ranged or melee damage dealers.”
“And I shall be THE WIZARD,” MadMerlin shouted, leaping up out of his seat, arms stretched wide. He was the person wearing wizard robes.
“We don’t even know if magic exists in the game yet,” KingArthur, the person in metal armor, murmured to his friend. "Also, seeing as we never read a—"
“We don’t? Or, do we?” MadMerlin grinned and extended his hand. “Let there be LIGHT!” A small glow emanated from his palm.
“What!? How did you do that?” A girl sitting between him and Thiago asked. She was just wearing a pair of black jeans with a grey hoody, yet it was clear she had a supermodel’s figure, with long brunette hair and a pair of designer sunglasses.
“A wizard never reveals his tricks, Aphrodite!” MadMerlin shouted as KingArthur shoved him back into his seat, strapping his seatbelt on, treating MadMerlin like an unruly child.
Don’t you mean magician? Whatever.
“Okay, yes,” Thiago said, “and MadMerlin will be the wizard, whatever that means. Now, what role were you thinking of, Alan?”
Well I was thinking being a sort of scout/sniper, maybe tactician, does that sound good to you, Eve?
Affirmative.
“Well, I was thinking I could be a scout, maybe set up traps, gathering information. I think I could be a tactician with my AI's help.”
“A scout? Do you have any combat experience?” Ace, the guy Alan had thought was a soldier, asked.
“Well not really, but I usually played a rogue type character in role-playing games, umm…”
Eve. Help.
Permission to attempt to access other players’ maps.
Granted.
A message apparently appeared in front of the other players in the ship.
“Should I accept this, Alan? An Eve is requesting the ability to access my UI,” Kitana inquired.
“Um, yeah, that's my AI. She should be able to give you a minimap and maybe update it, that’s what she’s been doing for me.”
Eve currently showed the ship in space, the nine other passengers and three other beings in the cockpit. The dropship was now passing by Saturn.
Wait, we’re passing by Saturn already? Alan sent. Damn, the Game must have given these ships some improvements.
Negative. Such speeds should be achievable in real life as well with the correct materials.
Wait, really? That’s impressive. Hey, why didn’t you answer my question this time?
It was deemed rhetorical .
Oh, right, keep up the good work.
“Interesting,” the final person who hadn't introduced himself commented. He looked Chinese and wore a black suit with a black shirt. Holstered to his side was a submachine gun, making him look like a gangster.
“I am DaLong," he said. "We should be approaching the Titan soon then. It’s on a space station beyond Pluto, outside of our solar system. Another reason you shouldn’t worry about the Haxlards: their ships and agents above a certain rank aren’t allowed into our solar system.”
Yeah, but you did just tell me they built a space station right outside of it, Alan thought. He didn’t say anything aloud though. He was on a Haxlard ship, and felt like a certain degree of paranoia was necessary.
Alan hadn’t ever really liked picking sides in games before - he more enjoyed picking sides apart. Playing the rogue mercenary, loyal to whomever paid him the most. Now that the fate of humanity and the control of Earth hung in the balance, maybe he should reconsider his main goal of trying to make a bunch of money…
Negative, Eve sent. Remember the debt you owe Icewolf. Current objectives of wealth and power best course for ability to impact the fate of humanity.
Uh, okay. Sure Eve. Is it dangerous if I start thinking of Eve as a crazy dictator? Wait, she heard that, didn’t she? Shit.
Negative, as my master I exist to ensure your safety and growth. Also, I did hear that. However, as you have directed I will never divulge information about what you think or act in such a way that would harm you.
Uh, great. Cool. Good job me