heard a gentle, repetitive ringing sound. Ninety-One
let out a long sigh of undisguised relief. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Those two sol are
mine..."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The ceiling dome hummed as it
moved down the hallway. The people around me started smiling and talking.
Yawning, stretching, chatting with the people next to them – the tense
atmosphere had vanished. I staggered, and my back slammed against the wall. My
knees went weak, and I slid down to the floor. Ninety-One started to step back...
then hesitated halfway through, stopped, let out some kind of strange curse,
and sat down next to me. She helped me get a little more comfortable, then
started to speak in a hurried voice:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"You still have some time.
Half an hour. If you look to the bottom left you can see the clock. That's
where the timer settings are, too. Anyway, you'll hear a beep. That means it's
time for breakfast. Just follow everyone else." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I shook my head weakly. Just
the thought of trying to eat made me feel nauseous. <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Water, though… That appealed to me. <i>Just a few sips...</i></span> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A stinging heat flooded my
cheek as Ninety-One slapped me. She lowered her voice, anger in her eyes:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Don't be an idiot,
Eleven. I know you feel terrible. But you can't skip breakfast. Your body is nutrient-deficient.
You need every calorie you can get. Okay?" <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Okay..."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Eat, no matter how hard
it is. The portions are tiny, anyway. And drink as much water as you can manage.
After that, when you're feeling a little better and get your current
status..."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Huh?" <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Your current status!
You'll figure it out. Just learn the interface. That's the most important thing."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Got it. What–"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"You can shove your
questions up your ass, Eleven! My bonus job was simple: wake you up, get you
standing, and bring you to the hallway. It's done. I got my reward. The only
reason I'm still here is out of the goodness of my heart. Get it?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Got it."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Good. One more piece of
advice for you: don't trust anyone! And don't agree to anything. Got it?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Yeah." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Never lend anyone money,
not even one sol! Not one!" <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"What's a sol?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"It's money! Coins! The absolute
most important thing for all of us here is to earn our sol day in, day out! You
have to pay four sol every day just to rent your set!"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Set? What the hell does
that mean?" <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">I burst out. At least
I still had emotions – I had almost started to worry I was actually a robot.
But no.</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"This," she reached
out with her one arm to touch each of my arms and legs in succession. "Is
your set. Every day, the system takes one sol for each limb. Four total for the
set. No discounts." She stood up, smiling bitterly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Hold on..." my mind
was grasping at whatever it could just to stay focused. "What about you?
Do you pay three sol every day? Because of..."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">She glanced at the cleanly
cut-off stump by her shoulder and grinned again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"I pay for four, too. Since
it was my own fault I lost this arm. And that means they take one sol from me every
day for jack shit. One last piece of advice for you, new guy: don't forget about
the casual." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"About the what?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"You'll understand later.
Keep an eye out for your number – eleven – on the screens. If you see it on one
of them, be quick. You only have minut, then it's the next player's turn. And stay
alert, make sure you don't get jumped – games are rare, and everyone wants to
play. They won't think twice about tripping you up or even knocking you out."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"What the–" <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Just be careful! And
watch the screens. They're only on in the evenings, since there are jobs to do during
the day."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"I don't–"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"You'll figure it out.
Good luck!" She bent down and clasped me on the shoulder. "Be strong.
Survive. That's what matters. See ya!"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">She left, leaving me slumped
against the wall. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">I
was in pain, serious pain.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The
throbbing in my back was more or less tolerable, but my head and my left
elbow... the longer I sat there, the more I wanted to gnaw off my left arm and bang
my head repeatedly against the wall.</span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">I had to distract myself somehow...</span> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">What
had Ninety-Five said?</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">No,</span> it
was <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Ninety-One.</span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Ninety-One...</span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">I had to remember.</span> Judging by the others' overall lack of any
reaction to my pain-contorted body<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">
lying against the wall, Ninety-One was the nicest person around.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Ninety-One.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Why numbers?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">
I mused. <i>Why not names?</i> <i>Don't people usually go by the name their
parents gave them?</i> <i>Everyone has a first name and last name.</i> <i>And
they bear them proudly their whole lives...</i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My head</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">...
My vision started to go dark. I felt myself slide slowly onto my right as my
lungs released a hoarse, rattling wheeze. A snippet of conversation floated by:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"The new guy is a dead
man."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Yeah. Someone's gonna
get three extra sol for his interment." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Lucky bastard..."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Are they
talking about me?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> <i>Me, a dead man?</i> I started, propped my bad arm against
the wall, and forced my body upright so my back was resting against the wall.
Through the haze of pain, I turned my head and looked to the side. I saw crowds
of people, but it was like I was looking through a grey fog. They walked up to
the walls, or maybe right into them. When they appeared again, they were
chewing or wiping their mouths. <i>Drinking... they're drinking!</i> <i>There's
water over there!</i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">What did I need right then?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The answer was obvious –
water. I needed water, and the more, the better. I remembered one of the lines
that had flashed before my eyes: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #538135; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Hydration – complete.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #538135; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Something dry was successfully
made wet. Or at least slightly moist, if my theory was right, and the text was
referring to my body. It made sense so far. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #538135; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Assembly – complete.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #538135; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My rented limbs, as horrific
as that sounded. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #538135; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Resuscitation – complete.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">No explanation needed. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">If I put two and two
together... my dry body was successfully saturated with water, then given the
first available limbs, and finally reanimated, bringing me back to some
miserable form of existence. Then I found myself in some kind of storeroom,
where the one-armed Ninety-One had shaken me awake. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My head was pounding,
distracting me from my attempts to think rationally. Everything inside me felt
like it was about to give out. The wrinkled skin on my stomach started to
shrivel again. I felt tightness in my cheeks and forehead, and my eyes could hardly
move in their sockets, like they were stuck.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Water... I
need water...</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Stand
up!<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My legs obeyed me with a jerk.
My shoulder scraped along the wall. I rested my right palm against its solid
presence, and leaned forward, forcing my lethargic, slow, trembling legs to
take the first step. <i>You got this... Come on... You're so close... Move your
rented limbs, Eleven.</i> <i>Move 'em.</i> I had to remember to keep my left
elbow close to my torso, because I knew if one of the indifferent people
walking by bumped it, I'd be right back on the floor, writhing in pain. I probably
wouldn't be able to stand up again, and then someone would earn their three sol
for my interment... <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Why did they say interment,
not funeral?</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Why
did I get an old man's arms and legs?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Why
did they stitch someone else's limbs to me in the first place?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Where
are my real arms and legs?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I took a look at the shoulder that
rested against the wall. An ugly red scar encircled my shoulder. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Were the arms and legs attached to my body along
with the joints? Was it some kind of advanced technology or just a hack job? And
why don't I remember anything?</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">After another step, my
shoulder brushed against a square door in the wall. It was flush to the
surface, narrow, and high, but outlined with a thick green line that made it
easy to spot. A small black glass square sat at the bottom. I looked briefly at
the people nearby, getting my bearings, then stepped in front of the door,
moved back a little, and paused. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A robotic voice indifferently identified
me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Eleven. NWL." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Those same words flashed in front
of my blurred vision:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #538135; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Eleven. (NWL)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The door silently slid upwards,
revealing a deep, well-lit niche with a rounded, perforated-steel armchair. The
armrests were wide – very wide. The whole structure stood on one round leg. I
awkwardly turned myself around and sat down, glad to give my legs even a few
moments of relief. The door closed silently, cutting me off from the corridor
and any passing glances. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #538135; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Closing in
01:59… 01:58… <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The first thing I saw was a
large plastic glass of water rising from the armrest. I grabbed it in one shaky
hand. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #538135; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Reminder: return
the water container to its original position after consumption.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I raised the cup to my chapped
lips and began to drink or, rather, pour the precious water into myself, not
stopping until the glass was empty of every last drop. I put it back in the
armrest, looking hopefully at the glass I had emptied so quickly through the
gray fog and iridescent ripples that flashed across my vision.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #538135; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Closing in
01:41… 01:40… <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I heard the sound of water.
The glass filled up again. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #538135; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">First (of three
daily) water limits reached. (NWL)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The text appearing and
disappearing in my field of vision didn't surprise me anymore. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It's
like augmented reality, right? I'm pretty sure it's a common thing. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I drank the second glass just
as greedily, not spilling a single drop. If I had estimated the volume
correctly, I now had a liter of water inside me. I hoped my tissues would
absorb it quickly. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #538135; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Injection. (NWL)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A glowing green animation started
playing. A little human figure sat in a little chair, not moving, while big
green numbers counted down from three to zero above him. That was it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">What
are they about to inject me with? Is this a good idea?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Yes. I had to go along. I was
pretty sure they weren't going to try and kill me. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I heard a hissing noise and closed
my eyes. The countdown started. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Three. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I gasped as something jabbed
sharply into my lower jaw. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Two. Another fiery shot. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">One... <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And a third. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Zero.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #538135; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Procedure complete.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #538135; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Immunosuppressant injection (NWL) – complete.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #538135; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Daily vitamin injection (NWL) – complete.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #538135; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Anesthetic injection (O) – complete.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #538135; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">First meal dispensing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There was a click, and a
little yellow-gray cube popped out of the other armrest right by my hand. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">This
was my first meal?</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Not much of a breakfast... it couldn't have been more
than one square inch. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I took the cube, slowly and
carefully raised myself out of the armchair, and went out into the hallway. The
door slid silently closed behind me. What was that place? An infirmary? A
dining room? Both? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Left shoulder braced against
the wall, I half-walked, half-slid back to where Ninety-One had left me.
Everyone was still ignoring me, so I did the same to them. Instinct told me
that if I started asking questions, they'd just tell me to piss off. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I was feeling blissful. My pain
level was quickly dropping, passing bearable and still receding to just about barely
perceptible. <i>I have to...</i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Eleven."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">That was a familiar voice! I grinned
at my one-armed friend as she approached. She didn't smile back, just stared at
my clenched fist. I quickly got my bearings and extended the fist with the cube
inside towards her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Here, take it. Will you
answer a few questions for me?" <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"I told you to eat, even
if you have to force yourself. This is food. Food is energy. You need energy to
work and earn sol at the end of the day. Food is no joke. Eat it."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"I already learned
something useful." I smiled. "Take it. Even with all the willpower in
the would, I couldn't eat a single bite. Seriously, I can't even bring myself
to chew it."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"You don't have to."
She took the cube and tucked it into a small, handmade bag at her waist. "You
just have to work up some saliva and put the cube on your tongue. It dissolves
in a few seconds, mixes with your spit, and then you swallow it. And there you
have it: breakfast. Or lunch. Actually, it's better to put it into your water
and drink it like a shake. What did you want to ask me?" <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"I have a lot of
questions," I admitted. "But first, I need to sit down." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Make it quick. The sooner
we get to work, the better our chances to finish whatever jobs we have for the
day. Sit down and ask your questions."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I sat down, joyfully realizing
that my legs had become a little stronger and were doing what I wanted them to.
Not wasting another second, I asked the first question that came to mind:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"SWL?" <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Normal Work Load. Think
of that as your rank, nullbie." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"O?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"One-time, single dose. So
they gave you painkillers?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Yeah."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Everyone gets that shot on
their first day to keep 'em from going totally insane from the pain." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Nullbie?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Volitional Nullform."
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"I don't follow…"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"I don't really
understand it myself. It's our status. You, me, everyone else here – we're all nullforms.
And we agreed to it of our own free will. Just like we agreed to have our
memories locked away."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Speaking of
memory..."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Everyone's is gone.
Don't ask people about it too much – they don't like that." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Okay." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"What else?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Where are we?" <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Up shit creek without a
paddle."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">This blunt expression was really
the best description of my situation. <i>Not even a creek. A whole damn river!</i>
I ran my nearly-wet tongue around my mouth and asked again:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"What did you say?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"You heard me, double ones.
We're fucked. Hopelessly fucked. And the only way out is to die."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Her point of view seemed too
hopeless for me. I didn't remember anything about myself, my personality, but some
instinct told me I was an upbeat person. Optimistic. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And here I was in this grim
world, where despair hung so thick it was almost viscous... I saw only the
dying embers of life in the eyes of this one-armed girl, so young and yet so
jaded.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Next question,
Eleven."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"So NWL is my status. And
Nullform is my status. What does all this mean? I don't get it."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Think of it like this.
Nullform is... who you are, okay? You were born a nullform, you'll die here a
nullform. Nullform is part of your identity, and your name, like everyone else
here. I'm Nullform Ninety-One. You're Nullform Eleven. That's how it works."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Okay."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"NWL is your internal
status. You keep it as long as you do the jobs the system gives you every day.
This is important, Eleven. If you don't do your job, you're screwed. They'll cut
your rations, won't pay you sol, and you'll get deeper into debt for your
limbs. They'll even cut your immunosuppressant dose. Keep your NWL status at
any cost. Once we're done wasting time with our little chat, go see what job
you have today and get to it."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"But I can barely even stand!
The pain's only just easing up now. Something inside me cracks and pops every
time I move. Something's wrong. I feel terrible."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Nobody gives a
fuck!" the girl snapped, whipping her hand back to slap me on the same
cheek as she had before. "Nobody cares how you feel! Everyone's just
waiting for you to drop dead and hoping the system assigns them to your interment!
Extra sol!" <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The burning pain gave me
focus, made me think straight. The haze clouding my thoughts eased up a little.
Anger rose up inside me. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">She hit me. </i>I
felt emotions. Pain, embarrassment. I was angry. The haze was almost gone.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Hit me again," I
asked. "Harder."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Don't tell me you liked
it..."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"No, it made me angry,
and made me want to kick you hard enough to–"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"I get it. All right."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A slap... and sharp pain in my
unfortunate cheek. I shook my head:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Thanks."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"I gotta go now."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Just a few more
questions!"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Listen... you act like
there's so much for you to learn! You probably already know at least half of
what the oldtimers know." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Just one more
minute."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Fine."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"But seriously, where are
we?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Nobody knows. Or if they
know, they're not saying. Don't bother asking." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Something's really wrong
with my left arm," I showed her my swollen elbow. "They gave me a bad
set. I mean, old and flabby I can deal with, or weak, but it's still supposed
to work, right?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Can you bend it?" the
girl asked me sharply, eyeing my elbow.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Well... it hurts to bend
it. I got that painkiller shot, but still–"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"That's not what I asked,
nullbie! Stop whining! Can you bend it?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My anger rose again, mixed
with annoyance. <i>Is that how you talk to someone with a giant blue tomato
about to burst instead of an elbow?</i> <i>Can I get a little compassion here?</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Hold on..."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I gritted my teeth and moved
my left hand, clenching and unclenching the fingers, then started the worst part:
bending my arm at the elbow. I immediately groaned in pain. It was a wrenching pain
that seemed to tear my nerves apart, pain too strong for me to handle, even on
painkillers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">But I did manage to bend my
arm. Not all the way, but it definitely bent. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Ninety-One shook her head
uncertainly and stood up.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"You're out of luck,
Eleven. Your fingers work, your wrist turns, your shoulder's okay, and the
elbow bends. Your arm works."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"But when I bend it I can
barely move from the pain." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Your arm works,"
she said again, "and no one cares if it hurts. Especially the system. They
won't give you a different set, or a new arm. If something happens to your arm and
it's your fault, you'll be one-armed like me. If you lose both arms or legs,
you'll end up a total cripple. Then you either die of hunger or give up the
rest of your limbs and become the lowest of the low, doing horrible things for
food and water, inching around like a worm with a human face..."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">She shuddered. I shuddered
too, imagining what kind of things a person with no limbs would agree to do… Someone
who couldn't work, but wasn't willing to die. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"What if I don't want to
humiliate myself like that, but don't want to starve to death either?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Then you crawl on over to
Medos and ask for the final injection. Once you confirm that's what you want...
well, that's the end of that." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Jeez..." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Listen..." she
leaned in. "Don't think too hard about it. All you have to remember is
this one thing: just do the job the system gives you every day. That's it. You
won't have any problems. The marks on the walls, floor, and ceiling will show
you how to get around. Don't ask anyone for directions! You're lucky you met me.
There are tons of dirty griefers here who look like normal people, but are
actually rat bastards. They'll send you the wrong way and make you late, or maybe
even lock you in somewhere, and then you're done for. If you don't finish your
job, you'll get your first warning... Don't ask anyone anything. Do your best
not to look like a snot-nosed noob! Try and figure everything out yourself. If
you do need help and have to ask for it, never agree until they tell you
exactly what it'll cost, and in front of witnesses – reliable witnesses! Otherwise
things will get messy."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Okay... But what's a–"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">She didn't hear me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Once you get used to
this place, find a permanent party. A strong and reliable partner. Or better
yet, two. You'll help each other. Work together. Protect one another. If one
gets sick, the others can help out and do their job for them. Do you understand
me? You need a party. An official one, approved by the system. You're a
weakling, more or less one-armed. You should look for a tank. Someone strong,
tough, brave. Someone who won't run away from the first plux he meets." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"God damn," I swore,
shaking my head. All this new information was too much to process.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">What was this bitter girl
talking about?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Griefers?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Party?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Tanks? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Plux?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I knew the first three words,
at least. Old gaming terms. But this wasn't a game! I was alive, I could feel
pain. I understood fuckall. Wherever I was reminded me more of a prison than
anything. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Plux? What the hell was a plux?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Good luck!"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Wait!" <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"What else do you want? I've
earned this breakfast twice over!"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Join my party!" I
said, looking up at her, hugging my knees to my chest with my good arm. The
left one still lay lifelessly on the floor. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"You think I want someone
like you in my party? Listen, new guy... Double ones... Don't get offended,
but... imagine how you look from here. What can you possibly do?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"You don't know what I
can or can't do," I said. "I don't even know what I'm capable of yet.
Don't judge me so quickly." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"No. I don't want you in
my party."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"That's not what I meant.
I wasn't asking to join your party. I want you to join mine." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Her only answer was a quick
laugh as she waved me off, then turned and started down the hallway. Before she
had gone more than a few steps, I shouted:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Think about it! My offer
still stands!"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">She left. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I used my right palm to make
sure that the floor under me was dry and not too cold. Ninety-One's words about
getting sick had stuck with me. All around, people passed me by, heading in all
different directions. Most of them looked down at the floor, shuffling their
feet as they walked. Their limbs... What could I say – I had good reason to be
jealous. But three minutes of observation made me realize that no one had truly
'young' limbs. I saw a lot of scars, even missing fingers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Am I
missing digits?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I looked at my hands and feet,
then breathed a sigh of relief – at least I lucked out with something. The only
thing missing was the very top joint of my left pinky. That, I could deal with.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I assessed my arms and legs sighing
again, but in disappointment. They had stitched me to me a set of junk. A set
of complete trash. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">How's
my torso? <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My outward appearance told me
a lot. My torso was toned and athletic, with solid pecs and abs. My neck felt
thick and sturdy. My back muscles were strong, too. But my lower back...
something hurt in that area, but I could barely feel it. Later, when the
painkillers wore off, the pain would be stronger, but I probably wouldn't
notice. I'd be too distracted by the explosion of pain in my left elbow, which
would overshadow anything else. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My
elbow looks horrific... <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">But at least my headache was
gone and I could think clearly. My whole body felt like it was coming back to
life. Joints still cracked, but it wasn't as noticeable. I heard my stomach
rumbling, and my intestines churned. The weird feeling of tightness in my neck
disappeared, the stiffness gone, letting me move more freely. <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">I hoped my back would start to feel better
soon.</span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">After that, maybe the
elbow would heal, too.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Status. System. Ninety-One had
repeated those words over and over. And that rhythmic blinking on the edge of
my vision... I moved my eyes slightly and saw, as expected, one blinking green
word:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #538135; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">MENU</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The word started to blink
faster as soon as I looked at it. Another green animation played, showing that
I could use the virtual interface by moving my eyes or the fingers of either
hand. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I decided to try the more
familiar way. I put my right hand on my knee, then touched my thumb and pointer
finger together three times. A clearly visible cursor appeared. I used my
pointer finger to direct it to the MENU button and clicked. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #538135; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Status.<br />
Physical Condition.<br />
Finances. <br />
Jobs.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Status...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #538135; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Number: Eleven.<br />
Rank: Nullform (volitional) <br />
Current status: NWL (three standard meals per day and standard water ration)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">That was all it told me. It
wasn't much. Did these three measly lines really need their own submenu?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Physical Condition. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #538135; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Overall physical
condition: normal. <br />
<br />
Limb condition and status.<br />
URL: normal.<br />
ULL: normal.<br />
LRL: normal.<br />
LLL: normal.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Are they kidding?</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">
The abbreviations were simple enough to understand. URL was Upper Right Limb. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I clicked on ULL: normal. I
heard a barely-audible sound, and a notification popped up:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #538135; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Access denied.
(Insufficient rank – Nullform)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Fine...</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">That's why the menu had such
limited information – it was limited by my rank. I couldn't go deeper into the
menu. I tried the next submenu. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Finances...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #538135; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Balance: 0</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #538135; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br />
<b>In debt: yes</b><br />
<b>Debt details:</b><br />
Limb lease: 4 sol. <br />
Immunosuppressants: 1 sol.<br />
Vitamins: 1 sol. <br />
First meal: 1 sol.<br />
First water ration: 1 sol. <br />
<br />
<b>Total debt owed: 8 sol.</b> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I carefully studied each line,
rubbing my forehead thoughtfully. The cursor began to move around the virtual
screen. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wow.</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I already owe the system 8 sols that I don't have.</i> I had a long day
ahead of me, and going by the information from the first submenu, NWL status
got me water and three meals a day. So two more liters of water and two more yellow
cubes? That would mean I would owe 4 more sol by evening. I did the math. I'd
owe the system 12 sol by the end of the day. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I looked at the last submenu in
the list. The most promising. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Jobs...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #538135; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Job: Collect gray slime. Easy (O)</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #538135; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br />
<b>Description:</b> Collect and deliver forty standard containers of gray slime
to the receiver unit. <br />
<b>Job location:</b> Zone 3, Block 6.<br />
<b>Deadline:</b> Evening end-of-work alarm. <br />
<b>Compensation:</b> 15 sol. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">That
was all...</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">More math. Fifteen minus
twelve is three. If I could manage to get up, find the location in the
description, and do the job, I'd be out of debt and have three sol to my name. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Three sol...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Was that a lot or a little? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A little, of course. Enough to
pay the daily rent for three out of my four limbs.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">That was all the information
in the green menus. I closed the menu, got rid of the cursor, and looked at the
real world in front of me. Now that the haze of pain was gone, I realized I had
been mistaken – it wasn't just a hallway, it was a street. In fact, the whole
place had a very urban atmosphere. The morning rush. People heading off to work
by themselves or in groups. There was nothing even hinting at some form of mass
transit, but maybe this was a pedestrian street.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Emotions?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Things were pretty bleak. The
people around me looked sullen and gloomy, but there were calm faces as well –
even a few smiles. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Was
it too soon to panic and decide I'd been dragged down to hell?</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Yeah,
too soon.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I still had a lot of
questions, but that motivated me, gave me another reason to stand up and make
my awful limbs start working. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">If I can
just get my legs going</i>... <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">they should
get stronger once I start using them, right?</i> At least a little. Enough so
that I could walk without using the wall for support.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I noticed something on the
wall across from me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Different colored lines
stretched across the top, each with an arrow and a description. The green arrow
on top was labeled Zone 3, and there was no mistaking the direction. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thanks.</i> Now I knew where to go, at least.
I leaned on my right arm, tucked my left arm in close to my body, and started
to stand. I very slowly engaged my legs to push my body upright, feeling my hip
muscles kick in. My knees cracked and popped. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Must be dehydration</i>. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What I
wouldn't give for just one more liter of water…</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Hmm... what was I supposed to
do with my... biowaste? I doubted I'd have to go anytime soon, but it was
something worth finding out.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The arrows on the walls
answered me. The closest toilet was about fifty yards away. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Great.</i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">All right,
Eleven.</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> <i>Ready to get moving?</i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"El," I said
quietly. El sounded much better. <i>Come on, El!</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Just take the first step...<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I lurched forward and shuffled
my right leg forward. Putting all my weight on it, I grasped at the wall for
good measure and took another step. Joy bubbled up inside me. <i>I'm moving!</i>
<i>I'm walking!</i> And much better than I could half an hour ago. My body was
coming alive. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">What's
the saying? I move, therefore I am? Something like that...<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Oh,
right!<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I
do, therefore I am! <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Another
step! And another!<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A flashing screen suddenly made
me jump in surprise. Well, I didn't exactly jump – my feet never left the
ground. But I definitely flinched. I moved away from the wall and looked over
at the large, bright screen. A brief scan of the hallway showed similar screens
lighting up all over. People were stopping and starting at the screens with inexplicable
tension and expectation. Someone next to me whispered fervently:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Let it be me. Let it be
me. Let it be me." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The number 11 flashed clearly
and distinctly against a background that had probably once been white, but was
now faded to an off-color shade of yellow. In slightly smaller letters below it
were the words:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #538135; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Game Challenge!" <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A timer was counting down on
the screen – 59 seconds, 58... <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The tension broke as the
people around me seemed to sway and exhale as one. I heard disappointment, angry
words. Someone was cursing my number. And it was definitely my number on the screen.
Some kind of game challenge was about to happen, and the system had chosen me
to accept it...<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 20.05pt 8pt 1cm; text-align: center; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Release - April 5, 2021</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8.0pt; margin-left: 1.0cm; margin-right: 20.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 20.05pt 8pt 1cm; text-align: center; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Pre-order on Amazon - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NGVGYK1">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NGVGYK1</a></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 20.05pt 8pt 1cm; text-align: center; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 20.05pt 8pt 1cm; text-align: center; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></p>Simon Valehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16142080565999248152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1879934328827513079.post-59285327367772551362021-02-08T01:03:00.002-08:002021-02-08T01:03:09.391-08:00Clan Dominance: The Sleepless Ones-6 by Dem Mikhailov<h3 style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">Clan Dominance: The Sleepless Ones-6 </div><div style="text-align: center;">by Dem Mikhailov</div></h3><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51LrEjh32BL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="335" height="364" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51LrEjh32BL.jpg" width="244" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Release - May 25, 2021</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Pre-order on Amazon - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08RF1DP6S">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08RF1DP6S</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 21.3pt; margin-right: 28.3pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
Land Beyond Is not the End<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 21.3pt; margin-right: 28.3pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Chapter
1<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 21.3pt; margin-right: 28.3pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Arriving,
Falling, and Getting In<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We never managed to found out whether our bald imp had
managed to set the wooly mammoth Callowan on fire.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Obviously, a living creature would not have blown up,
but the mammoth could have gone off his rocker, making lots of noise and
causing us a lot of trouble. On second thought, that might have been for the
better. The Land Beyond wasn’t all too welcoming a place; our troubles began as
soon as we arrived.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The myriad of spiraling stars flashed brightly for a
moment; there was a loud hum, almost drowning out Orbit’s voice—he was still carrying
on with the countdown. On the count of one I felt the starry sky shatter into a
thousand of pieces. We were no longer free from the inexorable pull of gravity.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Bright sunlight blinded us for a second. I was
relieved to see the familiar cerulean sky with cirrus clouds scattered here and
there. Afterwards, everything became an enormous vortex and we started to
crash-land. The mammoths started to trumpet, unable to stand straight, their
bodies leaning against the thin rods forming the wicker cage.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“God almighty! We’re falling!” The thought ran through
my mind somewhat belatedly, and I yelled at the top of my lungs,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Hold on!” However, after having yelled, I realized
people around me had already been giving concise and confident orders, quite at
odds to my dilettante’s exclamation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Jump! Jump!” The Crimson Lynx roared. “Everybody jump
outside! Don’t dally!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Pterodactyls! Take off!” A loud woman’s voice sounded
in unison with that of Crimson Lynx. “Take off, everybody!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There was a loud scream, and a huge orange shadow
flashed somewhere in the distance, veering off somewhere to the right. I
noticed a few players clinging to its scaly back. There was a lunge, and I fell
off, Trouble holding fast to my hand. The three of us tumbled out of the wicker
cage, still spinning through the air, and all I managed to do was yell at the
top of my voice,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Follow us!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Brown earth with green spots scattered across it
flashed before my eyes. Kyre was holding on to me, and I was holding on to
Tyrant, the legendary wolf, howling loudly to express his extreme displeasure
at this way of travel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Bits of wood kept splintering off the cage, still
above us. Players and animals kept falling out. One of the white rhinos was
plummeting, fast as any bomb, its horn pointed downwards, mooing in surprise.
All of the above objects and beasts were catching up with us at breakneck pace,
being much heavier.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Spread out your arms!” Kyre yelled.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Perhaps I should flap them as well? Oh, hell!
Callowan!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Callowan the mammoth was falling right on us, his
thick legs twitching frenziedly and his thick trunk reaching up as if he was
trying to find something to hold on to. We jerked aside and barely managed to
get out of the prehistoric creature’s way; fortunately, the mammoth missed us.
The hero piloting the creature spread himself out on the latter’s head—in baggy
trousers and with a bald head as per usual. We heard his extremely confident
and decisive voice giving orders so outlandish I forgot we’d been falling from
an enormous height.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Your years! Move your ears! Tail to the left! Blow
through the trunk!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“O-o-o-o-orbit!” I howled.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The pilot of the doomed Callowan plane didn’t hear me,
still plummeting and trying to save his aircraft.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Turbines on!” The hero cried in just as confident a
voice, and the heavy mammoth passed us by at last, still in freefall, catching
up quickly with the white rhino as if it was a race.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Wooden bits of the cage caught up with us in the
meantime, as well as yelling players, long snakes slithering through the air,
and a bunch of other animals. Kyre kicked away a stuffed sack, and I barely
managed to dodge an enormous spike covered in wet mud.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“My dear,” Trouble purred into my ear, holding on to
my neck. “Since we haven’t landed yet, tell me one thing… Do you love me?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“The best time to ask a question like that!” I barked.
Tyrant chimed in with a roar of outrage.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Sourpuss!” Kyre puffed in a voice that made her
discontent very clear. “The best time… Ros, to the right! All of us!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I glanced towards the ground quickly, realized what
she’d been talking about, and lunged to the right, holding on to the wolf’s
shaggy fur. That was enough to change the view from the brown checker to a
green one. We were indeed falling onto a checkered field; a game of life and
death (in theory). The brown checkers represented hard and ruthless ground.
Fortunately, we were heading for the green; water, which would be our
salvation, given enough depth. I sincerely hoped there wouldn’t be a catch with
that one as well—like a ravenous Loch Ness monster, for example.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Pterodactyls were flapping their wings about, clearly
following somebody’s orders, grabbing snakes, still slithering helplessly, and
carrying them away, releasing them over the green checkers. They were doing the
same to the players, pulling them away from the death-bound trajectory. But who
could have given orders so quickly, given that every clan was fending for
itself?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I believe I can fly-y-y-y!” Dock shrieked in the
distance, already pulled away and heading for one of the watery patches. I
could see no other members of my team with the exception of Orbit, who’d
already fallen towards an unknown fate accompanied by Callowan the mammoth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Halapuer tulips! Halapuer tulips!” An unknown player
from The Sleepless Ones’ team yelled, staring at the approaching ground through
a copper spyglass. A herbalist? A madman? Or both?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Yee-haw!” an achylote player hissed fiercely, trying
to maneuver with his webbed hands. I didn’t notice him before. Above him, a
girl of the same race was doing the same; both of them affiliated with the
Architects. Water races in a landlubber clan? We’d had our share of surprise
before even having made a landing—or a splashdown. There seemed to be a few
more achylotes from The Sleepless Ones in the distance.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The cage fell apart completely, with debris flying in
every direction and with the last passengers leaving its torn-apart maw.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I managed to notice a few more details such as sealed
boxes, sacks, enormous carrier bags, and so on. Then the freefall ended and we
fell into duckweed-covered water. The duckweed layer must have been incredibly
thick, but we barely managed to notice it as we plunged into the dark depths.
Kyre was trying to reach the surface, and Tyrant was paddling furiously
underneath. The bar showing the remaining amount of available air popped up
before my eyes, but I still managed to pull the girl down, the general
commotion notwithstanding, my eyes on the glowing green duckweed carpet above
us. The surface kept getting broken by players, beasts, and objects, each of
which could smash us. There were splashes of bubbling water everywhere. We used
our arms and legs not to drown, waited for about ten seconds, and decided to
emerge around that time; fortunately, the hail of heavy stuff was already
coming to an end.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Two achylote shadows slipped by gracefully; one in front,
and the other in the back. They looked like predatory fish out for a hunt.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A few agonizing moments later, my head tore through
the duckweed layer. I gulped in the air of The Land Beyond, paying no attention
to the horrendous ruckus beside me. Some must have gotten less lucky than us
and had a hard landing on the hostile and hard ground. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">CONGRATULATIONS!
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">You
are the first heroes to have reached The Land Beyond: a mysterious location.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">You’ve
had bad luck!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And
yet, resilience and courage may help you get over all the obstacles.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">You’re
a trailblazer! <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Being
a trailblazer is always hard. Those following in your footsteps will have it
easier.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Penalties:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Physical
damage dealt to those populating these lands is lowered by 25%.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Magical
damage dealt to those populating these lands is lowered by 25%.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Chance
of getting loot from the monsters you destroy is lowered by 25%.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
chance of dealing critical physical or magical damage is lowered by 25%.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
chance of collecting resources successfully is lowered by 25%.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
physical damage dealt by monsters is up by 25%.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
magical damage dealt by monsters is up by 25%.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
cartography quality is lowered by 25%.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
speed of travel by any means is lowered by 10%.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">HP
and mana regeneration speed is lowered by 10%.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
penalties will be valid for: 23:59:59.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Bonuses:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Ancient
artifacts: Yes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Current
condition and quantity: 5/5.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Availability
of ancient non-magical skills and recipes: Yes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Current
condition and quantity: unknown.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Availability
of ancient magical knowledge: Yes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Current
condition and quantity: unknown.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Unique
monsters not encountered previously: Yes.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
number of species: Unknown.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Signs
of former presence of the extinct race of The Great Ones: Unknown.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A
reminder!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There
are many guilds that will be delighted to pay handsomely for any unique trophy
or skill you might find here! <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 21.3pt; margin-right: 28.3pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A unique achievement!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">You have received the following achievement:
Trailblazer!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">(This achievement has no tiers and cannot be
upgraded).<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">This achievement only applies to any adventurer to
have found a way to a previously undiscovered location!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Congratulations!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Your reward: A deliberately crudely-made wooden
figurine of a weary traveler peering into the horizon.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Item class: rare. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Object status: a collector’s item.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 21.3pt; margin-right: 28.3pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">WARNING!
<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The
guardian of these lands has not been destroyed yet! <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Stay
vigilant! <o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 21.3pt; margin-right: 28.3pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">ATTENTION!<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Flora
and fauna status: E. A. F. D.<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 21.3pt; margin-right: 28.3pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 21.3pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Damn! Damn!” I could find nothing better to say as I
was spitting out the water, approaching the bank without even moving a limb.
Tyrant did all the work, paddling hard towards terra firma and dragging me
along. Kyre was holding on to the neck of her armadillo, looking like a
disfigured turtle in water. “Did you get that, Kyre? The local ‘daddy’ is still
unvanquished. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Could be a mommy…” The paladin maiden nodded, clad in
a full suit of armor and looking at me through the T-shaped opening in the
visor of her dark blue barbute helmet. A long sodden cape of a matching color
without any markings was trailing behind her. “We’re the first ones. Gods
forbid we run into the Protector. Given our powers… And yet, if we do and we
manage to off it…”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Yup,” I bubbled to her. The wolf had reached the
bank, so sheer it wouldn’t be out of place in a swimming pool, and leapt to dry
land swiftly. I followed him at a much slower pace.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Protectors… All parts of Waldyra had them—a long time
ago. Absolutely unique monsters of any kind, of any size, and with any
characteristics one could possibly imagine. They could only be killed once—they
didn’t respawn.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Back in the day, you could run into a Protector as
soon as you’d leave your main city; such an encounter would not necessarily be
deadly. For instance, there were the Rabbit Downs populated by a bunch of gray
and white rabbits living in deep warrens among the bushes, thriving. There was
also a pitch black rabbit among them with thrice their level. Not much of a
“daddy.” Impressive, but nothing to write home about. And yet, offing one of
these was quite a feat—you’d get a bunch of loot and an achievement, as well as
a chance of getting something truly unique, although not necessarily useful,
with the loot.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Single or multiple encounters with the Protectors were
the privilege of the very first players; the ones who’d leave their starting
point and wade straight into terra incognita. To our generation of players, an
achievement like that was next to impossible. It was just like the real world
in that respect, with every spot already explored by someone else. The first
players had been trailblazers; we were mere tourists.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">But everything changed upon our arrival here, and I
became a trailblazer against my will. The Protectors might be called “mums” and
“dads,” but they had no paternal or maternal sentiment, and would often be
capable of calling upon other denizens of their domain. As for the legendary
Land Beyond… I was pretty certain that the local Protector was someone like the
abovementioned black rabbit. It was guaranteed it would be someone else, and
we’d be fortunate indeed not to run into the creature in question. Even if it
was someone peaceful like a unique bison or a sloth sleeping on a bough all day
long.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“There must be a lair, too,” Kyrea said in a low
voice, having just crawled out.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Oh, there must be,” I said with a sigh.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Any protector would definitely have a lair—a hole, a
nest, a ravine, a bunch of bushes, and so on. And there’d definitely be a bunch
of loot there—some were bigger; others were smaller. Including
equipment—especially if the Protector in question was a predator of some sort,
but even the herbivores had unique items of some quality. However, in this case
all my information came from tavern banter, books, and forums. This was the
first time I found myself in the role of a trailblazer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“But we’re not gonna look for it, are we?” Trouble had
to be sure.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“We won’t!” I nodded. “The others definitely will—the
beast, its lair, lock, stock, and barrel, hoping to find a bunch of quality
items—some of them might even turn out unique. But what about our
comrades-in-arms? I hope none of them have become human pancakes after falling,
unfit for battle. And what about respawning?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“No way!” I was happy to hear the well-familiar roar
of Bom the half-orc. Our mule was alive, spitting out water and shaking off the
duckweed. “What about it?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I was wondering where we’d respawn in case of death,”
I explained, taking a good look around me for the first time. “I haven’t
noticed any respawn location from above. In this case, the winner takes it all,
and the loser has to fall, and things will look even more dire. Hey! Kray!
Callen! Doc! Orbit! Are you alive?!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“There’s no respawn location!” An unfamiliar dwarf
from The Sleepless Ones notified me as he passed by. “One of our mages landed
on a bastard of a rock. He fell down here, and right now he’s taking stock of
his losses on ‘mainland,’ sitting naked on another rock. It really sucks…”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Thanks!” I said with gratitude. “It does indeed.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Tell me about it!” An impassioned female voice, well
familiar, addressed me from behind.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I turned around and nearly lost my speech. The first
thing I saw was a shimmering haze that shortly became black, and then
transformed into a slim silhouette covered in black leather. The Baroness… At
least I thought so, since she’d had no readable nickname or indeed any other
information displayed about her head. There was a half-mask covering the lower
part of her face and reaching up to her eyes, looking like a hideous maw, bare
fangs and all. Her dilated pupils darkened, but the air around her kept on
shimmering like a heat haze, although I didn’t feel her emit any heat.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Baroness slid right past me easily, headed for the
direction where the excited voices were coming from.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Kyre,” I whispered. “That was The Black Baroness
right now, wasn’t it?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Sure was.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I wonder what her character class is.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Don’t you know?” My troublesome girlfriend looked
surprised as she petted the armored head of her pet fondly. “It’s another one
of Waldyra’s legends—if the rumor has it right, that is. The Black Baroness
studied with the Dead Sands Clan. Everybody assumes it, but nobody knows for
sure. But only they have this character class. Warrior and battle mage both.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“That mask of hers makes her look like a damn ninja!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“That’s exactly what she is,” Kyre nodded, dead
earnest. “Even though this class doesn’t officially exist. It’s all based on
rumors alone. People say she’d somehow weaseled her way into the Dead Sands
Clan and managed to get trained by them. That’s no skill you can learn in a
guild by paying them some money and pressing your thumb against a page in some
tome. She’s got the full training, and it must have taken more than a week or
two. Some say she’d spent a whole year IRL training in those sands and learning
all sorts of secret skills, but I’ll never believe that. Spending a year in the
game with nothing but training drills in barracks hidden away in some desert?
Doesn’t make sense to me. Who’d do that? That makes as much sense as a
conspiracy theory. Some had believed the story and even tried to follow suit,
the result invariably being a complete fiasco.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Well,” I replied musingly. “They’re a hard-headed and
eccentric family… I-i-i-i-i-i-interesting, in other words. The Dead Sands Clan…
I’ve heard the name before; I’m certain of that.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“We’ll all be better off if you think about E. A. F.
D.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Why would I think about it? I’ve never heard of it or
seen what it is.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I had a few encounters back in the day. We’d better
stick around the higher-level boys and girls, or we’re toast.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">E. A. F. D. stood for “Extreme Aggression, First
Degree.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My knowledge of said phenomenon was, however,
extremely limited. I spoke the truth when I told Kyre that I’d never
experienced it before. There were three aggression degrees in general, the
first one being the toughest, and this must have been a complete nightmare,
since the plants would be as aggressive as monsters. It didn’t take the players
long to change the acronym to S. N. A. F. U. And that reflected the nature of
what one would be likely to expect perfectly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The land we’d ended up in was completely hostile to
us. It would be like swimming across a pool filled up with sulfuric acid
concentrate.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The only reason we could have a breather now was that
we’d ended up in a starting point of sorts, providing us with the opportunity
to prepare for the unknown and the inevitable tribulations.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Hey!” I yelled once again, looking around me. The
only ones I could see were Kyre and Bom; the rest kept silent, and I was
beginning to wonder whether my comrades may have had a hard landing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The terrain was as flat as a tabletop and looked like
an enormous chessboard. Good visibility with nothing obscuring the sight. Yet
all I could see so far was a seething mass of players and animals. Some of the
latter made a successful splashdown and were now crawling out of the water,
roaring, grunting, and howling irritatedly. Four warrior-class players were
sweating as they pulled on a thick rope tied to the white rhino, trying to get
him out of the square swimming-pool, albeit made by nature, but just as steep.
They kept getting closer to success, inch by inch.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Two mammoths were stepping heavily some forty feet
away from me, with their wooly hides, covered in duckweed, dripping with water
profusely. Players from both clans were making a bustle around them; four
healers at once thrust their hands forward, healing the beasts with their
magic.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There was a trumpet call from behind, and I was
relieved to see yet another mammoth as I turned my head—Callowan and none
other, with the bald elf smiling broadly, standing on his head. I had no idea
how they’d managed to land, but judging by the wet pelt and the duckweed, they
landed in one of the “survival” locations; apparently, Callowan was in no dire
need of healing, moving his enormous bulk energetically and looking perky.
Orbit the pilot managed to land his “aircraft” safely, after all.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Kray was sitting right behind the elf on the mammoth’s
broad back, with Callen holding him by the waist. The dwarf looked a little
worse for the wear, but Callen the mage was pouring the well-familiar white
light of healing into him. The pets followed the enormous animal—there’d been
no place left on the mammoth for them, the only exception being the two-headed
parrot sitting on Orbit’s shoulder. It took me a while to see there was a ghost
clinging to each of Callowan’s ears, with another one flying in circles around
the bald elf’s scarred head.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">So, where were we?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I automatically started to count my fellow party
members on my fingers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Yours truly, Kray, Callen, Orbit, and Bom. All six of
them alive and kicking.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I’d still need to find out about Doc, but I remained
calm, having seen a pterodactyl carry him to a safe landing zone. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Hey, guys!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The man himself. Doc, too, was alive and well,
harrumphing and shaking off duckweed as he hurried towards us. There was a
snake coiled around his neck, blessed by an actual goddess and looking much
bigger now.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Everybody else reached us by this point, Callowan the
mammoth included. Our healer instantly turned on his auras to heal us and to
boost our regeneration. The air became filled with healing goodness instantly,
leaving no one out—not even Callowan. He shook his head, broad forehead and
all, clearly displaying gratitude, expressing it physically by slapping our
company’s healer on the back in his trunk. Doc merely managed to stay on his
feet, but he didn’t begrudge the mammoth such a heavyweight gesture of
affection.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“So, we’re all here,” I summed up. “And everybody
seems to be alive. The pets…” I took stock of the beasts surrounding us. “The
pets are also OK. So, shall we take a look around?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Hold o-o-o-o-o-on, Ros,” Orbit said softly, stopping
me with a gesture only the two of us could see. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“What’s the matter?” I froze for a moment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Right no-o-o-ow we ne-e-e-ed to step aside. Over
the-e-e-e-ere,” the tall elf’s spindly finger pointed towards the cage lying
nearby; none of the players who’d arrived to The Land Beyond were to be seen
there. “To avo-o-o-o-oid becoming victims of colla-a-a-a-teral damage.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Victims of collateral damage?” Kray said gruffly. The
mage, standing nearby, looked at the elf in surprise as well.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“A showdown?” I asked in a businesslike manner.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Inde-e-e-e-ed…”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“OK, folks we grab Callowan by the trunk and head off
towards where our bald friend had told us to go,” I ordered, and started in
said direction first, to lead by example. “You think there’ll be a skirmish
between them, Orbit?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“De-e-e-e-efinitely… Right now they’re counting their
lo-o-o-o-osses… Once they’re do-o-one… Given there’s no respa-a-a-a-awn point
here…”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Indeed. The place would be ideal for a showdown, since
none of the dead players could return into action; nor could either clan count
on support from their ranks. We were on our own, and only the survivors could
carry on. Given our enormous level gap, we’d be fools to participate; we
wouldn’t contribute much, and the consequences would be dire.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Just make sure you walk calmly,” Kyre added, already
by my side. “Don’t look back, don’t run, and don’t discuss high-level players
aloud, placing wagers on who’d kick whose ass. The last thing we want for our
little group would be an area damage spell. There’ve been lots of cases when
those who’d expressed the most interest in other clans’ skirmishes got burnt
the first.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We didn’t walk away too far, deciding to stop around a
hundred and fifty feet away, on the checker right next to us, out of the way of
the two clan blocks gathering closer. The general chaos was over, and the
process of saving the drowning was coming to an end. The wedge driven between
the members of what had started off as a single team was becoming more visible,
and the split got wider by the minute. Characters of high-HP warrior classes
were gathering around the no man’s land in between the teams of both clans,
forming the avant-garde in an unobtrusive way. Hell’s bells… Orbit had been
right and we were now witnessing preparations for a serious showdown. So silly!
They couldn’t have picked a worse time—or a worse place. Instead of forgetting
the beef the two clans had had between them, The Sleepless Ones and The
Architects were about to start rattling their sabers at each other. Damn!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A huge shadow passed us by in an instance. The bright
yellow wings made a loud clapping sound, and the legendary dragon landed right
next to us. Two of its riders got off—the knight in shining golden armor and
the burly dwarf. There was a loud screeching sound as another legendary
creature appeared from underground, instantly coiling itself around its owner
as a stone wall. A huge crater remained where the rock monster had emerged.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Oss!” The Architects’ golden knight smiled, giving us
the traditional karate greeting. The owner of the rock worm stayed silent, just
giving a slight nod in response. A taciturn character, that one…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I get what his interests are,” I said, shooting a
glance at Murkchrome. “But what about you? You’re supposed to be a great clan
warrior of The Architects. Why would you decide not to take sides?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I’m here to get legendary equipment for my little
one,” Florian responded. “And I’ve told as much to everyone in advance,
including my clan leader and The Black Baroness so as not to get caught between
a rock and a hard place. Losing a chance to get legendary equipment for my pet
just to take part in another clan showdown? The hell I will. Murkchrome is of
the same opinion. You concur, too, I believe.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Sure, I nodded. I’m only here for the gear.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Florian was definitely telling the truth. To piss away
a chance to get legendary gear at such a moment would be complete idiocy.
Florian definitely wasn’t an idiot. Cunning, yes. Sweet-tongued, definitely.
Vindictive, perhaps. But definitely not a fool, and he knew which of his bread
was buttered on.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Apart from that, a legendary dragon meant a lot for
his clan, and a dragon with legendary equipment would be an even greater asset.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“What if The Sleepless Ones win?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doc inquired. “And then turn on you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I have a promise from the Baroness,” the knight said
as he shook his head. “And she stands by her word. I’m telling you, I’d
instantly told everyone explicitly that I’d only go here to receive legendary
equipment for my pet; it would be useless to anybody else.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“On the other hand, you could place it in your clan
vault and make anyone pay through their nose for it,” Bom shrugged his wide
shoulders. “That’s what I’d have done.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I have the word of the Baroness,” Florian reiterated.
“Also, I hope they’ll cool down. We’re as friendly as cats and dogs, but
settling old scores here, in The Land Beyond is just so silly!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“But it’s i-i-i-i-i-interesting!” Orbit interjected.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“No, count me out!” Florian said gruffly. “No matter
how interesting. By the way, is the mammoth ours or yours!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“It’s our bo-o-o-o-o-omber jet!” Orbit said curtly.
“With a ve-e-e-e-ertical landing option! A jump je-e-e-e-et!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Speak about technological progress,” Kyre sighed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Right on,” I said, producing my spyglass from the
pack and observing the two great clans from afar. You could see a lot even
without it, but this way everything could be seen in finest detail.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The clan leader of The Architects decided to skip it.
But the Black Baroness would never give up the chance to take part in such an
adventure. And she was standing right in front of an enormous half-orc
affiliated with The Architects, fearlessly, her hands behind her back. Her
opponent must have been the leader. Two small armies were preparing for war,
and the outcome of their exchange would decide the further course of events.
War and Peace. Tolstoy wouldn’t have been out of place here. Those damn clans!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The Architects’ half-orc looked very Italian, inasmuch
as an orc can—his gestures, stomping, and facial gestures expressed his
emotions most eloquently. The Black Baroness remained perfectly calm, like a
shield maiden statue. She might have been saying something, but I couldn’t see
her lips for the face mask. However, I could clearly see the Crimson Lynx
holding two crystal spheres glowing furiously red, behind his back—they must
have been the local equivalent of high-power explosives.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The half-orc roared in anger—not the way a mere player
would do, but more like a mythical monster brought to life, loud enough for us
to hear. At the very same time, two players left The Architects. A human mage
and an elven archer crossed the distance between the two clans in just a couple
of paces, joining ranks with the Sleepless Ones in an instance, turning around
to face their former allies.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I wondered what the hell was happening.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The roaring half-orc choked on his cry of rage, his
eyes bulging out at the comrades who’d just betrayed him and joined an opposing
clan.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“What the…” words failed me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Cobalt? Edge?” Florian seemed to be just as baffled.
“Well, I’ll be…”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“They’re moles!” Kyrea interjected. “Moles of The
Sleepless ones! Now, that’s what I call weird.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Hell!” Florian still sounded pissed off. “They’ve
been with us for over a year, and we’d run background checks on them both! It’s
impossible!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“It’s possible—and, moreover, a done deed,” I grunted.
“Can’t you see? There’s your Edge, if you’re talking about the elf nicknamed
Death’s Edge, already aiming at your colleagues, with five arrows on his bow.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“That’s it,” Kyrea sighed with relief. “The fight’s
off. It would be stupid now that the opposing party has an archer and a battle
mage, and you’ve lost as many fighters.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I could but agree. The half-orc looked deflated,
looking at traitors with eyes like gimlets. Baroness showed no emotion at all,
although I could swear she’d given the moles a secret signal to reveal
themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The party leaders continued their conversation.
However, judging by the now-silent half-orc, The Black Baroness was doing all
the talking now. The atmosphere was becoming less tense by the minute.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“We can prepare for the expedition,” I said, passing
the spyglass to Kyre. “The only thing I didn’t get is: are we setting off
together or separately?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Separately, I think,” Kyre said with a shrug.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Not toge-e-e-e-e-ether,” the bald elf drawled. “Two
battle forma-a-a-a-ations moving pa-a-a-a-arallel to each other…”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I don’t care as long as we’re going somewhere!” Bom
grumbled, eyeing the purple flower he’d just picked thoughtfully and clearly
trying to find out how it could be used. “There’s no name, just question marks!
Does anyone know anything about these flowers? What are they worth in cold hard
cash?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Ask a specialist,” I shrugged. The flower was
completely unfamiliar to me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Where’d I get a specialist?” Bom said gruffly,
looking at the poor flower with malice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The poor half-orc hoarder was in a bit of a quandary—there
were at least fifty purple flowers like that one in our immediate vicinity,
with more to be seen in the distance. So they could be worth serious money or
turn out to be pretty weeds. What could one do?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Specialists!” Bom said in a merrier tone of voice,
smiling so wide you could see the size of his fangs. “Hey, I know one! I’ll
call Braver’s alchemy hotline. He might know something.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Sure,” I said indifferently, my attention focused on
the loosening tension between the two clans.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Both parties pulled back. The mages and the warriors
turned their backs to the enemy one by one, headed towards the beasts of burden
standing close nearby, also divided by clan allegiance. The pets followed. The
skirmish turned out to be psychological rather than physical. No one had wanted
to respawn back home, and everyone would rather stay in the legendary and the
previously inaccessible location longer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I exhaled, relieved, and instantly got tense, having
heard the bald elf’s incredibly mournful whining.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“This is bo-o-o-o-o-oring! Oh! There’s a
balli-i-i-i-ista in this pack! Prepa-a-a-are to fire!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Having noticed everybody’s baleful eye fixed on him,
Orbit pouted and started to shake up the enormous carrier bag hanging on the
wooly mammoth. The elf snorted in dejection and turned away to admire a
waterfall roaring in the distance. The mammoth snorted through his fat trunk,
too, and also turned his attention to the waterfall. He was clearly on the
elf’s side.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“He’s like a nuclear warhead with a broken timer,” I
sighed as I peered at the back of the reckless boredom hater’s head. “Bom, and
what are you doing?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The half-orc was like a combine harvester, picking the
purple flowers with both his hands.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Can’t you see?” Bom roared, still on all fours. “The
lot of you might help! These aren’t flowers! These are purple diamonds growing
right out of the earth!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Purple diamonds?” I chortled. “They must be really
valuable.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">However, I couldn’t help myself, picking half a dozen
of purple flowers and stashing them in my pack. The rest started to harvest the
local flora with a lot more diligence. I could understand them—plants of this
type and size weighed next to nothing. There’d be thirty flowers to a pound at
least; most likely, more. Their diamond-like quality depended on the demand on
the alchemy ingredients market. In that case, the legendary Land Beyond was a
gold mine comparable only to the mythical Inca cities of gold, lost in the
jungle. There was money right underneath our feet—one only needed to pick it
up. And we were doing exactly that. It must have been contagious—I’d gathered
about two dozen before I knew it. Did I come here to gather flowers or
mushrooms, I thought to myself? Damn!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The only good thing was that the clans didn’t waste a
minute while we were picking flowers; I could only marvel at their discipline.
The Sleepless Ones were already approaching us in rows of three—beasts of
burden at the center; battle pets and warriors to their side, keeping
formation. Four riders and two powerful glowing ballistae appeared on the back
of the second mammoth walking right in the middle, already with<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a helmet on its head, with something like
sharp spikes on its trunk—a morning star like that would deal a lot of damage.
The other beasts got their gear on, too. The entire party seemed engulfed in a
nebula of protective auras—like an iridescent bubble, with pterodactyls and a
couple of birds hovering above. That was a true raid party. Limited in
capacity, but nonetheless powerful.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">That was how one would do raids in Waldyra, slamming
through the enemy lines and barricades right to the goal.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">And this was a raid—I couldn’t have described it
differently.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">To our side there was a similar bubbles—the
Architects. Our potential enemy and ally at the same time. The orange-and-white
dragon flying above our heads flapped its enormous wings and took off with
Florian on his back. The golden knight was clearly given orders to change his
dislocation. As for Murkchrome the dwarf, he seemed to be in no hurry, waiting
for the Sleepless Ones patiently together with the rest of us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He was a secretive and an extremely mysterious
character. He must have come to some conclusions of his own and decided to stay
with us rather than join the Architects.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As soon as the dome-like and multi-layered aura
reached us, we all got messages offering to join a raid group pop up. More
proof.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There was a limit to the side of a regular fighting
team—a dozen. No one else could join, and that was that.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The size of a raid group was set at eight dozen, or
ninety-six players. But there was an important limitation, since a raid group
could not be formed in just any location—only those associated with quests or
extremely hostile to players.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I decided not to screw around and pound my broad
leader’s chest with my fists. Instead, I accepted the invitation from The Black
Baroness herself, the raid leader. A list of the rest of the members flashed up
before my eyes; then it shriveled up into an icon located in the top left
corner of the virtual screen. It was followed by a list of protective auras and
buffs I could now have all access to. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Then I let Callowan grab me by his mighty trunk and
place me on his wide back. Callen the mage was shortly aboard, too; as for the
bald elf Orbit, he’d already been sitting on the mammoth’s massive head and
definitely didn’t seem like he’d swap places with anyone. We were joined by
Doc, who plopped down right next to me. All the rest of the old brigade
remained on foot, which stood to reason—the “intellectuals” with low HP needed protection
first and foremost; the armored warriors had enough HP to withstand a sudden
enemy attack. An unfamiliar player nicknamed Ultima Forever placed himself
right behind Orbit. He made a gesture with his hand, and, suddenly, there were
two ballistae of a familiar kind on the mammoth’s back.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The construction was simple, but effective. Two bows
placed upon a long pole. Judging by the smooth predatory shape of the mediaeval
weapons, they were made by a truly experienced craftsman. Afterwards, they must
have been passed on to master wizards, who’d added some mojo to the already
powerful weapon to make it recharge faster, shoot quicker, and hit the target
with a higher likelihood.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Do you know how to use one of these?” Ultima, whom
I’d already dubbed Ull, inquired.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I used to be an archer,” I nodded in agreement. “But
I don’t have any of the necessary skills.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Nobody does,” Ull sighed, placing the ballista into a
special mount in Callowan’s harness with one swift motion. “The teleport
couldn’t handle another archer. So you’ll play the part now. Do I need to
explain to you how to use it and so on?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“No,” I shook my head, grabbing the ballista and
turning it from side to side effortlessly. “This is cool! What projectiles does
it use? What are the markings?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“The markings are standard. Those with green
arrowheads are poison; red ones, fire; black ones, explosive. Everything deals
area damage, so mind your aiming. The tan ones are those you have to be really
careful with—they’re rust and will devour any metallic armor better than a
bunch of specialized nanobots. If you fire one of them at a warrior, first
you’ll see an involuntary striptease, and then a very angry face and a pair of huge
fists. Get it?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Sure. How about this?” The moment I joined the
raiding party, I instantly got access to Callowan’s cargo bags and a bunch of
other stuff. “Blue is frost, obviously. What about the blue ones with a white
spiral?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Tornado,” Ull replied.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Blue ones with white lightning are electricity,
right?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“That’s right. They produce an electric sphere on
impact. Duh! Forgot all about these! Do you see the ones with large orange
arrowheads, Ros?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“What about them?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“That’s flak! You only shoot them upwards. A large
explosion with lots of smoke. Real cool stuff!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We exchanged a few more phrases while the
heavily-treading mammoth took his place in the team. The outside rows stood in
tight formation again. I gave Tyrant a short order to stay by my side and not
get involved in any fights. The black-and-white wolf obediently took his place
to the left of Callowan, followed by Kyre’s armadillo and Callen’s deer, prancing
gracefully.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“And now, some brief instructions,” Ultima said in a
loud and clear voice. Listen up, everyone!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Having made sure he’d had all the passengers’
attention, he gave a very short speech.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“We have several categories, but ‘everyone’ is the
only one that concerns you. Unless you hear the tactician say ‘everyone,’ you
just enjoy the view. Until then, none of you attacks any opponent, even if
they’re close to you or trying to gnaw at the mammoth’s leg. We don’t need any heroes
or martyrs! Just stay put! Got it?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Everybody started to nod except for myself and Orbit.
The bald elf didn’t give a damn, being busy with Callowan. I realized that
since I’d been entrusted with a ballista, I’d be in a different category.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Ull turned to me, saying, “Our category is ‘Stake.’ So
listen well to the arrow type requirements and change it accordingly. Doc helps
you with loading and so on. Callen follows my orders. We only fire once our
category and the target are named. If they just say ‘Stake,’ don’t shoot at
once. Wait for the target to be named by voice or marked read on your screen by
a tactician. But you seem to know what you’re about,” the instructor said,
looking at the expression on my face, and added, “Your call sign is Ros, to be
used in case if you need to fire at a specific target. That’s it… Damn, no
one’s got their shields up!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Damn!” I cursed myself as I rummaged through my bag.
I found what I’d been looking for… and shrugged in embarrassment. Protective
barriers, also known as shields were so heavy I couldn’t pull them out.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Fun, isn’t it?” Ull chortled. His class wasn’t that
big on Strength, either. “Roni! Set up our shields!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Roni the Fiery leaped onto the back of the mammoth,
who expressed his displeasure by trumpeting loudly, in a single easy motion,
placing his two-handed sword behind his back while still in air. He instantly
pulled out the necessary items, muttering something about “wimps” under his
breath, placed them in their mounts, and left us. What we had on the mammoth’s
back now was like a machine-gun nest, well-defended. Every shield was covered
in spikes and hooks on the outside, with boosting runes glowing on the inside.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Ull gave Callen two milky-white glass spheres,
explaining,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“If I say ‘fire,’ activate them at once.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Aye aye, sergeant!” The mage squeaked readily,
already at ease with playing her role.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Just don’t throw them at the enemy immediately upon
activation,” Ultima grumbled. “We’ve had such a case… It’s not a damn grenade!
Well, so far, so good. We’ll soon stare the Grim Reaper in his cunning eyes!
I’m enjoying this!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I was envious as hell, rocking on Callowan’s back. I
didn’t mean it in a bad way, but the envy sure was there. I’d make learning
this spell a priority!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">One of the riders on the other mammoth turned out to
be an extremely high-level earth mage, specializing in just that field. It just
took him a wave of his hand for the ground to the sides of our team to erupt,
forming enormous mounds. The rocks crawled across it, as if of their own
volition, gaining momentum with every second and leaving deep tracks behind it.
In but three minutes, two colossal rock warriors appeared next to us, taking
their first heavy steps. They looked as if made of solid rock—on the outside,
at least. They had rectangular shields and enormous spiked maces. Underneath
the crested helmets there were menacing black holes instead of eyes. Each one
was over twenty feet tall, and I’d had no idea about what their weight might
be. Your average high-level stone golems. The mage, wearing a dark cherry-red
cape managed to support two of them, although such creatures normally consumed
an enormous amount of mana, and the supply had to be constant.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">At any rate, the guy on the mammoth next to mine was
almost a role model. Golems had high resistance to physical and magical damage.
They had enormous strength, although were somewhat slow—inasmuch as the term
could apply to someone making fifteen-foot steps. We had another magical
barrier—a mobile and aggressive one this time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">But that wasn’t all.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The player in a violet velvet suit with fancy golden
embroidery sitting right next to the mage spread his hands. A bunch of
multicolor cards flashed between his arms.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A living and breathing card master with a level above
200. He paused for a moment, listening to someone’s question or request, chose
three cards, and flicked his fingers to send them flying. They turned into dust
in flashes of different colors. Two birds soared—a minivan-sized pitch black
one, and another avian wonder, all ablaze. A phoenix. The damn card master
managed to stuff an actual phoenix into a card!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The strangest thing was that such birds weren’t
indigenous to any location. Those were no regular mobs—they’d occasionally
appear in some location for a short while, only to disappear in an unknown
direction afterwards. They were extremely hard to kill, especially considering
their unique ability to rise from the ashes. Regular players dreamed of such
pets, while others fancied extremely unique ingredients phoenixes yielded—their
fiery hearts, feathers, eyes, and other body parts, each of which would cost a
mint. Fancy this player trapping a bird like that in a card! Alternatively, he
could have bought the card from a luckier colleague.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Two majestic birds joined the pterodactyls and birds
of the regular sort hovering above us: one fiery, and the other, pitch black…
or so it seemed. Its breast and the inside of its wings were light blue. It
emitted cold, and it would begin to snow wherever it would fly. An interesting
creature of the air. I’d never seen its like, my “close” familiarity with a
wide variety of monsters notwithstanding. We had fire and ice floating in the
air right above us. But that wasn’t all. There was also the third card. The
monster that came out of it preferred hard ground—predictably enough, giving
its appearance. It was a cloud of fog with what looked like lighting inside it
trailing along on the ground. Another completely unfamiliar monster that dashed
forward bravely to be on the front line. I just saw an enormous amount of gold
scattered to the wind—even the combined gifts from all the crabbers we’d
received for finding their fallen god wouldn’t have covered those expenses.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I wondered for a while, my hands still on the
ballista, what exactly The Black Baroness had expected to find here, given the
resources invested into the expedition and her personal presence.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Even the leader of The Architects decided to stay
behind, preferring to remain on “mainland” and take care of the clan’s other affairs.
The investment could have been explained by hopes of getting even more gold in
return, but why would the leader of The Sleepless Ones decide to tag along?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I remembered the system’s warning about unique
monsters. I also had good eyesight and picked up many details, such as our
team’s firepower growing exponentially. What else would one want? But each time
I got convinced that the sky was the limit. None of my prior experience, which
had often saved my skin, would be of any real use here.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I could have pondered this most interesting topic for
a little longer, but my focus shifted elsewhere in a second—there were warning
cries from the pterodactyls. Something stirred in front of us, in the
fog-covered tall wall of green—in many places at once. Both raiding parties
were headed right there like tank battalions aiming to break through enemy
lines. And we’d had no idea what kind of enemies waited for us there.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: 28.3pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Given the fact that the ground was literally shaking
under our feet, our foes would probably prove really tough.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Release - May 25, 2021</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Pre-order on Amazon - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08RF1DP6S">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08RF1DP6S</a></span></div></div>Simon Valehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16142080565999248152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1879934328827513079.post-74812917951947866162021-02-05T00:39:00.005-08:002021-02-05T00:45:10.416-08:00An interview with Alex Bobl - founder of MDB<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<td><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-48UgwoEuGRQ/YB0Dlr8j2CI/AAAAAAAACgk/X9KCElMUe_Aq4RWTQY85C81VtlTKISzYQCLcBGAsYHQ/s449/bobl_1.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="332" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-48UgwoEuGRQ/YB0Dlr8j2CI/AAAAAAAACgk/X9KCElMUe_Aq4RWTQY85C81VtlTKISzYQCLcBGAsYHQ/s200/bobl_1.jpg" /></a></div>
</td>
<td valign="top"><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Alexey Bobl
is the man behind Magic Dome Books: a literary agency and publishing house
created five years ago. Since then, they’ve released hundreds of books in
Russian, English, German, French, Spanish, Polish, Czech and Korean languages.
Today, I’m talking to Alex about books, authors and literary agents, about the
differences in markets all over the world, about net literature braving the pandemic
this year and its survival strategies for the coming year.</span></i></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span><b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Can you
tell me how MDB came about?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In actual fact,
it all started when I became literary producer at EKSMO, Russia’s biggest publishing
house. It was my job to compile and produce new science fiction and fantasy series.
At some point, I read a new novel by Andrei Livadny. I remember telling him, “This
book just begs to be translated!” And he said, “Okay, go ahead, then.” And I
remember telling the same thing to Vasily Mahanenko. At the time, I didn’t have
a clear-cut idea of a future publishing business yet. Still, I decided to give
it a go. I was curious and enthusiastic, and that seemed to motivate me a lot.
Everything happened so fast. Before I got involved with EKSMO, I used to be a
writer. So being a writer, I knew what a writer needed, and being a producer, I
knew a publisher’s needs. And finally, when I was ready to combine these two
things, MDB was born.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">Still, did
you know anything about foreign book markets at the time? Because that’s what MDB
is known for today, first and foremost. </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I had a certain
idea of how publishing houses worked in other countries, but I had very limited
knowledge of the work of literary agents. That’s despite the fact that I myself
had an agent who sold my books in Germany and in Spain. So I spent some quality
time trying to work out Amazon, and in the end got some idea of how the
English-language market worked. I even used to share all this in my own blog at
the time – if I try and search for it, I might still be able to find some of
those posts. But admittedly, it was quite a venture. I was quite prepared to
part with a few thousand euros just to try.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">In these
five years, MDB has somehow managed to release hundreds of titles in a dozen
languages. One would think, you must have a big team. Is it true?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">At the moment,
MDB counts about thirty people in total. I’m quite used to working with teams like
this, so to me it doesn’t feel like we’re overstaffed. But this creates certain
difficulties too, simply because we’re such a multilingual bunch. It’s the
professionalism and discipline of all our members that allow us to stick to the
schedule. Although we do sometimes whine about our tight schedules, workloads and
belated vacations to each other, we all do incredibly exciting things
publishing gripping books when you just can’t wait to find out what happens
next. So we just don’t stop, as simple as that.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">What do you
consider your main achievement in all this time?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Probably, the
fact that we keep growing and expanding. Especially considering the situation the
whole world is in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>now. If someone had told
me back in 2015 that I would be signing up not only Russian but also
bestselling British and American authors, I wouldn’t have believed it. Everything
happened too fast. Still, I got my dose of healthy ambition. It’s never a bad
thing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">MDB produces
ebooks, paperbacks and audiobooks. Ebooks are more or less clear, but audio? How
do you view its prospects in various countries?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Difficult
to say. If you take the paperback market, for instance, it’s easier to make a
prognosis because it took shape already a long time ago. The audiobook market
is a totally different world with its own rules. But thanks to our partners
from !C-Publishing we seem to be finding our feet in that brave new world – and
most importantly, not just with our Russian books. We have a few other
audiobook partners and keep receiving offers from other manufacturers. The
audio market has its own audience which only marginally overlaps with the ebook
or paperback readerships. There’re certain audiobooks that I listen to on extended
trips and which I would never have read otherwise. So even though the audiobook
production is much more costly than, say, publishing a paperback through POD,
it’s worth it. Especially if you have professionals working for you and if the quality
of the resulting product is good enough.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">What about
paperbacks, then?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We have a distribution
network in place for paperbacks and we’ll continue to produce them. They might not
offer such great returns as ebooks or audio, but they still bring something to
the table. So we don’t really want to abandon it. As long as there’re people in
this world who love actual books printed on paper, we’ll continue publishing
them, in Russia as well. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">English,
Russian, German, Korean, Polish, Czech, Spanish, French. A lot of your success
owes itself to the fact that LitRPG is a welcome read all over the world. Why
is it so? Because people all over the world play the same computer games?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I think
it’s something else. People always want to see what life feels like in somebody
else’s shoes. In a way, when we play RPG, we see the game’s world through the
eyes of our character, sometimes literally. And when we can develop and
progress together, it can be very exciting. A good book is a book where the
author wisely manipulates the reader’s feelings. Plus the escapism. Escapism
and involvement – because the laws of storytelling can’t be overrun – it’s what
draws us in. This is what we like.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">What’s
hot in LitRPG at the moment? RealRPG has been ruling the coop for over a year
now. What now?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Everything
that’s new hooks our attention. These days, I don’t think you can really
surprise anyone with a good old LitRPG novel which starts with the MC booting
up the game and creating a character for him or herself. There are some
evergreen classics, of course, which are here to stay. Authors like Vasily
Mahanenko, Dmitry Rus or Dem Mikhailov have secured their places in the history
of the genre as the founding fathers of LitRPG. But new names keep arriving on the
scene, coming up with new takes on the same theme: people like Dan Sugralinov,
Roman Prokofiev or Pyotr Zhgulyov. The list goes on and on. These guys keep
finding new unorthodox ideas which make their books so interesting to read.
Every author wants to surprise their audience which is an important thing
indeed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">How did LitRPG
start in Russia and in the West?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">In Russia,
the arrival of LitRPG coincided with a major change in the ebook market model.
That was quite a milestone which marked a dramatic change in electronic media.
A lot of authors found themselves at a crossroads. Quite a few considered a
career change. And in the end, it was the LitRPG authors who ushered in the new
market model. New subscription-based platforms arrived, allowing authors to
sell still-unfinished books on a chapter-by-chapter basis. Such a scheme required
the authors to commit to finishing their books, often under strict deadlines. In
Russia this system seemed to have caught on – but the West had already had its
own well-established business model – and what we did, we essentially brought a
new genre and a new trend to the table. The Western market adapted almost
instantly, so that by now we’re facing very serious competition, but still
Russian authors have carved out their own share of the English-language audience
who look forward to our new stories.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">Are there
any differences in your readership depending on the country?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Oh yes. It
takes some time to gain the necessary experience which is then analyzed. Even
within the European Union, there’s a dramatic difference in audiences depending
on the country. Some prefer one type of story while others would rather read
something else. We keep experimenting, analyzing the results of our research and
using them in our work.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">You’re not
the only literary agent who has his clients’ books translated into other
languages. Give me one reason why I should sign up with you as an author.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In Russia, the
institution of literary agents has never really existed. As Russian publishers started
building their future publishing empires back in the 1990s, they handled all
aspects of their authors’ careers. They kept an eye on the slushpile and edited
the manuscripts. The market kept growing slowly but surely. After that, there
was a period of considerable recession, but already in the early 2000s industry
professionals turned their attention to other more profitable markets. That’s
how the subscription-based market model I’ve just mentioned came about, once
again sinking the institution of literary agents because now authors could
control their own careers. There were a few instances of new literary agents
coming to the scene but they were an exception rather than the rule. Our advantage
is in the fact that we work in two directions at once, putting authors into
contact with foreign publishers on one hand as an agent should, and publishing
their books under our own steam on the other. We focus on both activities at
once. Most foreign publishers do their purchasing and scheduling for years in
advance which seems to drag on forever. Even traditional Russian publishers do
it faster than they do. But we work fast in several directions at once. In
Russia, nobody does it because it requires good connections and an
infrastructure of its own. We publish books in several languages, and if we
can’t do it for some reason, we turn to our partners for help. And still we’re
never short of authors willing to publish with us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">A lot of
them get rejected, right?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Yes, but why?
Sometimes we’re approached by quite well-established authors wishing to work
with us, and we’re forced to tell them we don’t see a future in our
collaboration. There’s a lot of investment involved which offers little margin
for error. We’re obliged to make it a success. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">Why
would an author need an agent at all?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">An agent
for an author is both security and responsibility. He or she warrants, if you
wish, that the author’s rights will be protected. There were several
unsuccessful translation projects in the past which have admittedly dropped the
Russian authors’ rankings in the eyes of Western readership. This happened for
several reasons. Firstly, the agent’s desire to save money on the actual
translation. It’s understandable but ultimately it’s a bad business decision
and an example of irresponsible “good enough for the masses” approach in the
absence of proper legal protection in place when you don’t even have anyone to
hold accountable for a botched job. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Things like these can very negatively affect
the quality of a book which is something we find absolutely unacceptable.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">Could you
tell us something about upcoming releases?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Soon we’ll
be releasing a new LitRPG series, Unfrozen by Anton Tekshin. This is a new
name, especially for our Western readers. We’ve also teamed up with our
partners from 1C-Publishing to produce Beyond the Fog, a romantic fantasy
adventure by Marina Surzhevskaya who is a very big name with the Russian-language
reading community. We’ll also continue translating our catalog for our new
French and Spanish markets, as well as try to continue working on a new audio
format. It’s a bit early to tell but with any luck, it might work out well. And
of course we’ll continue adding new books to the already-existing series our
readers seem to like so much.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">I see.
Thank you. And finally, what inspires you to go on?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">When people
from all over the globe discuss something with so much joy and involvement, it
feels really, really good. Really gives you a boost. You get a kick just out of
watching it. I can say the same thing about our authors who move in this milieu
mixing with their readers, it’s very important for them as well. So please
write reviews, ask questions, raise the subjects that interest you. For all of
us, it’s just priceless.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><i>Interviewer: Simon Vale</i></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><i><br /></i></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">If you're interested in becoming our author, check out <a href="http://md-books.com/content/submissions" target="_blank">this link</a>.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><i><br /></i></div>Simon Valehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16142080565999248152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1879934328827513079.post-14068797604836950842021-02-05T00:30:00.000-08:002021-02-05T00:30:19.464-08:00Unfrozen: Cooldown by Anton Tekshin<h3 style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-outline-level: 1; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-indent: 23.75pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;"><br /></span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">Unfrozen, book 1<br /></span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">Cooldown<br /></span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">by Anton Tekshin</span></b></h3><p align="center" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-outline-level: 1; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-indent: 23.75pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;"><br /></span></b></p><p align="center" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-outline-level: 1; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-indent: 23.75pt;"><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KvB_POcv-cc/YBqOB6eJjmI/AAAAAAAACgQ/a_41xuqSVHc8S3dwAS8JbGmNaivm8u5PwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/UF1_1200.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="791" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KvB_POcv-cc/YBqOB6eJjmI/AAAAAAAACgQ/a_41xuqSVHc8S3dwAS8JbGmNaivm8u5PwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/UF1_1200.jpg" /></a></b></div><b><br /><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;"><br /></span></b><p></p><p align="center" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-outline-level: 1; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-indent: 23.75pt;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style, serif;"><b>Pre-order on Amazon - </b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style, serif;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08V9FT983">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08V9FT983</a></b></span></span></span></p><p align="center" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-outline-level: 1; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-indent: 23.75pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Bookman Old Style, serif;"><b>Release - May 17, 2021</b></span></span></p><p align="center" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-outline-level: 1; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-indent: 23.75pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;"><br /></span></b></p><p align="center" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-outline-level: 1; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-indent: 23.75pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;"><br /></span></b></p><p align="center" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-outline-level: 1; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-indent: 23.75pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;"><br /></span></b></p><p align="center" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-outline-level: 1; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-indent: 23.75pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">In Place of a Prologue<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;"> </span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">It may sound trite,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;"> but every
bad story has to start someplace: a point of origin or a zero hour — call it
what you like — but after it everything goes up in flames and plummets to the
coldest climes of hell for a smoke break with the devil.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">So if I’m going to
tell this story in an orderly manner, then I had better start with my death…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“Listen to me, you’ve
got to surrender peacefully!” Goha’s voice again hissed over the radio. “Why
cause a shootout? You’ll just terrorize the townspeople.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“Come off it,” I
responded lazily, tinkering with the settings of an old laptop, its screen
displaying a low-res feed from the exterior cameras. “Why don’t you just go
ahead and offer to whack me for free, like, for ‘resisting arrest’ or
something? Nah. I’m not about to make your life <i>that</i> much simpler.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“Nobody is going to
knock you off…”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;"><br /></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“Goha, you know as
well as I do that I’ll never make it to the first interrogation,” I reminded
him of the bitter truth of my predicament. “This way, at least I can make some
noise with the boys like in the good old days.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“And, what, you’re
going to promise not to shoot anyone?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“I promise to limit
myself only to the ones dumb enough to walk into my line of fire. How about
that?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“You’re a psycho!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“That’s right. I have
an official diagnosis confirming it too. In fact, I have two of them.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“There’s no helping
you! I finally get it now — both why you started this whole mess and why you
refuse to surrender. But try to get it through your head: Innocent people could
get hurt!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“And that’s exactly
why we’re going to have our shootout way out here and not in the city center.
You boys can even go ahead and use gas here. No one will get hurt.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“What about the
hostages?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“They’re already
asleep, they won’t notice a thing.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“So there’s no way to
resolve this without resorting to lethal force?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“No.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“Then I can’t help you
any further,” Goha said with a note of regret. “Farewell!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“Say hi to your wife
for me,” I said and, after a pause, added, “sorry that I won’t make it to your
housewarming…”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">On the other side of
the barricade, my former squad mate disconnected without a further word. Well,
sure, I could understand him. For a negotiator, he had already said too much as
it was. I hoped he wouldn’t get into any trouble over it. On the other hand, he
did his job quite well too — he had kept me on the line, blathering, as long as
he could.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">Lost in thought for a
few moments, I fiddled with the now-useless radio in my hands, then sighed and
tossed it into the lap of the bound sergeant who was periodically mooing
something through the gag I had improvised for him. He and his partner had been
patrolling the area on the lookout for the “People’s Avenger,” when he found
them and borrowed their walkie-talkies. I had placed both of my hostages out of
harm’s way, behind the thick concrete pillars that supported the cracked vault
ceiling, so as to keep them out of harm’s way during the imminent assault.
Although… I doubt they’ll ever appreciate my concern.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">Four heavily-armed
assault teams had methodically encircled the abandoned maintenance facility in
which I had dug in for my last, decisive stand. Everyone was here for my sake —
it even made my heart swell with pride! They chose not to breach through the main
entrance, preferring to use the first floor’s ample windows as their points of
entry. Although the windows were positioned high up off the ground, they hadn’t
had glass in them since the days of perestroika.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">But I had foreseen
this possibility and set up some tripwires in the window sills. Fully armed and
equipped, the boys weighed as much as medieval knights out for a fishing trip
on a frozen pond, so the window sills moved noticeably under their weight as
they tried to climb over and my tripwires were already stretched taut as it
was.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">A series of
detonations thundered through the place, throwing up a cloud of dust. Oh, that’s
going to cause a real commotion outside…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">For a short while, I
was the last thing on anyone’s mind. It was only temporary though — I had armed
the booby traps with stun grenades so no one would be seriously injured. Yet
they did get a fright and they did get pissed — well, it’s their own fault.
Next time they won’t be so careless. At least now, they will come crawling up
to my control room on the third floor with all the proper caution.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">In the meantime, the
long-awaited, snow-white Range Rover, with its sparkling chrome details and
blazing light bar on its roof, finally appeared on the horizon. With a honk at
the patrolmen yawning at the cordon, the SUV rolled into the parking lot and
came to a stop in a handicap spot. A good location — at once not too far from
where I was holed up and in the cover provided by some nearby garages. If I
hadn’t festooned the perimeter with cameras, I’d never even see him there.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">As I had assumed,
Colonel Rybachenko had decided to personally witness the death of the “People’s
Avenger” — me, that is. I had made business difficult for him lately, having
eliminated too many of his regular “customers.” Moreover, he couldn’t help but
be concerned for his own skin — there wasn’t a single person in town that didn’t
remember how driving drunk one night, he had hit two local with this same Range
Rover.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">Now as then, he didn’t
bother emerging from the comfort of his air-conditioned cabin. A coordinator in
a light bulletproof vest quickly raced up to the driver-side window and
reported the latest developments. The assault had already begun, so the colonel
would soon make his appearance for the nightly news. After all, at a certain
level, you earn your next rank and promotion by putting in the hard work of
showing up and appearing before the cameras. Backbreaking labor, what can you
say…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">I waited for the
coordinator to step away from the car and head back to the makeshift tactical
HQ, before picking up the simple black and white Siemens cell phone. The number
was already dialed; all I had to do was press the rubber call button.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“Hello, you have a
collect call from ‘the other side,’” I hissed without taking my eyes off the
grainy camera feed. “Ksenia and Olga Lisitsyn want to have a word — remember
them?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">There was a prolonged
beep in the phone, followed by several intermittent ones, as if the call had
been ended — and at the same time the stream from my camera wobbled and went
blurry in large ripples. My ears registered the solid boom a half second later,
but the building around me didn’t even shudder. Built to stand for centuries,
what did it care about a manhole blowing through a car parked outside?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">Now all that remained
was to disconnect the external hard drive with my most vital data and place it
into the pre-prepared glass vessel. In our day of rabid technological
advancement, a hammer could no longer ensure that the data on the disk would be
destroyed for good, so I turned to acid, pouring it liberally over the hard
drive. It’s true that this method was hazardous to both health and the
environment, but it was also reliable.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">I screwed the lid
tight on the container and placed it carefully under the table. After that, the
laptop went for a short flight through the third floor window onto the asphalt
where it shattered to pieces. The forensics guys also need to have something to
do, so let them put it together again. By the time they succeed, all that’ll be
left of the HDD will be a milky goo. This is much more reliable than battering
it with a hammer.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">And now I can welcome
my guests with a clear conscience. So as to make sure that they would have no
doubts about how dangerous I was, I confiscated the service Makarov from one of
the patrolmen, leaving all the cartridges in his pocket where they would be out
of harm’s way.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">However, I never made
it away from the window, which looked out onto the blank wall of a five-story
apartment block. A burning pain shot through my chest, knocking the air out of
my lungs and pushing me back violently. I grabbed at the wound automatically,
in a vain attempt to still the wild pain, took an awkward step and, myself not
understanding how, suddenly found myself lying on my back on the floor.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">Hadn’t I
double-checked myself the day before? I had made sure that there was no line of
sight into my control room’s single window — neither from the apartment block’s
roof, nor from the ground. The bullets should have gone either into the floor
or into the ceiling. And the only way to perch on the smooth wall of the
apartment block was by gripping the drainpipe with your cheeks, which is very
inconvenient for shooting.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">Well, this hole in my
chest hadn’t come out nowhere. The sniper must have been on rappel… But it didn’t
matter now anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">I tried to remove my
hand so as to let the blood pour from me faster, but I found that I could not
move a finger as if something was holding it down. Wheezing and hacking up
scarlet clots, I somehow turned my head to the side and saw Lydia sitting next
to me, clamping the wound with both hands. Even though I could no longer speak,
I could still address the ghost that had entrenched herself in my head
mentally:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><em><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“Let go of me.
Enough!”</span></em><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">But she only shook
her head violently. Stubborn as ever… Even death couldn’t change her.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">Growing heavier with
every passing moment, my eyelids finally closed for good, but my ears still
worked, conveying a hasty, shuffling to my oxygen-starved brain. It was the
sounds of boots pounding up the stairs, conveying the tactical team to my
location. You boys are too late, the sniper beat you to the punch and you’ll
have to buy him drinks later.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">As for me, it’s time for me to take a rest.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-outline-level: 1; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif;">Chapter 1<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal;">To my surprise</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">, the welcoming party
on the other side didn’t consist of horned demons, eagerly rubbing their shaggy
paws, nor melancholy angels with drooping wings. And not even Lydia, who has
been waiting for me longer than anyone else. My host on the other side turned
out to be a withered old man dressed in snow-white clothes. There was something
incongruous about this attire for a heavenly servant, and it took me some
effort to observe that what made it odd was that it was an ordinary jumpsuit,
albeit one made of some unfamiliar cellular material.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">The old man looked at
me sternly, as if I had interfered with his monthly quota for harvested souls,
and then remarked to no one in particular:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“He is coming around
now. In a few minutes, he should be completely ready.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">What?!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">I peered dully past
the old man, trying to get my bearings. God forbid I’d been resuscitated! My
head refused to obey my vision — in fact, somehow I didn’t even feel that my
head was there at all — but as far as I could see, there was nothing around us,
except for smooth, snow-white walls, which I had initially taken for
stereotypical posthumous fog.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">I looked askance as
far as I could and caught a glimpse of the edge of the bed I was lying on. It
was same white as my pajamas. They must have defibbed me back after all… But how
had they managed it with a wound like that?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“Stay still, young
man!” the old man shook a long knobby finger at me. “Breathe evenly, your
sensitivity should return soon.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">Surely this strange
Asclepius was very mistaken — it was as if he didn’t know who his patient was.
Any other, more circumspect doctor would be praying that I remain as helpless
as a plant for as long as possible. Why with a patient like me, he could easily
find himself coming to on a resuscitation table himself.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">Although, that would
have been the case in better times. At the moment I felt like a meat popsicle
on reheat in the microwave. A sharp tingling pain swept across my muscles
gradually dissipating into a sore aching and leaving behind singed nerve
endings. It was almost like the feeling of pins and needles followed by
frostbite. The cutting pain contorted my body and made me want to howl like a
wolf, but I held on, refusing to beg for anesthesia.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">As I finally regained
control of my neck, I tore my head up and off the hard bed with almost a creak.
Once the fireworks faded from my eyes, a look around the room left me with more
questions than answers. There was nothing in here except the old man and the
bed with me in my pajamas — not so much as a simple doorway in one of the
walls. What was even more astounding, however, was the absence of any life
support equipment! And yet who was the doctor just talking to?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">Sentience continued
its painful reconquest of my body, booting up my hibernating subsystems one
after another — my hands prickled, my stomach rumbled, my sinuses popped from
the muscular spasms. I lay back, taking a good look at the wide medical
restraints across my wrists, and focused on calming my ragged breathing, as the
old man had advised.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">After a bit, the pain
began to ebb, but my body still felt as weak as if I had lactic acid instead of
blood flowing through my veins. Were these the side effects of severe
anesthesia? Or some sort of therapy? I am breathing on my own, after all, and I’m
not sputtering blood, nor wheezing. Miracle of miracles…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">About five minutes
later, my tongue, which had been turning indolently in my mouth as if I’d been
eating syrup, came back to life.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“Where…?” is all I
could manage.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“It’s not important!”
snapped the old man, bringing a small glass with a straw to my lips. “Drink
this.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">It wasn’t much of a
toast, but the thirst I felt was clenching my throat tightly enough to make my
larynx squeak.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">Either the water in
the glass was distilled or my taste buds remained disabled because the liquid
had neither taste nor smell. Still, I felt instantly better after drinking, and
my head almost stopped spinning. It was too bad the old man did not have a
second drink to offer me. Apparently, he hadn’t counted on me feeling so much
better so quickly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">While I was drinking
my fill, a respectable-looking man in a business suit entered the room simply
and casually, right through an entrance that suddenly appeared in the wall. And
I do mean “appeared” since it had not been there a second earlier. A vertical
slit formed and abruptly expanded outward revealing a featureless corridor on
its other side. At the same time, there was not even the trace of a sash.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">I had already come to
terms with the notion that I was in some other world, but when you see such
alien tricks out of the blue… You can’t help but think: Have I lost my last
marble? Or am I just pumped full of something extra potent?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">Meanwhile, the man
gracefully sat down on a semicircular section of floor that rose to the
occasion, seatback and all, cleared his throat and addressed me in an
articulated baritone:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“Hello, Clem.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">I couldn’t help but
wince: It wasn’t that I was sick of hearing my name, just that lately,
those who spoke it typically wanted me dead. What can you do — such is the
downside of the popularity that comes with being the “People’s Avenger.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">The bed shifted
beneath me, silently raising the upper half of my body and slightly lowering my
legs. I found myself reclined as if in a dentist’s chair, yet I couldn’t
move much — there were restraints around my ankles, and even my waist was held
by something like a wide belt.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">The old man, with the
empty glass in his hand, ran his hand over my bed for some reason and went out
with a bow. The doorway collapsed in his wake into a monolithic wall without
the slightest crack. Having seen a chair grow right out of the floor, this no
longer seemed that impressive to me.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">The man and I were
left alone. Out of habit, I noted my visitor’s stiff bearing and impeccable
attire, which indicated a military background as well as great wealth. Even his
dark hairdo was immaculate, with each hair layered delicately upon its fellow
as if it had just come out from under the stylists’ hands. His skin color was
slightly dark, owing more to his race than a tan. He was clearly of mixed
parentage and his face contained both the plastic lines of the Slavs and other features
more typical of the peoples of the Caucasus region.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“Can you speak?”
asked the yuppie, slightly drawing out his vowels in the dialect of our beloved
capital.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">The flavorless
beverage had cleared the desert cats from my throat, so I could now actually
answer him.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“Where… am I?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“You are our guest,”
the man replied evasively. “My name is Georgiy. I have a business proposition
for you. A very serious offer. Are you ready to hear it?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“And if… I’m not?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“Then Dr. Roberts
will prescribe us something from his magic bag,” Georgiy nodded toward the
place in the blank wall where the old man had vanished, “to clear your mind.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“No thanks… There’s
no need.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“Excellent!” The
yuppie made a strange gesture with his hand, as if turning an invisible page. “You
have an impressive dossier. Clement Denisov, call sign — ‘CD,’ how original…
Your IQ is quite high, despite the trauma you suffered. This is good. I don’t
think our conversation will take long.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">He seemed to be referring
to my concussion and not the hole in my chest that had done me in. I guess my
personal file had been leaked a long time ago. Before you know it, they’ll be
using it to teach how to identify combat sociopathy. I wondered though whether he
had a redacted version or the declassified original…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“I’ll start with the most
important thing,” Georgiy went on. “You suffered a fatal wound. At the time of
your death, there was no way to save you. Therefore, your patron decided to
store your body in cryostasis. Simply put, they froze you. ‘Till better days.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">To say that this news
hit me like an axe haft would be an understatement. Am I in the future then?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“How?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“Are you truly
interested in the technical side of this procedure?” Georgiy raised one
immaculately-plucked eyebrow.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“No,” I said,
gradually returning to my senses. “Who is this patron you mentioned? And who
handed me over to him?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“I don’t know the
details of the operation. But it was headed by Rear Admiral Sergei Rassokhin.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“Never heard of him.
What’s he have to do with me?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“One of the girls
rescued during your last operation turned out to be his daughter.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“You expect me to
believe that?” I asked, incredulous. “She would’ve had bodyguards. How did the
Puppeteer manage to kidnap her in the first place? He was cautious to the point
of pathology. He only preyed on street kids. God knows how much time I spent
tracking him…”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“Yet you dispatched
him very quickly,” Georgiy reminded me with a grin.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“There was no time,”
I shrugged my shoulders as much as my restraints permitted. “The girl he was
working on was in very bad shape. If I hadn’t stayed with her, she wouldn’t
have made it to the ambulance: She had lost too much blood.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“I know. She was the
admiral’s daughter. She had gotten into a fight with her stepmother and run
away from home. That’s how the Puppeteer found her. Rassokhin was fifteen years
older than his first wife, and he was more than twenty years older than his
second. You can imagine what kind of mother she turned out to be.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“Well, I hope he learned
his lesson, but I still don’t understand how he managed to take care of me.
Some flowers on my grave would have been enough.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“One of Rassokhin’s
buddies was in charge of an experimental military cryostasis program. They
forged some documents for you to get you in.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“Why isn’t he here
then?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“He died ten years
after the incident, in 2017. Heart attack.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“So it goes.” I took
a deep breath, preparing to ask the vital question. “What year is it now? Are
we even on Earth right now? We’re not orbiting Alpha Centauri, are we?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“We’re still on
Earth.” Georgiy’s smile seemed somehow bitter. “Twenty-four years have passed
since your official death.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“Phew. At least thank
Christ it isn’t 3000 AD. I guess then I’m 52 years old?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“Biologically, you’re
still 28, give or take a bit. It doesn’t matter and it isn’t important right
now. The issue at hand is that in recent years our organization has borne the
cost of maintaining your stasis…”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“You guys aren’t a
charity?” I asked with a smirk.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“No.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“So I guess, since
you unfroze me and patched me up, you probably need something from me. I should
tell you right away: I’m not a gun for hire and, frankly, I’m fed up with this
whole living business in general.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“Yes, your
psychological profile makes this clear,” Georgiy nodded. “Yet our analysts
believe we have to use all the means available to us. And… We don’t need
some jaded assassin anyway. We need an agent. A professional. One who can think
outside the box, with a high IQ, and most importantly — someone we’ve never
used in previous operations.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“Are we talking
international espionage here?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“More like
commercial.” Georgiy paused for a second and then went on, “My organization has
been contracted to provide security for the players of a certain clan. Recently,
four of them have been attacked — with a fatal outcome in each case. As a
result, our professional reputation has been put into question. We suspect a rival
clan but have no evidence and having one of our own agents go undercover and
infiltrate them is fraught with difficulties.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“Sorry, I believe I
misheard you. Who are you trying to protect?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“The top players of
our client clan.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“Now look here,
George… Since we’re being so frank, let me just ask: You haven’t by any chance
taken something from Dr. Roberts’ magic bag? What the hell is a clan?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“A gaming clan. Listen,
Clem, the world has changed quite a bit over the quarter of a century that you
were asleep.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“Changed so much that
people are killing each other over some game?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“That’s right. There’s
a lot of money circulating in VR. Much of it is in online games. A significant
portion of the world’s population effectively lives in them. More importantly, people
earn their daily bread in them.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“Then who works in
the factories? Robots?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“You could put it
that way.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">I imagined the obese
denizens of the future, sitting in front of computers for days, and I could
hardly restrain myself from spitting in disgust. The soulless machines had
defeated us after all — Skynet itself couldn’t have thought of something better…<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“It’s not as bad as
you think,” Georgiy assured me. “It’s just that cyberspace is the only way to
cope with overpopulation. The alternative is war. Not everyone is thrilled
about it, but that’s government policy for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“Wouldn’t you be better
off in space?” I nodded at the seat that had been part of the floor a few
minutes ago. “I can see that technology has advanced just fine in the meantime.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“That too is a… uh…
complicated matter.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“Well the hell with
your future then! Put me back to sleep!”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“That’s not possible,”
Georgiy shook his head. “It’s a miracle your body survived to begin with, not
to mention the complicated reconstructive surgery you underwent. Even if
we discount the damage that the cryostasis procedure does to the body, your
chances of survival were no more than fifteen percent. Like I explained, this
entire business is prohibitively expensive and you are nothing but a major cost
for us so far.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“I read you loud and
clear, but chasing crazy gamers isn’t in my line of work. I doubt you’d get
much use out of me as a janitor either, so you’ll just have to kill me again.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“We can always do
that, but maybe you’d like to take a look at the crime scene first?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“I don’t feel like
going anywhere. I haven’t felt this weak in my life.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“Who said anything
about having to go anywhere?” Clearly savoring the moment, Georgiy smiled and
snapped his fingers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">In a flash, the white
walls around us vanished and wallpaper splattered with blood appeared in their
place. The room we found ourselves in was a scene of utter carnage — there were
pieces of furniture, human remains and all sorts of unidentifiable rubbish
everywhere. Were it not for the lack of soot and blast marks, I’d think that a
large artillery shell had gone off in here.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">For a second I looked
around my surroundings with puzzlement, trying to understand how we got here,
but then I noticed that Georgiy was standing shin-deep in some kind of jumble
of electronics. As well as that the base of my bed was somehow intersecting
with the remains of the smashed sofa.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“Is this some kind of
illusion?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“A hologram,” the
yuppie corrected me. “You don’t seem very surprised.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“Well, there are
easier ways to see things that do not exist in reality. Like
schizophrenia, for example.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“You’re not
schizophrenic, though, only mentally unstable. The important part is that your
brain works fine. So what do you say?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">The scene I was in
seemed so realistic to me that perhaps the most upsetting thing about it was
that there was no stench accompanying it. I had learned through bitter
experience to expect it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“Where is the window?”
I tried to look over my shoulder, but the restraint prevented me from moving.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“There is none, for
reasons of security.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“A lot of good that
did him. Were there cameras in the room?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“Two. But both were
turned off during the incident. And the ones in the corridor didn’t pick up
anything.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“No one came in or
out?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“No. No one opened
the doors either. They’re equipped with three layers of security.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">Oh yes, this limitless
faith in the power of technology sounds familiar!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“Were there any other
security measures here?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“A security post with
bodyguards. They didn’t see anyone either. Our people checked out their
stories.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“This is curious…”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“What?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“Your man tried to
defend himself. You can tell by the trail of destruction. See that toy dragon?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“Half of it,” Georgiy
nodded.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“Well it’s made of
plastic. But the cut is clean, surgical. The victim was using the dragon to
defend himself and swung it through… Well, it wasn’t a blade. Some kind of
laser?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“We don’t know.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“An interesting
scene,” I concluded. “It looks like your guy survived for a short while and
tried to run away from the assassin. And the killer seems to have been slow and
clumsy — look how much stuff’s been hacked up here. Eventually all the clutter
obstructed the victim’s path and the poor guy got dismembered, methodically but
also indiscriminately. Why didn’t he just run out of the room? I don’t get it…”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“The door was locked…
for reasons of security,” Georgiy admitted reluctantly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“Are you sure he was
your client and not your prisoner?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“We took all
conceivable measures to protect him. The clan leadership approved them all.
Indeed, the player himself did not object — he led a reclusive lifestyle as it
was. No one could have gotten inside except for the bodyguards.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">Here I felt a jolt
from the one thing I’d been afraid of since this conversation began. I felt
that damn thrill again. Back in my previous life, my morbid curiosity hadn’t
just killed me — it had consumed me first. In the run up to my death, my only
occupation was solving intricate crimes. I did all the detective work on my own
and my only compensation was the justice I meted out once I’d found the
culprit. I knew that the scene all around me now would be a tough nut to crack;
it promised long hard work. How’d they manage to kill the gamer?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“I suppose all the
bodyguards swear on their mothers that they’ve got nothing to do with this?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“Yes, and it seems to
be as they say. We checked out their stories.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">Georgiy snapped his
fingers again, and the hologram around us disappeared. At the same time, the
restraints holding me slackened and retracted into my hospital bed. Overcoming
the weakness that had accumulated in my muscles, I habitually tried to rub my
temples but found that I could not really bend my arm. I couldn’t even move my
fingers properly. It was a peculiar condition — I tried to bend my index
finger, but my middle finger obeyed instead. And when I focused on my middle
finger, it was my pinky that jerked to life. At this rate, I wouldn’t even be
able to express myself in traffic properly.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-indent: 24.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif;">“Unfortunately, Clem,
your nervous system is still in disarray,” the yuppie explained. “You are
suffering from acute synapse decay due to prolonged cryostasis. A VR capsule is
the only way you will ever move again.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p align="center" style="background: white; line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-outline-level: 1; mso-pagination: none; text-align: center; text-indent: 23.75pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“A what capsule?” I asked with a sigh. “I don’t imagine it’s the kind
that I can simply swallow?”</span></p><div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><p align="center" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; text-indent: 23.75pt;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style, serif;"><b>Pre-order on Amazon - </b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style, serif;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08V9FT983">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08V9FT983</a></b></span></span></span></p><p align="center" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; line-height: 18.4px; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; text-indent: 23.75pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: left;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Bookman Old Style, serif;"><b>Release - May 17, 2021</b></span></span></p></span></div>Simon Valehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16142080565999248152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1879934328827513079.post-26593843648749335122021-01-28T00:27:00.001-08:002021-01-28T00:27:12.391-08:00The Range: Lords of the Ruins by Yuri Ulengov<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h3 style="text-align: center; text-indent: 1cm;"><br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: center; text-indent: 1cm;"><span style="text-indent: 1cm;">The Range, book 2</span></h3><h3 style="text-align: center; text-indent: 1cm;"><span style="text-indent: 1cm;">Lords of the Ruins</span></h3><h3 style="text-align: center; text-indent: 1cm;">by Yuri Ulengov</h3><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: center; text-indent: 1cm;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sF2EQpgQKAc/YBJ0z476C0I/AAAAAAAACe0/A6awmDOf4hAqyqfpHBkVjOFoROX4DuicwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/R2_800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="527" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sF2EQpgQKAc/YBJ0z476C0I/AAAAAAAACe0/A6awmDOf4hAqyqfpHBkVjOFoROX4DuicwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/R2_800.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">Release - May 14, 2021</span></span></h2><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Pre-order on Amazon - </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08P524CBH">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08P524CBH</a></span></div><h2 style="text-align: center; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></h2><h2 style="text-align: center; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Chapter 1.<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Earth Federation, Orion
System. Rhapsody, Sector 3 of the Gray Zone—designated safe zone of the Range.
The ruins, near the Green Zone.</span></i></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">It took us about 24 hours
to reach the Green Zone borders—we had to make a stop to take care of Margot
and take a desperately-needed rest. By the time I caught up with my friends, I
was on a brink of collapse. Diss’ condition was no better. On top of being
severely exhausted, I was also withdrawing from the stimulants, heroically
fighting occasional bouts of nausea, dizziness and weakness. I knew I could
power through, of course, in the most extreme case if needed. But that wasn’t
the case. We intentionally avoided busy routes, found a dilapidated house with
an intact basement, locked ourselves in it and fell asleep, breaking all the
rules, not even bothering to have someone keep watch. Screw it. No one was following
us—we checked, and the probability of running into someone random in this area
was very low.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">In the morning, Diss and I
were woken up by a familiar but almost forgotten smell. Before we could even
open our eyes, we found ourselves in Margot’s arms. She had nearly gone mad
with happiness when she woke up and saw us sleeping peacefully next to her. The
last thing she remembered was Sculptor strapping her to the operating table so
when she came to, she thought she had lost her mind. Realizing that she was
safe and sound, Margot did the best thing a woman can do for a man if she wakes
up before he does—made coffee.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">We set out for Elysium
after dark, not wanting to risk our lives in the last hours spent in Limbo.
Forty minutes of cautious climbing through the ruins—and the greenish
flickering of the force field around the Green Zone was right in front of us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">In spite of the late hour,
the work was in full swing at the border: the floodlights were shining
brightly; the construction printers were humming, erecting the wall block by
block; the workers were bustling about; the melted synthetic concrete was
hissing, pouring into the bed of a new road. Numerous guards were scattered
around the perimeter, monitoring the approaches. Unlike the inhabitants of Limbo,
they were wearing simple armor and armed with automatic rifles. And I’m sure
they weren’t prohibited from using them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Stop right there!” A
voice came from the darkness. “Don’t move. Hands off the guns. Who are you?
Where are you going?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“We’re from Limbo. Going
to Elysium,” Diss answered curtly. “We’re new.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Ah, fresh meat,” the
fighter grinned, emerging from his hiding place. It seemed to me that he was
being careless but as I looked more closely, I noticed two more fighters
covering for him. “Okay. Well, go to the perimeter. They’ll scan you there,
read you the rules and let you in. Just don’t touch the guns—we shoot without
warning. And don’t get into anything. It’d be a shame to die under the
steamroller when you’re so close to the goal.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">We thanked him and headed
towards the wall behind the force field. It was about a mile away. Hmm, what
are they building here?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“They’re expanding the
Green Zone,” Diss said as if he could read my mind. “The goal is to clean up
Rhapsody, remember? They’re gonna build a new perimeter and then transfer the
turrets, scanners and force field generators here—the safe zone will be a few
miles bigger. The </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #3c4043; font-family: Roboto; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Roboto; mso-fareast-font-family: Roboto; mso-highlight: white;">unrelenting</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> march of human
civilization in all its glory,” the light-worshiper chuckled. “In less than a
century, the planet will be habitable again.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Sounds optimistic,” I
snorted.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The entrance to Elysium
was fronted by a massive airlock in the wall. As I approached it, I had a
strange feeling as if someone was watching me. I grinned as I glanced around.
No wonder! There were dozens of cameras mounted on the wall. Having been out in
the wild and completely out of touch with civilization, I’d totally forgotten
about the feeling of being watched.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A red light above the
airlock turned on and lines of text ran before my eyes, just like during
implant initialization.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Attention! We have received a request to pair the implant
with an external device – IS-3 Green Zone identification system. Confirm
pairing?</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Yes/No/Cancel</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Yes. What’s next?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Pairing request accepted. Connecting... Identifying the
player... Searching the database...</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Match found. </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Subject No. 33286AN. Codename: Altai.</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Status: prisoner. Sent to the Range under the sentence
substitution program. Edict of the Government of the Earth Federation No.
43897, Amendment No. 4 dated 2/28/2385. </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Verdict: 25 years at the Range. Decision of the Supreme Court
of the Earth Federation No. 876456 dated 3/12/2387. Modified decision: internal
order No. 987009 issued by NewVision Corporation on 6/22/2387. </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Insurance: not available.</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Race: Terran. </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Level: 16.</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Request to enter the Green Zone: approved.</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Permitted length of stay: 48 hours.</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The light switched to
green, the airlock doors opened and a new message popped up before my eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Welcome to Elysium, Altai!</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Congratulations! You have reached level 10, completed the
initialization of the basic implant and may now leave Limbo. You have 48 hours
of stay in the Green Zone. The countdown will start the moment you exit the
airlock. You can increase your length of stay in Elysium and earn additional
credits and XP by completing the assignments given by the Administration.</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Weapons of all types are banned in Elysium. The penalty for
violation is death. You will learn more about the rules of staying in the Green
Zone at the introductory briefing.</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">An introductory briefing?
Fine, let’s see what this briefing’s about.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I stepped into the airlock
first, followed by Margot. Diss was the last to enter and the door closed
behind him as soon as he did. Fluorescent lamps in the ceiling turned on and a
clear, pleasant female voice came from an invisible speaker.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“You are about to undergo
disinfection. Please close your eyes and hold your breath after the beep.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The buzzer sounded and I
hurried to follow the instructions. Warm jets of air with a pungent chemical
smell hit us from all sides. Interesting. During the war, after landing on the
planets captured by the Xenos, we also underwent mandatory disinfection but
there were no unpleasant procedures. Apparently, they were trying to save money
on prisoners once again. Well yeah, that makes sense.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Disinfection lasted twenty
seconds. Then we were showered with clouds of thick steam saturated with a
water solution and dried with hot air. After that we were informed that the
treatment was completed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The light above the
airlock turned green, the doors opened and we finally set foot in Elysium. Or
not?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">We were in a large
building with a row of identical steel doors along the wall. In the corner
stood an all-terrain vehicle, loaded with armor and weapons, which looked very
much like a do-it-yourself project. There was another airlock on the opposite
wall.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Suddenly, a mist flickered
before my eyes and a girl appeared out of nowhere five steps away from me. She
was of medium height, with short black hair and a nice body, dressed in a
tight-fitting gray uniform: a jacket with a stand-up collar and trousers tucked
into high boots. Red letters on the left side of her chest read <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">NewVision</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Hello! My name is Alice.
I will be your assistant and guide during your stay in Elysium. I will help you
get settled in and give you an introductory briefing. Please say ‘ready’ if you
are ready to start,” she said with a smile and in a friendly voice—the same
voice we heard in the airlock.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">It was only her slightly
unnatural tone of voice and the way she froze in anticipation of confirmation
that made me realize she was not real and only existed in AR.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Ready,” we said in near
unison.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Excellent,” the
projection, very naturally, shook her head to get her bangs out of her face and
smiled again. “You are granted a forty-eight-hour stay in Elysium so let’s not
waste time. You are now in the so-called quarantine wing. It has an infirmary
and a locker room. If any of you need urgent medical care, you can get it here.
Before you enter the inner space of the Green Zone, you must rent a locker in
the locker room and leave your weapons in it. The cost of renting a locker is
two hundred credits per day. The first 24 hours of rent during your first visit
to Elysium are free of charge, after which the specified amount will be
deducted from your account automatically. Would you like to go to the locker
room?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">We looked at each other
and I nodded. Seeing no response, I realized that the neural network,
artificial intelligence or whatever was controlling this projection was
probably voice-controlled and said, “Yes, we would.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Great, please follow me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The projection girl turned
around and headed towards one of the doors. We had no choice but to follow her.
As we approached the door, it slid to the side smoothly, revealing a spacious
hall filled with arms lockers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“The use of weapons of any
kind is strictly prohibited in the Green Zone. Please take this warning
seriously,” the projection kept talking over her shoulder. “Order in Elysium is
maintained by members of the Phoenix Group. This is one of the most efficient
private military companies in the Earth Federation. Its employees don’t like
silly jokes and provocations. Sometimes they may give you a warning but more
often they just shoot to kill. Please avoid getting into conflict situations
and do not provoke them yourself.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Alice stopped by a row of
lockers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Free lockers are
indicated by green light. You can rent multiple lockers or put all your weapons
in one. But remember: only the one who pays the rent can open the locker.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“No point in spending
extra money,” Diss shrugged his shoulders. Margot nodded in agreement. I
stepped towards the locker and touched my bracelet to the reader. The bracelet
vibrated. I confirmed renting the locker for two days and immediately paid for
the second day without setting up auto-renewal. We’re not here for long.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I took off my backpack,
figuring it was stupid to drag it around with me, folded the crossbow, took the
ax off my belt and the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Executor</i> with
its sheath off my chest and shoved it all into the backpack and put it in the
locker. The others did the same. As I tried to stow the captured shotgun I’d
been carrying around with me next to it, I got a warning from Alice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Modified weapons cannot
be stored and must be disposed of. The disposal chamber is located at the end
of the hall. The cost of disposal is one hundred credits.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">What the hell? So, not
only am I being forced to dispose of a clearly expensive automatic shotgun but
I’m also being charged for the cost of disposal? That’s crazy!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“And if I refuse?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“If you refuse to comply
with the internal rules of the Green Zone, you will be expelled or destroyed,”
Alice said with the same sweet smile.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Wonderful.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Gritting my teeth with
anger, I walked towards the disposal chamber, activated it with my bracelet,
confirmed the charges and threw the shotgun and the ammo belt in. The chamber
lid slid shut and I returned to my friends who had just finished stowing their
ammo.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Excellent,” the
projection girl smiled. “Now that the formalities are over, we can finally
begin our tour of Elysium. Please follow me.” And with those words, Alice
headed for the exit.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">***<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“The Green Zone
encompasses about four square miles,” Alice continued. “As the Orange Zone is
cleared, Elysium expands, taking over the Gray Zone area. According to
NewVision Corporation, Elysium is projected to grow at a rate of two miles per
year. On a global scale, this doesn’t seem very fast but as the number of
players at the Range grows, the clearance goes faster. That is why we are in
dire need of players who can effectively operate in the Orange and Red Zones.
For the assignments completed there, the Administration generously pays in
credits and experience points...”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">So far, Elysium hasn’t
lived up to its name in any way possible. The newly paved road meandered
through the ruins where you could hear the machinery humming and workers
shouting. The ruins were cleared for construction sites, with construction
waste fed into recyclers on site to be turned into raw materials for the
printers. Automatic excavators dug trenches for new foundations while people
looked after the equipment and carried out the tasks for which it was
impractical to use machines: crushing slabs, hauling carts filled with garbage
to the recycler and clearing the way for the excavator. Basically, they did all
the hard labor.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“About a thousand people
are constantly working on the expansion of Elysium. In general, these are
players who are not interested in leveling up and for whom safety, a roof over
their heads and a guaranteed allowance are more important. However, the
restoration work has its disadvantages. The rules forbid such players to have
any personal property. The workers live in separate, shared premises and are
prohibited from entering the center of Elysium. The working day lasts sixteen
hours. They don’t earn experience and credits and their stay at the Range can
never be revised...”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Uh-huh, I see. This looks
like your typical labor camp for low-level criminals. You work all day long for
a bowl of bland, watery soup and a hard bunk in a shared barrack, without days
off or vacations, day after day, year after year, until you have served your
entire sentence. Sure, there are advantages, which some would consider pretty
significant: you don’t have to look around every second in search of someone
who wants to kill you and you don’t have to have someone on watch every night.
But I don’t think I could do that. Even Limbo is better than this place. At
least in my opinion. A short but vibrant life is better than daily, monotonous
and mind-numbing labor. Nope, definitely not for me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Elysium is not the only
safe zone. Similar zones are scattered throughout the planet and serve as
outposts for clearing Rhapsody,” Alice kept going. “This is where players can
rest, get treatment, trade and install implants. However, the islands of the
Green Zones are surrounded by the ocean of Inferno, the Red Zone that has been
exposed to radiation and biological contamination. Inferno still has a high concentration
of quasi-living mechanisms of the Xenos, living organisms morphed into monsters
due to exposure to xenovirus and the out-of-control war machines of the Earth
Federation. It is along the border of the Red Zone that the forefront of the
war for Rhapsody is. And it is there that players write their names into the
history of the second conquest of the planet and gain fame, experience and
credits...”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Ha! And they’re also being
fed to morphs and turned into charred corpses by the weapon systems of robotic
combat platforms and pulse rifles of their fellow players who are dying to get
their guns, armor and credits. Alice makes it sound very tempting, especially
in contrast to the life of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">worker ants</i>
we’ve just observed. I’m sure those less experienced would fall for her
narrative. On one side of the spectrum is a dull, gray life filled with
exhausting, monotonous work. On the other are exploits, adventures, fame, piles
of credits... I know exactly why the Corporation does it—cannon fodder is
always in higher demand than regular workers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Another wall—this time
lower—appeared ahead. Standing at the gate were two men in high-impact
jet-black suits with a flaming phoenix on their chests. They were holding
impressive-looking guns, with their faces hidden behind the impenetrable helmet
visors. The Phoenix Group, mercenaries who maintained order in Elysium. The
fighters barely glanced in our direction, just slightly turning their heads.
Once the gates opened automatically after identification, they lost all interest
in us.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“We are now entering the
heart of Elysium. This area encompasses living quarters, biotechnology
laboratories, the armory and the command center. While you are in the Green
Zone, you can rent a room or bed in the living quarters, purchase and install
sets of implants and augmentations in laboratories, choose armor and weapons in
the armory and receive assignments from the Administration in the command
center. There is also a recreational area where you can relax and unwind after
raids. Where would you like to go now?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I looked at Diss and
Margot.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“I don’t know about you
guys but I need to rest. Sleeping in some house’s basement is not what you’d
call a good night’s rest. I also think there’s a hot shower here. So I’m all
for spending the first eight hours doing absolutely nothing.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Seeing Margot’s eyes light
up at the mention of a hot shower, I smiled. Diss also supported the decision.
I instructed Alice to take us to the living quarters. The projection smiled
cordially and walked forward, continuing the briefing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> “Living quarters are
divided into shared and individual rooms. Beds are available for rent in shared
rooms; this is the cheapest accommodation in Elysium. Individual rooms are more
expensive but they are isolated, equipped with soundproof walls, a shower stall
and a food synthesizer. Please select where you would like to stay.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Individual rooms!” we
exclaimed almost simultaneously. Of course! Staying in a shared room was the
last thing we needed right now. We didn’t come all the way here to wait in line
for a shower and be woken up in the middle of the night from snoring from the
next bunk.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Very well.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The center of Elysium
didn’t look like the Promised Land either: gray, model buildings erected by
construction printers, total absence of any vegetation, everything is gloomy
and strictly functional. AR was doing its best to spruce up the surroundings,
displaying brightly colored signs on the buildings and showing ads for armored
kits, weapons and various gadgets. But if you turned it off, everything looked
utterly bleak: synthetic concrete and polyplast with rare inclusions of metal.
Even the standard mining towns on remote colonial planets didn’t seem so gray
and dull.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">At least we began to see
some people. Other players hurried along the wide street in different
directions. Almost all of them had their data hidden. I’d say the general haste
was the hallmark of this place. Nobody wanted to waste even a second of the
hard-earned time spent in the toxic territories. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">For the most part, all the
passersby we saw were hardened fighters. You didn’t need to scan and ID them to
figure that out. Many had armor on; some had inexpensive implants that weren’t
even disguised with synthetic skin. It makes sense. Every penny counts; there’s
no point in spending money on decorations. Here, no one would be surprised by
bionic prosthetic arms bulging with quasi-muscles, steel plates completely
covering the skull, or mechanical enhancers. You won’t see this on civilized
planets and even less so on Earth where it’s considered bad form. But who would
you show off in front of here? When you have to spend all your time fighting
for your life, concerns about beauty and decency fade into the background.
Every penny goes towards combat efficiency; every credit goes towards armor and
weapons. Cosmetic plastic surgery? No freaking way! That won’t help you kill
the enemy unlike prosthetics with servo drives that make you stronger and
faster. Goodbye beauty—hello efficiency!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">There were newcomers like
us, too. They could be easily identified by the leisurely manner with which
they moved about, by the interest with which they looked at the local sights,
and by their conversation with no one in particular—communication with the AR
assistant looked funny from the outside.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Several times we came
across the guards. The fighters of the Phoenix Group walked in pairs and
threes, without hurry, holding their weapons at the ready and looking around
attentively and tenaciously. It was easy to believe that if anything happened,
they’d shoot to kill without asking any questions. For them, everything and
everyone around was garbage. However, they weren’t looked at with fear or
hatred—to the locals, the threat of being disconnected from the system was more
worrisome than the mercenaries’ guns. There are no fools to organize a riot
here as all the rebels who stayed back in Limbo were now six feet underground.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“We’re here,” Alice
announced as we approached a long, one-story building made of gray synthetic
concrete. “These are mid-range living quarters with standard individual rooms.
If you wish, you can move to the recreational area where you can rent luxury
apartments—”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“No,” I interrupted her,
“mid-range is just what we need. Standard individual rooms will do us just
fine.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“The cost of accommodation
is five hundred credits per day,” the projection stated. “It is deducted
automatically. As newcomers visiting Elysium for the first time, you get a
twenty-five percent discount on the first day of stay. The rent will be
automatically deducted from your account each day of your stay. Please
confirm.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">My implant displayed a
request and I confirmed it without looking. I started to realize that we would
be charged for every little thing here but didn’t care about doing the math at
the moment. Thank God I have enough credits on my personal account that I don’t
have to worry about small expenses. And we also have a team account where the
reward for destroying Sculptor’s gang went to. So I don’t have to sweat it for
now.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The door to the living
quarters opened and out stepped a short, frail man who kind of looked like a
rat. Giving us a worried look, he sidled past us and trotted down the street.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Inside the living quarters
was a very long hall with identical doors. Most of them had red lights on,
which seemed to indicate that the rooms were occupied. We had to walk more than
halfway down the hall to find something available.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Please touch your
bracelets to the doors to confirm that you want to rent and secure the room.
You can choose the access mode later. By default, access is granted only to the
person who rented the room.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I did what the projection
said. There was a beep and the green light on the door changed to red.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Alright, guys. I’m gonna
sleep at least until noon. I suggest you do the same. Let’s get in touch
tomorrow when we wake up and come to. Sleep well!” I wished Diss and Margot
good night and walked through the doors. Alice’s projection blinked and went
out.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Inside was a fairly
spacious room divided into two parts. The main area was occupied by a bed with
a huge info panel on the wall in front of it and a large horizontal pod,
similar to a cryogenic one, in the corner. The second part contained a simple
polyplastic table with a couple of chairs, a cupboard and a food synthesizer.
There was also a shower stall and a washing machine. Barely able to conceal my
excitement, I headed for the shower stall, stripping off my clothes and
throwing them on the floor. Screw it, I’ll pick them up later! For now, it’s
shower time!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">After standing under the hot
jets for at least half an hour, I came back to reality only when the system
displayed a notification that I had used up the standard daily allocation of
water. As I read that the “Night” rate was activated on the water meter,
according to which the cost of the consumed water would be added to the room
bill, I cursed and grabbed the toiletries.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I got out of the shower
half an hour later, all steamed out, unusually clean and absolutely happy.
Done! Now sleep! I just need to collect the clothes scattered around the room
and load the washer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">As I was about to fall
into bed, Alice suddenly reappeared in the center of the room.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Sorry for the intrusion
but I want to point out that you can use a multifunctional recreational chamber
for a fee. The deprivation mode will allow you to completely disconnect from
the outside world while the brain rhythm correction function will immerse you
in pleasant dreams. By paying extra, you will get access to the sexual
simulation program. The database contains images of all popular men and women
in the Earth Federation. If you wish, you can create your ideal partner using
an advanced virtual designer.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">While I was trying to
figure out how to respond to the neural network, it continued.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“And also,” Alice narrowed
her eyes slyly, “you can use my image in the simulation. This is a very popular
service,” the girl’s image blinked and changed. Now, instead of a strict
corporate uniform, she was wearing black lace lingerie, a belt with stockings
and high-heeled shoes. “The cost of the service is one thousand five hundred
credits. Trust me, you’ll like it,” she said, suddenly starting to sound
seductive.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Go away!” I growled,
finally finding my voice. “Lights off! Door locked! Do not disturb mode until
noon!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Of course,” the
projection smiled shyly. “Do not disturb mode is activated. If you change your
mind, you can always use the offered services and call me by saying my name
clearly. By the way, three hundred credits were deducted from your account for
the personal assistant services,” Alice added. There was a touch of mockery in
her voice. “Enjoy your stay!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Get lost!” The projection
blinked and slowly faded. Before she disappeared into thin air, I caught a
glimpse of some sort of resentment on Alice’s face. What the hell?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The lights went out. I
groped my way to the bed and sank into the ergonomic mattress. Before falling
asleep, I couldn’t help but think that this world had gone completely insane if
there were people willing to pay money they earned from killing others for
simulated sex with an assistant bot.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">It’s probably nothing new,
though.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<h2 style="text-align: center; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Chapter 2.<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Earth Federation, Orion
System. Rhapsody. Green Zone, Elysium’s living quarters.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">For the first time since I landed on
Rhapsody, I felt like I finally got a good night’s sleep. I woke up before the
alarm went off and just lay there for a while, staring mindlessly into the
darkness. The forgotten feeling of security, the warmth, the anatomical bed
mattress... Before, I always thought that I needed more than this to be happy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I waited for the alarm to go off,
stretched with a sigh of delight and got up. Lying in bed feels great, of
course, but things won’t just take care of themselves. The timer counting down
our remaining time in the Green Zone in the corner of my eye can’t be paused
either.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The light came on automatically as
soon as I got out of bed. At first it was dim but later, when the system
recognized that I was awake and not going back to bed, it gradually became
brighter. As I took the washed, disinfected and dried clothes out of the
washer, I cursed through my teeth, realizing that my underwear and socks were
still in the backpack I had left in the locker at the entrance. Well, at least
these are clean now. I don't think buying a new set in Elysium will be
difficult.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">After getting dressed, I activated
the synthesizer and studied the menu for a couple of minutes, unable to believe
my eyes. Having spent several months surviving strictly on universal
ration—first in a prison cell and then in Limbo—I had completely forgotten what
normal food was. Sure, it could barely be called normal: after all, there are
no natural ingredients in synthesized food and “dishes” are made using
different combinations of flavor additives and chemical elements mixed in the
correct proportion with the food substrate. But damn it, this is so much better
than the tasteless ration biscuits I’ve been eating!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">First, I ordered coffee. Real coffee
hadn’t existed for a long time but the drink was so popular that hundreds of
scientists rushed to solve the problem—and they succeeded! According to those
who were lucky enough to try real coffee, its substitute was nearly as good in
terms of taste and its invigorating effect as the real thing. I had nothing to
compare it with though, so I just took the mug out of the synthesizer, sniffed
the air, inhaling the aroma, and set it on the table to cool down. I entered a
few more codes to order meat with a side of mashed potatoes and sat down at the
table to finally enjoy the drink.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Good morning, Altai!” Alice’s
projection appeared so suddenly that I almost choked on hot coffee. Damn it,
she can’t do that! I need to go through settings to stop the assistant from
appearing whenever she pleases.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Alice was wearing her corporate
uniform again, looking professional, composed and collected.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Do not disturb mode will be
deactivated in 10 minutes. During your sleep, one attempted unauthorized access
to the room has been recorded. Play the recording?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I frowned. Attempted unauthorized
access? Who could have come to see me?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Play it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A projection screen unfolded in front
of me, showing an image from the camera mounted in the doorway. For a couple of
seconds the camera showed an empty hallway and then I saw...Margot?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Wrapped in a robe, she hesitated in
front of the door for a few seconds, with doubt clearly visible on her face.
Margot raised her hand to knock on the door but changed her mind and turned
around to leave. But then she froze, shook her head, turned towards the door
and knocked on it quickly, as if not giving herself time to change her mind.
She stood there for a while, listening closely, and then muttered something and
quickly left.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The image faded, leaving me in deep
thought. I’m not a naive young man, of course, and I can easily imagine what a
woman might need from me in the middle of the night. It’s just...I don’t need
this, especially at this moment. No doubt, Margot is very attractive for my
unassuming taste but... I don’t want to explain to anyone why I’m not looking
for any relationship, even one with a single purpose, right now. I just don’t
need it. And I don’t think anything will change in the near future.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Also, I don’t want anything but
cooperation and support from our small team. I mean, Klaus already gave into
his petty jealousy. And how did that end?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">My mood was completely ruined. I
glanced at my watch—it was noon. According to the timer, I still had nearly
thirty-six hours left in Elysium. I still have time before I have to meet the
others and I need to spend it wisely. I finished my coffee, set the mug aside
and activated the personal assistant.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Alice,” I called out loud, “give me
info on implants and augmentation that can be installed in the Green Zone.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“On it,” the projection replied.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">An InfoNet panel expanded in front of
me. After glancing at it quickly, I realized it’d take a while, so I ordered
more coffee from the synthesizer, dimmed the light and immersed myself in
reading.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">***<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Before proceeding with the selection
of implants and augmentations, you need to choose your in-game class,” Alice
instructed. Realizing that it’d take me all day to figure it out on my own, I
ordered her to help me. After all, since I’m paying for the services of an
assistant, I need to get my money’s worth. Assuming her new role, Alice—now
wearing large-framed glasses and holding a pointer—was standing by the InfoNet
panel, introducing me to all the nuances and subtleties.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“In-game classes are designed to
simplify the selection of implants. Each of them has several different
configurations, balanced and designed for the most effective interaction.
Currently there are three global classes: technical class, support class and
main—action—class. Each class has specializations. For the technical class,
these are Worker, Medic and Engineer. Support class specializations are Cover
Fighter, a/k/a Striker, Defender and Heavy Assault Trooper. Action class
specializations are Enforcer, Shooter and Spy,” Alice paused for a second and
looked at me, as if assessing how well I was absorbing the information.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“The choice of class depends on the style
of play and on whether the player is going to interact with a team or prefers
to play alone.” These gaming terms, as well as the very concept of a game in
relation to the Range, were hurting my ears. I felt sick to my stomach but
there was nothing I could do about it. After all, for me and the other
prisoners on Rhapsody, life here is a constant fight for survival, but for tens
of millions of people throughout the Federation clinging to their monitors and
visors, it’s just a game, a show for entertainment. I felt anger boiling inside
me and had to double my effort to focus on Alice’s lecture.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Cover Fighter, a/k/a Striker, is a
specialization that is best used in team play. They are the main firepower on
their team. Strikers are armed with heavy machine guns and a grenade launcher
as an additional weapon. If quasi-living and morphed organisms are expected to
be the main enemy, the grenade launcher can be replaced with a jet
flamethrower, which is more effective in such engagements.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A three-dimensional figure of a big
fighter, wearing armor, a helmet and a large raid backpack, appeared on the
InfoNet panel. The fighter was holding a heavy machine gun, with its belt
connected to the backpack. A grenade launcher with a revolver-type magazine
could be seen on the fighter’s shoulder.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“The task of the Cover Fighter is to
suppress the enemy with fire and cover the team,” Alice continued. “Strikers
carry a large amount of ammunition and heavy weapons, so the emphasis during
implantation is on endurance and carrying capacity. Despite the fact that
Striker’s lifespan in battle often determines the survival of the entire team,
heavy armor is not typically used: it reduces the already low mobility and
slows down maneuvering.” Alice paused to make sure that I’d absorbed the
information before continuing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Defender is another purely
team-based specialization. Defender also belongs to the heavy infantrymen
class. They are armed with a machine gun but, in addition to it, carry a
portable force field generator, which, depending on the intensity of exposure
to enemy weapons, is capable of protecting several people. You can make the
Defender most effective by pairing him with a Cover Fighter, thus creating an
almost invulnerable firing point. However, due to the high cost of equipment
and weapons, few of the smaller teams can afford two of such fighters at the
same time.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The screen displayed the Cover
Fighter’s twin brother. The image began to move and a transparent dome covered
the fighter’s figure for a few seconds. The dome grew bigger and bigger and
then the force field blinked and disappeared.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Due to the heavy weight of the force
field generator, the Defender’s ammunition load is less than that of the Cover
Fighter. This disadvantage can be mitigated by using armor with reinforced
drives or by implanting an internal exoskeleton, which is a complex, expensive
and irreversible procedure.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The image on the screen changed again
and I flinched when I saw the familiar armor—the kind I wore myself not long
ago, similar to the armor of the tourist I killed in the Gray Zone.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Unlike Striker and Defender, Heavy
Assault Trooper is an attacking unit. They are armed with a machine gun or a
multifunctional small-arms system with a smart module. Automatic shotguns of
various models are most often used as additional weapons. The main task of
Heavy Assault Troopers is to break through the enemy’s battle formations and
inflict maximum damage on them. Heavy Assault Troopers are indispensable for
clearing buildings, in which case an assault tactical shield is added to the
configuration. Due to the increased mobility requirements, the armor of the
Heavy Assault Trooper is one of the most expensive armored kits; it ensures
high maneuverability while providing a high level of protection to the fighter
at the same time.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I took the food out of the
synthesizer and began pensively moving it around the plate with a disposable
fork. Okay. Before making a decision, I need to hear all the info.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Thanks, Alice, let’s move on.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The projection readily continued,
“The technical class includes—”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Skip it.” I wasn't interested in
that right now. Our team is too small to have a separate medic or engineer, so
the focus should be on something else.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“The basic action class includes
Enforcer, Shooter and Spy. Enforcer is a versatile fighter, a light
infantryman, who can perform almost any function, both in team play and alone,
if necessary. The Enforcer specialization does not require special skills,
making it the most common at the Range. However, keep in mind that without
special modifications, it is better to use light weapons for this
specialization. This is how an optimal balance between mobility and firepower
is achieved. By combining various implants and power-ups, Enforcer can be used
to create a truly universal soldier that can perform virtually any task.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A light-armored fighter with an
assault rifle appeared on the screen. Well, that’s clear. This is your standard
infantryman. Unsurprisingly, this is the most common specialization.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“The Shooter specialization, in turn,
is divided into two more subtypes: Special Ops Sniper and Infantry Sniper,
a/k/a Marksman. The Special Ops Sniper operates mainly in isolation from the
main unit and performs tasks related to the covert elimination of the enemy and
the destruction of enemy’s manpower and equipment from long range. This
specialization is characterized by heavy sniper weapons and a special
configuration of installed implants aimed at achieving maximum stealth and
marksmanship.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The Marksman is a combat unit operating
as part of the main unit. Their tasks are focused on the destruction of
important targets among the enemy’s manpower: support fighters, commanders and
officers, and other shooters. Marksmen usually operate at short to medium
range. They have matching weapons and a set of implants aimed at high firing
efficiency, mobility and maneuverability.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I looked at the screen where Alice
showed both types of shooters and nodded to myself. Marksman is probably what
we need. It’s the perfect specialization for Margot given her bow skills. The
only question is how good she is at handling a gun. Whatever, that’ll come with
time. She’ll learn. She’s naturally skilled at target shooting, implants will
help with the rest. Then she can master her skills in simulation, at the
shooting range and in combat conditions. I should talk to her about it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“The Spy specialization also contains
three modifications: Stalker, Scout and Marauder. Once a fighter has mastered
the Stalker specialization, they can act both as part of a team and alone.
Stalkers are excellent trackers and guides. This specialization is
characterized by a high level of stealth. At the same time, Stalkers are able
to act as Enforcers, effectively working at medium range using light and medium
weapons. The implant configuration includes, among other things, an increase in
the fighter’s range of hearing, sight and smell.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The screen displayed a fighter with
equipment and weapons resembling the tourist guide we spared in the village.
Well yeah, that’s what a stalker is. I remember Diss talking about him. A
useful specialization: you can act in a team and alone.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“The Scout is a light spy whose main
purpose is reconnaissance, gaining the enemy’s rear, sabotage and jamming or
disabling electronic weaponry. The Scout’s main skills are stealth, high
mobility and maneuverability. They are armed for silent elimination of single
opponents and sabotage, which makes them the least protected class.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The last of the Spy class is
Marauder. This is the most protected member of the class. Their main purpose is
to act alone but they are also quite effective as part of a team. Marauders use
medium armor, light and medium weapons, are mobile, stealthy and can sabotage
or engage in open conflict with humans and morphs. The name of the specialization
was chosen for a reason: it is Marauders who accept assignments to search for
valuable information in the ruins and biomaterial in the wastelands of the
Orange and Red Zones.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Marauders are well protected from
various types of exposure, including radiation and electromagnetic waves. They
are able to fight at close and medium range, scout the area and coordinate the
actions of the rest of the team. In essence, it is a well-protected Enforcer
with the enhancements of a Stalker. Marauder is one of the most expensive
modifications and requires certain skills, which is why this fighter type is
not particularly popular at the Range.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Thanks, Alice.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I threw the empty plate into the
recycler and slumped onto the bed with my clothes on. Damn, this is interesting!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Initially, I thought that Heavy
Assault Trooper was the right specialization for me. However, after I thought
about it, recalling some episodes from recent days, I started to have doubts.
Stealth and speed were my main weapons in Limbo. I doubt things would be
different at the Verge. Sneaking around ruins in heavy armor doesn’t seem like
a good idea. And if you think about how I managed to take out that tourist
guy—without armor, armed with just an ax—it becomes very clear that I should
reconsider my choice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">A heavy assault trooper is good as a
part of a team, in close combat and, preferably, in the company of several
others of the same type—the more the better. Assuming that the enemy has no
heavy artillery or air support, a company of planetary assault troopers is
capable of leaving nothing but scorched earth behind. Alone, though... Alone, a
heavy assault trooper can be chopped to pieces by a cunning guy with a battle
ax. So there you go.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The other support classes don’t suit
me either, and I’m not particularly interested in being a sniper. Our team is
small, so we need to choose the most versatile and useful specializations.
Considering this, Marauder looks very attractive. I wish I had time to play
with the configurator and create a virtual fighter model but I really need to
go to the lab now. Installation of implants requires recovery and our time in
Elysium is running out. We still need to stock up on armor, weapons and
equipment, and figure out the assignments. So much to do in so little time. We
need to hurry.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“You have an incoming video call,”
Alice announced. “Caller ID: Diss. Allow the connection?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 28pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">“Allow,” I nodded. Good timing! Let’s
do this!<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><h2 style="text-align: center; text-indent: 1cm;"><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red;">Release - May 14, 2021</span></span></h2><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Pre-order on Amazon - </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08P524CBH">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08P524CBH</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Simon Valehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16142080565999248152noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1879934328827513079.post-63794265330526024732021-01-18T08:35:00.003-08:002021-01-18T08:35:33.666-08:00Disgardium, Buch 3: Die Vernichtende Seuche<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">Disgardium, Buch 3: Die Vernichtende Seuche</div><div style="text-align: center;">von Dan Sugralinov</div></h3><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51IoSEuOl0L.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="336" height="391" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51IoSEuOl0L.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><br /><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="color: red;">Release - <span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">15. März 2021</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;" trbidi="on"><span style="color: red;"><span face=""Amazon Ember", Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px;">Pre-order - </span><span face="Amazon Ember, Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08LNMYQTS">https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08LNMYQTS</a></span></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">Kurze
Zusammenfassung von Buch 1 und 2</span></b><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; tab-stops: 288.0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Planet Erde, 2074-2075<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">AUF UNSEREM PLANETEN
leben derzeit 20 Milliarden Menschen. Ein Drittel davon sind Nicht-Bürger:
jene, die für die Gesellschaft als wertlos betrachtet werden und daher kein
Recht darauf haben, in den Genuss der Annehmlichkeiten der Zivilisation zu
kommen. Das UN-Bildungsministerium verlangt von jedem Teenager zwischen 14 und
16 Jahren, täglich eine Stunde in Disgardium zu verbringen. Nachdem Alex
Sheppard beim Erstellen seines Charakters einen Fehler gemacht hat, der zu
Problemen beim Leveln führt, verliert er schnell das Interesse am Spiel. Über
ein Jahr lang verbringt er zusammen mit Eve O’Sullivan, einem Mädchen aus
seiner Nachbarschaft, die in ihn verliebt ist, die obligatorische Stunde auf
einer Bank neben dem Gasthaus der Sandbox.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Seine Eltern wollen
sich scheiden lassen, wodurch ihr Staatsbürgerschaftsstatus sich senken wird.
(„A” ist die höchste Klasse, die die Elitebürger der Welt besitzen, und „L” ist
die niedrigste Klasse, die für die unterste soziale Schicht der Gesellschaft
reserviert ist.) Es würde ihr Einkommen so stark beeinflussen, dass sie Alex’
Ausbildung nicht mehr bezahlen könnten. Sein Traum, in einer Welt, in der die
Kolonisation des Planeten Mars Realität geworden ist und die Umlaufbahn der
Venus verschoben werden soll, ein Weltraum-Reiseführer zu werden, würde sich
zerschlagen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Nun hat Alex keine
andere Wahl, als Disgardium zu spielen – allein schon, um sein Studium zu
finanzieren. Er wählt den Namen „Scyth” für seinen Ingame-Charakter.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Um die Ausgewogenheit
des Spiels zu bewahren und imba Spieler unschädlich zu machen, hat der
Entwickler des Spiels, Snowstorm Inc., sich das System der „Gefahren” einfallen
lassen. Alle Spieler, die vom Artefakt Flamme der Wahrheit als Gefahr
identifiziert werden, können durch ein einfaches Ritual aus dem Spiel entfernt
werden. Diejenigen, die die Gefahr eliminieren, erhalten eine Belohnung, die
vom Potenzial der Gefahr abhängt, während die eliminierten Spieler je nach
ihrem erreichten Level belohnt werden. Auf diese Weise ist es für potenzielle
Beseitiger oder „Verhinderer”, wie sie sich lieber nennen, interessanter, die
Gefahr so früh wie möglich zu beseitigen, bevor sie höhere Level erreichen
kann.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Die Gefahren müssen
sich indessen aufs Leveln konzentrieren und versuchen, so lange wie möglich
unentdeckt zu überleben, denn die Belohnung, die sie erhalten, richtet sich
nach ihrem aktuellen Level, wobei „A” die höchste Gefahrenklasse ist und „Z”
die niedrigste.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Durch eine Wendung des
Schicksals wird Scyth zu einer Gefahr der Klasse A. Mehrere Faktoren kommen
zusammen, um ihn an die Spitze zu bringen. Er wird von einem NPC namens Patrick
O’Grady mit einem Fluch belegt. Patrick ist der erste Mensch, dessen
Bewusstsein digitalisiert und ins Spiel übertragen wurde. Ein weiterer NPC und
Boss eines Dungeons, der Verfluchte Lich Dargo, wird tatsächlich von einem
Nicht-Bürger namens Clayton gespielt. Clayton war früher ein Raumschiffpilot,
der nach einem lebensbedrohlichen Unfall seine Staatsbürgerschaft verloren hat.
Als er sieht, wie Scyth immer wieder stirbt, ohne aufzugeben, täuscht er seine
Niederlage vor und erlaubt Scyth, ihn zu töten.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Als Belohnung für den
Sieg über den Endboss des Dungeons erhält Scyth das Mal der Vernichtenden
Seuche, das ihm die Fähigkeit verleiht, allen zugefügten Schaden zu absorbieren.
Zusammen mit Patricks Fluch ermöglicht es Scyth, das unerforschte Gebiet im
Morast zu erreichen und den sterbenden Avatar von Behemoth zu finden, der einer
der fünf Schlafenden Götter ist.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Scyth freundet sich mit
den Dementoren an, seinen Klassenkameraden Ed „Crawler” Rodriguez, Hung
„Bomber” Lee, Melissa „Tissa” Schäfer und Malik „Infect” Abdulalim. Scyth hilft
ihnen, eine Wette gegen Big Po zu gewinnen, dem Anführer von Axiom, dem
Spitzenclan in Tristads Sandbox. Gemeinsam mit seinen neuen Freunden bilden sie
ihren eigenen Clan: die Erwachten.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Die Erwachten gewinnen
die jährlichen Spiele in der Junior-Arena, indem sie auf der Insel Kharinza
einen Tempel der Schlafenden Götter errichten. Ihr Sieg erregt die
Aufmerksamkeit der Rekrutierer der Verhinderer-Allianz, die aus den stärksten
Clans in Disgardium besteht.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Nach ihrem Sieg in der
Arena werden Scyth und die Mitglieder seines Clans von der Schule für 8 Wochen
aus Disgardium ausgeschlossen, sodass er die Quest des Nukleus der
Vernichtenden Seuche nicht erledigen kann. In seiner Abwesenheit sucht die
Vernichtende Seuche sich einen neuen Herold: Big Po. Als Scyth ins Spiel
zurückkehrt, öffnet Big Po das Portal der Vernichtenden Seuche, um Tristad zu
erobern. Zusammen mit seinen Freunden gelingt es Scyth jedoch, die Untoten zu
bezwingen und die „Gefahr” Big Po zu eliminieren.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Das neueste Mitglied
der Erwachten ist Tobias „Crag” Asser. Der glücklose ehemalige Ganker hat hohen
Ansehens bei Nergal dem Leuchtenden. Crags Identität als „Gefahr” ist entdeckt
worden, sodass Tobias gezwungen ist, sich sowohl im Spiel als auch IRL zu
verstecken.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Er bittet Scyth um
Hilfe und wird in den Clan der Erwachten aufgenommen, der es nun mit der ganzen
Welt aufnehmen muss – der virtuellen als auch der realen. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">Kapitel
1: Ausbruch aus der Sandbox<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„ICH DRÜCKE DIR die
Daumen, Alex”, sagte Tissa beim Abschied. „Wir werden nicht miteinander
sprechen können, weil ich noch in der Sandbox bin.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Ich gebe dir Bescheid,
sobald wir durchgekommen sind und ich Dis verlassen habe.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Ich werde auf deine
Nachricht warten. Pass auf dich auf. Viel Glück!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Sie warf mir einen
Luftkuss zu, und ihr Hologramm verschwand.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Meine Eltern waren zu
einem Kunden geflogen, daher mussten der Katzenhund Duda und ich für uns selbst
sorgen. Duda dachte zurzeit jedoch nur an sich selbst. Er war so sehr damit
beschäftigt, sich zu reinigen, dass es schwer war, die Imitation von einer
echten Katze zu unterscheiden.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Die Projektion des
Sonnensystems an der Wand summte leise vor sich hin, und wenn man heranzoomte,
konnte man eine Kolonne von Shuttles sehen, die zum Mars flogen, um ihn zu
kolonisieren. Die Reise würde noch Monate dauern, aber auf der Karte stellten
sie eine gestrichelte Linie dar. <i>Eines Tages werde ich auch dort sein.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Der Weltraum … Mein
Traum, die finanziellen Mittel für ein Universitätsstudium zu beschaffen, hatte
sich fast verwirklicht, doch es gab noch ein paar „Aber”. Die Gewinnsumme vom
Sieg in der Junior-Arena, die Wette, die ich gewonnen hatte, die Belohnungen
für die Erhöhung meines Potenzials auf „L” und die Beseitigung von Big Po – all
das ergab über eineinhalb Millionen Gold. Leider steckte das Geld im Spiel
fest, bis ich volljährig geworden war. Ich würde erst darüber verfügen können,
nachdem ich den Staatsbürgerschaftstest bestanden hatte, und den konnte ich
erst in zwei Monaten ablegen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Tissa und Infect hatten
ihre Artefakte für die Eliminierung der Gefahr bereits erhalten. Ich wusste
jedoch noch nicht, was ich bekommen hatte. Um es herauszufinden, würde ich mich
in Disgardium einloggen müssen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Seit die Vernichtende
Seuche in Tristad eingefallen war, hatte ich Disgardium nicht betreten. In der
Zwischenzeit hatten die ehemaligen Dementoren und ich meinen Geburtstag in
einem kleinen Restaurant an der Küste des Pazifischen Ozeans gefeiert. Eve war
auch eingeladen gewesen, doch sie hatte abgesagt.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Am darauffolgenden Tag
hatten wir eine Clan-Besprechung gehabt, an der zum ersten Mal auch unser
neuestes Mitglied teilgenommen hatte: Tobias Asser alias Crag. Crag war einmal
Mitglied der ehemaligen Dementoren gewesen, doch Crawler, Tissa, Bomber und
Infect hatten ihn wegen Gankens nach kurzer Zeit wieder aus ihrem Clan
geworfen. Tobias hatte nicht viel gesagt und nicht einmal auf die Sticheleien
von Hung und Malik reagiert. Die beiden hatten es jedoch nicht zu weit
getrieben, denn sie wussten, wie viel stärker der Clan durch Tobias sein würde.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Am Tag zuvor hatte
Infect mit eigenen Augen die Kampfmaschine gesehen, in die Crag sich verwandeln
konnte, als er seine Hauptattribute versiebzehnfacht hatte. Danach hatten wir
die Überreste des Angriffs der Vernichtenden Seuche so leicht aus dem Weg
räumen können, als ob wir es statt mit starken Mobs auf Level 30 und höher bloß
mit einem Rudel Ratten aus dem Keller des Tempels von Nergal dem Leuchtenden zu
tun gehabt hätten.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Die Besprechung hatte
auf dem Balkon von Eds Wohnung stattgefunden. Nach einigem Überlegen
beschlossen wir, dass wir nur eine Möglichkeit hatten: mit Crag zusammen ins
große Dis zu gehen. Die Verhinderer würden eine einzelne Gefahr erwarten, und
falls etwas schieflaufen würde, könnte die zweite entkommen. Falls sie Crag
gleich nach der Charakter-Registrierung auflauerten, würden wir ihn nur retten
können, indem wir zusammen mit <i>Tiefen-Teleportation</i> teleportieren
würden. Andernfalls würde er das Rathaus von Darant gar nicht erst erreichen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Wir waren noch einmal
durch unsere kurzfristigen Pläne gegangen. Infect würde bald aus der Sandbox
kommen, während Tissa noch weitere zwei Monate warten müsste. Bis dahin wollten
wir an dem Bau unseres fast fertigen Forts weiterarbeiten, die Insel erkunden
und in Zonen leveln, die unserem Level angemessen waren.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Wir hatten überlegt,
auf die Dunkle Seite zu wechseln, doch den Gedanken verworfen. Unsere
Kobold-Anhänger befanden sich in dem Gebiet und Patrick und seine Trogg-Freunde
warteten in Darant auf uns. Es war zu gefährlich, sich dort zu zeigen, wenn man
auf der Dunklen Seite war.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ich atmete tief ein und
wieder aus. Dann ergriff ich Duda, gab ihm einen Kuss auf die Nase und setzte
ihn wieder auf den Boden. Der Katzenhund miaute empört, ging an seinen Platz
zurück und fuhr fort, sich zu reinigen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Es war Zeit, zu gehen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Zu diesem Zeitpunkt
wartete unser Clan-Noob Crag auf mein Signal, um zur gleichen Zeit wie ich in
die Kapsel zu steigen und das große Dis zu betreten, nachdem er sich als
Erwachsener registriert hatte. Ich schickte die Nachricht mit den Worten „Gehen
wir!” an Tobias, Ed und Hung.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Crawler und Bomber
erwarteten uns im Gasthaus unseres Clan-Forts, um unseren Ausbruch aus der
Sandbox zu feiern. <i>Wir warten. Teleportiere mit dem Noob-Ganker gleich,
nachdem ihr euch registriert habt</i>, antwortete Crawler, und Bomber fügte
hinzu: <i>Verlasst ja nicht den Gästeraum! Draußen wartet eine Horde von
Verhinderern auf euch.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ich zog mich aus und
ging zur Altera Vita, meiner neuen Kapsel, die ich von Snowstorm, Inc. als
Belohnung dafür erhalten hatte, dass ich Gefahrenklasse L erreicht hatte, mein
ursprüngliches maximales Potenzial.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Sie hatten die Kapsel
als limitierte Auflage herausgebracht. Als sie geliefert wurde, hatte mein
Vater neidvoll den Kopf geschüttelt. Ich konnte mir die Lasterhöhlen
vorstellen, die er besucht hätte, wenn er die Kapsel hätte benutzen können. Sie
benutzte konsumierbare Kartuschen, um den Spieler mit intravenösen Nährstoffen,
Flüssigkeitszufuhr und Erster Hilfe zu versorgen. Zusätzlich konnte sie
Einfluss auf den emotionalen Zustand der Person nehmen, und ein aktives
Intra-Gel stimulierte die Muskeln und massierte den Körper.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Wenn ich wollte, könnte
ich mehrere Tage ins Spiel eintauchen. Falls ich jemanden hätte, der die
Kartuschen wechseln würde, könnte ich sogar noch länger bleiben, doch eine
Immersion über längere Zeiträume hinweg war nicht gesund.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Immersion einleiten”,
befahl ich.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Verstanden, Alex.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In einer Kapsel, die in
Testwelten konfiguriert und geprüft worden war, war der Immersionsort
standardmäßig auf Disgardium eingestellt. Augenblicklich füllte das Intra-Gel
die Kapsel, sie übernahm die Kontrolle über meinen Körper und drei Herzschläge
später hing ich im Vakuum eines Schwebezustands.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Eine riesige Spielwelt
erschien unter mir, und die Umrisse seiner sechs Kontinente brach durch die
Wolken.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 36.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Willkommen
in </span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Disgardium<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">, Alex!<o:p></o:p></i></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 36.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 36pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Du hast eine
Altersschwelle erreicht, Alex. Dein Charakter wird aus der Sandbox entfernt!<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 36.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 36pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Du musst deinen
Charakter neu generieren.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 36.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 36pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Achtung! Weil du eine
Gefahr bist, kann der Nickname <b>Scyth</b> nicht geändert werden.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 36.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 36pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Achtung! Weil du eine
Gefahr bist, kann die Spielklasse <b>Herold</b> nicht geändert werden.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 36.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 36pt;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Du kannst deine
Fraktion, dein Volk und dein Aussehen verändern.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 36.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 36pt 0cm 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Ich beschloss, nur mein Aussehen zu ändern. Dazu
vergrößerte ich das Fenster mit meinem Charakter-Modell. Das System hatte meine
frühere Gestalt eines 14-jährigen Jungen aktualisiert. Mein Gesicht war gröber
mit härteren Zügen und meine Schultern waren breiter.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ich zog den
Schieberegler für das Alter nach rechts und fügte weitere zehn Jahre hinzu.
Nach kurzem Zögern änderte ich meine Augenfarbe ebenfalls. Meine realen Augen
waren grün, doch im Spiel würden sie blau sein. Dieser Avatar würde permanent
sein und die Leute nahmen Erwachsene ernster – nicht nur in der realen Welt,
sondern auch in Dis.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Alles war erledigt.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 36.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 36pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Charakter wurde
erfolgreich generiert.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Das System zeigte mir
das Profil des Charakters und ging zur letzten Stufe der Registrierung über.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 36.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 36pt;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Möchtest du eine
Belohnung erhalten, weil du online bist, oder ziehst du einen permanenten Bonus
von +5 % Erfahrung vor? Du kannst deine Wahl jederzeit ändern.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ich wählte die zweite
Option, denn die Bezahlung dafür, online zu sein, brachte einem nicht mehr als
30 Phönix pro Monat ein, und nur, wenn man praktisch Tag und Nacht im Spiel
war. Dagegen waren 5 % Erfahrung auf höheren Leveln ein großer Vorteil.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ich prüfte das Profil
ein letztes Mal, um sicherzugehen, dass alles in Ordnung war. Gleichzeitig
änderte ich meine Privatsphäre-Optionen und setzte sie auf die
Standardeinstellungen zurück, sodass nur mein Nickname, meine Klasse und mein
Level sichtbar waren. Nachdem ich die Auswahl bestätigt hatte, verschwand das
Interface.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Mein Fall nach unten
auf den Kontinent Latteria begann. Die Erde kam näher und näher. Ich konnte die
hohen, bunten Häuser und breiten Straßen der Hauptstadt der Allianz erkennen.
Dann wurde für einen Moment alles schwarz, bevor ich von Lärm, Licht und
Gerüchen überwältigt wurde.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Operation Ausbruch
hatte begonnen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">***<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Das Zimmer roch nach
Staub und sah alt aus, doch alles sah sauber aus. Die hohen Fenster wurden vom
Blattwerk der Bäume überschattet, sodass nicht genügend Tageslicht einfiel und
die Laternen an den Wänden brannten.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Verglichen mit meinem
ersten Besuch in Tristad, gab es weitaus mehr neue Spieler, die Darant als ihre
Startzone gewählt hatten. Mehrere Hundert Menschen, Elfen, Gnome, Zwerge und
andere Völker der Allianz liefen durch das Gästeraum des Rathauses, standen um
die Registrierungsschalter herum oder sahen sich um und bewunderten sich
ehrfurchtsvoll. Bei den letzteren handelte es sich immer um neue Spieler, die
zum ersten Mal in Disgardium waren.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Als ich mich umschaute,
brach mir der kalte Schweiß aus. Ein riesiger Raum von der Größe einer
Flugzeughalle, gefüllt mit lebhaften Spieler aller möglichen Völker, Alters und
Geschlechts, die sich gegenseitig übertönten. Doch in der Menge stachen einige
hochlevelige Spieler deutlich hervor. Sie gehörten zu den drei Spitzenclans der
Verhinderer: Modus, Azurblaue Drachen und Excommunicado. Was zum Teufel taten
sie hier? Weder Crawler noch Bomber hatten etwas von ihnen erwähnt. Die Spieler
hatten im Gästeraum nur Noobs gesehen, daher ließen sie deren Namen von den Schreibern
in einer Liste eintragen und einen nach dem anderen in den Vorraum treten, wo
die Verhinderer sie mit dem Feuer der <i>Flamme der Wahrheit</i> überprüften.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ich sah mich suchend
nach Crag um, doch ich konnte ihn nicht finden. Nach seinem aktiven Avatar auf
der Clan-Liste zu urteilen, hatte er sich bereits in Dis eingeloggt. Vielleicht
war er auf dem Bildschirm der Charaktergenerierung steckengeblieben.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Überall in der Halle
flackerten Artefakte der <i>Flamme der Wahrheit</i>. Spitzenspieler ab Level
200 gingen zu zweit herum und ergriffen alle Noobs über Level 1, die aus der
Teenager-Sandbox kamen. Ich hatte keinen Zweifel, dass die Clans auf
Shad‘Erung, dem Kontinent der Dunklen Seite, nach Spielern suchen würden, die
zum Imperium überlaufen wollten. Die verschiedenen Neutralen in den
Hauptstädten würden sicher auch überprüft. Es stand zu viel auf dem Spiel,
selbst für Spitzenspieler, die bereit waren, die Belohnung unter den
Mitgliedern des Bündnisses der Verhinderer aufzuteilen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ich musste mich
beruhigen. Nach einem Blick auf das Symbol für <i>Tiefen-Teleportation</i>
atmete ich erleichtert auf: Es war aktiv.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Das Wichtigste war nun,
dass Crag endlich auftauchen würde, damit ich ihn zu unserem Clan-Fort Kharinza
bringen könnte. Gyula und seine Brigade raubeiniger Arbeiter hatten den Bau
erst vor Kurzem abgeschlossen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Noob, Level 26!”,
hörte ich von weitem. Ich war gesehen worden. „He, du! Bleib wo du bist und
warte, bist du an die Reihe kommst!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Eine Gruppe von
Verhinderern in meiner Nähe wurde durch eine Elfe abgelenkt, die mehr Geld für
das Prüfen ihres Handgelenkes verlangte. Ein gigantischer Elefantenmann namens
Banger auf Level 200 löste sich aus einer anderen Gruppe und kam auf mich zu. Wie
der Name schon sagte, war er halb Elefant und halb Mensch, ein seltenes Volk.
Wer wollte schon als so ein Kloß leben, der außerdem noch einen langen Rüssel
hatte? Doch die Leute wählten dieses Volk dennoch für den Volksbonus: hohe <i>Ausdauer</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ich trat ein paar
Schritte zurück und versteckte mich hinter einer breiten, mit einem Flachrelief
verzierten Doppelsäule. Unsere schlimmsten Befürchtungen schienen sich
bestätigt zu haben: Wegen seines glühenden Verlangens nach Rache hatte Big Po
den Verhinderern seinen Verdacht mitgeteilt, obwohl er nicht wusste, ob ich
meinen Gefahrenstatus behalten hatte. Daraufhin hatten sie sich Zugang zum
Gästeraum des Bürgermeisters von Darant verschafft.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Kein Problem. Für
diesen Fall war ich ebenfalls vorbereitet. Ich blickte zum Ausgang. Der
stämmige, bärtige Level-14-Zwerg Gonzo war bereits durch den Kontrollpunkt
gegangen und war nun auf dem Weg in die Halle.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Imitieren</span></i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
funktionierte perfekt. Großartig, nun war ich Gonzo der Zwerg, vom Feuer der <i>Flamme
der Wahrheit</i> getestet.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ich trat an der anderen
Seite der Säule hervor und mischte mich selbstsicher unter die Menge. Aber wo
war Crag?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Banger von
Excommunicado war zu Scyths Versteck unterwegs. Ein Hobbit trippelte hinter ihm
her, über dessen Schulter ein kleiner Elementar schwebte und die Luft mit
seiner Hitze verzerrte. Verflixt!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 36.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 36pt;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Geist der Flamme der
Wahrheit, Level 224<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 36.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 36pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Elementarwesen<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 36.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 36pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Tierzes Begleiter<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ich unterdrückte meine
Besorgnis und ging ruhig auf die andere Seite der Halle zu, wo die Tische der
Schreiber in einer langen Reihe standen. Ich würde mich registrieren und danach
weitersehen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Gonzo, warte!”, rief
jemand hinter mir.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Zuerst erkannte ich
nicht, dass der Elefantenmann Banger mich meinte. Ich machte noch einen oder
zwei Schritte, bevor ich anhielt und mich umdrehte. Er kam mir entgegen,
während sein Partner, der Hobbit Tierz, hinter einem der vielen Portale
nachsah, um den schwer zu fassenden Scyth zu finden. Die Portale funktionierten
nur in Richtung Darant und nur für neue Spieler, daher hätte ich es unmöglich
benutzen können, um zu verschwinden. Trotzdem überprüfte der Hobbit es, doch
ohne Erfolg.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Was willst du?”,
fragte ich verärgert. „Ich bin bereits durch den Kontrollpunkt gegangen …”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Hast du einen
hochgewachsenen Mann gesehen?”, dröhnte Banger und verengte die Augen. Seine
Arme waren so dick wie mein Oberkörper, doch er hatte die Hände eines Menschen.
Sie waren riesig, ja monströs, doch menschlich. „Äh … Nickname Scyth, Level 26.
Hat eine seltene Klasse … Ähm … Ich habe sie vergessen. Er war gerade hier,
hinter den Säulen.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Ja, ich habe ihn dort
drüben gesehen.” Ich nickte und deutet auf die andere Seite der Gästehalle. „Er
ist zu den Schreibern gegangen.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Ach, verdammt”,
erwiderte Banger. „Na ja, er wird noch mal überprüft, nachdem er sich
registriert hat. Zeig mir dein Handgelenk.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Der plötzliche Befehl
ließ mein Herz schneller schlagen. Das Blut stieg mir ins Gesicht. Der
Elefant-Mann wandte sich zu seinem Freund um.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„He, Tierz, komm her.
Prüfe diesen Noob.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Der Halbling
untersuchte das Handgelenk eines Level-6-Waldelfen, der gerade aus dem Portal gekommen
war. Als er fertig war, gab er dem spitzohrigen Spieler eine Goldmünze und kam
zu uns herüber.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ich sah mich erneut
nach Crag um, doch als ich ihn nirgends erblicken konnte, beschloss ich, die
Halle allein zu verlassen. Etwas musste schiefgelaufen sein. Während Banger mit
seinem Kollegen beschäftigt war, aktivierte ich <i>Tiefen-Teleportation</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Das Gefühl des Fallens
und die Bilder, die an einem vorbeisausten, wenn man die Fähigkeit benutzte,
waren extrem – etwa so, als würde man von einem Wolkenkratzer springen. Der
Mageninhalt stieg einem in die Kehle, das Herz schlug wild und man konnte nur
verschwommen sehen. Kurz gesagt, es war gewöhnungsbedürftig. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Instinktiv schloss ich
die Augen, doch nichts passierte. Den Systemmeldungen war es egal, ob man die Augen
geschlossen hatte.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 36.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 36pt;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Tiefen-Teleportation
unterbrochen!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 36.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 36pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Du kannst das Rathaus
von Darant erst verlassen, nachdem deine Registrierung abgeschlossen ist!<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Verdammt! Alles, was hatte schiefgehen können, war schiefgegangen. Das
Schlimmste war, dass das System die Fähigkeit als benutzt ansah, sodass die
halbstündige Abklingzeit einsetzte.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Dann erschien Crag. Ich
hätte ihn nicht erkannt, wenn ich seinen Nicknamen nicht gesehen hätte. Der
frühere große Mann war zu einem kleinen Zwerg geworden. Er trug einen kunstvoll
gewellten Bart, seine Haare waren geflochten und ein Tattoo bedeckte die Hälfte
seines Gesichtes. Crag hatte seinem Charakter ein neues Aussehen gegeben.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Seine Erscheinung
erregte die Aufmerksamkeit der Excos. Der elefantenartige Banger schien schwer
von Begriff zu sein. Er hielt inne, drehte sich um und bellte: „Bleib da,
Gonzo! Wir prüfen dich und du erhältst eine Goldmünze. Musst nichts dafür tun.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Ich habe schon eine
erhalten, danke!” Ich holte mit meiner freien Hand eine Münze und drehte sie.
„Oder gibst du mir noch eine?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Ähm … Nee, noch eine
bekommst du nicht. Ihr Noobs könnt nie genug kriegen. Aber du wirst trotzdem
geprüft, verstanden?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Verstanden”,
antwortete ich friedfertig. „Ich warte.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Nun war ich in echten
Schwierigkeiten. Wenn sie ein einmal benutzbares Artefakt gehabt hätten, hätten
sie mich vielleicht gehen lassen, aber mit einem Elementarwesen als Begleiter
kosteten sie diese Tests nichts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ich schickte Crag eine
Gruppeneinladung, die er umgehend annahm. Dann überlegte ich fieberhaft,
während mein Clankamerad alle möglichen Entschuldigungen erfand und den dummen
Noob spielte, der nicht verstand, was der Hobbit Tierz von ihm wollte. Die
Excos konnten keine Gewalt gegen Crag einsetzen, da Darant eine friedliche Zone
war und ihr Ansehen ins Minus absinken würde, falls sie aggressiv würden.
Andererseits gab es im Ingame-Netzwerk jede Menge widersprüchlicher
Informationen, und wie es wirklich war, wusste niemand so genau.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Spiel auf Zeit,</span></i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
schrieb ich Crag und tauchte in der Menge unter. Als der Elefantenmann sich das
nächste Mal umdrehte, war ich nicht mehr Gonzo, sondern Rayman, ein Paladin auf
Level 347 von den Azurblauen Drachen. Ja, ich ging ein Risiko ein, doch es
zahlte sich aus. Wenn es mir gelingen würde, einen Schreiber zu erreichen und
mich zu registrieren, könnte niemand mich davon abhalten, Crag zu ergreifen und
nach Kharinza zu teleportieren.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ich senkte den Kopf und
hatte die halbe Halle durchquert, als ich bemerkte, dass ich mich fast neben
dem echten Rayman befand. Ich konnte mich nicht wieder in Gonzo verwandeln,
denn er war nirgends zu sehen. Stattdessen drehte ich mich um, konzentrierte
mich auf Banger und verwandelte mich in den Elefantenmann. Für die umstehenden
Spieler sah der Trick normal aus – nur jemand, der ein Ausrüstungsset gegen ein
anderes austauschte. Der Name erschien erst, wenn man genau hinsah. Inzwischen
lächelte Crag dümmlich, während der Hobbit Tierz ihm etwas erklärte.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„He, Bang, was machst
du hier drüben?”, sprach ein großer Elf in einem grünen Mantel mich an. Es war
Koba von Modus. Er deutete auf die andere Seite. „Die Kontrollzone von Exco ist
da drüben. Wo ist Tierz?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Glücklicherweise stand
der echte Banger gerade hinter einer Säule.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Tierz ist dort
irgendwo.” Ich kopierte Bangers Sprechweise und Intonation, während ich vage in
seine Richtung zeigte. „Ich … Äh … Ich bin auf der Suche nach einem Noob, der
in der Menge verschwunden ist.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Was?”, fragte Koba.
„Dir ist ein Noob entwischt?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Ja. Kein Problem, ich
werde ihn finden …”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Alarm!”, rief der Elf
in sein Signalamulett, das er um den Hals trug. „Potenzielle Gefahr! Bewacht
den Ausgang!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Im nächsten Moment
versammelten sich mehrere Mitglieder von Modus am Ausgang und zogen Spieler,
die den Raum verlassen wollten, wieder hinein. Eine Reihe von Befehlen erfüllten
die Halle, einschließlich denen von Kobas Signalamulett.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Ausgang gesichert. Wir
riegeln das Gebäude ab. Wiederholt alle Prüfungen!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Der Elf hielt sein
Amulett in der Hand und fragte: „Wie heißt der Noob? Was ist sein Nickname und
sein Volk?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Gonzo, glaube ich. Ein
Level-14-Zwerg.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Verstanden.” Koba
nickte und sprach erneut in das Amulett. „Nickname Gonzo. Ein Zwerg.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ich schlängelte mich zu
den Schreibern durch und stellte mich an den nächsten freien Tisch, hinter dem
eine ältere Gnomdame saß, die eine Brille trug und sehr langsam sprach. Nachdem
ich mir ihre Begrüßungsrede angehört, sie mehrfach unterbrochen und zur Eile
angetrieben hatte, verstand sie endlich, dass ich mich so schnell wie möglich
registrieren wollte.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Dann traf ich auf ein
Hindernis. Als ob es nicht schon schlimm genug gewesen wäre, dass Crag mich mit
panischen Nachrichten und Drohungen überschwemmte, mich an die Verhinderer
verraten zu wollen, falls ich mein Versprechen nicht halten würde, schüttelte
die Gnomdame vor mir den Kopf und sagte etwas. Es war schwierig, sie bei dem
Lärm zu verstehen, doch ich bemerkte, dass sie es nicht eilig hatte, mir ein
Registrierungsformular zu geben.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Entschuldigung, was
haben Sie gesagt?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Du musst in deine
wahre Gestalt wechseln, um die Registrierung zu beginnen, junger Mensch”,
wiederholte die Gnomfrau streng und erhob die Stimme.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Sie betonte das Wort
„Mensch”. Ein Mädchen, das am nächsten Tisch stand, warf mir einen
interessierten Blick zu. Unterdessen hatte Crag aufgehört, zusammenhängende Sätze
zu schreiben, und spammte meine direkten Nachrichten stattdessen mit
Ausrufezeichen. Crawler und Bomber hatten sich ebenfalls gemeldet, als sie
wegen der Verzögerung erkannt hatten, dass etwas schiefgegangen war. Hung
fluchte so übel, dass selbst das Chatfenster errötete.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Halte nicht alle auf,
du Elefantenküken”, zischte jemand hinter mir. „Was tust du überhaupt hier?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Nun hatte ich noch mehr
Aufmerksamkeit erregt. Ich warf einen Blick über die Schulter und sah eine
kleine Level-1-Feenamens Minze, die in der Luft schwebte und mich mit einem
missmutigen Blick durchbohrte.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Entschuldige, Kleine.”
Ich trat vom Tisch zurück.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Du bist ein Kleiner,
Elefantenjunge!”, kreischte sie. Schieb dir den Rüssel sonst wohin!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Schnell verschwand ich
hinter einer anderen Säule und wechselte in meine wahre Gestalt. Das Herz
schlug mir bis zum Hals, als ich den frei gewordenen Tisch von Scheiber Ionescu
erreichte und die Registrierung begann. Ich versuchte, die Schreie am anderen
Ende der Halle zu ignorieren. Der Lärm und das Chaos hinter mir wurden größer.
Mir brach der Schweiß aus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Sie haben eine Gefahr
gefangen!”, keuchte ein Gnom, der neben mir stand. Mit großen Augen starrte er
in die Richtung des Tumults und schnalzte mit der Zunge. „Wow!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Aus allen Richtungen
ertönten Schreie. Die Leute sahen zu, als Crag aus der Halle geschleift wurde.
Tierz hatte es geschafft und Tobias‘ Status enthüllt. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Überall in der Halle
eilten hochlevelige Spieler der ohnehin schon starken Gruppe zur Hilfe. Ich
konnte Crag hinter all den Verhinderern in strahlender Rüstung nicht erkennen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Crawler und Bomber
hatten ihrer Besorgnis nachgegeben und waren zum Rathaus in Darant
teleportiert. Sie wussten bereits, dass eine Gefahr ergriffen worden war.
Schnell verbreiteten sich die Gerüchte in der gesamten Allianz.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Nachrichten des
Bedauerns erschienen im Clan-Chat. Meine Kameraden hatten bereits nicht nur
Crag, sondern auch mich innerlich beerdigt. Die Stadtwache, hohe Beamte der
Allianz-Armee und alle Spieler versammelten sich vor dem Rathaus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Schreib etwas, Scyth,
irgendetwas!</span></i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">, verlangte Bomber. <i>Wen haben sie
erwischt, dich oder Crag?</i> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Statt zu antworten,
bestätigte ich, dass die Wahl meines Charakters endgültig war und nicht
geändert werden konnte, bevor ich dem Schreiber Ionescu das ausgefüllte Registrierungsformular
überreichte. Er warf einen Blick darauf und nickte zufrieden.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Willkommen in Darant,
Scyth!”, sagte er und stempelte das Formular mit einem dumpfen Klonk. „Der
Nächste!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Modus, die Azurblauen
Drachen und Excommunicado stritten sich lauthals darüber, in welchem
Territorium die Gefahr eliminiert werden sollte. In der benachbarten Halle
ertönten Geräusche von Teleportern, die aktiviert wurden, und Anführer von
Verhinderer-Clans kamen in die Halle gelaufen. Unter ihnen konnte ich Yary
ausmachen, einen Modus-Anführer, der mich nach dem Endkampf in der Junior-Arena
eingeladen hatte, ihn zu besuchen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Sie beglückwünschten
sich gegenseitig, lachten und scherzten. Als sie erschienen waren, hatten die
Nachwuchs-Anführer mit dem Streiten aufgehört. Es war wahrscheinlich, dass sie
Tobias an einen Ort schaffen würden, an dem er ohne Aufsehen und ohne Zeugen
würde eliminiert werden können. Crag schrieb mir eine Nachricht nach der
anderen, in denen er verlangte, dass ich etwas unternehmen sollte.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Während alle
Aufmerksamkeit und alle Aufzeichnungen vom Geschehen auf die Verhinderer
gerichtet war, konnte ich unbemerkt in die Gestalt der Fee Minze wechseln.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Was? Ich sah nach unten
und bemerkte, dass meine Beine den Boden nicht berührten. Natürlich nicht, denn
ich hatte mich in eine verdammte Fee verwandelt! Darum war auch alles um mich
herum so groß. Ich flog an die Decke – keine Ahnung, wie. Ich wollte
hochfliegen und flog hoch.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Die Abklingzeit von <i>Tiefen-Teleportation</i>
war noch nicht abgelaufen, und ohne sie würde ich Crag nicht aus der Halle
herausbekommen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„He, Kleine”, hörte ich
von unten. „Komm herunter, wir müssen deinen Status prüfen.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Der Hobbit Tierz von
Excommunicado gestikulierte, dass ich zu ihm hinunterfliegen sollte, und hielt
mir mit der anderen Hand eine Goldmünze entgegen. Der kleine <i>Geist der
Flamme der Wahrheit</i> glomm neben ihm.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">Kapitel
2: Plan B<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">WÄHREND ICH FIEBERHAFT
nach einem Ausweg suchte, summte das Signalamulett des Hobbits. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Tierz, wir haben den
Zwerg Gonzo gefunden und ihn überprüft. Er ist sauber. Sag Banger, dass er ein
Elefant ist. Hahaha!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Verstanden, danke”,
antwortete der Hobbit, „aber ich werde Banger nichts ausrichten, denn er hat
die Nase voll von euren dummen Witzen.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Okay, okay. Hör zu,
die Jungs draußen fragen sich, wen wir geschnappt haben. Ist es wirklich der
Typ mit Potenzial A?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Das kann ich euch
nicht sagen ”, erwiderte Tierz stirnrunzelnd. „Die Ältesten haben verboten,
dass …”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ich hörte nicht weiter
zu, sondern ergriff die Gelegenheit und flog zum Ende der Halle. Von dort aus
beobachtete ich Tierz und versuchte, herauszufinden, was die Verhinderer mit
Crag vorhatten.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Der Hobbit schien mich
nur um der Formalität willen angesprochen zu haben, denn welche Bedrohung
könnte eine Level-1-Fee schon darstellen? Er hatte bereits eine Gefahr gefunden
und war entspannt, daher suchte er nicht weiter nach mir, sondern spuckte auf den
Boden und gesellte sich dann zu seinen Kameraden, um den Erfolg zu feiern. Der
Klang von knallenden Korken erfüllte die Halle. Flaschen mit Elfensekt machten
die Runde.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Trotzdem prüften einige
Verhinderer am Ausgang der Halle weiterhin die Spieler, sogar die
Level-1-Noobs. Alle, die keinen Grund hatten, dort zu sein, wurden
fortgeschickt. Den Stimmen nach zu urteilen, die aus den Signalamuletten
tönten, passierte es nicht nur im Rathaus, sondern auch in der Umgebung des
Gebäudes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Sie hatten Crag zu
einem Tisch gebracht, um ihn zu registrieren. Vorsichtig flog ich näher und
hielt mich unter einem riesigen Kronleuchter mit zahlreichen angezündeten
Kerzen versteckt. Ich schrieb meinen Kameraden eine Nachricht, um sie wissen zu
lassen, was vor sich ging. Ich versuchte zu verstehen, was Yary sagte.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Mach keine Dummheiten,
Junge.” Der Modus-Anführer grinste arrogant. „Wir wissen alles über dich:
Tobias Asser, seit gestern 16 Jahre alt. Du lebst, gelinde ausgedrückt, in
ärmlichen Verhältnissen. Deine Eltern sind kurz davor, ihre Staatsbürgerschaft
zu verlieren. Willst du, dass dir das Gleiche passiert?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Nein.” Crag schüttelte
den Kopf. „Aber ich bekomme nichts, wenn ihr mich jetzt eliminiert. Ich bin
noch keine große Gefahr, ihr könnt nicht viel aufsteigen.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Du wirst aufsteigen,
Toby.” Yary klopfte ihm auf die Schulter. „Doch nicht jetzt. Alles zu seiner
Zeit. Wir werden uns um deine Zukunft kümmern.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Crag dachte nach – oder
wartete darauf, dass ich etwas unternehmen würde. Er hielt das
Registrierungsformular in der Hand und schien es nicht eilig zu haben, es zu
bestätigen. Der Schreiber wartete geduldig.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 36.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 36pt;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Der Level-31-Magier
Crawler und seine Gruppe (Level-31-Krieger Bomber) wollen sich deiner Gruppe
anschließen.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 36.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 36pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Akzeptieren? Ablehnen?<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ich akzeptierte die
Anfrage und erzählte ihnen, was vor sich ging. Hoffentlich würden wir zusammen
eine Lösung finden. Ihre Antworten ließen nicht lange auf sich warten.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 36.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[19:48]
[Gruppe] [Crawler]: </span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ich
bin auch noch in Abklingzeit, aber Bomb kann uns alle herausholen. Das
Wichtigste ist, dass wir in deiner Nähe sind, sonst wirkt die Teleportation
nicht auf dich. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 36.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[19:48]
[Gruppe] [Bomber]: </span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Das
Problem ist, dass diese verdammten Verhinderer alle wegjagen, und die Wachen
helfen ihnen. Wir sind zu weit vom Rathaus entfernt. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 36.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[19:48]
[Gruppe] [Crag]: </span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Unternehmt
etwas!<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 36.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 36pt 0cm 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Außer dem Gruppenchat
blinkten auch die Tabs meiner direkten Nachrichten. Ich antwortete sofort.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 36.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[19:49]
[Privat] [Crawler]: </span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Verschwinde
von dort, Scyth! Es ist zu spät für Crag. Wir helfen ihm später beim Leveln.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 36.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[19:49]
[Privat] [Crag]: </span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Bist du in der Nähe, Scyth? Was soll ich machen??<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 36.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[19:49]
[Privat] [Scyth – Crawler]: </span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Haltet euch an unseren Plan, solange es noch eine
Chance gibt. Wir müssen ihn herausholen. Außerdem bezweifle ich, dass ich durch
ihre Prüfungen komme. Trotz meines neuen Aussehens bin ich immer noch Scyth.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 36.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[19:49]
[Privat] [Scyth – Crag]: </span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Ich bin in der Nähe. Ich höre und sehe alles. Bleib
ruhig und spiele auf Zeit, Toby. Tiefen-Teleportation ist noch in Abklingzeit.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Leise summend bildete
sich eine <i>Stillekuppel</i> über dem Teil der Halle, wo Crag sich befand. Der
Magier hatte nicht an Mana gespart und sie groß genug gemacht, um alle interessierten
Parteien zu bedecken. Zum Glück war ich auch unter der Kuppel. Natürlich hätte
ich dort bleiben können, bis die Verhinderer gegangen wären, doch das gefiel
mir nicht. Crag und ich waren weit von unseren Freunden entfernt, doch ich
hatte versprochen, ihm zu helfen. Selbst seine Drohung, mich zu verraten, wenn
er eliminiert würde, änderte nichts daran. Ich musste mein Wort halten.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Inzwischen versuchte
Yary, Tobias auf seine Seite zu ziehen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Überlege es dir. Ich
kann nicht für alle Verhinderer sprechen, aber im Namen von Modus garantiere
ich dir, dass wir deinen nächsten Charakter automatisch in unseren Clan
aufnehmen werden. Das bedeutet Ausrüstung, Boosts, Unterstützung beim Leveln
und einen Gehaltsscheck.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Warum verschwendest du
deine Zeit mit ihm?”, fragte der Level-317-Gnom-Magier Niu Lu von den
Azurblauen Drachen. „Du …”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Yary warf ihm einen
drohenden Blick zu, und der Gnom hielt den Mund. Modus wurde respektiert, doch
den Anführern des Clans wurde noch größerer Respekt entgegengebracht – und sie
wurden gefürchtet.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Yaroslav-Yary war zwar
nicht der Hauptanführer, aber er war der Vertreter des Clananführers
Hinterleaf.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Dieses Angebot ist
noch für 10 Sekunden gültig. Wir beseitigen dich sowieso, und obendrein wirst
du im realen Leben nichts bekommen und kannst eine Karriere bei Modus
vergessen. Ich will ja nicht prahlen, aber du wirst doch wohl wissen, was wir
dir bieten können …”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Habt ihr die MOSOWs
angeheuert, die versucht haben, mich zu kidnappen?”, unterbrach Crag. Er hob
den Kopf und sah Yary an.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Wir arbeiten nicht so
stümperhaft, Junge. Das war einer der Verlierer, die nicht hier sind. Jetzt
schließe deine Registrierung ab! Es wird Zeit.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ich fasste meinen
Entschluss. Ich schickte Crag eine Nachricht und sagte ihm, dass er allen
Bedingungen zustimmen sollte und dass wir alles unter Kontrolle hätten. Während
ich den Spielentwicklern innerlich für die vielen Säulen dankte, landete ich
auf dem Boden hinter der mir am nächsten stehenden und wechselte in meine wahre
Gestalt zurück.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„He, Yary!”, rief ich
laut, als ich hinter der Säule hervortrat. „Erinnerst du dich an mich?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Die Verhinderer
reagierten umgehend. Ich hörte das Klingen von Waffen, die in ihren Händen
erschienen, und das Blitzen von Zaubern, die vorbereitet wurden. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Wer zum Teufel bist
du?”, wollte der Gnom Niu Lu wissen, der sich als Erster gesammelt hatte. „Ein
Noob? Geh dort drüben hin!” Er deutete auf die Tische außerhalb der
Stillekuppel, an denen die Schreiber saßen. Glücklicherweise war Banger nicht
anwesend, der mich hätte erkennen können. Ein Gnom der Azurblauen Drachen kam
auf mich zu, doch Yary legte ihm eine Hand auf die Schulter, um ihn
aufzuhalten.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Gib mir einen Tipp.
Woher kenne ich dich?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Aus der Junior-Arena.
Unsere Gruppe hat den Endkampf gewonnen und du hast gesagt, dass ich mich bei
dir melden soll, nachdem ich die Sandbox verlassen habe.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Das habe ich gesagt?”,
fragte Yary überrascht.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Es wunderte mich nicht,
dass er unsere Begegnung vergessen hatte. Für ihn war es nur eine kurze Episode
gewesen, die vor drei Monaten stattgefunden hatte. Seitdem hatte ich aus
naheliegenden Gründen nichts Erinnerungswürdiges getan. Ich kannte sein reales
Alter, er war weit über 40 Jahre alt, doch sein Charakter, ein Mensch der
Klasse Bogatyr, sah 15 Jahre jünger aus. Im Gegensatz zu vielen anderen hatte
Yary sein Aussehen beibehalten.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Ja. Außer dir waren
Glyph von den Azurblauen Drachen, Yagami von Mizaki und ein weiterer
Spitzenspieler dort.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Ein weiterer
Spitzenspieler?”, grollte Rayman, der menschliche Paladin auf Level 347, in den
ich mich auf dem Weg zum Schreiber verwandelt hatte. „Räumt ihn aus dem Weg,
wir brauchen ihn nicht!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Das gefiel Yary nicht.
Ich wusste nicht, welche Beziehung er zu Rayman oder den Azurblauen Drachen
hatte, dem Spitzenclan des asiatischen Gruppe, doch die rechte Hand von Modus
widersprach ihm.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Nein, lasst ihn
bleiben.” Er ging einen Schritt auf mich zu und schüttelte mir die Hand. „Tut
mir leid, dass ich dich nicht gleich erkannt habe, Scyth. Meiner Meinung nach
hast du Potenzial, doch Hinterleaf hat das letzte Wort. Ich werde ein Treffen
arrangieren.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Er drehte sich zu Crag
um, doch bevor er ihn erneut unter Druck setzte, wandte er sich wieder an mich.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Hast du schon mal
gesehen, wie eine Gefahr eliminiert wird? Jetzt hast du die Gelegenheit.” Yary
warf einen Blick auf Tobias.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Nicht wahr, Junge?
Komm schon, Junge, zieh es nicht weiter hinaus.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ich schloss mich der
Gruppe an, die Crag gegen den Tisch drückte. Er sah mich an und ich blinzelte
schnell. Daraufhin atmete Tobias tief ein und bestätigte sein
Registrierungsformular. Den Schlafenden Göttern sei Dank, dass er nicht
vergessen, seine Zugehörigkeit zu den Erwachten zu verstecken, sonst wäre alles
vorbei gewesen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Willkommen in Darant,
Crag!”, bellte der Schreiber, als ob alles in Ordnung wäre. „Der Nächste!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Wir verließen das
Rathaus in einer langen Prozession. Auf dem Markplatz war das Ploppen
hineinteleportierender Verhinderer erfüllt. Gewöhnliche Spieler kamen ebenfalls
dazu, doch sie wurden vom Marktplatz verwiesen. Darüber beschwerten sie sich
natürlich, doch nachdem sie eine oder zwei Münzen erhalten hatten, sagten sie
nichts mehr. Die Verhinderer scheuten keine Kosten, um die öffentliche Meinung
zu beruhigen, das musste man ihnen lassen. Ich konnte mich noch gut daran
erinnern, was eine Goldmünze für einen Noob bedeutete.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Yary hatte mich
scheinbar völlig vergessen, doch als er sah, wie der Minotaurus Glyph,
Clan-Anführer der Azurblauen Drachen, erschien und sich mit mir unterhielt,
rief er mich zu sich und sagte mir, dass ich in seiner Nähe bleiben sollte.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Nicht lange danach
spitzte sich die Situation zu. Da es nicht möglich war, Crag im Herzen der
Hauptstadt auszuschalten, hatten die Verhinderer geplant, das Ritual zur
Vertreibung der Gefahr auf neutralem Gebiet auszuführen. Schließlich umfasste
ihr Bündnis nicht nur die Clans der Allianz, sondern auch Clans des feindlichen
Dunklen Imperiums. Der genaue Ort, an dem das Ritual stattfinden sollte, war
bis jetzt geheim gehalten worden. Hinterleaf, der Anführer von Modus, wollte
das Portal zu diesem Ort persönlich öffnen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Die Stadtwache sperrte
den Platz vor dem Rathaus ab. Offensichtlich arbeiteten die Behörden wegen des
Risikos, das die Gefahr darstellte, mit den Verhinderern zusammen, um ihnen
eine möglichst günstige Situation zu schaffen. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Die Spitzenspieler
beschworen fliegende Mutanten, und einer nach dem anderen hob ab.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Koba, nimm ihn mit”,
sagte ihn mit”, sagte Yary. Dann drehte er sich zu mir. „Scyth, flieg mit ihm.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Hast du noch Platz für
zwei weitere Spieler von meinem Team? Sie sind auch hier, aber sie sind
weggeschickt worden.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Yary überlegte kurz und
nickte gleich darauf.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„In Ordnung. Gib mir
ihre Nicknamen. Ich werde den Befehl geben, sie durchzulassen. Sie müssen sich
aber beeilen.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ich saß hinter Koba auf
seinem <i>Goldenen Greif</i> und sah aus 10 Meter Höhe, wie meine Freunde
erschienen. Crawler wurde von einer schönen Elfe auf ihrem <i>Kampf-Hippogryph</i>
mitgenommen, doch Bomb hatte weniger Glück. Er fand sich auf dem Schwanz einer
langen, gewundenen <i>Fliegenden Schlange</i> wieder, die ihn während des
Fluges ständig auf und ab warf. Es sah aus, als ob der Reiter der Schlange sein
Reittier lachend anspornte, während Bomber sich verzweifelt am Sattel
festklammerte und versuchte, um jeden Preis zu überleben.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">***<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Keinem von uns gelang
es, Crag während des Fluges mit <i>Tiefen-Teleportation</i> zu ergreifen, denn
die Reittiere waren zu weit voneinander entfernt. In der Schlucht, wo das
Vertreibungsritual stattfinden sollte, war er ebenfalls zu weit von uns
entfernt, und hochlevelige Spieler ließen ihn nicht aus den Augen. Er war von
Kontrollzaubern bewegungsunfähig gemacht worden, und drei Kampfgestirne von
Modus, den Azurblauen Drachen und Excommunicado bewachten ihn. Zwei Anführer
der Kinder von Kratos hatte sich ebenfalls dazugesellt.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Nachdem wir angekommen
waren, strömten Krieger der anderen Verbündeten aus Portalen, einschließlich
der Neutralen und des Imperiums. Ich erkannte den mächtigen Ork Horvac,
Anführer des Clans der Wanderer, der der stärkste unter den Dunklen Fraktionen
war. Er selbst war IRL so bekannt für seine Exzentrik, dass man ständig in den
Klatschspalten über ihn lesen konnte. Horvac, Glyph, Colonel von Excommunicado
und Hinterleaf waren vermutlich die stärksten Spieler der Welt. Der
Solo-Abenteurer Dek kam ihnen im Level nahe, doch was Stärke, Chance und
Einfluss anging, war er ihnen nicht gewachsen. Der allerstärkste war immer noch
das ehemalige Modus-Mitglied Mogwai, der Tierverehrer-Druide. Nachdem er die
Obergrenze von <i>Widerstandsfähigkeit</i> erreicht hatte, hatte dieser Spieler
verkündet, dass er keine Lust mehr hätte, Dis zu spielen und ein Jahr aussetzen
würde.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Die Schlucht, zu der
wir geflogen waren, lag nicht weit von Darant entfernt, in der Nähe eines der
Battlegrounds. Es wurde bereits dunkel, doch die enorme Menge von Magie erhellte
die Umgebung, als ob es noch Tag wäre.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Offiziell gehörten
diese Gebiete der Allianz, doch die Vertreter der anderen Fraktionen konnten
hier ungestraft erscheinen. Natürlich waren Fremde in einem Gebiet Angriffen
von NPCs<span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span> und Spielern ausgesetzt,
sofern es ihr Level erlaubte. Globale PvP-Kämpfe waren erwünscht und wurden
nicht nur mit der Chance auf gedroppte Ausrüstung von besiegten Gegnern belohnt
– selbst Beutel mit 100%igem Schutz gegen Verluste waren keine Garantie –,
sondern auch mit <i>Marken der Tapferen</i> und <i>Ehrenpunkten</i>. Die
Allianz betrachtete selbst Neutrale als Feinde, die weder ihr noch dem Imperium
angehörten – den beiden stärksten Fraktionen in Dis.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Nun wimmelte die
Schlucht vor Spitzenspielern des Bündnisses der Verhinderer, das 10 Clans
einschloss: vier aus der Allianz, vier aus dem Imperium und zwei von den
Neutralen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Die Besten der Besten
unter Milliarden von Spielern liefen leuchtend vor Auren und Buffs herum. Ihre
Reittiere und Kampf-Tiergefährten brüllten, kreischten, knurrten und
schnatterten. Gigantische Spinnen und Gottesanbeterinnen, Drachen und Echsen,
Bären und laufende Bäume, Phönixe und Schreckliche Wölfe, Höllenhunde,
Elementare, Dämonen, Sukkuben, Golems, rasselnde gnomische Panzer und
Tragschrauber und vieles mehr.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Jemand hatte einen 16
Meter großen <i>Bronzenen Koloss</i> beschworen, woraufhin ein anderer Spieler
einen ebenso großen <i>Baum des Lebens</i> zu sich rief. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Die Menge schauderte
vor den Giganten zurück, sodass Crawler und ich gegen die Wand der Schlucht
gedrückt wurden. Bomber war zur Seite geschoben worden, wo er in chinesischer
Sprache ein lebhaftes Gespräch mit einem Mädchen von den Azurblauen Drachen
führte.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">30 Schritte von mir
entfernten stritten die Anführer der Verbündeten sich bitter stritten.
Irgendetwas stimmte nicht. Dank der seltsamen Akustik in der Schlucht konnte
ich jedes Wort verstehen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Ich verlange, dass
alle überflüssigen Truppen sich sofort zurückziehen!”, rief Horvac.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">”Das von dir, nachdem
du deine eigenen hierher gebracht hast?”, erwiderte der grauhaarige, kleine
Gnom Hinterleaf scharf. Er rollte die Rs, was seine russischen Wurzeln verriet.
„Was für eine Logik ist das? Dafür gibt es bei uns ein Sprichwort: Der
Schuldige verrät sich durch sein Verhalten selbst.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Die Dunklen planen
etwas, soviel ist sicher”, erklärte Glyph. „Und die Neutralen auch.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Der Colonel, ein
mächtiger Goliath<span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span>,
gab leise Befehle an seine Offiziere. Einige Sekunden später öffnete sich ein
weiteres Portal und 10 Kampfgestirne von Excos strömten heraus. Als die anderen
Clans es sahen, aktivierten sie ebenfalls Portale. Innerhalb weniger Minuten
befanden sich mehr hochlevelige Spieler pro Quadratmeter in der Schlucht als je
zuvor in der Geschichte von Disgardium.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Die Verbündeten haben
recht, Horvac”, sagte Yary leise. Als er schwieg, verfielen die anderen auch in
Schweigen. „Wir haben die Gefahr bewacht, darum haben wir mehr als die
vereinbarte Zahl von Kampfgestirnen mitgebracht. Aber unsere Leute sollten die
Schlucht verlassen, sobald …”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ich wurde abgelenkt,
bevor ich den Rest hören konnte. Die bekannte Stimme des Elefantenmannes Banger
ließ mich erschrecken.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Sieh mal, wen ich
gefunden habe, Tierz”, polterte Banger, als er sich durch die Menge zu mir
hindurchschob. „Ich habe mich gefragt, wohin er verschwunden ist.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Als Hinterleaf
stirnrunzelnd mit den Fingern schnalzte, wurden die Anführer von einem
Schutzschild eingehüllt, den ich nicht erkannte.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Lenke ihn ab”,
flüsterte ich Crawler zu und deutete mit einem Blick auf Banger. „Sie wollten
mich überprüfen, aber ich habe mich davongemacht.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ich würde 30 Schritte
näher gehen müssen, um Crag in meiner Teleportation ergreifen zu können.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Bomber schrieb, dass
die ankommenden Truppen von Verhinderern sich buffen und Kampfgruppen bilden
würden, doch nicht nach Fraktionen, sondern nach Clans. Ein Sturm braute sich
zusammen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Der Druck unter der
Kuppel wuchs ebenfalls. Yary und Hinterleaf standen Rücken an Rücken. Glyph
sagte ihnen etwas, während die neutralen Clan-Anführer mit Horvac und den
Anführern der Dunklen Clans flüsterten. Das Gleiche passierte um Crag herum:
fünf Modus-Mitglieder rückten mit einigen Drachen, Excos und Kratos zusammen,
um die Gefahr gegen die übrigen zu verteidigen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Das ist unsere Chance!</span></i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">,
schrieb ich meiner Gruppe. <i>Versucht, nahe genug an Crag heranzukommen. Wer
es als Erster schafft, teleportiert mit ihm.</i><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Das gegenseitige
Misstrauen unter den Clans wuchs, bis es kein Zurück mehr gab. Beschuldigungen
flogen hin und her, bis der Zeitpunkt erreicht war, an dem der winzigste Funke
die Fackel des Kampfes entzünden würde.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Halt an, Scyth!”, rief
Banger hinter mir.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ich nahm an, dass sein
Angriff der besagte Funke war. In einer fantastischen Zurschaustellung seines
niedrigem Verstandes warf der Elefantenmann einen magischen Ball nach mir und
entfachte das wahrscheinlich chaotischste Gemetzel in der Geschichte von
Disgardium. Meine Beine waren durch Zauber verwickelt, doch <i>Befreiung</i>
löste sie. Ich lief vorwärts, änderte meine Stimme und brüllte: „Wir sind
betrogen worden!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Der Trick
funktionierte. Die einfachen Soldaten hinter mir wirkten abwehrende Auren und
magische Schilde um sich herum. Flaschen mit Kampfelixieren wurden geöffnet,
flammende Schwerter zischten, Kampfstäbe knisterten vor Energie. Ein
Feuerschleier entstand um mich herum – Crawlers <i>Feuerschild</i>. In dem Moment
bedauerte ich, dass ich keine Zeit gehabt hatte, meine Quest zu beenden und
Behemoths Belohnungen zu erhalten. Darüber hinaus hatte ich den Kristall noch
nicht aktiviert, den ich von der eliminierten Gefahr Big Po bekommen hatte.
Beides wäre in dieser Situation sehr gelegen gekommen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ich beschwor meinen
Tiergefährten, den <i>Sumpfstecher</i> Iggy, und befahl ihm, in meiner Nähe zu
bleiben. Bangers Angriff stellte sich als Vorteil für uns heraus. Die Punkte
der Attribute aller Gruppenmitglieder schossen hoch, da sie mit 17
multipliziert wurden. Mein Tiergefährte war keine Ausnahme. Ich war bereits
während der Ausbruchs der Vernichtenden Seuche durch den Prozess gegangen, als
Crag, Infect, Tissa und ich die Straßen von Tristad von den Untoten befreit
hatten, darum war ich nicht überrascht, als ich wuchs, stärker wurde, breitere
Schultern bekam und die Energie in mir kochte.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ohne in den Kampf
verwickelt zu werden, lief ich auf Crag zu, bis ich an die undurchdringbare
Barriere der Kuppel erreichte. Ich war immer noch zu weit von meinem
Clankameraden entfernt. Auf der Minikarte sah ich, dass Crawler und Bomber sich
weit hinter mir befanden.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Hinterleaf schrie etwas
unter der Kuppel und beruhigte seine Verbündeten mit Gesten. Yary stand hinter
ihm, Glyph und der Colonel je an einer Seite. Zwei Kinder von Kratos drückten
gegen die Wand der Kuppel. Sie waren ein starker Clan, doch ihre Anführer waren
vor allem für ihre nicht-kampfbezogenen Talente bekannt.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Hinterleafs Bitten
zeigten scheinbar keine Wirkung. Horvac rief etwas, und eine Wolke giftigen,
gelben Rauches erfüllte die Kuppel. Feuer und Blitze leuchteten auf und einige
Sekunden später zerbrach Hinterleafs magische Kuppel mit einem kristallenen
Klirren und einem kaum sichtbaren Hagel von Glassplittern, die die Umstehenden
verletzten. Ich bekam ebenfalls meinen Teil ab. Scharfe Splitter durchbohrten
meine Brust und Schultern. Beim Herausziehen zerriss ich mein Fleisch.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Plan B!”, schrie Yary
in sein Signalamulett. Seine Stimme dröhnte durch die Schlucht. „Plan B!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Hinterleaf, ein
Illusionsmagier, erstellte 10 Kopien von sich, die er zur Hilfe zurückließ,
während er selbst zu einer kleinen Klippe über uns teleportierte, den Arm hob
und unheilvoll grinste. Er hielt eine schwarze Rolle in der Hand.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Alle begannen zu
kämpfen und alle hatten das gleiche Ziel: Crag. Alle anwesenden Spieler wollten
die Gefahr eliminieren, doch das Bündnis oder die Clan-Anführer waren ihnen nun
egal. Die Sieger würden die Geschichte schreiben.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Die Nachwirkungen der
vielen Zauber überfluteten jeden Zentimeter der Schlucht. Der Boden unter
meinen Füßen bewegte sich und wurde zu Morast. Räuberische Giftpflanzen wuchsen
aus der steinigen Oberfläche. Die Luft war einmal eiskalt und im nächsten
Moment so heiß, dass sie Rüstung schmelzen ließ. Ultraschallwellen von einem
Turm, der in der Nähe beschworen worden war, riss Ausrüstungsteile und Fleisch
weg und zerriss den Raum selbst. Ein Fuß des monströsen Kolosses krachte nur
einige Meter neben mir zu Boden und zerquetschte mehrere Spieler gleichzeitig.
Die sich schlängelnden Äste des Baum des Lebens erwürgten alle, die sie
erreichen konnten. Verschiedene Arten von Nebel verbrannten meine Nasenlöcher,
Kehle und Lungen. Ich hielt nur dank Crags Talent aus. Die Debuffs stapelten
sich bedrohlich, doch ich musste noch drei Meter zurücklegen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Wütend über den Verrat
feuerten die Spieler alles, was sie hatten, auf Freund und Feind gleichermaßen.
Teure Rollen und Waffen wurden als letzte Chance zu Hunderten verbraucht.
Niemand sparte mit seine ultimativen Fähigkeit. Spitzenspieler starben und
versuchten, so viele andere Spieler wie möglich mit in den Tod zu nehmen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gnomische Panzer
feuerten aus ihren Kanonen in die Menge. Eine Kugel flog in einen Nahkampf in
Crags Nähe, sodass viele Leute dort ausgeschaltet wurden. Jemand hatte eine <i>Unverwundbarkeitsblase</i>
über Toby platziert und rettete ihm so das Leben.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Die Spieler des Lichts
um ihn herum hatten an der Seite von Hinterleafs Illusionen sowohl die Spieler
der Dunklen als auch der Neutralen Fraktion zurückgeschlagen, bevor sie nun
gegeneinander kämpften.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Yary benutzte <i>Attacke</i>,
um gegen den Rücken eines ehemaligen Verbündeten von Kinder von Kratos zu
rammen. Er schwang sein zweihändiges Schwert, um einen anderen Spieler
zweizuteilen und schützte Crag danach mit seinem Körper. Ein Magier, der nahe
dabei stand, öffnete ein Portal. Seine Struktur sprühte mit Adern aus blauem
und grünen Licht, als es Yary, Crag und den einzigen, noch stehenden
Modus-Kämpfer mit einem dumpfen Platschen verschlang. Der Magier, der das Portal
geöffnet hatte, schaffte es nicht hinein, denn er war von einem Schurken von
hinten gelähmt worden und explodierte kurz darauf in einem Schauer von Blut.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Hinterleaf, der
überzeugt war, dass seine Jungs mit der Gefahr entkommen waren, warf einige
tödliche Flächenzauber in die Menge, doch es sollte noch schlimmer kommen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Armageddon!”, schrie
der Modus-Anführer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Die schwarze Rolle in
seiner Hand zerfiel zu Ruß und Asche und er verschwand von der Klippe. Der
Himmel erleuchtete mit blendend hellem Licht. Als der Meteor herunterfiel, ließ
sein immer lauter werdendes Dröhnen Trommelfelle platzen und Gehirne wurden
erschüttert. Ich wirkte <i>Steinhaut</i> und eilte zu dem Portal.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Zuerst wurde Bomber in
den bröckligen, rostigen Fetzen von etwas Giftigem und Riesigen bedeckt, und
weder seine erhöhte Verteidigung noch sein legendärer Ring halfen ihm, denn der
Koloss trampelte ihn kurz darauf nieder. Crags Boost war verschwunden, sobald
sie ihn durch das Portal gebracht hatten.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ich fiel aufs Gesicht,
als jemand meine Beine mit einer Streitaxt abhackte, mein Leben auf ein paar
Prozent reduzierte und einen <i>Blutungs</i>-Debuff hinterließ. Ich konnte das
schimmernde Portal nicht mehr sehen. Mein Herz schlug angestrengt, als ich
versuchte, den Durchgang kriechend zu erreichen. Nur meine extrem hohe
Widerstandsfähigkeit ermöglichte mir, durchzuhalten. Ich wusste nicht, was ich
mir erhoffte. Ich hatte mich zu sehr an den Fluch der Untoten gewöhnt, um
Heiltränke bei mir zu haben. Außerdem hätte ich sie nirgends aufbewahren
können.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Es waren noch etwa zwei
Meter bis zum Portal. Ich wusste, dass ich sterben würde, hatte aber keine
Ahnung, wo ich respawnen würde. Ich hatte keine Zeit gehabt, mich an Darant zu
binden, und ich bezweifelte, dass sie mich nach Tristad zurücklassen würden.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Säure verbrannte meine
Stimmbänder. Ich konnte keine Zeit damit verschwenden, mit Ed zu chatten, darum
hoffte ich, dass Ed mich nicht enttäuschen würde. Doch vergebens.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Crawler geriet in die
Reichweite eines Zaubers und schaffte es nicht, rechtzeitig herauszukommen.
Dann wurde er mit <i>Angst</i> belegt, und der Effekt ließ ihn in die
entgegengesetzte Richtung des Portals laufen. Einige Augenblicke später
leuchtete sein Avatar im Gruppen-Interface zum letzten Mal rot auf, ein
Totenkopf erschien und er wurde grau.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Als jemand an mir
vorbeiging, streckte ich die Hand aus und ergriff ein Bein. Sein Besitzer
schleifte mich ein paar Schritte seitlich vorwärts, bevor er bemerkte, dass ich
an seinem Bein hing. Die harte Metallkappe eines Stiefels traf mein Kinn und
kostete meine letzte Gesundheit. Einen Sekundenbruchteil vorher hatte ich <i>Grässliches
Geheul</i> aktiviert, doch wegen des Levelunterschieds funktionierte es nicht.
Als letztes Mittel hetzte ich Iggy auf den Angreifer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Der Meteor von
Hinterleafs <i>Armageddon</i> krachte mitten in die Schlucht. Alle Farben
verblassten. Alle Schatten wurden vom blendend hellen Licht einer nuklearen
Explosion erleuchtet. Ich wurde bei unvorstellbarer Hitze von der Druckwelle
erfasst und mit enormer Geschwindigkeit in das sich schließende Portal geschleudert.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">Kapitel
3: Rettung des Rekruten Crag<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">IM GROSSEN DIS gab es
verschiedene Arten von Portalen. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Alle Spieler erhielten
die Fähigkeit <i>Rückkehrstein</i>, die einmal pro Tag benutzt werden konnte,
um an den Ort zurückzukehren, an den man gebunden war. Die Behörden und die
Frachtgilde hatten in den Städten große stationäre Portale mit festgelegter
Route aufgestellt. Persönliche Portale konnten mit Fertigkeiten oder Rollen
erstellt werden, wie wir es getan hatten. Dimensionsmagier konnten eine andere
Art von Portal nutzen, durch die alle gehen konnten, nicht nur ein Mitglied
seiner Gruppe oder seines Clans. In ein solches Portal war ich gelangt.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ich flog lebend hinein,
doch ich kam tot heraus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 36.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Der
Spieler Han Ro hat dir kritischen Schaden zugefügt (Blutung): 2.647!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 36.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 36pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gesundheitspunkte:
0/6474<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 36.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 36pt;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Du bist gestorben. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 36.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 36pt;"><b><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Du respawnst in 10 … 9 …<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Der Tod wurde am
Ausgang des Portals bestätigt. Die tickende, kritische <i>Blutung</i> hatte mir
den Rest gegeben. Falls Crag in meiner Nähe gewesen wäre und ich mich im
Wirkungsbereich seines Talentes befunden hätte, hätte ich eine Überlebenschance
gehabt, doch das war scheinbar nicht der Fall gewesen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ich hatte großes Pech
beim Sterben, denn ich war auf den Bauch gefallen. Das bedeutete, dass ich mich
in den 10 Sekunden vor dem Respawnen nicht umsehen konnte, um herauszufinden,
was um mich herum vor sich ging. Außerdem wusste ich nicht, wo ich respawnen
würde, da ich an keinen Ort gebunden war. Vielleicht auf dem Friedhof von
Darant? Das wäre unerfreulich und würde bedeuten, dass Crag erledigt wäre. Oder
vielleicht auf dem nächstliegenden Friedhof? Soweit ich wusste, gehörte er
Modus und befand sich auf ihrem Schlossgelände.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ich hörte, wie Hinterleaf
etwas sagte.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„… keine gute Idee,
Yar! Du musst verstehen …” Er machte eine Pause. „Wer ist das?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Eine Leiche”,
antwortete Yary. Er stieß mit der Stiefelspitze gegen meinen Körper und drehte
ihn um. „Es ist Scyth, von dem ich dir erzählt habe. Anführer der diesjährigen
Champions der Junior-Arena.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Die Gruppe, die unsere
Jungs im Finale geschlagen hat? Wir werden uns später um ihn kümmern. Lade ihn
ein, wenn diese Sache vorbei ist.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ich war so oft an dem
Ort respawnt, an dem ich gestorben war, dass ich überrascht war, mich beim
Überschreiten der Schwelle zwischen den Welten an einem anderen Ort
wiederzufinden. Ich befand mich in einem Hinterhof zwischen einer hohen Wand,
auf der Wachen standen, die mir den Rücken zudrehten, und einem fantastischen
Schloss. Seine Mauern waren scheinbar mit Diamanten besetzt und schimmerten im
Sternenlicht.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 36.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Strafe
für Tod: 3.900 Erfahrung<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Iggy summte leise, als
er in meiner Nähe respawnte. Fluchend rief ich meinen Tiergefährten zu mir. An
diesem Ort würde er eher ein Hindernis als eine Hilfe sein.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ich wechselte in den
Tarnmodus und sah mich um. Der Spawnpunkt war von Grabsteinen umgeben. Ein
Teich in der Nähe reflektierte den Sternenhimmel und den lokalen Mond Geala.
Geplätscher und das Quaken von Fröschen tönte vom Teich herüber. In der Ferne,
kaum hörbar, konnte ich Stimmen vernehmen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Die Gräber auf dem
kleinen Friedhof waren mit Gras und Blumen überwachsen. Vor mir stand eine
wunderschön dekorierte Grabkammer. Es war ein massives, ja uneinnehmbares
Bauwerk aus Stein ohne Fenster und Türen. Warum hatte Modus es gebaut?
Womöglich, um Anführer respawnen zu lassen, während das Schloss angegriffen
wurde. Dort waren vielleicht Ausrüstungssets gelagert oder es gab einen
Geheimgang, der aus dem Schloss in die Grabkammer führte.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Das einzig Wichtige
war, dass sich niemand in der Nähe befand, ausgenommen die Wachen auf den
Mauern. Ich versteckte mich hinter der Grabkammer, falls sie sich umdrehen
würden, und prüfte zuerst, ob Crag in Ordnung war. Sein Symbol in der Gruppe
war aktiv und seine Gesundheit gefüllt. Er beantwortete meine Nachricht nicht,
aber möglicherweise hatte Modus ihn mit einem <i>Schweigesiegel</i> belegt.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Eine Nachricht
leuchtete auf. Crawler hatte gesehen, dass ich wieder aufgetaucht war, und
schrieb, dass er und Bomber in Kharinza gespawnt waren und sich auf den Weg zum
Stadtfriedhof von Darant gemacht hatten, um Crag und mich dort zu treffen,
falls wir gestorben wären. Wie sich herausstellte, hatten die Verhinderer diese
Möglichkeit ebenfalls in Betracht gezogen und eine Absperrung um den Friedhof
eingerichtet, um die Gefahr nicht entkommen zu lassen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ich konnte Crag
nirgends entdecken und steckte in einem Dilemma: Sollte ich in meiner eigenen
Gestalt nach ihn suchen oder eine andere wählen? Die erste Option schien risikoreich
zu sein. Falls ich Toby mit <i>Tiefen-Teleportation</i> herausholen würde,
würde ich mich verraten, und die Verhinderer würden mich verfolgen. Bis jetzt
sahen sie mich jedoch nicht als Bedrohung. Big Po hatte mich offensichtlich
nicht betrogen, sonst hätte Yary anders mit mir gesprochen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Die Entscheidung wurde
für mich getroffen, als die Stimmen aus der Ferne lauter wurden, und eine
zahlreiche Spieler hinter dem Schloss erschien. Ich legte mich flach ins Gras
hinter der Grabkammer und beobachtete sie.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Sie liefen an der Mauer
entlang und teilten sich auf, als sie die Treppe zum Keller erreichten. Eine
Gruppe blieb am Eingang, während die andere Crag hineinbrachte. Aus irgendeinem
Grund war Tobias noch nicht eliminiert worden. Er konnte allein laufen, aber er
trug ein leuchtendes Halsband. Ob es seine Fähigkeit blockierte, konnte ich
nicht sagen. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Mir wurde klar, dass
ich gar nichts über das große Dis wusste, und ich bereute, meine achtwöchige
Sperre und die Zeit bis zum Verlassen der Sandbox nicht mit nützlicheren Dingen
verbracht zu haben, als mich mit Tissa zu treffen und mit ihr im Mondschein
spazieren zu gehen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Fünf Spieler brachten
Crag in den Keller und drei kamen gleich darauf wieder heraus. Das bedeutete,
dass sie die anderen beiden als Wachen zurückgelassen hatten. Während alle
zurückrannten, nahm ich die Gestalt eines Mitglieds der Gruppe an. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">An einer Ecke hielten
sie an und versteckten sich. Es ging etwas vor sich, doch ich konnte nicht
sehen, was es war. Der Himmel über der Seite des Schlosses leuchtete rot auf.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Verdammt. Was immer es
auch war, ich würde es spätestens morgen erfahren. Jetzt musste ich erst einmal
meinem Clankameraden helfen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Selbstsicher ging ich
zum Eingang des Kellers. Die Tür, zu der ich hinuntergehen musste, war nicht verschlossen,
und die Türangeln waren gut geölt. Ich öffnete sie einen Spalt, schlüpfte
hinein und stand in einem schlecht beleuchteten Gang. Ich stieg eine Treppe
hinunter und blickte vorsichtig um die Ecke. Von einem geraden Korridor führten
Gänge in zwei Richtungen. Im linken Gang konnte ich niemanden entdecken, doch
im rechten sah ich die Schatten zweier intelligenter Kreaturen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Die Fackeln entlang des
Ganges flackerten schwach und schwelten, sodass die Schatten der Wachen an den
Wänden tanzten und der Raum im Halbdunkel lag. Nur die Fackel, die den Wachen
am nächsten war, leuchtete etwas heller als die anderen. Dadurch und mithilfe
meiner Fertigkeit Nachtsicht konnte ich erkennen, dass Crags Wachen bei einer
geschlossenen Tür standen. Es waren Berstan der Bandit und der Eismagier Kara.
Beide waren über Level 300 und besaßen zweifellos fortgeschrittene
Kontrollfertigkeiten.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ich hätte auf einen der
beiden <i>Lethargie</i> wirken können, doch höchstwahrscheinlich würde die
Fertigkeit wegen des Levelunterschieds keine Wirkung haben. Oder ich könnte so
tun, als wäre ich ein Verbündeter, auf sie zugehen und Crag mit <i>Tiefen-Teleportation</i>
fortbringen. Das war die einfachste Möglichkeit, und die einfachste Lösung war
oft die beste. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ich überprüfte meine
Gesundheit: 100 %. Die Abklingzeit für <i>Tiefen-Teleportation</i> nach
Kharinza war abgelaufen. Mein Profil zeigte den Waldelf Isanor, einen
Level-346-Druiden vom Modus-Clan. Ich würde sie durch ein Gespräch ablenken und
dann mit Crag verschwinden. Es würde weniger als eine Minute dauern.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ich betrat den Korridor
und bog nach rechts. Ich bewegte mich schnell, als ob ich es eilig hätte, ihnen
etwas mitzuteilen. Als ich noch 20 Meter von ihnen entfernt war, rief Kara:
”Hast du etwas vergessen, Isa?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Yary will euch sehen”,
antwortete ich. „Sofort! Ich werde die Wache übernehmen.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Hat das Bündnis
beschlossen, uns anzugreifen?”, fragte Berstan der Bandit. „Verdammt, ich
wusste es. Komm schon, Kara!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ich kam schnell näher.
Noch fünf Meter bis zu Crags Zelle.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Warte.” Der Magier
hielt seinen Partner auf und grinste. Er streckte seine Hand mit der Handfläche
nach vorn aus. Die Luft kondensierte und ein Froststrahl traf mich, sodass ich
auf der Stelle gefror, doch ich konnte hören, wie Kara in sein Signalamulett
sprach.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„He, Hinterleaf. Jemand
hat gerade versucht, die Gefahr zu kidnappen. Es ist irgendein Noob, aber er
ist merkwürdig. Nickname? Scyth ... Ja, direkt neben der Zelle der ‚Gefahr‘.
Und weißt du was? Er sieht genauso aus wie Isanor! Verstanden. Wir warten.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Die Stimme des Eismagiers
Kara wurde immer leiser, bis ich nur noch unverständliches Gemurmel hören
konnte. Zuerst dachte ich, es würde am Frost liegen, denn nicht nur mein Gehör,
sondern auch mein Sehvermögen wurde schlechter. Alles um mich herum leuchtete
auf, als ob jemand die Helligkeit und den Kontrast auf die höchste Stufe
gestellt hätte, zerbrach in Stücke und verschwand.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 36.0pt; margin-right: 36.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Göttliche
Offenbarung ist spontan aktiviert worden!<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Das Herz schlug mir bis
zum Hals. Ich erkannte, dass die Geschehnisse im Korridor auf eine passive Klassenfähigkeit
zurückzuführen waren. Zurück am Eingang, blieb ich auf der Treppe zum Korridor
stehen, wo die Stimmen der Wachen zu mir herübertönten.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ich fragte mich,
wogegen <i>Göttliche Offenbarung</i> eigentlich schützte. Das erste Mal war die
Fähigkeit aktiviert worden, als ich fälschlicherweise angeklagt worden war, den
von Axioms Mörder Atiyakari umgebrachten Trunkenbold Patrick ermordet zu haben.
Richter Cannon hatte ein Gottesurteil über mich verhängt, das mein Charakter
laut des Meuchelmörders und eines lügenden Zeugen nicht überleben würde.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Göttliche Offenbarung</span></i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
war zum zweiten Mal aktiviert worden, als Big Po mich infiziert und prophezeit
hatte, dass der Tod meines Charakters endgültig sein würde. Danach hatte
Snowstorm, Inc. vertuscht, was er getan hatte. Mehrere hundert Spieler waren
infiziert und getötet worden und hatten ihre Charaktere verloren. Sie hatten
umgehend eine Nachricht von den Entwicklern erhalten, in der sie beruhigt
worden waren. Ich hatte die Informationen aus erster Hand erhalten: Viele
Schulkameraden waren Opfer gewesen. Sie hatten zwar ihre Charaktere nicht
zurückbekommen, doch sie waren für ihre Ausrüstung und Fortschritte entschädigt
worden. Zauber mussten erneut gelevelt werden, aber die Vorteile, die sie
erhielten, hatten die Nachteile ausgeglichen. Die Spieler erhielten sogar
kurzfristige seelengebundene Artefakte, die ihre verdiente Erfahrung
vervielfachten.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Und nun die dritte
Aktivierung, als es schien, dass ich meinen Charakter verlieren würde. Wer
hätte etwas durch Scyths Tod und die Eliminierung einer Gefahr zu verlieren?
Die Erwachten und ich, natürlich, aber das war unerheblich. Snowstorm? Das
Unternehmen hatte mich bisher immer unterstützt, doch es hatte nichts mit der
Herold-Klasse und seinen Fertigkeiten zu tun. Das ergab sich aus der
Beschreibung der Klasse und der Fähigkeit sowie den anonymen Nachrichten von
jemandem aus dem Unternehmen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Es blieb nur eine
einzige Möglichkeit: die Schlafenden Götter. Alle außer Behemoth waren
verkümmert und befanden sich in einem Koma. Ich war der Einzige, der ihm aus
dem Alptraum befreien konnte, in dem er sich befand. Doch eine Frage blieb:
Wer, zum Teufel, waren die Schlafenden Götter wirklich?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Diese Gedanken gingen
mir durch den Kopf, doch es war nicht der richtige Zeitpunkt, um näher darüber
nachzudenken. Fest stand, dass ich Crag nicht aus seiner Zelle herausholen
konnte. Die helle Fackel neben den Wachen war ungewöhnlich. Es musste sich um
eine <i>Flamme der Wahrheit</i> oder ein Artefakt mit ähnlicher Wirkung
handeln, sonst hätte Kara meine Tarnung nicht durchschaut.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ich war ratlos. Sollte
ich die Wachen von der Fackel weglocken, zu Crags Zelle laufen und mit <i>Tiefen-Teleportation</i>
verschwinden? Doch was, wenn die Zellentür verschlossen wäre und meine
Fähigkeit Crag nicht herausziehen könnte? Was, wenn die Zelle mit einem Zauber
belegt worden war, der Magie und Fähigkeiten blockierte?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Die Alarmglocke in
meinem Inneren, die im Gästeraum des Rathauses von Darant leise zu läuten
begonnen hatte, war nun zu einem dröhnenden, misstönenden Warnsignal geworden,
das mich drängte, mich in Sicherheit zu bringen, solange ich die Chance dazu
hatte. Die Stimme des feigen Alex Sheppard, der Konflikten aus dem Weg ging und
seine Freundin aus der Kindheit durch die beliebtesten Hooligans in seiner
Klasse ersetzt hatte, rief selbstsüchtig, dass die Alarmglocke recht hatte. Ich
hatte an diesem Tag schon so oft Glück gehabt, dass es verrückt wäre, mein
Glück noch einmal herauszufordern. Ich bezweifelte, dass <i>Göttliche
Offenbarung</i> mich ein zweites Mal retten würde. Die spontane Fertigkeit
hatte sicher eine lange Abklingzeit, die Tage oder sogar eine Woche andauern
würde.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Verflixt. Die Worte von
Crawler und Bomber unterstützten meine Zweifel. Beide hatten darauf bestanden,
dass ich mich retten sollte, und sowohl Infect als auch Tissa stimmten ihnen
zu. Ed hatte Dis kurz verlassen, um ihnen zu berichten, was passierte. Die
Entwickler hatten die Kommunikation zwischen uns und der Sandbox abgeschnitten,
sodass wir unsere Nachrichten nicht einmal im Clan-Chat sehen konnten.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Es war eine schwierige
Situation. Ich wusste, was auf dem Spiel stand. Ich erinnerte mich, wie Tobias
sich mir gegenüber verhalten hatte. Wie er den hart arbeitenden Nicht-Bürger
Manny beinahe an die Stadtwachen ausgeliefert hatte, als der ein Glas Bier
verschüttet hatte.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Doch es war mir egal.
Ich hatte nichts für Feigheit übrig. Stattdessen setzte ich mich auf die Treppe
und überlegte fieberhaft, wie ich mit dem verdammten Tobias „Crag” Asser
entkommen könnte.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">***<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Als ich dumpfes Grollen
und Kanonenfeuer von Belagerungswaffen hörte, sprang ich auf. Das gesamte
Schloss wurde erschüttert und Staub fiel von der niedrigen Decke.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ich lief hinaus auf die
Straße. Der Boden unter meinen Füßen bewegte sich, und ein summendes Geräusch
ertönte. Erst wurde es lauter und die Umgebung begann zu vibrieren. Dann wurde
es leise. Eine durchsichtige Schutzkuppel hatte sich über das Schloss gelegt.
Wie eine gigantische Fontäne schoss sie aus dem Mittelturm nach oben und ergoss
sich in magischen Wasserfällen jenseits der Mauern um das Schloss herum. Durch
die Materie des Portals waren die Sterne kaum zu erkennen, bis sie schließlich
vollkommen verblassten.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">So etwas hatte ich noch
nie gesehen. Um die Kuppel herum prallten Kanonenkugeln, Pfeile, Blitze und
Feuerbälle lautlos von ihr ab. Waren die von Modus zurückgelassenen Clans des
Bündnisses gekommen, um sich zu rächen?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ich nahm kaum wahr,
dass meine Beine mich zum Haupteingang des Schlosses trugen. Dort hatten sich
alle kämpfenden Mitglieder des Clans versammelt. Es waren mehrere Hundert
Spieler und etwa die gleiche Anzahl von Tierbegleitern und Reittieren, von
denen keiner unter Level 200 war.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Sie sahen zu ihrem
Clan-Anführer. Hinterleaf trat aus der Gruppe der führenden Offiziere heraus
und stieg auf ein Katapult. Er war als wohlhabender Erwachsener nach Dis
gekommen, als die Gründer des Spiels noch am Leben gewesen waren und es noch
weniger als eine Million Spieler gegeben hatte. Ein Jahr später war Modus
gegründet worden.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Der schneeweiße Mantel
des Illusionsmagiers schimmerte hell, als er das Wort ergriff. Seine magisch
verstärkte Stimme donnerte aus allen Richtungen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Meine Waffenbrüder!
Modus!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Modus!”, schrien die
Spieler einstimmig zurück und erhoben ihre Fäuste.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Die Zeit drängt.
Jenseits der Mauern stehen nicht nur die Streitkräfte des Bündnisses, sondern
auch ihre hinterhältigen Freunde.” Hinterleaf deutete auf die geschlossenen
Tore. „Unsere Feinde teilen die Loot und unseren Besitz bereits unter sich auf.
Euren Besitz!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Wir werden sie
vernichten!”, rief ein Spieler aus den vorderen Reihen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Vielleicht”,
entgegnete Hinterleaf. „Doch zum ersten Mal in der Geschichte unseres Clans
weiß ich nicht, was wir tun sollen. Die Offiziere sind geteilter Meinung und
ich habe beschlossen, dass ihr das Recht habt, zu wissen, was vor sich geht.
Wie ihr alle wisst, hat das Bündnis gestern in Darant eine Gefahr der Klasse D
ergriffen. Sie sollte wie vorgesehen jenseits der Grenze eliminiert werden. Ich
hatte geplant, ein Portal zu öffnen, durch das ein Mitglied von jedem Clan des
Bündnisses reisen sollte. Doch wir sind betrogen worden. Es ist schwer zu
sagen, wer zuerst angegriffen hat, und es spielt auch keine Rolle mehr.
Tatsache ist, dass wir am Sammelpunkt auf hinterhältige Weise angegriffen
worden sind. Wenn es nur die Clans der Dunklen Seite gewesen wären …” Der
Clan-Anführer lachte bitter. „Unsere Opposition gegen die Wanderer und die
anderen Dunklen Clans hat eine zu lange und blutige Geschichte, um etwas
anderes zu erwarten. Für einen solchen Ausgang hatten wir einen Plan B, doch
dann haben uns unsere eigenen Verbündeten das Messer in den Rücken gestoßen,
die Azurblauen Drachen, Excommunicado, die Kinder von Kratos …”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Diese dummen reichen
Gören?”, unterbrach ein Zentaur überrascht. Er nahm seinen Helm ab und kratzte
sich am Hinterkopf. Ich fragte mich, warum jemand dieses Volk wählen würde.
Sechs Gliedmaßen zu kontrollieren musste schwierig sein. „Was haben sie gegen
uns?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Die Mitglieder der
Kinder von Kratos waren hauptsächlich reiche Jugendliche, die das Geld ihrer Eltern
für Boosts und Ausrüstung ausgaben. Es war ein starker Clan mit einer langen
Geschichte, eine Art von Eliteclub für Kinder von Bürgern der Kategorie C und
höher. Sie spielten aus Spaß und nahmen selten an offenen Kämpfen mit
gleichstarken Spielern teil, geschweige denn mit stärkeren.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Während ich nach einer
Lösung suchte, hörte ich Hinterleaf weiter zu. Bald würde ein Kampf beginnen,
und in dem Chaos würde ich eine Chance haben, Crag zu befreien.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Also gut, ich komme
zur Sache. Wir konnten nicht herausfinden, welches Potenzial die Gefahr hat.
Der Junge gibt nicht auf und weigert sich zu reden. Wir wissen nur, dass er die
jeweilige Gruppe, deren Mitglied er ist, erheblich stärkt. Versteht ihr? Aus
naheliegenden Gründen können wir ihn nicht in unserem Clan aufnehmen, aber mit
ihm als Partner könnten wir viel erreichen. Vielleicht könnten wir endlich ins
Tal des geflügelten Schreckens vorstoßen oder sogar den Kontinent Meaz
erreichen! Der Junge wird sicher einverstanden sein, denn dadurch wird er sein
Potenzial weiter entwickeln. Wir werden ihm einen Anteil an der Loot und einen
festgelegten Betrag für die Zeit anbieten, während der er online ist.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Der Clan-Anführer von
Modus schien nicht nur mich, sondern auch seine Clankameraden zu überraschen.
Hinterleafs Ruf als verräterischer, grausamer, autoritärer Anführer entsprach
nicht dem Charakter, den ich vor mir sah ... es sei denn, diese
Demokratiespielchen waren Teil eines anderen Plans.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In dem Moment
unterbrach Yary den Clan-Anführer. Der Ritter stellte sich neben Hinterleaf und
nahm seinen seltsam geformten Helm ab, der eine Klinge an der Spitze hatte. Ein
Schatten lief über Hinterleafs Gesicht. Vielleicht machte der alte Mann
wirklich Platz. Das musste der Grund für den Konflikt mit seinen Offizieren
sein, der als „Meinungsverschiedenheit” maskiert war. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Ich glaube nicht, dass
wir hier herauskommen, wenn die Spitzenclans uns auf den Fersen sind.
Mitglieder von Modus, was unser hoch respektierter Clan-Anführer gesagt hat,
ist eine Utopie. Sie werden uns solch einen Trick nie verzeihen, und die
Eliminierung der Gefahr ebenso wenig. Es gibt einen Grund, warum wir Modus
heißen: Wir schätzen Bündnisse, die die Interessen aller Beteiligten in
Betracht ziehen. Auf diese Weise sind wir zu einem Spitzenclan geworden, indem
wir Probleme nicht mit Waffen, sondern mit Worten gelöst haben. Wer ist dafür,
die Abgesandten des Bündnissen hereinzulassen, um das Missverständnis
aufzuklären und den Konflikt zu entschärfen?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Sie können den <i>Schild
der Gerechtigkeit</i> nicht durchbrechen. Er regeneriert sich schneller als sie
ihn beschädigen können. Selbst wenn sie die ganze Armee der Allianz
hierherbringen würden, würden sie sich die Zähne ausbeißen!”, bellte
Hinterleaf. „Wir werden unsere Truppen durch Söldner verstärken …”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Blackberry, wie ist
der Stand mit den Söldnern?”, unterbrach Yary und wandte sich an die Offiziere.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Die hochgewachsene
Gestalt einer Elfe in Lederrüstung, die eine kurze Armbrust auf dem Rücken
trug, trat aus der Gruppe heraus. Ihre langen Beine endeten in schwarzen,
geflügelten Stiefeln.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Alle Söldner über
Level 300 waren heute Morgen beschäftigt”, antwortete die Frau mit lauter
Stimme. Sie schwebte einige Meter über dem Boden, sodass alle sie sehen
konnten. „Sie haben den Kunden nicht preisgegeben, doch es handelt sich
wahrscheinlich um die Wanderer.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Seht ihr?”, rief
Hinterleaf triumphierend, obwohl die neuen Informationen seinen Worten
widersprachen. Er war offensichtlich mehr daran interessiert, die
Auseinandersetzung mit seinen Offizieren um die Mehrheit der Stimmen zu
gewinnen, als den Konflikt mit dem Bündnis zu lösen. „Die Clans der Dunklen
Seite haben schon vor langer Zeit beschlossen, uns zu hintergehen. Und nun ist
einer von uns bereit, einen Kompromiss einzugehen? Uns zu unterwerfen und ihnen
die Gefahr auf einem silbernen Tablett zu präsentieren?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Das ist eine
Übertreibung”, wehrte Yary sich. „Du bist unser Anführer, Hinterleaf. Wir
akzeptieren deine Entscheidung, das weißt du. Aber ich bitte dich, vernünftig
zu sein! Wir können uns nicht in diesem Schloss verschanzen und uns vor der
Welt verstecken. Wir haben bereits Berichte erhalten, dass unsere Minen und
Plantagen angegriffen werden. Unser neues Schloss an der Grenze wird belagert,
und es verfügt nicht über das Artefakt <i>Schild der Gerechtigkeit</i>. Wir
erleiden Verluste, bevor der Kampf begonnen hat! Kein Clan hat je gegen alle
anderen gewonnen, und das ist genau der Kampf, in den du uns führen willst.” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Hinterleaf biss sich
auf die Unterlippe, als ob er überlegen würde, was er sagen sollte. Dann atmete
er tief ein und sprach mit düsterer Stimme: „Du hast keine Ahnung, was du
ablehnt. Zum Teufel damit! Genug der Worte, wir müssen eine Entscheidung
treffen. Wer ist dafür, dass wir die Gefahr für uns behalten, egal, was wir mit
ihr tun?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Er warf einen finsteren
Blick über die Mitglieder von Modus. Nicht ein Spieler erhob die Hand. Der
Anführer nickte angewidert.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Zum Nether mit euch,
ihr Schwächlinge. Ruft die Gesandten herein, einer von jedem Clan des
Bündnisses.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Nachdem die Vertreter
der Clans eingetroffen waren, liefen zwei Kampfgestirne zum Keller, wo Crag
festgehalten wurde. Die Gesandten verlangten, ihn zu sehen, um sicherzustellen,
dass er noch am Leben war.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ich schickte Tobias
eine Nachricht, in der ich ihn bat, auf niemanden zu hören, und versprach ihm,
dass wir bald von hier verschwinden würden. Damit wollte ich verhindern, dass
er das Gefühl bekam, alles wäre vorbei, und möglicherweise die Seiten wechseln
würde. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Inzwischen gingen die
Soldaten von Modus in Verteidigungsstellung, um bereit zu sein, falls die
Belagerer überraschend angreifen würden. Obwohl sie diszipliniert und
aufmerksam waren, gelang es mir, mich im Schutz der Dunkelheit näher an die
Stelle heranzuschleichen, zu der sie Crag bringen wollten.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Zuerst verschwand die
Schutzkuppel. Dann öffneten sich die Tore, um die Gesandten hereinzulassen. Sie
saßen auf geflügelten Reittieren und hätten über den Schlossgraben und die
Mauern fliegen können, doch sie kamen über die Brücke: Glyph auf einem <i>Geflügelten
Tiger</i>, Horvac auf einem <i>Geisterdrachen</i>, der Colonel auf einem <i>Brennenden
Phönix</i> und die Vertreter der übrigen Clans des Bündnisses. Die legendären
Ausrüstungsteile der Spieler strahlten im Dunkeln. Sie mussten zusammen
mindestens eine Milliarde Gold wert sein.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Crags Markierung erschien
auf der Minikarte. Mir blieben nur noch Sekunden.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Zwar würden sie ihn
nicht weit von mir vorbeibringen, doch ich bewegte mich weiter vorwärts, um
möglichst nahe an ihn heranzukommen. Zehn Meter … sieben Meter … fünf Meter …
Verdammt! Sie hatten die Richtung geändert und bewegten sich nun von mir weg.
Ich schob mich durch die Menge der Spieler, um den Abstand aufzuholen. Als ich
eine Lücke entdeckte, zwängte ich mich hindurch, ohne auf die ärgerlichen Rufe
und stoßenden Ellbogen zu achten.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ein Spieler wurde
besonders ärgerlich und stellte mir ein Bein. Ich fiel aufs Gesicht und meine
Sicht verschwamm. Fluchend kroch ich auf allen vieren weiter. Um mich herum war
eine Palisade aus Beinen. Ich stieß mit dem Kopf gegen Knie und Waden und
verlor die Orientierung.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Das Symbol von <i>Tiefen-Teleportation</i>
leuchtete auf, die Fertigkeit wurde aktiv, doch ich hatte keine Zeit, sie zu
aktivieren, denn die Menge der Spieler bewegte sich erneut. Doch Crag hielt an,
als ob er etwas wahrgenommen hätte. Ich senkte den Kopf und nahm Horvacs
Gestalt an, der gerade ins Schloss ritt. Die Spieler wichen vor den Gesandten
zurück.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ich sprang auf, machte
einen Schritt vorwärts, noch einen … und aktivierte <i>Tiefen-Teleportation</i>.
Drei Herzschläge später erschienen wir am Eingang des Tempels der Schlafenden
Götter auf Kharinza.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Im Inneren
materialisierte die Gestalt von Behemoth. Ich nickte der Gottheit zu und sah zu
Crag hinüber. Er hatte sich auf den Boden gesetzt und die Hände auf die Knie
fallen lassen. Er hatte ein breites Grinsen auf dem Gesicht. Ich hockte mich
neben ihn.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Wir haben es geschafft!
Wir sind am Tempel!</span></i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">, schrieb ich den anderen. Gleich
darauf teleportierten Crawler und Bomber einige Meter von uns entfernt. Trixie,
Manny und Gyula rannten auf uns zu und winkten zur Begrüßung. Der kleine Mann
hatte Mühe, Schritt zu halten, während er mir etwas zurief.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Wo zum Teufel sind
wir?”, fragte Crag.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Willkommen im
zukünftigen Fort des Clans der Erwachten”, erklärte Crawler triumphierend.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">„Wir sind zu Hause,
Toby”, flüsterte ich und ließ mich auf den Rücken fallen. Unzählige Sterne
funkelten am Himmel und feierten das Ende einer wichtigen Quest. „Wir sind zu
Hause.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="DE"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="DE" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span><span lang="DE"> </span><span lang="DE" style="font-size: 10pt;">Ein NPC oder
Nicht-Spieler-Charakter wird nicht von einem Spieler, sondern von einem Programm
oder künstlicher Intelligenz gesteuert.</span><span lang="DE"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="DE"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span face=""Calibri",sans-serif" lang="DE" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span><span lang="DE"> </span><span lang="DE" style="font-size: 10pt;">Die Goliathe sind ein
Volk gigantischer, intelligenter, menschenähnlicher Kreaturen, die in Stämmen
in der Natur leben (hauptsächlich in Gebirgen). Der Name des Volkes leitet sich
vom biblischen Mythos von David und Goliath ab.</span><span lang="DE"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div><br /></div>Simon Valehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16142080565999248152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1879934328827513079.post-51309276032541281382021-01-17T01:30:00.001-08:002021-01-17T01:30:08.677-08:00Reality Benders-7: Cause for War by Michael Atamanov<h3 style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Reality Benders-7: Cause for War</div><div style="text-align: center;">by Michael Atamanov</div></h3><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ScTqEoxBtfA/YAQDUz_vS4I/AAAAAAAACds/c6OXmaROYHsR5__lm3QopMIGc0mvZsMYwCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/RB7_800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="507" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ScTqEoxBtfA/YAQDUz_vS4I/AAAAAAAACds/c6OXmaROYHsR5__lm3QopMIGc0mvZsMYwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/RB7_800.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Release - March 19, 2021</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Pre-order now - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08T7ML97M">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08T7ML97M</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><h2 style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Introduction. Horde Conference</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none; text-align: right;"><span lang="EN-US">The Vaare Star System, Meleyephatian space </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none; text-align: right;"><span lang="EN-US">Gas giant satellite Vaare I-III, Horde space docks</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="mso-hyphenate: none; text-align: right;"><span lang="EN-US">Mobile communication center</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="right" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right; text-indent: 35.4pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The huge spherical room which had previously served as a
construction hangar for the Horde's large landing ships had been hurriedly
refit as a long-distance communication center for hosting an emergency fleet
conference. That was because the preexisting communication points on every
military base or large starship couldn’t be used due to security concerns
voiced by Meleyephatian analysts. Their formidable adversary had already shown
that they could quickly trace signals to their source and send starship strike
groups there to destroy the Meleyephatian Horde's command centers. In an effort
to avoid unnecessary loss of starships and personnel, military engineers had
refit a structure at the orbital docks of the uninhabited Vaare system as a
communications center in record time. Meanwhile, another group of military
specialists had anchored a large number of gravity mines in nearby space
because they had proven most effective against the adversary's small starships in
comparison to thermonuclear munitions or antimatter charges.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Right on schedule, the holographic projectors on the inner surface
of the hangar lit up. In the darkness, the glowing figures of the Horde's
leaders appeared one after another</span><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">– </span><span lang="EN-US">the grand admirals of its fleets and its
political leaders. Eleven arachnids of the twenty-one on the list... Twelve...
Fourteen... Eighteen... They waited another thirty seconds, but the three
absent leaders never showed up. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The conference had been called by Krong Laa </span><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">– </span><span lang="EN-US">a level-402
Strategist, commander of the First Fleet and the formal leader of the
Meleyephatian Horde </span><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">– </span><span lang="EN-US">whose mandibles were now twitching in dismay. Although he had backed
away from the demanding task of managing the huge interstellar state and had
long been on the periphery of the known galaxy, expanding the horde's territory
and bending ever more races to his will, he was not expecting such flagrant
disobedience as skipping a conference called by the supreme leader. Was this a rebellion?
An attempt to undermine his Authority in hopes of lowering his rank? Just in
case, the Krong got off to a cautious start: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"I do not see commander of the Third Fleet Grand Admiral Kung
Rou. Leng Tou, Vassal Race Coordinator and Kung Maa, Head of Foreign
Intelligence are also missing. Can anyone explain their failure to appear at
such an important gathering?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The answer came from Kung Paa, the Horde's Chief Analyst who had
already stood unshakably in that position for one hundred seventy tongs. The
wise and elder level-322 Analyst, all organs and appendages on his once living
body having long since been replaced with cybernetic prostheses, had only the
cybernetic implants and crystal memory drives enhancing his brain to thank for
being counted among the living attendees of this conference rather than as a
robot. Kung Paa had earned a reputation for always having his finger on the
pulse of events occurring throughout the galaxy. But mere knowledge is not
enough. It is much more important to use that flow of information to make
far-reaching conclusions. And in that regard, the Chief Analyst surpassed even
the Jargs.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"My Krong, the Third Fleet was stationed at the incursion point
in the Kharsssh-O system and was first to give battle when our powerful and
highly numerous foe suddenly appeared. Out of the fleet's three thousand five
hundred starships, according to my data, just one hundred twenty small-class
ships were able to escape. The fleet's flagship has been destroyed, and the
commander's respawn point was located there."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The Krong's agonized chirr rolled through the hangar, echoing many
times off its walls. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"What an idiot! I see the many tongs of peace and local
quibbles with weak enemies such as the Miyelonians and other riffraff were long
enough that our admirals forgot to observe elementary security measures! And I
suppose half of the crews were also in the real when our foe attacked,
otherwise I cannot comprehend the crushing defeat. He and his fleet would have been
nice to have in the Aysar Cluster. Things have really been heating up there
lately! In the blink of an eye, he'd have learned extreme awareness and
readiness for action at any moment. Has Kung Rou come back in the real world?
If so, he should be executed for incompetence immediately!!!" <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Yes, the Commander of the Third Fleet has returned. I was also
able to obtain a report from him on the defeat and his losses. But after that,
the main Throne World data centers were destroyed by our adversary along with
millions of virt pods. And there have not been any further messages from the
Kharsssh-O system in any reality. Our enemy is jamming all comms channels.
Coordinator Leng Tou was on the Throne World as well. He perished according to
reports corroborated by several independent sources. It is unknown what became
of Foreign Intelligence Chief Kung Maa. He was in the Paku-Uuu star system,
which came under attack after the Throne World. But I would venture to guess
that Kung Maa managed to escape, given his personal cloaked frigate has not
been found on the list of losses. Also, our Foreign Intelligence Chief is too
cautious a player to get caught in such a foolish trap."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The Krong stayed silent, though he wanted to chirr in outrage. Yes,
reports from the Throne World had been of the most awful sort for the last
several ummi, but to hear things were that bad... He turned all twelve of his
mobile eyes on the Chief Analyst and pronounced in a flat tone: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"I have been in a hyperspace jump with my fleet for the past
three ummi and cut-off from communication. The panic-monger yellow journalists
in the media keep jabbering about tens of thousands of starships of an unknown
race appearing out of nowhere. And supposedly, a quarter ummi was all it took
for them to wipe out every orbital fortification in the Kharsssh-O star system,
which took hundreds of tongs to construct and were considered impenetrable. I trust
those are exaggerations, yes? The Trillians couldn't even fight their way
through to the Throne World with their royal fleet despite the fact that, at
that time, it rivaled ours both in number and firepower. Tell me, advisor that
this is untrue, and our orbital artillery is holding strong and fighting
back!"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Regrettably, that is not so, my Krong," Kung Paa
understood that the ruler, famed for his quick temper, would not like that
answer but right now it was more important to get the truth across than to
sugarcoat distressing information. "We have credible reports of at least
seventy-four thousand small-class enemy starships and over three hundred large
ones equivalent in size to our battleships but surpassing them in firepower by
approximately thirty times. The battle in the Kharsssh-O system was fast-paced
and it was all over in just a quarter ummi. The enemy fleet neutralizes all
starships attempting to leave the planet, while enemy battleships have switched
to bombarding the Throne World. At the same time, no landing ships have been
spotted in the Kharsssh-O System, nor any of the other systems under attack.
All that has led us to believe our adversary means to destroy our
infrastructure and population rather than capture planets favorable to
habitation."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The Chief Analyst's tale was picked up by Grand Admiral Khii,
Commander of the Second Fleet.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"I was receiving data from the battle in Kharsssh-O until the
enemy cut off long-distance comms. They were attacking our Third Fleet, star
fortresses and orbital artillery installations without regard for their losses
from the outset. They lost over four thousand ships but destroyed all of the
Throne World's defensive structures. In the first phase of attack, there were
many documented cases of small enemy interceptors sacrificing themselves by
slamming into our artillery or large ships at high speed and self-detonating.
And that was happening in the real world, where respawn is impossible. My
Krong, we have come up against a group of fanatics without the slightest fear
of death. They sacrifice themselves for something they must be strongly
convinced of without the least bit of hesitation, gladly even."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The Senior Psionic entered the conversation just then, all eight of
his limbs weighed down with magic rings to improve his Intelligence, psionic
abilities and mental power.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Our psionics have confirmed that theory. According to the
fragmentary thoughts we have managed to read, the 'composites' as they call
themselves believe us to be an ancient nemesis </span><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">– </span><span lang="EN-US">something along the
lines of a religious symbol of evil </span><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">– </span><span lang="EN-US">and they believe themselves to be conducting
a historic holy war to bring our tyrannical reign to an end. We have yet to
truly comprehend what 'ancient evil' they have taken us for. But the Composites
are completely opposed to negotiations and will stop at nothing to destroy us.
They are willing to sacrifice whatever it takes to achieve their hallowed
goal." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The Krong kept silent, then spoke up, not hiding his frustration.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"All religious wars, regardless of what hokum the rulers
declared at the outset about 'ancient evil' or 'uncompromising holy struggle that
cannot stop until total victory,' quickly trail off as soon as the people start
hearing about the heavy losses they have incurred. A switch flips in their
brains. 'Unshakable' dogmas change while the most notorious fanatic leaders are
replaced with more flexible politicians. The Trillians were also once
considered implacable religious fanatics, but we forced them to come to the
table. However, there is another aspect of this story that's bothering me. Have
we ever gone to war with the Composites before? I cannot recall such an enemy
in the Horde's entire history."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The answer to that question also came from the Chief Analyst:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"No, my Krong. Neither the Meleyephatians nor our vassals have
ever encountered the Composites before. I have checked every archive. In fact,
it isn't even theoretically possible because our enemy came here from a
different galaxy, which is now known for certain. I believe with a high degree
of probability that our race was set up by other players in the game of grand
interstellar politics. I can say with a probability of over seventy-two percent
that the Trillians are behind the attack. Twenty-three percent it was the
Miyelonians. And I put four percent on the Geckho. In any case, I assume that
whoever was behind this invasion will be found in our galaxy, and we probably
know who they are."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Serious accusations. Tell me, on what basis did you reach
these conclusions?" Krong Laa's chirr clanged with a metallic edge, which
did not bode well for whoever would be found at fault in the audacious attack
which had led the Meleyephatian Horde to lose its capital.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Kung Paa was eager to explain:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"As shown by battle reports and investigation of Composite ship
fragments, our enemy starships' main weapons are pulse emitters, which instigate
a quadrupolar destabilization reaction. To be blunt, it's a rare weapon around
here. However, not long before the invasion, something a lot like it was used
in the Trillian-controlled Taikhirhh-o-Tsykh star system. Meanwhile the
hyperspace drive design used on the small Composite ships was patented by a
Trillian corporation less than fifteen ummi ago. And that means the Trillians
must have had contact with the Composites before the invasion and exchanged
information with them."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The reasoning really was strong. All the Horde leaders at the
conference agreed. However, Krong Laa was in no hurry to declare war on the
Trillians and asked to be told the theories that could possibly implicate the
Miyelonians or Geckho. The Chief Analyst explained:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"A Human Free Captain by the name of Kung Gnat figures
prominently in both. A remarkable figure, I have put together a whole dossier
on him. A swashbuckler with tremendous luck, he is a known confidant of Geckho
leader Krong Daveyesh-Pir having completed special assignments for him in the
past, and currently. He is also working for the Trillian royal family, having
been rewarded by them for an unspecified outstanding feat with</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span><span lang="EN-US">a functioning
quadrupolar destabilizer, which is fitted on his frigate <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tamara the Paladin</i>. The best Gunner of the Trillian race was also
transferred to Kung Gnat's crew to man it." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Oh my! So, the Trillians are caught up in all this
again," someone pointed out. But rather than get distracted the Chief
Analyst continued:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Furthermore, Kung Gnat is privately acquainted with a
potential ruler of the Union of Miyelonian Prides Kung Keetsie Myau and, is in
fact officially considered her fiancé. I have no doubts that the Great One has
also assigned this man missions of particular importance because Gnat and his
crew were mentioned in the incident on Medu-Ro IV which served as the official
pretext for beginning the sixteenth space war between us and the Geckho and
Miyelonians. So then, Free Captain Kung Gnat is one of the most highly regarded
experts in ancient races, particularly the Relicts. We have intelligence
suggesting a near one hundred percent chance that Kung Gnat is in possession of
Relict technology capable of instantaneous space travel. Indeed, Kung Gnat is
the only individual known to be capable of travelling to another galaxy in
order to carry out this special assignment from his highly placed employers.
Meanwhile, the Free Captain is not an independent figure. He has neither
financial nor military power of his own. He is merely a middle-man and cunning
agent engaged in someone else's war. Anyone out there could have hired his
services." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"A truly remarkable personage," the ruler of the
Meleyephatian Horde agreed. "The one thing I cannot comprehend is why none
of you thought to try and hire this man to work for us. Diplomacy Advisor, I
direct this question to you. Why is Kung Gnat not on our side? The
Meleyephatian Horde would have plenty of missions for a clever swashbuckler who
can travel instantaneously throughout the Universe."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"My Krong," the Diplomacy Advisor tucked in his
appendages, making himself appear half as large before continuing his answer.
"Kung Gnat did in fact offer his services to the Meleyephatian Horde in
the past, and more precisely to our vassals from Tailax. However, the Prelates
of Tailax committed a staggering act of foolishness and blackmailed the Free
Captain, threatening his home planet and his female. Our partnership ended
there, and soon after Gnat was declared an enemy of the Horde. Now the Free
Captain is working for the Geckho, assembling an army of vassals on his home
planet for the war effort against us on an order from Krong Daveyesh-Pir.
Furthermore, Kung Gnat has been granted official protection by Kung Keetsie
Myau. The First Pride intercepted a group of assassins sent by Tailax to
Kasti-Utsh III and the Great One warned us that their peace treaty with the
Meleyephatian Horde could be annulled if the Horde's vassals do not cease
surveillance of her marriage-dance partner."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The ruler's reaction was predictably harsh.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Just what we need right now! To be back at war with the Union
of Miyelonian Prides! I demand that everyone involved in that failing be
executed at once! Kung Gnat is no longer to be regarded as an enemy of the
Horde, and he is to be informed via unofficial channels that I wish to speak
with him personally. But enough about that swashbuckler. I need a situation
report about the war."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The Chief Analyst quickly deployed a three-dimensional holographic
screen of data arrays and started reading off the information.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"My Krong, we have lost four thousand combat ships including
four battleships and two planet destroyers, which amounts to approximately
fourteen percent of the Horde's total military might. The Composite has lost
around seven thousand small-class starships and two battleships. It is still
difficult to comprehend how significant that is to our enemy, because there are
more of them coming out of the portals in Kharsssh-O constantly and the flow of
starships shows no sign of stopping. Other than the Throne World, we have lost
the three star systems closest to the invasion point. Communication with them
has been lost. Battle is still ongoing in eleven more, but I see no chance of
holding onto them. That's the bad news. Here's the good: The Second Fleet
pulled off a difficult win in Larsssh-U, fighting back the Composite's attack
and wiping out over seven hundred small enemy ships. The Fourth Fleet has
joined forces with the Eighth and is heading toward the engagements. The Sixth
Fleet has been recalled from the war against the Geckho and also redirected
against our new enemy. In eight ummi, we will have a strike force in the
Parsssh-O and Uparssshi systems of eleven thousand ships for my Krong to deploy
as he sees fit. We have begun evacuating the population and manufacturing
facilities from the most vulnerable systems near the fighting, for which we
have deputized civilian ships. An order has been given to mobilize all our
space docks to replenish the Horde's losses and all our vassals have been
issued new accelerated production plans."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The rest of the Chief Analyst's report was cut-off by an emergency
message from the communications officer:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Attention! Composite ships in near space! One hundred sixty
small Dero-class interceptors! They are approaching the mobile communications
center!" <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Conference adjourned!" Krong Laa declared, setting an
example by switching off his long-distance communications.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">One after the next, the glowing holograms of the Horde's leaders
went out </span><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">– </span><span lang="EN-US">the participants were leaving the conference.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"They sure detected this command center quick..." the
Senior Psionic spoke out in dismay, glancing at a timer and performing
calculations. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">He received a response from the Commander of the Eighth Fleet, who
had brought up a video feed from the space dock's external cameras for himself.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Yes, very quick. And until we figure out how our foe is doing
that, our flotillas will be constantly on their back foot. That's all. They're
already coming over. On the other hand, we now have a chance to take down some
of their starsh..."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The Grand Admiral was unable to finish. The mobile communications
center disappeared in the bright flash of a large number of high-power gravity
mines exploding in near space.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h2 style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Chapter One. War Between Heavens
and Earth<span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Cambria",serif;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: "Cambria",serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[1]</span></b></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">I was in the dispatcher tower at the Geckho space port standing at a
panoramic window in the restaurant area. The high perspective gave me an
amazing view of the terrestrial space port which was unusually cluttered with
spaceships. The great number of yachts, landing modules from passenger liners
and shuttles belonged to guests at the wedding of Gerd Uline Tar and Viceroy of
Earth Gerd Kosta Dykhsh. They ran the gamut from the tiny-looking Shiamiru
cargo shuttles to a huge Kitivaru trade ship. A couple Sindirovu interceptors
belonged to local Geckho services while three interceptors parked in a separate
group belonged to the Relict Faction. My frigate <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tamara the Paladin</i> was surrounded by scurrying technicians under
the watchful eye of chief Engineer Orun Va-Mart the Miyelonian and Supercargo
Avan-Toi the Geckho, checking weapons systems, trading out fuel blocks and
attaching proton torpedoes to suspension fittings. But all that space tech got
lost on the backdrop of the three truly gargantuan large landing ships of the
Third Geckho Strike Fleet, each of which was around as big as the Great Pyramid
of Giza and even distantly resembling it in shape. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">There was a half-mile-long line of Army of Earth troopers stretching
out from every landing ship. Troops from a multitude of terrestrial factions,
walking and wheeled combat robots, innumerable cargo trucks of equipment. The
sight of it was majestic and even epic. Fifty-three thousand players. A bit
more than the ruler of our suzerains Krong Daveyesh-Pir had demanded from
Earth, but it wouldn't have been right to refuse those wishing to take part in
the first combat operation of this scale our planet had ever seen. The troopers
were overflowing with pride at the fact they were representing our world and
were champing at the bit to prove to all the great space races throughout the
galaxy that our humanity was worth something.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Captain, should you perhaps go address the troops?"
suggested Gerd Ayni Uri-Miayuu the Miyelonian, standing next to me and also
transfixed by the spectacle. "They will be pleased to see the Kung of
Earth and it would be good for your Authority." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">It seemed like a
sensible idea, but still I refused.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"I am not in command of this operation," I crossed my eyes
at the pushed-aside tables in the far corner of the restaurant where a group of
military professionals were holding a conference. The ruler of the Second
Directory, the massive General Leng Ui-Taka was gesticulating wildly and poking
his fingers into an electronic tablet lying on the table as he tried in
elevated tones to drive something home to his staff officers and a
representative of Third Strike Fleet Commander Kung Waid Shishish also attending
the spontaneous gathering. Something had upset the highly experienced
Strategist and he was telling the hulking Geckho officer his issues without
mincing words.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Generals from the armies of Russia, Germany, China and the USA
listened carefully to the representative of the magocratic world, nodding along
and seeming to be in full agreement with him. Which could not be said for Gerd
Avagi Dykhsh, sitting on three chairs at once in his heavy shock armor and
insisting on his own point of view, stubbornly not wishing to hear his
opponents. I had no experience commanding troops, so I stayed out of it. But
nevertheless, I would have to figure out what they were disagreeing about
eventually.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">It was somewhat strange to see Human-3 Faction member Gerd Alexander
Antipov the "fed" Inquisitor in the company of the highly placed
military officers, but the ruler of the Second Directory approved his candidacy
and even insisted on bringing the experienced counter-intelligence operative on
as a staff officer. I must admit I didn't understand that decision, but still I
kept my amateurish advice to myself. I felt like an outsider in general at this
whole grandiose event, something like the pointless fifth wheel on a cart. My
role was over as soon as the Krong of our suzerains' assignment was complete
and the Army of Earth was formed. And now I was in deep thought, not totally
understanding what to do next.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Fly off with the rest of the fleet on my starship? But first of all,
one frigate wouldn't make a difference in battle against hundreds and even
thousands of combat ships. Secondly, I wasn't even told where the landing ships
were headed. When I asked that question to a representative of the Commander,
Gerd Avagi Dykhsh was as delicate and respectful as possible, but he
nevertheless firmly asserted that it was confidential information he did not
have the right to disclose.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Naive. Naturally, I read everything I needed from his thoughts. The
Third Strike Fleet's rallying point was the Ursa Star System. As an aside, I
took direct part in its capture from the Meleyephatians and in many ways made
it happen. But as for where the fleet would go next and what role the Army of Earth
played in its plans, Kung Waid Shishish's representative himself didn't know.
Maybe they really were destined for the Un-Tau Comet like the Viceroy of Earth
told me in confidence during his wedding. Though now, with the Meleyephatians
tied up in a new war, the Third Strike Fleet could have different plans. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Fly to the rallying point on my own? That wasn't likely to have a
positive reception. Even though Kung Waid Shishish considered me something of a
"lucky charm," he had not ordered me to join the fleet. Take care of
my own affairs? For example, I could meet and have talks with other Geckho
vassals like the Jargs and Esthetes and reach agreements for them to work
together with the humans of Earth, as Gerd Kosta Dykhsh advised. Or I could get
to work on the "mission of epic difficulty" the Trillian Royal Family
had assigned me. But it would seem like a strange decision to stay out of the
fiery space war when the army I had assembled was preparing to spill blood with
thousands of my subjects from the Relict Faction taking part in the action. Put
pressure on Gerd Avagi Dykhsh and insist on joining in? I was afraid I'd have
to fall back on psionics to accomplish that, and I didn't want to go looking
for trouble. The Geckho officer seemed quite overconfident and stuck-up. He
looked upon us human vassals like unintelligent children with no understanding
of space warfare blurting out uncalled-for suggestions. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The only being the Third Strike Fleet representative would listen to
was Fox. Kung Eesssa, the legendary Betelgeuse Planet Devouress had centuries
of experience conducting wars of all scales and could influence the Geckho
military officer with her indisputable Authority. But the Morphian disappeared
as soon as the test in the arena was over and I had yet to see her again. She
just tossed out a couple sentences in parting, saying she would find me when
the time came to fulfill the promise and she needed my help. The Morphian
melted into a crowd of thousands, probably preparing to leave the planet on one
of the many starships. If she had not done so already </span><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">– </span><span lang="EN-US">some of the wedding
guests had already left Earth, while combat shuttles were regularly flitting
here and there, so it was highly likely Fox had already made it far away from
planet Earth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Fame increased to 110.<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Authority increased to 114!<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Such game messages had become normal to me as of recently and I
wouldn't have paid them particular attention if not for the text that followed:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">ATTENTION!!! Free Captain Kung Gnat has been removed from the list
of enemies of the Meleyephatian Horde. The Horde's opinion of you has improved
to Neutral. Free Captain Kung Gnat may travel through Meleyephatian Horde space
once again. Access to space stations and planets of the Meleyephatians and all
their vassals is once again unrestricted!<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Now that I don't get at all... After everything I had done in the
past </span><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">– </span><span lang="EN-US">summoning an armada from another galaxy to attack the Meleyephatians
and assembling the Army of Earth to go to war with the Horde </span><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">– </span><span lang="EN-US">the very last
thing I was expecting was for them to suddenly warm up to me. Or was this not
to do with me at all? Perhaps the Horde was calling on Free Captains from
throughout the galaxy to go to war with the new dangerous enemy or at least for
paid help regardless of their past and providing full amnesty? After all, the
Meleyephatians probably needed a huge number of starships both for conducting
battles in space, and for evacuating players from the systems under attack and
transporting cargo and troops. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">That was the very story preferred by my personal assistant Gerd Ayni
as well, who had also seen similar messages before her eyes much to her own
surprise. The Miyelonian assumed the Horde's affairs must have been going very
poorly given they had fallen back on such extreme measures. Or had they come to
a general resolution to summon Free Captains, and would later be making
corrections and crossing out enemies that had been invited? In any case, there
was no reason to hurry to Horde space, and in that regard I stood in complete
solidarity with my orange Translator. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Free Captain Kung Gnat is requested in the long-distance comms
room!" the voice message came rolling down the dispatcher tower corridors,
making me shudder. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">I didn't wait around for the elevator and hurried up the spiral
staircase. Meanwhile, the thoughts were racing around my head in a frenzy.
Could someone from the Meleyephatian Horde really want to talk to me and
explain the strange jumps in my reputation? And was it really possible to
receive messages unimpeded from a hostile government in the midst of a bloody
space war? And could it possibly backfire on me to be in contact with our
suzerains' adversary?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">But I was wrong. I was "merely" getting a call from Krong
Daveyesh-Pir, ruler of the Geckho. I instantly fell to one knee and bowed my
head respectfully before the high and mighty figure. But I must not have done
so quickly enough, or a slight look of disappointment showed on my face because
the huge Geckho rumbled out menacingly:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"What, human? Expecting to see someone else?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The question wasn't as simple as it seemed, and I needed to think up
a plausible explanation for my behavior quickly so I wouldn't seem
insufficiently loyal.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"I beg forgiveness, my lord. I have indeed been waiting for a
message from someone else for a few ummi, which is why I had a moment of
confusion. It was a member of my crew, a woman who is dear to my heart by the
name of Valeri-Urla. She left my ship unexpectedly to an unknown destination.
An influential relative of my business partner Gerd Uline Tar promised to
figure out where the human woman went and tell me."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The huge Geckho gave a loud growl through his teeth but it wasn't
malicious at all. In fact it was approving and even contained notes of
happiness.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Ah, youth... I understand. I was the same way when I was
chasing my headstrong second wife all around the galaxy, boarding her starship
over and over again. I can help you look if you can't find this beautiful shrew
on your own." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Thank you for the offer, my lord, but it would be... too much
or something. Like using thermonuclear warheads to hunt quail."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The Geckho liked my response and gave another satisfied rumble.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Alright, if you say so, human. But I have come to you for a different
reason. I have been told that you completed my assignment. Ahead of schedule
even. Well, I value loyal and trustworthy go-getters, and my reward will be
generous. Choose what is most to your taste. A star cruiser so your ship will
match your newly elevated status as Kung, or two planetary shield generators
for Earth?" <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">For the time being, I had no need for another ship </span><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">– </span><span lang="EN-US">I had no one
to crew it, and a cruiser wouldn't be able to fit beneath the mobile Relict
laboratory's camouflage field and thus could not travel with it through the
Universe. But defensive field generators? How did the great Krong Daveyesh-Pir
know what I needed so precisely? I was not brave enough to ask that question
aloud.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The ruler, clearly satisfied by my surprise, snarled out happily:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"It would have been hard not to notice superconductor circuits,
high-capacity energy storage, polyfrequency emitters, powerful generators and
load-bearing elements necessary to construct planetary shields all starting to
disappear from markets in this sector of the galaxy at once while a string of
freighters started lining up outside your home planet. Well, it's a fine
initiative and I am perfectly happy to support a trusty Geckho vassal complete
such a noble endeavor. The generators will be delivered unassembled as soon as
possible and even unloaded at whatever point on your planet your Engineers
request."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Amazing! That made providing for Earth’s defense significantly
easier because now we only had to scrounge up seven more of the twelve
expensive and quite hard to assemble generators rather than nine. I would
determine where to install them and find the specialists required to assemble
and service them. Either from my Relict Faction or one of the many other
terrestrial factions. I could even pressure the leaders of the terrestrial
factions into helping me find the perfect staff. At the end of the day, am I
Kung of Earth or what?! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">For some reason, the suzerain leader's generosity put me on guard
though. Two planetary shield generators were worth around a hundred fifty
million Geckho crystals. Even without paying for delivery, that came to
eighty-five or ninety million monetary crystals. Even for a Krong, that's a
substantial sum of money to just go throwing around as gratitude for a job well
done. And as a matter of fact, the next few words out of the suzerain leader's
mouth proved that my doubts and worries were not misplaced.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"But now, Gnat, I want to discuss more important matters. Tell
me, human, why has the Relict space tech you possess not yet been delivered to
your suzerains' specialists for study? Is that not your express duty as a
member of a vassal race?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Danger Sense skill
increased to level one hundred forty-two!<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">How hard it is to always be talking with the Geckho Krong... I could
just never get used to his wild mood swings. Just one minute ago, the ruler was
heaping on gratitude for my loyal service and giving me generous gifts but now,
with steel in his voice, he was demanding more out of me and clearly prepared
to punish me severely for disobedience. But to give him the laboratory... No
way, I need it for myself! I started my response by carefully selecting my
words with an understanding that no one could test them for plausibility. No,
no lies. Such an experienced individual would see right through that. Only the
truth, but just leaving a couple things out and adding in a few personal
theories. And no psionics either because that could be detected and end very badly
indeed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"My Krong, I would be glad to hand over the laboratory to my
suzerains, but it isn't as easy as it sounds. The mobile laboratory does not
belong to me and does not obey me. It is controlled by its own artificial
intelligence, which sometimes communicates with me and works with me because it
takes me for a Relict. That is facilitated by the fact I wear Listener armor,
understand the ancient race's language, and have a living Relict in my team.
But sometimes the system tells me I have failed a check or lack the requisite
access level to the Relict Pyramid, then the station goes out of control and
even tries to kill me. There are enough security systems and combat drones in
the laboratory to take down me, my entire crew and my frigate. In such instances,
I have to reboot the entire system and try to reestablish our relationship.
There is a distinct possibility that one day I may find myself unable to cope
with the complicated system and the mobile laboratory will toss me out. But I
am going slowly and steadily toward my goal, trying various methods to get the
security systems entirely under my command though for now it is still far off.
I need time, possibly a lot of it. I can provide Geckho scientists with a
highly-detailed scan diagram of the ancient laboratory with all its hubs,
modules and systems."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Now that's a different matter entirely! Blueprints will do
perfectly well, human!" the ruler latched onto my offer eagerly, and I
even started to get the impression the Krong was getting more out of me than he
was hoping. "Another planetary shield generator will be sent to your home
planet as soon as the Geckho receive a crystal drive containing blueprints of
the laboratory's equipment."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">I exhaled. I had seemingly squirmed my way out of a tricky situation.
I even made another crucial step toward keeping Earth safe from space invaders.
Meanwhile, the fearsome Geckho changed the topic again and I heard notes of
sadness and anxiety in his words.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"The Par-Poreh royal family is no longer talking to me. The Trillians
didn't even congratulate the civilization of Shiharsa on our most important
holiday </span><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">– </span><span lang="EN-US">the day of the great unification of Geckho clans. That has never
happened before. The Trillians have always sent their congratulations and their
ambassador has always come bearing gifts as a token of our friendship. It is a
worrying sign. My Analysts believe Krong Pino Par-Poreh the Third and his
relatives are considering starting a war against my people because all Geckho
and vassal fleets have been sent off to the hard-fought war against the
Meleyephatian Horde. To make matters worse, based on recent intelligence, there
have recently been secret negotiations between the Trillians and Union of
Miyelonian Prides. They must be discussing joint operations against my people.
Miyelonians are famed for stabbing allies in the back soon after fighting side
by side with them. I suspect that, if not for the Horde's new enemy, the point
of no return would have already been passed and they would already have made
their decision. By the way..."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The Krong looked at me hesitantly, knitting his furry brows.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Tell me, human, the Composite starships going to the
Meleyephatian Horde Throne World </span><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">– </span><span lang="EN-US">was that your doing?" <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Well I'll be damned... My heart pricked with a sense of impending trouble.
A direct question I will not be able to quibble when answering. Deny everything?
I didn't want to take on such a heavy burden, while the ruler of the Geckho
race didn't have any proof of my involvement in the invasion. Even in my own
crew, only a very restricted circle of players knew of our role there. They
could even be counted on one hand. Or did Krong Daveyesh-Pir actually have
proof of some kind? After all, my Navigator Ayukh was a Geckho by race and one
of the few in my crew to know where we had been and where we jumped. Despite
all his loyalty to his captain, it was easily possible the Navigator might have
felt compelled to tell his people's intelligence services about such a
critically important event. And so I decided to speak the truth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Yes, my lord. After contact in a different galaxy with the
powerful and extremely aggressive Gukko-Vahe Composite, I made a deliberate
decision to jump to the Meleyephatian Throne World. I did so just in case the
Composite ships could track our jump and follow me to our galaxy. I thought it
was a good idea to turn the Gukko-Vahe Composites on an enemy of the Geckho and
weaken the Meleyephatian Horde."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Good thing you admitted it, Kung Gnat because it was a test of
your honesty to your suzerain ruler," he buzzed out, then growled in
satisfaction. "Nice move, human! I approve! The Trillians and Miyelonians
must be trying to figure out how to act now. This is the perfect time to try
and talk them out of their aggressive plans. Do you understand me, Kung Gnat?"
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Yes, my lord."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Great then. I place my hope in your diplomatic abilities, Kung
Gnat. At the end of it all, Earth's humanity doesn't want a war against two
great space races either."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The highly powerful Geckho signed off. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">I found myself still kneeling in the long-distance comms room and
trying to get my scattered thoughts together. Holy crap, what a little job I'd
been tossed! As for the Miyelonians, sure. I could discuss the issue with
Keetsie Myau. It was not of course guaranteed I could sway the Great One's
decision, but at the very least she would hear me out. But the Trillians? Krong
Daveyesh-Pir was clearly overestimating my influence on them. Other than my
contacts with the Hive of Tintara, and the obligation I had taken on to
complete the "Mission of Epic Difficulty," there was nothing
connecting me to the Trillians. So, should I perhaps get working on that
mission then? <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<h2 style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Chapter Two. To the Stars!</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">I did go out to address the troops in the end after a quick chat
with my Chief Advisor Gerd Mac-Peu Un-Roi the Mage Diviner about urgent
matters. We decided in the end to place the second planetary shield generator
in the Chinese Human-1 Faction's territory. The third on the large continent
would go on a node belonging to my own Relict Faction </span><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">– </span><span lang="EN-US">former territory of
the Human-25 Faction. My Chief Advisor assured me there would be enough
laborers to get the job done, even though it would require bringing two and a
half thousand players to another hemisphere of the planet on Geckho ferries and
Sio-Mi-Dori landing antigravs.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">As for the other three construction locations, I entrusted the Mage
Diviner with selecting them and negotiating with the largest factions of both
worlds himself. In theory, the La-Shin or La-Varrez factions could provide
capable specialists in sufficient number as well as the American Human-12,
South Korean Human-0 or Japanese Human-4 along with another half dozen
terrestrial factions. I decided not to bother the Russian Human-3 Faction just
yet because a significant number of their player laborers were now tied up
erecting the first shield generator on Rocky Island and a thermonuclear power
plant in the Centaur Plateau node, which was intended to provide electricity
for neighboring nodes. In any case, there were plenty of options, so the Mage
Diviner assured me he would have no issues and would handle it together with
our faction's Diplomat Leng Thomas Mueller.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">After visiting the Geckho dispatchers and easily receiving
permission for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tamara the Paladin</i> to
take off in half an ummi, I went with my tailed assistant Gerd Ayni and demure
bodyguard Gerd Imran down the elevator to the ground-floor of the terrestrial
space port. The line for loading into landing ships was just as long as before
with thousands of troops sitting on their knapsacks beneath the scorching sun.
Not far away, the H3-Faction players were waiting, and I headed their way. When
I arrived, the players stood up to greet the Kung of Earth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"You're such a big deal now I'm afraid to even approach you, Gnat!"
I didn't recognize the First Legion player in a heavy armored spacesuit right
away, but it was Shoot_to_Kill. The hardened veteran had reached Gerd rank and
become commander of one of the squadrons waiting to ship out. With a welcoming
nod to Imran and slightly apprehensive glance at the orange Miyelonian next to
me, assuming she was actually Fox who had rankled everyone so badly during
training, the level-106 Gunfighter extended a hand to me. I greeted my old
friend warmly and asked what was taking so long to load them into the
starships.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Yeah, who can say... You're the bigwig out here, Gnat. Only
you can order the furballs around. Us people are too little. We just do what
the suzerains tell us. As far as I've heard, heavy equipment is being loaded first
to get the starships balanced properly. We were told to wait, so that's what
we're doing." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">It was odd to sense timidity in a man I had once grown accustomed to
viewing as higher in level and much more experienced. The other First Legion
troops watching our conversation looked on me as a deity fallen from the
heavens. It actually made me feel a bit awkward. I promised to talk with a
representative of the Third Strike Fleet and figure out what was taking so
long.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Authority increased to 115!
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Kung Gnat, have you heard the latest news?" he changed
the topic unexpectedly, lighting up. "During a speech to the European
Parliament yesterday, a deputy from Austria unexpectedly spoke Geckho and asked
everyone to give opinions on Earth's troops being sent to fight in a space war.
His microphone was cut off and they tried to shut him up, but several deputies
from Germany stood in his support. They started asking how long we can keep the
truth about human contact with other spacefaring races a secret. Someone even
brought up the example of antigravity drives, resonance and plasma cannons
patented recently by German corporations as evidence of extraterrestrial
technology infiltrating planet Earth. The scandal that kicked up was highly
publicized and the broadcast of the European Parliament session was cut off. I
don't even know how it all ended. What do you think? Will our politicians
finally open up about the game that bends reality?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">I for some reason doubted that severely, which I told Shoot_to_Kill
and the other listening troopers openly. In our world, over the last few weeks
there had been anomalies in Antarctica and a few other areas that had
"dropped out of space." Earth's astronomers had been detecting
strange anomalies on the Moon and deviations in the trajectories of various
astronomical bodies. Every day there were more and more facts to suggest game
reality was seeping into our real world, and that our two parallel worlds were
trying to collapse in on each other come what may. But for the time being, all
that was being ignored by prominent politicians and all mention of the game
that bends reality was ruthlessly censored in all mass media. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">After all, for the powers that be, admitting that there exist more
advanced civilizations and that our Earth is but a mere grain of sand in the
scope of grand space politics would be equivalent to death. Who would reckon
with terrestrial governments when there are much more powerful entities above
them? Who needs terrestrial computers, automobiles, airplanes and other 'modern
marvels' when all that is hopelessly antiquated junk, many centuries behind
truly modern technology? Who needs trillions of paper dollars, a currency that
is not in use anywhere else in the galaxy?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Stupid on their part," my orange Translator cut in,
revealing a flawless knowledge of Russian. "Your politicians and ruling
clans won't be able to keep silent and deny the truth forever. One day, the new
reality will be revealed. There's no avoiding it. What will your stubborn
politicians say when starships belonging to the Meleyephatian Horde or other
invaders appear in the sky? Will they continue to admonish their subjects not
to believe their own eyes, claiming that none of it is true?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">I responded to Gerd Ayni that it wasn't all so hopeless. Leading
politicians and the heads of highly powerful corporations are for the most part
very smart and insightful. They won't go blindly denying the new reality. In
fact, they will instead try to adapt to the new conditions and strive to retain
their high status if at all possible. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Ever since my last meeting with the curators of the Dome project, I
knew that the existence of the game that bends reality was no secret to the
world's most prominent politicians. And now that I had become Kung and had the
chance to talk with representatives of the largest terrestrial factions, I knew
for certain that more and more famous people were entering the game that bends
reality. Politicians and their family members, business tycoons, famous
athletes and celebrities. In fact, the same thing was happening on my version
of Earth as on the magocratic world, albeit with a slight delay, with the
powerful now competing to see who could be best at the game that bends reality.
There were now even "commercial factions" like H13 and H33, where
prominent politicians, bankers and CEOs of large corporations levelled their
characters with tight security at an accelerated pace under the watchful eye of
experienced players. There were even now companies that could boost a person's
Fame to get them the rank of Gerd.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"I have already seen such players," Shoot_to_Kill spat
scornfully out of his cracked-open helmet visor. "There are even some in
our Human-3 Faction, though the 'backup' Russian Human-23 Faction specializes
in them more. Senators and Duma deputies along with their extended families.
They're good for absolutely nothing </span><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">– </span><span lang="EN-US">don't wanna work, and you can't send such
famous people out to stand watch at the border. You definitely won't get them
to work in the mines either. They just use the game to treat chronic ailments
and take up virt pods in the corncobs under the Dome which could be used to
greater effect."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"However, I have heard that they pay our faction good
money," Nelly Svistunova spoke up, another familiar First Legion veteran.
"And they bring valuables into the game which are traded for monetary
crystals to Kosta Dykhsh's dealers or sold here in the space port." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Yeah, I know..." Shoot_to_Kill winced in dismay.
"When they first enter, they bring large faceted gemstones into the game
as well as gold and platinum jewelry worth millions of dollars and rare-earth
elements. They've even brought purebred kittens and puppies into the virtual
world. There is demand for terrestrial animals from the Geckho, though I don't
know what the furballs are using them for. Those kinds of players want to
become as rich in the virtual world as they are accustomed to being in our
reality right away. A certain percentage of our faction's red crystals come
from these noveau-riches. Also in the real world the Dome project's financing
has been improving by leaps and bounds. In fact, we now have everything you
could ever ask for under the Dome. But nevertheless I believe that politicians
and their spoiled kiddos are worthless ballast. Fifty decent Technicians or
Engineers would bring more money to the faction in the long-term
perspective."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The conversation went no further than that. The song <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In the Army Now</i> suddenly blared out to
the entire spaceport from the speakers on the dispatcher tower. I don't know
when or how a drive of terrestrial music was brought into the game, or how the
Geckho found a compatible player, but it fit the moment perfectly so I smiled in
approval. Though in my personal view, the song <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Blood Type<span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[2]</span></b></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></i>
would have been a better fit. The only problem would be that not very many of
Earth's troopers would recognize or understand it unlike the highly popular hit
by the groups Sabaton and Status Quo. Just as the music turned on, the troops
stood up and started moving, slowly snaking into the bowels of the huge Third
Strike Fleet landing craft.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Best of luck to the First Legion in the war against the
Meleyephatians!" I sent off my old friends, to which Shoot_to_Kill assured
me that his troops would not bring shame to Earth or its Kung and would never
retreat no matter how grueling the battle.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">In any case, the troops considered me involved in this military
operation. I caught myself also thinking that no matter how I tried to abstract
myself from it and remember only my assignment from the Krong of my suzerains.
I just couldn't stay out of such a historic event. I stood on the space-port
field for at least another half hour, seeing off the endless columns of Army of
Earth soldiers and getting a sense of their overall mood. They felt pride both
personal and for our entire world, thirst for adventure and slight tension,
confidence in their abilities and an insurmountable desire to prove to the
whole galaxy what the humans of Earth were capable of. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">***<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The frigate <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tamara the Paladin</i>
was ready for lift-off, the whole crew had taken their seats. Every box on the
pre-takeoff checklist had been ticked, the engines were warmed up and takeoff
permission had been duly granted. But rather than give the final command, I was
glancing at the clock and awaiting my wife. Princess Minn-O La-Fin had been
told the Ruler of the First Directory was heading on a long-distance space
voyage, and so I was expecting her to show up. And just then my wayedda's
shuttle appeared from the direction of the sea, took a wide curve over the
landing field and set down carefully five yards from the gangway. I went out to
greet my wife and help her out of the flying vehicle. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">She looked a bit pale, but she was moving with confidence and her
happiness to see me was as sincere as could be. I gave Minn-O a warm hug.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"How are you?"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"The doctors say I'm out of the woods and the child is no
longer in any danger. That has already gone out on First Directory news and our
subjects are jubilant." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Strange answer. The feelings of our subjects were the last thing I
cared about. Minn-O and our child's health was of much greater importance. I
lifted her in my arms and carried her into my ship, setting her in an armchair
in the common room. My Medic Gerd Mauu-La Mya-Ssa extended her a glass of water
at once and the Princess accepted it gratefully, took a few sips and set it
aside.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"My husband..." uncertainty and anxiety slipped though in
the shaking voice of the ashen-skinned beauty. "I cannot go to space with
you. If I do, I am afraid I might lose the child... You will have to appoint
another wayedda." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Ah, so that was what had Minn-O so worried. In the laws of the
magocratic world, a wayedda was required to accompany her husband everywhere,
which in her situation was a great risk. The high g-forces and hazards of deep space
are not the greatest thing for a woman going through a difficult pregnancy. The
Miyelonian Medic backed the Princess up.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Calm down, I was not planning to put you or the child at risk.
Stay in Pa-lin-thu under doctors' supervision and go into the game as much as
you can. And as to reassure you and shut up all those in the magocratic world
who wish us ill, from this very minute you are my senior wife once again. I
will make an official declaration to that effect." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">They seemed to be simple words, but the Princess suddenly burst into
tears. I even had to calm her down. The crew members in the room stepped out so
Minn-O wouldn’t be embarrassed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"That is nice," she said, drying her tears. "My
husband, are you aware that the uprising of Tamara's fanatics is settling down?
After the only nonmage ruler Ui-Taka swore allegiance to you, and after it was
confirmed that Tamara is working for the Ruler of the First Directory, the
cities we'd lost control of are returning to the fold with their legal rulers
one after another. There still are of course the looniest fanatics who will
fight to the very end, but their support among the population has fallen
noticeably. All the news channels keep talking about the new laws Archmage
Coruler Gnat La-Fin will be announcing any day now." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">I shuddered when I heard the strange new title of Archmage and
figured I had misheard, but then she confirmed:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Yes, yes, my husband! That is what they're calling you now </span><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">– </span><span lang="EN-US">the only
Archmage in the whole magocratic world. Even members of the great mage-ruler
dynasties of La-Shin and La-Varrez have confirmed that title for you, tripping
over each other to do so and forgetting about all their hostile moves in the
past, swearing their allegiance to you. The people expect new laws and a
general thaw for the common population. Your support from the people is greater
than ever. And not only in the First Directory. I'm even thinking..."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Gerd Minn-O La-Fin fell silent, unable to find the courage to finish
her sentence. I had to make use of psionics and read what the Princess was
afraid to say out loud.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">"My husband, if you
name yourself the sole ruler of the magocratic world, you will find enough
supporters to make that an official reality. There will be resistance both from
the old mage-ruler dynasties and Tamara's fanatics, but it will be possible to
suppress that resistance by force. Think about it. This kind of chance only
comes around once in a lifetime. My grandfather Archmage Thumor-Anhu La-Fin would
have done exactly that, as would any relative in my paternal line. Prove
yourself a true ruler of the great La-Fin dynasty!"</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Mental Fortitude skill
increased to level one hundred twenty-five!<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Danger Sense skill
increased to level one hundred forty-three!<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The transition from weepiness to cold calculated suggestion of
starting a great war for power went too swiftly. I was on guard even before the
system messages appeared before my eyes. No, I couldn't bring my tongue to call
my wife harmless and fluffy. No matter what, the Princess was a member of an
ancient dynasty of mage rulers. But even for Gerd Minn-O La-Fin the suggestion
was too cruel. That put me on guard and made me squeeze out through my teeth in
dismay:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"I'll consider it. But if you try to attack me with magic
again, you'll spend the rest of your pregnancy locked up in a clinic."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">A look of utterly sincere panic was shown on Minn-O's face.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"My husband, I swear it wasn't me! I never even would have
dreamed of doing such a thing! It was..." the Princess lowered a hand and
rubbed her slightly rounded belly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">What??? Was my wife seriously suggesting my unborn son had done
that? Was that even possible? Minn-O nodded to say I understood everything
properly. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Our future child possesses powerful psionic magic and already
had his own opinion on the matter. Within him is concentrated the might of a
great many generations of mage rulers of the ancient La-Fin dynasty, multiplied
by the power of magic from your world. The Mage Diviner told me that our son's
power will know no equal. The thread of the probable future is still very thin
and fragile, but our son will potentially be able to unite the various branches
of humanity under his rule. He could be the one to make humanity into one of
the great spacefaring races. As a matter of fact, we stand to become a dominant
power in the galaxy."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Just what I needed... What I heard made my head spin. After all, the
Mage Diviner hadn't told me anything like that even though we had a substantive
discussion about all kinds of important matters earlier in the day. And then it
hit me with abundant clarity that my Chief Advisor Gerd Mac-Peu Un-Roi was not
so much loyal to me as he was to my yet unborn son who he sees as the hope for
restoring the magocratic world to its bygone glory and making a decisive step
forward for all humanity. I meanwhile am just a tool to provide my son a
springboard for future achievements. And I will be gotten rid of as soon as I'm
no longer needed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">I didn't even know whether to be happy or sad. The news was just too
ambiguous. Alright, time will tell. I extended a hand cautiously and rubbed my
wife's belly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Keep him safe, Minn-O! Our son is our greatest treasure. I
will try to make his life as safe as possible by defending our world against
all possible invaders."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">As soon as Minn-O's shuttle took off and left the space port's
danger zone, I ordered the airlock closed and we took off. Time for new
achievements. Distant stars awaited!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h2 style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Chapter Three. Habitable Rings</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">I don't like taking off with its going through the atmosphere, violent
shaking and high g-forces. Your arms and legs feel heavy as cast lead, the
blood pounds in your temples, it's hard to move. I wanted to close my eyes and
disassociate from it all but doing so just made matters worse. I started to
feel nauseous. I even had a cowardly thought flicker by that I should leave the
game for twenty minutes to skip this unpleasant part of the flight. But I
shooed it right off </span><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">– </span><span lang="EN-US">it isn't proper for a famed Free Captain to do that. It looks weak
and would be bad for my Authority. Furthermore, this time the unpleasant
sensations were nevertheless bearable. It used to be much worse. Which is why I
tried a new tactic </span><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">– </span><span lang="EN-US">I opened the star map and attempted to keep my mind busy. I was most
of all interested in the Rorsh star system with its space prison for
particularly dangerous criminals. The deadline was ticking ever nearer, and it
was not a great idea to take lightly the threats of the space mafiosos from the
Hive of Tintara.<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The space atlas said that Rorsh is in Meleyephatian space, but it
had no inhabited planets or settlements. No surprise. A secret prison has no
place in a normal star atlas. I switched to the more complete map I had in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tamara the Paladin</i>'s navigation
computer. That map contained additional information from a secret crystal drive
we'd captured from the Meleyephatian Horde and it did show the prison. It also
depicted a Meleyephatian military base located in a nearby asteroid belt.
Hmm... I was intrigued and read into the accompanying information. The map
indicated the ships normally based there, consisting of a squad of twelve
Pato-Vee interceptors, ten Tolili-Ukh X modular frigates in "heavy
shock" configuration and one Mirosssh-Pakh II assault cruiser. Not all
that many if you think about it, but easily enough to take care of my twinbody.
And although it may have been outdated information and that flotilla could have
been called into the war with the Geckho or their new enemy, I still needed to
assume the prison was under guard and I would not be able to simply capture it
just like that.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">By the way, I noticed that the Rorsh system was not very far away
from the zone of conflict with the Composite. Just two ummi’s flight from the
Throne World for my frigate, and even less for speedy Dero interceptors. The
military base staff and prison guards were probably now on tenterhooks
shivering in fear for their lives and expecting dangerous starships to appear
from another galaxy at any moment. I suspect the Meleyephatians will be glad to
see any aid sent by the Horde. Especially if it proves true that the Composite
invaders are jamming comms and orders from the Throne World and other systems
under attack are not reaching the system. There was something there and the
localized lack of information was something I could try to use be portraying
myself as an emissary from command. Though it's still risky. The prison guards might
have clear instructions to shoot down all starships entering their zone of
responsibility. Especially those on the enemy list. It would be better to set
aside breaking Prince Hugo out of prison until the Meleyephatian Horde's true
opinion of me was cleared up.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">I turned my attention to other points in the galaxy that piqued my
interest. The Cleopians, Esthetes, Jargs and other Geckho vassal races... Yes,
I needed to meet up with all of them to establish political and military ties.
I was particularly interested in the Cleopians. With many legs and arms, the
clunky looking creatures had no discernable sense organs and were covered in a
thick layer of green and brown hide. Something like living trees or treefolk
from fantasy literature but smaller in the game that bends reality. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The Cleopians were famed for their dogged persistence and ability to
go without food due to photosynthesis, sucking nutrients from soil, water and
even air. Entirely impervious to poison and hard to kill with laser or other
light firearms, they could even survive quite a long time in a total vacuum or
while being hit with harsh radiation. With no gender, they could increase their
population by fission and cleavage, giving them a reproduction rate other races
could not even approach. To split a Cleopian with a blade would mean only
creating a second opponent. For the same reason, grenades and explosives were
entirely ineffective against them. Every chip or scrap of a Cleopian's body
could live independently and would with time transform into a fully-fledged individual.
Fairly languid and apathetic in their day-to-day lives, they could spend a long
time in one position, not reacting to the outside world while storing up
energy. But in critical situations they could move quicker than Miyelonians
while their roots and outgrowths could get through even the heavy armor of a
Geckho. On top of that, they were very smart with highly advanced science and
culture. The Cleopians made space flights and even conquered distant planets
long before they ever encountered the Geckho. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">According to the description, they made ideal soldiers and
colonists, capable of quickly spreading throughout the Universe and settling
even planets other races would find inhospitable. But that was not the whole
truth. Although Cleopian research vessels could be found throughout the galaxy,
and their traders and mercenaries were frequent visitors to populated Geckho
and Trillian stations, the Cleopians lived exclusively in the Serpea star
system, having settled every planet within it and even all large asteroids.
Serpea was the only place that interested their race, and Cleopians only felt
truly themselves in their home system. And given all planets in the star system
that could be settled had already long since been brought into the fold, the
Cleopians had begun to actively build up nearby cosmos. There were more and
more homes made out of old starships orbiting around their system's blue star,
more and more new force-fielded palaces drifting through space all the time. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Meanwhile though the Cleopians were constantly at war between one
another for better spots beneath the light of their blue star, they did not see
particular reason to take part in external conflicts. Still, they were loyal
Geckho vassals and carried out all the suzerains' orders, providing the
requisite number of troops to the Geckho army and all that. But the race's
entire history was one of endless squabbling between members of the ruling
dynasty for a place in the sun between the clans they controlled. That was how
Kung Eesssa the Betelgeuse Planet Devouress got her hands on the full case of
Precursor stones </span><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">– </span><span lang="EN-US">she was awarded them for help getting rid of a whole list of
relatives of the current Cleopian ruler King Edeyya-U. Furthermore, he knew a
suspicious amount about ancient races, particularly the Relicts. I badly wanted
to meet with him and figure out the reason the Cleopian ruler was so incredibly
knowledgeable. Well and naturally come to an agreement with the Cleopians to
cooperate in trade and military affairs. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">I was also interested in the interspace "pocket" the
Relict Hierarch used after coming under siege. Rescuing him was my mission, and
for completing it I'd been promised a higher rank on the Pyramid. Even though it
was fraught with danger. If the Relict under my command Urgeh Pu-Pu Urgeh joins
together with the Hierarch and goes against me, the risk of losing the mobile
Relict laboratory would be too high. If it goes so far as a talk with the Hierarch
and the automatic Precursor hunters guarding the ancient ship let me through to
the besieged starship rather than destroying my ship as soon as I entered space
under their protection... </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Captain, we have exited Earth orbit. What are your further
instructions?" the voice of my main pilot Dmitry Zheltov tore me from my
study of the space map, and I closed the screen.<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Yes, my method of distracting myself from the takeoff had proven one
hundred percent effective. The unpleasant sensations just passed me by as the
starship emerged into space. On the big screen I could see the blue ball of my
home planet. Clouds, seas and continents below them. On that backdrop, I could
distinctly make out the two interceptors of the Geckho's terrestrial services
passing through the atmosphere, having taken off after us. <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Are we waiting for the Relict laboratory?" suggested my
Navigator Ayukh, but I responded negatively. <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Now it is not only those two interceptors," I pointed at
the markers of the approaching Geckho starships. "All the great space
races want to know if we're going to summon the mobile Relict laboratory. And
if we do, they want to see how so they can do the same without us after. I
wouldn't be surprised to discover a whole fleet of cloaked frigates next to us
right now representing all the great space races. So we will just sit around
doing nothing as if we are having a hard time establishing contact with the
overly independent Relict technology. And that is in fact truly how it is. For
some reason, I can't sense the station responding..."<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">That was not actually true, and I had already been mentally
communicating with the laboratory, preparing it to accept coordinates for an
instant transport. But my Navigator and all the others in the crew could not be
allowed to know that. A captain must have his secrets.<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Alright. No sense in waiting," I said out loud a minute
later, straining to put a frustrated and disappointed expression on my face.
"Ayukh, I want you calculating coordinates for hyperspace jumps to three
systems. Write this down. The Serpea system, exiting a few thousand miles from
the third planet. The Rorsh star system. There are no planets there, so just
keep away from the asteroid belt. And finally, the subspace pocket we landed in
once because of the Precursor symbiotes. You should still have all the
parameters for that jump saved. Send all data necessary to complete those three
warps to my monitor."<span class="MsoIntenseReference"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: black;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">If the Navigator was surprised by his Captain's strange order, he
didn't show it and quickly started clacking his claws on the keyboard. Soon,
columns of numbers appeared before my eyes. I launched a program to reformat
the data for Relict computers and mentally transmitted the order to the mobile
station. A response came in saying the command had been received and my link with
the laboratory had been severed. <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Machine Control skill
increased to level one hundred fifteen!<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Mental Fortitude skill
increased to level one hundred twenty-six!<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Psionic skill increased to
level one hundred twenty-eight!<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Excellent! I wiped the perspiration from my brow. That was hard
work! I'm not sure anyone else currently alive in the galaxy would have been
able to pull it off. Well, apart from perhaps the Relict Hierarch who I had
been tasked with rescuing by the Pyramid and was currently in stasis. But what
mattered was that it worked, and the priceless mobile laboratory was sent to
the coordinates I indicated to await new commands. And we would be getting on
our way. I turned to the senior pilot. <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Dmitry, set a course for vector seventeen </span><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">– </span><span lang="EN-US">one oh four </span><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">– </span><span lang="EN-US">eleven. Accept
coordinates from Ayukh for a jump to the Serpea system. We will be warping to
the Cleopians, a Geckho vassal!" <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The pilot started turning the frigate, watching the digits run
across his screen when suddenly he turned to me with a look of surprise and
doubt on his face.<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Captain, that will push the limits of our starship technically.
The spatial disruption is too long, our energy supply will go down to two
percent charge. It's a whole six ummi in hyper. We've never made such a long
jump before. Just to be safe, should we break it down into two jumps?"<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"No, no need. I've checked it twice," our experienced
Navigator cut in, notes of offense slipping through in his voice due to the
doubts voiced about his professionalism. "It's within range, though just
barely."<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The pilot looked again at me with worry and simultaneously hope, but
I got up from my console and headed to leave the captain's bridge, showing with
my whole appearance that the conversation was over. Our Jarg Analyst got up
from the neighboring workstation and hurried after his Captain on all six legs,
trying to slip through the still barely open door </span><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">– </span><span lang="EN-US">the space
"armadillo," due to his short stature, was unable to reach the door
opening device. I ordered the card reader on his bunk door to be placed lower
than the others, but the other ones in the starship stayed at the same height
because otherwise the taller Geckho would start to have problems getting
around. <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Our Analyst picked up the pace in the hallway and caught up to me.
After that, he stopped in front of me and slipped the Universal Translator
around his neck: <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">"Captain Gnat! Needed
Cleopian. Living on habitable rings of planet. Ring three. Sector nineteen.
Permission from secretary. Appointment only. Long time. Otherwise no see.
Cleopian bureaucracy be scare."<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">It was a fully understandable message, and I myself had already read
in a guide about the location of the space palace of the ruler of Serpea and
the habitable rings and knew where to go. But I was interested in how the
Analyst knew which precise member of the Cleopian race I was headed to see.
What inputs had he used to make his conclusion that I wanted the ruler
specifically rather than one of his hundreds of millions of subjects? Or had
the Jarg learned to read thoughts? <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">"No, not reading.
Thoughts. Jargs cannot to do. But the word Serpea was just one time. Spoken.
Within these walls. Meleyephatian Gerd Eeeezzz 777. Telling about work for
Betelgeuse Planet Devouress. Working for Prince Edeyya-U, ruler of Serpea-III
and habitable rings. I am to hear and listen. Then I look who is now. He is
Prince. Leng Edeyya-U the Sixth. Elderly King of Cleopians. Survived seven
hundred eighteen assassination attempts. Now admits no visitors. Without long,
long checking."<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">So there it was... The unforeseen difficulty. I didn't want to waste
a bunch of time on bureaucratic negotiations and checks. Was I really flying to
Serpea for nothing? But there was no way back now </span><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">– </span><span lang="EN-US">based on the sudden
brief sensation of falling and flickering lighting throughout the ship, there
had indeed been enough energy and the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tamara
the Paladin</i> had already entered a hyperspace tunnel leading to the Cleopian
homeworld. <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<h2 style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Chapter Four. High-profile wards</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Six ummi in flight. To translate that into time units more familiar
to humans from Earth, it was a whole thirty-three hours cooped up in a
relatively small starship. And I couldn't much go into the real world. First of
all, safety instructions recommended against leaving the game in a "red
zone" where your in-game body would never disappear. And second, even if I
did go into the real world, what was there for me to do on the Miyelonian
station Kasti-Utsh III? Go looking for adventure on my backside? I had a few
too many foes, so Kung Gnat appearing in public places had become a liability
as proven by the recent attempt on my life in the restaurant on the Miyelonian
station. But what then? Sit tight in my hotel room under guard of the First
Pride and stare out my panorama window? A boring activity and unbefitting of
the Kung of Earth. <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Furthermore, I was totally unprepared for a possible meeting with
Kung Keetsie Myau. I didn't know where the commander of the Fourth Fleet was
currently, but if the Great One still was on Kasti-Utsh III, it was a very real
possibility she would want to meet me. And what did I have to say to her?
Keetsie Myau had unambiguously expressed an interest in the mobile Relict
laboratory and even warned me what would happen if I refused. The Union of Miyelonian
Prides would go to war against the Geckho, which would be the single most
unfavorable outcome for my home planet, meaning an invasion would be
unavoidable. I didn't want to give away the invaluable laboratory but wheedling
and trying to hide behind a fog of promises wouldn't work against such an
experienced Truth Seeker. That was why I had been going into the real world
only when necessary for the last few days, which meant short breaks after I
died in training without so much as leaving the tiny room around my virt pod. <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">There was one other reason I was not burning with desire to go into
the real world. Of a personal nature. I suddenly had the distinct realization
that, in many ways, I had been trying to reach Kasti-Utsh III because I stood
to possibly meet Valeri the Tailaxian there. Her visits to my hotel room always
ended unexpectedly and often even outgrew themselves into psionic duels. But
even that had its charm. The obstinate and proud beauty was grateful to me for
saving her from her prison masters and didn't even try to hide the fact she
liked me. But all the same she had issued a serious challenge to my abilities
and I had to prove my power and validity. After Valeri fled, the Kasti-Utsh III
space station no longer held any attraction for me. As a safe haven for my
physical body it was also a poor solution and I had even considered changing my
exit point into the real world.<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">A delicate knock at the door distracted me from the sad thoughts and
I unlocked the door to the captain's bunk. In the doorway stood my business
partner Geckho Trader Uline Tar. Strange. The Captain's First Mate always had
access to my chambers and could simply open the door with her own key, but now
she preferred to knock. <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Something was telling me you were down in the dumps,"
Uline closed the door after her and took a seat on the flying armchair. "Did
something happen?"<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"No, not really. I just feel empty or something," I poured
some orange juice into a set of glasses on the table and handed one to the
Trader, who loved the sour beverage. "The last few days have been a real
wild goose chase between assembling the Army of Earth and the exhausting
training sessions, then handling a bunch of day-to-day issues for the Relict
Faction. I've been sleeping only two or three hours a night. I'm immeasurably
tired. And now that all that's over, I am too tired to even gather my thoughts.
I need to compose a speech for my subjects in the First Directory and the
entire magocratic world. My citizens are impatiently awaiting new laws for their
planet to live by. But I realize that I have neither the emotional state nor
the proper mood."<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Then I guess I came at a very bad time," Uline rumbled
out and bared her teeth in a semblance of a smile. "The thing is just that
the start of every new journey in the past has been marked by a celebration for
the crew. You would buy sweets, delicacies and drink and put on a feast in the
common room for the crewmembers to talk amongst themselves in an informal
setting. That really helped all our different races gel together. But just now
I realized that you aren't throwing any sort of get-together..." <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Damn! She was right. With all the activities of the past few days, I
had somehow overlooked a very positive tradition in my crew and forgotten to
buy up everything I needed at the space port. And now it was too late, we were
already in space. And even in a hyperspace jump where getting cakes and booze
delivered would be a problem.<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"I suspect, Gnat, that you spent a good amount on my wedding
and other important purchases, so now you're strapped for cash. And so I took
it upon myself to buy and organize everything. The feast table in the common
room is set and you're all the team is waiting on. Beyond that, we now have something
to celebrate."<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Uline didn't say what though, expecting me to guess. Had I
overlooked something again? But what? I considered it unsporting to use
psionics and read the answer from Uline's thoughts, so I tried to guess on my
own. There were no new crew members </span><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">– </span><span lang="EN-US">no one had taken Gerd T'yu-Pan for their
boarding team, which even prompted a bit of stomping from the Army of Earth
troopers who dreamed of coming to join my crew. Miyelonians and Geckho aren't
much for celebrating birthdays. Could it perhaps be one of the Humans'
birthdays? Or perhaps some kind of important state holiday for Trillians or
Jargs? No, not likely. Mentally running down the possible reasons for
celebration, I made an honest admission to my business partner that I did not
know.<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Tini Wi-Gnat has become a Gerd! Come along and congratulate
your ward!" <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">***<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Tini accepted my congratulations and basked in the rays of glory.
The once ungainly and disheveled bush-league pickpocket I had first met on the
pirate station Medu-Ro IV was now a proud and capable level-106 Thief. A
specialist with knowledge of three galactic languages as well as all kinds of
locks and security systems, he was a skilled and fearless hand-to-hand fighter
with a good understanding of electronics, particularly surveillance and
password sniffing programs. And although by Miyelonian standards, Tini was
still an underage adolescent, it was no surprise he had been elevated to Gerd
status. My ward was now a recognized figure, and even enjoyed a certain amount
of authority. From the thoughts I'd recently "overheard" from Tini, I
knew that the adolescent had bought himself a condo in the real world in a
residential tower on the secure neutral planet of Porish II, which had a
primarily Miyelonian population, and deposited half a million crypto into his
bank account.<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Now Tini was dancing with Amati-Kuis Ursssh, our Chef-Assassin whose
efforts were in many ways to thank for today's celebratory luncheon. Despite
their different races and especially sizes, their dance together was harmonious
and even beautiful. The entire crew was watching the couple and applauding.<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Captain Gnat, I say we have a drink!" with two glasses of
alcoholic cocktail in his paws, Gerd Mauu-La Mya-Ssa staggered over to me,
smiling his big toothy grin. <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">In my view, our Medic had already had plenty of alcohol for today.
Especially considering how much trouble he got into last time, overdoing it
with liquor after the complex surgical operation to remove the bugs from
Valeri's body. On the other hand, knowing about the accelerated Miyelonian
metabolism, I was absolutely sure the booze would go through his system very
quickly. Removing my arm from the orange Translator Ayni, who I had been embracing
and was squeezed up against me, herself also exhausted after the last few days
and dozing off on my shoulder, I took the glass and had a drink with the Medic.<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"My captain," Gerd Mauu-La spoke out in an utterly sober
voice, lowering his voice to a whisper and giving his whiskered snout a nod
toward the sleeping Ayni, "how long can you torture her with your
ambivalence? Y'know she's up to her ears in love with you. The whole galaxy is
talking about it. So take her as a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wayedda</i>,"
the Miyelonian struggled with the foreign word. "Miyelonian law permits
such arrangements, and the priests of the Temple of the Great First Female are
willing to give their blessing. I heard so from the mouth of the Great
Priestess Leng Amiru U-Mayaoo herself when the incarnation of the Great First
Female was answering questions from pilgrims about your relationship. As a
Medic I can also say it would be physically possible, though of course no
offspring would result."<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">They just keep crawling into my life with their uncalled-for
advice... If it were anyone else, I probably would have sent them on their way,
quite rudely even. But this was a member of my crew who only wanted to help, so
I gave a response. <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"I like Ayni. I have never hidden that. But still I don't want
to move too quickly and put the cart before the horse. We are both totally
happy with where our relationship is right now. Furthermore..." I looked
and made certain that all other team members were busy and not eavesdropping.
"Ayni was given a chance to advance our relationship and get rid of all
the interracial limitations. When we were here in this very room using the
Precursor crystals from Big Abi's pirate treasure, that was why I suggested she
take the black stone which started to glow purple when unthawed. She could have
become a human lady. But she refused."<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"I didn't realize it at the time. And made the biggest mistake
of my life..." the orange kitty piped up, opening her eyes to show she was
not asleep and in fact listening attentively to my conversation with the Medic.
"But nevertheless, esteemed Gerd Mauu-La Mya-Ssa, I ask that you stay out
of my life. It's awkward enough to have every Miyelonian Pride talking about me
and deciding how I should live my life and what to do. I just feel nice with my
Captain. I can sense his warm feelings for me, and that's all I need." <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Ayni placed her head on my lap and closed her eyes to show the topic
was no longer up for discussion. The Medic apologized for the lack of tact and
went off to pour himself some more alcoholic cocktails. But just then... A
strange silence suddenly lulled the din of the party, drawing my attention. I
looked up.<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The reason they all clammed up was a Human girl appearing in the common
room barefoot wearing shorts and a light blue t-shirt. Gerd Soia-Tan La-Varrez,
a runaway from the La-Varrez Faction who had joined my Relict faction and given
me magical backup during training. Had that underaged fool exited the game on
my very starship?! And now after resting in the First Directory, had she come
back into the game to find herself in deep space aboard the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tamara the Paladin</i>? Apparently so. But I
ordered her to remain on earth because perilous space is no place for a little
girl.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Looking around, Soia-Tan locked eyes with me and walked confidently
in my direction. All team members made way, letting the unexpected visitor
through to the Captain. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Coruler Gnat La-Fin, I have come to join your team!" the
little squirt declared in Geckho, clearly so they would all understand her, her
small face poorly concealing a smirk as she relished the baffled looks on a
large number of spacefaring races.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Now there's a declaration... I stood up and took a skeptical look at
the little knee-high. A level-sixty-seven Psionic Mage. Yes, she had of course
leveled pretty well over our joint training sessions. But Gerd Soia-Tan had no
spacesuit, no weaponry, and really nothing worth mentioning. She had even
accidentally left her sandals behind somewhere. And what kind of help would she
be in space battles? Or what if the starship suddenly lost pressure or had to
land on a planet with unbreathable atmosphere? She would die right away. By the
way... Was that not a way out of this? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Hey kid, where's your respawn point?" I asked sneakily,
inconspicuously setting my right hand on the grip of my Annihilator. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">But Soia-Tan clearly saw what I was doing. A few seconds of anxiety
and discomfort on the girl's face gave way to poorly concealed jubilation:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Now it's here, in this room Coruler Gnat! I am with you, and
you won't get rid of me so easily!" <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">So, what to do now? I took my hand off the Annihilator. No, the nice
way to handle this would be to shoot her two or three times as a lesson for
making such a bold move, but that wouldn't solve the problem. Now we'd have to
hire a starship in Serpea to send the little sorceress back home to Earth. And
she'd need a large, reliable escort because the little Psionic Mage had both
the ability and foolishness to take control of the guards' minds and run away.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"I for one like the little girl's moxie!" <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The unexpected commentary belonged to Destroying Angel, which was a
surprise all on its own. The German gunwoman was generally known to be
tight-lipped and practically never said anything. Every sentence had to
basically be dragged out of her with a set of pliers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">"Capitan. Good news.
Gerd Soia-Tan. Will come in handy. Very useful. For all. If does not to die."
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Uh, what the heck?! Now my Jarg Analyst was going to bat for the
little pipsqueak. Then Captain's First Mate Uline Tar unexpectedly declared
that she would buy a small light space suit for the human girl as soon as we
reached the Serpea star system. After that, it wouldn't have been right for me
to play the malicious monster and send the little mage back to Earth. I would
have to let Soia-Tan La-Varrez join my crew...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"I'm giving you seven chores around the starship for
disobedient behavior! You will scour the decks and help out Amati-Kuis Ursssh
in the kitchen," I rendered my verdict. "And don't think you'll get
special treatment because of your young age. Around here, even Princess Minn-O
La-Fin had to work just as hard as everyone else..." there I cut myself
off for a second, having realized the La-Varrez dynasty girl was also a
Princess by title. "Svetlana Vereshchagina and Destroying Angel will
hopefully share some of their clothes and shoes with you. As for where you'll
stay..."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Captain, I request you place the newcomer in my bunk! After
all, she has left her family and is also technically your ward, just like me.
She is also a Gerd in status, so she and I are equals."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">What? This day just kept bringing me surprise after surprise. Tini
Wi-Gnat, proud of his personal bunk on the starship and having categorically
refused all attempts to put anyone else with him was now suddenly suggesting
this on his own? Come on, that just couldn't be! Unless... I looked at the Mage
Psionic class of the little sorceress who was currently putting on a falsely
innocent face and looking ashamedly at the floor. Was it perhaps possible that
my team's unexpected gregariousness was not in fact coming from a desire to do
good, but rather mind control from the newcomer? After all, I had been told on
more than one occasion that Gerd Soia-Tan La-Varrez was a true star of the
ancient La-Varrez Dynasty of mage rulers and had massive potential as a
psionic. She was even used actively in the war against Tamara's fanatics where
the young Psionic Mage had made quite a good showing. Soia-Tan could even boast
combat experience in the real world unlike myself.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">And given that, the newcomer had even more potential in my eyes as a
useful team member, so letting her join Team Gnat was completely justified. I
just needed to dot all the i's first.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Listen, little one. If you use your abilities on team members
without my knowledge again, you'll be sent out the airlock to learn how to
breathe in a vacuum." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">By the embarrassed blush on Soia-Tan's face, I could tell right away
I wasn't wrong, and she had used psionics. I frowned.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"And if you try to attack me..."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">I didn't finish because the little sorceress hurried to cut me off.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"No, no, Archmage Gnat La-Fin. You won't have any problems from
me. I am not suicidal, and I understand who gave me refuge in the First
Directory."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h2 style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Chapter Five. Soia-Tan La-Varrez,
Space Witch</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">I opened my eyes on the cot in my captain's bunk. I finally got
plenty of rest! To feel rested after so many days of frenzied racing around was
quite unusual, but very nice! The clock told me I had another two ummi in the
subspace tunnel ahead of me, so there was no rush to go anywhere. Out of an old
habit, the first thing I did was scan the ship by activating the corresponding
skill </span><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">– </span><span lang="EN-US">I had to figure out what was happening on my frigate!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">So. The number of markers on the minimap matches the list of team
members, which is most important. The only one on the bridge is second pilot
San-Doon Taki-Bu. Main pilot Dmitry Zheltov and Ayukh the Navigator are resting
after their shifts. For some reason there was a big crowd in the bunk of twin
brothers Basha and Vasha Tushihh. There I saw the markers of Gerd Uline Tar,
Taik Rekh the Gunner and even Avan-Toi the Supercargo. And just how did five
large Geckho fit into one small bunk? And what were they up to in there? I
zoomed in. Ah, I see. They're playing Na-Tikh-U, a common way for Geckho to
pass the time during long flights. This was clearly a tense match if it had amassed
such an audience. The only oddity was the fact my Jarg Analyst was also taking
part in the game. Ever since the Jarg outplayed the twin brothers Basha and
Vasha fifty times in a row, they had refused to sit at the three-dimensional holographic
board with him again. Now, seemingly, the two Heavy Robot Operators had been
joined by the Supercargo and the three Geckho were trying in concert to beat
the Analyst at this three-dimensional chess with elements of randomness,
cheered on by another two of their furry compatriots. Alright then, let’s see.
I personally wanted to know how it turned out.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Chef-Assassin Amati-Kuis Ursssh was in the galley along with the
little Princess Soia-Tan La-Varrez. Yes, she was being punished as she should
have been. Though now I took yesterday's incident with a smile. Why curse when
I myself was once just as disobedient, constantly shocking H3 Faction
leadership with my unexpected moves. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">A whole group of people was gathered in the exercise room, including
the Miyelonian Medic and Trillian Gunner Gerd Ukh-Meemeesh. Based on the
positioning of the markers, my bodyguard Gerd Imran and boarding team commander
Gerd T'yu-Pan were trying to once and for all settle which of them was the
bigger badass. The last time they went head-to-head on the strength trainers
and barbells lasted until Imran tore an intercostal muscle. That was why the
Medic was standing by. And this time, the beautiful Svetlana Vereshchagina and
Destroying Angel had come to watch the athletes as well. The NPC Dryad was also
there, so the dispute was one of principle this time and neither of them were
going to simply give in. No big deal. Exercise is good for my team's
characteristics and skills, while any possible wounds would be quickly healed
by the game.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The remaining crew members I found in the common room around the
Bard. As you might imagine, Vasily Filippov was again playing his guitar
surrounded by grateful listeners. It should be said that the professional
soldier really had a knack for performing his own compositions, and the game
had a very good reason for awarding him that specific class. A nice activity.
Overall, everything was quiet aboard the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tamara
the Paladin</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The only thing that bothered me was the Relict Gerd Urgeh Pu-Pu
Urgeh, who was again sitting alone in his bunk rather than coming out to join
the rest of the crew. The Relict ignored attempts by the team to get to know
him and took as little part as possible in shared activities. With time, that
could be a problem. All my attempts to get the Relict out of his shell and
integrate him into the crew had not yet met with any success. Gerd Urgeh Pu-Pu
Urgeh preferred to be alone, going into the real world whenever he got the
chance and spending a long time missing there. I knew the Technician was busy
at the far away Syam Tro VII Refuge getting the artificial planetoid's systems
back up and running after millennia of inactivity. He was talking with the
sanctuary's artificial intelligence and they were trying to figure out a way to
get the equipment back online. He was looking for failures in the power supply
lines, replacing inoperable elements, and sorting through spare parts for
devices that had stopped working properly. He was also slowly but surely
draining the flooded levels, trying to get into the still inaccessible rooms of
the huge complex. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Working all alone was hard on Urgeh Pu-Pu Urgeh physically, but
above all emotionally. The upwelling of enthusiasm I had seen in the Technician
after his successful exit into the real world had slowly faded. He hadn't
encountered any living Relicts, and it was an unbearable burden for the member
of a once numerous ancient race to constantly see the hundreds of thousands of
empty virt pods. Furthermore, food had become a serious issue. The hydroponic
farms weren't operating because their seeds and spores had died out over the
millennia, while the so-called "invar" the Technician was planning to
hunt turned out to be quite dangerous and themselves nearly ate the last Relict
in existence, leaving him with a severe wound. They bit three of Urgeh Pu-Pu
Urgeh's limbs off his carapace and tore into his soft yielding belly, just
about disemboweling the Relict. How these mysterious predators looked I had yet
to uncover because Gerd Urgeh Pu-Pu Urgeh's explanation contained lots of vague
and even contradictory elements. Somehow they were both aquatic creatures and
able to move through the dark narrow corridors the water had already been
pumped out of. Perhaps the term "invar" actually referred to more
than one biological species. Or various stages of maturity of the same creature
like chrysalis </span><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">– </span><span lang="EN-US">larva </span><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">– </span><span lang="EN-US">adult.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Fortunately, the game healed his wounds. And given enough food in
the game that bends reality, his physical body could go a long time without
anything to eat. But it was mainly only to dine, heal and rest after long
grueling work that Gerd Urgeh Pu-Pu Urgeh came back into the game. The Relict
didn't feel at home in my crew and avoided talking with the rest of the team.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">In theory I could have sent him Relict Faction players to help out.
After all, there was nothing stopping me from finding volunteers to set their
exit points into the real world as virt pods in the refuge. However, that would
be a potentially deadly venture. There was a serious risk my people would find
themselves in complete darkness with unknown atmospheric composition and
dangerous predatory invars scrounging all around. Or they could find themselves
on a completely flooded level. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">No, I did not want to put my people at risk. Beyond that, when I
tried to discuss helping the Relict repair his shelter, he came out strongly
against the idea. For Urgeh Pu-Pu Urgeh, the Syam Tro VII Refuge was his
civilization's last remaining territory and he did not want to allow outsiders
to visit. I read in the technician's thoughts that he was planning to use the
shelter to settle the Relicts we might find on the Hierarch's ship. And the
Syam Tro VII Refuge not being ready to receive the survivors was the only
reason the Technician had yet to insist I keep my promise and go help the Hierarch
at once. Which was fine by me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">So alright, I had figured out the situation on the frigate. I got
dressed and cleaned myself up. But before going to see the team, I took care of
one last important thing </span><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">– </span><span lang="EN-US">I needed to decide what direction to take my character. Until
recently, I had been doggedly levelling my Gnat's skills toward being able to
one day use the Tachyon Bender. But now that the accessory had taken its place
in the ancient Listener armor suit, I needed a new reference point to shoot
for. I opened my stats window.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-insideh: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-border-insidev: .5pt solid windowtext; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td colspan="2" style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 366.9pt;" valign="top" width="489">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Kung Gnat. Human. Relict Faction. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td colspan="2" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 366.9pt;" valign="top" width="489">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Level-109
Listener<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td colspan="2" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 366.9pt;" valign="top" width="489">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Statistics:</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Strength</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 219.75pt;" valign="top" width="293">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">14</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Agility</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 219.75pt;" valign="top" width="293">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">18</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Intelligence</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 219.75pt;" valign="top" width="293">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">39 + 7</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Perception</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 219.75pt;" valign="top" width="293">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">35 + 2</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Constitution</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 219.75pt;" valign="top" width="293">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">18</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 8;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Luck modifier</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 219.75pt;" valign="top" width="293">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">+3</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 9;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Controlled
drones</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 219.75pt;" valign="top" width="293">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">3 of 3 </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 10;">
<td colspan="2" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 366.9pt;" valign="top" width="489">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Parameters:</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 11;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Hitpoints</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 219.75pt;" valign="top" width="293">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">2570 of 2570<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 12;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Endurance
points</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 219.75pt;" valign="top" width="293">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">1832 of 1832<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 13;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Magic points</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 219.75pt;" valign="top" width="293">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">3187 of 3229</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 14;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Carrying
capacity</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 219.75pt;" valign="top" width="293">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">62 lbs.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 15;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Fame</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 219.75pt;" valign="top" width="293">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">110</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 16;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Authority</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 219.75pt;" valign="top" width="293">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">115</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 17;">
<td colspan="2" style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 366.9pt;" valign="top" width="489">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Skills:</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 18;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Electronics</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 219.75pt;" valign="top" width="293">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">103 * First
specialization taken</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 19;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Scanning</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 219.75pt;" valign="top" width="293">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">81</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 20;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Cartography</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 219.75pt;" valign="top" width="293">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">90</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 21;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Astrolinguistics</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 219.75pt;" valign="top" width="293">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">111 * First
specialization taken</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 22;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Rifles</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 219.75pt;" valign="top" width="293">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">68</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 23;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Mineralogy </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 219.75pt;" valign="top" width="293">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">61</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 24;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Medium Armor</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 219.75pt;" valign="top" width="293">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">104 * First
specialization taken</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 25;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Eagle Eye</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 219.75pt;" valign="top" width="293">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">113 * First
specialization taken</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 26;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Sharpshooter</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 219.75pt;" valign="top" width="293">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">55</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 27;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Targeting</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 219.75pt;" valign="top" width="293">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">73</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 28;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Danger Sense</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 219.75pt;" valign="top" width="293">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">143 * First
specialization taken</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 29;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Psionic </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 219.75pt;" valign="top" width="293">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">131 * First
specialization taken</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 30;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Mental
Fortitude </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 219.75pt;" valign="top" width="293">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">128 * First
specialization taken</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 31;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Machine
Control </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 219.75pt;" valign="top" width="293">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">116 * First
specialization taken</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 32;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Mysticism</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 219.75pt;" valign="top" width="293">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">85</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 33;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Telekinesis </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 219.75pt;" valign="top" width="293">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">60</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 34;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 147.15pt;" valign="top" width="196">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Training</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
</td>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">47</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Disorientation</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">42</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Attention!!! You have three unspent skill points.</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">There was an ever-stronger slant toward psionic abilities, but guns
and everything connected with them were lagging behind. I was also bothered by
Scanning </span><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">– </span><span lang="EN-US">though it was a skill I used all the time, every time it cooled down
as a matter of fact, I had only gotten it up to eighty-one even though my
character was already at one hundred and nine. I had to do something about
that. The nice way would be to take an armful of geological analyzers and visit
a series of asteroids in search of valuable minerals. At the same time, I would
be pulling up Minerology and Cartography. However, where was I supposed to find
the free time for that?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">It would also be nice to start visiting the firing range regularly
to bring up my lagging shooting skills. That was much easier to remedy though </span><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">– </span><span lang="EN-US">we'd be in
flight for another two ummi, and I could do some shooting at the frigate's gun
range. Astrolinguistics I could also improve by talking with Trillians, the
Relict and the Jarg in my crew. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">But first and foremost my Gnat was a listener, and that class was intended
to use psionics and work with mechanical devices. The total number of Magic
Points and their restore speed were becoming more critical all the time. And so
I invested all three free skill points into Mysticism then closed the window
and went out to see my team.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">***<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Son of a...!" I could hardly resist using psionic magic
when a sinister figure wrapped in a dark robe came around the corner of the
hallway to greet me with a hood over their head.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Greetings, Captain Gnat!"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Before me, her eyes staring ashamedly at the floor with a heap of
dirty dishes in her hands stood Gerd Soia-Tan La-Varrez. She was dressed in
something resembling a hybrid between a Catholic nun's dark habit and the grim
reaper’s mythical robe. I don't know where Svetlana Vereshchagina and
Destroying Angel had dug up the dark robe on the star frigate, but I had
questions for them. I asked the young sorceress to set the dirty dishes on the
table and follow me, going straight into the gym.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">When the captain came in, the team started their training exercises
while Gerd Ukh-Meemeesh the Trillian helped the boarding team leader as he
wheezed in tension, plucking the five-hundred-pound barbel off the man's chest
with one hand without apparent effort. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">I gestured for the Assassin and Gunfighter to step forward, and
asked:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"I won't ask what roleplay games you were keeping this habit in
your wardrobe for," I pointed at the embarrassed Soia-Tan standing next to
me. "But do you really think this is any way for a thirteen-year-old girl
to dress? Couldn't find any decent pants or dresses? You must be big fans of <i>Star
Wars</i> given how you’ve dressed our Psionic Mage. She's basically Soia-Tan
La-Varrez, space witch!"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Why not? Our enemies'
morale will take a hit as soon as they see her!" Space Commando Eduard
Boyko laughed happily, and a few other crew members supported him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">But I didn't find this mockery of a high-level Princess from the
ancient La-Varrez dynasty to be anything to laugh at. Which I told the team.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"But, Captain, she asked us to sew her that exact outfit!"
Svetlana Vereshchagina objected, clearly not understanding the reason for my dismay.
"For me to carry out the girl's request, I had to sacrifice my camouflage
Assassin suit, and Destroying Angel cut up one of her dresses."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Did you ask for this?" I turned to the little Princess
for explanations and she nodded to confirm.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Yes, Coruler Gnat La-Fin. I... it wasn't much, just a tiny
bit, but I did some digging in the crew's thoughts and realized it would be a
dramatic look. But that wasn't the main reason!" the girl practically
shouted out the last part when she saw the frown appearing on my face.
"It's just that I keep having the same dream over and over again. But this
time it was especially clear and vibrant. It's like a warning or a vision of
the future. Here it is."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">A flood of thoughts and images came crashing down on me. Indistinct,
blurry. I had to relax and put down my mental defenses to make sense of the
"picture."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">A huge room. Human guards
lining the walls in power armor. Behind them... unidentifiable tall creatures
that are definitely not human. Massive insects that look like praying mantises,
but not Meleyephatians and not Relicts. Before them, a carved throne and seated
upon it is a plump middle-aged monarch in a dark-blue army uniform with gold
epaulettes. The King's face has an old jagged scar running across his whole
cheek and forehead. Good thing his eye didn’t get hurt. There is a young Queen
sitting to the monarch's right with a doll face and pure white hair. To his
left... That's odd. It's an empty chair. And above it on the wall is a portrait
of a very dramatic woman with red hair and a bright crimson dress to match with
a deep neckline. And in the middle of the room... Surprising. Two girls with
their hands thrust forward standing opposite one another wearing identical
black robes going down to their very feet while the air between them sparked
and hummed with tension.<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The vision flooded out of my mind and I found myself again standing
in the gym of my frigate, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tamara the
Paladin</i>. But for some reason my hands were shaking, and my Magic Points
were down to zero. I wiped sweat from my brow. What even was that?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Psionic skill increased to
level one hundred thirty-two!<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"I am the smaller of the two girls," the Mage Psionic told
me. "I don't know who my opponent is. All I know is that she finds it hard
to walk and barely speaks. But at that she is an extremely powerful psionic and
deadly! And this is not simply a meaningless dream. I consulted with relatives,
then Gerd Mac-Peu Un-Roi the Mage Diviner. They are all of the opinion that I
am seeing a probable future. A very important episode in the lines of the
probable future, the outcome of which will define the course of history. And it
is a battle I cannot lose!"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h2 style="text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Chapter Six. The Price of
Domination</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Captain, don't be mad, but this isn't your thing!" the
leader of the boarding team Gerd T'yu-Pan patted me condescendingly on the
shoulder, taking away my last still unthrown knife. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">I confess that, after spending several hours in a row shooting a
light rifle at erratically moving targets and levelling my shooting skills by
tiny bits, I was fed up. I brought up my Sharpshooter by one point, but that
was all. The result clearly did not justify the time wasted. Now here I was
trying to take part in my troops' training session where they were learning to
throw knives at targets shaped like Meleyephatians and various other spacefaring
races. Some might cringe at that and ask what good are knives in battle when
everyone has a modern laser weapon? But Gerd T'yu-Pan had a different opinion,
saying starkly that the enemy cannot fire a gun with their hand disabled. They
can't use Psionics either, with a knife sticking out of their head </span><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">– </span><span lang="EN-US">and the large
head was in fact the weak point of the spiderlike Meleyephatians, who also
usually did not wear armor there, or armor that left it only partially covered.
Furthermore, there was nowhere in the galaxy where melee weaponry was banned
unlike firearms, which were forbidden on many space stations.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">But... not on mine. Without the corresponding skills and with
utterly middling Agility, my Gnat could only hit the target every other time,
which was to say nothing of the fact that some of them didn't go in at all or
bounced away, much to my embarrassment. Compared to the others, especially
Chef-Assassin Amati-Kuis, seemingly having been born with throwing knives in
her hands, I looked truly weak and at times even comical. But I didn't give up
and asked to be given one more chance. This time I decided to change tactics
and use Intelligence rather than Agility, which my character was much stronger
in.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The six knives laid out on the table raised up into the air, hovered
there for a second and went racing forward. Hit! All six targets fell, hit the
weak spots, which were labeled with red markers. A few of the targets I
actually pierced straight through, which even the strongest team members
couldn't do. The condescending smiles on my team's faces gave way to looks of
surprise. Another batch of blades, and another rousing success.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Ooh... ah!" my Chef Assassin shuddered in fear when the
miniature poison blades attached to the top of her claws broke away from their
anchors and went spinning in the air like a fanciful carousel of danger. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Go! Obeying my will, all six of the poisoned missiles stuck into the
exact center of the distant target with such dense grouping that it would be
hard to do any better by hand. Gerd T'yu-Pan walked up to the target, looked it
over and gave a few approving claps:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Impressive!" the huge Shocktroop suddenly got down on one
knee and tilted his head. "Mage-ruler Gnat La-Fin, I beg apologies for my
insolence. I forgot what powerful mages can do and allowed myself unforgivable
words. It will not happen again! I swear it!"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Successful Authority check!<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">That cursed servile attitude toward mages, beaten into him since
childhood... But the thing I was not expecting at all was for the other members
of the boarding team to follow their leader and bow as well. Even Imran, who
had no relation to the magocratic world and had been with me since day one in
the game copied T'yu-Pan's gesture and got down on one knee. Tini, too. Taik
Rekh, as well. Even the Trillian girl Amati-Kuis lowered the front half of her
body to the very floor. I could feel an invisible but undeniable wall going up
between my team and me. It was as if I had fallen out of the social circle and
become an outsider. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">I didn't enjoy the scene and rebuked myself for the lack of
restraint. I never should have put on this Telekinesis show and demonstrated
how vast the chasm was dividing Kungs from Gerds, much less common players. I
mean, what was the point? Was I so hard up for Authority? Did I want to bolster
my self-esteem and show off in front of my own team?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The only one left standing was the little Princess of the La-Varrez
dynasty, Gerd Soia-Tan. The little mage on the other hand liked what she had seen
and didn't even attempt to hide the smile of satisfaction. My assistant Gerd
Ayni also hesitated for a few seconds, but stayed upright nevertheless.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"On your feet, friends. And get back to training," I said
in the sudden silence, after which I tried to somewhat smooth over the
negativity and blow down the new wall of alienation. "Gerd T'yu-Pan, let
me remind you that you are not only the head of the boarding team, but also my
advisor in magocratic world affairs. I expect honesty from you, not servility.
And that means sometimes not only is the occasional insulting comment okay, but
in fact necessary. When you're done at the range, come to my chambers. We need
to talk." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The leader of the boarding team bowed respectfully, and I turned to
little mage Soia-Tan La-Varrez.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Little one, I also expect you in the captain's berth for a
meeting. It is important for me to know what the old dynasties will think about
my proposed changes, and you will do great as a representative of the La-Varrez
mage-rulers. For you it will be a chance to prove yourself and be given a place
in the future government, so I expect you to bring the utmost engagement,
seriousness and openness."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The young psionic girl's eyes lit up and she promised to give everything
she had to prove herself. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">***<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">I was sitting in my bunk looking through the Relict Faction's
innumerable pages of financial reports and unpaid bills. I'll admit, it was
enough to make me scratch my head. No, I had heard from my Chief Advisor Gerd
Mac-Peu Un-Roi that finances were strained, and he even had to pawn one of the
three Tiopeo-Myhh II interceptors to pay some vendors. But still I didn't think
the situation was quite that dismal. We had definitely gone into the red with
this explosive expansion, new nodes, many construction projects and army
draft... To be more accurate, we were down seventeen million Geckho monetary
crystals. And although the Kung of Earth's Authority and reputation as a swashbuckling
Free Captain allowed several contracts to be paid after fact for already delivered
weaponry or construction materials, and the suppliers didn't demand payment
upfront, that day was nevertheless inexorably approaching.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">We would have to pay four and a half million monetary crystals just
to my business partner Uline-Tar for delivery of planetary shield generators on
the huge Kitivaru transport ship. That contract though was for payment upon
delivery and unloading, so we had another ten days before it was due. The other
issue was that I for now saw no sources of financing I could use to pay Uline
in any kind of reasonable timeframe. The platinum mine on the asteroid and
trade profits brought the Relict Faction and its leader money, but all that was
going to paying off a snowballing expense account. And I was forced to
constantly invest my personal finances into supporting my own faction. In fact,
it was only thanks to those investments that the situation had not spun out of
control and turned into a complete catastrophe. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The Relict Faction had been given a claim to twenty-three nodes on the
southern peninsula but getting them up to level two would take investment </span><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">– </span><span lang="EN-US">around sixty
thousand crystals a piece, not including expenses for developing the
infrastructure there. Doesn't sound like much when taken separately, but in
total it added up to a tidy sum. And other than the "southern strip,"
we were building a high-speed causeway to the Chinese Faction, oil refineries
and petrochemical plants, a cargo port and a thermonuclear power plant. We also
couldn't ignore the six new nodes on the western shore of the bay around the
Geckho spaceport or the three distant nodes on the opposite end of the
continent that previously belonged to the North American H8 Faction. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">And after all, there weren't only big construction projects on the
"small" continent. I also had the "big" continent of the
virtual Earth to think about, and everywhere needed money, money and more
money. And beyond level-one and -two nodes, the Relict Faction also had level
three, four and even five. All of them needed to be developed and built up,
while the future development costs would be an order of magnitude higher.
Another good chunk of money was going to the new ambitious project to get
together spaceships for the Relict Faction. Blueprints for them had been drawn
up by the greatest Constructor of all terrestrial factions Gerd Alex Bobl after
studying the technology of other spacefaring races together with a whole team
of Scientists and Engineers from allied factions. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The first two Sio-Fa-Urukh corvettes ("Defender" in
translation from the language of the magocratic world) were Near-Earth
Atmospheric fighters and were already being assembled in hangars on a site once
occupied by the plains of the Poppy Fields node. In fact, two thirds of the
parts for the corvettes had been made at my Relict Faction's factories. We were
only buying particularly hard-to-produce parts such as defensive shields,
gravity compensators and modern computers. We had also not fitted the ships
with hyperspace drives to bring down construction costs. We only planned to use
the corvettes inside the Solar System anyway. The Sio-Fa-Urukhs were fitted
with enhanced shields though as well as fully-fledged maneuver drives and main
thrusters, as well decent laser and rocket weaponry. These starships cost no
more than two million Geckho crystals, but in battle a Defender could easily go
toe-to-toe with a Meleyephatian frigate in Raider or Long-Distance Raider
configuration, or a pair of interceptors. What mattered most though was that
the Relict Faction could produce such corvettes all on its own in the
medium-term, meaning it would no longer depend on deliveries from deep space.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">I didn't even consider freezing expenditures on the corvette
construction lines to save money </span><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">– </span><span lang="EN-US">Earth having a space fleet was of vital
importance. I couldn't just stop some of the construction either because there
wasn't that much time left before the countdown would be up and to successfully
complete the mission of keeping both planets in existence, I needed to control
more than fifty percent of the virtual planet's game nodes. And that meant ever
more aggressive expansion, a constantly expanding roster of players for
completing tasks, capturing more uninhabited territory and... again more
expenses for building them up. Yes, with time all these acquisitions would
start to turn a profit, but right now the new nodes brought only expenses. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Furthermore, the thirty-percent tribute we paid to the suzerains on
all resources extracted and profits on goods sold was a heavy burden to bear.
Yes, the Geckho were rubbing their hands together in glee when they saw their
vassal factions’ significantly higher income streams and were using these funds
for constant construction work next to the spaceport and at other locations on
the planet. But for the Relict Faction, this tribute was a heavy yoke and the
only possible way to be rid of it would be for Earth's humanity to receive
independence. But a step that decisive would require expanded military
capabilities as well as financial and political clout.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Then what to do? Where to get money? Take out a loan from a Geckho
or Miyelonian bank? I suspect that such a famed Free Captain won't be turned
away, especially if I put up my starship <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tamara
the Paladin</i> as collateral. The price of my twinbody with the best equipment
was sixty million Geckho crystals at least, so the loan was sure to be
approved. However, I very much did not want to find myself in servitude to a
bunch of slick alien financiers. In fact, my Danger Sense skill piped up when I
even considered it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">My musings were interrupted by Gerd Uline Tar, who this time used
her key to come into the captain's berth without knocking. The huge furry
Geckho woman plopped down next to me and growled out:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Gnnnat, you sad again? Ever since Minn-O and Valeri-Urla left
the crew, it's like there's no light in your life." <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"It isn't about them... well, they are part of it. It's just
that there are problems building up all around me. And the team's behavior
today really upset me..."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">I told my business partner what happened today at the gun range and
my other concerns. The burdensome political crisis in the magocratic world.
Financial problems. I couldn't spend too long in the real world. I wanted to
get it all off my chest, and there was no one else for me to pour out my soul
to. The Trader listened to me carefully, never once interrupting. Then she
responded to all points in detail.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Such is the price of domination, Gnnnat. The Relict Faction
declared itself the hegemon of terrestrial factions, and now there's no turning
back. You'd be eaten alive. You can only afford constantly accelerating forward
motion, even if it is inevitably linked to expenses. And I must admit, I am
surprised there haven't been any attempts on your life. Earth leaders both from
your world and the magocratic one aren't just going to let their rule slip
between their fingers and getting rid of you would be the most obvious
solution. Always remember that and stay on guard in the real world. As for
finances, I can help. I'll look for delivery contracts we can pick up in Serpea
and see what goods are most promising for trade. Furthermore, it wouldn't be
too hard for me to get thirty million loaned by relatives. In fact, they
offered during the wedding to help 'build up my trading enterprise.' I could
get a large amount, too... A very large amount even. But that would require a
specific project outline showing dividends and some kind of guarantee. And what
about the team's opinion..."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Uline rumbled in satisfaction, embracing me with her powerful big
paws, squeezing me tight and, looking me top to bottom, bared her teeth in a
happy smile.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Don't you worry about that, Gnnnat. Such is a leader's burden.
There's no way to become a big influential Kung while remaining a normal
player, open to a talk with anyone they come across. Even after I became a
Gerd, I noticed old girlfriends who used to come to me just for a chat or some
gossip about their gentlemen callers started giving me a wider berth. They're
afraid to bother me over minor issues, not wanting to distract me from
important issues as one of them admitted. Now just think how much different it
is for a Kung! As far as most players are concerned, you're a legend, an
untouchable star. They're afraid to even approach you. But know that you have
loyal friends you can always be yourself around. I am one of those friends. And
I think I have an idea for how to boost your mood..."<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">A measured knock at the door interrupted Uline's speech, and my
business partner sharply fell silent midsentence. And even slowly covered her
mouth with a broad furry paw as if she'd just said something she shouldn't have.
What idea was that? I used Psionics a bit later and realized that
"boosting my mood" was somehow connected with going into the real
world and my tailed orange girlfriend Gerd Ayni the Miyelonian. I didn't even
try reading thoughts because I was so let down. Now Uline Tar was trying to
give unsolicited advice about my relationship with the orange Miyelonian
Translator. I admit, I was expecting my business partner, someone who knew me
quite well, to do something less banal and predictable. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Then, somewhat ashamed, Gerd Soia-Tan La-Varrez and Gerd T'yu-Pan
walked into the captain's bunk. My business partner didn't embarrass them
further with her presence and went out into the hallway. I pointed the pair to
an armchair and couch, after which we started discussing the changes I as ruler
of the First Directory and one of the three remaining mage-rulers and sole
Archmage wanted to make to the magocratic world. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">No, I was not planning to touch the fundamental principles of
magocracy because that would be just too radical a step. Society wasn't ready
for such big changes and would be up in arms. But repealing the majority of the
utterly senseless limitations to the rights of people with no magical abilities
was an obvious move. For example, common people could not hold offices such as
the CEOs of large companies or banks, heads scientific institutes or high
administrative posts such as city mayors, provincial governors or Directory
leaders. The example of the very successful and respected ruler of the Second
Directory General Ui Taka showed that this ban was now antiquated, was not
being upheld and had to be repealed. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The ancient ban on "mixed" marriages between mages and
nonmages was also begging for repeal. With boisterous declarations about the
sanctity of ancient law, mages regularly broke it when they stood to gain </span><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">– </span><span lang="EN-US">an example of
that were the marriages of Coruler Thumor-Anhu La-Fin's nonmagical children, or
the classic example of Minn-O La-Fin, who was going to be forcibly married off
to a mage from house La-Varrez for the sake of the ancient La-Fin dynasty's
inheritance. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The two parallel judicial systems for mages and nonmages was also an
outdated concept, and I suggested bringing them together. But the most
important step I proposed was the creation of a parliament with members elected
from the common people of all sixteen Directories. That would serve as a safety
valve to let out societal tension and give a chance to the most well-known and
active citizens with no magical powers to express themselves in a fully legal
fashion with no rebellions or revolutions. The old Council of Mage Rulers would
retain the right to veto laws passed by the parliament, but I was certain the
wise mages wouldn't abuse that so the peoples' uprising that scared so many
would not happen again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">And at the pinnacle of the pyramid of power would be three rulers
chosen from among the very strongest mages on the planet, as it was before in
the magocratic world. I named myself one of the corulers, another spot was
reserved for a member of the La-Varrez dynasty. As for the third candidate, I
was willing to put it up for discussion with all the ancient dynasties. I also
turned down the chance to give myself more authority than the other two
corulers, even though in theory there was nothing to stop me from taking such
rights. Yes, I remembered my conversation with Minn-O La-Fin where she
suggested I make myself the sole ruler, but I wasn't confident I could do that
without a lot of bloodshed. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Despite how easily understandable my theses seemed, a bunch of
nuances and challenges cropped up, so the discussion lasted a while. For
example, how to protect a judge presiding over a mage psionic's trial. Mental
defense would be absolutely necessary, otherwise the defendant would be
guaranteed to walk away scot-free no matter what crime they may have committed.
Or the number of parliament members and strict formula governing deputies per
territory depending on population. Also how to avoid that parliament grinding
to a halt if two or more Directories found themselves at war.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">We even invited another three natives of the magocratic world </span><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">– </span><span lang="EN-US">Engineer
San-Sano, Timka-Vu the Machinegunner and San-Doon Taki-Bu the Pilot </span><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">– </span><span lang="EN-US">to join in the
talks. And the longer we discussed the new changes, the finer details and
sticking points we uncovered. But then suddenly, our conversation was
interrupted by a message on the loudspeaker from Starship Pilot Dmitry Zheltov.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"Kung Gnat, please come to the captain's bridge. Your presence
is required," the player's voice was shaking in worry. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">A few seconds before that I sensed our frigate leave hyperspace into
normal space. Had something gone wrong with our exit from hyper? Some kind of
technical glitch? I instantly hopped up out of the flying armchair and dashed
off to my workstation. Woah... This really was something that had to be seen in
person. The blue star was so bright that even our dimming filters couldn't
fully suppress the blinding light. The huge spindle-shaped space station was
two hundred fifty miles from us. Other than that there were thousands of
stationary and moving objects on the radar and big screen </span><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">– </span><span lang="EN-US">starships,
autonomous shuttles, palaces of the local elite flying through space and the
shells of old starships refitted as residential structures. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Cartography skill increased
to level ninety-one!<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Eagle Eye skill increased
to level one hundred twelve!<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">But that wasn't the most important part. Very near our frigate,
there was a whole flotilla of Meleyephatian combat ships. No less than two
hundred. Frigates, support ships, a pair of strike cruisers and even one huge
battleship, an unusual shape for the usual Meleyephatian heavy ship. I read its
information. Pikiuro, meaning "splendor" in Miyelonian. Strange. A
Horde ship with a Miyelonian name?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">I looked it up in the ship search engine and read the information
that came on screen. It had been captured at dock in an uncompleted state during
the most recent conflict between the Horde and the Miyelonians, eight tongs
ago. After the peace agreement, the Union of Miyelonian Prides had attempted on
several occasions to purchase the huge ship back, but the leaders of the
Meleyephatian Horde were unwavering in their refusal. To them it was as
honorable a trophy as the severed tail of an enemy on one's helmet to a
Miyelonian. The computer also told me the Pikiuro was currently serving as
flagship for flotilla seventeen, which was part of the Horde's Eighth Fleet,
which was taking part in the war against the Geckho. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">So all these ships are at war with the Geckho... And they probably
had not come to the home system of a Geckho vassal by accident. The nearest of
the Meleyephatian Horde ships were less than one hundred miles away, so our
frigate was easily in shooting range of the flotilla's on-board cannons.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">It was too late to make any evasive maneuvers. Furthermore, our
equipment had already detected abnormal interest in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tamara the Paladin</i> from the Meleyephatian flotilla </span><span lang="AR-SA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">– </span><span lang="EN-US">we were being
scanned actively by several of the ships. But why wasn't the combat alert
sounding automatically?! I asked that question to the officers on the bridge.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">"I don't know either," Dmitry Zheltov shrugged his
shoulders. "I wanted to do it manually, captain, but the on-board computer
marked all ships on the tactical grid as neutral, with white dots. And the
Meleyephatians really are not displaying any aggression, just scanning our
ship. They aren't even targeting. Their ships are waiting in line to dock at
the Serpea-III station. And the Cleopian patrol ships aren't attacking them
either!" <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 14.2pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Impossible! It sounded preposterous. Sure, I can understand about
our frigate. I am a Free Captain, and basically neutral again. The
Meleyephatian Horde had revoked my enemy status for some reason. But why
weren't the local spaceships and defensive artillery attacking the
Meleyephatians? The Cleopians are Geckho vassals, and the Geckho are engaged in
a bloody war with the Meleyephatian Horde. Meanwhile, the Horde's ships are in
Cleopian space and being provided access to dock, service and repair. Has
something in this life escaped my understanding? What the heck is going on?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span><span lang="EN-US"> A reference to the song War (</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: RU;">Война)</span><span lang="EN-US"> by late Soviet rock band Kino</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: RU;">.</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span><span lang="EN-US"> A very popular song by late Soviet rock band Kino about the
dehumanizing experiences of the Soviet-Afghan War where one’s blood type was
supposedly indicated by a patch sewn on the sleeve of their uniform.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Release - March 19, 2021</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Pre-order now - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08T7ML97M">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08T7ML97M</a></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Simon Valehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16142080565999248152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1879934328827513079.post-5309891659006029762020-12-30T08:11:00.005-08:002020-12-30T08:11:53.862-08:00Die Triumphale Elektrizität: Die Illustren von Pavel Kornev<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<p class="MsoSubtitle"><span lang="DE-AT" style="mso-ansi-language: DE-AT;"><br /></span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">Die Triumphale Elektrizität</div><span lang="DE-AT" style="mso-ansi-language: DE-AT;"><div style="text-align: center;">Die Illustren</div></span><span lang="DE-AT" style="mso-ansi-language: DE-AT;"><div style="text-align: center;">von Pavel Kornev</div></span></h3><p class="MsoSubtitle"><span lang="DE-AT" style="mso-ansi-language: DE-AT;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoSubtitle"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ySIp8k7qigw/X6KQw2QQOOI/AAAAAAAACXI/geCRB3MGuH4hZC-u9Rpwqueb4Ejz8V-9ACPcBGAYYCw/s800/se_g_1_800_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="560" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ySIp8k7qigw/X6KQw2QQOOI/AAAAAAAACXI/geCRB3MGuH4hZC-u9Rpwqueb4Ejz8V-9ACPcBGAYYCw/s320/se_g_1_800_2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><span lang="DE-AT" style="mso-ansi-language: DE-AT;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoSubtitle" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="mso-ansi-language: DE-AT;"><span style="color: red;">Release 29. April 2021</span></span></p><p class="MsoSubtitle" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="mso-ansi-language: DE-AT;"><span style="color: red;">Pre-order on Amazon - <a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08MQH5XNY">https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08MQH5XNY</a></span></span></p><p class="MsoSubtitle"><span lang="DE-AT" style="mso-ansi-language: DE-AT;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoSubtitle"><span lang="DE-AT" style="mso-ansi-language: DE-AT;">1<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="mso-fareast-language: RU;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-language: RU;">IST ES WAHR,
dass alle Lebewesen, denen es bestimmt ist zu kriechen, nicht fliegen können?
In der Tat!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 35.4pt;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Menschen sind nun einmal nicht dazu geschaffen, zu
fliegen, weshalb jeder Versuch dazu verdammt war, in einem Absturz zu enden.
Man nehme nur das Beispiel der <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gefallenen</i>…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 35.4pt;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 35.4pt;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Ich
öffnete die Augen. Ich kniff sie sofort wieder zu, aber es war zu spät. Als ich
sie erneut öffnete, erhaschte ich einen Blick auf den grauen, rauchverhangenen
Himmel, der sich wirbelnd über mir drehte und die Illusion erzeugte, ich läge
auf einem Rettungsfloß inmitten eines riesigen Strudels. Der bloße Gedanke,
aufstehen zu müssen, war schon schmerzhaft, also blieb ich, wo ich war, feige
ausgestreckt auf dem Müllhaufen, der meinen Sturz abgefangen hatte.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 35.4pt;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 35.4pt;"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 35.4pt;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Ich holte
vorsichtig Luft und meine Rippen wurden sofort von einem scharfen Schmerz
durchbohrt. Aber als ich ein zweites Mal einatmete, ließen die unangenehmen Empfindungen
bereits nach und bestätigten mir, dass ich Glück gehabt hatte und mit einer
Prellung am Rücken davongekommen war. In dem Müllhaufen, der mich so liebevoll
umarmt hatte, befanden sich weder Ziegelsteine noch zerbrochenen Flaschen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 35.4pt;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Das hob
meine Stimmung. Ich fühlte mich immer noch nicht allzu gut, wenn man die
Umstände meines Absturzes in Betracht zog, aber ich hatte immerhin etwas,
worüber ich froh sein konnte.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 35.4pt;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Wieder
öffnete ich die Augen.<br />
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Um
mich herum ragten düstere Gebäudewände auf, die den Eindruck erweckten, ich
befände mich auf dem Grund eines tiefen Brunnens. Über ihnen brauten sich graue
Wolken zusammen, feindselig und hässlich wie alles andere um mich herum.
Plötzlich wurde die Dunkelheit noch dichter und kündigte die Ankunft eines
Militärluftschiffs an. Seine Kabine war mit abwärts gerichteten, viereckigen
Waffenluken gesäumt. Dann sah ich die Heckstabilisatoren, den Kiel und die
Gatling-Geschützrohre, die einen Sonnenstrahl reflektierten. Doch im nächsten
Augenblick war das Luftschiff spurlos verschwunden, als wäre es nie da gewesen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 35.4pt;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Das
spielte keine Rolle. Es war ja nicht so, als wäre ich aus der Kabine dieses
fliegenden Monsters gestürzt. Ganz und gar nicht: Ich war durch das knurrende
Maul eines zerbrochenen Fensters im zweiten Stock auf einen kurzen Flug
geschickt worden.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 35.4pt;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Wobei es
ehrlich gesagt ein wenig übertrieben war, zu behaupten, ich sei ‚geschickt‘
worden.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 35.4pt;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">„Leopold!“
Das Echo eines fernen Schreis hallte über den Hof. Ich hörte ein dröhnendes
Poltern und einen Moment später war die Stimme näher. „Leo! Verflucht, wo
steckst du?“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 35.4pt;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Der
Strahl einer elektrischen Taschenlampe tastete das Gelände ab, sein helles
Licht lief über die Wände, schlängelte sich in meine Richtung und erlosch. Erst
als sich meine Augen wieder an die Dunkelheit gewöhnt hatten, sah ich einen
kleinen Wachtmeister in den Hof treten. Er trug einen Polizeiumhang und eine
Dienstkappe. Seine großkalibrige Lupara gab mit dem Mündungsende ihrer vier
Läufe ein hässliches Knurren in meine Richtung ab.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 35.4pt;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">„Richte
das Ding gefälligst nicht auf mich!“, forderte ich und runzelte verärgert die
Stirn.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 35.4pt;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Ramon
Miro zögerte einen Moment, dann klemmte er seine Waffe in seine linke Armbeuge.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 35.4pt;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">„Bist du
in Ordnung?“, fragte er und sah sich besorgt um.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 35.4pt;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">„Das wird
wieder“, antwortete ich knapp, aber nachdrücklich.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 35.4pt;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">„Bist du
sicher?“, fragte mein schwerfälliger schwarzhaariger Partner und streckte seine
freie Hand aus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 35.4pt;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Irritiert
schlug ich sie weg. Ich nahm meine Kräfte zusammen, rollte ich mich auf die
Seite und schaffte es sogar, mich auf einen Ellbogen zu stützen, bevor ich das
Klirren von Glasscherben über mir hörte.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 35.4pt;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Ein
rundlicher Herr mittleren Alters in einem dezenten grauen Dreiteiler, der eine
ebenso unauffällige Melone trug, erschien hinter dem glaszahnigen Lächeln im
Fenster. Mit dem Griff seines Gehstocks schlug er eine weitere Glasscherbe aus
dem Rahmen und sah dann mich an, wobei sein Gesicht einen Ausdruck extremer
Missbilligung annahm.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 35.4pt;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">„Was ist
mit diesem verdammten Sukkubus passiert, Leo?“, fragte Inspektor White.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 35.4pt;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Ich
drehte meinen Kopf erst in die eine, dann in die andere Richtung, überblickte
den ganzen Müllhaufen, auf dem ich ausgestreckt lag, und lächelte verzagt.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 35.4pt;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">„Nun... ich
kann mit Sicherheit sagen, dass ich sie hier nicht sehe, Inspektor.“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 35.4pt;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">„Detective
Constable Orso!“, donnerte Robert White und ließ mich wissen, dass Scherze
gänzlich unerwünscht waren. „Das ist keine Antwort. Wo zum Teufel ist sie?“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 35.4pt;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">„Ich weiß
es nicht“, musste ich gestehen. „Ich erinnere mich nicht mehr an viel, nachdem
ich aus dem Fenster geworfen wurde.“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 35.4pt;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">„Eine
überaus bedauerliche Wendung der Ereignisse.“ Der Inspektor zog sich vom
Fenster zurück.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 35.4pt;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Ich legte
mich wieder hin und seufzte hilflos, dann sah ich zu Ramon auf und fragte: „Was
starrst du mich so an?“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 35.4pt;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Der
Wachtmeister gab ein zweideutiges Schnauben von sich und wandte sich ab. Auf
seinem unerschütterlichen, rötlichen Gesicht war nicht eine Spur von Emotion zu
sehen, aber seine ostentative Gleichgültigkeit konnte mich nicht täuschen – die
Enttäuschung meines Kollegen war geradezu körperlich zu spüren.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 35.4pt;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Aber
darum konnte ich mich nicht kümmern. Es galt immer noch den Chef zu
besänftigen...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 35.4pt;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Ich
setzte mich zwischen dem Unrat auf und drehte ruckartig den Kopf. Ich hatte es
noch nicht so ganz geschafft, zur Besinnung zu kommen. Trotzdem schwang die
Hintertür auf und Inspektor White erschien auf einer hohen Treppe.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 35.4pt;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">„Leo“,
sagte er untypisch sanft und sah sich mit einer Grimasse in dem dunklen Hof um.
„Leo, was zum Teufel ist hier passiert?“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 35.4pt;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Ich
beeilte mich nicht, ihm zu antworten. Ich rappelte mich erst einmal hoch, zog
meinen ausziehbaren zweipoligen Betäubungsstab an der gummibeschichteten Schnur
zu mir heran und zuckte dann vage mit den Schultern.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 35.4pt;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">„Eine
echte Katastrophe“, verkündete ich, als die ausgedehnte Pause bereits eine
ungebührliche Länge annahm.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 35.4pt;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">„Ja,
nicht wahr?“, schnaubte der Inspektor und seine grauen Augen verloren die
letzte Spur ihrer bereits verblassten Farbe.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 35.4pt;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Der <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Illustre</i> Robert White verfügte über ein <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Talent</i>, das in unserer Branche äußerst
wertvoll war: Er konnte Lügen riechen. Er konnte nicht immer erkennen, wann er
angelogen wurde, aber wie ein trainierter Bluthund konnte er leicht die
bewusste Absicht schnuppern, ihn in die Irre zu führen, wenn man mit ihm
sprach. Dieses sehr, sehr nützliche <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Talent
</i>wurde ihm von seinen Eltern vererbt, die sich mit dem Blut der <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gefallenen</i> markiert hatten...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 35.4pt;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Genau aus
diesem Grund versuchte ich gar nicht erst herumzureden und hob einfach meinen
Betäubungsstab.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 35.4pt;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">„Der
Schock ist zu schwach“, erklärte ich dem Inspektor.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 35.4pt;"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">„Was Sie
nicht sagen“, erwiderte Robert White verblüfft.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Ausgerechnet in diesem Moment kamen zwei Polizisten in
Dienstmänteln auf uns zu, die ihre neumodischen halbautomatischen Karabiner
bereithielten. Die Stangenmagazine der Gewehre ragten auf eine Weise hervor,
die ihnen ein albernes Aussehen verlieh, aber Leute, die sich wirklich mit
Schusswaffen auskannten, störte das nicht im Geringsten. In kleinen Gefechten
sprach das kurzläufige Madsen-Biarnoff-Gewehr recht beredt für sich selbst.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Ich glaube,
mit dem Elektroschocker stimmt etwas nicht", postulierte ich, ohne auf die
skeptischen Blicke meiner Kollegen zu achten.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Mit deinem
Kopf stimmt etwas nicht, Leo!“, rief der rothaarige Wachtmeister.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Nein, nein,
Jimmy!“, mischte sich der andere junge Mann ein, dessen Zähne vom Tabakkauen
braun waren, und präzisierte seine Beobachtung sofort. „Sein Problem ist, dass
er verkorkste Arme hat.“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Der Rotschopf
lachte mit einem zufriedenen Blick. „Billy, alter Junge! Ich sehe keinen Grund,
warum nicht beides gleichzeitig wahr sein könnte!“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Ich glaube,
da hast du den Nagel auf den Kopf getroffen, Jimmy! In seinem Fall scheint sich
das gegenseitig zu verstärken!“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Ich war nicht beleidigt; Jimmy und Billy waren
notorische Witzbolde. Man musste ihnen nur etwas geben, worüber sie sich lustig
machen konnten, und schon waren sie Feuer und Flamme. Aber der Inspektor wollte
Erklärungen und so schien meine Idee, Billy mit meinem Betäubungsstab einen
Schlag zu verpassen und ihm dabei das Maul zu stopfen, wie eine Chance, zwei
Fliegen mit einer Klappe zu schlagen. Also tat ich genau das.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Gleißende Funken flogen durch die Gegend. Der
Constable sprang ruckartig zurück und rieb sich die Brust.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Bist du
total verrückt geworden?“ Er fletschte er die Zähne.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Vergiss es.“
Ich winkte ab und wandte mich dem Inspektor zu. „Wie ich schon sagte, der
Stromschlag ist schwach!“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Teuflische Kreaturen reagierten besonders empfindlich
auf Elektrizität, aber ein so schwacher Stromschlag, wie ich ihn verpasste, würde
einen Sukkubus oder eine andere Ausgeburt der Hölle nicht betäuben.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Robert White kam mit seinem Gehstock über dem Arm die
Treppe herunter und begann in aller Ruhe, seine Pfeife mit starkem persischem
Tabak zu stopfen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Sie hätten
den Schocker heute Morgen überprüfen sollen, anstatt Ihr gelbes Schundblatt zu
lesen“, sagte er vorwurfsvoll.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Aber ich
habe ihn dreimal überprüft! Er funktionierte einwandfrei!“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Dann geben
Sie mal her“, forderte der Inspektor und nahm die Hülle, die ich aus der Tasche
gezogen hatte. Er betrachtete das kleine Etikett an der Unterseite.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Des Prez
Electric?“, las er vor. „Leo, wo haben Sie diesen Mist ausgegraben?“, fragte er
wütend.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ich antwortete mit der reinen Wahrheit. „Ich habe
ihn aus unserem Lagerraum.“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Verflucht!“
schrie der Inspektor, riss in einem Anfall von Wut das Kabel heraus und warf
den elektrischen Stab auf den Müllhaufen. „Leo, wir hatten dieses Biest zwei
Wochen lang verfolgt! Zwei Wochen! Und alles war umsonst, wegen diesem Stück
Schrott!"<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Aber …“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Ruhe!“,
forderte Robert White und zog wütend ein paar Mal an seiner Pfeife. „Ramon!“,
rief er nach ein paar tiefen Zügen. „Wer hat den Elektroschocker in Ihrer
Lupara hergestellt?“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Das Gewehr
mit vier kurzen zehn Kaliber-Läufen war ein Fabrikat der Firma Heim und
verwendete elektrisch gezündete Patronen als Munition. Nach einem flüchtigen
Blick auf seinen Klappschaft meldete der Constable zurück: „Edison Electric
Lights, Inspektor!“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Sehen Sie,
Leo?“, schimpfte mein Vorgesetzter. „Merken Sie sich das für die Zukunft. Nur
Edison Electric Lights kommt in Frage, Tesla möge mir verzeihen. Haben Sie das
verstanden?“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Ja, Sir.“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Und
übrigens, warum sind Sie hineingegangen, ohne auf die anderen zu warten?“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Die Tür war
offen. Ich wollte mich ein wenig umsehen.“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Ach, wollten
Sie das? Und wohin hat das geführt?" Der Inspektor runzelte die Stirn,
zuckte verärgert mit den Schultern und machte sich auf den Weg aus dem
Innenhof. „Wir gehen!“, rief er, blieb aber sofort stehen und tastete seine
Taschen ab. „Jimmy, wo sind meine Handschuhe?“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Ich weiß es
nicht, Inspektor“, antwortete der Constable und stieß seinen Partner in die
Seite. „Billy, wo sind die Handschuhe des Inspektors?“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Was fragst
du mich?", knurrte er und sah sich um.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Vergessen
Sie es!“, rief Robert White und duckte sich unter dem Torbogen durch.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Jimmy und Billy musterten mich mit unfreundlichen
Blicken und eilten unserem Boss hinterher. Ich wischte mir den Schmutz vom
Rücken und schlurfte hinter ihnen her. Ramon Miro ging schweigend neben mir und
versuchte sich an meinen ungleichmäßigen Gang anzupassen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ich muss
dazusagen, dass der katalanische Wachtmeister ein überraschend wortkarger Mann
war. Nebenbei bemerkt war er nur väterlicherseits Katalane. Seine Mutter
stammte von den Ureinwohnern der Neuen Welt ab. Tatsächlich hatte Ramon vom
Temperament her mehr mit dem Volk seiner Mutter gemeinsam als mit dem seines
südländischen Vaters.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In diesem
Moment sprang eine verängstigte Ratte unter unseren Füßen hoch. Ramon kickte
sie einfach mit der Spitze seines Stiefels weg und ging in aller Ruhe weiter.
Ich ging über den Müllhaufen, der im Eingang lag, und zog den Kopf ein, um der
rußverschmierten Unterseite des Bogens auszuweichen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Groß zu sein, ist nicht annähernd so glamourös, wie
manche Neider vermuten. Es ist einfach, was es ist.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dem stillen
Hof folgte ein weiterer, der genauso schmutzig und unansehnlich war wie der
vorige. Von dort gelangten wir in eine unbewohnte Gasse und blieben stehen, um
auf weitere Anweisungen des Inspektors zu warten. Er klopfte in aller Ruhe
seine Pfeife an der Hauswand aus, fischte eine silberne Taschenuhr aus seiner
Weste und spitzte die Lippen, tief in Gedanken versunken.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ich nutzte
den Moment der Ruhe, schüttelte den Rest des Mülls von meinem gummierten Umhang,
klappte den Teleskopschocker wieder zusammen und nahm meine runde, getönte
Brille aus der Brusttasche. Ich klemmte sie auf meine Nase und fühlte mich
endlich wieder wohl.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anders als
der Inspektor genoss ich es nicht, mit meinen unnatürlich farblosen Augen die Aufmerksamkeit
der Anwohner zu erregen. Deshalb konnte ich es nicht ertragen, jemanden beim
Reden direkt anzuschauen. Natürlich war da auch die Tatsache, dass ich die
Menschen im Allgemeinen nicht besonders mochte. Sie waren gewöhnlich so
beschränkt.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Lassen Sie
uns zur Box zurückkehren“, beschloss Robert White in diesem Moment und begann,
unruhig und sogar nervös mit seinem Stock wedelnd, in Richtung der
nächstgelegenen Metrostation zu laufen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>New Babylon
war eine überraschende Stadt! Sie war immer wach und lebendig, Tag und Nacht.
Hier lagen das Wundervolle und das Schreckliche so eng beieinander, dass es
nicht zu unterscheiden war. Und es gab auch keine Winkel oder scharfen Kanten.
Es waren alles nur Schattierungen und verschwommene Halbtöne, die nahtlos
ineinander übergingen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alte Paläste,
deren marmorierte Verkleidungen längst rußgeschwärzt waren, stießen an neue
Gebäude, die zwar noch sauber waren, deren Schlichtheit ihnen aber jede
Schönheit nahm. Alleen, die in der Innenstadt breit waren, verloren sich in den
Außenbezirken in einem Rattennest von kleinen, gewundenen Straßen, obwohl nicht
genau klar war, wie. Die uralten Bäume im Emperor’s Park waren dicht mit
raschelndem Laub bedeckt, aber ihre Blätter waren meistens gelb und starben vom
ständigen Smog ab. Das azurblaue Wasser des Hafens brach sich in geschmeidigen
Wellen am Ufer und der endlose Himmel war ständig dicht bewölkt von Rauchwolken
aus Fabrikschornsteinen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So war alles
in New Babylon. Selbst die Pflastersteine aus Granit waren rötlich, nicht wegen
der natürlichen Färbung des Steins, sondern weil sie nun dauerhaft mit dem Blut
der Gefallenen befleckt waren... <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>New Babylon
war die Hauptstadt des Zweiten Reiches, zugleich das Herz der Regierung, aber
auch ein Geschwür, das sie von innen auffraß.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Die kleine
Straße mit rußverschmierten Wänden, durchsetzt mit vereinzelten angelaufenen,
rechteckigen Fenstern, führte uns hinaus zu einer Kreuzung. Dort konnte ich
Schornsteine sehen, hoch wie ein Gebirge und von langen Rauchwolken gekrönt.
Zum Glück trug der Wind die Abgase heute von den Vororten weg, sodass es
weniger dunstig war als sonst.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bald hatten
wir die Baracken hinter uns gelassen. Die Straße wurde breiter, und der Gestank
der fauligen Fabrikabwässer stieg aus den Kanalgittern auf. Wir gingen nun
bergab und ein paar Blocks weiter erstreckte sich der Yarden Uferdamm. Die
silbrige Wasserfläche wurde von einer Eisenbahnbrücke umklammert, die sich von
einem Ufer zum anderen erstreckte. Klobige Schlepper und Lastkähne sahen vor
dem Hintergrund ihrer Pfeiler wie Spielzeugboote aus, wodurch alle in den Hafen
treibenden Fracht-Luftschiffe ebenfalls weniger eindrucksvoll aussahen, als sie
waren.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Beeilt
euch!“, hetzte der Inspektor uns weiter.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ich legte
meine Hand an die Stirn, bemerkte eine Rauchfahne, die langsam in unsere
Richtung kroch, erhöhte mein Tempo und eilte den anderen hinterher.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mit auf den
Pflastersteinen des Damms klappernden Absätzen marschierten wir zum Bahnhof,
vorbei am Zaun und den Fahrkartenschaltern. Zum Glück mussten wir nicht in den
endlosen Schlangen warten. Auf dem Bahnsteig angekommen, war es zu voll, um
sich zwischen den Arbeitern aus den umliegenden Fabriken hindurch zu drängen.
Glücklicherweise machten die schmuddeligen Proleten einen weiten Bogen um
unsere gut bewaffnete Abteilung, ohne dass sie geschubst werden mussten.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ein kräftiger
Pfiff ertönte, und ein riesiger Zug rollte unter dem Vordach hindurch,
eingehüllt in weiße Dampfwolken. Der Raum füllte sich sofort mit dem Rauch, der
aus seinen Schornsteinen quoll. Mit einem metallischen Klirren kreischten die
Bremsen und der Zug kam zum Stehen. Die Fahrgäste strömten auf den Bahnsteig,
drängten sich gegen den arbeitenden Pöbel, der nach der Nachtschicht nach Hause
wollte.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Der Inspektor
hatte keine Lust, sich mit gewöhnlichen Menschen abzugeben, und machte einen
entschlossenen Schritt in einen Erste-Klasse-Wagen. Wir alle folgten unserem
Chef. Am Eingang verscheuchte Robert White mit seinem Stock den Schaffner, der
über seinen Mangel an Manieren verblüfft war. Er nahm neben dem Fenster Platz
und wirkte ganz gesammelt. Für den Rest von uns gab es nicht genug Sitzplätze,
aber das hielt den Zugbegleiter nicht davon ab, praktisch einen Anfall zu
bekommen, während das distinguierte Publikum uns unverhohlen indigniert
musterte.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ein
zweimaliges kurzes Hupen ertönte. Der Zug setzte sich ruckelnd in Bewegung und
Säulen und Zäune begannen mit zunehmendem Tempo an den Fenstern vorbeizuziehen.
Bald tauchten die Gleise in einen Tunnel ein, und der Zug schoss unter die Erde
und ließ das geschäftige Treiben der Straßen mit all ihren rasenden Taxifahrern
und tagträumenden Fußgängern irgendwo weit, weit über uns zurück. Nun sauste
der Zug mit Volldampf dahin und rüttelte uns gnadenlos durch. Wir mussten uns
an den Griffstangen festhalten und die Rückenlehne des nächstgelegenen Sitzes
umklammern, um überhaupt stehen zu können.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wenige
Minuten später verlangsamte die Dampflok ihr Tempo und rollte mit
ohrenbetäubendem Hupen aus dem Tunnel auf den Bahnsteig eines unterirdischen
Bahnhofs, der nur von den ungleichmäßigen Flammen der Gaslampen beleuchtet
wurde. Einige stiegen aus, einige stiegen ein, und der Zug rollte weiter.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Die Metro war
großartig! Nichts war damit zu vergleichen. Weder die Dampfstraßenbahnen noch
die neumodischen selbstfahrenden Waggons. Sie produzierte allerdings eine Menge
Rauch. Es war fast unmöglich zu atmen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Drei
Stationen später stiegen wir aus dem Zug und traten auf die Straße. Auf der
gegenüberliegenden Seite des Platzes ragte der kolossale Newton Markt auf. Der
Inspektor blickte nur mürrisch auf die Marmorsäulen seines Portals blicken, ehe
er in die entgegengesetzte Richtung lief.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Ich muss mal
meine Kehle befeuchten“, brummte er, nachdem er unsere neugierigen Blicken
hinter seinem Rücken mitbekommen hatte.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Niemand erhob
Einwände. Was hätte wir auch dagegen haben sollen? Keiner von uns hatte es
eilig, nach einem so großen Fiasko in die Box, wie alle das Polizeipräsidium
nannten, zurückzukehren. Ich am allerwenigsten.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wir tranken
normalerweise in der <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Schraube des
Archimedes</i>, einer kleinen Kneipe, die für ihre riesige Auswahl an
flämischen Bieren und ihre Klientel, die vorwiegend aus Gesetzeshütern bestand,
bekannt war.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Die Morgenausgabe
ist da!“, rief ein heiserer Junge neben der Tür, der ein dickes Paket mit
Zeitungen in der Hand hielt. „Die Spannungen im Meer von Judäa nehmen zu!
Weitere Truppenbewegungen in Alexandria! Holen Sie sich Ihr Exemplar hier! Nur
in der Samstagsausgabe! Spaltung in den Reihen der ‚Triumphalen Elektrizität‘!
Tesla gegen Edison! Ganzseitiger Artikel!“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Robert White
warf dem Jungen eine Zehn-Cent-Münze zu, schnappte sich eine Ausgabe des <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Atlantic Telegraph</i> und betrat die Bar.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Hallo,
Almer!“, begrüßte er den korpulenten Besitzer der Bar und setzte sich an seinen
Stammplatz am Fenster. „Das Übliche.“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Der dicke
Flame holte eine kleine Karaffe mit rotem Portwein hervor und stellte sie vor
dem Inspektor ab. Danach schenkte er ein Glas Weißwein für Jimmy und Billy ein,
die sich mit ihren Getränken, einem Teller Brot und ein paar Scheiben pikanter
Schweineterrine in eine entfernte Ecke zurückzogen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Als Ramon Miro sich mit einem Glas Weißwein entfernte,
den er ziemlich stark mit Sodawasser verdünnt trank, nahm ich auf einem der
hohen Hocker Platz und stützte mich mit den Ellbogen auf die Bar.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Limonade?“, fragte
der Barkeeper seufzend.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Limonade“,
bestätigte ich und blickte ohne besonderes Interesse auf die Reihe der
Bierflaschen, von denen jede ein buntes, an dickem Garn um den Hals gebundenes
Etikett trug und mit einem wachsversiegelten Deckel versehen war.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Ich kann
diesen neuen Trend nicht ausstehen!“ Almer schüttelte den Kopf. „Bald werden
die Leute Bier gemischt mit Limonade trinken!“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Igitt! Nein
danke“, entgegnete ich kichernd.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Das werden
sie aber. Sie werden noch an meine Worte denken!“, verkündete der Wirt
selbstbewusst und machte sich auf den Weg zum Eiskeller. Bald war er mit einem
beschlagenen Krug mit Limonade zurück. Er stellte ihn vor mir ab, und die
Eisstücke begannen fröhlich darin zu klirren.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ich füllte
mein hohes Glas, nahm ein paar Schlucke und nickte. „Großartig!“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Almer nahm das Lob als Selbstverständlichkeit und
machte sich daran, einen der Bierkrüge mit einem Geschirrtuch abzutrocknen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Ich kann
mich nicht erinnern, dass Sie jemals ein richtiges Getränk bestellt hätten“,
sagte er, ohne seine Arbeit zu unterbrechen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Das ist
richtig. Ich habe das Zeug nie angerührt“, bestätigte ich.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>„Erstaunlich.“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Wieso das
denn? Ich dachte, das wäre alltäglich.“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Für einen
moralverliebten Reduktionisten sicher“, sagte der Flame grinsend. „Aber Sie
hätten weniger Mühe, eine Nutte zu finden, die zur Kirche geht, als einen
Constable, der nicht trinkt.“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Von Alkohol
bekomme ich Schlafprobleme“, erklärte ich meine Weigerung, ohne die Wahrheit
besonders zu verbiegen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Der Besitzer
des Etablissements brach in schallendes Gelächter aus. „Glauben Sie, dass sich
viele Ihrer Kollegen um solche Nebensächlichkeiten sorgen?“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ich zuckte
nur mit den Schultern und hatte nicht vor, seine Behauptung zu bestreiten. Um
ganz ehrlich zu sein, kannte ich persönlich Leute, die man nur durch einen
Schuss in den Kopf, vorzugsweise aus einem großkalibrigen Gewehr, vom Trinken
abhalten konnte.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wenn ich
nüchtern mit meinen betrunkenen Kollegen sprach, fühlte ich mich ihnen
allerdings nicht weniger nahe. Schließlich sind Menschen nach ein paar Drinks
normalerweise ziemlich offen und ehrlich. Alkohol erlaubt es den Menschen, ihre
Ängste zu vergessen, zumindest für eine gewisse Zeit. Wer war ich schon, darüber
zu urteilen?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ich nahm den
Krug mit der Limonade und rutschte vom Barhocker, um mich zu Ramon zu gesellen,
doch plötzlich rief mich der Inspektor, der in der Zeitung blätterte, zu sich.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Leopold!“, sagte
er ohne sich von seiner Lektüre loszureißen. „Wollen Sie mir nicht Gesellschaft
leisten?“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Verdammt! Das
war das Letzte, was ich brauchte!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ich fluchte
innerlich, ging ohne besondere Eile zum Tisch und nahm meinem Chef gegenüber
Platz. Nachdem ich mein Glas mit Limonade gefüllt hatte, verschränkte Robert
White die Finger vor seinem Gesicht und sagte: „Würden Sie bitte Ihre Brille
abnehmen?“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nachdem ich
seinem Wunsch nachgekommen war, hauchte ich auf die runden schwarzen Gläser, wischte
sie am Tischtuch ab und legte sie auf die Tischkante. Danach trank ich die
Limonade aus und lenkte meinen Blick auf eine Blaupause für eine archimedische
Schraube, die an die Wand gepinnt war, eine von vielen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Sie sehen
den Leuten nie in die Augen, nicht wahr, Leo?“, fragte der Inspektor
unerwartet. „Ist das richtig?“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„In der Regel
nicht“, bestätigte ich und wandte meinen Blick von der vergilbten Zeichnung zu
meinem Vorgesetzten. Ich begutachtete den Schnitt seines Maßanzugs, sein perfekt
getrimmtes Haar und das fantasievolle Muster auf seinem seidenen Einstecktuch.
Ich blickte ihm jedoch nicht in die Augen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Zwischen den
Augen des Inspektors war eine tiefe Falte. Er trank seinen schweren Rotwein
aus, wischte sich mit einer Serviette über die dünnen, blassen Lippen und sagte,
nachdem er diese Prozedur beendet hatte: „Ich weiß von Ihrem <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">illustren Talent</i>. Es ist sicher nicht
leicht, den Leuten in die Augen zu schauen, wenn alles, was man dort sieht,
Angst ist.“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Es ist wenig
Vergnügliches daran“, antwortete ich. „Jemandem in die Augen zu schauen, heißt
schließlich immer noch, in die Seele des anderen zu steigen. Ich ziehe es vor
... Abstand zu halten.“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Das wird bei
mir nicht funktionieren.“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Abstand
halten?“, scherzte ich.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„In die Seele zu gelangen“, antwortete Robert
White völlig ernst. Dann fuhr er sich über das Kinn und bemerkte nachdenklich:
„Ich hatte angenommen, dass Ihr <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Talent</i>
hier etwas nützlicher wäre ...“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nützlicher?
Seine Worte hinterließen ein unangenehmes Gefühl.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sicher, mein <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Talent</i> hätte ich bei der Arbeit
hilfreicher sein können, aber ich konnte es einfach nicht ertragen, in den
Ängsten anderer herumzuwühlen, sie in meinen eigenen Kopf zu lassen und sie zum
Leben zu erwecken. Obwohl ich es ohne besondere Anstrengung tun konnte, fühlte
ich mich, als hätte ich mich gerade in einer Schlammpfütze gesuhlt, wann immer ich
mein Talent tatsächlich einsetzte.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Andererseits
ging es bei diesem Gespräch nicht um meine empfindliche Psyche...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Inspektor …“
Ich schauderte. „Mit dem Sukkubus ...“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Hören Sie
mir zu, Leopold!“ Robert trommelte mit den Fingern auf die Tischkante und bat
um Ruhe. „Hier geht es nicht um den Sukkubus! Sie verstehen es einfach nicht!
Sie leben sich in dem Job nicht ein! Sie können nicht mit Menschen arbeiten und
Sie wollen es auch gar nicht. In unserem Beruf ist das die halbe Miete. Warum
wollten Sie eigentlich Polizist werden? Sie hätten Bibliothekar werden sollen!“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Ich muss
irgendwie meine Rechnungen bezahlen“, antwortete ich, wie immer mit einer
Halbwahrheit.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wenn der
Inspektor mein Understatement bemerkte, ließ er es sich nicht anmerken.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Na schön.“
Er runzelte die Stirn und kam zum Kern der Sache. „Diese Stadt ist so voll von
Dieben, dass sie wie Sardinen in einer Dose sind. Die Verhaftung von
Einbrechern, Räubern und Mördern ist schon seit langem an der Tagesordnung.
Separatisten und Anarcho-Christen? Dieses ganze Gesindel interessiert kaum jemanden.
Und der Generalinspektor würde Ihnen nicht mal die Hand geben, wenn Sie einen
ägyptischen Agenten fangen. Aber höllische Kreaturen, das ist eine ernste
Sache! So kommt man auf die Titelseite der Zeitungen. Wir hatten diesen
Sukkubus zwei Wochen lang verfolgt, Leo. Zwei Wochen lang haben wir alle
anderen Aufträge ignoriert! Und jetzt ist das alles den Bach runtergegangen.
Alles nur Ihretwegen.“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Der Versuch,
mich zu rechtfertigen, wäre zumindest dumm gewesen, weshalb ich meinen Blick
auf mein Glas konzentrierte und mit den verbliebenen Eisstückchen herum klimperte.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Ich dachte,
es wäre ein Zufall“, fuhr der Inspektor fort. „Ein simpler Zufall! Aber ich
habe die Zeitungen gelesen und mir wurde klar: Nein, es ist kein Zufall. Klipp
und klar, Leo, Sie haben bisher nichts als Ärger gemacht.“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Wie meinen
Sie das?“ Ich war von der unerwarteten Wendung verwirrt.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Robert White
schob mir die Morgenausgabe des <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Atlantic
Telegraph</i> zu und gab mir einen Hinweis. „Die Gesellschaftsseite.“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ich warf
einen Blick auf die Schlagzeile, auf die er zeigte, und zuckte bedauernd
zusammen, las den Artikel aber trotzdem ganz durch und seufzte erst danach.
„Was für eine Plage ...“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Robert White
nahm die Zeitung, schauderte, setzte sich aufrecht hin und las laut: „Der
berühmte neubabylonische Dichter Albert Brandt hat im Gespräch mit unserem
Korrespondenten angedeutet, dass er kürzlich ein Gedicht für seinen guten
Freund, den Viscount Cruce, geschrieben hat, das er seiner Geliebten, der <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Illustren</i> Elisabeth Maria N., gewidmet
hat.“ Der Inspektor drückte die Zeitung mit der Handfläche auf den Tisch und
verbrannte mich mit seinem hasserfüllten Blick. „Nun, Viscount Cruce, was
glauben Sie, was der Vater der <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Illustren</i>
Elisabeth Maria N. mit Ihnen machen wird, nachdem er diese kleine Pikanterie
gelesen hat?“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Moment mal“,
fuhr ich dazwischen. „Sie verstehen das ganz und gar falsch!“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Ist das so?“,
der Inspektor verzog skeptisch das Gesicht. „Man muss nicht die Weisheit
Salomons besitzen, um zu erraten, worum es sich handelt. Ein blauäugiges, rothaariges
Mädchen mit dem Namen ‚Elisabeth Maria N‘. Kennen Sie viele Menschen, auf die
diese Beschreibung passt? Ich kenne nur eine! Und das ist die Tochter von
Generalinspektor von Nalz! Verflucht! Der Kerl hat viele der <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gefallenen</i> selbst gefangen! Man munkelt,
dass er sich von Kopf bis Fuß mit ihrem Blut eingeschmiert hat! Und jetzt
versucht er mit allen Mitteln, sein Töchterchen mit dem Neffen des
Justizministers zu verheiraten. Wenn die ganze Sache wegen eines kleinen
Artikels schiefgeht ...“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Sie haben
das ganz falsch verstanden ...“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Nein, das
habe ich nicht!“ Robert White runzelte die Stirn. „Wenn das aus dem Ruder läuft,
wird der Alte Sie zum Duell herausfordern und Sie umbringen. Es wäre nicht das
erste Mal für ihn. Und, Leo, ob Sie es nun wissen oder nicht, er hätte jedes
Recht dazu.“ Der Inspektor trank seinen Portwein aus und lehnte sich in seinen
Stuhl zurück. „Ich persönlich würde gerne meine Hände in Unschuld waschen, und
zwar mit größtem Vergnügen. Das Problem ist, dass der Vorfall ein schlechtes
Licht auf meine Karriere werfen wird.“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Es ist nur
ein Zufall“, wiederholte ich hartnäckig. „Es besteht kein Zusammenhang zwischen
...“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Hören Sie doch
auf!“, fauchte mein Chef. „Ihre Ausreden werden nichts ändern. Bis zu Mittag
werden sogar die Putzfrauen im Hauptquartier von Ihrer Affäre mit der Tochter
des Generalinspektors wissen. Der alte Mann wird nicht einmal zuhören!“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Ich könnte
...“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Sie können
gar nichts“, fiel mir der Inspektor ins Wort, schnippte aber sofort mit den
Fingern. „Doch, etwas können Sie! Verschwinden Sie für eine Woche. Zwei wären
besser. Geben Sie Ihre Waffen ab und kommen Sie nicht zum Dienst. Danach können
wir entscheiden, wie wir weiter vorgehen.“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ich war
kategorisch dagegen, was auch immer er mit ‚weiter vorgehen‘ meinte, aber jeder
Versuch, meinen Chef davon zu überzeugen, einen anderen Weg zu wählen, war
sicher zum Scheitern verurteilt. Er hatte sich bereits entschieden. Ich hatte
plötzlich einen unangenehm sauren Geschmack im Mund. Die Ungerechtigkeit des
Seins ließ meine Augen brennen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Albert! Was
für ein Mistkerl du doch bist! Wer war es denn, der deine Zunge zum Schwingen
gebracht hat?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„Jetzt machen
Sie sich rar“, befahl der Inspektor und hielt seine Zeitung hoch, um mich auszusperren.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ich machte
keine Anstalten, diesen Befehl schnell auszuführen. Ich fühlte mich wie ein
geprügelter Hund, was äußerst unangenehm war. In einem kläglichen Versuch,
einen letzten Rest meiner Würde zu bewahren, trank ich zuerst meine Limonade
aus und stand erst danach vom Tisch auf. Dann nahm ich meinen gummierten Umhang
vom Haken und wandte mich an den Barkeeper. „Almer, setzen Sie es auf meine
Rechnung.“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>„So früh
schon?“, erkundigte sich der schrullige Flame, der die Termine der Auszahlung
unserer Mitarbeiter mindestens so gut kannte wie unser eigentlicher Buchhalter.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ich winkte
allen zum Abschied, ging hinaus auf die Straße und schaute zum Himmel hinauf.
Darin befanden sich spärliche Wolken, vermischt mit Rauchfahnen aus Fabrikschornsteinen.
Ich fing an hilflos Schimpfwörter zu schreien. Dann klemmte ich mir mit einer
gewohnten Bewegung meine dunkle Brille auf die Nase und machte mich auf den Weg
zum Newton Markt.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ich würde
meine Waffen abgeben und mich bei der Gelegenheit gleich umziehen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Obwohl ich als Detective Constable nicht verpflichtet
war, in Polizeiuniform zur Arbeit zu kommen, wie die meisten anderen, nutzte
ich dieses Privileg normalerweise nicht aus. Sie bezahlten nicht dafür, dass
ich meine eigene Kleidung reinigen oder flicken ließ, und der Viscount Cruce
hatte in letzter Zeit nicht viel Geld herumliegen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In den
Taschen des Viscount Cruce herrschte gähnende Leere, um genau zu sein. Die
Hypothek auf meinem Haus entsprach dem Dreifachen seines Wertes und das
Einzige, was mir erlaubte, auch nur vorsichtig optimistisch in die Zukunft zu
blicken, war der Fonds, den ich von meinem Großvater mütterlicherseits geerbt
hatte.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Warum so
vorsichtig? Weil der derzeitige Verwalter des Fonds, mein Onkel, der Graf
Kósice, nicht gerade darauf brannte, sich von den zwanzigtausend Franken
Jahreseinkommen zu trennen, die ihm dieser Fonds bescherte, und das Verfahren
auf verschiedene Weise in die Länge zog, um mich so lange wie möglich von
meinem rechtmäßigen Erbe fernzuhalten. Ich war vor einem Monat einundzwanzig
geworden, aber die Treuhänder hatten es noch nicht einmal geschafft, das
Vermögensverzeichnis zu erstellen, von den materiellen Überweisungen ganz zu
schweigen. Und es war völlig unklar, wie lange es noch dauern würde, bis diese
verwirrende Prozedur abgeschlossen war. Ich bezweifelte, dass mein Onkel es auf
einen Rechtsstreit ankommen lassen würde, aber ich war mir sicher, dass ich um
die restlichen ‚Annehmlichkeiten‘ der Nachlassaufteilung nicht herumkommen
würde.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Andererseits, wozu brauchte ich das Geld jetzt? Ich
konnte von Glück reden, dass ich nicht gerade meinen Kopf verloren hatte...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE-AT"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoSubtitle" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="DE-AT"><span style="color: red;">Release 29. April 2021</span></span></p><p class="MsoSubtitle" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="DE-AT"><span style="color: red;">Pre-order on Amazon - <a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08MQH5XNY">https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08MQH5XNY</a></span></span></p></div>Simon Valehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16142080565999248152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1879934328827513079.post-14763629068639685252020-12-29T01:27:00.001-08:002020-12-29T01:27:14.750-08:00Galaktogon: Das Spiel beginnt von Vasily Mahanenko<h3 style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 0cm; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style, serif; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></h3><h3 style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 0cm; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style, serif; font-size: medium;"><b>Galaktogon, Buch 1<br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style, serif; font-size: medium;"><b>Das Spiel beginnt<br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style, serif; font-size: medium;"><b>von Vasily Mahanenko</b></span></h3>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1.0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><b style="text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1.0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wb131F6Z-oM/X9cr1-YsUFI/AAAAAAAACbo/-7uAp_G7JggAJaD78AiQ2wbj2-GdpJ-jwCPcBGAYYCw/s800/G1G_800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wb131F6Z-oM/X9cr1-YsUFI/AAAAAAAACbo/-7uAp_G7JggAJaD78AiQ2wbj2-GdpJ-jwCPcBGAYYCw/s320/G1G_800.jpg" /></a></b></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 1cm;"><span style="color: red;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 1cm;"><span style="color: red;">Release - 11. Mai 2021</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 1cm;"><span style="color: red;">Pre-order on Amazon - <a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08QG5KXM8">https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08QG5KXM8</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1.0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 1.0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„NA, WAS SAGT IHR, NERPS – sollen wir uns mit
einem großen Knall verabschieden? Wer hat was?“, fragte unser Gildenanführer
fröhlich und brachte, ohne eine Antwort abzuwarten, seine Schriftrolle des <i>Vernichtenden
Nebels</i> zum Einsatz. Sofort senkte sich eine aschgraue Wolke auf den
riesigen Wald, der mit seinen seltenen Kreaturen und Pflanzen das ganze Ausmaß
unseres Reiches im Spiel verkörpert hatte. Wenn ich mich recht erinnerte, würde
nun innerhalb einer Stunde nichts mehr von all dem übrig sein – abgesehen von
verbranntem Ödland, das selbst die Mobs meiden würden. Während der Fluch des
Gildenanführers sein Werk tat, wurde der nahegelegene kaiserliche Palast zum
Zielobjekt für jeden einzelnen der seltenen und mächtigen Flüche, die sich in
den Schatztruhen unserer Gilde angesammelt hatten. Tatsächlich waren einige
dieser Flüche mehr als nur selten – sie waren legendär, einzigartig. Allerdings
ist ein Fluch wie der <i>Schwarze Tod</i>, der unmittelbar eine ganze Stadt
verwüstet, nicht gerade für die öffentliche Verbreitung geeignet. Der <i>Schwarze
Tod</i> nimmt keine Rücksicht auf die Bevölkerungszahl, das heißt: Es spielt
keine Rolle, ob er auf eine Hütte mit zwei Personen oder auf eine
Millionenstadt angewendet wird – alles stirbt.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">Während die meisten in unserer Gruppe in
Feierlaune zu sein schienen, als sie all das zerstörten, was wir über Jahre
hinweg verteidigt hatten (vor Horden von Dämonen, Monstern oder einfach nur
gewöhnlichen Spielern, die sich bereichern wollten), sah ich persönlich keinen
Anlass zu feiern. Alles, was ich besaß, hatte ich bereits bis auf das letzte
Hemd an die Händler verkauft, die trotz der bevorstehenden Apokalypse noch
eifrig hinter ihren hart verdienten Münzen her waren. Zu unserem Leidwesen
waren die Händler nicht an den Schriftrollen mit den Flüchen interessiert, also
blieb uns nichts anderes übrig, als die Pergamente entweder wegzuwerfen oder
...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">Oder sie zu benutzen, um direkt vor dem
Kaiserpalast die Hölle zu entfachen. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">Die Admins des Spiels hatten den heutigen Tag
zum finstersten Tag in der fünfzehnjährigen Geschichte von <i>Runlustia</i>
erklärt. Heute würde das offizielle Endspiel stattfinden – im Spiel selbst
würde sich das in Form eines Meteors auswirken, der vom Himmel fällt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heute würde die finale Katastrophe
hereinbrechen und weder neue Erweiterungen, noch kostenlose Probezeiträume,
noch neue Szenarien oder besondere Gegenstände würden sie rückgängig machen
können. Die Spieleigentümer hatten alles in ihrer Macht Stehende getan, aber
zur Zeit kann einfach niemand mit <i>Galaktogon</i> mithalten. Und so fielen
selbst für dieses Monstrum von einer Spielwelt namens <i>Runlustia</i> die
Vorhänge. Die Gegenwart hat keinen Platz für Dinosaurier ...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE">Du
wurdest durch den Fluch <i>Schwarzer Tod</i> getötet. Du kannst nicht
wiederbelebt werden, da das Spiel abgeschaltet wird. Wir wünschen dir alles
Gute und danken dir für die Zeit, die du bei uns verbracht hast!</span></b><span lang="DE"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">Und das war's dann ...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">Acht schöne Jahre meines Lebens als
Elfenpaladin (einer der besten Tanks in der Geschichte von <i>Runlustia</i> –
ich weiß, ich bin nicht gerade bescheiden) waren an ihr Ende gekommen. Acht
Jahre, in denen ich mit dem Schwert in der Hand durch diese virtuelle Welt
gerannt bin und hart an meiner Stärke, Geschicklichkeit, Intelligenz und etwa
vierzig anderen Werten gearbeitet habe. Acht Jahre, von denen ich fünf damit
verbracht habe, meinen Lebensunterhalt komplett durch dieses Spiel zu
finanzieren, Spieler mit niedrigem Level durch Dungeons zu führen, PvP-Arenen
und Turniere zu dominieren, Sponsorenverträge abzuschließen ... Und jetzt gab es
das alles nicht mehr – weder Sponsoren, noch Verträge, noch Spieler ...
Theoretisch hatte ich genug Geld, aber es würde bei dem Lebensstandard, an den
ich mich gewöhnt hatte, kaum für weitere sechs Monate reichen. Ich wusste noch
nicht, was ich als nächstes tun würde. Überhaupt ist der letzte Monat ein Monat
der katastrophalen Veränderungen gewesen – ich hatte meinen Job verloren, ich
hatte mein Lieblingsspiel verloren (ich hatte mich daran gewöhnt, bis zu zwölf
Stunden pro Tag im Spiel verbringen) und ich hatte meine Freundin verloren, die
plötzlich beschlossen hatte, dass sie sich mit mir doch keine gemeinsame
Zukunft vorstellen könnte. Für all das gab es keine Worte – nur Gefühle.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Willkommen zurück in der Realität, mein Herr!“
Als ich aus meiner Spielkapsel herauskam, wurde ich von meinem Smart Home
begrüßt. Ja, es nannte mich buchstäblich „mein Herr“ – man konnte die
Großschreibung förmlich hören. Der Deckel des Kokons schloss sich hinter mir
und versetzte die Kapsel in den Ruhezustand und mich in einen Zustand des Nachdenkens.
Um zu den Besten zu gehören, muss man nicht nur in der besten Gilde sein oder
die besten Waffen und Rüstungen haben – man braucht auch im richtigen Leben die
passende Ausrüstung: eine Ausrüstung, die auf die Erfordernisse des Spiels
zugeschnitten ist. Genau mit dieser Art von Ausrüstung hatte ich mein Haus
ausgestattet, und doch war es heute schon ein Denkmal für sich selbst geworden.
Mein Kokon war speziell auf <i>Runlustia</i> zugeschnitten und daher zu nichts
anderem mehr zu gebrauchen. Natürlich könnte ich die Software aktualisieren und
den Kokon mit Meißel und Hammer an die Anforderungen eines anderen Spiels
anpassen; aber mir war auch bewusst, dass der Versuch einer solchen Umrüstung
wahrscheinlich über meine Kräfte gehen würde. Sollte ich mich jemals dazu
entschließen, in eine andere virtuelle Spielwelt einzutauchen, würde ich mich
ohne einen neuen Kokon, der speziell auf das betreffende Spiel zugeschnitten
wäre, sowieso nicht wohlfühlen. Wenn man etwas macht ...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Alex, was geht!“ Ein Anruf von einem der
wenigen Menschen, die die Ehre haben, sich als „mein Freund“ bezeichnen zu
dürfen, riss mich aus meinem obligatorischen Abendjogging. Diese Angewohnheit
pflegte ich schon seit Jahren – mein Vater hatte mich zum Laufen gezwungen, weil
er behauptet hatte, dass kein Kokon der Welt mit all seinen Simulatoren und
technischen Spielereien die gute alte körperliche Anstrengung ersetzen könnte
(heutzutage eine umstrittene Behauptung, wenn man die modernen Fortschritte im
Kokonbau bedachte). Nichtsdestotrotz hatte er es geschafft, mir die Gewohnheit
unterzujubeln, mich auf einem Laufband abzuquälen. Und ich war ihm irgendwie
dankbar dafür – denn das Joggen half mir beim Denken.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Nichts. Was geht bei dir?“, antwortete ich,
trocknete mir den Schweiß ab und hielt das Laufband an. „Was hast du vor?“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Im Moment noch nichts – aber ich habe mir
gedacht ... Hast du Lust eine Totenwache für unsere Figuren abzuhalten? Ich
meine, wir waren sieben Jahre lang unzertrennlich.“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Acht“, korrigierte ich Alonso.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Was macht das für einen Unterschied – lass
uns einen trinken gehen!“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Lässt Lucy dich denn ausgehen?“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">Lucille war die Frau von Alonso. Wie es diesem
Trottel gelungen war, eines der hübschesten Mädchen der Stadt an Land zu
ziehen, wusste niemand, auch er selbst nicht. Aber – es hat keinen Sinn, die
Tatsachen zu leugnen – die beiden waren nun schon seit vier Jahren eine
vollwertige Familie und zogen einen Sohn auf, der genauso nichtsnutzig war wie
sein Papa. In seinen mickrigen drei Lebensjahren hatte es dieses kleine
Wunderkind bereits dreimal geschafft, das Smart Home der Familie kaputt zu
machen. Es ist schon so weit gekommen, dass Alonso damit angefangen hatte, den
Jungen ständig auf dem Arm herumzutragen und stolz zu erklären, dass die
Familie einen zukünftigen Meisterhacker aufzöge ... der meiner Meinung nach
aber nur ein weiterer Holzkopf mit zwei linken Händen war. Aber es hat mich
niemand nach meiner Meinung gefragt, Lucille am allerwenigsten. Sie und ich
hatten mehr als einmal eine Meinungsverschiedenheit – wir hatten schon Streits
jeder Art, an bewaffneten Auseinandersetzungen ging es knapp vorher.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Keine Sorge. Ich habe ihre Erlaubnis
eingeholt, bevor ich dich angerufen habe“, antwortete Alonso selbstgefällig.
„Hast du gesehen, wie Qi Wen den <i>Schwarzen Tod</i> eingesetzt hat? Er hat
die ganze Stadt zur Hölle geschickt – warte mal kurz ... Was ist, Schatz? Ich
fluche nicht! Okay, okay, ‚Hölle‘ ist auch ein schlimmes Wort, ich hab's
kapiert ... Wie auch immer, worüber hatte ich gerade gesprochen?“ Der Gefangene
seines Ehelebens kehrte endlich zu mir zurück (und sie wollen mir erzählen,
dass DAS etwas Gutes ist? Liebe, Trost, Sicherheit?) „Ich wünschte, wir hätten
diese Schriftrolle gehabt, als wir die Burg Landir eingenommen haben! Weißt du
noch? Also gut, wir treffen uns um sechs in der Bar. Wir können später darüber
reden. Bis dann.“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">Die Belagerung der Burg Landir war eines der
denkwürdigsten Szenarien in <i>Runlustia </i>gewesen. Die unzugängliche
Zitadelle war von einem dunklen Nekromanten besetzt worden, der damit
angefangen hatte, seine untoten Armeen in alle vier Reiche der Karte zu
schicken. Die Spieler brauchten sieben Wochen, um die Verteidigungsanlagen des
Bergfrieds zu durchbrechen, und weitere drei, um die Zitadelle vollständig zu
räumen. Und das alles hatte sich in Echtzeit ereignet, rund um die Uhr – die
Spieler hatten unablässig angegriffen und sich regelmäßig abgewechselt. Es war
eine gute Zeit gewesen ...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Alexis Panzer?“ Der nächste Anruf erwischte
mich in einem sehr ungünstigen Moment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Der bin ich“, murmelte ich aus meiner
halbvollen Badewanne heraus und blickte wütend da hin, wo der wärmende
Wasserstrom gerade noch gewesen war. Eine blöde Funktion des Smart Homes
besteht darin, dass das Haus, wenn jemand anruft, automatisch alle notwendigen
Einstellungen anpasst, um den Anruf entgegenzunehmen. Ich machte mir eine
mentale Notiz, alle eingehenden Anrufe während meiner Badezeit zu blockieren –
ich mochte meine Bäder. „Verzeihung, mit wem spreche ich?“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Sie können mich John nennen. Wäre es möglich,
sich heute Abend um sechs mit Ihnen zu treffen? Ich habe ein geschäftliches
Angebot für Sie.“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Entschuldigen Sie, John, aber <i>Runlustia</i>
wurde abgeschaltet.“ Als ich bemerkte, worauf der Anrufer hinauswollte, brachte
ich ihn schnell auf den Stand der Dinge. Da die Website, die meine Dienste
anpries, noch nicht vom Netz genommen worden war, musste John entweder ein
Spieler sein, der mit meiner Hilfe die mühsamen ersten Levels überspringen
wollte, oder ein Sponsor, der etwas Werbung auf meinem Charakter platzieren wollte.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Ich bin mir über die Schließung von <i>Runlustia</i>
bewusst. Mir ist ebenfalls bewusst, dass Sie jetzt arbeitslos sind. Aus genau
diesen Gründen möchte ich Ihnen eine Arbeit anbieten, die mit Ihrer
Lieblingsbeschäftigung zu tun hat – Computerspiele. Was sagen Sie dazu?“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Sie haben mein Interesse geweckt“, antwortete
ich und setzte mich auf. John hatte völlig recht – ich war arbeitslos und
musste daher jedes Angebot, das mit Games zu tun hatte, mit beiden Händen,
Beinen und notfalls auch noch mit den Zähnen ergreifen, nur für den Fall.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Erlauben Sie mir, Ihnen zuerst eine wichtige
Frage zu stellen. Ihre Antwort wird den weiteren Verlauf unseres Gesprächs
bestimmen. Was wissen Sie über <i>Galaktogon</i>?“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span lang="DE">„Galaktogon</span></i><span lang="DE">?“,
wiederholte ich überrascht. „Soweit ich es verstanden habe, ist <i>Galaktogon</i>
ein Spiel, das im Weltraum spielt. Die Spieler haben Raumschiffe – sie fliegen
herum und versuchen, sich gegenseitig zu zerstören ... Ach ja! Es gibt auch
Planeten – also Monde oder Asteroidengürtel – ich kann mich nicht mehr an den
richtigen Begriff erinnern –, auf denen man Ressourcen abbauen kann. Es tut mir
leid, ich bin nicht so vertraut mit dieser Spielwelt. Ich würde etwas Zeit
brauchen, um mich besser vorzubereiten. Etwa eine Woche sollte reichen – dann
kann ich Ihnen alles sagen, was Sie darüber wissen müssen.“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Wollen Sie mir damit sagen, dass Sie im
Moment absolut keine Ahnung von den Feinheiten dieses Spiels haben?“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Das ist korrekt.“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Verzeihen Sie bitte die aufdringliche Frage,
aber wären Sie bereit, dies vor einem Lügendetektor zu bezeugen?“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">„…</span><span lang="DE">?“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Ich sehe schon. Ich schlage vor, wir treffen
uns heute Abend um sechs. Ich werde Ihnen dann alles erklären. Ein Wagen wird
Sie abholen. Darf ich Sie nach Ihrer Adresse fragen? Eine große Bitte: Wenn Sie
wirklich keine Ahnung von <i>Galaktogon</i> haben und den Job bekommen wollen,
lesen Sie bitte nichts darüber. Das ist sehr wichtig. Ich wünsche Ihnen einen
schönen Tag!“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">Das Leitungswasser und die Musik gingen wieder
an, ebenso wie der Film, den ich mir gerade auf dem Hologramm angesehen hatte
... Aber meine Gedanken ließen diese gemütliche Umgebung weit hinter sich.
Eines war klar – ich würde es heute Abend nicht mehr in die Bar schaffen. Die
Arbeit war wichtiger. Meine Hände griffen reflexartig nach der virtuellen
Tastatur – bevor ich sie mit einem Ruck wegstieß. Während meiner Zeit als Tank
hatte ich eine wertvolle Lektion gelernt – wenn die Kunden etwas wollen, ist es
am besten, wenn man es ihnen gibt. Dieser hier hatte verlangt, dass ich
jegliche Informationen über <i>Galaktogon</i> meide, das war also keine Frage.
Es ist nicht so schwer, acht Stunden lang zu überleben, ohne etwas zu wissen.
Ich sollte besser Alonso anrufen und ihm sagen, dass ich es nicht zu unserem
Treffen schaffen würde.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">Die Hauptsache ist, nicht an den weißen Elefanten
in der Badewanne zu denken ... Denk' nicht an den weißen Elefanten in der
Badewanne, Alexis ...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">Ich hätte nie gedacht, dass unsere Stadt einen
echten, vollwertigen Palast direkt vor der Haustür hat. Aber da war er – in
einem Sektor, der für die Schnellbusse und die allgemeine Öffentlichkeit
gesperrt war. Ein Teil des Geländes war komplett mit Schutzkuppeln bedeckt, so
dass man nur raten konnte, was sich darunter befand, aber dass jemand dort ein
echtes, authentisches Schloss gebaut hatte – so richtig aus Stein und Holz und
so ... Das hatte ich definitiv nicht erwartet.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">Der Konferenzraum, in den ich geführt wurde,
erinnerte mich ein wenig an die Privatgemächer des Imperators in <i>Runlustia</i>.
Es war genauso schön, genauso pompös – und genauso hirnlos vom Gesichtspunkt
der Verteidigung her. Andererseits, welcher ungebetene Gast könnte es überhaupt
lebend in diesen Raum schaffen? Der massive Eichentisch, der an die Epoche der
ersten französischen Revolution erinnerte, nahm die Hälfte des Büros ein. Rund
um diesen Koloss standen fünf Sessel, die dem Tisch auf den ersten Blick
stilistisch in nichts nachstanden – auf den zweiten Blick aber machten sie den
Eindruck, als hätten sie ihr Leben als Möbelstück etwa zu der Zeit begonnen,
als die Londoner U-Bahn zum ersten Mal für die Allgemeinheit geöffnet worden
war. Auch der Rest der Inneneinrichtung wurde dieser luxuriösen Ausstattung
gerecht.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Bitte nehmen Sie Platz“, sagte der
Hausverwalter, der mich hereingelassen hatte, und deutete auf einen freien
Sessel. „Die Herrschaften werden gleich hier sein.“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">Zwei der fünf Stühle waren bereits besetzt,
und den Blicken der dort Sitzenden nach zu urteilen, konnte ich davon ausgehen,
dass es sich bei diesen Leuten um angehende Mitarbeiter handelte, genau wie bei
mir. Wenn mich meine Logik nicht täuschte, würde es gleich eine Diskussion
geben. Hmm ... diese Situation gefiel mir immer besser.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">Der erste Anwärter, den ich in Augenschein
nahm, war ein Mädchen von etwa fünfundzwanzig Jahren. Selbst ihre weite
Kleidung konnte ihren gut gebauten Körper nicht verbergen – sie gehörte zu
meinen Leuten. Mit „meine Leute“ meine ich, dass sie wie ich eine Gamerin war,
die die meiste Zeit in einer virtuellen Welt verbrachte, während sich ihre
Spielkapsel IRL um ihren Körperbau kümmerte. Nach ihrem Äußeren zu urteilen,
hätte ich sie auch nicht als Amateurin bezeichnet. Sie hatte graue Augen,
mittellanges blondes Haar, eine leichte Stupsnase und dünne Lippen.
Höchstwahrscheinlich, so dachte ich, hatte der kritische Blick dieser reizenden
Person bereits den Wert meiner Kleidung und Schuhe sowie meine Art zu gehen und
zu sitzen ermessen und hatte bereits Schlüsse daraus gezogen – die eindeutig
nicht zu meinen Gunsten ausfielen. Im Großen und Ganzen schien ihre
Ausstrahlung mir zu sagen: „Ich bin eine Frau, also schuldet mir die ganze Welt
etwas.“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">Der zweite Bewerber war mir sympathischer –
Männer sind im Großen und Ganzen vernünftige Geschöpfe. Ich mochte ihn, weil er
mir, nachdem er mir einen flüchtigen Blick zugeworfen hatte, freundlich
zunickte, dann die Augen schloss und wieder in seinen Schlummer sank. Ich
konnte ihn sehr gut verstehen. Krieg ist Krieg, aber der Krieg kann warten –
der Schlaf hingegen sollte immer dann stattfinden, wenn sich die Gelegenheit
dazu ergab. Man konnte ja nie wissen, wann sich die Gelegenheit wieder bieten
würde. Dem Äußeren nach entpuppte sich auch dieser dunkelhaarige Kerl als ein
Liebhaber des Virtuellen, aber im Gegensatz zu dem Mädchen hatte er keine
Angst, es zu zeigen – das enge schwarze T-Shirt betonte angenehm den
athletischen Körperbau. Ein bloßes zwei- oder dreistündiges Training im
Fitnessstudio oder in einer Spielekapsel würde dem Körper keine solche
Kondition bringen – das wusste ich aus eigener Erfahrung. Und so saßen also nun
drei Spieler inklusive mir am Tisch. Wir alle kamen aus <i>Runlustia</i> oder
einem anderen MMO, das vor kurzem abgeschaltet worden war. Und alle drei von
uns hatten Arbeit in <i>Galaktogon</i> angeboten bekommen. Na, mal sehen, was
dabei herauskommen würde ...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">Nach einer zehnminütigen Wartezeit öffnete
sich die Tür und die Herrschaften, wie der Hausverwalter sie genannt hatte,
betraten das Büro. Ein schneller und kritischer Blick genügte, um mich fast zu
ersticken. Ich sprang sofort auf und begrüßte meine Vorgesetzten mit der
üblichen Ehrerbietung, die ich mir als Höfling des Imperators in <i>Runlustia</i>
angeeignet hatte. Aus den Augenwinkeln heraus bemerkte ich, dass sowohl das
Mädchen als auch der dösende Kerl gleichzeitig mit mir aufsprangen ... Er hatte
also gar nicht geschlafen, sondern die Situation mit geschlossenen Augen
eingeschätzt. Das machte ihn mir noch sympathischer – es war wirklich schade,
dass nur einer von uns den Job bekommen würde.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Bitte nehmen Sie Platz“, sagte einer der
Neuankömmlinge; er nahm unsere Reaktionen als selbstverständlich hin. Er war
der Eigentümer von Fabriken, Schiffen, Einkaufszentren, Kinos und was man in
unserer Welt sonst noch so besitzen konnte. Sowohl den offiziellen als auch
inoffiziellen Angaben zufolge war er schon seit zehn Jahren der reichste Mann
auf unserem Planeten und steigerte sein Vermögen jedes Jahr exponentiell. Er
war es, dem <i>Galaktogon</i> gehörte, und er war es, der für meine derzeitige
Arbeitslosigkeit verantwortlich war.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Meine Damen und Herren, bitte entschuldigen
Sie die Verzögerung“, sagte der zweite Herr, der Präsident unserer
leidgeprüften Nation. „Wir brauchten zuerst die vollständige Bestätigung
darüber, dass Sie alle unsere Anforderungen erfüllen. Jetzt können wir mit
Sicherheit sagen, dass Sie alle unseren Ansprüchen gerecht werden.“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">Wir alle? Wollten sie wirklich uns allen
Dreien den Job geben, anstatt nur einem?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Und was an uns ist es, dass Ihre Ansprüche
erfüllt?“, schaltete sich das Mädchen sofort ein, völlig unbeeindruckt vom
sozialen Status der Neuankömmlinge. Okay, ich werde etwas Nettes über sie sagen
– diese Eiserne Lady hatte eine sehr angenehme Stimme.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Für das Experiment brauchen wir drei
Freiwillige, die mit den Feinheiten von <i>Galaktogon</i> überhaupt nicht
vertraut sind“, erklärte der erste Herr. „Nachdem wir Ihre
Lügendetektor-Freigabeformulare erhalten haben, haben wir eine kurze Prüfung
durchgeführt und konnten bestätigen, dass Sie die Wahrheit sagen. Meine
Analysten haben recherchiert, was Sie in den letzten zwei Jahren studiert haben
– bitte, kein Grund zur Aufregung, Constantine – und sie haben bestätigt, dass
Ihnen die Erfahrung mit dem Spiel fehlt. Auf diese Weise haben wir
festgestellt, dass Sie drei aufgrund Ihrer Unwissenheit und Ihrer
Professionalität genau die sind, die wir brauchen. Sie alle drei sind
professionelle Gamer, die noch bis vor kurzem von ihrem Handwerk gelebt haben:
Alexis in <i>Runlustia</i>, Constantine und Eunice in <i>Draanmir</i>.
Übrigens, warum haben Sie nie mein Spiel in Betracht gezogen?“, fragte der
erste Herr plötzlich. „Ich bin beinahe ein bisschen beleidigt.“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Ich persönlich habe keinen Sinn darin
gesehen“, meldete sich das Mädchen erneut als erste zu Wort. Ich achtete
darauf, mir ihren Namen zu merken, Eunice ... irgendein uralter Name. „Wenn man
die Beste sein will, darf man sich nicht durch andere Kleinigkeiten ablenken
lassen. Außerdem hatte ich alle Hände voll zu tun mit der sich ständig
weiterentwickelnden Welt von <i>Draanmir</i>.“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Ich stimme zu“, meldete sich Constantine
schließlich zu Wort. Es ist wahr, dass es seine Spuren bei einem Spieler
hinterlässt, wenn er für lange Zeit eine bestimmte Charakterklasse spielt –
Constantine lehnte sich in seinem Stuhl zurück und löste sich praktisch darin
auf, so als ob er unbewusst versuchte, weniger auffällig zu wirken. Da wurde
mir klar: In <i>Draanmir</i> muss er ein Dieb, ein Schurke, ein Assassine, ein
Ninja gewesen sein ... Der Name mag von Spiel zu Spiel variieren, aber das
Konzept bleibt dasselbe – Tarnung multipliziert mit dem Überraschungseffekt.
Interessant ... und wer war dann Eunice? „Ich hatte keine Zeit, etwas zu studieren,
das mir nicht nützlich erschien.“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">Ich zuckte einfach mit den Schultern, um
anzudeuten, dass sie nichts Neues von mir hören würden und ich keine große Lust
hatte, die Aussagen der anderen zu wiederholen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Wenn das so ist, lassen Sie mich bitte den Kernpunkt
unseres Angebots erläutern“, begann der Präsident. „Vielleicht kennen Sie die
unsterbliche Kurzgeschichte von Mark Twain mit dem Titel ‚Die
Eine-Million-Pfund-Note‘?“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">Nachdem er bei uns Dreien ein zustimmendes
Nicken abgewartet hatte, fuhr der Anführer unserer Nation fort:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Ausgezeichnet. Das macht meine Erklärung viel
einfacher. Mein Freund und ich“, der Präsident nickte dem Mogul neben ihm zu,
„hatten vor kurzem eine kleine Meinungsverschiedenheit. Ich glaube nämlich,
dass es unmöglich ist, in seinem Spiel irgendetwas zu erreichen, ohne echtes
Geld zu investieren. Er hingegen behauptet das Gegenteil – und das, obwohl die
Medien sein Projekt bereits als ‚Geldvakuum‘ bezeichnet haben, das die Spieler
um ihre letzten Groschen bringt.“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Sie wollen, dass wir uns ohne jede
Investition im Spiel etablieren?“, meldete sich das Mädchen wieder zu Wort.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Geduld, meine Liebe“, sagte der Mogul mit
einem Lächeln, das mich, um ehrlich zu sein, zusammenzucken ließ; ich
versuchte, mich ebenfalls in meinem Stuhl aufzulösen. Ich bemerkte, dass die
Reaktion des Mädchens ähnlich war, und machte mir eine mentale Notiz, den
Allmächtigen dieser Welt niemals ins Wort zu fallen. Das ist nicht gut für die
Gesundheit ...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Wie gesagt“, fuhr der Mogul fort, „wir waren
nicht einer Meinung. Und da jegliche Erwähnung echter Menschen, die den
Höhepunkt des Spiels erreicht hatten, ohne eine einzige echte Münze zu
investieren, äußerst umstritten war, beschlossen wir, ein Experiment
durchzuführen. Zu diesem Zweck–“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Ähem“, hustete der Präsident und zog die
Aufmerksamkeit auf sich. „Ich dachte, wir waren uns einig, dass ich derjenige
bin, der die Aufgabe erklärt? Während Sie vorankommen, werden Ihnen immer mehr
Einschränkungen die Hände binden – und dann viel Glück dabei, einen Ausweg zu finden.
Und so haben wir also einen Planeten in <i>Galaktogon</i> erschaffen und auf
diesem Planeten haben wir einen bestimmten, einzigartigen Gegenstand versteckt.
Ihre Aufgabe ist es, das Spiel von Anfang an zu spielen, diesen Planeten zu
finden und zum Schluss diesen besonderen Gegenstand einzusammeln. Ich sollte
Ihnen gleich dazu sagen, dass niemand in der Lage sein wird, diesen Gegenstand einzusammeln,
ohne die richtigen Fähigkeiten zu besitzen, aber wer es doch schafft, wird
einen Scheck in Höhe von einer Milliarde Pfund Sterling erhalten.“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Wo ist der Haken?“ Diesmal konnte ich nicht
anders, als mit der Frage herauszuplatzen. Niemand verteilt einfach so
irgendwelche Geschenke – es kommt also jetzt bestimmt noch eine Information
hinterher, die jede Hoffnung auf den Gewinn dieses Preises aller Preise
zunichte macht. Eine Milliarde Pfund sind ... na ja, alles! Das Geld würde
selbst noch meinen Ur-Ur-Enkeln einen sorgenfreien Lebensabend garantieren. Es
wäre die Sache definitiv wert, darum zu kämpfen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Es gibt an sich keinen Haken. Die Position
des Planeten ist nur einigen wenigen Einheimischen des Spiels bekannt – so
nennen wir die Nicht-Spieler-Charaktere (oder NPCs) in <i>Galaktogon</i>. Sie
werden selbst herausfinden müssen, um wen es sich handelt. Aber auch das ist nicht
die Hauptsache. Alle drei von Ihnen werden das Spiel unter bestimmten Umständen
beginnen. Einer von Ihnen wird ohne einen einzigen Credit in der Tasche
beginnen, wie alle neuen Spieler. Hier muss ich anmerken, dass der Kauf von
Credits mit echtem Geld strengstens verboten ist und einen Ausschlussgrund
darstellt. Ein anderer von Ihnen erhält ein monatliches Gehalt, das dem
Monatsgehalt eines leitenden Forschers entspricht. Dieses wird Ihrem Spielkonto
gutgeschrieben. Der dritte Spieler erhält ebenfalls monatliche Zahlungen auf
sein Spielkonto, diese entsprechen jedoch dem <i>Jahresgehalt</i> eines
leitenden Forschers. Sie können Ihre Gelder ausgeben, wie Sie es für richtig
halten ... Also, ich meine natürlich die beiden von Ihnen, die solche Gelder
haben werden. Für alle drei von Ihnen gilt jedoch das einzige Ziel, den
Planeten mit dem Milliarden-Scheck zu erreichen. Wir werden würfeln, um zu
bestimmen, wer welche Rolle übernehmen wird.“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Aber das können doch noch nicht alle
Bedingungen sein, oder?“, fragte ich, wohl wissend, dass ein Spieler mit
unbegrenzten Geldmitteln von Anfang an in der Gewinnerposition sein würde. Wie
könnte man in diesem Fall ein solches Experiment als objektiv bezeichnen?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Ja, es gibt noch einige weitere Bedingungen.
Der Spieler mit dem Jahresgehalt – oder wie wir ihn nennen werden, der
unlimitierte Spieler – darf nur maximal vier Stunden pro Tag spielen. Eine
Minute mehr und er wird disqualifiziert. Der halblimitierte Spieler kann nur
acht Stunden spielen, während der dritte keinerlei zeitliche Begrenzung hat und
so viel spielen kann, wie er will.“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Warum sollten sich zwei so berühmte Personen
wie Sie dazu entschließen, auf drei gewöhnliche Spieler zu setzen?“ Ich stellte
die Frage, die wahrscheinlich gleich zu Beginn des Gesprächs hätte gestellt
werden sollen. „Ich meine, uns könnte etwas zustoßen. Wir könnten depressiv
werden ... oder sogar, ich weiß nicht ... an etwas Ernstem erkranken, so dass
wir nicht weitermachen könnten.“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Genau aus diesem Grund gibt es nicht nur Sie
drei“, lächelte der Präsident. „Es gibt insgesamt zwölf Spieler, die
gleichmäßig auf die zwölf Reiche des Spiels verteilt sind: Drei professionelle
Spieler, die sich auf <i>Galaktogon</i> spezialisiert haben; drei
professionelle Spieler, die nichts über das Spiel wissen (das seid ihr drei);
drei gewöhnliche, wie ihr sie nennt, Benutzer, die lediglich mit <i>Galaktogon</i>
vertraut sind; und drei weitere gewöhnliche Benutzer, die überhaupt keine
Erfahrung mit irgendwelchen Spielen haben. Das sind zwölf Spieler, die sich ab
morgen auf die Suche nach unserer kleinen Schriftrolle machen sollen.“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Welche Art von Interface können wir zum
Spielen verwenden?“, fragte Constantine.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Obwohl mir Ihre Frage etwas zu hoch ist,
werde ich versuchen, eine Antwort zu geben“, lächelte der Mogul. „Sie können
das Spiel entweder im Third-Person-Modus spielen – also mit einem VR-Headset –
oder über die somatische First-Person-Schnittstelle – also mit einer
Spielkapsel. Ich sollte noch erwähnen, dass das Spiel keine ... aber nein, den
Rest werden Sie schon selbst herausfinden. Nun, ich habe eine Frage an Sie.
Sind Sie mit den von uns vorgeschlagenen Bedingungen einverstanden und gehen
Sie auf dieses Jobangebot ein? Nach unseren Berechnungen könnte die Suche
mehrere Jahre dauern, daher sind wir bereit, Ihnen ein monatliches Stipendium
in einer Höhe anzubieten, die wiederum der eines leitenden Forschers
entspricht. Wir wollen nicht, dass Sie sich während Ihrer Suche Sorgen um Geld
machen müssen. Es sind keine Bedingungen daran geknüpft – Sie können von uns
aus auch die ganzen zwei Jahre auf Ihrer Couch herumliegen. Alles, was Sie tun
müssen, ist, sich das erste Mal einzuloggen. Das heißt, Sie müssen morgen bis
18 Uhr im Spiel sein. Die einzige Einschränkung besteht darin, dass es keine
Allianzen oder Teamarbeit unter den Teilnehmern der Wette geben darf. Jeder von
Ihnen muss für sich alleine spielen. Es gibt viele Imperien in <i>Galaktogon</i>
und Sie werden Ihre Spiele jeweils in Imperien beginnen, die sich im Krieg
miteinander befinden. Wie bereits erwähnt, gibt es insgesamt zwölf Stück. Wenn
Sie bereit sind, sich auf diese Reise zu begeben, und wenn Sie allen unseren
Bedingungen zustimmen, legen Sie bitte Ihre Handfläche auf den Bildschirm.“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">Ein Hologramm des Vertrags materialisierte
sich vor unseren Augen. Da ich mich hier langsam wie zu Hause fühlte und die
Anwesenheit der anderen schon völlig vergessen hatte, begann ich, das Dokument
akribisch zu studieren. Egal, welche Goldhaufen auch in der Ferne glitzern
mochten, es war zwingend notwendig, mich mit meinen Rechten und Pflichten
vertraut zu machen. Ansonsten würde ich niemals darauf eingehen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Ich war mir sicher, dass Sie alle zustimmen
würden“, sagte der Mogul zufrieden, sobald wir alle drei den Vertrag
unterschrieben hatten. „Da das nun geklärt ist, lassen wir also die Würfel
fallen. Eunice, da Sie die einzige Dame sind, erlauben wir Ihnen, zuerst zu
würfeln ...“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">Eunice würfelte eine 17, Constantine eine 12
und Alexis (also ich) eine 9. Zwei 2en und eine 5 sind nicht gerade der
glücklichste Wurf, und damit landete ich in der hintersten Reihe ... Tja! Wohl
kein unlimitiertes Spiel für mich.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Und so haben wir also die Reihenfolge der
Auswahl festgelegt. Eunice, für welche der drei Spielarten entscheiden Sie
sich?“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Unlimitiert.“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Bestätigt. Constantine?“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Die zweite, die halblimitierte.“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Bestätigt. Und du, Alexis, wirst dann den
limitierten Spieltyp spielen. Bestätigt. Somit“, der Präsident erhob sich von
seinem Stuhl und forderte uns auf, ebenfalls aufzustehen, „werden Sie alle drei
morgen früh von Technikern besucht, die spezielle <i>Galaktogon</i>-Kapseln und
VR-Headsets bei Ihnen installieren werden. Das Spiel selbst beginnt morgen
genau um sechs Uhr abends. Heute Abend werden Sie hier im Palast untergebracht.
Wir wollen sicherstellen, dass Sie Ihre Spielcharaktere ohne Vorabrecherche
einrichten werden. Danach ist keine Hilfe mehr eine schlechte Hilfe, verzeihen
Sie die Tautologie. Aber jetzt noch nicht. Ach ja! Noch etwas: Bitte
benachrichtigen Sie alle Ihre Verwandten, dass Sie bis morgen Abend nicht
erreichbar sind. Wir wollen nicht, dass sie sich unnötig Sorgen machen. Alle
eingehenden Anrufe sind im Palast blockiert. Ich wünsche Ihnen allen viel Glück
und danke Ihnen für die Teilnahme an unserem kleinen Experiment!“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Bitte folgen Sie mir.“ Der Hausverwalter von
vorhin erschien neben uns. „Ich werde Sie zu Ihren Gemächern führen.“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Leute, da wir den nächsten Tag hier zusammen
eingesperrt sein werden, schlage ich vor, dass wir das traurige, traurige
Dahinscheiden unserer jeweiligen Spielwelten feierlich begehen“, schlug ich bei
unserem gemeinsamen Abendessen vor. Gott sei Dank hatten uns die Herrschaften
diese essentielle Tradition nicht verboten – seltsam, da wir in verschiedenen
Zimmern, ja sogar in verschiedenen Stockwerken untergebracht worden waren, um
jede Interaktionsmöglichkeit zwischen uns zu unterbinden. Sie waren seltsame
Leute, diese Herrschaften ... Ein Spiel ist schließlich nur ein Spiel – es
sollte keinen Einfluss auf das wirkliche Leben haben! Die Tatsache, dass wir
uns in der virtuellen Welt hassen könnten, bedeutete nicht, dass wir in der
Realität dasselbe für einander empfinden müssten. Ich meine, das wäre ja wie im
Kindergarten!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Einverstanden“, bestätigte Constantine meinen
Vorschlag. „Wenn wir schon dabei sind, lasst uns alles aufzählen, was wir über <i>Galaktogon</i>
wissen. Es ist dumm, im echten Leben zu konkurrieren – davon werden wir im
Spiel noch mehr als genug haben.“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">Hatte ich nicht gesagt, dass Männer
vernünftige Leute sind...?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Oh nein“, unterbrach ihn Eunice sofort. „Ich
sehe keinen Sinn darin, weshalb du Wissen teilen solltest, das mir helfen
könnte, zu gewinnen ... Aber ich bin immer dafür zu haben, gemeinsam abzuhängen
... Kann ich etwas Wein bekommen?“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Und wir beiden werden uns einen Scotch
genehmigen, okay?“ Constantine blickte mich verschmitzt an. Hah! Er dachte, er
hätte in mir einen Trottel gefunden!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Na klar! Wenn wir feiern wollen, dann ist ein
Single Malt das einzig Wahre!“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE">(Drei
Stunden später.)</span></i><span lang="DE"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE">„...Hicks!
Und dann kamen wir auf Greifen angeflogen, als alle mit einem Angriff vom Boden
aus rechneten. Wir haben den Himmel verdunkelt!“</span></i><span lang="DE"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE">„...
Alex, welche Klasse hältst du für besser – einen Kumpel oder einen Assassinen?
Wollen wir wetten, dass ich dich kriegen würde? Ich würde mit Lockvögeln
auftauchen und dann ...“</span></i><span lang="DE"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE">„... Ich
war Offizier im besten Clan in ganz Draanmir! Die Neulinge haben mir täglich
Tribut gezollt ...“</span></i><span lang="DE"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE">„...
Alle Männer sind Abschaum! Man kann euch einfach nicht trauen! Hicks!
Unzuverlässig, ungerecht, schwach ...“</span></i><span lang="DE"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE">„...
Psst! Du weckst ihn noch auf! Halt dich an mir fest! Gut, lass ihn hier –
irgendjemand wird ihn morgen früh schon abholen ... Willst du mit zu mir
kommen?“</span></i><span lang="DE"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE">„WAS?!
Ich bin eine anständige Frau. ... Entweder zu mir oder nirgendwohin.“</span></i><span lang="DE"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE">„Ich
kann nichts sehen, ich hoffe, das ist es ... Endlich mein eigenes Palastzimmer
...“</span></i><span lang="DE"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Befehle, Herr?“, fragte mein Smart Home nach
meiner Rückkehr.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Alle Anrufe blockieren. Für die nächsten paar
Tage existiere ich nicht. Mach mir für morgen Abendessen, das Standardmenü. Und
schlage alles nach, was mit dem Spiel <i>Galaktogon</i> zu tun hat.“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Wird erledigt. Bitte beachte, dass du dein
morgendliches Training verpasst hast, was sich negativ-“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">„Schalte bitte den Nörgelnde-Ehefrau-Modus
ab“, unterbrach ich das Programm. „Mach dich an die Arbeit.“<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">Der spezielle <i>Galaktogon</i>-Kokon, der wie
versprochen von den Herrschaften geliefert worden war, verblüffte mich und
weckte meine Neugierde. Die riesige Kiste, die wie ein Raumschiff stilisiert
war, nahm praktisch die Hälfte des Raums ein, den ich für meinen
Gaming-Schnickschnack vorgesehen hatte. Außerdem war der Kokon ein
2-in-1-Monster von einem Gerät, das nicht nur die Gaming-Kapsel, sondern auch
das VR-Headset enthielt. Mit dem Wissen, dass ich es mir später einfach nicht
verzeihen würde, das Spiel im Third-Person-Modus zu starten, stieg ich in die
Raumschiffkabine und schloss den Deckel. Ein wunderbares Design! Unabhängig
davon, wie das Experiment ausgehen würde, würde ich sie darum bitten, mir
dieses Wunderwerk zu überlassen.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">Vor meinen Augen entfaltete sich ein
Bildschirm, auf dem Bilder aufblitzten und den Spieler in einen bestimmten
Zustand versetzten – völlige Immersion ...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE">Willkommen
bei <i>Galaktogon</i>!</span></b><span lang="DE"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE">Charaktererstellung
abgeschlossen! Startimperium ausgewählt! Bitte wählen Sie Ihren Startberuf ...</span></b><span lang="DE"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">Okay ... Wenn ich das richtig verstehe, ist
mein Charakter, genau wie das Imperium, bereits für mich ausgewählt worden. Na
gut, das bedeutet, dass ich mich um weniger kümmern muss. So wie ich es verstehe,
bin ich dem Qualian-Imperium zugeteilt worden. Im Moment weiß ich nicht, was
das bedeutet, also macht es keinen Sinn, mir den Kopf darüber zu zerbrechen.
Weiter – Name. Man hatte mir bereits einen zugewiesen ... Hmm, okay... Von nun
an würde ich „Chirurg“ genannt werden. Ich würde mal nachsehen müssen, wie
viele Chirurgen es in diesem Spiel schon gab – so wie ich es verstanden hatte,
mussten die Namen in <i>Galaktogon</i> nicht einzigartig sein ... Aber
sicherlich hatte bereits jemand anderes diesen Namen gewählt? Seltsam, ich
fragte mich, wie das Mail- und Benachrichtigungssystem dann funktionieren würde
... Ich meine, es müsste doch eine eindeutige Kennung geben!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">Nun gut, das würde ich auch später noch
herausfinden. Da mich das Programm bittet, einen Beruf zu wählen, werde ich das
zuerst tun. Was gibt es denn so?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">... <i>Marinesoldat, Ingenieur, Navigator,
Schütze, Erntehelfer, Wissenschaftler, Schiffskommandant</i> ...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">Ich werd' verrückt! Mehr als 50 Klassen, von
denen jede ihren eigenen Rang und ihr eigenes System von Fertigkeiten hat!
Jetzt verstehe ich, warum diese beiden lieben Kauze uns nicht die Gelegenheit
geben wollten, die FAQs zu studieren. Ich hasse es, das zu tun, aber es sieht
so aus, als müsste ich wahllos einen Beruf auswählen – die Stärken und
Schwächen dieser oder jener Klasse sind mir völlig unbekannt. Ich hatte immer
gedacht, dass es bei <i>Galaktogon</i> nur um ein paar Kinder geht, die in
Raumschiffen herumfliegen, aber hier sehe ich, dass ein Kommandant nur einer
von vielen möglichen Jobs ist! Schwere Entscheidung ...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">Da ich zu meinem eigenen Besten lieber nicht
zu schlau sein wollte, wählte ich den, von dem ich am meisten gehört hatte.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE">Sie
haben sich für die Laufbahn als Schiffskommandant entschieden.</span></b><span lang="DE"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE">Bitte
beachten Sie, dass Sie den Beruf Ihres Charakters noch ändern können, nachdem
Sie die Grundausbildung abgeschlossen haben.</span></b><span lang="DE"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE">Viel
Spaß beim Spielen!</span></b><span lang="DE"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE">Ein Lichtblitz und ich verschmolz mit meinem
Charakter ... Hallo, Chirurg!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 1cm;"><span style="color: red;">Release - 11. Mai 2021</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="DE"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 1cm;"><span style="color: red;">Pre-order on Amazon - <a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08QG5KXM8">https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08QG5KXM8</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 1cm;"><br /></p>Simon Valehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16142080565999248152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1879934328827513079.post-85419897048319126952020-12-22T06:08:00.004-08:002020-12-22T06:08:49.438-08:00Phantom-Server: Jenseits der Realität von Andrei Livadny<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h3 style="clear: both;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></h3><h3 style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Phantom-Server, Buch 1:</b></div><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jenseits der Realität </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">von Andrei Livadny</b></div></b></h3><p></p><p align="center" class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 7.05pt; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 7.05pt 0cm 0cm; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cs77L6XMQHQ/X7U0RuA1lyI/AAAAAAAACY4/vzEUCTrmsu8Oxm1LPTyFjw0hzIFf0RKXQCPcBGAYYCw/s800/PS1G_800_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="533" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cs77L6XMQHQ/X7U0RuA1lyI/AAAAAAAACY4/vzEUCTrmsu8Oxm1LPTyFjw0hzIFf0RKXQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/PS1G_800_2.jpg" /></a></b></div><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></b><p></p><div style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style, serif;"><b>Release - 19. April 2021<br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style, serif;"><b>Bei Amazon vorbestellen - </b></span><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style, serif;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08NR9P32S">https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08NR9P32S</a></b></span></span></span></div><p align="center" class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></b></p><p align="center" class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></b></p><p align="center" class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Kapitel 1</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Abmelden</span></b><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich saß krumm in einem Stuhl, der alles
andere als ergonomisch war.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Giftige Industrienebel verstärkten die
Reflexionen in meinem Atelierfenster. Die grüne Anzeige der Luftschleuse
leuchtete beruhigend: alles dicht.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Willkommen in der Technosphäre. Anders
als im Cyberraum könnte hier jedes Versagen zu einer mittleren bis großen
Katastrophe führen. Zauber und Vorteile? Fehlanzeige!</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich brauchte ein paar Minuten, um wieder
in die echte Welt zurückzufinden. Seit sechs Monaten diente der VR-Pod mit
seinen Massagerollen und den Lebenserhaltungsmodulen nur noch als Wäschekorb.
Das hatte seinen Grund.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Damals hatte ich mich entschlossen, die
relative Sicherheit des Pods gegen eine unbekannte Erfahrung einzutauschen. Was
für eine Veränderung! Keine mittelmäßigen Hologrammdarstellungen des Cyberspace
mehr! Keine Stoßmembranen, die mir in die Rippen pikten. Jetzt hatte ich die
virtuelle Welt immer dabei. Das Geheimnis war ein kleines Implantat, das wie
ein altmodisches Hörgerät hinter meinem Ohr befestigt war. Millionen von
Nanonadeln stachen an der Schläfe und Wange in meine Haut.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></p><p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Unter der fleischfarbenen Oberfläche
verbargen sich unzählige Chips, die zu einem komplexen neuronalen System
zusammengeschaltet und mit meinem persönlichen Nanocomp-Armreif verbunden
waren. Ich trug die Zukunft des Gaming an meinem Ohr.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Allerneueste, hochentwickelte
Technologie, die Spielszenen mittels künstlicher Intelligenz in eine Reihe von
Impulsen umwandelte und direkt in mein Gehirn sandte. Das neuronale Netz lernte
ständig dazu und erzeugte so neue Empfindungen – auch solche, die es in
der Realität gar nicht gab.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Riskant?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Bestimmt. Aber es war mir egal. Wer wie
ich in den Tiefen des Cyberspace versunken war, hatte größere Sorgen. Und jede
davon trug das Potenzial für einen langsamen und qualvollen Tod in sich.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Welche das sind? Langeweile, zum
Beispiel.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Man kann sie nicht bekämpfen. Das Leben
in der Realität ist mir ein Graus. Es ist grau und trostlos. Nichts und niemand
kann mich vom Gegenteil überzeugen. Ich habe meine Entscheidung getroffen und
die Brücken hinter mir abgebrochen. Der VR-Pod war eine großartige Sache
gewesen, bis ich irgendwann mühelos in der Lage war, Wahrheit und Fiktion
voneinander zu unterscheiden. Ich wollte in diesen Welten der endlosen
Möglichkeiten leben, aber jeden Tag wurde das schwieriger. Mein 3-D-Raum verlor
an Tiefe. Ich durchschaute alle Illusionen. Dahinter schimmerte die Wand meines
Hightech-Gefängnisses. Als ich begriff, dass die virtuelle Welt niemals die reale
Welt ersetzen kann, war ich deprimiert und verlor fast den Verstand. Darum
hatte ich mich auf dieses Experiment eingelassen. Endlich wieder Spannung und
neue Gelegenheiten, die es zu ergreifen galt.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich wuchtete mich aus dem Stuhl und
schleppte mich in die Küche. Meine kostbare sterbliche Hülle musste ernährt
werden.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die kleinen Symbole vor meinen Augen
waren weiterhin sichtbar. Dieses KI-Netz hatte keinen Ausschalter. Lediglich
die Anzeige änderte sich situationsabhängig. Nach einem kurzen Blick auf die
Uhr bestellte ich mir mein spätes Abendessen. Kurz darauf hörte ich den
hydraulischen Aufzug. Ein großer Zylinder rollte in die Auffangschale. Ab auf
den Tisch damit. Ich riss die Verpackung auf und zog dann an der Naht in der
Mitte. Die Außenhülle wurde zu einer Unterlage, auf der Speisen und Getränke in
luftdichten Behältern standen. Gesund und nahrhaft, aber vor allem praktisch.
Kein Grund, das Haus zu verlassen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich aß zwei Mahlzeiten täglich und
schlief im VR-Pod. Ganz bequem und so vertraut. Und sicher.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ob ich eine psychische Störung habe? Auf
jeden Fall. Ehrlich, ich weiß das. Ändern will ich es trotzdem nicht.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">An meinem zwölften Geburtstag bekam ich
meinen ersten holografischen Nanocomputer. Seitdem hat die Realität für mich
zunehmend an Bedeutung verloren. Ich blieb immer länger im Spiel. Wäre es nach
mir gegangen, hätte ich die virtuelle Welt gar nicht mehr verlassen. Aber so
weit war die Technik noch nicht. Mein neues Neuroimplantat war der erste
Vorbote der Zukunft.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich war neununddreißig Jahre alt,
Single, hatte genug Geld und keine Verpflichtungen. Wie ich meinen
Lebensunterhalt bestritt? Das erzähle ich später.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich aß langsam und überflog dabei meine
Post und E-Mails. Das meiste davon löschte ich mit einer kurzen Augenbewegung.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Zeit für die wichtigen Dinge: Ich gab <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Phantom-Server</i> in eine Suchmaschine ein.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich war wirklich neugierig. Mit ein
wenig Hartnäckigkeit würde ich alles finden – dachte ich.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Keine
Ergebnisse für diese Suchanfrage.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Das blinkende Anrufsymbol riss mich aus
meinen Gedanken. Die Entwickler meiner Wetware. Echte Geier. Jeden Tag zur
selben Zeit bestanden sie auf einem Bericht.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Nun gut. Versprochen ist versprochen.
Ich begann, unscharf zu sehen, während das KI-Netz mein Gedächtnis scannte und
einige der bemerkenswerteren Neurogramme hochlud.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Tja, eben noch ein Testmodell. Der
Entwickler sagte für die Serienproduktion zu, dass alle Datenschutzgesetze
mustergültig eingehalten würden. So recht wollte ich das nicht glauben.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Nachdem der Bericht übermittelt worden war,
stand ich auf und ging zum Fenster. Nebenbei warf ich die Reste des Abendessens
in den Müllschlucker. Ich hatte einfach keinen Hunger.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Keine
Ergebnisse.</span></i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> Echt jetzt? Ich
starrte auf die halb in den Abgasen versunkene Skyline hinaus. Sie wirkte wie
ein abstrakter Hintergrund für die unzähligen leeren Ergebnislisten, die vor
meinen Augen erschienen und verschwanden. Keine Ergebnisse gefunden.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Hatte mir meine Einbildung einen Streich
gespielt?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Unmöglich. Einfach unmöglich. Die
täglichen Berichtsuploads dienten einem Zweck. Wäre etwas mit dem Implantat
nicht in Ordnung, dann hätte ich schon die Aufforderung erhalten, auf den
speziellen Kommunikationskanal zu wechseln und mich einfach zurückzulehnen und
an nichts zu denken.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Aber wieso kam keine Nachricht von den
Entwicklern? Die plötzlichen Gefühlsregungen mussten im Protokoll doch klar zu
erkennen sein.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Langsam wuchs meine Unruhe. Hier war
etwas faul.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Oder sollte ich das Geschehene einfach
ignorieren? Zeit für eine Dusche und dann, hopphopp, ins Bett. So etwa? Am
nächsten Morgen wäre dann Zeit, nach einer neuen Spielwelt zu suchen, die mich
wieder ein paar Jahre beschäftigen kann.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Aber die erwachte Neugier nagte weiter
in mir, brannte förmlich und fütterte meine Unruhe. Konnte ein Plan der Neuro-
und Cybertechniker dahinter stecken?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich fühlte mich wie eine halb tote Maus,
die von einer fetten Grinsekatze herumgeschubst wird. Ich konnte doch nicht
einfach nur herumsitzen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Der Phantom-Server.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Der Name hatte sich fest in mein
Neuronen eingebrannt.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Aber egal. Ich trug das Implantat jetzt
schon ein Jahr und hatte mir einen guten Eindruck von seiner Funktion
verschaffen können. Für den Fall, dass jemand mich als Laborratte missbrauchen
wollte, gab es einige Notfallpläne.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich
bin ganz entspannt.</span></i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ich bin rundum glücklich.</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mein Kopf bietet störenden Gedanken keinen
Raum.</i> Jetzt war es wirklich Zeit zum Duschen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Das neuronale Netz war in der
Kunststoffhülle vor dem herabprasselnden Wasser geschützt. Eigentlich war das
nicht nötig, aber die Entwickler wollten wohl wirklich auf Nummer Sicher gehen.
Kein Wunder bei dem Preis für das Implantat! Mir war schon vor einer Weile
aufgefallen, dass das mnemonische Interface unter der Dusche automatisch
abschaltete. Auch der Kartensteckplatz war mir nicht verborgen geblieben. Er
war zwar leer, aber ich hatte herausgefunden, dass eine Speicherkarte mit einem
Terabyte perfekt passte. Als Vorsichtsmaßnahme hielt ich immer einige davon
bereit; darauf Aufzeichnungen von Neurogrammen während des Tiefschlafs.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Nachdem ich die Abdeckung geöffnet
hatte, drehte ich das Wasser ab und rieb mich trocken. Ich stieg in den Pod,
ließ aber die Tür geöffnet. Dann aktivierte ich den Erholungsmodus und machte
es mir bequem. Es wirkte, als würde ich fest schlafen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Nach ein paar Minuten drückte ich die
Karte in den Steckplatz wie schon viele Male davor. Es klickte und die Symbole
auf dem Status-Interface verblassten.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich wartete zur Sicherheit noch einen
Moment und ging dann online. Die Wirklichkeit verschwand. Ich schloss die Augen
und meldete mich an. Diesen Login verwendete ich so gut wie nie.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Der Chatraum war leer und so was von
gestern. Ich gab einen Codesatz ein. Das Fenster für private Nachrichten
blitzte auf und der Cursor wartete auf die nächste Eingabe.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Kristallsphäre.
Agrion. Die Taverne.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">OK.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Meine Nachricht war angenommen worden.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">* * *</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">In der Taverne ging es hoch her. Fast
alle Tische waren von Spielern besetzt. Hier konnte mich niemand von einem
Newbie unterscheiden. Ich drängte mich vorsichtig durch die Menge und steuerte
einen leeren Tisch ganz hinten an.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Hallo.“ Ein ungepflegter Goblin ließ
sich auf den Stuhl neben mir fallen. Mit seinen Händen bildete er dabei rasch
das Erkennungszeichen. Ich antwortete auf dieselbe Weise.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wir unterhielten uns leise, um keine
Aufmerksamkeit zu erregen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Du willst dir also wieder ein paar
Kröten verdienen? Lange nicht gesehen. Wie läuft’s?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Alles bestens.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Bei dem schmuddeligen Kerl handelte es
sich um meinen ersten Onlineauftraggeber. Wir hatten schon manches Geschäft
abgeschlossen. Ob es uns genützt hat? Wer weiß …</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Mit fünfzehn Jahren hatte ich viel Zeit
im Cyberspace verbracht und jede Menge Spielewelten besucht. Aber ich hatte
auch festgestellt, dass die besten und interessantesten Orte für normale
Teenager nicht zugänglich waren, sei es aus Alters- oder Geldgründen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Zum Glück stellten Jugendschutzchips
selbst für ungeübte Hacker meines Alters kein Problem dar. Die eigentliche
Hürde lag in der Beschaffung der finanziellen Mittel. Mein Studium hatte ich
längst vernachlässigt. Mit dem Bildungsdarlehen war ich auf Shoppingtour
gegangen und die Zinseszinsen drohten, mich aufzufressen. Ich lebte einen
Drahtseilakt ohne Netz und doppelten Boden.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Spiele waren meine Leidenschaft und dort
kannte ich kein Erbarmen. Fürs Aufleveln meiner Charaktere hatte ich keine
Zeit. Mein Ziel war eine Karriere als PK oder Player Killer. Ich war der naiven
Ansicht, die Beute der von mir aus dem Weg geräumten Spieler würde mir genug
In-Game-Währung verschaffen, um mich in der Welt durchzuschlagen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Bei diesem Versuch lernte ich Arbido
kennen. Das ist natürlich nicht sein echter Name. Er dagegen wusste alles über
mich, auch im echten Leben.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Das erste Zusammentreffen war kurz und
(zumindest für mich) kaum erfreulich, aber – wie ich noch feststellen
sollte – überaus produktiv.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Er versprach, das Darlehen
zurückzuzahlen und meine schulischen Kapriolen auszubügeln. Natürlich konnte
Arbido kein Wissen in mein Gehirn laden, aber er war in der Lage, meine Noten
zu „optimieren“ und mich vor weiteren Belästigungen zu schützen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Im Gegenzug musste ich meine
spielerischen Fertigkeiten für ihn einsetzen, dieses bisher verschwendete und
unterentwickelte Talent, das ich hatte. Doch mein Können interessierte ihn
anfangs nicht wirklich. Stattdessen teilte er mir simple Hilfsarbeiten zu.
Schon mal was von einem Goldfarmer gehört? Nein? Das ist eine interessante
Arbeit: Man erhält Zugang zum Konto und Charakter des Kunden und erledigt alle
möglichen Aufgaben für ihn: Missionen, zu denen er keine Lust oder Zeit hat,
zum Beispiel. Oder man levelt den Charakter hoch. Einige dieser Missionen sind
extrem eintönig: Erz abbauen oder das Sammeln von Zutaten gehören dazu. Aber
wenn man sich erst einmal in einer bestimmten Welt auskennt und ihre
Geheimnisse und Abkürzungen ergründet hat, wird man immer schneller dabei.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">So habe ich mein erstes Geld online
verdient. Diese Laufburschentätigkeit war erst der Anfang. Schon bald wurde ich
mit anspruchsvolleren und nicht immer legalen Aufgaben betraut.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich lernte immer mehr über die
Möglichkeiten. Schließlich legte ich neue Spielcharaktere in beliebten Welten
an, brachte sie auf ein gewisses Level und verkaufte sie über Arbido. Einige
habe ich auch selbst behalten. Ich nahm Bestellungen für Artefakte oder
besondere Rüstungen an, die man nicht kaufen kann. Manche Gegenstände können
schließlich nur von ganz bestimmten Gegnern erbeutet werden.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Farmen ist an der Tagesordnung. Eine
kurze Internetsuche fördert eine lange Liste solcher und ähnlicher
Dienstleistungen zutage.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Arbido hatte ein recht erfolgreiches
Geschäft darauf aufgebaut. Mehrere Tausend Spieler waren für ihn in den
angesagtesten Spielen aktiv. Er war auch absolut zuverlässig, den ein guter Ruf
bedeutet in diesem Metier alles. Vor einer Weile hatte ich für ihn ein paar
VIP-Aufträge ausgeführt, obwohl ich das Geld nicht mehr brauchte und finanziell
unabhängig war.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Der Goblin blickte mich an. „Ich habe
deinen Fortschritt beobachtet“, sagte er. „Diese Welt ist noch neu. Praktisch
eine Jungfrau. Sollen wir auf Beutezug gehen?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich schüttelte den Kopf.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Arbido hob fragend eine Augenbraue.
„Bist du nicht zu sehr mit deinem Charakter verwachsen? Du kannst doch nicht
immer der Paladin sein.“ In seiner Stimme schwang väterliche Sorge mit. „Komm
schon, raus damit. Zeit ist Geld – besonders bei mir. Wie viele Easter
Eggs hast du gefunden?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Small Talk interessierte ihn nicht. Für
ihn waren Goldminen und Mithril-Felder wichtig. Da kannte ich durchaus einige.
Und dazu noch ein paar Orte, die für normale Spieler nicht zugänglich waren,
weil der Weg dorthin erst nach mehreren Jahren geöffnet wurde. Ich wusste
allerdings auch, wie ich vorzeitig ein globales Event anzetteln konnte, bei dem
Heerscharen von Spielern die unerforschten Lande stürmen würden. Denn ich hatte
die Schlüssel zu den Portalen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Ich suche keine Arbeit, ich habe einen
Auftrag“, sagte ich.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Er runzelte die Stirn. Ich als Kunde?
„Spuck es schon aus.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Ich brauche ein Konto für den
Phantom-Server.“ Ganz trocken kam die Forderung über meine Lippen, wie ein
alltäglicher Wunsch.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Er wusste sofort, worum es ging. Wo
Suchmaschinen versagten, war er der Hüter der Geheimnisse. Er starrte mich
pikiert an.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Ist der Bissen nicht zu groß für dich?
Diese Welt ist doch toll.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Sie ist langweilig!“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Dann bau dir einen neuen Charakter.
Suche nach neuen Möglichkeiten, ihn hochzuleveln. Die Welt hat wirklich
Potenzial. Langeweile, wenn ich nicht lache. Du bist einfach nur faul.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die Überraschung in meinem Gesicht war
offensichtlich. Er hatte noch nie einen Kunden abgewiesen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich reizte ihn: „Wenn du nicht helfen
kannst, sag es einfach.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Die Sache ist nicht koscher“,
antwortete er kopfschüttelnd. „Eine geschlossene Welt im Alphatest.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Hoppla, da hatte er wohl mehr verraten,
als er wollte. „Willst du mich hinhängen?“ Seine Augen suchten meine Schläfen
ab. Natürlich trug mein Avatar kein Neuroimplantat am Kopf, aber nichts bleibt
lange ein Geheimnis. Ich hatte Stillschweigen bewahrt. Irgendwer musste ihm
etwas verraten haben. Unglaublich.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich schluckte einen Kloß herunter.
„Nein, alles in Ordnung. Ich will da wirklich rein. Ich bezahle auch dafür.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Du bist ein Idiot.“ Die Gedanken in
seinem Kopf mussten rasen. „Hast du nicht verstanden? Da läuft ein Alphatest.
Verrammelt und verriegelt. Keine zahlenden Kunden. Ohne Einladung kommst du da
nicht rein. Und wenn du keine hast, bist du wohl nicht gut genug. Worin auch
immer. Klopfen kannst du. Vielleicht darfst du auch mitmachen. Aber dann wird
es gruselig.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Wie meinst du das?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Erst das Geschäft. Wenn du so clever
bist, kostet dich die Info etwas.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Wie viel?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">In meinem Status-Interface erschein eine
sechsstellige Summe in harter Währung. Arbido wollte es wirklich wissen. Später
kam mir der Gedanke, dass er mich einfach nur schützen wollte.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Gieriger
Mistkerl. So viel Geld besitze ich nicht und das weiß er.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Wie wäre es mit einem Tausch?“ Ich bot
eine Lösung an.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Was hast du?“, starrte er mich aus
kalten Augen an.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Mein Gegenvorschlag war eine Liste aller
bisher unentdeckten und auf keiner Karte verzeichneten einzigartigen Orte und
einige Artefakte aus meinem persönlichen Lager.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Das reicht nicht.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Du bist ja vollkommen verrückt
geworden.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Was war falsch mit mir? Ich hatte mich
nicht mehr im Griff. Irgendwann war der kleine Funken Neugier zu einem
Leuchtfeuer geworden, genährt von unbestimmtem, aber drängendem Begehren. Ich
fühlte mich wie ein Junkie, konnte aber nichts dagegen tun.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Na gut.“ Arbido stand auf.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Halt“, flehte ich ihn an und bot noch
ein paar weitere geheime Orte und die Portalschlüssel.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Er setzte sich wieder, Tadel im Blick.
„Wirst du das nicht bereuen?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Was gibt es da zu bereuen?“ Ich quälte
ein trotziges, furchtloses Lächeln auf meine Lippen, um meine wachsende
Besorgnis zu verbergen. „Bist du jetzt zufrieden mit der Bezahlung?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Ja. Pass auf. Die Sache läuft so“, kam
er direkt auf den Punkt. „Wir reden hier über eine neue Spielegeneration, das
Spielerlebnis der Zukunft.“ Währenddessen war er schon dabei, meine
Informationen weiterzuverkaufen. „Seit wann hast du das Implantat?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Etwa ein Jahr.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Die Testphase beim Phantom-Server
dauert jetzt schon fünf Jahre. Aber das Team lässt nur erfahrene Spieler rein.
Am liebsten einsame Stubenhocker ohne Freunde und Familie in der echten Welt.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Und?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Die meisten kommen nicht mehr zurück.
Sie melden sich an und das wars. Kein Lebenszeichen mehr. Ich weiß aber, dass
alle davon dasselbe neuronale Implantat hatten wie du. Es gibt natürlich
Gerüchte. Angeblich werden Breschen in andere Welten geschlagen. Praktisch in
allen Spielen gab es schon Vorfälle. Seltsame Kreaturen, die aus dem Unterholz
kriechen. Man sagt, die kommen alle vom Phantom-Server. Aber Beweise gibt es
keine. Die Admins verwischen alle Spuren.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich lauschte aufmerksam und machte mir
mein eigenes Bild.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Das erste Spiel, bei dem sich wirklich
alles um Neurosensorik drehte? Wahnsinn! Man Abenteuergeist brannte darauf. Ich
hatte bereits die Gelegenheit gehabt, eine Seite dieser neuen Technologie zu
erleben. Ich war wirklich beeindruckt. Wie würde es sich anfühlen, wenn jedes
Ding in dieser Welt mit dem neuronalen Netz interagierte?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Arbido konnte das wohl kaum begreifen.
Aber ich, ich sah klar: Die ganzen Spieler wollten einfach nicht zurück! So
dringend suchte ich einen Adrenalinkick, dass jeder Rest von gesundem
Menschenverstand davon verdrängt wurde. Dieser egoistische Trieb ließ keinerlei
Verdachtsmomente oder Warnungen zu; egal, was Arbido vorbrachte.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Sie könnten auch gestorben sein. Hast
du schon einmal daran gedacht?“, riss er meinem Traum die Flügel aus.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Warum?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Die Sache ist gefährlich.“ Wieder
blickte er auf meine Schläfe. „Gehirne sollen einfach abstürzen. Finito.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Kennst du so jemanden?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Nein. Aber ich habe keinen Zweifel,
dass es stimmt. Vertrau mir.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Du kannst dir deine Zweifel sonst wo
hinstecken.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ein bitteres Lachen: „Nichts kann dich
abbringen?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Gar nichts. Ich habe meine Entscheidung
getroffen.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Es ist dein Leben. Geh nach Hause. Und
warte.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Ich bleibe noch etwas. Ich will eine
Rüstung vertickern.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Überlass das mir. Du musst auch alle
anderen Konten verkaufen oder an mich vermieten.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Das kommt ganz auf den Preis an.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Habe ich dich je über den Tisch
gezogen?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„OK. Hand drauf. Behalt das Geld fürs
Erste.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Warum?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Man weiß nie. Vielleicht brauche ich
eine Finanzspritze oder so.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Er schwieg. Grimmig und trübsinnig saß
er da, als wäre er tot.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Haben wir einen Deal?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Arbido nickte. Dann verschwand sein
Avatar.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">* * *</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Abmelden</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die Realität war von der Dunkelheit der
Nacht verschluckt worden. Ich lief schon stundenlang wie ein Tiger im Käfig
durchs Zimmer. Immer wieder schweifte mein Blick aus dem Fenster.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich, ein Junkie? Ein Fall für die
Klapse? Wie sieht es denn da draußen wirklich aus?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die Spitzen der Wolkenkratzer sind im
Smog verborgen. Wind pfeift durch die Straßen der Megacity, die sich über den
halben Kontinent erstreckt. Mauern, versteckt hinter unheimlichen Hologrammen.
Dazwischen Ströme von Licht, die in den allgegenwärtigen Abgasen verschwinden.
Die Stadt keucht, kämpft um Atem. Lebendig und voller Energie, aber eigentlich
weiß jeder, dass sie schon lange tot ist.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Nur die <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dienerbots</i> können außerhalb der abgekapselten Wohnungen und Gebäude
überleben. Ihnen gehört jetzt der Planet. Ich und die Milliarden Menschen mit
mir finden nur noch im Cyberspace so etwas wie Normalität.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Früher dachte ich, das wäre das
virtuelle Land der unbegrenzten Möglichkeiten. Irgendwann war mir klar, dass
die meisten dieser Welten auch nur Kopien anderer Welten waren. Abbilder eines
Spiegelbilds, wenn man so will. Atemberaubende Welten und faszinierendes
Gameplay gab es schon lange nicht mehr. Vorbei der Zauber. Mein Verstand suchte
neue Erfahrungen. Aber was gab es für mich zu tun, was ich nicht schon Hunderte
von Malen auf Hunderte Weise getan hatte?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Doch die Rückkehr aus dem Cyberspace in
die bedauernswerte Realität war noch viel schlimmer. Viele können es mir
nachfühlen: Man wird verrückt dabei. Das Versprechen neuer, unbekannter
Erfahrungen wirkt wie eine Offenbarung.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Das Spiel der Zukunft! Alphatest? Na
und! Mein Drang, in diese neue, aus neuronalen Netzen erschaffene Welt
einzutauschen, wuchs beständig.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Noch immer keine Nachricht.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Grausame Warterei. Und süße, quälende
Vorfreude! Heftiges Verlangen und Adrenalin als Cocktail für Egoisten.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Drei Uhr in der Früh. Ein Blinken im
Status-Interface.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Eine Nachricht.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Darin ein Link, ein Benutzername und ein
Passwort.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich zitterte vor Aufregung, als der Pod
hochfuhr. Was dauert da bloß so lange?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich stieg hinein. Die Sensoren des
Lebenserhaltungssystems dockten an meiner Haut an.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Warnung!
Sie betreten ein Sperrgebiet.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich gab die Anmeldedaten ein.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Neuronetzverbindung
aktiviert. Neuroimplantat verbunden.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich schloss die Augen und ließ mich
fallen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">* * *</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Phantom-Server</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Anmelden</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich zitterte am ganzen Körper.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Klares Denken? Fehlanzeige! Noch nie
hatte es sich so merkwürdig und auch schmerzhaft angefühlt, in ein neues Spiel
einzutauchen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich konnte nichts sehen. Ich versuchte,
mich zu bewegen – aber ich spürte meinen Körper nicht. Langsam ebbte der
Schmerz hinter meinen Schläfen ab.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Alle Statussymbole waren grau.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Dafür pulsierte der Schmerz in meinen
Muskeln. Watte im Kopf. Vage Schemen schoben sich an mir vorbei. Ein kindliches
Wimmern füllte meinen Geist aus.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich keuchte. Durften Lungen so wehtun?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich lag auf einem harten, von Frost
bedeckten Untergrund. Mehr wusste ich in dem Moment nicht über meine Umgebung.
Doch: Die Luft war kalt. Und es gab wenig Sauerstoff.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Nachrichten blitzten vor meinem
geistigen Auge auf:</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Mind-Expander:
nicht vorhanden</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Metabolismuskorrektor:
nicht vorhanden</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Reflexverbesserer:
nicht vorhanden</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Semantikprozessor:
nicht vorhanden</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Alternative
Startbedingungen erfüllt.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Alternativer
Start initialisiert.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich war einigermaßen zu Atem gekommen
und wartete auf das bombastische Intro. Wo war die umwerfende Grafik dieser
Welt?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Schmerz durchzuckte mich wie ein Blitz.
Ich konnte meinen Aufschrei nicht unterdrücken. Heißer Odem verbrannte meine
Wange und zwang mich, die Augen zu öffnen. Dieser visuelle Effekt war wirklich
erstaunlich. Ein hässliches Wesen, etwa so groß wie ein Affe, versuchte, sich
durch meine Kleidung zu beißen. Nur der dicke Halsring verhinderte, dass das
Monster mir die Kehle herausriss.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Mit dem Bisschen Kraft, das ich noch
hatte, schlug ich nach ihm. Die Kreatur sprang von mir weg und verschwand in
der Dunkelheit, schreiend wie ein Kleinkind.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Unheimlich!</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Und extrem glaubwürdig. Ich spürte den
gierigen Atem noch immer auf der Haut. Das Adrenalin färbte meine Sicht
scharlachrot. Ich erschauerte. Schüttelfrost? Fieber?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Nach und nach leuchteten die
Statussymbole auf.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich rief das Log auf, um mir den letzten
Eintrag anzusehen:</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ein
Kicker, Xenomorph der Stufe 15, hat versucht, dir die Kehle durchzubeißen.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Deine
aggressive Reaktion hat ihn erschreckt und vertrieben.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Klar</span></i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">, dachte ich beim Aufsetzen. Ich musste
an einem eher harmlosen Ort angekommen sein. Aber warum dann ein 15er-NPC? Wozu
der alternative Start? Wo war denn hier die Funktion zur Charaktererstellung?
Wo waren die Talentbäume und wo die zu verteilenden Fertigkeitspunkte? Und noch
viel wichtiger: Wo war ich hier eigentlich?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Es war kalt. Ich fror mir in der
winterlichen Leere einen ab. Der Boden war glatt – weder Erde noch Stein.
War das eine künstliche Umgebung?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Erneut blitzten Nachrichten vor meinem
geistigen Auge auf:</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Neue
Aufgabe! Allein.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Erkunde
die Umgebung. Versuche, mindestens ein menschliches Wesen zu finden.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Neue
Aufgabe! Schlaf der Vernunft.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Bevor
du deinen Charakter entwickeln kannst, musst du einen Mind-Expander finden und
installieren.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Neue
Aufgabe! Deine Probleme möchte ich haben.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Du
musst einen Metabolismuskorrektor finden und installieren, wenn du hier
überleben willst.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Neue
Aufgabe! Preis der Freiheit.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Du
musst einen Reflexverbesserer finden und installieren, damit du andere Orte
aufsuchen kannst.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Neue
Aufgabe! Ich kann sie hören.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Du
musst einen Semantikprozessor finden und installieren, damit du die Sprache der
Xenomorphs verstehen kannst.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Epische
Quest entsperrt: Phantom-Server.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Neue
Zweige des Fertigkeitenbaums und die globale Story werden freigeschaltet, wenn
du herausgefunden hast, wer diese Welt erschaffen hat.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich öffnete das Menü zur
Charaktererstellung.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Zander.
Stufe 1. Mensch</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Der Umriss eines menschlichen Körpers,
daneben graue Ausrüstungsplätze. Seltsame Rüstung.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich las die Beschreibung.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Eine
leicht gepanzerte Rüstung. Keine integrierten Waffen. Mit fünf
Ausrüstungsplätzen für spezielle Cyber-Module. Nur mit Helm luftdicht.
Umgebungssensor meldet einen Sauerstoffgehalt von 10 %. Toxische
Schadstoffe: 20 %.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Auswirkung:
Das Atmen fällt dir schwer. Mit jeder Minute ohne Schutz sinken Gesundheit und
Lebenspunkte. Du benötigst einen Metabolismuskorrektor oder Helm, wenn du hier
überleben willst.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich hörte mehr Wimmern und Heulen, fast
schon ein hysterisches Kichern. Es schien aus allen Richtungen zu kommen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich hustete heftig. Das Atmen war
wirklich eine echte Kraftanstrengung. Die Dinge verschwammen vor meinen Augen.
Ich sah doppelt.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Du
hast Giftstoffe aufgenommen.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Was zur Hölle? Ich hievte mich auf die
Beine und versuchte, scharf zu sehen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Den Echos nach zu urteilen, musste
dieser Ort riesig sein. Keine Wände oder Mauern zu sehen. Der Boden bedeckt mit
Eis. Wohin jetzt? Die gesamte Umgebung war feindlich, arktisch und giftig.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">So verloren hatte ich mich schon viele
Jahre nicht mehr gefühlt. Diese Welt war absolut andersartig. Einerseits wurde
ich mit jedem Herzschlag neugieriger: Eine Art Rausch erfüllte mich, wie ein
Kranker, der nach langer Zeit sein Bett verlassen kann. Ich sog all die lang
verlorenen Empfindungen gierig in mich auf.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Andererseits flüsterte die Erfahrung in
den Tiefen meines Verstands und beriet sich mit der Vorsicht: Diese Welt war
gefährlich, wenn nicht die Hölle selbst. Ein alternativer Start? Fast hätte der
Kicker mir die Kehle zerfetzt!</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich musste mich entscheiden, und zwar schnell.
Mit jedem Atemzug verlor ich Lebenskraft. Ich brauchte einen Helm.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Aber woher? Ich rief die Quest auf und
dann die Karte. Keine Markierungen oder Richtungsangaben. Praktisch die gesamte
Karte war von Nebelschleiern bedeckt. Sah so aus, als ob der Schwierigkeitsgrad
beim alternativen Start auf am oberen Anschlag stand. Ein Hoch auf uns
Hardcore-Gamer.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich konnte jetzt schon sagen, dass ich
eine ganze Weile beschäftigt sein würde. OK. Wo war der Respawn-Punkt?
Normalerweise war das ein sicherer Ort, an dem die große Menge neutraler
Charaktere Newbies vor einem plötzlichen Tod bewahrten.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Aber hier? Und dann war da noch die
Quest, Preis der Freiheit. Ohne den geheimnisvollen Reflexverbesserer würde ich
vielleicht an dieser Stelle wieder aufwachen. Vermutlich könnte ich den
Eintrittspunkt in die Welt nicht ändern. Es gab bestimmt einen Grund für diesen
alternativen Start.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich blickte mich um, darauf bedacht,
möglichst flach zu atmen. Die Spieledesigner hatten wahrscheinlich Urlaub
gehabt, als dieser Level geschaffen wurde. Die Emo-Sphäre ließ das Blut
gerinnen. Das ferne Wimmern und Heulen zerrte an meinen Nerven, die Kälte
sorgte für Frustration. Es gab nicht einmal klare Hinweise.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Hin und wieder drangen Erschütterungen
aus dem Boden – jemand oder etwas Schweres lief.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Aber
egal. Ich hatte schon Schlimmeres erlebt.</span></i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> Ich orientierte mich an den Geräuschen und
beschloss, in die andere Richtung zu gehen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wie eisige Blätter hing der Nebel an
meinem zitternden Körper. Das Kichern und Wimmern schien sich zu entfernen.
Mein Herz rumorte in meiner Brust, mein Atem gehorchte mir nicht. Ich hatte
noch nicht eine Aufgabe erfüllt und mein Lebenspunktebalken schwand schon
dahin!</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Nach einigen Minuten entdeckte ich einen
großen Haufen, der aus kleinen, scharfkantigen Teilen bestand. Ein Felssturz?
Ich näherte mich. Der toxische Nebel wurde dichter und flimmerte grün. Jeder
Atemzug wurde zur Qual. Die Neuroimplantate lernten wirklich schnell!
Glaubwürdigkeit? Bitte schön, und noch eine Portion obendrauf!</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">In einem Hustenanfall beugte ich mich
vornüber. Alles verschwamm vor meinen Augen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ein Rascheln hinter mir! Ich fuhr herum.
Da! Gedrungene Schattenbilder im Nebel. Ich griff automatisch nach einem der
spitzen Steine. Den Schnitt in meiner Hand bemerkte ich nicht. Keine Handschuhe.
Die unbekannten Gestalten verschwanden aus meinem Blickfeld. Eine
Systemmeldung:</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Du
hast kritischen Schaden erlitten!</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Bitte was? Mir war doch niemand nahe
gekommen. Ich starrte den Klumpen in meiner Hand an. Er glühte schwach und flackernd.
Es war kaum zu sehen. Ich guckte genauer hin:</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Radioaktives
Erz. Auswirkung: Strahlenkrankheit. Aktuell ist keine Intervention möglich. Die
tödliche Dosis lässt sich nur mit einem Metabolismuskorrektor neutralisieren.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ernüchterung machte sich breit. Ein
grausames Spiel. Ein grausames Szenario. Meine Lebenskraft sank rasant. Meine
Beine zitterten. Ich übergab mich und brach zuckend auf dem Boden zusammen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Der stechende Schmerz ging in eine
Lähmung über. Die Krämpfe endeten. Dunkelheit umfing mich und verschlang meinen
Geist.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Im letzten Augenblick konnte ich klar
sehen und entdeckte eine zerborstene Kuppel über mir. Mein Blick durchdrang den
Schleier: ein futuristisches Raumschiff. Es war mit der Kuppel kollidiert und
hing nun dort fest. Der Felssturz – mein Untergang – war die Ladung,
die es mit sich geführt hatte.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">* * *</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Respawn</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Schwere Schritte erschütterten den
Untergrund.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Giftnebel, eine dicke Eisschicht, Heulen
in der Finsternis. Zurück auf Anfang. Ich ballte die Fäuste. Ärger, Verlust und
das Gefühl, getäuscht worden zu sein, rangen in mir um die Vorherrschaft. Wo
war das Biest, das mich angreifen würde? Was für ein unnötiger Tod! Peinlich,
nach fünfundzwanzig Jahren Erfahrung.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Was war hier los? Entwickler sollen neue
Spieler doch behutsam mit der Welt vertraut machen! Was bringt es, sie ins
kalte Wasser zu schmeißen? Der durchschnittliche Newbie würde auf diesen
alternativen Start wohl mit einem direkten Abmelden reagieren. Fertig.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Die Eiseskälte aus dem Boden drang in mich. Ich
stand auf.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Was für ein Mist. Noch war ich
interessiert, aber so langsam verlor ich die Lust. Wie wäre es mit einer
Gelegenheit, eine Stufe aufzusteigen? Ich hatte schließlich viel Geld hierfür
bezahlt.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich wurde immer wütender.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Nur meine Prinzipien hielten mich noch
davon ab, mich abzumelden. Das alles war so planlos. Was hatte ich auch
erwartet von einer Welt im Alphatest? OK, wie wäre es mit einem Ticket für den
Support? Ausführlich schilderte ich alle Probleme.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Keine Antwort. Das Wimmern und Kichern
näherte sich meiner Position aus drei Richtungen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Langsam schälte sich eine gedrungene,
hässliche Gestalt aus dem Dunst. Die Kreatur war kaum zu erkennen, aber
galoppierte auf allen Vieren heran.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ein
Kicker. Xenomorph. Stufe 15.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wo war denn jetzt der Respawn-Punkt? Und
wie kam ich hin? Ich hatte weder die nötigen Fertigkeiten noch passende
Artefakte. Das Status-Interface war mir auch keine Hilfe.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich kochte fast über vor Zorn. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Beruhige dich</i>. Ich musste raus aus dem
Spiel und mich dann wieder anmelden. Eine andere Möglichkeit gab es nicht.
Gegen drei Stufe-15-Gegner war ich chancenlos. Vielleicht war dieser
alternative Start ja nur ein Bug und nach dem Anmelden ginge es am richtigen
Startpunkt los.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">* * *</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Abmelden</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich kam langsam zu mir. Trotz der warmen
Wohnung zitterte ich noch vor der Kälte, die mir aus der Spielwelt in den
Knochen saß.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Mein Hals tat weh von den giftigen
Dämpfen, die ich eingeatmet hatte. Fast so, als wäre alles echt gewesen! So ein
elendes Implantat. Ein hohes Glaubwürdigkeitslevel schön und gut. Aber irgendwo
gibt es Grenzen!</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich trank Wasser, ohne dafür den Pod zu
verlassen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Okay. Nächster Versuch.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich gab die Adresse ein. Die bekannte
Meldung erschien:</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Warnung!
Sie betreten ein Sperrgebiet. Vermutlich haben Sie eine falsche Adresse
eingegeben.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">* * *</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Anmelden</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Der Giftnebel waberte.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich hielt den Atem an. Hinter mir waren
huschende Schritte zu hören. Ich fuhr herum. Zu spät. Eines der Monster war
bereits im Sprung. Es landete auf meiner Brust. Die Kralle schlug zu. Schmerz
explodierte in meinem Kopf.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Aus der klaffenden Wunde strömte das
Blut. Ich brach zusammen. Die Kreatur sprang zurück.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Grrrgrrr.</span></i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> Geduckt umschlichen mich die Gestalten
in der Finsternis. Langsam zogen sie den Kreis enger.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich kroch rückwärts. Faszinierend, wie
realistisch sich das alles anfühlte! Verglichen damit waren die bisherigen
Spiele Kinderkram. Mein Blut lief mir in die Augen. Ich konnte es schmecken.
Mein hektischer Atem zerriss mir fast die Lungen. Das war doch kein Spiel mehr!</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Das war erschreckend real. Ich schnappte
nach Luft. Instinkte aus meinem Unterbewusstsein durchbrachen den Eispanzer der
Langeweile. Hie ging es nur noch um das nackte Überleben.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Grrrgrrr.</span></i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> Ein Schatten stürmte auf mich zu.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich riss den linken Arm zum Schutz hoch.
Scharfe Zähne drangen durch die Rüstung in mein Fleisch und rissen am Muskel.
Von der Schulter bis zum Steißbein durchzuckte mich der Schmerz. Finsternis.
Ein heiserer Schrei aus meiner Kehle. Zwei weitere Xenomorphs waren zu
erkennen. Mein irrer Blick hielt sie wohl von einem Angriff ab. Wie von einem
elektrischen Schlag getroffen ließen sie von mir ab. Sie umkreisten mich,
hysterisch winselnd.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Keuchend griff ich das Monster mit
meiner Rechten am Hals und zog es von meinem linken Arm. Seine Fratze war
hassverzerrt. Die Augen funkelten gierig, während seine Kiefer Stück von <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">meinem</i> Fleisch zermahlten.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Meine Sinne begannen zu schwinden. Wie
ein Berserker schlug ich den Kopf der Kreatur auf den Boden. Wieder und wieder
und wieder. Gurgelndes Schnappen, brechende Knochen. Meine Wut forderte ihren
Tribut und ich machte immer weiter.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Du
hast eine neue Stufe erreicht!</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die Meldung wirkte wie ein Eimer
Eiswasser. Auf einen Schlag war ich nüchtern.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Mein Griff erschlaffte. Ich sah mich um,
aber die anderen beiden Xenomorphs waren verschwunden. Ihr haarsträubendes,
irres Kichern war nicht mehr zu hören. Um mich herum Stille. Die Meldung
veränderte sich:</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Du
hast eine neue Stufe erreicht!</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Glückwunsch!
Du hast eine einzigartige menschliche Fertigkeit erhalten: Berserker. Sobald
deine Gesundheit unter 5 % fällt, durchbrichst du im unbewaffneten Kampf
jede Verteidigung des Gegners und verursachst ausschließlich kritischen
Schaden.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Dein
Anblick versetzt deine Feinde in Schrecken. Sie fliehen und können dich nicht
angreifen.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich klappte auf dem blutbesudelten Boden
zusammen. Das Eis war teilweise zu kleinen, roten Pfützen geschmolzen. Ich
zitterte noch immer. Dann übergab ich mich. Was für ein Albtraum. Ich ekelte
mich, wie nie zuvor. Ein Summen durchbrach die durchdringende Stille.</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Mein linker Arm hing nutzlos hinab. Ich
spürte ihn nicht mehr.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Meine Lebenskraft war nahezu erloschen.
Der Schmerz ließ nicht nach. Blut troff aus meinen Wunden. Das sollte die
Zukunft der Spiele sein?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">* * *</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die Berserker-Fähigkeit schien noch zu
wirken. Vor lauter Qual konnte ich weder klar denken noch sehen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich hatte nichts, um die Blutung zu
stillen. Keinen Stofffetzen, um einen Verband anzulegen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Mein Blick fiel auf den erschlagenen
Xenomorph.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Beute war Beute. Auch wenn mein Magen
rebellierte. Das ganze Gameplay verstieß gegen alle Konventionen. Dieser Kicker
zum Beispiel. Was für ein Monster soll das denn sein? Einfach nur ein Affe mit
gefährlichen Zähnen und Klauen. Und die Gegend? Furchteinflößend? Pah! Ich war
schon in Welten, in denen meine Zähne buchstäblich klapperten, weil es so
unheimlich war oder die Gegner so grauenhaft waren! Und hier? Eine Einöde mit
Gift und Affen. Kinderspiel. Vielleicht ein Hauch von Ungewissheit.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Keine echte Herausforderung, oder?
Allerdings konnte ich meine Hand nicht mehr bewegen. Das Blut tropfte heiß und
klebrig von meinen Fingern. Mit jedem Atemzug verlor ich Lebenspunkte und fühlte
mich kränker. Na, selbst probieren?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Meine inneren Schweinehunde zogen sich
zurück.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich kniete mich neben den Xenomorph und
dreht ihn auf den Rücken. Hast du gut gefrühstückt, du Mistkerl?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Sein Gesicht war eine blutige Masse. Der
Schädel geborsten. Die Zähne herausgebrochen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Gab es noch was zu durchsuchen? Das war
doch nur noch ein Haufen Müll. Für wen hielten sich die Entwickler eigentlich?
Er hatte nichts bei sich. Verdammt! Nur Haut und Haar. Muss ich ihn
aufschneiden?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Zimperlich (und ich hatte mich nie für
zart besaitet gehalten) berührte ich seinen Bauch. Ah! Clever! Ein Beutel wie
bei einem Känguru.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Als erstes kam ein Brocken Schleim
heraus. Ich hielt ihn in der Hand und untersuchte ihn.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ein
Symbiont. Entzieht normalerweise 100 Lebenspunkte. Stellt bei Verwundung
einmalig 1000 Lebenspunkte wieder her. Metabolismus kompatibel mit
Kickern, Dargianern und den Haash. Auswirkungen auf den menschlichen
Metabolismus: unbekannt. Bisher wurden keine Versuche an Menschen durchgeführt.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Meine Neugier war geweckt. Aber dieser
Klumpen war zu eklig, um ihn zu verzehren. Aber wie könnte ich das Ding sonst
nutzen?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Eine Art Tentakel bildete sich. Es hatte
wohl Blut gerochen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Vorsicht
ist besser als Nachsicht.</span></i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">
Ich verstaute meine Beute in einer meiner Taschen und suchte und lauschte
weiter. Wie sagt man doch: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Zu viel
Vorsicht gibt es nicht</i>? Ich stimmte voll und ganz zu!</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Es sah nicht so aus, als würde hier
demnächst jemand wieder zum Leben erwachen. Das Blut war bereits geronnen. Mein
Schmerz ließ nach. Ich rang noch immer nach Luft, aber der Lebenspunktebalken
füllte sich langsam. In meinem Zustand sollte ich besser jedem Kampf aus dem
Weg gehen. Umsicht und schnelles Handeln waren gefragt, bevor die Xenomorphs zurückkehrten.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Plötzlich schoss mir ein Gedanke durch
den Kopf: Was wusste ich überhaupt über den Phantom-Server?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Offensichtlich nichts, bis auf das
soeben Erlebte. Von den Aufgaben war klar, dass es wohl eine technogene Welt
sein musste. Darauf deutete auch das Raumschiff hin. Und die Bezeichnung
Xenomorph passte auch dazu.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wo war ich also?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Nun, das galt es herauszufinden. Der
eindeutig ebene, künstlich geschaffene Untergrund bot keine Anhaltspunkte. Für
die Toxine galt das Gleiche. Ich musste die Gegend erkunden. Ein paar
Fingerzeige hatte ich bereits erhalten: Je dichter der Nebel, desto giftiger
war er. Auch das grüne Leuchten musste ich um jeden Preis vermeiden. Zumindest,
bis ich besser ausgerüstet war …</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich hatte noch nicht einmal bemerkt,
dass meine Berserker-Fähigkeit abgeklungen war.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Tatsächlich, meine Lebenskraft war
leicht gestiegen. Etwa fünf Prozent, würde ich denken. Ich versuchte, wütend zu
schauen, um imaginäre NPCs zu vertreiben. Autsch! Die klaffende Wunde, die von
meinem Kinn bis zu meinem Scheitel verlief, tat sofort weh.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Aber egal. Ich sah auch so abstoßend
genug aus. Zum Glück gab es hier keinen Spiegel!</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich beschloss, in die Richtung zu gehen,
in der dieser Nebel weniger dicht erschien.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">* * *</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Dieses Mal stimmte die Richtung. Schnell
wurde der Nebel dünner. Das Atmen fiel mir leichter und ich sah einige seltsame
Objekte.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Leider sprachen sie nicht für einen
begnadeten Grafiker. Hier mussten extrem hohe Temperaturen geherrscht haben.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich untersuchte den Schauplatz. Eine Oberfläche
wie geschmolzenes Glas, durchdrungen von Luftblasen. Zwecklos. Das
Status-Interface zeigte nichts an. Wussten die Entwickler überhaupt, was sie
hier geschaffen hatten? Oder waren das alles plan- und ziellose Fingerübungen?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Absurd?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wer schon einmal den ersten Prototyp von
irgendwas getestet hat, weiß, dass das nicht so ist. Das Setting erinnerte mich
genau daran: Viele leere Orte mit Platzhaltern für Dinge, die später noch
kämen. Schrecklich langweilig. Gewaltige Einöden, in denen auch nach Meilen
nichts zu finden war.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Moment! Endlich erwachte das
Status-Interface zum Leben.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wenn ich mich konzentrierte, konnte ich
in den Ausschmelzungen die verschwommenen Umrisse von Dingen sehen. Leider
keine Details.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Aber bestimmt wertvoll.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die glasartig gewordene Oberfläche wies
einige Risse auf. Ich untersuchte ein paar dieser Stellen mit der Faust. Bloß
nicht zu fest zuschlagen. Oh, diese Schmerzen! Nach und nach füllte sich mein
Lebenspunktebalken. Das hatte ich schon schneller gesehen! Es waren bestimmt zehn
Minuten seit dem Kampf gegen den Xenomorph vergangen, aber noch immer tat mir
alles weh.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Was war hier verborgen? Ich musste es
herausfinden. Jahrzehntelange Erfahrung verriet mir, dass schon lange niemand
mehr hier gewesen war. Vielleicht war ich überhaupt der erste Abenteurer an
diesem Ort! Ob unbezahlbare Schätze auf mich warteten? Dinge, die es nur ein
einziges Mal gab?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">So. Schon sabberte ich vor Eifer. Die
Beute zurückzulassen wäre echt lässig –aber auch ein großes Verbrechen.
Das galt besonders für jemanden wie mich, der praktisch nichts besaß.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Was steckte hier drin?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ein Schauer rann mir den Rücken hinab.
Wurde ich beobachtet? War ich nur ein lästiges Insekt, das im nächsten
Augenblick zerquetscht werden würde?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich hielt inne und spähte um mich.
Nichts. Dunkelheit, dazwischen die gläsernen Hügel.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die Umrisse darin waren etwas klarer.
Da, eine Systemmeldung:</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Verborgene
Objekte können nur mit einem Mind-Expander genauer untersucht werden.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Du
benötigst ein entsprechendes Implantat oder einen tragbaren Scanner. Du kannst
das Hindernis auch mit einem geeigneten Werkzeug deiner Wahl zerstören. Chance,
das Objekt zu zerstören: 90 %.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">War ja klar. Ich seufzte. Implantat
hier, Implantat da. Wo fand ich die Dinger?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Aber egal. Ich könnte später zurückkehren.
Ich rief die Karte auf. Aha! Da hatte ich das radioaktive Erz gefunden. Und
hier war ich jetzt. Ich markierte den Ort. Ich musste unbedingt bei nächster
Gelegenheit eine Ausgrabung organisieren.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Gut, mein Lebenspunktebalken stand jetzt
bei dreißig Prozent. Weitere Meldungen blinkten auf. Ich hatte
Fertigkeitenpunkte, aber nichts, wofür ich sie ausgeben konnte. Alle Zweige des
Talentbaums waren gesperrt.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Und noch immer keine Antwort auf mein
Supportticket …</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">* * *</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Langsam schleppte ich mich auf ein
gelbliches Leuchten in der Ferne zu. Ich war jetzt schon eine ganze Stunde
hier. Meine ersten Eindrücke waren durchwachsen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die Gegend änderte sich. Kein Giftnebel.
Gut so. Die Kuppel neigte sich in diesem Bereich dem Boden zu. Es gab auch mehr
geschmolzene Objekte. Letztere waren größer und erinnerten an mir nicht
vertraute Apparate, seltsame Chimären, Säulen und Bögen, die Räume miteinander
verbanden. Mehrere Lichter sorgten für gute Sicht. Einige der Formen glommen
schwach. Die Schäden waren zuerst nur noch oberflächlich, dann gar nicht
vorhanden.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Hinter mir musste das Epizentrum einer
lang vergangenen Katastrophe liegen. Unterbewusst erwartete ich, dass jeden
Augenblick ein normales Spiel starten würde: NPCs mit niedriger Stufe,
beschäftigt mit Aufräumarbeiten.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich sah mir einige der großen Apparate
genauer an. Von den meisten waren nur Gerippe übrig. Jemand hatte sie
vollkommen ausgeschlachtet. Damit wurden die Artefakte in den Ausschmelzungen
noch wertvoller.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich brauchte unbedingt ein geeignetes Werkzeug,
um sie aufzubrechen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">In Gedanken versunken bemerkte ich die
neue Gefahr nicht. Der Untergrund wurde steiler und bildete einen riesigen
Einschlagkrater, aus dem mich zerborstene Beton- und Stahlträger wie ein
schlechtes Gebiss höhnisch anlachten. Verschlungene Kabelbündel überall. Ich
rutschte aus und verlor das Gleichgewicht. Während ich den Hang
hinabschlitterte, fügten mir die Kanten des Metallschrotts immer wieder
Schnittwunden zu.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Irgendwann konnte ich ein verrostetes
Rohrstück greifen und mich festhalten. Ich wagte einen Blick nach unten.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Es ging mindestens fünfzehn Meter in die
Tiefe. Der gelbe Schein drang aus einem hässlichen Schlund, umrahmt mit
glänzendem Metall, hervor. Der Krater war wirklich tief. In der Mitte fielen
die Wände fast senkrecht ab. Ich suchte festeren Halt an den alten
Rohrleitungen. Sie knarzten bedrohlich. Vor mir erstreckte sich ein
schauerliches Panorama: Mumifizierte Überreste bedeckten die steilen Hänge.
Überall steckten Körperteile von unbekannten Kreaturen zwischen den verbogenen
Leitungen und Kabeln fest. Mehrere Stahlseile verschwanden in einem Loch am
Grund. Daneben eine Art notdürftiges geschweißtes Tragwerk, das erst
nachträglich entstanden sein konnte.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Nachdem meine Augen sich an das dämmrige
Gelb gewöhnt hatten, konnte ich weitere Details erspähen. Das schien ein
regelmäßig genutzter Weg und gleichzeitig Schauplatz vieler verzweifelter
Kämpfe zu sein. Nur wenige der auf den Stahlträgern aufgespießten Körper sahen
so aus, als wären sie zufällig hinabgefallen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Mir wurde ganz schwindelig und ich
umfasste die langsam zerbröselnden Rohre fester.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Sauerstoffmangel!
‒2 Punkte auf Stärke, Ausdauer, Beweglichkeit und Wahrnehmung. Wenn du dir
nicht bald ein Metabolismusimplantat besorgst, stirbst du.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich weiß, ich weiß.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ganz ruhig jetzt. Ich wartete ab, bis
der Schwindelanfall vorüber war. Zum Glück!</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Unter mir hetzten lange Schatten durch
den Krater. Gedämpftes Kreischen war in der dünnen Luft zu hören, als etwa ein
Dutzend drahtige Kreaturen unter mir ins Blickfeld traten und die Behelfsbrücke
hinauf huschten. Sie waren – bis auf Sklavenhalsbänder – nackt.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich nahm einen davon ins Visier. Sofort
tat das Status-Interface seine Arbeit:</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ein
Haash. Fühlender Xenomorph. Stufe 17. Pilot. Gegenwärtiger Status: Gefangener.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Fühlend vielleicht. Aber die Statur gab
mir sehr zu denken. Der Haash war knapp zwei Meter fünfzig groß, dünn, aber
extrem kräftig. Sein Kopf glich einem Reptil. Die langen Arme endeten in vier
mehrgliedrigen Fingern.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich versuchte, mit der Umgebung zu
verschmelzen. Immer mehr Schatten kamen hervor und kraxelten nach oben. Dieses
Mal waren es untersetzte Krieger in Rüstung.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wieder wollte ich mehr wissen:</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ohne
Mind-Expander kannst du Gegner in Druckanzügen nicht erkennen. Suche und
installiere das Implantat, um die Rüstungs- und Waffenwerte deiner Gegner zu
ermitteln.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Das wird sich noch zeigen! Die
untersetzten Gnome wirkten vertraut.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich sah weiter zu. Die Haash waren
hinter dem oberen Kraterrand verschwunden.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die Gnome kletterten ebenso gewandt
hinterher, wenn auch mit deutlich mehr Lärm. Das Summen ihrer Mikromotoren und
das Klirren ihres Stahls wurden selbst in der dünnen Luft weit getragen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ein Raubzug! Das war ein Raubzug!</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich zählte etwa fünfzig der gedrungenen
Gestalten. Ihnen folgten ein paar noch seltsamere Kreaturen, die wie Quallen
durch die Luft schwebten.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die
Führer</span></i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">, informierte mich das
Interface.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Mir rann es kalt den Rücken herunter.
Rein metaphorisch gesprochen, natürlich, denn tatsächlich schwitzte ich vor
lauter Angst, entdeckt zu werden.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die Führer waren wohl die treibende
Kraft hinter dem Raubzug. Ich folgte der Gruppe mit zusammengekniffenen Augen.
Die gelartigen Körper waren von einer knorpeligen Substanz durchzogen und
vollgestopft mit Cyber-Modulen. Plötzlich streifte einer der Führer ein scharf
aussehendes Schrottteil. Ha, das war sein Ende! Pustekuchen. Ein Kraftfeld
blitzte auf und das Metall schmolz. Der durchscheinende Körper wurde von einem
sichtbaren Netz durchzogen. Es wirkte wie glühende Drähte. Das mussten die
Leitungen sein, die die Implantate miteinander verbanden.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Gefährlich!</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Etwa ein Dutzend schwer beladene Haash
bildeten die Nachhut. Trotz ihrer Stärke und Ausdauer brachen sie unter der
schieren Last der riesigen Kisten fast zusammen, während sie sich den Anstieg
hochquälten.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich widmete mich den zuvor empfangenen
Daten, indem ich den Blick fest auf den letzten Haash richtete:</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ein
Haash. Fühlender Xenomorph. Stufe 21. Pilot. Gegenwärtiger Status:
Gefangener.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Gefangene
können durch Zerstören des Controllers im Kragen befreit werden. Diese Aktion
wirkt sich auf deinen Ruf aus. Nicht alle Menschen sind mit der Befreiung von
Xenomorphs einverstanden. Je nach Xenophobie fällt dein Standing bei den
entsprechenden Menschengruppen.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Endlich gute Nachrichten! Ich hatte
schon befürchtet, das hier wäre ein Spiel für richtig komische Käuze.
Andererseits: Es gab Spieler, die gerne als Goblin, Ork oder andere mythische
Kreatur auf die Reise gingen. Warum nicht auch als Xenomorph?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Während ich diesen Gedanken nachhing,
waren die letzten Haash aus dem Krater geklettert und aus meinem Blickfeld
verschwunden.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Erleichtert seufzte ich auf. Wohin zog
der Trupp wohl? Hoffentlich waren sie nicht hinter meinen Schätzen her.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Beruhige
dich,</span></i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> ermahnte ich mich. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kein Grund, gierig zu werden.</i> Für
Stufe 2 war ich schon weit gekommen. Ich sah mir die fast senkrecht
abfallenden Kraterwände und aufgespießten, mumifizierten Gestalten noch einmal
an. Das war die Gelegenheit, meine Ausrüstung zu ergänzen. Ohne Waffen und andere
Extras wäre der Abstieg einfach zu riskant.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">* * *</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich wandte dem Tragwerk den Rücken zu
und entschloss, auf der anderen Seite zu beginnen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Dabei stellte ich fest, dass mein erster
Eindruck mich getäuscht hatte. Das hier war gar kein Krater. Es war ein
gewaltiges Loch. Wie es entstanden war und warum die Wände so steil abfielen,
war noch unklar.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich kämpfte mich durch das Chaos
verbogener Teile. Das Ganze ähnelte einer Schichttorte. Leider wusste der
Bäcker offensichtlich nicht, was er tat.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Dicke Metallplatten zwischen kompakten,
technogenen Füllungen aus unterschiedlich starken Rohrleitungen, Kabelkanälen
(die ich anfänglich für Baustahlträger gehalten hatte), mir unbekannten
Apparaturen und schmalen Servicetunneln.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Insgesamt zählte ich fünf dieser
Schichten. Aus dem teilweise gefledderten, zerborstenen und geschmolzenen
Sammelsurium standen mechanische Skelette heraus, die miteinander verwoben
einen instabilen, trügerischen Halt boten.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Vorsichtig und langsam kletterte ich
daran entlang. Immer wieder gaben einzelne dieser Haltepunkte unter meinem Fuß
oder meiner Hand nach. Häufig rissen sie dabei andere Objekte mit und rasten in
einer lauten Lawine in die Tiefe. Ein Absturz wäre mein sicherer Tod. Dazu kam
noch, dass mein Respawn-Punkt ungünstig gelegen war: Ich wollte nicht
riskieren, dem Überfallkommando über den Weg zu laufen, das gerade aufgebrochen
war.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Bei jedem Geräusch hielt ich inne und
wartete erst ab, ob jemand nach dem Ursprung des Getöses suchen würde. Doch mit
jedem zurückgelegten Meter gewann ich an Sicherheit, bis ich schließlich jede
Vorsicht fahren ließ. Ich kam nun viel schneller voran.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Alles fühlte sich so unglaublich
realistisch an, dass ich jede der vielen Blasen in meinen Handflächen spürte.
Jeder Muskel tat mir weh. Jede unbedachte Bewegung ließ mein Herz pochen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich konnte nichts dagegen tun. Mein
Neuroimplantat hatte eindeutig die Oberhand. All meine Instinkte und Reflexe
waren der Technik ausgeliefert. Ich <i>sollte</i> spüren, wie es sich anfühlte,
in fünfzehn Metern Höhe akrobatische Kletterübungen zu machen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Puh! Ich hatte es geschafft. Ein etwa
einen Meter fünfzig großes Rohr führte in die geheimnisumwitterte Tiefe. Ich
kroch hinein und langsam beruhigte sich mein Atmen und das Zittern in meinen
Armen hörte auf. Das würde einen ordentlichen Muskelkater geben!</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich drehte mich auf die Seite – ein
Totenschädel starrte mich aus leeren Augenhöhlen an, einige Fleischfetzen
hingen am Knochen. Ein „Gnom“. Lass mal sehen, was du für mich hast, Kumpel.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Sein Druckhelm war ein Stück weit weggerollt.
Ich griff danach.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Leider nicht meine Größe. Und zu meinem
Anzug passte er auch nicht. Das Status-Interface kam mir gerade recht:</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Cargonit-Helm.
Teil der Cargonit-Panzerrüstung. Mit einem integrierten Gefechtsscanner
ausgestattet. In der dargianischen Zivilisation weit verbreitet. Gehört zur
Standardausrüstung von dargianischen Piloten, Raidern und Spähern. Wirkung: +1
auf Rüstung. Das Gerät im Steckplatz ist ein Controller für ein
Sklavenhalsband. Es ist beschädigt und nicht einsatzbereit.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Du
kannst den Helm verbessern und an deine Größe anpassen. Dazu benötigst du einen
Molekularwandler und die Baupläne für die gewünschten Änderungen. Du kannst
auch einen Meisterhandwerker damit betrauen. Er benötigt die Fähigkeit „Experte
für außerirdische Technologie“ und die Fertigkeiten „Reparaturen“ und
„Wissenschaft“. Erforderliche Fertigkeitspunkte: 70.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Zum Glück war hier niemand
anspruchsvoll. Ich drehte den Helm in den Händen herum und entdeckte den
Steckplatz. Ich fasste den Controller und zog daran:</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Module
können nur mit der entsprechenden Fertigkeit entfernt werden: Reparaturen.
Erforderliche Punkte: 25.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Echt jetzt? Ich legte den Helm in meinem
großzügigen, einhundert Plätze umfassenden Inventar ab. Allerdings stellte das
Gewicht ein Problem dar. Bei der geringen Schwerkraft konnte ich hundertfünfzig
Pfund tragen. Keine Ahnung, ob sich das auf meine Geschwindigkeit und
Beweglichkeit auswirken würde. Würden diese Gitter mein auf diese Weise
verdoppeltes Gewicht aushalten?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ein Dargianer also. Der mumifizierte
Körper klebte am Rohr. Ich schaffte es, ihn – begleitet von einem
widerlichen Knirschen – umzudrehen. Ein Arm fiel ab. Ein paar Minuten
später war ich eher enttäuscht als glücklich. Seine Cargonit-Rüstung passte mir
nicht und er hatte nur ein paar Implantate, die ich ihm abnahm. Das Interface
zeigte dafür drei Fragezeichen an und empfahl, meinen Wissenschaftswert zu
erhöhen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Toller Tipp. Die Implantate –
Module zur Cyborgisierung – wogen fast nichts. Rein ins Inventar damit.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Besser war da schon die Waffe.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Eine Art Maschinenpistole, der Lauf
umgeben von elektromagnetischen Beschleunigern. Im Schaft steckten Batterien.
Fein, fein. Aber wie funktionierte das Ding?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Diese Information war wohl auch für
Neulinge wie mich verfügbar:</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">IMP34.</span></i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kann
von allen menschenähnlichen Wesen genutzt werden. Waffenklasse: Impuls.
Projektile werden mithilfe batteriebetriebener Beschleuniger
herausgeschleudert.</i></span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die beiden Anzeigen an den atomaren
Mikrobatterien glommen gelb. Alle mechanischen Bestandteile schienen intakt zu
sein. Der Kadenzregler und der Abzug waren praktisch selbsterklärend.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Es juckte mir in den Fingern. Ich musste die
Wumme ausprobieren. Schließlich musste ich doch wissen, ob sie funktionierte,
oder?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Das Ergebnis war beeindruckend. Zum
Glück hatte ich auf eine alte Kiste in knapp zwanzig Meter Entfernung gefeuert.
Ein einzelner Schuss ploppte. Der Aufprall hinterließ eine Stichflamme und eine
gut faustgroße Eintrittsöffnung.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die Detonationswelle breitete sich
grollend aus. Ich duckte mich schnell wieder in das Rohr und lauschte. Aber
nicht ein NPC kam gerannt, um mich zu erledigen. Ich wechselte das Magazin und
wartete.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Und wartete. Der Pulsschlag in meiner
Schläfe pochte im Sekundentakt.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Vielleicht war ich doch ein Glückskind?
Alles blieb ruhig.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich konnte mich bei Bedarf verteidigen.
Endlich ein Silberstreif am Horizont.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">* * *</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich kraxelte weiter. Der Menge an toten
Haash und Dargianern nach zu urteilen, musste hier ein erbitterter Kampf getobt
haben. Überall geschmolzenes Metall, Einschlagkrater von Energiewaffen und
manchmal auch sauber durchtrennte Versorgungsleitungen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die Haash waren leider viel größer als
ich. Alles viel zu schwer und praktisch wirkungslos. Ich rief die Karte auf,
zoomte herein und notierte meine neu gewonnenen Erkenntnisse und Fundorte. Wo
war bloß der nächste Händler für Rüstungen und Hightech? Zwei weitere
Impulswaffen wanderten in mein Inventar: eine Art Pistole und etwas, was an ein
12-Millimeter-Scharfschützengewehr erinnerte. Dieser Haash hatte sich bis zum
letzten Atemzug verteidigt. Knapp zwanzig tote Dargianer lagen in seiner Nähe.
Das Großkaliber hatte ihre Rüstung völlig zerfetzt.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Mittlerweile war ich echt geschafft.
Zeit, mich abzumelden und Pause zu machen. Aber es war zu gefährlich, meinen
Charakter an einem solchen Ort auch nur kurze Zeit allein zu lassen. Schon ein
paar Mal waren mir Xenomorphs am Rand meines Blickfelds aufgefallen. Das war
mir Warnung genug:</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Vorsicht ist besser als Nachsicht. Ich
musste ein gutes Versteck finden, in dem ich ausruhen konnte.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Auf meiner Sammeltour war ich dem
Tragwerk näher gekommen. Sollte ich nach unten oder nach oben klettern?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die Tiefe war riskant, aber auch
vielversprechend. Oben lauerte vermutlich die größere Gefahr: Mehr Xenomorphs,
Giftstoffe und Strahlung. Und natürlich die Kampftruppe von vorhin. Ich könnte
mir auch ein gemütliches Rohr oder einen Servicetunnel suchen und mich darin
verbarrikadieren.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Mal überlegen: Waren die anderen hier
alles Dummköpfe?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich sah mich um und checkte die Umgebung
ab. Aus den beschädigten Leitungen quollen immer wieder giftige Wolken, die
sich in der Luft auflösten. Damit war wohl auch klar, warum die ganzen
Rohrleitungen nicht als Rückzugsorte für die Xenomorphs dienten.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Der niedrige Sauerstoffgehalt, die
häufigen Schwindelgefühle und der Brechreiz machten mir die Entscheidung noch
leichter.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ab nach unten, und zwar flott.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">* * *</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Vorsichtig näherte ich mich den
Gitterrosten der Behelfsbrücke, als ein Blinken meine Aufmerksamkeit erregte.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Was war das? Oh happy day! Inmitten des
ganzen Schrotts war ein lilafarbener Tupfer zu sehen – wie meine Rüstung.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Sofort kletterte ich ein Stück den Hang
hinauf. Fast hätten mich meine Kräfte verlassen, aber ich konnte ein paar
Kabelstränge greifen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ein schmaler Tunnel führte in das
Gerümpel hinein. Davor eine kleine, aus irgendwelchen Resten zusammengezimmerte
Plattform. Ein Ausguck! Das Blinken wurde durch einen Handschuh verursacht.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ein Mensch? Ich hievte ein rostiges
Blech zur Seite. Dahinter verbarg sich ein Versteck.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich ging in die Hocke. Das musste ein
Hardcore-Gamer gebaut haben, der auf große Beute aus war: großkalibriges
Scharfschützengewehr, hochwertige Rüstung, vorbereitete Fluchtrouten. Nichts
davon hatte ihn gerettet. Die Rüstung war von Laserstrahlen durchsiebt.
Entsprechend sah der Körper aus. Ich musste unweigerlich an die quallenartigen
Führer denken. Das ganze Szenario trug ihren Stempel. Und die Laser hatten ihn
direkt von oben getroffen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Was mich zu ein paar wichtigen Fragen
brachte: Ich war an einer tödlichen Strahlendosis und giftigen Gasen gestorben,
aber mit all meiner Ausrüstung wieder aufgetaucht. Warum rotteten diese Körper
hier in voller Rüstung und mit ihren Waffen dahin? Oder war das ein NPC?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Leider fand ich hier keine Antworten.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Seine Rüstung sah aus wie meine. Ich
sammelte die Trophäen ein. Nach etwa einer Minute hatte ich den Helm gelöst.
Ein Ruck und – oh Gott!</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Was für kranke Bastarde. Ich biss die
Zähne zusammen. Noch nie hatte es sich so sehr nach Grabräuberei angefühlt,
wenn ich die Beute einsteckte.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ein menschlicher Kopf blickte mich aus
eingesunkenen Augenhöhlen an. Langes, blondes Haar.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ein Mädchen?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Vorsichtig legte ich den Schädel neben
den Körper. Nichts wie weg hier! Aber halt.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Arbido hatte Recht gehabt. Drei Jahre
als Paladin hatten meine Reaktionen geformt. Das hier war nicht die Kristallsphäre.
Und ich war weit von Stufe 430 entfernt.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich versuchte, nicht auf den Schädel zu
blicken, und nahm den Helm an mich.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Drinnen alles sauber. Das war gut. Es
waren wohl doch keine toten Spieler, die hier lagen. Vielleicht ein morbides
Detail der Grafiker?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich setzte den Helm auf. Die
Verriegelung griff. Der Halsring schloss sich. Das milchig-trübe Visier wurde
klar. Eine Reihe unverständlicher Systemmeldungen blitzte auf. Mit einem
Zischen flackerten Lichter am Helmrand, bevor sie wieder erloschen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Du
leidest nicht mehr an Sauerstoffmangel,</span></i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> informierte mich das Status-Interface, nur um mir
sofort darauf einen Schrecken zu versetzen: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Warnung!
Die Batterie des Lebenserhaltungssystems ist schwach. Gefahr!</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Dafür hatte ich hoffentlich eine Lösung
parat. Ich griff nach einem beschädigten Gewehr und sah mir den Schaft an. Wie
vermutet steckten darin zwei atomare Mikrobatterien. Wer sagts denn!</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Einen Batteriewechsel später leuchtete
die Stromversorgungsanzeige in schwachem Grün.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ausgezeichnet.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Handschuhe wären jetzt auch gut. Die
Blasen in meinen Handflächen waren aufgeplatzt und wässerten. Dazu musste ich
nicht genauer hinsehen; der Schmerz war Erinnerung genug.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Kaum hatte ich die Handschuhe angezogen,
erschien eine neue Meldung:</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Du
hast jetzt einen vollständigen leichten Druckanzug.</span></i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Das bot offensichtlich ein paar
Vorteile. Ich war nun resistent gegen den Giftnebel und einen niedrigen
Sauerstoffgehalt. Ich konnte damit sogar zwei Stunden im Vakuum verbringen. Die
maximale Dauer war durch die Restkapazität der Batterien beschränkt, in diesem
Fall zwei Stunden. Der Anzug enthielt auch zehn leere Ausrüstungsplätze.</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Für den Helm gab es nur ein –
vermutlich recht teures – Extra: ein elektronisches Visier mit einem
selbstlernenden System zur Schwachstellenanalyse bei Feinden und einem
Ballistikrechner, der alle möglichen Faktoren wie Schwerkraft, Luftdichte,
Windrichtung und Windstärke einbezog. Unabdingbar für den erfolgreichen
Scharfschützen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Das ist bestimmt auch für andere
Missionen nützlich. Ich könnte zum Beispiel ein paar Xenomorphs jagen. Wenn
noch genug Munition und Batterieladung übrig war, könnte ich so eine höhere
Stufe erreichen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Leider waren die Talentbäume noch nicht
verfügbar. Bliebe also nur, aufzuleveln und dabei Fähigkeits- und
Fertigkeitspunkte zu sammeln. Spezialisierungen dagegen mussten gut durchdacht
werden, damit man später nicht dumm aus der Wäsche guckte. Noch hatte ich nicht
genug Informationen über den Phantom-Server gesammelt, um eine solch weitreichende
Entscheidung zu treffen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Aber höhere Level brachten auf nur
wenig, denn in jedem Spiel stieg dabei auch der Schwierigkeitsgrad der Gegner.
Rohe Gewalt war im Kampf nur selten von Vorteil.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Was für ein Dilemma! Jagen oder
Informationen beschaffen und dabei die unverzichtbaren Implantate suchen?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Während ich überlegte, spürte ich ein
Prickeln in den Händen. Die Umrisszeichnung meines Charakters im winzigen
Statusfenster war jetzt grün.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Aha. Klappte in dieser Welt alles nur
mit Technologie?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich zog den Handschuh aus. Wie ich es
mir gedacht hatte: Alle Verletzungen waren verschwunden. Was für eine
Regenerationsrate! Allerdings war auch der Balken für das
Lebenserhaltungssystem deutlich gesunken. Es gibt eben nichts umsonst auf
dieser Welt. Geschenke durfte ich nicht erwarten.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Also keine Jagd. Batterien und andere
Vorräte hatten Vorrang.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Mein Blick fiel auf die verkrüppelte
Hand der Mumie. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bestimmt ein Quest-NPC</i>.
Ich bemerkte ein metallenes Glänzen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ein Ring?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Tatsächlich. Vorsichtig zog ich ihn der
Leiche vom Finger. Keine Informationen, nur noch mehr Fragezeichen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Okay. Irgendwann musste das Spiel ja
beginnen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich steckte mir den Ring auf den Finger
und schrie fast auf vor Schmerz.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Das Metall schmolz! Ich zog daran, aber
umsonst: Ich hätte mir schon den Finger abhacken müssen. Mein Blick verschwamm,
mein Hinterkopf wurde taub. Meine Beine klappten unter mir zusammen. Ich konnte
gerade noch verhindern, in Ohnmacht zu fallen, und hob die linke Hand.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Das flüssige Metall sah nun aus wie ein
Siegelring aus Quecksilber. Die Oberfläche verwandelte sich in eine Art Raute,
aus der viele kleine Beinchen wuchsen – wie die Kontakte meines
Neuroimplantats. Kalter Schweiß brach mir aus. Die Beinchen wurden länger und
durchstießen schließlich meine Haut.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich unterdrückte erneut einen Aufschrei,
knirschte mit den Zähnen und wand mich in Schmerz und Pein. Zur Hölle mit der
Realität!</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich keuchte, Schweiß troff von mir
hinab. Tränen rannen mir aus den Augen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Meine linke Hand pochte vom Gelenk bis
in die Fingerspitzen. Rote Blutbahnen zeichneten sich unter der fahlen Haut
feurig ab. Es fühlte sich an, als ob Plasma hindurchfloss.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Nur mit Mühe blieb ich bei Bewusstsein.
Warum nur? Dieser Schmerz war nicht auszuhalten! Wie schön wäre es gewesen,
sich einfach in die Schwärze fallen zu lassen, aber ich durchlebte die Qual bis
zum bitteren Ende.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Eine starke Aura umhüllte meine Hand und
leuchtete grell und Funken sprühend auf. Dann verlosch sie.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Meine Ohren klingelten. Durch einen
scharlachfarbenen Schleier nahm ich die Meldung kaum wahr:</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Neue
Aufgabe! Fremder Verstand.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Verfügbarkeit:
nur Menschen</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Du
hast ein technisches Artefakt der Gründer entdeckt und absorbiert. Ein
vollständiges Modul besteht aus fünf Stück. Du benötigst noch vier.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Belohnung:
unbekannt.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">In meinem Hirn machte es Klick.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich wandte mich langsam den Überresten
des blonden Mädchens zu. Ihr Schädel grinste mich gequält in stillem Mitleid
an, als könne sie mein Schicksal sehen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Arbido hatte mich gewarnt.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Nein! Sie konnte doch keine tote
Spielerin sein?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich wollte mich jetzt nicht damit
befassen. Dafür wäre später noch Zeit genug.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">* * *</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Der weitere Abstieg verlief ohne
besondere Vorkommnisse.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die Rüstung war bequem und bot genügend
Spielraum. Mit meinem neuen Scharfschützengewehr konnte ich den vor mir
liegenden Weg erkunden. Aber auch dort keine Überraschungen, Fallen oder
Feinde.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Mit dem Gewehr auf dem Rücken rutschte
ich am Kabel hinab. Gut, dass ich Handschuhe trug. Sonst hätte ich bestimmt
tiefe Wunden davongetragen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Der kleine Raum am anderen Ende des
Kabels war in trübes, gelbes Licht getaucht. Abgesehen von ein paar klaffenden
Löchern, in denen wohl mal irgendwelche Halterungen befestigt gewesen waren,
war der Raum leer. Eine Tür – von Höhe und Breite wie von Menschenhand
gemacht – führte in einen gekrümmten Korridor.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Andere Wege gab es nicht.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Eigentlich sprachen mich diese
technogenen, postapokalyptischen Welten nicht an, aber mir blieb keine Wahl.
Außerdem hatten die Entwickler es tatsächlich geschafft, mein Interesse immer
wieder anzufachen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Dumpf tönte die Stille. Mechanisch
blickte ich auf meine linke Hand. Der Schmerz und die Taubheit waren wie
weggeblasen. Gerne hätte ich den Handschuh ausgezogen. Aber jetzt war nicht der
richtige Zeitpunkt dafür.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Der kurze, im Bogen verlaufende Gang
führt in einen Saal mit niedriger Decke. Der Klang meiner Schritte wurde von
dem geräuschabsorbierenden Bodenbelag quasi aufgesogen. Weich und federnd, so
angenehm.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich blickte mich um. Es sah aus, wie in
einer riesigen, geplünderten Lagerhalle. Überall aufgebrochene Kisten und
Boxen, länglich mit runden Kanten und Ecken. Jede Menge Trennwände schränkten
die Sicht ein. Die schlammgrünen Behälter hätten perfekt in die vielen Regale
gepasst.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Langsam und vorsichtig tastete ich mich
voran, ein Auge immer auf der Karte. Die Waffe in meiner Hand bot kein Gefühl
der Sicherheit. Bevor ich ihr wirklich vertraute, müssten wir den ein oder
anderen Kampf gemeinsam ausfechten.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die Spannung war zum Schneiden dick,
meine Nerven zum Zerreißen gespannt. Ich schauderte voller Vorahnung.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Eine weitere Biegung. Noch mehr
Trennwände. Hier lagen intakte Kisten auf einem großen Haufen. Ich versuchte,
eine davon zu öffnen. Unmöglich. Ich fand weder ein Schloss noch einen
Öffnungsmechanismus.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Und noch eine Biegung. Die Umrisse des
Raums wurden deutlich auf meiner Karte angezeigt. Danach: Dunkelheit. Eine
Sackgasse?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich musste es herausfinden.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich nahm meinen Mut zusammen und trat
hinein, auf alles vorbereitet. Was ich erwartet hatte?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Keine Ahnung.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Aber das hier bestimmt nicht.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich blieb stehen. So baff war ich, dass
ich nichts von dem wahrnahm, was um mich herum geschah. Das statische Glühen
der Kisten hinter mir, zum Beispiel. Die Deckel öffneten sich wie mechanische
Blütenkelche.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich bemerkte es nicht. Später würde ich
verstehen. Doch jetzt war mein Blick gefesselt von der Leere vor mir.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Eine ganze Wand des großen Raums war ein
Beobachtungsfenster. Dahinter funkelten Milliarden heller Sterne im gewaltigen
All.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Das Panorama zog mich magisch an.
Langsam näherte ich mich dem Fenster. Wie klar es war! Nur eine dünne Schicht
schützte mich vor dem Vakuum und der ewigen Kälte. Energie pulste über die
Oberfläche.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ein Kraftfeld?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">All meine bisherigen Fragen waren
unwichtig geworden. Hier gab es so viel zu entdecken. Etwa ein Stockwerk unter
mir streckte sich ein großes Sims den Sternen entgegen. Es war in viele kleine
Startplattformen unterteilt – einige davon leer, andere von Raumschiffen
besetzt, die bereit für ihre Reise waren. Dem Aussehen nach waren es vermutlich
alltaugliche Flugzeuge.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">In der Ferne sah ich zwei Planeten. Der
eine war von gelblichem Braun und wies mehrere Ringe auf, der andere von hellem
Blaugrau und mit Wolkenwirbeln bedeckt.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich zitterte. Vor dem beeindruckenden
Gemälde bewegte ich eine Vielzahl winziger Funken. Im Nu fokussierte das
Helmvisier und vergrößerte die einzelnen Ziele.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Riesige Raumstationen schwebten in der
Finsternis. Unmengen von Fracht- und Kriegsschiffen huschten zwischen ihnen hin
und her.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Bevor ich sie genauer betrachten konnte,
zeigte das Visier andere Objekte an. Mehrere Gruppen technogener Leviathane
pflügten durch das Weltall, als wäre es ein Meer. Ihre Umrisse wirkten
bedrohlich, die pockennarbigen Hüllen erzählten von überstandenen Schlachten.
Das hier war der Schauplatz eines Kampfes der Titanen!</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ehrfurcht ergriff mich. Die schiere
Größe allein gab mir das Gefühl, nur ein Staubkorn zu sein. Was gab es hier
alles zu entdecken! Welches Wissen wartete hier auf mich? Würde ein Leben
überhaupt ausreichen, um dieses Sternensystem bis in den letzten Winkel zu
erkunden? Gab es noch mehr dieser Systeme? Ich konzentrierte mich auf eines der
Raumschiffe, die im Orbit um den graublauen Planeten ihre Bahn zogen. In dem
Moment sank es tiefer und drang in die Atmosphäre ein.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Was? Konnte man auf den Planeten landen?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Das wäre eine Welt, die unendlich zum
Quadrat ist! Wie viele Wunderdinge waren meinen Augen noch verborgen? Die
Sterne bewegten sich nicht. Vermutlich rotierte also auch die Raumstation, auf
der ich mich befand, nicht. Auf den anderen Seiten gab es bestimmt noch weitere
Planeten. Eine Spielwelt, die im wahrsten Sinne des Wortes unfassbar war.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Langsam gab mich die Faszination wieder
frei. Ich beschäftigte mich weniger mit dem Gesehenen, sondern feierte vielmehr
all die Möglichkeiten, die sich in einer so glaubwürdigen Welt bieten würden.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ein verdächtiges Geräusch riss mich aus
meinen Tagträumen. Ich drehte mich schnell um und hob meine Waffe – aber
zu spät. Mehrere Lichtblitze trafen mich von allen Seiten.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Kurz bot meine Rüstung Schutz, aber dann
hörten meine Muskeln auf, mir zu gehorchen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Du
bist gelähmt.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Mehrere mechanische Wesen näherten sich
mir. Sie sahen aus wie große Bälle mit vielen Sensoren. Greiftentakel ragten
überall heraus.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Dargianische
Kampfdrohnen,</span></i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> informierte
mich mein Status-Interface.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ein weiterer Lichtblitz fand sein Ziel.
Finsternis.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">* * *</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">In einem dunkeln, engen und schmutzigen
Transportmodul wachte ich auf. Es war provisorisch in kleine Zellen unterteilt.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Meine Rüstung und meine Waffen waren
verschwunden. Ich steckte in viel zu großen, grauen Klamotten. Und ich trug ein
Sklavenhalsband.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich erkannte kaum die Hand vor Augen.
Die Gedanken wirbelten nur so durch meinen Kopf.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Schemenhaft erkannte ich einige Haash.
Einer hockte in der Zelle neben mir auf dem Boden, ein anderer hatte die
Gitterstäbe mir gegenüber umfasst und blickte mich stechend an. Der Dritte
wimmerte vor sich hin und wiegte sich dabei vor und zurück.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Genug ist genug. Für heute reicht es.
Ich war so erschöpft, dass mir praktisch alles egal war – körperlich wie
geistig.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Sollte ich mich hier selbst dafür
bemitleiden, dass ich in eine so offensichtliche Falle getappt war? Wozu wäre
das gut? Ich war bestimmt nicht der erste, der fasziniert die Aussicht genoss,
während sich von hinten die Drohnen anschlichen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Eine Falle für Anfänger.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Tja. Gewehr und Ausrüstung waren futsch.
Aber ich lebte. Also war ich für irgendwas gut. Mein Avatar war hier relativ
sicher. Schlimmer konnte es kaum kommen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">OK. Zeit, sich abzumelden. Ich brauchte
eine Pause, musste was essen, schlafen und überlegen, wie es weitergehen
sollte.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich drückte die virtuelle Schaltfläche.
Nichts geschah. Eine Meldung erschien:</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Gegenwärtiger
Status: Gefangener. Gemäß den von dir angenommenen Nutzungsbedingungen kannst
du den Testmodus nicht verlassen, während du dich in Gefangenschaft befindest.
Wir empfehlen dir, den In-Modus deines Pods per Remote-Befehl zu aktivieren.
Wenn du das nicht tun kannst, informiere unseren technischen Support, der dann
einen Standort in der echten Welt aufsucht.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Bitte waaaas? Meine Lustlosigkeit war im
Nu verschwunden.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich hatte keine Nutzungsbedingungen
akzeptiert! Ich hatte noch nicht mal welche gelesen!</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Moment mal.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Arbido. Der Schweinehund! Er hatte elektronisch
für mich unterschrieben, oder? Wie sonst hätte er ein Konto auf dem
Phantom-Server für mich anlegen können …</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich hämmerte auf die virtuelle
Schaltfläche ein.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Neue
Aufgabe! Gefängnisausbruch.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Finde
einen Weg, aus der Gefangenschaft zu fliehen. Wir empfehlen dir, zuvor den
In-Modus zu aktivieren. Wenn du das nicht tun kannst, …</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich wischte die Meldung mit den Augen
beiseite und hockte mich hin.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Der Haash gegenüber starrte noch immer.
Hmmm.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich dachte nach. Es sah nicht gut aus.
Sobald ich hier raus war, wäre Arbido seinen guten Ruf los. Aber wieso sollte
er so ein Risiko eingehen, nur um mir eins auszuwischen? Das war Quatsch. Er
hätte diese Bedingungen niemals nicht gelesen. Dazu war er zu clever. Hier war
was oberfaul.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ein Abmeldeverbot? Was war da los? Er <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hatte</i> mich natürlich gewarnt, zumindest
ein bisschen. Was war sein Ziel? Wollte er, dass ich nur noch von Maschinen am
Leben gehalten werde? Was hatte ich jetzt für Aussichten? Lebenslanges Koma,
betreut von einer Plethora von Lebenserhaltungssystemen?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Nach einer Weile wurde die Tür
aufgestoßen. Einer der Gnome kam in Begleitung von zwei Drohnen herein. Das
Licht ging an. Die Haash entfernen sich so weit wie möglich von den
Gitterstäben.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Missmutig blickte ich den Gnom an.
Abscheulich. Da war nichts Menschliches an ihm. Eine platte Nase, bösartige
Knopfaugen, langes Gesicht und ein riesiges Krötenmaul. Anstelle von Haaren
bedeckten Warzen seinen Kopf. Was für eine abstoßende Gestalt.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich fokussierte meinen Blick:</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ein
Dargianer. Fühlender Xenomorph. Stufe 22. Sklaventreiber.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Er verfügte über mindestens fünfhundert
Trefferpunkte, zwei lilafarbene Balken und einen orangefarbenen. Mal sehen. Die
beiden ersten stehen bestimmt für die beiden Drohnen. Und der orangefarbene?
Eine bestimmte Fertigkeit? Einen Energievorrat?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich würde es nicht erraten, aber
bestimmt irgendwann erfahren.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Was hatte die Entwickler nur geritten,
eine solche Gefangenschaft zu implementieren?</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Es gab bestimmt einen Haken. Und auch
der Sache mit dem Abmeldeverbot würde ich auf den Grund gehen. Viel Arbeit lag
vor mir. Aber ich hatte Zeit.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Der Dargianer blieb vor meiner Zelle
stehen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich wich seinem Blick nicht aus.
Schließlich hatte ich nichts zu verlieren. Bestimmt war der Respawn-Punkt immer
noch an derselben Stelle. Aber ich wollte es auch nicht unbedingt herausfinden.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Er grinste, als könne er meine Gedanken
lesen. Dann deutete er auf den Haash. Auf dieses Signal hin feuerten die
Drohnen mehrere Impulssalven auf den armen Kerl.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Blut und Fleischklumpen flogen durch die
Zelle. Die Luft rechts neben mir schimmerte grün.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ein Respawn!</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Der Haash keuchte vor Schmerz und
knurrte. In Ordnung. Das war deutlich. Wenn ich mich wehrte, würde ich auf
ebenso schmerzhafte und schmähliche Weise sterben und dann direkt als Sklave
wieder hier erscheinen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Lektion gelernt. Ich setzte diesen
fühlenden Xenomorph auf meiner persönlichen KoS-Liste. KoS? Das steht für Kill
on Sight, einen Erzfeind, der sofort angegriffen und ausgeschaltet wird.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Er grinste hämisch. Das Magnetschloss
klickte und meine Zellentür glitt auf.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich stürzte vorwärts. Mein Ziel war
seine Kehle. Im Bruchteil einer Sekunde schnürte mir mein Halsband die Luft ab.
Die Wächterdrohnen feuerten zwei lähmende Ladungen hinterher.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich blieb bei Bewusstsein. Alles tat mir
weh. Meine Wut war schlimmer als der Druck des Halsbandes. Alles nutzlos.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Der Dargianer betrat die Zelle und hob
mich hoch. Er legte mich auf den Boden und legte meine Brust frei.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich konnte mich nicht wehren. Meine
Muskeln waren schlaff und rührten sich nicht. Ein paar Augenblicke lang sah er
mich an. Nachdem er sich von meiner Hilflosigkeit überzeugt hatte, zog er ein
Kästchen aus schwarzem Kunststoff heraus und drückte eine Sensortaste daran.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ein Servomotor zischte leise. Ein blauer
Schein leuchtete aus dem Kästchen. Fünf identische Apparaturen darin gaben ein
intensives Licht ab, das als Energiestrahl nach einem Opfer tastete.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Der Dargianer schaute mich fies an. Mit
seinen dicken Finger griff er meinen rechten Oberarm und drückte zu. Schmerz
durchflutete mich.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Anatomie gehörte noch nie zu meinen
Stärken. Aber er wusste ganz genau, was er tat, als er nach einem Nervenzentrum
suchte. Jetzt griff er nach dem Kästchen, aber hielt nochmals inne. Er musterte
mich genau. Seine Hand legte sich um meinen Hals.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Kalter Schweiß troff mir von der Stirn.
Ich konnte mich nicht bewegen und war hilflos, als er die Wirbel in meinem
Nacken berührte.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wieder war er nicht zufrieden. Seine
kleinen Augen starrten mich an. Er wurde nervös, fand offensichtlich nicht, was
er suchte. Ich war gewiss nicht der erste Mensch, den die Schufte gefangen
hatten. Aber irgendwas lief aus dem Ruder. Was stimmte nicht?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Langsam ließ die Lähmung nach. Ich
versuchte, mir nichts anmerken zu lassen, aber der aufmerksame Gnom hatte ein
Zucken meiner Wange wahrgenommen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Zack, legten mich weitere Schüsse in
einen kurzen und willkommenen Schlaf. Dann kehrte die Realität mit Wucht, Pein
und Furcht zurück. Das Neuroimplantat füllte meinen Kopf mit einer Vielzahl
schmerzhafter Gefühle. Es war jeden einzelnen der Milliarden Credits wert, den
man in seine Entwicklung gesteckt hatte.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Langsam nahmen die Gegenstände um mich
herum wieder Form an.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Der Dargianer lehnte heftig atmend über
mir. In der geöffneten Hand hielt ein leuchtendes Energieknäuel. Mit der
anderen umklammerte er ein medizinisches Werkzeug. Die Haash reckten die Hälse,
um in stiller Spannung zuzusehen. Der Blick des einen wirkte fast mitleidig. Da
wurde es mir klar.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Mein Gott! Arbido hatte Recht gehabt.
Dies war ein Ort ohne Rückkehr. Zuerst verwandelte das Neuroimplantat das Spiel
in die Wirklichkeit, dann ließen diese verdammten Entwickler ihrer kranken
Fantasie freien Lauf und probierten aus, was der menschliche Geist ertragen
konnte. Sie zeichneten Neurogramme auf, um herauszufinden, ab welchem
Glaubwürdigkeitslevel die Spielwelt zu einem virtuellen Grab wird.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Es ist wirklich schrecklich, wenn man
plötzlich feststellt, dass das Monster, das hinter einem her ist, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">real </i>ist. Dass der rostige Eisenhaken,
mit dem es Funken an Mauern schlägt, schon bald das eigene Fleisch zerfetzen
könnte. Das ist kein Spiel mehr. Ab einem bestimmten Grad kann das Gehirn nicht
mehr zwischen Spiel und Wirklichkeit unterscheiden. Ein Hieb und der
Schockzustand nach dem erlittenen Schmerz bedeutet nicht mehr einen Respawn,
sondern den endgültigen Tod. Da hilft auch kein In-Modus mehr.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">All das zog vor meinem geistigen Auge
wie eine Erleuchtung vorbei.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Konnten wirklich all die reglosen Körper
in ihrer Ausrüstung mehr sein als Teil der Szenerie? Waren es wirklich tote
Spieler?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Nein, das war nicht möglich. Ich
weigerte mich, das zu glauben.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Das schwarze Kästchen in seiner Hand
zuckte.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Eine Wunde klaffte in meinem Oberarm und
es roch nach verkohltem Fleisch. Zum Glück, denn der Laserstrahl hatte auf
diese Weise auch meine Blutgefäße verschlossen. Grinsend bückte sich der
Dargianer zu mir herunter. Das elektrisch knisternde Energieknäuel rutschte aus
seiner Hand in die Wunde.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Es
tut gar nicht weh!</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Meine Augen quollen hervor.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Es
tut gar nicht weh! Es ist ein Spiel. Es kann gar nicht wehtun!</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Mein Geist versank in barmherziger
Finsternis.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">* * *</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Irgendwann kam ich wieder zu mir.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Keine Ahnung, wie viel Zeit vergangen
war. Die Wunde hatte sich geschlossen. Zurück blieb ein unangenehmes Kribbeln
unter der Haut, als ob ein winziger Käfer sich dort seinen Weg suchte.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Das Symbol für eine neue Systemmeldung
blinkte. Ich öffnete sie.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich
kann sie hören: Aufgabe abgeschlossen!</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Dir
wurde ein Semantikprozessor implantiert. Du kannst jetzt die Sprache der
Xenomorphs verstehen.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">+1
Bonus auf Verstand</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">+2
Bonus auf Wahrnehmung</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Du
hast die nächste Stufe erreicht! Es sind neue Talent- und Charakterpunkte
verfügbar.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Außerdem gab es eine Nachricht von den
Administratoren. Hatten sie endlich auf mein Supportticket geantwortet?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ach wo. Das hier war mal so richtig
schlimm:</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Folgende
Maßnahmen wurden durchgeführt:</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">1.
Wir haben ein Team an die angegebene Adresse geschickt.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">2.
Der VR-Pod wurde gewartet, der In-Modus aktiviert und die
Lebenserhaltungskartuschen ausgetauscht.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">3.
Wir haben die vorhandenen Neurogramme untersucht, um die Funktion des
Neuroimplantats zu optimieren. Die Feedbacklevel wurden um sieben Prozent
verringert. Vielen Dank für die Zusammenarbeit.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Drecksäcke.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Aber was nützte es mir, zu schäumen? Ich
war schließlich freiwillig hier.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Also kein Hadern mit mir selbst. Ich
rief das Inventar auf. All meine Besitztümer waren noch da: dargianischer
Cargonit-Helm, kompletter menschlicher Druckanzug und drei Waffen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die Steckplätze in der Ausrüstung
funktionierten auch. Aber alle Batterien waren leer. Ohne Energie war das hier
nur ein Haufen Elektroschrott.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich aktivierte die Aufgabe
Gefängnisausbruch. Leider keine Tipps. Wenn ich nicht ertrinken wollte, musste
ich wohl oder übel schwimmen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Na gut. Sehen wir mal, was die neuen
Fähigkeiten mir bringen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich blickte mich um. Tatsächlich, meine
Wahrnehmung war gestiegen. Ich konnte viel besser in der Dunkelheit sehen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Was ist mit dem Semantikdingens? Ich
suchte nach dem Haash, der mich mitleidig angesehen hatte, und sprach ihn
freundlich an:</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Hallo. Wie bist du hier gelandet?“ Was
man halt so fragt im Knast.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Seine Augen wichen mir kurz aus. Er
stimmte sich wohl mit seinen Leuten ab. Dann nickte er.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Das Symbol für den mnemonischen
Posteingang blinkte. Hoppla! Telepathische Kommunikation? Mein Interface besaß
keine virtuelle Tastatur. Mit der Erfindung der Neuroimplantate waren diese
Krücken nicht mehr nötig.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Bist
du ein Mensch?</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich lehnte mich in der Hocke an die
kalte Wand und schloss die Augen. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hallo.</i></span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Das fühlte sich komisch an. Immerhin
mein erster mnemonischer Chat. Eine Unterhaltung in Gedanken zu führen, war
nicht einfach. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ich heiße Zander.</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Mir war bereits aufgefallen, dass die
Charaktere hier keine Spitznamen hatten. Vermutlich, weil ich bisher nur NPCs
getroffen hatte.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Falsch vermutet.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich sprach mit einem anderen Spieler.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich …
heiße … Charon.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich öffnete die Augen und blickte ihn
an. Tatsächlich. Jetzt konnte ich die Spitznamen sehen. Ließen sich Spieler
hier ohne dieses Semantikmodul nicht identifizieren?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Schnell öffnete ich meine KoS-Liste.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Tatsächlich. Jetzt standen hier mehr
Charakterinfos. Der dargianische Sklaventreiber hieß Rash.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Charon?
Bist du schon lange hier?</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Zwei
volle Umläufe,</span></i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> antwortete er.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Zwei
was?</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Zwei
volle Umläufe der Raumstation um die Sonne.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Zwei
Jahre? Wirklich?</span></i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> Das war grausam
und erschreckend. Waren die Entwickler allesamt verrückt? Zwei <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jahre?</i> Meine Kopfhaut kribbelte
unangenehm. Ich schluckte und versuchte, mich zu beruhigen. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hast du versucht zu fliehen?</i></span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Unmöglich</span></i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">, antwortete der Haash betrübt.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Das wird sich noch zeigen!</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wieso?</span></i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> Ich tat mich schwer, klare Fragen zu
stellen. Aber ich brauchte Informationen. Ich hatte nämlich nicht vor,
übermäßig lange zu bleiben.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Rash
ist stark. Das Halsband lässt sich nicht abnehmen. Es erwürgt dich. Die Drohnen
lähmen dich.</span></i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> Charon zählte
die Probleme nacheinander auf. Dann ergänzte er: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Es gibt keinen Ort, an den man fliehen kann.</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Die Station ist schwer beschädigt. Hier zu überleben ist nicht einfach.</i></span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wie
sieht es mit den anderen Raumstationen aus? Und was ist mit dem Planeten?</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Sie
verweigern uns den Zugang. Und der Planet gehört den Dargianern. Sie stammen
von dort.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich war neugierig. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Woher kommst du?</i></span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Aus
einem anderen Sternensystem,</span></i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">
antwortet er ruhig.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich dachte kurz nach. Ich wollte auf
keinen Fall den Beichtvater spielen, um zu erfahren, warum sich mein
Gesprächspartner für einen Xenomorph als Charakter entschieden hatte. In der
Spielwelt gilt eine eigene Etikette. Er würde es mir sagen, wenn er bereit dazu
wäre. Wenn nicht, dann nicht. Dann bliebe er in meinen Augen eben ein
Xenomorph.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">OK. Ich öffnete mein Inventar und sah
mir die Werte des Helms an. Das defekte Gerät war noch da. Dieses Versehen
würde Rash noch bereuen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Bist
du ein Pilot,</span></i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> fragte ich
Rash.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ja.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ausgezeichnet. Mal sehen, ob ich auch
komplexere Nachrichten übermitteln konnte. Eigentlich dürfte es nicht
schwieriger sein, als eine MMS zu versenden, oder?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich schloss die Augen und versuchte, ein
Bild des Beobachtungsfensters zu erschaffen, vor dem mich die Drohnen
übertölpelt hatten. Das war die Dockingeinrichtung der Station.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Der Haash konnte mein Bild wohl sehen,
denn er nickte interessiert. Sich so zu unterhalten war irgendwie unheimlich.
Aber man gewöhnt sich an alles.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Weißt
du, was das ist?</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Das
ist Yrob!</span></i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> Seine mentale
Stimme verlor an Verzweiflung.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Und?</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Es
ist eines unserer Schiffe. Wir kamen in einem großen Schiff in dieses System,
um die Stationen der Gründer zu erforschen. Die Dargianer haben uns
angegriffen. Sie haben das Mutterschiff zerstört. Mein Trupp konnte sich
hierher retten. Dann haben sie uns gefangen.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Aha.
Was wollen sie von euch? Was müsst ihr für sie tun?</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Sie
wollen unser Wissen. Es geht ihnen um unsere Schiffe.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Und
keine von euch hat etwas verraten? Selbst nach zwei Jahren nicht?</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Doch.
Wir haben es ihnen gezeigt. Nachdem sie uns gefoltert hatten. Aber sie können
sie nicht steuern. Sie wissen nicht, wie es funktioniert. Es sind unsere
Schiffe. </span></i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Er suchte nach
den passenden Worten: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sie sind nicht
einfach anzupassen. Sie müssten vieles ändern.</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Sind
sie denn flugtauglich?</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Es
gibt keinen Ort, an den man fliegen könnte.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Was
ist mit der Raumstation neben dieser? Wer hat dort das Sagen?</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Menschen.
Deine Rasse.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ist
das ein Problem?</span></i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> Ich erinnerte
mich an die Warnung, dass es Probleme nach sich ziehen könnte, mit Xenomorphs
zu arbeiten.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Sie
werden uns töten.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Woher
weißt du das?</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wir
haben uns nach dem Angriff aufgeteilt. Mein Trupp ist hier gelandet. Die
anderen sind zur Menschenstation geflogen. Dort wurden sie gefangen genommen
und dann umgebracht.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Das
war vor zwei Jahren. Seitdem hat sich bestimmtes vieles geändert,</span></i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> versuchte ich ihn zu beruhigen. Ein
Problem nach dem anderen. Gerade jetzt war der Haash meine einzige Chance, zu
entkommen. Ich wollte Charon nicht über den Tisch ziehen. Aber eines war klar:
Jede Spielwelt benötigte ein Wirtschaftssystem. Ohne Handel war kein Überleben
möglich. Wenn also der Planet den Dargianern gehörte und die Raumstation den
Menschen, mussten sie Geschäfte miteinander machen. Ergo konnte auch die
Xenophobie nicht absolut sein. Das war zumindest meine Erfahrung als Spieler.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wir
können nicht fliehen.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Sie hatten Charon wirklich gebrochen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wir
können es versuchen.</span></i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">
Ich dagegen wollte unbedingt aktiv werden. Ich spielte unzählige Varianten
meines tollkühnen Plans durch.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Es
geht nicht.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Warum
nicht? Du kennst meine Idee ja nicht einmal!</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wir
haben nicht genug Schiffe. Nur drei davon sind noch einsatzbereit. Und wir sind
viele.</span></i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> Er übermittelte mir
ein geistiges Bild. Das waren mindestens fünfzig gefangene Haash!</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wir
beide können es schaffen.</span></i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Er dachte eine ganze Weile über meine
Worte nach und flüsterte mit den anderen Gefangenen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wenn
ich ausbreche, töten die Dargianer die anderen.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Nicht
unbedingt</span></i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">. Ich hatte mit
dieser Antwort gerechnet und schon eine Lösung parat. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sie müssen nur dir die Schuld in die Schuhe schieben. Sie müssen sagen,
dass sie ihren Herren treu sind. Vertrau mir, das wird funktionieren. Weißt du
was: Ich nehme die ganze Schuld auf mich!</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wirst</span></i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">du
uns helfen?</i> Die Haash kamen näher an die Gitterstäbe, Hoffnung und
Misstrauen im Blick.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Oh Mann! Was konnte ich auf Stufe 3
schon versprechen? Aber hierzubleiben stand außer Frage! Ich antwortete also
selbstbewusst:</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Auf
jeden Fall. Ihr habt schon zwei Jahre lang gelitten. Haltet ihr es noch ein
Weilchen aus?</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Sie nickten.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Kaum hatte ich mein fragwürdiges
Versprechen gegeben, ging eine neue Meldung ein:</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Neue
Aufgabe! Verpflichtende Verbindungen.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Hilf
den Haash, von der Station zu entkommen. Frist: 50 Tage.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Belohnung:
ungewiss, unbekannt. Dein Ansehen bei Menschen könnte deutlich leiden.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich dachte kurz nach. Ohne Pilot und
Schiff hatte ich keine Chance.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Hmmm. Wenn das Abmelden erst wieder
funktionierte, hätte ich alle Zeit der Welt zum Nachdenken.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich wählte <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Annehmen</i> aus.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><p align="center" class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Kapitel 2</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Phantom-Server. Anmelden</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Charon und ich begannen sofort damit,
einen Fluchtplan zu schmieden. Zwar kannte ich solche Situationen nur aus
Spielen, aber so etwas sollte man nicht auf die lange Bank schieben.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Zum Glück waren die Gitterstäbe so weit
auseinander, dass ich den dargianischen Helm durchreichen konnte. Ich entfernte
ihn aus meinem Inventar. Es klappte. Charon nahm ihn an sich.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Warum?“ Er sah den Helm an. Seine
knappe Ausdrucksweise war manchmal verwirrend.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Hat einer von euch maximale
Tech-Fertigkeiten?“, fragte ich.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wo war das Problem? Hatte er mich nicht
verstanden? Einfache Frage, einfach Antwort – oder? Andererseits waren
zwei Jahre Gefangenschaft auch kein Zuckerschlecken. Bestimmt leiden auch die geistigen
Fähigkeiten darunter.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Ich brauche einen <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">guten </i>Techniker.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Jetzt hellte seine Miene sich auf. Der
Helm wanderte von Zelle zu Zelle bis zu einem Haash namens Danezerath. Was für
ein Name! Bestimmt waren alle guten Namen schon vergeben, als er ins Spiel
eingestiegen ist. Dann nimmt man halt, was der Namensgenerator vorgibt. Es gibt
Schlimmeres.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Danny“, machte ich mir seinen Namen
leichter. Die Kurzform passte zwar überhaupt nicht zu seinem Aussehen, aber er
beschwerte sich nicht. „Sieh dir das Gerät im Steckplatz an. Kannst du es
herausnehmen?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Problemlos zog er aus heraus und
studierte es.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Kannst du es auch reparieren?“, bohrte
ich nach. Manchmal waren die Haash schwer von Kapee. Aber ich wollte auch nicht
drängeln. Bestimmt jeder würde er am Rad drehen, wenn er sich nicht abmelden
kann. Ja klar. Wir alle wollen der Realität entfliehen. Aber nur, wenn wir
jederzeit aus dem Spiel aussteigen und in die echte Welt zurückkehren können.
Keine Ahnung, wie es mir nach zwei Jahren in dieser Vorhölle ergehen würde.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Danezerath setzte sich auf den Boden und
nahm das Gerät geschickt auseinander.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Charon warf mir einen zugleich
hoffnungsvollen und zweifelnden Blick zu. Ich stellte ihm weitere Fragen.
„Warum hat er mir den Semantikprozessor eingesetzt?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die Antwort kam prompt: „Jeder bekommt
so ein Ding. Die Dargianer geben gerne Befehle. Und sie hassen es, wenn man sie
nicht versteht. Auf den oberen Decks ist es außerdem sehr gefährlich.
Verständnisprobleme können da tödlich sein.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Was gibt es auf den oberen Decks zu
tun?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Sie suchen nach Geräten der Gründer,
nach Erzen, Energiequellen und uralten Apparaten.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Warum?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Die Dargianer reparieren ein großes,
altes Raumschiff. Wenn sie damit fertig sind, ziehen sie in den Krieg.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Gegen die Menschen?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Nein. Die Dargianer werden sie einfach
auslöschen. Sie wollen den Planeten übernehmen.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Das heißt, die Sklaventreiber sind
Gesetzlose?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Er nickte. „Ihre eigene Welt behandelt
sie wie Kriminelle.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Und die Menschen? Was halten die
Menschen von ihnen?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Charon schauderte. Sein Gesichtsausdruck
gefiel mir gar nicht.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Menschen sind böse“, zischte er wütend.
„Sie sind selbstsüchtig. Alle anderen sind Gegner für sie.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Vermutlich wurde die Station, zu der ich
fliehen wollte, von Gamer-Clans kontrolliert. Warum diese Aggressivität
gegenüber den Xenomorphs? Ich musste aufpassen, nicht zwischen die Räder der
Kriegsparteien zu geraten.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Meine Lösung behielt ich vorerst für
mich. Sie würde Charon gar nicht gefallen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Mittlerweile hatte Danezerath das Modul montiert.
Er trat von einem Bein aufs andere und blickte immer wieder herüber.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Und? Komm zur Sache.“ Mein rüder Ton
schien ihn nicht zu stören. „Sag an!“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Ich habe es repariert.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Prima. Sogar beeindruckend. „Dann lass
es uns testen. Kannst du mein Halsband deaktivieren?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Nein.“ Er sah mich schuldbewusst an.
„Ich benötige eine Energiequelle.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Schade. Pack es in dein Inventar.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich wandte mich Charon zu: „Wir brauchen
atomare Mikrobatterien. Sieben bis acht Stück sollten reichen. Schaffst du
das?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Er dachte nach. „Wenn halb geladen
ausreicht. Gleich werden wir zum Arbeitseinsatz geholt. Ich kümmere mich um die
Batterien. Was ist dein Fluchtplan?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Ich arbeite daran.“ Noch war ich nicht
bereit, meine Trümpfe zu offenbaren. Wenn ich mir das Verhalten der Haash so
ansah, waren die meisten von ihnen gebrochen. Sie hatten sich ihrem Schicksal
ergeben und fürchteten die Dargianer. Solchen Leuten vertraut man besser keine
Geheimnisse an. Das wäre dämlich.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Zum Glück musste ich keine weiteren
Fragen beantworten, denn der Sklaventreiber kam. Er trug einen Raumanzug. Ohne
etwas zu sagen, schloss er die Zellen auf und ging wieder.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die Haash schnappten sich ihre
Ausrüstung. Ich folgte ihrem Beispiel und reihte mich ein. Im einem Gang wurden
unter Aufsicht von etwa einem Dutzend Drohnen Mikrobatterien vom Dargianer
ausgegeben: eine pro Nase. Ich schob meine in den Batterieschacht. Dreißig
Prozent Restladung. Nicht viel.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Das Kommunikationssystem schaltete sich
ein.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Los jetzt“, kam der Befehl.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich fühlte mich seltsam energiegeladen.
Meine Wahrnehmung verschärfte sich. Mein Hass auf die Dargianer war zwar
weiterhin vorhanden, aber ich unterdrückte ihn. Es war jetzt wichtig,
vernünftig zu sein und keine Dummheiten zu machen. Also folgte ich gehorsam und
mit gesenktem Kopf. Währenddessen suchte ich nach einem ganz bestimmten
Statussymbol. Da! Die Karte war noch verfügbar. Ausgezeichnet. Ich hatte die
Umgebung noch nicht erkunden können. Abseits unseres Weges war alles vom
Kartennebel bedeckt.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Unser Ziel war das Deck unter uns. Ich
markierte einen vertikalen Schacht, der wie ein stillgelegter Schwerkraftlift
aussah. Wir kletterten an Steigeisen hinunter. Auf halbem Wege flirrte ein
Kraftfeld. Mist. Jetzt war es kaum sichtbar. Wenn einer der Haash
hindurchstieg, gab es nur ein paar kleine Funken. Aber bei einem stationsweiten
Alarm wäre sicher kein Durchkommen. Wir mussten mit dem Schlimmsten rechnen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich blickte mich verstohlen um. Die
Wände des Schachts wiesen einige halbkugelförmige Ausbuchtungen auf.
Wahrscheinlich Emitter. Ich würde die Haash später danach fragen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Das Kraftfeld lag jetzt über uns. Die
Sensoren am Rand meines Visiers veränderten die Farbe. Wir schwebten im
luftleeren Raum!</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die Erfahrung war surreal. Ich
versuchte, mich zu bewegen. Übelkeit folgte auf dem Fuß. So fühlte sich
Schwerelosigkeit an?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Mein Gleichgewichtssinn war gestört.
Widerwillig ließ ich das Steigeisen los. Ich schwebte wirklich! Ich suchte mit
den Händen nach einem Halt, stieß gegen eine Wand und prallte davon ab. Die
Haash bewegten sich mit dem Geschick der Gewohnheit weiter. Der Blick des
Sklaventreibers ruhte auf mir. Er war bereits unten angekommen. War bestimmt
ein Spaß, einem ungeschickten Trottel wie mir zuzusehen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich lieferte ihm die gewünschte Vorstellung.
Soll er doch glauben, ich habe nichts drauf. Die Übelkeit war zum Glück schnell
Geschichte, als ich zu meiner alten Geschicklichkeit fand. Vor zehn Jahren
hatte ich viel Zeit in einem Simulator verbracht. Dort musste ich alle
möglichen technischen Probleme auf einer Raumstation lösen. Der damalige Kampf
mit der Schwerelosigkeit hatte mich einiges gelehrt.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich kämpfte mich mehr schlecht als recht
den Liftschacht hinab. Die Arme breit ausgestreckt schwebte ich heraus und
unterdrückte die Furcht. Eine „ungeschickte“ Bewegung später katapultierte ich
mich von einem Sims nach oben in die Leere.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Natürlich hatte ich Angst, aber die
Belohnung war es wert: Von hier oben konnte ich die Startplattform sehen und
viele Bilder für den Fluchtplan schießen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Der Dargianer wurde panisch. Bestimmt
würde man ihn nicht für den Verlust eines Gefangenen zur Rechenschaft ziehen.
Ich würde ja in meiner Zelle respawnen. Aber all das kostete wertvolle Zeit.
Die Haash standen ebenfalls still und blickten mir nach. Die Sohlen ihrer
Stiefel waren mit einer speziellen Beschichtung versehen, die einen festen
Stand ermöglichte.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Einige Drohnen schossen mir nach. Kurze
Zeit später ergriffen ihre Tentakel mich und zogen mich zur Station zurück.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Der Dargianer war wild vor Wut, aber es
war ja nicht meine Schuld. Das Kommunikationssystem knackte:</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Denk dran: Du darfst nur ebene Bereiche
betreten. Spürst du, wie du daran haftest?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich nickte. Meine Füße klebten praktisch
am Boden. „Aber wie komme ich voran?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Schlurfen und gleiten“, antwortete er
knapp. „Wenn du uns noch mal aufhältst, stirbst du drei Mal.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Okay. Ich hatte es verstanden. Ich hob
meinen Fuß ein Stück an, schob mich vor und setzte den Fuß dann abrupt wieder
auf, um anzuhalten. Es klappte. Jetzt der andere Fuß …</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die Haash waren sehr viel schneller
unterwegs als ich. Sie hatten ja auch schon einige Weltraumspaziergänge hinter
sich. Der Abstand vergrößerte sich, aber dann hatte ich den Dreh raus. Eine der
Drohnen folgte mir die ganze Zeit.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Bloß nicht trödeln! Nur während einiger
kurzer Pausen konnte ich die Schönheit der Leere genießen und in unbeobachteten
Momenten ein paar Bilder machen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die Haash waren noch immer weit vor mir.
Wie geschickt und koordiniert sie sich bewegten! Vor uns bildete ein
Schutthaufen eine Art Mauer. Mit gezielten Hüpfern überwanden die Haash das
Hindernis. Hoffentlich schaffte ich das auch. Die Flucht durfte nicht an so
etwas scheitern! Es wäre gar nicht gut, wenn mir Verfolger auf den Fersen
wären, und ich mich nur im Schneckentempo bewegen könnte.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Plötzlich schnürte mir das
Sklavenhalsband die Luft ab. Rash trat hinter der nächsten Biegung hervor, Wut
im Blick.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich hob die Arme, um ihm zu zeigen, dass
ich nicht schneller konnte.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Sein Gesicht war vom Helmvisier
verborgen. Keine Ahnung, ob er dadurch überhaupt etwas sehen konnte. Vielleicht
steckte ein Bildschirm im Helm. Oder er hatte eine besondere Fähigkeit.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich konnte nicht atmen. Ich japste nach
Luft.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Er kam näher und murmelte unwirsch vor
sich hin. Plötzlich erschien ein neues Modul im Steckplatz meiner Rüstung.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Der Druck am Hals ließ ein wenig nach.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Sieh hin, wenn du läufst!“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Was sollte das bedeuten? Ich gehorchte
trotzdem. Etwa auf halbem Wege erhob sich eine kleine Plattform aus dem Geröll.
Plötzlich tauchte eine dünne Strichlinie in meinem Visier auf. Mein Gehirn
verarbeitete die Daten mechanisch und gab meinen Beinen Befehle, die mich in
einer Serie von Sprüngen ans Ziel brachten.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wow.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Das war atemberaubend. Drohne und
Sklaventreiber näherten sich. Ich nutzte den kurzen Moment, um einen Blick auf
das neue Spielzeug zu werfen:</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Der
Bewegungskoordinator. Eine Technologie der Haash. Kann von allen
menschenähnlichen Wesen genutzt werden. Anwendung: Ziel anvisieren, Pfad und
Kraftanstrengung berechnen lassen.</span></i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Faszinierend!</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Hoffentlich wollte der Dargianer das
Modul später nicht zurückhaben. Das Ding könnte noch nützlich sein. Ohne seine
Hilfe wäre es glatter Selbstmord, sich auf der zernarbten Hülle zu bewegen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich eilte dem Rest der Gruppe hinterher.
Heute würde ich ein gehorsamer und eifriger Gefangener sein, der jede Anweisung
unverzüglich befolgte.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Das Gewirr aus Schrott endete abrupt.
Dahinter ein riesiger, leerer Bereich.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich erstarrte. Hier war die Außenhülle
der Station unbeschädigt. Aber das war es nicht, was mich stocken ließ. In der
Mitte einer gewaltigen Plattform klammerte sich ein gigantisches Raumschiff an
die Starttürme.</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Es war stark beschädigt. Mehrere
klaffende Löcher und andere Schäden verunstalteten die schlanke Form. Die Haash
arbeiteten bereits daran. Einige entfernten verbogene, rautenförmige Teile der
Panzerung, andere widmeten sich den Versorgungsleitungen und eine weitere
Gruppe brachte neue Panzerplatten und montierte sie.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ein greller Lichtschein lenkte mich ab.
Auch Dargianer arbeiteten hier – ihre gedrungenen Gestalten waren
unverkennbar. Mit Plasmaschneidern fertigten sie neue Panzerplatten an.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich stieg hinab und machte unauffällig
weitere Aufnahmen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wahnsinn! Das Schiff musste etwa
einhundert Meter Durchmesser haben. Aber verglichen mit den mächtigen
Leviathanen im All war es winzig.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wie sollten die Dargianer damit den
Planeten erobern?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich war gespannt auf die Antwort.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">* * *</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ein langer Tag mit viel Arbeit erwartete
mich.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Auf der Raumstation gab es künstlich
erzeugte Schwerkraft. Meine Sprünge mit dem Bewegungskoordinator hatten
gezeigt, dass die Bewegung in einer bestimmten Bahn verlief. Aber jetzt musste
ich Teile für die Panzerung schleppen, und dabei machte sich die Schwerkraft
sofort bemerkbar. Der Generator steckte, so die Haash, irgendwo in den Tiefen
der Station.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Es war harte Arbeit, die mehrere Tonnen
schweren Teile zu bewegen. Irgendwann war ich völlig fertig. Die Haash waren
mir an Körperkraft deutlich überlegen und den Knochenjob gewöhnt.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich wurde auf Schritt und Tritt von einer
Drohne begleitet. Das gab mir die Gelegenheit, sie unauffällig zu analysieren.
Warum ließen die Dargianer Gefangene schuften, wenn sie doch über Maschinen
verfügten? Bestimmt wären die Drohnen schneller und genauer.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Leider kam ich nicht näher an das Schiff
heran.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Abends brannten mir viele Fragen unter
den Nägeln. Doch ich war zu erschöpft, als wir wieder in der Zelle waren.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Meine Augen fielen mir zu. Ich hatte
weder Hunger noch Durst, denn das Lebenserhaltungssystem des Pods versorgte
meinen Körper mit allem, was nötig war. Nur um den Schlaf musste ich mich
selbst kümmern.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: center; text-indent: -7.1pt;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">* * *</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ein ruhiger und langer Schlaf war mir
nicht vergönnt. Mein mnemonisches Interface piepste aufdringlich. Jemand
versuchte, meine Filter zu umgehen. Ich schlug erschrocken die Augen auf.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Was
ist los?</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich
habe zehn atomare Mikrobatterien für dich,</span></i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> sage Charon. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jede
davon hat dreißig Prozent Restladung. Reicht das?</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Haash schienen nicht zu schlafen. Waren
sie Maschinen?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich schüttelte die Müdigkeit ab. Zeit,
loszulegen. Ich sah mir die Screenshots an und leitete einige an Charon weiter.
Die Jäger in den Dockingstationen waren klar zu erkennen: sieben Stück
insgesamt. Dort teilte sich der Behelfspfad, der mit grob geschweißten
Metallplatten über dem Schutt errichtet worden war.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Warum waren wir nicht direkt durch die
Station zum Einsatzort gegangen? Warum die gefährliche Route? Hätten wir nicht
über interne Gänge oder Tunnel zur Startplattform mit dem alten Schiff kommen
können?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Charon antwortete mir bereitwillig. Die
Dargianer hatten nur gut zehn Bereiche der Station sichern können. Der Rest war
noch Teil der Technosphäre der Gründer. Die meisten benachbarten Korridore
wurden von Sicherheitseinrichtungen geschützt, die nach einer Zerstörung binnen
acht <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Seggs</i> wieder auftauchten. Ich
kannte die Zeit- und Streckeneinheiten nicht, die Charon benutzte. Das machte
es schwerer. Er war wirklich voll in seiner Xenomorph-Rolle aufgegangen!</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Was für eine Schande. Bestimmt war er
ein normaler Teen, der sich mit dem Alphatest sein Taschengeld aufbessern
wollte. Hatte sein Verstand bleibenden Schaden erlitten?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Eine kalte Leere machte sich in mir
breit. Ich hatte – im Gegensatz zu ihm – Glück gehabt. Mein
Neuroimplantat war brandneu und ich hatte mich schon in normaleren Spielwelten
an die neurosensorischen Effekte gewöhnt.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Der arme Teufel. Ich war absolut davon
überzeugt, dass dieser geschlossene Alphatest nur ein Vorwand für den Testlauf
des neuen Geräts war. Mich würde brennend interessieren, wie viele Spieler zur
ersten Welle gehörten und ob noch jemand davon lebte.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Vielleicht war das der Grund für den
alternativen Start? Natürlich wollten die Entwickler genau wissen, was die
Testsubjekte empfinden. Dabei waren vor allem Extremsituationen hilfreich.
Normales Leveln brachte keine neuen Erkenntnisse.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich erkläre das mal: Es ging hier um die
Zukunft der Computerspiele. Es wäre schlecht, wenn bei der Veröffentlichung
viele Spieler tot umfallen oder verrückt werden würden. Das musste verhindert
oder zumindest auf ein akzeptables Maß beschränkt werden. Dazu werden Unmengen
an statistischen Daten, riesige Neurogramm-Datenbanken und so weiter benötigt,
um die Feedbackschleifen zu optimieren.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Das ließ nur einen Schluss zu: Das hier
war ein buchstäblicher Kampf ums Überleben. Ich musste nach den Regeln des
Spiels spielen – rücksichtslos, aber umsichtig. Sonst wäre ich bald nur
noch ein Körper, den Neuankömmlinge für einen Teil der Szenerie halten. Nehmen
wir zum Beispiel Charon. Was, wenn er entkommt? Könnte er in der Realität noch
funktionieren oder war es schon zu spät?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Vermutlich wäre es für ihn unerträglich.
Sein Körper seit Jahren im In-Modus gefangen. Aber es war noch schlimmer: Er
glaubte ja wirklich, er sei ein Haash! Sein Handeln und Denken war mittlerweile
das eines Xenomorphs. Huh! Ich hatte es schon immer seltsam gefunden, wenn
jemand mit den exotischen Fähigkeiten fremder Völker liebäugelte. Diese Spieler
trugen bestimmt spezielle Versionen des Neuroimplantats, die nach und nach ihren
Verstand umkrempelten.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wieso ich das denke? Die Beweise lagen
doch offen vor mir: Man musste sich nur mal die Dargianer anschauen. Wie viel
Menschlichkeit steckte denn noch in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ihnen</i>?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Vielleicht irrte ich mich auch.
Vielleicht waren all diese fühlenden Xenomorphs nur KI-Module mit eigenen Ideen
und Identitäten.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Noch konnte ich kein endgültiges Urteil
fällen. Soweit ich wusste, gab es noch keinen wirklich funktionsfähigen
künstlichen Intellekt.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ja, in meinem Kopf steckt mehr als
Gaming. Wir leben schließlich im Zeitalter der Technik und lernen jeden Tag
etwas Neues. Das gilt auch für den Beruf. Ich habe ja schon von dem Job im
Raumstationssimulator berichtet. Als Spiel schrecklich langweilig. Aber man
benötigt echtes Wissen, um die Aufgaben zu erledigen. Solche <i>Educational
Games</i> sind natürlich Nischentitel, aber können sich auch als Sprungbrett
für die eigene Karriere erweisen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Headhunter sind regelmäßig in diesen
Welten unterwegs und suchen nach Talenten, die aus dem Mittelmaß herausstechen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich selbst hatte dort gearbeitet. Ich
hatte anstelle von reichen Nichtsnutzen den Buckel krumm gemacht, damit sie
sich mit meinen Federn schmücken konnten.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Genug davon.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Jetzt ging es um dieses Spiel. Der
Einsatz konnte höher nicht sein. Ich nahm die Herausforderung an.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Das wars. Mehr gibt es dazu nicht zu
sagen. Mir war klar, dass irgendwo irgendjemand meine gesammelten Neurogramme
speicherte und analysierte.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">* * *</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die Haash warteten geduldig.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich sah mir die Aufnahmen an und plante
die Flucht. Einige davon schickte ich mit Fragen an Charon:</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Dieses Kraftfeld – wie kommen wir
da dran vorbei?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Er dachte scharf nach. „Wir müssen auf
die Emitter schießen. Die Explosion löst eine Dekompression aus.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Gibt es dort Notschotten?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Er nickte und markierte sie für mich.
Mehr Fragen und Antworten zwischen uns hin und her.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Halten
die Schotten die Verfolger auf?</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Nur
kurz. Nicht lang genug. Wir müssen schnell sein. Die Dargianer schicken
bestimmt Drohnen.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Passen
zwei Personen in das Cockpit des Jägers?</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Du
wirst stehen müssen und dich festhalten. Ich fliege. Das wird nicht schön. Hohe
G-Kräfte. Und nicht genug Energie für die Kraftabsorber.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich werde es schon schaffen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Hunderte von Fragen schwirrten durch
meinen Kopf. Es gab so viel zu bedenken. Wer waren die Gründer? Später. Zurück
zur Sache. Konzentrier dich!</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Danny? Hast du dir den Controller
angesehen?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Eine Bewegung in der Finsternis.
Danezerath stand gebeugt auf. Die niedrige Decke zwang ihn dazu. Er versuchte,
den Kopf durch die Gitterstäbe zu stecken. Es klappte nicht und so streckte er
die langen, sehnigen Arme aus. In seiner geöffneten Hand erkannte ich ein
kleines Gerät. Seinen feingliedrigen Finger zitterten. Warum war er so nervös?
Hatte er Angst?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Dann begriff ich. Dekompression! Ich
kannte die Folgen nur aus Büchern. Aber die Gefangenen hatten sie vermutlich
schon am eigenen Leib erlebt.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Wie wahrscheinlich ist es, dass die
Schotten nicht schließen?“, fragte ich.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Sie sind alt“, antwortete Charon knapp.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Natürlich. Der Tod erwartete sie. Danach
ein Respawn in der luftleeren Umgebung und sofort wieder der Tod. Ad infinitum.
Ich erkannte Angst in den Augen der Haash ob dieser endlosen Pein. Sie würden
sterben und in den zerstörten Zellen wieder auftauchen, bis irgendwann die
Dargianer wieder für Atmosphäre sorgten.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die hässlichen Gnome hätten es damit
vermutlich nicht besonders eilig.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Während ich darüber nachdachte, gaben
die Haash das Modul und den Helm weiter. Clever. Wir sollten besser keine
Beweise zurücklassen. Die Gefangenen litten schon genug. Wir hatten uns eine
Geschichte zurechtgelegt: Ich allein war verantwortlich. Ich hatte Charon unter
Waffengewalt gezwungen, mitzukommen. Schließlich brauchte ich einen Piloten.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ob sie mir glaubten, dass ich sie retten
würde? Glaubte ich daran?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich verscheuchte den Gedanken schnell.
Hier kämpfte jeder für sich. Aber allein hatte niemand eine Chance.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich legte Helm und Gerät in mein
Inventar. Dann versuchte ich, das Gerät in einen Steckplatz zu schieben. Es
passte.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wieder wurde etwas von Hand zu Hand gereicht.
Atomare Mikrobatterien, zehn an der Zahl. Drei behielt Charon. Genug für
vielleicht eine Stunde Autonomie. Zwei Batterien für die Maschinenpistole, eine
für die Pistole. Auf das Scharfschützengewehr musste ich verzichten, denn die
anderen vier brauchte ich für den Raumanzug.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Fertig.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich zog mich aus. Die Haash starrten
mich überrascht an.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Wann geht es los?“, fragte Charon
gespannt. Er verstand nicht, was ich da tat. Bestimmte wirkte es verdächtig.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Nur noch kurz.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Rash ist stark. Du solltest den Anzug
tragen.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Nein.“ Ich trat an das Gitter heran.
„Kannst du mich berühren?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Charon zog die Schultern hoch. Er neigte
den gewaltigen Schädel zur Seite. Mir fiel auf, dass zwischen der rauen Haut
vereinzelt rudimentäre Schuppen zu sehen waren. „Warum?“, frage er.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich deaktivierte sein Halsband und
reichte ihm die Handfeuerwaffe. „Los, schlag mich. Aber halt meinen
Lebenspunktebalken bei zwanzig Prozent.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Ich verstehe nicht, Mensch …“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Mach schon. Vertrau mir. Ihr anderen:
Schreit und trampelt herum.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Charon starrte mich verständnislos an.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Vertrau mir!“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Verzweiflung blitzte in seinen Augen
auf. Was er wohl in diesem Moment gefühlt hat?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die Haash begannen, mit den Füßen zu
stampfen. Der ganze Boden vibrierte in einem leidenschaftlichen Rhythmus. Sie
ließen ihrer aufgestauten Wut freien Lauf; die Schotten erzitterten.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Eine Sekunde verstrich, dann eine
weitere.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Schließlich knurrte Charon auf und
schlug mich. Seine scharfen Krallen verletzten meine Haut und Blut tropfte aus
meiner Brust.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wieder, wieder und wieder schlug er zu.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die anderen verstärkten ihre
Anstrengungen. Die Tür flog auf. Zuerst kamen die Drohnen herein. Verwirrt
drehten sie sich um die eigene Achse. Die Zielsuchsysteme fanden in dem
herrschenden Chaos keinen Anhaltspunkt. Dann erkannten sie Charon als
Aggressor, denn er war mit meinem Blut befleckt.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Einer der Haash warf sich in den Weg und
fing den für Charon bestimmten Lähmungsimpuls ab. Zwei gedrungene Gestalten
kamen durch die Tür.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich nahm ihre Namensmarkierungen ins
Visier.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Rash, du Drecksack. Hier rüber.“ Ich
war ziemlich entkräftet, aber er hörte mich. Selbstsicher stapfte er in meine
Richtung. Er hatte hier alles unter Kontrolle. Er schickte die Drohnen fort und
ergötzte sich an den Haash, die von ihren Halsbändern gewürgt wurden. Auch
Charon ließ sich fallen und griff sich an die Kehle.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Meine Zellentür glitt auf.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Rash trat ein, Blutlust im Blick. Mein
bedauernswerter Zustand erregte ihn.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ein kurzer, zielgenauer Boxhieb. Mein
Herz setzte kurz aus, nur noch vier Prozent Lebenskraft.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Berserker!</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich sah buchstäblich rot. Ich sprang vor
und versetzte ihm einen Schlag. Ein Knochen brach. Noch mal. Die Drohnen
griffen nicht ein, denn Rash hatte sie ja deaktiviert. Wut und Verwirrung
zeichneten sich in seinen Augen ab. Er war noch auf den Beinen. Fünfzig Prozent
weniger Lebenspunkte. Ich wartete nicht auf eine Reaktion, sondern schlug immer
wieder zu. Ich musste die Oberhand behalten.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Du
hast eine neue Stufe erreicht!</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Der andere Dargianer wich zurück. Er
wollte fliehen. Einer der Haash brachte ihn zu Fall. Es war Danezerath. Seine
Nackenmuskulatur schwoll an, als das Halsband zudrückte. Ich bin gleich da,
Danny!</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Mit einem gezielten Tritt erleichterte
ich den Sklaventreiber um die Hälfte seiner Trefferpunkte. Wie ein Besessener
trat ich auf ihn ein. Er war nur ein Stufe-10-Charakter und daher schnell
ausgeschaltet.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Jetzt musste ich mich am Riemen reißen.
Die Berserker-Fähigkeit wirkte nach wie vor. Ich konnte nicht klar denken und
meine Reflexe wollten, dass ich auch mit den Drohnen kurzen Prozess machte.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich öffnete das Inventar und legte meine
Ausrüstung an.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Sofort sprang das Lebenserhaltungssystem
an. Es hatte keinen Alarm gegeben. Dazu reichte ein kleiner Gefangenentumult
wohl nicht aus.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Der mörderische Rausch ließ nach und
mein Lebenspunktebalken wuchs beträchtlich. Eine fiese Fähigkeit.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Schnell durchsuchte ich Rashs Taschen.
Aha! Noch ein Controller für die Halsbänder. Leider war es fester Bestandteil
der Rüstung. Wo waren die Zellenschlüssel?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Keine da. Logisch: Die wurden
wahrscheinlich auch mnemonisch kontrolliert. Ich fledderte seinen bewusstlosen
Körper und schnappte mir diverse Geräte und Module. Später war Zeit, sie
genauer zu untersuchen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die Drohnen rührte ich bewusst nicht an.
Bestimmt hatten sie alles gefilmt. Die Aufnahmen würden klar zeigen, dass ich
der Schuldige war.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich hob die Maschinenpistole und schoss
auf das Schloss an Charons Zelle. Und los.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Mit zwei Salven streckte ich die Drohnen
nieder. Sie stürzten funkensprühend zu Boden.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Charon war bereits an meiner Seite, voll
gerüstet und bewaffnet.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Lauf!“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Dutzende Augen verfolgten uns. Ich sah
Hoffnung darin schimmern, aber auch ein wenig Misstrauen: Würde der Mensch sie
hintergehen?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wer weiß das schon …</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">* * *</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Der Gang war leer. Die meisten Dargianer
waren auf einem Raubzug. Außerdem war Lärm hier nicht ungewöhnlich. Rash hatte
wohl Gefallen daran gefunden, die Gefangenen zu foltern. Nächtliche Besuche im
Zellenblock waren ganz normal, ebenso Schreie und Schüsse.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wir liefen ohne ein Wort.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die Systeme meines Anzugs hatten meine
Gesundheit nahezu vollständig wiederhergestellt; dafür waren die Batterien
stark entladen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Hinter der nächsten Biegung trafen wir
auf eine Wächterdrohne. Ein schneller Schuss machte ihr den Garaus, bevor sie
Alarm schlagen konnte. Aber die Explosion hallte durch den Korridor. Das musste
jemand gehört haben.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Zum Glück waren wir fast am Ziel. Ein
kleines Tormodul mit einem Wachtposten lag vor uns. Dahinter der Schacht des
Schwerkraftlifts mit dem Kraftfeld.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Charon und ich stürmten den Posten gleichzeitig.
Die beiden Dargianer hatten gewiss nicht mit einem Ausbruch gerechnet. Trotzdem
war wohl Alarm geschlagen worden, denn auf den holografischen Monitoren
wechselten die Bilder in schneller Folge. Auf einem davon sah ich, wie einige
Dutzend gedrungene Gestalten in einen Gang stürmten.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Bis jetzt war alles glatt gelaufen. Vor
uns der Schacht.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Mit viel Glück würde der Plan
funktionieren. Die Kraftfeld-Emitter befanden sich auf unserer Seite. Das war
nur logisch, denn Angriffe kamen meist von außen. Vielleicht würden sie heute
lernen, dass doppelt besser hält.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Hinter uns war das Geräusch rennender
Stiefel zu hören.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Charon drängte sich vor. „Halt dich
fest.“ Er hob seine Waffe. Sich an die Steigeisen klammernd, feuerte er
mehrmals in den Schacht hinab.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich ließ mich fallen, stützte meine Füße
an der Wand ab und griff nach einem dicken Leitungsbündel.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Eine Stichflamme schoss aus dem Schacht
und wurde in Millisekunden von einem gewaltigen Luftstoß gelöscht.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Eine explosive Dekompression ist kein
Spaß. Die Luft raste wie ein Tornado in den leeren Raum. Diverse Gegenstände
und Körper flogen an mir vorbei.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die ganze Katastrophe dauerte höchstens
zehn oder fünfzehn Sekunden. Das Brüllen der entweichenden Luft verebbte.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die Lichter flackerten
und erloschen. Die Notschotten hatten versagt. Wer nicht gerade einen Raumanzug
getragen hatte, würde in wenigen Augenblicken respawnen. Hoffentlich galt das
nicht auch für die Drohnen. Es waren ja unbelebte Objekte.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Charon tippte mir auf die Schulter,
damit ich aufstand. „Wir können weiter.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Düstere Entschlossenheit färbte seine
Stimme.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">* * *</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Unsere abenteuerliche Flucht und die
Dekompression mussten die Dargianer komplett überrascht haben. Sie waren
nachlässig geworden.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Schnell kletterten wir mit der gebotenen
Vorsicht den Schacht hinab. Viele Steigeisen waren von dem Luftsturm aus den
Verankerungen gerissen worden. Kurz darauf erblickten wir eine umherwirbelnde
Wolke aus winzigen Eiskristallen, Sauerstoffflocken, Gasen und Trümmerteilen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich aktivierte den Bewegungskoordinator
und wählte einen Punkt auf der Außenhülle der Station. Ein kurzer Sprung und
die untere Plattform des zerstörten Liftschachts blieb hinter mir zurück.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Das war wohl der riskanteste Teil. Jeden
Augenblick konnte ich mit einem der unzähligen Trümmerteile kollidieren. Dann
würde die Luft auf einen Schlag aus meinem Anzug entweichen und mich so aus der
Bahn werfen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Der schlaksige Haash bewegte sich
parallel zu mir. Gemeinsam durchquerten wir den schummrigen Bereich, in dem die
Dekompression gewütet hatte. Blass schimmerten die Sterne durch den
Gasschleier. Absolute Stille umgab uns.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Plötzlich eine Explosion.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich landete, die Füße fest auf die
glatte Hülle gepresst. Da rutschte ich aus und verlor den Halt. Ich durfte
nicht in Panik geraten. Schnell griff ich nach einem der Rumpfaufbauten.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Der Haash blickte besorgt zurück. Von
unserem Standort konnte wir die schon vor langer Zeit gewaltsam geschaffene
Öffnung in den Liftschacht sehen. Es sah aus, wie ein geborstenes Rohr, umgeben
von verformten Panzerplatten. Was da wohl geschehen war?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Hast du etwas gesehen?“, flüsterte ich.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Mahnend hob Charon seine Hand. Ich
folgte dem Fingerzeig.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Rechts kamen fünf Drohnen aus einem
Einschlagkrater heraus. Sie hatten wohl einen anderen Weg genommen und scannten
jetzt die Umgebung. Wie dumm von mir, darauf zu hoffen, dass unsere Flucht
nicht bemerkt würde. Ich hatte damit gerechnet, dass alle nach der Ursache des
Druckabfalls suchen und mit Reparaturarbeiten beschäftigt sein würden.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Zwei Dargianer kletterten hinter den
Drohnen aus der Öffnung.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Mein Visiersystem reagierte sofort. Ein
neues Fenster vergrößerte die in verschlissene Raumanzüge gekleideten Wesen.
Die Visierscheiben waren transparent, sodass ich ihre wutverzerrten Fratzen
sehen konnte:</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Rash und sein Helfer. Ich hatte ihn doch
entkleidet. Warum lag er nicht da und starb nach jedem Respawn erneut?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">So ein Mist. Entweder war er aus dem
Zellenblock entkommen oder es gab einen anderen Respawn-Punkt.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Das musste ich mir merken.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Noch schlimmer: Er hatte unseren Plan
durchschaut.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Er dirigierte die Drohnen so, dass sie
die technogenen Ruinen gut im Blick hatten. Er und sein Begleiter waren
bewaffnet. Charon und ich hielten Funkstille. Bestimmt wurden die Frequenzen
überwacht. Eine mnemonische Unterhaltung erforderte zu viel Konzentration. Die
brauchte ich im Moment für andere Dinge.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wir gestikulierten. Charon war besorgt.
Das konnte ich nachvollziehen. Die Dargianer versuchten nicht, uns zu folgen.
Warum nicht?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Rash war ein cleverer Bastard. Seine
Waffe sah recht groß aus. Konnte das ein portabler Raketenwerfer sein? Leider
konnte ich es nicht genauer überprüfen, aber ich hatte ein ungutes Gefühl. Er
hob die seltsame Waffe an und zielte damit. Ich folgte der Visierrichtung.
Gemeinsam kontrollierten die Dargianer und die Drohnen alle Zugänge zur
Startplattform.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wollten sie uns abfangen? Oder würden
sie den Haash-Jäger opfern, um uns aufzuhalten?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Während wir noch überlegten, trat eine
neue Verfolgergruppe aus dem Liftschacht. Wir saßen in der Zwickmühle. Auf
beiden Seiten Gegner, ein unsicheres Versteck und noch dazu unterhalb der
Sklaventreiber.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wir mussten schnell etwas tun –
aber was? Sollten wir das Feuer eröffnen? Sie würden uns entdecken und sofort
niedermetzeln. Sollten wir hoffen, Haken schlagend das Schiff zu erreichen? Sie
könnten uns in aller Ruhe abknallen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich tippte Charon an und zeigte auf die
Trümmerwolke, die langsam in Richtung Startplattform wirbelte.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Er verstand mich sofort und nickte
zustimmend.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Jetzt!“ Ich wies den Weg.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Er verlor keine Zeit, sondern nutzte die
Gaswolke als Deckung aus. Es gab keine andere Möglichkeit.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die Dargianer trödelten nicht. Die
insgesamt neun Verfolger teilten sich auf. Vier blieben am Schacht zurück, der
Rest lief in einem Suchmuster über die Außenhülle.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich musste sie ablenken und das Feuer
auf mich ziehen. Also kletterte ich weiter nach oben. Die niedrige Schwerkraft
kam mir bei dem nächsten Manöver entgegen. Mithilfe des Bewegungskoordinators
wagte ich einen Sprung und schwebte an der halb geschmolzenen Panzerung vorbei.
Ich zitterte am ganzen Körper. Adrenalin durchströmte mich wie nie zuvor. Alles
geschah in völliger Stille. Nur eine falsche Bewegung und ich würde wegdriften
und das perfekte Ziel abgeben. Aber wahrscheinlich würden die Dargianer kann
nicht feuern, sondern genüsslich zusehen, wie ich erstickte und dann in der
Zelle wieder auftauchte.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Noch wusste ich nicht, worum es sich bei
dem hohen Turm handelte, der mein Ziel war. Doch an der obersten Plattform
angelangt, konnte ich große, längliche Öffnungen in der Spitze erkennen. Ich
hielt mich am Rand einer davon fest und kletterte hinein.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Puh! Niemand hatte mich bemerkt!</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich blickte mich rasch um. Jede Menge
kaputte Geräte – wohl eine Folge hoher Temperaturen und einer Dekompression.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">In die von einer kuppelförmigen Decke
getragenen Wände waren große Panoramafenster eingelassen. Ich war hier recht
gut durch die starken Mauern geschützt. Prima. Jetzt brauchte ich noch eine
Möglichkeit, mich zu sichern, ohne meine Beweglichkeit zu verlieren. Da! Ein
paar durchtrennte Leitungen. Ich zog daran, bis ich eine Art Sicherungsseil von
etwa fünf Metern Länge hatte. Ein Ende um meine Hüfte geschlungen band ich das
andere Ende an einer stabilen Stütze fest.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Vorsichtig näherte ich mich einer der
Öffnungen. Welchem Zweck das Gebäude wohl einmal diente? Vielleicht ein
Kontrollturm?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich spähte hinaus.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Hier hatte ich die Oberhand. Deutlich
konnte ich Rash, seinen Gehilfen und die fünf Drohnen in ihrem Versteck sehen.
Ich holte das Scharfschützengewehr aus dem Inventar und steckte zwei der
Batterien aus meinem Raumanzug hinein. Sofort fiel die Anzeige für das
Lebenserhaltungssystem in den roten Bereich. Da musste ich durch. Schnell die
Maschinenpistole weggesteckt. Charon hatte noch meine Pistole.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Hoffentlich war er noch am Leben. Seine
schlanke Form war nirgends zu sehen. Er war in der Dunkelheit verschwunden.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Würde er mich übers Ohr hauen?
Wirkliches Vertrauen herrschte noch nicht zwischen uns. Ich wusste einfach zu
wenig über die Xenomorphs und ihre Sprache. Was bedeutete Aufrichtigkeit für
sie? Kannten sie das Wort überhaupt?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich war nervös. Wo waren eigentlich die
anderen Verfolger? Ich verfluchte das Zwielicht. Die Sonne war zu weit weg, nur
ein helles Funkeln zwischen den Milliarden anderer Sterne im Weltall. Die Hülle
der Station reflektierte das bräunliche Schimmern des Gasriesen. Überall scharf
begrenzte Schatten. Die ganze Umgebung war praktisch ein einziges Tarnnetz, in
dem sich überall Gegner verbergen konnten. Was gäbe ich für einen Scanner!</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Rash deckte alle Wege ab. Hier konnte
man wirklich einen Meter am Feind vorbeilaufen, ohne ihn vorher zu entdecken.
Genau das war das Problem mit der anderen Verfolgergruppe: Irgendwann würde sie
urplötzlich auftauchen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Mir blieb nicht viel Zeit. Wo war
Charon?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die ganze Szenerie war bedrückend:
metallene Trümmerteile, Stille und eine Art Zeitlosigkeit. Hin und wieder
warnten meine Subsysteme mit rotem Blinken. Mein Atemgeräusch durchschnitt die
Stille. Schweißperlen standen mir auf der Stirn – dank Helm unerreichbar.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Willkommen bei den Freuden des Weltalls.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich hielt Ausschau nach Rash. Er war
hier die größte Gefahr. Die Zielerkennung in meinem Helm funktionierte ganz
wunderbar und vergrößerte einen Bereich der zerstörten Oberfläche. Vor den Trümmern
wurde die Silhouette von Rash markiert.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich drückte den Abzug.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Der erwartete Rückstoß blieb aus. Die
Waffe war kompensiert; meine Sicherung wäre nicht nötig gewesen. Dafür
explodierte weiter unten ein Feuerball. Wo vor einem Augenblick noch der Dargianer
stand, schwebte jetzt eine kleine Plasmawolke über einem weiß glühenden
Einschlagskrater.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Natürlich war meine Stellung
aufgeflogen. Fünf Drohnen eröffneten das Feuer. Alles war still, aber Boden,
Wände und Kuppeldecke erbebten bei den Treffern. Lichtstrahlen erhellten den
Raum. Die Kampfdrohnen konnten mich nicht direkt anzielen, aber sie kamen
schnell näher und feuerten dabei durch die Fensteröffnungen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich schmiss mich auf den Boden. Zum
Glück bot meine Rüstung Schutz. Um mich herum tanzten Überreste der zerstörten
Geräte durch die Leere. Mehr Schüsse. Rotes Glühgas füllte die Kuppel.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich tauschte das Gewehr gegen die
Maschinenpistole aus. Hoffentlich taten die Drohnen das, was ich von ihnen
erwartete. Ist die Wand zu stark, bleibt nur der Weg durch die Tür – oder
die Fenster.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Das Sperrfeuer erstarb. Auch das Gas zog
langsam ab, umhüllte aber nach wie vor den Turm. Gut, das behindert die Kameras
der Drohnen. Sie wüssten nicht genau, wo ich bin.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich wartete.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Auf keinen Fall dürfte ich jetzt nachsehen.
Hier galten die Regeln der Physik. Ohne Schwerkraft war es unmöglich, von
Deckung zu Deckung zu hechten und dabei auf die Blecheimer zu schießen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Verdammt! Sie machten keine Anstalten,
näherzukommen. Stattdessen zogen sie draußen ihre Kreise und scannten die
Umgebung. Geduld, nur Geduld! Rötliche Lichter in der Gaswolke tanzten über die
runden Drohnen. Mein Abzugsfinger juckte.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Zu
früh,</span></i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> sagte ich mir. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Warte, bis sie kommen.</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">* * *</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Leider bekamen die Drohnen vorher
Verstärkung durch einen Sturmtrupp.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Statt der Maschinen drängten Dargianer
durch die Maueröffnungen herein.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich streckte zwei von ihnen nieder. Als
die Rüstung eines der Angreifer versagte, hörte ich einen kurzen, abrupt
endenden Schrei. Keine Ahnung, ob er vor Angst oder Schmerz schrie. Die anderen
suchten Deckung.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Da wurde es mir klar: das wars. Ich
würde hier sterben. Ich stand mit dem Rücken an einer Sichtschutzwand, neben
mir ein großer Apparat. Wie originell: Ich war in meine eigene Falle getappt.
Jetzt blieb nur noch ein letztes Gefecht, bis mir entweder die Kraft oder die
Munition ausging.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Der ganze Turm erbebte plötzlich, obwohl
niemand einen Schuss abgab. Die Dargianer schmissen sich auf den Boden. Was war
da los?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Charon?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Etwas explodierte. Laser schnitten durch
das Halbdunkel. Noch ein Lichtblitz. Ein gewaltiger Schatten legte sich über
den Turm – ein Jäger.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Charon war ein Spitzenpilot! Das Schiff
wirkte wie eine Balletttänzerin, als er mit schnellen und grazilen Flugmanövern
kurzen Prozess mit den Drohnen machte. Bevor ich mir ein Bild der Lage
verschaffen konnte, hatte der Haash auch den Großteil der anderen Feinde
erledigt und flog auf Höhe der Turmspitze enge Kreise um mein Versteck. Die
schlanke Raubvogelsilhouette des Jägers wurde immer wieder von kurzen
Laserimpulsen erhellt.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die letzten Dargianer gaben auf und
flohen. Wir kannten kein Erbarmen: Mindestens drei von ihnen fielen unter
meinen Schüssen, der Rest wurde von Charon aufs Korn genommen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Das Kommunikationssystem schaltete sich
ein. „Schnell, spring an Bord.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Das Raumschiff drehte sich und hing
nahezu regungslos vor dem Fenster. Eine Luke wurde geöffnet; das schillernde
Leuchten eines Kraftfelds hinderte die Luft am Entweichen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Einen Moment!“ Ich sammelte meine Beute
von den Dargianern ein und stopfte mir alle Implantate, die ich finden konnte,
in die Taschen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Dann schwebte ich in Richtung Luke. Zum
Glück herrschte hier Schwerelosigkeit, denn ansonsten wäre ich hoffnungslos
überladen gewesen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Der Jäger wurde von den blinkenden
Anzeigen unzähliger Maschinen und Hologrammdarstellungen erleuchtet. Ein
gewaltiger Sitz mit hoher Lehne nahm fast das gesamte Zentrum des Cockpits ein.
Um ihn und die Schwerkraftabsorber, auf denen er thronte, herum war praktisch
jeder Millimeter mit Steuerkonsolen bedeckt.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Charons lange Hände umfassten zwei
komplexe Bedienhebel. Überall Servoantriebe und etwas, das wie Feuertasten
aussah.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die Luke hinter mir schloss sich.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Charon blickte sich kurz zu mir
um – ich hätte mir dabei bestimmt den Hals verrenkt. „<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Haaram utaashgort!</i>“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich hatte kein Wort verstanden, aber
klammerte mich an die Sitzlehne. Während der Semantikprozessor noch versuchte,
die an mich gerichtete Anforderungen zu interpretieren, schwang das Schiff
herum und nahm dann langsam Fahrt in Richtung des Schimmers auf, der von der
anderen Raumstation reflektiert wurde.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Allein:
Aufgabe fehlgeschlagen.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Gefängnisausbruch:
Aufgabe abgeschlossen.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Du
hast eine neue Stufe erreicht!</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">* * *</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wir schwiegen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Charon war in seinem Element. Mühelos
steuerte er das Schiff. Unmengen von Daten huschten über die Bildschirme.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich lugte ihm über die Schulter.
Praktisch alle Anzeigen waren mir fremd. Aber das da musste ein Radardisplay
sein. Es zeigte alle Objekte in unserer Umgebung. Das Schiff befand sich in der
Mitte des Erfassungsbereichs. Neben jeder Objektmarkierung vermittelten
unbekannte Zeichen wohl Informationen zu den Zielen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Plötzlich nahm der Semantikprozessor
wieder seine Arbeit auf: Ein unfassbar langer Text erschien vor meinem inneren
Auge.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Charon hatte doch nur zwei Worte gesagt!
Wie könnte das so viel bedeuten? Hoffentlich war das Mistding nicht kaputt.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich begann, zu lesen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Eine schlichte Aufzählung meiner
Verdienste. Wenn es nach den Haash ging, war ich eine Art Tugendmonster. Das
klang beschämend, lustig und traurig zugleich. Laut ihrer Philosophie wurden
gute Taten stets mit den Fäusten vollbracht. Je mehr Wumms, desto besser.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich hatte mein Blut für andere gegeben.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich hatte zwei schwer bewaffnete <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Feinde</i> besiegt. Dieses Wort, so der
Semantikprozessor, spielte eine wichtige Rolle in der Sprache der Haash: Sie
unterschieden zwischen Gegnern und <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Feinden</i>.
Mit einem Gegner konnte man Frieden schließen und anschließend in Eintracht
leben. Mit einem <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Feind</i> war das nicht
möglich.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich hatte die Fesseln gesprengt.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich hatte ihnen den Weg in die Freiheit
gewiesen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich hatte uneigennützig das Feuer der <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Feinde</i> auf mich gezogen, damit Charon
fliehen konnte.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Und ich hatte (erneut) den <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Großen Feind </i>getötet. Der <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Große Feind</i>, das war in unserem Fall
Rash.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich hatte das Gefühl, dass der Semantikprozessor
die Aussage sehr frei interpretierte. Hätte Charon gewusst, dass es mir einzig
und allein um die Flucht aus der Gefangenschaft ging, wäre er wohl mindestens
verschnupft gewesen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Aber ich würde ihn nicht enttäuschen.
Dazu trug auch die folgende Meldung bei, die nach dem Lesen der langen
Erklärung angezeigt wurde:</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Du
hast eine einzigartige Fähigkeit erhalten: Freund der Haash.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Bonus:
Wenn du mit einem Haash gemeinsam kämpfst, erhältst du +1 auf alle
Eigenschaften.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Das waren tolle Neuigkeiten. Aber ich
fragte mich auch, ob ich diese Auszeichnung wohl verbergen könnte. Wir waren
schließlich unterwegs zu einem Ort, an dem man Xenomorphs nicht gerade
freundschaftlich begegnete.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Zum Glück konnte ich die Fähigkeit
tatsächlich ausblenden. Charon dagegen würde ein Problem darstellen. Man würde
uns gewiss keinen herzlichen Empfang bereiten.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich hatte mir dafür zwar schon eine
Lösung zurechtgelegt, aber sie würde Charon bestimmt nicht schmecken. Ich
konnte nur hoffen, dass er diese bittere Pille schlucken würde.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Mittlerweile war die Station schon
erbsengroß.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Raumschiffe umschwirrten sie. Zu welcher
Klasse sie gehörten oder wie sie aussahen? Schon der Versuch einer Beschreibung
würde jeden Rahmen sprengen! Ein Satz muss genügen: Sie wirkten, wie von Hand
aus unterschiedlichen Modulen zusammengeschustert, eben einzigartig und
besonders kreativ.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wir hatten freie Bahn, denn niemand
wollte einem Haash-Jäger begegnen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Schon bald füllte das Bild der
Raumstation das Beobachtungsfenster ganz aus. Die kürbisförmige, monolithische
Hülle war ein wahres Technikparadies voller Aufbauten. Der Großteil waren
Verteidigungssystem gegen Angriffe aus dem Weltraum und Raumdocks. Ich bemerkte
zwei große Schiff in den Hangars und eine Reihe von wabenartigen Startplattformen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wie eine Art Gürtel legten sich in
regelmäßigen Abständen runde Öffnungen um die Station. Sie erinnerten an
Tunnelausgänge, die aber momentan mit Druckschotten verschlossen waren.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Das Kommunikationssystem riss mich aus
meinen Gedanken:</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Unidentifiziertes Schiff von Argus. Sie
nähern sich dem Gebiet der unabhängigen Station Argus. Identifizieren Sie sich
oder ändern Sie den Kurs. Bei Zuwiderhandlung eröffnen wir das Feuer. Kommen.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Charon machte keine Anstalten, zu
reagieren. Ich übernahm die Leitung. „Argus von Haash-Schiff. Bitte um
Informationen zum Anmeldeprotokoll. Kommen.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Übermitteln Sie Anmeldedaten über
geschützten Kanal.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Charon? Halt sie an, bitte.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ohne große Verzögerung setzte der die
Bitte um. Sanft wäre das falsche Wort, aber zumindest musste ich mich nicht
selbst von der Wand kratzen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich suchte in der Hilfe nach einer
Anleitung für die geschützte Kommunikation. Dann fragte ich Charon. Er dachte
kurz nach und betätigte ein paar Schalter an einer der Konsolen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich schickte meine Anmeldedaten ab.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Leider reichte das nicht:</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Ihr Name steht nicht im
Pilotenverzeichnis“, stellte die Stimme höflich fest. „Sie können kein Schiff
navigieren. Ist ein Pilot an Bord? Wie lautet sein Rufzeichen?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wo ist die Hilfe? Ups. Irgendwann musste
es ja so kommen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich reichte Charon das Sklavenhalsband.
Er schaute mich mit – verständlicher – Abscheu an. „Warum, Mensch?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Ich bin dein Freund. Vertrau mir. Du
musst es nur kurz tragen.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wut trat in seinen Blick, gefolgt von
schmerzhaftem Erstaunen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Charon, es geht nicht anders“,
versuchte ich, die Situation zu erklären. „Ich nehme es dir so schnell wie
möglich wieder ab, versprochen!“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich habe keine Ahnung, ob er mir
wirklich glaubte. Aber er nahm das Halsband und legte es sich mit zitternden
Fingern an.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich aktivierte den Relax-Modus, in dem
er sich bis zu zwanzig Meter von mir entfernen konnte.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Es ist nur ein Trick“, versuchte ich
ihn zu beruhigen, bevor ich neue Daten übertrug: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Der Pilot ist mein Eigentum. Ich beabsichtige, ihn als ‚persönlichen
Besitz‘ einzuführen.</i></span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Überraschenderweise war das akzeptabel.
Die Antwort enthielt die Koordinaten der Andockstation und die Aufforderung,
den Liegeplatz innerhalb von zwei Stunden zu bezahlen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">* * *</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Das Schiff schepperte und vibrierte.
Servomotoren heulten auf, erstarben und ein Zischen war zu hören, als wir an
der äußeren Andockstation festmachten. Unser Vehikel wurde von den
Servicemechanismen erfasst, die es drehten und so arretierten, dass der Bug
nach außen wies.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Entfachen wir beim Start so kein Feuer
auf der Hülle“, fragte ich in die unangenehme Stille. Ich verscheuchte den
Gedanken schnell. Charon hockte gequält auf dem Pilotensitz.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nowr</i>“,
antwortete er kurz in seiner Sprache und zeigte auf zwei symmetrische,
v-förmige Rippen. Das waren bestimmt Starthilfen. Ich wusste viel zu wenig über
diese Welt und erkannte viele Dinge einfach nicht.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die Druckschotten an der Seite der
Andockstation öffneten sich. Diverse Kabel- und Leitungsbündel näherten sich
dem Schiff und stellten die Verbindung zu den Bordsystemen her. War das die
Energieversorgung?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Charon hatte noch immer nichts gesagt.
Ich wurde unruhig. In Kürze würde sich die Schleuse öffnen und wir würden ein
mir unbekanntes Land betreten. Eine Welt unendlicher Möglichkeiten. Das hoffte
ich zumindest.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Weitere Systemmeldungen holten mich in
die Realität zurück: Die Stationssysteme versuchten, mit meinem Neuroimplantat
zu sprechen, aber dafür benötigte ich einen Mind-Expander.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wenigstens war jetzt wieder eine Atmosphäre
vorhanden. Das Kraftfeld zwischen Andockstation und Weltraum hatte sich
geschlossen. Durch die Bullaugen verfolgte ich Hunderte von Düsen, die unser
Schiff mit einer milchigen Flüssigkeit besprühten. Was das war? Keine Ahnung.
Aber ich konnte mir die Frage sparen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Also los“, forderte ich Charon auf.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Langsam legte er den Gurt ab und stand
auf. Ihm war anzusehen, dass er das Schiff nicht verlassen wollte. Hier drin
war er in relativer Sicherheit. Aber es ging nicht. Er war – wenn auch nur
zum Schein – mein Eigentum. Wenn ich ihn nicht mitnahm, würde das bestimmt
zu unangenehmen Fragen führen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die Luke öffnete sich. Dahinter verband
ein Tunnel Schiff und Station miteinander. Wir gelangten in eine winzige
Kammer, in der wir ebenfalls mit der weißlichen Substanz besprüht wurden. Ein
Desinfektionsmittel vielleicht?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wieder war ein Scheppern zu hören und
Vibrationen zu spüren, als das massive Schott vor uns den Weg langsam freigab.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich trat zuerst hindurch. Mein erster
Eindruck war zwiespältig. Wo waren der enorm große Hangar und das Gewusel aus
meiner Vorstellung? Das hier war ein leerer Gang mit spitz zulaufenden Wänden,
schlecht beleuchtet und dreckig. In regelmäßigen Abständen sorgten Streben für
mehr Stabilität. In den Nischen dazwischen war es finster. Überall Kabel und
Leitungen. Vermutlich waren die Wände vor langer Zeit mit Kunststoff verkleidet
gewesen. Aber jetzt waren sie roh.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Plötzlich traten uns zwei dubiose
Gestalten in den Weg. Beide waren kräftig gebaut. Sie trugen identische
dunkelgraue Uniformen, die Westen mit vielen Taschen versehen, in denen
Werkzeuge steckten.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Der
Mechaniker-Clan,</span></i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> informierte
mich eine hilfreiche Nachricht.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Bestimmt waren sie wegen mir hier.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Mein Bauchgefühl behielt recht. Schäbig
grinsend und selbstsicher kamen sie auf mich zu. Kein Wunder. Stufe 50 und
hier daheim.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„He, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Shnoob</i>.
Du musst deinen Liegeplatz bezahlen.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Das klang wie ein Schimpfwort, aber war
nicht die Zeit für Recherchen. Das Duo war ein eingespieltes Team. Wir waren
allein hier. Es gab weder Überwachungskameras noch Verteidigungsanlagen, die im
Zweifel für Recht und Ordnung sorgen würden.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Dafür habe ich aber zwei Stunden Zeit.“
Mit fester Stimme versuchte ich, zu zeigen, dass ich die Regeln kannte.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Du kannst auch mit Beute zahlen“,
grinste einer. „Ganz unbürokratisch bei uns.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Danke, aber nein danke“, antwortete ich
neutral. „Ich kümmre mich später drum.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Mir stand der Sinn nicht nach einer
Schlägerei. Aber diese Typen würden bestimmt nicht klein beigeben.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Der andere Mechaniker verstärkte die Drohung.
„Wäre doch zu schade, wenn ich bei der Wartung deiner Rostschüssel die
Anschlüsse vertausche, oder? Was so eine Reparatur kosten würde …“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Ich brauche keine Wartung.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Oh, die ist Pflicht“, kicherte der
erste Schläger.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Zuerst zu schießen würde nichts bringen.
Sie mussten <i>mich</i> angreifen. Dann hätte ich nur mein Recht auf
Selbstverteidigung genutzt.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Versuchs doch.“ Meine freche Antwort
sorgte für Verwirrung. „Oder ihr schaltet das Gehirn ein. Wie kommt jemand wie
ich wohl an so ein Schiff?“ Ich spielte mit dem Aktivierungsschlüssel, den
Charon mir gegeben hatte. Er sah aus, wie ein nobler Schlüsselanhänger. „Denkt
nach.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">In diesem Augenblick trat Charon aus der
Desinfektionskammer. Er sah traurig aus. Zum Glück wirkte das für Menschen eher
wie unbändige Wut. Ein dumpfes Grollen war aus seinem halb geöffneten Mund zu
hören. Seine scharfen Zähne und das Sklavenhalsband zeigend, erhob er sich zu
voller Größe und blieb dann lauernd wie ein ausgebildeter Bodyguard stehen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die beiden Kerle wichen zurück. Charon
war wohl nicht der erste Haash auf der Station.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Und meine Frage war damit auch
beantwortet: Ein Neuling auf Stufe 5, der einen eigenen Jäger und einen
persönlichen Xenomorph-Piloten besaß, musste einen einflussreichen – und
auch reichen – Papa haben. Eine andere Möglichkeit gab es nicht.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Das erste Mal auf einer Raumstation in
einer fremden Welt und dann so was. Die Mechaniker überlegten fieberhaft, wie
sie noch das Gesicht wahren könnten. Ich entschloss, ihnen die Sache leicht zu
machen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Wo ist der nächste Schwerkraftlift?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Wohin solls denn gehen?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Ich will meine Beute verkaufen und Spaß
haben. Wenn es auf der Station so was gibt, könnte ich noch ein paar echte
Implantate brauchen. Aber kein Fake-Zeugs.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Schacht sieben, dann hundert Meter den
Gang entlang.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Danke.“ Ich drehte ihnen den Rücken zu.
Jetzt würden sie es nicht mehr wagen, etwas Dummes zu tun. Einerseits diente
Charon als Puffer, andererseits gab es wohl auch hier mächtig Ärger, wenn man
sich mit Bonzen anlegte. Eines war klar: Ich musste auf der Hut sein.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Niemand durfte wissen, dass ich aus dem
letzten Loch pfiff. Aber noch war keine Zeit für eine Pause. Eigentlich wollte
ich mich direkt nach der Ankunft abmelden, aber mittlerweile hatte sich diese
Entschlossenheit gelegt. Ich musste mich umsehen, Beute gegen Geld tauschen,
den Liegeplatz bezahlen und eine Übernachtungsmöglichkeit finden. Also los.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich kam am Lift an.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">* * *</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die Fahrt von Ebene zu Ebene verlief
schnell – und unangenehm. Sobald wir in den schimmernden Energiefluss
traten, hob uns die unsichtbare Kraft an und wirbelte mit uns hinfort. Ich
fühlte mich wie ein Zweig in den Stromschnellen. Die Schachtwände wurden zu
flirrenden Lichtern. Mehrmals rasten wir um Biegungen herum, bis wir schließlich
an einer kleinen Plattform herausgestoßen wurden.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Mir war schwindelig. Ich machte ein paar
Schritte und hielt mich dann an dem niedrigen Geländer fest, von dem die
Plattform begrenzt war.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Bald ließ das Gefühl nach. Immer wieder
war ein Ploppen, begleitet von kühler Luft, zu hören: Neuankömmlinge wurden vom
Lift ausgespuckt und gingen zu einer breiten Treppe, die nach unten führte.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Charon und ich machten Platz.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Argus.
Das Handelsdeck,</span></i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> informierte
mich das Status-Interface.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Eine riesige Halle erstreckte sich vor
uns, die gegenüberliegenden Wände außerhalb meiner Sichtweite. Die Plattform
war von etwa zwanzig Liften umgeben. Darunter eine ganze Stadt mit geduckten,
einstöckigen Häusern und breiten Straßen im Schachbrettmuster.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich blickte mich aufmerksam um. So hatte
ich mir das Wohnviertel einer Raumstation nicht vorgestellt. Was für ein
seltsamer Anblick! Mein Zielvisier reagierte sofort und zeigte anhand einiger
Gebäude, wie die Stadt aufgebaut war. Die Überreste der ursprünglichen Mauern
waren rot markiert. Offenbar waren nur Ruinen übrig, als die ersten Siedler
ankamen. Sie hatten den Schutt beiseite geräumt, weitere Überreste demontiert
und so die Tunnel in Straßen verwandelt. Anstelle der zerstörten Personenmodule
waren die niedrigen Häuser getreten.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Licht war allerdings Mangelware an
diesem Ort. Die enorme Kuppel verbarg sich hinter einem Dunstschleier, der in
etwa zwanzig Meter Höhe waberte und sich gelegentlich als feuchter Nebel
niederschlug. Hin und wieder erhoben sich einige Reste der alten
Stützkonstruktion.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Es gab so viel zu entdecken! <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dienerbots</i> wuselten auf den Dächern und
an den Stützen entlang, warteten die Lebenserhaltungssysteme und reparierten
dies und das; immer wieder war das grelle Licht ihrer Schweißbrenner zu sehen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Das Handelsdeck war ein geschäftiger
Ort. Hier war vermutlich rund um die Uhr etwas los. Der Haash und ich fingen
uns viele böse, misstrauische und auch feindliche Blicke ein.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Auch Androiden waren hier unterwegs. Sie
schienen als eine Art Polizei zu dienen. Bewaffnet bewachten sie Ladeneingänge
oder patrouillierten durch die Straßen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Während ich fasziniert auf die Szenerie
starrte, wurden wir von Drohnen umschwärmt, die mit Hologrammanzeigen für alle
Arten von Dienstleistungen warben.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wir
verlegen deine Respawn-Punkt auf den Platz der Gründer. Ein sicherer Neustart
für nur 1000 Credits.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Neurus
Corporation: erste Wahl für Implantate! Günstig und hochwertig.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Exobiologische
Symbionten von der Xenus Corporation verbessern Fähigkeiten und bieten
einzigartige Fertigkeiten! Treue Kunden erhalten 50 % auf ihren dritten
Auftrag.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Pimp
dein Schiff! Der Technologen-Clan passt dein Raumschiff nach deinen Wünschen
und Originalbauplänen der Gründer an. Nutze die Zukunft dank uralter Technologie!</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Der
Piloten-Clan lädt alle Schiffseigner ein, sich den Angriffen auf die
verlassenen Stationen anzuschließen. Chancen auf hervorragende Beute und
schnelles Hochleveln.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Myrus&Myrus
kauft Cargonit-Schrott in jeder Menge an.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Der
Techniker-Clan kauft Geräte und Originalbaupläne der Gründer.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Go
Exo! Entdecke unser Angebot an außerirdischen Metaboliten!</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Normalerweise konnte ich derart
aufdringliche Werbung nicht ausstehen. Aber nach all den neuen Eindrücken
wirkte sie erfrischend vertraut.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich studierte die Wegweiser über uns.
Der Platz der Gründer befand sich genau in der Mitte der riesigen Halle. Aber
es gab Wichtigeres zu tun. Ich musste zu einem Schrottplatz von
Myrus&Myrus.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Da! Das große Doppel-M war nicht zu
übersehen. Ich gab Charon ein Zeichen, mir zu folgen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wir gingen unter vielen unfreundlichen
Blicken die Treppe hinab.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Cargonit stand wohl hoch im Kurs. Die
meisten Spieler trugen leichte Rüstungen anstelle von Alltagskleidung. Das
gesamte Handelsdeck erinnerte an einen orientalischen Basar. Überall wurden
interessante Waren und Gelegenheiten feilgeboten. Aber mein Ziel stand fest.
Ich brauchte unbedingt Geld, um meinen Respawn-Punkt versetzen zu lassen und
die Liegegebühr zu zahlen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">* * *</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Zwei nur entfernt menschenähnliche
Androiden bewachten den Eingang zu Myrus&Myrus. Ihre Rüstung glänzte
pinkfarben. Die Waffen waren Teil der Körper. Ich war zwar nicht in der Lage,
einen Scan durchzuführen, aber schon der bloße Anblick machte klar, dass diese
Dinger im Kampf eine echte Gefahr darstellten. Sie waren einen Kopf größer als
menschliche Spieler. Hinter getönten Visieren flackerten Scanner.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die gesichtslosen Gestalten würdigten
uns keines Blickes.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Charon, kannst du Module aus den
dargianischen Rüstungen ausbauen?“, fragte ich.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Das kommt drauf an“, antwortete er. Er
hielt innen, um die neun Beutestücke zu untersuchen, die ich in sein Inventar
verfrachtet hatte.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Kurz darauf gab er mir fünf extrahierte
Module. Nicht viel. Schade, aber das ließ sich nicht ändern. Die Zeit war gegen
uns. Mit Rashs Rüstung würde ich mich später noch genauer befassen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Jetzt musste es schnell gehen. In einer
Stunde war die Liegegebühr fällig – und ich wusste noch nicht einmal, wie
hoch sie war. Ohne einen Mind-Expander hatte ich keinen Zugriff auf das
Stationsnetz. Beunruhigend! Die anderen Spieler waren weder offen aggressiv
noch freundlich. Charon erntete feindselige Blicke, ich rief eher Neugier
hervor. Schnell wurde aus Interesse jedoch Verwirrung.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wahrscheinlich hatten Gerüchte über
unser Schiff bereits die Runde gemacht. Die Begegnung mit den beiden
Mechanikern hatten mir einen gehörigen Schrecken versetzt. Zweifellos war der
Jäger einiges wert. Bestimmt leckte sich der ein oder andere bereits die Finger
danach. Wenn ich ihn nicht verkaufen wollte, müsste ich mir schnell viel Geld
besorgen, um die Story vom reichen Papa zu unterfüttern. Außerdem fehlten mir
noch ein paar Stufen. Ein ernstes Gespräch mit Arbido war überfällig.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wir betraten Myrus&Myrus.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Hinter der beeindruckenden Fassade
erwartete mich eine Art gewöhnlicher Hangar. Etwa ein Dutzend Drohnen schwebten
unter der hohen Decke.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich ging auf eine Verkaufstheke zu. Sie
wirkte vor den riesigen Schrotthaufen wie ein Spielzeug.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Der Händler dahinter sah abscheulich
aus. Er wirkte deprimierend auf mich. Wer sich so einen fetten, hässlichen und
aufgedunsenen Avatar auswählte, war doch nicht ganz richtig im Oberstübchen!</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich fokussierte meinen Blick:</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ingmud.
Mensch. Stufe 37. Händler.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ohne Verkäufer kam keine Spielwelt aus. Aber
normalerweise übernahmen NPCs diese Rolle. Oft hielten sie auch Aufgaben für
den Spieler parat.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Entschuldigung“, versuchte ich seine
Aufmerksamkeit auf mich zu lenken. Mir fiel ein, dass ich meinen Charakter
nicht selbst erstellt hatte. Was würde mir der Spiegel wohl zeigen?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich fühlte mich ein wenig unwohl. Im
Interface gab es nur einen menschlichen Umriss. Welche Gestalt hatte Arbido mir
verliehen? Oder hatte er alles dem Zufallsgenerator überlassen?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Jaaaa?“, fragte der Händler herablassend.
„Die Waage steht da drüben. Leg den Schrott einfach drauf.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Das gefiel mir gar nicht. „Du solltest
dir besser ansehen, was ich hier habe.“ Ich blieb ruhig und höflich.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Wieso? Was hast du denn?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Integrierte Geräte habe ich.“ Hoffentlich
klang das so, als wüsste ich um ihren Wert.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Kein Interesse“, winkte er ab. „Wir
kaufen nur Cargonit-Schrott. Für Module sind die Technologen und Techniker
zuständig.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Schau es dir wenigstens an“, bestand
ich.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Na gut“, seufzte er. Trotz des gespielten
Desinteresses sah ich das Glitzern in seinen Augen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wortlos zeigte ich ihm die
Cargonit-Rüstungen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Er hob eine Augenbraue. Die
Laserscharten und Dellen der Kugeln waren nicht zu übersehen. „Wo hast du die
geklaut?“, fragte er skeptisch.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Keine Hehlerware. Im ehrlichen Kampf
gewonnen.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Ich gebe dir zehn Prozent mehr als den
Schrottpreis.“ Sein Blick verriet nichts. „Aber es gibt eine Bedingung.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Welche?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Ich will die Kampfprotokolle sehen.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich schüttelte den Kopf.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Dann zehn Prozent unter Schrottpreis“,
kam die gehässige Antwort.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Warum?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Könnte ja doch Diebesgut sein.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich war ein schlechter Verhandler. Warum
hatte ich überhaupt den Mund aufgemacht und war nicht einfach zur Waage
gegangen?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Natürlich hatte ich die Protokolle. Aber
ich wäre nicht so dumm, sie mit jemandem zu teilen. Noch sollte niemand von
meinem Kampf mit den Sklaventreibern wissen. Die Daten über die Basis und das
Schiff, das sie reparierten, waren vermutlich sehr viel wertvoller als das
Cargonit.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Na gut.“ Ich gab Charon einen Wink,
damit er alles auf die Waage legte. Mir fehlte die Zeit, nach einem anderen
Händler zu suchen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Verkaufst du mir deinen Haash?“, fragte
der Kerl plötzlich.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Nein.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Hör dir erst mein Angebot an: Ich zahle
dir fünfzigtausend.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Er steht nicht zum Verkauf.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Charon hatte in der Zwischenzeit die
etwa einen Meter hohe Waage beladen. Der Zeiger schlug kaum aus. Der Händler
überschlug die Zahlen im Kopf:</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Fünfhundert Credits.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Mnemonisch fragte ich Charon, ob er das
Gewicht erkennen könne.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Sechshundert …“, kam die Antwort.
Vermutlich kannte er das Wort für <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pfund</i>
nicht.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Auf einer holografischen Anzeige war ein
Preis von elf Credits pro Pfund ausgeschrieben.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Charon, nimm den Krempel. Wir gehen.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Der Händler sprang auf: „Warte bitte kurz,
mein Freund. Wahrscheinlich wiegt das dumme Ding wieder falsch. Das passiert
schon mal.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Gier stand in seinem Blick geschrieben.
Mich hätte es nicht überrascht, wenn integrierte Module den zehnfachen
Schrottpreis brächten. Und das hier war ja noch nicht einmal Schrott. „Ich
glaube kaum.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wir verließen den Laden. Draußen atmete
ich tief durch und hielt dann sorgfältig Ausschau.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die
Waffenkammer.</span></i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Das klang gut. Da mussten wir hin.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Schnell traten wir ein.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Der kleine Laden war vollgestopft mit Hologrammen
der Waren. Das Angebot war enorm.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Der Händler selbst fiel unter den ganzen
Waffen und Rüstungen kaum auf. Ein junger, blonder Mann reichte mir die Hand.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Serge“, stellt er sich mit vorsichtigem
Blick auf den Haash vor.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Zander“, begrüßte ich ihn. „Keine
Sorge, Charon greift niemanden an.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Was suchst du, Zander? Eher eine Waffe
oder andere Ausrüstung? Wir haben einen guten Draht zu den Technologen.
Entsprechend tolle Angebote haben wir hier.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Ich komme drauf zurück. Aber im Moment
möchte ich meine Beute verkaufen. Rüstungen, Impulskanonen usw. Ich kann die
Module aber nicht selbst ausbauen. Ich bin erst kurz dabei.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Wo hast du das her?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Musste jeder hier mir nervige Fragen
stellen? In anderen Spielen ist es den Händlern egal, woher die Beute stammt.
Andererseits kannte ich die lokalen Gebräuche noch nicht. Also blieb ich bei
meiner Cover-Story.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Ich habe den Account von jemandem
gekauft“, antwortete ich. „Vor einer Stunde bin ich mit meinem Schiff hier
angekommen. Das Zeug war bereits im Inventar.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Serge war kein so harter Knochen wie der
andere Händler. Er machte zumindest den Eindruck, als ob mir glauben schenkte.
„Dann lass mal sehen“, gluckste er.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Auf mein Nicken hin legte Charon alles
auf die Theke.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Nach einer sorgfältigen Überprüfung
rechnete Serge und bot dann an: „Alles für dreitausend?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Cash.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Er schüttelte den Kopf. „Bares kommt mir
nicht in die Tüte. Zu viel Aufwand.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Ich kann noch nicht auf das
Stationsnetz zugreifen. Mir fehlen die Implantate.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Kein Problem.“ Er zeigte auf ein
Zahlungsterminal. „Melde dich einfach an und ich transferiere die Summe.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Womit wird denn hier gezahlt?“, fragte
ich.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Mikrochips“, antwortete er
bereitwillig.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Was ist so wertvoll daran?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Hast du die FAQ noch nicht gelesen?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Nein.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Mikrochips sind überall. Sie bilden die
Grundlage aller Cybersysteme. Es sind auch Fälschungen im Umlauf, aber mit
einem speziellen Steckplatz kannst du die leicht erkennen.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Und wenn mir jemand tausend davon gibt?
Wie lange dauert es, die zu überprüfen?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Er kicherte leise. Meine Frage entlarvte
mich wohl als echten Newbie. „Tausend Chips sind eine Menge. Ich glaube kaum,
dass du schon bald so viele zu Gesicht bekommst. Erfahrene Piloten kriegen
maximal zehn oder fünfzehn Chips für besonders gefährliche Missionen. Damit
lässt sich ein Schiffssystem aufrüsten. Es gibt allerdings auch
Neurochips – einer davon ist hundert Mikrochips wert. Die musst du dann
natürlich unbedingt mit einem speziellen Gerät auf Echtheit prüfen.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Was kostet ein Neurochip?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Wenn er leer ist, fünfhundert Credits.
Wenn sie beschrieben sind, kommt es auf die Daten an. Ein Chip mit einem
Gründer-Programm kann schon mal mehrere zehntausend Credits wert sein.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Oha. Ach, ich muss noch meinen
Liegeplatz bezahlen. Kann ich das auch hier erledigen?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Er nickte. „Ich an deiner Stelle würde
mir rasch ein paar Implantate einsetzen lassen. Ohne bist du aufgeschmissen.
Einsteigerqualität würde reichen, sonst bleibst du ewig ein Shnoob. Keiner wird
mit dir handeln. Du bezahlst mehr und bekommst weniger für Beute. Hier zählt
vor allem der äußere Eindruck.“ Er rief eine Liste auf. „Hast du drinnen oder
draußen angedockt?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Keine Ahnung. Woher weiß ich das?“ Ich
erkannte immer mehr, wie wenig ich wusste.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Die äußeren Andockstationen sind am günstigsten.“
Tatsächlich teilte er sein Wissen gern mit mir. „Das ist auch ganz logisch:
Etwa ein Drittel der Verteidigungssysteme funktionieren immer noch nicht. Wer
steht bei einem Angriff dem Feind zuerst gegenüber? Piloten, die draußen
angedockt haben. Sie erreichen die Schiffe und das Kampfgebiet als Erste. Sie
haben keine Wahl. Aber wer einen sicheren Innenplatz hat, kann selbst
entscheiden, ob oder wann er mitmacht. Da stehen die Chancen nicht schlecht,
ein Angebot für die Verteidigung zu erhalten.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Klar. Mein Schiff ist auf jeden Fall
draußen. Was kostet das für vierundzwanzig Stunden?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Hundert Credits. Das ist praktisch
geschenkt. Ich zahle die Gebühr gleich von deinem Konto. Wie lange willst du
bleiben?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Erst mal drei Tage. Dann sehen wir
weiter.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Mach eine Woche draus. Da gibt es einen
Nachlass. Und wenn du Implantate bekommst, dann musst du mit fünf Tagen im
Krankenhaus rechnen.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„OK. Wird die Station oft angegriffen?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Er zuckte mit den Schultern. „Eigentlich
täglich. Aber meist sind es nur kleine Scharmützel. Schließlich gibt es genug
Parteien, die sich gegenseitig das Leben schwer machen: Dargianer, Wearong,
Kamresh und die Gesetzlosen. Normalerweise hat der Piloten-Clan die Sache im
Griff. Aber wenn dein Liegeplatz im Angriffsbereich liegt, ist alles möglich.
Wenn du nicht schnell genug vor Ort bist, nicht startest oder dem Kampf
ausweichst, wird dein Schiff eventuell beschlagnahmt oder übernommen. Die
Gesetzlosen sind besonders geschickte Hacker. Bevor du es überhaupt gemerkt
hast, haben sie dir das Schiff unter dem Hintern weggeklaut.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Das klang gar nicht gut. „Ui. Was kostet
denn ein Innenplatz?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Fünfhundert Credits.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Ganz schön teuer.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Aber sicher.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Wer sind diese Gesetzlosen?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Er schauderte. „Menschen. Abschaum.
Einige sind mit dem Gesetz in Konflikt geraten. Anderen haben defekte
Implantate. Viele sind auf <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Exo</i>.“ Die
Furcht in seiner Stimme war unverkennbar. „Sie leben auf Basen im
Asteroidengürtel.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Gibt es viele heftige Angriffe?“ Das
hier war eine Chance, viele Informationen zu erhalten.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Kommt drauf an. Letzte Woche war
ziemlich mies für ein paar Leute. Und vor einem Monat sind Dargianer und
Wearong in einem der verlassenen Sektoren gelandet, um an unser Öl zu kommen.
Und dann“, senkte er die Stimme, „wurden angeblich ein paar Phantom-Raider
gesichtet.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Wer ist das?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Phantome“, antwortete Serge
bedeutungsvoll. „Das Wort sagt alles. Sie erscheinen aus dem Nichts. Einige
behaupten, sie kommen aus einem anderen Sternensystem. Aber die Technologen und
Techniker schwören Stein und Bein, dass ein Warp-Antrieb nicht gebaut werden
kann.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Woher kommen sie dann?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Er hob die Arme. „Das weiß niemand. Wir
haben noch keinen von ihnen gefangen. Wenn sie kritischen Schaden erleiden,
verschwinden die Schiffe oder die Selbstzerstörung wird gestartet. Im ersten
Fall hast du Glück.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Warum?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Oh, die Sache ist einfach: Wenn ein
Raider verschwindet, zählt das für dich als Sieg und du bekommst deine
Belohnung. Deine Logs sind der Beweis. Aber wenn sich das Schiff zerstört, dann
ist das völlige Vernichtung. Du kannst nur noch hoffen, dass deine Schilde
halten. Mit ganz viel Glück erbeutest du ein Fitzelchen des Schiffs. Jedes Teil
ist den Clans ein kleines Vermögen wert.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Was bekomme ich für einen intakten
Phantom-Raider?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Er blickte mich mit einem verwirrten
Lächeln an. „Das ist Science-Fiction.“ Er griff sich meine dargianische
Ausrüstung. „Niemand hat jemals ein Phantom geschnappt. Merk dir einfach nur
eins: Wenn Großalarm gegeben wird, renn zu deinem Schiff. Wenn du nicht kommst,
wirst du enteignet und aus der Station geworfen. Durch die Luftschleuse und
ohne Raumanzug, wohlgemerkt. In ein Respawn-Purgatorium im luftleeren Raum!“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„So schlimm?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Ja, wenn es um die Phantome geht, verstehen
die hier keinen Spaß. Es geht ums nackte Überleben.“ Er drückte ein paar
Tasten. „Fertig. Dein Liegeplatz ist für eine Woche bezahlt und du hast noch
zweitausenddreihundert Credits auf dem Konto. Du weißt, wo du mich findest,
wenn du neue Ausrüstung brauchst.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Auf jeden Fall.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">* * *</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Charon und ich verließen den Laden.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Als Nächstes würde ich meinen
Respawn-Punkt versetzen lassen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Noch immer folgten uns feindselige
Blicke. Ich hatte bisher keinen weiteren Xenomorph gesehen. So langsam kam mir das
komisch vor. Die Passanten starrten Charon mit unverhohlenem Hass an, gefolgt
von überraschtem Abscheu mir gegenüber. Den Grund dafür kannte ich nicht. Aber
es wäre wohl besser, die Besorgungen schnell zu erledigen und dann eine
Unterkunft zu finden. Ich musste das Wiki lesen, eine Sammlung aller
Informationen zu diesem Spiel.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Der Platz der Gründer war eher
enttäuschend: groß und leer. Ein Kordon aus Androiden wachte über die Respawns.
Hin und wieder erklang ein ploppendes Geräusch und ein grüner Lichtblitz
spuckte einen wieder aufgetauchten Spieler aus. Sie sahen alle angepisst und
verwirrt aus. Kein Wunder, denn sie hatten ja gerade einen virtuellen Tod
erlitten.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die meisten von ihnen waren der Kleidung
nach zu urteilen Piloten. Wir sahen uns das Geschehen eine Weile an. In einer
Reihe grüner Lichteffekte erschienen einige Mechaniker. Ihrer Unterhaltung war
zu entnehmen, dass ein Reparatureinsatz ziemlich aus dem Ruder gelaufen war.
Einige schäbigere Gestalten waren wohl das Opfer von Bandenkriegen gewesen.
Plötzlich tauchte eine Gruppe von Spielern in voller Rüstung auf. Sie regten
sich über ein paar Idioten auf, die ihnen die Beute in einem verlassenen Sektor
weggeschnappt hatten.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Aha! Da hatte die Gier nach schnellem
Reichtum wohl zu einem Tritt in den Allerwertesten geführt. Kann passieren.
Mich beunruhigte ein wenig, dass sie trotz schwerer Rüstung und guter
Bewaffnung hier auftauchten. Was wohl in den Untiefen der Station lauerte?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich hatte viel gelernt. Zeit,
weiterzugehen. Ich konnte mich kaum noch auf den Beinen halten vor Erschöpfung.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wohin mussten wir denn jetzt? Da
entdeckte ich vor dem nächsten Laden eine Gruppe von Werbedrohnen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ohne weitere Fragen oder technische
Probleme half mir der Händler – offensichtlich ein NPC. Nein, er musste nicht
wissen, wo mein alter Respawn-Punkt war. Er konnte ihn auf den Platz der
Gründer verlegen, solange ich ihm nur eintausend Credits zahlte. Auch Charon
war kein Problem. Er war ein Spieler und technisch stand jedem Spieler dieser
Service offen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die zweitausend Credits rissen ein
gewaltiges Loch in meine Geldbörse, aber das war es wert.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich fragte nach einer Unterkunft und
erhielt die gewünschte Auskunft umgehend. Das gesamte Handelsdeck war von
Wohnmodulen umgeben. Wir konnten also in jede beliebige Richtung gehen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Trotzdem wirkte die Sache mit dem
Respawn-Punkt wie Voodoo auf mich. Der Händler schmierte uns ein silbriges Gel
auf den Unterarm und das wars.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Was ist das?“, fragte ich, auf einen
länglichen, silberfarbenen Punkt oberhalb meines Handgelenks deutend.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Das ist die Markierung. Sie ist in
einem Radius von maximal zehn Lichtsekunden rund um die Station aktiv. Alles
jenseits davon ist euer Problem.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich stellte mir vor, wie ich mit dem
Schiff Millionen von Kilometern weit weg war. Im Falle eines Falles würde ich
hier wieder auftauchen. Aber was geschah mit dem Schiff?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich fragte den Händler. Er zuckte die
Achseln. „Die meisten Piloten sind in Gruppen oder zu zweit unterwegs. So kann
einer das Schiff des anderen abschleppen oder darauf aufpassen.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Und wenn nicht?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Raumfahrzeuge sind nicht unser Ding. Du
könntest die Technologen um Rat fragen. Vielleicht haben sie eine Lösung.
Oder“, flüsterte er mit zu, „du suchst nach den Gesetzlosen im
Asteroidengürtel. Angeblich haben sie das Geheimnis der Phantom-Raider
entschlüsselt. Gut möglich, denn wir finden nur wenige ihrer Schiffe
verlassen.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Ach?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Was?“, fragte er nonchalant. „Hab ich
was gesagt?“ Er zwinkerte mir verhohlen zu. „Ich bin übrigens immer an seltenen
Gegenständen interessiert. Wenn du etwas findest, dann komm einfach vorbei. Du
wirst es bestimmt nicht bereuen.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Neue
Aufgabe! Ewige Hardware!</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Suche
nach den Basen der Gesetzlosen und finde mehr über die von ihnen entdeckte
uralte Technologie heraus.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">* * *</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Auf jetzt, Charon. Wir müssen los.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Das war genug Abenteuer für einen Tag.
Ich war hundemüde. Hunger oder Durst hatte ich nicht. Anders als Charon, der
die ganze Zeit einen Snackautomaten anstarrte. Der Inhalt sah widerlich aus.
Wie konnte er darauf Hunger haben?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Willst du?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Er nickte, als ob es ein Festmahl gäbe.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Haash – ein Buch mit sieben
Siegeln. Ich kaufte ein paar der Nahrungsbeutel.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Er schlang sie samt der Verpackung an
Ort und Stelle herunter. Das Mahlen seiner Zähne ließ einige der Androiden
herumfahren. Sobald sie sein Sklavenhalsband sahen, verloren sie zum Glück das
Interesse an uns.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Er müsste es noch eine Weile tragen. So
viel zu meinen Versprechungen. Charon protestierte allerdings nicht. Er folgte
mir gehorsam und sanftmütig.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Mir fiel sein Verhalten gegenüber den
Mechanikern wieder ein. Er hatte völlig anders gewirkt.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Im Cockpit des Jägers war er ein
stolzer, freier und selbstbewusster Pilot. An ihm war wohl ein talentierter
Schauspieler verloren gegangen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Oder er nahm meinen cleveren Plan für
bare Münze. Vielleicht dachte er, ich hätte ihn verraten, und ergab sich jetzt
in sein Schicksal?</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Egal. Wir konnten uns im Hotel
aussprechen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Also los.“ Ich nahm seine Hand, damit
er mir folgte. Die nächste Straße führte vom zentralen Platz zum Rand der Halle.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Eine endlose Aneinanderreihung von Luken
mit holografischen Schildern begrüßte uns. Ich warf einen Blick darauf. Nein,
ein Kapselhotel wäre nichts für uns.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wir brauchten etwas, das besser passte.
Schließlich fanden wir eine Hologrammanzeige für <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gardeans Wohnquartiere</i>.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die Luke quietschte beim Öffnen. Charon
konnte nur gebückt eintreten.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Dahinter ein langer Gang mit
identischen, rechteckigen Türen. Am anderen Ende erhellte eine Lampe die
Rezeption. Sobald der Mann dort den Haash entdeckte, zog er seine Waffe.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Charons heißer Atem strich über meinen
Kopf hinweg. „Halt dich zurück“, warnte ich ihn.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Dann ging ich zur Theke. An Charons
kurzen Atemzügen erkannte ich, dass er kampfbereit war.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Erneut ermahnte ich ihn. Dann wandte ich
mich lächelnd dem Rezeptionisten zu. „Was kostet die Übernachtung hier?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Zwanzig Credits.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Steht am Eingang nicht zehn?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Du kannst von Glück sagen, wenn ich
dich überhaupt beherberge.“ Seine Wange zuckte, während er den Haash beäugte.
„Bist du im Exo-Teilegeschäft?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich zuckte die Achseln. Das ging ihn
nichts an. „OK. Hier sind hundert“, erledigte ich die Überweisung an einem
Zahlungsterminal. Mit einem Grinsen reichte er mir eine Schlüsselkarte.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die Unterkunft war warm und sauber. Ein
weicher Teppich bedeckte den Boden. Der fünfseitige Raum war klein und ähnelte
einer Honigwabe. In einer Ecke gab es eine einfache Waschgelegenheit. Jeweils
eine Wand boten Platz für ein Klappbett und das Terminal für den Zugriff auf
das Stationsnetz.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Die massive Tür schloss sich. Zwei neue Symbole
erschienen vor meinem geistigen Auge: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Öffnen</i>
und <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Von innen verriegeln.</i></span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich wählte die zweite Option.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Dann beschäftigte ich mich mit dem
Halsband-Controller. Schließlich hatte ich herausgefunden, wie er
funktionierte, und nahm Charon das deaktivierte Halsband ab. Endlich!</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Er streckte seinen Hals und sah mich
misstrauisch an.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Ich habe doch gesagt, dass es nur ein
Trick ist.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Er starrte mir lange in die Augen. Dann
sah ich Verständnis in seinem Blick.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Es war bestimmt nicht leicht für dich.
Und leider wirst du noch ein wenig länger gute Miene zum bösen Spiel machen
müssen. Ich muss erst herausfinden, wie ich dich zum normalen Besucher erklären
lassen kann. Aber jetzt kannst du dich abmelden. Hast du verstanden? Du hast
doch ein Zuhause in der echten Welt, oder?“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Er antwortete nicht.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Na gut. Er würde schon wissen, was ich
meinte. Ich konnte ihm seine Entscheidung nicht abnehmen. Aber für mich war es
Zeit, mich abzumelden. Ich brauchte eine Mütze Schlaf, was zu essen und eine
Dusche. Danach würde ich Arbido ins Gebet nehmen.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">„Erledigt.“ Ich klappte das Bett
herunter, legte mich hin und schloss die Augen. „Was auch immer du tust,
Charon: Verlass den Raum nicht.“</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Grün leuchtend lockte die
Abmelde-Schaltfläche.</span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Ich klickte darauf.</span></p><p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-indent: 1cm;"><b style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; text-align: center;"><br /></b></p><p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 1cm;"><b style="color: red; font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; text-align: center;">Release - 19. April 2021</b></p><p class="a" style="line-height: 115%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 7.05pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 1cm;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Bookman Old Style, serif; text-align: center;"><b>Bei Amazon vorbestellen - </b></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Bookman Old Style, serif;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08NR9P32S">https://www.amazon.de/dp/B08NR9P32S</a></b></span></span></p></div>Simon Valehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16142080565999248152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1879934328827513079.post-35905977887214147412020-12-22T05:04:00.001-08:002020-12-22T05:04:09.222-08:00Alpha Rome: Volper by Ros Per<h3 style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 18.72px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Alpha Rome, book 1:</div><div style="text-align: center;">Volper</div><div style="text-align: center;">by Ros Per</div></h3><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/513k7Lh7uPL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="330" height="436" src="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/513k7Lh7uPL.jpg" width="288" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Release - April 12, 2021</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Pre-order on Amazon - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PVWMNJS">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PVWMNJS</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Chapter One. This is Just the
Beginning.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The capsule lid closed
shut with a soft hiss, cutting off connection to the outside world.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">That was it. There was
no going back. I meticulously mulled everything over and ran through various
scenarios in my head. There was no other option. The only thing left to do was
to go forward into the unknown, where I would have no chance of returning to my
previous life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">A dense fog enveloped
me. I was suspended in it, unable to feel the weight of my own body. Far away,
right at the very edge of my consciousness, a light started to emerge. It was
microscopic at first, but then it began to grow with every second until it was
literally filling my entire mind in a flash.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Welcome to Alpha Rome,”
a voice announced in my head. “Commencing capsule data retrieval... Data
retrieval complete. Medical Capsule ANV-734685-EK3573, no disconnect mode...
Error! Consulting server administration... Additional contract received...
Excerpt from contract: Vladimir Ignatenko has signed a contract with the
Administrators of the Alpha Rome Project agreeing to everlasting residence
within the servers belonging to the Administrators and the lifting of the 19-hour-virtual-reality-play-time
limit that has been implemented in accordance with the Ministry of Health
Protection Act № 17554.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This contract is
based on a medical report for Vladimir Ignatenko, which outlines a critical
health condition connected to Mr. Ignatenko’s advanced age. To gain access to
permanent residence within the Alpha Rome Project servers, Mr. Ignatenko agrees
to the cancellation of his ability to exchange in-game earnings for real-life
currency and accrue in-game bonuses for real-life currency, as well as to
paying for access to the game for the next twenty years. Is this information
correct?”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Yes, that is correct!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Well, what else was I
supposed to do? Even though modern medicine was very advanced these days, there
still weren’t that many ways for a 107-year-old to prolong his life. The
doctors had given me two to five years of normal life, well, up to a maximum of
ten, really, by allowing me to live in a medical capsule. I’d built up a large
amount of savings over the years, but, unfortunately, I didn’t have anyone to
leave it to.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">No family... Well, that
wasn’t strictly true. I did have a family, a relatively big one, in fact, but
mostly grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who were, of course, proud to
have a grandfather like myself, but who still hadn’t really kept in contact
with me. My wife had died around twenty years ago, my children too, from old
age. They’d already gone to another world. My grandchildren and
great-grandchildren had their own families, and it was actually my decision to have
cut off contact with them so that they could concentrate on family matters,
rather than having to deal with a shriveled up old twig trying to live out the
rest of his years by hanging around their necks.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">That’s why I’d decided
to immerse myself in virtual reality, to break off from the real world once and
for all. But here’s the rub. According to the Ministry of Health’s latest act,
you could only stay in virtual reality for a maximum of 19 hours, after which
you were forced to log out for a minimum of four hours. Although it was
possible to break this time up into however many sessions you saw fit, for
every hour spent in the virtual world, you had to take a twenty-minute break in
the real one.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">This wasn’t an option
for me because I needed to be able to be in the capsule twenty-four seven. With
the help of medical certificates, lawsuits, and a contract with a young but
flourishing company, and by agreeing to a series of gaming limitations, I’d gotten
what I wanted and managed to set a precedent, thanks to which several
critically ill patients could now play to their hearts’ content.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">However, this all had happened
in the last couple of days. Let’s return to the present.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Would you like to
start the registration?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Yes.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Choose your preferred
method of interacting with the system: Voice, thought, gesture, other.
Attention! In the event that you choose another method of interaction, you will
need to manually construct a standard list of commands.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“I elect to choose
voice and thought commands.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Confirm voice and
thought commands?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Confirm!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Repeat confirmation
using a thought command.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">That’s that pesky AI
for you. You did everything for it and then it still asked you to confirm it
five times.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">“Yes, I confirm the choice,”</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> I said to
the system in my head.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Thank you for your
selection! Please choose your preferred method of receiving system
notifications: Voice, text, light signals, other. Attention! In the event that
you choose a different method of receiving system notifications, you will need
to manually construct a standard list of notification options.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Text notifications.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Do you confirm that
you would like to receive text notifications from the system?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Confirm!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">A tab immediately began
to flash in front of my eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Thank you for your selection! Please choose your character name!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Now, I needed to think
about this. I’d have this name for a long time, practically for the rest of my
life.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">So, here goes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">“Vladimir”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">This name has already been taken.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">“Vlad”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">This name has already been taken.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">“Volodya”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">This name has already been taken.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">“Ignatenko”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">This name has already been taken.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">“Fuck off”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">This name has already been taken.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">“How has that been taken already?”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">This name has already been taken.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">“Stalker”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">This name has already been taken.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">“Granddad”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">This name has already been taken.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">“Old Man”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">This name has already been taken.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Shit, was there
anything even left to choose? I’d already spent five minutes trying to come up
with stupid names and they’d all been taken already. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">“Volper”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">This name is available! Would you like to choose the name Volper?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Yes, of course I damn
well would!!!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Congratulations, your character is called Volper! Would you like to
change your character’s age or keep your real age?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Change it, definitely.
But to what? If I remembered my youth rightly, then my strength had really
developed somewhere between 25 and 35. If I took the mean, that’s 30. Only, I didn’t
really like round numbers, so let’s go for a slightly younger body. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">“Put my age at 28.” <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Your character is 28 years old!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">A 3D model of my
character appeared in front of me. It looked surprisingly like I had when I’d
been young. Cropped dark hair about a quarter of an inch long; dark, slightly
crooked, but very malleable eyebrows; gray eyes with a tinge of hazel; a
straight nose with a slightly upturned end; small lips, the corners of which
turned up into a gentle smile, characterizing me as a joyful sort of person;
and a slightly protruding chin. The body itself was quite pumped, but it wasn’t
bulging. A height of about 5’8”, and that was all there was to say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A body is a body.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">This examination of the
body of my youth was interrupted by a new message which was now hovering in
front of my eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Choose your
character’s race!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Human<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Masked Mutant (adjusts genotype settings)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Mutant (adjusts genotype settings)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Cyborg (starter implants are installed)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Oh wow. The developers hadn’t even mentioned that
there would be so many races to choose from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My God, their secrecy was infuriating! Of course, I agreed with their
motto that <i>“In our world, even information has its price,”</i> but would it
really have killed them to give me a small amount of info?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Fine, let’s not get too
wound up. I needed to choose one... But what was there to even choose? I
definitely didn’t want to be a mutant. I had a serious aversion to them, as
well as to cramming myself full of hardware. The choice was obvious.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">“I will be a human.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Selection accepted! Would you like to change the appearance of your
character?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">I’d ended up in a
biologist’s wet dream. There was pretty much everything here. You could change
the color of your skin, your voice, your eyes. Any pigmentation you could wish
for. You could change the shape of your eyes, face and limbs. If you wanted,
you could ieven ncrease the number or change the look of various sections of
your limbs and other body parts, as well as swap them for almost any biological
or mechanical equivalents. You could even change or reconstruct everything down
to your nervous or cardiovascular systems.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">For me, though, almost
all the buttons for character building had been deactivated and shaded in gray.
When I focused on any of them, a new message popped up.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Not available for Human race.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Fine. I wasn’t going to
torture myself. I’d just stick with my original build. I’d lived this long with
a regular human body, I suppose, so I’d just keep this one, my preferred one,
without any changes. At least then I wouldn’t have to get used to any changes
in its characteristics.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">“Complete without changes.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="UK" style="mso-ansi-language: UK;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Choose your basic attributes!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Strength – 5<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Agility – 5<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Stamina – 5<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Perception – 5<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Intelligence – 5<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Intellect – 5<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Luck – 5<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Charisma – 5<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Available character points: 8<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">There were two buttons
next to each attribute: plus and minus. After clicking around a little, I worked
out that not only could I increase the numbers, but I could also decrease them,
which then freed up more points. The problem was I didn’t understand what the
attributes stood for in this game, and I didn’t think choosing them based on
what I imagined they stood for would be the right way to go about it. There
should be some kind of explanation, and if there was no information on the
official website, then you should be able to get some within the game itself.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Hmm... I think I must
be an idiot. Hadn’t I made sure that this interface was completely interactive
when I’d just started the download? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">I focused my eyes on
the “Strength” button and sent a mental command to the interface. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Information.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Strength is a measure of your muscle development and is directly responsible
for the amount of weight you can carry, the force of your attacks in close
combat, and your ability to use heavy weaponry or wear heavy protective gear.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Bingo. So, this was how
I could find out which attributes were important to me, and which ones weren’t
so much. I just had to decide what kind of person I wanted to my character to
be.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Right then, let’s keep
reading.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Agility is a measure of your flexibility and is directly responsible
for jumps, somersaults, fine motor skills and your ability to complete various
movements that require flexibility.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Stamina is a measure of your body’s ability to withstand continuous
stress and is directly responsible for the speed at which you become fatigued,
your resistance to harmful effects and the duration of negative effects.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Perception is a measure of your conscience’s response to signals
from the outside world and is directly responsible for the quality of your
vision and hearing, your sensitivity to smells and touch and your ability to
detect a variety of minute details about the outside world.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Intelligence is a measure of your brain’s ability to understand and
remember information and is directly responsible for the speed at which you
learn different skills, the speed at which you lose previously learned skills
and your ability to process different pieces of information.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">I had to re-read the
description of the intelligence attribute three times before I understood what
it was that bothered me about this text. Namely, it was the line about the
speed of losing previously learned skills that didn’t give me any peace of
mind. It turned out that there was a chance of losing some of your skills, but
it wasn’t clear what the reason for this was and how fast they would be lost. Dammit,
I didn’t even understand what intelligence had to do with that! Was it that as
your intelligence increased, the speed of the loss started to slow down, or was
it the other way around? Thinking like this was enough to burn your brains out
as it was. Okay, let’s not clog up the pipes. Better to carry on reading. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Intellect is a measure of your brain’s ability to interact with the
world and is directly responsible for the volume of interactions you can
perform, your power to resist actions performed on you and the power of your
interactions with the outside world.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Oh, for crying out loud!
What the hell possessed you admins to write such boring, mind-bending texts? I
must have read this five times already and I still didn’t understand a thing.
From what I’d read, Intellect, by all accounts, was responsible for the
connection between the power of your thoughts and your ability to manage them.
So, this meant there were either going to be some kind of mind readers and
telekinetics, or a wider range of these types of people known as psionics.
Okay, let’s get a bit further.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Luck is a measure of your luck!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Muahaha... That was the
most detailed description out of any of them. Well, that had cleared that up. I
got the feeling that 90 percent of the players who’d signed up for this would
be cursing the admins right now.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Charisma is a measure of your ability to make a good impression in
conversation and is directly responsible for your ability to make an impression
more quickly, your chances of getting bigger discounts in shops and receiving
rarer missions and more prestigious rewards.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">So, how was I supposed
to choose here? I needed pretty much all of those attributes. I didn’t want to give
anything up, but I guess I’d have to choose which ones I definitely needed to
go to town on now, and which I should leave to increase whenever I got the
chance.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">As I was working this
out, I mindlessly dragged the character points from one to ten and back down
again, trying to make the right decision. Then I was struck by the feeling that
I was making a mistake, as if there was something extremely important that I was
missing. Let’s add five more points to Luck, get that as high as it would go,
then three more for Intellect. Or should I drag all the attributes down to one,
and then raise four of them to the maximum of ten, and then put another four
points on the first one I see?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">STOP! Why didn’t I put
all my points on one attribute? No, that wouldn’t work, either. Ten was the
maximum. Why? Why did they have to put a limit on it? Use your brain! There
should be a reason for this limit, although...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">No, it couldn’t be, it
had never been done before. But the devs had indeed mentioned in one of their
interviews that they’d made some unorthodox decisions on plenty of occasions,
ones that hadn’t been made for any game before. That meant it was completely
possible that the attributes - or, as many people call them, stats - couldn’t
go any higher than a certain level. In this case, ten. Ten was the maximum
number an attribute could be. Oh bummer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Now, the majority of
players would most likely have made all their attributes level six and get a
statistically average character without any clearly expressed direction. I had the
feeling that literally after one or two days, the forum would be wiped out by
giant... no, strike that - GIANT waves of uproar.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Having realized this
problem, I almost instantly came up with a development plan. It might not have been
the best, but it was probably the most suitable for the type of game that I was
about to play.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">In the end, this was
what I went with:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Strength – 5<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Agility – 9<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Stamina – 5<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Perception – 9<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Intelligence – 6<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Intellect – 1<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Luck – 8<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Charisma – 5<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Available character points: 0<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once I’d confirmed my allocations, the
following message popped up:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Congratulations! You have now created your character! The server
will start up in 01:17:23 <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">01:17:22 <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">01:17:21<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">01:17:20<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">There was still just
over one hour left until the game started. On the one hand, hanging here in
this emptiness with the timer flashing in front of my eyes wasn’t particularly
pleasant. But on the other hand, it gave me time to collect my thoughts and
answer that age-old question: what should I do?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">For starters, I needed
to break down the information I already had. Firstly, in one hour I, along with
a crowd of frenzied gamers, would be starting a new, untested project.
Therefore, there were no guides nor any advice to glean from experienced
players. It would be a race to gain experience of and information about the
world around us. And if my theory about the character points was correct, then
there was actually no point in chasing after experience.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">From this, it looked
like there were a couple of primary tasks for me to deal with. The first was to
figure out how and what exactly I needed to increase in order to compete
against the other players. The second was to collect information about the
world, because whoever had that information was the one that owned the world.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">While I was thinking
about all this, I didn’t realize that I’d dozed off, even though I hadn’t
thought that was actually possible.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">I was brought back to
life by the ticking of the timer which was now down to its last few seconds.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Attention! The servers will be launched in 00:00:06<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">00:00:05<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">00:00:04<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">00:00:03<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">00:00:02<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">00:00:01<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The flashing sliced
into my eyes. I barely had time to blink when my gaze fell upon the inside of
the capsule’s translucent spherical lid in front of me. With a soft hiss, the
lid gave way slightly before opening up to the left.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Volper, welcome to Alpha Rome!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Carefully, not yet used
to my new body - which, unlike my old one, wasn’t hurting with every move I took,
- I climbed out of the capsule which looked like a cryo-freeze chamber that had
been laid on its back. I was now standing in a rectangular room about six to twelve
feet wide. It was decorated with some kind of tiles the color of ocean waves
when they are filled with bits of seaweed; a dirty, greenish color with a hint
of light blue. The capsule was on one edge of the room, while on the other wall
there was an outline of a rectangular door.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Well, hello, Alpha Rome.
I’ve just been re-born.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; text-indent: 36pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Chapter 2. A New Reality<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent"><span lang="EN-US">After leaving the room and casting
a quick glance back to make sure I was relatively safe, I started getting my
body used to its new form.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ran through
a short series of warm-up exercises and entered a state of indescribable joy.
Nothing was hurting; my body was responding beautifully. Sure, there was a bit
of roughness to my movements, and I didn’t manage to do some of the actions
completely correctly, but this was probably down to needing more practice. Just
give me a bit of time, and I would fully adapt to my body. Then my muscles and
nerve endings would obey me just fine.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Okay, so it looked like I’d managed to come to grips with my new
sensations. My surroundings and all six of my senses, it was all so real. True,
I still needed to check and see whether I could actually taste anything, and I
hadn’t tried out the entire spectrum of my touch senses yet, but that would
come later. Considering I had to live in this body for the foreseeable future, I
needed to be consistent to make sure I didn’t botch it up. If I screwed
something up now, I was bound to have problems developing later on. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“<i>Character Status</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Silence. I didn’t understand. How was I
supposed to look at my information? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US">Dammit! Okay, how about this:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“<i>Professions.</i>”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“<i>Skills.</i>”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“<i>Inventory.</i>”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“<i>Information about character.</i>”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">No matter how I formulated the command,
all I got in response was silence. Well, that’s exactly like it is in the real
world! I guessed that I would just have to take a look around and see what
there was to do. I was wearing a light, silvery long-sleeved t-shirt, trousers
in the same color, and some kind of moccasins, or rather thin-soled slippers,
also in this same silvery color. I hadn’t managed to find any pockets or bags,
or anything else that I could use to store and carry things in. There were
three options. Option number one: I was just a dumbass who was out of the loop
and didn’t know the basics. Option number two: the starter kit was somewhere
close to the place my character had come from. Option number three: somebody
was supposed to give me the starter kit. All three options were viable. I
couldn’t check my own stupidity right then and there, but the other options
were certainly worth investigating. After taking a more detailed look around
the room, I still hadn’t found anything. I walked along the walls feeling
around for suspicious tiles, but unfortunately, that didn't produce any results
either. As a last resort, I even tried looking in the capsule, but all that was
waiting for me in there was disappointment: just the automatic lid and some
bedding made out of a strange soft material. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">After wasting another twenty minutes in
the room, I eventually moved toward the door, which was almost taking up the
entire wall opposite the capsule. On the right side of the doorjam was a
display in the shape of a hand. Only a real numskull wouldn’t have been able to
guess what you needed to do with this. I didn’t see myself as a numskull, so I
confidently placed my right palm on the display. The door opened softly to the
left in response. The hum of voices almost knocked me out immediately.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Shit, people, what the f***?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Who wants to be in my company?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“ARRRRGH... HOW DO YOU SEE THE INFO???”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Where do you pick up quests?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“People, what are we supposed to do here?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">There
was an enormous amount of different questions, offers, and screaming. To the
point that some people had simply resorted to piling obscenities on top of
obscenities. All this noise was starting to drive me crazy. I was only happy
about one thing: if I was being dim-witted or a dumbass, then I wasn’t the only
one. It was these crowds of players making all the noise. They were either
running around or standing in the corridor, all dressed in the same
silver-colored gear as I was. The corridor was about thirteen feet wide and was
the same dirty green color as the room. Only, in contrast to the room, the
walls, floor and ceiling were made from the same material. It looked like
painted concrete. Dome lights had been mounted along the ceiling and walls at ten-foot
intervals, giving off a pleasantly soft light. A row of yellow LEDs ran from
right to left across the center of the ceiling. The walls were lined with doors
like the one I had just come through. On the left doorjam of each one was a
grid with letters and numbers, which could only be differentiated between by
looking at the last few symbols. These were probably the room numbers. On every
right doorjam was the familiar, hand-shaped panel. I turned back around to my
door and immediately looked at the number: V – 3/27. I needed to remember that.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">I placed my palm on the panel and closed the door to the room just
in case, before heading in the direction indicated by the lights on the
ceiling. These LEDs really reminded me of the emergency exit lights that they
use on military bases. The only difference was that here there weren’t any
different colored LEDs on the walls directing different units to where they
needed to be. My suspicions were confirmed after forty-nine feet. Even though
the corridor continued, the yellow lights didn’t stop. They moved closer
together and at the point where they converged, there was another small branch
of LEDs directing you toward a door that didn’t look any different to the
others, but which had a sign above it that read “ELEVATOR”. A small crowd of
players had gathered next to the elevator and were entering it one at a time.
Each time the elevator doors opened I saw a tiny box-room, about six feet by
six feet. Whenever a player entered, a part of the energy barrier began to
flash in the doorway.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Why only one at a time? There’s space
enough for three, or maybe even four if they squeezed in,” I asked a player
standing next to me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Beats me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“I suppose it’s most likely to protect the
players from the control system,” another player joined in. “Well, you might be
able to give someone permission to get in with you, but we haven't figured it
out yet.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“I see. Thx for the info.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Ah, no problem.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">After about three minutes, it was my turn
to enter the elevator. Inside there was just one control panel. The buttons
were laid out in two columns and you could scroll up and down through a list of
floors. The right column was gray, meaning it was inactive. The word “HANGAR”
was written underneath the number. The left column was simply numbered and
fully active. Right at the bottom, next to the number one, was a label that
read “HALL”. Suspecting that there was nothing for me on the other floors, I
went to this one. The elevator moved horizontally at first and then went down. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The atmosphere in the hall was a little
different to the previous place. Directly across from the elevator was a wide,
glass exit, about sixty-five or eighty feet wide. Several streams of players
were trying to squeeze through it. A person in uniform was standing in the
middle of the exit, occasionally straining to shout,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Before you leave the Replication Center, I recommend you consult
one our specialists. The green light above the door shows that a specialist is
available.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent"><span lang="EN-US">Some of the players who were
already running toward the exit stopped dead in their tracks and began looking
around in search of these specialists, while the most perceptive were already
running to the right and left along the corridor looking for a door with a
green light above it. I moved into one of the corridors, noticing as I did so
that there wasn’t just one elevator on the first floor, but fifteen. Apparently,
each elevator lead to just a few floors. Having said that, my elevator had
initially started moving horizontally, which probably just meant it had been
moving to an unoccupied shaft, allowing the elevators to be used that bit more
intensively than if each one had had its own shaft like in the olden days.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">To be honest, I couldn’t understand why everyone was flying through
the corridor like they were conscripts doing their basic training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the twenty minutes I had spent trying to
find a free consultant, I was almost hit in the face about fifty times, and
each time people called me “noob”, “schoolkid”, “crab”, or other similar
epithets. After my long wander, I finally had some luck: one of the doors
directly across from me opened and a player leaped out.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Let’s hit the road, rookie!” he shouted
as he pushed me to the side at full speed and dashed toward the exit.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Well, well... Looks like I’m in luck,” I muttered under my breath
as I stepped into the cubicle that weirdo had come out of, above the doors of
which the green light had lit up again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent"><span lang="EN-US">The cubicle was a pleasant
surprise. In contrast to the miserable colors of the corridors, which I’d
already started growing tired of, here everything had been decorated in white
tones with a soft, pleasant blue hue. A young, dark-haired girl with emerald
eyes was sitting behind an office desk next to the far wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was wearing a white blouse, an austere,
dark-brown blazer and a practiced smile. Her eyes were heavy with fatigue,
looking as if to say, “I am so sick of dealing with all your shit!” The devs
were really trying. She looked like a real human being, even though she was
clearly a non-player character, or, as they’re called in gamer-slang, an NPC.
The emotions that were flitting over her face and flickering in her eyes, her
minute facial movements, the slight scanning movements her eyes were making.
The way she looked like she was evaluating my figure and appearance; it all
suggested that a lot of work had been put into this. How interesting! Let’s see
how the devs did with the dialog and emotions. Hadn’t they promised we wouldn’t
be able to distinguish between NPCs and real people?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Welcome...” she began, but I interrupted her straight away.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Good day, young lady! I’m sorry, but I’m
looking for a specialist from the Replication Center.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Umm... That would be me...”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“It can’t be!” I interrupted her again,
not giving her a chance to gather her thoughts. “Such an enchanting young
woman, wasting her time consulting regular philistines like us... I can’t
believe it!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Well...”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Yes! It’s just so kind of you to help us
needy folk to understand the basics of this world and give us the opportunity
to behold your beauty...”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The girl began to get embarrassed. Her
cheeks went red, making it clear that, even though she was a little confused,
she clearly liked what I’d said. I continued to drown her in admiration,
choosing my words very carefully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Especially considering that, according to what had been written about
the story of the game, everything was happening far in the future and I wasn’t
sure which flirtatious words or acts of courtship were still in use here. I
continued to soften her up for three more minutes. In this time, my outpouring
of words had touched the girl so deeply that she was sitting there all red,
smiling sheepishly and, with her eyes cast down, was twirling a strand of hair
that had tumbled out of her up-do. Just as I was running out of steam, she
jumped out of her chair.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Oh, I should have taken you through the
instructions and activated your neurointerface!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Not a problem! Don’t worry...”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“No, no, it’s really important!” She
jumped up toward me, grabbed my hand and pulled me to the table, in front of
which was the visitor’s chair. “Sit here. Now I will show and tell you
everything!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">After sitting me down, she ran around the
desk and began rummaging around in a drawer, not noticing that in this position
she was displaying her entire bottom half to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her tight little butt in the fitted,
mid-length skirt, her slim legs and neat shoes on short, thin heels. As all of
this was looking at me from behind the desk, I was forced to feel like a young
officer again; a young officer who never left a single girl behind. This was a
real surprise. A long-forgotten feeling had awakened in me, one that I didn’t
think I was even capable of feeling anymore. No, I wasn’t surprised — I was in
total shock! Sexual arousal was sinking its claws into me once again, luring me
in with all of its trappings to the point that I started to get an erection!
And at my age, too. Just take a deep breath, breathe... One more... Pheewwww,
it’s gone. I knew I wanted to check how well the NPCs had been programmed, but
I’d been led astray. Although, considering how real my reaction was, I wouldn’t
even call this an NPC; it was more like an artificial person. In which case it
was worth trying to see them as real people and act accordingly. Maybe
something good might come out of it. For me. While I was thinking about all
this, the girl had taken out some kind of appliance that resembled a swimming
cap with microcircuits sealed into it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Here we are! Put this on, please, and
relax. I am now going to activate your neurointerface, and then we’ll move onto
the tutorial.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">I took the cap in my hands and began
turning it around, trying to figure out which bit was the front and which bit
was the back. The girl smiled, took the cap back and, after putting it on for
me, like the lady she was, started smoothing it down onto my head. As she was
doing so, her chest (which, now I’m mentioning it, was rather large) almost
buried my face. <i>Holy shit, I’m going to have a breakdown after all!</i>
After she had put the appliance on for me, she stepped back and began making
strange gestures in the air with her hands. The world rippled before my eyes,
but everything returned to normal after a couple of seconds. Only now multiple
icons and panels were hanging in front of me. Multi-colored bands were hanging
in the top left-hand corner of my vision, while in the bottom left-hand corner,
judging by the image of the fist, was where my equipped weapon was displayed.
At the same time, in the top right-hand corner was a small image of a map, and
in the bottom right-hand corner was a small icon. A message was taking up half
of my field of vision:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Congratulations! You have completed
your first task: “Activate Neuronetwork”. You have activated your neuronetwork
with one of our official representatives. You have now been identified in the
government network.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Reward: You can now use the interface</span></b><span lang="EN-US">.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Aha, that’s why I couldn't call up the
interface. Something in my subconscious was concerning me but I couldn’t work
out what it was. I had only just started trying to find the source of it when I
was distracted by the charming specialist’s voice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“That’s it, the neurointerface has been activated. Now, let’s move
on to the tutorial.” She sat down on her chair and continued. “Right now, we
are in the Replication Center. On the fifth level of the multi-level city of
Alpha Rome. Taking into account the problems that we’ve been facing over the
last few decades, the government has decided to extract some of the original
replication casts that aren’t currently being used from the archive. By doing
this and increasing the population, we are planning to use these replicates to
regenerate the infrastructure of the fifth level. If this project pays off, we
will rebuild the rest of the lower levels. Consequently, the decision was made
to give each replicate a room in which they can be replicated for free for
either a period of seven days, or up to ten replications. All further
replications must be paid for according to the tariffs in place. Also, each
replicate receives one thousand credits to start with. You will now receive a
file that shows you all the main buildings in our outpost. Be aware! The zones
which have been shaded in red are not patrolled by our security services as
there is a significant danger to life there. Phew... That seems to be it.”<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent"><span lang="EN-US">Oh wow. Had she learned this all by
heart or had she been reading through it all using her own neuronetwork?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">I was surprised to notice that the girl was looking at me with a sad
expression. She seemed happy and was twittering on quite merrily just a moment
before, so why the sharp mood swing?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Forgive me, but what is your name? I, for
example, am called Vlad... Hm... Volper. And yourself?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Oh...” Her eyes widened and she
automatically covered her mouth with her hand. “Did I not introduce myself?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“No.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Litara.” And after a second, she added,
“But you can call me Lita.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“What a beautiful name! Tell me, Lita, why
did you suddenly become all sad?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Well, you see, now you, like the rest of
the replicates, are going to dart off to who knows where, screaming strange
words!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">We sat and looked at one another. One
second, two... Five... Ten... I couldn’t hold it in any longer and asked,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Well? Have I run off yet?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“It doesn’t look like it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Strange... After all, you said, Lita,
that I would run away.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“And why haven't you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Well, why would I?” I was trying very
hard to not to laugh at our conversation.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“I don’t know.” Perhaps my unorthodox ways
had started to panic Lita.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Perhaps, until you decide why I would run
away, you could answer a few questions for me?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Ask away!” She smiled at me. “At least, I
will if I know the answer.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“So, tell me, Lita, why did this
neuronetwork need to be activated?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Well, how would you cope without it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s what controls your entire body. It lets
you find out about the condition of your health; about which skills you’ve
mastered and lots of other things. Plus, for convenience, it translates
everything into numbers and can track your progress. But the most important
thing is that the server processes all of your actions and the government can
instantly give you various bonuses and prizes. So, again, without the
neuronetwork, you wouldn’t be able to get to a useful position in society,
which directly depends on you completing your missions and the volume of work
you do that’s useful for the city.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“So, I won’t be able to see the levels of
any humans or mutants?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“You will. You’ll be able to see the level
of potential danger they present to you.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“I see... Lita, you’ve already mentioned
that we need to rebuild the infrastructure of the fifth level. Will we be
having to carry out construction work?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Well... Perhaps some construction work,
but to start with we need to clear the territory of any threats. You see, the
fifth floor became uninhabitable for humans about three hundred years ago.
After that, various mutant creatures and groups of bandits settled here. Some
aggressive security systems have been at work in several places since then.
Various droids will turn up occasionally, some ours, some theirs, and you can
also come across mutant people who are trying to hide from the government.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s why we need to clear the territory
before the reconstruction work can begin. It needs to be strengthened, and then
we can start work on the infrastructure.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“And is there an army?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“They, unfortunately, are almost all
occupied with fighting mutant breakouts,” Lita replied with a sadness in her
voice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“So, we’re just gun-fodder that you're
going to use to clear out the territory?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“No, of course not! Multiple replication
centers have been built across the entire fifth level specifically for this
reason. We have installed the most expensive human replication equipment and
all the replications are carried out at the cost price of the biological
material. So that none of you have to worry about dying.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“In that case, why doesn’t the government
just replicate the soldiers?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Unfortunately, the technology for
creating full replication casts was lost a long time ago. Now, we can only
carry out changes to those that already exist. And the server doesn’t allow
several replications to be done at the same time. I’m not sure why that is.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“I see, that means the only way of earning
any money now is through rewards and killing dangerous creatures?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“No, almost everything you’ll get within
the outpost walls can be given to other departments. For example, the body of
an under-researched mutant will be happily bought up by the labs in the
Research Center. The engineers there are working on a variety of devices that
we no longer have any information for. If you get your hands on some armor or
weapons, you can take those to the shop. They’ll probably give you a good price
for them. And if you’re really struggling for cash, you can collect any old
junk beyond the perimeter and drag it back to the Administration Building. They
buy it up on the cheap and re-purpose it. So, as you can see, there are many
ways of earning money even if you don’t have any professional skills.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Thank you very much, Lita, for giving me
such detailed information.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Oh, don’t mention it. That’s what I’m
here for. Although, unfortunately, few people are interested in finding out
more than the basics.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Despite the fact that I had desperately
little information, I didn’t know what else to ask. I still needed to figure
out how to work the interface, plus I was very stressed out about the idea that
this server had total control over me. But this probably just meant that the
devs had created a logical, mutual link between the recreated people and the
explanations for the NPCs. All I needed to do now was to say goodbye to Litara,
promising, as a final thing, to come back to her if any questions came up.
After stepping out into the corridor and walking for about thirty-two feet, I
stopped next to the wall and studied the interface. The map displayed the small
area around me and was seemingly limited to what I could actually see. At my
mental command, it opened out to take up my entire view, detailing my location.
Almost all of it was covered in the so-called “fog of war”, which is usually
used in the gaming industry to refer to those parts of the map where there
weren’t any players. The only thing I found surprising was the key for the
levels and floors, even though this was completely logical from the point of view
of a game world in which you didn’t just have to orientate yourself on a
horizontal plane, but vertically too. I turned the map over and cast my eyes
over the pictographs. These were also just like what I had been expecting:
character status, mail, friend list, system menu. After calling up the
character status, I immediately dove into reading what was there as some of the
points sometimes gave information about the possibility of developing in the
future.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Character Status:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Name: Volper<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Level: 0<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Experience: 0/250<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Armor (Mean value): 1<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Health: 50/50<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Hunger: 12/100<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Thirst: 17/100<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Fatigue: 3/50<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Weight: 0.9/50<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Attributes:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Strength – 5<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Agility – 9<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Stamina – 5<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Perception – 9<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Intelligence – 6<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Intellect – 1<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Luck – 8<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Charisma – 5<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Skills: --<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Professions: --<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Personal Account: 1,000 CR<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">I concentrated my vision on the “Armor”
heading and a detailed layout of my body parts popped up. Apart from my wrists
and head, everywhere had a value of one which seemed to have been given to me
based on my starter gear. I drilled my eyes into the remaining stats, but they
didn't respond. The bands in the top left-hand corner were responsible for the
floating parameters. Red for health, gray for hunger, light blue for thirst and
orange, naturally, for fatigue. Out of all the indicators, health was the only
one that was full. The rest had only just started to fill up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was very interested in two headings:
“Skills” and “Professions”. The problem was that there wasn’t any description
to go with them. That and the fact they were empty, even though they would
clearly be very important in terms of my character development. They hadn’t
been grouped together with the main stats for nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Okay, information was all well and good,
but I needed to level up before I fell behind the quickest players. I just needed
to find a shop, buy some things if I had enough money, and try and throw myself
into battle.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: RU;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: center; text-indent: 36pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Chapter 3. Hardcore! Or Have the Devs Just Lost Their
Minds?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">With the help of the
map I reached the shop in just three minutes. I then stood in the queue for
almost half an hour. It was a good opportunity to examine my surroundings. To
be honest, I wouldn’t have minded overhearing something interesting, but the
only people within my hearing range were newbies. So, unfortunately, I didn’t
pick up anything useful from their idle chit-chat. The outpost was comprised of
just five buildings: the five-story Replication Center; a similar sized
residential compound; a three-story research center; a five-story
administration building; and the hangar that housed the shop. All of these
buildings were laid out in a ring around an open square. The perimeter of the
outpost was closed off by a twenty-six-foot-high modular fence, which had
presumably been built in preparation for the next stage of the expansion. Behind
this fence there were gigantic buildings in various stages of disrepair and multi-level
highways; but what was even more surprising was what was above my head. There
was no sky, not even a dome. Your eyes were drawn to a ceiling that was made
out of concrete, or something that looked similar to concrete, which covered
the entire city. This was the moment when what Lita had said about the levels
finally started to make sense. Judging by the fact that we were on the fifth
level, there must have been at least one city just as big as this above our
heads and four more beneath us. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The entrance to the
shop was flanked by two security guards wearing some kind of mechanized armor
which vaguely resembled the body armor worn by our space marines. Only, in
contrast to the space marines, these security guards had yellowish power lines
running along the contours of their visors, the outside of their arms and legs,
and around their waist. They were each holding an assault rifle — a power variant,
if the module that was giving off blue light was anything to go by. It looked
effective, but in terms of practicality and camouflage, it was a terrible
choice, not just because you could probably have spotted them from outer space,
but because they were illuminating their most vulnerable areas!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Once I had reached the
front of the queue, I entered the shop. I immediately spotted eight twin-barrel
gun-turrets on the ceiling, close-mesh grating in front of the counters and an
enormous amount of CCTV cameras. It was like something straight out of a center
for paranoiacs, especially considering there were no more than two dozen
customers allowed in the shop at any one time. The shop floor itself was
divided up into sections by item type. Weapons were here, ammunition was over
there, this was the armor section, and so on. I went over to the weapons stand
and scanned the assortment on display. My gaze was momentarily drawn to an
electromagnetic pulse rifle which had a concentrator attached to the end of the
barrel. Holy cow! If you loaded that thing up with plasma ammunition, you could
burn through any combat robot’s composite armor! I looked at the price and
whistled in my head — seventeen million credits. Wow... I would’ve had to farm
for half a year to get that; although, I didn’t really know how much the loot
the local creatures dropped was worth yet, so it might have taken even longer
than that.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Good day!” I turned to
the assistant. “What do you have for an aspiring soldier?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“What class of weapon
are you interested in?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Hm... What is there?”
I’d be damned if I knew how they classified their weapons.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Well, the main types are
contact weapons and small arms. Contact weapons are separated into cold, power,
laser, and pulse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are three types
of cold weapon: bladed, chopping, blunt...”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Stop, stop, stop,
let’s try it a different way. I need a cheap pistol, a drop-leg holster, a
knife with a fifteen-centimeter blade in a tough protective case, and something
compact and automatic.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The assistant stared at
me, tugged at his chin a few times and, after deciding something in his head,
gave me an answer.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“As I understand it,
you only have the starter allowance, yes?” I nodded, but he had already turned
to somewhere deep in the shop window. “Levi, bring me starter kit number
three!” he shouted.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“What kind of gear is
that?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Before we started
working with the Replication Center, my colleagues and I got together and
decided to create some gear sets based on some minimum requirements. To make it
so you could get it for a thousand credits. Usually, you replicates ask for
either a machine gun or a cannon. Or, at the very least, a rifle. But people
rarely ask for a variety of things for different situations like you just did.
So, we have a couple of gear sets. Just don’t judge. They’re not very good
quality, but you won’t get anything better for your money.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Thanks for this. How
much is it?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Seven hundred and
thirty-two.” As soon as he saw my eyes widen, he added, “Don’t worry, you’ve
got quite a lot of stuff here: a small rucksack with some rounds, dry food
packets and a hydration system with almost a gallon of water.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">That was a load off my
mind. I didn’t want to have to go without armor just because I didn’t have
enough money. I took the bundle and confirmed the charges in a small flashing
window before heading over to the fitting room the assistant had pointed out. I
pulled the curtain across and immediately dove in to look at what I’d bought. I
had some short, black boots with plastic clasps. Some trousers that were made
out of a leather-like material with two side and two hip pockets. A
long-sleeved jacket in the same material as the trousers with eight external
pockets laid out symmetrically across the left and right sides — two on the
chest and two below the ribs. Fingerless gloves with padding on the knuckles. A
strange looking pistol without a slide and with an open barrel and a small
movable part where the bolt usually was, as well as a hidden trigger. After
turning the pistol round to look at it from all angles, I still couldn’t find
the safety catch, and the trigger could be pulled without cocking it first. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Next, I picked up the
small, short-barreled submachine gun that had a folding butt, but to my horror,
the bolt was way in front of the trigger and the magazine was right below it.
What’s more, not only did it spit from the recoil, it didn’t even have a
bull-pup system so you could lower the chances of getting “recoil shoulder”. In
short, it wasn’t a weapon, but something that had been made to look like one.
It also only had two firing modes: automatic or semi-automatic. And I hadn’t
even started on changing the type of ammunition. I was just going to have to
take it. I felt like banging my head against a wall. But, on the other hand,
what had I expected to be starting the game with? Whatever, I’d done enough
reacting. I needed to see what else there was. A simple, synthetic belt and a
synthetic gun holster with two elastic loops that would fit around my thigh and
a tough clip to attach it to my belt. A polymer one would have been better for
open carry, of course, but I couldn't afford that yet. On the other hand,
unlike this one, a polymer holster would have needed to fit the exact model of
the pistol to make sure everything stayed firmly in place. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">I then looked at the
small, roughly twenty-liter rucksack that had a load of straps sewn onto it. If
I wasn’t mistaken, these kind of fastenings were used before the trustworthy
magnetic locks were discovered. Inside the rucksack I found five small boxes of
rounds, two magazines for the SMG and one for the pistol. At the very bottom
there were two vacuum packs of dry rations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In a special pocket on the back I found the hydration system which had a
pipe that had been threaded through one of the straps of the rucksack, just
above the shoulder. The last thing in the bundle was the knife. Altogether it
was slightly longer than thirty centimeters with a straight, one-sided,
fifteen-centimeter blade, and a gently curved handle. The handle was wrapped in
some kind of cord so that it didn’t slip out of your hand and all of this was
neatly put together in a tough case, which had a belt loop on the upper part
and two elastic loops with regular clasps on the middle and lower parts which
were most likely designed to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>be attached
to your thigh. I stood and looked at all of this and realized what an idiot I
was being. I was in a game, this wasn’t real life, and all I actually needed
here were thoughts. Having identified myself as a moron, I started to open the
information about the items one by one.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Boots “Rekvord”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Foot/ankle armor: <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kinetic: 2<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Penetration: 3<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thermal: 1<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Condition: 100%<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Weight: 1.2 kg<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Trousers “Saomi”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Additional slots: 4
pockets<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Thigh/knee armor:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kinetic: 1<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Penetration: 2<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thermal: 1<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Condition: 100%<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Weight: 0.7 kg<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Jacket “Oster”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Additional slots: 8
pockets<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Body/forearm/elbow/collarbone/shoulder/partial
wrist armor:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kinetic: 2<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Penetration: 2<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thermal: 2<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Condition: 100%<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Weight: 1.1 kg<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Gloves “Klemor”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Hand/finger armor:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kinetic: 1<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Penetration: 2<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Condition: 100%<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Weight: 0.12 kg<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Rucksack “Cargo”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Main slots: 2<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Additional slots:
Hydration system slot (full), external MOLLE system.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Volume: 18 liters<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Capacity: 20 kg<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Condition: 100%<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Weight: 0.4 kg<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Knife “SR-17”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Damage: 5-7<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Total length: 285 mm<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Condition: 100%<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Weight: 0.26 kg <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Pistol “PMK 428”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Ammunition: 4.2x8<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Effective Range: 20
meters<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Rounds Per Minute:
30 <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Firing mode:
semi-automatic<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Condition: 100%<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Weight: 0.42 kg<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Magazine for Pistol
“PMK 428”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Ammunition: 4.2x8<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Number of Rounds: 12<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Condition: 100%<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Weight: 0.11 kg<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Pistol Round “4.2x8”
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Kinetic damage: 4-6<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Penetration damage:
2-3<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Condition: 100%<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Weight: 2.4 g<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Submachine gun (SMG)
“Hornet”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Ammunition: 4.2x8<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Effective Range: 30
meters<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Rounds Per Minute:
400 <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Firing mode:
semi-automatic, automatic.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Condition: 100%<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Weight: 2.4 kg<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Magazine for Submachine
Gun “Hornet”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Ammunition: 4.2x8<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Number of Rounds: 50<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Condition: 100%<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Weight: 0.23 kg<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">After reading through
each items’ attributes, all I wanted to do was get myself out of this squalor.
I took a deep breath, changed my clothes, put the rucksack on my back, attached
the pistol to my right thigh and the knife to the outside of my left calf. It
was always much more comfortable to grab things with the opposite hand. Sure, I
had to suffer for a while until I had readjusted the knife and attached it to my
belt, but in the end, the sheath began to fit like a glove. After loading all
the magazines, I shoved the spares from the SMG into my chest pockets and the
extra pistol into a special holster pocket. I hung the Hornet over my chest
with the barrel facing the ground and repositioned the strap so that when I
pulled it onto my shoulder, the strap wouldn’t pull on the back of my neck. It
didn’t take long for me to decide to throw the little slippers I’d been wearing
in the trash. Then, I jumped up and down a few times and made sure that nothing
jangled. I was just about to leave when I realized that I wouldn’t get very far
like this. I quickly ran along the counters and bought myself some thin but
strong wire, a rope, a pound of bandages and some anti-septic spray.
Incidentally, I was very surprised that they didn’t sell any elixirs or
stimulants that could heal wounds in an instant. After taking a moment to
think, I bought a two-pound gas canister that had a directional nozzle and an
electric lighter. I ate my way through what was left of my credits after
noticing that my hunger and thirst bars were at zero. I looked at my load
capacity and was satisfied. Almost fourteen and a half kilograms out of the
available fifty. It was only my account that I was disappointed with, as it
only had thirteen credits left in it. I looked myself up and down once more and
decided I was ready to set off. I lightly jogged over to the closest of three
gates and, after passing through the gateway with a group of players, I was in
the outside world.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">The territory beyond
the perimeter greeted me with the sound of shots being fired. It was coming
from all directions and from varying distances, but probably from no further
than about five hundred and fifty, maybe seven hundred and sixty yards away.
After quickly glancing to the sides and making sure I wouldn’t be in any
immediate danger, I hurriedly seated a cartridge into the Hornet. I didn’t load
the pistol for fear of carrying around a loaded gun that didn’t have a safety
lock and something embarrassing happening. The players with whom I had gone
through the gate had split up into small groups and drew off along the streets
in different directions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I, on the other
hand, logically assessed the streets opposite the gate and, after noticing that
they were already pretty crowded, moved along the wall to the right of the
gate. Having already got about halfway to the next gate, I spotted a small
alleyway which led away into the depths of the city and headed down it. As soon
as I had rounded the first turn, a creature lunged at me from behind a pile of
garbage. My reflexes, which had stayed with me from the real world, saved me
from having to respawn. As soon as my brain had registered the potential
danger, I immediately fell onto my left side, pulled the trigger on the Hornet
and fired at the blurry shadow that was now hovering just centimeters above me.
To my surprise, the creature didn’t even notice the ten bullets that had just
been fired into its gut. I pushed myself off the ground using my left arm and
adopted a solid stance on my right knee. Then, through the scope on my weapon,
I watched in astonishment as the monster, slowly, lazily even, turned its
muzzle toward me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Panic was racing
through my mind trying to find a way out, especially after the name and level
of this mob suddenly lit up in red above its head.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US">Flesh Eater, Level 9<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Are you freaking
kidding me, devs?! Why the hell would you put a level nine in the noobzone? How
on earth did they come up with the idea of shoving a level nine mob where level
one players were running around? As these thoughts were sprinting through my head,
my body went into cruise control, centering the sight on the Flesh Eater’s head
before opening fire and spewing out a short rope of bullets into its muzzle. It
really didn’t like it. It took two large strides and was literally two meters
away from me. It bent its hind legs and jumped straight at my head. I got away
by rolling onto my side. I started praying to every possible god in the hope
that they would raise my agility to the max and, after turning my face to the
Flesh Eater, I screamed at the top of my lungs like a green recruit going into
his first battle.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“RAA-AA-A-A-A!!!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">I didn’t wait, I just
poured lead into the creature straight from my hip, holding the Hornet with one
hand while the second tried to pull the spare magazine out of my chest pocket.
In the meantime, I noticed the Flesh Eater’s health bar wasn’t going down
particularly quickly, so I continued to douse it with lead. This wasn’t the
time to scrimp on rounds; there was no way I could take aim. Either I messed
this creature up right now, or it would be sending me to respawn with its next
jump. Without any money, and possibly without any ammunition. Just think how
long it would take to get new gear if I had to keep depending on social quests
without being able to level up soon. One of the bursts went straight through
the Flesh Eater’s front paw. It tripped and was sent sprawling across the
concrete. By this time, my left hand had already managed to reach the spare
magazine and, making good use of this opportunity, I quickly swapped it with
the old one. I had only paused for a second, but the creature had already had
enough of this misery. Pulling its front paw to into its chest, it darted off
to the right and ran along the wall on its three legs. The monster then used
the wall as a springboard and leaped at me, accepting all the bullets fired at
it as it flew through the air. My agility helped me once again. Instead of my
neck, the creature latched onto my left shoulder with its jaws, while its mass,
which had been multiplied by the acceleration it had reached as it leaped, took
me out. After tearing off a good chunk of meat from the outer part of my arm,
the mob flew off to the side. The momentum sent us rolling over the concrete in
different directions. I struggled back up onto my feet and spotted the Flesh
Eater convulsing about sixteen feet away from me. Its health bar was flashing
alarmingly, indicating that it was at the point of exhaustion. I walked over to
it, my legs shaking, pointed my gun at the monster’s head and pulled the trigger.
In response, I heard a dull click — the magazine was empty. I spat to the side
in anger, grabbed the pistol, cocked it in my teeth (how else was I supposed to
do it when my left arm wasn’t obeying me at all?), awkwardly loaded it and put
all the bullets into the Flesh Eater’s head. After making sure the monster was
dead once and for all, I sat down, exhausted, and leaned back against its bulk.
Then, a system message flashed up. I was irritated, so I sent it straight to
the inbox by pulling it down into the right-hand corner and started tending to
my wound. With the help of my knife, the scraps of my sleeves and some
bandages, I wrapped up my shoulder in a make-shift sling, all the while cursing
quietly from the pain. Jesus Christ, that’s realism for you. In all its glory.
The pain was absolutely unbelievable. I cursed and gritted my teeth as I
twisted to get the spray and some bandages out of the rucksack and dressed the
wound well. Just as I was finishing my first aid, my hits froze at seven
points.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f">
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">(Illustration: Flesh
Eater)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">After loading the last
of my magazines into the SMG, I turned my head, meticulously examining the
locality and paying particular attention to any places that might have been
housing new mobs. Having convinced myself that there were no new dangers for
the time being, I started to fill up the empty magazines once again. Fearing a
new attack, I kept glancing to the side every couple of seconds. According to
general game mechanics, every mob should have its own agro-zone, but these devs
had already proved that we could expect anything from them. It was good that I
was still in the habit of stuffing the first empty magazine in an empty pocket
rather than having to crawl on the ground trying to find it. I grabbed the
magazine out of my pocket and found that there were still seven rounds in it.
Hardcore! I’d spent ninety-three bullets on one creature! Ah wait... One
hundred and five. I’d completely forgotten about the empty pistol magazine.
That was almost half my ammunition. But there was no use thinking about that; I
needed to collect the loot and head back to the base. There I’d be able to
figure out the system and think about that eternal question: what should I do?
After turning the Hornet’s half-filled third magazine in my hands, I involuntarily
screwed up my face and stuck it into my lower jacket pocket. It was now for
emergencies only. For monsters like these, twenty-one rounds per magazine was
nothing. I turned to face the Flesh Eater’s corpse and touched it with my hand,
expecting the “Collect Loot” window to appear. Hm, strange... What if I used a
thought command?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><i><span lang="EN-US">“Loot”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><i><span lang="EN-US">“Collect Loot”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><i><span lang="EN-US">“Drop”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US">…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 10.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: 36.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">Every one of my
attempts was in vain. Did I need to flay this bastard myself? Of course, I
wasn’t averse to doing that. I’d done worse things in my own life, but loads of
kids were playing this game, kids who’d just pull out of it after the first
incision. And again, I couldn’t just dismember it right there on the spot. God
forbid another creature turned up while I was pulling a stint as a butcher.
Dammit. I also couldn’t drag the body back myself — it weighed at least a
hundred and thirty pounds, maybe even one fifty! But wait, I had some rope.
Well, not some rope, some wire. I folded the wire in half and tightly wrapped
it around the body, leaving about three meters of it loose. I then made a large
loop at the end, through which I stuck my right arm and my head so as to spread
the bulk of the weight diagonally across my chest. That way, my arms would
remain free and I could drag the corpse. Sure, my rucksack got in the way a
little, but I’d survive. Straining, I pulled the load along behind me for a
couple of yards, well, I say pulled, it was more like heaving, slowly and with
short breaks. My left shoulder was on fire.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">This is how I returned
to the base, dragging the carcass of this unknown creature behind me, this time
making sure to examine any potentially dangerous areas. At least the devs
hadn’t included sweat and other bodily necessities, otherwise I would have been
dripping and gasping for breath. Fortunately, I didn’t run into any monsters on
my short trip. Well, that’s if you don’t count the small group of about five
players who followed me to the outpost with dumbstruck looks on their faces.
The security guard on duty at the gates didn't even lift an eyebrow at my
arrival. His eyes might have looked a bit surprised but there was no hint of it
on his face. The other players, however, were all staring at me and making
snide comments as I hauled my load to the Research Center.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Here, get a load of
this! Looks like you can even get a job as a carthorse.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“No, he’s just had
enough of the bland dry food. He’s got himself some meat for dinner.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Muaha-ha-ha, this noob
doesn’t even know that you don’t get loot from those.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Look, look, look...
He’s puffing like a steam train. Let’s see if they make him take it all back.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">And so the pile-on
continued. I was just a stupid noob who didn’t know a damn thing; I was
dragging it around for nothing, blah-blah-blah. Only one group of three humans stood
out from the masses of players. They were coming out of the Research Center
just as I was reaching it. The words “Level 10” were glowing above each one of
them and they were, naturally, pretty well equipped compared to the rest of the
players. This group gave me a very thoughtful look and, as soon as I had gone
through the doors, I noticed they had started talking about something again.
That was fine, as long as they were also contemplating whether to drag some
carcasses back here too. But if it was something more aggressive, I would need
to have eyes in the back of my head. Two young female assistants were standing,
bored, behind a small counter in the reception hall.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Good day!” I said to
them. “I was told that the laboratory buys the organs of some mutants. Would
you mind telling me if they will take entire carcasses?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Um... Just a second,“
one of them said, dumbfounded.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">While the first girl
was trying to think of something to say in response to my question, the second,
judging by her blank stare, was trying to connect to someone through the
neuronetwork. Not even a minute had passed when a disheveled-looking man in a
yellow boiler suit stepped out of the door on the left of the counter. Without
paying any attention to me, he walked over to the girls and asked, “where?”, to
which they responded by pointing to me. He turned around and immediately rushed
toward me. No, that’s not right. He damn near ignored me. He ran over to what
was left of the Flesh Eater and, while he was examining it from all angles, he
started wailing,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“You heartless beast!
You’ve damaged the specimen. Which idiot decided to stuff this poor mutant with
lead?” Upon hearing this comparison, I started seething quietly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“I’m sorry...” I
started, but this crackpot scientist interrupted me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“And you are?” Then he
turned back to the girls behind the counter. “Ladies, please escort this
unauthorized individual from the building. He is disrupting our research.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">I couldn’t hold it in
any longer. I stepped up to the scientist and drove my good hand into his face
with full force. I don’t know what came over me; it was like a flash of emotion
that I’d never seen in me before, and it certainly wasn’t like me now, at my
age. Perhaps it was the stress of my first battle taking its toll on me; maybe it
was some kind of unfamiliar hormonal outburst which I shouldn’t really have
been experiencing at my age, but what was done was done. The scientist fell to
the ground with his arms spread out and, by the look of things, became
unconscious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A single round of applause
came from behind my back. I turned around to see a young guy in a tight yellow
boiler suit which fitted him almost perfectly, particularly in contrast to that
of the scientist on the ground, which looked like a sack.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“I told him to watch
his language or he’ll get punched, but no... What did he say? ‘These
Neanderthals won’t lay a hand on me because even their half-witted brains
recognize the importance of science and my contribution to it.’” The guy
quoted, clearly mocking the scientist. “Let me introduce myself. My name is
Alfred. I am a representative of the biology department here at the Research
Center.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Ehem... Volper, nice
to meet you. Please forgive my jerk-like behavior, but I couldn't stand it.
That thing almost had me for dinner, and your um... colleague was sticking up
for it, saying I’d damaged the specimen and whatever else.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Take no notice of him,
he’ll lie down for a while, come round and turn into an almost sane person. At
least until he gets distracted by a new specimen...”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“I understand, but
could we move onto business? Will you buy this carcass? Or should I palm it off
as a nutritious delicacy?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Hm... Actually, we
need to do an analysis on the soft tissue to see if we could use them for food,
and if the analysis comes back positive...”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“I’m still here.” I
interrupted him again. I didn’t need to deal with another scientist nutcase.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“Yes, yes, sorry, I got
distracted. Well, considering that no one has ever brought us a whole Flesh
Eater before, and it’s almost a mature individual... Well then, if we count all
the organs, add a little extra for the rarity... Plus, take the age of the
individual into account... That comes to... Six thousand credits. We can also
throw in a regeneration tablet to heal your wound. As a bonus. How does that
sound?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“That suits me.” Well,
even though I still didn’t know the exact price of a mutant, that was a pretty
large sum for me at that point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And they
were going to patch me up and everything.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 36pt;"><span lang="EN-US">“In that case, follow
Alika.” He pointed to one of the girls. “And while you’re regenerating, I’ll
transfer the funds.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Release - April 12, 2021</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Pre-order on Amazon - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PVWMNJS">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PVWMNJS</a></span></div></div>Simon Valehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16142080565999248152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1879934328827513079.post-60504222326801710792020-12-11T07:35:00.001-08:002020-12-11T07:35:21.902-08:00The Rebel (Project Stellar-4) by Roman Prokofiev<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<h3 style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 0cm;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 0cm;">The Rebel</span></div><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 0cm;">Project Stellar-4</span></div></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 0cm;">by Roman Prokofiev</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; text-indent: 0cm;"><br /></span></div></span></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cjSY18-V_CI/X9ORJ4sgVtI/AAAAAAAACbQ/T-8RE48B8k0L8vdpsvuj6lTu4EcW86SWgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/stellar_4_800_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="527" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cjSY18-V_CI/X9ORJ4sgVtI/AAAAAAAACbQ/T-8RE48B8k0L8vdpsvuj6lTu4EcW86SWgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/stellar_4_800_2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><b><span style="color: red;">Release - May 10, 2021</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><b><span style="color: red;">Pre-order on Amazon - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08LGTTFZN">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08LGTTFZN</a></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“WE’VE ARRIVED,” </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">Arachne said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">The jagged
black cliffs outlining the Sanctuary of Spirits – one of the most dangerous
A-zones – towered overhead. From what Alice had heard, it used to be an ancient
underground fortress owned by some unknown Incarnators which was later consumed
by a powerful Outbreak the consequences of which still lingered.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">Alice
sniffed the air, her shapeshifter instincts on edge. The monotonous pulsation
of A-radiation, the sounds, the smells and her own gut feeling all screamed:
get out of here now!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">Arachne
and herself had been traveling on their own for quite a while already. Ordinary
people just didn't dare venture into the area. The Convoy had stopped way
behind, setting up camp in the foothills. They must have come here for a
reason. They were up to something. There was definitely something brewing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">Alice had
glimpsed new Possessed Ones in the Convoy: Ether, Kaira and Gremlin. She’d
heard their nicknames and watched them come and go while they seemed to ignore
her entirely. She was only Arachne’s prisoner, after all.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">So it
looked like the deaths of both Gnarl and Evil had failed to hinder the
Possessed Ones’ designs. Alice had no doubts they had been laboriously working
on something. She’d seen weird-looking strangers turn up at the Convoy at the
dead of night; she’d watched unknown mechanized caravans being unloaded and
smelled the whiffs of steel and fresh gun oil in the air – plus a hint of some
other smell, dangerous and painfully familiar which made her hackles stand on
end.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">Now she
was free again. Arachne had even returned part of her confiscated gear. The
ex-shapeshifter could have escaped a long time ago – but still she hadn’t done
so. Arachne had managed to convince her that their paths had converged, both
leading them toward Grey. Alice had agreed to that unhesitantly, even though it
meant disabling her cogitor – her newly-found Richie - sacrificing his support
for fear of receiving new reprimands from the Stellar system.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">So now
they were looking for someone capable of repairing the ancient wingsuit.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“We’ve
arrived,” Arachne repeated, nervously licking her thin lips.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">A flock
of transparent Voids hovered languidly in the air around huge lopsided doors.
Once hermetic, they now looked as if some unknown force had at some point prized
them apart, mangling the metal like a concertina.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">Darkness
gaped behind the thin crack of the entrance, rife with the presence of
creatures much more powerful than the Void phantoms guarding it. Alice’s upper
lip twitched and curled without her realizing it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“Don’t
worry, they won’t hurt us,” Arachne murmured, peering into the dark. “He
already knows we’re here.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">She
didn’t sound too sure, though. After all, they didn’t have an Enchanter with
them. Without one, A-monsters could present a serious danger even to seasoned
Incarnators. Still, they didn't have any choice. This was the abode of he who
could fix Angel’s wingsuit.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpLast" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">Alice and
Arachne forced themselves through the mangled doorway. The Voids showed no
reaction, carrying on with their silent dance.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif;">A
wide corridor carved through the rock led downward. Alice could make out
letters and numbers on the walls which seemed to form strange phrases. This
place must have been built even before Utopia. Way before.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“This
used to be a research facility,” Arachne said under her breath. “One of the
many. <i>His den</i> is further on down. Follow me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">They
continued through the damp darkness. Here, the old rocks still bore witness to
the old Outbreak. This place was haunted by A-creatures; living ones had no
business here. Alice would have never ventured here on her own accord. All such
breaches from over the Edge remained lethal for years and decades.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">Every few
hundred paces, the corridor would fork. As they walked, they’d come across
three more hermetic entries, either smashed or jammed, creating the impression
that at some point in the past, some giant monsters had tried to force their
way out of here, crushing everything in their path.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">The irrational,
suffocating fear which always accompanied the presence of A-creatures was
growing ever stronger. Strangely, the Void showed no aggression: apparently,
this place was home to monsters of a much bigger caliber which were getting
ever closer with every downward step. The darkness took on a life of its own,
casting fantastical shadows on the walls as something intangible but perfectly
real began to stir awake in its depths.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“Hang
on,” Arachne whispered. “Don’t move. Please don’t attack it.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">She
seemed to be scared as well. The thing or things that had been stirring in the
darkness seemed to have approached, surrounding them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">The girls
froze, watching the distorted shadows cast by the invisible creature. Or
creatures? You didn’t have to be an Enchanter to sense the paralyzing horror
exuded here.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">This was
something familiar – very similar to the sensation that the Beast had given her
although infinitely stronger. The icy claws of terror constricted Alice’s
throat. Her breathing seized.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">After a
few moments of silently inspecting them, the presence drew back into the
shadows, as if it had either discovered some invisible right of passage the
girls had, or had received a silent order from someone else.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">Now they
felt a bit better. The invisible grip had released Alice’s throat, allowing her
to breathe again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“What the
hell was that?” she asked hoarsely.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">Arachne
used her index finger to wipe away a drop of perspiration from her brow and
replied in a low voice,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“This is
some sort of guard he has. Either a Fiend or an Ahriman, I don’t really know. It
makes sure no strangers wander in. There’s lots of them around here. But they
won’t touch us.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“There’re
no living creatures here,” Alice murmured, casting nervous looks around. “Never
have been. Only monsters. Spirits. They’re everywhere. Why did we come here?
Tell me.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">Arachne
smiled. “You’re smart. Nobody lives here. This is an entry point. One of the
many. We’re almost there.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">After a
little while, they finally arrived. The maze of corridors had brought them to a
large room with a collapsed ceiling, its floor littered with heaps of junk
whose outlines still betrayed some ancient hi tech equipment. A round black<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>pedestal stood at the center, divided into
several sections with strips of old discolored metal. The pedestal appeared to
be just as damaged and disused as everything else around – but as soon as
Arachne touched her master key to an invisible plate, the black stone began to shimmer,
a pale blue Azuric light glowing inside.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">Alice had
seen these gizmos before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was
extradimensional stuff: an entrance to a handmade mini-dimension. In the times
of Utopia, people had begun to explore the concept of the pseudo Riemannian
space and had even learned to make cryptors. Still, their achievements paled
into insignificance compared to the mastery of the Shea who could create entire
handmade worlds. At the time, Prometheus had mastered the secrets of their xeno
technologies which had allowed him to build such masterpieces as the Monoliths,
the Cube and the Testing Grounds.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">This was
something similar: an entry point to a place which could have been located
thousands of miles away. Still, the fact that this ancient translocator had
been built at this exact location in the abandoned underground fortress could
only mean one thing...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">Alice
didn’t get the chance to finish her ponderings. Arachne must have lost her
patience because she gave her a nudge in the back, forcing her to enter.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">Bright
sunlight assaulted her eyes after the gloom of the underground tunnels. Her
shapeshifter’s acute sense of smell immediately picked up the aroma of fresh
earth, plants and the odor of a great many living beings mixed with whiffs of
metal, plastic and glass. Birds twittered; insects buzzed; giant butterflies
fluttered overhead.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">Alice
looked around. Strange place. It was like a cross between a rainforest, a huge
greenhouse and a high tech lab. The deceptively natural lighting was in fact
produced by a blindingly white vaulted ceiling.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpLast" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">Vague
memories resurfaced in her head. She’d seen something similar before, in her
long-forgotten past life where sunlight used to permeate the mirrored domes of
ecocities, their glass skyscrapers layered with vegetation, their complex
robotic machinery coexisting with all the growth. All of Utopia’s environmentally
friendly arcologies resembled this particular place.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style",serif;">Her
A-meter kept pulsating, its blue bar filling slowly but surely. Still, she
failed to localize the source of A-radiation: it was as if everything around
was breathing Azure.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“Here we
are,” Arachne said, taking in lungfuls of fresh air.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">Vines
enveloped everything around them. Lots of unusual plants grew in the many pots
that lined the walls. Multi-colored fish swam inside huge transparent bubbles
of water that floated weightlessly in mid-air right under the white dome, their
movements controlled by invisible force beams. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">A large
butterfly with red and black velvety wings landed on Alice’s hand. The girl
froze, sensing the creature’s strange prickly aura. This was an Azuric insect possessed
by a powerful otherworldly being. It was blatantly obvious that someone had placed
the monster inside the butterfly on purpose, just as they’d done with Alice
once, placing the Beast inside her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“Don’t touch
them and they won’t touch you,” Arachne warned.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">All the
other inhabitants of this place turned out to be the same. They all possessed
the same halo of A-radiation; all of them served as receptacles of various
spirits. It was true that some powerful Enchanters of old used to catch
A-creatures forcing them to serve their new masters. Some Incas could even
converse with Azuric creatures. Still, Alice had never heard about any
animaturgists who’d reached such mastery in handling creatures from over the
Edge.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">Or had
she? Once again old memories resurfaced – all those dark hints and whispered
names. She had no doubt that there must have been a few renegade Incas among
the leadership of the Black Rose sect which had experimented on her all those
years back. There’d also been other dissident Incas who didn’t belong to any of
the City’s factions or clans nor the Possessed Ones. At the time, the First
Legion had gone to great lengths to bring all the loyal Incas under Stellar’s
banner. It did its best to eradicate everyone it considered dangerous to the
cause – but still new shoots of dissention kept sprouting in the most
unexpected places even decades later.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">A narrow
path brought them to an open space which appeared to be a small recreation
zone. Alice watched in amazement as the air quivered, producing a small round
table and three chairs. A man materialized sitting on one of them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">A man?
When he turned his head and Alice saw his eyes. she began to quake with anger
and fear. He was neither human nor Possessed. Although he was undoubtedly an
Incarnator, her interface kept playing up, unable to ID him.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">???<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">A-Man<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Incarnator</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Class: Lilith<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; text-transform: uppercase;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">Finally,
Alice’s interface made up its mind. She was looking at a Lilith. That was the
name given to humans taken over by an Azuri</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: RU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">с</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;"> entity. That was exactly what they’d tried to do to Alice when they’d
inserted the Beast into her. That particular experiment had failed. Real
Liliths had full control of their hosts’ bodies; they were often sentient and
extremely dangerous. Basically, they were demons from over the Edge who
appeared human. By penetrating human communities, they could cause immeasurable
damage. Alice had heard of cases when their influence had turned whole
societies into hordes of bloodthirsty fanatics.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">The man
didn’t appear dangerous. He was tal and lanky with sleek black hair and thin
delicate fingers. He wore simple dark clothing with no weapons - but still, his
incredibly powerful Azuric aura identified him unmistakably as the local boss.
This was the creature Arachne had brought her to in order to get the wingsuit
fixed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">The
corner of the man’s lips curved into a smile. “Alice van der Heiden. I can see
that the problem you had with your Beast has been resolved. It was an
interesting experiment.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“Who.
Are. You?” the girl croaked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">He'd
recognized her. He'd seen her before. He knew about the Beast. He must have had
something to do with the Black Rose – or could he be one of those behind the
experiment?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">A wave of
pent-up fury began rising within her chest, heavy and illogical, because Alice
knew full well that she was no match for him. It was enough for him to twitch
an eyebrow for the local spirits to rip her to shreds.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“I
imagine you have a lot of questions to ask, haven’t you? Anger, an old grudge, a
yearning for revenge?” the man shook his head. “Who am I? I’ve been known by
many names, and a lot of them are already forgotten – or have been erased on
purpose. One of them is Leftie.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">Leftie.
One of Prometheus’ three students, the most mysterious of the three, he’d
disappeared just as unexpectedly as he’d turned up. Alice knew little about
that particular Inca apart from the fact that a few of his anomalous inventions
had created a lot of furor at the time. Although he didn’t serve the City, he
wasn’t in opposition to it either. Still, the Legion offered a hefty sum of
money for any information about his whereabouts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“You’re
not human.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“Neither
are you. Calm down now. Take a seat. Your interface has already ID’d me, hasn’t
it? It wasn’t wrong. I am indeed a Lilith based on an Azuric entity known as an
Ahriman<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- but I keep the said Ahriman
under my own control. I am the master; I just use his power.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“That’s!
Not! Possible!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“Oh yes
it is. You were one of the less fortunate test subjects while I’m the
successful result of the same experiment. Little by little, by scientific trial
and error, we managed to achieve almost the impossible.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“Black
Rose? You?” Alice hissed, reluctant to accept his invitation to be seated.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“The
Black Rose was eliminated by Castor’s group a long time ago,” Leftie said
without batting an eyelid. “Let’s not rake up the past. You heard about the
fate of the Black Princess, didn’t you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“Why did
you have to do that to yourself?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">The man
shrugged. “Curiosity, of course. Plenty of new opportunities. The Edge and
Azure itself are the original building blocks of this Universe. In order to study
them, we’re obliged to use alternative methods. Know what I mean?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“No. Why
did you have to—”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alice turned to
Arachne who pressed a warning finger to her lips and landed gracefully on<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the chair opposite the man, fluttering her
eyelashes provocatively.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“Arachne,
please. Give it a rest. Your little tricks won’t work on me, and you know it,”
Leftie said as if<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>he’d only just noticed
her. “Why did you ask for this meeting?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“You’re
the only one who can possibly help us,” Arachne said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">Leftie
heaved a sigh. “So let’s get down to business. So? Arachne? I’m all ears.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">By way of
answer, Arachne conjured up a hologram of Angel’s Wings over the table. The
translucent silhouette of the ancient exosuit glowed crimson, highlighting all
the numerous fissures.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“Ala
Angelus,” the man drawled languidly. “A modified Icarus, class Alpha plus,
Prometheus’ handiwork. It doesn’t differ much at all from the original. Only
the material, the A-source and its combat modification known as Wings. The
damage is quite serious, I see.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“You must
fix it,” Arachne said.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“Must I? First
off, it would require quite some valuable resources,” he changed his position
in the chair. Secondly, I don’t think you’d be able to pay me for such a job.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“The suit
is meant for an Incarnator,” Arachne said slowly, “and you’re going to do it
for him for free. As a gift... or a ransom, maybe?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">“A
ransom? How interesting,” Leftie raised a quizzical eyebrow. “And who is this
mysterious Inca, may I ask? The only name that springs to mind is Prometheus
himself, my old enemy and my mentor.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;">Arachne shook
her head. “You’re almost right. But not quite,” she said pensively. ”I’m gonna
show you the results of my research now. Then we’ll sit and think how we can
get out of this shit.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpLast" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<h1 style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-US">1<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">THE BATTLE</span><span lang="EN-US">
with Raven was finally over. The three Incas of the Sunrise group were looking
at me. Or rather, at the Blue Steel gauntlet I was wearing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US">The Gauntlet of Prometheus. His
legendary Right Hand, the sign of a Grand Legate and a symbol of power which
he’d used to govern and punish, destroy and create. You just couldn’t confuse
it with anything else. A true work of art, it resembled a part of a medieval
suit of armor whose dainty outlines betrayed a hint of advanced technologies. It
seemed to have been developed for creatures more refined and developed than
human beings, looking quite alien on a human hand.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US">I’d already checked the item’s
functions in its stats. The Gauntlet offered a whole range of new possibilities
which all required a thorough examination in a quieter setting.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Configuration<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">L-Field<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Translocational Cryptor<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Analyzer<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">The Gauntlet’s most important
property was a certain «Key», which allowed the item’s owner to enter the
Nucleus<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and take control of the Stellar
system.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: RU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">— Значит, это правда,
— хрипло произнесла Гелиос. — Ты действительно вернулся.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">My activated psi field allowed me to
feel what they were feeling. Corvin’s aura glowed brightly and confidently with
his determination and thirst for action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Helios was exuding a mixture of relief and faltering hope while Sentry
seemed to experience an almost superstitious fear.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">I gave them a curt nod, trying to
smile. My last neural seal had just revealed the truth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">My predecessor used to be the leader
of the First Legion and the City’s legendary founder. I hated to believe it –
because Prometheus’ last words had laid an enormous burden or responsibility upon
my shoulders.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">“This is the authentic Gauntlet of Prometheus,
without any doubt,” Sentry said. “But how is this even possible?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">“He <i>is</i> Prometheus,” Corvin
croaked. “It’s just that his memory’s erased. Now you see that I was right,
don’t you? Everything comes together now!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">“I still don’t understand,” Sentry murmured.
“You can say what you want but Grand Legates are the only ones who can
equip<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>their gear!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">He was absolutely right. Any
Incarnator who wasn’t a Grand Legate couldn’t have even touched the Gauntlet.
But Prometheus must have modified it, removing system restrictions. He must
have foreseen the necessity to reset himself back to zero and wanted to be able
to use the item at a lower rank – either for himself or for some third party.
When I’d picked up the item, its DNA key must have been reset so now the
Gauntlet belonged to me alone.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">“You’re right,” I said. “It’s
authentic enough. It’s just that Prometheus must have modified it, removing its
restrictions.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">“Why do you speak of him in the
third person? You are him, aren’t you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">“No!” I snapped, then hurried to
add, “It looks like I might have been him in the past. But he doesn’t exist
anymore.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">“So how do we call you these days?”
Helios asked softly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">“Grey,” I replied. “I’m Grey now.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">The Incarnators exchanged glances.
Corvin gave a short nod. Helios eased her helmet off, ruffling her tousled
blond hair. Although she looked totally different from how I remembered her
back in the Scilla’s stomach, her brisk movements hadn’t changed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">She dropped to one knee and threw
her hand in the air in the familiar salute. Sentry followed suit. After a
moment of hesitation, Corvin did so too in what must have been some kind of ritual.
Just like Raven had done earlier, the Incarnators knelt to the Legion’s
founder.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">““Embodied or bodiless, dead or alive,” Helios began, locking
her gaze with mine.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">Sentry promptly continued, “...regardless of my current shape
or guise, I hereby swear to always oppose evil...”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">“...and defy fear in protection of humankind,” Corvin
concluded in the same tone of voice, leaning against the hilt of his Nothung
sword.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">I suddenly realized that I’d just heard the ancient oath of
the First Legion. It hadn’t been heard for many a long year. Now once again the
first three Incarnators were uttering its words chiseled into the pedestals of ancient
monuments. This meant a hope for revival whose radiant wave was now spreading
its wings within the hearts of these immortal warriors.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">For a few brief moments, I managed to see myself through their
eyes – and shuddered, realizing the sheer magnitude of the giant shadow which
was now destined to always tower behind my back.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">“We acknowledge you,” Helios said, “and we’ll keep our oath.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">“Quite honestly, I still have a thousand questions to ask
you,” Sentry said, getting up. “How the hell did you survive? Corvin did show
us the video but still. How did you end up on the Black Moon? How come none of
the Possessed Ones who made it back never mentioned you?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">“And most importantly, what do you intend to do now?” Helios
added.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">“That’s a long story,” I said. “I need to get to the main
terminal and enter Stellar’s nucleus. “Do you know where it is? Can you help
me?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">Helios nodded. “Sure. Our questions can wait. Let’s wind this
up here first and get out. Have you checked Raven?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">There was precious little left of him: the fabled
exterminator of the Possessed had been reduced to bloodied shreds that
splattered the rocks and cliffs around. Sentry used his Telekinesis ability to
pick up Raven’s rifle which had been flung aside by the explosion. Its barrel
was fashioned out of a glowing piece of some translucent crystal; both its
stock and its butt were covered in complex carvings.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">“There’re also his daggers left back in the Tower,” I added,
remembering his silver claws. True, you couldn’t even touch them without them
tainting your hands with necrosis – but surely Sentry as a Technomancer could
do something to disable the DNA key. “Their names are Decay, Misery...”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">“...Woe, Venom and Agony,” Corvin finished for me. “I’ll take
them.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">“There isn’t much Azure left. And only three Genomes,” Sentry
added, giving me a quizzical look.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">I realized that they were awaiting my decision because I was
the one whose role in our victory over Raven was the most decisive.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">“Take it, it’s all yours,” I said with a dismissive shrug.
“Had it not been for your help, Raven would have finished me off for sure.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">“But had it not been for your intervention, he would have
killed all of us,” Helios objected. “It doesn’t work like that. You’ve chosen
an Enchanter’s path, haven’t you? There’s a very interesting Azuric genome here,
take a look.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">All of the genomes dropped by Raven were wonderful but
unfortunately, none of them were appropriate for my low rank. Two of them,
including Adaptation, were only suitable for Corvin. But the third one was
framed in a glowing pale blue.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">An excited Miko threw her hands in the air.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Fogler’s Genome<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Type: Azuric</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Attraction</span></i></b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">. Allows you to unconsciously attract other biological beings by using your
psi activity. The strength of the ability depends on the power of your Source.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="background: yellow; color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU; mso-highlight: yellow;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Requirements:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Source (15)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Neuronucleus<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Ability type: Active<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Psychokinesis.</span></i></b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;"> Allows you to manipulate matter using the power of thought. The strength
of the ability depends on the power of your Source.</span></i><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Requirements:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Source (10)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Thalamus Upgrade (5)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Neuronucleus<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Ability type: active. The exact expenditure
of Azure depends on the shape, weight and size of the manipulated objects. </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Exocytosis of Ectoplasm. </span></i></b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Allows your body cells to secret ectoplasm capable of consuming matter and
transforming it into A-energy.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Requirements:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Skin Tissue Upgrade (5)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Source (5)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Metabolic Upgrade (5)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Neuronucleus<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpLast" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent2" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US">“Don’t even think about refusing
their offer, Incarnator! This genome is just like the Leader of the Pack in
that it directly correlates to the power of one’s Source which is our trump
card. They might form a wonderful synergy which might considerably broaden our
potential.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-align: left;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">“Do you mean Psychokinesis, Miko? Isn’t it the same as
Telekinetics?”<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">“It’s much better! It has a much broader potential, including
elemental control. Don’t overthink it, just take it!”</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">She persisted with so much urgency that I just nodded, unable
to resist her pleas. With a smug smirk, Helios flicked her finger, sending me
the genome’s icon. The pale blue image of its DNA spiral tingled as it
disappeared into the palm of my hand.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">“How do you get out of this place?” I asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">The exit has to be activated from the outside,” Sentry said.
“We wanted to play it safe in case Raven smoked us all. We’ve got someone on
the outside who’s gonna help us out.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">“For a price, of course,” Corvin smirked. “You already met
him.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">Getting out turned out to be very simple. We just
materialized standing on the translocator platforms that encircled the black
monolith of the testing grounds.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">The entire place was filled with thick black stinking smoke.
The entrance to the testing grounds, hacked by Corvin, had been reduced to a
lump of molten metal which had then solidified into a spirally knot, looking as
if it had been welded solid from the inside with a blow torch. Helios’ work, no
doubt. At the moment, someone was banging at it, desperately trying to get in.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpLast" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">Much to my surprise, I saw the familiar figure and the equally familiar
smirk of the Cats’ boss standing by the control terminal.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent3" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US">‘Thanks for not denying me,” Corvin said, stepping down from the
pedestal.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">The man shrugged. “It’s him that you should thank,” he nodded
at me. “What wouldn’t you do for another small chunk of Azuride?” He took a
closer look at me and added, “I’m happy my gut feeling didn’t let me down. What
is it you guys say in the Legion? <i>Ave, Caesar!”</i> he made a gesture which
resembled the legionnaires salute.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">“Don’t take the piss,” Helios said sternly. “You also took
the oath to Prometheus.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">“You’re right. Discipline has never been my thing,” the Cat
nodded, pulling his hood on. “By the way, you’ve got a welcoming committee.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">“Who do you mean?” Helios snapped.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">The man shrugged. “I didn’t hang around to find out. I think
it’s Tallstar. Whatever your plans are, I suggest you get a move on because the
Archons are already on their way. So we’d better settle our accounts some other
time. You know me, I never say goodbye...”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">He stepped toward the wall and disappeared, swallowed up by
the surrounding shadows. His psi field simply dissolved into nothing as if he’d
just vanished into thin air.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">I just couldn’t fathom it out. Did this mean that this smoothie
from the Mercada shop was an Incarnator too playing some weird game of cat and
mouse with me?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">“Who is he?” I asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">“An old fox,” Corvin said with a grin. “But he can be quite
useful from time to time. You watch out for him, Grey. Now step aside,
everyone. I’m gonna make us a door.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">He drew his sword and
sized up the blocked entrance. After a couple of blows, the molten chunk of
metal succumbed to his incredible weapon. He carved out a piece of it which
fell clanging to the floor on the other side, very nearly injuring the
legionnaires waiting outside.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyTextIndent3" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US">The corridor was already swarming
with Immortals armed to the teeth. We faced a row of gun barrels all pointing
at us. They were led by a tall skinny Inca with distinctively Asian eyes. His
predatory bionic Achilles exosuit betrayed a Warrior which my interface
promptly confirmed:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Oscar “Tallstar” Mikoyami<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">100% match<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">A-man<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Incarnator<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 120%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left; text-indent: 35.45pt;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arimo; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">Warrior<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">A Legate’s silver star glittered bright on his shoulder,
clasping the black cape of the Immortal Legion. He stepped forward.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">“Stop!” he barked. “Helios, what’s going on in here? Why did
you have to unseal the testing grounds? What’s up with Raven?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">“We’ve mopped the place up,” Helios replied, stopping still.
“Raven is dead. We’ve smoked him. You can go in and check it out if you want.
You can dismiss your assault group, Oscar. They’re not needed here.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">“And free up the way,” Corvin boomed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">“I don’t think so!” Oscar snapped. “I have orders from the
Council of Archons and a personal order from Furius. This person,” he was
looking at me now, “is under arrest.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">Corvin snortled. “You can shove these orders up the Archons’
asses now!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">“What did you say?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">“You heard! Get out of my way! You know me, I’m no spring
chicken anymore! I’m not gonna tell you a second time!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">All of a sudden, the tip of Corvin’s sword stopped within a
hair’s breadth of Oscar’s face. Corvin froze in a tense combat stance.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">The Immortals surrounding the entrance began to stir while
Oscar himself recoiled instinctively.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">“What d’you think you’re doing?” he managed. “What’s wrong
with you? This man is an enemy of the Legion!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">“That’s a lie. I’m not the Legion’s enemy,” I said, stepping
forward.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%;">I laid my left hand on Corvin’s shoulder trying to calm his
impulsiveness. Then I freed my hand from under the cape and revealed the
Gauntlet of Prometheus.<o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 19.2px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><b><span style="color: red;">Release - May 10, 2021</span></b></p><div><p class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 19.2px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><b><span style="color: red;">Pre-order on Amazon - <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08LGTTFZN">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08LGTTFZN</a></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 19.2px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><b><br /></b></p></div></div>Simon Valehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16142080565999248152noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1879934328827513079.post-73229769828948066532020-11-25T01:38:00.000-08:002020-11-25T01:38:34.214-08:00In the System-2: City of the Undead by Petr Zhgulyov<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">In the System,</span></b><b><o:p> </o:p></b><b><span lang="EN-US">Book II</span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">City of the Undead</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">by Petr Zhgulyov</span></b></p>
<p class="TOCHeading1"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EuqJYrQXy08/X74lRKRN81I/AAAAAAAACaA/HDnBLUmxnngIkFr7appJllYY7BxNexTVgCLcBGAsYHQ/s800/S2_800_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="527" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EuqJYrQXy08/X74lRKRN81I/AAAAAAAACaA/HDnBLUmxnngIkFr7appJllYY7BxNexTVgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/S2_800_3.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<h2 align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p>Pre-order on Amazon - </o:p></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08KWCNHTP">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08KWCNHTP</a></span></span></span></h2><h2 align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="color: red;">Release - April 12, 2021 </span></o:p></span></h2><h2 align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="color: red;">KU+</span></o:p></span></h2>
<p class="1Calibri12"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="1Calibri12"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="1Calibri12" style="text-align: center;"><a name="_Toc42296886"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><b>Chapter 1. The Trojan Horse</b></span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The victory, oddly
enough, now put our Alliance at risk. The huge number of wounded bound us hand
and foot. We couldn't leave them, as it would be a terrible blow to morale, and
we couldn't drag them along with us. Even if yesterday's city folk agreed to carry
all those not long for this world on their backs, it would be pointless. Thus
weighed down, it would only be a matter of time before the goblins caught up to
us. As soon as the flush of victory subsided, everyone else would become aware
of the situation. What would they do? It was a rhetorical question.</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></p><p class="a2"><span></span></p><a name='more'></a><p></p><p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The choice was
simple, really, either we captured the fortress or we had to abandon most of
the wounded. We could also finish them off, which was more rational. And that
was likely to be the beginning of the end. All that effort spent on uniting
players would be wasted in one fell swoop. The Alliance would break up into
small bands and disperse, no longer posing any danger to the goblins. What then?
Flee further into the city? Hunt the undead? I may have been able to delude
myself before, but the encounter with the Bone Horror clearly showed that the
undead were much more dangerous than the goblins in some instances.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Capturing the
fortress gave us a chance to avoid this depressing scenario and hold out until
the end of the time limit set by the System. Of course, a few hundred players
couldn't defend the walls, but the divine weapons received by the high priests
had one typical feature — the ability to set up a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">beacon</i>. Although its power wasn't enough to forcibly attract
players, future waves would have a choice between landing in a random spot or in
a specific area. By installing a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">beacon</i>
in the fortress, we'd be able to receive fresh reinforcements every day, and
holding the fortress would no longer be a problem. Of course, the goblin army would
come after us, but what could they really do? The goblins were intending to
hunt down scattered players, not lay siege to their own fortress. Even if they
built a battering ram and scaling ladders, it would take time.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">This would also
solve the supply issue. The fortress was bound to have a decent store of food,
water, and everything else. If it was meant to serve hundreds of goblins for
many months, it would be enough for the players to last eight days until the
deadline. Naturally, there was the matter of experience, but I could think
about that later, if we were successful. As selfish as it sounded, we could
definitely last my three remaining days there, and it was too early to look
further ahead.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Right now, we were
separated from this enticing future by the high walls of the same fortress and
the remains of the garrison. Although we had wiped out most of the goblins,
some had managed to escape and had likely returned to the stronghold. In
addition to the warriors, the fortress was bound to contain low-level servants
who might take up arms in this instance. There may be up to a hundred defenders
in total, a decent number if we had decided to storm the fort. In the end, we were
going to find ourselves in much the same situation as the goblins, if we
managed to capture the fortress.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Naturally, no one
suggested storming the walls directly, which would be suicide. More political
than literal suicide, since the players were likely to just tell us to get
stuffed. No, the only chance of success was a ruse de guerre. We needed to do
everything quickly, before the players realized the gravity of our situation.
Before the goblin army reached the fortress. And most importantly, before the
second player wave arrived. In other words, the plan’s key feature was speed,
and time was running out.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">For this reason, only
an 'elite' squad, consisting of several dozen players, had moved out in the
direction the fortress. The main force would arrive later.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">***</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Just an hour of
jogging, sometimes switching to a fast walk, made me to appreciate how sensible
it had been to raise my <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Stamina</i> to
ten. A pace that would have exhausted me yesterday now made me feel like I
could run like this forever. Until it got dark, at least...</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I hence gave up on
the idea of learning horse-riding. What was the point if I was my own horse? Instead,
I invested the points I had gained into <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Minor
magical ability</i>, increasing it to Level 2 <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">(6/120)</b>. It meant +1 to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wisdom</i>,
after all. The Skald card looked pretty useless, but it didn't require any
points, so I didn't see a reason in discarding it.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 363.0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Would you like to learn the Skald skill?</span><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 363.0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Yes/No</span><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="a2"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I confirmed my
choice and was plunged into the rich world of local folklore. I could summarize
goblin poetry as simply ‘describe what you see’. As in skaldic poetry, there
was no place for make believe, with poems serving as a way to report things the
skald had witnessed. The verse content wasn't chosen but was dictated by
reality. Artistic meaning was theoretically absent, since it equated to a lie,
but... The truth, as always, was in the eye of the beholder. Any event could be
described in a way that was favorable to you, and in this regard, the goblins'
attempts to denigrate their opponents appeared quite naive.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Out of curiosity,
I tried to follow tradition and immediately composed a vísa to reflect my new
reality.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Brave warriors heading to the evil goblins’ fortress,</span><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">To perform a mighty deed or else prove
worthless.</span><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Only the horse is bound to survive,</span><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Unless I kill it myself.</span><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="a2"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"What a load
of garbage," I said with some satisfaction. Hmm... It seemed that I had
awakened my inner literary critic rather than a skald. The card hadn't actually
bestowed me with poetic talent — perhaps you couldn't awaken something that
never existed in the first place? Unless we were talking about corpses and
necromancy, of course. Well, back to today's agenda.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"How long
before you'd come back to life as a ghoul after you were killed, Chuchuk<a href="file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/%D0%93%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B4%20%D0%BD%D0%B5%D0%B6%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B8%20%D0%B3%D0%BB.%201%202_eng.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a>?"</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The horse trotting
beside me aimed its teeth in my direction, and I gave the reins a warning tug. Chuchuk
had taken an immediate dislike to me and showed it in every possible way, constantly
trying to kick, bite or just 'accidentally' bump into me. I returned in kind,
smacking him in response, and had even come up with a new name in a fit of
inspiration. It was perfect.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Perhaps my
poetic gift isn't so bad after all?"</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The horse,
unsurprisingly, didn't reply. Despite all the horses we had captured, we still
didn't have a cavalry. Some of the players could ride, but the goblin horses
simply ignored the usual commands. Without the skills or knowledge, they could
only be used as pack animals, or as walking canned food. Some of the animals
were calmer, but I had no choice in this instance. Chuchuk carried his master on
his back, and I doubted the goblins would believe the upcoming performance if
the corpse was to return to the fortress on a different horse. It hadn't been
easy to recreate the horse + rider + his possessions ensemble.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Seriously, the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Skald</i> skill was useful after all. I now
had knowledge not only of the rules of versification, but also of goblin
culture, history, customs, mythology, and heaven knows what else. Strangely, it
was all very unstructured, fragmented, and required reflection — the complete
opposite of basic cards. I had a suspicion that the System had created the card
right on the spot, due to the action of the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Duelist</i>
skill. All this knowledge would be very useful if I was planning to infiltrate
the goblin society as a spy.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"We've never
seen a black man in these parts!" I chuckled, remembering an old joke
about an American secret agent abandoned in the USSR. It wasn't very
politically correct by today's standards. Should I tell it to Bill? However,
while I could afford to have some fun, most had much lower <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Stamina</i>, and many were already gasping for air. At least a dozen
volunteers had completely fallen behind... Not right now, perhaps.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I looked around me,
monitoring the situation as I ran. Even the fragmented knowledge allowed me to
see the surrounding ruins in a different light. It wasn’t like I hadn't seen it
all before, and yet... The size really blew my mind. Not so long ago by
historical standards, the Celestial City of Sar was the capital of a huge and
powerful Empire, easily comparable to Rome at its peak. Millions of goblins had
lived in the city only a few decades ago. To appreciate the scale of the disaster,
one simply had to remember that the army coming for us only had about ten
thousand soldiers. The garrison in the sole fortress did not exceed three
hundred soldiers. Even though, as pretentious as it sounded, the fate of the
world was being decided right here.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I was less
concerned with the disaster itself than with a much more practical question.
What had happened to the townspeople? The fragments popping up in my head spoke
of a "great battle", "rivers of blood", and "mountains
of corpses", which was far from encouraging. The streets were generally clear
of bones, which suggested that the townspeople had left. While most of the undead
had headed to the center of the city. How many Bone Horrors might be lurking
there? Could we come across even more dangerous creatures? In contrast, our
problems with the goblins might be nothing more than child's play. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">How dangerous was the
city center? The goblins had repeatedly sent missions to the temple, but they had
all returned empty-handed, after suffering heavy losses. More often than not,
they didn't come back at all. I suspected that even the natives themselves
didn't know what was going on in the seventh circle.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I looked to my
right, at the wall. Another question that kept nagging me was why the capital
of a powerful Empire needed so many walls. Rome, for example, had built a
single wall closer to their fall, and even then, just the one. Sar had seven(!)
such circles and, judging by the size and solidity, the goblins took them more
than seriously. According to the legends, the gods themselves had had a hand in
creating these walls, but only in the sense of laying the first stone and
giving the workers their blessing to continue. No one would expend so much
effort “just in case”. Even the fact that the city was ultimately stormed
didn't provide an answer. It was unlikely that the walls had originally been created
against invasions from other worlds.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"We're almost
there," Dmitry broke the silence as a gap suddenly appeared in the wall.
It wasn't easy for him, either. "Did they use howitzer here or
something?"</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Magic, more
likely," I said, inspecting the aftermath of an ancient battle. I had to
admit, it looked quite... impressive. Almost nothing remained of the gate
marked on the map. A section of the wall, several dozen meters long, looked
like it had been demolished by a blow from a huge fist, seemingly coming from
inside the city. The stone blocks had flown hundreds of meters into the air,
leaving massive holes in the surrounding house walls or demolishing them
completely. There wasn’t a single undamaged house nearby.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"We better
hurry. The sun is already high," Michigan said and glanced up, as if he
didn't have a System timer.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"It's too
late to hurry," I shook my head. "There are ten minutes to go. We're
not going to make it."</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"We
will," Michigan disagreed. "Quel promised to hold back the next wave
of players a little. But his power is limited, so we have about an hour."</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I said nothing,
but took note of both the negotiations and the fact that the gods could interfere
in the System. Shift the deadline, at least... another headache, given their ‘friendly’
attitude to me. It left me wondering whether the deceased Jack had shared
information about me with his patron. I certainly hoped not.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"We shall
wait here. We cannot go any further as we may be spotted by the goblins,"
Qin Long said, showing no signs of fatigue. "If you do not return in half
an hour, we will assume that you have successfully gotten inside and will take
up position to attack. We will launch an attack as soon as you open the gates.
If the gates do not open in two hours, we will assume you are dead and proceed
with the backup plan."</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There won't even
be anyone to blame. We had discussed numerous ideas during the brainstorming
session, but none of them could guarantee success. So, it fell to me to choose
the 'suicide' option, as one who would be directly involved. Now, it remained
to be seen whether the many hours we'd spent playing computer games would pay
off. Where else could I have gotten the idea of infiltrating guarded
facilities? Pity you couldn't press Save in the real world. You couldn't,
right? System?</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Error 404 (51%)!
Ability not found. Please check the Server connection and try again.</span><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="a2"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I took the horse's
reins again and slipped into <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Invisibility</i>.
I was essentially alone from this moment on. The Swordsman was moving somewhere
nearby, but we couldn't see each other anymore. I certainly couldn't spot any
traces of him, no matter how hard I tried. His ability wasn't the classic
invisibility, but rather a way to divert attention, which worked even better in
this situation.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Although it was
said that the fortress protected the gaps in the wall, it was located slightly
to the side, so we had to walk for about ten minutes. However, there was no
chance of getting lost. Clouds of smoke rose above the keep, and the wind
carried the specific smells of manure, food, smoke, and the goblins
themselves... Unlike the dead city, the fortress still held the spark of life.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Hard to say what
the function of the fortress would have been in the center of the city. A
shelter? A monastery? A storage facility? Or simply a prison? In any case, the
attackers hadn't been very interested in it, so the fortress had sustained
little damage. The goblins had later used this to their advantage, occupying the
convenient defense post.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The fortress had a
classic rectangular shape and looked quite impressive, with high stone walls,
four flat-roofed towers at each corner with ballistae, a gate tower, a wide
moat and iron-bound gates. The fortifications looked very promising, so that we
had a real chance of holding it, no matter how many goblins gathered beneath
the walls.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The goblins hadn't
destroyed the bridge, likely because they hadn't believed a siege was possible
and to avoid the hassle of rebuilding it later. It may seem silly, but it was
worth remembering that their army would be approaching in a few hours. What could
a few hundred players do against the fortress walls? They had clearly
underestimated us, and this increased our chances. Or did I just need to
believe that?</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The mana crystal
in my palm crumbled to dust, which I then poured into a pouch. The paved road
allowed me to move without leaving any tracks, and the sound of my footsteps
was muffled by the rags I had wrapped around my boots. Nevertheless, I had
already developed a peculiar habit to watch every step I took: don't land in
the mud, don't trample the flower poking out between the stones, don't kick any
pebbles... There were goblins on the battlements, and I was assuming they had
perfect eyesight and already knew about invisibility. This was the weak point
in our plan. One of many, frankly.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The gates grew
closer and closer. A familiar chill ran down my spine. Why was I here? I'd
never been one for mindless heroism, so why had I taken such a risk in the
first place? My presence, by and large, wasn't mandatory, since one 'saboteur'
would have been enough according to our plan. No one knew that I had a second <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">beacon</i>.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Was it for selfish
reasons? That was just an excuse. Of course, I was counting on getting experience
and loot, but none of the possible bonuses justified the considerable risk of
losing my own life. I wasn't that greedy. I thought it was more about
responsibility. Too much depended on the outcome of our plan. If we failed to
capture the fortress, most of the players would die. Why did I care about a few
thousand strangers? If I stuck to logic and pragmatism, their survival had to
concern me only in relation to my own survival, nothing more. And yet, here I
was. It was too late to back out, the die had been cast.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The goblins
noticed the approaching horse almost immediately. A trumpet sounded, raising
the alarm. The horse whinnied in response, and I let go of the reins, allowing
it to move ahead on its own. No longer needing to be prodded, the animal
trotted briskly toward the familiar gate. The horse's arrival should not arouse
any suspicion, for there were many cases when horses had found their way home
after losing their rider. So what if one managed to escape from the
battlefield? Especially when a bloodied goblin lay on its back, clutching the
reins.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Hey, are you
okay?" a sentry shouted, peering over the wall. "Identify
yourself!"</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The corpse in the
saddle didn't answer but swayed and fell off the horse. It rolled down into the
moat, just as silently. I automatically squeezed my eyes shut, waiting for the
thud. Carefully, trying not to leave any footprints, I walked to the edge of
the bridge. There were no stakes or water inside. A simple pit, but it was six
meters deep, so if the rider hadn't been dead already...</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Friend?"
the lookout repeated uncertainly. "Are you alive down there?"</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The goblin didn't
seem to believe it himself. However, to our mutual surprise, the corpse moved
and then tried to get up. The System helpfully confirmed my suspicions.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Undead. Level 5.</span><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="a2"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Great. Our carefully
laid plan was going to hell. What would we have done if the goblin had risen a
little earlier and one half of the bait had eaten the other? Even I,
considering the creature's level, could have suffered the same fate.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Perhaps it was
better this way. Now, all I could do was wait and hope our plan worked. After
all, if there was a method that would force the goblins to open the gates, I
didn't know it. We had thought of using prisoners to get in, say, by sending
them back with a message, but even if we hadn't been so quick to execute
everyone, I doubted the goblins would open the gate. They’d drop down a rope
instead.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Which is exactly
what they did, lowering three goblins into the moat at once. Judging by their
level, these were the surviving riders, with two Level 5’s and one Level 6.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I looked
thoughtfully at the ropes dangling a meter from the bridge. I could jump, but
it was too risky. Foolish to hope that the goblins wouldn't notice a rope
twitching for no reason. All I could do was pour the dust from the current crystal
into the pouch, and clutch the next one in my fist. To stand, watch, wait, and
hope.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The undead was
instantly interested in its former kin, but it moved rather hesitantly and the
goblins easily dispatched it. Picking up the spears that had also been dropped
into the moat, two of them held the undead back, while the third deftly came
from the side and cut off its head, thus reaching the seventh level. Fucking
MacLeod. There was almost no blood, and I didn't even flinch. Perhaps I was
getting used to scenes like this?</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The corpse was
then trussed up and raised to the battlements. MacLeod was the last one to
leave and took the head with him. Even if they examined the body, we had
returned everything that had belonged to the goblin in life, to allay
suspicion. I even left the dead goblin his chain mail. Its jangling would have
given away my position anyway. Plus, the single arrow wound fit the 'bled to
death' scenario. Hmm, we hadn’t removed the crystal from him, either. Was that
why he had come back to life so quickly? Later. I'd consider it all later.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Now I had to wait
and find out what the goblins would do with the horse. They were unlikely to
try lifting an animal weighing half a ton using ropes. And unlikely that they'd
decide to kill it, since a war horse cost quite a lot of money. They were bound
to know of my existence, but not much time had passed, so it was logical for
them to assume that the players were still some distance away. The goblins had
no reason to fear us.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Come on... I found
myself saying a strange prayer, asking the gods for luck. It was in the goblin
language. Hell, was it just me, or did I just ask the Great Y for help?</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">There was a
creaking sound. Whether thanks to our plan, the goblins' greed, my prayers, or
something else, but they opened the gate. Mistake. Big mistake.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">***</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">One goblin passed
through the gates, took the horse's reins and walked slowly back. I followed,
keeping to the left. Fortunately, the Swordsman and I’d had the foresight to
divide the sectors beforehand, to avoid crossing paths. It would have been
incredibly stupid to ruin the entire plan by crashing into another invisible
person.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The gates
consisted of two massive doors, kept closed by a thick, iron-clad crossbar. No
mechanisms. The gates closed again as soon as the 'groom' led the horse
through, and three goblins quickly put the heavy bar back in place. I pressed
my back against the wall so that I wouldn't run into anyone, and looked up at
the steel teeth of the raised portcullis. Lower it, and some kind of oil would
pour out of those holes. The goblins hadn't really come up with anything new.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I stopped
abruptly, noticing that the stones in front of the entrance were heavily
covered in sand. Two dozen goblins with shields and spears stood in a
semicircle in front of the gates, and a dozen archers stood behind them. An
accident? I didn't think so. The portcullis lowered slowly behind me. I
activated <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Calculating Mind</i>, and my
emotions receded along with the growing panic. I had done the right thing so
far by staying still. Getting jumpy was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">irrational</i>.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"What is the
meaning of this?" The groom took a step back, voicing my nagging question.
Several spears pierced the air around the goblin at once. The horse neighed,
also looking disapprovingly at the flashing spearheads.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Just a
check, Shir," MacLeod snorted. "There was an invisible man among the
humans, so one can't be too careful. Pass through the formation and don't be
afraid, they won't touch you. But if someone sneaked into the fortress, they
will get a spear in their side."</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Thanks to my
active skill, I felt no fear and calmly considered my options. The goblins had
already lost by letting us into the fortress. Even if the Swordsman placed the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">beacon</i> right here, instead of closer to
the center, most of the players would appear inside the fortress. All I needed
to do was survive until this joyful moment. Should I rush forward, break
through the formation, and escape using my <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Invisibility</i>?
Or give myself up, thus drawing their attention away from my partner?</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Whatever you
say, Rud," the Level 6 groom grunted. "They say caution is a good
quality in a leader… or was it bravery?"</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Then show me
how brave you are, Shir," MacLeod snarled. It seemed these two really
disliked each other. "You don't really think I'm going to kill you, do
you?"</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Shir walked
silently through the line of spearmen. The spears pierced the air right beside
him, but the goblin didn't even flinch as he stared at his enemy. I was
thinking that he would pass successfully when the next blow shifted slightly
and struck him in the side. It was followed by another, and another. Different
goblins joined in, but they didn't seem to be trying to kill him.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Enough! I
let you out of the fortress." MacLeod lifted his sword. "If you were
smarter, you’d have taken the chance to escape. Get him up!"</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"You're a
trai..." the dying man didn't have time to finish. His head rolled across
the stones, rewarding the murderer with a new dose of experience points. What a
sweet habit. There can only be one, right?</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I took advantage
of the fact that most of the goblins were focused on the conflict, and
carefully passed through the formation, trying not to leave any traces. It was
surprisingly easy, but it had also become obvious that nobody here believed in
the ‘invisible human’. This was a banal power struggle and a reason to
eliminate a competitor. Nothing new in that.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">All that remained
was to intimidate any possible supporters of the loser. Three goblins backed up
to the bars, weapons raised and looking around with haunted eyes. I wondered if
their lives would be enough to elevate MacLeod to Level 8. I doubted it.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"You three
bastards!" MacLeod snarled, pointing his bloody sword at them. "I
clearly told you not to open the gate! Was that so hard to understand? You were
willing to endanger us all over some lousy horse."</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"But nothing
happened!" one of them said, dropping his head. Idiot.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"You
disobeyed my orders! There may be an enemy lurking among you. How can you be
sure that this is not the case?"</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"We..."</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"On your
knees!" MacLeod snarled</span><span class="a8"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-themecolor: text1; text-decoration: none; text-line-through: none;"><span style="text-decoration: none; text-line-through: none;">,</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> and
the goblins obeyed after a moment's hesitation. "Listen to me. I reached
the seventh level today! As the most senior one here, I, Rud, declare myself
the new chief of this fortress. Spearmen! Close formation. Archers! Check that
no one invisible is hiding there."</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Apparently, the
usurper had decided to let the show run to the end. The three goblins
prostrated themselves, and the semicircle, which had seemed so unreliable,
closed again, bristling with spears. Arrows flew through the air, hitting the portcullis
or landing further by the gate. Even if I stayed where I was, their chances of
hitting me were slim. There was a chance, however.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Well?"
the newly appointed fortress commandant asked lazily. He didn't seem inclined
to finish off the supporters of his defeated competitor. "Is there anyone?"</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"I can't see
any tracks," one of the archers reported. "Looks like no one got
through."</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A horn sounded in
that moment and alarmed shouts came from the wall. It wasn't hard to guess what
had happened. The goblins had finally noticed the players' approach.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"The check is
over. Everyone, head to the battlements! The humans must see that the fortress
is well defended." Macleod growled. "You three, off you go! Enough
lying around. Get your crossbows ready! Let the servants also put on helmets
and take up weapons. Light the signal fires. I'm sure the Prince isn’t far
away. He needs to know that his prey is close."</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A minute later,
not a single goblin remained by the gate. Was that it? Was it so simple?</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="1Calibri11"><a name="_Toc534027356"></a><a name="_Toc24588824"></a><a name="_Toc42296887"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Toc24588824;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Toc534027356;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Chapter 2. Storming the Fortress.</span></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">We had asked about
the layout of the fortress during the prisoner interrogations, so I had a rough
idea of what I would find. The courtyard was quite large, and the ruins of a
magic tower lay in the center, with only three floors remaining until this day.
Something clicked and I 'remembered' the role of such towers in the city's
defense system — they protected the surrounding area from shifts in space. It
seemed that I had been mistaken in thinking that this fortress had escaped an
assault. Rather, the attackers had destroyed the tower in passing, demolishing
anything that protruded above the walls. Luckily for us, it had been out of action
long before we had arrived, and was being used as a temporary warehouse. It was
where the goblins stockpiled the loot they had brought back from the raids.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">To the left and
right of the gates, adjacent to the walls, stood three-story outbuildings, and
a four-story building rose directly opposite me, which could be considered the
keep. It was a bit of a stretch, since the buildings abutted each other.
Although the goblins had sealed the passageways and raised the entrance to the first
floor, this could only protect them from the mindless undead.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">With one last look
at the courtyard, I turned and headed for the stairs leading to the battlements.
Left. If Quel had kept his word, the attack would begin any minute now.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I went up the
stairs, trying not to make any noise or run into the goblins crowding on top of
the wall. Fortunately, it was wide enough for even three warriors to walk
abreast, so I had room to maneuver. I could see the approaching players in the
distance. Although the main force was still dragging its feet further back, the
assault squad was already in place.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Attention! The
Quetzalcoatl beacon is operating in this area!</span><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Attention (Intuition)!
Quetzalcoatl is looking at you!</span><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="a2"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It was time. I
took a sip from the flask. Quel hadn’t let us down, and I saw what a player's
arrival looked like for the first time. First, the air rippled faintly,
revealing the portal’s square shape, then the first player jumped out and
looked around uncertainly. I squinted, but he had appeared quite far away, so
the System could only provide the bare minimum of information.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 146.25pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Player. Level 1.</span><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="a2"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A newb who didn't
even know where he was. Potential corpse. Most of the goblins were looking in
the opposite direction, but it was only a matter of time before they noticed
him.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Dozens more
portals appeared immediately after the first one, but nevertheless, the passage
clearly wasn't simultaneous. It looked like Quel had somehow shifted the
timers, but had forgotten to sync them. Perhaps he couldn't. In any case, this
meant additional losses. Most of the newcomers looked around in bewilderment,
with no idea what was happening.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Attention! Your stats
are temporarily increased! Stamina +0.6. Perception +1.1. Remaining: 17
minutes.</span><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="a2"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Damn. It was
completely different this time, and although the effect was much smaller, my <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Stamina</i> now exceeded 10. However, I
didn't receive any bonuses and the stats number didn't change.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The goblins began
shouting when they spotted the outsiders, taken aback by the sudden appearance
of enemies in their midst. The number of arrivals kept increasing. The horn,
which had fallen silent, sounded again, but the battle had not yet begun. It
was the last few seconds, the calm before the storm.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I crept up to a
goblin I'd selected and clamped my hand over his mouth, stabbing him in the
neck with my dagger. The field of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Invisibility</i>
expanded, enveloping my victim and hiding us from prying eyes. The goblin
jerked, his teeth sinking into my palm, but it was the spasms of a dying man.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Attention! You have
received 12 SP! (18/120)</span><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="a2"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Calculating Mind</i> dampened the pleasure I
felt. As soon as a semitransparent card appeared in the air, I stepped aside
and gave the corpse a slight push, allowing it to fall into the moat. As
expected, no one noticed anything. I blew on my bitten hand and waved it in the
air, assessing the effect of the skill. The pain was there, but I perceived it
at arm's length, simply as a fact.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I looked at the
logs. Only twelve SP. According to my calculations, a Level 5 goblin should
have been worth twelve and a half points, but the System seemed to be rounding
down. I hadn't been lucky with the card, either, for despite the goblin's top
level, I had received a dummy.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Meanwhile, the
players kept coming. At different heights, inside the fortress and beyond. A
portal appeared in the air right beside me, but the girl who stepped out lost
her balance, and flew screaming from the wall into the moat. I instinctively
tried to grab her but gravity was faster, and my fingers scrabbled at empty
air.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Shit.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A second and then
a third 'swallow' followed the first. The goblins had mostly gathered on the battlements,
and the players who were unlucky enough to appear here met a quick death. Several
luckier ones appeared on the opposite wall and were fighting a similar number
of goblin sentries.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">After another
minute, the players stopped appearing on the walls. Either Quel had recalibrated
the location or the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">beacon</i> had
somehow stabilized itself so that new portals now appeared quite close together,
with reinforcements landing directly in the fortress courtyard, at ground
level. Most of them were in no hurry to go into battle, though.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"What are you
waiting for?" the Swordsman's cry came from somewhere. "Fight! Kill
the goblins and open the gates. This is your chance! Quel?!"</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 146.25pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Attention! You have received the divine task 'Capture the Fortress'!</span><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 146.25pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 146.25pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Main conditions:</span><o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p class="a2"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">—</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Kill, banish or capture all the goblins in the fortress.</span><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="a2"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">— Protect the High Priest of Quetzalcoatl<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">.</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Bill
Michigan</b> must survive.</span><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 146.25pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Additional conditions:</span><o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p class="a2"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">—</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Open the gates and let in the reinforcements.</span><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 146.25pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Reward:</span><o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p class="a2"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">—</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Players will gain a temporary base.</span><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 146.25pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Penalty for failure:</span><o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p class="a2"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">—</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Quetzalcoatl's Displeasure.</span><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="a2"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">— Your chances of survival will plummet.</span><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="a2"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I waved the
message away, noting that there wasn't really a reward for the quest.
Quetzalcoatl seemed to be a very practical fellow. However, it was exactly what
we needed right now. Instructions for the new arrivals.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Block the
stairs! Arche..." MacLeod's shout was abruptly cut off. A severed goblin
head fell into the courtyard. It was quite ironic, really.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">***</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The battle was
gradually heating up. Goblins with bows began to shoot at the players below.
The players covered themselves with shields or used the abilities they'd
received from the System. Some of the goblins blocked the stairs, but they
weren't many of them, and their number was gradually decreasing thanks to my
arrows. I used normal arrows since I wouldn’t receive any experience points for
these goblins, and I was almost out of System arrows, despite trying to collect
them after the battle.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Hide behind
me!" A veteran shouted from behind a huge energy shield. Not a bad
ability. I wondered how long it would last.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Let's
go!" Someone else said. "There are more of us than them."</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Although many
players were madly darting around the courtyard, trying to hide from the goblin
arrows, a large portion of the veterans headed for the stairs. I also noticed
that most of them were carrying shields taken from the goblins in the previous
battle. More evidence that killing the leader had gone unpunished for the
Swordsman, since only he could pass the shields to the newcomers. Was
everything going according to plan?</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A dozen players
lay on the rocks below, killed in the first few minutes of battle, but most of
the others had quickly found cover, the gatehouse arch being an obvious choice.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The gates finally
opened, and the wailing of the horn sounded from beyond the walls, confirming
the beginning of the assault. Too early... As long as the tower itself held,
the goblins could lower the portcullis at any time. I suspected that they
wanted to lure as many players as possible under the arch, so that they could
cut them off from the rest. How much time would it take to break down this
grating? Especially if the goblins had some oil. The defending ranks grew
thinner, the arrows were running out, and we had no way of replenishing
supplies.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">However, all these
tricks could only delay the inevitable, for the outcome of the battle was clear.
Nevertheless, not all goblins were willing to accept their deaths. Some tried
to hide in the buildings, and some tried to climb down the wall. The open gates
didn't go unnoticed either. Two riders flew out of the stables and tried to
race past the players, whipping their horses into a frenzy. One even managed it,
by some miracle. Bursting through the crowd of players in the archway and
racing over the bridge, the fugitive then turned sharply to the left and away
from the approaching crowd of players. Cthulh hurled a fireball at him, but it
missed and splashed over the rocks.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I raised my bow to
stop the rider, but then sent an arrow into the thigh of a goblin protecting
the stairs. It seemed more <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">rational</i>
to me. The fugitive was far away, and the likelihood of success was low. A
faint flash of satisfaction broke through the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Calculating Mind</i>. I seemed to be getting better at controlling the
skill. Rational, irrational — it all depended on one’s point of view. Deep
down, I was inclined to wish the rider good luck. Figuring out what was
happening and grabbing the tiny chance of survival deserved my respect. Plus,
shouldn't there be a place for miracles in life?</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">These thoughts
didn't stop me from firing two more arrows, although only one hit the target.
The goblins had long since realized that someone was shooting at them, and were
covering themselves with their shields. However, this made it easier for the
assaulting force to do their job.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"No!"</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I heard a clang
I'd been expecting as the goblins lowered the grate. The wave of players who had
almost reached the walls howled in frustration... No matter. The defenders
fought fiercely, but they couldn’t change the outcome. Their archers had
finally run out of arrows and become infantry, whom the players dominated
confidently. Our people soon captured a stairway and ascended the wall, cutting
off some of the goblins from the tower.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The defenders
launched a counter-attack in a desperate attempt to break through to their kin,
but one goblin dropped his weapon and ran along the battlement in a panic,
straight at me. I automatically stepped aside and stuck out my foot to trip
him. After tumbling along the top of the wall, the goblin managed to stay on
it, then leapt up and kept running, almost without slowing down.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I had already
exchanged my bow for a spear, and at the sound of footsteps, I turned to meet
the next coward with a strike to the chest. The invisible spear meant the
goblin didn't have a chance.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Attention! You have received 2 SP! (20/120)</span><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="a2"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I suppose I should
have felt ashamed. The body swayed and fell, almost dragging me down with it as
the spear had gone in too deep. By the time I had freed my weapon, the first
goblin had jumped onto the roof of an adjacent building, reached the stairs and
disappeared inside. Lucky bastard. He would die a little later.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I looked around,
trying to figure out where I'd be most useful. The goblins didn't need to
protect other sections of the wall thanks to the moat, so almost all the
defenders had gathered at the gate tower. Only the corner towers with the
ballistae had a few goblins still scurrying about. They weren't a danger to the
players inside the fortress, but could be to our reinforcements. The goblins
would target the approaching crowd, and a meter-long arrow could reap a rich
harvest.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My next target was
thus the nearest corner tower. The ballista had already been loaded, but there
were only two goblins. I could swear there had been more before, but perhaps some
had already deserted. The first levels? Perhaps capturing them would be more
sensible.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Surrender!"
I proclaimed, appearing out of thin air. Low-level goblins, once considered
worthy opponents, were no longer a cause for concern.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Unfortunately, the
goblins didn't appreciate my 'generosity' and charged at me, shrieking. It
wasn't the smartest decision of their lives, considering they only had long
knives as weapons.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I impaled the
first goblin on my spear, and simply kicked the second one, hoping to obtain а
handy source of information. Unfortunately, the blow was too strong, and the
goblin flew off into the moat.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Damn
reflexes," I muttered, meeting the gaze of the goblin at my feet. The
spear had gone deep into his stomach. "Doesn't look like I’ll be capturing
you, either."</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Attention! You have gained 2 SP! (22/120)</span><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="a2"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">How... <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">irrational</i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">.</b> Two more experience points meant almost nothing to me, but could
have ensured a way home for one of my allies. It was one of the reasons I'd
wanted to take the goblins alive, in addition to getting them to talk. Putting
my foot on the corpse, I pulled out the spear and glanced at the corpse
indifferently. The wound was serious, but it shouldn't have led to such a quick
death. I wondered if the System weapon somehow sucked up life, making any
serious wound fatal.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 146.25pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Attention! The Calculating Mind skill has been terminated!</span><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="a2"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Why? I found the
answer almost immediately — my mana bar had dropped to zero. I pulled out a new
crystal, while trying to decide what to do next. There wasn't much time left
before the fortress finally fell and players scattered in search of loot. I had
to get there first.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It's just that...
I leaned on my spear, overwhelmed by a sense of fatigue. The tense night, the
fight with the Bone Horror, the flight, the battle, another flight and another
battle, it all came together at once. Well, I did have something suitable for
this occasion.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 146.25pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Activate Second Wind?</span><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 146.25pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Yes/No</span><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="a2"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I confirmed
activation and the world brightened once more as my body was filled with
energy, the fatigue dissipating. It was hard to believe that I'd been seriously
considering giving up my loot to rest. According to the agreement, everything
taken before the fortress fell would be mine. Who knew if I'd get another chance
if I missed this one? I could only hope that they'd manage without me.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I didn't go back
to the stairs where the battle was still raging, instead choosing an
alternative path. Reaching the edge of the wall, I jumped onto the roof of the
building below.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 146.25pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">***</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The slightly
sloping roof was used to collect rainwater, as was often the case in this
city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The design was simple: the water
flowed down the roof into the gutters, along them into a special opening, then
down the pipes and into tanks located somewhere in the basement. It was
possible to drink such water, especially if it had been boiled first. It meant
we wouldn't die of thirst here.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Once at the
stairs, I activated <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Invisibility</i>
again and carefully descended the steps. Right... The third floor. I didn't
have a detailed map of the fortress, so I needed to capture a prisoner to avoid
wandering mindlessly through the buildings.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">What did I want to
find, exactly? The dead shaman had given me the idea that by choosing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Magical ability</i>, I had not only unlocked
the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wisdom</i> parameter, but also
obtained those same abilities. Perhaps I could develop them further with
regular training, in addition to the System’s input. Even if it required a lot
of time and perseverance, the results would be much more stable in the future.
The local mages had to pass the knowledge on to their students somehow. Quite
possibly using books kept somewhere in this fortress and which would be nice for
me to get my hands on...</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I cautiously
pushed open a door on my left and found myself in a dark, half-empty hall. A
training hall, judging by the wooden and blunt weapons hanging on the walls and
simply piled up on the floor, but clearly not often used for its intended
purpose. The tables looked like they had seen more use, and I even noticed a
rat rummaging through the leftovers on one. Or a creature that very much like a
rat. The animal pricked up its ears and looked around, but soon relaxed when it
couldn't see anyone. I didn't bother it or linger in the room. There wasn't
anything here worth stealing.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">To the right of
the stairs was a long corridor, with doors on either side. The wall sconces
weren't lit, so the passage was poorly illuminated by a few rays of sun that had
somehow found their way in, perhaps through a system of mirrors.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I didn't like this
corridor. It was too narrow for a spear, so I switched to my sword. I was less
skilled with a blade, but it was more suitable to a confined space, and my <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Invisibility</i> made up for the other
disadvantages.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">After walking a
little further, I stopped. A player's corpse lay just ahead of me, in a small
pool of blood. Likely someone who’d been unlucky enough to appear in the first
few minutes, when the portals were opening at random. A newcomer who’d suddenly
found himself beside some goblins wouldn’t have stood a chance. The question
was, where did the killer go?</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I crouched down
and closed the dead person's eyes. I couldn't see any wounds, but there was no
point in searching for a pulse — the System was a reliable indicator. The
goblins hadn't stripped the dead man, but they had taken his bag and the cards,
so there was no loot to be had. The thought that I was evaluating a recently
living person in terms of spoils to be had made me feel almost ashamed. I
looked at the body again, trying to guess where he might have come from. He was
olive-skinned and dark-haired. Hell, I had no idea! A quarter of the world's
population could fit this description.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I gave the nearest
door a little push and cautiously stepped inside. It was a small cell with a
bed, table, chair, wardrobe and chest. A narrow arrow loop was cut into the
thick wall. It was very modest, yet, as far as I knew, common soldiers lived in
the barracks, so this room belonged to someone higher up. One of the riders,
perhaps? The trunk was locked, and I wasn't interested enough in personal
belongings to waste my time.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I stepped back
into the corridor, closing the door carefully behind me. The neighboring rooms
looked very similar. It didn't seem like I'd find anything interesting on this
floor. Time was running out. Should I go downstairs or check the remaining
rooms? I strained my ears, trying to hear anything...</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">No, it was pointless.
The shaman was unlikely to live here; the keep seemed like a better option. I
needed to descend to the ground floor, go out into the courtyard and then play
it by ear. There might be a goblin lurking in one of these cells, but checking
them all was a waste of time. Although... who said I had to go in there myself?</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Is anyone
here?" I shouted in the goblin language. "The fortress has almost
fallen! All survivors are ordered to retreat through the secret passage. I
don't have time to wait!"</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"I'm
here!" One of the doors opened and a goblin jumped out. "Do we really
have a secret passage? Hey, where are you? Don't leave me!"</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Seeing no one in
the corridor, the goblin ran for the stairs. This time, I didn't repeat the
mistake of ordering him to give up, but simply slammed his body into the wall.
I ripped off the dagger scabbard hanging from his belt and finally reappeared,
giving my prisoner a chance to assess the depth of his problems. I also noted
that the goblin didn't have a bag, so the human in the corridor was probably
killed by someone else. Or he'd had time to hide the spoils.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Where are
your sorcerer's chambers? Answer me!" I snarled, shaking the prisoner and
slamming him back into the wall. I kept one arm free. The goblin was terribly scrawny,
and there were tears in his eyes. The perfect target for an interrogation.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 146.25pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">***</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 146.25pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 146.25pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 146.25pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Help!" the little brat yelled.
"The enemy is here! Help, everyone!"</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I grimaced, not
even trying to shut him up. I doubted someone would come running to his aid.
Under the circumstances, anyone willing to fight had gone to the gate long ago,
so that only cowards would be hiding here. Or those too small to fight, since, admittedly,
the goblin didn't seem like a coward. Just an idiot.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"That's not
what I asked you. How do I get to the library?"</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Help!"
The goblin shouted again, and sniffled when he realized that no one was coming.
Was he really crying? "Come on! Where is everyone? Leon!"</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The prisoner was
no longer sniffling but openly sobbing, breaking the 'rules of the game'. I
considered his size again. Perhaps it wasn't a matter of build but rather of
age. Damn it. I'd never killed a child before, and I wasn’t going to start now.
Although I doubted the other players would be so squeamish. I took out a new
crystal and cast <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Identification</i>.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 146.25pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Nameless Goblin*</span><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Status:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> System creature.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Gender:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> female.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Type:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Bronze.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Creature's Rank: </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">F-.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Level: </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">1<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">.</b></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Threat:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> very low.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 146.25pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Emotions:</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> strong fear, hopelessness.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Parameters:</span><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Dexterity:
5.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Strength:
3.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Intelligence:
4.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Vitality:
5.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Stamina: 4.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Perception:
5.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Luck: 7.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Additional Parameter:</span><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 146.25pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Wisdom: 2.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 146.25pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">*You can give the creature a name. This
requires 10 SP, 150 mana units, and the creature's voluntary consent.</span><o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="a2"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Great, a woman. A
girl, even more likely. I felt like a villain again. What do I do? Do I leave
her here and search for another prisoner? A goblin I wouldn't feel so bad about
killing later? That would be stupid.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"No one came,
as you can see," I spoke. "Where are your... shaman's chambers?"</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"I w-w-won't
tell you," the goblin muttered, gritting her teeth and closing her eyes.
If not for the lack of time, I would even consider this amusing. But I didn't
have time to play interrogator. The fight was coming to an end, and I would
soon have a lot of competition.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"How about a
deal?" I tried a different approach. "If you help me, I'll try to
keep you alive. I can't guarantee it, but I'll try."</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"I don't
believe you. All humans are cowards and liars!"</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"What a
controversial statement. Do you want to see if it's true?" I put my sword
to her neck. "I need to find the shaman's room. If you refuse, you will
die right here, and I will go and find another guide. Do you think I am lying
again?"</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"You..."</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"I'm counting
to five. One, two, three, four," I didn't even think to slow down.
"Fi..."</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"No! I-I
agree," the goblin girl stammered out and started sobbing again.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Although I had
already killed dozens of her kin, I felt strangely and irrationally guilty.
What the hell? I wasn't even planning to kill her. If the girl had refused
again, I would have just cursed and left. The experience I’d get for a
first-level mob wasn't worth the deals I’d have to make with my own conscience.
Of course, someone else would have killed her soon after, but I wouldn't have
witnessed it. Stupid, but my conscience was a very illogical beast.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">***</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As expected, the
shaman's quarters were located in the keep. To get there, we had to go down to
the ground floor, cross the courtyard and ascend the high porch. The goblins
knew about the basic principles of fortification, and the entrance was on the
first floor. However, the staircase had grown larger over the years, while the
narrow, iron-clad doors remained open. It seemed that none of the goblins had
been able to make use of their last chance.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">All this time, I
moved in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Invisibility</i> mode, appearing
only a couple of times when players showed an interest in my guide. As I had
suspected, I wasn't the only one intent on pillaging, but my level easily
convinced any competitors not to stick their noses into my business.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The shaman's
chambers were on the fourth floor, together with the incantation hall and access
to the roof, where the deceased had occasionally conducted some rituals. I was
glad that I found what I was looking for — a shelf full of books — almost
immediately.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Sit here and
don't move."</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I pushed the
goblin girl a little further into the room so I didn't get attacked from
behind, and went to the shelf. Had all my efforts been rewarded? I opened the
first book I came across and stared at the illustration in surprise. What the
hell? I turned the page and realized that my eyes weren’t deceiving me. The
most battered book, with a richly decorated cover and a poetic title, turned
out to be a local version of the Kama Sutra. Well, I doubted the goblins had
discovered anything new in this area.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Right
here?" my captive asked softly.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"What ‘right here’?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked, tracking her movements out of the
corner of my eye. The next book turned out to be a poetry collection, but the
third one was related to magic.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"My beauty is
well-known," she said. "I-I know why you spared me!"</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The young goblin
looked away in embarrassment, grabbed her shirt, and pulled it over her head.
She was probably blushing, but it was imperceptible given the color of her
skin. I sighed heavily, giving her a skeptical look. Well... The System wasn't wrong
— the goblin was a girl. She was quite young, so her secondary sexual
characteristics could be easily missed under clothing, but now I could see her
breasts. Although relatively small, they couldn’t belong to a man, not with
that build.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"And then
what?" I queried, opening a new book. A herbal, it seemed.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"I know what
warriors do to the women on the losing side," the goblin let out a small sob.
"Let us go to my father's bed, I won't resist."</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I froze, digesting
what I'd just heard. Great, just great. So, the late shaman was her father? The
girl lay down on the bed and arched her back. I guessed it was supposed to look
tempting, but I felt amused instead. Or sad? Any goblin, regardless of age or
gender, who found themselves surrounded by so many players, was almost
certainly doomed to be turned into experience points. I doubted that I could
change that. "I'm not buying it," I said. "What have you got
there? A dagger under the pillow?"</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The girl shook her
head fearfully, wrapping herself in the blanket. She didn't remove the pillows,
though.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Put your
clothes back on. I'm not interested in goblins," I sighed, and began
shoveling all the books into my bag. I'd sort out the loot later.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A horn sounded
somewhere below, proclaiming that the main force had finally broken into the
fortress. Now all we had to do was clear the fortress of any remaining goblins.
We'd won. I wasn't the only one who seemed to think so.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 146.25pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Attention! You have completed the divine task 'Capture the Fortress'!</span><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 146.25pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Attention! The area around the beacon is now under the patronage of
Quetzalcoatl!</span><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 146.25pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Attention! You are in a conditional safe zone!</span><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="a2"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I studied the logs
for a bit, assessing what had happened, then chuckled. Not only had Quel not
given the players any rewards, he had also staked out this territory. Strong
move. The 'conditional safe zone' forbade the killing of other players,
threatening the violator with the 'wrath of god' and, at first glance, simply
duplicated the functions of the System. However, the fact that the god could
contact his High Priest and point out the violator, changed everything... In
addition, thousands of newbs would soon be crowding into the fortress, and it
wasn't hard to predict whom they’d choose as their patron.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I shook my head,
returning to my current problem. I had to grab what I could, then find a place
to house my squad. But before that, I had to deal with the goblin girl.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 146.25pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">***</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"My name is
Vasily, how about you?" I began, sitting down on the bed.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Re...
Rebecca," she looked away. She seemed terribly embarrassed of the
spectacle she'd made just before.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Wow, a whole
seven letters?" I asked, impressed. Given how careful goblins were about
the length of names, it couldn't be local. Was it an Earthen name?</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"I,"
Rebecca blushed again. "That's what one of the players called me. My
actual name is Re, but a third letter was to be added to my name very soon!"</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Right. In other
words, she was still considered a child, even by goblin standards.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Tell me, do
you know anything about magic?"</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Although <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wisdom</i> was a racial parameter for
goblins, most had a value around one, and they lacked magic. The girl had a two
in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wisdom</i>, which meant there was a
chance that her father had passed on some of his knowledge and skills to her.
The goblin girl looked away again, showing no desire to answer. This alone
spoke volumes. What is this, kindergarten?</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"All right,
Reb," I flattered her by adding a third letter to her name. "Let's
speak honestly. Do you want to live?"</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Yes. You
won't kill me, will you?" She cried harder this time, tears running down
her cheeks. Again. I'd never been good with children. "Please!"</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I shook my head. "I won't. We agreed,
remember? I promised to protect you, but for that, you need to help me. Work with
me. If you do everything right, I’ll let you return to your kin in seven days.
So, do you know anything about magic?"</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In that moment, I
felt like a detective from a crappy TV series, telling a prisoner about the
benefits of cooperation. But it worked, and the goblin nodded uncertainly.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"My father
taught me. I know the basic rituals, though I've never performed them myself. I
can charge simple amulets. I know about herbs and how to dry them
correctly."</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Not
bad," I said. "Can you use magic to harm a person in any way?"</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"I doubt it. Probably
not. Our people have few strong shamans left, and I was only a disciple."</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Even if she was
lying, it wasn't excessive. A chill ran down my spine. I had remained careful all
this time, yet I had only considered her danger in terms of physical strength.
I was completely oblivious to the fact that goblins also knew magic. Would I
have been able to dodge a lightning bolt? Damn it. My noble gesture could have
cost me dearly... On the other hand, I couldn't suspect every goblin I met of
being a shaman. "Why did you try to seduce me? Were you hoping that it
would protect you?"</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Yes."
The averted gaze again. She was lying. I didn't even need <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Intuition</i> to know this.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"I thought we
had a deal?"</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"There are
many warriors and few women in the fortress," she admitted with downcast
eyes. "My father put a spell on me that would strip the rapist of his
manhood."</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Wouldn't
that make him angry?"</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"It would.
But if I died, the curse would kill the rapist. While I lived, it would
eventually dissipate... Eventually."</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Really?"</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Yes,"
she nodded. "My father said it would take at least five years, but no more
than ten."</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I snorted,
appreciating the cunning plan, compared to which a dagger under the pillow was
child's play. Then I moved on to the main question. "Alright, let's forget
about it. Do you know how to quickly raise the undead?"</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Re thought for a
few seconds, then nodded. Bingo.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="1Calibri110"><a name="_Toc534027357"></a><a name="_Toc24588825"></a><a name="_Toc42296888"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Toc24588825;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Toc534027357;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Interlude. The Chosen One.</span></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">If one was to talk
in clichés, then Kawakami Ryu could be considered a completely ordinary
Japanese schoolboy. However, like most teenagers, Ryu thought deep down that he
was special. Although he would probably struggle to say exactly what set him
apart from his peers. He wasn't especially good at school or sports, nor did he
possess any special talents. He certainly wasn't going to brag about the fact
that he knew all the Pokémon names at the age of seventeen. Just like his deep
knowledge of anime, manga and video games. Being an otaku was not something to
be proud of these days, and was even considered shameful.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Nevertheless, Ryu
was a sensible young man and could clearly separate reality from fantasy, not
allowing himself to sink into the latter too deeply. Perhaps that was why he
hadn't hesitated to accept the System's offer — he simply hadn't believed it
was real.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2" style="tab-stops: 369.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The high school student woke up in the traditional white room. Of
course, the room wasn't completely white, but what was happening fit neatly
into the familiar childhood clichés. He was the Chosen One. He would have the opportunity
to gain power and change his fate... or perish. Having read plenty of adult
manga, Ryu remembered that, apart from the main character and his girlfriend,
all the other 'chosen ones' rarely survived for long.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2" style="tab-stops: 369.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Well, I don't think I'm the girlfriend," the newly minted
River Serpent muttered. "Let's hope I'm the main character, or at least
someone in his entourage."</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2" style="tab-stops: 369.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Ryu didn't hesitate when choosing his weapon, a katana. Just like one
he'd seen in a museum. In the absence of firearms, national pride wouldn’t let
him choose anything else. His ancestors were samurai, after all! They were on
his mother's side, but still...</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2" style="tab-stops: 369.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He might have chosen <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Magical
ability</i>, but this option wasn't on the list. The high school student also
figured out how to use the bag and equipment without any difficulty. Finally,
after making sure he hadn't missed anything, Ryu headed for the portal, since
there was no other way to leave this place. The portal lit up at his touch.
After reading the mission description, which spoke of "capturing the
temple", Ryu noticed the last item.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 369.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 369.0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Select the drop point:</span><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 369.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 369.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">— Divine beacon No. 1
(Quetzalcoatl).</span><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 369.0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">— Random location
within the city limits.</span><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="a2" style="tab-stops: 369.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="a2" style="tab-stops: 369.0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It wasn't an easy choice. A random location could be a considerable risk
when it came to one’s life. Theoretically, a stationary <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">beacon</i> should be a kind of safe zone. On the other hand, it could
be the other way around. It was much more difficult to set a trap in a random
place.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">While the teenager
was thinking, the first line of text changed color, going from a neutral black
to a yellow, almost sickly green. At the same time, the second option turned a
bloody red, as if pushing him towards a choice. Ignoring the hint, Ryu
carefully selected the random location.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">You have selected 'Random
drop point'. Confirm?</span><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="a2"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The letters were
almost scarlet at this point, and then began to soften, as if bleeding. His
finger froze.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">When a true samurai </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="background: white; color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1;">is <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">compelled to choose between life and death</span>, <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">he must quickly choose death</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">," Ryu muttered, but the wisdom
of the ancients didn't give him the confidence he’d hoped for. They’d all died,
after all!</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Ryu exhaled
slowly, decided not to swim against the current, and chose the recommended
location. Although he'd never heard of Quetzalcoatl, weren't heroes always
being summoned by the gods? Logic is such a multifaceted thing that a smart
person can use it to justify any decision.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">***</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Leon felt a
growing sense of desperation. The 'feat' meant to secure his future no longer mattered.
His patron had been killed in battle, which meant that his bride had lost her
status. Although Re had learned her father's trade since childhood, no one
would put a shaman's staff into the hands of a snotty teen. Plus, her ability
was quite weak, only two points. His ability was even lower, but it grew
rapidly and could reach dozens in the future. He was a Hero! With training and
leveling up, he could become a powerful shaman one day. And then, who knew…</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Alas, his plans
had been ruined in an instant, and now the very life of the ‘loyal servant of
the goblins’ was in danger. The large losses had enraged his owners, and every
goblin strove to insult the ‘property’ that now belonged to no one. Given that
Leon barely knew the local language, he had to turn to his bride for
clarification. Although the goblin girl had explained what was happening, she
was also moody and unhelpful.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 146.25pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Attention! You have received the divine task 'Capture the Fortress'!</span><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="a2"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The task that
popped up felt like a mockery under the circumstances, yet it appeared that the
mysterious System still considered him one of its soldiers. What a joke. His
only chance of returning to Earth was to complete the main task. Even then,
there was no guarantee that it would count if the temple was captured by
someone else.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Go and
fight!" His bride stood by the window and stamped her foot. "You're a
man!"</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"I am only a
servant. I don't even have any weapons," Leon replied automatically.
"Besides, if I pick up a sword, your fellow goblins won't know which side
I'm on. They'll just kill me."</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"You're a
coward! It's... it's over between us!"</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">What a dumb cow.
Nothing new here, goblins weren't known for their intelligence. She actually
wasn't too bad when compared to the rest.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Goodbye,
Rebecca. I'm sorry it turned out this way," Leon said, leaving the room
and walking away. While his position had been precarious before, he'd still had
a chance of survival. However, the sight of players appearing out of thin air
made it impossible for him to deny the truth any longer. It was obvious that
the fortress would fall. What would happen then?</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Leon clenched his
teeth. Almost every scenario promised death, whether soon or a bit later, when
the goblins recaptured the fortress. Even if they didn't kill him, he'd be a
slave again. It was much more likely that his own people would finish him off
first, for cooperating with the enemy. Would anyone care that he had been
forced to do so? He was going to die, he was so going to die... A wave of
hopelessness washed over him. Wouldn't it be easier to find a rope and simply
hang himself? Leon turned the thought over in his mind. He knew where to find a
rope, but had no idea how to make the right knot, and there was no internet at
hand to check.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Get out of
the way, slave!" said a voice behind him. Leon understood only the last
word in the sentence, but the gesture and tone were quite eloquent.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Leon jumped aside,
pressing his back against the wall and letting the group of goblins pass. The
latter cast a bloodthirsty glance in his direction, but then turned away.
Leon’s rough robe clung to his back, soaked with sweat. He could almost sense
the goblin debating whether to kill the slave just in case. Was it the same
sixth sense that the late shaman had unsuccessfully tried to teach him? No,
Leon didn't want to die, and his thoughts turned the other way, searching for a
way out. There must be a way out, right?</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">He needed to
think. Almost no one knew about his 'sabotage', so that left only the
accusations of working for the goblins. Collaborating with the enemy. He had to
prove that he hadn't betrayed anyone. He needed to prove his loyalty. But how?
By finding a weapon and joining the players in their fight against the goblins?
He'd lost a one-on-one skirmish last time and hadn't gotten any stronger since.
They'd kill him. Steal a corpse's clothes and pretend to be one of the newbies?
Pointless, the other prisoners would report him as soon as they were released.
Use the time gained to escape from the fortress? Into a city occupied by the
undead? Into a world without people? Well then... Sneak into the basement and
kill the witnesses? Leon smiled bitterly, knowing that he couldn't. He just
couldn't. Anyway, it would be useless, the red status would give him away. He
felt a deep sense of hopelessness again.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">It was all
pointless. Utterly pointless.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The air in front
of him rippled and a player appeared before his eyes. A Japanese guy, judging
by his appearance and the weapon he had chosen. Leon pushed him aside and tried
to jump through the invisible portal, but struck the wall instead. The passage
only led one way. Merde...</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"Who are
you?" the youth asked, raising his katana, but there was no real threat in
it. He was even built like a girl, thin as a sapling.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">"I'm... I'm
from Earth, like you. You have to help me!" Leon began, following his gut
instinct. "There are prisoners in the basement! If we free them, they'll
help us take the fortress! We need to hurry or the goblins might kill
them."</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="a2"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">The plan took
shape in his mind. He was a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hero</i>, so
why not perform a feat? If he couldn't kill the witnesses, he would try to save
them. Maybe it would only delay the inevitable, but Leon didn't want to die.
Not today.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0cm;"><span lang="EN-AU" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoFootnoteText"><a href="file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/%D0%93%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B4%20%D0%BD%D0%B5%D0%B6%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B8%20%D0%B3%D0%BB.%201%202_eng.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: RU; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: RU;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;">Chuchuk – a sausage made from horse meat in Kyrgyzstan
and Kazakhstan.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoFootnoteText"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"><br /></span></p><h2 align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p>Pre-order on Amazon - </o:p></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08KWCNHTP">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08KWCNHTP</a></span></span></span></h2><h2 align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="color: red;">Release - April 12, 2021 </span></o:p></span></h2><p class="MsoFootnoteText"><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU;"></span></p><h2 align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p><span style="color: red;">KU+</span></o:p></span></h2>
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</div><br /></div>Simon Valehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16142080565999248152noreply@blogger.com0