Chapter 1:
No one really knows how much of an impact one decision can have until it is too late. The effect of one decision can mean the difference between rags and riches as well as life and death. In the afterlife where people go depends on how many points they have. If a person has a point value over 1, they are taken up to heaven. Whereas if someone has a point value below 0, they are dropped down into the fiery depths of hell. Those that have a point value of 0 are left to wander in the fog of purgatory until the end of time.
PURGATORY:
Lying on the ground Grant began to rouse from his slumber. As he regained his senses, he began to move his hand around on the ground he quickly came to the realization that he was no longer on a beach. As he stood up, he started to walk around mindlessly trying to find a way out of the fog. After calculating what must have been five hours, he came across another person. Approaching him slowly Grant tried to get his attention "Excuse me, sir, do you think you can point me in the direction to get out of here?" Thinking that the man didn't hear him he moved closer before asking again "Excuse me, sir, do you think you can point me-" but before he could finish, he noticed that the man was wearing a strange outfit. Walking around him he could distinctly hear him muttering something in Japanese.
As time dragged on Grant slowly came to the realization that time wasn't an issue in this place. Not only that the weather remained same with densely thick fog blanketing the area. When he first got here, he tried to escape by just walking in straight line hoping that he would emerge on the other side of the fog but given up plan two days ago when he passed the Japanese man for the second time. Realizing he may never get home he started to repeat a mantra to himself. "I am Major Augustus Grant of the US Army I am the son of Admiral Alexander Grant. The father of Hailey Grant."
After what seemed like an eternity of repeating his mantra. Grant heard a voice speak to him.
[Major Grant, how would you like to get out of here]
Grant quickly stopped repeating himself and began to look around frantically to see where the strange voice originated from "Who said that?"
[I did Major Grant. While my name does not matter, I will give it to you anyway. To mortals I am known as Gaius]
Grant began moving around trying to find source of where the voice was coming from "So, Gaius, can you tell where am I? Or maybe why are you here?"
[I am here because I feel that you have been wronged by the universe and I seek to rectify this mistake]
"Okay and how do you plan on doing do that? Are you going to resurrect me or go back in time and prevent my death?"
[No, But I can grant you power beyond your wildest imagination. Though the only way I can do this is by reincarnating you onto another planet. But in return you will gain powers similar to what you would see in a Video Game]
"Okay, that's fine with me as long as it gets me out of this hell hole."
[Actually, this isn't hell. The realm in which you are currently residing in is known as purgatory a place where those with who have a point value of 0 are sent to spend the rest of eternity with only their thoughts to keep them sane]
"Interesting. But when will I be reborn?"
[Right now]
PLANET: EKOS
(IMPERIAL CALENDAR YEAR 185.5):
The first thing Grant could hear upon waking up was the sound of birds chirping in the distance. Slowly opening his eyes, he was blinded by how bright the sky was it took a few moments for his eyes to readjust. But once they did, he began to cry because for the first time in god knows how long, he was able see clouds moving across the bright blue sky.
[Welcome back to the land of the living, Major Grant]
"Gaius, it's good to see that you've held up your end of the bargain." Grant stated as he got off the ground
[Why of course, Major Grant, you are of more value to me alive than dead. But I do believe that's its time go over the powers I have given you]
"Do we have to do it right now?" asked curiously "Or can it maybe wait until after I have into a nearby town for the night."
[Well, I would certainly recommend going over your abilities now]
"You recommend, so, I don't have to do it now if I don't want to."
[That is not what I said]
"It doesn't matter" Grant shouted as he began to walk down the dirt road in the direction that he thought was East. "Wow, this place makes me I'm back home in Washington."
Continuing down the road, Grant heard shouting "HELP! SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP ME!" Running towards the noise he could hear her pleas getting louder "GET OFF OF ME YOU BASTARD!"
"You really think someone is going to help you, Girl" The orc leader said as he showed her his teeth. "I've already killed all the men that were in your caravan. Who do you think is out there who is going to help? No one travels these roads at night, which means that my men are going not only you rest of the ladies here."
Approaching the camp Grant pulled down his NVG's an began to do a quick recon of area. Making sure to count every friendly and hostile there was. 'Okay, so there are 20 orcs and 12 hostages. 11 hostages are bound and sitting up in a circle near the lead wagon and the. 6 orcs are sitting around the fire roast human flesh and 13 others are lying on the ground off to the side fast asleep. The last orc is in a tent with a hostage far enough away from the others that no one would see or hear them.'
"Okay, its go time" he said as he began to silently approach the tent. Getting closer he flipped his NVG's as the girl's screams were muffled. Unholstering his silenced M1911 as he pulled back the flap of the tent and enter slowly creeping up right behind the orc. Leveling his pistol to the Orc's head he fired one shot killing it instantly. As the orc fell forward onto the girl, he reholstered his pistol. Moving over to her left side he quickly pushed the bastard off her before cutting the rope that was binding her hands together. "Now, Ma'am I need you to stay here and remain calm while I eliminate the remaining hostiles." Grant watched as the girl nodded to show that she understood
Moving away from her he quietly moved the flap to see if the situation had changed since entering the tent. 'Enemies seemed to have moved closer to the fire.' Closing the flap walked back towards the center of the tent before taking off his rucksack. "Okay, now I just need to find my suppressor."
"Excuse me, sir, but what do you plan on doing with us." The girl asked fearfully.
"I really have a plan I just saw people in help and did what I was trained to do." Grant answered as he continued rummaging through his rucksack.
"So, you aren't going to make us your slaves?" the Girl asked as she watched him search through the thing on the ground.
"Ah ha gotcha. I knew you were hiding in there somewhere" Grant said as he took out his suppressor and began to screw it on to the barrel. "Now you stay here, and I'll call you out when I'm done." Grant said as he pulled his NVG's back down.
This had surprised Claire she had never heard of people needlessly going out of their way to help others. Getting off the bed she began walking to the front of the tent opening the flap just enough to take a peek. But the scene she was witnessing unfold left her amazed at how strong he was. She originally thought that he going to die trying to save them. Though now she felt a tinge of hope as she watched him begin massacring the orcs in the camp.
As Grant walked past the circle of women, he made his way toward the remaining orcs with a smile on his face. "What a cakewalk these damn orcs weren't even smart enough to have a man on patrol how depressing at least those Commies put up one hell of a fight." Grant said before firing upon them. Walking back toward the people he took off his NVD's and shouted out to the girl "You can come out of the tent now!" Within seconds the girl came running out of the tent towards him.
"You did it, Mister" Claire said cheerfully looking at one of the orcs.
"Why of course I did, taking out those orcs was a walk through the park. Compared to what I faced in Syria. But that is a story for another time how about me free your people" Grant said as he handed her one of his spare combat knives.
As they began to cut loose the other members of the caravan the girl led her mother over to him. "Excuse me, sir."
"What do you need, Ma'am" Grant said as he continued cut the other girls free.
"I was just wanted to know what you are planning to do with us now that we owe you our lives?" the mother said timidly.
"You don't owe me anything, Ma'am. I was just doing what I was trained to do because it is a soldier's job to protect the innocent and the duty of the strong to protect weak. For if we can't count on others who can we count on. Though if you really want to repay me you could point me in the direction of the nearest town." Grant said as he rubbed the back of his neck.
"The nearest village is Lakecrest which is about a day west of here." The mother said pointing in the direction he came from.
Looking down the road Grant couldn't help but be angry at himself. "Fuck, I knew I should have gone West"
Watching him made Claire laugh at how his misfortune led to their rescue. "If you want, sir, you could ride back to our village with us."
"Only if it's okay with your mother." Grant said with a smile
"Oh, can he mom, please." Claire said pleading with her mom.
"Claire, what if he wants travel with us. You know people sometimes like to be alone because they can travel faster." The mother said
"But, mom, you saw how strong he is. He was able to wipe out 20 orcs without even breaking a sweat."
Looking at her daughter then back over at the man she sighed. "If your going to be traveling with us we should at least get to know each other's names. I am Amelia Carver the granddaughter of Henry Carver the Village Elder and this is my daughter Claire Carver."
"Well, its nice to meet you Amelia and Claire Carver. I am Major Augustus Grant of the US Army."