Millar Simulation Bleed

Complete Collected Serial
1. Auflage 2020
ISBN: 978-1-0983-2990-7
Verlag: BookBaby
Format: EPUB
Kopierschutz: Adobe DRM (»Systemvoraussetzungen)

E-Book, Englisch, 200 Seiten

Due to certain peculiarities in the manner of their lives and deaths, Mixt and Nakishdan hunt through time for Geeda Lala, a mysterious interloper with a penchant for punk rock gigs in the 70s. Accompanying them is Rainith the Red, an unfriendly fairy with a sharp sword. Hindering them are psychological problems, hostile flying snakes, and 102 Wuu.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Millar, Martin

Leseproben

Simulation Bleed Part two   073 ‘We need to replay the level.’ ‘The whole level? Again?’ Mixt was unenthusiastic. ‘We’ve already replayed it twice. Maybe you can’t sleep with her in this level.’ ‘The wiki says you can. It’s never let us down.’ Sitting on the floor, their backs resting against the couch, their Playstation and the plasma TV in front of them, Mixt and Nakishdan had an iPad open at the Wiki for Star Metal Planet. On all matters concerning the game, it had so far proved to be accurate. When they’d been unable to complete a mission or find a vital piece of equipment, they’d consulted its pages, and found the solution. Both were keen gamers but neither had the patience to hunt for anything indefinitely. If any of the missions became frustratingly difficult, they’d seek help online. ‘The Star Metal Planet Wiki says that my female space captain can initiate a romance with the blue-skinned alien barmaid if she brings her a laser pistol. I just brought her a laser pistol. So why isn’t she doing it?’ ‘Maybe you picked the wrong dialogue option?’ ‘I’m sure I got it right.’ ‘Maybe the blue-skinned alien barmaid doesn’t like girly characters like your space pilot? She might prefer tough women.’ ‘Captain StarNak is tough!’ protested Nakishdan. ‘She’s a savage killer. With a preference for colourful clothes and nice shoes.’ ‘My character never has trouble romancing anyone,’ said Mixt, rather smugly. ‘He’s a brute. I don’t know what anyone sees in him.’ Mixt departed to the kitchen. Nakishdan fidgeted impatiently, waiting for the level to reload. By the time Mixt returned with a pot of tea and two cans of beer, Captain StarNak was once again climbing into her space cruiser. ‘You know we’ve been playing this game for thirty-eight hours apart from a brief nap on the couch?’ Nakishdan nodded. ‘It’s a relief to be able to do what we want instead of having to go on missions for the Department. I was really fed up with these flying snakes.’ Search Unit Sigma had not been called into action for six months. Since Fourteen Trees appeared, and Rainith the Red disappeared, the flying snakes had vanished. The Kesh Ven Ven Lar had not been in contact. The Department of Historical Disturbance had not been in touch. ‘Maybe Fourteen Trees wasn’t as useless as she looked. Maybe she sorted everything out.’ ‘Maybe.’ Mixt poured their tea then picked up her controller. Captain StarMix climbed into the space cruiser beside StarNak. ‘It is a relief not to be fighting snakes any more. Though the money was good.’ ‘Are we short of money?’ ‘Not yet, but we’re getting there.’ ‘There must be easier ways of earning money than going into the past to fight flying snakes with big teeth.’ ‘Probably. But we wouldn’t like them either.’ Nakishdan sipped his tea. ‘Here we go. Moon Eight, mission two. Defeat Dark Matter Monster and bring back laser pistols. We need to do this exactly right.’ ‘So your character can sleep with the barmaid?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Maybe she got insulted when you shouted at the TV.’ ‘Now you’re being ridiculous,’ said Nakishdan.     074 Rainith the Red was not used to the feeling of pleasurable excitement she’d experienced in recent weeks. For the past few months she’d been living upstairs from Geeda Lala in their squat in Ladbroke Grove. It was November 1975 and the Sex Pistols were due to play their first gig in two day’s time. Very few people were aware of this. Most of the world was completely unconcerned. Rainith was very excited. ‘It’s funny that no one else cares,’ she said to Geeda. ‘Does anyone like them when they play?’ Geeda had been to the gig before. ‘Won’t it spoil it for you if I tell you too much about it?’ The red-haired fairy considered this. ‘I suppose so. But I’ve read a lot about it anyway. I know they don’t get to finish their set.’ She had a sudden inspiration. ‘How about if we protected them so they could play more songs? I could get up on stage with my sword.’ Geeda Lala laughed. Her hair, bright blue and yellow when Rainith had first met her in 1978, was less colourful in 1975. Punk rock had not yet begun. ‘If we change anything Fourteen Trees will go crazy.’ It had taken Fourteen Trees some time to smooth out the historical discrepancies caused by Geeda Lala’s crashing into history around 4000 BC and skidding through several thousand years before coming to rest in the 1970s. ‘I hadn’t realised how much chaos I’d caused,’ admitted Geeda. ‘I suppose my historical maths aren’t as good as I thought. I’m still not going to let them send me to that ice-age study planet.’ ‘Fourteen Trees must be really smart.’ ‘She is. Top of every class. Her and her friends from 47 Jeng. They make good hats too. I promised her I’d try not to cause any more problems.’ ‘Will the snakes come back?’ Rainith had killed many of the beasts with her sword. ‘She said they wouldn’t. She healed the breach I’d made. Something like that. She’s hidden us from everyone. My father will never find me and 102 Wuu won’t bother us any more.’ They were sitting on a very large cushion in Geeda’s room, looking out the window at the people on the street below. ‘All the men have long hair and flared trousers. They’ll look silly after the Sex Pistols play.’ Geeda Lala laughed. ‘It took a little while for the Sex Pistols to change the world’s fashion. They did in the end.’     075 Superior 102 sat motionless in the air, floating in the lotus position. In front of him stood Captain Lir. ‘You failed.’ Captain Lir made no reply. He and his team had indeed failed. Geed Lala was still at large. ‘47 Jeng have hidden her. We’re surprised at the power of their historical mathematics.’ The Captain frowned. ‘Can’t we suggest prosecuting them for interfering?’ ‘102 Wuu does not involve itself in legal proceedings.’ ‘Surely the Institute could prosecute them?’ ‘47 Jeng claim Geeda Lala is a member of their group. That gives them the legal right to protect her. Whether she really is a member of 47 Jeng is debatable. Nonetheless, for now, the Institute has no legal recourse.’ Superior 102 paused. Captain Lir wondered why he hadn’t yet been dismissed. He assumed that was what this meeting was for. The ramifications of his dismissal would be very troubling. Captain Lir was married to another agent of 102 Wuu. If he was banished from the organisation, he would have to leave the floating city. It might mean the end of their relationship. ‘Though the Institute can’t take legal action, neither can they do nothing,’ continued Superior 102. ‘The simulation is still in danger. Geeda Lala is still interfering. Historical disturbances have ceased for the moment, but that won’t last. The situation remains the same. Geeda Lala must be apprehended. Captured or killed, one or the other. So we are sending you there again, Captain Lir.’ Captain Lir made the faintest of bows, inclining his head a fraction in the direction of his superior. ‘Very well, Superior. How are we to find her? Are we capable of overcoming the historical mathematics of Fourteen Trees?’ ‘Unfortunately not. We’ve applied for outside help. Mathematician Girsin will be assisting.’ ‘Girsin? Isn’t he in prison?’ ‘We used our influence to free him.’ Captain Lir was not sure this was a good idea and it showed on his face. ‘I understand your doubts, Captain. Mathematician Girsin has spent more time trying to rob simulations than he has assisting the authorities. Nonetheless, his power over historical mathematics is greater than anyone else’s, even the Institute. He will unpick the defences set up by Fourteen Trees and lead you to Geeda Lala.’ ‘Very well, Superior 102.’ Captain Lir was thoughtful as he made his way through the floating city. Mathematician Girsin was undoubtedly a genius, but his reputation was very unsavoury. The Captain didn’t look forward to working with him.     076 Rainith the Red was sitting on a cushion, glowering. She was glowering so fiercely that Geed Lala paused, scissors in midair. ‘Are you sure you want me to do this?’ ‘I’m sure.’ ‘It’s not absolutely vital to have short spiky hair the first time you see the Sex Pistols. Most people didn’t, not in 1975 anyway.’ ‘I’m not going there...