Digitized

By Steve Husk

Verse four of the Metzgerhund Retreat series is a nod to those who partake and reside in the world of video and on-line gaming.

Billy is not one of those people.

Yet, a startup video game company from Sevran Heights came to Sentry Ridge with a business deal to promote each side’s entertainment craft. There was a level of familiarity involved, even above the fact that the company employees enjoyed Metzgerhund music. One of the video game employees used to be Calvin’s math tutor. One of them used to play basketball with Reggie. Jason met one of them through online first-person shooter games. Sam used to help the company’s business manager with his art projects in school.

Billy didn’t know any of them.

He also didn’t know this group booked time at the camp to pitch their promotional deal.

Billy felt ambushed when he found out his bandmates knew about this proposal and didn’t tell him. They knew he didn’t even play video games. He had too much to accomplish. He didn’t have time for them.

One by one, Billy’s band mates play-tested one of the company’s games. Then, when they finished, they went right back to doing what they enjoyed doing in the physical world...which, by the way, was quite similar to what they just finished doing in the digital world.

All the more reason for Billy to remain in the physical world. There was nothing in the digital world that interested him. He had no need to spend his valuable physical world time in the digital world.

Fortunately, the video team provided Billy some help with that.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Steve Husk
• Release date: Mar 10, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224164226

Steve Husk

Some say Steve Husk is constantly going up against his demons and the many voices in his own head. Truth is, Steve has recruited most of them as his advisors. Some of them want to start a band with him.Steve is a retired software / web application developer and security control center officer. He currently works his writing (and sometimes music) craft in northern Virginia, USA.

Book preview

Digitized

Verse Four of

Metzgerhund Retreat

Steve Husk

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Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2023 Steven M. Husk

Cover art Copyright 2023 Steven M. Husk

All rights reserved.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to the author’s page on Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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Billy was attempting to read his game tablet while running across the uneven sandy terrain in the west camp woods. Every time his foot hit down, his oversized plastic battle helmet shifted position on his head, sometimes blocking his view. His shoulder grazed a tree he never saw, and he almost lost his balance and fell. After about a hundred yards, he yanked the helmet off his head with one hand and dropped it somewhere. He saw he wasn’t being followed, so he stopped running.

Jason ran out from a heavier patch of woods, wearing a gray sweat jacket with the hood up and hanging just above his eyes. He was wearing a gold colored thick plastic chain that held an unknown magic symbol, and was holding a magic staff which bore a large hand flashing the metal horns sign.

Where have you been? Billy asked.

I got ambushed by some dork.

Did he engage you?

"I engaged him."

Billy shook his head. That’s not your role in this game. How’d you do?

Jason held up his game tablet. I don’t like the way the commands are laid out on the screen. I tried to defend his first attack, but the ‘help’ menu popped up.

You fat-fingered it.

Then, I tried firing a few dark energy bolts at him, but the tablet controls locked up. Then, that dork attacked again, and my tablet made this weird buzzing sound.

Billy laughed. I’ve not heard anyone else complaining about the tablet controls locking up. I’m thinking it was ‘user error.’

Why do you say that?

’Cuz your sucky on-line typing skills are legendary.

Jason frowned. Maybe.

"If you had stayed with the group, you wouldn’t have been defenseless. You’re the team healer. You’re supposed to stay alive to heal your fighter teammates. Like me. How are you supposed to do that if you keep getting into fights with fourteenth level warriors?"

"Because I’d rather be a fighter. Oh…and while I’m at it…why aren’t you with the group?"

I think they abandoned me.

Yeah, I think they hung both of us out to dry.

You should check your score now before we go any further.

Jason held the game tablet out in front of him. So, what am I looking for?

On the main screen, it will be the largest number displayed in the upper right hand corner.

The screen is blank.

"I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re already dead. You’re the worst healer---cleric---whatever you are---ever!"

Jason laughed. And you’re the only warrior who has never won a fight.

How do you know that?

"For some reason, I accidentally selected your character as my next target. For a few minutes, I could see everything you did. Whoever you were fighting struck a blow on every part of your character’s body. Every part. I just hope your character was wearing his athletic cup."

Billy laughed. You and I should have traded characters when we had the chance. We could have used you as a designated team bouncer.

You’d have made a great tactical wizard. Maybe we should--- Jason caught sight of something at the top of a small hill. Uh-oh. Is that the gamemaster over there, standing next to that tree?

Billy turned around to look. Yeah, that’s him.

Isn’t it bad when the GM is smiling?

Billy groaned. Usually. He pulled out his in-park phone and hit the preset for Laypus.

Are you on the way to my office? Mr. Laypus asked.

That’s why I’m calling, Billy answered. Sorry for the delay. I got attacked a few minutes ago, and--- He turned straight towards Jason. …I’m waiting for a healer who doesn’t suck to rescue me.

What?

I’m playing this---

Bad news, Counselor Billy! the GM called.

Uh---let me put you on hold for a second, Mr. Laypus.

What is going on?

Billy turned back to the GM. I’m not a fan of bad news.

Then, you ain’t gonna like this. I just found out all your team’s healers are dead. And, according to my numbers, you’ll be joining them in the afterlife very soon.

Billy looked at his game tablet. He had one health point left.

The GM smiled. You’re essentially on life support.

Billy returned to the phone. I’ll be there in five minutes, Mr. Laypus.

The GM held his game tablet over his head. I really like how the overview screen is designed. I enjoy watching characters bite the dust in real time.

What about my character? Jason asked.

Oh, your character died a half hour ago.

Billy showed Jason a huge, goofy grin. Told you.

Jason pulled the hood back off his head and trudged the opposite way through the sand. Then, I’m outta here. I’m keeping the staff.

#

Billy and Jason could hear Reggie trash talking someone the second they walked out of the woods and into the east camp.

Yeah, you ain’t got no game! You need to graduate from training wheels before you come at me!

Jason smiled. I like watching Reggie make a fool of himself. He moved fast and cut in front of Billy to be the first in the Imperial Suite.

Reggie was sitting at a