Once Sina – guiding Moon Jackal – was well clear of the ruined cottage, she checked her quest menu.

Quest Complete: Find the Stash

Reward: Backpack, condition 68%

37 rounds of ammunition

Bolt action rifle, condition 88%

Blueweed, 4 units

Compass, condition 74%

Guhma army rations 12 units

Guhma army knife, condition 74%

Guhma army medic kit, 2 units

As she read out the list of items to Moon Jackal, Sina hesitated on coming to the blueweed. Resolved not to lie, even by omission, she therefore let her companion know of the find and was relieved that while Moon Jackal gave an approving grunt, he didn’t sound particularly eager or desperate as she had feared he might.

‘Where’s Guhma?’ she asked, wondering about the information in the quest menu.

‘No idea. Looks like some poor soldier of theirs met his end around that cottage though.’

While that was an interesting, if morbid thought, Sina was more concerned by another observation, which she spoke aloud. ‘They have the technology to produce rifles.’

‘True. And even us hard-working Jaranisians were some way from being able to do that.’

A loud rustle in the leaves. A thumping response from her heart. A bullet in the chamber of the rifle, hurriedly, fumbling. Yet relief and happiness came quickly as Sina realised it was only Otso returning. The lion-like creature seemed unharmed and even nonchalant as it sauntered over and produced a large, fang-filled, yawn.

‘Do you know how to fire the rifle?’ Moon Jackal asked.

‘I understand the principles of shooting… I was taught to fire at pheasants. This particular model, I have to learn.’

‘What does your character sheet say?’

‘Oh,’ Sina halted while she called it up. ‘Shotgun one. But not rifle.’

‘Shame we don’t have more bullets but when we get back, you should practice loading and aiming until you have at least skill one in rifle.’

It was sunset by the time they reached the edge of the forest. Ahead of her, the red-tinged walls of their base stood out above the grasses and bushes. The view towards the sea was splendid, with hardly any clouds in the indigo sky, so the crescent moon to the south east was clear. This felt like home and she was very glad to be back. Almost immediately that thought was followed by another. How was Marcus, was he still alive? If he was, he would be able to see the same sky, the same moon. That he might, at the very same moment, be looking at the moonrise and appreciating the beauty of the curl of silver in the evening sky made Sina feel connected to him again. And that was a comfort. Should she consider going on a scouting mission towards the Ark-Andulan now she had the rifle? Possibly.

***

Three days later, with their huts completed and with Sina having gained the skill Rifle one (at a cost of three rounds of ammunition), she sat with Moon Jackal, eating rittle berries and planning their next build.

‘There’s the research table,’ said Sina, ‘that’s a big priority isn’t it?’

Moon Jackal was chewing and he simply nodded.

‘What else?’ Sina wondered aloud. There were so many options now. Under the Buildings menu the submenus provided dozens of options, including different types of housing and all the practical workshops, such as those for utilising timber, clay and iron ore. A bakery option caught her eye. It would solve the food supply question if they could grow grain and bake it. The tailors’ workshop was attractive too. Her only clothes were either the bulky spacesuit or the flannels she wore now that had holes in the knees and were fraying along the arms. Then again, a pottery kiln would mean being able to create jugs and carry and store liquids. That might be vital at some point and even now it would be an improvement not to have to always walk to the stream when thirsty.

Under Furnishings, Sina had the option of creating tables and chairs. It would be a relief to be able to sit down in comfort, especially to eat. And they could never feel too secure, so all the additional defensive building options were attractive, like towers. The top level Community menu indicated that she also had other priorities.

The Fins

Population: 2

Happiness: 76/100

Stockpile: unroofed stockpile x 2

Residences: huts x 2

Industrial Buildings: none

Energy sources: none

Agricultural lands: 1 small animal pen

Mines: none

Armoury: not constructed

Prisons: not constructed

The two energy sources potentially available to her were a watermill and a windmill and both led to green grids appearing when she selected them and aimed the icon appropriately on a rise or beside the stream. But what could she do with the energy these buildings produced? They could grind grain, presumably, if she ever got to farm a crop. Dropping those options, Sina returned to the Community menu. There was no point in starting a mine yet, but out of curiosity she selected it and a large red rectangle appeared before her eyes. Sina was getting used to this and moved her vision around. But no matter where she looked it did not turn green. Nothing suitable to mine around the base then. Flicking that away, she also noted that apparently the base needed an armoury (for the new rifle and ammo perhaps?) and a prison. That could certainly wait. She had no intention of imprisoning anyone.

‘A roof on the stockpile might be a good choice,’ Sina spoke aloud and looked at Moon Jackal, who shrugged. ‘When I open the menu for the stockpile I see nearly all our items are degrading for a lack of a roof. It shouldn’t take us long to address that. What do you think?’

‘I agree, let’s put up a roof on the stockpile next. But Sina…’

‘Yes?’

‘I want a day off. I want to lie in the sun tomorrow on a dune, smoking that blueweed you are carrying and listening to the waves.’

‘Oh,’ said Sina, ‘of course. I can make a start on my own.’ Sina found that she felt quite disappointed by Moon Jackal’s announcement. Anxious too: what if an addiction to blueweed developed in Moon Jackal? One that had harmful effects on his personality? But on the other hand, she had been touched by his statement that he was happier here with her, even despite his lost vision. The Fins were not going to turn into the type of community that drove all its members relentlessly. Moon Jackal deserved some rest, especially given that he suffered from terrible headaches.

Sina woke the next day to find that even though the sun was hardly up, the air already felt warm. It was surely summer in this part of Grimworld? Sina felt like asking Moon Jackal, but it was early and he was still asleep in his hut. For a while she enjoyed the morning sun on her shoulders as her body went through the stages of preparing the timber and nails, then beginning the erection of a roof over the stockpile that was within the walls of the base. For a short while Otso came to look at her and lay down nearby, but, apparently bored, he gave Sina a long look from his dark eyes and then strolled away.

Around mid-morning, Moon Jackal appeared at the doorway of his hut and gave her a wave, or at least, waved in her direction, his ruined face wasn’t quite looking at her. After a visit to the stream he came over to where Sina was hammering a rock she could barely lift onto one of the poles that would support the roof.

‘Could I have that blueweed?’

‘Of course,’ Sina didn’t hesitate. And, in fact, Sina was surprised to find she now welcomed Moon Jackal’s request. The poor man had lost everything. If he needed to try to escape the pains of this world with blueweed that was understandable. Moreover, he was not likely to become an addict given how little they had.

‘Thank you,’ Moon Jackal sounded appreciative when she passed him the leather pouch with the drug. ‘I’m going to follow the stream to the dunes and lie among them, pretty safely hidden, I would think.’

‘Enjoy yourself.’ This was not the sentiment of her princess self on Earth. But it seemed right here. All the same, Sina paused her body from time to time to watch her companion – and the only other member of the Fins – as he walked toward the dunes. Eventually, he was lost among the swaying grass of the sandy hills.

Later that afternoon, the supports for the stockpile roof were all in place, but Sina felt that the next stage of the work would go much better if she had Moon Jackal’s assistance in placing the planks. With that thought in mind, she ran up a ladder and looked over the stockade wall in the direction of the sea. There he was! Hurrying too, the stream on his left as he jogged back towards her. What was the matter? Sina could not see any enemies but feeling anxious went to the stockpile and took up the rifle, then she went to the door, ready to throw the bolt as Moon Jackal was inside.

‘Are you all right?’ Sina asked as soon as a red-faced Moon Jackal was inside and the door was secured.

‘The avatar of the planet visited me.’ Moon Jackal sank to his knees and drew a deep breath. Then another. Now with a less urgent tone, he continued, ‘I was smoking blueweed and enjoying the feeling of the breeze and the sun when a shadow loomed over me. I can’t see very well any more and I thought it might be a slaver or a cannibal. But she said, “don’t fear, Moon Jackal. It is I, the planet Grimworld.”’

‘Really?’

Moon Jackal must have heard scepticism in her voice, because he said, ‘I know what you’re thinking. And it’s true, without the blueweed, I’d never have been able to see her. But it really was the planet, I know it was.’

He spoke with such sincerity that the Sina’s instinct – always polite – was to believe him. At the very least she believed that Moon Jackal was genuinely convinced that he’d met the being in charge of the planet. And perhaps he really had. This was a game world and a game with gods who could certainly exist and intervene in the affairs of the people on the planet.

‘What was she doing there?’

‘She came to see me, while the effect of the blueweed allowed me to communicate with her.’

‘Oh, indeed?’

‘Don’t you believe me?’

‘My apologies, Moon Jackal, of course I do. If I sound sceptical it is simply that I’m not used to living planets and gods. As far as I’m aware we don’t have these on Earth. Tell me, what did she look like?’

Nodding his acceptance of her apology, Moon Jackal rubbed his beard and turned his scarred face towards Sina. ‘Well, I didn’t see her too well. I got the impression of a young woman, younger than you, smaller too. Dressed in gold though. I could hear the soft clink of jewels, bracelets and necklaces on a metal body. Like she was wearing golden chainmail. And I felt that her eyes were on me, unblinking and dangerous. Made me think of your Otaxel.’

‘And what did she want?’

Moon Jackal smiled but whether it was the scar or the thought behind the expression, Sina felt that he was amused by something that gave him bitter satisfaction. ‘She believes you can solve the Ultima quest and she wanted to urge me to stay with you and help.’

‘The Ultima quest?’

‘It’s why the planet exists. Grimworld was designed as a game to entertain and reward those who took the risk of landing here and playing. But the avatar was distressed talking to me, crying even. Because we are many generations along and no one is trying to solve the quest. We have nineteen bases left, most of whom are trying to conquer each other: to enslave or even eat each other.’

‘Oh, don’t remind me,’ Sina felt a sudden anxiety, as if the cannibals might even now be creeping up on the stockade. It was deeply unpleasant living with the fear of capture by them.

‘I hate the Red Moon Tribe. And the Ravagers too. If there’s the smallest hope of revenge then I’m with you entirely.’ A moment after delivering this heartfelt statement, Moon Jackal suddenly lurched towards his hut. ‘I’ve a headache and need my bed. But she said to tell you that it was possible. Your friend ­– Mark?’

‘Marcus.’

‘He’s a genius. There’s no one like him on the planet. Nor you, apparently. You two can do it, solve the quest.’

Much as Sina wanted to hear more about this encouraging information, she couldn’t impose on Moon Jackal’s obvious desire to lie down. Watching him enter his hut, Sina’s heart picked a little when her companion turned and said:

‘One last thing, before I forget. She said your reward would be that she would send you back to your home planet if that was what you wanted.’

Oh, oh. Home. Yes. She wanted that very much.