Skirmish (The Stork Tower Book 8) Read online

  SUMMARY OF RESURRECTION

  Leah wakes from her induced coma to discover that both she and her father have been kidnapped by Nathan and Meredith to kill her. They bring Suzluk from Dunyanin to watch. Using a high powered taser, they burn out Leah’s chip and destroy those parts of her brain, which the chip uses to modify her hearing, sight and speech within the virtual multiverse.

  Leah managed to change one aspect of the taser’s intended destruction of her brain and has control of her body and her sense of touch. Using her increased perceptions and body, Leah manages to kill those who worked for the Kodomans and make her way by touch alone to the safe house they’d used when rescuing her mother.

  Once home, she learns braille to communicate. With her increased perceptions and neural activity, she learns to see the world as it is imprinted on her body using sensors built into a suit made by Akia. With help from John Welford, Leah and John break into the hospital and have two chips inserted into Leah’s skull. One is to take the place of the one that was destroyed and the other to help deal with her lost abilities. She also has two new AI implanted.

  After reintroducing herself to the multiverse, Leah reruns to the worlds she’s been playing on. To do this effectively, she has her signal calibrated by the Special Needs AI Liaison Calibration and Optimisation Centre using their Access Protocol.

  In Dunyanin, Leah begins her assault on the dungeons near her; they are part of the Merkize Odyssey. As she does, she finds herself once more pitted against Suzluk and another malevolent god. Defeating them ignites the ‘War of the Gods’ scenario that the Dunyanin creators have designed.

  In the world of Pneumatica, Leah finds herself on a new world, Grah. This is a new zombie-themed part of the game, and Leah is a prisoner, along with her two new Pyranthian brothers. The world is populated by a race called the Ma’nav, who, through greed, now faced extinction as most of their citizens had become Ja’mar (their term for the zombie-like creatures). Leah escapes her cell and connects with what is called the Resistance. With their help, she breaks into a walled city ruled by those in power but is captured.

  Having contacted Alan, she uses his backdoor into the Vault to talk with the real Meredith Kodoman and the other two imprisoned in virtual cells within the World Bank. She is contacted by Major White and meets with him and another cyber-security expert but talks to arrange for help break down.

  Needing to keep the fake Meredith’s attention in the virtual worlds, Leah arranges not only for those she’s freed to begin attacking Meredith’s character on a dozen worlds but also begins learning to drive so she can take on Meredith on the racing world called TRAX.

  After Leah’s return to the virtual multiverse, she was surprised at the lack of reaction from the Kodomans. When they respond, it is to attack her image, her parent’s image, and denigrate those from the negative-tax areas. Leah forces Meredith to stop, but it’s too late. Many of her friends are riled up, as are people within the negative-tax areas.

  The book ends as Leah reflects on each part of her life—she can only see increased conflict in every arena.

  WHERE THE STORY IS AT

  Some detail, just in case you’ve forgotten where the story is at (including previous characters who return, or have significance, in Resurrection):

  REAL WORLD

  Leah has new nanites which are rebuilding her body. Unfortunately she cannot see, hear or speak. Her influence continues to grow within the community.

  Leah - Atherleah Lin Mu-Ling Carroll - 16 years old

  Gèng - Leah’s AI

  Leah’s family

  Conner Carroll - Leah’s brother - 14 years old - C

  Lin Li-Jin Carroll - Leah’s mother (Lin) - from mainland China - L

  Michael Carroll - Leah’s father - Irish ancestry - D☼

  Leah’s Security Personnel (Pod Centre)

  Joel - scout - Marie’s brother - J☇

  Johan - knife specialist and medic - J≋

  John - Head of Security - J☼

  Lacey - head of the assault team - L≋

  Marie - scout - M☇

  Nicole - security - nice of Boss Hollows (Booval) - N

  Other Characters

  Jimmy Loo - Crime Boss in the ‘Switch’

  Jen - Jenny Ngô - John’s girlfriend

  Father Andrew - Catholic Priest

  Mrs Sperry - Counsellor

  Aker - Tailor of armoured clothing

  John Welford - ex Chief AI Installer for the Greater Brisbane Hospital

  Kevin (Coats) - Doctor

  Mia - A healer from the Switch

  Emily - Jenny’s younger sister - Healer apprentice

  Nicole - a bodyguard - niece of one of the bosses

  STORK TOWER

  Leah’s interaction with the multiverse is now mediated by one of her new AI, Three. Gèng was archived and now live free in the multiverse. She helps Leah and her two new AI in their new reality.

  Atherleah Lin Mu-Ling Carroll (Leah)

  Gèng - Leah’s AI

  Michael Carroll - Leah’s father - D☼

  Lin Li-Jin Carroll - Leah’s mother (Lin) - L

  John - Head of Security - J☼

  Three - Leah’s new controlling AI

  Six - The second new AI uploaded with Leah’s new chips

  Leah’s Employees and Consultants (Virtual multiverse)

  Dr Ellen Roberts - Psychiatrist and Neural Specialist

  George - Financial Planning AI

  Leon Scorsese - Chief Financial Officer of Guàn Enterprises

  Olivia Goodwin - Solicitor - criminal lawyer

  Reed - Sharon Trang’s AI and hacker

  Sarafaraz Kalif - Accountant

  Sharon Trang - Public Relations Consultant

  Stephen Riley - Attorney

  Susan Drisedale - Solicitor - corporate lawyer

  Tesfaye Berhanu - Virtual Security Analyst and hacker

  Marianne Chevalier - Manager of the Seraph System in Cosmos Online

  Virtual Multiverse Characters

  Akia - Security Oversight AI 4 - Security AI

  Amy - Amelia Walker - Leah’s friend

  Dr Ellen Whitfield - Leah’s MIT Doctoral Supervisor in Theoretical Physics

  Meredith Kodoman - high profile player involved in virtual slavery

  Nathan Kodoman - high profile player involved in virtual slavery

  Kate Emerson - Thad’s sister - her real name is Paris

  Thad - Thaddeus Emerson - Leah’s boyfriend

  Dr Thomas Ellis - MIT Doctoral Supervisor in Experimental Physics

  Wisp - Annie Martin - Leah’s friend

  Leo Barnsworth - A prisoner with the real Meredith - British Earl

  Alan Hopper - Security Consultant, creator of the backdoor into the World Bank

  Franklin White - Leah contact to cyber-security in British army

  Archie - Sir Archibald Matthews, Brigadier - Ex-cyber-security in British army

  Ivan - Боевой_молот - player from Dunyanin and Leah’s ally

  Noah - Delta_Knight_01 - player from Dunyanin and Leah’s ally

  Yuè Fēi - Yuè_Fēi_Lóng - player from Dunyanin and Leah’s ally

  DUNYANIN

  Leah has finished the first two dungeons on Mt Siddetli and in doing so triggered the ‘War of the Gods”. Using some of the potion of transformation Leah received from Lord Geckiş Leah has transformed her Chimera, Mĕi, into a Typhonera. She still has no news of the whereabouts of her dragon Mìng.

  Erol Kartal - Dunyanin CEO

  Atherleah - Leah’s character - 45% dragon, 22.5% highland human, 22.5% forest elf, 10% divine - vampire - Empress

  Clan Guàn - Leah’s Clan - Motto: Integritas! Prospertas! Praesidium! Purity, Prosperity, and Protection

  Peter Scorsese - Exclusive broker for Leah and Clan Guàn within Dunyanin - Leon’s brother

  Mĕi - a Typhonera - Atherleah’s pet

  Mìng (Shēngmìng de huǒ) - a mixed Fire/Life Dragon - Atherleah’s companion a
nd pet

  Leah’s Günahkâr Bodyguards

  Yürek (F) - Baş (leader) of the bodyguards - from clan Yangin (Element: Fire, Colour: Red)

  İşaret (M) - from clan Yalet (Element: Spirit, Colour: Silver)

  Orta (M) - from clan Rüzgâr (Element: Air, Colour: Blue) - added to Lea’s Merkize team but killed in a dungeon - will resurrect.

  Yüzük (F) - from clan Sular (Element: Water, Colour: Violet)

  Küçük (M) - from clan Toprak (Element: Earth, Colour: Gold) - added to Lea’s Merkize team but killed in a dungeon - will resurrect

  Gods

  Aldat - God of Deception

  Garez - Goddess of Spite and Malice

  Geckiş - God of Transition, Change and Metamorphosis

  Intikam - Goddess of Revenge

  Iskense - God of Lies

  Kargasa - God of Chaos

  Mantic - God of Logic

  Namus - God of Purity

  Olme - Goddess of Death

  Serseri, Goddess of the Outcast

  Şifa - Goddess of Healing

  Suzluk - God/Goddess of Despair

  Susma - God of Silence

  Umut - God of Hope

  Utsal - Goddess of Light and Truth

  ACADEMIA - EDUCATIONAL PORTAL WORLD

  Leah continues to make new discoveries about the aether dimension and her braid formulations.

  Dr Ellen Whitfield - Leah’s MIT Doctoral Supervisor in Theoretical Physics

  Dr Thomas Ellis - MIT Doctoral Supervisor - Experimental Physics

  COSMOS ONLINE - GALACTIC SPACE WORLD

  Leah has had no time to play in Cosmos Online. She visited and set up a crossover event with TRAX

  Atherleah - current avatars on Seraph and the two space stations, Berne and Hydra

  John - current avatars on Berne and on Hydra

  Mahigan the Black - Meredith’s character

  Wisp - current avatar on Seraph

  Marianne Chevalier - Manager of Seraph System

  PNEUMATICA

  Leah found herself on the world of Grah, a zombie-themed planet. She has joined with the Resistance to infiltrate the Sanctuary city of Taranna. She with her pyranthian friends, a high-bred Ma’nav, Jamaree, and a human, Adelia, have been captured.

  Atherleah_Carroll - Leah’s user name - known as ‘Charlotte’ - Privateer Captain of the Tempest and the Draken

  Edison - Developer in charge of Pneumatica

  Thad Emerson - Leah’s boyfriend

  Kate Emerson - Thad’s sister

  NPCs

  Takobi Matuwa - Pyranthian Warrior - gave Leah the name Yuwata Mumuna (My ugly sister)

  Rundar - Takobi’s brother - Pyranthian Warrior

  Kimtora - Pyranthian released from imprisonment

  Jamaree - highborn Ma’nav

  Purtinfors - General in the Resistance

  Adelia - human in the Resistance - Purtinfor’s adopted daughter

  Nasidfor - Ma’nav soldier - Purtinfor’s son

  CYBER-VERSE

  Leah has been into the Vault a second time.

  Akia - Security Oversight AI 4 - Security AI

  Alan Hopper - person responsible for the back doors into the vault and the World Bank.

  Meredith Kodoman - imprisoned in Vault

  Leo Barnsworth - imprisoned in Vault

  Abimbola Adebowale - imprisoned in Vault

  Akira - Meredith’s PAI

  Atherleah Lin Mu-Ling Carroll (Leah)

  Gèng - Leah’s AI

  ASCENDENT - ELITE CLUB IN THE MULTIVERSE

  Gianna - Leah’s personal concierge

  Maeja - Leah’s secondary personal concierge

  TORQUE - PRIVATE WORLD TO TEACH RACING

  Danika Default - Owner

  Courtney - Leah’s trainer - Granddaughter of Danika

  Other Worlds (so far)

  Adventure World - second date with Thad

  Alexandria - Horror and the Occult theme world

  Carnival - first date with Thad

  Curator - History and Archeology world

  Dark Moon Duel - Leah learns swordplay

  Master Archery - Leah learns archery from Lady Flèche

  New World - 4X universe world

  Persepolis - Persian theme world

  Quickdraw - Western theme world

  QXUR - Quark eXternal Utility Resources - a company that makes shells

  Ringworld - World based on novel by Larry Niven

  Runes of Destiny - Michael is playing to find out about Kodomans

  Saturn’s Rings - Space world

  Spectator - Provides immersion into virtual feeds and news

  Survival - Complex scenarios to test survival skills

  United Federation of Planets - Star Trek theme world

  Virtual World Today - news and current affairs world

  Walworld - shopping world

  Warrior - Conflict Resolution world for the wealthy

  1

  December 26, 2073

  STORK TOWER

  As Leah moved toward the doorway to leave the observation point, Three said, “3: John, Marie, Joel and your mum and dad have all asked to see you. I’m not sure if it was the correct thing as I didn’t want to disturb you or Gèng, but I’ve asked them to be ready to come as soon as you’re free.”

  “Thank you Three, I think what you did makes sense. I needed the time to think through what was about to happen. Please transfer me to the garden and tell them all they can come when they are available.”

  Leah’s dad was the first person to arrive. He walked over to her, and even though she knew his anger wasn’t directed at her, her natural reaction was too tense her muscles. With an effort, she relaxed and stepped forward to give him a hug. He ignored the gesture for a moment, then carefully hugged her back.

  “3: D with a slight burning sensation, ☼, is your father.”

  “D☼: What’s the plan? I didn’t do anything, and I waited because you asked and because it was you they hurt, but I won’t let them say things like that about your mother.”

  Leah sat down before saying, “Yes, Dad, you will. You have to because there is more at stake than you know. Wait for everyone, and I’ll explain.”

  “D☼: I thought we agreed there would be no more secrets. You need to stop keeping secrets. I’ve had enough of them.”

  “I never agreed to that. Please, just wait. You’ll understand, or at least I hope you will. Besides, if you rush off, you’ll just have to come back. I cheated.”

  “D☼: What do you mean, ‘you cheated’?”

  “I asked Jimmy to send Father Andrew over to talk with you. I figure you’ll at least listen to him before rushing out to commit a mortal sin.”

  “D☼: You don’t believe in mortal sins.”

  “I know, but you do, or at least you should if you’re a good Catholic.”

  Michael took in a deep breath for a second as if he was about to yell at her, then his shoulder’s slumped as he heard Lin’s voice. “L: Don’t yell at her, Michael. You know she’s right. Besides, no one who knows you or me will believe those things. Ling reminded me earlier not to lose control and sin, and she was right. Please, just sit down and let’s listen to what she has to say.”

  Michael sat down heavily in a chair before responding, “D☼: I’ll listen, but I’m pretty sure it’ll be ‘Atherleah’ who explains what’s happening and not ‘Mu-Ling’.”

  John arrived with Marie and Joel, which cut short the response on Lin’s lips. Compared to the look on Marie’s or Joel’s faces, Michael’s had been mild. It was apparent John had already said some things because besides glaring at Leah, the siblings took their seats in silence. Before anyone spoke, three more chairs appeared with Gèng in one of them. She said, “4: Johan and Lacey asked to join us. I agreed.”

  “3: J☼is John, J≋ is Johan, J☇ is Joel, M☇, is Marie, and L≋ is Lacey.”

  “J ☼: I asked them to come. I need them to understand what’s going on so they can step in a
nd make decisions if necessary.”

  Leah said nothing but sat marshalling her thoughts. She had Three place a braille reader with a keyboard at either hand. With her left, she reviewed the entire program from the UMSE studio. At the same time, with her right, she read and answered messages as well as finalising her ideas to share with Ivan and the others when they met.

  When Johan and Lacey arrived, Three used the reader near Leah’s left hand to share what was being said. Leah kept working on the details of other plans using her right hand. As Lacey sat, Leah said, “I’m sorry for sending you messages so late but figured you’d rather know what was being said before others hear about it. I also want to thank you all for meeting with me before you went and did anything. Even though you are my friends and family and some of you work for me, I know I don’t have any right to dictate how you respond. Still, I wanted you to know why I’ve reacted the way I have and what will influence my next steps. You all know some of what has happened, John and Jimmy know the most and John is probably the only one who knows almost all of it. Even now I’m only going to give a précis.

  “You’re all aware that Meredith and Nathan are at the centre of my problems. It all started just over two months ago when I got my chip. There were accidental complications, and I received a different type of chip than usual. Besides the changes that we don’t talk about, the combination of uploading an AI into the wrong chip disabled some of the features the government has hardwired into all our chips, including the ones you have. When I went to enrol in University, the government tried to take control of my chip, but with their preset features compromised I was able to connect with Virtual Security who not only rescued me, but they also gave me some better security software.