Boys #9: John Teacher Capital
"Johnny Capital - surely you know this man? He's a long time favorite in Entropia."
"Yes, I know him - read his posts a lot - never spoken to him. Comes across as being very charismatic though."
"And he is. He runs his own events from time to time, and is the soc leader of the Chosen Few - a very well-known society."
"I know the The Chosen Few, of course. Odd that a society leader chose not to invite any of his own people into the game though."
"Well, he has the perfect mixture. Well known, but not too well known, highly skilled, but not too highly skilled. This puts himself above the 'kill on sight for being a nobody' radar, while below the 'kill on sight for being too well known' radar. Honestly? He is probably in the perfect position to last a long time because of this status. And this, I think, makes him another one to look out for."
"The perfect middle-ground indeed, and that should work out for him. And he's not instantly recognisable as a PK'er, which may be the downfall of our higher skilled contestants. I'm actually fairly glad there aren't too many in that category."
"Well, I can think of at least one more."
Boys #17: je jak bam
"Although I've never met Jak, the fact that he's a member of the Dawn Daemons extended says to me that he is another of our PK'ers. It's something that the soc he belongs to has a heavy focus on. If he focuses his attention on the likes of Ozi and Da etc, then they will all be right at home - but with the strong mixture of personalities we have here, it's highly likely that people such as Jak will end up versus the pacifists that are involved, and although I don't want to see it happen, I firmly believe that something along those lines will. I guess my sole comfort is that the contestants we have that are strongly PK inclined are, for the most part, solo, or just two together at most. They will still have to contend with the alliances that are expected to form here - and with the random weapons - skills could mean nothing."
"Indeed, and I expect there to be just one large team to form on the day itself."
"The Disturbed Ones?"
"Spot on Oleg, spot on..."
"The Disturbed Ones."
Boys #10: Dano Ghana Rondo
Boys #25: Angel Spike Sunny
Girls #7: Fire FireMaiden Starter
Girls #8: Jacqui Rockchick Jovi
"Well, it puts in a good balance Cat - it would have made the game unfair if we had a dozen people entering all from the same society, I'm glad we have only one that has turned in a good number. We have a good balance here overall, and I think we are in for a very interesting fight."
"You don't feel the TDO are over-strengthed then?"
"Not at all, though it is an interesting group. In fact, aren't Spike and Rockchick married? Maybe the GE's aren't the only couple present after all. Oh, and Cat? There are a lot of people involved...a lot for just the two of us to try and handle ourselves."
"I actually roped in one extra person to help us with the organisation of this little competition, I meant to tell you."
"Oh you did? Who?"
"Jamira. She will be attending later, she said she had an errand to run."
"You trust her?"
"Yes, she showed a lot of interest in this event, she really wanted to help be a part of it. Her enthusiasm to help out with it was boundless."
Chapter 2:
Jamira and the surprise guests.
“How could these people do this?” thought Jamira to herself. “Forcing these contestants against each other.” She found herself thinking of Mistress GE's words, "I better come along to look out for my man," and knowing that they could easily be forced to turn on each other made her sick to the soul - turning husband and wife against each other? There was no way she was going to let such things happen. As soon as she had learned about the game she made sure she would be involved in organising it. Her intention, of course, was to sabotage it.
She couldn't do this herself, as she knew that Cat and Oleg would catch her and put a stop to it, so she had decided to enlist the help of a well-known and trusted man, Simon the Guide.
She had agreed to meet with Simon and tell him what she had planned. There wasn't much time.
Jamira quickly scanned the walls of Fort Ares, they had agreed to meet here at the desolate fort as Jamira was sure there would be no-one around to overhear their conversation. The information she had could only go to Simon, she could not risk letting anyone else in on her plan. This was risky enough as it was.
Finally, Simon appeared at the Teleporter and made his way over to the doorway she stood in, nervously looking all around himself as he made his way over. He knew what was coming, but he also knew he had to do it.
"OK, Jamira, I'm here. I got your message. Whatever you've got planned for this better be good, because I don't like the sound of what you seem to be asking me to do."
"Thankyou for coming Simon. I hate to put this all on you, but there is not enough time for me to be able to prevent this, I need you, and it's not just me. They ALL need you. If this doesn't work, then the blood of the innocent will turn Zychion red. I can't let that happen, and I know you don't want that to happen either."
"I wouldn't be here if I didn't believe in you. So what exactly is your plan?"
"OK, I cannot do this myself. As soon as Cat or Oleg suspect me it's all over for me. I've already told them I will help them and I need to stay inside so I can get more information; I cannot risk blowing my cover. This is why I have to send you into the game."
"You want me to take part in it? I didn't even sign up! As soon as I turn up they will know!"
"Don't worry about that part. I had a lengthy chat with Cat before I came here, I know her mentality. If an extra player turns up that will only make her happier, she wants as much carnage as she can muster, and she believes she has complete control. She will not think of you as a threat at all."
"OK, I'll buy that, but how exactly am I supposed to save them without her knowing?"
"I'm going to hide some explosives in Zychion, I'll let you know the exact location on the day itself, after I have hidden them. I need you to find a way of getting a hold of these, and bringing them up to the doorway of the room that she and Oleg will be guarding. I don't need to tell you what needs to be done after that."
"By myself? With all those other people out there with trigger happy fingers? How am I supposed to do that?"
"I've read the statements of the contestants, almost every one of them has said they would not open fire unless they were fired upon. There are even several who have said they would sooner die than open fire at all. Silva, Xzion to name 2 of the top of my head. For the most part, the people involved in this are not hostile."
"Who should I look out for?"
"Well, I heard Jak is a big fan of PVP - I don't know if it's true or not as I don't know him, but that would be one. I also believe that Da and Skam are going to be teaming up - those two together could take down just about anyone. Whether they will or not is another question. Also possibly Ozi. Very confident, very skilled, and may rely on his own weight rather than a way of getting out without killing anyone else. This competition has a wide spectrum of personalities, and I really can't predict what some of them will do. Just know that the majority of them will not open fire unless they feel forced or threatened. I believe you will find more allies than enemies in this situation."
"I'm risking a lot here, my very life is on the line."
"If you manage this, then you could save as many as forty lives. This is something worth fighting for, and you know it. I know you Simon, you don't want to see these people die anymore than I do. I need you for this. Everyone on Calypso knows you spend day in and day out helping our new arrivals, they will trust you, they will listen to you. This is why I asked you for your help, there is no-one else I know that could manage this."
"And what about you? After you hide these explosives then what will you do?"
"I have been asked to guard the teleporter during the event. Please understand I cannot let it be known that it was me that betrayed them. I will do as they asked, I will go to the teleport and stand ground. Listen, every person involved that day will be equipped with radios, but they are not strong - I have tested them myself. If you cover the microphone then the rest of the participants, including Cat and Oleg, will not be able to hear you. If you need to get allies to back you up then just do this. That way only the people around you will know what our plan is, but please! Do not mention my name. Cat and Oleg may have plants in the game that I don't know about, and if you fail, then I am the only other one that can help."
"OK, I understand. Where will you hide the explosives?"
"In the North somewhere, I've not hidden them yet so will need to tell you the exact location on the day, like I said."
"Cutting it fine don't you think?"
"Zychion has been cordoned off for this event. I can only place them there just before the event. I will let you know where they are before we begin, it's all I can do."
"This will not be easy...."
"Saving forty people's lives is never an easy task. But if you manage this, then it will never be forgotten."
"You realise as soon as I try to get allies Cat and Oleg will know?"
"Wait until you are outside the room they are guarding before you say anything about the plan. They have me on the outside, and I seriously doubt they will leave that room. Even if they do see you as a threat, they will ask me to come for you, and you know I will not do that. You are safe."
"You better be right. I feel we are assuming a lot here."
"It's our only hope Simon. Now listen, I need to get back to Cat and Oleg before they get suspicious. When we meet tomorrow I'll give you the location of the explosives, and you and me will end this thing, OK? We have to do this."
"OK, I'm in, I'll do this. Even one life is worth fighting for, but to save forty....thats something that surely no-one could turn against. I am but one life."
"That's how I feel too. We'll do this, it'll work out, I can feel it."
"Tomorrow it is then."
"Tomorrow Simon. Just make sure no-one else knows, and I'll see you there."
Simon and Jamira took the teleport, Simon back to Port Atlantis to the Arrival Zone while trying to pretend that nothing happened, even though it was the only thing on his mind, and Jamira back to Zychion to meet with Cat as she had promised.
But there was someone else who knew, someone who had been sitting on the other side of that door, and had heard everything.
David - he was so excited he had to bite his own lip to prevent himself from bursting into their conversation, even while out of sight. This is exactly what he had been looking for. He had heard of the Battle Royale, had even considered joining it, nothing pleased him more than to show others his superiority, to see another's eyes as they faded from this world by his hand. And now, not only did he realise that along with Simon, he could also sneak in unannounced, he now also had inside information that no-one else knew of. This could be so much more fun than simply killing. This was an opportunity for him to cause chaos, to twist the plans of what was "right" and "good" and let evil's double helix contort every good thing those two were trying to do. Oh yes, there will be blood.
David sat there as such delights passed through his mind. They had a plan, and so he would devise one also. Tomorrow it was. Simon would not be the only unexpected guest...
******
Jamira came back into Cat's command room without knocking, she wore her confidence like a mask.
"Ah, welcome back Jamira! Meet Oleg, the third in our organisational triangle."
Jamira nodded to Oleg but did not speak.
"Myself and Oleg have been discussing the contestants here, perhaps you would like to give some of your own viewpoints?"
"As I said to you earlier, Cat, I've always prided my independence. That's why I don't care about what happens to these people, it's why I got involved."
"That may be so, but surely there are names in there that you know?"
Jamira couldn't lie about beauticians....she spent far too much time with them, and knew if she denied it she would have a high chance of being caught.
"Well, now you mention it - Ido, Sorg and Gluepot I tend to visit a lot. Ido's gallery is directly below my own apartment. I actually asked him to sell it to me once, but he wouldn't. Sorg is probably the one I visit the most. While beauty is his main profession I still know him well enough to know he'd be willing to fight. He's pulled a gun on me more than once in his studio - only ever in response to me pulling one on him of course though." She laughed. "A great guy. I hope he does well. Gluepot also. She has spirit, and although I don't know her very well, I think she can hold her own."
"All of our beauty specialists?"
Jamira started to feel more relaxed.
"Indeed," she laughed, "it's such places where I spend most of my time."
"Who do you think will win our competition?"
"Honestly? I think if Skam and Da team up like most are expecting, they will be unstoppable - only by each other's hand."
"Yes, we thought the same. We have both of them pegged as favourites to win in their respective gender camps."
"Other than that, well...."
Jamira felt her compassion falter her as Cat had helped relieve her tension.
"The GE couple. Those are our closest participants, even more so than Da and Skam. And such a team can mean more than any other. Besides them, the only other one I feel I could really comment on, is Jamhot. I used to visit his Club 3G a lot, and I love his work here. I imagine his prime involvement in this game is more to get a video of it than to win it, but he's certainly in the upper edge of the contestants skill-wise, so hopefully he can pull off a good show."
"Well, we'll find out tomorrow....really been looking forward to this. Has been a long time in the making."
"Yes, will be interesting to see what happens. Now if you will excuse me, I should get some rest."
"Goodnight Jamira, I know I'll have trouble sleeping knowing what's going down tomorrow. We will be out there early getting everything ready."
"Goodnight Cat. Good to meet you Oleg."
Oleg replicated the nod he had received from Jamira earlier, and then waited until Jamira was out of earshot.
"You trust that girl, Cat?"
"Yes, I spoke to her at length earlier. She has a passion for this game which is almost as high as my own. She was very very interested in being part of it."
"What about this whole rumour of the back-door? Don't you think she may have something to do with it?"
"No Oleg, there is no such thing ok? We are in complete control. Don't get paranoid on me now."
"Alright then, if you trust her, I trust her."
"OK, Oleg, remember we said we would make the first weapon draw before the event? For the armour and the poor buggers who get the standard TT weapons? Let's do it."
"Alright, so be it."
Cat pulled the photos into a bag and brought out another. It was time to see if their predictions would alter.
The armour was drawn first.
Settler: Boys #21: Simon Sim Templar
Pixie: Girls #3: Sarah Nuadu Hawkwood
Shogun: Girls #1: Diana Gluepot Rendar
"Well, Jamira will be glad to know that Gluepot ended up with the Shogun, that's for sure. That makes her the most heavily armoured person out there," said Oleg.
"Well actually Jamira herself well be the heaviest armoured, she will be defending the TP in full Martial armour."
"Oh really? You trust her even more than I first realised."
"Oleg, you and I will be guarding the starting room, she will be the only person out there. She needs good armour for that. She's the only one that can work for us on the outside if we need her to."
"You are arming her too?"
"Of course I am. It's the whole reason I brought her in. Stop worrying, OK? Let's get on with the draw. The weapons are next."
Girls #11 (replacing Boys#27): Selena Jinx Reinhart - TT Knuckles.
Knife: Boys #24: Nicholas wizzszz Wolf
Sword: Girls #5: Charrosa Silva Mak
Pistol: Boys #21: Simon Sim Templar
Opalo: Boys #25: Angel Spike Sunny
Cat looked at the draw in disgust.
"Och! Jinx drew the worst weapon available. I was hoping she would get something better, she joined so late on and was so enthusiastic. I grew to like her immediately, I was hoping that maybe she could pull off a surprise or two. Not really any chance of that now."
"And your friend Silva drew one as well - the sword."
"Yes, I saw that, but Silva said herself that she would not kill anyone during the event, so that really doesn't change the circumstances for her."
"Mixed news for Sims. Lucky to draw a set of armour, and equally unlucky to draw the TT pistol."
"Yes, luck of the draw. Be it bad luck or good luck. Either way, the rest of their weapons will be drawn tomorrow, and we'll see if anything else changes in our predictions as a result of that."
"Call it a night then? We'll see what the morning brings."
"Yep. Now we just need our participants, and the enthusiasm they shall bring with them. Tomorrow it is Oleg. Do try to get some sleep."
Chapter 3:
The morning of the Battle Royale.
[br]Click to enlarge[/br]
Cat started her day up on the balcony the same way she had ended her night. Storm clouds were gathering.
With great delight, she noticed that some of the contestants had already arrived.
Peering down from the railing she immediately identified the two she had most expected to be there early straight away. And teamed, again, as all of them had guessed.
Skam and Da.
"Hurry it up there Skam, we gotta find a place where we can watch our backs before anyone else gets here," exclaimed Da as he scanned the security of the walls in the nearest derelict buildings.
He pushed his hand into the mason and it dissolved into powder.
"This one's no good...there's got to be one of these structures that can resist gunfire."
"Da, we'll never get the secure vantage spot you are looking for, look at this place! The whole of this citadel is in ruins."
"There is ALWAYS somewhere secure. We'll go round all these buildings, even give them names, and we'll decide which ones are best to take shelter in. We'll move around if we have to get away from the other contestants. Skam, you know as well as I do, people will target us simply because we're well known in our field. In any normal circumstance I'd stand and fight, but this is not a normal circumstance. We have to be smart to live through this."
Skam and Da went a long way back...
They had been friends for years, shared PvP zones so many times they couldn't even count them if they tried, yet not once, EVER, had they turned their guns upon each other. The fact that the situation they were in may force them to do so was something that neither of them had even dared to mention. Something they didn't want to think about.
The two had shared history together, the fun of making artwork out of oil-barrels, pecs, or anything they wanted to use at the time. They were no strangers to PVP - in fact, these very same works of art they created together they would also defended together. It was simply the way it had always been.
Now, for the first time, they were faced with a situation that perhaps, if it came to it, one may have to kill the other, and both had this scenario deeply embedded in their thoughts....the whole plan they had developed of finding a safe-house was overshadowed by this fact. Could it really come down to that? Neither wanted to voice it, but both knew it was something deeply burned into their subconscious. And both of them, even knowing the other was thinking about it, also knew the other would never say anything about it. Both hoped it would never happen.
"OK, this building here looks sturdy....we can watch our backs from here no problem."
"You know some of the other people taking part will have the same plan as us right? If that happens? We join with them or politely ask them to move on?"
"Skam....not one of us knows whats going to happen....we'll take it at face value. Plans may change depending on the weapons we get, or what happens when this game begins, but for now...we gotta go with what we can find....are you with me?"
"Till death do us part Da. I just pray to God we get decent weapons here."
Cat continued her surveillance of the area, and found it as no surprise that one of the other 'Early Birds' was Ozi.
Ozi looked around him. Lots of cover from view, but very little cover from gunshots, almost immediately he spotted Skam and Da doing their recon on the buildings nearby. Damn it! Ozi knew better than most that if those two teamed up, as they obviously had, then very few could take them out. Even Ozi himself, conscious of the fact he was by far one of the most skilled in the event, realised that he would need to team up as well. The very first person that sprung to mind was Gamble.
Boys #28: Stuart GAMBLE Gamble
Gamble had once been one of Ozi's most trusted Colonels in a society that he himself had created, the Global Alliance, yet Ozi also felt that perhaps he had deserted Gamble when he chose to join the Dark Knights, thereby leaving Gamble behind. The two of them had never really spoken at much length about that chapter in their lives, and he wasn't really sure if Gamble had forgiven him for it, or if, worst came to worst, he wanted to kill him for it. Either way, they had defended the oil rig side-by-side so many times before, Ozi knew that this man was trigger happy, and that would certainly make him a good ally, or perhaps even a decoy? Ozi didn't want to think like that... He had a deeper trust in Gamble than anyone else involved, and he wanted...no....he NEEDED it to stick. If Da and Skam were going to be allies, he would also need a good ally, and out of everyone, Gamble was the one man he felt he could truly rely on.
He had not arrived yet, so he could only hope that Gamble would forgive his desertion of the soc and perhaps once again they could feel as close as they did back when they defended the rig together.
As for Ozi himself, he knew what he had to do. Gamble being the only one he felt he could trust, and yet, he would need more, therefore he decided he would try to forge an alliance with pretty much the first people he came across. If this alliance stuck or not wouldn't matter too much to him. He knew that if a conflict arose, then outside of Da and Skam, he could put an end to that dispute no matter what he got as a weapon, especially if he had Gamble by his side. He knew the odds, and he knew he was high up in them. Jamhot though, Jamhot was a friend., and he would certainly have a huge problem killing him if it came to it.
Above all though, Ozi was trying to catch the adrenaline rush. He didn't have it yet, as for now all he was doing was examining the area they were to be fighting in come the next few hours.
He knew himself well, and if bloodlust struck him, it would last. While at the time he was sober of such a feeling he considered how such feelings may end up being the death of him. This was the main reason why he felt he needed a team. Sometimes, when the bloodlust adrenaline rush took him, he had no regard for his own life. Whatever happened, he still planned to take down as many others as he could.
Cat continued to scan over the balcony for other participants who had arrived early. There were another two, clearly teamed, who she didn't immediately recognise, but when one of them turned in her direction, she immediately knew who both of them were.
Boys #12: Johan Roadkill Deadmeat
Boys #16: Emil The SkilledOne
Roadkill turned to Emil, the game was but hours away and it was time to be brutally honest.
"Emil, you do realise what we've got ourselves into here?"
"We??? It was you that got us into this....I didn't say a word!"
"Nevertheless, we are here now, and we need to work out what we're going to do."
"Seems to me you worked out what I was going to do before I even said anything myself..."
"Emil, be serious for a second please! You and I both know that we cannot take on most of the people here regardless of the weapons we get. So we need a tactic that takes them by surprise."
"Well, just go ahead and make my mind up for me again, please, I'm loving it!"
"Seriously Emil! Listen! Most of those people out there have skills far beyond ours, so we need to put on a persona that sets us apart from any other newcomer that might be taking part."
"How exactly?"
"You and me, we need to get in the thick of it. We need to show the strong out there that we are not afraid of them, make them think that we are 'big and dangerous', stick close to the action."
"You know, such a plan might have even worked if you hadn't introduced us as 'The happy noobs that are here to waste ammo' or whatever it was you said."
"Thats part of the deception though Emil. You've seen Uber's joke about how 'noob' they are sometimes. Who's to say we're not doing the same?"
"Honestly Roadkill, I don't think they are gonna buy that. We need someone else, the two of us alone will not cut it."
"Alright, alright, I'll get us another friend in this game. Let's hold out until it begins, and we'll see what we can do. I have a feeling that some unlikely alliances might occur, and I'll personally make sure we are in on one of them."
Jamira came into the morning light from the tower. She had wanted to be out as early as she could and was somewhat surprised that even some of the competitors had beaten her to it. She immediately spotted Da, whom appeared to be keeping his word of "protecting" Skam. In Jamira's mind Skam was one of the last people involved that needed any kind of protection. Still, if Jamira's own plan worked out, then she would be the one protecting all of them.
[br]Click to enlarge[/br]
She wasn't surprised when she looked up and saw Cat on the balcony far above, she had spent a lot of time up there over the last few days - no sign of Oleg yet though. Cat was clearly peering over in the opposite direction from the base of the tower. Jamira took the advantage and grabbed her bag while she had the chance, heading north and keeping out of any possible line of sight of Cat that she could. Maybe it was a good thing that some of the competitors had turned up early, a good distraction from Cat's overseeing eyes. Made the whole set up so much easier.
Jamira quickly found she was able to advance well out of Cat's eyesight while staying in cover the whole time. It was one of the main reasons she had chosen to hide the explosives in the north - there was a lot more cover there. She knew Cat well enough already to predict that she would be up on the balcony in the morning - it was as if she delighted at looking down on people whenever she could. Perhaps thats why she had the surgery to make her so tall.
Jamira laughed on the inside, but kept in mind it was her own friend Sorg that had done that for Cat, and he of course, was another victim in this sick game that Cat had come up with.
She and Simon would put an end to it.
Jamira reached the northern edge of the zone that the game was to take place in, and decided to herself there and then that to place them within the zone could easily invite any player who didn't know of her plan to pick them up and use them for themselves, against other players, without knowing how they got there. No, this would not do, she would need to place them outside the zone to ensure they were not used in vain.
She managed to find a tear in the fence surrounding Zychion, and pulled it open wide enough to crawl through.
She knew that if she placed them too far outside then the absence of the contestants would be quickly noticed, so hid the explosives just slightly out of range, constantly checking around her to ensure no-one could see.
This was the best method, as it would also be out of range of any vantage point from the centre of the citadel. The hardest part was over. Now she just needed to head back to the teleporter and tell Simon where they were. Everything was working out perfectly.
Oleg emerged from the base of the tower. The day had arrived, there were still a few more hours to go, but it was at last all coming to a head. He had noticed some people already scouting out the area, but decided to make his way over to the teleporter before looking around, after all, Jamira was supposed to be looking after that, yet she was nowhere to be seen.
As soon as Oleg arrived at the teleporter, one of the contestants stepped through.
Boys #2: Lucius Pike Esox
"Hello there Pike! Welcome to the arena," Said Oleg slyly. "And what, pray tell, is going through your mind this morning?"
Pike knew exactly what he was getting into, he had been one of the event's earliest sign-ups, and as such, had been thinking about his tactics for a long time. Like most of the others, he had resigned himself to not opening fire on anyone unless he had to. He had no enemies here, nor did he wish for any during the event. Pike considered himself an upstanding citizen. This was no normal event he had gotten himself into, and he was fully aware of it. He felt, other than the obvious reason of defending himself, that the only way he could ever bring himself to open fire upon another competitor was if he saw people ganging up upon someone. This was something he had a strong stance against, and was what concerned him the most.
"Well," said Pike after much thought. "I guess I'm thinking about the possible gang-mentality of this event more than anything, I've seen there is a good number of likely teams that will be forming here, and i just hope that such events are not what this whole thing is going to revolve around. What starts out as safety in numbers can quickly become gang bullying, and that is something I could never allow to happen."
"You know Pike, even if that does happen, then these same gangs will eventually have to turn on each other? Most alliances of any kind are going to be short-lived, that much I can pretty much guarantee."
"It's a personal thing. I see societies such as The Disturbed Ones and the Coat Killers with a decent sign up level, and if I see them ganging up on anyone solo, then so help me god, I will put a stop to it."
“I believe that in a game like this, people will truly find out a lot about themselves. You may even find yourself becoming the person that you are trying to stop. Snap decisions, trust, judgment, all will be stretched to their very limit.”
“Not mine. I know what I'm doing, and I'm sticking to it.”
Pike didn't wait for Oleg to reply, he turned around and made his way towards the control room.
Jamira turned the last corner to see Oleg standing by the teleporter. Oh no! She had to get rid of him. If he was still standing nearby when Simon arrived then she wouldn't get the chance to tell him where the explosives were hidden. Cat was still up on the balcony. She needed to play this cool.
"Good morning, Oleg, the day has come at last, eh?"
"Jamira, hi, where were you?"
"Oh you know, just scouting out the area, seeing what our contestants were up too. Kinda surprised that this many arrived so early to be honest."
"Yeah, well, I'm sure they all wanna make plans ahead of time."
Jamira had to find a way of getting rid of him.
"Shouldn't you be up in the revival room? I understand thats where everyone is collating?"
"Yes, but we have a lot of time before then, I wanted to stay down here for a bit and see who we have coming through the teleporter before then. Most of these people I've never spoken to, and I'd like to get to know their characters before the event. After all, every single one of them bar one is going to be dead by the end of today."
Jamira started to panic inside.
"Yes, but you can get to know them in the revival room, you don't need to wait here for them."
"In the revival room they will all be cramped together, better to hear their separate stories out here first."
The light from the teleport shone bright, and a total of four people arrived together, it was the Disturbed Ones.
The Disturbed Ones
Boys #10: Dano Ghana Rondo
Boys #25: Angel Spike Sunny
Girls #7: Fire FireMaiden Starter
Girls #8: Jacqui Rockchick Jovi
"Welcome!" Said Oleg. "So our largest pre-set alliance has arrived in all it's glory..."
Firemaiden was the reason that all the others had joined, she was already feeling the guilt of it within. She knew damn well all of the other three were originally concerned about her safety, and now that they had taken part, they needed to be concerned about their own as well. FireMaiden considered the fact that although her society friends had joined with the intention, as far as she knew, of protecting her, they were now also faced with the horrific possibility of having to turn on each other, just as with any other alliance that had formed. While she had first considered it as a blessing that her soc-mates were there to back her up, she was also very worried about the consequences of what might occur as a result of this day.
RockChick was so nervous she felt like she could vomit at any moment. The rest of them had signed up to protect FireMaiden, but now that the day had arrived so many other thoughts had been racing through her mind. She knew she would be unable to kill any of her soc-mates, and although she joined to protect FireMaiden, she now had her husband involved as well. And while Ghana might fall a tiny bit outside of those two, there would be no way she could possibly kill him either, it was just unthinkable. Therefore she knew she was going to die today no matter what happened.
The TDO were well prepared for the initial defense, though had made no preparation for what may happen if only the four of them remained. It was something that they didn't want to have any plans for, they all hoped it would never happen.
They had even hired out Zychion the week before in order to prepare for the event. During this time, they had managed to come across a very strong building, with only one way in or out, and had decided that as long as no-one else got a hold of it before they did, then this is where they would hole-up. The four of them against the world it seemed, but with a very strong base of operations, then maybe they could pull it off. They had decided to stay put here and hold out as long as possible.
They had Dano Ghana with them, and as he had been raised from a strong military background, he had instantly agreed with the tactic that they had was the best available to them, especially in a situation such as this. Ghana knew better than any of them that when outnumbered in the way that they were, the best offense was to form a strong defense. And the spot they had discovered in their reconnaissance was the best spot of all. Although he believed Rock-Chick to be cautious, he also trusted her, and the other two, with his life. In this game, he needed defensive measures, and was glad to have discovered such a place during Recon.
Ghana had taken into account that they would need such a defensive post, given that everyone involved knew that the four of them were all from the same society, and such a "pre-formed" alliance could easily make them a target as a result. The smart money was on being defensive until the number of opposition had dwindled somewhat, and even then, to let the others take the fight to them.
Spike, as with the others, had joined to offer protection to FireMaiden, but he knew that the specifics of the event were taking a heavy toll on his wife, Rock-Chick. She had, by the point of them arriving, trouble in even standing up. Despite having so many friends to help her through this her whole body was quaking, perhaps not at the thought of what was about to take place, but more about the feeling she may be turned upon her best friends or even her husband.
Spike himself felt the same, though he made an effort to cover it in false confidence, he had a number of additional friends out there, and he didn't want to kill them either. This is one of the main reasons he had agreed to the plan they set last week, to defend that strong building they had come across. To not kill anyone unless they were attacked, and he knew the other members felt the same way.
Ghano was the first to reply to Oleg.
"Yes, we're here, and we know what we are doing. We have planned everything out in detail."
"Sounding confident there Ghano, and I suppose with good reason. I realise of course that the four of you are the largest group we have taking part, but then, so does everyone else involved. Aren't you worried that this alone may make you a target?"
"I told you we have this planned out, and I don't see any reason to tell you anything more."
At that moment, Cat appeared from the bottom of the tower, she had obviously prepared her outfit in advance.
"Just had to wear the Hermes back-strap didn't ya?" asked Jamira.
"Of course," she laughed. "Got to show off what God gave to me."
'What Sorg gave to you.' thought Jamira, though she thought better of saying it out loud.
Cat walked closer to the teleporter.
"Well, look at that, RockChick and Spike have arrived, I guess the GE's aren't our only married couple today after all," she said with some delight. She didn't even get the chance to continue before the teleporter shone again, and this time Simon the Guide stepped through.
Oleg immediately confronted him. "There is an event taking place here soon, I need you to leave immediately.”
Simon, barely having time to recover his senses after passing through the teleporter, managed to compose himself enough to respond to Oleg.
"I am taking part in the event tonight, a bit of a late entrant."
Simon didn't even see Jamira nearby while he was still gathering his bearings. It was the worst possible timing. Simon arrived while Jamira was heavily restricted by the presence of Cat and Oleg nearby, that, combined with the fact that so many others had just come through the teleporter made things even worse for her.
And as if that wasn't enough, another came through the teleporter adding 'who is that?' to the other thoughts already spinning in her head. David the Guide.
Oleg repeated himself: " You can't be here, we have hired out Zychion for the next hour or two. I need both of you to leave."
"Wait Oleg, " said Cat, "I don't mind having any last-minute sign-ups, and anyway, I've just had reports that two of our sign-ups didn't even manage to stay alive long enough to make it here. I have our last two sheets of results now, and it appears we have had two suicides!"
Cat handed over one of the the pieces of paper to Oleg. Sure enough, it described the deaths of Simon God and Austro. He guessed the potential of backstabbing and all that it had entailed ended up being too much for them.
"Two suicides?" he said, "Very disappointing."
"Well, then we can be glad of having such last minute replacements turning up. I say we let these two join in." Cat gestured towards Simon and David. Jamira did not dare make a move.
Oleg thought to himself for a while, but agreed before long.
"Alright, we'll take these two on-board."
"Excellent, take all six of them up to the revival room, I'll be up there shortly."
"Wait!" exclaimed Jamira, desperately trying to think of an excuse to get alone with Simon, but failing to come up with one in time, and had to resign herself to sheepishly finishing her sentence with: "Good luck out there."
They nodded to her and continued to follow Oleg. Simon knew he had landed in at the deep end. He promised himself he wouldn't blow Jamira's cover last night, and wasn't prepared to do so now - especially not when so many innocents were nearby. No, he knew the rough location of the explosives, and that would have to be enough. If he could get a team with him, then they should be able to cover the area quicker. He'd have to rely on this.
Cat turned to Jamira as the others left.
"They'll need more than luck, Jamira. The luck part is all over and done with, I've made the draw. From here on in, they'll need to be smart, and to keep their cool."
"You made the final weapons draw?"
"Yes, obviously it'll need to be slightly updated now we have two new faces involved, as I made it after I learned of our two suicides. Here, take a look."
Jamira scanned over the weapons that each of the contestants had received, and noticed a new name at the bottom of the list.
"Who is this last one you have marked as 'Reserve'?"
Reserve: Jak JaKst3r Fast
"Ah yes, that was a last minute thing. I decided we should bring in a reserve in case someone doesn't make it tonight. We're still expecting forty people, but it's good to have someone on standby."
"So who is he?"
"Honestly, I know pretty much nothing about him. Didn't have time to get a profile on him. I did notice that he's a member of cK Shadows though, which I think is a kind of sub-division of Ah and Da's society. I've no idea if that will effect his chances, but the fact that Da and Skam came through together before he even arrived says to me they won't be teaming up. Other than that, I don't know what to tell yah...a flashy dresser, that's probably the only other thing I know."
"Sure it's wise to let these people in that you don't know?"
"Why? Do you think they may have something to do with this 'back-door' rumour?"
Jamira tried to hide her surprise, but was too late. Luckily Cat misread the emotion.
"Don't look so worried Jamira, we are in control. I have you and Oleg on my team, and we have made a solid plan. Even if there was such a thing, they couldn't pull it off. Thats why I have you out here to protect our interests. It's not even worth thinking about, OK?"
Jamira composed herself, and faked relaxation with a smile.
"OK."
"Good, now I'm going to go up to the control room and see how it's going up there."
Jamira realised this might be her last chance to inform Simon.
"I'll come with you."
"No, stay here, this is exactly where I need you. Don't come up until after the game is over and we can congratulate our winner. We'll see you soon."
Cat walked away, leaving Jamira by the Teleporter, praying to god that Simon would be able to find the explosives as soon as possible.
About twenty minutes later Oleg had assembled everyone in the control room. Cat was making some last minute changes to the paperwork. The tussle of people in the room below the stairs to the doorway prevented him from being able to get a head count as such, but it looked like everyone, or at least very close to it, had arrived. While Cat was busy he took the opportunity to disturb the sea of whispering, it was time to explain some of the game's finer points.
He clapped his hands together. It might as well have been a gun shot; the room fell into complete silence in seconds.
"Good evening ladies and gentlemen, and welcome one and all to the Battle Royale. Shortly, you will be called out of this room one by one, and I know you are all familiar with the rules as they have been laid out, but I want to take a moment to summarise the important ones, and to cover some other points, such as what each of you will be taking out into the field with you."
Oleg moved over to the table and picked up one of the many bulky metal forearm-sleeves that were spread over it.
"This is a Multi Functional Personal Device, an MFPD. It comes with a Short-Range Radar, which will display where anyone else thats wearing one of these will be within a certain distance, it also has a screen which lists all the other players involved in the game. It has a radio transmitter which you can use to broadcast to everyone else, regardless of how far away they are. Myself and Cat will be using this to give you updates as the game progresses. You can also use this device to send a message to just one individual simply by selecting them from the list of names. This list can also be re-arranged so that it displays who is the most deadly - based on how many kills they have acquired within the game at any given time. It will however only display the top three when this selection is chosen - the rest of the contestants will be displayed as normal. We have also modified these in one or two other ways, but such things are purely for us to know about, you only need know if it becomes essential."
Oleg dropped the MFPD back on the table and picked up a pneumatic syringe.
"Each of you will be injected with some genetically concentrated fibroblasts. These will greatly affect your body's ability to heal, and even a serious injury can repair itself within five to ten minutes. The effects of this drug will last little more than an hour, but that will be enough time to be of great use to you in this game."
Oleg put the syringe back down and gestured to the packs piled up against the wall at the entrance to the room.
"And lastly, over there each of you will pick up a bag as you leave. Within it, you will find weapons and ammo that were randomly pre-determined before we began. Some of you may have received bonus items as well, such as a suit of armour, if you were lucky. The majority of the weapon draw was based on luck, or lack of it. We will let you know what's in your bag as you leave the room. If you have limited ammunition for your main weapon, then you will be supplied with a TT weapon - even if you get the TT pistol or Carbine, we have rigged them in such a way that your ammunition for these will be unlimited."
Oleg glanced over at Cat, it appeared she had finished her last minute changes but was happy to let him continue.
"Now, I'll give you a quick sum up of the rules before we begin. The forty of you will be called out of this room by your number, which was assigned to you when you joined up. You put on the MFPD, take your injection and your bag and head out into Zychion. Once you have left here, you cannot return to this area, nor anywhere around the teleporter. From there, you have an hour to decide whom you will team up with, and of course whom you may later backstab. Only one person can still be alive at the end of the hour, otherwise there is no winner, so all of you must think very carefully about what you will do. The primary rule at this stage is that none of you may open fire upon each other until myself, Cat and Jamira give the all-clear."
Cat came over from her paperwork to stand next to Oleg.
"You ready for us to start, Cat?"
"Ready as I'll ever be, had to do some changes what with our surprise guests showing up, but it's all in order now. They don't have a number, so we should call them out first."
"Well, this whole thing is your own baby, you should do the honours. Let's begin."
