Fan-Fiction: Pax Dystopia: An Islanders' View Day 2

Day 2

The journey was deliberately slow. Agent Tasha had been directing the bus driver to take the routes where there were more likely to be masses of people, but after around an hour everybody noticed that the initial din of chaotic behavior had dropped significantly. The vast majority of people that they had come across frantically charged towards the bus, waving Ren Wear glasses in outstretched hands, but there were a few extremely scared locals who had the good fortune to lock themselves in their homes.

While Tri-blade projected an energy shield between the houses and the marauders, Agent Tasha scampered towards the residents and quickly ushered them to the bus. It was no small feat for Tri-blade to retreat to the bus without getting overrun or risking harm to the bus itself.

As they continued their journey, Tri-blade periodically tried to call his allies, his leaguemates, and the other St. Lucia-based heroes. No responses. Could they all have been overrun? Has the BADGE communications network been disabled? He put the negative fears aside as they approached a gas station to refuel.

"They're unconscious," remarked Agent Tasha as she stepped out. Tri-blade cautiously went inside the gas station with her to get the pump activated while the driver grabbed the pump. Three people - each wearing Ren Tech glasses, laid on the floor. The woman behind the counter - an employee, was gripping the glasses tightly, as if resisting them being placed on her until she collapsed.

"What do we do?" asked Agent Tasha.

"I'm not sure," replied Tri-blade. "I'd rather get Director Nova's advice before anything... but one thing's for sure.

He looked at the bus outside. The bus was nearly jam-packed with worried passengers.

"We're going to need another vehicle soon."

-

Their final destination - the capital city of Castries - had both a seaport and airport in close vicinity. Tri-blade, who was now in a separate bus driven by one of the Lucians they rescued, called out to Agent Tasha in the lead vehicle. They had driven throughout the night, and most people were running on pure adrenaline at this point. The sun rose on a quiet landscape, with only the chirping of birds to be heard.

The two buses pulled over next to each other. Passengers slowly exited to stretch their legs and share their stories with each other, while the two drivers, Tri-blade, and Agent Tasha surveyed the scene.

"Nothing's moving at all," remarked the first driver.

Agent Tasha added, "Probably a good thing where the airport's concerned. Glad no planes have been in the air during all this."

"I would ordinarily say we should try to fortify in case we have another surge," said Tri-blade, "on the other hand we have to consider if we're isolated from the world in general." He scratched his chin in frustration.

"Let's go to the airport, but carefully. Our first priority has to be keeping these guys safe. Second priority is reaching BADGE... or anybody. If our comms are out, maybe the computers or radios there will be of help.

"Any objections?"

The others shook their heads, and after a quick conversation with those gathered around the buses, they made their way to the airport, their spirits lightened, and their hope boosted.

Three hours later, and the group was just finalizing their fortification of the airport main hall, when the comms of Agent Tasha buzzed.

"Oh my god, it's BADGE..." she muttered to herself in disbelief. She tried to keep her composure as she answered the call.

"Agent Tasha, St. Lucia, Castries, check."

"Good to hear you," came the calm voice of Gar. The others, on hearing the well-known voice of Gargoyle, started muttering sounds of gratitude. "We haven't been able to reach most of our field agents so far."

"How about the other leagues?" Agent Tasha asked, motioning Tri-blade to approach.

"Even fewer," he said sadly. "Of all hero groups only Ice Ray Academy has evaded the swarm."

"Gar, this is Tri-blade," Tri-blade called out, "What about the senior BADGE officials - Nova, Chase, Justin, EB?"

"Chase has fallen, as has Justin. Nova too, but we haven't located him. EB, he's still with us. Strange Quark and him are teleporting all over the place trying to locate people. Right now, we don't have a full strategy on any of this."

"Stay strong, big fella. Unfortunately, I don't know what to do with the people with the RenWear. Does BADGE have a position?"

"Not yet, Tri-blade. Until we know for sure where Nova is, EB may be the senior person to advise..."

"Oh..." said Tri-blade and Agent Tasha in unison.

"Wish I could advise myself," said Gar sheepishly.

"You're doing great, Gar. We'll wait and analyze on this end. If Quark contacts you, can you ask him to pop over?"

"You got it, Tri," said Gar, his voice slightly more cheerful.

"We're just glad to hear from others. It's been a day," said Tri-blade.

"Ditto!" cried Agent Tasha.

"I have to reach out to the next set of Agents now, so stay safe," said Gar.

They said their good-byes, then Tri-blade pulled Agent Tasha aside.

"We're not alone and that's the best news we've heard so far. Next steps, keep our crew hydrated, find some food and get at least a little bit of rest. We have a lot to plan for if we're going to help everybody else on this island."

Agent Tasha nodded, concealing her worry for the moment.

[Tri-blade] [ID: 10879]

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Sentinel bonus for August and Call for Avatar Submissions

Now that we have established Heroes, Villains and Renegades as our new name, we need to create new avatar items for the "Villains" and "Renegades" factions.

Because it is important to us to involve our community, we want to include our valued players in some of the things like this. We see a lot of art submitted and thought it would be a great idea to throw this out there.

It's not a race or contest, but players that submit useable things will be granted mps for doing so. The first 3 approved submissions will receive 100 mps for each, then an additional 50 for every additional approved submission.

NO PROFANITY, NO ADULT CONTENT! This game has younger players, so please folks, be respectful to that, and your fellow player's children too.

(Weird and funny ideas like Super Ducks and Supervillain Quackheads are most welcome.)

Please use the Sentinel to submit under the "Contests and Entries".



Of course, the usual editorial bonus for reviews, commentaries, game guides, gear talk, fan-fiction, and origin stories still applies.

Post your entries to the Sentinel page as per usual.

REWARDS:

PLATINUM: 7 Strange Fiction cards (only reserved for EXCEPTIONAL submissions)

GOLD: 5 Strange Fiction cards

SILVER: 3 to 4 Strange Fiction cards

BRONZE: 1 to 2 Strange Fiction cards

These rewards go out after the end of each month and are IN ADDITION to the usual Sentinel rewards from Daniel Andrade for published entries.

Here are the categories/prompts:

Category One:
REVIEWS/COMMENTARIES of ad hoc and regular events, including fan-fiction role play, etc.

Category Two:
GAME GUIDES, GEAR TALK, and other editorials about game mechanics.

Category OPEN:
What is your origin story? How did you end up in the Heroes Rising universe?
(And any other Fan-Fiction.)

REMINDER:

Post your submissions to the Sentinel page as usual for Categories One and Two. To enter the OPEN CATEGORY post your entries to the with the following in the title: "AUGUST CONTEST" and the title of your entry. Please also add a link to your entry in the Sentinel page so that we can monitor all entries.

Yours Quackily,
SQ

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Fan-Fiction: Pax Dystopia: An Islanders' View Tryangle

Day 1

It was the sort of hot and humid day where anybody with the freedom to do so, was either at the beach or in an air-conditioned building. However, for many people in the open-air market at Gros Islet, selling fresh produce and freshly caught fish was a necessity of life. Vendors called out to every man, woman, and child walking in the vicinity - claiming to have the best apples, mangoes or guava from the entire Caribbean.

"We got bananas, fresh as the morn!" called out an elderly lady, gesturing at a group of teenagers, all of whom were wearing grey jackets and wore large knapsacks. This unusual combination of clothing was capped by each of them wearing RenWear glasses.

Suddenly, the group of teenagers burst into a run. Their faces were blank, although their mouths were slightly gaped. The vendors and their prospective customers were too stunned to even run, and the first scream only began when the elderly lady was tackled to the ground by one assailant. The woman no sooner had struck the ground when a set of arms affixed another set of Ren Wear glasses to her head.

The commotion grew from there, as people began to run, dropping their purchases. However, they were soon surrounded by another group of people, this one of varying ages. They each wore Ren Wear glasses.

"STOP!" called a voice. The vendors and customers turned to face the source of the booming voice, but the Ren Wear-wearing people ignored the call, instead running towards the market.

"Ah dang it," muttered Agent Tasha, a diminutive woman in her early 30s and a third-year field officer of BADGE. She pulled out her comm. "TRI! Need you, now!"

"Less than a minute, Tash," was the reply.

Agent Tasha opened another channel on her comm. "Agent Tasha to BADGE HQ! We have -" Static was on the other end. "Dang it," she muttered. "Something's interfering on the global BADGE channel or something."

Agent Tasha pulled out her batons, and activated the low-level electric shocks. She didn't have time to wait, and charged at the assailants as they drove other people to the ground. She successfully struck three young men in succession, knocking them down. A woman screamed, then suddenly went silent as a set of Ren Wear glasses was placed on her face.

The woman quickly rose to her feet, then made a beeline towards a stunned Agent Tasha.

"Um,... what?" whispered Agent Tasha as she backed away, momentarily forgetting her batons.

A large mass crashed into her side, knocking her down. She lost control of her batons, and suddenly a man was straddling her chest. She moved to strike, but her arms were pinned down by the woman. Her head twisted left, only to see another person reach out with a set of Ren Wear glasses.

"I. Don't. Think. So," called a nearby voice. The weight on Tasha's chest was yanked off, as the hero named Tri-blade appeared. He shoved away the woman pinning Tasha's arms down, then helped Tasha to her feet. She quickly located and grabbed her batons, and stood back-to-back with her friend.

"What are we going to do?" asked Agent Tasha, concern in her voice.

"Right now, defend anybody not yet wearing those devices," replied Tri-blade stoically. He pointed at the crowd at the market. "Bad news, that number of people is dropping by the instant. We need a safe zone, away from anybody wearing the Ren Tech!"

Agent Tasha held her head in her hands. "That's the schools out, the hospital, the supermarket..."

"We'll have to make our own, then," said Tri-blade. He shouted to anyone within earshot, "Follow me!" He raised one of his mystical daggers and shot a burst of energy from it. They shuffled quickly towards a bus parked nearby, no passengers onboard and the driver sitting at the wheel, bewildered at the scene.

"Driver, you wearing Ren Tech?" asked Agent Tasha.

"No way, gal. Thing ugly and duncy," the driver sneered.

"Good enough, driver." She stepped in and took the seat opposite the driver. "BADGE will take care of your fare today."

"Sounds good to me. Where to?"

"Drive through the town. We gathering anybody in need of protection, then we get out of here."

Tri-blade dashed towards the bus door, holding the hand of a young girl. He helped her in, then stepped in the doorway.

"Let's go, driver," he commanded. As the bus slowly made its way forward, Tri-blade shouted again, "Everyone! Come with me!"

"... if you want to live," he thought sadly.

[Tri-blade] [ID: 10879]

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Announcement from the Developer

We here at Cat Castle Games LLC would like to take a brief moment out from our day to thank our truly wonderful group of players. Without all of you, there would be none of us. We know it, and we appreciate all of you!

Over the next 30-60 days we will be working tirelessly to make your player experience better by streamline some of the more difficult things as a new HVR player, as well adding some really cool new things for our older players.

This will begin with our not so evil, but absolute genius up in the Cat Castle to start redesigning the way players are set when first entering the game. Less to try and figure out, more of the things that makes this game so fun, beating the hell out of opponents!

We understand Heroes, Villains and Renegades can be very difficult for new players for sure; So, while that is going on, we will also finally start adding content to our You Tube channel posting links with tutorials, tip and tricks and game updates from some of the longest and most successful players!

We are currently implementing new "Death Blows" that will activate at the end of battles. Decapitations, Lighting strikes turning your opponents into ashes, and the fun is just getting started!

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Heroes Rising Fiction: Pax Dystopia Part 21 Finale

 Pixels formed the clouds in the sky. Giant square holes appeared in the landscape. The world was crumbling around everyone, and they cheered it on. This reality was about to vanish and they would finally return to the world where life truly mattered.

“I’m all out of faces to punch!” Fleagle yelled as he smiled with his canine fangs.

Arx ran over and looked around at the gathered citizens and heroes. Victorious people filled the streets of London, and Arx saw no Gamer G clones.

“We should be awake if he’s gone.” Arx said while clicking on his comm. “BADGE. What’s going on?”

“We have reports of Gamer G’s remaining duplicates are making a last stand in Montana, in the United States. He’s still dangerous. We have to take him out. Chase is leading the charge against the last of his clones. Be ready. Once he goes down, we aren’t sure how this will end.”

“I just want it to end,” Arx said, then clicked the comm again, “Justin... you sound odd. Is something wrong?”

Justin spent a long moment before he answered. “Nothing you should worry about. Just take him out.”

“On it.” Arx led the people from London on a flight across the world. Their enhanced bodies let them experience life as only morphonic humans get to in the real world.

***

In the real world, Nova threw open the doors of the computer lab and raced through the building. He came face to face with The Oracle.

“What is the emergency?”

The Oracle said, “The Awakening is upon us, but there is a problem.”

“What sort of problem?”

The Oracle closed his eyes. “I hear a voice calling to you. They wish to speak with you. One that cannot leave the world of the program.”

Nova frowned, “Who?”

“One who you have known and lost. Krystal.”

Nova’s blood ran cold as he heard that. “But she is just a figment of Alex’s imagination.”

“She wishes to speak with you. I cannot tell you anything more. Come close.” The Oracle held up his hand.

Nova pushed his palm against the Oracle’s semi-mechanical palm, and Nova’s mind entered the program.

Moments before:

Alex walked through his home in the mountains. Pixelated mountains and gaping holes in the firmament marred the gorgeous vista outside. The world was falling apart, but not as deeply as it was inside him. Each step was harder than the last, the weight in his heart so great that he struggled to breathe.

Speaking his wife’s name, his voice rasped so low he had to say it a second time. “Krystal?”

She called out, “Come, I am with her.”

Alex took in a hard breath and controlled himself. He couldn’t let himself fall apart just yet. He had to spend at least a moment with his baby in here. The walk from the living room into the bedroom was unbearable. He found Krystal holding their baby in her arms, rocking side to side. When Krystal looked up at him, he saw the same anguish on her face as his own.

“What can we do?” She asked.

Alex approached her, his mouth unable to form words as he looked at his baby. Tears fell down from his eyes and he gulped back sobs that fought to break free. Finally, he whispered, “I tried everything. Drocha made certain this would be our punishment for defying him.”

“My baby.” Krystal held their baby closer and cried.

Alex held the both of them in his arms and put his face on her shoulder, weeping as he felt his heart throbbing. “I can’t leave this place knowing I will wake and she will not. I just can’t. I want to stay here, even if I die.”

“Don’t say that. The world needs you.” Krystal sobbed.

He said, “She is my world.”

Krystal said, “She is our world, and we are hers.”

Alex looked down at his child’s sleeping face. His tears fell on her cheeks and her eyes opened. She smiled at them.

“Her last sight will be her loving parents.” Krystal said.

Alex put his hand on his baby’s forehead. “I will avenge this. He…“ Something felt different. “Wait... this... this can’t be.”

“What is it?”

Alex closed his eyes and connected himself to the code of this program again. His arm turned translucent and pixelated as he held his daughter’s head. “She... she is awake.”

“What?” Krystal’s voices simmered in hope.

Alex looked down at the twinkling eyes of his daughter. “The program... it no longer has her.”

Krystal smiled with even more tears in her eyes. “She’ll live? How is this possible?”

Alex looked into his wife’s watery eyes. “It’s us. I was wrong. I thought the babies had to be told of the real world. That’s not the case. Their world isn’t cities, streets, and cars... it’s mom and dad, its parents or guardians who love them. The program feeds the mind a fake world, but it can’t replicate love. We are the answer. Oh, god! WE ARE THE ANSWER!” Alex become as excited now as he was distraught just a moment ago.

Krystal asked, “What do you mean?”

Alex put his arms around her, with their baby between them. He placed his forehead against Krystal’s and said, “We have to think of how much we love our daughter, and I will send that through the program to all who are still attached. I will free them of this fake world by sharing the love in our hearts for our child.”

“What do I do?” Krystal asked.

“Just think of how much you love our baby. Every good, hopeful, loving thought.”

They both closed their eyes, and each smiled as the memories of their baby flooded into their minds. That joy, compassion, gentleness, and love in them surged through the system against the entire network. Both glowed a golden hue while their bodies pixelated.

***

Justin watched the world falling apart. The sky was literally fracturing and crashing to the ground across the planet. People vanished one by one as they woke in reality. Billions of little lights blinked out from this false world and returned home.

With one last look at the fake world, Justin gasped a harsh breath and opened his eyes. He could hear groaning and coughing. A man rushed around with the aid of robots.

“We have another waking up. Administer the glycenolic injection.” Dr. Parson called out.

Justin sluggishly moved his arm, but the tubes that were attached restrained it.

“Oh, good. We have another waking over here.” The white-haired doctor looked down at him. “Agent Justin. Good to have you back with us. Stay still. Your body is going to be pretty weak right now. We’re going to help.”

A robot pushed a hypospray into his arm and gave him a dose of medication.

Justin tried to speak, but his mouth was too weak. He wanted to tell them about the babies. But his heart swelled as he heard what was impossible, a baby crying.

The doctor looked up, “Oh, good. Nurse 42, go check the sensors on the natal unit.”

Justin did not know what to think, how it was possible the baby lived. But he was beyond joy to hear that infant crying.

***

Nova looked around an endless void of darkness.

“Krystal!” His voice carried for miles as a distant echo.

“Director Nova.” Alex spoke from behind him.

Nova turned around to find his friend standing next to his wife. “Alex, Krystal? What is going on? Is this the virtual world?”

“In a way. Only this remains. Soon, this will be gone forever.” Alex said.

“What happened? Why aren’t you out with the others?”

Alex said, “I can’t leave. I connected myself deep within the program’s coding so that I could save the babies of this world. I sacrificed myself for my daughter and all our children. It was not a hard choice, really. But that means my daughter no longer has a mother or father in the real world.”

Nova said, “I will ensure your daughter receives care. I promise.”

Alex smiled. “I knew you would say that. Just... let her know how much her mother and father love her.”

Nova shook his head. “No. I’ll make sure you can tell her that. This is far from over.”

“All I care about is that she is safe.”

Nova stuck out his hand, which was grasped by Alex, “You were a damn fine member of BADGE and I will fight to get you out of here.”

“Thanks. There is one more thing.” Alex said, “I was in the program. I know some of what Drocha has in mind. His algorithm he created with our minds, it was for something big. He means to recreate Legion, crafting new champions out of the stolen people now incubating in those damn spheres. But, there is more. He means to create the Malevolence, but I don’t know what that means.”

Nova grimly answered, “I do. It is not good.”

The darkness grew so that it became hard to see Alex or Krystal.

“It is time.” Alex said.

Krystal leaned forward and motioned for Nova to get closer. She whispered into his ear just as the darkness consumed them.

Nova opened his eyes with his hand still attached to The Oracle.

The Oracle asked, “Did you get the message?”

Nova nodded, “I did. We have hope, but we also face a terrible trial. We may not be ready for what is coming.”

TO BE CONTINUED...

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EVENTS FOR JULY AND NEW COMPETITION

 

The HVR birthday celebrations for June are over, but a new month begins! July brings new events, beginning with a new seasonal ops, crime spree days, and a week-long Hero Olympiads.

This month, we are giving out ADDITIONAL STRANGE FICTION CARDS for Sentinel editorials, live updates, and reviews on all UP-COMING EVENTS such as the Olympiads, as well as tips and tricks on playing HVR. Advice on any aspect of gameplay, including introductory information for new players are most welcome. Depending on the length and quality of your submissions, up to 5 bonus Strange Fiction cards will be awarded in ADDITION to the usual Sentinel bonus rewards.

For example, you write an exceptional guide for new players introducing them to the game. This earns you 7 Strange Fiction cards (platinum reward) plus another 5 cards (as it's a game guide), given out at the end of the month in addition to the Sentinel rewards from Daniel Andrade for published submissions.

Of course, the usual editorial bonus for reviews, commentaries, game guides, gear talk, fan-fiction, and origin stories applies.

Post your entries to the Sentinel page as per usual.

REWARDS:

PLATINUM: 7 Strange Fiction cards (only reserved for EXCEPTIONAL submissions)

GOLD: 5 Strange Fiction cards

SILVER: 3 to 4 Strange Fiction cards

BRONZE: 1 to 2 Strange Fiction cards

These rewards go out after the end of each month and are IN ADDITION to the usual Sentinel rewards from Daniel Andrade for published entries.

Here are the categories/prompts:

Category One:
REVIEWS/COMMENTARIES of ad hoc and regular events, including fan-fiction role play, etc.

Category Two:
GAME GUIDES, GEAR TALK, and other editorials about game mechanics.

Category OPEN:
What is your origin story? How did you end up in the Heroes Rising universe?
(And any other Fan-Fiction.)

REMINDER:
Post your submissions to the Sentinel page as usual for Categories One and Two. To enter the OPEN CATEGORY post your entries to the Fan-Fiction forum with the following in the title: "JULY CONTEST" and the title of your entry. Please also add a link to your entry in the Sentinel page so that we can monitor all entries.

Yours Quackily,
SQ

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Heroes Rising Fiction: Pax Dystopia Part 20

 “Throw me!” A gray-haired nursing home resident yelled with glee at Master Muscle.

The powerfully built man guffawed, seized the frail woman, and hurled her upwards.

Holding her fist forward, she blasted clean through two Gamer G’s that were coming down to attack. With a well-executed somersault in the air, she kicked another Gamer G in the head and shoved him all the way to the ground. Upon impact, he exploded in a cloud of digitization.

“You just got OWNED!” she yelled.

A Gamer G darted toward her and grabbed her by the arm, dragging her across the ground toward a brick wall. Dartfoot dashed by, skewering Gamer G with a fence post and saving the woman from being flattened into the bricks.

“You okay?” Dartfoot asked, while setting her up on her feet.

“Never better, sweet cheeks. Haven’t moved like this since Reagan was in office.”

A shower of energy blasts scoured the surrounding ground. One hit Dartfoot and he went down. The woman grabbed a rock and threw it with all her enhanced strength. She nailed one Gamer G, but ten more were approaching fast.

Master Muscle rushed over, carrying the awning of a carport. Covering Dartfoot and the old woman, Master Muscle called into his comm, “Hey, BADGE, Atlanta could use some help. We’re overwhelmed!”

“Hold your position, sending help!”

A portal opened, and Chase came running out with five BADGE training bots. She threw her stars and cleared two Gamer G’s in one shot. The robots zoomed up and distracted the others.

“Care to join us?” Chase asked.

Master Muscle smiled and grabbed a street lamp and broke it free of its concrete base. “Batter up!” He started swinging, going after the Gamer.

Chase threw a star and hit one gamer, but three more were rushing toward her. She had just turned around when the car port awning suddenly flipped over and crashed into the ground, slapping the Gamer G’s like unwanted flies. The old woman smiled and said, “I hate mosquito season in the south.”

Nova had just finished setting up the bio-aid unit in the parking lot of the high school when his comm beeped in a strange tone. Robots placed infants and toddlers among towels and blankets, each with a large Ren Wear on their heads. Nova activated the bio energy field and to keep the small bodies alive longer.

Satisfied with his work, Nova clicked his comm. “Nova here.”

The Oracle spoke to him, “Nova of BADGE, the war has begun.”

Nova asked, “What do you mean?”

“Billions of minds have awoken. I sense them. I protect them with the new code. Alex Fae Murphy has tapped into the base code and is giving the humans a fighting chance. Drocha's plans are interrupted.”

Nova smiled, but then lost that as he said, “Your tone is not pleased. What is wrong?”

“You are perceptive, Nova of BADGE. Not all minds are free.”

“What? How?”

The Oracle said, “Minds of the infants are meek and gentle. They do not understand the world as we do. They cannot see through the falsehood.”

Nova looked around him. Many of the children at his feet were infants. “What can we do?”

“Hope, Nova of BADGE. Alex Fae Murphy is a wise and clever hero. Our trust is in him.”

Justin watched a screen among many in Operations. All the others had various views of the combat on earth. There was a running total of Gamer G's defeated, and unfortunately the number of people who he had taken out. Fortunately, the enhanced strength and vitality of the regular people has kept the fatalities down considerably.

Yet Justin wasn't watching the monitor with the combat totals. Before him was a calculation of the data processing into the system. It had not changed at all.

Leaving his place at the front, he walked up the short steps to Nova's office. There was still something in him that fought against him opening this door. It wasn't respect for the office. Nova did not restrict any officers from entering. Something planted in him by Gamer G made him hurt to open this door. With great determination, Justin pressed the button, and the door opened.

Instantly, he was met by a blinding light. Alex stood in the middle of the room, his body bisected by lines of data that came out of the air and then returned into the nothingness. This was the source of this simulation, the arteries through which this blood flowed.

“Please tell me you have something?” Justin asked.

“I’m trying. I can't find the answer.” Alex's voice strained with the effort he put into this.

A cackling laugh echoed around them. Drocha's visage appeared in the room. “You’re a powerful person, Alex. But magic can only do so much. You cannot stop this. I will take your child and all the children of this planet. Your war will succeed. I'm sure of that. However, it shall be a pyrrhic victory.”

Justin sneered at him. “You don't think your little puppet will win?”

“Don't you see? This was my alternate plan. Knowing Gamer's ploy had little chance of success, this was my backup. When Gamer G is annihilated, the program ends. Your people wake… except the babies. You will wake to a world of death. If you stop and let him survive, even just one of his fighters, everyone dies in a short matter of time. You can't succeed. I win.”

Justin came close to the giant glowing green face of Drocha. “We will stop you.”

Drocha's smile slowly grew, the expression turning from wicked to utterly vicious. “And just how will you stop me? Your only weapon is this little magic hero. Sorry to burst you bubble, Justin, but I’m fully versed in his magic. You see, I have his wife to study, and she is so much stronger than him.” He laughed, a sound that grew and grew until it was a deafening roar.

Alex screamed out magical words and the data around him burst apart and ripped the holographic image of Drocha into digital shreds. He fell to his hands and knees, wheezing. “That bastard!”

“Don't let him get to you. He’s just stalling. Get back in the system and stop this. Free our children.”

Alex looked up with pitiful eyes. “He's right. I just don't have what it takes. I can see them, feel them, touch their minds, but I can't wake them. If Krystal were here, she might know something I don't. She was so much more powerful than me.”

“There has to be a way.”

Alex whispered, “I'm not Krystal. Even if she were here, I don't know what could break the infant’s belief that this is the real world.”

The station rattled and made a strange noise. A loud beeping came from the operations room. Justin ran in, with Alex following behind him.

Chase was on the main screen. “Justin, we are getting close to finishing the last of Gamer G.”

“Stop!” Justin said.

“What?”

“I want the last of Gamer G held and not destroyed.”

“But we have to end the program.”

Justin was about to say something when Alex pulled him aside. “No. You can't do this.”

“Your baby is going to die,” Justin stated emphatically.

“They all die if we die, they all die if we live. It is a dark, terrible choice and it will always be remembered as the worst moment in human history. But we can't let the entire human race die. We will make Drocha pay dearly for this.”

Justin had tears in his eyes as he listened to this. Turning back to the screen, he said, “Finish him, all of him.”

“Understood.” Chase answered, slightly confounded. The screen went blank.

Justin said, “I never knew truly the pain of this job until it was on my shoulders alone. God, I wish Nova were here, making this decision, not me.”

Alex took a moment to catch his own breath as his body fought deep sorrow. “I… I'm going down to… to see my baby… one last time.”

“Go. And… I’m so sorry.”

Alex created a portal and wiped his eyes before he stepped through.

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