The Other Five

"First off, I am glad you have all stayed here with me to this point, especially given everything that has been going on around us," Mallory began.

Just her presence and poise alone was proof enough of why everyone was here. Why everyone else dared to stay, to give this little slice of home a few more days.

"That said, we now have some news about the transfer processes. First, just to confirm, transferring from here to any of the so called Apron planets, of which we are a part is nearly instantaneous. The only difference is that you are reset back to level one, no skills, no updates, but any Merits you might still have get transferred with you. As always, you will keep your flaws regardless of where you are in your number of lives used." Mallory let out, and with that she paused to let everything sink in.

This was not new, so nothing seemed to change from this explanation, but it still felt good hearing the same things, and having the same things confirmed.

"Now, what you all might be curious about, while transferring to the apron planets and servers is instantaneous, transferring to one of the seven core, or guaranteed planets will take thirty days to process. Which was confirmed by a few adventurous Midnight Hunters who were gracious enough to pass back their findings. While all skills and levels were lost, their knowledge of what they did here remained, as many were able to quickly take advantage of the skills they were taught here. Where they then showed mastery over those same skills there and were quickly elevated in terms of abilities, and providing world firsts to those planets."

Cheerful clamor.

With that, there were a few, "you see," and "knew it" types of quick conversation that were bandied about.

"Of course, these findings sparked the second wave of Midnight Hunter explorers to travel, these were people who were still on their first lives, and thus still had any and all Merits assigned to them from their start of their time here, until they tried to go to one of the seven core worlds."

With that, the minor conversations that had been going on hushed, as everyone appeared to understand where this was all going, but like a train that flew off the rails and was just rolling wildly into the wilderness, everyone could only sit back and stare and wait for what we all knew would come next. Unfortunately, Mallory would not disappoint.

"Yes, as many of you might already be aware, so far going to one of the guaranteed core worlds is now confirmed to strip away all your starting Merits, and only leave you with your Flaws. Just as one would expect if you died and were reincarnated into one of the seven core worlds."

Clamor.

There were more noises being made, but Mallory was not done, apparently it was better to rip off the band aid than just let it go on and to find out later.

"There is one last thing," again Mallory did a masterful job of getting everyone to focus on her one last time. Just when everyone thought the worst was already out, she let out the last bombshell, "any death here, or in the apron planets, will forcibly cause you to be reincarnated on the core worlds."

With that Mallory paused, to let those words sink in.

"So that was the last of the known news and information that I wanted to share, the next part of this meeting will be a breakdown of how we will compete in the upcoming Planetary Positioning quests. There are ten categories that our world is able to compete in, and we need a good showing there, in order to improve our planet's overall standing and chance to avoid being axed if or when talks of budget cuts are allowed to continue."

Another slight pause, before Mallory concluded with, "any questions of what is possible currently with transferring to a higher tiered apron planet, or by transferring to a core world?"

With that, there was a moment of silence as everyone gathered their thoughts, but finally someone spoke.

"So any time, any of us die, even while apparently training for this Planetary Positioning quest, we are automatically going to be forced to resurrect on one of the core worlds?" Arch Mage Belton asked.

At that Mallory just scoffed, and as always gave a quick punchline before directing everyone's gaze towards me.

"To be fair, I think death is too afraid to poach from our resident Pixie's turf. Since she has been here, deaths, outside of full-scale invasions have dropped to less than one percent of the national average. Even then, I am told that Heal-Ulacrum generally manages to corral them at their spirits at the lower levels of the Arcanarus Tower to be saved."

Mallory was of course speaking of one of my Simulacrums, the one who is the first line of defense on the Arcanarus Tower. From my shared dreams I get when I rest and am able to synchronize with my Simulacrums, I know that Heal-Ulacrum and Rune-Ulacrum worked in tandem to make that possible, creating spirit grabbing arrays that will reach out for any floating spirits, and grab them long enough to be Resurrected before they spiral out and into the void of the world. A void that apparently now catapults their souls to one of the seven core worlds. Thinking back, this would explain why only Heal-Ulacrum could do this, Fae-Ulacrum tried to be a second layer of defense but couldn't as the spirits always flew too quickly through any nets that were in place.

Realizing all of these details, I think we can build in a secondary net now that would account for the perceived increase speed as disassociated souls are launched out of here at a fatal rate of speed. Thinking back, we always thought it was a miscalibration, as we were able to catch the spirit of locals, that is the souls of the permanent residents of BiPrism, i.e. those not known to be Regressors. Meaning this has been in the works for some time.

How long have people known that we were going to be shut down? Were there talks that I was unaware of? Undoubtedly. That was a stupid question, as of course there were conversations going on that I would not be aware of.

Just as I had this thought, I stopped as I suddenly felt all eyes on me, like a weight that was placed with restraints of expectation.

Stopping my own thoughts, I looked to see Arch Mage Belton looking in my direction, I can't help but realize how much he has grown recently, well grown magically. I think only Melkin's kid and I are the ones who are truly still growing. But Belton has improved so much from his earlier poor mana usage, that looked like he was trying to treat mana like it was dough for an easy bake oven, to someone who actually took magic somewhat seriously. That said, I too have also improved quite a lot since our last magicians duel.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

"Do you think you will be enough?" Belton asks. While I don't think there is malice behind his question, I can't help but feel slightly belittled at the question.

"You better hope I am enough," I begin.

Oh.

Hearing everyone react to my words; I can't help but realize I might have snapped back a bit too forcefully. He did have valid concerns, and not just about my competency as a Resurrector, but he also clearly has concerns about our ability to improve our planet's standing and survive at least the first round of budget cuts. That secondary insight, I believe comes from one of my many Future sight, or similar powers that have slowly begun to awaken within me. These powers let me sense the changes in the world around me, and allow me to react in ways that will allow us to stave off disaster. That's why I know I cannot leave him without even a morsel of hope.

"Besides, we are working on something," I admit.

At that, Belton and the others all look shocked as they seem to question what exactly I am hinting at.

"You all are working on something?" Belton asks, turning to look at Mallory who looks confused for a moment and has that wide eyed look of what are you going to make me agree to here look.

"No, me, and well more of me," I answer, then continue. "I don't know if you've noticed, but there are now a lot more of me running around. Not only does this mean there are more chances to be Resurrected, but know that we are also working on. . ."

I pause, not wanting to lie, not that I could as my Pixie bloodline would not allow me to. That's when I realize I don't have to lie. While I don't know what plan my Simulacrum have by constantly rotating themselves out and terraforming larger and larger swaths of the world, I do know that we all think it will be a chance. Most likely it won't work, but it is better than sitting around and waiting for the government to stop messing things up, because yeah that will never happen.

As I am having this thought, I suddenly realize why my own Simulacrums all but mutinied to do this part of terraforming on their own. It's what I would do, as I would need to do something, to feel like I was making a difference regardless of how small or insignificant it might be, I would need to make that change. Now, acting on my behalf, my Simulacrums who were copies of me, all took it upon themselves to do the same. Realizing this, I think I knew what they were doing, which would make what I said next, not be a lie, at least not as far as I was aware. That's when I hit them with my awesome naming skills.

"Plan Omega."

"Plan Omega?" Belton asked, a note of confusion in his voice.

"Yes, Plan Omega, when the wheels off, and we are forcefully grinding to a halt, knowing that impact is imminent, that's when we will know if Plan Omega was successful." I declare.

There is a moment of stunned silence as everyone just stares at me. I'm not certain if they want me to continue, to explain the awesome name, or what, but no one speaks. At least, no one speaks at first as everyone seems to mull over my words.

Of course, I knew there would be questions and I was prepared to do what I do best when it comes to answering, misdirection. Fortunately, Gwen, my daughter and one of the people I cherish most in the world is the first to speak up. Unfortunately, she gave me such a great intro I couldn't help but harp on it.

"Listen, I may be stupid . . ." Gwen began, only to be cut off by my near automatic reply to such an open comment.

"Say no more, I agree with everything you have said thus far," I agree.

Chuckles.

With that one comment a lot of the nervous tension that had been building in the war room suddenly dissipated. Even the normally stoic Gwen looks flustered at the probably harsher than needed comment. That's when I try to lessen the blow slightly by providing some more details.

"Look, I'm not going to get too deep into the details, but just know we have a plan. And that plan should work," I conclude.

"Should?"

"I mean, worse comes to worse, our world gets shut down and we get forcibly transmigrated to a new world outside of our control or interests as level one newbs with 157 points in Flaws to work through."

Silence.

Hearing my confession everyone paused. Only after I spoke up did I realize I might have wanted to keep that last part a secret. Who knew how many people were tired of me, and wanted to kill me at this point. Knowing that if I was somehow forced to leave here, I would be saddled with 157 points in Flaws with no Merits to help alleviate the problem, it was clear I would not last long. To confirm this, people started muttering.

"One hundred and fifty-seven?" A few voices all muttered almost as one. Rather than denying or downplaying that, I just nodded and responded affirmatively.

"Yeah, so I guess it goes without saying that I am fully invested in us surviving here at all costs," I respond.

Mallory, always aware of the moment, and perfect words for a segway chose that moment to cut in and direct us towards the second half of our conversation.

"Speaking of surviving at all costs, as the Guild Leader, I have been made privy to what this first round of Planetary Positioning quests entails," Mallory stated.

More clamor.

Again, the fact that we were all gathered in this one room for so long and only making minor noises was a testament to Mallory's guidance and demeanor as a leader.

"Yes, first of all, let this be known that this all Confidential!" Mallory stated and then turned to gaze directly at me.

Hearing her, and her blatant look towards me, I realized this was her cue to me, to use my once daily ability of Confidentiality to hide everything we said and did for the next three minutes. While I could also disrupt the findings of what we discussed after those initial three minutes by three hours. Unfortunately after those three hours, what we said outside the original three minutes would become available to anyone watching from the real world. Which given the fact that it now seemed like it would be us versus the real world, I realized this would likely become something that would be more and more often requested.

I held up my hand with three fingers, activating the overall Confidentiality, then counting down with my fingers to one and then zero I let Mallory know when we were live with our three minute window.

Once my last finger dropped, Mallory jumped on the conversation like it was a live grenade. Only after a second did I realize that everyone else had either been practicing the mannequin challenge or were just staring in stunned silence as to what was happening as no one said or did anything during those seconds before True Confidentiality took hold.

There wasn't a moment, no sign that anything had happened, just the sudden feeling of the world slowing down ever so slightly. I hoped my Simulacrums would use this moment to do whatever it was that my Simulacrums did during these times.

Sudden weakness.

A hope that was quickly both confirmed and regretted a moment later as my energy levels suddenly plummeted as all my Simulacrums apparently chose that moment to use as much of my energy as possible.

"Okay, so here are the things we know. In two years' time will be the first of likely many Planetary Positioning quests." There was a slight pause as she nodded at the unspoken question, "yes many. And everyone that competes and dies will be sent for Resurrection at one of the core planets. While you will not lose any lives by competing, losing during the competition will result in you being forced to access one of the seven core planets upon your respawn."

Hearing that, my mind went wild with the implications. It was diabolical, like those Starving Games where you send the best of the best against each other, then crown only one winner and send all the losers to start over as nothing.

Mallory held up her hand, staving off any questions knowing that she only had a limited amount of time to get through everything and seemed to be conscientious about trying to leave me with some of my three minutes to perform some of my own personal tasks. At least, that's what I thought at first, but nope, she continued going on.

"After this first round, every planet who is in the third apron will be eliminated. Either, they can jump ship before the final competitions are held, or they can wait and hope that their planet does well enough overall to avoid being part of the first thirty planets that are cut. This means that we should expect to see a large spike in refugees to our world, as people try to start over at a planet expected to pass the first round of cuts. That said, as a planet squarely located on the second apron, we will likely not be one of the first choices for talented individuals looking to escape a lower income server." Mallory continued.

Hearing that, the implication was clear, when people did start jumping ship in order to survive, we would likely not be receiving the best of the best like the core planets, or those listed on the first apron. As such, we would likely have to work with who we have currently. Even if a talented individual did transfer to our world, they would start off so low level that they wouldn't be able to help at least not in the time between now and our first competition, which would apparently happen within two years' time.

In a way, those two years seemed both too short and too long. We could either do everything we wanted to do, finish resolving every loose thread we had before going to a government sanctioned or approved planet, or we could try to train our hardest, kill off the best of the best that other servers had, and ultimately make it so even on worlds that survived, their product would soon be deemed to be inferior as all the best players would either die or have a lack of adequate competition worthy of watching.

I saw the plan that the government had, and realized it was a slow death to the conclusion that the government ultimately wanted. The moment I realized this, I understood that even if my Simulacrums weren't currently working on Plan Omega, then I definitely would.

"Don't worry, we have a cheat," Mallory began then a huge smile filled her features.

"Cheat?" People muttered.

"That's right, a cheat, for you see I have it on good authority that the order that the ten categories were listed, are the order that they will be shown. Meaning that we are guaranteed to win the first five categories: Magic, Magical Combat, Physical Combat, Team Combat, Mixed Team Combat," Mallory began as she then gestured towards me.

Hearing her speak so highly of me and my abilities, I realized two things. First, this conversation would likely go beyond the full scope of the three minutes provided by my Complete Confidentiality, and second, I realize I might need to do more than just ask for forgiveness at this time.

"Actually, about that, I have already chosen my five categories," I begin.

With that Mallory just nodded in understanding. "That's fine, once you select five you are set and there is no changing, but since you chose the five core categories that we need, it is fine that you went ahead without permission."

Hearing that, I felt the room suddenly get a little bit hotter.

"Actually, I chose the other five categories. . ."

And with that one admission, the calm that had settled over the war room attendees broke down into utter chaos.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.