Condition Evolution 3: A LitRPG / Gamelit Adventure by Kevin Sinclair (early readers .TXT) 📗

Astrid and Rufus both appeared on the screen. “Shaun, what the fuck is going on?” Astrid screeched.

Rufus just didn’t speak.

Probably praying for a decent answer from me, which I really didn’t have. I just had a very vague plan… okay, it was a very vague hope. “Just get your jumps charging, now! The Galactic Empire is a bag of dicks. They were gonna outlaw us for not agreeing to die like the utter, fucking morons they must think we are. Although that kinda doesn't matter because we’re already outlawed here.” I was mildly distracted for a moment while our ship jerked suddenly to avoid a shot.

“I hardly think starting a damn fight with a whole fleet of them was a good solution,” Rufus said coldly. “Perhaps you should have let me continue the negotiations.”

I could tell both the Seshat and the Thoth were also making evasive maneuvers from the unsteadiness of Astrid and Rufus. I wanted to switch Rufus off from the conversation, but knew it would look petty.

Astrid broke me from my thoughts. “And why are we flying straight toward the Dark Sect… oh, no… there’s a fleet of ships ahead of us; the enemy is here!” She let out a low growl.

Rufus abruptly added, “I thought the whole point in you talking to the admiral was to save us, Shaun. Yet it seems you’ve just pushed us into certain death.”

“You’re gonna have to trust me here, guys. Whatever happens is probably gonna suck badly, but not half as much as the situation we were in.”

“How can you be sure?” Rufus asked.

“I can't, but as long as we give it our best shot, and keep pushing forward no matter what happens, I know we’ll get out of this and be stronger for it.”

“So we’re just going to fly straight at the enemy?” Astrid deadpanned.

“Yes, we are. Think about it. Whoever lives in the Dark Sector has been strong enough to keep the Empire at bay. I’m hoping the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Yeah, I get they could be absolute skin-eating maniacs, but they might not be, too.”

“We're seriously going to try to defect in the middle of a massive standoff?” Rufus said, his voice dripping with disdain.

I just wanted to reach through the screen and break his fucking neck; a thought I’d never voice out loud, but it was there.

“Shaun is right, everyone,” Ember argued for me. “This shithole of an Empire is our enemy. We were gonna try to affect it from within. Until today we didn't know there was anyone else but the Galactic Empire and the Fystr Empire in the galaxy. I say let's go and see if we can make some new friends.”

I was profoundly grateful for her support. One by one, they all started nodding in agreement, their confidence rising. Apart from the pilots and the rear gun station operators, that is: they were a bit busy.

The Empire’s fleet had begun moving after us. Once the enemy fleet came into view around the moon base, they stopped cold, content to let the Dark Sector aliens wipe us out. I really hoped that wouldn’t be the case. But as we approached the opposing fleet, I won't lie, my stomach was trying to escape from my ass. I really needed a holiday after this. As we moved out of range of the Empire fleet’s weapons, I ordered for our pace to be slowed down to a less insane velocity, as we headed toward either doom or salvation.

Looking over to Ember, who was sitting watching the screen intently, I asked: “Hey! After this, do you fancy finding a nice little planet to settle down on? I can maybe find some work fixing alien roofs. I've been checking out their construction techniques, I think I could pick it up easily enough.”

She looked at me, her face an emotionless mask. Then she started laughing. “You fucking ass, Shaun.”

It was actually a genuine question, and I hadn’t intended for that to be her reaction, but her laughing seemed to cut through the tension on the bridge like a hot knife through butter. A few others began laughing. For a moment, everything seemed like it was going to be okay.

That stopped a second later when we were hailed by one of the Dark Sector ships. “Hwista,” I said, “bring up the display, please. We’re gonna have to be open and honest.”

Hwista nodded and up popped an alien on our screen. Whatever they intended to say died on their lips for some reason. They stood there, now open-mouthed.

“Err, hi. Are you okay?” I asked the flustered brown and gold alien.

“What… wh… why are you here?” he stuttered, pure fear written on his face.

“Do you think you know me or something?”

“You are Fystr. What brings you here, to the other side of the Galactic Habitable Zone?” his voice trembled.

“Dude, you need to chill the fuck out. We’re definitely not the Fystr. We fucking hate those guys. We come in peace, looking for friends and as you can probably tell we don't get along with the Empire much either.”

“I don't understand. You clearly are Fystr. No other species looks as you do.”

“Yeah. We’re pretty unique looking.”

“So, does that mean you are Fystr?” he questioned again. “Although I will admit, the longer we talk, the more I am inclined to believe you, despite your appearance.”

“Not sure how to take that, pal. But anyway, we’re humans. We are from the Fystr Empire though. The bastards like to keep their foot on our necks, so we don’t get out much,” I laughed. Don’t know why, but I did.

“We know of the atrocities they commit. That still begs the question, how are you here? This is a long way from your home. And as far as I know, if you're one of the hindered, then you should not be capable of spacefaring.”

“You seem to know a lot, and you guys must be pretty tough