Nando nodded at that.
“The sample file we traded to you was just a sliver of the database,” Kaiden said, looking first at Nando then Playa. “A few small files we were able to upload into the game without the censors catching on. Getting the whole database in would take forever – something Bernstein luckily already did. We have multiple copies offline and the all-important one in-game. That’s why the Party is after us – in the real world and here.”
“Not to mention the bit where we offed like a hundred wardens at once,” Titus said with a smirk.
“Hell yeah you did!” PlayaSlaya reached out for a fist bump and Titus obliged him.
Neither PlayaSlaya nor Nando had believed the bit about what had happened at the Grinder until Kaiden had screencapped the assisted kill notifications from his combat log and shown them.
“You’re what this crackdown is all about, then?” Nando asked. “In real life, I mean? That whole thing is because you have the database?”
“Afraid so,” Thorne said with a shrug.
Nando looked at PlayaSlaya, his expression suddenly stern.
“You know I have no love for the Party, but the repercussions of getting involved with this would be immense.” He crossed his arms and turned back to Kaiden. “It would be a wise course of action to pretend we never spoke of this.”
“You don’t get it,” Kaiden said. “There’s too much at stake here to hide. Too much has already been sacrificed.”
“I can’t control the choices you’ve made to get to this point. All I can control is the choices we make going forward.” Nando let the words hang in the air with no small amount of finality.
“I hear you. I hear you.” PlayaSlaya nodded toward his second in command. “But let me just clear one thing up.” He looked to Kaiden now. “If the Party catches you, it’s over. You’re done.” He laughed. “No one will ever hear from you again.”
Not exactly a thought I like to laugh about...
“They’re not going to catch us,” Zelda said, her tone deadly serious. “We have more work to do and we’re determined to see it through.”
PlayaSlaya whistled low, then let out another laugh. “Finally!” he clapped his hands together, then fist-pumped and half shouted, half laughed into the sky. “Where have you four been all this time?”
Kaiden frowned at that.
Did I miss something?
“I thought Titus here was something special. Ballsy enough to take on incredible odds and strong enough to come out on top. But I was wrong.” PlayaSlaya smiled. “It’s not just Titus, it’s all of you! Three escaped prisoners and a turncoat warden captain, taking on the whole of the Party! Now that’s insane.” He clapped his hands together. “It’s fresh. It’s exciting.” He smiled wide. “I love it.”
Oh. Oh? Kaiden’s thought struggled to catch up with PlayaSlaya’s logic.
“You love it?” he asked.
“How could I not?” He pounded a fist against his chest and nodded emphatically, then turned to Nando.
“I told you, man! I told you there was more to do in this game! More than quests and PVP. This is our next great challenge. This is gonna break the stagnation that’s taken over this place. Our next big win, and this one’s gonna be so big it’ll put Maximus’ name in the history books.”
“Speak carefully here,” Nando said, doubt all too clear in his voice. “If this goes south, it could be the end of Maximus. Sane minds would say there’s no way anyone could do this. Believe me, I more than anyone would like to see the Party brought to justice, but it’s just not possible. Worse, it’s foolish.”
PlayaSlaya only smiled wider.
“And there was no way lowly level fifty Titus would kick Nassus’ ass, was there? But he did it anyway.” He shook his head. “No, we’re doing this. This is too fun to pass up. I’m sick of sitting here beating on the same chumps day after day. But this? This is what I play for.”
“You’re in charge and you know I support you, but—” Nando began but Playa cut him off.
“It’s done,” he said, then faced Kaiden again. “All right, man, we’re in.” He opened his arms wide.
Nando sighed, then regained his composure.
“So be it.”
“You’re in? Just like that?” Kaiden fought not to frown.
Why does this feel too easy?
“Hell yes we are!” PlayaSlaya looked like he could barely contain his excitement. Was bursting at the seams with it. “You’re going to take a shot at Warden HQ. There’s no way we’re missing out on that. Look, guys. I’ve done everything this game has to offer. I’ve slain bosses twice my level, I hold the record for the deepest run into the endless waves of voidspawn, and I’ve beaten every opponent who’s challenged me in a one-on-one.” PlayaSlaya shook his head at that, almost as if the thought made him sad. “Do you know what that feels like? Do you know what it’s like to be so good nothing’s a challenge anymore?” His features fell into a deep frown and there was no denying the sadness in his eyes. Pain, almost. “It sucks, man. It sucks bad. Then you four show up offering something new. And an in-game first, no less?” He chuckled at that. “No, no, no. There’s no way I’m passing that up.”
“You understand the repercussions of this, right?” Thorne asked, doubt in her voice. “Attacking a warden in-game isn’t a big deal in the real world, but when it’s alongside us – when you involve yourselves with this whole database debacle – you’ll be bringing heat down on your heads. Real heat. The Party could come looking for you in the real world. Could show up at your front door.”
He’s on board with the plan. Don’t chase him away now! Kaiden wanted to say. But he found he agreed with Thorne. As much as they needed the allies, anyone joining them needed to understand the stakes. Lives had already been ruined and no doubt more would be before the whole thing was over.
PlayaSlaya waved Thorne’s words away
