The Immortality Game

He decided to pretend that everything he was seeing was just an elaborate virtual reality sim. For now. But I’d better get the full story soon or my head will burst.

Tyoma—the real Tyoma—wasn’t confused at all. When he heard Viktor shouting about going out after some woman, he got an idea.

«Javier, did you do that to them?»

There was silence for a few seconds. «Yes. It didn’t work as well as I’d hoped. I still see a dozen wireless signals in there.»

Tyoma looked around the room. «You appear to have killed two of them.»

«They killed my son.»

«I’m…‌I’m very sorry to hear that.»

Again silence.

«Javier? I think I could destroy the mob boss, if I had your help.»

«Viktor?»

«No, no, the real boss is Lev. His body is hidden away in a sarcophagus or something where no one can get to it. I have a link here into his personal virtual world.»

«So you link to him and I go through you to do what I just did to his colleagues?»

Tyoma shifted uncomfortably in his chair. «Well, I suppose you could do that, but I have an even better idea, or at least I think I do. It may not kill his body, but it could be even worse.»

«I like the sound of that. Tell me more.»

«I need you to link me into my apartment’s computer system. I have the access codes when you need them.»

«Done. What am I looking for?»

«I need you to feed me my last saved game of Swords and Scrolls. I want a do-over. Wait until these guys leave, though.»

«That won’t be a problem. Keep your friend close, remember.»

«What are you up to?»

«Just stay where you are and hold onto your pal.»

Tavik fiddled with the stun rifle as he waited impatiently for the lift. With a soft ping the door slid open. He nearly peed himself when he saw all the muzzles of the hideous war bot pointed right at him. His breath came out in a panting wheeze as he slid to the side, allowing the bot to scuttle off the lift, its metallic feet clicking on the tiles.

“Fuck me!” he murmured. He couldn’t believe he’d thought of buying one of these monstrosities for his apartment. He breathed a sigh as the bot moved by him and he practically leapt onto the lift. “One floor down and be quick about it,” he said to the lift. The door slid shut and Tavik worked to get his racing heart under control.

He got off on the next floor and headed down the long corridor toward the crossing passage. When he got there he took a right. All the way at the far end he saw the huddle of figures. Good, they’re still there.

He shouldered the rifle and sauntered down the hall as if he owned the place. She’ll probably try to kill me the moment she sees me. He wondered how he could approach her without looking threatening. He considered using the stun rifle on her from a distance but rejected it. She’d had chances to kill him earlier and didn’t do it.

As he approached he saw the two med bots working the body of the fat American. Zoya was slumped in the lift with the boy’s head in her lap. She hadn’t looked up yet. Tavik slid the rifle from his shoulder and hid it behind his right leg beneath the flap of his solar coat. He drifted to a halt about a dozen meters away.

He didn’t see a gun in Zoya’s hands, but he steeled himself for instant action should the need arise. “I’m sorry they did all this.”

Slowly she lifted her bruised face and gazed blankly at him. Her shoulders slumped further.

He edged two steps closer. “I know…‌I know I work with these people, but this isn’t the kind of thing I signed up for.”

Something rasped in her throat and Tavik wondered if it was a chuckle. “I’m not kidding. Hey, I know I act big around you all the time with…‌with Georgy, but…‌it’s all an act, I swear.”

This time she managed to croak something legible out. “So you never hurt anyone, eh?”

Tavik shrugged. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m happy to do my job when it comes to people who deserve what they get, but those who don’t deserve it? That’s not me.”

“What do you want? I don’t have the cards any more. If you want to kill me, get it over with.”

“Kill you? I want to save you.”

Zoya began to laugh but winced in pain instead. “Save me? There’s nothing to save.”

Tavik let the rifle slide to the carpet as he surged forward and dropped to his knees next to the American’s body. Ignoring his protesting ribs, he held his arms out to Zoya. “You’re still alive. Whatever they’ve done, you are still alive. They’ll be coming for you any minute now. Come with me. I’ll get you someplace safe.”

Her answer was whispered so softly he barely heard it. “Go away, Tavik.”

Tavik let his hands drop. He considered his options. She’s on the lift. I could step in and order it to take us down to my car. But Viktor wouldn’t forgive that. He’d kill me. Fuck!