Yesterday, after the operation, Marcus had everyone beeline for Songbird station knowing that he couldn’t take his goblins inside the ship. He couldn’t risk having his men be mistaken for random mobs and taken out by either players or the ship’s defenses. Marcus then tossed them bonus pay for the successful operation and told them to take the rest of the day off, as they could use some downtime for the next day. He then logged off and readied himself for his meeting with Ylena, his shrink.

As per Martian law, he is still considered as a ward of the state, unable to find jobs, not like he could with his current set of skills, and is given just enough money to keep himself alive. As per regulation, he was required to undergo periodic mental checkups to make sure that the thawing and his neurological treatment hadn’t brought any adverse effects and would be then released after passing a psychological evaluation.

Marcus wanted nothing more than to get out of being considered a ward. Even knowing that it wouldn’t count for anything, it still hurt his pride. He was raised to shy away from receiving charity and making sure that anything he had would have to come from honest work, like a real, hardworking American would.

After cleaning and dressing himself with a fresh pair of khakis and a pressed collared shirt, Marcus set out towards Ylena’s office for their session. He had to be honest with himself; he did look forward to talking with the woman again. What can he say? She was smart, pretty, and successful. He would be hard pressed to try to find a man that wouldn’t be attracted, or at least be impressed by such a woman.

Riding through the transit station and arriving at the Hab where Ylena’s office was located, Marcus waited at the waiting area for his session. He was a quarter hour early, which was far better than being a second late. It also gave him some time to burn and so he pulled out his phone to pass the time..

Browsing through the selection of videos on the net, one caught his attention.

Interview with the Burned Asylum creative director, Mikhailov Yakovich, says: The game is not about killing people, and that big things are coming.

The preview showed a Caucasian man wearing a pair of ‘smart glasses’, sitting in a chair with his interviewer turned to him. Intrigued, Marcus let it play.

“Some people say that our game is all about killing people. It’s not. That is one part, but not all of it. Until now, we have been pacing our updates to make sure that all our players enjoy the best the game has to offer. Right now, even two months after the initial release, you can say that the game is just at the early stages. We are giving the players enough time to get the hang of things before moving things forward. Now, we would like to say that big things are coming, and depending on your actions, would bring good change, or chaos. Soon, you’ll either stumble upon it, or it will come to you. Look forward to it.”

With that, the interview went on to less interesting topics like the hardship of releasing a controversial game in such a political climate, its impact on the current generation and the future, along with the dangers it poses to society. Mikhailov deftly replied to all of them, with his responses pretty much boiling down to comparing it to learning sword fighting during the 21st century. Sure, you can be a danger to others, but the government had the period’s equivalent of a gun. It was no contest.

Closing the video, it was all bullshit to Marcus, all the concerns reminded him of the gamer controversies that were rife when he was a kid with ignorant people claiming that games were the reason kids were getting violent while ignoring that raising a kid and making sure he doesn’t turn up to be a mass murderer is the parent’s responsibility. Reading up on the current capabilities of the police and military, knowing how to prep a block of C4 would be like knowing how to craft black powder from scratch during his time. They already had ways to scan for explosives back then, and it’s a certainty that the police and military now have much better capabilities in preventing attacks and tragedies from happening.

Marcus then surfed through more videos and tried listening to current music. He didn’t like the chaotic, high-pitched beats which only hurt his ears, added with the nonsensical lyrics, which sounded catchy but made no sense. Closing the videos, he simply searched the songs he knew and listened to spend the time away.

“So anyway, they wanted to start up a guild with me being pushed as the leader. Looking at it from the outside perspective, you know that it’s a no brainer right? But for me, I don’t feel like I should.” Marcus said, putting out his cigarette on his portable ashtray and securing it close. He looked at Ylena, who simply sat at her side of the coffee table and was busy scribbling at her pad.

“So how do you feel about that?” Ylena said, asking the usual questions.

Marcus only sighed, raising his hands in surrender. “I don’t know. Empty? Confused? I don’t know what I’m supposed to be feeling. I don’t even know why I asked for more time in the first place. Look, I don’t know how you run your psychological evaluations, but I need some help here to find out what’s wrong.”

“I’m not in the liberty to disclose any of my own findings as it would affect your evaluation.” She replied flatly.

“So I guess I’m shit out of luck then, huh? Your job is to only find out if I’m fucked in the head and wouldn’t even help to unfuck it up.” Marcus replied.

Ylena looked at him with a blank face and closed his tablet. “I think we should end this session here as you are currently in a state of distress.” She said, turning off the recording.

“We’ll fuck you then.” Marcus said, standing to leave. He was pissed. He came to her looking for advice, only to be turned away. Reaching for the doorknob, Ylena called.

“Marcus.”

“What?” Marcus snapped, turning towards Ylena, who was sitting calmly and was looking at him with a sympathetic look.

“It is in my opinion that you are subconsciously shying away from personal relationships, as the wound of losing everyone you loved is still fresh. You might not actively think about your loss, and I’m sorry, but you are. And you don’t want to take the risk of having that same pain inflicted on you again.”

“So what do I do then?”

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“I may not share the same connotations of the adage, but the first thing you should do when you fall off your horse is?”

“Get back into it.” Marcus finished for her. He watched her as she gave him a calm smile of encouragement. She made sure to turn off the session’s recording required by the state before giving him advice, off the record. “Thank you. It means a lot. And sorry for what I said.”

“It’s fine.” Ylena answered.

Marcus nodded and left.

Back in the game, the goblins were still enjoying their day off. Marcus found them in the station’s version of a bar busily celebrating their success with rowdy drinking paired with loud, joyous singing. Marcus had to give them the opportunity to celebrate on their own and wouldn’t be fair for their commander to stick around.

Still, the festive atmosphere was shared with the rest of the station, albeit in a tamer capacity. Unlike the tense and fearful atmosphere following the attack on the main entrance, the goblins walked with confidence in their step, assured by the defenses put up by their combined efforts. The chief had made sure to let his people know of Marcus and everyone else’s contributions, and the population made sure to extend their appreciation. It wasn’t much, mainly restricted to food gifts, which Marcus used to feed his men, and personal thanks said in a language Marcus couldn’t understand.

He could only smile back and accept, making sure to address that he appreciates their recognition.

With the promised operation with Columbus slated for the next day, Marcus went back to Bo’s shop where he was back fixing broken station equipment. Bo’s goblin assistants have grown one more pair of hands and totalled to three goblins. The three were crawling around his shop, making sure that everything was spotless and every tool cleaned. With nothing to talk about, both greeted each other with a curt nod and went back to their business.

Marcus headed for his corner in the shop and opened the pelican case alongside the pile of opened packages. The metal locker they used to store their weapons was filled with the weapons they have looted off the scavengers. It was nothing impressive. Well worn and barely maintained weapons filled the locker, which Marcus doubted would fetch a good price outside the station. It would do well as rewards for the goblins, and likely would be sought after in the local market, so Marcus decided to let them sit in storage for a while until he could decide what to do with them.

Picking up the case, Marcus ran his hand on the guitar. Feeling the string and the frets under his fingers, he tuned the strings as best he could and started playing chords, and his idle playing developed into him strumming songs he learned to impress girls back in his highschool days. He never considered himself good, only decent. And like riding a bicycle, his fingers found the notes the longer he started playing.

By slapping his wrist on the spruce top, it made for a good beat. Marcus then started plucking at the strings, playing the song ‘The farewell’ from a game he knew from long ago. Back then, everything was good, simple. Marcus had a plan, a bright future he had set for himself.

Quest completed!

Your Father’s guitar.

Leaving your previous job as a bar musician in a small town, you took everything you had and sold the rest except for your father’s beaten guitar he had passed down to you. Too bulky for luggage, you had it sent separately in a fast hauler to arrive before your arrival.

Quest type: Personal Quest

Requirements: Track your package and retrieve it.

Rewards: +1 Dexterity

Trait gained:

Nimble fingers: Less likely to fumble.

Marcus paused, noticing the stares sent at him. He looked up to see Bo standing nearby, along with Rex and Anna. Ylenka stood on the side with the rest of her squad, smiling.

“That was great! Do it again!” Anna squeed.

“Can I get a tip at least?”

“If you play well.” Anna said suggestively.

“Maybe not then.” Marcus grinned, putting the guitar away.

“Oh, come on!” Anna whined, “Play one more song!”

“Maybe later.” Marcus replied, “I still have to get to the ship to get the clan started.”

“Wait. Can you say that again?” She asked.

“I said I’m going to start the clan.”

“Really!” Anna said, jumping excitedly. “What are we going to be called?”

“I was thinking about The Last Man Contingent.” Marcus replied, vindicated by the approving nods from everyone. “Any objections?”

“None.” Ylenka replied, “Maybe we should celebrate the formation with a song.”

“Yeah. Better do it quick so I can turn the air back on.” Bo added. Marcus noticed the silence.

To turn off the ventilation just so they could hear him play, Marcus didn’t know what to feel about that. “Fine,” He sighed, reaching for the guitar again.

Thinking of a song, Marcus tapped his fingers on the guitar. He thought of party songs he used back then, but it would be extremely unlikely for them to know the lyrics and sing along. He needed a song with a catchy tune, simple lyrics, and a lively chorus for everyone to join in. Grinning, Marcus decided on one.

Marcus started strumming, playing a lively tune which was easy to join up with a clap or a beat. Running the simple chords once, Marcus had the gist of the rhythm and sang.

They’ll look high and they’ll look low

They’ll go everywhere we go

But when the sinners find us, we won’t hide

They’ll come loud and they’ll come fast

We shoot first and we can last

Keep your rifle by your side

Everyone was clapping along now. Marcus couldn’t help but get carried away by the mood as he reached the chorus.

Singin’, “Oh Lord, this earth was made for us”

Singin’, “Oh Lord, this sinful life just ain’t enough”

So we’ll take a stand

‘Cause we must protect our land

Keep your rifle by your side

…

Once everyone started to get the gist of the lyrics, everyone started to sing along. Marcus almost had to yell over the rest to steer the song to the right lyrics. A while later, it ended and everyone cheered.

Marcus smiled, already feeling better at making his decision to establish the clan. Ylena was right. Marcus could say that all the people gathered in this small room were now his friends. They have gone through challenges together and overcome them, they had that connection.

“You know. It would be better if we could sing along with the lyrics.” Anna said.

“She’s right.” Ylenka added, “So how about we go again and do it right this time.”

“Alright. One more time.” Marcus said, pulling up his screen and typed up the lyrics. He sent everyone a copy. Funny how the song described their situation. Soon after everyone read up, Marcus started the tune again and all sang along. The only thing missing was a fire in the middle of the forest, some meat cooking over the fire, and a dark starry night above and it would be just like home.