Shock.
As they followed Lil Ghani, they were all struck silent in shock.
"How... How does Lil Ghani own a mansion? I was a Rocket League Master and even I was stuck living in a cheap apartment! Why is it like this!"
Ghost mumbled under his breath as he held his fists in anger, his veins nearly rupturing in frustration.
He wasn't just a Rocket League Master, he was a Super Sonic Legend! One of the greats! There were only a few players from long ago in the times of yore that could rival his ability.
A few players from long ago? Ones that could rival his ability?
Ghost froze as he came to a dark realization, his hands starting to tremble before he felt a desperate itch travel over him.
Overcome by this feeling, he desperately scratched at his chin and started to search even the most remote recesses of his mind, but still... he couldn't think of a single Rocket League player from long ago.
It was almost as if these great beings had their names ripped from history and their very essences were lost to the annals of time, leaving only the most resplendent tales of their matches to be passed on until today.
He realized there was something unusually dark behind Rocket League's existence, but still, he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
If only he could track down one of these players somehow! Only then could he figure out what twisted plot was going on and maybe reveal the truth of it to the world for all to see!
'I hope I'm overthinking things,' Ghost sniffled, 'but if my fears turn out to be correct, I swear that I'll fix everything. Even if it means making an enemy out of Psy-Onix and Cipe themselves!'
"Ghost?"
Ghost shook, taking in a sharp breath of cold air as Wolverine's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
"Uh? Oh, what's up?"
"You've just been standing there, mumbling nonsense to yourself for five minutes now."
"Five minutes passed?"
"Yeah, Lil Ghani is still waiting for us, come on."
They walked towards the mansion's entrance, its entrance towering over them like a behemoth while the open door was its monstrous maw, threatening to swallow them as they entered.
As menacing as it was, there was an Xbox inside it. That was enough reassurance for Ghost.
Lining the hallways was a luxurious red and purple carpet and the floor was of a marble tiling, glistening so brilliantly that Ghost could see its shine. The windows were composed of colored glasses while various paintings of unknown beings and creatures lined the walls.
Most importantly, not a single spec of dust or cobwebs could be found. This place was kept in peak condition, its state truly worthy of respect.
Inside was a reception room, dining room, and even extraordinary entertainment rooms like theaters could be found inside.
Much to his surprise, there was even an outside patio with a golfing range. He could barely control himself as he desired to pick up a club and give it a good swing. Hitting the range was his old hobby, just before the days of Rocket League. And back then, he still had Hoah Nill by his side.
'Hoah... I hope you're doing okay, old friend. Hang in there, I'll be there to save you!' he clenched his fists tightly and moved on.
Lastly, there was the intertwining staircase, which led to the most valuable room of all.
No, of course it wasn't the treasury or the vault.
It was the gaming room, or more specifically, the Rocket League room.
Stepping inside this room, Ghost was overcome by his feelings, his eyes flashing with tiny hearts.
The bedroom was painted with a flashing red and blue, and octanes were even painted on the side of the walls. There was even a red and blue set of octane bunk beds!
'That's my kind of bed!' Ghost felt his heart beating out if his chest.
Yes, this was it, this was true dedication to Rocket League!
Perhaps, Afghanistan was the home he sought all this time! After completing his mission, he'd go back and take Hoah by force before returning. Maybe he could find Delexi too while he was at it?
"How did you get this Xbox?!"
Ghost arrived just in time to see Roach yelling out in insanity.
Wasn't it just an Xbox? Why was he freaking out so much?
Ghost moved closer, but his eyes only widened with every step he took.
This wasn't just an Xbox, no, it wasn't even the Xbox Series X! It was the—
"The Xbox Code Eden!" Ghost shouted in surprise, "No fucking way! No fucking way, man! This thing is sold out everywhere, you can only get it if you manage to find a scalper who's feeling a bit generous! How do you have this here in Afghanistan when even the stores in the United States don't have it?!"
Lil Ghani's forehead trickled with sweat, overwhelmed by their interrogative shouts.
"Let-let me explain! I'll tell you everything from the start!"
Ghost and his squad nodded their heads in agreement.
Considering the shortage of Xbox Code Eden consoles in the United States, they had to know why they managed to find one here in Afghanistan of all places.
Lil Ghani took a deep breath, and Ghost Squad would soon learn of the harsh truth.
***
One year and seven months ago.
United States military bases were scattered throughout Afghanistan, and each of these bases were supplied with loads of ammo, weapons, uniforms, and the highly sought after Xbox Code Eden consoles.
Yes, you heard it right. Xbox Code Eden consoles!
Many would laugh mockingly, saying this was all just a hoax made-up by a couple of bored soldiers.
But it wasn't. This is the hard truth.
"Zzzzz... Zzzzz... this is the hard truth... Zzzz... Supply all military bases with Xbox Code Eden consoles... Zzzz... This is an order from your President... Zzzz...."
The Executive Office of the President of the United States of America.
Snoozing on the Presidential Desk of the United States of America was an old man, a dribble of drool hanging off his lips and forming a tiny puddle on a mass of paperwork.
This man was the one and only, the legendary, Sleepy Joe aka the President of the United States of America.
Just in front of him were three buttons.
"Activate Nuclear Launch Sequence"
"Unleash the Kraken"
"Withdraw all US troops from Afghanistan immediately"
Sleepy Joe gave a heavy snore, rolling over as he raised his wrinkled hand into the air, eventually stopping over the third button.
"Zzz... I said give the troops their damn Xbox Code Eden consoles already!" he yelled out, pounding down on the third button.
Bri-leep!
An electrical sound echoed out as a holographic A.I. took form.
"Are you sure you would like to 'withdraw all US troops from Afghanistan immediately?'" the A.I. inquired.
"If it means you shut up... Zzz... And I can go back to sleep... Then fine..."
"Understood. Please say the password."
"Bara— Zzz..."
"Incorrect password. Please try again."
"Bara-go-bomb-a-few-countries."
Bri-leep!
"Password accepted. Analyzing Presidential Snore of the United States of America."
Sleepy Joe's snore rumbled out like the quaking giants fighting during the fall of thunder.
"Presidential Snore of the United States of America accepted. Command to 'withdraw all US troops from Afghanistan immediately' will now be issued!"
Sirens instantly blared off as hundreds of emergency alarms were activated, triggering all of the military A.I.s to issue his orders.
The military bases in Afghanistan erupted into worry.
"Move! Move! Move!"
"Quick! Get to the chopper!"
Everything was in mass chaos.
"But wait—what about our weapons, ammo, and uniforms?" a soldier asked.
"You're thinking about our military supplies? We have to leave our Xbox Code Eden consoles behind, naturally none of that matters!"
"Soldiers, keep it moving! We've gotta get out of here now!"
"Should we destroy our bases? If the enemies get a hold of everything here, that might not be good for us...."
"Shut the hell up, soldier. We do as our orders say. Now let's get outta here!"
Within twenty minutes, all of the soldiers were moved onto planes and safely returned home.
Still, the atmosphere was dim. There was no win here.
Several cried out, comforted by their fellow soldiers.
"I can't believe it... we left those consoles just like that..."
"Maybe good will come out of it?" another soldier held his head low, but he still tried to find some good out of it.
***
One month after they left, Afghanistan was going through an entire evolution of its economical system—and it was all thanks to the Xbox Code Eden consoles.
More specifically, the current state of economics in Afghanistan was, well, Rocket League.
After the US pulled out their military, Afghans raided the bases and retrieved these consoles and found one game installed—Rocket League.
And within a single game, they found themselves hooked. The soldiers continued playing game after game while the thousands and thousands of excess consoles were distributed all throughout Afghanistan.
From this distribution, their society found itself becoming more and more Rocket League oriented.
The civilians played it, the militia groups played it, everyone in Afghanistan played it. They even had their own pro RLCS team in the works!
And now, even your Rocket League rank was a determining factor of your social standing.
Life was genuinely beautiful.