C+7

  Alastair considered the stylized words before him. They appeared in the air over the table after Sparks had finished the puzzle.

  PuzzleLocked: Alpha Test

  The words began to scroll up into the sky, replaced by new words.

  Directed by: Chae-Won Hyeon-Ju Jae Sang

  Lead Programmer: Devin Russell

  Programming Team: Isha Cabrera, Delores Orr, Taylor Cisneros

  Art Director: Paco Romero

  Art Team: Saif Brewer, Austin Duncan, Daisie Dunn

  Lead Writer: Hákon Tómasson

  Writing Team: Stuart Barron, Mustafa Christian, Georgia Arroyo

  Animation: Liliya Kovalchuk

  Animation Team: Malaika Juarez, Vanessa Oconnor, Gladys Mitchell

  Additional Development and Puzzle Design: George Lungu & Asad Roth

  Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

  Sound Design by: Self Detonation

  Alistair looked over at Flor and Sparks. Both seemed transfixed by the scrolling text. So apparently he wasn’t the only one seeing it. Still, he was excited for this challenge to be done but still confused as to where Galoots was. He glanced up at the rolling text…

  Holst’s Solar Explorer

  Studio Technical Director: Rabia Barnett

  Studio Art Director: Fred Calderon

  Studio Music Director: Leonard Heath

  Operations Teams: Mica Weaver

  Server Team: Brett Marchand

  …and then pulled up his interface and chat.

  Galoots - Party: Hey, guys! The whirlwind brought me back to the monastery. I just saw the notification that we beat the Keep. Well done, team! Who is sticking around for that $500 a day to attack the Tower? I’m in. There is an option in the interface now to start the new game+ next to the logout button.

  Alastair - Party: Galoots! We’re glad you’re safe. Sparks finished the puzzle and now we’re watching the end credits. It’s a bit odd. Flor and I might be in for a few more days. Hopefully, we will be able to leave by choice after this.

  Galoots - Party: Well, I say we all meet up at the Widow’s Siege tavern after you’re done up there. The beer here is fresher, but can’t beat the luxury of that place.

  Alastair - Galoots: We’ll let you know when we’re on our way.

  Alastair looked up and saw the text was still scrolling.

  Solar Cell

  CEO: Verena Davis

  COO: Dan Wambli

  CTO: Abdullahi Villarreal

  CFO: Elisa Harrington

  Assistant: Khurshid

  Thanks for playing!

  Flor and Sparks looked at that text which then seemed to fade away. They turned and saw Alastair. He said, “Galoots wants to meet us at Widow’s Siege for a beer to discuss the New Game plus. Shall we?”