The Game of Life

A New Leader

This chapter is dedicated to JenniferEmbers, who basically reminded me of the existence of this story and encouraged me to do this. Remember, there will not be regular updates on this until the completion of Flames. 

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Sterling

"Sterling." 

The call barely registered in my mind as I sat in front of my computer, totally absorbed by the three hundred sixty degree, panoramic view of the interior of the Game of Life. Here, from this seat, I could create and monitor colors, shapes, sounds that were as real as I was to the Players inside the Game. My fingers flew over the keyboard with robotic precision, programming traps, designing Quests, and placing level-up tokens at the tops of volcanoes. The unique power that came with my position was mesmerizing, and warranted my full attention for every minute of the day. 

"Sterling!" The person called again, this time more insistent. They poked me lightly in the ribs and I tensed up, finally turning away from the screen. 

My best friend and fellow Game Director, Annika Vajramani, stood across from me with a scowl on her face. 

"Come on, we'll be late for the meeting. You, of all people, can't afford to miss it, Miss Prodigy."

"Sorry," I sighed, standing up and pushing in my sleek, white chair. "I just got caught up in the Game."

Pulling a crisp, white blazer on over my crimson blouse, I began to follow her out of my office and into the spacious hallways of Game of Life Headquarters. The building was situated right in the middle of Finish Line, as the Game's employees came from all over the city. Quite conveniently, the Government's Building of Business was separated from it only by a single street.

"You're always caught up in the Game," Annika rolled her eyes. "You're rich, smart, and beautiful. You need to start thinking about things outside of your computer." 

I smiled. Such a compliment coming from her was not to be taken lightly. Annika was a gorgeous woman of Indian descent, with shiny, cropped black hair and smooth, tan skin. Her standard of beauty was no lower than that of Finish Line's most famous models. 

"Things like what?" I raised an eyebrow. 

"I dunno," Annika shrugged, picking up her pace after a quick glance at her watch. "Guys?" 

"I Dispatch them for a living," I smirked confidently. 

Annika's face turned pale. 

"Relax, I was only joking," I sighed. "Players Dispatch themselves. It's not our fault that some of them are incompetent."

"Spoken like a true Lead Game Director," Annika nodded with respect. 

"Speaking of guys, have you heard anything about the new LMN?" I inquired. 

The LMN, a member of the ruling Council and third in command of New America, had been found dead in his bedroom just the previous night. Of course, due to the fact that the Council was about to have a crucial meeting, a replacement was appointed at extremely short notice. None of us knew anything about this man, and we were all curious as to the nature of his ideas and policies. 

"They say he's hot," Annika winked. 

I groaned. Typical Annika. 

Arriving on the first floor of the Game's headquarters, we rushed to my private Portal station, stepping into the familiar, purplish waves of the Portal. 

Thankfully, it had been set to the correct destination, and deposited us right in front of the Council Chamber. 

"Welcome." The security guard at the door smiled warmly, not bothering to ask for credentials at the sight of our familiar faces. 

"Good morning," I returned his smile as he placed his thumb on the door, activating a hidden fingerprint scanner. The huge, wooden double doors swung open with a loud beep, and we walked inside, taking our seats at the front of the assembly. 

Soon, the doors behind the dais opened, and the Council filed out onto it, taking their seats around the semicircular table. 

The ABC, Supreme Ruler of New America, came last. Every time I saw him, he seemed to have aged five years since his last public appearance. His job certainly looked to be taking a toll on his health. His long, white beard seemed to have grown even wispier, and he was now almost completely bald. The copious wrinkles that covered his face rendered his eyes and nose nearly invisible. 

Shaking with the effort, he advanced slowly forward toward his tall chair at the center of the table. The tapping of his long cane, carved of solid gold, was the only sound in the otherwise deathly silent room. 

"He looks like he could drop dead any moment," Annika snickered softly. 

"Stop it," I scowled. Ever since my parents were dispatched, the ABC had been the closest thing to a father I had ever had. It pained me to think that his days were numbered. 

"Sir, one of our members has failed to arrive," the DEF stated as soon as he was seated. Immediately, all eyes turned to the chair intended for the LMN, which was empty. 

"I see," the ABC croaked, his voice dry and raspy. "We shall have to wait." 

An awkward silence filled the room as we waited in silence. 

"Late to his first meeting?" Annika whispered, shaking her head. "What is his deal?" 

Soon, the door behind the dais swung open once again. This time, the movement was smooth, instead of the quick jerk it had made before the entry of the Council. A single man stepped through it, casually walking over to the chair of the LMN and slowly seating himself. He wore a nonchalant smirk as he crossed his arms, his expression showing absolutely no remorse for the fact that he had just been late to a meeting of the ruling body of New America as its newest member. 

"Oh. My. God," Annika gasped softly, placing her hand over her gaping mouth. She stared at the LMN, her eyes as wide as saucers. 

Looking up, I began to understand why. 

In contrast to the other, aged members of the Council, he couldn't have been older than twenty five. His well-tailored suit didn't do much to hide his lean, muscular physique, and the slightest hint of stubble was visible along his defined jawline. 

"Good morning, Director Richardson," he grinned, noticing me looking at him. "I'm sorry, but you're no longer the only Prodigy here."