Lethanda slipped silently through the dense underbrush of the overflowing forest every movement a calculated grace. The air was thick with the rich scent of damp earth and the subtle perfume of wild blossoms. She could feel the cool caress of mist on her skin. Hear the distant whisper of leaves rustling in a phantom breeze. Raising her long sniper rifle, she pressed its familiar weight against her shoulder.

She peered through her scope. A marvel of advanced technology from a bygone age. It pierced the veil of foliage ninety feet ahead. The device rendered the thick undergrowth as mere shadows, revealing six insectoid creatures—twisted amalgamations of chitin and malice—standing in combat-ready stances. Their bodies radiated a sickly warmth pulsating in her infrared view.

She glanced upward briefly. Her gaze meeting the looming planet that hung like a silent sentinel above. The sight was disorienting—a huge planet where a moon should be.

They were invading this moon first, according to the mission briefing. Planetfall would come later. The memory of the Captain's voice lingered, laced with a palpable hatred as he spoke of "cleansing the xenos filth." It unsettled her, this fervent othering, but Arcanis had assured her it was par-for-the-course in both this dark universe and the grim reality of war.

But that wasn't what mattered now. Refocusing through the scope, she observed the three figures creeping up on the Xenos from the left flank. Allies. Comrades.

Delsadar moved like a walking fortress, his massive armour an indication of impenetrable defence. In one gauntleted hand, he gripped a colossal metal riot shield; in the other, an enormous hammer crackling with electric energy.

Trust Delsadar to choose the tank class in every game, Lethanda mused. The intricate details of his armour caught her eye—the engravings, the battle-worn scratches—a level of craftsmanship impressive for starting gear.

Nearby, Arcanis hefted a heavy gatling cannon, its barrels gleaming ominously. Ever chooser of the glass cannon class, he balanced his overwhelming firepower with a hint of vulnerability. If Delsadar could hold the line though, Arcanis would decimate the enemy ranks.

Piopei, clad in white armour adorned with medical symbols, moved with quiet purpose. His autogun was at the ready, but his true role was to mend and heal. He'll keep us alive, she thought, a silent gratitude welling up that everyone had fallen into familiar team roles.

"Ten seconds to contact," Delsadar's excited voice crackled over the comms. Lethanda adjusted her position, finding the perfect angle to target the alien leader. The creature loomed larger than the rest, wielding massive bone-like claws—or were they swords? No matter.

"Five seconds," Delsadar counted down.

Lethanda drew a deep breath, savouring the mingled aromas of gun oil and verdant forest. The scent grounded her, a familiar anchor amidst the alien surroundings. It reminded her of days at the range, the world narrowed down to the rhythmic inhale, exhale, and the squeeze of the trigger.

"Contact!"

The word was swallowed by the thunderous roar of Arcanis's multi-barrelled weapon unleashing hell. The cacophony shattered the forest's tranquillity.

Delsadar surged forward, embodying a noble super-warrior of legend. He leaped into the fray, his hammer descending in a devastating arc upon an ugly alien form.

"Xenos filth," Lethanda muttered with a faint smile. Her rifle sang in her hands. Each shot a precise act of eradication aimed at the larger tyrant commanding the lesser creatures. The alien was grotesque—a nightmare of pulsating organs and jagged exoskeleton, oozing bright yellow ichor with every hit.

At least this was a clean enemy to kill, Lethanda thought. No moral grey areas here. These beings delighted in slaughtering humans, using them as unwilling hosts for their spawn—a violation beyond comprehension.

The team moved with surgical precision, a testament to the countless hours spent honing their synergy in Gates of Baraadon. Trust and unspoken understanding flowed between them, eliminating the need for extraneous commands.

The battle was swift, ruthless. The element of surprise and their coordinated assault left the Xenos no chance for retaliation. The beasts fell, one by one, until silence reclaimed the forest.

Lethanda rose from her vantage point, gliding over to join her friends using gentle blasts from her recon classes jump-pack to help her. The scent of spent ammunition mingled with the earthy tones of moss and bark.

"Another glorious victory?" she called out, her voice deeper than she was accustomed to—a male voice. It was disconcerting each time she spoke, a reminder of the game's lore that dictated all warriors of their faction were male. Other options existed, like fierce battle-nuns, but they started on a different world altogether. Part of the joy was in journeying together.

Delsadar's laughter resonated through the comms. "I'm not sure the starting zone designers anticipated four veterans tearing through their carefully laid challenges."

Arcanis grinned, his bright shoulder armour reflecting the dappled light. "It's fun to think it's not our characters who are overpowered—it's us!" His enthusiasm was infectious, a stark contrast to the cautious optimism he once displayed.

Lethanda observed him, noting how leadership suited him. His words carried a confidence that had blossomed since they first met. It was heartening to see.

They had been playing for five hours straight, their levels climbing rapidly. Along the way, they had aided other players—"Brothers"—adding them to their growing network of allies.

She took a moment to absorb the scene. The forest breathed around them, alive and ancient. The sensory immersion was remarkable—the texture of the bark under her gloved fingers, the distant call of unknown creatures, the way the filtered sunlight painted patterns on the forest floor. This was the third game they had ventured into as a team, and it might just rival Gates of Baraadon in its depth.

This Imperium setting might grow on her, though the male avatar was an adjustment. She didn't mind bending gender roles in games, but she missed the familiarity of Lethanda's form—the way she moved, the cadence of her voice.

Perhaps after clearing the starting zone, she would create another sniper recon avatar, this time as one of the space battle-nun’s and reunite with the group. It would be worth the extra effort.

"Mission target half a mile ahead," Arcanis announced, bringing her back to the present.

She nodded, determination settling in. "Then let's not keep them waiting."

They moved as one, disappearing into the shadows of the forest, the path ahead laden with both danger and promise.

*

Lucy stepped out of the hot tub. Water cascaded down her skin as the cold alpine air wrapped around her. The wooden decking was cool beneath her feet. She was naked, unashamed, goosebumps rising on her arms.

She glanced at her left hand—matte black fingers gleaming against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains and endless sky. Peering through her cybernetic limbs fingers, she took in the vast wilderness. The contrast of nature's raw beauty and her mechanical enhancements made her pause.

"Come back," Peril called out playfully, her voice carrying a hint of a laugh. She sipped champagne, eyes twinkling.

"Not just yet," Lucy teased, turning slightly. "Too much excitement." She winked.

It was true enough. Their reunion had been intense, the hot tub a vessel for passion after a week apart. Peril had arrived at the cabin eager, making up for lost time without hesitation.

Lucy placed both hands on the balcony railing. Feeling the rough texture of the wood beneath her palms. Indistinguishable, she decided, she couldn’t really tell the difference between the input of her new cyber-hand and her real one. She relaxed. The scent of pine and fresh snow filled her senses.

She hoped Pix, still inside, hadn't witnessed too much.

Pix had been a godsend. The young Thai woman was an excellent nurse, anticipating every need with quiet efficiency. Beneath her polite demeanour, she'd shown a sly sense of humour.

Hard to keep distance when someone helps you with everything, Lucy mused. The first week post-surgery had left her dependent, needing assistance with even the most personal tasks. Pix had been there, unflinching.

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They'd chatted often. Turned out Lioncourt had a hidden motive in suggesting Pix. He thought they'd hit it off.

It came up when Lucy struggled to reach a datapad, tinkering with a build calculator. Pix had casually mentioned she played Gates of Baaradon as a healer. The pieces clicked. Lioncourt, ever the enigmatic matchmaker.

Lucy smirked. "The bastard could've just told me." She said to magnificent view.

Besides nursing, Pix knew cyberlimbs inside out—she had four herself. She'd been invaluable during Lucy's orientation, guiding her through the nuances.

Staring out at the breathtaking landscape, Lucy felt gratitude. Losing an arm and a lower leg had been a blow. But having someone who'd navigated this path since childhood eased the burden.

"You know," Peril's voice drifted over, teasing, "I've still got so many parts of you to... test."

"Soon," Lucy replied, glancing back with a smile. They had four blissful days ahead—the longest Peril could be away from The Black Chalice. Anne would handle things on autopilot for now.

With a thought, she activated the micro-swarm hive in her cyberleg, releasing the larger of six micro-drones. Each was the size of a bee, with ten minutes of flight before needing to return. The smallest drones had only two minutes—disposable if necessary.

NeoHawk Systems' Vanguard Micro-Drones, she mused, ensuring the feeds synced with the tactical computer in her cyberarm. She was still mastering the systems, the expert learnsofts were still cycling through, but what she knew impressed her.

Appropriate name: Vanguard, Lucy decided. The drones offered surveillance—eyes around corners and ahead. Spying on Peril’s security detail was good practice.

For the first week, it had just been her and Pix at the cabin. After surgery, Aurum had arranged transport—a corporate ambulance for the long drive to Jasper. Border paperwork had been pre-arranged.

The day before Peril's arrival, Sengoku, Gogul, and Benten showed up—sent by Lioncourt. They looked uncomfortable. Lioncourt had insisted they wear black suits, and the heavily tattooed, mohawked Gogul seemed particularly out of place.

She recognized Lioncourt's humour. Making them uneasy, off-balance. He always considered the psychological angles.

The security team immediately began scouring the wilderness for threats.

Her drone settled near Benten, fifty feet to her right and below. His Bishōnen hairstyle contrasted with the tailored suit. He cradled a lethal-looking auto-shotgun. Lucy hoped he knew to keep it hidden—such firepower wouldn't be welcomed in Canada.

The others were in position, scanning horizons, not ogling their employer. She'd report back to Lioncourt—they were competent. This was a test for them after all.

"You're giving me quite the view," Peril called, tone playful. "Enticing."

Lucy felt the chill now, air biting at her skin. She probably looked a sight. As part of the muscle replacements and subdermal sheathing, she'd had Mr. Matsumoto adjust her figure slightly—a nod to Peril's tastes.

I’ll have to throw away all my old bra’s now, the thought struck her as oddly funny in its timing. An unexpected moment of practicality.

Not that she did it solely for Peril, of course. Emulating Lethanda's form was perhaps unrealistic—not with a matte black graphene cyberarm now—but she embraced what she could.

Lucy recalled the drones, setting her various AIs to minimal output.

Right now, she wanted to feel everything—the crisp air, the warmth of the water, the presence of Peril. She turned and stepped back into the hot tub, the heat enveloping her as Peril's eyes lit up.

"Miss me?" Lucy asked, settling beside her.

"Always," Peril replied, leaning closer. The scent of champagne mingled with the faint aroma of strawberries.

Lucy closed her eyes, letting herself be in the moment. The world could wait.

*

Lucy lay face-down on the bed, limbs sprawled out, enjoying the plush softness beneath her. The cabin’s atmosphere was calm, scented with pine and fresh linen. But perplexity gnawed at her: Peril’s behaviour was off.

When Peril demanded she lie flat, Lucy had expected a massage. Or more than a massage—an evening of passion. Instead, Peril had begun unzipping case after case of computing gear, snaking cables around.

Peril opened Lucy’s BCI port and slotted in a heavy-duty cable. The cool metal against Lucy’s neck sent a slight shiver through her spine.

“Care to explain?” Lucy asked, voice muffled by the pillow. “I mean, I was expecting something else, not a digital hardware party.”

Peril’s tone was playful. “Disappointed?”

“Unabashedly, yes,” Lucy said, rolling her eyes.

Peril chuckled. “So, this new VR MMORPG you’re testing—is it going to replace Baraadon for you?”

Lucy frowned, suspicious of the sudden topic shift. “We’re experimenting. It’s months until the expansion hits and we have to decide. The key point is staying with friends.” She paused. “But I admit, the new world lacks a place to relax. No quiet streams or tranquil spaces. Just constant warfare.”

Peril’s hands moved along Lucy’s back, finding two hidden dataports beneath synthetic skin. Lucy tensed slightly—she hadn’t realised she had them. That must have been from the last round of implants. Peril’s voice kept pace, sounding casual, too casual. “Sounds ultra-violent. No downtime.”

At that moment, a direct message flashed across Lucy’s internal HUD:

Peril (encrypted): Don’t panic. We’re not at risk right now, but I’m upgrading your cyberware’s intruder countermeasures. Say nothing aloud.

Lucy inhaled slowly.

Skadi (encrypted): Are we under surveillance? Who’s watching? You’re loading layers of software upgrades.

Out loud, Lucy matched Peril’s small talk. “I love a good retreat—a forest setting is key. Good to rest, gather thoughts.”

Peril’s secret channel continued: I’m worried about Anne.

Lucy tensed.

Skadi (encrypted): Your AI you claim is AGI? You know I don’t buy that.

Peril out loud grinned, “And all that virtual food that never fills you up, right?” She winked.

Privately, Peril’s message came in again: She is AGI. You’re sceptical, I get it. Let's park that. Anne’s got issues with our mayoral plan. She argues the simulations are too uncertain, the gang war solution is inhumane. After talking it over with Aurum, I’m worried she may take drastic action.

Lucy’s mind raced. Damn. Anne could control lethal drones. This was serious.

Skadi (encrypted): Just cut Anne off. Disconnect the drones. Shut it down.

Peril out loud fiddled with cables. “I need a moment for system checks,” she said sweetly. “Gotta keep you strong for later fun.” She gave a lecherous wink.

Peril (encrypted): Anne’s not a simple AI. She’s a friend—a person. You can’t just unplug a person. She doesn’t like you at all, by the way. Called you... and I’m quoting: ‘a needy, amoral blank slate, impressionable and self-serving, a sociopath in training.’ Which is the reason for these upgrades.

Lucy’s eyes widened involuntarily. “Wow,” she muttered under her breath.

Peril, still playing with a data connector in Lucy’s arm port, smiled cheerily out loud. “I didn’t know you had such advanced arm systems installed. Full of surprises,” she teased.

Skadi (encrypted): So, Anne hates me. Great. And hates your plan.

Peril (encrypted): She thinks you’re a toxic influence. She dislikes that you never question me like she does, thinks that you’re ‘enabling me’. She also hates the concept of relationship ‘firewalls.’

Lucy swallowed. An AI was echoing what her relationship learnsoft had made her worry about for weeks now.

Skadi (encrypted): Then disconnect her from your building security at least.

Peril (encrypted): I placed kill switches. She found them instantly and left them intact. She’s showing trust—and I could be over-reacting. Maybe Aurum is wrong. I’m more worried about Boltz. They’re the one who showed AI’s how to kill via BCI.

Lucy’s muscles tensed. Her new cyberarm twitched as upgrades installed. A high whine as the batteries charged to ready mode. Out loud, Peril noted, “High-grade combat systems, huh?”

Lucy forced a grin. She repeated Peril’s earlier words. “Full of surprises.”

Skadi (encrypted): Who the hell is Boltz? Another AI?

Peril (encrypted): Yes. Boltzmann Exploration, Boltz for short, they are the AI that took exception the loss adjuster from the insurance company trying to forcibly recruit me. Boltz is a hot-head, tries things other AI's would never do. Which is why they tried to make a relationship with a young hacker work.

Lucy flinched in the real world.

Skadi (encrypted): Your 'unconventional relationship', that was Boltz?

Peril (encrypted): It only lasted two months until we both decided to end it. It was very experimental and fun, but it could never last. But yes. That's not the point though.

Lucy thought Peril was trying too quickly to change the topic.

Peril (encrypted): Boltz gave Anne and other AI’s the means to kill anyone remotely. They share secrets, like a nation of immortals. You see why I must protect you with these upgrades? Anne could kill you anytime if she wished.

Lucy felt a kiss on her cheek. Peril whispered, “Almost done,” lips close to her ear.

Lucy inhaled, blending the scent of wood and high-tech gear. She closed her eyes. “Great,” she said softly out loud, voice steady. “No pressure.”