Aleister was going from house to house in the wee hours of the morning. As each family packed up their belongings and animals and joined the line of carts moving down the road he began to seal off their homes. The ritual of Hermetic Sealing would protect them from random thieving and pillaging. It wouldn't stop a fireball or other destructive magics, he couldn't put enough mana into the warding, but he did the best he could do.

Things were far busier in the village than he had expected. Too many families had waited until the last minute. The ACME workers were scurrying around the village as Mr. Billy or one of his subordinates shouted out what needed to be done. Billy was nearly hysterical in his yelling, so something must not be going right. Ben and Rolly rolled by with two wagons of barrels headed to the tavern on some task.

Against his wishes, his family was staying. He himself had to stay to renew the wards on the villagers' homes and businesses. His wife and daughter had declared that if he was staying, they were staying. He'd long ago learned to recognize when to just say 'Yes Dear' and not fight a losing battle.

----------------------------------------

Billy on the other hand was fighting as hard as he could. He was worried. Vernon was supposed to be here in a few minutes, and then the bulk of their forces would be deployed around the town. But no one had seen even one of Vern's soldiers. Until Vern and his army showed up, he worked with what he had. He'd had the workers put barricades around the tavern and they were building small fortifications wherever they could. The fifty mercenaries that he'd hired himself were deployed in the town around the tavern to defend it. Vernon's mercenaries would be on each flank with a reserve in the rear.

He looked over at the small keep that would have been a perfect headquarters, except for the fact that he couldn't use it because of the rules! All his defenseless contract workers would be holed up in their new housing, making room for the extras from Layla and Sammy's groups. As soon as this stupid war was over and Famco. was kicked down the road, he was turning Jorges loose, and getting him to build a new headquarters building.

Vernon finally showed logged into the game. He was wearing a ridiculous-looking officer's uniform of some sort complete with rows of medals on his chest and a gold baton he was waving about. "Your troubles are over Billy, General Vernon is here. I sent word to my troops to move in, take control of the village, and fight off our enemies. They're the military experts, so you have nothing to worry about."

"Thanks, Vern, I'm feeling so much safer now."

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It was a hot, humid, sticky, and bug-ridden day. Again. There seemed to be two types of weather in this part of the world: too rainy, and too hot. This morning the weather goddess was undecided. The rain came and went with brief periods of heat in between. The men observing the village had argued which was worse many times.

"Captain said today was the day?" The speaker was covered in a layer of mud and leaves, as were the other 200 men waiting in ambush to attack.

"That's what he said. We go as soon as the com officer logs back in with the message from on high. Now don't ask me that for another five minutes."

A minute later the man they were waiting for appeared. He gave an OK sign to the Captain who passed the signal down the line. Two hundred mercenaries of the ACME corporation slowly snuck up on the ancient village of Kraxmiroxtli , last remnant of the Empire of Mazqorati.

----------------------------------------

Back in Sedgewick, the sun was up, and in two hours the war would start. Billy was pacing back and forth. Vern had given up trying to walk back and forth waving his baton and was sitting and drinking a beer from the tavern. "Billy, I'm wondering how many people you need here for this operation. We could shift some folks down to the copper mine and get that up and running in the next couple of days."

Billy stopped his pacing. "Seriously Vern? You're worried about the copper mine, which, may I remind you, we don't own yet. And you aren't worried about keeping this town where we have substantial investment? Where are the reinforcements?"

Vernon waved his baton in the air indicating various trees and buildings. "Hiding, of course, that's the plan, look weak and bait Famco in. Then spring the trap. I told you these boys were the best. But about the mine, I'm thinking we send Layla down there with a couple of dozen people."

Layla looked up as her name was mentioned. She was bored and working on her tan while waiting for the show to start. "Not a chance Vern. I'm much too busy selling magic items in our little shop in the capital for large amounts of coins. And I hate being underground, hate spiders, and hate dark places. Send Sammy."

Vern frowned, then turned to Sammy and smiled. "Right, as I was saying, we can send Sammy down there to run things. Right, Sammy? Give you a little of the responsibility and respect you've been looking for."

Sammy seemed to be in a good mood. It got better and better as Billy got more and more upset. "Well Vern, I don't think so. I think you are vastly under-rating my skills. But then, you always have."

Billy quit pacing. Something was wrong.

Vern looked at Sammy and put a bit of a sneer in his voice. "No, I think I have you pegged pretty well Sammy. You have the potential, but you need seasoning. You need to work a little smarter and quit blaming everyone else for your problems. Show some loyalty to ACME. Maybe in a couple of years, you'll make full manager. "

"Oh, I'll be a full manager much quicker than that Vern. " Sammy was definitely in a good mood and his smile had a bit of an edge to it. Billy didn't like his tone at all.

"Why do you think that Sammy? Know something we don't." Billy could see the man clearly wanted to gloat about something, he'd seen that look before. Billy had a sinking feeling he knew what it was.

"Gee Billy, not sure what you mean. But why don't you ask Vern again where your troops are? Maybe Vern isn't as trustworthy as you think?" Sammy leaned up against the side of a house and eyed Vernon. "Sorry Vern, I'm not working in your mine. I'll have better things to do, and you aren't getting that ghost-infested mine."

A system message came in that Vernon, Billy, Layla, Sammy, and the rest of the ACME upper management currently in GENESIS could see.

[Troops employed by the ACME corporation have liberated the Village of Kraxmiroxtli!

Hostile forces have been defeated and local tribesmen accept ACME as their new ruler. The golden statue of Mazqorati the 63rd, last Emperor of Mazqorati will be melted down immediately to pay tribute to the new ruler.

ACME corporation gains 50 building points for this conquest and for the exploration of the southern tip of the continent.]

Vernon smiled "Outstanding. See that Billy, we're victorious all over the world. A good omen for today's short battle."

Sammy had lost a bit of his smile but rallied quickly as Billy exploded. "Vern, where did you get those troops?! Are those the troops that are supposed to be here!"

"Ahem, I'm sure that's just one of our many exploration squads doing a fine job. But just to make you happy, I'll go check on that Billy, be right back. Talk some sense into Sammy for me. Explain how great being a mine manager is. " Vernon logged out of the game.

Billy turned on Sammy, who was laughing hard now. "What the hell is going on Sammy? Is Vern screwing us?"

Sammy was ecstatic, he'd never been able to beat Billy before. Today made up for years of disrespect. "Oh, someone's getting screwed Billy, you for sure. Vern's finding out right now that he sent all of his main mercenary force on a wild goose chase. Looks like they did find something though. Sounds like a village of Lizardmen worshipping an old statue."

"Vern sent them? Bullshit. Let me guess, you helped out with that. How'd you do it? Hire someone to hack the communications net somehow?" Billy was just fishing for clues. ACME had ironclad security on its communications systems, and Sammy wasn't that smart.

Sammy couldn't resist gloating. "Ever use Microsoft Virtual Office, Billy?"

"No one uses that anymore Sammy, don't be stupid. It was a crappy product when it came out, and it's thirty years out of date. It had shit security to start with and hasn't had an update in three decades. It scanned your real office and made a copy in VR. It was a crutch for old dinosaurs who couldn't figure out how to create their own VR workspace."

This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

A light went off in Billy's head. "Oh screw me! Are you saying Vern still uses it? That program has more bugs than an anthill. Anyone can break into it."

Sammy was in heaven. He was watching Billy finally figure out how he'd beat him. He could do this all day long. "Yep, it's shit. Only old farts use it. Vern likes it because it's a copy of his old office. He pulls virtual files out of virtual filing cabinets, drinks virtual coffee from his favorite virtual coffee mug, and can even write down his passwords on virtual Post-it notes. Just like in his old office."

Billy was about to go ballistic, but he needed the whole story. "And you hacked the lame security and stole the password. That's still a crime you know, Sammy."

Sammy was unfazed. "Nope. Because I haven't admitted to anything, you can't prove it, and I didn't hack a thing. But, I will remind you that Vern was my 'mentor' when I first joined ACME. The fat slob used to brag that not only did he make me fetch him coffee from ten blocks away and a thirty-story flight of stairs, but he even made me log into his online office and fetch him virtual coffee! Do you have an idea of what it's like to be that disrespected? And then more of the same from you whenever you got a chance. Now you get some paybacks."

"Have fun fighting a war when the other side outnumbers you 250 to 50. Once you've lost, and you get fired, you should come see me. I'm going to be a Manager over at Famco and overseeing this area. Maybe you can run that copper mine for me."

Billy put his hands over his face. "I'd rather take a knife to the gut, than work for you, Sammy."

Sammy doubled over in pain as the knife tore into his right kidney. Layla took advantage of that to stab him again on the other side with her second knife. " I think Sammy here needs to start crawling down to his new friends. Get going Sammy, only a couple of miles, just watch out for the goblins."

Sammy staggered up and started to move down the road, cursing all the way. Layla followed along to encourage him, adding small cuts as he went.

Billy was trying to consider his options. Could Vern pay the fees and get those troops to a teleporter in time? Would he?

Vernon reappeared, looking haggard. "Billy my boy. I know this will sound odd, but it looks like our communications got hacked and the scoundrels redirected those troops. I know it looks like I might have done it, but you have to trust me, I'd never hang you out to dry that way." Vernon was wringing his hands and worried, he needed to start lining up the people who would back him up. The board was going to be livid.

Billy felt disgusted but hid it as best he could. "Sure Vern. I know you'll do everything to help. How about an emergency teleport for 200 people from the tip of the continent to here? Or maybe hire an entire guild to come fight? That way you get your little village in the south, the copper mine up here, and save Sedgewick."

Vernon paled. "That's a lot of money, Billy. More than ACME has in the game. I'd have to transfer millions from the real world to another corporation that has enough gold to pay the Mage Guild fees. Teleportation isn't cheap. The board won't approve it. I'd have to use my own money!"

Billy had zero sympathy. "That's better than the board firing you for being lax with your passwords and causing us to lose Sedgewick and Gadobhra. Just do it, Vern, we don't have much time!"

"I..I...." Vernon sat down and wiped his sleeve across his sweating, pale face.

[World Wide Alert!

The Lost City of Mazqorati has been found beneath the Black Pyramid of Kraxmiroxtli !!

The Tier 1 Dungeon: Crypt of Stolen Souls has been found and claimed !!

The Tier 3 Dungeon: Palace of Kings has been found and claimed]

Vernon looked up, smiling. "Two dungeons? And a city? Outstanding. I can make that our southern headquarters and oversee things myself."

Billy jumped up and yelled. "After you teleport my troops, Vernon. I need those troops!"

[ACME corporation has earned 1000 Building points for discovering the Lost City of Mazqorati.

ACME corporation has earned 50 Building points for discovering and claiming the Tier 1 Dungeon: Crypt of Stolen Souls

ACME corporation has earned 150 Building points for discovering and claiming the Tier 3 Dungeon: Palace of KingsClaim more Building Points to enhance your Corporate Holdings by constructing more public works or taking responsibility for dangerous parts of the world.]

Vernon's eyes were gleaming. "My, that's a lot of building points. My plan worked perfectly. I knew the other corps were exploring in that direction, but we had to get there first. Famco helped us with this silly war and I fooled everyone. No one suspected our troops were secretly heading south to claim things. An ancient city with dungeons we can claim is better than one locked up by magic. I've made sure ACME comes out ahead."

Billy's voice was loaded with scorn. "Except that's not what happened."

Vernon shook his head slowly. "Billy, Billy, Billy, haven't I taught you better? If the lie makes us more money, the lie is the new truth. And it sounds so much better than 'old Uncle Vernon screwed up'. don't you think?"

"So you just hang me out to dry? That's it? I trusted you, Vernon!"

"Well, that was silly of you Billy. Trust no one in this business. But I won't leave you with nothing. You wanted to be the Regional Manager of the North? It's yours. You always tell me how clever you are and can work miracles. Well, now here's your chance. Sedgewick and this whole area is yours, and you get to run the North."

Billy spat on the ground. "If I can win this war with the odds against me 5 to 1. Otherwise, I'll be bounced out on my ass and be working for someone else."

Vernon nodded. "Welcome to Upper Management in the ACME corporation, Billy. Good luck with your war." And he logged out.

Layla walked back up the road after seeing off Sammy. She doubted he'd make it to the keep but who knows? It had been more fun not to kill him. "So, are we as screwed as I think we are?"

Billy smiled, ruefully. "I'll have you know I'm now the ACME Regional Manager for the Northern Empire region. I'm looking for a second in command."

Layla laughed. "Oh, that's rich. Sure, I'll watch your back until they hang us both. I can throw you under the bus and bat my eyes to get moved to another division. But I hate to lose to some spineless turd like Sammy. How do we get more troops?"

"Tough one. They have to be in this area, can't be contract workers, and have to voluntarily sign up. But I do have one idea. We have a little cash on hand, and I can issue quests.

[Regional Quest Alert: Stop the Evil Invaders!

Baron Billy of Sedgewick is in a bind! He needs the help of stalwart adventurers, and he needs them quick!

Head to the village of Sedgewick and join the quest to keep the Evil Invaders from taking over the town. You must arrive by start time: 1 hour 43 minutes 54 seconds to take part is this Grand Event!

Quest Duration: 10 days

Quest Rewards: An even split of: 169 Gold and all the gear worn by the Evil Invaders. Free access to The Lair of the Under-Rodent sponsored by Bludgeon Dark! for one year. Tons of experience and other special rewards! Don't miss one of the first special events to take place in the Holly Wood!

Failure: lose all your gear, waste 10 days, and get no experience.]

"We'll just hope to hell there's someone in the area that responds." As soon as Billy said that, someone did.

Hello!

I accept your Grand Quest! But we are changing things. Your plan is bad. Very bad. The worst! Next war have a lot more people on your side. My military advisor says you will be dead quickly, and the army leaderless.

Don't worry. We will win anyway. I will be your second in command and take over when you die. Add me to this quest so that I can share it with others after you die in the first charge and I take over.

We need a password! The secret password is: "Keel moose and squirrel."

It's more than one word, which is why no one will guess it's our secret password.

I demand 25% of the loot when I win. Nothing if we lose. I won't lose, but you'll lose without me.

Sincerely,

Fearless Leader

PS: Please have my loot ready for me when we win.

The story continues in The Butcher of Gadobhra 2: The Rise of Fearless Leader