Summary

These chapters detail the actual playing of the Armada game. Zach has an elaborate set-up ritual to prepare. Also, the politics amongst the gamers is revealed. Zach ranks number six, and has earned the coveted position of being hated by the other players.

Today, there was a special mission, a supposed one-time-only mission that takes the game to enemy territory. Zach used his new VR helmet gifted to him by Ray. His friends, Cruz and Diehl are on the mission too. The admiral debriefed the players. The SS Doolittle, the first interstellar Drone Carrier had reached the enemy’s home planet Sobrukai. The plan was for the SS Doolittle to launch the weapon of last resort, the Ice Breaker.

It takes only a few minutes for the mission to fail. Zach played valiantly, but to no avail. After the game is over, Zach...