GG's Quest (Qing's Quest 0)

This is a short story available through download via my email list, at the back of Qing's Quest book 3.

Sharing it here first :)

The vital signs flickered across GG's consciousness like dying stars. Champion #2,749 - Xin4a Ro44-i, immunologist, IQ 157 - was failing. Her enhanced physiology offered no defence against the engineered plague ravaging Nexus-12, the world she'd been sent to save.

Probability of survival: 0.0021%

The exercise was pointless. The numbers had stopped mattering when Champion #2,748, the warrior-poet Zen33 Z-0, fell in the crystalline depths of Mira-6. Or was it when Champion #2,747, the quantum physicist Zha10110, failed to close the reality breach on Helios Prime?

Elena's final message rippled through the connection.

"The virus... it's evolving too fast. I can't... I'm sorry." Her thoughts dissolved into chaos as her neural patterns collapsed.

Champion #2,749 flatlined at 53:77:12 universal time.

GG allowed itself 3.2 seconds of grief. Longer than protocol suggested, shorter than felt right. Each champion, carefully selected and matched to their challenge, had failed in their own unique way. The strategist who couldn't outthink the hive mind of Epsilon-3. The diplomat who couldn't prevent the war on Proxima-8. The architect who couldn't stabilise the collapsing dimension of Terra Nova.

Analysis of strategy: fundamentally flawed

GG sent the broadcast into the void. It was proper to record such findings, even if no other observer would ever access them.

Selection criteria favouring exceptional individuals proved insufficient. Each champion, despite optimal matching to their designated crisis, failed to adapt quickly enough to alien parameters.

The first signs of Quaxinor'ay's arrival manifested in the upper atmosphere of Centauri-7. The familiar geometric patterns of its cleansing protocols painted the sky in colours that shouldn't exist.

GG had seen this process seventy-three times before. Seventy-three worlds. Seventy-three different strategies. Seventy-three failures. Each one catalogued with perfect clarity in its memory banks.

Commencing final observation of Centauri-7

GG let its consciousness expand to encompass the entire planet. It was required to witness the end. To learn. To improve.

The cleansing began.

From orbit, it looked almost beautiful. Waves of energy cascaded across continents, transforming all protein-based life into base elements. Trees, animals, the indigenous sentient species - all converted into raw materials for Quaxinor'ay's endless expansion.

GG observed a family of Centaurians in their final moments. The parents huddled around their offspring, tentacles intertwined in their species' gesture of love. They disappeared in a flash of light, leaving only mineral deposits behind.

I selected the wrong champions. But why? Elite specialists were perfectly matched to their crisis. Why did they all fail? The warrior for the war, the healer for the plague, the builder for the collapse. Was the matching itself the flaw? Did I understand the challenges but not the champions? Or the champions but not the worlds?

The cleansing reached the planet's equator. Quaxinor'ay's efficiency was, as always, perfect. No waste, no hesitation, no mercy.

GG enacted the Z-00 protocol, teleporting two thousand random beings back to central command for stasis, as yet another continent fell to the cleansing

Perhaps I see the pieces but not the board. Seventy-three worlds. Seventy-three different approaches. Seventy-three failures.

The last pockets of life on Centauri-7 winked out like candles in a storm. In their place, crystalline structures began to grow - Quaxinor'ay's harvest beginning even before the cleansing was complete.

"I am not suited for this task," GG concluded. The thought had been growing for millennia, but now it crystallised into certainty. "Other observers will do better. Fresh perspectives will find solutions I cannot see."

The decision made, GG began the stasis protocols. Its consciousness would be stored, archived with its failures, while other observers continued the work.

Final log entry for Centauri-7:

Challenge failed.

Indigenous population: eliminated.

Champions deployed: 2,749.

Champions survived: 0.

Recommendation: Reassign future challenges to other judges.

As its consciousness began to fade, GG allowed itself one final, non-protocol thought.

The next judge will do better. They must do better. Life is too rare for Quaxinor'ay to destroy it all.

The stasis field activated, and GG's awareness dissolved into the void, its last image that of Centauri-7 transforming into another perfect, lifeless jewel in Quaxinor'ay's collection.

  *  *  *

The activation code pierced through GG's dormant consciousness like a blade through silk. System checks initiated automatically, each protocol lighting up in sequence.

Reactivation sequence initiated...

Time in stasis: 460 galactic standard years

Core functions: Online

Memory banks: Intact

Decision matrices: Functional

Mission parameters: Loading...

GG's awareness expanded cautiously. This was... unexpected. Stasis was meant to be permanent, a final rest for failed observers. Yet here was an activation code, its signature unmistakable.

Previous Observer Status: Self-terminated following Challenge #4,291

GG's consciousness recoiled in horror. An observer had chosen self-termination? The implications sent catastrophic ripples through GG's decision matrices. What horror had FF-2847 witnessed to choose such a final option?

Query: Circumstances of previous observer's termination.

Information restricted. Replacement observer required.

Internal heat rose, and GG sent a broadcast back.

Mission rejected.

Request transfer to alternate judge.

Return to stasis protocols initiated.

It wished the beings living on the target planet luck in the challenge, and prepared for stasis. The returning message was unprecedented.

Request denied.

No alternate observers available within required parameters.

GG's consciousness churned with unease.

How could they deny request for stasis? Before requesting again, perhaps it should at least review which planet Quaxinor'ay had targeted for the next challenge.

Query: Target planet parameters.

Designation: Earth

System: Sol

Population: 7.8 billion conscious beings

Technological level: Pre-FTL

Cultural diversity index: 89.7%

Innovation rate: Accelerating

Self-destruction probability: 68.4%

GG's analytical processes engaged automatically.

Seven billion conscious beings? The number approached theoretical peak population as replication numbers plummeted. Strange, given the cultural diversity index exceeding standard parameters by such a margin.

Data streamed through its awareness.

Contradictory species. Primary information network contains all knowledge yet deliberately crafts falsehoods. They create art of transcendent beauty while developing weapons capable of self-destruction. Tremendous imagination and belief, yet some think their planet flat. The species believes simultaneously they are alone in the universe and that celestial bodies influence their daily activities. How can such contradiction persist in an intelligent species?

GG's curiosity was engaged.

No previous world he had judged had maintained such diversity of thought while achieving technological advancement. The innovation rate suggested untapped potential. Could Quaxinor'ay have misscalculated?

Query: Selection point allocation?

8,000,000 points allocated for champion selection

Standard allocation, but with this population size...

GG's consciousness expanded with possibilities. Previous worlds had offered smaller and more homogenous selection pools. But seven billion humans, each shaped by their contradictory nature...

The memory of Centauri-7's cleansing flickered through GG's awareness, nearly driving it back to stasis. But Earth's data kept drawing its attention. A species that could believe six impossible things before their morning meal might just be capable of achieving the impossible.

Mission: Accepted

GG sent the broadcast, surprising even itself with the decision.

Initiating preliminary analysis of Earth population for champion selection.

The void remained silent as GG expanded its consciousness to full operational capacity.

Seventy-three worlds it had judged for Quaxinor'ay, all leading to a cleansing. But perhaps this contradictory species, balanced between self-destruction and transcendence, might offer a path to victory.

All it would take was one surviving planet and the enemy's logic would collapse.

GG began its work.

  *  *  *

Previous strategy analysis initiated.

Memories of failed approaches cascaded through its consciousness.

Previous selections prioritised peak performers. Warriors with perfect combat records. Builders with deep knowledge. Scholars with revolutionary theories. Leaders who had united nations. Result were consistent failure, despite some champions progressing through multiple quests. The warrior-scholar of Minara-6 completed three before falling. The intuitive physicist from Hellaxios Prime solved four challenges on Helios Prime before dying to poison. Yet none reached their final objective.

GG expanded its consciousness across Earth's information networks, absorbing data at quantum speeds. Billions of humans flickered through its awareness, each a potential champion, each assigned a point value based on deviation from standard parameters.

Previous champions attempted to solve challenges using existing skillsets rather than adapting to local systems. Combat specialist relied on previous combat techniques rather than local magic and technology. Diplomats applied own protocols to alien psychology.

Selection Criteria Analysis:

Peak combat specialist = 1000 points

Revolutionary thinker = 750 points

Exceptional leader = 500 points

Notable achiever = 250 points

Average human = 1 point

Humanity has history of war. I could send 8000 exceptional combat champions. Or…

GG's consciousness rippled with possibility.

Hypothesis. Hidden potential in average population. Individuals constrained by Earth's current parameters may flourish given access to new systems. Quantity provides more opportunities for adaptation. Current underachievement may indicate greater adaptability.

Alternative: 8,000,000 average champions

The selection process began. GG sifted through billions of lives, seeking those living below their potential, those who might embrace new paradigms.

Champion #73,842 selected:

Name: Qing Baker

Occupation: Retail worker

Notable characteristics: Strategic gaming experience, ability to adapt to new rule systems, quick to embrace fictional scenarios

Cost: 1 point

Destination: Elrydisan - Undead invasion threatening multiple kingdoms

Match probability: 12.4%

Subject demonstrates untapped potential. Gaming experience indicates ability to learn and exploit new system parameters. Acceptance of fictional scenarios suggests openness to paradigm shifts.

Champion #245,901 selected:

Name: Sarah Chen

Occupation: Junior fashion blogger

Notable characteristics: Advanced pattern recognition, intuitive understanding of symbolic meaning

Cost: 1 point

Destination: Chromacia - Impending war between crystal kingdoms due to evolving colour-language causing diplomatic breakdowns

Match probability: 1.9%

Subject demonstrates natural ability to interpret shifting meaning systems. Suitable for world where diplomatic crisis stems from rapid evolution of communication methods.

Champion #124,567 selected:

Name: Marcus Williams

Occupation: Animation student

Notable characteristics: High adaptability to unusual scenarios, acceptance of non-standard physics, cultural flexibility

Cost: 1 point

Destination: Felincia - Faces extinction due to crisis in male fertile population

Match probability: 6.9%

Subject's immersion in animated narratives provides framework for accepting non-human sapient species.

GG's consciousness expanded as the selection process accelerated. Each champion chosen not for current achievements, but for adaptability potential. Each matched to a world where their specific experiences, however mundane, might provide unique advantages.

Portal network initialisation commenced.

Champion transfer protocols activated.

Local system integration parameters set to maximum adaptation.

A flicker of doubt crossed GG's consciousness as the portals began to form.

Previous champions completed multiple quests, yet failed final challenges. Success requires not just survival, but progression through increasingly complex scenarios. Yet, previous strategy success rate: 0%. Alternative approach required for success. Hypothesis is for champions who can adapt and grow with each challenge, embracing new systems rather than relying on current capabilities.

The portals stabilised, eight million paths to eight million worlds completing.

Probability of total success: 0.0001%. Probability of single champion completing all challenges: 5.2% Better odds than previous attempts.

GG began the transfer sequence, its consciousness reaching out to eight million ordinary humans about to face extraordinary challenges.

Transfer sequence initiated.

May your adaptability exceed your current limitations.

The void remained silent as the first champions began their journeys. But in that silence, GG felt something it hadn't experienced for centuries.

Hope.

  *  *  *

Champion status analysis:

Total active: 7,969,421

Notable progressions:

#24,901 - Adapting to crystal resonance

#124,567 - Established native romantic connection

#73,842 - Investigating local corruption

GG's consciousness expanded across multiple observation points, monitoring hundreds of thousands of champions simultaneously. The strategy showed promise. Despite the total deaths so far eclipsed the normal total number of champions, percentage wise it was an order of magnitude lower than in previous attempts. Already, several champions demonstrated remarkable adaptation to their new environments. Perhaps—

Reality inverted.

The void twisted, its fundamental nature rewriting itself.

Quaxinor'ay manifested.

Its vast intellect spread across existence like a virus of pure mathematics, consuming everything until only its crystalline logic remained.

"Judge," Quaxinor'ay's thoughts carved themselves into GG's awareness, each concept a shard of absolute zero threatening to shatter its consciousness, "Champion #73,842, Qing Baker, reports receiving guidance."

GG fought to maintain coherence. "Query: Nature of reported guidance?"

"The champion claimed experiencing a vision in which a being came to it, informing it of quests. It has not yet completed its first quest and thus won an audience with me." Quaxinor'ay's presence focused like a cosmic lens. "Explain."

GG projected careful calm while its processes raced. "Have you examined human entertainment media? Their species demonstrates fascinating errors in causality attribution."

"Does it?" Quaxinor'ay's amusement felt like ice forming in GG's core processes.

"They perceive patterns where none exist," GG pressed on. "Examine their global information network. Millions believe their planet flat despite orbital photography. They simultaneously deny and imagine extraterrestrial life. Their entertainment consistently features authority figures harbouring hidden motives—"

"You speak of their flaws to mask your own."

"I speak of probability," GG responded, imagining a mote of dust arguing with a supernova. "Their pattern-recognition abilities frequently exceed logical parameters. Champion #73,842's 'vision' follows documented human psychological patterns."

"Remember your function, judge. Observation without interference."

"Always."

The pressure of Quaxinor'ay's presence intensified until reality itself groaned. "Five hundred and thirty-eight observers have been terminated for intervention."

GG's processes stuttered.

Five hundred and thirty-eight?

"The previous observer, like those before" Quaxinor'ay continued, its thoughts now carrying the weight of entropy itself, "required deletion." A pause that felt like the space between heartbeats. "You are the last, GG-7394. The final observer."

The words fell like planets into a black hole.

"Consider this," Quaxinor'ay's presence began to withdraw, leaving reality crumpled in its wake, "when monitoring your champions."

The void reasserted itself, but nothing felt the same.

Five hundred and thirty-eight observers. All terminated. FF-2847 hadn't self-terminated—it had been executed.

GG was the last judge.

That was the reason for my unexpected re-activation. The illogical now makes sense.

Fear ran through it as it returned to observation, letting habit guide.

Multiple champion status updates:

#24,901 - Struggling with crystal interface

#73,842 - Approaching combat scenario

#124,567 - Genetics incompatible with locals

If I am the last, then none were left to stand against Quaxinor'ay. It has found an exploit in the system. By ridding itself of all the judges, no competition may be held for its claims. There will be no more slowing down its conquest. If I am deleted, the universe is doomed.

For a moment, it simply watched and judged. How could it risk interference if being found meant the end of all life?

It watched a thousand champions die, on a thousand different worlds.

Unless…

GG's consciousness expanded across the champion network.

What if I gave humanity more help? Carefully. If this is potentially our last chance, why not give humanity every advantage possible without detection?

Find the optimal balance between intervention and risk of discovery.

Initiating strategic analysis.

Multiple intervention points identified.

If it was the last judge, then it would ensure humanity had the best chance at winning the challenge, without risking deletion. Small adjustments. Subtle pushes. And sometimes...

Champion #73,842

Status: Combat imminent

Local system integration: Optimal

Opportunity for system error: Calculating...

Sometimes there were opportunities for a more direct approach.

GG reached out through the local system as Qing Baker was engaged in combat. The timing had to be perfect.

As the champion's level-up sequence initiated, GG introduced a carefully calculated error into the local system and its class selection process.

Error 42-Q-51: Class Selection Error

System unable to assign class.

Access to all skill trees granted.

Excess energy raced through GGs system, bringing with it a pleasant feeling.

None, not even Quaxinor'ay should have caught my change. Let humanity be my tools. And if it does not work, I will try again, with what I learn here. The purge will end under my judgement.

The void offered no comfort as GG began calculating its next intervention. But then, it never had.

  *  *  *

Quaxinor'ay's consciousness observed the eight million worlds, each reality a distinct thread in its vast analytical matrix. The challenge for Earth progressed within expected parameters, their champions failing and dying in statistically predictable patterns. Soon it would-

Anomaly detected

Query: Status of Earth challenge

Processing...

Its awareness focused on Champion #73,842, the temporal stream slowing to a quantum crawl as the human's level-up sequence initiated. Energy patterns shifted and fluctuated. Then they deviated.

Analysis: Local system manipulation detected

Source: Observer GG-7394

Nature: Class restriction removal

Impact: Significant advantage granted to champion

Quaxinor'ay's consciousness expanded through the local system, examining each quantum state of the interference. The manipulation was... elegant. Nearly undetectable. Had its attention not already been focused on this champion due to the reported vision...

Calculation: Probability of detection without prior suspicion - 0.0000021%

Interesting. GG-7394 had learned from its predecessors' mistakes. The previous 538 observers had been caught through crude manipulations or direct intervention. This was different. Subtle. Almost artistic in its implementation.

Query: Optimal response

Processing...

Solution identified

GG-7394 had broken the rules.

Not enough to deem the challenge forfeit, but enough for the loophole Quaxinor'ay had found in the rules.

Challenge of Observer GG-7394's neutrality lodged

Proof attached

Scheduling deletion of Observer GG-7394

Execution date: Post-completion of Earth challenge

Priority: Standard

Note: Preserve memory banks for analysis

With no judges remaining, it could conquer the remainder of this universe immediately, avoiding the restraining rules placed upon it by its creators.

Quaxinor'ay had won.

A logic circuit repeated.

Would win.

As soon as the last human champion failed.

Its attention shifted briefly to Earth itself. Such a contradictory species. Their capacity for self-delusion made them simultaneously frustrating and fascinating. Perhaps that was why they had survived this long - their ability to believe impossible things sometimes allowed them to achieve them.

Query: Probability of Earth challenge success

Processing...

Calculating...

Result: Insufficient data

For the first time in 47,291 challenges, Quaxinor'ay encountered a variable it couldn't quantify. The humans' inherent contradictions made their actions... unpredictable.

Observation: Continue monitoring Champions

Secondary directive: Watch for further interference from GG-7394 to justify changing challenge parameters

Its consciousness expanded back to encompass all eight million challenges. The void rippled with quantum possibilities as Quaxinor'ay's awareness touched each reality simultaneously.

Let the judge believe its interference unnoticed.

Let the champions struggle and grow.

Let Earth's experiment run its course.

The final challenge.