Chapter 21: Unexpected Development

Inside the Headquarters of Cantos Industries, Head of game and resource development. On the 64th floor sits all the major senior developers of Odyessy.

A man of African descent, with dark brown and a bald head, says, "Director according to initial data sets. The Unlimited class is currently unsustainable."He brings sends a series of datasheets and graphs to all the seniors present. They murmur amongst themselves even the Director and his advisors see the various problems.

The Director says, "These samples are most distressing Ike. As head of control development does lieutenant Rogers have anything to say." A young man wearing a black turban looks up suddenly. Gathering his thoughts and his observations from the Odyessy.

lieutenant Rogers says, "Director we believe that the problem mainly comes from the fact that the Unlimited system is a fundamentally different system to the current combat system. This makes it impossible for Overwatch to follow the under ten protocol...." Rogers' commander is not a fan of the under ten protocol so he has to undermine it constantly. Roger himself likes and appreciates the under ten protocol.

The strongest support of the protocol speaks next. She is the leader of a Steller habitat and the protocol is critical for those outside the earth to have a fighting chance. Damo Rosa says, "The under ten protocol must be maintained. We have already outlined how the removal of this protocol is impossible. If you want this iteration of the game to have the impact we need it to have the under ten protocol should be extended to at least level 20."

The director shaking his head says, " Anyone else we might as well list of concerns and work through them now." He is sincere and patient making sure to look at each developer and see if they have anything to add.

Senior developer Isaacs, "Director thanks to us being able to meet the one thousand player minimum mark. I believe these results speak for themselves all research and developed using the computational data from unlimited lifestyles players. Have seen an increase in success rates of more than 24%. I can only recommend the government consider the proposal from the Outer powers about the unlimited system."

Senior Medical officer says, "That is impossible if we allow for another round of uncontrolled development. The number of unsuccessful test subjects would be at least eighty per cent of the entire human population."

lieutenant Rogers, " Dr Lee just say it plainly. you always dance around it. People die if it's eighty per cent that is unacceptable. Then what is acceptable because all this talk is useless if we don't know how far we can go. The unlimited system is responsible for our market dominance. You're telling us that we can't roll it out large scale. Then Doctor what scale can we use.

The director whispers with his advisors listening and checking the laws and directives from the various superpowers. Then the director says, " Very true lieutenant, Doctor Lee you are a woman who is always prepared do you have a possible solution."

Dr lee brings out her other scenario running them through Overwatch. Of the backups, one has an acceptable risk in terms of lives possibly lost. She adjusts her glasses and says, " Prioritising the safe development of the unlimited system, will require a framework. A small patch can be rolled to the implants to increase sync ratios. By limiting the pool to those already in the initial phase. We should be able to mitigate ninety-nine per cent of deaths. Additionally, the framework has to be implemented immediately."

Everyone leans back in their chairs this is beyond anything they expected. This breakthrough if handled properly will make everyone in this room rich and famous. A lady who has only been taking note moves her hair out of the way and speaks in a distinctly posh accent.

Annemarie says, "The framework already exists we implemented the unlimited system in an old fighting game of ours. The hiccup is that we have no way to explain the changes that our framework will bring in lore."

Sergay one of the Directors' speaks, " I am familiar with that system as a loremaster myself. I think the development team can say that the unlimited system is related to the gods. This will push the demon storyline back a few years but at least. We will be able to make the changes update the implants and unlimited bringing them all into alignment with the current system.

Several background developers are typing away, testing the possibility and most of them have a way to implement it on every corner of the game except for nine players. An egg head dressed in a nano isolation suit. Besides the light blues and other visual functions, they can't see inside. in a soft mechanical voice, the egghead says, " The nine players are part of the experimental program. w agree to your implementations so long as they are given this framework system."

Reading over the sheet Rogers is first to complain, " This system benefits the players too much don't only are you suggesting that they part take in the god system but they will receive specific guidance. That is not fair."

The director says, " Not as unfair as allowing all military personal to have a unique race. balancing them has seen an increase in power for every other race. Plus according to this document, the guidance is more of suggestion."

A livid Luitenant Rogers says, " Solar defence deemed it necessary for the defence of the system! Sirs, I will remind you. What happens when the implants fall into wrong hands.

Equally incensed by Rogers insinuation that the outer powers are to blame the incident fifty years ago Damo Rosa says, "the solution is simple..." With venom in her voice..."Extend the under ten protocol we can review it once players reach a certain level."

Most people in the room nod the loremasters are already working on how the gods will be responsible for the change in the unlimited system. Rogers wants to teach that woman a lesson.

Developer Issacs' says, " That would work if the unlimited players including lifestyles are given our system. They will be able to grow experience horizontal scaling. This will also improve dynamic gameplay. The nine players are anomalies anyways. We all agreed that they participate this we will not go back on our contract."

Rogers says, "Still look at this, the players will be able to pass the first leg of the game without much suffering, it will undermine the training program."

Dr Lee says, " sir no it won't this implementation is going to increase the numbers of those outside the military. beyond their control or even recruit. It will in fact make the game much more difficult. These players will be pushed to their developmental limits. The nine are wholly outside our control but I approve this version of the plan."

Sergay says, "director we already have possible implementations, on eighty per cent of Oydessy beside the nine who have their system. We can roll out the update in an hour. The only issue will be the increased difficulty of Shifting Islands."

Director says, " Fine we will implement the changes as stated. The nine experimental players are under the control of Overwatch and by extension Cantos. The under ten protocol will be extended to twenty at least. this should help mitigate the strength lost through focused development. Finally, the implants will be updated accordingly and a report will be filed to the powers. As agreed in the concord Odyessy will pave the way forward for humanity."

---Director Priority Message---

Central cascade failure....error 2077

---End of Message---

The director leaves without a change in his expression still as cold as ever. Except for one thing. His hands are shaking ever so slightly. It must be said that when he had attacked all he said to his wife was, "Honey I think I need to go to the hospital."

Back inside Odyessy in the heavenly plain. Celestial temples burst into existence each as large the world and infinitely more complex. Of the nine Temples, Seven have light-up orbs. On the inside these beings older than gods are being born anew. Gods old and new scramble to secure their several NPC factions have started to accelerate their plans. A large number of demon gods sensing the change in power cobble together. Others hiding away trying to build their powers in shadow.

On the continent of Deguria, the players here are all mostly either Dragonkin, half draconic or Dragonslayers. Are in turmoil since the launch of they have only been able to move around their cities. That is until a massive golden bound temple with an orb covered in dragons wings appeared in the sky and launch a new campaign.

A large number of sleeping gods pulse. In the lower realms of Odyessy. A golden light shines all over everyone at once. The phenomenon which has not been reported on the forums leaves players in a frenzy. However certain players are pulled into a strange miniature world. These players are those that use the unlimited system. Are being visited by the spirits of the gods and shown a new way to fight, build, research, to develop. The various systems are more involved mirroring real-life more closes. They have a choice to keep using the mini-games or experience a greater challenge. Medium Bunz smiles and says, "Of course I want the challenge one day I will make enough to have a real bakery."

Of the marked nine players, seven are already active. Including Tyr, he like the other seven have been pulled into a realm like It on others. The only way he can describe it is endless. Tyr is then greeted By the Image of Lord Nogu.

Lord Nogu says, " It seems my power has finally grown in you. It seems I was right to have faith in you my boy. This power can help you to shape the universe. Here have a look at this."

Do you accept the race conversion Celestial [yes/no?]