“Elvis, what the hell?” I asked as my seat’s safety harness unstrapped. I immediately vomited as I floated up out of the chair. An A-Ganger bot flew over, hissing with puffs of air as it jettisoned out from wherever it was hiding. It beeped and buzzed, obviously irritated, as it cleaned the floating globules of vomit from the air around me then zipped away, back to its hiding spot behind the bulkhead. “Oh God,” I said, groaning. “Does this thing have artificial gravity or am I going to have to get used to my stomach being in my chest?” I asked.

“Elvis waiting on order from Captain to initiate artificial gravity systems,” Elvis said. “Yes, turn on the damn gravity,” I said as I began floating upside down. There was a small electrical sounding hum as gravity slowly returned to a close approximation of earth normal. I quickly floated back to the floor or “deck” of the bridge.

“Elvis, don’t do anything like that again without my order,” I said in aggravation. “We have some rules to go over before we get started on anything else. Are we safe now?” I asked both Elvis and Tiff.

“We should be safe to get situated and acclimate to our new situation,” Tiff said. “This Dungeon is really big and expected to take a long time so there is no hurry right now. Elvis was right to get us off the tutorial world. The boss will more than likely re-spawn as other participants finish the level so we didn’t want to be in the shipyard for that. We have time to figure out everything that needs to be done next, check out this Havok battle suit, and try to get some information on your class. There will more than likely be some travel time to the next planet once we see what the details of Level 1 are.”

“Hey, why didn’t you float away when the gravity was gone?” I asked, “you’re physically here, aren’t you?”

“Yes and no,” Tiff said, “while I do appear as a physical facsimile of my true body, and you can see me and touch me, I’m not really completely here. This representation of me can assist you, and potentially even assist in combat, but, with that being said, if this body dies or takes damage it will weaken my true body. I’m not sure how much you know about Quantum computing or existing in a Quantum state? Your world had barely begun to scratch the surface of this technology but I am essentially a being that can exist in a Quantum state or be two places at one time. Let me put this in terms of data,” she said. “Computer data, as you know, speaks in a language of 1’s and 0’s called Binary Code. The language of data consists of billions of combinations of those two numbers to create code. Code is written to create complex algorithms that will then direct programs on what to do. Is this making sense?" she asked.

“Yeah, I think so,” I replied, “it's like those Matrix movies: When the guys in the real world look at the computer screen, they see a bunch of green 1’s and 0’s all over the screen, but inside the program those 1’s and 0’s make up people or buildings?" I asked.

“Exactly!” Tiff said, “before quantum computing, it was assumed that something had to be a 1 or a 0; there was no other option. Quantum computing changed that understanding. A Quantum computer could create something that was both a 1 and a 0 at the same time, existing in both states simultaneously. That is a very simplified explanation of what I am. I am a Quantum AI entity. I exist in both my true body and here at the same time. The decisions and outcomes here also affect my true body. To sum it up: If I die here, I probably die there,” she explained.

“This is a lot,” I said, sitting back down in the captain’s chair. “Is Elvis the same kind of AI as you?" I asked.

“Elvis is ship AI. Elvis live only in ship and make sure ship kill everything,” Elvis said in response.

“That is correct. Elvis is a localized AI designed for a specific purpose. While he is aware and super intelligent, he isn’t quite sentient,” Tiff explained.

“Elvis is super intelligent?" I asked, “he doesn’t sound super intelligent.”

“He has adopted the mannerisms and personality that you hear; it was his choice. I’m not sure why he decided to make himself sound less intelligent than he is but you should be aware that he is more advanced than any computer or AI that your planet has ever created or probably could have created over the next century. He is running an entire ship, thousands of procedures, and sub-routines per minute. He is more than likely also utilizing sub-minds to always monitor every part of this ship. He is more than likely programmed with battle tactics for orbital and deep space engagements as well as surface maneuvering. He likely controls the med bay as well," she explained.

“Elvis smart,” Elvis chimed in.

“Sorry Buddy, didn’t mean to question your intellect,” I said in response.

“Okay we need to get settled and then we can meet in the armory to see what this class has to offer,” I said. “Elvis, I know you’re the C.O.B. but let’s have Tiff take the COB’s quarters, since they are located on the bridge, along with the captain’s quarters,” I said

“Let’s take an hour to get cleaned up and hopefully there are supplies on board. I haven’t eaten in…how long has it been?" I asked.

“It’s been approximately 8 hours local time,” Tiff said.

“Okay, I’ve got to get cleaned up and then we can meet in the Galley,” I said.

“Sounds like a plan,” Tiff replied.

“Then we kill!” Elvis chimed in.

The captain’s quarters were on the left hand side of the bridge as you exited the elevator while the COB’s quarters were on the right. I walked toward the door of my new quarters and saw the description on the door: “Captain Dawes” was on the digital placard. I just shook my head and breathed deep.

I walked through the automatic door into my new quarters. The room was spacious. It was a large square room, approximately 25 ft. by 25 ft., again, with grey metallic walls, or bulkheads, as I had to keep reminding myself. On the right side there was a small room which I guessed was the bathroom and shower area. Sure enough, as I walked toward the room, I saw that I was right as the door slid open. “Okay, at least I can take a shower,” I said. As I walked back into the main living space, I took stock.

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It was nice. There was a desk/workstation on the far wall. It had a touch sensitive top that operated as a computer I guessed. There were two chairs sitting opposite the desk. In the back part of the room there was one more closed off space that contained my bed. I really wanted to sleep but that would have to wait until later.

Near the bathroom there was a small closet and when I opened it, I saw that it contained 5 uniforms. They had no military markings. The only markings I could see were on the collar. The uniform was charcoal grey, the jacket was long sleeved and zipped up the front. There was a collar of sorts that stuck up about half an inch from the jacket. There were 4 yellow stripes on the collar, signifying captain. The trousers were perfectly fitted to my size. There were also some new black boots and thankfully 5 new pairs of socks.

I moved back to the bathroom and began undressing. I took off my boots and saw the one missing sock. My pants and shirt were caked with blood and dirt and I had left my pack in the cargo bay. I couldn’t see myself needing it or the tire iron again. I jumped into the shower which was just a small corner shower. The water pressure was perfect and there was hot water. I hadn’t had a hot shower in three years, and I took full advantage of this one. There were no towels, I noticed as I exited the shower. As I stood in front of the shower, a blast of concentrated warm air shot down and up from the floor onto me. I was completely dry in seconds. “Nice,” I said as I looked around at myself. There was also a sink, mirror, and toilet. I looked in the mirror. I had worn a beard since the drop and decided I would keep it. I thought it looked good and I wasn’t sure if there were shaving supplies anyhow.

After my shower I got dressed. It was a uniform or nothing, but I wasn’t complaining. My old clothes had seen better days and I had forgotten the feeling of putting on new clothes. It’s amazing how you forget the simple things, the things that make you feel good about yourself. I stood up and looked at myself in the mirror, “Okay Captain Dawes, let's try to stay alive,” I said.

I walked out of my quarters and didn’t see Tiff, so I entered the elevator and went down to the first deck. I walked out and saw the armory door on my left so I walked in. “Captain ready to kill?” Elvis asked excitedly. “Not quite yet, Elvis. I need to figure out what this class is about first,” I said as Tiff walked through the door. Amazingly, she was also wearing a uniform. Hers had three stripes on the collar. It also fit much, much better than mine. “I guess we have uniforms,” I said.

“It’s not uncommon for a ship's crew to wear uniforms,” she replied. She walked ahead of me and toward the console in the armory. As she walked, I couldn’t help but notice that her uniform fit really, really well. She looked back. “Is everything okay, Captain?” she asked.

“Uhhh, yeah,” I coughed into my hand. “Let’s see if we can figure this class out.”

I walked up to the console and asked Elvis, “Where do I get info on my class, Elvis?’

“I'll put on the console screen for Captain,” he replied.

I looked around as I waited for the information to process. “This room seems really big,” I said to Tiff. She didn’t reply, she just looked around. The console was in the middle front of the room. In the first half of the room there were open cabinets lined up on both sides. On the left side I could see weapons: some rifles and smaller guns though I couldn’t identify them. When I tried, my interface just said: “Weapons Locker”. On the right side the lockers were bigger and there were only 5 total. When I tried to identify them, my interface said “Orbital Drop Armor Locker".

In front of the console were 5 large lanes going all the way to the back of the armory. “It’s a shooting range,” I said.

“Yes, this shooting range for practice killing!” Elvis said. As I looked around, I saw it: behind the console and to the left, in front of the shooting range there was a round lifted platform, only about 3 meters in diameter. A black suit of armor stood on top. It was completely insane.

“Experimental Havok Bringer Battle Armor” my interface read.

“Woah, is that mine?” I asked.

“Yes! That is Captain's armor,” Elvis said, “part of the Havok Bringer class, best part!”

“A Boon and a curse,” Tiff whispered. “The armor is the Boon; the ship must be the curse; at least it looked like a curse at first sight, but it really is a good ship. Not every ship has an AI and I am willing to bet that there is more to this ship than meets the eye. Something doesn’t add up here. This class shouldn’t have this many benefits,” Tiff said. I could tell she was trying to figure something out.

“Okay, we have some things to figure out,” I said as I walked up to the console. “Elvis, show me the class description.” The console lit up with text:

Havok Bringer

Some warriors fight for fortune, some fight for fame. Then there is the Havok Bringer. Utilizing the legacy of the failed Havokium revolution, the Havok Bringer fights for neither fame nor fortune. The Havok Bringer has one goal: to rain death, chaos, and disaster on those who would seek to enslave the masses. The Havok Bringer lives to end the tyranny of the universe and by selecting this class you now have the tools to help you succeed.

Stats gained per level will retroactively affect levels gained prior to equipping armor.

+5 to All Stats

+10 to Dexterity

Stat increases added to all future levels.

Equipment Included:

Blood Hound – Havokium orbital drop and evac ship. Ship is in a severe state of disrepair but should function at an acceptable level.

Experimental Havok Bringer Battle Suit – While untested, this battle suit was meant to be the ultimate weapon in the battle against the tyrannical Universal Council. Unfortunately, the Havokium rebellion never got the chance to deploy this suit as they were eliminated prior to its deployment.

Optional equipment available due to defeating tutorial boss:

Black Hole Daggers – there exists no force more powerful in the universe than the dreaded Black Hole: a place void of matter and the peril of countless starships. The black hole will aid you in your quest.

+10% Dexterity

+5% Vigor

Ability – Black Hole Drain, Black Hole Implosion – upon cutting an enemy, this dagger will drain vital energy with each slice. Upon successfully piercing an enemy with both daggers simultaneously, the Black Hole Implosion will activate, imploding the enemy completely after three seconds embedded in the body of the enemy.

Warning: The Rule of Duplicity will apply to this weapon

Curse Description – Sand Bagger.

Accept equipment? Y/N

“This doesn’t make any sense,” Tiff said. “This ship looks terrible from the outside but it's well-stocked and even seems to be advanced from the inside. This was made to look like a curse but it’s obviously not. Someone is helping or trying to stack the deck against the Lacertines at a minimum,” Tiff said.

“I have to make a decision on the optional equipment,” I said to Tiff. “The curse is called “Sand Bagger” ...any thoughts on what that means?” I asked.

“No. It probably means you will take on something that might hold you back in your future missions. Those daggers would be a great primary melee weapon for you, especially with your growing dexterity. You now have a dexterity stat of 37. The additional dexterity and vigor are percentages so the stat points will grow as you grow. You will get 10 more points after fully equipping the class. You also have 10 free points that we need to spend as well. I say you should take them and live with whatever the curse is," Tiff said.

“Okay,” I said I said as I looked at the console and tapped "yes".

A form materialized in front of me, screaming bloody murder:

“AAAGGGHHH! AAAGGHH!” the man had his hands on his cheeks. He was turning red while he screamed like he was dying.

“Hey, Craig. Welcome to the Blood Hound,” I said as I smiled.