by Xander Boyce
"Who designated it PN-SN83?" Drew asked, a little overwhelmed by the entire procedure.
"PN-SN83 is an acronym. The facility’s full name is Primary Nexus-Sub Node 83. As a previously unclaimed node, this was generated by the system in accordance with standard operating procedures for the newly created dimensional slice. Does that adequately answer your question?"
"Oh, holy shit, I totally forgot about that. Yes, gods, yes it does. And yes, I'll rename this to the DIA node."
"PN-SN83 will be renamed to DIA Node, in accordance with the new ownership transfer protocol." The area around Drew shifted, going from a bright blue tinge to a glistening ruby.
"Warning, download of AI database is incomplete, your claim of this dungeon is significantly earlier than projections. Please be aware that some functionality will not be available. I have taken the liberty to request an emergency update due to these unforeseen circumstances."
"As the owner of DIA Node, you are able to set its designated purpose. The node is currently designated as a dungeon training center or DTC. Would you like to change the designated purpose?"
"A couple of questions: First, how much earlier am I than the projections? The second question is, what are my options?" Drew asked, and immediately a list appeared in front of him.
"Your ownership is 53 local years earlier than the previous record for a primary node's occupation, and 3 local years earlier than the earliest node claimed on a new split. As this is the first node that you control, options are limited. Controlling multiple nodes will increase the options available to you."
1. Dungeon Training Center
2. Xatherite Concentrator
3. Mana Funnel
4. Biological Growth Accelerator
Drew frowned as he looked over the list. "What exactly are the differences between those four? And is there a way to see what I else I can unlock by controlling multiple nodes? Also, what does a fourth-tier function mean?"
"A dungeon training center is designed to advance the combat capabilities of the locals near it. Manaborn, or mana caught creatures can be designated as enemies. As a fourth-tier node, intelligent creatures with a danger rating of three or below can be generated. While a DTC acts as a closed circuit for all mana within its sphere of influence, they do, however, grant a .5 multiplier on all controlled adjacent node's mana generation facilities."
"A xatherite concentrator will take the ambient mana in the area and create a chamber where xatherite crystals will grow. Type and rate of growth are dependent on the mana generation of the facility. They do not grant any bonuses to adjacent nodes. As a fourth-tier node, you can select a preference as to what color of xatherite crystal will be generated."
"A mana funnel will cause all nodes within a radius to receive a multiplier based on node tier. As a fourth-tier node, you will grant all nodes within three adjacent links a .75 multiplier."
"A biological growth accelerator or BGA will convert its mana generation capabilities towards developing the growth of all designated biological organisms within its field of influence. As a fourth-tier node, the generation of grade three results are highly likely."
Aevis finished her recitation, "Does that adequately answer your question?"
"No. I have some follow up questions. The DTC, you said it only affects friendly nodes, whereas the funnel will affect all nodes, is that correct? How many nodes would setting DIA node as a funnel affect?"
"You are correct. Currently, there are 85 nodes that would benefit from the funnel's area of effect."
Drew shook his head, 85 nodes with more mana? That would undoubtedly make the DC area completely inhospitable to human life. BGA would be great if he could leverage it so that they could feed everyone. There were still a lot of questions that needed to be answered though. "Aevis, what are my responsibilities as a node owner?"
"As the node owner, you will be responsible for the protection of the node. You are also responsible for keeping the node in good working condition. However, due to current lack of database and the earliness of your occupation. I, as a representative of the system, will maintain responsibility of the good working condition of the node until after the first oversight review has been completed."
"I see, and when will that review happen?" Drew asked Aevis.
"The first scheduled review will occur in 91 years, 11 months, 18 days and 6 hours by the local calendar. However, as part of my emergency update request, an emergency oversight review will be scheduled within the next local decade, pending review authority availability."
"Right, so not something I'm going to worry about soon. Okay, so let’s go back to it being my responsibility to protect the node. What resources do I have available to do that?"
"The node currently has 6,143 mana stored. You are able to purchase any upgrade available to you for the mana cost contained in the database records," Aevis said.
"The database records that you don't currently have?" Drew said with a frown.
"That is correct. You have demonstrated a flaw in the system. Please wait while I attempt to determine the proper workaround." Aevis became as still as a statue. Drew waited, but after a minute he got bored, so he began watching the screens around the room. There was a seat near the center of the room, and he took it, not sure how long it would take Aevis to determine the proper course of action. He watched as his people went about the business of getting ready to leave the tunnels.
Searching for the people that he knew, he saw that Sarah was hip deep in the middle of managing a dozen people, and there was a hive of activity around her. Drew smiled; she had really come into her own these last few days. The major was similarly occupied, while Robbi and Trista were doing weapons drills. Daryl had found a small room off to the tunnel towards the pit and was in the process of burying his wife. Drew looked away, not wanting to intrude without the other man knowing. The last person he found was the captain, who was sitting in a dark corner and crying. Drew wondered what the man was like before the advent, wondered just how terrified he must have been over the last few weeks stuck in the pit digging while people disappeared or died around him.
Drew sighed. The stupid system was making him feel empathy for that asshole. He turned as Aevis began talking again.
Chapter Forty-Five — One
"It has been determined that through improper planning and through no fault of your own you have been placed in circumstances where the completion of your duties has been deemed irresponsibly difficult," Aevis said, with her typical emotionless voice. "As such, you have been allocated a mana stipend to contact a superior officer. As there is only one superior officer within range, we have contacted them, and they have agreed to speak with you. Would you like me to connect you now?"
Drew blinked, "Sure. I guess."
Instantly one of the main windows before him shifted from displaying a section of the building to view a throne-like conference room like the one he had seen Ares using. Sitting at the command chair was a man wearing a long, well-worn, leather trench coat. His hair was short, and he had a full-length beard. He was looking back at Drew with a predatory glare that spoke of many battles. What was most surprising was that under the scars and glare were familiar facial features.
"Go tsao de, you must be Three," Drew's own voice spoke from the other man. He remembered the curse he spoke from back when he was really into a TV series called Firefly that cursed in Chinese.
"Three?" Drew asked, confused.
"Yeah, Drew Michalik-3, the third iteration. You move fast, Two just barely got online last year." The other man, who Drew decided to call One, used some sort of interface to pull up some information. "Shiong mao niao, you conquered a Primary Nexus sub node? How old is your slice? We haven't been able to get past the Appalachians yet."
"It's only been two weeks or so. I was sliced in a bunker in DC and have sort of just been trying to survive since then." It was surreal talking to himself. The other man had similar mannerisms, however, there was something about him that seeme
d just enough off that it broke the uncanny valley.
One whistled softly, glancing down at the info screen he was looking at, "Well, sounds like you're in for a rough ride. What took you to DC?"
"I joined the coast guard four years ago. Was stationed here after school," Drew said.
"Oh yeah? Two said he was in the process of trying to join up when the slice happened. We both started up here in the intermountain region. I'm set up in Colorado Springs, and Two is down in Vegas. He's gonna get a kick out of this. But anyway, mana is burning, what’s this garbage about an emergency protocol enactment?" One said flipping from social back to business like abruptly.
"Well, I took over this node, but apparently they hadn't downloaded the database yet. They assumed it would take longer, so I guess it wasn't a priority. So now I have the facility, but no way to know what everything costs. They figured that was a breach of my responsibilities to protect the node and put me on with a superior officer."
"Ahh, yeah, the system is a little backed up around here, although the speed got kicked up a notch a week or so ago. I'm assuming that's your doing actually now that I know your situation." One paused considering the situation, "Alright so, you've got like a couple thousand mana to work with and you're trying to build a defense?"
"That's about the size of it, yeah," Drew said, wondering what his other self was considering.
"Well, a couple things. One, you're probably the only person on the planet that can even try to take control of the node. An awakened race must have officer rank to enter the command structure. There are only sixteen of us officers on Earth-1, and last I heard, Earth-2 only had a handful. So, the odds of someone being able to ninja it from you are slim. And you'll have a little bit of time before the WBs start showing up. Two and I compared notes, and they didn't start spawning until midway through the first year."
"Sorry, what is a WB?" Drew knew the term from gaming but was really hoping it wasn't the same context as he understood it.
"World bosses, big monsters that take over territory. That's what's keeping us out of DC and, well, most of the major cities. They claim nodes which gives them more strength, and once they get entrenched, it's a long hard slog to dislodge them. As far as we know, that's the only thing that can claim a node other than another officer." One said looking down, considering things, "Look, right now you have a DTC that no one else is going to claim. It is going to take more mana than you have to reconfigure it into anything. I would suggest you set it up with some sort of beast you feel okay eating. Giant chickens or pigs. Plant a few people there and use it to get your people experience and xatherite.
“You're going to be in a world of hurt once the WB spawns, and you're gonna need a massive cadre of people who can fight. You're probably better off running southwest if you can get to another population center out there. Charlotte probably would be best. You can set up there and have a chance at creating a power base that will survive the WB spawns. But hey, if you can hold onto the primary nexus..." One trailed off thinking, "Earth-3 would be...well, it would be a good thing."
"I don't think I'm going to run away," Drew said, after a few seconds of thought, "Ares indicated that I needed to stay here to gain the most benefit."
One quirked an eyebrow, scratching at his beard, "Sorry, who is Ares?"
"Ares is the Order of the Dragon Admiral that contacted me."
One went still, and Drew could see him rapidly considering that information. "You've already had your Accolade ceremony?" His voice was devoid of emotion. Drew recognized it as the voice he used when anger was threatening to overcloud his judgment, and blinked, trying to determine what had caused it.
Drew shook his head, "No, they just contacted me due to the high difficulty level of my starting area. Told me that as a valuable asset I would need extra assistance, or it was unlikely I would survive." He had gotten a lot better at half-truths in the military. Part of not being able to talk about his work was that he needed to be able to deflect questions in a believable way. One never had that requirement, and although he was sure the other version of himself could win in a fight. He hadn't had to develop his social skills to the level that Drew had.
One's voice had a little bit more emotion to it as responded, "Well, that makes a certain kind of sense. I can't imagine having to start off with that much ambient mana." Drew wasn't out of the woods yet, but he still needed One to help him with the node system.
“Anyway, so how do I configure the monster type the node creates?" Drew asked, trying to distract One.
"Once you select the purpose, it will give you a list of what kind of monsters you create. You can sort them by a number of different options. With your mana levels, you probably won't be able to deviate too much from what it started out with, which according to this was something called Ashalla, whatever those are."
Drew frowned, if the system wouldn't let him change it from the Trolls...he wasn't sure he could deal with more intelligent monsters that were capturing humans in the area. "We called them Trolls; they were an intelligent bipedal race that were...well, a lot like trolls."
One nodded his head, "Huh, pretty rare. We didn't get a lot of intelligent creatures out here in Colorado, although one of the guys who set up down in El Paso said they had some goblin critters." He scratched his beard again thinking, "Probably because it's already a fourth-grade node. I just barely got my first fifth-grade node setup here and I've been fighting for eight years. You have some kind of luck to start in the primary nexus. High risk, but great rewards."
Drew nodded his head, "Yeah. Let me see what I can do with the options while you're still on the line." He touched the option to keep the node as a dungeon training center.
You have selected Dungeon Training Center as this node’s primary function. As that was the previous function, no additional mana must be spent to convert it. What creature type would you like to populate the dungeon?
What followed was a massive list of creatures ranging from squirrels and rabbits to dragons and leviathans. Almost all of them were grayed out, requiring a higher tier node. He clicked the buttons to only display those that would require less than 10,000 mana to convert into.
"Alright, I have a list of stuff that shouldn't take too long to make. How do I figure out how much mana I generate in a day?"
Aevis answered him, though she had otherwise been silent throughout the entire conversation, "DIA Node is currently generating 500 mana per day, not counting additional bonuses from mana usage within the facility."
One whistled, "Shunsheng duh gaowhan, the perks of a primary nexus node. That's a lot of mana. Most of my nodes generate a third that much. With that much wiggle room, I do have some suggestions for you. First, you'll want to buy a remote monitor interface. It's 3000 mana, but well worth it. It will allow you to control the node from your interface instead of having to be in the control room to do it. A weeks’ worth of mana well spent, especially since you probably aren't going to want to live in a DTC and this is your first node."
Drew glanced over the screen in front of him, "Alright, let's do that. How..." He was interrupted by Aevis.
"Please confirm that you would like to purchase a remote monitor for DIA node," she said.
"Yes, I do," Drew said, and a new notification appeared at the edge of his vision.
"Alright, next. Like I said, pick a food animal to populate the dungeon. That will give you a source of food which will otherwise probably be rough in a metro area like DC," One said. Drew nodded and changed the options on the list of possible creature types to include only quadrupeds. Each of the options had a small image next to him, and he scrolled down until he found one that contained a cow-like creature.
"Oh yes, beef is gonna be back on the menu," Drew said, selecting the cow-like creature, which had a mana cost of 8,000 to convert the facility, "Alright. Got it all locked in," he glanced up at One and smiled.
"Thanks, One. It was nice talking to you."
"Likewise, Three. You proba
bly won't be able to call me back for a bit, but once you get a communications node, you should have plenty of mana to start a call. I'd recommend your next couple nodes be either DTCs or BGAs until you have five linked nodes. That will let you set up a habitat; everything gets easier after you can get a system recognized habitat node. You'll definitely want at least one of those and an armory before the WB spawns. Comm nodes are great, but they're a luxury you won't need for a bit since odds are there won't be another officer on earth-3 for years. But me and Two would be happy to share our knowledge if you get one up and operating."
"Anyway, the mana stipend is about up. Try not to die. It's super hard to find people to talk to. Oh yeah, that reminds me, Two is gonna want to know if you and Melanie ended up working out?"
"Melanie? Nah man. She married her dance partner and has a kid and two ferrets," Drew said. Melanie was a girl he had dated before joining the coast guard. They broke up due to the distances involved.
"Dang, Two's not gonna like that. He's been pining after her for years." A countdown appeared on the screen, telling them they only had thirty seconds remaining.
Drew laughed, "Yeah, wait ‘till I tell you about Emily, it's a good story."
One perked up, "Emily? Redhead Emily or blonde Emily?"
"Blonde. It's a good story. I'll tell you as soon as I can," Drew said, and the countdown hit zero, causing One’s image to blink out of existence. He looked around the room, watching his people work. The three guys outside the pyramid had backed away and looked nervous.
"Aevis, is there anything else I need to do?" He asked the AI.
"Negative, the facility will convert to use the Korath as its base monster type. It should take between nine and ten days before conversion is complete. You can check the status of it at any time through your remote monitor interface."
Drew nodded and with a last glance around, "Alright, so how do I leave this room?"
Aevis gestured to a small square near where he appeared, "Simply stand in that location and it will transport you out of the facility. Have a pleasant day, Midshipman Drew Michalik-3."
