A sharp chime sounded simultaneously through all four of their interfaces, interrupting their morning meal. Alexander paused, a piece of fruit halfway to his mouth, as text appeared in his field of vision.

  WEEKLY ELIMINATION QUOTA ACTIVATED Requirements: 10 eliminations within 7 days Current Status: 0/10 Time Remaining: 168:00:00 Failure Consequence: Pyer Termination

  A countdown timer appeared in the corner of his vision, ticking away with quiet inevitability.

  Alexander looked up to see the others reading the same notification, their expressions shifting as they absorbed the implications. He'd known this was coming—every corporate briefing had mentioned the quota requirement—but seeing it activated, feeling the weight of that countdown, was different from theoretical knowledge.

  "It's the quota," Alexander stated unnecessarily, his voice breaking the uncomfortable silence.

  Riva's hands trembled slightly. "Ten eliminations a week..."

  "Non-negotiable," Valeria added, her tone neutral but her posture stiffening. "Standard Game procedure."

  Elijah met Alexander's eyes across the campfire, something unspoken passing between them. They'd discussed this during their preparation, but always in abstract terms, always as a problem to be addressed ter.

  Later had arrived.

  "We need to talk about this," Alexander said, closing his interface projection. "All of us together."

  The morning light filtered through the trees as Alexander stood, pacing a small circle as he gathered his thoughts. The others watched him, waiting for direction. This was why he was in command—decisions like this fell to him.

  "The quota system is fundamental to the Game's design," he began carefully. "We can't avoid it, and the consequences of failure are... permanent." He didn't need to eborate on what "pyer termination" meant. They all knew the reality behind the euphemism.

  "Ten eliminations between the four of us seems straightforward," Valeria said pragmatically. "Two or three per person. Hunting other pyers would be most efficient—each pyer counts as five non-sentient eliminations according to standard metrics."

  Alexander noted how she delivered this information—detached, analytical, as if discussing inventory management rather than hunting people. Her ProtectoCorp training was evident.

  "Efficient doesn't mean right," Elijah countered, his voice quiet but firm. "We need to consider more than just numbers."

  Alexander nodded. "Elijah's correct. We have options, and we need to consider them carefully."

  "The system is designed to encourage pyer-versus-pyer conflict," Alexander expined. "But it doesn't mandate it. We can fulfill our quota through hunting predator species if we choose."

  "That would require twice as many kills," Valeria pointed out. "Less efficient."

  "But more aligned with our values," Elijah countered. "We're not here to hunt other pyers who are just trying to survive, same as us."

  Alexander watched as Riva examined the criteria more closely. "The herbivore requirement seems particurly harsh," she noted. "We'd need to eliminate twenty of them to meet the quota."

  "Which is why the system pushes pyers toward conflict," Alexander said. "It's a deliberate design choice."

  He fell silent for a moment, weighing his responsibility as team leader against his personal ethics. His father would have a clear answer—maximum efficiency was the only logical choice. Targeting pyers would mean less time spent on quota fulfillment, more time for advancement. The Game was a competition, after all.

  But looking at his team—at Elijah's quiet determination to maintain humanity within the Game, at Riva's obvious discomfort with the entire concept—Alexander found himself deviating from his father's probable advice.

  "Here's my decision," he finally said. "We'll focus on predator species first. No targeting of other pyers unless absolutely necessary to meet our deadline."

  Elijah's relief was visible. Riva nodded gratefully. Even Valeria seemed to accept the decision without protest, though her expression remained neutral.

  "From a tactical standpoint, we need to identify high-density predator areas," Alexander continued, shifting to practical matters. "Valeria, your hunting data will be invaluable here."

  Valeria nodded, bringing up the wildlife movement maps she'd been developing. "There are three primary predator territories within our operational radius. The northwest quadrant has the highest concentration of what the interface identifies as 'Timber Wolves.' They move in packs of 3-5 and would be cssified as standard predators."

  She highlighted another area to the east. "This riverbank territory shows regur activity from 'Shadow Stalkers'—panther-like creatures that would also qualify as standard predators. They're solitary but dangerous."

  "And the third area?" Alexander prompted.

  "The southern ravine houses what appear to be 'Thorn Raptors'—bird-like creatures with razor feathers. They're highly aggressive and might qualify as alpha predators, though I haven't confirmed that cssification yet."

  Alexander considered their options. "The wolves provide the most efficient hunting opportunity. If we coordinate properly, we could potentially eliminate an entire pack in a single operation."

  "What's our approach?" Riva asked, clearly trying to engage with the practical aspects rather than dwell on the moral implications.

  "Wolves hunt in coordinated groups," Alexander expined. "We'll need to match their tactics with our own. I suggest a fnking strategy—Valeria and I will approach from opposite sides while Elijah and Riva provide ranged support."

  He created a tactical projection showing their pnned positions and movement patterns.

  "We should prepare specialized equipment," Riva suggested, her technical mind engaging with the problem. "I can craft improved weapons based on what we've gathered."

  "Good thinking," Alexander agreed. "Focus on ranged options for you and Elijah, close-combat weapons for Valeria and me."

  As the conversation shifted to tactical preparation, Alexander noticed the team's tension beginning to ease. Focusing on the how rather than the why gave them something concrete to work with, a problem that could be solved through skill rather than ethical compromise.

  They spent the morning preparing—Riva crafting basic weapons from wood and stone, Valeria scouting the wolf territory to identify optimal ambush locations, Elijah preparing healing supplies for potential injuries, and Alexander developing detailed tactical pns.

  By midday, they gathered to finalize their strategy. The weapons Riva had crafted were impressive given their limited resources—spears with carefully shaped stone tips for Alexander and Valeria, and crude but functional bows for Elijah and Riva.

  "Our first hunting operation will target the Timber Wolf pack," Alexander announced. "Based on Valeria's observations, they typically gather at their den during mid-afternoon. We'll approach from four directions, using the terrain for cover."

  He dispyed a three-dimensional tactical map showing their pnned positions.

  "Valeria, you'll take the northern approach. I'll come in from the south. Elijah and Riva will position on the eastern and western ridges respectively, providing ranged support. We move on my signal, not before."

  The team studied the pn, asking crifying questions and suggesting minor adjustments based on their individual perspectives.

  "Remember," Alexander added, "these creatures are predators with coordinated hunting behaviors of their own. They'll respond strategically once they detect us. Maintain communication and adjust positions as needed."

  As they made final preparations, Elijah approached Alexander privately.

  "Thank you," he said quietly. "For choosing the harder path."

  Alexander gnced at his brother. "It's not just about ethics. Building our team on a foundation of hunting other pyers would create sting psychological issues. This is also the more sustainable approach long-term."

  Elijah smiled slightly. "You can justify it tactically if you want, but I know you made this choice because it was right, not just efficient."

  Before Alexander could respond, Valeria announced that it was time to move out if they wanted to reach the wolf territory by the optimal time.

  As they traveled through the forest, Alexander found himself contempting the quota system more deeply. It was clearly designed to force conflict, to ensure the Game fulfilled its popution control function. Pyers eliminated other pyers, reducing numbers while maintaining the illusion of agency and competition.

  Yet even within these harsh constraints, there remained room for choice. The path they were choosing might be less efficient, but it preserved something essential—their humanity within the Game's artificial reality.

  The HUD timer continued its steady countdown in the corner of his vision: 164:32:17... 164:32:16... 164:32:15...

  Ten eliminations within seven days. A simple requirement with profound implications. As they approached the wolf territory, weapons ready and formations tight, Alexander felt the weight of command more heavily than ever before. This wasn't a training exercise or simution. This was their new reality.

  The Game had shown its true nature, and now they would show theirs in how they chose to respond.