Otherlife Dreams: The Selfless Hero Trilogy (27 page)

“I see him. Never seen him before,” her whispered words tickled his ear. “Has the look of any of the shit stains from your ship.”

Runner grunted in the affirmative then slowly turned himself around. With the intent to appear as if he were simply checking the contents of the wagon he opened the flap and ducked his head inside while his right arm reached in to adjust something.

Runner found himself peering through Hannah’s ghostly torso about an inch away from his face. He could see Nadine on the other side who was watching him in return. Addressing Nadine rather than Hannah, who was acting like a gauzy window, seemed like the best course of action.

“Pretty sure I saw him once before actually. When I was pretending to be a rock falling from the wall. He was watching us as if he could see us but not really. Best guess? One of us is a quest marker for him. Personally, my money is on Hanners, since she’s an NPC as far as the game is concerned,” Runner shrugged, smiling at Nadine.

“I see. Th-th-that makes sense. Han-n-nah?” Nadine asked.

Hannah made no immediate response. Runner couldn’t tell if it was because of his position in relation to her own or if she was thinking over the situation in a deep manner. Runner idly moved his right arm as if he were shifting things around.

“I’d agree. You explained the rules about city guards already. Do they apply here? Can he do anything?”

“No. Nothing overtly in front of guards. That doesn’t mean he wouldn’t try something. I figure I go have a chat with him to see if I can discourage him. Not like he can do anything here but talk to me. If I’m lucky, the simple fact that we’re aware of him may make him leery. Feel free to join me after I get his attention Hanners if you want a better look at him. Nadine, please keep out of sight. He may not have seen you and I’d rather not give him more information if we don’t have to,” Runner grinned at her. Nadine nodded her agreement, to which Runner turned to the left he leapt down from the drivers box. Kneeling down in the shadow of the wagon he cast Stealth and made his way quickly for the man.

While en route Runner called up the in game camera and took a screen shot of the man’s face, noted his name as Ted Henshaw, then logged the man’s name into his personal notes section of his social panel. Dumping the picture off into an in game party memo he attached Ted’s full name and sent it to the rest of his group. They’d be able to access it the next time they stayed in an Inn. As the window cleared he sat down next to Ted, deactivated Stealth, and dropped his hand on Ted’s shoulder.

“Afternoon friend!” Runner cheerfully said, a touch too loudly.

Ted jumped in his seat, his head snapping around to lock on to Runner.

“You’ve been showing a great deal of interest in my wagon. I promise I’m not here to sell snake oil, elixirs of youth, or anything like that. Maybe some porn holomags on the side, especially if you’re into the kinky stuff. Huge collection of solid midget work. We can work that out later. Maybe I can interest you in something?” Runner emphasized that he’d like this conversation to continue by tightening his grip on the mans shoulder. He knew he was pressing the boundaries of what would be considered acceptable by the game. He was betting that his demeanor and open question would allow him a little bit of wiggle room.

Little Teddy stared at him, saying nothing at all. Brown eyes that sat in a perfectly normal looking face stared at Runner in shock. Framed by boringly dull brown hair.

He could take first place in the most average contest.

Opting for the most direct route Runner cleared his throat. “Ted, my name is Lieutenant Runner Norwood. What’s your rank soldier?”

“Specialist. Specialist Ted Henshaw.”

“Sir.”

“Sir, sorry sir.”

“So, why the interest in my wagon? Or better yet, what’s in my wagon? Maybe, someone in my wagon?”

There was a battle going on inside Ted’s head. Following orders from superiors was instilled deeply in every citizen of the Sovereignty. On the other side lay whatever Ted needed. An item he valued so desperately the very idea of disobeying orders was being considered.

“Speak up Specialist, lest I rule you in violation of insubordination. I’d hate to turn you over to the courts when this is all over just because you wouldn’t talk to me.”

“Sir, I have a quest given to me by my class leader to neutralize a target, collect a trophy, and return. This would complete my quest, sir. The specialist feels his best chance to survive is by becoming as high level as possible, sir.”

Reflecting on those words Runner idly patted Teddy’s shoulder. Nodding his head as if he agreed he smiled.

“A fair response to the situation at hand. Good work specialist. I fear I must order you to cancel this quest. The NPC in question is working with me to resolve this mess. As you’re probably aware, leveling up has a restorative affect on memories and dying turns you into a vegetable. I’ve hired the NPC in question to assist me in solving this situation. Allowing you to waste her would prove to be counter productive.”

“Sir, I can’t quit the quest. I already tried once and it only offered me the same quest again. The only thing the class leader wants is the target, a snitch, dead, sir.”

“In that case I’m afraid I can’t help you with that. What I can do though is offer you to join me. I find those I’ve recruited for this to be expertly skilled for this mission. They carry themselves in such a way that I have no doubt as to success of the operation. Otherwise, I’m afraid you’re at an impasse specialist. I can’t have you fragging an asset. I’d be forced to hit you up for insubordination and dereliction, and we wouldn’t want that. We clear, specialist? Clear as a fucking bell I hope? This’d be an awful thing to turn into a soup sandwich on you.”

Runner patted the man on the shoulder and got to his feet. Dusting his hands off he started walking back to the wagon. On the other side, out of sight of Ted, Hannah and Nadine had been joined by Katarina and Thana. Nodding his head to the party he flicked his eyes to the inn and raised a brow to Thana.

Catching his look she nodded her head at his mutely expressed question. Turning to Katarina and Nadine she said said something to them while motioning a hand to the crates of inventory. Smiling she turned and addressed Runner directly.

“I anticipate you’ve provided us with another charming enemy? Perhaps another God or Goddess? Oh! I know, the mayor maybe?” Thana inquired.

“Har har. No. Hopefully trying to get rid of one honestly. I’ll explain it in our room, where we might escape from prying ears and eyes. Suffice it to say, I’m hopeful that this is over before it began. We’ll see.”

Thana shook her head and fell in next to him. “Such a rouges gallery, a truly worth while collection of villains arrayed against us already. Such an exciting life you lead.”

Scoffing Runner could only grin, thinking about what little he knew of his life. “I get the impression I was a bit of a hermit. An academic you could say. There was work and going home to be by myself.”

“Ah, you clearly have such a way with people though. I never would have guessed.”

“Shut up, counselor.”

1:27pm Sovereign Earth time

10/05/43

Runner was working his way through the long list of abilities. Pausing in his information perusal, Runner smiled at the appearance of another customer and completed the sale of a dagger without a single word being exchanged. Few had much to say after he’d paid the town criers to advertise his offering. Enchanted daggers at one gold coin each, to be purchased at the front gate.

Katarina had choked when he first stated the price. Runner was sure of himself but had a moment of panic when no one immediately came to see him. He’d almost changed his price and reduced it down to half a gold when people started coming up to him in ones and twos. Then there was a line that stretched ten people deep.

Thinking about it in retrospect he managed to figure out the little puzzle. It wasn’t that his price was wrong, it’s that most people probably had to go get money out of their bank account. A thief could technically pick pocket a portion of whatever money you had on you. To that end, the vast majority of players didn’t take out more than they were willing to lose.

Letting his paranoia get the better of him, he’d decided he would need to take steps to protect their growing wealth. He probably looked like a gigantic piggy bank to would be thieves. A guaranteed piggy bank.

Once they had a break in the line he’d mentioned the concern to Katarina who immediately took this as a challenge. Originally she had just been nearby, keeping him company. Now she’d put herself directly behind him with her back to the wall. Anyone who got close was awarded a glare and her hand going to her sword. No one would be willing to cross such an imposing figure as level twenty four Katarina.

As an added precaution Runner took to reverse pick pocketing Katarina. He’d checked the contents of her coin purse to make sure she had no gold on her before he began. He didn’t want there to be any confusion afterwords. Preoccupied with everyone else, she’d failed to notice his hands on her person with each and every sale.

“Thank you, enjoy,” Runner nodded his head at the latest customer with a smile. Without a word he reached backward and passed his hand over Katarina’s side, depositing yet another coin into her purse.

“Only a few left Kitten. We’ll be getting out of here soon enough. Been reading through the skills that will be available to you?” Runner asked her. He’d already put together a list of things for her to look at just in case she hadn’t already put in the effort. Suggestions really, but one was always better to be prepared.

“Yes. Also been reading the forum. Thana showed me it,” Katarina replied.

While the shortness of her answer had been expected, the in game forum had been a surprise. Up to this very moment Runner hadn’t considered that they’d be able to access it.

“I see, anything of interest?”

“Yes and no. The news that dying turns you into a, what was it you said, a vegetable? This information has spread. Everything else is about the officers being missing. They did a roll call and no one responded. You weren’t on the list.”

Runner scratched at his cheek while frowning. “I transfered in a day or two before departure. Quite possible that whatever list they have isn’t updated. If that’s true, than I really am the last officer. Did they escape? Are they the reason we’re here?” Shaking his head Runner felt like this new bit of information made things infinitely worse.

“That’s what they’re asking too. I would be wary of telling others you’re an officer. Officers are becoming scapegoats.”

“Yeah, not exactly uncommon. Quite a few of the enlisted don’t actually want to be enlisted. Every officer is here by choice and has to enforce the soldier’s terms of service,” Runner explained, lips pursed, his mind still working on the problem of the officers. Either they were behind it, dead, or not logged in.

“Strange, why would they enlist but not want to?”

“Oh. Many were forced in by the government as terms of their sentencing. They’re shipped off world to remote destinations. Even if they desert it’s irrelevant since they’re stranded. The number who actually try it is less than one percent,” Runner supplied distractedly. He worked his way through the Ship Command console once more and checked the number of logged in users.

/Current active Users

499,928

Now that’s concerning. Admittedly this was an enlisted boat but it still had officers aboard. They would have numbered at about seventy or so. Nearly the exact number missing.

Runner was shaken from his thoughts when another customer arrived, eager to pay for a weapon nearly guaranteed to give them a leg up. No sooner than the trade window closed he reached backward, his mind chewing at the problem.

“Where are you trying to put your hands exactly?” Katarina’s question made him jump in his seat. His attempt to deposit the money and his thoughts forgotten.

Resting his hands on his his knees Runner leaned forward and shook his head. “Goodness Kitten. If you must know I’ve been putting the gold in your pouch. Figured that if they did get by you, even with how unlikely that might be, it’d be safer on your person than mine. They wouldn’t expect it there.” Runner stood upright and eyed the foot traffic. He had three more to sell and was quickly tiring of doing nothing in between.

“A laughable excuse to touch me.”

“Hah, you wish Kitten. In your wildest dreams maybe. Wait, serious question, do you dream?” Runner turned his head to look back at Katarina.

Her face was flushed, her stance was defensive, and her eyes were smoldering dangerously.

“I mean that in the nicest way possible. Do you dream? Do you see things while you’re sleeping?”

“Now that you mention it. No. No, I don’t. I know what a dream is before you ask and that I should have them, but no. I cannot remember experiencing one.”

“Hm. Must be a limitation of the programing. Probably saves cycles in that regard because it doesn’t regard you as active when in a sleep condition. So maybe not in your dreams, but your wildest Barbarian fantasies. Hot torrid affairs of carnage and groping hands covered in blood while-”

Their conversation was interrupted by another customer who held up three fingers and opened a trade window. Three gold was quickly deposited before Runner could say anything. Shrugging his shoulders he threw the last three daggers into the trade window and accepted the trade. He didn’t care what the man planned to do with three since you could only wield two at a time.