David: “Ladies and gentlemen, your attention please. We are short on time, I will say this quickly, so you can be ready for what is coming. Everyone here, myself included, said yes to the question.

Would you like to live a real life?

Now, we are stuck here, don’t ask I don’t know how just that saying yes to the question gets you here.

Everyone needs to say or think interface. This is the interface and will keep you up to date on what we need to do to get out of here alive.

We must do everything we can to complete the trail laid out by the interface and survive if we want to return to safety. This isn’t a video game or dream, death here is death.

Returning home is possible but only if the trail gets completed. We need to deal with the challenge in front of us or it will kill us.

Don’t think too deeply about it, just accept it but we are stuck in Peach Towers from the Movie Dredd and we need to help Judge Dredd deal with the gangsters that are trying to kill him.”

Initiation completed – challenger has provided basic induction for new arrivals – Challenger receives 200 points.

That’s new.

Surfer: “Yeah Plan B bro. I say we bail, I’m not interested in fighting these people for no reason.”

David: “Whatever, if the interface and the world outside our bubble that looks like god hit the pause button doesn’t convince you this is real then good luck. I recommend hiding somewhere on the ground floor and laying low.

For anyone that wants to do that you should leave as soon as the world starts moving again to get the best chance.

For everyone else who wants to try to make it back to safety, I’ll fill you in on our plan.”

Surfer: “Woah, hold up. What about us? Can’t you help us or maybe give us some stuff, you clearly came prepared?”

David: “Depends on what you need? I could probably spare a baseball bat or two.”

Surfer: “What about food, water, even money to buy some? You could come with me and we could work together.”

David: Sigh “OK, that’s my fault for entertaining your crap. None of us will be here long enough to need food or water.”

I reach behind my back and into a small bag, no one can see my hand and Core makes a basic iron rod appear in my hand. I toss the rod to Surfer.

“Catch, there is something to help you fight anyone who tries to hurt you though it would be safer if you could hide.”

Surfer: “You got to be shitting me. This is your idea of help? You could”

David: “Shut up! If you want to go off and die then do it, the rest of us need to get ready.”

If looks could kill as they say. Surfer doesn’t look happy but at least he stopped talking. I gesture for the other to move closer.

“OK, we don’t much time left so I’ll make this quick and simple. I don’t know if any of you have seen this movie but it is pretty straightforward. Dredd and Anderson will come back in the foyer when time starts up. I’ll approach with Kana,”

I point over my shoulder at Kana.

“and tell him we are Citi-def and you are our trainees on a scouting mission. I’ll convince him we can help and we will tag along as he kicks the gang members asses.

You can arm yourselves from the gang members we take out. Just remember a few things, follow mine and Dredd’s lead, altering the plot of the movie will increase the difficulty. Dredd is crazy about the law, so don’t cross him or he might put you down. If you are not able to commit to fighting and killing the gang members to save yourself and the team then you are better off staying here and hiding. People that tag along and are half heart always get killed, they get in the fight but won’t do what they must and die for it.

Basically follow us, don’t get shot and back up the team when we need it and you should make it through this.”

Of course, that is when time starts up again, seems the Trial gods are full of dramatic timing.

“Alright, Kana here is going to be helping you guys, just follow her lead while I get us in with the Judges.”

I look over at Kana and she gives me the nod and moves up to the group, now to find the Judges. I move away from the group and start scanning the square, my psy scan stretching out and covering the whole area easily. I start to focus on the people when my HUD highlights three people coming in from the entrance.

Core: “If they are coming from the entrance then the lockdown must have just started and Mama will make an announcement in a moment, we should move closer. It would be better to meet them before they get a bounty. I will update Kana.”

I start moving towards the trio that my awesome new HUD indicated when my grin is destroyed by red lighting and the PA system. Everyone starts staring around and looking up while I pick up the pace.

Mama: “Peach trees this is Mama. Somewhere in this block are two Judges. I want them dead. Until I get what I want this block is locked down. All clan every level. Hunt the Judges down. Everyone else clear the corridors and stay the fuck out of our way until the shooting stops. If I hear of anyone helping the Judges I will kill them and the next generation of their family. As for the Judges. Sit tight or run. Makes no difference you’re mine.”

Shit, Dredd started to move before I could get over to him. I’m almost there, Core get Kana and the group over here and direct them to me I’ll try to catch up without getting shot in the face. Easier said than done as I move into the alleyway to stare down a Lawgiver. Danger rings in my mind and I can tell Dredd will fire without hesitation if I give the slightest reason, I freeze.

Dredd: “Identify yourself citizen and state your purpose here.”

OK, play just like with JC.

David: “Judge, Captain David Stone of Atlanta Tower Citi-def. I saw you in the lobby when the announcement was made, my team and I are reporting for duty. With your permission we’ll help you deal with these damn gangbangers, just say the word.”

Dredd pauses for a moment scowling at my Citi-def vest and relaxes slightly but doesn’t take down his guard. If memory serves Dredd never switches off so this is probably as relaxed as he gets.

Dredd: “We have it handled, your assistance will not be needed.”

David: “No doubt sir, I’m confident you could do this on your own but is it worth the risk. I don’t mean to offend but your rookie looks like she has her hands full with that Iso Fodder. Without some backup your Lawgivers will long run dry before they run out of fools to shoot. My team also has some specialties you might find useful.”

Anderson: “There is something strange about you, what specialties?”

David: “I’m not surprised you noticed, I noticed you too. My second in command is a doctor and sharpshooter, she’ll be handy in and after any standoffs. As you sensed Judge, I’m also a mutant with psychic abilities. Mine allows me to scout ahead a couple hundred meters or so. Though reduced with all the materials in the way it will come in handy when you need to avoid trouble or find someone.”

Dredd: “Providing false information to a Judge is …”

Anderson: “Sir, I believe he is telling the truth about these abilities.”

Dredd pauses for a moment to assess the situation.

Dredd: “Call it rookie.”

Anderson: “Sir?”

Dredd: “This is still your assessment, you make the call.”

Anderson looks and me and I have no idea what expression to make that says take me with you, so I’ll try for a neutral stoic. I don’t think I can pull off angry at the world like Dredd so this will have to do.

Anderson: “Alright bring your team up and remember to follow our orders to the letter else you will find yourself in an Iso-Cube with Jay here.”

David: “Yes Judge.” Core, I’ll put on an act of using a comm and you pass the message on the Kana.

I tilt my head down with my hand on my ear and talk into my wrist.

“Lieutenant, the Judges have accepted our support bring the team in.”

Kana brings the group of four over to the alley and we all move further into cover. Seems like we have three dropouts. No surprise with Surfer but Suity and someone else decided to go there own way. I sure hope Suity doesn’t stab us in the back at some point, will have to keep that psy scan peeled for more than just the Mama clan.

Dredd: “Let’s go, we are regrouping at the med centre.”

Sweet we’re in.

Challengers have sided with the Judges, new objectives revealed.

Objectives updated:

Complete trial – Team receives 1000 points each. Leaving the Peach Trees Mega Block before the trial is complete – Challenger Erasure. Killing member of Mama Clan – Challenger receives 2 points Killing Mama – Challenger receives 3000 points and B rank reward. Team receives 1500 points and C rank reward each Dredd must survive – Team loses 4000 points and B rank each on failure Anderson must survive – Team loses 3000 points and DD rank reward each on failure. Jay killed by non-Judge or before Judgement – Team loses 500 points and D rank reward each on failure.