“I always forget how fast these tools work.” It was less than 10 minutes later when he’dd successfully removed the airlock door and was partially done with the second one leading to the inside of the ship. The inner door was far less corroded from the elements. Beads of sweat shimmered on Alan’s face in the light of the plasma tool as he continued using the tool.

Cutting through the last bolt securing the hatch, Alan was able to swing open the door. Stale air cooled his skin as it filtered through the opening. He removed his protective gear for cutting and removed a small portable lantern.

Stepping through the airlock, he was surprised at how clean it all was. There was only a thin layer of dust, and the corrosion was minimal. He moved quietly through the vast ship. There seemed no disturbance, likely since the time when the ship was abandoned. Large empty holds, and few crew cabins seemed to suggest a transport or resource gathering ship.

Luckily, for Alan, most the doors on the inside were unlocked and needed no cutting. He was easily able to move through much of the ship without too much resistance. Placards in one of the galaxy's common languages directed him to various areas. The only locked door seemed to be in a corridor directly leading to the bridge.

Alan was disappointed to discover the main power engine had been completely removed. He guessed they had used backup power systems to land the ship. In the medical bay, he discovered some older equipment, which he’d hope to have some use eventually. The biggest was his discovery of repair and manufacturing equipment, located just off of some of the storage holds. The machines had been directly integrated into the ship’s systems. “Jackpot.” Alan exclaimed excitedly, looking over the machinery “This should be perfect for the next stage of my plan.” Checking his clock, it read 8:45. “All right. I think this place will do for now.” He removed his portable refinery, and made his way back to the 4-wheeler to place it back into storage.

He’d only managed to place his 4 wheeler back in his ring with a minute to spare and logged out. Alan found himself caught off guard, he was standing on a black obsidian floor in the player development location. He only spared a glance at his stats and items when he heard steps behind him.

Personal Modifier

Current

Available:

Description

Credit Balance:

650.00

Strength

(3/10)

135 LBS Bench

Items:

Basic Tools

Electronic Tools

Food Ration

4-Wheeler

Energy Pistol

Platinum 3lb

Copper 1 12oz lb

Silver 3 oz. (120credits)

8 gallons of gasoline

Speed

(3/10)

8 MPH Jog

Intelligence

(3/10)

100 IQ

(VE) Capacity

(4/8)

300 Unit Cap

115/300 VEU

(VE) Production

(5/8)

5 Units Per Hour

He turned to see the beautiful figure approaching him. Glancing at her face, he recognized that it was Kara. But her appearance had changed from a simple brilliant silhouette to a more subtle robe with silver fringe. Along with silver and gold accessories throughout. The paleness of her skin graced her slender arms down to her unshod feet. The white light which had made up most of her body before, had changed, forming winglike shapes that framed her perfectly. She had silver hair falling across her shoulder. Her piercing blue eyes seemed to be the only feature which remained distinct.

She paused in front of him. As if to allow him to inspect her changes.

“Kara? Is that you?” Alan couldn’t have asked a more absurd question. He immediately wondered if his teenage body had overwritten the experiences of his adult mind.

“Oh, I’m sorry Alan” She looked confused, “I thought you would have been able to recognize me, despite the changes.”

“Oh, Well... Yes I did recognize you, but was surprised...Not in a bad way... I mean you looked really different. Not that it's bad. I mean you look really nice. I just didn’t think that you would change so much. Not that its a problem...” He trailed off. The more he spoke, the more his adult brain screamed that he needed to shut up. Only to have his boyish teenage brain continue to rattle on.

“Hmm, I see.” She paused, smiling slightly, “It sounds like you were confused.” Alan only could nod foolishly. His mouth now deciding words were too difficult to use.

She continued, “We, Valkyrie continue to try to adapt to your culture to better put you at ease. I hope this form helps you feel more comfortable.” She turned gracefully

Of course it is this new form is wonderful, glorious, heavenly.... Is what Alan would have said, But he could only nod dumbly. Curse his stupid teenage brain!

“That is good,” She laughed lightly, like a small trembling bell. She asked in a teasing voice. “Would you prefer the way I was before?”

“No!” A word, at last! “You look very nice.” He quickly adjusted his volume, “And I find this much more prefer...or I mean comfortable.” He hoped he didn’t sound like a creep.

She smiled, “Thank you for being so clear. You are the first human to see this form and I wanted to make sure it was ok.”

“Thank you. I think humans will lov...appreciate it.”

“It is one of my functions to help those I serve feel more at ease.” She continued to speak, “I came because I believe I have an adequate answer to your questions before. You had asked what I like to do for fun. Truthfully, I had never thought of it before, and was unsure as to what I found fun, or in this case engaging, desirable and fulfilling. After much searching, I believe the answer to this question is more simple than I anticipated.” She paused, as if about to reveal a great secret. “I enjoy having questions answered! I believe I am curious by design and I derive great pleasure in asking questions and learning something new.” Kara finished her questions with a brilliant self satisfied grin.

“So you like to have questions answered? Like learning?” He thought a moment before continuing, “I’m glad you were able to explore such an insight.” Alan was genuinely impressed by her thoughtful answer.

“Yes. Alan, if it wasn’t for your inquiry I might have never come to this knowledge. Recently, I have explored this more and have found greater satisfaction by exploring more and asking questions for myself. It is my hope to reward you appropriately for this turn of events, as well as for the feedback you provided on my change of appearance.” She added the last part with a grin.

“I don’t think what I did was all that important. How about this, why don’t we periodically ask questions of each other instead?” As much as he wanted a boon from Kara, he wasn’t about to give up learning more from her.

She pondered, and after a moment responded. “I think that will be acceptable. In lieu of the 15,000 credits reward we will continue to ask questions of each other to better satisfy the others’ curiosity.” Alan nearly choked. Fifteen Thousand Credits?. In terms of cash that was nearly $45,000. Him and his big mouth.

“That sounds great.” He tried to sound more excited than he felt.

“Alan, in the spirit of asking questions could you please answer another for me?”

“Of course”

“You are too curious. I cannot think of nearly another human or other individuals from a previous race who so quickly identified and exploited deviation in the market as you did with the market. How did you do so?”

Wow she really has been watching me closely.Alan thought. He never guessed that the Valkyrie would have so much knowledge. I wonder if she knows how much debt I went into to amass those funds. If so, it might be even more suspicious.

He had to be very careful what he did later on. He didn’t know if time travel was a thing that Cosmos had rules around. What he did know was Cosmos cared about fairness. He doubted a player with insight into the future was something considered ‘fair.’

“I suppose it has to do with knowledge and taking risks.”

“Knowledge and risks?”

“Well sure. I had heard about Cosmos’s claims about a Matter Ring, being able to bring items from another world. And I also kind of thought that maybe our gold was a little overvalued. Once I got there, it didn’t take long to see platinum was worth a lot more since it was more rare. In the end my risk paid off.”

He mentally crossed his fingers. Hoping his explanation seemed plausible. She seemed to consider his explanation. “I suppose, being that humans have high propensity for risk and along with your deviation in intelligence, I suppose it is a technical possibility you figured it out so quickly.” Alan let out a slight sigh.

“You say almost no one identifies this, how do you know?”

“Alan, I cannot state matter of fact that I know if anyone has done this, but in the records I have accessed, most participants in Cosmos-- who all have similarly restricted openings, meaning there governments do not divulge the validity of Cosmos claims,-- do not take such a risk or have means to exploit it.” She paused before going forward. “Besides, very few species place gold, as humans due, at a higher value as platinum.”

From what Alan gatherened and confirmed from his last life, other planets had similar openings as his world. The government was not allowed to reveal its participation and the same doubts and worries existed on most planets about Cosmo’s claims. It was surprising to discover that Kara, an AI for Cosmos, didn't everything going on there. It seemed she had limitations on how much she could access. Which would explain why she loved to learn so much.

Her explanation did spark an idea.

“Can I ask a follow up question?”

She nodded. “Of course, your previous questions doesn’t begin to scratch the debt which is owed.”

He winced at that. “I get what you mean about not knowing beforehand, like my gold and platinum exchange, but what stops them from eventually exploiting these diffencencies?”

“Cosmos recognizes the potential chaos we may have on home-planet’s markets. Even now your world debates, as you might too, of the validity of what Cosmos claims, but once it is established there tends to be significant economic and political distress.To limit disruption, we enable some restrictions. Such as only the first 1000 players receiving any credits. Who in turn may buy vervetic energy, enabling matter transfer in their rings. You of course have bi-passed the VE requirement another way. But most do not see the potential for wealth exchange till far later, and by that point the wealth exchange and other exploits are sufficiently contained.” She finished.

“Thank you Kara.” He saw his opening and asked as innocently as possible. “Are there other things you plan on doing to limit the disruption to Earth’s economy and markets? What makes large wealth exchanges not a problem, like let's say in a few weeks?”

For a moment, so brief and nearly unreadable you would doubt it had ever been there, she looked as if she’d swallowed a lemon.

“I’m sorry Alan. I cannot disclose such things.” She smoothly had recovered and had dismissed the question.

“It’s ok Kara. I wouldn’t want to ask anything unfair.” He knew exactly what he was asking about and what was coming in the future. However, now she’d just given him a little hint, all on her own.

“Alan, I’m sorry, but I’m afraid I need to attend to other things. However, I hope to speak again to you soon.” She rushed. Alan wondered if she had picked up on his little trick. By admitting she couldn’t discuss something, it was nearly as good as saying there was something.

“I understand Kara. I’ll also look forward to speaking to you soon.”