.hack/Polarized/Party.Crashers.System.Crashers
by
Chad 'Graeystone' Harger
XXXXX
To be honest I don't know why I agreed to attend the party. I guess it was because I felt guilty for the way I acted in the other day.
I look at my dressed up character. Chase wears a tuxedo. It doesn't suit him at all. He's still flat below the belt. The sash doesn't even help. With a sigh I log into The World.
I appear in a fancy party hall that's straight out of an European castle. Chandeliers on the ceiling reflect the star and moonlight giving a natural light to the hall. Soft music flows through the hall. I try to enjoy as much as I can before the annoying part of my mind kicks in.
"Chase, there you are," says Annrika.
"Wow," is all I can say. She wears a blue formal dress that brings out her comely figure. Her hair is loose and it moves with the slight breeze coming in from the windows.
"Is that all you can say?" she asks.
"You look beautiful," I add quickly. Before too long I know the illusion will be shot.
"Comrades Annrika and Chase. Its good to see you both," says Piotr.
Annrika and I look Piotr and do a double take. Instead of the beat up looking junkyard dog with the rabid eyes and smile, Piotr is dressed in a tuxedo like the rest of male characters. His eyes are normal instead of being fill with battle lust. His hair is combed back into a ponytail.
"I'm impressed," I say meaning it.
Annrika laughs and says, "Who are you and what did you do with Piotr?"
Piotr gives a hurt look. "Please dear Annrika. I am no barbarian." He leans in close and whispers, "Besides, many women players to impress tonight." With that he heads into the various crowds of people.
The music changes to something more romantic in nature. "Let's dance," says Annrika.
She grabs my hand pulls me to the dance floor. "Do you know how to dance?" she asks.
"A little," I say. I become nervous and I hope this isn't leading to where I think it is.
"Just relax and enjoy the moment," says Annrika. She pulls me close as we start to slow dance to the music.
If this isn't a sign that she likes me then I don't know what is. To be honest I think I feel the same way about her. As far as I know this is the real her and not the role she made for herself as Annrika.
"Chase, I'm impressed," said Annrika.
"What about?" I ask.
She looks at me with a smile. The light reflects of her face giving her a glow. "Five minutes into the dance and you haven't complained about your mind."
"Music is something that I can enjoy. It can't be faked," I say. I look into her eyes and wonder if the real her has the same kind of eyes.
She smiles and rests her head on my shoulder. "It's a beautiful night in The World. Sometimes The World lack romance."
"Can I ask you a personal question?" I ask.
"Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies," she says in a teasing tone of voice. Translation, she is not going to make this easy. If that is the way she is going to play it than I will have to play along.
"I know you in real life," I say.
Before Annrika can reply a voice says, "May I cut in?" I hear a woman ask. I look toward the sound of the voice and my draw drops. A very tall Amazon of a woman stands beside us. Her dress has seduction written all over it. She wears an elaborate headpiece that covers her eyes.
"Excuse me?" asks Annrika defensively.
The woman chuckles and says; "Don't worry Annrika I won't steal him away from you."
Annrika is about ready to kill this woman. "Its ok Annrika." I tap my head and add, "Its me after all."
"Sure, go ahead and have fun with the . . .," her words are cut off by the anti-swearing software. I have a good idea what she said though. The other woman has an amused look on her face.
The woman takes my hands and we start to dance. "I see you have been following Aura's instructions. You must start using the Bracelet if you want to become powerful enough to defeat the enemy."
I figure her outfit is meant to distract someone from thinking straight. Any other guy would be fantasizing right about now. I am not like any other guy though. "Who are you and how do you know about the Bracelet?"
"I am an interloper, an observer," she says.
If that's the way she wants to play it. "I won't do it. If you know about the Bracelet then you know what it can do to a person."
"How like him," says the woman.
The night becomes even worse when Piotr runs over to us. "Our playmates are here," growls Piotr. He points to the entrance. Basilisk and his goon squad are there. He sees us and his face becomes hate filled.
"Get Annrika," I say to Piotr.
"I'm on it."
I look up at the woman. "Ok, if you're on our side then you'll help us."
"Depends on which side I'm on," says the woman. "Maybe they are more cooperative."
"Now just a minute!" I say.
The enemy puts up another anti-teleport field. The other party members are confused. Piotr returns with Annirka. "We're in trouble," says Annrika. "We can't fight here."
She's right. Without weapons we're helpless. On top of that the administrator who made this event made sure the battle commands are disabled. I get the bad feeling Kite's people not only can fight but are itching for payback for the humiliation Annrika and Piotr gave them when we met Unknown.
"I can fight," says the woman. "I will help you on one condition. You know what it is."
I grit my teeth hard to the point of nearly cracking them. Helba called my bluff. I resist the urge to snap my controller in half. "Alright, I'll do it. I'll start using the Bracelet," I say. Annrika and Piotr look at me with shock and surprise. "Don't worry, I mean I'll use it against monsters and Kite," I say. "No matter what I won't use it against another person."
The woman flashes and her costume becomes more revealing. In her hand she holds a staff I've never seen before. "Follow me," she instructs. We walk over to the Basilisk and his group. The woman bows and says, "I am Helba, the representative of Net Slum."
Basilisk and his goons draw their weapons. For once they're not pointing them at my friends and I. Instead they're pointing them at Helba. "Figures you'd be sticking your nose in this at some point," says Charus.
"Decided to come out of that ivory tower of yours," says Basilisk. "I should let my master take care of you personally."
"It would be interesting. Of course after awhile fighting gets boring," replies Helba.
"Helba be careful. Their weapons can delete a person's account," says Annrika.
Helba floats over to Basilisk. "It this true?" she asks.
"You're about to find out," answers Basilisk. He tries to stab Helba.
Helba grabs the sword with her free hand. Basilisk attempts to pull the sword back. Helba is too powerful as she holds the sword in place. "How quaint," she says. "This is interesting. I wonder what the effects are like when someone is stabbed? Let's find out." Helba opens her other hand. Her staff vanishes. She grabs the sword with her other hand.
"H-hey!" says Basilisk.
We all are stunned as Helba pulls herself forward and impales herself on the sword. "She's nuts!" yells Piotr.
Helba looks at herself like a scientist examining a new discovery. "This is an interesting variation of the Bracelet. But instead of rewriting data, this weapon completely deletes a character." Her body starts to violently explode. "I understand now. The weapon causes a violent death to intimidate anyone who opposes you. " We turn our heads as Helba violently explodes.
"Enough of this messing around!" yells Basilisk.
"Everyone run!" I yell.
"Why should we?" asks someone.
"Oh no," says Annrika.
The party people are in their normal character modes. They are carrying their weapons. We walked right into a trap. "How the hell?" asks an angry Piotr.
"It was a simple matter for Kite to create a duplicate party. When you three logged in you were swept to this area instead of the party. We will take care of you and no one will ever know," explains Charus. "Don't bother turning off your computers either. Kite anticipated that. Even if you turn your computers off your gaming data will remain active long enough to destroy your accounts."
Basilisk's people move in close to us. Their weapons glowing and going by the looks on their faces they're ready to take us out slowly and painfully. The three of us are back to back. Even Piotr is afraid. Annrika takes my hand and squeezes it tightly. "I'm sorry I got both of you into this mess," I say.
"We willingly joined you comrade. In real world these Communists will pay big time. I promise you that much," growls Piotr.
They are on top of us ready to strike when a voice rings out, "That was interesting," says Helba.
"No way," says Basilisk.
A hole in the wall opens up. Helba floats out of it. The enemy ignores us and turns their attention to Helba. "Silly boy. Did you think such a weapon would work against me? I am part of The World but am not," she says.
"She's a hacker! Get her!" orders Executor.
Some of the crowd attacks Helba. She either dodges the attacks or the blows never land. After half a minute Helba smiles and says, "Its my turn I suppose." She raises her staff. "Valkanis Rf!" she says. A summoned creature appears and burns most of the room. The affected players vanish in defeat. Helba took out most of Basilisk's people in one fell swoop. The survivors are trying to collect themselves.
"Master, help us!" yells Executor.
The background music stops. I know what's coming next. Kite teleports into the middle of the dance floor. "Incompetent," he hisses.
"It seems my old friend has changed quite a bit," says Helba.
"Friends? Never," hisses Kite. He raises his right hand and points at Helba.
Helba is cool though. "I have removed the weapon block," she says. "Chase, you can use the Bracelet."
I step forward with my own hand raised. The two Bracelets glow. "I wonder what would happen if we fired at the same time?"
"I live, you don't," says Kite.
"Are you sure?" asks Helba. "This is the first time this has ever happened. I doubt you even know the extent of the Bracelet's power."
I look at Annrika and Piotr. They both nod in silent agreement. "It doesn't matter what happens to us. Not with the real world at stake," I say.
Both Bracelets are throbbing with power. I feel the controller become warm to the touch. Are the Bracelets even affecting the computer?
"What's it going to be?" I ask.
"Weak. Perish," says Kite.
We both go to activate our Bracelets. We never get the chance. The controller vibrates in my hand. The screen flickers. I can hear static from the speakers. The dance floor shakes. "Now what?" asks Piotr.
"Things are about to pick up," says Helba. "The question is who is in the crosshair?"
"What're you talking about?" asks Basilisk.
Helba points to the ceiling. We look up as its torn away by an unseen force. A large shadow appears over us and descends. When the owner of the shadow comes into view I see the largest monster yet. "W-What is that?" asks Annrika.
"The watch dog of The World. The Guardian that keeps The World safe from corruption, danger, and infection," answers Helba. "It is Cubia."
To be continued . . .