SORRY EVERYONE. I know it's been awhile. Stuff happened and is still happening. I'm trying to get back into it though. I do love writing. It may be a bit slower getting chapters out to you but hang in there. They will come. I HAVE NOT DROPPED THIS AND DO NOT PLAN TO.

This Chapter helps set up plots mostly for Volume 2... Again sorry, it is needed. Also until I get fully into it again I am only going to do a quick spell check and a once over. Yes, it is a shitty author who doesn't take a bit of pride in his writing but alas I do not really have the time to even write. I have had my Hiatus but I'm still not fully back.

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Chapter 9

Revmira Zolotov (Scarlet) was dreading the up coming visit from Rems the head of the CRD(Counter Research and Development) an off branch of the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR). She only knew him by Rems, it was unlikely his real name.

She had failed to acquire her target ship a PC-Jumper made by the in-game company Pillar Corp. The same type of ship as Ravenger. She wasn’t the only operative trying to highjack ships. Russia wanted these ships for there tech and the PC-Jumper was one of the better ships out their. Ravenger was even more unique, having a ton of military grade enhancements.

Revmira had already sent her two sisters, brother and mother to a single room up stairs. She didn’t want Rems to even think about them. She sat in a chair nearest to the door and facing the couch. She was was nervous and her hands were shaking, she knew her failure would be punished, she just hoped it did not involve her family. She clenched her hands together to trying to force the trembling to stop. Showing weakness would only bring more trouble. ‘I should of killed Irish from the start. He would of re-spawned. Now because of my stupidity my family could be endanger.’

The door bell didn’t ring, she had already made sure the door was unlocked. Rems a short fellow with short cropped dark hair and round wire-frame glasses walked into her house in a dark expensive suite with a burgundy colored tie...Always a burgundy colored tie. Revmira redoubled her efforts to not show weakness as Rems was followed into her living room by four hulking Federal Counterintelligence Service (FSK) agents. She could tell who they were because she had worked with one of the vicious bastards before.

Rems sat quietly down on the couch in front of her as the FSK agents took up positions around the room, covering all the entrances and exit of the living room. The evil bastard FSK agent she worked with before stood right next to Rems.

Rems adjusted himself on the couch, crossing his legs and folding his hand in his lap. He looked up at Revmira and stated, “Agent Scarlet, we have received your report. If it was anyone but you I would have just sent someone to kill you and your family. Its hard to believe this American named Irish Fey had caused you so much trouble. Sorry... Caused the CDR and the SVR problems. That PC-Jumper was the flag-ship of our R&D project and without it we will be quite far behind schedule. We gave this operation to you because you have never failed us before. Tell me Scarlet why did you fail us?”

Revmira kept her face passive and used every technique she was trained to use, to help her voice stay steady as she answered; Her and her family’s lives depended on her answer, “Comrade Rems, I underestimated this Irish Fey person. I made a grave error in judgment. I should have dealt with him from the start. I apologize Comrade and look forward to correcting my error.”

Rems leaned back into the couch thinking. From the report and video’s Agent Scarlet had sent in he knew she was hiding something. He scratched at his chin for a moment then responded, “Huh? Very well.” He gestured to FSK agent next to him. The FSK agent walked forward griping Revmira left hand and swiftly grabbed her two middle fingers and bent them backwards.

Revmira kept her face and emotions locked inside, baring the pain of her fingers breaking. She didn’t even look down at them, she just kept her gaze locked on Agent Rems.

Rems stood as the FSK agent backhanded her and stepping back besides Rems. Rems threatened, “My dear Scarlet. I forgive you this one time. Next time it will be your family who will suffer your mistakes. You don’t want to see your sisters and mother given to a Spetsnaz unit for some nightly fun? Do you?”

Revmira’s passive face broke as her eye’s dart to glance at the stair that led to her family. Rems smiled at her broken facade as Revmira answered, “I...I will not fail again comrade Rems.”

Rems headed for the door, the FSK agents surrounding him. Not glancing back he said, “Your next mission will be hand delivered before your able to leave your battle-space in-game. Don’t fuck this up, Scarlet.”

When the door closed behind Rems Revmira’s facade totally broke. She slouched back in her chair pulling her knee’s to her chest and began sobbing into them. ‘I need to get my family out of Russia,’ she hopelessly thought.'

*****

>>>Project Hope’s; Multi-National Counter Intelligence Agency(PG-MNCIA) agency subdivision; CIA, Langley.<<<

Mr. Gerald and Admiral Pontiff were waiting for a briefing in Langley Headquarters. It was deemed a level 1 emergence of foreign activity and could not be rescheduled. Both of of them had been awake for over 32 hours.

Admiral Pontiff was astounded when they reached CIA headquarters in Langley and realizing that the CIA didn’t even know of this section of their headquarters was renovated to Project Hope.

It took a little while before Macky Dwelt stepped in followed by a demure man in office workers attire. The man would not speak or be named, he was just a spook made to look like a common analyst, their to make sure Macky Dwelt supposed head of Terran Bindings Corp. gave all relevant information.

Mr. Gerald greeted his friend Macky as he came in. It was Admiral Pontiff’s first time meeting Macky Dwelt face to face. He of course knew Macky’s role as one of the three heads of Project Hope.

Macky had every one sit and began his briefing, “Mr. Gerald and Admiral Pontiff, nice to see both of you. Right now we are not as secure as if we would be at Project Hope so we will make this brief and vague. As of now Project Hope needs to operate under UDEF-19ZU. Destiny Online routeing verifies that several non entity’s of our Multi-National alliance under Project Hope have realized the viability of Destiny Onlines Technology. We foresaw this coming and in a way even want this to happen. However, several counter intelligence agency’s from our participating partners are warning that the main force of tech from the game is weapons. We have already found out about 113 civilian ship hijackings withing the game. All were armed civilian ships. Routing information puts most of these players in Russia and a few from China. Their have been two attempted hijackings of military ships within the game most likely perpetrated by Russian agents. Thankfully they utterly failed.”

Macky shifted his papers and selecting another, “We have reports from agents within China that they are trying to shift resources around so they can begin buying in-game currency like we are. However, we still have about two to six month grace period. Are agents do believe they will start to attempt to buy in-game tech about a month out from now. We have already been doing this which is already skyrocketing the prices for in-game tech so it may push China’s tech grab back by a few months.”

Macky again shifted to another piece of paper, “Here is the major concern right now. As of the start of the game the LIA of the Probe Destiny will not allow us to export blueprints and schematics from the game unless it is done personally by the person who has created the schematics. We’ve tried several work around and we have not yet found a viable way to do it. However, in-game we can buy building rights from the player who hold the schematic but we can only learn from it in game. In that way it is very time consuming to recreate the tech in reality. That brings us to another option, we have to convince these players in-game to download their schematics and hand them over in reality.”

Mr. Gerald then spoke up, “We are approaching a topic that we should be careful of discussing here. However Dr. Harkin has already for predicted this. So it is time to implement the patent program Safe Harbor, Macky?”

Macky nodded, “That was the main reason why I called this meeting.”

Admiral Pontiff asked, “What is Program Safe Harbor?”

Mr.Gerald answered, “We can’t discusses the details here but it is a program that once its in place will allow us to contact the players in-game that hold these schematics, then meet up with them in reality. The problem will be that as soon as we take an interest in some of the players they could become endangered in reality. We all know what this tech is worth and their are foreign agents all over the world that would blackmail, torture and kill to get their hands on this stuff. Program Safe Harbor will give some of these leading players a safety net along with reality shares in compensation for their in-game tech schematics. Susan will be the only one who knows of and deals with these players in-game and reality. No leaks will happen if we keep only one person dealing with this. Imagine what would happen to some of these players if foreign powers got their hands on these players.”

Macky grimaced at the thought. The job was already becoming to stressful without thinking about all the cloak and dagger stuff. He was stressed to the max running Terran Bindings Corp, he had already lost a significant amount of weight. The under cover spook dressed like an analyst brought Macky back to his job by tapping on another file.

Macky leaned forward pulling the file to him and looking at Admiral Pontiff, “The next order of business and the reason you are hear Admiral is because of the in-game positions. It is however to late to get you at the top tier of the in-game military position because the original frame work was delete by Destiny. Now your going to have to work your way through the ranks in-game with a few dozen real players ahead of you. This is very bad for us because it gives us very little power within the game with civilians grabbing at that military power. We do have some good news for you though. Several in-game agents have compiled data on the top players going the military route. Two of them are lets say more than likely to fail before coming Captains of a military vassal. Another were still checking on but we might have a problem on that front. That person may or may not be a Russian agent. However, a Player named Kaiden Fey let slip who he really was while talking to some in-game friends. His real name is Coal Drugain a 16 year old from Oregon in the U.S. Right now he is the top player going the military route in-game. He has top marks in the NATO Alliance, NOCS(Naval Officer Command School). He is even far above all of the NPC’s. That may not seem difficult but NPC’s in-game can and are more intelligent than most players. To get scores like this Coal Drugain is no mistake, this boy would have to be highly intelligent. Not to mention the NOCS school in this game is more difficult than any training schools we have in place in reality. Let’s not have any delusions here they are truly learning to fly around very real military space vassals and command them in very real reality based combat.”

Macky leaned over and passed the folder to Admiral Pontiff and continued with even better news, “We have done a full background of this Coal Drugain. It turns out his older brother Captain Cyrus Drugain was a two time Silver Star with V device(Valor) restraint in the Poland campaign against the Russian incursion. Army Ranger for 5 years earning combat promotion extremely fast and during the offensive in Baltinava, Latvia to push the Russians out of Europe he received the second Silver Star and the Purple Heart. He was discharged after that offensive due to the injuries he received. Cyrus Drugain later went onto finishing his degree in Engineering while taking care of his brother Coal and sister Ria. Parents haven’t been in the picture since Cyrus was 17 years old. Bank records show all his pay during the conflict went to an account in his younger sister. Ria Drugain’s name. Intel analyst have combed through this family’s back ground. As far as they can tell this family has never been compromised by a foreign power. We have yet to figure out what Cyrus and Ria are up to in the game but right now Admiral; Coal Drugain is on the fast track of having major military power within the game. We want you to create a team to support this young man. Since this NOCS school is so difficult the president of the United States has authorized us to give him a equivalent commission in the newly created NA-Star Force (NATO Alliance Star Force). The new branch of service is already being organized.”

Admiral Pontiff scoffed, “Just because a cadet achieves outstanding score in training school does not mean he is ready for the burden of Command.”

Mr. Gerald responded, “That will be decided by you Admiral. However, looking back through the history of this family, it is obvious this family of Drugain's have a habit of proving themselves more capable of handling command than most. Two Drugain Generals, One Full-Bird kernel, four Majors, three Captains and dozens of Lieutenants since America’s independence from Great Britain. That include 2 Medal of Honor winners and a a half dozen silver stars, two of which were earned by this boys older brother. We understand Admiral Pontiff that you were suppose to have the Admiralty of in-game NATO Alliance but that had fallen through and we can’t have your pride in the way of helping this new young officer. He has to succeed before this other possible Russian agent does. Right now Admiral Pontiff, Coal Drugain will be your top priority. ”

*****

Cyrus had gotten quite a bit accomplished in 12 hours of not being in the game. He was even able to accomplish two high paying contracts. One was a simple install of a rotating optics system of a real life Ultralight plane netting an easy couple of grand. The other was just upgrading a Jeep Rubicon for a little bit more rugged redneck fun. With all the extras he threw onto the already beefy Rubicon he was able to fairly charge close to seven grand.

He even had time to sit and eat with Coal. The main topic of course was Destiny Online. Coal was excited to tell Cyrus that about how hard this NOCS(NATO Alliance Office Command School) and that he would soon be getting first pick of assignments on a ship for the hands on experience of his training because he was top of the class.

Cyrus was however not as forth coming with what just happened to him in the game. It was still painful and embarrassing to tell his brother he had slightly fallen for another crazy chick. ‘Why... Why do I always go for the wild crazy ones?’ Cyrus thought to himself. ‘Why oh why, can’t I just find me a good girl for once?'

Irish quickly changed the subject, “So bro, how is spring football training treating you. I heard the new head coach is a hard ass?”

Coal laughed with a seriously grim face, “Ha, hard ass doesn’t even cover the realm of what is the head coach. If his play-off record didn’t show how good a coach he was, I would have quite already. The freshman head coach had been put through the ringer so many times already by the head coach, he put in his resignation to the athletic director.”

Wow, Cyrus knew this new head coach was suppose to be tough but it almost seems like overkill. Cyrus comforted his brothers obvious moral killer, “Don’t worry, he’s still on a probationary period. If you boys don’t kick ass at the football camp scrimmage they district school board will most likely boot him. Not to mention the boosters will be in an uproar.”

“I’m almost wishing we don’t do that good during the summer camps,” Coal huffed out.

“Hey, don’t be like that. A Drugain always does his best and if you see your teammates slacking you kick them in the ass. Your varsity now, you better act like it and don’t you dare drag our family name through the dirt,” Cyrus didn’t mean to be that harsh but for Coals previous statement he had to be chastised. No one slanders the name of Drugain in words or action, that includes even a Drugain.

Coal held up his hands in supplication, “I know, I know bro, I would never throw a game. I was just venting.”

Cyrus nodded and smiled at his brother ruffling his red hair. Getting up he began collecting the dinner dishes while missing his sister Ria. She almost always did the dish and cooked for the two boy’s. Her food was far superior to the dribbleings that they could make. Even though, neither of them were horrible at cooking, they just were like a candle compared to the sun that is Ria’s cooking.

While Cyrus began doing the dishes Coal tried sneaking away. Irish saw him in his peripheral vision, “So I take it Coal, that your grades aren’t what they should be if your trying to sneak away before showing them to me?”

‘Dammit, he has eye’s in the back of his head. Oh-well, he would of tracked me down anyways,’ Coal thought as he froze in place with a guilty look on his face.

Cyrus shook his head in disappointment. Not turning from doing the dishes he sternly told Coal, “Leave the grade sheet on the bar counter and go study. Your band from playing the game for tonight. And NO, before you ask you can’t use the capsule for studying. Don’t worry further punishment will be reward depending on how far your grades slipped.”

Coal knew not to argue with his brother. It would only get him in deeper shit. With slumped shoulder Coal made his way up stairs to his room.

Cyrus was grimacing and trying to hide it from his brother he set the dishes down and made his way to a bar stool. His leg was throbbing in harsh pain and he didn't want Coal to see him like that. That was why he sent him off without a lecture about his grades.

After a couple off minutes of sitting he made his way to the downstairs bathroom. Reaching under the sink he garbed a prescription bottle of pain killers he had taped under the sink. He knew Coal or Ria would never do drugs but he decided not to tempt fate so he hid his doctor proscribed pain killers. Hell, Cyrus didn’t even like taking heavy narcotic painkillers because it dulled his mind. Right now though his legs was throbbing so bad he decided to take one. Limping and cringing his way back to the kitchen to finish the dishes.

It took awhile for the pain killer to kick which was sweet relief, he was not so fond of the foggy feeling the drug caused. Cyrus sat at the bar counter and read his brothers report card. It was all A’s give or take a plus(+) or minus(-) until Adv. Writing with a horrible B(-). Cyrus couldn’t remember the last time Coal or Ria had a low B grade let alone a B-. Cyrus had to calm down, it was no use getting worked up when his mind was under the influence of a drug. He set aside the report card, deciding to look at more objectively the next day. Even though, he was already planning a few extra chores for Coal. ‘Who said life was fair, drugs or no drugs, life was definitively not fair,’ Cyrus thought as he headed for his capsule in the basement.

*****

It had been almost been three full 24 hour days in-game that Cyrus had allowed his Avatar’s NPC take over. He just hoped that the NPC was able to not make him look like an idiot while he was away. It shouldn’t have been hard. The two combat shuttles should be in a drift heading towards the original target space station because it was the closet thing to them. It was also there only chance at survival. They couldn’t make it to any other station before, life support, food and water ran out. Not to mention the game would be extremely boring at this given time. They still had over two weeks of travel to get there. He still needed to log in and check on things. He was still technically the leader of the other eight survivors.

Of course, Irish had to go through his Home-space first before entering the game. The first thing he saw when he became aware in the game was the shuttles ceiling. His Avatar NPC was strapped in just staring at the ceiling. Irish quickly unstrapped himself and quickly became aware that the shuttle was in zero-g. Irish could of sworn the combat shuttle’s were equipped with a gravity generator. The fogginess of the pain killer he had taken in the real didn’t seem to be effecting him in the game but he was still Confused why their wasn’t any gravity. He queried Laya just encase but Laya informed him that his assumptions where correct.

That absence of gravity meant one of two things. One, something bad happened to the shuttle. Two, Chief took the gravity offline. In either case he still needed to talk to the Chief. Irish moved forward in the shuttle trying to spot Chief. The shuttle wasn’t large and only had two compartments, the passenger bay and the cockpit. The door separating them was open. Irish could tell Chief wasn’t aboard this shuttle. He moved to the port hatch connecting the two combat shuttle and moved across to the other shuttle. The other shuttle was inverted in comparison to the other one so Irish had to reorient himself in order to gather his barrings. It made him slightly noxious do to Space adaptation syndrome(SAS/ Space Sickness) but reorienting himself allowed his vestibular system to calm down almost immediately.

He found the Chief strapped into a passenger harness sleeping. A pretty loud droning sound of snoring was emitting from the Chief, expressive for such a little guy. Irish didn’t want to wake him so he located the next highest ranking man aboard or more so Irish was found by the Bosun.

“Hey Lieutenant, its good to see you up and about finally. You have kinda been like a zombie the last few days,” Bosun Heller practically yelled while coming up to him.

To Irish the Bosun looked completely healed, “Yeah, sorry about that. It’s been awhile since I’ve had to kill people. Its hard to get used to again.” Cyrus was truly a little freaked out by how real death was in this game. Also since he had the chance to get to know some of the NPC who were just as real as real people, it was just as hard as to pull the trigger. Digital or real killing another human would effect any rational person. Therefore he told the Bosun a perfectly plausible half-lie.

Irish discussed the goings on for the last couple days he was absent from the game. He found out that Chief turned off the gravity generators to save power for when they near the station. It was likely from the start of this operation from Tangent Ming Corp. That the station had a pirate faction or just as bad a squatter clan there. Chief wanted to save as much fuel as possible to deal with that scenario and the Bosun was in complete agreement. It also made perfect sense to Irish.

Almost three weeks of monotonous drifting through space didn’t end just because Irish showed up. Irish quickly made three shift with three people per shift. Two of which would stay in the cockpits and monitor passive sensors while the other one would roam around the two shuttle making sure everything stayed Cordelia and that included maintaining a log sheet and the handing out of rations. They only had one month worth of rations. That gave them a week of spare rations but they still didn’t know what they would find at the old station.

The 12 hour shifts allowed Irish to log-out more often for 4 hours between his shifts. However, he decided that he wasn’t going to do that all the time. He planned on using something of that time to work up a blueprint for a ship designed solely by him. A blueprint could only turn into a schematic once a blueprint design was tested. His goal in the future was to build his own ship. Still their was a lot of learning to sift through before he properly draw up a working blueprint. That meant he had to brush up on some mathematics, everything from energy algorithms to thrust ratio’s using almost unimaginable fuel sources, 'Quite a headache!'