zONE: Pirate Code

By Philip Blood

In the second epic novel in the zONE series, Pirate Code, CJ Deveron, the daughter of Ellie and Z, has a serious problem... her parents have gone missing, assassins have come to her apartment, the Zones have gone crazy, and she has no idea what is happening as her once perfect world comes crumbling down around her into chaos. She must go into the virtual reality worlds of the Zones, seeking the help of the old Pirates. Join CJ and her new friend, the Pirate, Jeanne de Clisson, as they go on voyages and adventures through the wild and tumultuous happenings taking place on Earth as well as in the Zones while battling the Demon Horde, the fell Spider Pirates and the mysterious Spawn, which are all new threats infesting the Zones. Worse yet, the master of the Zones, Z, is nowhere to be found!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Philip Blood
• Release date: Dec 17, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463847152

Philip Blood

Philip Blood is a published author currently living in the Los Angeles suburbs. He is an avid scuba diver, a voracious reader of sci-fi and fantasy, a tabletop gamer (from way back), and a computer game junkie with MMOs being the top of his list.Mr. Blood recently finished the third and final novel in his Zone series, this one called Brethren of the Ark and will soon publish book 9 in his urban fantasy series, The Archimage Wars: Warlok of Sheol. Book 1 through 8 are all available now with just one more to come to finish the series. Book 10 will be finished by the end of 2020. In addition, he works on creating Audio Plays for his novels, with five already available and more to come!He also recently went back to his very first fantasy epic series, Cathexis, and did a deep re-write, fixing may of the writing issues of a young author (he wrote it 30 years ago) while leaving the story intact. All four books have been re-written and are now available in ebooks or print versions.Finally, Mr. Blood has begun outlining a new, more traditional, fantasy epic, which he will start writing in 2021. The series is called, Kingdoms of Magic.

Book preview

Book Two

Pirate Code

Part One: A Snake in the Grass

Chapter zOne – The Grimm Zone

Ship’s Log: entry by the Lioness of Brittany

I am a Ghost.

And not the only one these days, but I’ll explain more about that later on.

I became a Ghost by choice and, as a Ghost, I live my life in the Zones, in essence, I have no body waiting on Earth. I only exist as a consciousness in the myriad of virtual yet utterly realistic worlds we call the Zones.

I don’t look like a ghost, not the white sheet variety or the translucent dead ones, I am a normal enough looking female human Paragon. I am heart-stoppingly beautiful, why not? I designed how I look before I became a Ghost. I made my Paragon mid-sized at 5’8", with long flaming red hair, bright emerald green eyes, a wide smile, and a small nose. I added a tiny birthmark on my chin for pizazz. My face is beautiful, but has a tough element, giving me the look of someone not to be trifled with. My body is finely muscled and in stupendous shape, though modestly curved. So, as I said, I don’t look like a ghost, not in the traditional sense, but I am not a traditional girl!

However, I’ve been a Ghost for a long time now, though I’ve only recently achieved my goal to make it into the Pirate ranks. A few years ago, I finally made it to Tortuga. For achieving that goal, plus the accumulated coup I’d earned from my many daring adventures, I was awarded a famous Pirate name, Jeanne de Clisson. She was also known as the Lioness of Brittany. I think that’s why the Pirates chose to name me after this historical pirate, they say I am a bit ‘gung-ho’, leaping into danger whenever the opportunity arises with the bravery of a lioness!

Right now, I am only a few zMinutes away from crossing out of zSpace and into the Grimm Zone to take one such leap! As of yet, I have not had a personal run-in with the Spawn, but if they won’t come to me, the Lioness of Brittany will go to them!

I am currently traveling through zSpace on my personal Pirate Ship, ‘My Revenge’. I sculpted her from scratch back when I was first attempting to find and reach Tortuga. I named her in honor of my hero, the famous Zone Pirate, Mary Read, whose original Ship, before it was destroyed in the Zcerebral Wars, was named ‘Revenge’. My Ship is a small but fine Pirate vessel if I do say so myself. Of course, currently, she is in her spaceship configuration to match the rules of zSpace. As a spaceship, My Revenge is an agile raider, moderately armed. She is silvery in color and shaped something like a manta ray, though her wings are sleeker and smaller.

Breaking into my recording of this Log Book entry, my Navigator Zim stated, Approaching the Grimm Zone border in three zMinutes, Captain.

All of my crew are zimulacrums, or 'Zims', not living beings, but they mimic life pretty damn well for being sculpted from code.

Take us in, Mister, I answered smartly, putting away my Log with a thought. I am not concerned about entering a Zone, ever since the fall of Zcerebral, crossing into a Zone is no longer a big deal, even in a Pirate vessel. Since Z took over running the Zones, thirty-one years ago, they are open to all, including the few who become Pirates. I can already see my destination on the viewscreen, a little blue and white water-planet, not unlike Earth, though there are no large landmasses, just small islands.

This is the only planet in the Grimm Zone and it contains all of the Grimm Brother’s fairy tales, one on each island.

In the old days of Pirate legend, when Zcerebral controlled the Zones, Pirates were wanted criminals, barred from entering any Zone and hunted everywhere they went. Nowadays, being a Pirate is not illegal and, like everyone else, Pirates can fly right into a Zone. However, Pirates still sculpt or buy their own Ship.

Alternatively, I suppose you could use public transports to reach a Zone, but no self-respecting Pirate, or even a wanna-be Pirate, commonly called a Freebooter, would act so undignified as to arrive that way! As for buying a Ship, it is done, but seldom by any Freebooter who wants to make it to Tortuga and gain a Pirate name. It is considered a loss of coup to buy a Ship rather than sculpt your own.

My Zim bridge crew are at their stations manning their various consoles, while a few other Zims are on duty in various parts of my Ship. This leaves me to sit in the central captain’s chair where I am projecting a veil of calm command as I ponder weighty matters… or what I want for lunch.

I sighed, all of us Pirates long for the olden days of adventure and actual danger. Z’s challenges are, well, challenging, but they don’t have the teeth of the old Zcerebral adventures where every time you left Tortuga it might be your last free day. You could be zonked, traced to your body, and then your mind would be locked away and your body donated for use by the Zombies.

There are no Zombies now.

Falstaff, I said aloud to my Steward.

Falstaff’s reply came in as a thought, though I 'hear' it in his voice which has an Old English accent. Yes, my noble and chaste mistress of the sea, under whose countenance I serve, willing or not.

I’m pretty sure he meant that sarcastically, he tends to do that, quite often. This is another homage I pay to our Lord of the Zones, Z, and his cantankerous Steward, Loki, who he originally programmed to help him in the Zones. I ignored my Steward's flowery speech and his sarcasm, after all, I programmed him to speak to me this way. He uses bastardized alterations of the original Shakespearian dialogue spoken by William’s immortal character, Falstaff. And, as I mentioned, he is quite irreverent at times. I’ve always liked Shakespeare’s plays so I chose to program a Steward with some of Falstaff's persona, with just a taste of Loki’s sarcastic nature added to his routines.

I answered, Yes, and your mistress requires some of your council, so listen up! What is the latest buzz on the Flash Net about the Spawn? Have any Pirates defeated them yet?

The first Pirate to beat any challenge gains the most coup.

My Steward answered, And here is my speech. Nay, they are a plague of cowards, I say!

I pondered that, Really, I'm surprised that only regular Teers and Freebooters have tangled with them. Are you sure there have been no Pirate versus Spawn battles?

Falstaff answered, Nay, that is past praying for, though I am sure thou willst ignore this dire warning and sally forth, forthwith!

Damn straight! I answered with a pirate grin, ignoring his rebuff that this is a bad idea and that I tend to leap before thinking; I think, really, I do. I just think on the fly!

But the fact that no other Pirate has yet tangled with the Spawn, well, that is interesting. By now, I’d have thought several Pirates would have taken on this new odd threat, there have been reports of these Spawn all over the Flash Net.

Before I headed out on this little excursion, I was hanging out in the Saucy Stench, a bar in Tortuga, the exclusive Pirate Zone, when I heard rumors of a new danger in the Zones. The whispers spoke of something called the ‘Spawn’. These odd entities are showing up in Zones and causing havoc! The Spawn move around in something called the Dead Fleet, haunting zSpace and then entering and attacking the very fabric of a Zone.

In the history of the Zones, there has never been such a menace… one that moves through the Zones rather than belonging to just one location.

The Spawn seem like a challenge worthy of the Lioness of Brittany so I kept an ear out, using my spy network. My ‘spies’ are just a group of Teers I pay to get word to me of any new challenges Z sets up for the Pirates. While I was at the Saucy Stench, in Tortuga, a spy contacted me with a Flash message claiming someone had spotted the Dead Fleet headed toward the Grimm Zone. So, using the ebbing tide I set sail out of the fabled Tortuga and headed to the same Zone.

But back to the present, my Ship’s alarms all went off at once and my defense console Zim crewman called out, RED ALERT, Captain!

Red lights started flashing on top of various consoles, though the main bridge lighting remains bright. There is no sense making it hard to see in an emergency; this isn’t an old 2D movie!

Status report! I barked out.

There is some barrier in zSpace, Captain, my Science Zim answered, unnecessarily.

That's because, in front of my captain’s chair and beyond the twin navigation and helm stations, there is the large viewscreen, reminiscent of Trekkie spaceships from the Roddenberry Zone. That viewscreen is now filled with a mass of red and yellow flames! I have never seen anything like it! Up until this moment, I had been seeing the blackness of zSpace with the tiny white dots of distant stars. In the center, I had been watching the blue and white planet we were approaching as it slowly grew larger. Now I see nothing but flames.

I commanded, Full emergency stop!

Aye Captain! the Helmsman reported and I felt my Ship decelerate at max reverse thrust. With that much deceleration, I felt a slight shifting of my weight going forward in my chair even though the inertial dampers are still functioning.

Reduce viewscreen zoom by 50%! I ordered.

The flames got smaller in resolution though they still fill the viewscreen.

Reduce by 100%! I barked.

Again, the image of flames leaped backward but they still filled the viewscreen.

That is our widest angle, my Helm Zim noted.

This thing goes out in all directions!

Give me a view ninety degrees to port! I ordered.

When the view changed, I finally saw stars as my screen now shows zSpace on the left and the wall of flames on the right.

And, in calling it a ‘wall of flames’, I realized what this must be, a Firewall. These have not been seen surrounding a Zone since the days of Zcerebral before I was born! They used to encompass every Zone and were designed to keep us Pirates or Freebooters from entering. Why the hell would a Zcerebral era Firewall be up around the Grimm Zone? Then another concern came to mind; if there are Firewalls…

I called out, Scan for Black Ice Modules!

Though my crew has never faced Black Ice modules, they are Zims. They have the knowledge of history at their fingertips, so to speak. They are programs, simulating real people but, as programs, they can quickly access computer records. In this case, they looked up my reference to Black Ice modules. A millisecond later they knew everything on record about Zcerebral’s old attack routines. With a few quick adjustments on their consoles, my Zims began searching with ship’s sensors for signs of any Black Ice manifesting in zSpace. If they are out there, they could be closing to ram and destroy my Ship!

There are six swiftly approaching Black Ice modules, Captain, the nearest is 15000 feet away and is closing at Mach 3, The Defense Zim answered calmly. "Impact in 4 seconds, 3…

Fire on all six, with EVERYTHING! I yelled.

Aye, Captain, she replied calmly, ignoring my rather panicked demeanor.

Then I heard my Ship’s lasers fire, followed, almost immediately, by torpedo launches.

A moment later, my Defense Zim reported, All six have been destroyed, Captain.

Keep an eye on the sensors and destroy any others that approach! I commanded.

I sat back in my chair. I am not shaken, exhilarated might be a better word. Though, I had, unconsciously, scooted forward, literally on the edge of my seat! Someone attacked my Ship!

What the hell? I muttered, though my Zims, rightly, figured out that this is rhetorical.

However, Falstaff answered, By the Lord, thou sayest true, lass, what thou speakest may...

But I interrupted my Steward, Falstaff, find out if there are any other reports of Firewalls and Black Ice anywhere else in the Zones!

He paused for a bare moment, reading through all the Flash Net’s millions of recent posts and replied, Aye, sixteen reports, mine lady… and more reports art coming in! I did add our sighting to the Net’

By Z’s ridiculous brain! What the hell is going on! I don’t have a way through that Firewall!

Falstaff answered, Well, given good sense, thou shouldst run but knowing thee, and thy lack of sense...

I have sense but I'm not running! I retorted.

He sighed, Of course, thee aren’t, though the better part of valor is discretion, thou wilt, no doubt, ignore mine counsel.

I ignored his sarcastic reply and ordered, Check the old Pirate code base for something called a Wedge and let me see it!

The code came up around me in the familiar cylinder of translucent living code. I started sculpting the stock code which Falstaff had downloaded. Modifying and integrating this code into a version which will work with my Ship isn't easy. This will take some time but at least I don’t have to sculpt the Wedge from scratch, I just have to make it unique enough to get past the Zone duplication laws.

As I sculpted, my Steward stated, incredulously, For God's sake, mine tristful queen, the Pirate code base is no more!

What? I demanded, puzzled, stopping my sculpting for a moment. The Pirate code base is a large library of code donated by various Pirates over time. Only a named Pirate can access this free source code to use as they see fit. It’s one of the perks of becoming a Pirate. Dead Red started it after the war with Zcerebral. Back in the day, Z gave her his speed code as thanks for being friendly. When Zcerebral fell, Dead Red began the Pirate code base by adding Z’s speed code and making the data available, free, to all Pirates. Other Pirates followed with routines they have written, to be used as a template by all Pirates in need.

Falstaff had just retrieved this Wedge code from that very database. No doubt it has been sitting around in there for three decades, unused since there are no Firewalls anymore, well, there hadn’t been until today!

The Pirate code base hath been erased from existence! Falstaff noted, still incredulous.

By the Zone Lord's power! That’s… not possible! Z would never allow that, the Pirate code was stored on his server… in fact, Z’s mind IS the server! Wait… what if this is just part of Z's new challenge? What if he erased all the Pirate code to force us to handle this challenge with only the tools which Z had back when he faced Zcerebral and they ran the Zones? What if Z wants us to sculpt our own solutions again, from absolute scratch? If that is the case, then I’d been extremely lucky to nab that Wedge example code before he shut down the Pirate code base!

Fine, I thought, if Z could do it back then… I was about to add, ‘so can I!’ but then I realized that Z, whether he knew it or not back then, is a Created Intelligence, or ‘C.I.’, with all the advantages that includes. Sculpting code is ridiculously easy for Z; the rest of us have to muddle through, though I am no slouch at Sculpting. Then I thought, a bit petulantly, How can Z expect us to achieve what he accomplished? Z has advantages that the rest of us don’t have. I’m just a human Ghost, he is a freaking C.I., sculpted right out of that same code!

Sblood, thou sounds as melancholy as the drone of a Lincolnshire bagpipe, Falstaff noted dryly.

I grinned, relaxing. Falstaff is right, damn him! I am wallowing in self-pity. Fine, if Z thinks a Pirate can accomplish this, then the Lioness of Brittany is up to the challenge!

I went back to sculpting. A few zHours later, I’d managed to get a new version of the Wedge code integrated.

I then called out, Helmsman, open the Wedge and take us through, Mister!

Aye Captain! he replied and activated the new routine.

Ahead of my Ship, a hole in the vast Firewall pried open from the force of my new wedge. This tore a small hole, big enough for My Revenge to fly through.

Take us into the Grimm Zone! Set course for the Cinderella Story Island; I think I’ll try my luck there first!

Chapter zTwo – Manhattan

From the diary of CJ Deveron

Today started out like any other day until the monsters came for me.

I rubbed at my sleep-encrusted eyes with the backs of my knuckles, I hadn't slept well. Today is the day the Senate will take a vote on a plan to deal with the run-away population growth sweeping the planet.

The three major parties will each have their chance to give one last speech about their plan before the vote is taken. These speeches will be held to five minutes each. I know, because I had a major hand in writing the Moderate Party speech, which my grandmother will deliver to the Senate in a few hours. The Reform and Traditional parties will also give speeches about their plans.

I am so concerned that the Reformers will win that I can’t even sleep, so I might as well get up. I didn’t know it yet, but this decision probably saved my life.

If there is one thing you can count on, the lure of Power draws evil people like a Zone Pleasure Den attracts addicts. On waking up, I had no idea that the monsters were stirring, who would? After all, Zcerebral is no more… Ding Dong, the witch is dead! Veronia’s evil regime was thrown down years before I was born... but people eventually discovered that just because you get rid of something evil, does not mean all your problems magically disappear. In fact, in some ways, they can get worse. Thirty-one years ago, Veronia, The Phoenix, head of Zcerebral Incorporated, held the entire world in her iron fist. She could force any of her orders down the world’s throat without challenge. People may not have liked Veronia's decrees, but they were executed, harshly, without opposition. When she snapped her fingers, things got done. Some of them were evil things, sure, but not all.

Now, with the New World Government, or NWG, in charge, no single person has the power to implement their command or their solution. Any fix for a problem must be presented as a new bill and then it must go through a lengthy process to try and convince a lot of other powerful people to vote for this new solution before it can become law. That process takes time; if the bill even passes at all. Meanwhile, while those in charge debate and argue their points the problem often gets worse.

And many things have gotten worse… much worse.

Lor? I said to my Steward, half-yawning as I spoke aloud. Obviously, I don't have to actually speak but I like saying words rather than just thinking to Lor, whenever possible. It just feels more natural.

Really? 5 am? Lor stated, sounding grouchy. Lor is based on a character from the NexLord fantasy story in the Blood Zone, I'd done that in honor of my mother, who's Steward is based on Mara from the same stories. I'd sculpted her with Lor's personality and quirks, just for realism and fun. In the story, Lor hates to get up early, so I’d sculpted my Steward the same way.

Get up, sleepy head! I can't sleep and I want to go over the speech again.

Again? Haven't you read that thing over about a million times? Lor growled.

Only 500 thousand, so I have a few more to go, I noted. However, before I do, I better get some caffeine in me. Can you Flash StimNova for me? I need an early delivery.

Fine, then I can go back to sleep! Lor noted pertly.

Sure, I answered, though we both know she doesn't sleep.

Lor could have taken care of the whole thing, but she is playing at being grouchy in the morning, so she got hold of the barista at StimNova and he appeared in front of me, his simulacrum is now standing in my living room in a Flash.

I thought to Lor, Really? You’re going to make me talk to this guy? You couldn't order this for me on your own?

I’m too tired, Lor replied jauntily. She’s just being ornery.

Then I realized that I am not really dressed to be seen, I currently look like I've recently wrassled a gorilla in a garbage pile. My hair is a jumble, my face has no makeup, and my clothes... well, they mostly are not there, my robe isn't even closed!

I thought to my Steward, Lor! I'm half-naked...

She broke in calmly, I am projecting you in a business suit, looking like you are ready to stare down Mick Crown on the Senate floor.

I calmed down, slightly.

Meanwhile, the Barrister asked, What may I do for you... Ms. Deveron?

He's obviously accessed his Cretin program to pull my name using brain scan recognition.

I need a Cappuccino Grandiose, delivered, right away, I replied.

Ah, that's going to be a problem. Your delivery isn't scheduled until 7 am, and our delivery guy is out until then handling other customers.

But I NEED my coffee! I blurted out like he had just stolen my right arm for medical experiments.

He must have accessed his Cretin again because he said, Oh, your building is just across the street, you can pick up your Cappuccino Grandiose if you like.

I scowled at him, Do you know who I am?

He frowned and then, from his momentary blank expression, I figure he must have had his Cretin look up my details.

His face reanimated and he replied, without any sign of respect, Cathy Jan Deveron, an aide to Speaker Bridget Hamilton.

Exactly! I stated irritably. My name won’t ring any bells, but Bridget Hamilton is legendary! She’s one of the sculptors who created Z and now she is Speaker for one of the three political parties. However, I can hear my grandmother admonishing me about using my position to get special treatment while shaking a finger at me. I don't care, I NEED my caffeine! I added, Figure out how to get my coffee delivered!

The barrister nodded and replied, I have figured it out... we will deliver your order, as originally scheduled, at 7 am. Then he cut the Flash and his projected body disappeared from my living room.

Damn him! I nearly ordered Lor to reconnect the Flash so I could scold this sassy barrister, but then I sighed. I really shouldn't ask for special treatment, not that he seemed very impressed that I am Speaker Hamilton’s aide, even if she is, arguably, one of the three most powerful people on Earth.

I looked at my front door forlornly. The damn thing is looming over me like the monolith in 2001 and is just as sinister and ominous.

You see, I'm genuphobic. I may want to improve the world but I don't want to actually take the chance of going out into that real world!

They say that genuphobia is similar to agoraphobia, but agoraphobia is a type of anxiety disorder in which you fear and avoid places or situations that might cause you to panic and make you feel trapped, helpless, or embarrassed. People with agoraphobia often have a hard time feeling safe in any public place, especially where crowds gather.

That often makes agoraphobics stay in their homes where they don’t have to face these anxieties.

Genuphobia is only similar in that it seems to make people stay in their homes, but the truth is, they stay for a completely different reason. I am not afraid of being trapped, helpless, or embarrassed, I am afraid of reality. I’m talking about the genuine world, which is where the term originates. Staying in my apartment lets me avoid that genuine world.

There are viruses, bacteria, air pollution, biting insects, violent people, and all of them scare the hell out of me. Worse yet, there is the chance of accidental injury… or even permanent death, from a flyer wreck, or a tube car accident, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes… pick your disaster! Then there are people. Their disgusting bodies have bad breath, body odor, they sneeze, sending germs into the air for you to breathe, yuck! In the Zones I don't have to put up with any of those things and any damage I might take isn’t real so there is no chance of dying, only zonking, after which you wake up, safe and sound, back in your real, but vulnerable, body.

Back when people only typically lived into their eighties, maybe they didn't mind risking that short lifespan, but I may live a thousand years or more! I have a lot more to protect.

Yep, I'm happy right here in my cozy and somewhat safe rooms, just me and my intellihamster, Nicholas. I am protected with sealed doors and windows that I don’t ever open, in fact, I had them sealed with automatically closing metal shutters, just in case. I'm up on the twenty-fifth floor, with lots of security down at the entrances to keep any nasty real people away from me. I'm not sure what I dislike more, the real outdoors or getting physically near real people. It's a tossup.

I am not alone. They say that genuphobia is quite common now. They blame this condition on our being born with the Zones already in existence in a World with too many people all living with vastly extended lifespans. This condition is especially prevalent amongst Freebies, who have never known a world without the Zones or Goop. I don’t even consider this a malady, to me, it’s normal and rational behavior. Psychiatrists tell me I have a phobia but I say, are you afraid of heights? If so, why? Is that a phobia?

The truth is, people are afraid of heights for good reason, it’s a survival instinct. Falling from a decent height can kill you. Well, fear of reality is the same thing, there are things out there that can harm you, so you fear to go near those dangers. With the Zones, you can do everything… and more… than you can do in reality and never be in physical danger at all! The folks who go out and risk their long lives in the real world are the crazy ones!

What is the old saying, repeating the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity? People go out in the dangerous world and get hurt, and then they do it again, thinking they won’t get hurt this time. Insane, I tell you!

Frankly, I think the Elders are the crazy ones! Of course, they grew up before the Zones and some of them predate Goop! They were only one generation away from dying with the rest of the short-lived ‘naturals’.

Now that Goop treatments are available to lengthen a person’s life, indefinitely, we all have a lot more to protect! Why risk accidental death when you might lose a thousand years of life which you could spend in the endless enjoyments of the Zones?

I’ve read studies that say the more you stay out of the real world the harder it becomes to go out and face reality. Sure, the less you go out the harder it is to go out, but avoiding damage to yourself isn’t a bad thing, right? Yet, the crazy people keep trying to talk us into going out into those real dangers! Are they nuts? My mother is one of the Elders and much to my mother’s dismay, I haven't physically left my apartment in four years, not since I turned sixteen. I seldom went out even when I was younger. Why, when I can go to endless safe worlds in the Zones?

This is the reason that quite a few Freebies have taken up the offer by the company Body Swap. But, giving up my real body is… well, repugnant. It’s MINE! I can’t stand the thought of some other person, eventually, wandering around in MY body! So, Transcendence is not for me, though I’m still genuphobic.

But even if I a genuphobe, I still need my coffee!

I keep telling myself to stratiform a machine for my apartment, that way I could make my own, but I like StimNova coffee!

As noted by that rude barista, my local StimNova location isn't far, just across one street. I could probably see it if I looked out a window, but I have the shutters down, permanently, for my safety. I don’t like windows; they present only a thin glass layer between me and the real world. But, for coffee, maybe I can go out. I should be able to make it across one street without catching something or having some bad incident, right? What are the odds of getting a virus, or worse, with such a small exposure? I could take my time and make sure no vehicles are near me and ask the doorman to watch me so that I’m not mugged or anything.

Sure, I can SAY all that and even logically believe it, but logic and a phobia do not mix into a good drink.

Nicholas rolled across the living room floor in his eight-inch diameter clear ball and hit the footstool near me.

Oh, it's easy for you to move around, you have a nice ball protecting you! I noted to my little pet intellihamster.

He looked up at me with his little round, black, devil-eyes and I swear he is laughing at me. As I mentioned, Nicholas is an intellihamster, which means he has artificially boosted intelligence. I rescued him from obliteration by the naturalist fanatics when the laws against boosting animal intelligence passed the Senate, supported by the Reform and Traditional Parties. Nicholas is not as smart as a human, sure, but he’s smarter than a normal dog and he can speak. He’s also very rare since almost all intellianimals have been destroyed.

He can speak because his mouth structure has also been Goop modified to allow him to form words somewhat decently, though his English leaves a lot to be desired.

You no want go out? he asked, his little pipsqueak voice coming out through the various holes in his transparent ball.

I pulled my mouth to the side in an expression of annoyance, mostly at myself, and answered, Yes and no, I want my coffee but I don’t want to go get it!

World bad, Cat afraid, he noted sagely.

He is talking about me and my fears. I took one more look at the door and sighed, then I answered Nicholas, Fine, you're right, though you call me ‘Cat’ I'm really more of a chicken. I'll just wait for my delivery at 7 am.

I took my morning commute to work, which only involves walking down the hallway to my office. I passed my exercise room, though I don't feel like a work out... not until after my coffee! I entered my office, which consists of just one piece of furniture, my Zone access recliner.

Show me the speech, I said aloud to Lor, though I am still standing.

In the air in front of me, my grandmother's speech appeared. I read it over and, once again, made some small changes, using my hands to move or delete words and speaking out any changes so that Lor added new words or phrases.

Lor spoke, Are you ever going to quit changing this thing?

No, I replied, sweetly, At least up until my grandmother reads it to the Senate. It can always be better.

After I told Lor to save my most recent changes, I headed to my bedroom and got dressed. I didn't put on any makeup, why bother? It's not like I'm going out, however, at least I combed out my hair. Who knows? The delivery man from StimNova might catch a glimpse of me, even though I will have Nicholas actually talk to him. My long hair now falls nicely down to my mid-back in gently curls.

That's when Lor said, Cat, someone is at the door!

Door? I asked aloud, puzzled. Is the StimNova delivery man early?

No, there are two people and they are attempting to jimmy the lock! Lor exclaimed.

Who are they? I demanded, concerned, while switching to thought communication so that my voice doesn't carry.

Lor paused, then answered, They are residents of these apartments, I found their brain scans in the building database. One is Gloria Hermes, apartment 2345 and the other Joel Blake, apartment 1389.

I calmed down, slightly, saying, Why are they trying to get in my door? Flash Gloria and ask her…

Lor interrupted me, They have handguns!

Handguns, or any guns, are still illegal... everywhere.

Get the constables! I blurted.

Right then, I heard the front door open.

Lor spoke to me, They have gained entry. I have contacted the constables and they said they are on their way.

My Steward is watching the intruders through the cameras I have mounted high up in the corners of each room in my apartment.

My apartment isn’t that big, so I don't have three minutes, not if these two people are truly here to do me harm. They will find me in moments.

On the walls around me, I have some shelves with some odds and ends as well as some old books for decoration. On one shelf there is a large clear glass jar filled with marbles, just a decorative thing I'd created by ordering from my local Strati shop.

I grabbed it and dashed to the opening into the hallway from my office. I spilled the marbles down the hall and then thought to Lor, Kill the lights.

Since all my windows are sealed, once the lights went out, it became pitch black in my apartment.

I heard a low curse from Joel and then he must have come into the hallway. I heard him squawk and then the sound of a body hitting the ground, hard, as well as the sound of marbles rolling across the synthetic wooden floor. He must have slipped on a few marbles and fell.

I dashed down the hall the other way, which doesn't have a coating of marbles, headed toward my bedroom. The marbles worked once, but that isn't going to stop them again now that the intruders know they are on the floor. I have to think of something else, quickly.

Lor, I thought, Can you get into the building com system?

She replied, There is a security routine that is blocking me from accessing that system.

Show me the code, I thought back.

She put it up around me in the familiar cylinder of code. I scrolled down and spun a piece around, then I did a quick hack to get past the security. It only took a moment. I come from a long line of top programmers, so sculpting comes easily to me.

You should have access now. I need you to sound like a big burly constable who is coming to rescue me in one minute! I thought to Lor.

A moment later, Lor's voice, now sounding like a big hulk of a male, spoke out over the apartment complex com system. This system which is really meant for emergency use, like a fire, but I figure this qualifies as an emergency, big time! She said, Cathy Deveron, the constables are coming up the elevator to your level and will arrive in under a minute! Hold tight, help is on its way!

To Lor I thought, Get an elevator car coming up from the Lobby!

She activated one and sent it toward my floor.

I listened and heard the two assassins... or assailants, I'm not sure what their intentions really are, talking swiftly, but softly. Then I heard their footsteps coming as they disturbed more of the marbles, this time shuffling their feet to knock them out of the way. Damn it, they either aren’t buying my ruse or don’t care if the constables catch them!

Then I heard Nicholas rolling his ball across the floor of my living room, what a smart little rodent! The two intruders stopped, then retreated, going back in the direction of the noise, just as Nicholas, no doubt, planned! They think I made the sound and went to search the living room.

I quietly closed my bedroom door, locked it, and then went to the covered window. I hesitated when I grasped the thick black curtain, but sighed, my life might depend on this. I steeled myself and slipped between the curtain and the window. Now I am face-to-face with the closed metal security slats I’d had installed. I gathered my nerve and pressed the button that rolls the slats upwards. Most of the light is still blocked by the thick curtain so it won’t show in the room, but I can see the real world now as I look out across the buildings of Manhattan. Now for the nearly impossible part, at least for a genuphobic, like me, I reached for the latch to open the window.

However, my life depends on this and I steeled my mind and slid open the windows. My head spun with the intensity of my reaction as I felt the wind on my face. It terrifies me. I took off my shoes, leaving them on the floor by the window sill. Then, I quickly yanked the curtains aside, flooding light into the room. I ran softly to my bed, happily getting away from that open window. The nasty air from the world outside blew into my room, I tried to hold my breath, but that only lasts so long. My body is now hidden, under my bed. I lay still. I soon heard the marbles moving again as the two assailants headed for the light streaming out from under my bedroom door.

One of them tried the door but found it locked, so they kicked it in. The sound and violence of the exploding door frame jarred me but I froze again.

I can see their feet as they walk past. Of all things, the woman, Gloria, has on furry pink slippers! Why would you go out on an assassination mission in furry pink slippers? Joel has on more normal sneakers. I watched him swiftly go toward the window. Once there, he stated, She went out the window!

Up here? Gloria asked, incredulously.

I peeked out from under the bed and saw their backs to me. I can see Joel's neck clearly, and there is a small and thin metal device attached. My first thought was; he's wearing a Skey! But then I had another thought... what if that is a Remora! That makes sense, why else would my neighbors be out to get me?

Remoras are more illegal than guns!

Remoras haven’t been used since the Zombies were outlawed. The special Remora/Skey devices created by my grandmother and applied to the few Ghost Riders have special permission for usage, but no standard Remoras are allowed. Those things let remote operators control a body. If my poor neighbors both have Remora’s on them, their minds are locked away while some remote person hijacks their bodies and controls their every move!

Joel’s body reached the window and his operator looked out and then stated, There is a ledge and the corner isn’t too far. Then he looked down and saw my shoes. She took her shoes off to keep from slipping.

Gloria’s operator replied, Go out, I’ll circle around in case she makes it into the next apartment.

Lor, I thought, Where are the damn constables? Once he gets around that corner, he’s going to see that I’m not out there!

Lor sounded puzzled, They are not replying and I hear no talk about this crime on their Flash Net.

I have no time to consider the ramifications of that news, not now. Once Gloria left and Joel stepped up and went out onto the ledge, I quietly slipped out from under the bed. Again, steeling myself, I ran to the window and pushed the button to lower the slats back down. Unfortunately, Joel is still close enough and he heard the slats moving. I heard the scrape of his shoes sliding along the ledge as he started to work his way back. I don’t know if the slats will close fast enough to keep him out, so I left the switch on auto so they will keep closing on their own. Then I turned and ran for the bedroom door.

Lor, give me some light in the hallway! I thought to my Steward.

The light came up, which allowed me to avoid the marbles and reach the living room.

As soon as I entered the living room, I thought to Lor, Kill the lights again.

I crouched down behind my sofa. They have already searched this room, so I hope Gloria’s operator will think I am somewhere else. I felt Nicholas roll up in his ball and hit my leg so I reached down and opened the small hatch to let him out.

He ran up my arm and took hold of my left ear, speaking quietly into it, Bad people want hurt Cat?

Yes, I whispered back.

He spoke again, Nickie teach them lesson!

No, they are too big, you stay with me, I replied.

A moment later, I heard Gloria come back in the front door.

She reached the entrance to the living room and I felt Nicholas run down my arm and leap to the floor. I have no way of stopping him without alerting the person controlling Gloria.

From the bedroom, I heard Joel pounding on the closed window slats. Gloria turned to head that way.

Then I heard her fall, hard, onto the floor. She must have slipped on more of the marbles.

That was lucky for me.

I got up and ran toward the front door. As I went by my kitchen table, I hooked the top of a chair and took it with me.

Nicholas came scampering after me and dashed out into the hallway just before I went out.

I put marbles under feet! he exclaimed.

Good hamster! I said softly as I closed the front door and then leaned the chair over so I could jam the top under the doorknob. I reached a hand down and Nicholas jumped to meet it, running up my arm to take a position on my right shoulder. Then I turned and ran to the stairs. Instead of going down, which leads to the outside world, I went up. Hopefully, my assailants will think I ran for safety outside, but I don't consider 'outside' safe! I went up four flights of stairs before I exited into a hallway.

Though I have never used it, I recall that there is a gym up here. I went in and, sure enough, there are also two Zone couches for general use. These are out of sight from the hallway. Zone couches, like these, now exist in many places so that people can get into the Zones wherever they are.

To this day, Skeys are not generally used. They are still expensive to make and, at least, initially, you have to use a Ship to get to a Zone. Since there is no charge to enter the Zones using a couch, most people generally just use those. I do have a Skey on my neck and I could have used it, but I need to get to the Senate Zone and that requires a standard Zone interface.

Up until now, I hadn't panicked, but all this finally hit me and I sat down, hard, into the Zone couch and started shaking. Criminals, or assassins, on some nefarious mission, had come to MY apartment... they broke in! They used Remoras on two of my neighbors! It scared the hell out of me. However, the more I think about it, the more I realize why they came for me. It must have something to do with the upcoming Senate bill about overpopulation! Maybe their plan was to kidnap me and use me to influence my grandmother's vote!

I’m still pretty shaky, but I realize that I have to do my job! I need to get to my grandmother and tell her what happened. I started to tell Lor to Flash her, but then I recalled the lack of response from the local constables.

Lor, what happened to the constables?

Lor answered, There is no chatter about this on their Flash Net. It's like I never called.

That means some of the constables were in on this or have been bought off, I noted in a scared voice.

Those rat bastards! Lor declared.

If that is the case, we can't be sure they aren't monitoring the Flash Net, I don't dare try to contact my grandmother... or anyone.

Lor answered, They can't trace the Zone couch, Z controls the Zones!

Right, I'll have to go to my grandmother directly, she'll know what to do!

But what if your enemies discover you while you are on this couch?"

I pondered that for a moment and then said, It's unlikely they will come up to search for me, I sent that elevator down. Still, I'll have Nicholas keep watch. He'll come back if they are coming and you can wake me, Lor.

All right, but I don't like it! I'd rather kill the rat-bastards!

That's Lor's personality routines reacting.

Later, Lor. Nicholas?

I is on job, Cat! he replied and leaped down from the chair and ran off down the hall toward where the elevators and stairs are located.

I sighed, looking at the couch, but there is no sense in delaying, I need to get to the Senate Zone and find my grandmother.

Chapter zThree – Cinderella Story Island

Ship’s Log: entry by the Lioness of Brittany

Now that my Ship is inside the Grimm Zone, I can no longer see the Firewall. My Ship is still in a spaceship configuration and I ordered my Zim crew to pilot My Revenge down toward a specific Island which runs the Cinderella Story. Abruptly, as we entered the atmosphere and crossed the transition border, my Ship morphed into a new shape around me. I now find myself standing in the pilot house of a seagoing vessel. My Ship is motoring over the swells toward shore. This is a new configuration for my Ship, one which I have never experienced before! My Ship, clothing, weapons, etc. have changed to fit the ruleset for this Grimm Zone. The Grimm brothers wrote their stories in the early 1800s, so that’s the level of technology that is available.

I looked out the vertical glass windows, glancing toward the stern. My Revenge now has two tall smokestacks, amidships, and two large paddle wheels, one on each side of the long craft. Since I was under power as I entered the atmosphere, I am still moving under power now. White steam is pouring from both smokestacks and the paddlewheels are churning away in the water, causing a white froth from the impacts of the wooden paddles striking the ocean.

We are about four hundred yards from the shore of an island where I can see a dock awaiting our arrival.

I am up in the wheelhouse, along with several of my crew. They have taken to the new configuration of My Revenge with the alacrity of Zims. They are now dressed in white and blue striped, skin tight, long-sleeve shirts and they have blue berets on their heads. Of course, they are busy keeping things shipshape without any concern about the new controls, ship configuration, or their clothing. Thank heavens for Zims! It doesn’t bother my crew that we just swapped a hyperspace drive for steam power.

I glanced toward shore again, expecting to see a busy port. However, instead of the bustle of commerce on the docks, it all seems deserted, which is... odd.

Pilot? I asked.

The crewman who had been my Zim Helmsman answered, Aye Captain?

Is this the Cinderella Story Island?

He answered, According to the Grimm Zone map, yes, Captain.

Take us to the dock, I ordered and added, Everyone, keep a sharp lookout on shore, something is amiss!

Falstaff then spoke to me, Doest thou not wish a sword or pistol to be more valiant, fair lady?

Arm myself, good idea, I thought back to him. Then I turned over command to my first officer while I headed for my armory, turning left at the first hall.

At which point Falstaff stated, rather smugly, I'll follow you, Mistress, and though I may be mistaken, I prithee, a right turn may be more productive to thine current business.

I immediately reversed course. This new configuration of my Ship will take some getting used to before I know where everything is located.

Once at the armory, I have some choices in weapons, though they are all from this era. Like everything else, the weapons I carry on board have all changed to various things, like saber swords, flintlock pistols, muskets, and even a blunderbuss.

As I pondered what to arm myself with for my foray ashore, Falstaff noted. Peradventure, a change in clothing may beest advisable?

I sighed, he’s right, I have to dress the part; currently, I’m in a ship’s captains’ outfit. I picked up a small flintlock pistol and a couple of small, concealable knives. Then I headed for my cabin.

My clothing has all changed to options for this Zone. I chose a light blue dress and put it on, then concealed my pistol in the folds of the upper bodice while I strapped the two knives to my inner thighs.

There, are you happy now? I demanded of Falstaff.

Mine cup runs over, he answered sarcastically.

My crew docked my Ship with skill and soon had her secured to the bollards.

I leaped down to the dock and headed for the small village.

As I walked, I spoke to Falstaff, Any idea where to go to find the Spawn?

Nay, fair Mistress, I know not where these gorbellied knaves dwell. Perhaps thou shouldst play out the play?

I pondered that. This is a Story World. You can take on the role of the major character and follow through the storyline. The Grimm world is an instanced Zone. Unless you choose to enter the same instance with someone else, you are sent to an instance of the World, meaning, you have it all to yourself. This allows you to follow through the particular Grimm Fairytale as the major character and experience the tale, first hand, without the chance of some other Teer messing up your story. Of course, you are not tied to the original storyline, though the Zone does try to keep you on track as best as possible. The Zone system will modify the story, as needed, based on your interactions.

In this Story, I will, no doubt, take on the role of Cinderella, daughter of a mother who died. Now she has become the stepchild to her father’s new wife and her two daughters, described by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm as having ‘evil and dark hearts’.

OK, which way to Cinderella’s house? I asked my Steward.

He answered, Pray, look there!

I looked and spotted a sign on a wooden post stating, and I kid you not, 'This way to Cinderella’s house.'

They really want you to take up the story, so they hold your hand to get you started. Fine then, off I go!

Falstaff spoke to me as I walked toward a nearby house which, I’m sure, belongs to Cinderella’s father. How wilst thou keep thine natural instincts from sullying the storyline?

I snickered; my Steward wants to know how I’m going to act subservient to the two nasty step-sisters.

I’ll manage, I noted with a sniff.

He replied, sarcastically, And, is not my hostess a most sweet wench?

What are you implying? I demanded, accusingly, though I’m really not angry, more amused.

An onion by any other name would still bring tears.

Funny, I noted sourly.

I went up the path to the front door and walked inside.

There are two pretty girls sitting at the kitchen table having some food. On seeing me enter, one glanced at the other and said, Why should that stupid goose sit in the parlor with us? If she wants to eat bread, then she will have to earn it. Out with this kitchen maid!

That is a line straight out of the Grimm brother’s fairy tale. My two step-sisters immediately assigned me the duty of scrubbing the stone floor at the entrance to the house.

My hand drifted toward one of my concealed knives but Falstaff noted, I knew thee twas too valorous to beest true.

Scowling, which I think the sister’s think is for them, I changed the direction of my wayward hand and picked up a bucket of water by the handle. Then I headed for the hard stones so I can start washing them with the stiff brush I discovered inside the bucket. On the way there, I started muttering to myself about ‘lousy sarcastic know it all Stewards’.

One of the sisters came by and tossed an old gray smock onto the dirty wet part of the floor. She pointed to a worn-out pair of wooden shoes by the door and said, Change into your proper attire, kitchen maid!

I sighed, but picked up the smock and crappy shoes, then headed for my bedroom, at least I hoped it is mine. I heard the sisters depart out the front door of the house. I dressed in the ugly plain smock and hard wooden shoes. Once attired as a drudge, I noted to Falstaff, This damn story better move along quickly or I’m going to stuff one of these wooden shoes down each of their throats!

Falstaff replied, Well, should they bait thee too long, I will cheer as thee strikes down and cuts the villains' throats!

That made me feel better so I went back out to continue my stone scrubbing.

A few minutes later, the two sisters came bursting back in through the front door, knocking over my bucket and dowsing the nearly clean stones with dirty water.

Fool, why are you in front of the door! one proclaimed angrily, but the other one seems exuberant as she exclaims, Nothing can dampen my spirits now that the King has proclaimed that there will be a festival to last three days! All the beautiful young girls in the land are invited, so that his son may select a bride! Of course, that leaves you out, drudge, you are too ugly.

That last part was meant for me. I pictured how she will look with a wooden shoe sticking out of her mouth.

However, at least the story is moving along.

When will we get to the fireworks factory? I thought to Falstaff, forlornly.

He knows my reference from an episode in the Groening Zone. It means, ‘when do we get to fun part at the end?’

Soon, fair Mistress, he said to encourage my patience to last another moment or two.

Right then, one of the step-sisters demanded, Comb our hair for us. Brush our shoes and fasten our buckles. We are going to the festival at the king's castle.

Peachy, I thought sourly. I managed to yank their hair a few times with the brush, eliciting yelps of pain which led to severe castigation for me. I took it demurely, grinning inwardly. Hey, sometimes it’s the small battles you win that make all the difference.

The main storyline played out further and I went along as best I can. After some nauseating parts of being harshly treated by the two step-sisters, and when I had just about had enough of this abuse, things suddenly went off script… in a big way!

Unlike the later movies, the Grimm Brothers original version of Cinderella is quite different. For one thing, there are no ‘Fairy Godmothers’, just a hazel tree out by her mother’s grave and a bird which brings things wished for by Cinderella.

It is also quite a bit, well, ‘grimmer’, showing that the Grimm Brother’s earned their name. For example, after I went to the festival for the third time, wearing the silver and gold dress with golden slippers, which the bird delivered at my wish. When I went to depart, the prince laid a trap for me! He coated the stairs with pitch, the cheeky trickster! That’s how I lost my golden slipper, it got stuck in the pitch. Then I stepped in more pitch with my bare foot! If this damned Prince thinks this will endear him to me, he had better guess again!

Later, when the prince came to Cinderella’s house to see who fit the slipper he had purloined with his nasty sticky stairs, one of the step-sisters cut off her toe so her foot fits inside the narrow shoe!

On squeezing her now crippled and bandaged appendage into the golden shoe, the prince accepted her as his bride and rode off with her in his lap. However, as she passed Cinderella’s mother’s grave, two pigeons cried out,

"Rook di goo, rook di goo!

There's blood in the shoe.

The shoe is too tight,

This bride is not right!"

And the prince saw blood leaking from the shoe, yuck! Come on! If I really was Cinderella, I wouldn’t dream of putting that pitch-stained shoe, with an interior that is soaked in blood, on my foot!

At this point, the story took an even darker turn, one that the Grimm Brothers never wrote. When the prince looked down and spotted blood dripping from his bride-to-be’s shoe, he stopped his horse and then dropped the girl to the ground. That’s all right, so far… but then he dismounted, yanked out his sword and cut off her head in one quick slice!

Holy Highlander! We’re talking full decapitation, folks! That’s not in the story!

Cinderella’s mother, seeing her daughter brutally slain right in front of us, ran at the prince. On her way there, she yanked out a wood ax from the chopping block. She dashed toward the prince with the ax over her head, ready to strike. I’m not kidding you; she went completely postal! The prince ran her through the heart! She dropped the ax and collapsed, dead as a doornail.

This has become the horror version of this story… it’s Killerella!

Unnatural storm clouds are swiftly gathering above the Prince and lightning has started striking the ground everywhere. Rain came down in thick sheets.

I took cover under the hazel tree. What the hell is going on in this