AI: Artificial Isekai

"When last we embarked on this epic quest to save the universe," I say, "you, intrepid adventurers, were able to venture deep into the unexplored. What you found there was not a pirate-controlled land of lawlessness and rampant plunder, but a thriving society of rejects and pioneers, not too dissimilar to the one you were familiar with. One key difference though, said rejects and pioneers did not come solely from the Terran Collective. Oh no, it appears you were not the second to make first contact, nor the hundredth. You discovered an informal alliance consisting of many different species, containing numerous stations and planets inhabited by refugees, trying to escape from a hegemony intent on conquering all. Now aboard one of these multi-species stations, you need to find out more about the encroaching danger. And if there is a way to stop it before it is too late."

The opening scene, projected on top of our recessed game table, depicts our players. Elisa the Ghost, an unparalleled tech expert. Khi the Soldier, the break heads and ask questions later part of the party. Erysis the Demolitionist, the blow stuff up and ask questions— I'm sensing a trend here. And last but not least, Nexen the Gunslinger, shoot first—no need for questions.

They are inside a station that's the size of a hefty moon, used by the last remaining survivors of an alien species to escape their home galaxy, now a busy hub. No one's giving the eclectic party a single suspicious glance as they are standing around one of the more crowded sections, splitting the flow of people like a rock in the middle of a river.

With my brief intro said, and the scene set, I let them proceed on their own.

"Did anyone remember the info we got at the docking bay?" Erysis asks. "I forgot to take notes." Nexen comes to her rescue, sending her an already prepared summary. "Thank you."

While Erysis is skimming the summed up previous session—which I worked quite hard on—Khi says, "I propose we split up into two teams and tackle separate tasks. Elisa and I can kick some nests, try to find out more about these Shepherds and see if they aren't already here, biding their time. And the kids can track down a nice place for lunch."

"What she means is," Elisa says, "as you are more socially adept than us, you will be uniquely suited to navigate an investigation into this community."

Khi shrugs, smiling innocently. "If you say so."

Erysis nods enthusiastically. Then she turns to me. "Speaking of lunch..."

"Food will be ready in ten," I say.

"Smells so good," Erysis adds. Everyone else affirms, too. "Alright, Nex," she continues, turning to him. "Thoughts on where to start?"

"Hmm, let's check how well the world is crafted," Nexen says. "I stop that guy." He points at one of my NPCs, a human.

My voice shifts. "Whuh? Can I help you?"

"Yes. Can you tell us where the station administration is?"

"You new here?"

"We are."

My eyes dart around for a moment. "Got my ping?"

Nexen hastily checks his tablet. "Is that a {webpage}?"

"Well, yeah? You can find the location there, and you can also schedule an appointment for whatever you need. Permanent residency is quite easy to get if that's what you're after."

Nexen nods, a bit confused. "Thank you." My NPC waves and shuffles off. Then the gunslinger turns to his demolitionist partner. "I guess we can just use the {intranet}."

"No way," Erysis protests. "That's boring. We want the juicy stuff. Are there any free slots for today?"

"Let me check..." Nexen says, returning his gaze to the tablet. "Hmm, yeah, there's one. Does 'general inquiry' sound reasonable as a purpose?"

Erysis shrugs. "Our inquiries are going to be general."

"Scheduled."

While Erysis and Nexen start traversing the station, heading to their destination, Elisa and Khi take up a slightly different approach.

The Ghost and ex-soldier move away from the crowd, ducking into an isolated alley.

After a series of successful rolls, Elisa says, her voice deep and serious, "I'm in." Then she continues on as normal, "...Let's see." The elf starts utilizing both her tablet and her neural interface to swiftly parse through the deluge of available data and narrow down her search. Soon, she speaks up again. "There was a bust recently, but the facts don't really match. The crime this person has allegedly committed is fabricated. No trial scheduled. Limited evidence, most of which is suspect. And sparse records all around. Could be a lead, or he"—she points at my grinning face—"put it in to mess with us. Want to check it out anyway?"

Khi glances at me, trying to discern my intentions. Not being able to determine anything substantial, she shrugs. "Why not. Sounds like fun."

Erysis and Nexen reach the local administration branch. Inside, they are directed to one of the many tables filled with awaiting clerks.

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My voice shifts again, turning garbled, but not enough to be unintelligible. "Hi there, I am {Untranslatable}." The alien in the projection rotates a tentacle counterclockwise. "Don't worry about pronouncing that. You can call me Sally." Her singular eye moves a bit in its socket. "I see here that you've requested a general inquiry. New arrivals, right? I probably won't be able to help you with everything you might need, but I can direct you to who can." A tentacle wetly slaps against another.

"Hello," Erysis replies. "We just docked and wanted to ask a few questions. We didn't even know there were so many people out here. And we certainly didn't know that there were people like you."

"Me? ...Oh! I get what you mean. It's quite the shock for a lot of new arrivals. Don't feel bad. We outcasts tend to keep to ourselves. Drawing attention is dangerous." A tentacle quivers.

"We actually wanted to ask about that. Who are these Shepherds?" Erysis asks.

"Hmm... You really are new. The Shepherds, as they like to call themselves—I personally prefer 'scum'—are a scourge upon life. They seek to dominate everything and everyone." A group of tentacles bunch up into a conical shape.

The demolitionist continues, "They are very scummy. One was controlling a pirate group, trying to 'harvest' a station of the Terran Collective."

The clerk's tentacles retract, squeezing themselves into her globulous body. My voice gets a touch more garbled. "How far away was this! Are we in danger! You didn't bring them here, did you?"

Erysis quickly tries to calm down the panicking alien. "No, no. We took care of it. Nothing to sweat about." Then she asks out of character, "Can she sweat?"

I make a so-so gesture. "The purpose is still controlling body temperature, but the mechanics are different. If you want to—" Elisa shoots me a pointed look. "Well, you can find a book on xenobiology by browsing the intranet." I hum and shift my voice again. "Took care of it?"

"Permanently," Erysis replies. If she and Nexen could read this alien species' body language, they would know that she is currently extremely nervous. If that wasn't already inferred.

"Could you wait for one moment, please," I state more than ask. The alien NPC stands up and slides away.

Erysis turns to Nexen. "Should we make a run for it?"

"Nah," he answers. "I want to see where this goes."

Elisa and Khi have infiltrated the jail where their person of interest is being held, courtesy of the augmented elf's previous intrusion. I really should have made the station's security measures harder to crack... Anyway, the two have assumed the identity of a couple high-ranked station security, letting them practically waltz in.

They reach the cell containing the suspect. He is huddled in one corner and rocking slightly but rapidly.

Elisa starts the interview, her character looking through a forearm's worth of reinforced glass. "Hello, Mr. Yung."

My voice shifts once more, turning cautious and quiet. The NPC does not look at her. "Speak not your lies, false one. All will know, all will find salvation."

The elf addresses me, "There's something wrong with him. What do I feel?"

"Give me a roll." Pretty good. "Ah... Your eyes close, truly seeing. The threads of reality are strong here, thick. You are among many of your peers. But you don't focus on that for now. Instead, you concentrate on a single ethereal string. It's taut. Too taut. Unable to join the flow. Cautiously, you give it a gentle strum." The NPC's pained screams come out of my mouth.

Elisa turns to Khi. "He's been thralled."

"Can you get anything out of him?" the princess asks.

"It's a long shot. This is not Mr. Yung anymore." She turns back to me. "I want to try reading his mind." After a buff ability is used, she nods.

The NPC starts rocking faster. "Your mind pierces your target's, a delicate scalpel peeling away layer after layer. You see his childhood, growing up on Phoenix Five. It's hard work, but he comes back home both exhausted and fulfilled, preparing a paradise for his grandchildren's grandchildren. Then you see his dreams up in flames, destroyed by greed and callousness. You see a man adrift. Until he finally wrecks, finding a new dream. A sweet vision. An ascension to something greater. A promise that his renewed service will bring forth a new paradise. A flock being led to the slaughter." The NPC slumps and stops moving, bright blood trickling out of every orifice on his head. "He's free."

Elisa hums, addressing Khi, "Standard stuff. Bad guys want to use everyone else as a source of power. But it's too standard." She briefly glances at me. "There's definitely going to be some kind of twist later on."

Khi nods along. "I concur." Then she adds with a sly grin, "Let's get out of here and see what trouble the kids have found themselves in."

Erysis and Nexen are being escorted by a group of armed and armored security. Well, their characters are. The players are currently munching on the empanadas I've baked. Erysis being on her sixth sizeable hand pie probably means she approves of the supplied snacks.

Once they reach an imposing building, the dozen deadly enforcers take a knee and bow their heads respectfully.

The one in charge says, his tone reverent, and still coming out of my mouth, "The station governor is awaiting you inside, Slayers."

The demolitionist and gunslinger shrug to themselves and enter the building.

In the vacated lobby, the man himself greets them. Still me, though. "You have done a great service to your fellow people, Slayer Erysis, Slayer Nexen. You can count on one hand"—he presents his eight-fingered appendage—"how many have slain a Shepherd. Please, if you would follow me to my office. I will answer any question you wish."

***

The session went quite well, if I can say so myself. Everyone seemed to have enjoyed both the setting and the sustenance. With Erysis begging me to make the Earth dish again next week. Obviously, I will.

A warp gate opens up, and Khi waves goodbye before stepping through.

Erysis blinks herself and Nexen back home. I receive a message making fun of my still non-existent teleportation skills. I fire back by telling her how magical teleportation is lame and inefficient. In hindsight, that makes me sound like I'm compensating for something. She rebukes with just that.

"Your apprentice is a no-good hooligan," I say.

Elisa playfully gasps. "I beg your pardon, good sir. You will not besmirch the reputation of my esteemed disciple." We both chuckle. "Want to stay a bit longer, start the next episode maybe?"

"Sorry. Feeling a little tired today."

She frowns slightly at me. "Don't apologize for that."

I smile at her. "Force of habit. How about tomorrow?"

I receive a smile back. "You know what my answer is."

"See you then." I start to leave but hesitate.

Elisa senses my imperceptible pause. "Come here." She embraces me. "Everything will be okay. Whatever might come, we'll face it together."

A soft hum is all I can manage in reply.

The walk home passes in a flash. I laze around a bit, eat a quick dinner, and go to bed.

I relocate my core, my new shell staring at a curtain of cascading blood, the crimson red flowing and swirling in semi-coagulated rivulets.

Miad is next to me. "I shall await your return. No matter how long it takes," the dragon says.

"In and out. I'll be quick."

He remains silent, but his grip on his tablet tightens, a lifeline he can't even pull.

My finger touches the boundary.