* * * EARTH – BLACKROCK * * *

That evening Fin finished claiming the room he found himself in, that is, once every other person that had been integrated by the System had left. He brooded in silence for a while. He waited impatiently until Sarge had retired to the elaborate – upgraded – doll’s house he had been supplied with. When he was sure Sarge was asleep he, rather hesitantly called up the Dungeon Exchange.

He lurked for a bit, gathering courage. He felt like an idiot. His other self had been decidedly incredulous at his choices. And he had given him a bit of information regarding companions that he found worrying.

Also, their link was weak. He had to work out how to strengthen it. He suspected – no, he was sure that link was one of the things the colonel really prized.

* * * EARTH – DUNGEON EXCHANGE * * *

Unnamed #11 (PrD): Company I worked for hired an office on the Moon, I’m working there. Ever since then, I’ve been dreaming of thick fogs and choking air. What gives?

Unnamed #7: Thanks for sending the Tiger Girl Blue. The nightclub idea is great. Appreciate the loan and help.

Stillwater: What gives, just been contacted by another version of me. She says she’s a dungeon on Ambuila... Hey this blog is cool. Poor retention though.

Blue Lagoon (cmp): That’s a plus Katie, not a minus. And you’re welcome Markus.

Mock Turtle (cmp): Says the companion to our – favourite – favour giver...

Stillwater: Hey, how you know I’m Katie?

Blue Lagoon (cmp): Alice, don’t be mean... *giggle*

Blackrock: Dungeons, we have a problem... I want to keep this feature secret but... My companion, well, he is an ex soldier. Also, how can I strengthen my link with – that other version of me?

Blue Lagoon (cmp): I’ve – interacted – with the you on Ambuila Katie.

Arena of Blood: Hey #11, sounds that other you is on Tarifax. Hope you’re still free.

Alligator Haven: Y’ve gone an’ dun it Blackie, plunked yerself daan in Area 51 aintcha? Idjit!

Blackrock: Yeah! So!

Blue Lagoon (cmp): *sigh* Kay, tell your companion the head of Earth’s Dungeon Companion’s League – that’s me case you didn’t know – will be getting in touch to give him the rules.

Arena of Blood: Way I do it Blakie, is to merge with the other me every few days. Mother does it daily, but Mother has a hell of a lot more going on than me.

* * * PARTHIA – CORPORAL ROY ANDERSON * * *

Roy leant on the ship’s rail as he looked back at Varina’s Beach. That whole experience had been Surreal. He had never expected to find himself fighting the Mutant Ninja Turtles. And the damn things had been lots better than he and Gunny had expected. They had managed to clear the first and second levels. But the Turtles had stopped them, possibly because they couldn’t help themselves. It had been too damn funny.

And now they had to return with pizza of all things. A delayed ransom. He looked around and frankly stared. A good fraction of the crew and several passengers were on their knees with a look of ecstacy on their faces. The Enchanter and his kids included.

“Fucking Gods War...” muttered one of the adventurers they had picked up at Varina’s Beach.

Roy looked at him, “Err... What do you mean by that? What god’s war?”

The leather clad rogue glanced at him, half scornfully. “The god’s war. It’s the prophecy. This lot’s goddess is in the thick of it. So when she gets into a fight, or something else dicey...” The man rolled his eyes heavenward, “up there, you know, her true believers... the fanatics – get dragged along.

“They share some of the risks, and reap some of the rewards.”

Roy looked at him, unbelieving, “The kids too... that little leopard girl...”

“Well yes... She is kinda young. But if she truly believes... and is willing, the System will send her consciousness along for a share. The name’s Dar’dillus by the way. And you are?”

“Roy— Roy Anderson. Did you try that crazy dungeon back there?”

“Yes. The rewards weren’t bad. It has really improved lately. But it’s still kind of weak. In a year or two, given the increased interest I suspect it will become a decent enough dungeon.”

Roy looked at him thoughtfully, he and Gunny had struggled, and this character was downright dismissive of the challenges. Before he could say anything else, a soft bluish haze enveloped the kneelers. Then they started to get to their feet with grins of triumph.

“Looks like the Mother of Monsters scored a major victory,” observed Dar’dillus softly.

Ray stared at the little goblin girl as she jumped up and down with joy. “How do you know? Is it because of the glow?”

“Yes. I am – almost – envious. They all gained something major today. But that means the Mother of Monsters took a big risk. And they could have lost big,” Dar’dillus snorted softly. “I truly wish them well, you understand – the prophecy – well I hope their side wins. But I don’t want to be involved.”

Ray watched as the enchanter swept his children into a joyful group hug and worried.

* * * EARTH – FLORIDA * * *

The watchers employed to watch the Silvestre Boat Yard cursed the thick fog. It had come up unexpectedly and was covering several kilometres of coastline. Given the stealth systems routinely employed by their target it made them feel useless.

In the boat yard, the big doors of the boathouse rolled up, and a mid sized destroyer nosed its way out into the gulf. Once it was out of the boathouse the destroyer ghosted its way along the coast heading east then south.

On the bridge, captain Qaddistra Seaspray watched her instruments carefully. She cursed having to swap out some of the better detectors. She worried, knowing that the current second-rate gear she was using, would be fooled by some of what Mother had taught the local’s navy.

She breathed a big sigh of relief when they reached a point opposite the town of Tampa. She turned to her communications officer. “Get in touch. Tell them the Sea Viper is ready to be turned over. Let them know where we are and ask them where they want us?”

The Sea Viper kept on heading south and to the relief of her captain she slowly emerged from the fog bank leaving it behind. Qaddistra grinned as she saw the blip on the detector. She waited until the aircraft was almost overhead before she flicked the switch cancelling the Sea Viper’s stealth. The way the aircraft suddenly changed course and started circling pleased her.

* * *

Admiral Forester watched as the Sea Viper docked. He watched as her crew, a mixed bag of humans, elves, wolf and cat people came ashore. The handover was done and he watched as the skeleton crew that had sailed the destroyer boarded a luxury touring bus and drove away. That just left a handful of specialists to teach them about the various systems.

Well it was confirmed; the tyrant of the isles had portals big enough to transit a destroyer. And they still didn’t know where it was thanks to the Fog that had appeared at just the right, or wrong time. And that worried him more than the damn portal. That was almost certainly lurking somewhere in that boat yard.

The weapons specialists were drooling over the laser cannon in the bow. He personally was furious that economy had struck, and the rapid-fire AA lasers and their controlling magics had not been purchased.

At least they had both aircraft.

* * * EARTH & TARIFAX – LOUISIANA * * *

Grey scratched his right horn. He examined the breather mask he had obtained from Frog. He was understandably very careful with this essential item as he would be shortly leading a small band to Tarifax. He didn’t intend to return to Earth. He was still unsettled because he couldn’t reach Ustraldis. As a priest, the lack of contact with his goddess was crippling.

He lifted his head and examined Ax. The man had changed drastically ever since Frog had facilitated his meeting with Felix and Silk. The two winged cats had done the impossible; they had reversed the man’s brain damage. Ax had converted to the Mother of Monsters and had become rabidly pro cat. Grey was sure Ax would be returning to Earth. He was sporting an earring instead of a mask. Silk was somewhere nearby. She had an earring too, a tiny one in her case.

Lia was just as interested in her breather mask as he was. She too didn’t trust the earrings. She was looking a lot better. Well they all were. Plenty of food and rest tended to have that effect.

Mesca was the reluctant one. The mage was scared. He didn’t want to return to Tarifax. But he was loyal to the group, and their only other human. He was wearing nondescript clothing, and was carrying a large overcoat. Much better than the farce of a mage’s robe they’d forced on him.

Ana was elsewhere. Her employers wanted her to help them deal with Blue Lagoon. As a priest, he thought they were crazy. How could they trust the follower of a goddess to not obey her goddess.

He smiled fondly as he remembered Fingers. That little ‘film’ of her and her new family she’d emailed them had been heart warming. What had she said she was called now, oh yes, Mrald. She’d reverted to the name her mother had given her.

Ah it was time. He rose and bowed slightly to the four people they would be escorting this time. He knew that they were officially being hired by the local city government, but he was sure it was a cover for their real paymaster.

As they had discussed Ax went first with Lia. Silk took to the air and glided down the long corridor. They had lost a goblin scout and gained a cat. He felt happier when they had Fin... Mrald. He just didn’t trust cats.

They emerged into the thick fog of Tarifax. They were standing amongst some rather sad looking trees. The vegetation looked wilted and sad. Especially after their short stay on Earth. Now for the hard part, finding out who owned this land and seeing if they could buy it.