Under the Sundowner Part 06
Under the Sundowner: Part 6
by Prowl-Ar Nightiger
Tye stepped out of his pod. He looked up at the fire trails of the other three pods as they fell toward him. He tapped his temple and his menu opened. He then pressed his temple again and slowly moved the activation point to his wrist. "Much better, Dad might like the headset approach but I prefer the gauntlet." He said as he checked his menu. As leader, he had a choice that the other three didn't. He pressed the options menu and then the member skills menu. He checked the member status menu before assigning an elemental designation to each of them. He gave Duo the earth attribute and Alec received air. For a moment he considered whether to give Daniel Fire but decided water would be a better choice so he kept the fire element for himself. He then opened Daniel's character avatar menu and selected personal items and tried to add ammunition. A screen suddenly flashed a red error message.
"So Dare, you've decided to make this difficult. Too bad, you forget I know all the back doors!" Tye said as he closed the options menu. He then put his finger through the a blank portion of the screen, "Open hacks file."
"This program currently has no hacks file." Scrolled across the screen.
Tye grimaced. "Open link to Shadow Runner computer, command code mre'roon."
The words "link open" appeared just as the second pod hit the ground. Tye quickly moved behind a pile of rubble before continuing his attempt to hack the games program rules. "List all icons, including hidden and locked icons."
"Sorry Dare, but I've set this program up so that you can't hack into it." A female voice said, as a small image of an otter appeared on the screen sticking out her tongue and waiving her finger back and forth in a disciplining manner.
"Computer, what is this about?" Tye asked as he stared at the screen.
"Please call me Mahan, and the reason you're having trouble is because Dare isn't the one that programmed this game. Ice created it, as a challenge for Dare. She made sure that he couldn't change the rules. After all, we know what a cheater he can be."
"Right, that means I'm going to have to do this the hard way. Can you locate the strand of code that limits the number of bullets in the game?"
"Yes, but it can't be modified." Mahan said, as the information appeared on Tye's screen.
"Not like that it can't, convert it into binary code." Tye smiled as the complex code changed into zeros and ones. "Now watch a master at work." He said, as he began isolating strands and typing in new code.
"You can actually read binary?" Mahan said in surprise.
"It isn't that big a deal, after all, you can read binary. Since I began life as a sentient computer program it is only normal that I can as well. Ah ha, there it is. I have to admit that is a really good piece of programming. I doubt that anyone else will ever be able to find it. Now I just have to set up a counter file that will give me a back door."
"You know, Ice is going to be very angry when she finds out about this."
"Who says she's going to find out? Now off you go before anyone finds out you've been helping me." Tye said as he closed the link. He re-accessed his main menu and opened the icon titled "Tye's hacks" and changed the options to allow Daniel to start with a total of 24 bullets.
* * *
Duo staggered out of his pod and immediately wished he hadn't eaten that pizza earlier as he threw up. "When I get my hands on Tye he's going to wish he'd never been born". He said, as he finally stopped heaving.
"Looky at dis! We's got a furry one dis time!"
Duo looked up at the speaker; he was wearing a rusty chain mail shirt and a pair of faded jeans. He had on one combat boot and one sandal made from a piece of rubber and string. As Duo continued to look around he quickly realized that he was surrounded by a group of thugs.
"Ay Sir, I bet dat fur be warm if'n we skin 'im." One of the thugs said, as he pulled out a sharp piece of metal.
"I'm sure it is warm, and I'm just as sure he's going to keep it." Daniel said as he cocked his pistol.
"Hah! You 'av no bang, we's not stupid." Sir said, as he slid a knife out of his pocket.
A loud bang echoed across the hills as the back of the gang leader's head exploded. "Now does anyone else want to find out if I have two bullets?" Daniel asked. The click of his re-cocking the gun echoed almost as loudly as explosion of firing the weapon. "I didn't think so. Now we're looking for someone, he calls himself Dare and we think he may have passed this way in the last week or so. Have any of you seen him?"
"Yes, yes wen dat way, to city!" The thug, that suggested skinning, Duo said pointing toward the bombed out remains of a city that could be seen in the distance.
"Thanks, now get out of here before I decide the world would be a better place without you around."
The gang scattered and ran away from the city toward a junkyard that was on the horizon.
"You do realize we could have dealt with them without you wasting a bullet don't you?" Duo asked as he stood up.
"And you would have gained more experience as well but you wouldn't have found out that Dare had passed this way." Tye said as he joined them.
"Yeah, but we could have gotten that information once we reached the city." Alec said as the started walking.
"It's possible, but then again maybe not. Oh and Daniel, I suggest you be more careful. You only have twenty three bullets left."
"Is that it?"
"You're lucky to have that many. Ordinarily you'd only start with two and you'd be lucky to find four on the entire planet. However; if you check your skills, you should find that you have other abilities."
Daniel checked his status. "Ice shot, so how does that work?"
"You have to add the modification to your gun."
"Whoa, it emptied all my bullets into my personal item area. I guess that means it doesn't waste ammo then." Daniel said as he pulled out his gun. He aimed at a can that was about fifty meters in front of them and fired. The can exploded sending shards of ice and metal flying away from them. "That will definitely come in handy when we're fighting groups of enemies."
A whistling filled the air as Alec drew back his bowstring and released. There was a loud whoosh as he released the string. Suddenly a giant hole formed in the hillside in front of them. "Air Blast." Alec said, as Duo and Daniel stared at him.
Tye pulled a sword out of his personal items and everyone stared at it. It had a hooked shape and looked like it had been designed to resemble a bird's head. "You like my hook blade?" Tye asked, as he pulled out a fan shaped blade as attached it to the end of the handle. "I call it a variable blade system. I can change the design depending on the situation. I call this configuration the hooked beak and fan tail sword." He removed the fan and pulled out a part that extended the handle by a couple of feet. Then he added a blunt rubber tip at the bottom. "And this is my phoenix ascending to heaven staff." Tye smiled and concentrated. The blade began to glow and suddenly flames began to surround it. "Oh yeah, I've really got to thank Ice for making this effect possible."
"Yeah, that's great for all of you, but my Iron Bo skill doesn't seem to do much more then change my staff from bamboo into iron." Duo said as they continued walking.
"I'm sure there's more to it then thaAAAT!" Alec yelled.
As Duo let end of the staff hit the ground they were knocked flat by a mini-quake. Duo started laughing and it wasn't long before the rest of the group joined him.
"Just imagine the impact that'll have when you hit an opponent." Alec said as they got up and dusted themselves off.
"Yeah, I'm sure that will cause quite a shake up." Daniel added.
"You could say it'll be a real earth moving experience." Tye said.
Duo braced himself and hit the ground again but nothing happened.
"You lost your concentration, that's something we all need to remember. Our weapons only have the special abilities as long as we are concentrating on them so you've got to keep a clear head during battle. Now I suggest we put our weapons away since we're approaching the town. The last thing we want to do is needlessly intimidate the people before we can try the gentle approach." Tye said as he returned his staff to his inventory.
* * *
Tye sat at a small table in what served as the town's tavern. He had thought that he'd find information about Dare in a place like this. Unfortunately all he got was dirty looks and the bartender asking for his money up front. Alec walked in the door and glanced around before joining Tye.
"Let me guess, you haven't had much luck at getting information." He said as he waived the waitress toward their table.
"Listen kid, we don't serve children here." She said, as she stalked by him.
"Nice crowd, someone needs to inform the computer that Shendrians are considered adults when they're sixteen galactic standard years old." Alec grumbled. "Anyway I think I know why they're not being very helpful, watch this." He winked and stood up. "Excuse me, could any of you perhaps help us? We're looking for a guy named Dare. He came through here a few days ago. We're bounty hunters, you see, and we'd really like to track this criminal down."
The tension that had filled the room only moments before suddenly lifted and the waitress immediately served Alec a root beer. "Sorry about that, but we all though you were with that thief. You know he came in here, chatted with all of us, barged into the back room like he owned the place, and cleaned us out. I mean, the nerve. By the time we'd recovered from the shock he had already made his escape. I don't know where he was heading but if you find him, hit him once for me."
"I sure will, Ma'am." Alec said before taking a long drink of his root beer. "Ugh, that isn't beer. Anyway, it's like that all over town. Seems our criminal mastermind barged into home after home and cleaned everyone out. Oh, and he wasn't alone. It seems he as a female accomplice. I guess most of the men thought she was totally hot while the women called her a harlot."
Tye nearly choked on his beer.
"Is there something I'm missing?"
"Dare's traveling with Icebreaker Summerrevel. Oh man, I'm glad I'm not the one that programmed this game."
"Summerrevel? I see, an otter shifter. If she returns to this town I feel sorry for the towns people."
"What are you two sitting around for?" Daniel yelled, as he stuck his head in the door. "We've got a lead on Dare's location. He left town four days ago and was headed for Kara, the next town to the west. It'll take us three days of hard traveling, but if he's taking his time we might just catch up to him!"
"Right, lets get going." Tye said as he stood up. He pulled several gold coins out of his pocket and placed them on the table. "That should buy us a bit of good will if we have to pass back through this town."
Outside they joined Daniel and Duo and headed for the road out of town. Tye pulled up his menu and saved his progress.
"What did you do that for?" Duo asked as they marched down the road.
"If we play the game at the same speed as reality then it'll take forever just traveling from place to place. This three-day trip will take us about an hour if you decide to go for the hard travel. Or we can take it easy and make it two hours."
"What's the difference, other than Dare getting a bigger lead?" Duo asked.
"At hard pace we'll face fewer, but stronger, enemies and we'll only get a break to save and replenish any lost energy once every fifteen minutes."
"And if we die?" Alec asked.
"You're out of the game until we can revive you or we reach the next town. Also any items you've picked up or won since your last save will be lost."
The trio quickly opened their player menus and saved their game.
"I'd also suggest placing any revival items in the party menu. After all, you won't be able to use them once you're dead."
With the changes complete the group set off down the road once more.
* * *
"Damn, this is harder than I thought it would be" Duo gasped, forty-five minutes later as he leaned against his staff.
"Yeah, and we're not done yet." Alec replied as he pull an energy drink from his inventory and renewed his power. "You know, this might work to restore my points but I still feel like I've been used as a punching bag."
"Who's up for calling it a day and picking up from here tomorrow?" Daniel asked as he saved his game."
"I'm all for it, unfortunately the only way to quit before we reach the next town is if we all die in battle. Then we'll either have to start over at this point immediately or quit and be forced to start out at the last town again." Tye said, as he pulled a second hook blade out of his inventory and connecting the two blades together at the bottom ends. "Besides, we should only have to fight one more battle."
"Let me guess, we'll be facing one big creature that can knock the crap out of us with a single blow." Duo said, as he checked his power points to make sure he could activate his Iron Bo technique.
"Well, that has been the progression. We fought four enemies the first time and then three and two so it only follows that we'll face one boss monster this time." Tye said, as he stretched and sliced his new weapon configuration through the air to get the feel of it.
Alec sighed and lifted his bow. "Well then, bring it on. The sooner we defeat it or we're defeated the sooner I can go and take a nice long nap."
The group nodded to each other and started down the road once again. Within seconds they found their way blocked by a giant spider. It was a sickly green with orange markings and yellow poison dripping from its fangs.
"Stand back, I'll take care of this thing." Daniel said, as he fired three ice blasts at the Arachni.
The first shot hit one of the creature's eight legs, which froze and broke off. The second hit one of the beast's eyes and the third clipped one of its fangs. The Arachni hissed and charged at Daniel.
"Shit!" He yelled, as he dived to the side, pulled out his sword, and slashed at the creature hoping to keep it back.
The Arachni continued lunging forward trying to sink its fangs into Daniel. Suddenly it was knocked end over end as a blast of wind hit it from behind. Daniel rolled to his feet and dashed toward the Arachni hoping to slash it while it was disoriented. He'd nearly made it when the creature exploded showering the group in a grisly fountain.
"That wasn't exactly what I had in mind." Duo said, as he wiped a fleshy bit off his muzzle. "But it worked. Oh, and I call dibs on the shower. I really don't want this smell sinking into my fur."
"That was actually rather easy." Tye said, as suddenly two fangs sprouted from his chest. He looked down in shock. "Ouch." He said, as he slid off the second Arachni's fangs and fell forward.
"Alec, hit that thing with a wind blast! Duo same tactic as the last one!" Daniel yelled, as he quickly shoved a round into his pistol.
The Air Blast hit the Arachni, but it had braced itself and then lunged toward Alec. Tye raised his hooked blade and caught the beast's abdomen ripping it open before he disappeared.
Duo's blow hit the dying Arachni in the head blowing it apart as Daniel pulled out a resurrection draught and called out Tye's name. Tye appeared as the crystal vial shattered.
"That wasn't very smart." Tye said, as he rubbed his chest. "With the battle over I would have regenerated when you entered the town."
"Yeah, but then you wouldn't have received any experience points. That wouldn't be fair since you did help in killing that thing." Duo said, as he cleaned off the end of his staff.
"It is over right?" Alec asked, as he kept looking around for another ambush. "Thank God this is only a game. I'd never get to sleep if those things were real. As it is I'm sure I'm going to have nightmares for weeks."
"Their proper name is Arachni, and they are very real. In fact they used to be popular mounts for jungle expeditions." Tye said, as he headed into town.
"We didn't need to know that." Daniel said shaking his head. "And I agree with Alec, I'm going to be having nightmares. I don't know how you can be so calm after having poison fangs thrust through your chest like that."
"I guess I've just had a lot more experience with VR games. In my first game Prowler actually had to kill me in order to beat the game. Once you've been killed and then resurrected in a game you sort of get used to it."
"If you say so." Duo said, as he gave Alec and Daniel a look that told them he though Tye was crazy.
"Right, first stop will be the Inn."
"Hey, I've got a new ability!" Alec yelled, as he opened his menu to put his bow away. "Breath of Life. It must be a revival spell. I guess that means we won't have to waste revival potions any more."
"I like the sound of my new ability. Now I have the option of Invulnerability." Duo said.
"It seems like I got screwed, my new ability is Holy Water." Daniel said, as he pushed open the door to the Inn.
"Considering everyone else's abilities, I'm betting that is a cure spell." Tye said, as he approached the main desk.
"Good evening gentlemen, how can I help you?" The curator asked.
"We'd like a room for the night."
"Just one room for the four of you?"
"That's right. We're used to sleeping in the rough and we really haven't the money to spare."
"Very well, that'll be a hundred gold pieces."
Tye counted out the gold and the man pointed up the stairs. "First door on the left. The facilities are at the end of the hall. You're expected to pay extra for the use of the shower." He said as he looked at Duo.
Tye dropped another fifty gold coins on the desk and then they headed up the stairs.
"So, what is your new skill?" Alec asked, as Tye opened his menu.
"I haven't earned one yet. It seems the fire element requires more use before a new ability is granted. Now everyone save their game."
They saved and Tye opened the door to the room. However, instead of a room the door opened on the hall outside the VR chamber. As they stepped out the muck and grime disappeared but they were still sweaty and exhausted.
"I get the shower after Duo." Alec said, as he and Duo stumbled down the hall.
"So, shall we flip a credit chip to see who gets it after Alec?" Daniel asked Tye.
"No, you go ahead. I'm going to contact whoever's on duty aboard the Shadow Runner and see if there's any new information on the search for Prowler."
"You're worried about your Dad aren't you?"
"Yeah I ... How long have you known?"
"I knew right after you said that Prowler had to kill you in the VR chamber. I have a copy of Prowler's log. Even though it's heavily edited, I remember the story of your creation. Don't worry, I won't tell the others. I know how hard it can be. I just wish-"
"Don't. I know your life hasn't been easy, but at least you grew up with a father. I'm really just getting to know Prowler, and now he's gone." Tye said, as he keyed in the code to his room.
"Don't worry, like you said, Lord Lightstripe has survived the worst the galaxy has to offer. I'm sure he'll be back soon. Especially considering the people he has praying for him. Now I suggest we all get some rest. Otherwise we'll never catch up to Dare and make him pay for robbing those poor towns people." Daniel said, as he smiled and headed for his room.
Tye watched him for a moment before closing his door and flopping on the bed. "So now one of them knows. Not only that I'm Prowler's second son, but that I was created in the VR chamber and later transferred into a physical body cloned from Trace's DNA."
"Well, you knew you couldn't keep it a secret from them forever." Mahan's voice echoed from the computer headset on the nightstand.
"I know, but I was hoping they wouldn't find out until after they met with Prowler. So is there any news?"
"If there had been, I would have immediately informed you even if it meant interrupting the game. Now I suggest you get some rest. You'll need it if you actually plan on catching up to Dare."
"Speaking of whom, Dare has the fire element doesn't he?"
"Just a moment. Yes, his character has been assigned with that element."
"That explains why the others have advanced and I haven't yet. I guess that just means I'm going to have to try harder."
"I should hope so. You've been well trained and yet you still got killed in the first round of battles. I should think that you would have done better."
"Oh shut up. I'd like to see you do better."
"I'm sorry but you can't now that you're playing the game."
"What?" Tye said, as he sat up and pulled on the headset.
"That's right, I've joined Ice and Dare's group. As far as they're concerned I'm just a computer generated character that's helping them with their mission."
"So you're playing the game as well? Great, now I can get hints on how to proceed."
"Sorry, I've already said to much. I wouldn't want you catching us now would I?"
"Hey that's not fair that you can watch us."
"Don't worry, I can't make any group choices since I'm not officially a party character."
"I still say it isn't fair." Tye said as he flopped back down.
"Hey, at least you know about me. If you do catch up there's a chance I'll be able to switch sides."
"I guess that's something at least." Tye said, as he shut off the headset to close the link.