Planet Meesach was a mess. The Ravenous Spiker outbreak had resulted in the mass culling of the population. Every day since the outbreak began, the Spikers gained territory. Resulting in entire cities being abandoned to the beasts, to be converted into nebulous hives of organically woven threads.
But, despite all the tragedy that had befallen the people, and the ongoing struggle to hold on to land that had always been theirs, life continued. Recreation had always been a way to relieve oneself of the stresses of life and, in an era where monsters could eat you, entertainment had found renewed priority. Of course, those fighting on the front lines held some resentment for the frivolous behavior of those they were defending with their lives. But, people still danced as though they may never get the opportunity again.
Wu Lan entered the illustrious Night Regent nightclub. The environment was set with mood lighting and the walls were lined with smooth fabrics that absorbed the constant beating of rhythmic music. The entryway opened to a hall with alien tapestries, depicting popular art of the planet. And, as she broke out into the main room of the Night Regent, she saw many bodies dancing before a stage where a band played with both familiar and unfamiliar instruments.
The music was a balance of melodic and hypnotic pounding, with a female vocalist singing a song of release and rapture. On the floor, the myriad races of Meesach waved their arms and banged their heads. Some embraced one another as though this were the last time they'd be together.
Wu Lan observed all that was happening around her with a smile on her face. The environment was so unlike what she was used to in the game Cosmos. She had spent so much of her time hunting monsters, completing quests, and even flying on spaceships. But, the settings had never been so human as they were right now. Even if they were AI-run programs, the NPCs had simulated lives and needs just like the players did in the real world.
A long bar filled with a vast array of alien beverages had illumination that the rest of the room lacked. The customers hounded the few tenders as credits flowed to match the booze being served.
Wu Lan approached the counter and found a stool to sit on. From her position, she watched the illuminated stage where the vocalist and her band performed. She felt that this music could compete with most of the conventional music playing on the radio in the real world. Although, it was distinctly foreign in a way she couldn't quite identify.
While she enjoyed the ambiance of the room for a while, she caught sight of a familiar face entering the club.
Dancing Dagger, a player she knew through the NPC she favored, Koll Luna, was making his way through the dance floor. As she watched him, their eyes met and the charismatic blonde man smiled a smile that would enchant most women. Wu Lan smiled back and waved for him to come over.
The player approached the bar and found himself standing before the seated Wu Lan.
"Hey," he said with familiarity.
She smiled, "I didn't take you for one to explore this side of Meesach."
He looked at her oddly for a moment, "Are you here for the club itself?"
Wu Lan shared his confusion. "Yeah."
Thinking for a moment, she felt a sly smile come over her face.
"But, I think you've come for another reason. Do tell."
Dancing Dagger looked away for a moment as if deciding whether or not he wanted to share his secret.
"Have you heard of the Origin Seekers?"
She shook her head.
"They're an organization behind some nefarious things on Meesach. I'm investigating them."
Wu Lan thought for a moment, "You think they're behind the Spikers."
The man grimaced, "Yeah."
She smiled triumphantly, "I'm in. What do we do now?"
He sighed and said, "I'm looking for an information broker. Any idea where to start?"
Looking back to the bar, Wu Lan pointed to one of the bartenders. "I think we should ask her."
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Dancing Dagger cocked his head to the side and examined the female bartender. The woman looked human, for the most part. But, had more angular facial features and pointed ears. Most of the Meesachians were human in appearance. However, many alien races, largely humanoid, lived and worked on the planet.
The charismatic blonde man nodded and waved the NPC over.
Wu Lan observed as the player interacted with the bartender.
"Hi," he said through his handsome smile. "I was hoping to ask a question of you."
The tender looked unimpressed.
"I have a question too, what are you drinking?"
Wu Lan chuckled as Dancing Dagger's expression soured.
"I'll have whatever you recommend."
The woman, with her angular features, thought for a moment before saying, "How about an Aldiri Martini?"
Dancing Dagger grimaced. "Sure."
"That'll be 200 credits."
Now, the blonde man's eyes bulged. "200? For a drink?"
A mirthless smile came over the woman's face.
"Do you want the drink or not?"
Wu Lan watched with sympathy as the player paid the exorbitant fee. 200 credits would be enough to repair all of one's gear from 0% to 100% and still have some left over to buy a few of Koll's portable shield generators.
The woman prepared the Aldiri Martini for Dancing Dagger and lingered while he sipped with disgust at his drink.
"What questions do you have? The drink only buys you 2."
The man set his drink down and looked at Wu Lan.
"I only really know that the Origin Seekers are recruiting the populace of Meesach for something. I don't know much else," he confessed.
Wu Lan looked from the blonde player to the NPC before asking, "Where are the Origin Seekers looking for recruits?"
The bartender examined her before looking at Dancing Dagger, "You can find them handing out fliers in the park. They're out there every day."
She looked back to the other customers waiting for her to take their orders, "You've got one more question, be quick about it."
Dancing Dagger thought for a moment before asking, "How many members does the organization have?"
The woman chuckled, "How would I know that?"
She thought for a moment before saying, "With all the recruiting they're doing, it's gotta be atleast a hundred thousand."
Wu Lan and Dancing Dagger felt shocked by the number. How had an organization of this size gone unnoticed? Then again, the 1,200 players who'd joined Koll Luna on Juniper Station were mostly content to grind the Ravenous Spikers afield.
"Anyways," the alien woman said finally. "Good luck. I don't know why you're chasing the Origin Seekers. But, they're pretty shady. Don't get roped into their nonsense. For your own good."
With that, the bartender moved down the bar to tend to her other customers.
Wu Lan looked to her companion, "Should we go search?"
Dancing Dagger nodded before inviting her into his party.
The pair left the Night Regent to find a bright world in such contrast with the club. Even in the early afternoon, the Meesachian people were partying. The rest of the world turned while they were off in their little corners distracting themselves.
Wu Lan led the way to the teleportation array node, her excitement for a new mystery growing. Meanwhile, Dancing Dagger was caught up in thought.
Soon, the pair comes out of the array with a glowing blue light. The park is an idyllic environment of tall trees with green leaves, pristine lawns, and ponds; all interwoven with concrete paths.
The pair begins searching and it isn't long before they find a man and woman, both wearing lab coats over their shirts and pants. The pair are busy soliciting the attention of passerby, who seem quite uninterested in their message.
Wu Lan walks up to the pair with a smile on her face.
"Greetings, young lady," the man says with a pleasant look on his face. "Are you interested in following the path of Origin?"
Wu Lan nods, "Yes. I've heard so much about Origin," she lies. "I was hoping to learn more from you."
The man looks pleased, "Of course. If you'll allow me, I'd like to share our message."
Wu Lan nods while Dancing Dagger comes up to join the lecture.
"We, the Origin Seekers, believe that all paths have an origin. A point from which everything is possible. But, not all paths are the right way. And Meesach has fallen away from its proper course.
"The world government has opened our sacred planet to aliens. Impure bloodlines have grown as a result of this….wrong course."
Wu Lan and Dancing Dagger share a look while the man continues.
"Our natural world has been polluted with improperly designed cities. We, of Origin, will bring order to these haphazardly raised dwelling places.
"And the divisive nature of our civilization is the cause of all these dilemmas. Only through scientific rule can order be brought to Meesach. Empiricism and objectivism will banish the darkness of mob rule.
"Origin is the path to perfecting Meesachian bloodlines, creating ideal dwelling and working conditions for the chosen, and generating a unity of purpose for our people.
"Will you join our noble path of Origin?"
The man, and the woman to his side, look expectantly at the pair of players.
Wu Lan can't help but feel horrified by the racist objective, that seems to imply eugenics, and the aspiration to enforce a dictatorship of scientific dogma.
Dancing Dagger, for his part, is unsurprised by the aspirations and merely nods his head.
"Yes," the blonde man says. "I would like to follow the path of Origin."
Wu Lan looks at him reproachfully before sighing.
"Yes," she says. "I would also like to follow the path of Origin."
The pair of lab coat-wearing proselytizers smile before handing them pamphlets explaining everything they need to know about the Origin Seekers.
"When you're ready," the man says. "We will take you to the compound. We hope that you will be ready soon."
Wu Lan smiles a strained smile before saying, "That sounds great."
She looks to Dancing Dagger, "Are we ready?"
The man looks around at the peaceful park. This whole situation seems potentially very dangerous.
He examines Wu Lan, her anxiety notable.
"Yeah," he says to the man. "We're ready."
With an odd light of fanaticism in his eyes, the man says, "Welcome to the Origin Seekers."