Memory Shard 1.04

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**Memory Shard 1.04 Happy Campers** contains the fourth piece of lore on Prisma Dimensions, Neo Arcadia and the Hyper Scape.

## Story

“One more game?”​

“Naw, man, I’d love to but—” Paladin began.​

“But what?”​

“I’ve got to take Moms for her check-up early,” Paladin said.​

“C’mon, just one more round. You can’t sign off without giving me a chance to even up the kill count. ‘sides, you can always sleep in the waiting room, right?”​

“Ugh. Probably. Wait to see the doc is brutal,” Paladin sighed.​

“You know you want to!”​

“I do...” ​

“And can’t your sister take your mom?”​

“What?” Paladin laughed. “Gabby’s 14!”​

“Listen, when I was 14 I was already earning for my family.” ​

“You were not!”​

"Whatever. Come on! Come on! It’ll be fast!”​

“Look, if I play one more game will you shut up?” Paladin laughed.​

“Yesss! This is going to be good! Give me a chance show you who’s boss!”​

“I thought you were going to shut up,” Paladin muttered.​

“Yeah, whatever. Besides, did I tell you Kraken posted they've got scouts out tonight?”​

“Dude, let it go.” ​

“Never! I get another win, and they’ll be calling me direct!”​

“I thought we were a team,” Paladin said in a mock-hurt tone.​

“Yeah, of course dude. Always.”
They were lodged at the highest point of the building, commanding a view of the outside courtyard. Each armed with a Protocol V sniper rifle, watching for incoming enemies.​

“Clean kill,” Basilisk called out as he got another notch. “That’s three for me!”​

“Four and five,” Paladin called back. “You sleepin’ over there or what?”​

Basilisk turned with a glare. “Don’t goof around. This is important. We do well in these matches and someone from Team Kraken is going to take notice.”​

“Keep dreaming,” Paladin said. “We’re just a couple of nobodies from the wrong side of the wall. Ain’t nobody going to pluck us up out of the Courts and give us a sponsorship deal, man!”​

“Pay attention!” Basilisk snapped, firing a shot into Paladin’s sector and taking out another mark.​

Paladin laughed. “You worry too much, Bas.”​

A giant leaderboard showed they were neck and neck. Beyond it, a number of sectors had already collapsed, funneling more foes towards them. It made for plenty of targets to choose from, but if anyone slipped by them...​

Three minutes passed amid a flurry of gun fire. “I’m shattering expectations over here,” Paladin laughed. “How you doin’?”​

“Same as you,” Basilisk threw back. The scores were still even at 10 to 10. ​

Ultimate Grace – the robotic host of the match – floated past their viewpoint. Her liquid voice was broadcast throughout the arena of NeoArcadia. “The Crown has appeared, contenders! Claim it to win, or else be the last one standing!”​

It appeared on their map – one building over.
“Hey, that’s close! Go for it?” Paladin asked.​​

“No,” hissed Basilisk. “Stay put. Let some fool try and we’ll kill ‘em.”​

“You said you wanted to show off for Kraken. Won’t they be more impressed by a Crown win?” Paladin argued.​

“Safer to go for high kill count!”​

“Nah, let’s have some fun – it’s a game, yeah?” And Paladin leapt out of the window, ran down the slope of the building, jumped to the next balcony, and bounced to the street.​

Basilisk spotted a pair of brightly colored figures coming into the area from the far side. He didn’t have a shot yet, but he kept his eye to his scope, waiting for the chance.​

Paladin was getting close. “Looks clear,” he said, then suddenly reversed direction with a, “Whoops, nope!” as another enemy popped up in front of him, forcing him back. “Bas,” Paladin called out, “cover me!”​

Basilisk saw the trio closing in on Paladin. He had a target, but it wasn’t clean. ​

He might miss, and give away his position. Better to wait for the perfect shot. Basilisk still needed another kill to take the lead. And if they happened to take Paladin out for his recklessness, then his lead would go uncontested...​

“Bas?” Paladin called out. A big, red, glowing Wall hack suddenly obscured Basilisk's vision. ​

Basilisk cursed as he heard Paladin get taken out. He knew he had to get out of there. He was making his way down the interior of the building when he saw an enemy in front of him. He reversed course sharply but there was someone else on his right. Back up the stairs – but already above him was the third of their trio, his Kraken jersey blazing in neon – they all opened fire and he blew apart. ​

Tied, 10 to 10.