“We’ve run out of time, Ellie. It’s now, or never,” said Grandad Potts, pushing her into the room in front of him, breathlessly.
“We can’t run it, it’s not finished. You said it needed another six months of work at least,” she protested, trying to turn round to face him.
“They’re onto us. If we don’t try it now, we’ll never know if all the hard work we’ve done on it was worthwhile,” he said, closing and locking the door behind them.
The POD-VRI sat squat in the spare bedroom - the result of many sleepless nights for both of them over the years. For the first time, Ellie felt scared of their project. It was no longer a harmless hobby, it was dangerous.
“But Grandad… You haven’t explained how the world you’ve designed - works. Maybe you should be the pilot the first time? I’m more at home with my buttons and levers,” she said, watching her grandad grip levers and push buttons that she’d installed with an urgency that made her stomach backflip.
“No! They can’t capture you. I knew the risks, you didn’t. They’ll be here any minute. Put the visor on and get yourself settled in. All I can do is try to get you away from them in time,” he said, sadly.
“Who are these ‘they’ you keep mentioning? Has someone been threatening you? Why are they interested in the POD-VRI?”
“They want it for reasons that aren’t for anyone’s good you can be sure of that. More than that though - if they have you, they have me. I won’t crack under pressure - or worse. But if they hurt you, they know I’ll be like butter in a hot frying pan. And then we’ll lose everything. Not just us - everyone will. What we’ve created… It’s…not just a machine, a programme, a game, a realm of possibility… it’s become itself,” he said, pushing the final sequence of buttons with his fat fingertip with a determined look on his face.
“I don’t understand… I thought we built it so our imaginations could stretch their legs, so we could explore and have perilous adventures without risking life and limb?” asked Ellie, confused.
“Our plans have taken a sinister turn. Worse still, they found out about us before I could fix things. You’ll have to put it right it from within, somehow.”
“But I don’t know anything about gameplaying or programming, or even the world you’ve created. I can’t do it.”
“You have to do. You take care of the inside situation and I’ll deal with what’s about to crash through that door.”
Several cars pulled up outside with a dramatic screeching of brakes.
“Listen carefully, Ellie. There are four codes hidden in our virtual world we know as ‘Glamis’. If you get trapped inside… I hope you won’t, but… No, please just listen. You can escape if you find and crack all four codes.”
“You and your codes! What if I can’t crack them?” asked Ellie, not convinced she was an elite cartographer like her grandad.
“They are your only hope. Just remember, if anything happens to me, don’t let anyone get their hands on my codes - or worse still, the cipher,” he said with a haunted, defeated look in his widened, bloodshot eyes.
“Grandad, I’m scared.”
“I am too, but this was always your destiny. I’ll keep them busy for as long as I can. Once it starts up, you and the POD-VRI will be invisible. It’ll be in stealth mode. Even if they pull the plug out, you’ll still have enough power in the battery and solar panels to keep you safe for some time on pulse power. Beyond that, you should be able to find a way to manipulate the power source from within the game. I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”
“Grandad, I can’t do it - I need the cipher at least.”
“I’ll send you the cipher once you start the game then all you need to do is find the codes – if you get trapped in there for some reason. When I’ve got rid of these lot, I’ll get you out. It’s just in case.”
She felt slightly less panicky about getting trapped inside a virtual reality game despite only having the promise of codes. She wasn’t confident she could crack the codes and she felt an icy grip of unease as she realised the codes would be her only hope of escape if things went badly wrong in the real world. She hesitantly pressed the button that initiated the start of the game.
Her grandad looked nervously back at the locked bedroom door seconds before it splintered into pieces and half a dozen heavily armed, uniformed men piled into the room.
Trying to keep her breathing steady she tried to tell herself they couldn’t see her and whatever these men wanted, surely it was a mistake, a misunderstanding? How could their harmless project warrant this kind of response?
In a matter of seconds, she would be transported into a totally new world. Her grandad’s imagination. That in itself, wasn’t a comforting thought because evidently, he had secrets and a past full of shadows and gaps she evidently didn’t know anything about. Did she ever really know him? What was he doing all those years he wasn’t in her life? What had he got himself and her involved in? Was she now in danger?
Her thoughts were interrupted by her grandad shouting out before slumping forwards heavily onto the console clutching his chest, his face porcelain white and clammy as he valiantly pushed the final button in the sequence to send his only granddaughter to parts unknown…
“No!” Screamed Ellie, trying to stand up but it was too late to leave the POD without her grandad’s help now – or the codes.
She was on her own…
Well, I thought today was just an ordinary Tuesday when I got up this morning. It’s funny how some days decide to become memorable. How am I going to explain this to Mum when I get back - if I get back?
It looked like grandad had a heart attack. He’s been like a coiled spring for the past couple of weeks - ever since we connected the POD-VRI to the satellites. Maybe that’s what alerted whoever those men were?
What have we done? What if he’s died? I can’t help him - and he can’t help me.
I might be invisible so I’m safe now from whoever they are but… No one else knows where I am.
The only way back now is through those codes, and they could be anywhere in ‘Glamis’. I can’t see grandad being able to help me any time soon. I think he’s died. The stress, the shock of them breaking the door down with guns… It was all too much for him at his age.
All I can find comfort in is he knew he’d save me in so much as they couldn’t see me or the POD-VRI with it being in stealth mode so they won’t know it’s in use and they won’t be able to find it even if they know it exists. But how long will the pulse power last? What will happen if the power gives out and I’m left trapped in the virtual world?
I must find the codes and work out the cipher as soon as I can but to do that, I’ve got to become a character and play a role in the game grandad said I was destined to play. I guess I’d best load the menu and begin.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Now, let’s see…
Who are you? What do you do?
Choose one option
Dwarf Tooth Fairy
Elf Wanderer
Wizard Bandit
Witch Healer
Shield Maiden Scribe
Soldier Other ……………………………………
Shield Maiden
Accepted
What is your name?
Valda
Accepted
What is your backstory, Valda?
Is this really necessary? Can we not skip this part? I’ve got a lot to do and not much time to do it in.
It is necessary. If your character is incomplete, you will not be successful in this world. Glamis is an unforgiving world.
Well, you’re incomplete.
Correct. Which is why your character needs to be as realistic as possible. Even small details make a big difference to outcomes of battles and encounters. Inhabitants here play by the rules. They will know if you are an imposter. You will not get far if they find you out. They will show no mercy.
Okay… well if it helps me leave here quicker - and in one piece so I can see if my grandad’s okay, I’ll do it, but I warn you, I don’t have a clue what I’m doing. You’re going to have to help me.
Alas, I cannot help you beyond the basics. My programming is unfinished. You have the power to do all that’s necessary from within this world. In that sense, you are the most powerful entity in this reality.
However, you are also the weakest because you do not know the scope of your power – and you do not know how to harness and use it.
I don’t think I’m going to like playing this game.
This is not a game. Here is your new reality. If you die here, you will also die in your own world. Be careful of injury, fatigue, hunger and so on. You are as vulnerable to death as you would be in the real world. Perhaps more so.
Hold on, Grandad Potts never mentioned any of this. I’m beginning to think there’s a lot he’s kept from me. Did I ever really know him?
I can only answer questions about this world. I suggest you create your backstory before we move on.
Right. Okay. I’m Valda, a Viking shieldmaiden. I’ve travelled to Dragonsclawe, on the planet Glamis in search of four secret scrolls. They cannot fall into the wrong hands.
I’m well respected in my home village of Settalness and if I succeed in bringing the scrolls home, I’ll be able to put myself forward as Queen of Settalness.
I was once a Skall but I saved our Jarl’s life and was rewarded with my freedom.
I tend to react first and ask questions later. I’m impatient. I like to take short cuts. I have trust issues.
Is that enough?
For now.
Impatient
Not observant
Impulsive
Lacks trust
Takes short cuts
* These are your current weaknesses, but they may also prove to be a strength, in certain situations.
Your current strengths are –
Loyalty
Ambition
Bravery
You will find all the information you need to know on your character sheet. Keep it safe. You will need it if you want to survive here.
Now you must choose two main skills to start with.
Why only two?
You will gain more skills as you progress – if you progress.
I think you have as much belief in me as I have right now. Okay, I choose –
Survival skills –
I can live off the land in any terrain/weather. Although, I’d prefer a warm tavern and a plate full of warm food.
And –
Herb and potion creation knowledge -
I’m an expert at identifying and blending herbs to make both healing and poisonous potions.
Excellent starting choices. There is hope for you yet.
You will start with the following stats: –
Speed = 14/20
Bravery = 16/20
Willpower = 12/20
Observation = 8/20
Ambition = 14/20
Loyalty = 10/20
Initiative = 12/20
Strength = 12/50
Agility = 13/20
Stamina = 15/20
IQ = 12/100
Damage levels/Health status = 50/50
Resistance to disease/poison = 9/10
Starting weapons –
Axe
Shield
Spells –
Unlimited use/everyday/weaker spells – (Level 1)
* Fireball spell
* Light spell
Needs prep, stronger spells – (Level 2)
To be added at a later date…
Shock and awe ‘take cover’ spells (Gain/learn/buy) – (Level 3)
To be added at a later date…
Money (Kand in your purse) –
Roll the dice 6 times then times by 20 to find out how much Kand you have to spend on further essential equipment/skills/training/items to help you in your quest.
7… 8… 2… 5… 9… 7 = 38 x20 = 760k to spend
Is that a lot?
It should pay for the essentials.
Take your purse of Kand and prepare to experience Dragonsclawe’s bustling market where you can buy practically anything - for the right price.
Beware, not everyone is friendly towards strangers here. Many trusting travellers have lost their lives already in this marketplace. They went no further. You could very well join them sooner than you think.
Keep an eye on your purse. It is a powerful magnet for trouble when it is bulging with coin. Spend it quickly and wisely if you want the best chance of survival. And I should warn you, pickpockets and cutpurses outnumber traders most market days.
Sounds like a fun shopping experience.
It is not fun, but you will gain experience. If you somehow survive it. Spend wisely as you do not know if you will be able to earn more Kand any time soon.
Many starved to death here because they bought unnecessary or useless items at the start. Do not be persuaded by the traders to buy what you do not need.
Hang on… I thought I was the first to try the POD-VRI out? You keep saying others have died here before I got here. How?
I have already said too much… I cannot say any more. There is the bustling market in front of you down that dusty track.
Good luck. You will need it.
Hey! I’ve got more questions!
Oh great. This just gets better and better! A game is it, when people have died here? Who were they? Who did Grandad Potts send in before me? Who would he share our secret with so willingly when he’s so paranoid he never writes anything down unless it’s in code?
He knew it wasn’t finished and it wasn’t safe and yet he sent me here with only a slim chance of me making it back. Never mind finding and cracking the codes, it sounds like I have other threats to survive on top of that.
I can’t believe he didn’t tell me there were other ways I could die here – and in the real world. This isn’t just a ‘game’, is it? It’s a fight for survival.
What have you done, Grandad? No wonder you didn’t want to let me see what you’d created. Great ‘surprise’. You sent your only grandchild here to the hell you created knowing it’s not likely I’ll survive.
Thanks for that. Really glad you came back into my life.
So, I’m no longer Ellie Chadders, bespectacled library inhabiting ‘geek’. Here, I’m Valda, shield maiden on Glamis – fighting for both our lives without knowing what the hell I’m doing.
This is going to end badly I can feel it.
It may be ‘Game Over’ sooner than expected …
N.B - Character sheets, background info etc are available on my Patreon page –
http://patreon.com/LitRPGVanessaFletcher
See my other books, teaching resources etc on my website –
https://www.ashentapublishing.com/