Chapter 4

## Message from the Syndicate

Orion opens a door and finds a very little girl. She hands him an envelope. The insignia on the envelope is a snake eating itself, in the shape of an infinity. The little girl says the message is from the Syndicate and asks him not to open it until the proper time. She then quickly runs away. Orion wonders if he is being pranked. The girls ask him what happened and he says that he received a letter. Orion may open it, revealing a single line of indecipherable language, or wait to open the letter as the girl commands. The group has two hours to memorize the plan. They will start at 9:00PM and by 10:00PM they should he safe and in possession of Garrington's Gem of Doom.

## The Gem Heist... Starts... Now!

The time is 9:40PM. Orion comes to in an backrooms office and someone removes a bag from his head. Cornelius Garrington lights a cigar and proclaims that he does not care about the Code of Ethics. The strong beat the weak in Eternum and Garrington will torture him into revealing his co-conspirators. Garrington wonders if Orion is wondering where his plan went wrong.

## Infiltrating the Casino

The time is 8:55PM. Orion (codename: Jupiter) surprises the cashier at Garrington's Casino in New Vegas. Nova (codename: Mercury) appears and Orion announces that she is his wife. They have just married and are celebrating at the casino. They introduce themselves as Yanis Sharp and Nina T. Riley. Orion makes up a story about how they met. If he is following Nova's path, he may stick to the truth, just changing names, surprising Nova that Orion might actually want to share a future with her.

Penny (codename: Venus) enters the casino and requests access to the VIP area. The guard does not recognize who she is, and must deliberate with the cashier about whether she is the celebrity she claims to be. Nova seems to hack the cashiers computer and the cashier discovers that Penny is allegedly Miss Karen Venus, a Twitch streamer with 3.8 million followers. She is allowed to enter the VIP area.

Calypso (codename: Gaia) approaches the receptionist and introduces herself as Carrie. She mistakenly admits she is 84 and is confused by the concept of lightbulbs, confusing the cashier.

## Magic Hands

The time is now 9:09PM. Orion and Nova enter the gaming area. Orion may put his arm around her, and lean into the husband/wife role. Nova responds well to this. Orion sits down at a slot machine to wait for their target, Bobbie, to appear. He wins 20 eternals on the first spin. Orion may continue playing. If Orion reaches a balance lower than 470 eternals or greater than 1900 eternals, he quits playing.

Bobbie sits down at a poker table. Orion sits with him, but Bobbie says he must go somewhere else to play. Eventually, Bobbie suggests starting a private game because he has VIP privelleges and can summon a dealer. Bobbie calls for a dealer and Luna (codename: Ganymede) appears in a dealer uniform. The first round starts at 100 eternals, but Orion folds at the first raise. Mr. Briggs also wins the second hand with a pair of queens.

Mr. Briggs raises by 1500 eternals in the third game, but Orion admits he doesn't have enough money to match that. He offers a night with Nova if Mr. Briggs will also add his VIP pass to the pot. Mr. Briggs agrees. Mr. Briggs reveals that he has a full house, while Orion just has a pair of deuces. Luna reveals the final two cards: two more deuces. Luna's magic hands have won Orion the hand. He takes 1630 eternals and the VIP pass and decides he has had enough. Mr. Briggs is shellshocked.

## Hydroxynomanate Toxin

The clock has now reached 9:20PM. Nancy (codename: Saturn) walks into the lobby of Garrington's Bank in New Vegas. She introduces herself to a teller as Katarina Vasiliev from Flex Energy Systems. She pretends to have an appointment to deposit a breifcase in the main vault. The teller calls security to confirm. As they speak, Dalia (codename: Mars) knocks out the guards and takes a headset. She tells the teller that the appointment exists. Dalia and Nancy are able to establish contact with one another. The teller leads Nancy to the vault and assures her of its security features including armed guards, individual combinations, tracking numbers for money, and magic blockers.

It is now 9:30PM. Penny is seen in the VIP zone talking with Bennie Garrington. If Orion is following Penny's path, he may sit between them. Orion says he is a big fan of the Garringtons. Orion pretends to pitch Bennie a new type of wine that he wants the casino to stock. Penny asks for a drink and Bennie hopes to get her drunk. Penny drinks the wine and immediately becomes sick. Her face turns red and bloody. Bennie is freaked out and calls a doctor and the guards. Penny coughs all over Bennie and appears to die.

Luna enters the VIP zone with a guard and acts as a doctor. She inspects Penny's pupils with a flashlight and pronounces her dead. She says Penny has been poisoned with an eastern European poison created to cause severe nerve damage that effects the player in the real world as well. Luna gives Bennie one of her classic distrubing monologues about the horrible systems he will face as he dies. She tells Bennie he may be contaminated and he rushes to wash his face and hands. A guard punches Orion and knocks him out.

## Breaking the Bank

The time is now 9:38PM. Dalia informs Nancy that she can turn off the magic blocker for the vault for 60 seconds without setting off an alarm. Nancy enters the now open vault with the teller. She is about to put the breifcase in a safety deposit box when gunfire rings out. Noah, Raul, and Jerry (codename: The Expendables) run into the bank, guns blazing. They engage the armed guards and Jerry is immediately sniped. The teller convince Nancy to leave the breifcase in the vault while they close it and run for an exit.

Dalia counts down to the magic blocker's reactivation. A baby chick emerges from the breifcase and as the magic blocker activates, it turns into Alex (codename: Neptune). Noah and Raul take cover from heavy fire. Noah tells Raul to flee and save his inventory and level. Raul says he will never leave Noah to fight alone, just like he promised in Sarajevo. Dalia assures Alex that the diversion is proceeding fine. Alex picks the lock to Garrington's safety deposit box. Guards come back to the vault and force Alex to hide, even as communications are cut between her and Dalia.

## Codename: Pluto

The time is now 9:58 and Orion is still in Mr. Garrington's office. Mr. Garrington reveals that he knows someone got inside the vault. Mr. Garrington sneers as he tells Orion that his safety deposit box was empty the whole time. Mr. Garrington receives a call; a guard tells him that the ongoing firefight is tough and that no one was found in the vault, only a slip of cardboard that says "Chang'd." Mr. Garrington asks to speak with the guards of his private suite, but they have joined the firefight in the bank.

Bennie bursts in and accuses them of attempting to kill him twice: first with poison and then a short girl swiped at him in the bathroom. Mr. Garrington realizes that she may be trying to sneak into his room. Annie (codename: Pluto) is seen retrieving a Gem of Doom from a safe in Mr. Garrington's bedroom. Orion reveals that the plan has really been going his way the entire time. Mr. Garrington says that he will never escape, but Orion promises that is the easiest part. Calypso teleports into the office with the Gem of Doom. She asks Orion if its what he was looking for. Orion takes the gem and walks into the waiting portal, reminding Mr. Garrington that things in Eternum, "things just happen to move around."

Bennie is confused that his dad had a Gem of Doom. All Mr. Garrington can do is stare at the portals former location in shock.

## Heads... or Tails?

Orion exits the portal and finds himself, confusingly, in the main nexus. Idriel flips a coin and gets heads. She tells Orion that he is now the owner of a Gem of Doom and that he is invited to a party at the Boyle Mansion in the Rockefeller server, as long as he doesn't lose the gem before Saturday. Idriel continues to flip the coin throughout the conversation, always getting heads. Idriel proceeds to inform Orion that all attendees will wear masks and all violence and robbery is forbidden at the event. Orion asks what level he is. If he died to Jasticus, he is level two, otherwise, he is level seven. Idriel again flips the coin, but asks Orion what he thinks it will show before she reveals it. If he says 'tails,' Idriel smiles before logging him off.

## Trendy Coffee & Bistro

Orion sits in a coffee shop a few days after the heist. He crunches the numbers to find that after all the profits and losses of the heist, they lost 120 eternals. Alex comes to his table, dressed in a waitress uniform and offers him more coffee. Orion says that she should be the one to come with him to the Rockefeller server because she has more experience dealing with high society. Additionally, if Orion is following Dalia's path, they talk about the competition later that day, otherwise he says he is not invited and the following three scenes are skipped. Alex gets up to leave and Orion may offer no tip, a small tip, or a large tip. Alex responds best to the small tip and considers inviting Orion to see her apartment after she moves in.

## Weightlifting Competition

Orion arrives at Pump It, but Nikolay is handling the reception and refuses to speak English. If Orion is following Nancy's path, she comes and tells him that Millie is upstairs. Nancy is curious that Orion has been invited to watch by Dalia, but not her. Gertrude interrupts, wanting to show Nancy her husband's new company car. She again calls Orion Dalia. Orion may play along and call Nancy 'mommy' which she likes.

Orion heads upstairs where he finds Chang. Chang is wearing a shirt with Micaela's face on it. Micaela arrives, and says it is embarrasing but doesn't make him take it off. Orion finds Millie who says that Dalia is missing. He asks for ten minutes to find her. Eventually, Orion finds Dalia hiding near the restrooms, eating a sandwich. She is too nervous to participate and lose to Micaela in every category yet again. Orion may convince her to rejoin the competition, or go home with her. Going home skips the rest of this scene, and the following two scenes as well as ending Dalia's path. Dalia opens an energy drink which sprays all over her. Orion goes to ask Millie to give her two more minutes to change. While Orion waits for Dalia, he talks to Chang about Dalia's private server, The Cove. He may break Dalia's trust and share the password.

Dalia bursts through the door. Dalia and Micaela death stare at one another. Before the competition begins, one of the finalists drops out, not wanting to compete against Micaela. First, the competitors must race to complete 50 burpees, 50 pistols, and 50 sit-ups. Dalia manages to squat 350 pounds, but Micaela wins every round. Dalia is seen afterwards crumpled on the floor. Micaela, covered in medals, congratulates Dalia for improving a lot since the last year and nearly beating her despite weighing 130 pounds less. Orion tries to cheer her up for not winning a medal (Chang winning the air guitar medal doesn't help). Millie announces that in the MMA fights, Dalia will fight Brock because Micaela doesn't match up with anyone's weight class.

## MMA Fight

Brock shows off his high kick and cresetd crane pose as Dalia is in the boxing ring, preparing to fight Brock. Brock taunts Dalia for not managing to win any medals. Dalia immediately knows out Brock with a high kick to the neck. Excited, Dalia leaps from the ring and lands in Orion's arms. She asks if she noticed that it was her same pose that she uses in Eternum and then kisses him. Orion may kiss her back. Chang and Micaela express surprise that Orion and Dalia are dating. Dalia quickly jumps from Orion's arms and tries to convince them she was just excited.

Brock and Millie are reading the rules, and Millie admits that she must disqualify Dalia for an illegal kick to the throat. Brock gloats about 'winning' and further insults Dalia, making fun of her kissing Orion. Orion may say something to Brock, asking him if he actually feels like he won. Brock dares Orion to hit him, insisting his reflexes are impeccable. If Orion manages to time the attack, he knows Brock off his feet and the crowd is taken aback. Chang quickly interrupts, saying he is the lawyer and manager for Orion, giving Orion time to get away. Orion may decide to look for Dalia, otherwise the next scene is skipped and he loses her path.

## Still Waters

Orion logs on to Dalia's private server. If he told the password to Chang, Brock overheard and invited a horde of people for a party and has lost her path. Otherwise, he finds Dalia sitting alone and depressed, staring at the water. Orion sits down beside her and starts telling her abouts octopuses. Dalia eventually accepts his prescene and asks him to keep talking about octopuses. If Orion viewed the divination flashback at Warthogs, he mentions her Dalia the Explorer phase. Dalia thanks Orion but tells him that he is free to leave. She imagines that he thinks she is spoiled and a drama queen for being so upset.

Orion jumps on her and refuses to get up until she admits that she is amazing. She eventually acquiesces and hides her face, giggling when Orion mentions she is a good kisser. In the end, the two admit that they are both pretty amazing. If Orion failed to punch Brock, the two leave to make dinner and Orion has lost Dalia's path. Otherwise, he mentions beating Brock. Orion insists that by the transitive property, he has also beat Dalia in a fight and has won their bet placed in Semper Invicta. Dalia decided that the logic is flimsy at best but decides not to argue. They then make love on the beach. Dalia says that Orion can never tell anybody about what happened.

## Nightmare

Orion finds himself in what appears to be a morgue alonside a table with a corpse. Orion is scared and regrets playing too many horror servers in Eternum. The dead lady gets up and asks Orion a hypothetical question. The woman he loves is about to die, but he may press a button for a 1/7 chance to save her but 6/7 chance to kill him. She insists that he answer the question. Orion may pick either way.

Orion jolts awake in the computer lab to Mr. Keating yelling at him. Mr. Keating threatens to take more drastic measures he if keeps getting in trouble.

## Torrent of Messages

Orion receives a text from Alex. She reminds him about the dinner tomorrow. Orion may joke that its a date if the is following her path.

If Orion leaked Dalia's private server password. She texts Orion to remember to get groceries but refuses to say anything else. If Orion is following Dalia's path she sends him a meme, poking fun at his hair. Orion can send one back, or insult her sense of humor.

If Orion is following Penny's path, she asks Orion to pick the better of two pictures. Orion may say he likes them both before being forced to choose.

If Orion is following Nova's path, she asks him for a quote he would say after killing a demon to rescue a girl.

Orion may receive a message from Luna. She invites him to celebrate Day of the Dead with her family which he may accept. If Orion accepts, Mr. Hernandez takes Luna's phone and asks Orion if he wants the tacos to be extra spicy. Luna shows embarrasement about her dad, but Orion may insist that they are both awesome.

If Orion is following Nancy's path, she sends Orion a picture of a new bikini and asks his opinion.

Finally, Orion may receive a message from Chang. He is going out to dinner with his host family at a fancy restaurant. He asks Orion to help pick a tie, but they both appear to be the same color. Orion may play along or insist they are the same.

Orion then heads home to play Eternum. If he has a date with Annie, he gets ready for the date, otherwise he gets ready for the Rockefeller server dinner.

## On Nox 7, Orbiting Zheta-A

Annie finds Orion preparing to play Eternum and is elated to find that he remembered they have a date. She is futher excited when he comments that he likes her new, longer hairstyle. Orion wants to take her to a space station in the Andromeda server that is designed for couples because new Eternum players can try it out for free.

Orion logs on to the Andromeda server and sends an inviation to Annie. Annie joins immediately and gazes out the window at the great see beneath them. An Astrocorp employee greets the couple. She may explain the Andromeda server to Orion in detail if asked. They are on one planet orbiting one star in a galaxy of 30,000 star systems. Another guy, Falazio, appears alongside the two. He has come hoping to meet singles having misread the advertisements. He is denied a refund but decides to stick around for muffins. Customers must use a teleporter to take them to the space station in orbit. As Annie and Orion prepare to jump in the teleporter Annie mentions what she said in Ion when Orion first played Eternum. If Orion remebers and finishes the phrase "take the leap of faith," he gains a favor point with Annie.

Annie and Orion reappear in the space station and watch the comets pass by. An employee says that the zero-gravity experience is a must-try but they will have to wait. Meanwhile, the two decide to see a movie. Orion may choose for them to watch *Interstellar* or *Hot Tub Time Machine 2*. Orion and Annie settle in for the movie. During the movie, Orion looks at the other couples making out in the theater. If watching Interstellar, Annie is full engrossed in the story. If watching Hot Tub Time Machine 2, she is asleep and sleep-talking about her date with Orion. Annie leaves Interstellar crying because of how good the movie was and thanks Orion for making her watch it, gaining another point from Annie. If they watched Hot Tub Time Machine she is upset with herself for falling asleep during their date.

## Space Odyssey

Annie and Orion proceed to Cabin 17 to begin the Zero-G experience. The employee explains that the cleaning lady has been sick and most employees are on strike, so her personal cabin is currently being used as a changing room. The two get changed into zero-gravity suits and proceed to the zero-gravity room.

Artifical gravity is instantly disabled. Annie jumps and goes flying. The two play about in the air and perform some acrobatics. Annie stops for a moment to stare at the cosmos. She says that she is excited to finally have one of her best friends to join her in Eternum. Orion has the opportunity to ask Annie about Eternum, the group's mission for the gems, and Kredon.

If Orion asks about Eternum, Annie expresses wonder at how realistic it is and how much you can experience. Getting drunk is even a possibility. This transitions to talking about parties. If Orion has been invited by Penny to the costume party, he briefly brainstorms costumes ideas with Annie. If Orion asks about the mission, they discuss the upcoming party in the Rockefeller server and how much has happened in the month since they arrived in Kredon. If Orion asks about Kredon they talk about their host family: the Carters. Orion admits he is intimidated by all the pretty women in the house. Annie confesses that she feels Dalia and Penny are prettier than she is, but Orion reassures her that she is pretty too and gains a favor point for her. Annie also says that some of the girls at school are mean, but she has become friends with Luna. Artifical gravity reenables and Annie falls into Orion's arms who carries her back to the changing cabin.

Orion and Annie look out the window at the nebulae outside, but noting the employees absence. If Orion fails a favor points check, Annie gets nervous of the prospect of changing again in front of Orion and suggests that they leave, ending Annie's path and skipping the story to the Rockefeller server dinner. Otherwise, Annie tells Orion that she doesn't want him to turn around when she changes this time. Orion may break off the relationship, wanting to stay as best friends, ending Annie's path and skipping to the dinner. Otherwise, he nervously agrees. Orion confesses to loving her and they agree to begin a more official relationship. They kiss and make love in the cabin under the stars.

## Alien Isolation

Annie is in the canteen getting hot chocolate when she spots blood. Nervous, she at first thinks it is some sort of staged event. Then the lights go out as a PA system announces a quarantine and she screams. Orion hears this scream and goes to investigate but it has become quite cold and dark. He finds and flashlight and realizes that he has not seen anyone besides Annie for quite some time. Orion finds a space captain outfit and an audio recorder device which he may pick up. If Orion picks up the device he may listen to the audio card beside it. If Orion listens to the card, a man named Isaac Langston describes his job as a maintenance engineer for Ulysses.

Orion attempts to head back torwards the canteen but comes upon a locked door. He finds another audio card, but a strange person scares him. The person rambles on about doctors, being a good host, and mentions being the employee resopnsible for cleaning (mentioned earlier to be sick). The employee, Vasil, offers to open the door only if paid 500 eternals or if Orion retrieves an egg from the labratory. If Orion pays the money, Vasil also gives Orion a bomb and skips to *regroup at the door*. Orion may now listen to audio log 42 in which Isaac describes responding to a space station only to find autistic patients slaughtered.

### Retrieving the Egg

If going to retreive the egg, Orion heads to the botanical garden which Vasil insists to be a lab. On the way, Orion is threatened by an armed man who calls himself Commander Hassler, leader of the second brigade of the Galactic Union. Commander Hassler claims the station has been gripped by a plague and asks Orion to plant a bomb for him by a generator in exchange for opening the door. He pleads for Orion to not fetch the egg. He also offers Orion a gun which Orion may take and two additional audio cards. Audio log 43 further describes the bodies Isaac discovered. Most were eaten and mangled but a couple just had circular wounds to the just, like a twisted reference to the old *Alien* movie. Audio log 48 describes Isaac's investigation. There seems to be no tie between Eternum and the *Alien* franchise, also, other players have been attacked similarly in non-combat areas. Orion may now choose to find the egg or help Com. Hassler.

### *Helping Vasil*

If Orion opts to find the egg he goes to the lab and finds another audio card. Audio card 55 describes Isaac's encounter with another slaughter. He wonders if this is being perpertrated by players or some sort of AI within Eternum. Orion continues looking and finds Dr. Mercer hancuffed to a pipe. She begs to be freed and Orion can free her or leave her. She explains that she found the eggs on Nox 7. He then examines the eggs. If Orion peers into an open egg, he is killed by an alien. Otherwise he grabs a closed egg and heads back to Vasil.

### *Helping Hassler*

If Orion opts to help Hassler he heads to the generator. If he has not accepted the gun, he is killed on the way. Otherwise, he is threatened by an astrocorp employee from earlier. She remebers Orion and eventually lowers her weapon. A little alien jumps at Orion which he may catch with his supernatural reflexes. Otherwise it bites his throat and kills him. If Orion kills the alien, he finds audio card 67 in its mouth. The audio describes Isaac's encounter with a woman on Nox 7 with an alien already inside her. She mentions her friend but then passes out. Isaac kills her to prevent the infection. She has an Astrocorp ID, so Isaac heads to the space station to track down her friends (who is likely Dr. Mercer).

### Regroup at the Door

If Orion did not free Dr. Mercer and retrieved the egg, he gives the egg to Vasil who opens the door. Regardless, Commander Hassel appears and asks Vasil where the eggs came from. He says they always existed and aren't programmed. If Dr. Mercer was freed she jumps out and kills Hassler. She tells Orion that she has secretly been studying the aliens to replicate them in the real world before leaving Orion to find Annie. Otherwise, Hassler kills Vasil for failing to tell him the eggs' origin. Then Hassler opens the door for Orion.

Orion find Annie huddled in a corner of the canteen. They head to a teleporter to leave the station but it required five minutes to recharge. Annie points out a mangled corpse with an audio recorder. Orion wonders if this was Isaac and may listen to his final recording. In the audio, Isaac describes finding the station to already be infested with aliens. He has only one bullet left and contemplates suicide before a scream is heard and the audio stops.

Aliens begin to swarm Orion and Annie. They seem to be blind, but the teleporter attracts their attention. Their is a loud explosion as Orion brandishes a bomb at the attacking aliens. If Orion purchased the pendant of destiny for Annie in Chapter 1, Orion and Annie appear back on the surface on Nox 7, covered in alien blood, but otherwise unharmed. The pendant fades away and the couple log off Eternum. Otherwise, Orion and Annie both perish in the explosion and lose their levels.

### Back on Planet Earth

If Orion died before finding Annie, he awaked from Eternum and is dissapointed and decided to go to bed. Otherwise, Annie runs to his room and exclaims that they had the best date ever, even if they both died to the explosion at the end. Orion gains one favor point for Annie.

## The Boyle Mansion

The next day, Orion is back at the Carter home, suited up to play Eternum. Penny wishes Orion luck and may update him on her improvement with spellcasting in Eternum. She also mentions having bought a costume for the univeristy party if Orion is attending. If Orion spilled Dalia's secret password, she angrily banters with Orion. Otherwise she wishes him luck. If Orion is following her path, Orion proposes a bet, but Dalia is not so quick to agree this time. If following Dalia's path, she questions Penny for walking around the house in underwear. Penny shrugs this off and mentions getting ready for the party. If following Penny's path, she mentions that Orion is going, causing further jealousy. They both accuse each other of flirting with Orion. Nancy and Annie also appear to wish Orion luck. Nancy asks Dalia and Penny for help preparing a photo collage but they make excuses and run away. Annie volunteers to help instead.

Orion logs onto Eternum, with an invite to the Rockefeller from Idriel herself. He arrives in front of the large and very fancy Boyle mansion. He walks up to the gate. An AI confirms he is on the guest list and gives him masks which he is told he must wear duing the event. Orion turns to look for Alex and is met by praetorians. After an uncomfortable interaction, he continues looking for Alex who jumps from behind a tree to scare him. If on Alex's path, they banter about Orion's scared reaction. Orion can comment her; if he jokes that she is a high society gal, she makes sarcastic comments about how a little makeup and fancy clothes make her just like her father desires. This gains a favor point for her. Alex tells Orion to hide his questions behind leading questions of the rich guests. Suddenly, Calypso appears, shocking the two. They convince her to disguise herself and then enter the building.

Orion is amazed by the wealth on display. He tries a peice of sushi and is shocked how flavorful it is. If following Alex's path, Orion succesfully convinces her to try a peice and she also thinks its divine, but doesn't admit it at first. She accidentally admits to thinking the sushi was insane moments later while talking about the mission. Alex points out three members of the Ulysses board of directors for him to chat up.

## Mingling with the Rich

If Orion approaches Dr. Du Pont he finds him screaming at an AI to bring him wine. Orion pretends to be the head of security for Eternum and Dr. Du Pont angrily attacks him for letting a Weapon of Atlas get stolen because he fears a leak of the news could negativly effect Ulysses stock prices. Quickly getting cornered, Orion suggests he talk to the AI in the kitchen to help get his wine and uses the chance to flee the conversation.

If Orion talks to Mr. Mos, he quickly deduces that Orion must be the person that took Mr. Garringtons Gem of Doom. Noticing that Orion's suit isn't tailored, he gifts Orion 120 eternals to get a tailored suit because 'true beauty comes from helping others' Orion has the chance to ask him one question. Asking about the founder yields little, but Mr. Mos praises him for being generous, point out that the Founder could charge monthly subscription fees for Eternum but chooses not to. Asking about the Syndicate shocks Mr. Mos and he asks where Orion heard of it. Mr. Mos promises they don't pose much trouble to Ulysses. If Orion asks about the Weapons of Atlas, Mr. Mos seems to not acknowledge that Calypso has been stolen and Orion wonders if he is being tested for a reaction.

If Orion goes to talk to Lisa Astor (who is talking with Calypso and another player), he finds her gossiping. She feigns having visited the thermal baths with Thanatos. She then mentions having a new 24-year-old boyfriend causing Calypso to gasp (Calypso's elven race consider 24-year-olds to still be infants). Orion must take her aside before she blows her cover. Orion tells her that human aging is different from her race and that he himself is only 18. Calypso is shocked to hear this. Calypso and Orion discuss relationships in elven culture. Orion calls Calypso 'Caly' when he takes his leave and is pleasantly surprised to note he is not threated with death this time. Having this interaction gains an interest point with Calypso.

When Orion leaves to find Alex, she introduces him to Alastor Linus, CTO of ZipVerse. He shows off a product which can change the settings programmed to an AI's control chip if you can get their ID number. He summons an AI for a demonstration and reprograms it to be interested in having sex with him. Orion asks if this could be used on Idriel, but apparently she refuses to give up her ID number when asked. Mr. Linus offers to sell Orion a prototype, but Orion can't afford the 25 million eternal asking price. Alex says she feels sick and goes outside for air.

William Bardot interrupts the conversation and accusses Mr. Linus of dirtying the event with his scam products. Mr. Linus retreats. William Bardot asks if he has met Orion before, not recognizing him with the mask. Before Mr. Bardot has a chance to recognize him, Axel appears, having something urgent to show his father. Orion is about to head outside when a mysterious man seems to talk to him. The man is admiring a statue of the goddess Psyche. He wonders if Orion has ever met a server creator. Orion mentions knowing a hacker. The strange man asks if they can hack anything other than in-game devices and perhaps exit portals. Orion is not sure how to react to then man's questioning. The man asks what Orion wants from Eternum, if Orion says he wants answers, the man tells him to meet him at the staircase at midnight, otherwise he brushes Orion off.

## Fancy Evening

Orion finds Alex lying on the grass, staring at the stars. She seems to be bothered something, but only talks if Orion has enough favor points with her. Otherwise this scene is skipped. Alex points out a star and asks Orion if they can hang out there for a bit. He can insist they get back to the mission, also skipping this scene. Otherwise he lays down with her and she explains that the star is only visible for three days a year. She marvels at the attention to detail in Eternum. Orion asks if she beleives in magic and asks her if she thinks Eternum might be more than a game, but she insists that she only beleives in science.

Alex goes back to star-gazing and then eventually opens up about her family life and why she chose to rebel against her father. Alex and Orion playfully egg each other on attempting to get the other to complement the other. Alex challenges Orion to a race through the hedge maze, to which he agrees. They taunt each other as they race and Alex reaches the other side, bragging alound. Orion jumps out and surprises her, having already finished the maze, even if he admits that he jumped a couple hedges. Orion and Alex's banter reaches a fever point when they hear the sound of a lighter. William Bardot smokes a cigarette around the corner as Axel tells him about a person that he swears to have recognized. Mr. Bardot lashes out at his sons and sends him away. Turned on by the situation, Alex begins fooling around with Orion with her father just around the corner. Afterwards, Alex threatens Orion to never tell anyone about what happened and he gains a favor point with her.

## The Founder Doesn't Exist...

Orion goes back to the party where Dr. Du Pont invites him to the Golden Room. Orion says he wants to see the founder speak and Dr. Du Pont laughs, saying that the Founder cancelled his appearance as he always does. Ms. Alastor agrees and admits that none of the board of directors has ever seen him in person. Orion heads to a cellar so he can call Alex and she agrees to come find him. Orion tells her that no one has ever met the Founder and she remebers that her father has complained about the Founder never showing up for company business. They theorize that the Founder doesn't actually exist, but then the call drops. Two praetorians appear and a voice says that he is impressed by all Orion has managed to do after just a month in Eternum. Orion turns to see the Founder himself.