DRAGONLORDS: A Call To Vengeance Unusual Reception (Mark I)

POV: Mark Sanders Location: Pennsylvania

Meanwhile in clear field Pennsylvania USA, a young man was muttering deeply to himself while frowning at the content of his laptop.

Anna

Something wrong Mark?

He turned to see his colleague Anna walking towards him with a box of files.

Mark

Just another online betting scheme. (He said dismissively) I'm still thinking if I want to take a bet at it.

Anna

Yeah? Well whatever it is, it's your problem not mine. She said as she drop the large box of files on his desk.

Mark

Again? I thought I'd already finished these this morning.

Anna

A new set came out from the administrative department this afternoon and Mr Prescott wants you to finish it before you leave today.

Mark

So what you're saying is that I'm stuck here for another night? (He could not hide the anger in his voice)

Anna

No, what I'm saying is this is your problem not my own.

She then tapped his shoulder lightly and swayed her perky hips back to her own cubicle.

Seeing this Mark could only curse softly and then started reading through the files at his usual brick neck speed.

6 hours later, a very tired and hungry Mark finally managed to finish the last file and was getting ready to leave when a well-dressed young man approached him.

Prescott

Mark Sanders (he said cheerfully) Just the man I was looking for.

Mark

Good evening Mr Prescott

Prescott

The no need for this Mr business just call me Simon. After all we are friends aren't we?

Mark

(You resist the temptation to roll your eyes) Very well Simon is there something I can help you with?

Prescott

Actually yes. One of my incompetent staffs messed with some important documents that need to be submitted by tomorrow morning. Could you perhaps burn the extra candle to help correct this? (He flashes you his winning smile)

Mark

Mr Prescott it's already 10:00 p.m. and I'm pretty tired so

Prescott

Come on now my friend this is important to our work. You don't want the company to go out to business now do you.

Mark knew very well what he was implying and he could only sigh deeply as Prescott dropped more work on his table.

Around 2:00 p.m., the poor guy felt a light tap on his shoulder and his eyes opened to see one of the night sentries with a large delivery box staring down at him.

Sentry

Working late again?

Mark

Always bro

Sentry

This just came in the mail for you. (he hands you the delivery box)

Mark

But I didn't order anything. (You say with confusion)

He simply turned the box around and showed Mark the label where it is clearly written for Mark Sanders and then walked out of the room. Mark then opened the box and what was in it was a black motorcycle helmet with a very dark view and a single note card.

Mark

(Reads) Courtesy of dragon lords global. Please enjoy your game. Is this some sort of joke?

Just then your computer notification rang and you saw a new email from your chat group.

Thor's hammer

Hello did anyone else receive a weird looking motorcycle helmet by mail?

You hurriedly type back.

Dr one hundred

Yes, is it from the game?

Thor's hammer

I think so. No one else I know would have sent something like this at this time.

Brainstorm

At this time? You're just receiving yours

Thor's hammer

Yeah yeah is that unusual

Brainstorm

Where do you stay

Thor's hammer

In NYC, why are you asking?

Brainstorm

and you One hundred?

Dr one hundred

Dr One hundred (He corrected) I stay in Pennsylvania

Brainstorm

That's about 310 km by bus from MIT where I stay, and you're telling me you all got yours at the same time?

Thor's hammer

Maybe they have different group of delivery men delivering this at once. It won't be unusual

Brainstorm

With such efficiency?

Dr one hundred

Brainstorm might be on to some something man. Besides, I never remember leaving them my address in the consent form so how the hell did they know where I work?

Thor's hammer

You got yours at work? I got mine in the club where I go every Thursday.

Brainstorm

I found mine at the library where I spend most of my night. (He then paused) Are you telling me they delivered it to the exact places we wear at the exact time?

Thor's hammer

Dang man!!! New level customer service.

Even though he said it in a cheerful spirit and with a smiling emoji, it was clear that the suspicions that this game raised in your minds were still fresh.

Dr one hundred

Has any of you heard from hand of God? He should be here telling us what to do.

Brainstorm

I think it's pretty clear we have to do man. If they gave you a helmet then put it on.

Dr one hundred

In the middle of the office? (You asked sarcastically)

Thor's hammer

Well yeah. isn't it 2:00 p.m already?

Mark quickly turned away from the laptop, removed the helmet from the delivery paper and placed it on his head. As soon as he did this, the only thing he could see was 19 hours 19 minutes and 25 seconds to count down.

Dr one hundred

Is this happening to the rest of you?

Thor's hammer

Yeah man and do you want to know something crazy? Apparently nobody else can see the writings in the helmets. I know this because I had some of my caretakers place it on their heads and yet they all said that they couldn't see anything.

Brainstorm

I agree. I managed to get my phone into the helmet and took a picture and yet nothing displayed on the screen. To make matters worse, I put on my sister's own helmet but I couldn't see anything and she couldn't see anything when she put on mine.

Dr one hundred

So you're saying the helmets are programmed specifically to us without them collecting our blood samples, DNA or anything? What kind of game is this?

Brainstorm

Well whatever it is I've been checking the dragonlords global online for the past 2 hours.

Dr one hundred

And?

Brainstorm

Nothing. No account details, no advertising presence, no endorsements and they are not even registered on the stock market. it's like they just appeared out of thin air.

Thor's hammer

You sure this isn't some kind of elaborate scheme to tie us into something, I don't know bad?

Brainstorm

These people already know where we are right now. If what they wanted was to frame us do you think they'll need to go this far?

Nobody typed anything for a while.

Dr one hundred

I suppose there's no way of knowing what's happening unless you play the game is there?

Thor's hammer

Doesn't seem like it to me.

Brainstorm

Then it is settled. If you count 19 hours from now that leaves us at exactly 9:00 p.m. tomorrow, Can I trust that you all will login at the same time? I don't want to face whatever this may be alone.

Dr one hundred

Hey did you forget that we're all serious gamers here? There's nothing this game can throw at us that we cannot handle.

Brainstorm

I just hope we don't end regretting this. (He said softly) I really really do.