Phoenix Phire

Semmi peaked at the hud menu, she loved tech stuff. "Going to keep the name?"

Nix shook his head. "No way."

[Aquarius System Operations]

1. Security

2. Power Grid

3. Transportation

4. Master Key.

Nix stared at the hud while considering the possibilities. "Display all sub-menus.

[Aquarius System Operations]

1. Security

a) City Controller (Nix)

b) City Shields (Enabled)

c) City Gating Platforms (Enabled)

d) City Gun Points (Disabled)

2. Power Grid

a) City Utilities Power (Disabled)

b) Greater House Power (Disabled)

c) Residential Power (Disabled)

d) Business District Power (Disabled)

3. Transportation

a) Mark V Thrusters (Disabled)

b) Orbital Stabilizers (Disabled)

c) City Levitators (Disabled)

4. Master Key.

a) Annonymous (Disabled)

b) Intercity Communication (Disabled)

c) Direct Control (Disabled)

d) City Links (Disabled)

"Open Security Interface."

[Elynmoor System Operations]

1. Security

a) City Controller (Nix)

b) City Shields (Enabled)

c) City Gating Platforms (Enabled)

d) City Gun Points (Disabled)

"Enable City Gun Points."

"Change the city name from Aquarius to Filamina. Open Power Grid Menu."

2. Power Grid

a) City Utilities Power (Disabled)

b) Greater House Power (Disabled)

c) Residential Power (Disabled)

d) Business District Power (Disabled)

"Enable the entire Power Grid."

"Display Transportation Menu."

3. Transportation

a) Mark V Thrusters (Disabled)

b) Orbital Stabilizers (Disabled)

c) City Levitators (Disabled)

"This city will stay here for now, the moment we move it everyone will know it was Inferno that pulled it up."

4. Master Key.

a) Annonymous (Disabled)

b) Intercity Communication (Disabled)

c) Direct Control (Disabled)

d) City Links (Disabled)

"Enable Annonymous setting, enable Intercity Communication between Filamina and Inferno. Display Direct Control Menu."

[Direct Control Menu]

a) Inferno: Nix (Secondary Control: Halla)

b) Chyanama: Nix (Secondary Control: Leva)

c) Dyrekstad: Hierophant

d) Goralpri: Bo'raz

e) Filamina: Nix

d) Icaraphet: Tharaka

f) Verynzai: Unaqoir

"Three down." Semmi sounded amazed. "How come you didn't bring in Alpha team on this one?"

"Didn't know we were taking the city until we were here." Nix stared at the hud for a moment longer before closing it. "Floyd, Chiba and Locas were completely awesome."

A few minutes later, the trio re-joined the group that was waiting in the NW Inn. Nix opened a breach to the gates of Loki.

It was a short walk down to the beach from the gates. Nix waited while Fajii contacted Ishna, Mina still refused to speak with her old friend.

A single Aquarion walked out of the surf a few minutes later, Ishna offered both Fajii and Mina a polite greeting. Her eyes widened when they saw Aki and her squad. "Archons?"

Aki nodded and stepped forward. "We six were chosen years ago to guard a special treasure. That duty is now complete."

"They have no place to go, and your numbers are quite low." Nix was having a hard time keeping a straight face, Mina refused to look at either of the Aquarion women.

Aki and her squad turned toward him and bowed low. "You have broken our chains, so we will do your bidding."

[Aki and her squad have been added to your Breach Commander Allied list.]

Nix stared at Aki for a moment. Was it even possible for her to have a normal life again? "Become part of their community and live in peace for a while."

He waited until they left together before turning back toward the gate. It occurred to him that he could just open a breach but for some reason, he felt like enjoying the sun. He stopped next to the gating platform and turned to face Zinu.

Nix motioned for the rest of his team to continue through the portal. "Thanks for all the hard work Zinu."

Zinu waited a moment until everyone left. "Nix, I believe Morti is someone very important."

Nix smiled widely. "He's very important."

Zinu returned his smile but held up a hand. "Mortimer the Titan Cub has been missing from Everspire for quite some time. I've seen the posters requesting information. It's only a matter of time before they find you."

"Hmm... Someone is looking for him? In Everspire? I found him in Shangri. I'll have to look into it then." Nix shook her hand once and stepped away.

[Create Breach: Everspire: Krayven Clan]

Zinu paused for a moment. "I will help you."

"Thanks." Nix waved until the breach closed. Yawning slightly he took the gating platform to the Gemini Temple in Haven. Hyai would be making lunch, she would definitely save some for him. He stopped just outside the temple and stared at the message that popped up on his hud.

[The following Message is viewable by Players only. Colonial is coming offline for 6 hours to apply an emergency patch. Recent events have occurred that will have cause conflicts with future Expansions. We thank you for your patience. All players will be transported to their private VR server quarters while the patch takes effect. Thank you for your cooperation.]

[Logging Off: Colonial]

[Logging In: Virtuna]

A moment later Nix found himself standing in the living room of a small apartment-type room. It reminded him of the dorm rooms of the Gladis Hub.

/Inferno: Ronnie: Oh god... What is going on?

/Inferno: Semmi: Guild chat is still up, awesome! Anyone else in a tiny apartment?

/Inferno: Pon: I am... Are we about to get nerfed? At least the fridge is stocked.

/Inferno: Sharl: We'll have to wait six hours. I'm in room 101.

/Inferno: Semmi: We are all in the 100s it looks like.

/Inferno: Nix: The NPCs?

/Inferno: Jun Li: Only players get logged out.

/Inferno: Nix: I'm hungry and tired. Gonna sleep a few hours.

/Inferno: Bev: What room are you in Nicky?

/Inferno: Nix: I'm in 100.

/Inferno: Bev: Get some sleep, Dad and I will visit you in a few hours.

/Inferno: Nix: Okay.

Nix was about to check out the bedroom when a knock sounded on his door. He opened it to a small Asian woman with short black hair that stuck straight up.

"Nix?" The Asian woman offered him a smile. "You look enough like your avatar that I'm pretty sure it's you. Never figured you for a blonde though."

It was then that Nix noticed he was wearing a set of generic-looking clothes. "You are?"

"Gideon of course, but for now call me Mai." Mai bowed slightly, her pretty face breaking into a warm smile. "I did mention that I was a female."

Nix ushered her. "One second." He walked into the bathroom and splashed water on his face, of course, his gaming avatar would still be in Haven. This was a virtual copy of his real body. He had dyed his hair and worn colored contacts when he was scanned at Vasai Virtual in Canada.

Mai was sitting on his couch when he returned from the bathroom. "Most people aren't as handsome as their avatars."

Nix took a seat on the couch and placed his feet on the coffee table. "You're much prettier than Gideon."

Mai laughed loudly, even her laugh sounded confident to Nix's ears. "I wonder if we could talk about the 12 Pillar Alliance."

Nix nodded and closed his eyes. "I guess so."

"Yes, we can talk?" Mai frowned him. "Don't fall asleep yet."

Nix opened one eye. "You've heard that we now have two full-sized World-Seeds linked together."

Mai didn't bother to hide her surprise. "Yes. It must be enormous."

Nix nodded in reply. "Very. You also want access to Haven for the 12 Pillar Alliance."

Mai nodded. "You're remarkably good at guessing."

"How many NPCs does Salamander have?"

"None," Mai admitted.

"We have many. In fact, we have more NPCs than players."

"Don't say no yet Nix." Mai held up a small but well-manicured hand. "Loki is safe but it has been overrun in the past."

Nix nodded. Inferno had worked together with the 12 Pillars to defend the Island. "I won't allow it. Haven is a refuge for Lifestyle players and non-combatant NPCs. Although I trust you and many others in the Alliance, it presents too high a security risk."

Mai sighed heavily. "Worth a try I guess."

Nix watched her for a moment. Why the hell would this half-pint want to play as a man? "There's a World Seed quest available in Phai City."

"I know. I also know that it is impossible."

Nix shrugged. "You'll have the might of the 12 Pillars behind you."

Mai's pretty face showed a slight smile. "Including you and Inferno?"

Nix climbed to his feet and walked toward the bedroom. "Yes. Going to sleep now Mai."

Mai didn't answer, but also didn't make a move to leave. Instead she leaned back on the couch. "My room is a long walk and I'm too lazy to leave."

Nix yawned, "if your snoring keeps me up, you're out of here."

Mai's laughter carried through the walls. "Very funny."