What few players realized and what only a few did was that the Lucky Star that roamed the city of Fortuna Sands like a sun and moon was more than just a large roaming satellite. In fact, it was more of hollow Gem, crafted specifically for the purposes of meeting a select few operators with a few that match no other in this virtual game. From within its carved crystal corridors, staircases and windows one could view every part of the city from 24 different points at 24 different hours. Inside this orange gem of a structure was 13 seats, around a large round table in the heart of the structure, the core of the gem sharpened like a grand meeting hall where 13 members would meet together.

Of these 13 seats only 7 were occupied that night, seats marked with numbers that showed high as a badge of honor to crown their individual placement in the circle. Seat 13, by Benjii-Benjamins, a man in furry coat with his ebony cane resting by his side. Although he was the highest number he was also the lowest ranked member, practically isolated from the rest of his peers sitting at the table of the Unlucky 13. Seats 2 to 7 were occupied by members who were surrounded by shadows even when there was brightness of the city below the reflection of the glass around them. Whether this was a trick of the structure of some skill they used to obscure their presences, neither would have surprised Benjii.

Although obscure in shadows they’re tells revealed the outlines of creatures that were never seen in Fortuna Sands characters except in this instance. From the highest to lowest numbers, there was shadow of crow’s beak with a feather cape, the snout of great hound with a collar of spikes, the ears of bad worn by leathery winged cape, the look of owl’s eyes with broad feathery face, the man with long whiskers and grin of smile that twisted and turned in oblong shapes, finally the long ears of fox that matched a boa of fine fur draped over her shoulders. These were the highest seats and they looked down upon Benjii like a lion about to devour a lamb. Yet, he sat in his seat unmoved and stoic like a statue waiting patiently for them to make the first move.

“So, it’s just you Ol’ Scratch?” The woman in the leathery cape said scratching the table with her long nails.

“Well what do you expect, the old fossils can’t keep up in a young man’s game, ha ha.” The man laughed with the screech of jackale at his own humor.

“I don’t see why you even attend, old man.” The man in the spiked caller said. “Why don’t you do what other old fossils do and stick your head in the stand.”

“First off, there’s only a 10 year age difference between the youngest of you.” Benjii retorted. “Secondly, I’m old enough to know when to fight and when to bide my time. Secondly the old guard may be out of date with today’s gaming interfaces, but we were mastering the art when you were all still typing to figure out your phone tablets.”

“That may not be for long, old man.” The woman with fox ears said as she stroked her fox boa. “Ninety days of learning is like nine years trying to catch up with the young folk.”

“Technically, they helped design this game.” The Owl eyed player said on his behalf. “I mean, the system is so vast that there might be a thing or two that we don’t even know about it.”

“Who’s side are you on?” The black crow beaked man stared down the owl.

“I see at least one of you is cautious enough to put your foot on the brakes when you’re coming into a turn.”

“A car joke, I get it!” The jackal laughed uncontrollably again.

“The truth is there are many things about this game that only Miss-Fortuna knew about. Without her, we might as well be trying to steer with her hands tied and feet glued to the peddle.”

“Another one, I love it!” The jackal started, until he was interrupted.

SLAM! A clawed hand of the crow made everyone silent, as he turned his eyes to each corner of the table.

“My father, and his friends invested a lot of money on this venture, but we’re only seeing minimal returns if best.” He spoked.

“Profits have always been steady...”

“Steady is for us, but players now players are reporting annual incomes on par with shareholders without even investing a dime. Why is that?”

“The system gives out a detailed accounting of all transactions within the system.”

“Yet, somehow it has funds to give out free money? Do you realize, the number of inquiries we get a week from regulation boards, private securities inquiring when they’re going to see a major return on their investments? This game is practically a large casino, by definition made to separate people from their money, not the other way around.”

“We all have more money than we can spend in one lifetime and yet you want more, for what? Does enough not satisfy you young pups?”

“I’m saying this is business and every business has a bottom line. What exactly was the point of making a casino game when profits go out more than in?”

“Your father didn’t seem to mind, when offered up his seat.”

“My father, along with the rest of the old guard always saw this as a safe bet. Does everyone else here want to play it safe?”

“Hell no!” The coyote laughed.

“I could take a little risk.” The bat lady said, plucking her pointed nails.

“Real furs don’t grow on trees in this world.” The box ear lady said, stroking her boa.

“About time for change around her, anyway.” The dog man barked.

The owl eyed man said nothing, simply stood beside his associates and nodded in agreement.

“Ninety days Benjii.” The crow uttered. “Ninety days, for you old timers to act or get left in the dust.”

“Maybe by then you’ll all see just how wisdom beats youth every time.”

Suddenly the shadows faded in a dark mist as all 6 players logged off simultaneously. Benjii simply leaned in his chair and took a deep breath before grabbing his cane and getting up from his seat. He strolled over the nearly viewpoint in the chamber and tapped his cane twice.

“Midnight!” He commanded.

POOF! A puff of black smoke and the cat-like NPC appeared behind him with a formal bow.

“Yes, sir, how may I be of service?”

“I need a sympathetic ear...maybe a cold drink if you have time.”

“Very good sir,” he said bowing and turned to a nearby bar set nearby.

It hadn't been used in ages, but suddenly came to life in the presence of a new bartender to man its station. As turned and tossed the glasses and cordials together in a manner befitting a master mixologist, he listened carefully to every word with his long cat ears.

“Do you believe in Karma, Midi?”

“Karma Points drive a major part of skills and ability in Fortuna Sands...”

“No, I mean real karma, as in cause and effect, action and reaction, that kind of thing. I know to you it’s probably just ones and zeros, and the young gamers believe it’s just spiritual mumbo jumbo, but number one believe that if you build with your soul, even a video game can have a piece of it.”

“Sounds like you believe that Miss-Fortune is still here in one form or another.” He said as he poured the drinks into the final glass.

“Maybe, she always said that the spirits were like her children, and in a way it’s kind of true. She spends more time working on her programs than her own family.”

“I was unaware that Miss-Fortune even had a family, sir.”

“She did, but she rarely talked about them. You probably know how cold and logical she was, I mean I knew her, but even I never thought of her as a friend.”

“She was indeed, one of a kind, sir.” He brought the drink within reach of him.

“I don’t know what bigger game she had in mind, unless you’ve got a clue being her personal assistant and all.” He took the drink from his hands.

“I am just the master of ceremonies, sir.” He simply said with a bow. “One of numerous incarnations that are simultaneously the same and yet divided. Merely a liaison between the spirits and players, observe and report, that is all.”

“Then why are you even here, serving me drinks and taking orders from the likes of mere mortals like me?”

“I’m only doing as I was told, the hand of fate works in mysterious ways sir.”

“Yeah, same answer as always.”

He walked over to the nearest view and bent to twirl his drink, examining the tiny bubbles in the glass and comparing it to the other stars of the city below. Seeing such beauty, it was hard to imagine the chaos that was to come, but for now he enjoyed the moment lifting his glass high into the air to toast the sky.

“This one’s for you spirits.” He toasted. “To the end of the world or the beginning of a new one.” He drank that glass in one gulp and then handed the glass to Midnight.

Then together they vanished in a plume of black misted, leaving the crystal coliseum a mausoleum once more. While the inside the corridors were pale and lifeless, the outside was still shining brightly. The Lucky Star would always be watching over the sands waiting for the time when it would awaken once more. When or where that would be could only be read in the star skies above.

To Be Continued...