13 - Maria and Maya

Maria Valdez eyed Maya Sullivan, the two woman sat across from one another in the generic boardroom Maya created. Maria leaned forward and lifted a white cup off the table. She brought it to her lips.

“This is horrible coffee,” she stated.

‘Blame the Astronauts,” Maya replied.

“Seriously, its god awful.” Yet, Maria continued to drink it.

“If we get some better samples, we can probably recreate them, although Nan says flavor has a lot to do with the way it is prepared versus just the molecular makeup.”

“I’ve got some salvagers combing through the luxury hotels,” Maria said. “Good coffee for rich foreigners is always a must in those places. Luxury items have been low on the list of things we’ve been looking for.”

Maya nodded, once again slightly chagrined at the fact it had been nearly two weeks since she had last been to see Maria and her group. Like Anisa, they had been struggling and fighting for survival. The addition of a few guns and a settlement deed did not make the island of Ko Sumai any easier to live on. Sure, it reduced mana renders and dimensional instabilities, but the monsters that had already been on the island still had to be cleared.

A lot of blood, sweat, and effort had gone into clearing an area to just settle in. Then they had to secure the area around it, help other survivor groups, combat more monsters, and all while being low on food, medicine, and power for their weapons.

“Things have been busy,” Maya replied, sipping her coffee.

“I’ve seen the announcements. Eight settlements in two days; it beats the one settlement that was created in the last two weeks.”

Chimbote had been the first of what Maya was calling the Settlement Spree. With the large population and large amount of lands that were taken back from Samanco, Maya had created three settlements in Peru, with Chimbote being the ‘capitol’ of the place. She had then been hopping around the globe, setting up more settlements in some of the spots that George and Yuri had found human survivor groups forming in.

Zhengzhou, China was a group of a thousand people fighting against mana renders and mutations. The death toll was staggering and the devastation horrific.

Doula, Cameroon was a few hundred survivors who had killed some kind of massive burrowing monster in which they created a bunker within its lair and defended it against mutations.

Havana, Cuba was similar to Chimbote, in that there was a functional government and a military force holding the area. Their biggest issues were mutated manatees and ocean traveling alligators, which also provided them with an abundant food surplus.

Lusaka, Zambia was suffering from some kind of mushroom infestation that turned mana mutations into overpowered killing machines. From what they had learned, the mushrooms took over the brains and ‘overclocked’ the creatures, burning them up within days while they rampaged about.

Surat, India was actually a nice place. The local government was defending its area and the resources and weapons Maya brought were well regarded. They were fighting against some kind of insect that everyone called a Mimic, because it would take on human form and kill during the night.

Five different cities, five different problems, and a lot of items sold and friends made. Maya felt she should have been proud of her accomplishments, but seeing every worried, stressed, and starving face only hammered home the fact that humanity was suffering on such a massive scale. She was a thimble trying to bail out a sinking boat.

“So, guest workers,” Maria said.

Maya sighed at the term. “Well, they can’t live longterm on the Cage,” she said, “and they would be working here.”

“Oh, I understand,” Maria said. She sipped at her coffee, grimaced and continued sipping. “I’m just making this uncomfortable for you.”

“Yeah, I get it,” Maya grinned at the woman.

Maria chuckled. “We’ve got a lot of people who are gaining skills now. With this being a manufacturing settlement, there is a large percentage of the population that is gaining crafting Skills and abilities. I did not think that just changing the focus of a settlement could do that,” she said.

“Yeah, it’s System weirdness. Bell says that focusing on one area is how Foundations are built. The small boosts to your focuses will be big windfalls later on when you’re higher leveled.”

“Specialization,” Maria mused. “My family business was a bit of a mess, we dabbled in a lot of things, old family money being spread thin on a lot of ideas. My father liked to think he was a multitasker and could make a profit on a wide variety of business ventures. We were slowly going broke.” Maria laughed. “Slow and steady growth in one area, is always best.”

“Well, dabbling in everything has been working out well for me,” Maya said.

“I suppose. But do you think you would be in a far better position if you just focused on obtaining goods, reselling them to mankind, then acquiring more goods from across the multiverse? Instead of playing settlement founder, justice dealer, and weird science do-er?”

“Nope.” Maya sipped her cup and leaned back in her chair. “Everything I’ve done has placed me where I am now. The people I’ve met, the weird science I did, the knowledge gained, all of it. Plus I’m not that bad of a merchant.”

“No. You’re terrible,” Maria said.

Maya frowned. “I was getting a business degree when this all happened,” she said. “I also used to run my family’s food truck. I know a little bit about business.”

“I was an executive in my family’s company for the last ten years,” Maria said. “Your companion, Yosi, seems to be a capable person, but she’s not entirely knowledgeable in what she’s doing. I’m sure she has the levels and Skills, but a foundation of knowledge and experience is critical. What was she doing before she began working for you?”

“She was killing it being a popsicle,” Maya grinned. “Before that, I suppose a slave for a major asshole.”

“Slave?”

“Slavery exists, condoned by the System and allowed to perpetuate across the multiverse.”

Maria narrowed her eyes at Maya. Maya snorted.

“I’m not looking for slaves to work for me,” she said. “We just need manpower.”

“Human resources is becoming an issue,” Maria said.

“I always hated that term,” Maya replied. “People aren’t resources.”

Maria snorted. “In this case they are. The human race has been devastated, it’s not extinction levels, but it’s a major blow to our numbers. Through out history, population has always meant that there was a ready labor force to achieve great things. The pyramids of Egypt, the canals throughout China, and the millions of farmers and craftsmen supporting those great endeavors.”

“Everything’s heavily automated,” Maya replied. “Scotty can build and assemble product in the RSH, but Yosi ran the numbers; it would be more energy efficient if we had people physically assembling a portion of what we are creating. It would also allow Scotty to focus on the bigger stuff we’re planning.”

“The manufacturing AI,” Maria said. “Can you create more or purchase more of those?”

“Probably, but I’ve never really looked into it. Currently the only place that deals in system tech is the Union, Bell’s people don’t use the stuff, they rely on crafting.”

“And the potions they make are incredible,” Maria said.

Maya had returned to the Matriarch and with Bell’s assistance, sold off the entirety of the landshark parts. That money had then been used to stock up on all the potions they could get their hands on. The low-grade and mid-grade stuff were fairly inexpensive and there was a large surplus of them. Bell claimed it was due to all the lower leveled [Alchemists] churning out potions to gain experience and occupational ability levels.

Although the Matriarch didn’t give them a discount; the potions were still a big seller. Who didn’t want to be able to heal themselves within minutes? Pegarios’ people loved them and humanity was awestruck by them. It was the only product that Maya sold where she didn’t keep the margins as low as possible.

Quite a few burgeoning [Alchemists] had arisen in the last few weeks. Bell’s continued teaching had managed to get Hanna into [Adept Alchemist] and had set a few of the Chimbote residents on the path toward gaining their own skills. The biggest advantage was learning how to determine the mana trace of potential alchemical ingredients. Once they gained that skill, it was off to the races.

Experimentation would follow and figuring out what mana trace combinations achieved what results. Bell claimed that for the most part, the recipes needed to create various potions were similar across the multiverse. But those recipes were highly guarded and although he knew a lot of them, he was bound by his House’s rules and could not disclose them. He could teach, guide, and hint, but outright giving humanity the recipe to make their own healing potions would be betraying his House.

Maya understood. For now, buying from the Matriarch and having Bell as their not so subtle spy was fine. Humanity would eventually obtain their own [Alchemists] and associated people. It would be decades before they would reach the levels that the Domakun House were at.

Maria finished her cup of coffee. She sighed and leaned back in her chair. The two sat in silence for a moment before Maria spoke.

“We’ve made contact with the mainland,” she said. “Well, technically we got some refugees that arrived on fishing boats and rowboats from the mainland. They’re telling stories of monsters everywhere, I guess it’s the same across the world.”

Maya nodded, feeling that heavy weight around her neck.

“We’ve barely contained the area around Wat Plai Laem, the rest of this island is still filled with monsters and other horrors. We’ve got a few thousand people now, food and water aren’t too much of an issue anymore, its just the monster surges. The settlement deed has kept the mana renders at bay, but this place was already filled with all kinds of creatures before that.”

“We can set up a couple of more settlement deeds,” Maya said. “A defense settlement will work for those who wish to be more combat orientated. A generic deed for residential areas and the like.” Maya pulled out her tablet and began scrolling through the information. She produced a hologram onto the table. “We’re preparing to form a sort of government, a governing council to coordinate resources and information.”

“It’s been nearly three weeks since Integration,” Maria said. “About time.”

Maya nodded. “There are ten settlements under the Sullivan flag now. It doesn’t mean we’re going to rule the world or anything, but it allows us to do a lot more things, like expanding territory without the need to invest heavily into settlement deeds.”

“So we can re-take the entire island?” Maria asked.

“Yes.”

Maria grinned at the news and then frowned for a moment. “What about the old governments?” she asked. “There are reports about the Thai military still functioning. If we’re under the Sullivan flag, who’s to say they won’t attack us?”

“Well, I’m not going to fight against other established forces,” Maya said. “If, they’re not mass murdering assholes. If they’re regular government forces trying to reestablish order, I’ll help them as best as I can.”

“Eventually they’ll be conflict,” Maria said.

“How so?”

“You’re basically creating a nation, even if they’re not connected via conventional means. If the Thai government wants this island back, will you give it back to them?”

“If its a legitimate government,” Maya said.

“What if we don’t want to join the Thai government?” Maria asked.

“Uh…”

“A lot of the survivors on this island are foreigners, they came here for vacation and the like, but also there are a lot of locals, they’ve seen what you can do and the things you offer. Compared to the mainland, this island is a paradise. Food, water, relative protection. That means a lot these days.”

“What are you getting at?” Maya asked.

“I’ve been pushing the Maya Sullivan brand hard,” Maria said.

“Excuse me?” Maya asked.

“I’ve been telling them tales of an Interdimensional Merchant who will bring us things we need if we gain credits. If we kill the mana mutations. People needed an idea to rally around and with me being a foreigner, they weren’t all too happy with what I was selling. They can see the settlement deed belongs to you and after a little discussion with the others, we began selling the idea that we’re under your protection, that you will send us aid when we need it.”

“It’s been a long time since I was last here,” Maya said.

“Yeah, that was a bit of a problem,” Maria said. “It was getting a little difficult to keep selling them on the idea of your existence. But here you are, to reinforce the whole idea.”

Maya sighed. “I don’t like this kind of manipulation.”

“It gave people hope. There were a lot who were just about to give up, to let the monsters take them. But knowing there was someone out there, rooting for them, ready to lend them a hand, that got some back to their feet and back into the fight.”

“It seems ridiculous,” Maya said.

“Desperate people grab onto desperate concepts,” Maria said. “Once we’re done with this meeting, you’re going to have to hobnob with the people. Shake some hands, kiss some babies, make some speeches. That’ll get everyone’s morale back up.”

“Wait, what?”

“I’ve created a schedule for you. There’s a journalist who wants to interview you, the various department heads and leaders will want to see you too, and we’re going to have a little feast in your honor, I guess that would have to be in the Cage itself.”

“What?” Maya asked again.

“With the weird time dilation in this place, I don’t know if we’ll get everyone here. An hour here is only five minutes out there, seems weird,” Maria shook her head. “I think I can get everything ready in about five hours, have all the people who need to be here on their way by then, and set up the feast.”

“Hold on,” Maya said. “I wanted to talk to you about something else.”

Maria paused and looked at her. “What is it?”

“The main reason I came here is that we’re getting a little short on space around here. I’m reaching the limits of what my Cage can hold, especially now we’re adding the teleporter into the mix. I’ll need to upgrade this bad boy, but parts aren’t so easy to come by. Therefore we’re going to need to shove off some of the non-critical aspects onto a settlement. Since yours is the only manufacturing settlement and with its associated bonuses, we’re going to begin moving the ration bar manufacturing, the duracloth manufacturing, and some light industrial stuff onto your settlement.”

“Oh…”

“We’re going to also have to begin setting up a powergrid, we have several mana cores ready to go, but you’re going to need the infrastructure set up before it’ll be viable. I’m going to send Tender, Veskari, Nan, and Roci into your settlement, with about a hundred worker drones. They’ll begin setting up the core and the other manufacturing sites. Since your settlement will now be responsible for a majority of the resources we’re going to need in George and Yuri’s humanitarian aid project, we’re going to have to beef up security on this island.”

“Oh?” Maria grinned.

“We’ve been working hard on making more defense turrets, the RSH is a bit quiet nowadays, with the mana purge going on. Scotty has been working non-stop to churn out canister turrets and light railgun turrets. We’re not focusing on heavy defenses, but enough that will allow you to hold your own against some hordes, which will also allow you to contact us in any emergency.”

“You’re going to skimp on defenses and take up the burden of doing most of the fighting?” Maria asked. “What if two or more settlements are being hit?”

“We’ll figure something out.”

“You’re already asking for workers, what will we be left with?” Maria asked. “A lot of people are beginning to gain occupational abilities like [Salvager], [Repurposer], and [Rebuilder], we need those people to keep the small amount of electronics and power running.”

“The mana core will completely replace all of that,” Maya said, sending Maria the information to her tablet. “It’s big enough to power a starship, it’ll be big enough to power this entire island. With the high ambient mana on Earth, the core will always be running at maximum efficiency.”

Maria stared at the information, her mouth slightly agape. “Oh,” she said.

“Plus hopefully those workers you send us will level when they’re here. Every day they’re here, is only two hours on Earth. So they’ll level faster working here. They’ll be more helpful when they return.”

“Our population isn’t that great,” Maria said. “Why not just make another manufacturing settlement deed in Chimbote or someplace with a larger local population?”

“I was going to, but we need a place where we can secure the entire area if need be. I’ve been in talks with Peg’s people and they say they can get their hands on a wide area defense shield, one that will cover this entire island.”

Maria blinked. “Oh.”

“Also, I was thinking that this island can be the ‘capitol’ of the governing council that we’re setting up. I need to set up a capitol where all the settlement deed owners can meet and discuss their future endeavors.”

“Meet? I thought you said you couldn’t transport people from one area to another without them becoming paste.”

“Through toil and experimentation, I’ve discovered how to get people form one area to another. It’s really simple, actually. They just need to be drained of all mana.” Maya grinned.

“Oh.”