Alf collapsed onto a pile of damp leaves. The blush of early morning sunlight had just penetrated the fog, imbuing the pond with a surreal glow. He and the native NPCs had spent hours transporting the supplies to their camp in the middle of the forest, only to discover that enemy scouts had already located their position. After a quick consultation, they decided to move back to their cave at what Blix now called Crater Lake—which meant even more hauling.

After working the whole night through, everyone was exhausted. Everyone, of course, but Blix. She perched on the ledge outside the cave, calling out orders like a drill sergeant. “Maddie, Uther and Patrick, fill all the waterskins and stow them in the back of the cave. Kashelle and Taylor, cover that food with a tarp. Make sure it’s out of the sun. Hannah, why are you and the other players just standing around? If we’re going to survive the next twenty-four hours, we have a ton of work to do.”

Why aren’t you doing anything? A voice sounded in Alf’s head.

“Jane?” He looked behind him to make sure he was alone. “Is that you? Where have you been?”

I’ve been working! The alien shouted in his head. For the last 20.23 hours! You have made a mess of everything, and it has taken all my time to put things to right.

“What are you talking about?” he whispered. “The king’s army just returned to the village. We brought back six wagons loaded with supplies and eight native NPCs.”

King Alexander is furious. He— the transmission cut off for several seconds —kill us all.

“We’re just doing what you asked: winning the game. The fact that he’s mad proves that we’re doing a good job.”

He’s not the only one that’s furious, Jane said. The other players are impatient. If we don’t do something quickly, they’re going to turn on us.

“I’ll take care of it.” He groaned back onto his aching feet an walked towards the cave. “Just don’t go anywhere, okay? Once we get things organized, you and I need to have a little talk.”

Climbing onto the ledge, he plopped down next to Blix. “Just talked to Jane,” he whispered. “She said the non-natives are restless. We should probably start organizing them into teams.”

“About time she showed up.” Blix grabbed his hand and double-squeezed it, looking up at him with an intensity that pierced him to the soul.

He looked down at their entwined hands and returned her squeeze.

“Are you even listening to me?” She pulled her hand away.

“What?” He looked up, trying to replay the distorted words echoing in his memory.

“Ask her which player has the most experience in tactics or logistics or command.”

“Um… Jane?” He kept his voice soft enough that only Blix would be able to hear. “Did you hear Blix?”

What did she do to your hand? Jane demanded. Why could I feel it all over your body? Tell her to do it again.

She didn’t do anything. Just held it. Now answer the question. Who has the most experience in tactics or logistics?

I can still feel it, the alien insisted. Every time you look at her egg sacs, I can feel it in your—

“Answer the question!” He flushed lowered his voice. “Tactics and logistics… Who is the best at giving and taking orders? If we don’t hurry, we’re not going to last the week.”

And now I feel it in your face, the alien said. Why does the human sensory network respond so profoundly to phantom stimuli?

“Do you want to win this game or not?”

There, she said. I don’t remember their character name.

“What?”

There is supposed to be good a tactics and logistics—at least they are if Mother’s translation is accurate. Ah… There’s character name is Joseph. Now explain these phantom sensations we’re feeling. Is it a form of nuclear resonance?

“You were right,” he said to Blix. “It’s Joseph.” And no, he thought to Jane. It’s not nuclear resonance. It’s a physical response to emotions.

“Okay, everybody, listen up!” Blix called out. “I know you’re all exhausted. I’m tired too, but this part of the schedule is critical. If we’re going to survive the king’s army, we’re going to have to push through the pain for the rest of the day. We can rest after that, maybe even have a bit of a pool party, but how hard you work during the next twelve hours is going to determine whether we survive as a team or all get killed.” She looked out across the camp, pausing to give each person a nod or a smile. “Joseph and Maddie, please come forward.”

Why is she talking? Jane demanded. The other players must see that I’m in charge or everything will be ruined. Tell her!

“Jane says the players need to see her take charge,” Alf whispered. “I don’t get the alien politics, but she seems to think it’s important. She says she’s been talking to the players in our party.”

“Okay…” Blix rolled her eyes with a mocking smile that told him exactly what she thought of Jane and her fragile ego. “Anything for my good friend, Jane.”

The others must believe I’m in control, Jane said emphatically. There is no Jane and Alf separately. There is only Jane. Tell her!

“She says…” Alf shook his head. Joseph the Elf was already climbing towards the ledge.

“I am Joseph!” The youngster climbed onto the ledge and stood like a soldier at attention.

Alf nodded and waited for Maddie to reach the ledge. “I’m Jane.” He glanced at Blix, widening his eyes to make her understand. “But you may call me by my command name, Alf.”

Joseph gave a sharp nod, while Maddie and Blix exchanged glances.

“Blix and I are Player-Native-NPC partners,” Alf continued. “Blix coaches me on the incomprehensible strategies of human RPGs, and I protect her. At all costs. But most important of all, Blix and I are friends. We share a bond so deep that we can feel it as phantom sensations in our bodies. This connection is the best, most important part of the game.”

Maddie nodded, the hint of a smile lighting her face.

“Joseph…” He climbed onto his feet and placed a hand on the player’s shoulder, noting the shocked, almost overwhelmed expression on his face. “Maddie will be your partner and coach. She will help you become one of the most powerful players in the game through an arcane process known as leveling up. Maddie is an RPG expert known as a game master. She’s the best we have, and I am trusting her to you. Please, protect her and follow her instructions—even when they seem counter intuitive.”

He turned to the tall redhead standing at the young elf’s side. “Maddie, we want you to build Joseph out as an off-tank with an emphasis on evasion and distraction. Focus on swordsmanship and whatever other skills you can think of. Be creative. Assume the AI controlling the game has reviewed every RPG in existence.”

“Also…” Blix spoke up from her spot on the ledge. “Jane and I would like you to lead the party when we fight as a team, so you’ll need to teach Joseph the appropriate strategies. The two of you will be second in command. You’ll be in charge when Jane and I aren’t around. Questions?”

“Winston’s overall rank is higher than mine.” Joseph looked to Alf. “He’s number 82 in military strategy…”

“Are you willing to listen to Game Master Maddie and follow her lead?” Alf asked.

“Of course!”

“That’s why you’re the perfect second in command.” Alf took the young elf by the shoulders and pulled him into a hug. “Game Master Maddie, take Joseph to the forest on the other side of the trail and start grinding rats. Watch out for the wolves. He won’t be ready for them until he’s at least level three. Joseph…” He pushed away from the elf, holding him at arm’s length. “Make sure to keep the Game Master safe. She is one of our greatest treasures. If we lose her, we lose everything.”

“Yes, sir!” Joseph fluttered his arms, squatting awkwardly before rising to his full height. His face was flushed and unshed tears glistened in his eyes.

A lump formed in Alf’s throat. He gave the elf another hug and then hugged Maddie. “Be careful,” he whispered in her ear. “And teach him how humans salute. That was ridiculous.”

Maddie laughed as Alf took her by the wrist and had her lead Joseph away by the hand.

“Look at you…” Blix’s voice sounded behind him. “Being all Master Manipulator. Playing with everyone’s feelings.”

“I wasn’t…” He turned to Blix, but he couldn’t find any condemnation in her expression. If anything, it was the opposite.

“That was perfect,” she said. “One alien down, eight to go.”

* * *

Name: Jane

Level: 6

Class: Paladin

Health: 225/225

Stamina: 194/195

Mana: 769/784

Exp: 591/2800

Attr Points: 3

Skill Points: 3

ST: 13

DX: 14

CN: 15

IQ: 28

CH: 16

Combat Skills:

Faire du Canne 7: (Effective Skill: 9.45, Basis: ST+DX, Enhancement: 28.4%)

Grappling 1: (Effective Skill: 1.33, Basis: 2ST+DX, Enhancement: 4%)

Swordsmanship 2: (Effective Skill: 2.73, Basis: 2DX+ST, Enhancement: 8.2%)

Archery 1: (Effective Skill: 1.37, Basis: 2DX+ST, Enhancement: 4.1%)

Non-Combat Skills:

Woodcrafting 1: (Effective Level: 2.1, Basis: DX+IQ, Enhancement: 6.3%)

Lock Picking 1: (Effective Level: 1.3, Basis: DX, Enhancement: 3.9%)

Command Attention 1: (Effective Level: 2.2, Basis: CH+IQ, Enhancement: 6.6%)

Spells: (Basis IQ)

Minor Healing 5: (EL: 14, Cost: 25, Freq: unlimited, Effect: 42 points)

Major Healing 2: (EL: 5.6, Cost: 35, Freq: 1/hr, Effect: 200cc tissue regen)

Taunt 1: (EL: 1.6, Cost: 5, Freq: 1/min, Effect: 4.8%)