“Shaun is right, Ember. You’re underpowered for the fights ahead,” Havok helpfully added.
“Havok. You know Shaun is a vegetable who doesn’t want to do boring hard work, right?”
“Yes, also very true. I think, help Shaun for a day, then focus entirely on your training until we get to the planet. The stronger you become, the better off we all will be. Right now you are a weak link.”
I cringed as Havok spoke into both of our minds. Ember wasn’t going to take that well.
Surprisingly, she just sighed, “Fine. I can see your point. As long as we get his Mental Resilience and Clarity up a few levels, I’ll be happy to focus on me.”
“Let's do it, then,” I said, though I didn’t want to. Going into my Mindscape’s Cognition Room, I was followed instantly by Havok, who stood in the corner, and Ember, who stood hands-on-hips looking around.
“Right, Shaun. We need to clear a path to those shelves first. It all needs to go on those shelves.”
“I know, I know. I helped you with your room, remember?”
“I remember. I’m just never sure what you remember.”
After our little bickering session, we set to work, and it didn’t go too badly.
It went even better when Havok made an offer. “Hey guys. I’ve never brought this up before, only, I really like music. As long as I've heard it I can play it in my head. It helped with the centuries of extreme boredom with Jotun. Would you like to see if I can play it for you here?”
Ember and I looked at each other with mild concern. It was hard to say no though because it was a genuine heartfelt offer from Havok to entertain us.
“Sure, dude, let’s hear what you got,” I replied. I actually felt a little bit of warmth coming off him. I think he might have just smiled.
Somehow, music started playing, emanating from Havok. Apparently electronic, melodic, metal music was a thing with the Fystr. Who knew! It wasn’t actually half-bad, although all the songs seemed to focus on conquering planets and slaying foes. I guessed that may have just been Havok’s preference.
By the end of the day, my stats were looking up, and Ember seemed grudgingly-satisfied:
Name: Shaun Sutherland
Age: 29 GY
Transcendence Level 91
Strength: 200/1000
Agility: 70/1000
Speed: 105/1000
Intelligence: 45/1000
Constitution: 180/1000
Wisdom: 5/2000
Mental Resilience 40/1000
Mental Clarity 20%
Potential: 99%
“Wisdom five and an increase in Clarity. Do you feel any better? Clearer?” Ember asked.
“Not particularly. I’m sure it’ll help. I’m more hungry and tired,” I complained. “Happy with level ninety-one, though.”
“You're such a dumbass. Come on, then. Let’s go get some food,” Ember said, disappearing.
Over the following days, we spent most of the time in Ember's Cognition Room with Havok’s crazy, yet cool, fast-paced music playing. Our increasing skill at putting things put away, had Ember’s Cognition Room looking to be about halfway tidied. Her stats had improved significantly, too.
Name: Ember Davison
Age: 25 GY
Transcendence Level 97
Strength: 80/1000
Agility: 109/1000
Speed: 98/1000
Intelligence: 39/1000
Constitution: 105/1000
Wisdom: 50/1000
Mental Resilience 200/1000
Mental Clarity 38%
Potential: 83%
“I feel so much better, Shaun. It’s opened my mind up loads. We need to keep going with our Cognition Rooms as much as we can. I’m even beginning to see how the Fystr can section off a portion of their mind to operate in their Mindscapes. I can’t do it yet, but I can see how it’s possible.”
“You’ll get there, Ember. I know you will. And, you're nearly at level one hundred. We’ll have to have a party for that.”
“We’ll wait until you reach a hundred and have a joint party. I know you’ll be gutted, falling behind on your level. Still, that’s because of your Mental stats. We’ll get you fixed up soon enough, okay? Your level is going to skyrocket when you do.”
“Meh! Whatever. It’s not a competition. I’m happy you’re ahead on levels,” I said, truthfully. I had Havok, and more than anything I wanted Ember to be safe.
“I know you’re not bothered, you big idiot. I also know, you're avoiding working on your mental skills.”
“I'm not! I do want to do it, but it’s just…”
“Boring?” Ember interrupted.
I laughed, “Yeah. Pretty much.”
“Well, you can’t hide from it forever. We need us both as strong as we can possibly get if we’re ever going to stand up against the Fystr.”
C15
Ship Shop
By the time we approached the hidden planet Ember trained exclusively from her Mindspace. She could now use telekinesis while fighting, and even managed to do some small levitation-boosted jumps. She definitely lacked her usual skill and ferocity in this state, but she was improving all the time. The bonus she got from the super-jumps and the telekinesis made it well worth the sacrifice.
We had made sure, as promised, that we would train for an hour every day with Elyek. We didn’t really have much to offer them other than sparring partners. In return they trained us in the fighting skills of the Veilitian people. Focusing on quick sharp movements and being elusive. A fighting style that Ember was made for, both mentally and physically. It was less useful for me, as I liked to bludgeon people to death with Havok.
We all stood on the bridge as we arrived at the planet. Elyek had told us it didn’t have a name, just a numerical designation. They couldn’t remember what it was, but we soon found out, as the ship's communication panel buzzed into life.
“MC-8314-Fe. Please state your business on D10-8841,” the static voice said. I imagine the voice was full of static only because of our turd-burger-of-a-ship's communication device.
“We’re here to purchase a ship,” I said back.
“And how do you know of our planet?” the voice asked.
Elyek took over, “I was once a part of a crew that made regular stops here for certain acquisitions-work, that would be best not mentioned over an open signal.”
“Very well. I will send over the coordinates to land.”
“Thank you,” I said. But the communication had already went dead.
“Ignorant, fucking dick!” I shouted at the comms, causing everyone to look at me like I was an alien. Shit! Bad choice of words. Like a psychopath in a shopping mall.
“What?” I gestured at the comms. “That was properly fucking rude.” Everyone chose to make themselves busy instead of responding to me.
The landing was semi-smooth, so we congratulated Calegg. He beamed with pride. He was a daft ass, no doubt about it.
“Okay, Elyek, we’re heading out. Can you really not come? Is it that bad?”
“It is. The cameras and scanners may pick me up unless I’m invisible. Before you ask: I can’t stay as such indefinitely. You three go, and please do not die.”
“Don’t worry one bit. We’ll be back,” I said, confidently.
“I believe you. Now, good luck, you three.”
“Four!” shouted Havok in my head. He was back on my back, and happy about it.
Standing on the exit ramp, on yet another alien planet, I took a second to absorb the absolute insanity my life had become.
“Yeah, Havok. Four. I’m sure once Elyek gets to know you, they’ll not be so quick to discount you. You’re the best,” I said, internally, to the axe. To make my point clear, and to ease the axe’s anxiety, I held my hands up to get everyone’s attention and shouted, “Right! Going forward, we’ll be counting Havok in our crew: There are officially five of us. You may think me crazy, but once you see him in action, you’ll appreciate why.”
Elyek and Calegg chuckled together at my expense, thinking me even more crazy. Ember nodded sagely, “Damn right,” she added.
We headed down the ramp towards the dock supervisor. He was small, broad, and covered from head-to-toe in coarse hair. He looked like a cartoon character.
“We’re looking to buy a new ship. Can you give us directions?” I asked.
“Long overdue, isn’t it?” he said, eyeballing the shit-heap we’d rocked up in.
“Yes. It is,” Ember said. “Now, about the ship-dealers?”
“I’ll call you a ride. Otherwise you’ll probably get lost and start bothering people. The ship-dealers are a couple of miles away.” He quickly arranged for a cab, then we were forgotten about.
When it arrived, it was a sleek car-like design. It hovered about a foot from the ground. I was pretty excited about being driven in a hover-cab. The driver looked almost identical to the dock supervisor, apart from a few darker markings and a different uniform.
“Cool hover-cab, mate. Are they hard to drive?” I asked him.
“It’s not hovering. It’s magnetic,” he replied shortly, then continued to ignore me the rest of the way.
I looked out the window, marveling at the planet we were on. It was all built-up and the whole place had a smooth, flowing design to it. Everything seemed to be constructed from metal and glass, even the roads and sidewalks. Lots of other vehicles travelled the roads, and there were lots of the small, hairy aliens mooching around.
There were also quite a few tall, grey-colored aliens walking around. They were willowy, and seemed to move in an elegant, flowing way, which almost reminded me of the architecture. These were the only two types of aliens I saw on planet D-10 – whatever the fuck.
I wanted to ask questions, but I held my tongue until we got out of the cab. Then, I attacked Calegg with everything I’d bottled up, “So, why are there only two types of aliens? Which ones are the Hixus? I hope it's not the furry ones. They seem like ignorant, little pricks, whether they’re Hixus or not.”
Calegg sighed, “The tall, grey aliens are the Hixus. The smaller aliens are Tantaloes. They became the servants of the Hixus after they were conquered. I believe it has been that way for thousands of years.”
“That might explain why they’re such pricks. Or maybe they were always pricks, and that’s why the Hixus conquered them,” I mused.
“I’d imagine it’s the forced-servitude that has affected their personalities, Shaun. Now, stop being a childish jackass and let's go find our new ship,” Ember said, in a slightly irritated tone.
Once we were inside the ship-dealers, it was a truly amazing experience walking among all the new and shiny ships. Some looked awesome, others not so much.
We spoke to a salesman, who was not only the first different alien race we’d seen, yet also managed to fit all the stereotypes of the car salesmen on earth. Even if he did have green, fleshy dreadlocks, was inhumanely thin, and about seven-foot tall. I instantly found myself no longer wanting to buy a ship, in a purely responsive reaction to the salesman spiel.
He tried to sell us everything under the sun - sorry, in the galaxy.
“No!” Calegg explained, loudly and impatiently. “We want to look at the Guegumar Star.”
“We have better ships than that. Come and look over here.”
“If you don’t have one, stop wasting our time,” Ember snapped. “I’ll give you an arlar if you tell me where to get one.”
The salesman put on a pose of fake defeat. “Five, and you got a deal. Don’t blame kyou either if you’ve got the money. By far the best ship there is in that class, or any other,” he said under his breath.
Ember handed over five arlars, to give the guy his due. He gave us detailed directions and he called us another cab.
When we got out at the next spaceship dealership, it looked to be a step-up in class. That also led to a feeling of being scrutinized more closely. The salesman who greeted us was one of the Hixus, and while his voice was smooth and melodic, there was an air of superiority about him and his words, “Welcome to Alpha Flight. The first choice for luxury, premium-class space vessels. I will warn you; we sell only the finest models for the more discerning customer. I would, however, be happy to direct you to a more modest dealership.”
“Do you have the Guegumar Star in stock?” Ember asked, with a real snap in her voice.
The salesman looked mildly taken aback, “Yes. We do have one in stock. You do understand the price bracket you’re looking at here. There is only one ship of this class more expensive, though to be honest you’re paying more for a fashion accessory. The price of the Guegumar Star is all about the specs. The folding drive is revolutionary! There’s nothing like it in the entire galaxy.”
“How much is it, exactly?” I asked.
“One million senlar,” he replied, smugly.
I felt a brief flash of terror, but managed to calm myself. Elyek was paying after all, and Elyek suggested this ship. So, fuck it.
“Sounds perfect. It’s what we came here for, and we fully intend to buy it. Can you take us to see the ship, please?” I asked.
He reluctantly led us through the dealership entrance, which was filled with smaller landing craft options, into a massive open topped warehouse. We passed a number of clearly top-spec ships. When I turned to talk to Calegg, I found the mad bastard glowing brightly.
“Shit,” I hissed, and dragged him off to the side. “For fuck sake, Calegg. You’re glowing, mate. You look like you’re going to explode. Don’t explode. These are very expensive-looking ships,” I whispered violently.
“Sorry, sorry. I won’t. It’s just so exciting for me. I can’t believe that I’m going to fly a million-senlar ship.”
“Well, it’s going to be yours to fly soon so calm the fuck down, Calegg. Okay? If you explode, it’s game over for us all. Except you, obviously. Though I don't think you’d last long afterwards.” I was brought away from my Calegg-scolding by the salesdick.
“Here we are, The Guegumar Star! “He announced proudly.
When I looked up, I knew we were looking at absolute spaceship royalty. I hadn’t even thought to ask how big this baby was, but it must’ve been at least as big as the Thoth.
“How many people fit on this baby?” I asked in awe.
He gave me an odd look, “You want to buy a million-senlar ship, yet you don’t know its capacity?”
I felt a surge of irritation, “I know it’s big, it’s fast, and has the best folding drive in the galaxy! Those are the reasons I’m buying it. Now, if you can't answer my questions, please go and get a competent salesman for me to talk to.”
“I apologize, sir. You’re quite right, and I was remiss in my duties. There are exactly one-hundred crew rooms with facilities to comfortably support that number of people. The ship's systems are capable of supporting up to four-hundred people if you have a need to transport a large number, however, it is not recommended for long periods of time,” he said coldly. I’d obviously pissed him off a bit.
“Can we have a look around it then? My pilot also needs to have a look at the bridge.”
“There is no way I can let your pilot aboard until you’ve bought the ship,” he said, eyeballing Calegg distrustfully.
“Why?” I asked.
“He’s a damned infernal Torax man. Why do you think?”
“He’s flown our ship for years and we’ve never had a problem,” Ember lied. “We’ll just leave and find someone else who stocks this ship.”
“It won't be on D10-8841. Look, seriously,” he said conspiratorially. “This ship is worth a million senlar. If I sell it, I’ll be famous around here. If anything happens to it, and I let a Torax onboard before it was bought, I’ll not just be a laughingstock, I will be eliminated. Do you understand?”
He was certainly believable, and everything Calegg had told us previously, led me to believe the salesman, “Okay, can we at least have a look? Without Calegg?”
“Of course, s
ir. Right this way,” he smarmed, smarmily.
I felt truly awful for Calegg. I looked over to him, “I’m sorry, dude. But don’t worry, this bad boy will be yours to fly soon.”
“It’s okay. I’m used to it by now,” he said, glumly. His color went a really dark shade of red, which I assumed meant he was pretty upset.
With no other options, aside from cutting our collective nose off to spite our collective face, we went on board the ship. Looking around inside, it was a freaking dream. It was a different level, even compared to the Fystr ship we came to this quadrant in. It had a communal canteen, a gym and a loading bay with a small landing shuttle so we wouldn’t always have to take the ship down to the planet’s surface every time we wanted something. Even the bridge was in a whole different league. It was all just so much sleeker and sexier than anything we were used to, without being gaudy. Now, we just had to hope Calegg and Elyek could figure it out quickly.
“It’s amazing,” I said quietly to Ember.
“I know. I can't believe this is going to be ours. Finding Elyek was a damn godsend.”
“Let’s just hope nothing goes wrong with the transaction.”
“Well, we saw Elyek had the money. I sensed nothing but honesty from them,” Ember said, then fell silent as the Hixus salesman moved towards us.
“Are you happy with the ship? Does it meet your expectations?” he asked.
“Absolutely. It’s a beauty,” I replied.
“Excellent. If you will follow me, I’ll go and get the necessary documents in order for you.”
“Not yet,” I said quickly.
“Oh?”
“We’re waiting on a payment from our employers. It may take a day or two, but we’ll complete the purchase when we get the money. Once we do get the payment, we’ll need to leave promptly so familiarizing ourselves with the ship before purchase will be necessary,” Ember cut in, in a curt tone.
The salesman didn’t look happy, “I understand. Well, when you do have the necessary funds, please do come back and ask for me. My name is Qigufumasculis.” When he said his name, his voice changed timbre and it just sounded like noises.
Ember and I looked at each other in utter confusion. “Dude. I have no idea what the fuck you just said your name was,” I said, being as direct as possible.
Condition Evolution 2: A LitRPG / Gamelit Adventure Page 18
