System Break

There was the sound of air jetting from a few small pipes and the poly lid of the pod rose slowly. The dark hair of the man sitting up matched his expression. The director's eyes blazed as he banged his knee on the side while extricating himself too quickly.

He stormed over to his desk and hit his keyboard. "Shi, get up here now." He checked the time and swore.

He smashed the red key on his keyboard this time. "Shi, are you in conference room one?"

The director quickly dressed in a smart suit and stalked out of his office. His mood did not improve with the long walk to the largest conference room.

He looked at his PA. "The final candidates are here?" he asked, and she nodded. He grumbled something about a tournament and pushed his way in.

Technician Shi and his second were already seated. They were reviewing data on tables with the ten candidates stood at the far end. The head of research paced along their line. When he spied Director Buxiu he nodded.

"Don't worry director, I'll make the selections and send them to you."

Buxiu shook his head. "No. I want the last say. I need men who can fight."

The head of research frowned. "No, we need subjects who have high qi-counts. This is proven to be the best indicator of success. These ten are selected from ten million samples."

The director ignored the researcher and pointed at the first candidate. "Tell me your martial combat experience and when you're done, we'll go down the line."

"Director," the researcher said. "I must protest. These subjects are repayment for me losing subject eleven."

Buxiu spat. "He's still causing me problems. Look, I can help in game and have the best of them trained by the city's protectors. I've gained enough influence with the locals."

The researcher raised an eyebrow. "This did not work well for the military."

The director shook his head vigorously. "Of course not. They were given to some dark race to train. The protectors of Loctris are the best on the island and they are human. Like us."

The researcher's eyes narrowed. "Why does this matter?"

The director's arms flew into the air. "Of course it matters." He glared at the researcher. "Let me review their history. I might veto one or two and then you can pick the five from them."

The researcher sighed. "Fine."

"Shi," the director said and held out his hand for a tablet. Shi tapped a few buttons and handed one across to the surly man. The director read and swiped through each of the applicants. When he got to one he didn't like, he pointed and said, "Out."

Then he grumbled something about nerds. There were three women in the group, and he kicked them out also.

The head researcher growled. "Enough, there's only six left." He sighed. "You cannot hold to any compromise, you're impossible Buxiu. The researcher checked the qi-counts of the remaining six and excluded the one with the lowest.

The researched looked at the rejected candidates and said, "Report to the front desk, there is another beta program which you are eligible."

The rejected candidates filed out and the director turned on the head researcher. "What program?"

"Huan Xie's program. He runs his own beta group to train under subject eleven. It is wise because we cannot rely on solely on him. I agreed to cooperate in exchange for information sharing."

The directors faced turned red and he yelled. "Are you fucking stupid! We searched across the entire country for these, spent millions and months to find the highest qi-counts and you hand them over to the enemy?"

The head researcher looked puzzled. "He's not the enemy his is the new majority shareholder, and our superior."

The director shook his head and scoffed. "You scientist types are so naïve. It was a powerplay and soon we'll be excluded altogether."

"Why?" The head researcher said. "He needs us and if we're useful if we get results that would be counterproductive." He seethed and pointed at the director, "Maybe this is all stemming from your fear of being replaced Buxiu. Me? They need me. But you? Other than shout and boss people around what do you do?"

The director calmed himself and his thin lips spread in an imitation smile. "You'll find I can be very resourceful. Do not forget who negotiates with the gatekeepers. Who runs the harvest program that pays for everything. I am more essential than you think." 

The director turned and addressed the candidates. "You will be given bodies with the type one material. The same as subject eleven. When you log in you'll take the ornithopter to the island and land directly in the first city of Loctris. If I am not there you will tell the guards you are waiting to meet the Chancellor. I will do my best to meet you, but there could be a short delay. Wait for me and I'll give you further instructions in the game. For now, go through an induction with Technician Shi who will guide you on the User interface and the cultural norms you need to adhere to. Any questions?"

One raised his hand. "Is my prison sentence ended?"

The director's lips spread and showed his discoloured teeth. His eyes shone with malice. "Only when you perform to my satisfaction. This is your chance to redeem yourself you degenerate. Do not waste your second chance."

Another raised his hand. "Are we away long. Who will take care of my family?"

"Bah," the director said. "Ask Shi these questions they're beneath me." He flicked his head towards the technician and stormed out.

Shi smiled weakly. The candidates felt like the were the losers and the rejected ones lucked out.

Shi sighed and said, "Let's begin with the UI basic and hidden elements."

.

The Chancellor woke from his afternoon nap. And made his way through the castle to the young duke's wing. He stopped in front of the guard.

"I need to leave for Loctris and wish to speak to the duke," the Chancellor said.

The guard nodded and escorted him to an aide before returning to his post. The aide escorted the Chancellor to the duke who was making last minute plans with this staff.

"Chancellor," he said. "We're busy right now. These things are so much work."

The Chancellor bowed stiffly. "My lord. I know and I apologise, but I had to pay my respects because I must leave for Loctris immediately."

The duke stopped, looked up and raised an eyebrow. "That's sudden. Did you receive ill news?"

The Chancellor nodded. "I fear I must report to my Duke how a new enemy is emerging. Even if you cannot see it, I can. Steps need to be taken to deal with the Svartalfar in the north. They grow in strength and will soon pose an insurmountable threat to us."

The young duke was stunned. "Surely you jest. There's like five of them and only one who could possibly stand against a Protector. In all our history the Svartalfar have kept to themselves, they are not like their cousins. They're recluse and peaceful."

"And yet here they are." The Chancellor smiled with self-satisfying smugness.

The young duke frowned. "I do not see eye to eye with you on this Chancellor. But I will heed your warning and be cautious." He held out his hand and said, "Safe travels."

The Chancellor grimaced and shook his hand. He squinted and said, "Be cautious, very cautious. And find out anything you can about the northern mine."

The young duke's eyes narrowed. "I'll leave that for the Duke of Salastria, it's his after all."

The Chancellor left and the discussion returned to dismantling stands and trade compensation. "The taxes from those that benefitted will be more than enough to pay the carpenters," an aide said.

The Chancellor packed his things and summoned his guard. "Get me a fast ship that can take us to the western pier immediately."

The guards bowed and left for the docks. The Chancellor then searched through his belonging and picked out a large velvet bag. He peered inside and it was full of concentrated qi-cores from a land core. 

He walked through the corridors in search of the Protectors barracks. There were five good sized apartments at the southern end overlooking the docks. An equipment room and library. The grounds below is where they meditated and competed some of their training.

He entered the library which doubled as a study and Sigwurd sat at his desk reading an old book.

The Chancellor bowed. "Sorry to interrupt but I'm leaving before dusk and wanted to ask you something before I left."

Sigwurd's head raised and he gently put the book down. "Chancellor?" Sigwurd indicated the chair on the opposite side of his desk.

The Chancellor smiled thinly and sat. He then carefully placed the velvet bag on the desk.