Default Title - Write Your Own

1: GameStop

"The first video game I played was... yup..." Rasalas searched his memory for exactly which game was his first. "It was great? I guess... I don't remember much of it actually" He admitted, "but, I do remember the game that got me really excited to play other games: Halo 2." His expression switched to gleeful nostalgia. "Man, that game was the best!" He began staring off into space, reliving the fond memories. "That's not the point I'm trying to make." He quipped. "The point is, games connect us to everyone and we go ape-shit when we just keep fucking dying by the same guy online! Oh memories... But no joke, we, as players, need not only entertainment, but we need to do things as a group! I just don't know a good word for that! You know what I mean, Captain?"

"Yeah, Rasalas. I so agree with you, but uh, is this the only game you want?" Captain was aware of Rasalas' typical habits in choosing which game to purchase, and was unconvinced.

Rasalas held just the one game in his hand at GameStop, but then thought about the twenty-one or so others he had held just a moment ago. He sighed and looked at Captain, "You just had to say something. I'll be back in probably three hours then." He sarcastically, yet realistically, commented.

"I get off at 7, so take your time, man."

Rasalas continued his ritual and went off to go look at the other games he had put down and also picked up a couple new games. Quickly, a few hours flew by and he found himself back at the counter where, instead of getting the Captain, he gets Tiger.

"Captain please," Rasalas requested.

"He's on break right now and I'm not to sure when he'll be back", Tiger said, unfazed.

"But Captain is the man with the plan!" Rasalas retorted, his eyes went to a hopeful future of talking to Captain once again about games. He didn't really have a problem with Tiger perse, but he did find him quite boring compared to Captain.

Tiger looked at Rasalas and said, "I can try to get Captain in here if you'd..."

Rasalas took Tiger's hand and with tears in his eyes said, "Yes, please do."

Tiger took his hand back from Rasalas and went into the back room. While Rasalas waited, he looked around and found that he was alone. Quickly getting bored, Rasalas began to wonder how long it would take to get Captain here, right now, at this minute.

"Tiger?" Rasalas asked the emptiness.

Nothing. No one.

"The sound of silence... Where'd he go?"

Rasalas walked around the counter to where Tiger has gone and went into the backroom. No one was in there. It was empty; desolate.

"What's that sound?" Rasalas noticed a faint buzzing sound like an old TV which seemed like it was coming from the center of the room. Rasalas cautiously walked over to the center and stopped, frozen in motion due to a invisible barrier that felt like it was from a game. Time had stopped and a light beamed down from the ceiling of the room to where Rasalas was, and in in the blink of an eye, he was suddenly transported to an unknown place.

"Where am I?"

"Your in space Rasalas and man, you couldn't wait a few minutes to allow me to leave here?" Captain asked, playfully. Rasalas looked around with eyes beaming and saw that he was, in fact, in space!

"Captain! Tiger! And, oh my God, other people I don't know!" Rasalas had never been a fan of strangers.

"These are the other 'employees' well, that's what you call them."

"What we call them?" Rasalas asked, confused.

"Yup." Captain replied, matter-of-factly. "We are the guides."

"What do you mean by guides?"

"Tiger and I are your guides. We support and give you counsel on games, but we also give you insight into your battles."

"Battles?" The stream of questions in Rasalas mind was growing, and was becoming more confused.
"What you don't know, Rasalas, is that what you're involved in is bigger than these kickass games you play. These games that you get, cry over and get stressed about are sent here. We look over everything whether its point accumulation, how many people you may kill, or if you beat someone else. All this is taken into account, plus others who are on the list with you. You and these others are going to be fighting a mother fucking invasion coming to earth in a few months."

"Sure, sure. I'm hearing you loud and clear. Yippers." Rasalas states sarcastically in an attempt to feign not being in shock.
"You alright, bud?" Captain asked.

"Pshhhh... Yeah, man. I'm so alright." Yet, still Rasalas was having trouble understanding the scope of all this new information.

"Rasalas, calm down. Breathe in and out. Don't pass out!" Captain said in an effort to comfort him.

"What?! I'm not gonna pass out! This is gonna be great! I'm gonna play so many games up here!"

"It's going to be—" Captain began to speak, but was cut off by a fellow guardian of the station.
"Rasalas I take it?" This new figure suddenly stood in front of him "You are not going to play games here so wipe that dumbass grin off your face. You're going to be taught sniping, stealth killing, knifing, grenade throwing, patience, but most importantly teamwork." He stood triumphant over Rasalas. "Also flying and driving. Damn, you suck at both of them! Surprisingly good at blowing people up including your friends... How unfortunate." His face grew soft with a slight grin.

"Who might you be?" Rasalas stopped smiling and now looked at the smug man.

"I will be one of the leaders of this group. The other leader, I'm guessing, fell asleep while playing Minecraft again. The nerve of that guy." Mild annoyance filled his face.

"Your name, man! I didn't ask for a background." Rasalas snapped at him.
"My name is Deadrocks and the other is named Benicus. We are your leaders. Captain and Tiger are your counselors or guides, whichever you prefer. We are your companions." Deadrocks said, benevolently.

"What am I then?" Rasalas was quickly getting annoyed.

"You are the most important person here, well in this group. You are the player and we'll beat the invasion that's coming soon."

"So, what's this station called then?"

Deadrocks snickered a bit and finally said, "Welcome to Rapture."