Codename: Freedom: Survive Week One Read online

  With a shake of his head, he replied, "You know you can't."

  Her careful expression didn't change, but the light dissipated as quickly as it had come. Am I seeing things?

  "I have to help."

  "I know." He stepped forward and grabbed her tight, as a father does a child. "But you can't. Not yet."

  She pushed out of his grasp and hit him in the chest.

  More impressive, he took the hit like a grunt-cyborg in heavy battle armor.

  She dropped to her knees showing the same defeated look I had seen before she went to bed. Peter had said she was a healer. If it was true that she could have normally healed me, then I understood why she felt guilty. Not that she deserved to feel the emotion now.

  Without another word she got up and went back to kneel beside me. Seeing her like that was almost as bad as watching me suffer.

  She wasn't the only one there. Peter, Oliver and a number of faces I only partially recognized spent a lot of time discussing what to do to help. Harrison, who had gifted me the good quality iron sword, was also there for a time.

  It was Kline that brought in the alcohol about three hours after my injury. He had found it in one of the dead player’s loot piles.

  I went back and watched the scene again. The white light from Victoria’s hands was there, but it was faint enough I wasn’t sure if my eyes were playing tricks on me. She seemed to believe she could have done something. It didn’t make any sense. She had helped me, had helped the players that died gather their stuff, and obviously desired to help, so I couldn’t doubt her intentions.

  The video skipped through times of inaction where I was passed out. Regardless I watched the doggedly long video from start to finish, unable to pull myself away from it until I woke in the morning and summoned Wink for the first time. It was supposed to be a happy ending to a sad story, but the real struggle had just begun.

  Everything about this seemed wrong. Why would anyone invent a virtual simulation that caused people to suffer? The hidden goal of Codename: Freedom no longer seemed like just another interesting quest. There was something deadly serious about why we were here. There had to be. What were they trying to accomplish?

  Should I quit altogether? That would be such an easy route to take. No, that was a lie. I had over two million people backing me. I had years of hard work and much to show for it. I had Destiny if I ever got out of here. What would she say?

  Destiny’s words rung in my ears. “You are only a victim if you admit defeat.”

  Out of all people, it was the memory of my father getting demoted that came to mind. It was years ago when I was maybe six or seven. He was more distant than normal that night when he came home. I remember my mother sitting with him at the kitchen table in silence for over an hour after dinner. When he finally spoke, there was no distress in his voice. He said his company didn’t share his vision, but he knew someone that did. A week later he started a new job and his hours increased greatly. It can’t be denied that he overcame a huge setback. Destiny was created soon after.

  This same memory reminded me that after he started his new job I didn’t see him as much anymore.

  I shook my head; I still needed to prove him wrong. A gamer could be more than just a user.

  My trembling had stopped. Unclenching my fists, I took long deep breaths to cool the anger that had replaced it.

  I wasn’t calm, but I was still. I had enough followers to persuade a number of sponsors to back me. When it was time, I would also track down the forsaken secret the government thought so important to taunt us with.

  There was no way I would leave this place, regardless how insane it might be. Something as stupid as pain that had already healed wouldn’t stop me now. It wasn’t my fans or my future that motivated me to continue. I didn’t really understand what drove me then.

  There was too much adrenaline to fall asleep right away. Forget exhaustion. I started the tedious process of reading comments and watching response vids. There was no way to respond directly, but my fans were watching.

  If only Destiny was here she would have been able to help me understand what was going on inside of me. She knew me better than anyone, including myself most of the time. I knew she was watching, even now. What was I missing?

  I found anger through reliving the most terrible moment of my life was a far cry better than debilitating fear. All that made sense was to fan the flames.

  Chapter 8 – Recovery

  238/238 HP

  I awoke when it was late afternoon. The peaceful fuming of my anger was still supplied with plenty of fuel.

  Checking my fan channel one more time, I saw a surprising personal message. It wasn’t the worried but positive one from my mother that caught me off guard. My father had written me and what it said was abnormal…

  “Son. You did what needed to be done. I’m proud of you.”

  It was short and seemingly generic, but coming from him… It was the first time I remember such praise without a single but, or what if.

  My throat became tight. I didn’t know what to think. After all these years trying to prove him wrong, did I still desire his approval? There was no ignoring the elation that I felt, even if I wasn’t sure why I felt it.

  Another surprise awaited me when I opened my character screen.

  Character Status

  Player Name: Lucius

  Level: 12

  Health Points: 238

  Endurance Points: 360

  Combat Level: Unknown?

  Strength: 29

  Dexterity: 42

  Endurance: 36

  Strength +1, Dexterity +2, Endurance +3

  Pet: Wink (Wolf Pup)

  Abilities Unlocked: Personnel Condition Monitor (Basic), Metaverse Access Hub, Creature Indicator (Basic), Abilities menu, Local Map, Danger Indicator

  My Strength had increased by 1, my Dexterity by 2 and Endurance by 3. I had absolutely no idea why though. It didn’t seem to have anything to do with my level. Maybe it was because I had gotten sleep? If I could keep the pattern going my stats would be pretty impressive in just a few months.

  Even with the change of stats, I really couldn’t tell the difference. My muscles were perhaps firmer than normal, but I may have just been imagining it.

  Enough nonsense. I had leveled up. With 3 Ability Points to spend, it was time I carefully considered my options from here.

  Since everything was still at its basic level, it was pretty clear in what order I needed to get what.

  Creature Beacon Upgrade!

  You are now able to discern between different types of creatures!

  A blue beacon will indicate friendly creatures.

  (This includes the people in your group.)

  A red beacon will indicate hostile creatures.

  A white beacon will indicate neutral creatures.

  The Local Map will continue the color scheme for each kind of creature.

  Danger Indicator!

  Danger Indicator added to Creature Indicator and Local Map!

  A red arrow will show in your peripheral vision if something is attacking you from behind or the flank.

  The sensitivity to danger depends on your Pet’s sense of hearing.

  World Map

  You now have access to the World Map!

  Only the areas you have personally visited or seen from another map will be visible on your map.

  Terrain is very basic. Only the largest landmarks will be recorded.

  Despite everything, I was looking forward to finding Kline and make sure he spent his points wisely.

  Leaving my room, I planned on finding the rest of the group and unloading my loot after finding April for her “return customer discount”. With the coin I had, it was time to really gear up. There was a lot of equipment I needed to sell and I would go through the best of it and see if any was worth keeping. I also needed something to eat. Scratch that. I would eat first.

  As I walked through the familiar lobby, this time without a
gang of complainers, someone called out my name. Turning opposite of the room-length, oak reception desk, I saw a double wide doorway standing open. Kline stood at a round table across from Victoria, waving to get my attention.

  I entered through the double wide to a large tavern of sorts with at least forty round, oak tables sitting ten chairs each. There were waitresses scurrying around carrying trays filled with wonderful aromas. Meat!

  In the corner was a single musician playing a flute-like instrument. It looked to be made of wood and much longer than any flute I remember seeing. The tune was upbeat and airy.

  The tavern had a bar with sitting room near the entryway and was only about a quarter full of patrons. Most of them were players but there were a few villagers eating there too.

  Across the room, a holographic TV screen spanned the whole wall. Playing were highlights of the ‘best players feats’ so far in the game. Currently, one guy was wrestling a boar, and bashing it in the head barehanded.

  I sat down between them.

  Victoria looked up, her dimples making an appearance as her eyes brushed past mine. Looking off, her attention settled on tarnished silverware awaiting a plate.

  Either she was starving or something was still bothering her. After yesterday, I was surprised she had even gotten out of bed at all.

  She no longer wore the ugly brown shirt and trousers, but a tight faded-green long-sleeved shirt under her leather vest. Instead of pants, she had on a blue skirt with light green leggings reaching down to the knee. Tall green socks were tucked under her pants just below the knee, with new calf-high leather boots to finish off the outfit.

  “How is everyone this morning?” I looked from her to Kline.

  “No more dirt pajamas!” he replied.

  He had upgraded his outfit as well. He lost the newbie browns and now wore the same green as Victoria head to toe, with new boots and hard leather shin guards, or greaves, tucked in. He actually wore two leather vests, one on top of the other and some leather forearm protectors, otherwise known as bracers. The greaves and bracers weren’t even the same color leather as the vests, but it didn’t matter, he looked ready.

  They were two of the best-dressed players in the tavern. Most everyone, including myself, still wore newbie brown. There were some odd armor pieces here and there, but Kline had everyone beat in that category.

  When Victoria didn’t respond to Kline’s quip, instead staring down at the table, I changed the subject.

  “I’m starving.”

  At the same time, I commanded Wink to appear. She went to Victoria immediately, wanting to continue the tickle fight they started last night.

  Not even turning her head, Victoria reached out and dug her fingers into the fur of her neck.

  “That can be fixed,” Kline replied, holding up his hand to wave at a random server.

  A pretty brunette with a flowered dress and a large brown apron appeared before us.

  “Hey, hon. What’cha need?”

  “I’m hungry.” Kline winked.

  She crossed her arms and began tapping her index finger on her arm.

  Holding up his hands in surrender, he asked, “What’s on the menu?”

  She rambled off, “Potato soup, chicken pot pie, Shepherd's pie, and our special is pork steak served with a baked potato and greens.”

  “Do you have any sandwiches?” Victoria replied, beating Kline and me in response.

  Well, that snapped her out of her own head. Maybe next time I should have Wink take her some food.

  The waitress gave her a blank look.

  “Chicken pot pie then.”

  Kline pumped his brow, grinning like a teen with a crush. “Pork steak for me!”

  “Pork here too,” I said, doing all I could to keep from laughing.

  “Drinks?”

  “Tea,” Victoria replied.

  “Water here,” Kline added.

  “Tea,” I said.

  “What are you guys, health nuts? Alright. Two teas and a water, then two pigs and a chicken,” she said, eyeing us for only a moment before she left in a hurry.

  Kline looked at us wide-eyed.

  Victoria burst out laughing. With that, whatever was distracting her took a back seat to the present.

  “So when did you guys go shopping?” I asked.

  “Oh, about an hour ago,” she said. With her head back and chest forward in perfect mock posture. "What do you think?"

  Pulling back, her change in demeanor caught me off guard. Tilting my head to the side, I slowly combed the stubble on my chin.

  Opening my mind to how good she looked was not a good idea. I was suddenly aware of how close she was. My lips parted, tasting the same sweet aroma that I remembered mixed with grass from the night before.

  "Yum," I said, immediately turning bright red.

  She snickered. "Why thank you for the compliment. There's nothing like being Yummy in the afternoon."

  Body, you’re an idiot. Victoria wasn't even dressed sensually. Where was Destiny when I needed her? She could have blurred out the most distracting parts and augmented a big pimple on her forehead or something.

  "What about being yummy in the morning?" I blurted out, then realized that all the back and forth I had with Destiny that she insisted was “training” had just backfired. Awkward.

  "Eh.” She hesitated. “It's not the same..."

  "Oh to be young and yummy again..." Kline replied.

  "You were yummy too once?" I asked, thankful to be saved by Kline who was kind enough to divert the conversation.

  "No, I was young once. I'm still yummy…"

  Wink yelped as Victoria rocked back in her chair, bracing herself against the table while trying to control her amusement.

  I almost kissed the table as I held my gut.

  Having trouble calming down, I said, "Now I'm really hungry."

  "Me too," Kline replied. "Where's that pretty waitress?"

  The implication set us off again, but the implication had returned us to uncomfortable laughter.

  I knew he was doing this on purpose, trying to distract us from thinking about last night. Old goblin fart.

  He looked at us like we were crazy.

  “Since you two are as giggly as two twelve-year-old girls, there is something we should discuss. Lucius.

  We were talking and Victoria invited us to join up with their group officially. What do you think?”

  It was a little formal, but there was little reason not to join. Normally I would have second-guessed the offer, but there was no evidence Victoria was buttering me up to knife me in the back. And there was no denying the skill of their group.

  "Sure."

  “Great!” She clapped. “The men should join us soon. We can give them the news.”

  When they arrived, they were decked out in new clothing. I knew immediately Victoria had a hand in it. The collars were hemmed with extra fabric that embellished the V-neck in slightly lighter green fabric. Though they were sleeveless, darker fabric emboldened the arm holes. It was rather flattering in a masculine way.

  Victoria quickly caught them up. And with that, Kline and I were part of the group.

  When we were being served and the same spunky waitress took Peter and Oliver’s orders, a flash on the wall screen caught my eye. It blinked Live Broadcast.

  Kline reached to the middle of the table. When his hand passed over the customarily hidden holo-dock, a holographic user terminal activated. A digital volume dial appeared. As he turned it the volume increased for everyone at the table. It was a common thing in restaurants, but normally the holo-dock really just synced everyone’s MR headset to share an audio channel.

  A quick intro trailer played with a too perfect looking, bubbly girl with purple hair down to her shoulders. She was making random exaggerated faces all while VR gaming footage played in the background.

  Mia’s VR Haven was a popular gamer show that was normally fully virtual-interactive through the Metaverse, but there must have bee
n an exception made for those of us in Freedom. It played like a normal video with no queues to port in to watch it virtually.

  Though she looked ridiculous most of the time with her outfits and outlandish expressions, she actually was quite knowledgeable. Her quirky mannerisms were strangely appealing.

  Mia appeared looking off screen and spaced out with her mouth dropped open. Suddenly she turned her head and stared directly at us.

  “Hello, players!” she said, grinning ear to ear with thumbs up on either side to her face.

  “Welcome to this special edition of Mia’s VR Haven specially designed for our Codename: Freedom friends! It is my honor to be selected as one of the game’s official VRJ’s (Virtual Reality Jockeys). It has been over 24 hours since the single greatest gaming experiment that has ever taken place has begun. And boy it has already surpassed our wild expectations! You are in the right place to get the latest news as to what has progressed!

  “First, let’s start with some stats! Yesterday, Codename: Freedom broke every record and then some with eight billion, four hundred million viewers watching live during the opening day event. That breaks the previous record for a non-established game set by Controlled Chaos by over two hundred million people.”

  Holding her eyes open wide with figures and thumbs, she mouthed the word ‘wow’.

  “Incredible, I know. With the ramping up of pain to 100%, a few famously obnoxious players that have always mocked 40% pain have been caught freaking out and even in tears; often from not too serious wounds. If seeing arrogance crushed wasn’t enough to entertain a girl, the talk is that removing the limiter on pain will change combat from a callous but flashy exercise in violence to a desperate struggle to survive. With more meaningful action, the viewership has already given Codename: Freedom over ten billion tips of varying amounts.

  Moving on. If you haven’t already heard, nearly 17,000 players found themselves shut out of multiple player cities last night and were attacked by hundreds of goblin baddies!”

  She paused, wide-eyed with shock.

  “There were even a few named bosses scattered at a few of the starter cities. And believe me when I say they were the purest kind of ugly. These bosses were giant hobgoblins followed by their own hordes. I’m sad to report that over 5,000 players died in the raids last night.”