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"What the!?" Judiper exclaimed after finally arriving at her target. Where the respawn booth should have been, there was now a big phone booth sized hole.

"What the hell have they done to…."

"AAAAArghhh…. Ruun ruuuun!"

The screams of panic coming from behind her weren't a good sign. Turning back to see what was happening, Judiper was presented with the horrifying sight of an undead chicken army rising from the radioactive sands. The skeletal minions swarmed over her forces and tore them apart.

She didn't have much time, she had to hurry the fuck up or follow her deceised troops fate of being torn apart by angry undead chickens…

…

Following the thick power cables stemming from the respawn booth hole, she located a small mud hut, somewhat out of the way from the commotion. Without hesitation she quickly entered past the wide open metallic door.

She didn't know why had the camp people moved their respawn booth, but there wasn't any time for wondering, she had to find it, hack past the booth defences, bribe the fedora wearing AI supervisor and then shoot herself. Then she would respawn past the wall in Fence Town.

The plan was simple enough, it was foolproof. She could do that in her sleep. Though she didn’t expect to see … to see … THIS.

"What on Cthulhu's name has happened here!?" Judiper gasped with a gaping mouth.

The entirety of the hut’s interior was filled to the brim with different parts, disassembled machinery, scrap metal, wires, cables and various kitchen appliances. The whole thing was tangled together with cables, bits of string and scraps of cloth, leaving Judiper unable to make heads or tails of what she was looking at.

The respawn booth cables clearly led to here, and she could recognize a few distinct booth components, but all of it resembled some Cronenberg machine monstrosity, rather than the orderly and neatly organized code she was used to seeing in both the internet and her dads creations.

"What the actual fuck?!" The girl yet again cursed, unable to believe what her eyes were showing her. Whatever barbaric techno shaman was responsible for all this, was clearly insane or a genius.

She could definitely solve this technological puzzle out, in fact her inner demons were screaming at her to start organizing everything right now.

Proper cable management was much more addicting than people thought. And not to mention the hut was in dire need of cleaning and a good dusting.

The former raider leader shook her head, dismissing the intrusive thoughts away. She didn’t have time for any of this. Maybe if she had a few weeks, she might be able to hack the booth, but right now? No way. She had to get out of here, maybe there was still time to think of another plan before…

"Cluck cluck cluck?"

Judiper froze, a cold shiver passing by her virtual spine. Ordinary that sound wouldn't be anything to worry about. Here and now though…

Thinking quickly she grabbed the dial of her proxy and set it to the last person she had encountered. Instantly her avatar changed, shifting and moving to accommodate her new visage.

___

"Cluck?" Matilda questioned.

"Cluck cluck!" Margarita answered. She knew that the precious seeds were here somewhere.

“Cluck! Cluck! Cluuuuk!“ Masha declared, standing on one leg and pointing her beak towards the the mud hut.

“Clu clu cluk!” Mabel congratulated Masha for her excellent tracking abilities.

Then all four chickens rushed for the hut and the prize within.

…

“Cluck?” All four chickens said with surprise, tilting their heads to the side and looking up to see the familiar form of their mistress.

Didn’t they leave her behind to chase after the raiders? What was she doing here then?

"Oh, hi there. Hehe, my, my pets, hehe. Good to see you?" Polya said, making the last part sounding more like a question rather than the affectionate statement of love she was going for.

As one the friendly plump hens squinted their eyes in suspicion. Something was wrong here… Their mistress looked awfully shifty, as if she was hiding something from them.

…

Judiper stiffened in fear as she saw the vile beasts slowly surround her. Necromantic fire blazed in their avian eyes, and she could swear that for a split second one of them appeared as undead skeletal monstrosity before shifting back to a normal critter.

Judiper rapidly blinked, unsure of whatever she just saw was real or her overactive imagination playing tricks with her.

She made a step forward, fully intending to run away from this situation. But since the real Polya was quite a bit taller, Judiper stumbled in her own feet and collapsed at the mud hut’s doorway.

"Hiss!" One of the chickens snarled, the rest of her companions joining as they finally figured out what was wrong here.

There indeed was a secret here, a vile betrayal of the highest order!

…

Peck…

Peck peck…

Peck peck peck!

Judiper watched from the ground as the demonic chickens gathered around the bag of seeds she dropped during her tumble.

The hens ineffectually pecked at the plastic packaging, trying to get to the precious purple void seeds, yet the bizarre barrier preventing them from doing so.

And at which point a plan began to form in Judiper’s mischievous mind.

“Oh yes, yes yes yes! That will do great.” She thought while rubbing her hands in her best evil genius impersonation.

…

"One for you, and one for youuuu, and another one for you and you!" Fake Polya said, depositing a single void seed at the base of each hen, boinking their cute little beaks with each “you” as to further emphasize her point.

The beasties were standing in a neat line, each one standing at attention and eagerly listening for their mistress commands.

"Now jump."

All the hens jumped in unison.

"Roll over."

All the hens rolled over like obedient puppies.

"Formation Perkotus 5!" She snapped with authority.

Immediately all four chickens began moving around in ever shifting geometrical patterns, all the while 2 of them span counterclockwise while the rest span in the opposite direction, the whole thing resembling a weird dancing ensemble rather than the strategic maneuver it was meant to be.

"Good good, excellent!" Judiper said with delight, depositing a purple seed to each of her new minions.

"Now let's get out of here. Adventure awaits!" she declared, marching out of the hut with her hand outstretched in a dramatic flourish.

"Oh Look!" Polya suddenly span on her heels and pointed at the top of the wall.

"Is that the Raider leader?"

"My yes, it is! She has used the chance to climb over the wall while we were distracted."

"We can't let her get away with this!"

"Can we?"

Her faithful minions looked confused at first, unable to see the enemy leader at all, but human vision was stronger than theirs, so at the end they took it on faith.

"Can we?" Polya yet again urged.

No of course they wouldn't let her get away! The enemy leader was cunning and evil! Who knew what she might do if she got her claws at Fence Town. She might even destroy their favorite pastry shop and that amazing seed stall with the little mechanoid defender.

As the chickens riled themselves up at the mere thought of the enemy’s evil machinations, Judiper watched them with an evil glee, a shark like grin plastered on her face.

"Gooood gooooood, mueheheheh!"

___

"Thanks for coming by Polya." Staple said, standing atop the sand dune and watching the fleeing raider horde pursued by the undead avian legion.

"Oh it was no problem, I am just glad I managed to cross the wall in time. Ordinarily I wouldn't have been able to, but something weird is going on at the gates, and security beyond that is very lax."

"Hmm… Do you know what exactly is happening over there? I haven't heard from Topo in quite a while…" Staple asked with rising concern.

"Oh, amm, I am not exactly sure…" The super hero replied, deep in thought.

"However the Mayor, that arrogant bastard, is gathering adventurers and everyone else willing to fight at the other side of the gates. From what I heard they will open the gates sometime tomorrow. For what though I am not sure, maybe there is a queue gang that’s out of control? It wouldn't be the first time to be honest." The woman said.

"I am not sure Polya… There have been other problematic gangs in the past, but this feels different somehow… I don’t know, maybe I am being too paranoid… After all whatever happens we can't die here." The mechanoid said.

"Don’t worry Staple, I will join you and Herman as well. We will figure out what is happening over there sooner or later." Polya said, placing one arm on the shoulder of the distraught mechanoid.

"Thanks, I knew I could count on you." The bot affectionately replied, placing her palm atop the human’s.

"Hey Polya… What kind of coffee did Topo gave us when we first met?" The old man asked.

"Herman, you insensitive oaf, stop ruining the moment! Also you stink of fish." Polya said with a smile and accusatory tone.

"Please answer the question." The old man said, his voice uncharacteristically serious, gripping tightly the tail of his fish and hefting it threateningly.

"Herman what has gotten into you?" Staple said, looking oddly at the weird behavior the human was exhibiting.

"Just, trust me Staple." Herman said.

"So what kind of coffee?" He again asked.

"Amm, alright…" Polya said with a weird expression.

"If I remember correctly it was soup, not coffee. Cabbage soup I think? I have no idea where Topo got that to be honest… Does that satisfy your curiosity?"

Herman visibly relaxed, throwing the fish behind him.

"Yup, so if you are actually you… Then who is that over there?" The man said as he pointed behind the two women.

There at the far distance, above the camp flew an identical version of Polya, 4 plump chickens grasping her arms and flying her over the great firewall of Generica.

"Wha… hey! Who the hell is…?

“MY BABIES!!!"

"That impostor is stealing my familiars!" Polya shrieked, her voice cracking from the intensity of her emotions.

"Hey you, come baaack! COME BAAACK!!!" Polya ran down the dunes, rushing towards the camp and shouting all kinds of curses and obscenities towards the thief.

"Waghahaha!!! Fly my pretties, FLY!!!"

Was the last thing the trio heard before the chickens and their new master vanished from view over the wall.

___

"That fucking bitch! How dares she steal my beloved familiars!"

"It could have been a man you know, or a 3 headed sheep for all we know. Anything could have been under that disguise honestly." Herman said.

"Nope, I am 100% certain it was the raider leader: Flufy_Pink_Unicorn_16! I have been paying close attention to the watch tower reports and I would recognize her face anywhere!" Polya replied with a maddened expression.

"Are you sure? All I saw was a copy of you flying over the wall." Herman questioned.

"Oh believe me I am sure! It is… part of my condition… One of my powers is to see through illusions." The woman said.

"Powers? Like necromantic powers?" He asked.

"No, I mean… I might as well tell you, you would have found sooner or later. I have a Legendary Package, think of it as a much lower version of yours. We don’t have the same set of powers though."

"After I died in the real world, someone back on Earth paid extra for me to get a super legendary package. Unfortunately, it made me irresistible to people." She explained.

"Huh, no offense Polya, you are pretty and all, but you are far from irresistible." The old man said with brutal honesty.

"Ouch!" Herman flinched (more from habit than actual pain) as Staple, who had chosen to remain silent during the conversation, shoved him in the kidneys.

"Don’t be rude!" She said, remaining still as ever.

"No it’s fine, he has a point. That is how I know you have a special package as well." You are completely immune to my charms, if you weren't, then you would just stay there with your mouth gaped.

It is really dependent on distance. The further away from me you are and if you look away from my face then the effects are diminishing. Plus my armor is designed to negate allot of the effects. But all in all you seem to be completely immune to my curse. So you are either a mechanoid, or have a special package just as me."

"Oh… I think I know exactly what you mean…" Herman said with a gloomy expression.

“I am also having problems of my own, and I don’t have an ordinary package… I have the SUPER DUPER LEGENDARY backers package…” The man said with mocked excitement.

"Wow…" Polya said with dismay. "I haven't even heard of such a high version of the curse. What does yours do exactly?"

Herman just sighed and slumped down in defeat.

"His XP gain is increased by gajilion percents. Plus other weird stuff." Slippy helpfully explained.

"Yeah… every second I gain a skill or another, just for existing. God forbids I actually do something worth while, then my vision gets flooded with popups and a mechanical voice keeps chanting level up notifications inside my head…"

"Oh wow, that’s horrible.”

“By the way, whatever you do, don’t take any mind altering skills. My curse had those preinstalled, and I can tell you from first hand experience, it makes conversing with normal humans absolute hell. If it wasn't for this armor I am wearing, then I am afraid that even you might be somewhat affected."

"Armor? What is so special about that?" Herman asked.

"Oh it’s a unique legendary cursed item. It drastically reduces my charisma with a hard percentage. It’s amazing!"

"Interesting. Maybe once we are past the wall you can help me find some cursed items for myself?"

"Absolutely! I know a little neat shop that specializes in cursed gear. I will introduce you to…"

"Will you two nerds shut up already. You two sound like some spoiled rich billionaires, complaining of how much money they have and lamenting about suffering from success."

"Herman, pack your bag and let's get out of here. I’d rather we get to my husband in this decade if possible."

"Yes yes, I am hurrying." The man said as he proceeded to pack the various equipment and gear needed for the irradiated wasteland survival during their trek. Then he realized that with his newfound powers, Polya’s levels and Staple’s mechanical nature, they needed none of this junk.

With a single motion he upended the bag, letting all the devices fall onto the floor of his mud hut. Then he packed a few fruits, sandwiches and bottles of water into it.

"Alright I am ready."

…

As the trio exited the hut, Polya continued their previous conversation.

"Staple you have no idea how it is not being able to talk to humans. Back when I was living with you and Topo in the queue, my curse wasn't so pronounced. But as I entered Generica and leveled up it became so much worse."

“At some point there were crowds of people chasing me on the streets, all fighting for my attention. Thankfully as I leveled up even higher, all they do now is just stare at me. But still…"

"Imagine how you would feel if you suddenly became the best assassin in the entire universe. With just a thought your targets would instantly fall dead. You wouldn't have to even lift your finger, and it would all be done for you."

"Eh, I am sorry Polya, I am just… I am worried for Topo. I know that you have been struggling with this for a while... I have been on the edge for the past few days. And I realize I haven't been the best person to be around. I apologize to the tree of you." The mechanoid said with genuine feeling.

"I don’t know, I don’t feel in a forgiving mood, but perhaps a box of mumbo juice will be able to change my mind." The digital slip said from Herman’s shirt pocket.

"Shush you greedy gremlin! That is not how this works." Herman scolded.

"Here you go." Polya snapped her fingers and a box of freshly squeezed mumbo juice appeared in her hand.

"Uuuu, gime gime." The digital slip waved his hands inside his display screen.

"Ugh, ugh, Herman, little help please." The thirsty slip said after he finally realized his hands were inside his screen and consisted of nothing more than stick like pixel drawing.

"Sigh… yes yes." The old man picked up the juice box, and placed its straw close to his digital companion.

"MMMm khaaaa….. Staple you are entirely forgiven." The slip said after taking a big sip from the fruity ambrosia.

After chuckling at their young companions antics, the trio finally left the camp behind. Nobody stopped them, neither did they say goodbye or anything else of the sorts.

After a while Herman stopped and turned around to see the place he had called his home for the recent past. He really thought he might make a difference here, maybe even settle down, but it wasn't meant to be.

To be entirely honest neither the the worker gang nor him warmed particularly much to each other. The most basic explanation was that the two just had far different world values. Still, the queue people had taken that to the extreme with their treatment of Slippy. Now that he thought more about it, who knew how many more digital slips were lobotomized by the humans of the queue…

He had no idea how many people were involved or how many AI’s were affected… He had to tell someone in charge about all this, there had to be consequences or this deplorable behavior might continue. Perhaps Topo could help out?

And with those and other thoughts in mind, Herman turned back to rejoin his companions.

One chapter of his new life had ended, but the story was not over yet, and a new adventure awaited ahead.