Re: Apocalypse Game

As Alan walked out of the room, he was escorted by the military personnel through the ship. They ascended several levels on the cruise deck, eventually arriving at the bridge, where the NPC cruise captain was stationed. From this vantage point, he could fully appreciate the grandeur of the cruise liner.

The ocean liner was a luxurious vessel of impressive design, with its sleek, white exterior gleaming under the sunlight. Its size was awe-inspiring, stretching several stories high, and it boasted a myriad of elegant balconies and spacious decks. The ship's exterior was adorned with large windows, allowing passengers to enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding sea.

The air on the deck was fresh and salty, carrying with it the distinct scent of the ocean. The breeze rustled through the ship's numerous flags and banners, which added a touch of color to the serene blue sky overhead. As Alan gazed around, he could see players and NPC crew members going about their business, enjoying the leisurely atmosphere of the cruise.

The military personnel led Alan to a small hall adjacent to the bridge. Its strategic location made it an ideal spot to oversee the entire ship, and as a result, it had been converted into a makeshift command center. Inside, he found himself surrounded by two dozen officers who had gathered to debrief on the events of the second round. Among them, Alan recognized Sergeant Dylan, Lieutenant Summers, Lieutenant Marsh, Captain Farell and of course the commander itself, Captain Carter leading the meeting.

As the only non-military individual in the room, it became apparent that the military captain had intentionally allowed Alan to overhear the report and discussion. The atmosphere in the room was charged with a sense of purpose and urgency.

The officers engaged in a deep and thorough discussion about the events of the last battle, analyzing what had gone well and what could be improved for future missions. Alan arrived just in time to catch the tail end of the debriefing, but it was enough to understand the gravity of the situation.

Captain Farell, displaying a level of shamelessness, took credit for diffusing the dirty bomb, and Alan couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the audacity.

Towards the conclusion of the debriefing, the officers presented the grim statistics. Out of the four companies, a total of 1,000 men, that had entered the second round, only 680 had survived. The news of the Bravo company's commander not making it was particularly disheartening. There was a suggestion to merge the four companies into three, but the decision was deferred by the captain.

"Give all the men a day off," Captain Carter ordered her tone firm. "We will reconvene to discuss this matter further tomorrow."

"Yes, Captain," responded one of the officers, and the room began to empty as everyone made their way out, leaving Alan alone with the female captain.

"You are the one called Alan?" Captain Carter inquired, her gaze focused on him.

"Yes, Captain," Alan responded, offering a proper salute out of habit. However, the captain couldn't help but chuckle because Alan wasn't a soldier, and saluting was unnecessary for him.

"I have read the report detailing the contributions you made during the round," she continued. "From the food supplies to the raids, you did some remarkable work, Alan."

"Thank you, Captain," Alan replied, trying to downplay his accomplishments. "I had the assistance of many skilled players."

"You don't need to be modest, Alan," Captain Carter insisted, her gaze penetrating. "I've encountered countless players in my time, but none quite like you. Your success in looting the Nazi weapon storage, the fire station raid, and the events of the last day... Lieutenant Marsh and Sergeant Dylan can't stop praising your actions."

"Thank you, Captain. So, am I here for a reward? Is that why you called me?" Alan asked with a playful tone.

The room fell silent for a moment as Captain Carter contemplated her next words. Alan sensed that there was more to this meeting than a simple reward, and the captain decided to reveal her intentions.

"Yes, you will receive a significant reward," she confirmed, her tone serious. "But there's something I need from you in return. If you can tell me how you managed to accomplish all those feats..."

The captain's persistence weighed on Alan as she continued to probe him for explanations regarding his seemingly exceptional knowledge and achievements during the game. Her inquiries delved into how he had known about the weapon storage and the crucial gas masks at the fire station.

"Can't you see, Alan?" Captain Carter asked with a hint of frustration. "You're one of only a dozen players in the entire game to reach level 30 by the second round."

Alan was acutely aware of the implications behind her statement. In the Apocalypse game, players who achieved such a high rank were typically backed by powerful military factions or influential groups.

As a mere science teacher, his rapid rise through the ranks appeared suspicious to outsiders. Fortunately, they only could see his level, if they could see his high stats and skill there really was no getting away from this.

"I don't know what kind of secret you're alluding to, Captain," Alan replied cautiously, choosing his words carefully to maintain the facade of innocence.

In response, Captain Carter produced a top-secret folder, a document containing meticulously detailed information about rounds one and two of the game. It included a comprehensive strategic plan on how to tackle the various challenges and objectives presented by each round. As Alan glanced at the contents of the folder, he recognized it as a copy of the note he had left for Colonel Webber, outlining his strategies and insights.

"Tell me, Alan," Captain Carter continued to press, her tone unyielding, "do you have anything to do with this note?"

Alan hesitated for a brief moment, all the while feigning surprise and intrigue as he pretended to read the document. "What note is this?" he inquired innocently. "Did someone actually predict the game's challenges in advance? This is truly remarkable!" He acted as though he had stumbled upon a groundbreaking discovery, his feigned surprise masking the true depth of his involvement.

Captain Carter was unimpressed by his act, he was after all a teacher, not an actor. Her tone grew sterner as she responded, "Don't jest with me, Alan. Someone delivered this note to our higher-ups, and they firmly believe it was you."

The weight of the situation began to settle on Alan as he realized that his actions were a little too much, and Colonel Webber was determined to seek answers.