Build Sequence Is Key

What to do Now?

Jason wasn't really a betting person. And he didn't respond to dates normally. But this was different. He was probably going to loose the next couple of missions. His enemies were just too powerful and too numerous. In the end it wouldn't hurt him at all to die a little early.

'Alright, you have a deal. I'll do it.'

-Oh! I didn't think you would do it.-

'Why not? No reason not to at this point.'

Jason shrugged inside his cube. And then started reflecting on Cecelia and what to do next.

'Hey, wait, why can you talk to me now?'

Cecelia laughed and somehow Jason could feel the laugh as a pleasant tickle in his mind.

-Well, I told you that when you succeeded I would gain space and memory, right?-

'Right.'

-Well, it would have normally taken several more wins, but you did so well on that one that I was able to acquire enough space to load a module like this to communicate with you personally.-

'Really?'

-Yes, really. Good job.-

'What other things can you do?'

-A woman's secrets are a woman's secrets.-

'Your not going to tell me?'

-No, I am not. At least not right now. You have to win the right to more options.

'...'

-Hey, don't look at me. That is the way the system functions.-

'You make it sound like there are other space stations out there with...'

-...-

'Hey, I was just making a joke. Are you serious?'

-Yes, I am very serious. And my competition is no joke alright?-

A hollow feeling shot through Jason's heart. Strategy in games like this he could handle. Politics on a government level were his weakness.

-Don't worry about all that for now. They are bound just as much by the system as me. Or at least...-

'Least what?'

-No, we will deal with them when we deal with them. They have been operating at a higher level for some time. So they have the upper hand is all.-

Sighing in his mind with Cecelia there to metaphorically 'hear' it was strange.

'Well regardless when that happens we will have to face it as a space station. It won't be just me or just you. I am not good at politics, but I do know that you can't win unless you are united. Or at least mostly or theoretically united.'

-You are right. And that has been my problem all along. My inhabitants always sabotage me or fight so much among themselves that they weak the whole.-

'Well, we can't do anything about it now. Let's keep going, a way will open up for you, Cecelia, I am certain of it.'

It was weird to Jason. He mentally could tell that he was spouting bull to her, but he still felt a calm reverberation in the space they were using to communicate.

An anxiety seized him. He should admit his fear and tell her he couldn't do it. He was going to fail in the end anyway. He should be honest now and prevent her from being wounded later.

But for some reason he didn't do it. He didn't tell her he was a failure. He didn't tell her that t would be better to find someone one else. Instead he lied. Instead he said,

'Let's do this!'

In his mental space he could tell she paused. And in that pause his fear and anxiety tripled, she suspects me. She knows I am full of shit!

Instead she said.

-Ha! Don't get ahead of yourself. You still have to defeat this entire campaign.-

She made it into a joke, but he could feel it she was counting on him now. The pressure of it pressed down on.

'Ha! Alright, that will be easy. No problem.'

She laughed.

'I might die a hundred times. Of course, but this campaign is as good as finished.'

-Alright, big boy. Let's see what you got. Why don't you take the rest of the day. The rest of your team will be in the game for awhile anyway.-

'Really?'

-Yes.-

'Is there a training program or anything. I want to figure out any ins and outs.'

-Ins and outs, hmmm. There is. Follow this video's instructions.-

'Deal.'

-Take a look at your winnings from last time. But don't recruit a hero. Leave that spot for Julia.-

'Sure, sure.'

-No, I am serious. Leave it.-

'Alright, alright, already.'