New Eden: Live to Play, Play to Live



Guo stepped in first, heading to his spot at the corner of the room, as Alex and Kary sat down in the chairs before the desk. Alex eyed the room a bit, curious if anything had changed, and the only thing he noticed was the tinted back window.

Jack saw his gaze stop on the window and smiled.

"It's almost done, in case you're wondering. I tinted the windows so you don't get to see it before the others. When it's ready, I'll have everyone gather up to reveal it."

Alex smiled back at Jack.

"I bet it will be a grand reveal."

Jack guffawed.

"Hah! I sure damn hope so. I sank billions into that shelter. It'll make your friend's shelter look like a mole's burrow, in comparison. Even though they will both connect by emergency tunnels."

Alex snickered at the comment. He knew Jack didn't particularly like David, but this little pettiness between them was comical.

"Anyway, you wanted to brief us, so let's get this done with. I hate the fact you forced me into this position, but there is no taking it back now."

Jack's face became serious.

"I'm sorry I pushed this on you, young man. But I believe it was the best move. Putting a face on the future actions to be taken this early will give us a hand up on everyone else that might try to do the same."

Alex cocked an eyebrow.

"And what future actions are we talking about here?" he asked, leaning in.

"Remember when I told you I was paying you in favours because I would ask something of you later? Well, this is it. I wasn't sure how the world would change once New Eden released, but I had received warning weird things were going to happen. An old… acquaintance of mine warned me."

Alex frowned.

"Warned you? How?"

Jack waved his hand dismissively.

"It's irrelevant now. See it as another inexplicable bit of knowledge of an old man."

Alex squinted at him briefly, but then sat back in the chair. There was no use prodding Jack if he didn't want to talk about it.

"Well then, out with it. Why were you so kind to me so many times? What is the favour I owe you?"

Jack smiled at him, with his signature businessman sharkish grin.

"I need a leader for a task force I am putting in place. A task force that will deal with events like the service tunnel incident and the bank incident. As well as future events to come. But also, a task force that will keep under control people like you who emerge, soon enough. People with otherworldly abilities."

Alex looked at him with renewed respect. This was how far a man that had seen the world at its worst planned.

It was quite impressive.

"You could have picked anyone. Why Alex?" Kary asked, frowning.

Jack smiled at her.

"Your boyfriend made himself well known in New Eden before the world even started changing. And when I met him the first time, I knew it had to be him. I could have dug out the information about David and gone with him, since he seemed to be the strongest. But I didn't like the vibe he gave."

Kary agreed with Jack on that point. Even though she was slowly getting used to his cold facade, and knew that deep down he was only doing it to keep himself in check, she still hated his attitude.

"I want to know exactly what you are asking of me, Jack. Are you asking me to become a hero, an enforcer, a PR representative? What is it you want?"

Jack focused back on Alex before leaning back into his seat.

"None of those options. And all of those options," he replied, crossing his arms over his chest.

Alex became a bit confused.

After sighing loudly, Jack opened his mouth again to explain.

"I don't want to make you an enforcer, or PR stunt, or political puppet, Alex. I want to make you a leader for the inevitable future that is upon us.

"You may not be the best choice, since you know next to nothing of what makes a good leader. But you have the one most important quality. You can inspire respect from the ones under you, through your own efforts and principles."

Jack looked solemn as he said this. Like he was asking the world out of Alex.

But Alex only frowned back.

"A leader… What if I don't want to be a leader?" he asked, uncertainty fluttering behind his eyes.

"I don't think you have a choice. The world is ending. Quite literally. And someone needs to take charge. And even if Mr. Magnus thinks it's his job, I think his opinion on the matter is too skewed to make him adequate for the task.

"No. It has to be you."

Jack looked absolutely certain of his choice. Where he thought it had become his responsibility to pick a leader for the times to come, no one knew.

But he had taken it upon himself, at some point, to shape the future head of this resistance humanity would need.

He was aware there would be more than one resistance group when shit hit the fan, on account of the size of Earth alone. But he wanted to pick the one here, if he could.

Alex looked uncertain, and mixed emotions flashed on his face in quick succession. But Kary put her hand on his arm, to reassure and support him.

It calmed him down.

"In any case, that is only my long-term goal. For today, you only need to accept the burden of greatness from your heroic acts in the service tunnels. David ever-graciously accepted to let you have all the glory this time. He said he would take the next one if you didn't want it."

Alex chuckled at the words. He knew very well, deep inside, that David wouldn't want to become the face of anything for as long as he could help it.

It was enough for him to save the world from the shadows. Alex felt like in this situation, David might just become his shadow equivalent when times became dire.

"Fine. I'll do it," Alex said, confidence building up inside him.

"I'll be the leader the world will need."