8 Trials Deep

CHAPTER 12: IF BY MY LIFE OR DEATH I CAN PROTECT YOU, I WILL

RF-13 had long known that Leta could be classified as an anomaly. Avatars were in principle multi-dimensional interactive images controlled by a living person to represent them. Aside from the virtual dimension, the avatars could also wander in the physical world for several purposes. It could be for meeting people, sightseeing, window shopping or any activities that did not strictly demand physical presence. Still, avatars had limitations. And they had more limitations in the physical world. Avatars could not tamper with the network in the physical dimension since they were by essence no more than holographic images of living users. However, Leta in her avatar form could breach the stringent security systems of the Academy and play around the network.

If any other discovered her, she would be identified as a security threat, a sentient virus. Until now, RF-13 had never heard of a thinking virus. She was far more advanced than the programmed and digital bots that would creep on databanks to steal information or tamper with the codes. There was a the possibility that she was a conscious AI.

When RF-13 tried asking her it seemed that even Leta could not give concrete answers. The issue was left as is and RF-13 did not try to pry on her identity. Even if she was a ghost his relationship with her would not change. What was really bothering him was that he could not answer the question: ‘What is our relationship?’

He sighed, frustrated. Then checked his MA for the third time in a row, but there was still no connection request from Leta. He wondered where she had run off. They had been interacting closely for quite some time that he would occasionally find himself talking to the air expecting Leta to reply. Then he would remember that Leta was not around. This habit of his was becoming annoying, as if he expected Leta to be always within reach. Was it too constricting to want someone to be by his side?

The question made RF-13 slightly uncomfortable, he had always thought himself independent. He made a conscious effort to bury that line of thought and shifted his focus on the present, RF-06 had already left the carriage.

When the Trichotomous landed they were met by the ambassadors and some officers of the Royal Affairs Division, the organizers in charge of the 8 Trials. The trials began as soon as the last batch reported. However out of the 858 who visited, 6 failed to show up. The organizers had automatically disqualified them and gave each of the participants a uniform suit.

The full body suit gradually adjusted to his body’s natural physique like a moldable second skin. It was in fact a moldable fabric that had smart capabilities to adapt any body type. It also had combat ready features such as ability to decrease and diffuse external striking force, camouflage, poison resistance and detection, temperature regulation and tear resistance. If the suit received damage it had, to some extent, the ability to regenerate. It also allowed freedom of movement. However, the suit’s most important feature for the organizers was that it allowed them to track all the contenders’ locations and monitor their condition.

The only downside of the suit was its cost. For the organizers to be willing to handle such expenditure, it showed the degree of their preparation and the weight they placed on the competition.

RF -13 selected some features in the changing cubicle. Once it activated light flashed through the room before fading in an instant. The young man stepped aside and where he once stood was a hologram clone of himself. The hologram slowly rotated as RF-13 inspected the fit of the clothes for brief moment. Then he directed the control interface of the cubicle to erase the clone from the memory register before stepping out and walking towards the gateway pods. An attendant led him into a massive coliseum.

Hundreds of the most advanced gateways were located in the wide coliseum. The first trial was set in the virtual dimension, RF-13 had already known this. After all, the best way to simulate a space war setting with minimal casualties was on the virtual dimension.

Each pod had a companion condition monitor that displayed the dimension tripper’s brain activity, heartbeat, breathing and other vital activities. Going to the virtual dimension did not usually involve danger. However, there were special situations when it was anticipated. These situations occurred when a section of the virtual dimension was manipulated to simulate certain extreme circumstances such as disasters ranging from war, natural calamities, fire or hostage taking. It was designed to train people on responding and coping with danger. It could also be used as tests.

To the left of the pods were elevated seats where spectators sat. Opposite them was a gigantic screen where the Trials would be closely monitored. The big screen had similar smaller screens surrounding it. The smaller displays would reflect different views, contenders, locations or events happening during the trials aside from the main attraction. This was the advantage of viewing it on the coliseum, as the home broadcast would only show the view from the big screen. However, since the seats were limited only those who could afford it could reserve a spot.

By the time the first stage of the Trials opened, all the seats with no exception had been occupied. RF-13 and the rest of the contenders had already uniformly settled on the gateway pods. With a deep breath RF-13 triggered the transmission mechanism. His consciousness gradually eased into the virtual dimension.

He had barely opened his eyes when he heard a short ringing sound followed by a message that floated before his eyes. Since it was an environment in the virtual dimension that the Royal Division had specifically set up, they had a measure of control on the information and communication transmissions. They would be able to communicate with him without connecting to his MA. RF-13 preferred it that way. It lessened the risk of them detecting Leta.

A cynical curve crept on his lips when he turned his full attention to the information sent to him.

- - - - - - - - - Contender RF-13 Situation Update- - - - - - - - - -

Location: Holding Cell of the Sorus Pirate Mothership

Identity: Captured crew of the Silverin Wolf Regimen under the Regiis Kingdom

Mission: Successfully evade interrogation by enemy inquisitor and aid the surviving defense forces until backup arrives.

Situation Background: The Royal Regiis central station received a distress signal from the Novian Settlement in the Bava Galaxy. Three warships flying the Praedo pirate flag and a mothership have been spotted in the northern territory. Major General Tyr immediately sent the closest regimen composing of a mothership and 8 warships. At sixteen hundred hours, the general received an urgent request for backup from the responding forces. The Silverin regimen has been ambushed by pirate ships lying in wait at the Saxum Asteroid Belt, 5 light-years from the Novian Settlement. The mothership has been sunk and the surviving crews have been captured. The captors joined forces with the pirate attack on the northern territory to overcome the settlements continuously weakening defense. Estimate arrival of backup forces within 2 hours. The Novian military defense reports a conservative estimate, they can hold for at most an hour.

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RF-13 had expected the first trial to be difficult. However, he did not expect this level of difficulty. The scenario was in fact an actual military incident, the Novian Tragedy. The defense line was not able to hold for the backup forces to arrive. Hastam Morgan, commander of the attacking Praedo pirates and formerly known as Regiis military colonel RF-94548, laid waste the Novian Settlement. No citizen was spared and the rest of the captured crew were tortured for information, none of them was able to return home.

The acquired intel from the tortures had also caused monumental damage on the Lychinus empire. It had caused more deaths, colossal damage on the military strength, confusion and mistrust among the leading figure. It took a long time for the Regiis Kingdom to recover. However after the incident, the Novus Settlement had remained unoccupied. No one was willing to resettle on the far flung location and it became a grim and crumbling monument.

For the first stage of the Trials the Royal Affairs were not only seeking to eliminate more than half of the contenders, they were also searching for answers from the most promising young men of the empire. Could the tragedy have turned out into a less grim ending?

If the other contenders were shaken by the scenario, RF-13’s attention was more on the mission. He understood. ‘Successfully evade interrogation by enemy inquisitor’ meant that if they were not able to escape, death by their own hands was the other alternative. The information leakage by the captured crew had caused traumatic effects on the empire and its people. By the time he was in the military, an insider slogan had long been passed from generation to generation, ‘Die rather than betray.’

RF-13 had found no dislike for the extremist slogan. If by death he could secure the safety of the people at home it was a small price to pay.

Of course the word ‘die’ in the current scenario meant voluntary withdrawal. They had been instructed by the coordinators that on situations where they could no longer continue it was wiser to withdraw. They could bail out anytime through several signals or in case of bodily incapacity, confirmed verbal request. However he was sure that every contender knew voluntary withdrawal meant automatic irrefutable elimination from the 8 Trials.

The viewers, if they did not have a loved one or a champion in the Trials, must be having a good time watching the dramatic broadcast unfold. He just wished his older sister really kept an eye on the twins and made sure they were not watching.