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  "To truly be a great champion, Luna must defeat great champions. And so I give you her opponent, a man who needs no introduction. He may well be the greatest fighter alive today. I give you Luna Lee’s opponent, the incredible Elvin Locke!”

  The crowd in the bar erupted with excitement, all but Luna. They were cheering, clapping, and whistling enthusiastically. Several were patting her on the back. The barman slid a fresh drink to her.

  "Have this one on us, champ!" he said with a smile.

  She took it from him, but she looked stunned.

  "What is it?" asked one of her friends.

  She took a few sips, unable to put it into words.

  "Hey, isn't this what you always wanted? It's a chance of a lifetime."

  Luna nodded along.

  "What's wrong? I've never seen you scared to fight anyone."

  She finished the drink quickly and stormed out of the bar without a word. Many cheered as she passed them, but she shrugged it off, ignoring them. She burst out into the street and keeled over, trying to catch a breath. Her friend, Vex joined her a moment later.

  "Hey, what's wrong?" she asked, rushing to Luna's side in concern.

  She got back up, but was pale and looked sick. Vex couldn't believe it.

  "You okay?"

  "Yeah, yeah. I am. It's just so much to take in, you know?"

  "You've played against some of the best there is, and you've never been scared or shown an ounce of worry."

  "But this, this is in a different league. I mean, Locke? He is one of the top professional fighters in the world. He makes a living doing this."

  "That doesn't mean he is better than you are."

  "I am a great amateur, but he is a pro."

  "All that means is he gets paid to play, so what?"

  She nodded in agreement.

  "But that's not all about this is, is it?"

  Luna shook her head.

  "Terminal? You are scared about what you are risking."

  "Wouldn't you be? It's exciting and thrilling, and also terrifying."

  "No more so than every day that we wake up and turn on the news to see if nuclear war has begun."

  "But we can't affect that, can we? I agreed to this."

  "And you're a great fighter, so what do you have to worry about?"

  "This isn't for show anymore. Terminal means it is a real fight. It isn't just my name and my reputation on the line, it's my life."

  "Is that really what Terminal means for the games?"

  "Haven't you listened to anything that Zenner said?"

  "Sure, but it seems a little crazy. I figured it was all hype. I mean; nobody would ever really die playing Duel Reality, would they?"

  She didn't know how to take that. She had taken Zenner at his word.

  "Look, I don't know if Zenner is for real or not. All I know is that you have a chance to fight one of the most famous gamers in the world. Millions will be watching you. This is your chance to become a superstar, and all you have to do is what you do best."

  "And if my best isn't good enough, Vex?"

  "It will be. I have faith in you. You are incredible."

  She nodded in appreciation. She was feeling a little calmer, but it was still a lot to take in.

  "The fight is tomorrow. You should get some rest."

  "Yeah."

  "You'll do great. I believe in you, and so does everyone around here."

  * * *

  23 rd July, 2071

  KTR Regional HQ, The South-East Frontier

  "This can't be good."

  "They'd have arrested us if they wanted to, Victor," replied Juan.

  The truck came to a halt, and the doors opened up to reveal the local headquarters of the company they worked for.

  "Ah, shit," said Axel.

  They were ushered out of the vehicles. Nobody had asked for their weapons, and so they didn't anticipate any threat, but they sure expected to get some harsh words from Newton. They were led up to his office in a hurry, as if the matter were urgent.

  "If he wanted to fire us, wouldn't we be shit canned with nothing more than an email?" Juan asked.

  Axel nodded in agreement. It all felt a little strange. They were shown into the office. Newton was sitting at his desk, but he was not alone. Several civilians were there, too. They were all in their fifties and had been weeping. They didn't look to have any connection to the conflict at all.

  "Are these the people you told us about?" asked one of the women. Her voice was shaky and desperate.

  "If you'll excuse us, we have a lot of work to do," said Newton.

  "Please, please bring our kids back to us," pleaded the woman.

  Newton ushered her out of the room and sat back behind his desk. Axel and his team had no idea what was going on. They were filthy. Still bloody and covered in dust and dirt, and yet it didn't seem to bother Newton. That already sent alarm bells off for Axel.

  "You four ignored my orders and went back precisely where I told you not to go. You engaged the enemy without orders. You lose equipment, and you cannot follow simple commands. It is enough to sack you all and have you sent home right now. But, you also risked your lives in a live exercise without the use of the Liberators, and that only does not cost this company anything, but also puts you in a unique position."

  "We did what we thought was right, Sir."

  Newton slammed his fist down on the desk.

  "Damn it, Axel Ward, don't think I am not furious, but fortunately for you, I also need your help. You do this, and I'll see that you receive five figure bonuses. Enough that you could retire if you wanted to."

  "What's the mission?" Ava asked.

  "Those families you saw leave, their children have been taken by ILAN rebels, to the North."

  "Over the border?" Axel asked.

  He nodded.

  "You know we can't operate there. They are our allies."

  "Yet they harbour terrorists," said Victor.

  "Legally, none of us can cross that border in any professional capacity, but that's why I am asking you. Or one of the reasons."

  "I don't get it?" Juan shook his head.

  "Yeah, why us?"

  "For one, Axel, you don't give a shit about any rules, and two, no drones can be used."

  "Why the hell not?" Juan asked.

  The families of these people are being held in a camp eighty kilometres over the border. We don't know how, but they have managed to jam all frequencies for a twenty klick area."

  "An EMP?"

  "No, Ava. Whatever they are doing limits any communication. We can't get audio or video signals in or out, or any remote control hardware. Surveillance drones we sent into the area dropped right out of the sky. Defences are also strong. This has to be done the old fashioned way, and in and out before any sizeable strength can be raised against you."

  "And you figure we are dumb enough to accept?"

  "You don't have a choice, Axel. You can accept this mission, or you can get shipped out of here before the day is through, and you can forget any pension packages and layoff bonuses if you do."

  Axel looked for the opinion of the others, but it was clear they didn't have much of a choice, and yet Newton still carried on with his sales pitch.

  "Come on. You risked your lives last night for what you thought was a worthy cause. These parents want their kids returned safely, and they're also rich, richer than you can imagine. The bonuses for completing this would be incredible. Not just that, but you'd be doing a good thing."

  Axel sighed. "Lay out it then."

  Newton looked mightily pleased with himself.

  "What are these kids even doing around here? It's a goddamn war zone."

  "Technically, it is peaceful North of the border, but we all know that isn't the reality of it, and they aren't really kids. They are med students that dropped out to come and help poor families in war-torn regions, humanitarians. But now they're hostages, and they show no sign of asking for random. They want to make an examp
le of these kids live for the world to see. Stupid fools, naive enough to think they could make a difference here."

  "At least they have the balls to follow up on their convictions," said Axel.

  "Yes, and look where that got them."

  "So what are we talking about here? What sort of numbers, defences, what is this?" Victor asked.

  Newton tapped a button, and the surface of his desk lit up as a map of the area. It was a low level mountainous region that none of them were familiar with.

  "These are the best images we have."

  "When were they collected?"

  "About a year ago, Juan."

  "Before the terrorist camp was set up?"

  "I am sorry, Ava, but whatever they are using to protect the site, it leaves us pretty blind. We've got these satellite images from a week ago, but they'd aren't half as detailed as I am sure you would like."

  Axel was studying the display carefully. There were a number of structures at the base of a near cliff edge, and lines of trucks, including some military hardware.

  "This isn't a camp. It's a base. How many soldiers you think they have there?"

  "It is anybody's guess. A few hundred, maybe a few thousand."

  Ava gasped.

  "Look, I am not asking you to take on an army. This is a quick operation, in and out to rescue three hostages. You can be out of there before anyone even knows you were there."

  "If we can get in quietly to begin with," said Victor.

  "Impossible, this is a job for an army, not the four of us," replied Juan.

  "Look, before you worked for us controlling Liberators, you four were some of the best soldiers around. You didn't need drones to get the job done, and you proved that last night. You've still got it. You were born for this, trained for it. Axel, you've led more than a few ops like this."

  "Not always successfully," he groaned.

  "This is a high risk operation, especially for the hostages, but if we do nothing, they’ll die anyway."

  Axel became suspicious all of a sudden. Newton was far more invested in this than anything else they had ever heard him speak of.

  "What are you getting out of this?"

  There was a look of guilt slapped all over Newton's face, as though he had been caught out.

  "What is it that you aren't telling us?"

  "You wouldn't be doing this out of the kindness of your heart," said Ava.

  "One of the girls that is missing is the niece of Miles Renner."

  "The Senator?" Juan asked.

  "Yes."

  "One of the most powerful men in the UAN," said Ava.

  "That sounds about right," Axel added.

  "Look, I don't give a damn what you think about any of this. All I care about is getting those kids back home in one piece, and the Senator himself has asked for my help."

  "Yours?"

  "He can't be seen to be involved."

  "Because doing this is going to break international laws. You are asking us to conduct a military operation inside a friendly nation’s borders."

  "Which is why this will be off the books. You will have no affiliation with the company or the UAN. You are going in as civilians."

  "This keeps getting better," said Juan.

  "And if we get caught, we'll be treated as terrorists," complained Victor.

  "If you get caught by ILAN rebels, you'll have a lot more to worry about than that."

  The room fell silent as they all reflected on what this meant.

  "So you'll take the job?"

  "Don't have a choice, do we?"

  Chapter 7

  Alexandria, Virginia, UAN

  "What the hell?"

  Hud walked into his living room and found it full of computer hardware. He could barely move. Zippo was sitting at the centre, moving her hands to control and navigate the software.

  "This is what you wanted," said Nui.

  "I said get her the gear she needed, not turn my place into this. Is all of this really necessary?"

  Zippo grinned. "You think this is an easy job? You want me to track one of the best hackers in the world, a job that the whole of your Agency and hundreds of experts couldn't do."

  "Couldn't or wouldn't," muttered Nui.

  "You really don't trust them, do you?"

  "No more than I trust you, or him," she snapped.

  "You gotta work on those trust issues, Nui."

  "Trusting people doesn't usually go well for me."

  "Wow, that's pretty sad."

  "You don't seem to be surrounded with friends."

  "I've got what I need in life."

  "Really?"

  "You live for your work, don't you?"

  Nui grumbled as if she found it hard to admit it.

  "So do I," added Zippo.

  She had various video messages displayed from Incognito across many screens as she analysed them, as well as a lot of other data.

  "So what can you tell us so far?" Nui asked.

  "Well, firstly, Incognito is not always the same person, or hasn't been before and after this video in November."

  "Why?"

  "The encryption is different for a start."

  "That could just be a change of tech or approach."

  "Yeah, but it also coincides with a change in the person. Look at the right hand."

  She brought up two screens showing a comparative video.

  “In the first, the hand rests still at their side. But in the other, the hand is faintly tapping the side of their long coat, as if nervous.”

  "How did nobody notice this before?"

  "I wouldn't have," replied Hud.

  "Yeah, but you're a dinosaur. How did our tech experts not notice?"

  "Because any expert willing to work for a shitty organisation for shitty pay is going to be shit at their job," replied Zippo.

  Nui looked offended, and yet she was starting to see what she meant.

  "How about the voice work?" Hud asked.

  "Whatever they are using to manipulate the voice, it is the same device. They are indistinguishable. But again, there are some changes in wording. I don't know why, but something changed."

  "All right, stay on it." Hud gestured for Nui to follow him out of the room.

  "I'm impressed. You are out of your depth here, but the fact you know it and have found ways to stay in the game..."

  "We all adapt to play the game," he replied.

  That made her smile, but she couldn't tell if he were mocking the modern tech age or just having fun. But before she could speak he went on in a more serious tone.

  "Look, watch your ass out there. I really have no idea what the hell we are getting ourselves into, but I don't like it. That’s for sure."

  "What do you mean?"

  "If there are elements in the Agency which have obstructed progress in this case, then they must have some pretty major interests in it. I want to know why, but I have no doubt that they'd be willing to kill to protect whatever it is they are involved in."

  "You think it's that heavy?"

  "Either that, or we've been thrown this case to make it fail, and to take the fall."

  "That wouldn't be so much a surprise, would it?"

  "No, but if Sparks wanted us to fail, there'd be no reason to keep all this secret. He knows there is something big going on here, but he can't touch it himself."

  "But you think he has faith in us getting to the bottom of it?"

  "No, I think he believes we are his last chance. We may not be the best at what we do, but we are loyal, and he knows it."

  "Have you seen this fight? It's gonna be epic!" Zippo yelled.

  They both went back in the room to see a news special about the Lee vs. Locke fight.

  "Come on. We've got bigger things to worry about," insisted Nui.

  "You kidding me? This is gonna be the biggest duel any of us have ever seen. Don’t you ever take a little time out to watch a game or a fight?"

  "No, I am too busy."

  "I d
o," replied Hud.

  "Right? It's gonna be epic.”

  * * *

  Jefferson H Line Station, Las Vegas, UAN

  Saturday, 24th July, 2071

  "This is it!" Carter shouted as their Hyperloop pod drew to a halt at the central station. There was a huge grin across Mason's face.

  They were still wearing their suits from when they had left work and rushed to get to the live fight.

  "I can't believe we're really doing this. We're gonna see the first ever Terminal fight, and be there live, in person!"

  “Damn right, we are. We're gonna be there, right at the front of the action."

  "These seats are really legit? VIP in the front row?"

  "Trust me, I called in a big favour for this," he replied as the doors opened. A large projection screen on the platform had the promotional fight poster displays, and that further stoked their excitement.

  "Come on. This is going to rock your world," insisted Carter.

  Screens all around the station were advertising the fight with extracts from both the fighters. A lot of people they passed were talking about it.

  "You really think she has a chance, don't you?" Mason asked.

  "I wouldn't be here if I didn't think so, one of the best amateurs out there against one of the best pros. If she can win, it will change everything. A lot of people see a huge divide in the quality between pro and amateur. I want to see that come to an end."

  "Why, so you can take a shot at Locke? You think you would have a chance?"

  "I want to know how good he really is, but I'd take my chances, sure."

  "In Terminal?"

  "Why the hell not?"

  "So you'd risk it all?"

  "Sure, if I thought I could win."

  Mason clearly didn't share his confidence, but that was hardly surprising after having lost so many duels to his best friend.

  "Come on, we've got to get a shift on. The fights starts in an hour," he said, picking up the pace.

  * * *

  "You got nothing to worry about. They're gonna love you out there," said Vex.

  Luna nodded along in agreement.

  Three of her coaches were standing proudly before her.

  "You guys have seen me fight, and you've seen Locke, do you honestly think I have a chance?”