“I think the video clip you made at the Relict base can be offered to news agencies all over the galaxy, and we might even be able to shake some money out of them for the broadcasting rights. But first, you’ll have to include something saying that I am your captain, and we are all part of Leng Waid Shishish’s political clan. Otherwise, I'm afraid my influential relative may cause problems. He’s gonna be furious that the artifacts slipped through his fingers and reminding him of that and taunting him would be dangerous. As it is, the Leng will get some of the glory, and that is quite important for politicians.”
I guessed that it wasn’t only Leng Waid Shishish who wanted the glory. Most likely, my captain wanted to show off as well. I think Uline also immediately realized that.
“I agree, I’ll add that in a voiceover,” Uline Tar said, and the captain rumbled happily.
“And now, I'd like to take a look at what you found,” Uraz Tukhsh forwarded, as if it was a given we’d have taken things. “After all, I’d never believe you left the Relict base without a few… souvenirs.”
I’ll admit, I was very tense at that moment, but my companion began emptying her pockets and backpack without hesitation, setting the artifacts on the table before the captain. There were metal disks with unknown symbols, an unusual but functioning short-barreled gun with seven finger-grooves on the little handle (or maybe they were for whiskers, tentacles, or some other appendage), a fragment of a complicated device that looked to be a computer chip and... the craziest thing, a desiccated skull covered in tightly stretched blackened flesh. Uline placed that right in the center of the table.
“This disk and wand belong to Gnat,” Uline said as she separated her part of the spoils, “he just asked me to carry them for him.”
Uraz Tukhsh glanced over the disks, wand and chip fragment without much interest, turned the strange snub-nose in his hands, but almost immediately set it back down. As for the old skin-covered skull, though, the captain was intrigued. He asked permission, then carefully took the Relict head in his hands and turned it over for a long time, looking at it from all sides. Staring at it, I guessed how the ancient race might have looked. It had long jaws without normal teeth. Instead, there was a single curved and very worn slab for chewing food. All the bones were very thin and looked quite fragile. Were those even bones? Maybe some kind of chitin? There were no nostrils on the skull, but the sides had two huge holes, as if it had enormous peepers like a nocturnal animal or the faceted eyes of an insect.
“An invaluable find, Uline. Congratulations! Scientists of all races will be tripping over one another for the chance to study these remains!” the captain said in delight, carefully setting the skull back down. “And you, Gnat. Got anything interesting?”
Seeing my hesitation, Uline chuckled happily, rumbling through tightly clenched tusks:
“Gnat, in any other case, your doubts would be justified. But you clearly have a bad understanding of Geckho society. Our captain is an Aristocrat, a member of a ruling family. And that not only makes his life easier. It is also a massive responsibility and a ton of limitations. For example, an Aristocrat cannot break their word, otherwise they may lose all privileges and be shamefully disowned by their family. I know about your agreement with the captain. You were promised whatever you could carry off the asteroid. So, you can be sure that our captain will not try and take your property.”
What could I say? It was very convincing, so I cleared a place on the table and set out the armored spacesuit and bracelet. Only now could I see it in all its glory. Before this, in the dark, with the cramped conditions and turmoil, I simply didn’t have the time or opportunity to pull out my prize and look at it.
It was a black matte armor suit made of a strange cast material that didn’t look like metal, plastic or stone. Made for a bipedal creature with one pair of upper appendages and two pairs below. The Relicts also had either a long thick tail, or a huge abdomen like that of an ant. The helmet was made to be worn on a head very similar to the skull on the table with eyes the size of a small melon. Also, the gloves on the upper pair of hands had seven finger each.
Uraz Tukhsh spent a long time looking over this artifact, then said thoughtfully:
“It seems I’ve understood what the Meleyephatians based the design of their famous force-field armor suits on. Perhaps they also discovered a Relict base and simply remade one of these for their kind... Shame it’s too small for a Geckho... Maybe a Human could get one of those on, but you’d need to remove the extra legs and that thorax bit...”
At these words, my heart started jumping out of my chest in excitement. Carefully choosing my words, I asked the captain if I had understood correctly that this armored spacesuit could be refitted for use by a Human.
“Yes, that’s right, Human. An experienced mechanic could do such a thing, although they would need time and good tools,” the captain confirmed. “What’s more, you must understand that this would be specialized work and would cost a lot... a ton in fact... although...”
Uraz Tukhsh went silent midsentence and started pacing the bridge, thinking feverishly. Finally, the captain came to a decision and turned to me:
“Gnat, I’ve got an offer for you. You’ve proven yourself a capable Prospector and crew member. What's more, Uline thinks you have good luck, and I trust her opinion. So, I offer you a two-journey contract. I think these two voyages will be easily enough to see if she’s right. The conditions will be the same: you take as much as you can carry. If you agree, I’ll give the armor to Yoongeesh right now. He’s my best technician. I’ll have him do all the refitting and, by our next flight, it will all be ready. I will pay for the work with my own funds, and all I ask in return is those two artifacts Uline was carrying. Plus, if there is any material left over from the armor suit, I’ll take that as well. How does that sound?”
Was I dreaming?! I managed to complete Ivan Lozovsky’s assignment. I had proven myself a useful crew member and even secured for more work! I was ready to jump for joy, although I tried to appear unmoved and demonstrate something like consideration. Finally, I gave an answer:
“I agree, but with one clarification. When the Shiamiru is ready for another flight, you fly to my base and pick me up. Otherwise, my bosses might not let me go. You see, the road from my Human-3 Faction's territory to your spaceport is long and dangerous. You’ll also need to buy new materials for my scanner, because I'm all out.”
“Undoubtedly,” the captain confirmed and let me know we were done talking.
As soon as we were in the corridor, Uline turned to me in anger:
“Gnat, what was that?! He just cheated you like an uneducated primitive, willing to give up his tribe’s greatest riches for a couple shiny beads! Although... you don’t actually know much about this world, so I guess that’s what you are. Do you really not know how hard it is for players of noncombat classes to get experience and level up once they ‘hit the ceiling?’”
Seeing how new I was to the game that bends reality, I didn’t suspect anything of the sort. I honestly admitted that. Uline gave a growl of dismay, clenched her teeth, then lowered her tone and explained what I did wrong:
“Just know this for the future: many mechanics would sell their mother into slavery just to be able to work with an ancient artifact. You see, that gives new knowledge and guarantees a few level ups. You would have easily found an experienced mechanic to do all the work for free. Heck, they might have even paid you. The only way to improve crafting skills in this game is to do something you’ve never done before and, after a while, that becomes damn near impossible. But you just paid the captain two artifacts and some excess material for it... I’ll admit, as a Trader, I'm disappointed. You could have negotiated a better contract, too. Do you really think you’ll carry off a full inventory of artifacts after every trip? Most likely, it will be just another mineral run, and you’ll come away with just a bit of iron and nickel.”
“Uline, I’m not worried about compensation. I would have agre
ed to do it for free,” I admitted. “You yourself said that getting leveling up and gaining experience takes new knowledge. Well, the same is true for a Prospector. I need to visit new locations to grow and, back at home, I have already seen almost everything. Add to that the fact that my faction doesn’t have any scanner supplies, because for us 'primitives,' they are too expensive. So, this is the only way for me to use my class skills.”
“By the way, speaking of supplies,” the trader interrupted me. “Before talking with you, the captain asked me to order ten geological analyzers, so they would come with the rest of the equipment. It seems he had no doubt you would agree to his offer. Also, on Kasti-Utsh III, geological analyzers go for eight crystals a pop, and on the Waino-Tu station they’re just six. So...” the huge furry lady placed a heavy clawed hand on my shoulder and rumbled in satisfaction through her tusks, “I have decided to stick with Uraz Tukhsh’s crew for now. I mean, I still think our captain is a born loser, but now you're with us, and you’re good luck. Plus, it’s more fun now, and that tipped the scales!”
* * *
On the way back, I had more Geckho writing lessons. It was on my request, because it was pretty boring in the cramped room otherwise, and I wanted to give everyone something to do. This time, crew members from other bunks joined us as well. The furballs explained the subtleties of writing all the sweeping and broken lines, gave examples and taught me exceptions. They were all happy to see that I was fairly good at absorbing new information and time and again impressed the Geckho with my good handwriting and increasingly complex phrases and constructions.
Sometime later, even Ayukh the level-98 Navigator joined our lesson. The Shiamiru was on autopilot, so he had nothing to do, and wanted to see what was making half the crew crowd up in the corridor. Basha Tushihh reverently ceded his place to the respected Navigator, and the wise short Geckho with deep black fur, set about teaching me enthusiastically.
After Ayukh joined, the lessons became an order of magnitude harder, but my progress started going much faster. As it turned out, the Navigator had the Pedagogy skill, which allowed for faster transmission of knowledge. In the next few hours, I raised my Astrolinguistics by three levels to twenty-eight. My brains were fried by the end, though.
Intelligence increased to 19.
With that popup, I figured I could stop studying and begged the strict Navigator for mercy. Also, my head was splitting, and it was getting harder and harder to concentrate on the screen.
“Of course,” Ayukh agreed easily, standing up from the bench. “We can continue our lessons when you’ve digested this information and feel ready for another portion. Overall, I'm surprised you lasted as long as you did at that pace. Usually, my students don’t learn that fast, and end their lessons earlier.”
The crew started buzzing in approval. Receiving praise from the strict and always cranky Navigator was seen as something of a miracle.
Fame increased to 20.
After that was meal time, with more of the burning hot Geckho stew. I could sense my crew watching me closely, but I took down my portion and overturned the empty bowl just like the rest. The food gave me a second wind. I returned to my bunk and was even thinking about asking for more writing lessons when my heart suddenly jumped out of my chest in fear. I grabbed a wall handle, then the thrusters changed tone and started issuing a high-pitched whine.
Danger Sense skill increased to level three!
“Seemingly, the second gravity compensator is messed up as well,” Basha said gloomily, lowering a soft protective bumper from the wall just in case, buckling up and donning his helmet.
I followed the example of my more experienced roommate and was grateful for it. The strong vertical impact a few seconds later nearly knocked the wind out of me. My health fell by half. Luggage fell next to me. The floor shook and we came to a stop at a severe incline, just under forty degrees.
“May our captain get sucked into a black hole!” Uline touched her sprained side and groaned.
The other crewmembers started crying out obscenities as well. Nevertheless, Uraz Tukhsh hurried to reassure the crew there was nothing to worry about and the Shiamiru had just slightly hit its tail stabilizer on the ground.
“More repair costs... A tail stabilizer is forty thousand crystals minimum,” Uline remarked. “I heard three crew members are leaving in the nearest spaceport to find another employer. I can sense I’ll regret that I kept up my contract with this loser, probably a few times!”
Sensing the team’s mood and wanting them to forget the uncomfortable landing, Uraz Tukhsh announced that he would be treating every crew member to a meal in the spaceport. Maybe he also just wanted to celebrate the fruitful journey as well, how could I know? A few Geckho shouted enthusiastically in reply, but it really was just a few.
“Let’s go, Gnat. We can celebrate your first space flight!” Basha Tushihh suggested, and I didn’t refuse.
It was awkward to walk on the slanted floor, but I managed. There was a long strip of burning grass on the landing pad, marking our recent trajectory. At any rate, none of the crew members or spaceport employees were alarmed by the fire, so it must have been a minor issue.
Only a few technicians remained with the shuttle, trying to get the tilted starship to stand upright. The rest of the crew formed a raucous crowd and headed for the dispatcher tower. I was surprised that no customs officials came out to meet us. There were actually no checks at all. We walked to the tower unimpeded. Just after we reached the large elevator and started going up, I felt like I was doused in ice water.
Danger Sense skill increased to level four!
Danger Sense skill increased to level five!
I looked around to see this danger but found nothing. Nevertheless, my stress was only growing with every second. To the shocked gazes of the Geckho accompanying me, I equipped my armor helmet, took out my shotgun and quickly started to load it. I knew that I looked strange and awkward, and couldn’t rationally explain my actions, but I felt I had no choice. I was impressed by the Shiamiru crew. They didn’t question me, just put on their combat armor and drew their weapons.
When the elevator doors opened on the restaurant floor, I cannot say who was more surprised — me when seeing the ghastly Dark Faction Psionic Mage, Leng Thumor-Anhu La-Fin, right in front of me, or the fearsome old man seeing fifteen barrels trained at his head.
But I came to my senses first and even found it in me to give a polite bow. Though he was an enemy, he was a player of respected status. Thumor-Anhu La-Fin did not greet me, just held out his empty hands, showing the agitated Geckho he was unarmed. Then, he spoke in Russian with just a barely noticeably accent, saying:
“Gnat, so there you are... We’ve been searching every node for three days looking for you...”
“What is going on here?” the captain enquired.
“This man is my personal enemy!” I explained to Uraz Tukhsh and the rest of the Shiamiru crew, pointing my shotgun barrel at the Psionic Mage.
“This is Geckho territory, and conflicts between vassals are strictly forbidden!” Uraz Tukhsh barked loudly.
The old mage seemed to understand, because he again demonstrated his empty hands and said a short phrase, after which his retinue put away their weapons and left. But the old man wouldn’t take his ghastly glowing blue eyes off me.
“I am familiar with the laws of the Geckho race, and wish no quarrel with our esteemed suzerains. You're safe in the spaceport, but you cannot stay here forever. The rules say you can only stay in a safe zone for twenty-four hours, then you lose the status of protected guest. No, we will not keep watch for you at the gate. That would be too great an honor for a simple player. I’ll just wait until we meet again. My intuition tells me it won’t be long. But, seeing how fate brought us together, I have a proposal. I’ve asked around, and many people say you have my staff. It is valuable to me for many reasons, and I am willing to pay a good price for it.”
I held a resolute expression on my
face, but internally I was laughing at his naivete. Did this mage really think I would agree to return such a powerful weapon to an enemy? Sure, simply refusing would be the wrong move. At any rate, he was a Leng, a respected player. I should name such an insane price that it would at least be economically justified. But I wanted it to be beyond what he could afford to make him look foolish! One thousand crystals is the price of a great blaster. I’d have to ask for no less than that. Fifteen hundred? Three thousand? What about five? No, five thousand was too much...
“I’ll pay five thousand crystals,” said the ghastly man, clearly demonstrating how easily he read my thoughts. “I’ll have you know, Gnat, that no one else would give up even a tenth of that for that stick.”
“Three thousand, and you swear to call off the hunt,” I said, making a counteroffer. But the old man just shook his head.
“No. My granddaughter’s honor and my reputation are worth more than that. Five thousand, and the hunt will continue. But first...” the mage snickered, showing a row of teeth that were unexpectedly even and pristine for such an old man, “change your respawn point.”
Cold sweat ran over me. How was this psionic reading such secret information so easily?! If I died now, I would reappear... actually, where would that be? In the midst of the asteroid debris? Or on the Shiamiru on the landing strip? In any case, I didn’t want to find out. Not wasting a second, I opened the settings and changed my respawn to the spaceport waiting room. A bit more secure than before!
Uline walked up and asked why I was so alarmed, and if I needed some help. I took out the staff Wrath. I still hadn’t even determined its properties. But I asked the trader to act as a broker for this potentially problematic trade. The Mage unhurriedly counted out five large red crystals and handed them to Uline. These were very different from any crystals I’d seen before. I didn’t even suspect that Geckho crystals came in different shapes and values. But I didn’t want to reveal my ignorance, so I kept silent. The Geckho woman turned the precious stones in her hands, looked through them at the light and said confidently:
Countdown (Reality Benders Book #1) LitRPG Series Page 25
