Chapter 33: Wrapping up the Beta
Tony stood before a large monstrous creature contained within a stasis field. Jagged teeth jutted out from the rancid mouth of this creature, a stench akin to old dust and time itself leaking from the chamber beneath the burial sight.
Looking beside the stasis field that suspended this creature in mid air was a small stone tablet. On it were large text in a language that he couldn't understand, but that was fixed a second later as it was translated to English...
"Khem Val huh...? Interesting. I wonder if I should free you or not." As he spoke the 'creature' opened its eyes and matched them with the rather suave, if evil, looking Tony. He had decided to keep his real life looks, prideful of his natural features.
Insipid whispers punctured through some sort of film in his brain, felt by him distinctly, before a voice clarified sharply. Deep, guttural, verbose... This voice hummed in the centre of his mind.
~Free me. I shall serve. If not, I EAT YOU!~
Tony winced and held his right temple slightly, shaking off the crawling tingles that poured all over his body. Creepy as this was, it was satisfying and awesome for Tony as he was experiencing first hand the new technology that the God Empress figure had at her fingertips.
"I think you need to brush your teeth there, also, could you not yell into my brain?"
~Free me...Or I eat you...~
Looking around the chamber Tony couldn't help but have flashbacks to his time in the caves of Afghanistan, where he was enslaved. The dust and faint wind amidst the dark recesses of this cave system caused visions of talking with his friend, the man who had saved him with surgery and gave him the inspiration to survive.
Death threats, poor food, little water... Beatings... All came back to his mind as a sickened feeling emerged from his hut and heart.
'This is no way to treat someone intelligent. Aliens are real in this place, so, that is all this creature is... An alien, and yet people imprisoned it and set it to be tortured for the rest of time.'
'Is it dangerous?'
The being itself was fish-like but with humanoid limbs. Glowing technological modifications were embedded in the sickly white flesh that was stretched out over intense quantities of muscles. In place of fingers, there were talons of intense ivory, sharpened to fine points that hadn't seemed to dull with time.
'Hmmm, it seems dangerous.'
~Free, me.~
Tony's face twitched as he wished the same when he was detained... He tightened his fists and sighed heavily, closing his eyes for but a second before moving forwards and taking out his vibroblade.
"Don't make me regret this, Ken."
A growl began to escape the creature's lips but was consumed by the electrical detonation of the stasis machine. Several segments imploded or burned into ashes as the eight-foot tall monstrous looking creature dropped onto the ground, on both feet.
*POP* *POP*
The creature's jaw cracked several times as it stared at Tony with its glowing red eyes, measuring him and looking him up and down. A slimy tongue ran over yellow teeth before sliding back into the maw it had come from.
"Khem Val, serve you now. Saviour of Khem Val, gain power, with Khem Val!" It placed a hand over one of its pectoral muscles as it nodded deeply.
'Phew! Thought it'd kill me!'
"Ahh... Sure... I have a lightsaber to get now, though..."
"Saviour, lightsaber, important. Khem Val eat enemy of saviour. Tell Khem Val, enemy saviour want dead, whenever."
He blinked a few times before comprehending what his new 'ally' was saying.
"Will do pal, now, let's go grab my weapon!"
All good things come to an end though...
{BETA, ending in 1 minute. Please ensure that you are in a reasonably safe location.}
'Son of a bitch!'
...
Every single streaming beta player ended their broadcast. Bruce, Damian and Peter were the first to leave after the 1-minute warning, waking in their bodies perfectly unharmed. Bruce and Damian were especially weary, swivelling their heads and taking in their surroundings.
Peter awoke with a huge smile as he stared at the computer screen, specifically the logo of the game; a golden symbol that combined both the Sith Empire's and Republic's symbols in the game. Today was a good day for him, he finally had fun in something, without any bullying.
The others began waking also, Ned smiling widely as he started conversing with Peter. Alucard was grinning, ear to ear, as he stood and started to laugh deviously. Everyone looked at him, but this didn't stop him... He was utterly shameless it seemed.
"HAHAHAHAHA! A wonderful fucking game...! So much fun, combat and potential for walks."
Tony finally awoke and looked peeved, staring at the game and scowling. "Fuck, I was getting close to a cool moment!" He struck the table before leaning back in his chair and sighing. He knew he was hooked for now, I had succeeded in getting people interested in my game, including him.
"God Empress! If you have any problems... Call me!" Alucard fished out a small red card, flicking it through the air towards my face at extreme speeds. Bruce was watching like a hawk, noticing Alucard's physical power but also my pre-emptive dodge, turning my shadow covered face to the side as the card imbedded itself into the wall.
Narrowing my eyes, I could sense something off about this Alucard. My knowledge didn't include him, but he was a player of Fallout that I took mild interest in. It seemed that he was much more powerful than I ever thought he would be.
'Concerning. Means, i'll have to gain more power.'
"Thank you Alucard." I pulled the card out of the wall. "I'll keep that in mind if I ever need, help."
He narrowed his predatory eyes and expanded his smile beyond the norm, his incisor teeth shining slightly as the sun struck them at the right angle. Vampire, this was a vampire... And beyond that, it seemed he was much stronger than normal Vampires given the fact he was walking in the sun. I pocketed the card and regarded the rest of the room.
Batman, ahum, sorry, Bruce... Was looking at Alucard and no doubt marking down the face, powers and strength. Damian was gazing at me, doing the same. They tried to hide it, don't get me wrong, but against the awareness that Telekinesis gave me over every object in the room I could feel their eyes sliding in my direction.
This silence had to end though, thus I would say farewell here and leave further talks until tomorrow.
"I hope you all enjoyed your stay in Star Wars the Old Republic?"
All of them nodded and agreed, Ned specifically beginning to list the awesome things he had seen and experienced. He was such a pure kid, it was fun to watch him grow in excitement. This was a sentiment shared by everyone else as almost all of them couldn't help nod at some points, or crack a smile and chuckle.
"Thank you Ned, I am glad you all enjoyed it. Now, unfortunately, the beta is over for the game and I must bid goodbye to you all. Please keep in touch... Oh, before I forget! Spiff?"
The Spiffing Brit turned his attention away from his friends, all of them having huddled and started speaking about something straight after waking from the game.
"Yes?"
"If you could stay in New York for an extra day? I have some business to discuss with you."
He looked at his friends, seeing them all emphatically nod.
"Sure! Why not?"
With that conversation had I began to personally escort them out of the company HQ, having small talk with Peter and Ned who were super ecstatic that they got to play the game before most people in the world. The funnier thing is that their popularity has sky-rocketed and they were now able to make fortunes just from streaming games or talking about SWTOR... Their teenage naivety was refreshing to be honest.
Finally I stopped at the entrance and said goodbye to each of them.
Tony tried to kiss my hand, his lips only meeting glove as he retracted his head.
"Thank you for the experience, Empress, if you would contact me about the business opportunities?"
"You will hear from me, for sure." My words reciprocated a relaxation of his features, the playboy walking off confidently, with swagger... As if he'd succeeded on hitting on me...
Bruce was next, he didn't go for the kiss, but held his hand out for a handshake. Taking it harmlessly, I firmly shook his hand.
"Please consider Wayne Enterprises for any business you may have in future, I am sure we can accommodate your needs."
"You will get contacted within the week, much like Stark Industries. We are interested in forming some ties through America during our beginning phase."
"Then, I'll wait with baited breath." He nodded calmly, stepping out along with Damian who was trying once more to inspect me for any information he could receive. Just as this was taking too long for them to move on Ned and Peter stepped up and began thanking me for the opportunity. I patted both of them on the shoulder, Aunt May staying silent as she simply stared at me with concern but also longing; It seemed she really wanted to get back into the game.
"Ned, Peter, please never lose your wonder and interest in the unknown. Humanity needs a lot more of that in these times..."
They both looked at one another. "Empress, we will play your game when it comes out!" Peter was more emphatic this time, less passive. It seemed my game was having positive effects on these boys. Satisfaction spread through me at the fact these young men were gaining something from my games, now I just hoped that other people were as effected by it as they were.
May spoke up abruptly. "A-are all the features of the game accessible to everyone...?" I frowned, until realisation flickered along my face. 'Oh this woman is dirty... Hehe, I like that though.' I coughed.
"No, not all features. People under 18 are locked out of certain options available to adults. All to adhere to the law I assure you."
She blushed but played it off by coughing deeply into her hand. "I-I see... T-th-thank you for the game and the time. I-i'll look into getting it, for the boys once it is out." Peter was blinking rapidly at the state his Aunt was in, whilst Ned was having an awakening... His face was flushing at the inappropriate thoughts that no doubt passed through his brain matter.
May ushered the boys out in embarrassment as Alucard was laughing his ass off behind her. I followed her, tracking the beautiful figure she had and the ass... Before Alucard broke my concentration by speaking.
"What a kinky woman! I just killed things, didn't even think those things were possible! Empress, you cheeky little bitch, you snuck that in there didn't you?"
"Ahum. I must admit, I wasn't going to add the feature, but then I figured that it was fine as long as it was between consensual adults. Luckily I am able to biometrically track who is below the age of 18 or above it."
"Hahahaha! I like you...! You're not stuck up and stuffy... Now, I got to go! The Statue of Liberty isn't going to be struck with lightning by itself." I frowned at his words, until a limo pulled up outside, a woman with grey hair stepping out, looking utterly pissed and old as fuck.
"ALUCARD!?"
"Oh, SHIT, She came here to find me..."
"STOP HIDING IN KNOW YOU'RE IN THERE!"
I matched gazes with Alucard, his smile all but disappeared as he was achieving the mood of rolling his eyes without actually doing it. Trouble was coming though, so i did the only thing I could for him.
"Alucard, if you use that door over there, it will lead off to a side path that you can take to hide from her whilst still travelling."
"You're the fuckin best! I'd kiss you, but it seems you wouldn't be into that... Maybe later when I change into a woman? Ah, fuck it, I don't have time! Bye!" he sprinted out the side entrance, the woman rounding the entrance just in time for him to have escaped successfully.
"Is Alucard here?" Her tone was serious and almost vicious, a smoke in her left hand as behind her was a big tittied blonde woman. My eyes immediately were attracted to the blonde, but shifted to the grey haired woman's face. She was old-looking, but seemed more so wounded by something...
"I am afraid you just missed him. He left just five minutes ago, he left his car behind for me, even..."
"That, fucking rat bastard! I will flay him from his testicle up to his ridiculous fucking smile."
"Please feel free to do so, off of my property, please?"
She squinted her eyes at me and turned roughly, the blonde staring at me a touch before following after. It seemed my distraction had worked for the most part... Especially when they entered their car and fucked off really quick, the car's tired screeching from the sudden propulsion.
'It feels like he is going to be a constant character in my life from now on... Even If I don't want him to be... all the time...'
I finished saying goodbye to the rest, telling Spiff to come around lunch time the next day, and closed the HQ entrance to them. From there I walked over to the same door Alucard had used for his escape and entered my apartment... My work was never done and now I needed to wait for Picard to come back.
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