Chapter 1

The gamer didn’t know what kind of game he would get.

Anything is fine, as long as it’s not boring, he thought to himself. I want lots to explore. Secrets to discover and loot to find.

He found himself on a platform in outer space, surrounded by stars. The L33T C0RP logo glowed under his feet. He reached out and touched something solid and clear, like glass, but totally invisible. Clearly he was on some kind of enclosed observation deck. He looked out at the distant stars.

Wonder if I’ll get to fly around out there. That would be cool.

“Sorry I kept you waiting,” a voice said from behind him. He turned around and saw a tall man in a white suit and sunglasses.

“It’s fine,” the gamer replied. “I like looking at the stars. Although my teachers call it staring off into space.” He snorted at his own joke, but the man didn’t even smile.

“You can call me the Game Runner,” he said. “I’m here to debrief you about the game.”

“I can see it’s set in outer space,” the gamer said.

“Yes, it is. In this game, you are a member of a small crew of space explorers who have been captured by a hostile Orionan crew—”

“Because they’re from Orion?”

“Exactly. We’re in a three-star system that’s part of the Orion constellation.” As the Game Runner went on explaining the game, the gamer got restless.

He shifted his weight from one foot to the other. When do I get to play? If I liked sitting through lectures I’d be better at school.

“You will be accompanied by Spec,” the Game Runner was saying, “an NPC who can relay information about your surroundings and give advice. Do you know what an NPC is?”

“Yeah, a non-player character,” the gamer answered. “But I don’t like helpers in a game. Can I disable it?”

The Game Runner frowned for a moment. “I’m afraid that’s not an option.”

“Those characters always annoy me,” the gamer complained. “They pop up every five seconds and tell you what to do. Like it’s not obvious.”

The Game Runner bristled. “You’re here to beta-test the game, not review it,” he said sternly. “Now, why don’t you pick your gamertag?”

“Solo_Lobo,” the gamer answered immediately, crossing his arms. “Solo, underscore, Lobo.”

“Solo lobo,” the Game Runner repeated back in a suddenly computerized voice. “Spanish translation for ‘single wolf.’ ”

“What?” the gamer said with a frown. “No—it was supposed to be ‘lone wolf’ . . . Ugh, never mind. It’s close enough.”

The Game Runner stared at him with a blank face, and for a moment the gamer wondered if this guy was an NPC himself.

“Very well,” the Game Runner said eventually. “Do you want me to repeat any part of my instructions? Do you understand your objective?”

“Sure. Pop some aliens and escape the station.” One thing I can do is fake like I’ve been paying attention, he thought. Learned that from years of school.

The Game Runner added, “There are alien guards throughout the game, and if you are careless they will capture you. The third time you are captured, you will fail in your mission and be a permanent prisoner in this world. Do you still accept the assignment?”

“Yep,” he said.

“Buena suerte, Señor Lobo.” The Game Runner waved a hand and the gamer was plunged into darkness.

Lobo saw lit-up graphics to his left and right. The one on the left said Prologue and the one on the right said play game.

It was an easy choice. I hate sitting through prologues. I want to play a game, not watch a movie.

He moved toward the play game sign.