The transport ship was a step up from a slave's cot on Desolation Prime, but that wasn't saying much. The air reeked of recycled sweat and a metallic tang I couldn't quite place. My body ached, a symphony of pain conducted by the lingering effects of plasma fire and a desperate escape. At least the army had patched me up a bit, even if it was just basic first aid. The stolen override chip felt heavy in my hand, a tangible reminder of my gamble. It had gotten me this far, but I still had not figured out how to use it.
[Medical Analysis Complete][Injuries Detected: Plasma burn (right shoulder), Multiple lacerations, Severe muscle strain][Treatment: Basic. Further treatment recommended.]Yeah, no kidding. A medical drone, all spindly arms and whirring instruments, buzzed around me like an oversized mosquito, but it didn't seem to be doing much beyond the initial treatment. I swatted at it half-heartedly. It was making me nervous."Hold still, recruit," a voice said. "Unless you want that arm to fall off."The voice belonged to a woman who looked like she'd been assembled from spare parts and bad attitude. Cybernetic enhancements glinted beneath her skin, and her eyes... they glowed. Not in a friendly way."You're the one who made the grand entrance," she continued, her gaze raking over me. "Zero, wasn't it?"[Detected: Lieutenant Chen, Special Forces Recruitment][Warning: High-Ranking Officer Detected][Recommended Response: Respectful Deference][Current Social Standing: Bottom Tier]The System, ever helpful, helpfully informed me."That's me," I said, trying to sound nonchalant and failing miserably. "Just trying to make a good first impression."A flicker of something that might have been amusement crossed her face. "You've certainly done that. Your file's lit up like a supernova. A slave, escaping a maximum-security mining colony, killing an overseer, stealing a ship, and somehow hacking the System with nothing but a stolen chip and sheer stubbornness. And a starting trait that should be useless."She paused, tilting her head as if studying a particularly interesting insect. "Adaptive Metabolism. Reduces your need for food and water. How...quaint."I shrugged, wincing as the movement pulled at my injured shoulder. "It came in handy on Xy'tak. Food was scarce.""I imagine it was," Chen said dryly. "But it doesn't explain how you bypassed the slave protocols or how your system is currently...well, let's just say it's not standard."[System Status: Corrupted][Error: Slave Protocols - 404 Not Found][Warning: System Instability Detected][Divine Interest: (Unknown)]Thanks for the update, System."I had some help," I mumbled, not wanting to elaborate. Let her think I was some kind of tech genius. I needed every advantage I could get."Regardless," Chen continued, "you've attracted attention. The wrong kind. And the right kind. As it stands, you are in the army now. But within the army, there are many paths one can take. Most of them are not very interesting. But one might interest you."Before I could ask what that meant, the ship lurched violently. Alarms blared, bathing the cargo hold in a pulsating red light.[Alert: Ship Under Attack][Hostile Forces Detected: (Unknown)][Probability of Survival: (Calculating...)]"Speak of the devil," Chen muttered, her glowing eyes narrowing. "Looks like your former employers want you back."Panic flared in the cargo hold. Recruits, most of them looking even more worse for wear than me, scrambled for cover. I stayed put, a strange sense of calm settling over me. What did I have to lose?"You've got two options, Zero," Chen said, her voice cutting through the din. "One: you can stay here, continue with the standard path, and hope we fend off whoever's out there. Given the state of this rust bucket, I wouldn't bet on it. Also, the standard path does not have the resources to fix your system""And two?" I asked, already knowing the answer.A predatory grin stretched across Chen's face. "Two: you can join my little project. Special Forces. We're always looking for talented individuals. Especially ones with a knack for breaking things. Including the System. We have a higher chance of survival, and we can fix your system for you."[Special Forces Recruitment Offer Detected][Warning: Survival Rate: (Extremely Low)][Unique Opportunity: System Repair/Upgrade (Possible)][Mandatory God's Game Tutorial Participation Confirmed][Accept (Y/N)?]The System prompt hung in the air, a digital crossroads. My gaze flicked from the panicked faces of the other recruits to Chen's expectant stare. The army was my ticket out of my old life, but the special forces might be my ticket to survival. The God's Game Tutorial was mandatory for them, and it might be my only chance to fix my system.Besides, I had a feeling that refusing Chen wasn't really an option."What's so special about your special forces," I asked "that the God's Game Tutorial is mandatory?"The ship shuddered again, the sound of metal groaning under immense pressure. Chen just smiled wider. "We have a high mortality rate for a reason, we get results. And the God's Game Tutorial will be a good opportunity to test your... unique talents. Also, it is the only way to fix your system, as I said before."The God's Game Tutorial. It had been mentioned in the contract back on the transport ship. A shiver ran down my spine. This was turning out to be quite the day. If I failed the tutorial, my system would not be fixed."Alright," I said, my voice surprisingly steady. "I'm in."Chen nodded, as if my answer had never been in doubt. "Good. Strap yourself in. This is where it gets interesting."[Choice Accepted: Special Forces Integration Commencing][Warning: This process may be...unpleasant][Commencing in 3...2...1...]As the ship bucked and alarms shrieked, I took one last look at the terrified faces around me, then closed my eyes. It was time to see what kind of hell I'd just signed up for. And maybe, just maybe, find a way to fix the mess I'd made of my own personal System, and survive the God's Game Tutorial. But if I couldn't fix my system...