Someone shaking me and saying something woke me up. My brain lagged a few seconds behind, then finally translated the sounds into words.

  “Get up. Get up. We have things to do and you can’t be lazy today.”

  “I can’t?” I muttered. “Up late. Wanna sleep.” I tried to roll over and turn away, but she didn’t let me.

  A sudden blast of cold as the comforter and sheet were pulled off my body. It was followed by a flash of heat that ignited low on my back, like someone had lit a fire under my ass. That got me awake. Fast.

  When Blaze saw me open my eyes, she banished the flame she’d been holding. Fire mages got to do the fun stuff with their powers. Me? I could make a pale, translucent blue blob. It looked like a giant, flat soap bubble. Nobody feared soap bubbles. Threatening to set a man’s bed on fire with him in it though…that scared me.

  “I’m up, I’m up,” I told her, dragging myself upright.

  “You get a shower and I’ll make breakfast. And coffee.”

  “Coffee?” That was the magic word that woke me up. I stumbled my way into the bathroom.

  Fifteen minutes later or so later, I’d shit, showered, shaved the little patch of my face not covered by beard, and pulled on most of my gear. My hands cupped the mug of hot coffee like it was holy. Steam curled into the cool May morning air drifting in through the open kitchen window. The first sip was smooth, bitter, and exactly what I needed. Nectar of the gods. Or just Folgers. Didn’t matter.

  “We’re supposed to meet the rest of the party at the convention center lot at eight,” Blaze reminded me. “We pick up Shadow on the way. She said she messaged you, but you didn’t answer.”

  “She’s awake already? She did most of the work last night. I just helped kill Goblins.”

  “I heard about that.” Blaze smirked into her mug. “You made her lead the party and make the decisions. Good for you. She needs to lead more. So does Bhaarrt. He’s been doing it when they’re not with you.”

  “Does that mean I shouldn’t lead when it’s the five of us?”

  “No. You should. If we’re moving into new things, then you lead. Repeat runs, let others lead.”

  “OK.” I grinned. “Next time we do a partial dungeon clear, you lead. I’ll just sit back and shield everyone while you give and take the heat.”

  She threatened me with her toast that had two big bites out of it. I ducked and we both laughed.

  I scrolled Game Chat messages while I ate. Shadow’s chat was there, asking to be picked up. A newer one had just come in from Lieutenant Marmari: he’d meet us at the convention center. Said he had good news.

  “Just got to Marmari’s message?” Blaze asked, watching me. “It looked like it from the look on your face. I think he sent one to each of us,”

  “Yeah. Said he’d meet us there. Good news, apparently. Which means we need to finish gearing up and get moving.”

  I shoved down the last of my eggs and toast, and chased it with the dregs of my coffee to wash it down. Dishes went into the sink and we grabbed our gear.

  We rolled into the convention center parking lot, looking for Marmari. Two Strykers loomed near the edge of the asphalt…one a command variant I’d seen before and one an infantry carrier with its heavy doors yawning open. Lieutenant Marmari stood with Bhaarrt and Ingrid outside the second vehicle, tablet in hand. He raised a hand when he spotted us.

  The three of us joined him.

  “Good morning,” Marmari greeted when we joined them. He nodded toward Bhaarrt and Ingrid. “I’ve been showing them satellite maps. Potential observation and firing points. Nothing fixed yet…we need to know your sensing range to the target first.” He angled the iPad so I could see the cluster of icons marking the area.

  Blaze and Shadow leaned in to look too.

  “What’s this oval marker way down here?” I tapped an icon several miles out.

  I recognized the icon, but I wasn’t sure if the others, besides Bhaarrt, would.

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  “Artillery battery. Three guns from the local National Guard, just over five kilometers away. Just into their medium range. Top brass cleared us for up to three salvos.”

  “Individual fire?” I asked.

  He grinned. “No problem. We call it in, and they’ll put them on our grid marker. A single 155mm round will tear a hole bigger than anything we brought. Once we confirm location, they'll get in position.”

  “Thank you,” I said. “Didn’t know if we’d get backup. Eddington’s people can’t take this thing without half of them dying. Maybe all. What about your men?”

  “We can move two platoons with heavy weapons squads and Strykers into position. This got Joint Chiefs sign-off as a ‘live fire demonstration against major game assets.’ The President herself approved it.”

  He put the line in finger quotes.

  “She would. Probably wants the full report, too.”

  Marmari chuckled. “No bet there. They want live reports…video, audio, the works. Good thing it’s in an old quarry. We’re going to turn that place into Swiss cheese.”

  “That’ll be something to watch. Our shields should hold against stone fragments.”

  “And pressure waves,” Marmari added. “That’s why soldiers love foxholes. And…we’ve got some new toys today. We’re testing drones for fire control. GPS coordinates straight from the feed. Then the drone gets out of the way and films the fireworks. We’ll be using one today as a scout, so we don’t have to get too close.”

  “If you’re doing all that, what do you need us for?”

  “You can feel it,” he said. “If you can’t, see how close you can safely get. We’ll cover you. Well, that’s the plan.”

  “Gee. Thanks.” I smirked. “So, follow us or rendezvous later?”

  “If you’ve got room, I’ll put a radioman in with you. Then we’re tied into all three vehicles. You lead and we follow as long as you give us your route and destination points first.” he said.

  “I’ll ask the party.” I said and walked back to the van slowly, working through options. The air had the damp smell of a heavy morning dew, and a faint floral smell I didn’t recognize.

  “OK. Here’s the story. Army’s in. Two combat platoons with heavy weapons, plus a National Guard battery…that’s three 155 howitzers. Bhaarrt can explain how much that matters. We might not need gamers in the fight at all. Unless the magic makes the artillery useless…then we’re screwed. Our job is shielding and ranged fire. Nobody gets close. Today’s just recon.”

  “That’s gonna be overkill,” Bhaarrt said, shaking his massive head. “Nothing short of a bunker’s surviving that. Even weakened, it’s dead. What do I do…piss on it?”

  We all laughed.

  “Maybe piss it off so it pays attention to us instead of them. Marmari’s drone will scout first. They’ll hit it tonight or tomorrow.” That’ll give us time to round people up.”

  “And one more thing,” I added. “They want a soldier riding with us. Comms specialist. So, someone shifts to the back with Bhaarrt.”

  “I’ll move,” Ingrid piped up. “I like sitting in my husband’s lap. My spear and bag are already back there.”

  “Perfect. Marmari’s guy is on his way.”

  A young soldier hustled up and almost saluted, caught himself, and offered me his hand. “Sir, Cody Franz. Communications specialist. Call me Cody. It’s an honor, sir.”

  I shook it. “Welcome. Up front is Blaze, Fire Mage. Opposite Shadow, our ninja. Back is Bhaarrt, Ogre Tank, and his wife Ingrid, Valkyrie Holy Healer.”

  He climbed in, grinning. “Pleasure to meet you all. We’ve been following your work since we got to Eddington. It’s an honor to ride with you.”

  “He’s gushing like a fanboy,” I thought, sending JOIN PARTY invites to everyone but him.

  [William of Brinsford:] [PARTY] [Be nice to the fanboy.]

  “Relax and belt in,” I told him. “We’ve got ground to cover. We’ll talk plans on the way.” I started the van.

  “We’ve got a plan? Since when do we have plans?” Blaze teased. Everyone but Cody laughed.

  “We always got a plan. Kill it before it kills us,” Shadow added.

  “Simple plans are the best. We’ll approach the quarry from the far side where there’s a gate. I’ll lead us in to see the floor and opening in the quarry wall.”

  I didn’t take the direct route. Instead, I steered toward a spot where I’d felt its presence before. Gravel snapped under the tires, the woods pressing tight around us. The sun was higher now, slanting through branches, turning leaves into shifting green glass.

  As we entered the zone, it felt like the air thickened. The fine hairs on my arms stood on end. My chest tightened, the way it had before.

  “I feel it,” I said, slowing the van. It didn’t feel as strong as the last time, but that was after feeling it three other times. This was the first today. Yesterday, the feelings got stronger each time I kept touching them.

  “I feel something,” Ingrid added. Her hand tightened on her spear. “It feels evil. Like the things we put in the box we made.”

  “I do too,” Bhaarrt rumbled.

  Blaze shook her head. “I don’t feel anything. I wasn’t around those things like the rest of you.”

  “Feels like the main building at NeedLess, and Iago,” Shadow said quietly. “Wrong. Heavy. No sound, just…wrong.”

  “Blaze? Anything now?” I asked.

  “Sorry. Nothing. Just nervous. I’ll tell you if I do.”

  “OK. You weren’t exposed like we were. The moment you feel it, speak up.”

  “I don’t feel anything,” Cody said. “Checking with the other vehicles now.” His headset crackled as he spoke quietly into it.

  We rolled out of the feeling’s grip, like stepping into fresh air after holding our breath too long.

  “None of them felt anything either,” Cody reported. “Maybe because we weren’t around those items? Think that makes it safer for us?”

  “I wish I knew. Maybe. I hope so. Tell Marmari to keep his people alert. I don’t want anyone turning into a MINION.”

  “Yes, sir. Will do.” Cody said.

  “Cody,” Shadow called out.

  “Yes ma’am?”

  “In this party, we say ‘roger that.’ Used to piss Will off, now he does it too. Got that?”

  “Yes ma’am. Er…roger that.”

  We all laughed.

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