The halls, compared to the last location, were brighter lit. Here, there was power. Overhead fluorescent lights illuminated the hallways at intervals, but somehow giving a foreboding feeling. If more defenses like the turret are up ahead, they will probably be up for a difficult time.

The hallway branching from the train tunnel was short. Up ahead, they could see a single door on the end of the hall, with another windowed door leading up to a side room. Slowly, they approached the windowed door.

Peeking through the window, monitors lined the walls. Underneath is a table lined with keyboards. There was also what looked to be a coffee machine tucked to the side, but all were turned off. Patting Columbus’ shoulder, Marcus gave him the signal. He nodded and positioned himself by the door, opening it while Marcus stood back and aimed his rifle inside. His lights turned on, it illuminated what was undoubtedly a security station.

Checking the corners, it was clear. The two moved inside. Columbus hovered over the computers, trying to boot it up while Marcus checked the weapon cabinet by the door. Its mesh door showed an empty rack, but he was more interested in the shelves underneath. Swinging the door open, it contained metal ammo cans which were unfortunately empty.

“Any luck there?” Marcus asked, closing the doors shut. The monitors have been turned on, but only showed a blank blue screen. Columbus continued fiddling with the keyboards until he finally gave up and backed off.

“No luck here either.” Columbus replied. “The system seemed to have locked this station off. Fortunately, that means that there is a central hub which likely is still running everything remotely. Finding that location, we could even take control of the defenses, or at least turn them off.”

“Seems like a plan.” Marcus replied. Looking down, he noticed a stain on the synthetic carpet and he shone the light to find dried blood. Yet, there was no body to which he noticed everything was spotless. Running his fingers on the closest surface, there was not a spec of dust in sight.

“This place had been cleaned.” Marcus replied.

“Let’s move.” Columbus nodded. “No point staying here anymore.”

“Roger that.” Marcus replied, stacking behind Columbus as he led the way to the other door. It was industrially built, recessed into a steel frame and sealed with rubber gaskets. Marcus could see the door would be heavy, just by looking at it as they were the ones installed when trying to keep sounds from leaking into the other room.

With a nod. Marcus went to his usual position covering the door while Columbus reached around his shield and towards the crash bar. With a shove, the door opened outward, and both only looked in befuddlement as they saw a crowd of Goblins streaming towards each other.

Taken by the opening door, a few in the crowd looked towards them and, with wide eyes, froze just as the door swung back and closed itself.

Quest Updated The path to nowhere (Updated)

Type: Discovery

Description: There is a hole guarded with security systems for high levelled players. Where does it go?

Requirements: Maximum average party level 20, 2 players, (Failed.)

Find out what is in the end of the tunnels. (Completed.)

Find a way to get out alive.

Rewards: ?? Attention!

You have discovered a Goblin Settlement

Reputation Level: Unknown (Approach at your own risk!)

“Okay, what the fuck?” Marcus said as he read the notifications. “We sure as hell won’t be fighting out of that.”

“Agreed. Stow that weapon, we’ll have to see how this pans out.” Columbus replied, turning off his assault shield and clipping it on his vest.

“And I raise you.” Marus replied, pulling the magazine out of his rifle and pocketing it. Switching hands, he pointed the rifle angled up. Racking the charging handle, the rifle’s forward eject threw the still unfired cartridge in the air, where Marcus caught it, grinning.

“Was that necessary?” Columbus asked.

Marcus shrugged, pocketing the round and slinging the rifle. “It’s the only way to clear it, and I’d rather not pick it up off the ground if I could help it.”

“Let’s go then.” Columbus replied, “No sudden movements and aggressive movements.”

With hands spread, the two exited the doors to a crowd of goblins and their version of security.

“Look man, were surrendering. We just want to talk.” Marcus said. The surrounding goblins had their weapons pointed at them, but thankfully held their fire.

A goblin came from Marcus’ blind side and snatched his slung rifle. Next, they grabbed his hands and twisted them to his back, followed by cold steel on his skin and the ratcheting sound of a pair of handcuffs.

In front, a goblin was inspecting his MDR with obvious interest. He looked up at him and said something before swinging the butt of his own rifle to his gut. It didn’t hurt; the strike hit the magazines in his vest, distributing the force of the blow, but Marcus still doubled up and groaned. Acting tough would bring him very little and he looked up at Columbus, who looked at him with curiosity as the same blow failed to double him over, only for another goblin to come in behind and taze him to the ground.

Columbus groaned in pain. His body spasmed as his muscles contracted from the volts of electricity sent directly to his body. He dropped to the ground and the crowding goblins laughed at his plight. “Should have acted like it hurt, man.” Marcus said as Columbus looked up at him, passing out.

Someone pushed down at his head, leading him to kneel. Hands felt around him as his vest was stripped off his body and his pockets swiped for everything inside. Marcus thanked his foresight to keep most of his valuables in the bank or in Stoner’s shop, just in case. The same was being done to the still out cold Columbus, and they dragged him by his armpits. With a tug on his arm, Marcus stood up to march along. The crowd parting at their approach.

Looking around, Marcus realized they were on what looked to be a train platform. Digital panels ripped from the wall long ago left their shadows on the wall, replaced with Goblin art composed of lines that branched and swirled, forming intricate patterns that someone could spend time just looking at.

Seeing them now that they were not shooting at him and not being shot at, the average goblin reached about Marcus’ chest. Their clothes were made from patchwork leather or rough spun cloths. There were some who wore better fabric amongst the crowd, and Marcus guessed they were the ones better off.

They passed by stalls, separated between each other with thin sheets of plywood. Businesses dealt hung meats and dried mushrooms, hawking their wares only for them to quiet down as they watched the prisoners pass by. There were other stores, Marcus noticed, protected by cages and armed guards whose logo bore the picture of a bullet. They stood alongside gun shops selling crude weapons, with a small workshop visible on the back where more goblins worked to make more weapons. All used hand tools.

On the tables lined their products. Slamfire pipe rifles and crude semiautomatics that looked to have been made in a prison than in a shop were the common product. Curiously, there was a kalashnikov in full display, likely the best product the store offered and had an attached tag priced in bullets. It showed that their gunsmiths had still a lot to go. Whatever weapons that had been available to everyone up on the surface didn’t seem to reach this far down below.

Reaching the more heavily defended area, they entered a gate separated by thick metal bars welded into the floor and reaching up to the ceiling. This part of the station had been sealed off, and they were led inside, processed and shoved into their individual cages.

They were visible to the rest of the station, which Marcus reasoned to serve multiple uses from public humiliation and detainment. The open configuration also made it almost impossible for escape, as any attempt would be visible to anyone bothering to look in their direction.

Ducking his head, the cage was small enough that Marcus had to sit and lean forward for him not to split his skull on the bars, making the top of the cage. Looking up, he watched as the goblin who took his rifle disappeared into the crowd and wondered if he could ever get it back. And if it’s the last time he’s going to see his MDR, it was a good thing he didn’t have to pay for the rifle.

“Quick in and out. Twenty minutes tops.” Marcus muttered as he wiggled himself into a more comfortable position. The cuffs didn’t help for comfort, and he wondered how long he had to keep in this position. He hoped that the developers of this game thought that being a prisoner would not be fun and had plans set up for it.

He looked over at Columbus, who was still out cold. The goblins tossed him headfirst into the cage. His face pressed against the bars of his cage while his body bent over backwards in an extremely uncomfortable position. “Ugh. Oh god.” He groaned, waking up and contorted his body for his back to press against the bars. “They tazed me.” He muttered in bewilderment.

“Better than getting shot.” Marcus replied.

“They didn’t taze you?” Columbus asked.

“No. Why would they?” Marcus grinned. “I was already complying.”

“I see.” Columbus replied, turning his neck to look around. Marcus followed. He could see a crowd of goblins have gathered behind them to have a look at the new prisoners. Some smaller Goblins, likely kids, dared each other and some would take the challenge and come close to poke at them, then run away.

Attention! This is to remind you that you have currently spent 4 hours in VR.

One tried to go after Marcus and he slammed his head on the bars, scaring the child and causing the crowd to take a frightened step back. The kid slipped on the station’s tiles, then scrambled to its feet to run back to the safety of the crowd. “So what now? I don’t really plan to spend the rest of my session caged up in here and displayed like a zoo exhibit.”

“Well, seeing as we still haven’t failed the quest, we still have a chance here. We only have to recognize and seize it when it comes.” Columbus replied.

“We’ll here’s to hoping that they’ll want to talk the next time they come and not take us out.” Marcus looked back at the crowd as more goblins joined in to have a look. “Can’t really try an escape with this much attention.”

“Then be rest assured. That even with the both of us ending up being executed, expect full pay as you fulfilled your part in our agreement to have me reach past the tunnels.” Columbus said, sending him a smile. “Stoner already had the payment in hand. He isn't risking the both of us on screwing each other and so he made precautions for that. Tell him the word, Americas and he’ll give you your payment then.”

“Best thing I heard all day.” Marcus replied, leaning his head back.

The two lapsed into silence as they both settled into their own thoughts. The constant droning from the nearby market easily settled into background noise as Marcus thought about his current situation. He wondered what Columbus was getting out of this. Despite looking at the failing end of a quest, he looked calm, expectant even. It was as if; he had something lined up after this quest, while Marcus had only his next windfall of a paycheck to look forward to.

It was demeaning. Marcus wondered for the nth time what would have happened in his life if he never contracted that disease. His thoughts always wandered to his version of an American Dream. A plot of land, a good wife, a happy family and spending the rest of his retirement diving into his hobby, shooting rifles, reloading rounds and maybe mentoring some kids after his own would move out and live their lives.

He sighed. That dream is gone, replaced by a list of problems to solve. The stress hasn’t started to eat at him at the moment, but he knew it will in the future if he let it continue. He needed to set out on his own. After this job, he promised to himself, he would carve out a little piece of his own and not simply follow behind someone’s shadow. This place, Marcus thought, if it all goes well, would be a good place to start.