The entire team stumbled into the large entryway. The room had large open windows that looked upon the neon boulevard filled with raucous people, blaring music, and fireworks overhead. Max was shell-shocked. He’d never been to a big city and the scope of activity was amazing. He sniffed and realized something was off.
A closer look revealed the deception. All the people were androids. Very lifelike, but just a little too uniform and symmetrical and distinctly lacking in the scents that all big lifeforms had.
“Hey! Just like Las Vegas! I think I’m going to like this level!” Charlie crowed.
The “street” was crowded with the androids, mimicking rowdy human behavior. The team proceeded cautiously, weaving through the crowd of androids, trying not to draw attention to themselves, but the faux people didn't seem to care or notice anything strange about the team’s combat garb.
The major focus of the street was the very building where they stood, inside its threshold entryway. The name was lit in sparkling extravagance on every wall, the Casino Terminàl. The building's massive door swung open as they approached, showing a crush of people and gaming tables with flashing lights and glitzy decorations.
The team entered knowing that the key to their mission lay within the heart of this vibrant but bustling casino. Their augments pinged as they passed the door.
[You have entered the Challenge Stage of the Labyrinth. All Challenge quests can be accessed from the Casino Terminàl. New Quests are available!]
[New quests unlocked - Casino Terminàl: Pandemonium, Stronghold, Death Race, Urban Assault, Drone Storm, Battle Royal, Talent Show, Escape Room. Entry cost for challenge quests requires credit chips.]
[New Player - Stage Entry Initial Stakes Granted - 100,000 credits. Credits are virtual placeholders only. All wagers, entry fees, rental fees, team purchases, loans, item sales, and winnings will require casino chips. ***Warning*** Physical chips are fungible and anonymous. Guard them carefully.]
[New Quest - Find the Credit Exchange]
[New Quest - Find accommodations at the Players Villas]
[New Quest - Small Timer (0 of 10): win small (less than 20,000 credits) stakes games and wagers to prove your skill in judgment.]
[New Quest - Shark (0 of 10): win large (more than 20,000 credits) stakes games or wagers to prove your skill in judgment.]
Max spun around trying to get his bearing, he smelled real people in here. A steady clapping sound was getting louder. Maxed focused on a dark bearded fit man dressed in rugged gear like his team. The man smiled and spoke.
“Welcome, my friends. It’s my great pleasure to see you. You’ve just made me slightly richer, and you have my thanks. My name is Dominic Masterson.”
Max’s empathy skill hummed in his mind. This man was assessing and calculating, his smile didn’t extend to his eyes. Max hesitated but Charlie strode forward with a handshake and pumped the man’s hands.
Charlie, oblivious to the underlying tension, enthusiastically guided the team forward, eager to explore the challenges awaiting them in the Casino Terminàl. Dominic's smile widened, revealing a hint of a smirk.
“Please, allow me to get you all some drinks. You must have questions…and I have answers. Of all the players on the level, I have been here the longest…almost three months.” Dominic smiled a wide smile, his eyes lingered on Max. Categorizing his equipment and lightly probing his system’s security.
[Empathy skill activated - Dominic Masterson: Confident, Calculating, Aggressive]
Max’s ears dropped and his hackles rose. Dominic’s smile grew even wider. He spun around ushering Xavier and Leah into seats. Max felt a sense of unease as Dominic's gaze lingered on him. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this man than met the eye. He tried to conceal his distrust.
[Poker Face +1, Poker Face skill reaches level 5]
The rest of the team was at ease as Dominic began speaking about the challenges and rewards the Casino Terminàl had to offer. Charlie, ever eager for adventure, leaned in with anticipation. Dominic pointed out the somber Viewing Den. He said that with Team Utopia…and the other teams arriving soon, it would become much livelier.
“Wait.” Max interrupted, “How did you know we were coming? And you know where our team came from?”
“Ah yes, this stage is much more accessible than Clotho’s realm. Most challenges are live cast in the viewing den. Most of the players on this level have the benefit of seeing at least some showings of the new teams performances on the last stage’s levels, including yours. I must say, you guys were quite effective. I’m glad to have bet on you arriving first, I’ve been paying extra attention to your performance. Remarkable, indeed.”
“Hold up. How many players are there here? And more teams are coming in soon?” Charlie asked.
Dominic signaled a waitress over and collected drinks for everyone, beer for Charlie and Max, Sake for Leah, and a root beer soda for Xavier. He flipped a copper casino chip to the waitress who smiled back. The lack of detail in her painted features disturbed Max, looking like a person but lacking in essential ways.
“Ah yes. Well. I am the last holdout from my team, the Roughnecks. Team Eurosport has two members left, Nigel and Abigail. The MVP Leaderboard team came in off-cycle, so they have most of their team still. Now we’re all waiting for the next influx, which you all are the first.” Dom said, emoting with excited expression and active hand gestures.
“Let’s see. There is a team of enforcers from the DAIE. That’s a bit unusual. The Labyrinth has never allowed them in before. There is a corporate group. I would like to assume they are casual players, but likely also have top-of-the-line augmentation platforms, so some caution there. And finally, we have another first, a team of AI in mech frames from Luna. We are all truly unique down here. It should be a smashing good time!” Dom said, looking directly at Max.
The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.
“Alright, plenty of time for details. Let’s get you all sorted. I’ll show you to the credit exchange and the Player Villas. If you hurry, maybe you can get yourself all settled before the next group arrives…”
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Dom escorted the team to the Casino Credit Exchange, passing the gaming tables and poker rooms on the way. Max put aside his intuition and watched carefully, a few Players were at the tables playing and waved to Dom and the team as they walked past. They saw an extremely large android holding court at the central poker table. Dominic was watching closely and saw Max’s interest.
“Careful at the tables. These aren’t traditional at all. The dice are tricky to prevent an augmented from throwing perfectly to win. The bots are extremely shrewd, and of course, other players will play hard. The bots have hard limits on how much they can wager, so you won’t make any paydays off them. The only exception is that large fellow you’re eyeballing. He’s a high roller that goes by the name of Tyche Spencer.”
“Be careful if you ever sit down across from him. That AI can match any Player for cunning, and it is extremely hard to read. No human tells that give him away. Most Players prefer to make big bets on quests, but every chip won counts. Am I right?”
Dom ushered them on, deeper into the hidden recesses of the casino. The party-going androids thinned out and bustling workers and security robots became more frequent. The credit exchange looked like a blending of a high-end hotel lounge and a secure tellers window for a bank.
[Quest Complete – You have found the Casino Terminal Credit Exchange, +100 XP]
Only one teller was open and a sharply dressed android hurried to open the secure window. The uncanny valley of its near-human appearance was intense. It flashed pearly teeth and tipped its transparent visor to Dom. Dom spoke.
“Vinnie! I’ve got some fresh customers for you. I’ve got a good feeling about them. Treat them right, ok?” Dominic grinned and stepped back. The teller smiled crookedly, a gold tooth peeking through his weathered face. He flattened his pinstripe suit and adjusted his cuffs.
“I always provide top service, Mr. Masterson. I run a tight ship here. No shenanigans are allowed. The credit exchange is the heart of Lachesis’s operation here at the Casino Terminàl. So, I assume you all would like to establish your credit accounts and perhaps take some chips with you to initiate room rentals and spending money, yes?”
The group stepped up one at a time to create their account with the credit exchange. Some quick discussion with Dominic and Vinnie revealed that unless they were ready to do some serious wagering or contests, about 5,000 casino chips of various denominations were the recommendation for personal holdings.
Each chip had a Celtic knot design with an anti-counterfeiting holographic fractal morphing into complex shapes within the chip’s center. The edging and other details on the chips revealed their value. The chips started at copper worth 1 credit and jumped up 10x in value for each successive material, silver, gold, platinum, topaz, ruby, emerald, sapphire, amethyst, and diamond ending at 1 million credits. There was a special Grand Master Chip worth 10 million.
As the team digested the details, Dom watched them closely. As the concern mounted, he spoke up.
“Yes, I can see you all running those numbers through your heads. That last chip is what you need to graduate from this level. I’ve been here for three months, and even I still need at least one massive win to get there.”
“You should know that if you need some extra cash, I offer loans as well,” Vinnie said with a tight smile.
“Jesus, Vinnie. Give it a rest. They're flush with their starter credit and your rates are just the worst. I’d risk my last two credits against Tyche before asking you for a loan. Seriously, how can you justify a 10% vig?” Dom said.
“Vig? Xavier asked. Vinnie had a sour look but answered.
“Standard casino practice. The vig is a daily interest on loans. Its designed so the house will profit from a little risk taking, just like a Player can. As long as you use the credit wisely, everyone benefits.”
“As long as the Player wins. If they lose, a daily interest quickly digs a hole that will drop them right out of the Labyrinth and back to the real world.” Dom said, shaking his head.
“Come on, man. Even we AI have our parts to play in this game. This is a sweet gig and if we can't pay the rent we get stripped of our frames and sent packing to haunt the walls as observers. Show a little mercy for your poor hosts.” The old android looked up and lowered his voice to continue in a whisper. “You new folks should remember to tip well. Everyone in here is part of the struggle in Lachesis’s grand experiments.”
“Ugh! Enough with the theatrics, Lachesis is hands-off. She hasn't appeared on the level, ever! I think it might be against the rules of the Labyrinth.”
“Doesn’t mean she can't make our lives more miserable. Go ahead and take your chips! Don't say I didn't warn you.”
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Dominic led the team on to the next destination, the Player Villas, chatting the entire time about his great victories in the games and on the betting floor as well. Every path seemed designed to force the player to cross the busy casino's raucous central area. Soon they got to a quieter section, crossing shops for gear, snacks, and drinks. Dominic seemed to grow more alert, sweeping his jacket aside to show a cross-draw pistol and high-tech blade.
“Mind your six,” he said quietly. Everyone flared their sensorium and soon noticed a pack of three seedy-looking NPC androids following them.
“This isn't like the rest areas of the foundation stage. Vinnie wasn't lying. Some of these androids are hanging by a thread. I've heard stories of this bunch. Cutpurses and ruffians. Always watch your back. This level isn't just about rising to the challenge… it's about survival in a competitive environment.” Dom said.
Max looked back. The trio of androids had broken from their too-obvious tailing and were pretending to window shop now. By reflex, Max sent a few tracking motes to attach to them. He had plenty to spare now with advancing his level in his [Swarm] skill and access to his pocket space fabricator. Max was rewarded with a system notification.
[NanoTracker +1, NanoTracker reaches level 6]
Max eyed the retreating androids. He realized that he hadn’t turned off his WorldMap skill, and the level details were slowly building in his head. He made sure the tags for the trackers would be visible on his map. He promised himself not to let his guard down as he turned to catch up with the team.
Very quickly they got to the lobby of the Player Villa, a burly android Doorman stepped in front of them. Dominic quickly stepped in and intervened.
“Hugo, my friend. These Players are new to the level. They need to check in with the concierge and get rooms.” Dominic said. The doorman grunted once and stepped back. Dominic ushered them in.
[Quest Complete – You have found the Casino Terminal Player Villas, +100 XP]
[Max Mitchell level +1, Max Mitchell has reached Master Level 24, 22,500 of 25,000 for next level, +10 Free Stat Points awarded.]
Max shook his head to clear the notification. Dominic had resumed talking.
“Hugo’s not much for talking, but he keeps the riff-raff away. At least, the Android variety, that is. Alright, you’ve gotten the basics. The door will only let a new team in every eight hours and there are three more coming and then things get interesting again. I’m going to hit the sack and I suggest the same for you all. Lots of opportunity to win some chips until the team battles start.” Dom said as he summoned the elevator. He was stepping into it when Max stopped him short with a question.
“Why are you helping us? We were told this stage would put us against other players. I don't get it.” Max said, being honest about his suspicions. Dom sighed and turned back, holding the door from closing.
“You’re not wrong. Singletons like me can’t enter a knock-out competitive wager with new players until you've done at least three team battles, although we can do friendly wagers. After that, it turns into a free-for-all. Most teams end up with some people clocking out early. Frankly, I don't care who wins or loses. I'll be harvesting all your credits later… from you or whoever takes them from you. I just don't want too much of it spilling into the bot pockets. If all the money is scattered, it makes it hard for me to get my last big score and my ticket to the next level. Play your cards tight, kids. I'll be catching up with you eventually. Be seeing you.” Dom said, with nonchalance, and let the door close.
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