Gamers' Challenge by George Ivanoff Read Free Book Online

Zyra, cutting off his daughter with an annoyed sideways glance.
    Hope looked to her father as the sound of rhythmicchanting drifted into the vestry.
    ‘The VIs can’t get in here,’ explained Tee. ‘Don’t know why. Something to do with the Oracle, I suppose.’
    Hope raised a sceptical eyebrow.
    At that moment, a VI appeared at the window, attempting to press itself forward. It roiled and sparked, but couldn’t get beyond the glassless frame.
    ‘See?’ said Zyra, triumphantly.
    ‘Yes, I see, thank you very much.’ Hope crossed her arms and turned away, saying ‘stupid gamer’ under her breath.
    ‘Gamer?’ asked Tark.
    ‘That’s what we call those who play the Designers’ games,’ said Tee quickly.
    ‘When we’re being polite,’ added Hope, with a smirk.
    ‘So wot does ya call garners?’ Zyra challenged.
    ‘Hope ...’Tee’s warning voice was stern.
    ‘Zombies,’ answered Hope, ignoring her father.
    ‘Mindless creatures, not truly human, just following their programming.’
    ‘Well, we ain’t no zombies,’ said Zyra. ‘Notsanymore.’
    ‘Well, you still sound like it.’
    ‘Stop it,’ demanded Tee. ‘Look.’
    Another VI had arrived, joining the first outside the vestry window. Long sinewy fingers of static reached out from each VI, intertwining and drawing them together. Merging into each other, they formed a larger ball of fizzling, static menace.
    ‘I’ve seen them split apart, but never merge likethat,’ Tee murmured to himself, scratching at his beard.
    The new, large VI renewed its endeavours to gain entry through the window. And it actually moved forward - just a little, but it was enough to worry the occupants.
    ‘0-oh!’ said Tark.
    Tee leaned in for a closer look. ‘I don’t like this,’ he said, forehead creasing into a frown.
    Wispy tendrils of grey reached out from the edges of the VI, touching the edge of the window frame. The frame wavered as, particle by particle, it was wiped from existence.
    Hope snatched her gun from its holster.
    ‘The door,’ exclaimed Zyra.
    They all shifted their attention. There was a hole in the centre of the outside door - a very, very small hole, just big enough to let in a pinprick of light. That tiny glow grew and the particles of wood around the hole blistered and disappeared.
    ‘So we’re safe in here, huh?’ Hope threw her arms up and paced the room. ‘Yeah, safe. I feel really safe.’ She brandished her gun. ‘So now, we fight! Even though there are probably dozens of them out there now, and we don’t stand a chance.’
    ‘Not yet,’ ordered Tee.
    ‘I don’t gets it,’ said Zyra. ‘They is neva been able to gets in ‘ere before.’
    ‘Yes,’ said Tee, biting at his lower lip. ‘But you and
    Hope have never been together before.’
    ‘Wot is ya on about?’ asked Tark.
    ‘This room is not part of the Temple, proper,’ said Tee, ignoring Tark’s question. ‘Let’s get into the main building. We may have better luck in there.’

8: Sanctuary  
    Zyra hastily led the way into the Temple of Paths. Tark brought up the rear, shutting the door to the vestry behind them and letting the drape fall into place. The monks were doing their usual thing - kneeling, chanting and occasionally prostrating themselves.
    ‘What if this doesn’t work?’ demanded Hope.
    ‘Well, if they start to break into here, I’m banking on the monks noticing it,’ said Tee. ‘They’re programmed to protect the Oracle at any cost.’
    Tark stepped up to Tee, standing right in front of him, where he couldn’t be ignored. ‘Wot dids ya mean about Zyra and Hope bein’ togetha?’
    ‘I had hoped to explain this properly under better circumstances,’ Tee said. ‘But I suppose I’ll have to tell you, now.’ He indicated the step leading up to the altar behind which the red-robed monk silently kneeled. ‘You had better sit down.’
    ‘More secrets,’ Zyra whispered to Tark, as he joined her. ‘Why can’ts he just gives us the whole