Winter Dread, page 24
“If we can’t code it, no one can,” Lacy said.
“Hell, yeah. You have the brightest minds here in this room,” Spike agreed. “We might have a ton of stuff to do already and training for the mega-merge, why not throw this in as well? Honestly, I think there’s a few other techies out there who would love a side quest?”
“You think you can get the other mech techs on this?” I asked Spike, holding his gaze.
“If you don’t think every single person on this planet would not join you for this, then you’re crazy. I do believe they will also have to do it as a side project. We all have more than enough work to keep us busy with the mechs and the builds as you guys train. We’re always tinkering with something in the background. Might as well make it something useful.”
I smiled at them all. They’d gone from being upset, worried for the nites and the future of everything we were doing, to being ready to go, to do the right thing. I couldn’t love any of them any less right now.
“Thanks, Kyle,” Los said. “We may have only recently acquired the friendship of the nites you work with. They mean as much to us now as they do to everyone else here. Knowing where we go from here with them, and that we have their backing and blessing in doing something as significant in stopping evil. That means a lot to us too.”
There was a chorus from beside me. The nites all agreed. My friends all agreed. “Okay, we really have a lot to do. Let’s not mess any of this up,” I said. “Every one of us is needed on this job. Every one of us needs to train, to learn more.”
So we broke into our four groups, the tech team with Corey and Vitya and our three mech merge teams. We then decided amongst us with the nites, who would be better to approach from the groups. If we weren’t approaching anyone quite at this moment in time, we’d watch them some more over the next week and figure it out.
It was late into the night by the time we were anywhere happy over doing this. And it was really tough to stay on track sometimes. The nites were hilarious. We poured more of the ale we had brought with us, and they told us all tales from their “employers’” side. For just one night we cried and laughed together. Then we planned for a better future.
25
While things were setting up, G’hale and the others were making their way through to us here on Armastai, and with Xe’s help were settled, at least for now, in the dungeon. I was ranking up with everything I trained in. Here it seemed super quick, like I was back at basic catch up with Jai and the team. Was Armastai levelling us faster? It was almost the only thing I could work out.
Kyle Ranz - Contains -
Name - Asht Morellia
Pure Denti Merge
Name - Xe
Species - Trion
Name - Kyle Ranz
Species - Unknown
Year of Death - 2629
Class = Fighter/Sorcerer
Age 18 + 2
Level = 64
Respawns = 5
Mech Command
Memories = 90%
Health = 88%
Kenosi = Rank 120
Kenosi Merge - Rank Master
Nanites/Trion x 335,470
Body Type = Denti
Structural Integrity = Silver
Internal AI Chip = AX 717 - Drudel X Class
Skin Strength = 96
Blood Capacity = 83
Healing Speed = 92
Overall Personal Level = 722
Strength = 116
Dexterity = 112
Constitution = 182
Intelligence = 268
Wisdom = 166
Charisma = 40
Luck = 62
Quick Points = 0
Mech Warrior Operational Level = 238
Mech Command - Rank 43
Battle Mage - Rank 82
Mech Pilot - Rank 74
Nanite Engineer - Rank 82
Nanite Factory - 96
Human/Machine Interface - Rank 87
Mech Merge - Rank 78
Mech Remote Control - Rank 16
Remote Control - All - Rank 22
Mega Merge - Rank 2
Molecular Insight - Rank 73
Molecular Manipulation - Rank 56
Acceleration/Deceleration - Rank 50
Combustion - Rank 13
Reversion - Rank 12
Soul Split - Rank 5
Vrolsh Coding Learned
CAD Tech - Rank 21
Kiain Language - Rank 6
Emaxyol Language - Rank 1
Drop Ship Pilot - Rank 15
Shuttle Operator - Rank 17
Freighter Operator - Rank 13
Computer Science - Rank 12
Electronics and Communication - Rank 17
Electrical Engineering - Rank 18
Mechanical Engineering - Rank 21
Information Technology - Rank 24
Hacker - Rank 39
Foot Soldier - Rank 35
Merc - Rank 33
Sniper - Rank 19
Gun Smith - Rank 19
Shadow Awareness - Maxed out
Future Insight - Rank 15
Reconstruction Expertise - Rank 25
Null Gravity Management – Rank 23
Sword Play - Rank 65
Emergency Medicine - Rank 18
Psychology - None Human - Rank 23
Psychology - Human/Denti - Rank 43
Muscle Healing - Rank 25
Poison Resistance - Rank 24
Viral Fighting - Rank 15
Night Sight - Rank 25
Deception - Rank 34
Negotiator - Rank 55
Detective - Rank 15
Space Politics - Rank 24
Animal Handling - Rank 15
Intelligence = You are smart already. + 20 Intelligence, + 20 Wisdom, + 20 Charisma, + 20 Luck
Special Traits Awarded x 2 – Any extras here do not show on your Stat Sheet Totals.
Shade Brain – 1 in a million, you managed to not only keep your memories, but you can also hide them. Your character sheet is elusive to even the strongest of will. UPGRADED - No one can penetrate your Shade now!
Spells - Active - Intensive Healing = Requires Kenosi of Rank 50
These new spells increase not only the strength and speed of your healing, but the distance you can use it.
Spells - Active - Slow Fire Healing = Requires Kenosi of Rank 120
Spells - Passive - Medium Fire Healing = Requires Kenosi of Rank 150
Spells - Passive - Rapid Fire Healing = Requires Kenosi of Rank 200
Spell - Active - Lightning Fury – Requires Kenosi of Rank 20 – Damage increased by 50%
Spell - Fortified Tattoo - You have been gifted the crest of a god. When active this increases your - Kenosi x 20, and all stats x 20 - you may only use this once per day. Lasts as long as your Kenosi does, Kenosi strength dependant.
Particle projectile cannon
Uses energy direct from Kenosi reserves
Can store within battery compartments to aid when needed
Special attributes – when inside a mech it will enlarge to the size needed by its soul bonded owner
Debt to Darkness - Owed - He will not forget
Yun
Sitha Male
Level 82
Health = 99%
Strength = 179
Constitution = 100
Dexterity = 70
Intelligence = 57
Wisdom = 19
Charisma = 22
Luck = 20
Kenosi = Rank Unknown – draws from his bonded partner and the denti master.
Special Attributes
Made within the shadows, born of noble blood, all Sitha are sacred creatures to never be harmed. They are loyal to the core, respected by all species. Hurt or maim one, and your life energies will suffer until you can do something to redeem yourself. Chances are, you never will.
Abilities = Skilled Keix = Level 60 = Skilled swordsman. Once kenosi is harnessed, this Sitha is a killer. Nothing can withstand the sharpness of his blade or the strength with which he will wield it in your defence.
Over the next week, I met with Trin, and Frenk on a few occasions after training. She had wanted to keep seeing how I’d been doing along with Luke while the rest of my team mooched around and brought a few other people over to our way of thinking. Our cause to the Dox system. Any mention of those catchers, and the criminals out there got an extreme response from most here. I’d had no idea.
And I actually liked both Trin and Frenk as people. Sharing a walk or a bit of sparring against this trained warrior was good for me. I’d have loved it if Tyto could have been with us every time. It wasn’t always possible.
Today I had to broach a difficult question, one I knew Frenk was ready for. As I sparred with him in a grassy field, he with short swords and myself with my daggers, I straight out asked, “You think you can take my place in the merge for a while?”
He faltered at my question, and I managed to slip into his line and slice through the armour at his arm. I cast a glance to Trin, but she didn’t move. Just stood watching us both.
“You want me in the merge in your place with Edward?”
I nodded at him and stepped back, taking my stance for him to come at me again. “Yes. I have to take some time out and head to Dos, you know that.”
“You know we all want to come with you,” he said.
“I do, but you also know it’s not possible for me to take them all.”
“Who are you taking? How can I cover any of this up?”
“I’m taking my closest six. There will be some who can replace them out on the training field, but it’s going to be hard to cover that up. You up to the job?”
“I’m not sure. I know you’re going to go anyway, right? So we’ll do the best we can.”
He made a lunge for me, and I countered. “Thank you.”
Frenk stopped, panting for a moment. “The people coming to take your place?”
“They don’t know the task I’ve set them. I asked them to come, that’s all.” I grinned at him then. “They’re the best of the best. The team leads of those top tier mech merges I fought on Flaoer.”
“They’re here?”
“Yes, they’re under the base, right now. Waiting for you and me to work this out, so we can swap.”
“How long will you be gone?”
“I’m hoping only a few weeks.” I moved to feign an attack, and he raised his swords to defend.
“How the hell can we pull off a switch like that for a few weeks?”
“Easy, you let them eat at the bunks. You are out training earlier than anyone else can, every single day.”
“What if he wants to talk to you?”
“I’m leaving Xe here with you.”
What? she spat at me, her image flashing up in my view.
Xe, it’s the only way, and you know it. You need to mimic me in every way possible. Every 3D place that he asks.
Kyle, I protest. You can’t leave me here. This is . . .
This is for all of us, Xe.
Her image pouted. She took in a large breath. I will miss you, she admitted.
Those words almost made me step back inside my own mind. This time Frenk slicked through my armour at a joint. Right through into flesh. Fuck. I did step back from him and his wielding weapons.
“Sorry,” he said as Trin rushed to help.
I will miss you too, Xe, I said. You’re one of the constants I love about this world.
I cast Intensive Healing while Trin watched.
You will come back, right?
Think Tyto and Hiroto would let me die out there?
She laughed. No. For that, I am grateful.
“Frenk, will you take Xe from me?” I asked. Trin looked confused.
“I’ll fill you in,” he said to her. Then to me, “Of course. It would be my honour to help her, and you like this.”
“Then let’s go. Get the others settled into the bunks. They’ve got some catching up to do, and you need to bring them up to speed on how to act in that merge.”
“You’re really trusting me here.”
I slid my daggers away. “You’ve earned it. Ready to join us properly?”
He grinned, and I slid the invite to join the Metal Titans over. He didn’t hesitate in selecting the yes, and I shook his hand once more.
We moved to the entrance below and made our way through to the first cave where I knew my other friends were going to be waiting.
I saw the stout-looking figure ahead of me and when she turned around, I couldn’t help but greet her with a grin. “G’hale,” I said. “It’s great to see you.”
“Your orders were on the strange side, Kyle, I admit. But being here, in this . . .” She looked around her, eyes wide. “You know what this is, don’t you?”
“It’s a planet,” I pretended. “With caves and hidden areas.”
“This is a living planet, like ours, and I believe, like many in this area, that just being here is like opening a candy box.”
“You have candy?” I asked.
She slapped me. “You dinnae think I got this chunky just from veggies, do ye?” Her eyes drifted to the man at my side. “You must be the man I’m expected to bow down ta?”
Frenk stepped forwards and lowered his head to her. “It’s an honour to meet you, G’hale Magmabeard.”
She chuckled. “Ye are all weird in your greetings. But it’s an honour to meet you as well. I believe you’ve been out on the front line already.”
He straightened his back, and though his face didn’t give anything away, I knew her words stung. “I have.”
“Then we all have the best teacher possible. Let me introduce ye to th’others.” She turned to the others with her, that were going to join the bunks. I was happy to see who she had brought. “This is Len of the Chaos Guards, Isa of the Water Skulls, Wiglow of the Cryptic Slayers, and Xante of Death’s Demise.”
“An honour,” he said to them, and shook each of their hands.
It was good to see them all again, but I didn’t have time to stand around and talk with them this much.
I heard sounds behind us, and I turned to meet the eyes of Hiroto, Tyto, Dylan, Quill, and Denn.
“You ready?” Denn asked.
I moved to Frenk, gripped both his arms in mine, tight. “You got this. Remember, Xe and the others who know me will help. All you have to really do is—”
“Be his pawn. I’m not happy about it. I’d have gladly taken the mission for you, I’m sure you know that. But we will take it as we have to and give you time out there.”
I looked at G’hale, and she added, “Make sure ye come back quick, ya idiot.”
I smiled at them all. “You bet you I will, and that those in the Dox system will be a lot less when we’re done.”
“For that, I think there will be billions who are grateful,” G’hale said.
“Let’s go, then. We’ve got a ship to catch.”
The six of us moved through the underground with no worries. I never even saw or heard anything from the dungeon as we did so. It was as if we got a bit of a pass. That was good. Getting off the base to the small shuttle that G’hale and the others had left was tough. We found it, were inside it, and back up in the atmosphere before too long. Our destination: to meet Artemis.
When we were clear and in space, Tyto brought up the comms.
“It’s good to see you,” Jai said.
“And us you—you almost at the rendezvous?”
“Will be there on time.”
That was good to hear. And we settled into a steady pace to meet them. Tyto was the perfect pilot, and when Artemis was in sight, we were aboard with ease.
The shuttle settled into the bay, and we made our way to meet Jai in the boardroom.
When the door opened, he had a few new faces in here, but more of those who I had missed, and mostly Shion.
I went straight to her, wrapping my arms around her. “What are you doing here?”
“You really think I could know you were coming back out here and not leave the Razor?”
“I’m sorry you did, but I am glad you’re here.” I kissed her deeply, then snuggled into her, breathing in the scent of her hair, her skin. The others didn’t even bat an eye, and when I moved away from her, I at least knew I was ready to face what we would.
“Let’s go over what we’ve got,” Jai said.
Tyto tapped the screen. “We’re heading into the Dox system. We’re looking for a catcher. We need to get it onboard so Kyle can figure out with Denn how to block them. There’s been talk over the Eekan over the years that it’s something they’ve tried and failed at. With us all here, we can figure it out, get it back to the Razor, and then redistribute it with a virus, something that will stop them and redirect our souls somewhere else.”
“You really think we can get across the distances they do with a soul?” Jai asked, staring at the screen, the green line the course Tyto wanted to take.
“We won’t know for sure till we’ve got it,” I replied. “And it’s re-programmed and tested, but I believe we can do this. With Molecular Insight and everything else that goes with it, the nites—we can change the future for those out here.”
“There are many of us.” Another familiar face spoke out to me, a young face. “Many of us who will give you anything for this.”
I didn’t need to know she’d at some point been stuck in the Dox system. She lowered her head, and I spoke to her. “This stops now. I wish I’d known sooner. Because while we were out here back then, I’d have stopped it earlier.”
“You have other missions,” she said. “We know that. We also pushed most of it to the side, so we never thought of it much after.”
“Denn.” I looked over at her, noticed the red in her eyes once more the stiffness of her shoulders, and I wished to all hell I’d known earlier. “Work with them in any capacity you need to,” I said. “I’ll be down to the hangar bay again when you’ve got something with them.”
