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THE “HOTEL ROOM” was just a capsule around nine feet by six that closed with a metal curtain. But it was very tall for some reason. I never could have reached the ceiling even by jumping. I didn’t know what race these strange dimensions were made for. Perhaps the Miyelonians simply took the maximum sizes of various races — the height of a Geckho, the length of a Trillian, the diameter of a Meleyephatian spider’s huge abdomen — and calculated the minimum size of a room that could fit any of them.
And there was no hint of furniture. The springy soft floor was made of a soft synthetic, but couldn’t be considered a true bed, while the only other thing in the room was a single ceiling light. Well, there was also a ventilation crack in one of the walls. What was more, I could adjust the power of the fan, but not the air temperature. And that was quite hot, so the room quickly became stuffy. I just closed the ventilation. Mhm... Honestly, I was upset. I mean, for thirty-two crypto I was expecting something more comfortable.
But my companion was expecting these truly spartan conditions. Fox immediately changed to an anthropomorphic fox when I closed the curtain, and her clearly female body had all the tempting curves and intimate details you’d expect. When I noted her provocative appearance and lack of clothing, she remarked that she was just following my fantasies and desires, and not intentionally changing anything.
“Morphians can use clothes, but they seriously complicate our shapeshifting. We can also imitate clothing...” In just five seconds, a camouflage body-armor jacket just like mine appeared over Fox’s fur, along with pants and army boots. “Is this better? Your reaction is telling me no,” the space fox turned back to her naked form. “Anyway, I’m afraid I have to disappoint you, Gerd Gnat. This is only my appearance, so there’s no need to feel ashamed, blush or stare. I don’t have any female anatomy, so we cannot be intimate.”
“I wasn’t even thinking of it! It’s just hot in here. That’s why I’m all red,” I said in embarrassment, making the fox give a happy laugh:
“Who are you trying to fool, Gerd Gnat? Did you forget I can sense emotions? But what do I care? Stare at me all you want, if I tickle your fancy. I’m so exhausted I’m passing out. I really need to sleep.”
Just like an animal, Fox curled into a circle, wrapping herself with her luxuriant tail, closed her eyes and went quiet. I just sat in the other corner of the room and tried to figure out if my companion had really fallen asleep or was just pretending.
The only advantage of this hotel room was that it was a green zone so, after selecting Exit Game in the menu, Gnat would disappear in thirty seconds. That wasn’t long at first glance, but it was more than enough to clean out my inventory and slink off without a trace. With such an unusual and suspicious roommate, whose true motives I did not understand, I had to bear that in mind. Finally, I made up my mind and quit.
Again, someone was there to meet me and help me up. But like last time, I didn’t want to climb out of the virt pod and tell the leadership about my awkward situation just yet. There was no news from Dmitry Zheltov, which was strange and put me on guard. I just wanted the copilot to leave the game for a minute and tell me what happened to the Shiamiru! What could be easier? If he hadn’t been able, Dmitry must have been in trouble.
Anyhow, I wasn’t upset and tried to use a different method. I had them tell Ivan Lozovsky to ask Kosta Dykhsh where Earth was located in the game. After all, our suzerains’ Diplomat probably knew where he’d been sent and could share that information and more.
I also remembered too late that I hadn’t sent my friend list to the receptionist. So I got to work composing it, then invited them all to my housewarming party, which I even scheduled for nine PM today. It was now just after eight in the morning, so I still had plenty of time. I finished all my urgent business and reentered the game that bends reality.
Fox was still lying there balled up and pretending to sleep, but I noticed that the body of the anthropomorphic fox was in a slightly different place. My heart seized, and I checked my inventory, but everything was where I left it. Nothing had disappeared. So, had she dug through my stuff or not? I didn’t wake the Morphian up to interrogate her, especially given that I’d never manage to test whether she was answering truthfully. So, setting my jacket on the fairly soft but perhaps somewhat dirty floor of the hotel capsule, I laid down more comfortably and decided to get some good sleep like my roommate.
Danger Sense skill increased to level twenty-three!
You have reached level forty-six!
You have received three skill points! (total points accumulated: nine)
I was awoken sharply, as if a tub of ice water had been poured on my head. I was breathing rapidly, and my heart was pounding in my chest. What just woke me up? And where was I? There was darkness all around. I realized almost immediately that I was still in the space station hotel capsule, and that it had been less than an hour since I entered the game. But why was it so dark?
Trying not to make any sudden movements, I cracked open an eye and took a look around. The light on the ceiling was flickering dully, as if someone had turned the dimmer down to its absolute lowest point. But that ghostly illumination was enough for me to see that Fox was not sleeping and was even sitting up. The huge furry shadow suddenly took a couple careful steps and loomed over me. I saw a pair of burning red predatory eyes and sharp teeth, clearly larger than before.
Successful Perception check.
Eagle Eye skill increased to level forty-eight!
Also, at that tense moment, I realized distinctly what had triggered Danger Sense in the cafe earlier. It was the hungry Morphian in the dark back area, keeping watch for a foolhardy lone traveler. If I hadn’t reached for my weapon then, showing that I was prepared to resist, then fed the predator, it would be hard to say how our encounter might have ended.
To my surprise, I felt no fear, but I was annoyed that I had been awoken so rudely. I was also simmering in annoyance at the fact that I might have to use my last ball of paralyzing poison. Maybe, I’d at least be able to cut off a fox tail as compensation... Plus, a trophy would let me see her level. The Morphian froze stock still and looked at me. I could sense with my skin that that she was feeling doubts. Fox clearly understood her victim had awoken and was prepared to resist, so she wouldn’t have the element of surprise. Maybe I’d be able to avoid a conflict.
“Fox, if you want grub, take the dry rations in my backpack. But you really could just wait it out. We can go down into the cafe together in a bit and have breakfast.” I said, casually slipping away from the dangerous beast, as if a set of razor-sharp teeth over my throat was not sufficient cause to disturb my slumber.
Yes, my behavior may have seemed illogical and even thoughtless, but I could sense it was the right move. If the Morphian really was planning to attack me in my sleep from the very beginning, she’d have done it as soon as the chance presented itself. When I exited the game for example. But she hesitated, spending a long time staring at my motionless figure thus allowing me to sense the danger.
“Easy for you to say,” the fox snarled in a dismayed tone, nevertheless walking to the far end of the capsule and lying back down. “Gnat, you really have no idea how much energy all these transformations take! You can’t even imagine what it’s like to be a Morphian. We’re constantly being tracked, forced to hide and change shape. We can’t stay anywhere for long...”
You have reached level forty-seven!
You have received three skill points! (total points accumulated: twelve)
I didn’t know what just happened. But it was clearly something important because the game algorithms rewarded me with a vast amount of experience, enough even to level up again. At the same time, my sense of fear had totally dissipated. I realized that Fox still needed me for some reason and wouldn’t hurt me.
“Yes, I don’t comprehend all the tribulations of a Morphian’s life,” I agreed, answering my fluffy companion’s stirring monolog. “But I do have some idea what it’s like to be alone in space who knows how many parsecs from home, not knowing the local language or customs, and almost without hope to return to my kind...”
Fox spent a long time lying in silence. I could only hear the space fox breathing measuredly. But then, she suddenly spoke:
“Gerd Gnat, I really need to get out of the space port zone to the main station, but there is strict monitoring at the border so, without documents, even a Morphian cannot slip through. And you need to go there too. All the Free Captains live on the station, and if anyone can help you get back to your people, it is them. As your pet, I could pass through with you. There, I can help you talk with the captains, then our paths will diverge, and I will disappear among the hundreds of thousands of locals. For now, I do not know how to organize a meeting with the Free Captains, but I’ll definitely think of something. So, go to sleep. Tomorrow is an important day for both of us.”
* * *
MY DREAMS WERE all over the place and hard to understand. It was like I was back to the simple life, studying at the Geology department, without any online tournaments, betting, prize money or underground Dome. With a bunch of students, I walked through the endless corridors of the Main Building of Moscow State University. All around me, there flickered a procession of unavailable girls, former classmates, mere acquaintances and others I had seen just in passing. The dream wasn’t purely erotic, but some of the girls were partially or even entirely naked. I never interacted with them, though, and was just hurrying down the hall accompanied by their ambivalent or intrigued gazes.
Despite the wild dream, I awoke feeling totally rested and first glanced at the countdown timer. I had forty-two hours left on the pirate station, then I would be declared a criminal. I tried to turn and stand up... and it seemed that my dream still wasn’t over. Next to me, her whole body snuggled up close and her right knee over my thigh, there was a girl sleeping in a light semi-transparent peignoir. She had a pretty face, long disheveled red hair, and a silver fox medallion sticking out under her clothes. I was generally pretty quick on my feet, but this had me flummoxed. Only the fox medallion helped me realize this was not just some stranger.
As soon as I guessed it, Fox opened an eye and started smiling:
“You were just a fountain of vibrant images in your sleep. I couldn’t pin down just one. But how do you like this?”
I had to admit, I was blown away. The redheaded beauty next to me now was identical to a real human girl. I slowly extended a hand and carefully touched her shoulder with the tips of my fingers. But I immediately removed them, not hiding a disappointed sigh. To the touch, Fox was more reminiscent of the springy floor covering of our hotel box than a warm-blooded living creature.
“Well, Gerd Gnat, I warned you. This is just an appearance. I considered it necessary to practice so that, if need be, I can imitate a member of your race. After all, if there are any negotiations with the Miyelonians, it would look very strange to have a wild animal as a translator. But before we go anywhere, explain precisely what you want from the Free Captains. I already know that you are completely alone and very far from home. Do you want to go back? And where did you get the Relict artifacts and all that platinum?”
So, Fox was digging through my inventory after all... I checked my backpack and discovered that everything was there except two briquettes of dried rations. The Morphian took my suggestion and had a bite while I was asleep. I didn’t get mad. I had given permission.
Skipping over particularly delicate aspects like stealing the automatic processor or using geological analyzers to escape the locked hangar, I told Fox about my journey with the Geckho crew, discovering large platinum deposits and the misadventures on the station. I didn’t hide the difficulties with documents or what happened with the Gladiator and Thief, either. The redheaded girl sat and listened extremely carefully, then said thoughtfully:
“You really stepped in it, Gerd Gnat... From what I know of Miyelonian customs, they never rest until they get revenge. Now, the Pride of the Comet’s Tail, and the Pride of the Heavenly Warrior will be searching everywhere to kill you time and again until you apologize or pay a penalty for insulting them.”
“Come on! After the scuffle with the Gladiator, I met a Miyelonian translator from the Pride of the Comet’s Tail, and she reacted just fine to the trophy on my helmet! And lots of Miyelonians watched me punish that little thief. None of them seemed to mind. So, forget those fears. Let’s go get you some food. Although... wait a second. I need to leave the game to see if there’s been any news.”
* * *
THERE HAD STILL been no word from Dmitry Zheltov, and that meant my friend must have run into a very serious issue. But there was news from Ivan Lozovsky, and what news it was! A First Legion soldier, clearly bewildered, handed me a landscape-oriented paper with a continuous complicated line and told me:
“Our diplomat said this was important. I hope you can make heads or tails of it. To my eye, it’s pure nonsense. A child’s scribble.”
I didn’t merely understand the message, I was ready to jump for joy:
“Ar constellation. Sector 5. Vector 45 -98. Jump distance: 234 units. Third planet from the sun. Space port node coordinates: 57-478. Our Capital node: 57-475. But if they are, let’s say, not entirely legal traders, better have them land outside our territory. Confirm the deal, and we’ll prepare a shipment and bring it to a safe landing site.”
Apparently, the leadership thought I was still on their mission and had already found buyers for their platinum who were willing to circumvent the official space port. I didn’t give a spoken message back to Ivan Lozovsky and disappoint the diplomat. But I did ask for a pen or pencil and, on the back side of the paper, invited him to my housewarming party in Geckho, promising to tell him all the details.
Now, I needed to memorize the numbers and coordinates. And I needed to make sure I had it dead on, because whether or not I’d make it home depended on getting this right. I read the text a few times, then repeated it by rote and checked. No errors! Now, quickly into the game to write it down in my diary so I could be sure not to forget or lose this invaluable information!
As soon as I stored the note in the virtual world, the game reacted with an improvement in Cartography:
Cartography skill increased to level forty-six!
Great! Now, before leaving the safe hotel capsule, I should spend up my free skill points. I had a whole twelve. I placed seven into Astrolinguistics, raising it right to fifty-five. I was very interested in the skill requirement at that level for reading the thoughts of aliens. Now, I just had to take the Psionic skill after my character reached level fifty, and that was no longer so far-off. Then, Gnat would be able to read all kinds of thoughts! Mega cool!!! The most obvious application was exposing Dark Faction agents along with other unreliable players and those inclined to working for the enemy, which would immediately make life easier for the H3 Faction.
But as for spending the five remaining points, I thought for a long time and, in the end, all five went into Sharpshooter, raising that handy combat skill to twenty-seven. Alright, now I was ready for new adventures! After I unlocked the door, Fox the fox, already waiting at the door and clearly hungry, said in admonishment:
“Be careful now! If Miyelonians have taken an interest in you, they probably already know where you’re staying. So, there might be enemies waiting for you right next to the capsule!”
I used Scanning but didn’t detect anything dangerous. Still, just in case, I equipped my Pulse Rifle and waited anxiously for the metal blinds to raise very, very slowly. And when they were open, I took a look down the empty hotel corridor. I shook my head in reproach, called Fox a coward and alarmist, then headed for the exit.
However, Fox knew Miyelonian society much better than me, and I really should not have been mocking my companion. We didn’t even manage to make it out of the hotel before it happened. I had to admit, I made a big mistake. At first, I blinked through the attack. I only saw a fast-moving shadow flicker by to my right but didn’t manage to react or even register it. My Danger Sense kicked in, but it was too late. I grabbed for my weapon but didn’t know how to help. I just stood there like an idiot and watched Fox bite a furry gray figure by the throat as it thrashed, flailing with flashing blades in a vain attempt to strike the Morphian.
You have reached level forty-eight!
You have received three skill points!
I didn’t take any part in the uncompromising battle, so I was surprised to get experience. Fox had enlisted herself as my pet, so technically the algorithms were doing the right thing. What difference did it make how you killed an enemy? An animal sicced on an opponent is a weapon just like a blade or blaster, even though the pet also took a share of the experience unlike a rifle or axe. So, who did “my pet and I” just take down?
Only when the toothy fox had unclenched her bloodied fangs and dropped the breathless body at my feet could I see that the remains belonged to a Miyelonian by the name of Ayuk Ukh Miiyauu from the Pride of the Heavenly Warrior, a level-76 Assassin.
Pride of the Heavenly Warrior? I was reminded that the little thief I’d punished was from that very clan. Was this revenge for shooting an underage pickpocket with my Pulse Rifle? Seriously? And actually, there he was. I noticed the level-17 Miyelonian thief watching me from a balcony. Realizing he’d been spotted, the little thief Tini Wi-Mauya hurried to hide.
“Too bad no items dropped. Just the body. You can take the tail, but the rest is mine,” the hungry Morphian said. I didn’t argue.
Tail of Ayuk Ukh Miiyauu, Level-76 Assassin (trophy)
Fame increased to 39.
Authority increased to 3!
While I attached a second tail to my helmet, I tried to stand with my back to the ghastly feast and ignore the disgusting crunching and chomping behind my back. But it was no small feat to abstract myself from all that. For some reason, it got to me on the deepest level. Maybe it was because I noticed only yesterday that Miyelonian blood was the same red as mine, and that their body structure was quite similar as well. So, there was a primordial disgust in knowing someone was eating a humanlike corpse. I was grossed out to even be nearby, which was to say nothing of watching. I would just be vomiting if I was watching.
“Alright, that’s it, I’ve had my fill!” Fox clearly could sense the whole bouquet of my emotions.
I turned cautiously, expecting to see bones picked clean or streaks of blood on the walls and even ceiling. However, there was nothing of the sort. The only reminder of the bloody meal was a damp spot where the body had just been. There were no remains, nor traces of blood. The Morphian hadn’t left a thing. A foolish thought came to mind that Fox had devoured the Miyelonian together with his clothes and shoes. But I immediately corrected myself. No objects had dropped as loot, so there wouldn’t have been any footwear for the space fox to chew through.
“Gerd Gnat, I no longer require feeding. I’ve had my fill. And you, as far as I understand, will be fighting back disgust for a while before your appetite comes back. So let’s not waste any time and make straight for the passage to the main station.”
I looked again at the wet spot, all that was left of the Miyelonian killer. I glanced dubiously at the fox licking her lips in satisfaction. Her body hadn’t even changed although she’d just swallowed a victim the same size as her. Was I bringing a living terror into this space station, and thus becoming the unwilling coauthor of a ghastly and bloody page in its most recent history?
“I think I’m starting to understand why you want to reach the main station! After all, thousands and thousands of creatures live there, and it’s a huge area, where a Morphian could live for years, eating only reckless victims as it changes bodies and slips away!”
I felt as if my heart froze in my chest for a few seconds, like a set of icy fingers reached out and touched it. However, the wave of alarm and fear brought on by Danger Sense quickly passed. Fox then, just like a person, turned her head and commented on my accusations:
“Gerd Gnat, what you described would only fit an unintelligent NPC animal. The mind of a Morphian contains somewhat greater dreams and aspirations than simply filling one’s belly.”
