Checking the time, he’d just a few hours to meet up with his mom for dinner. He did his best to just put one step in front of the other while trying to ignore the mess he’d made earlier by attacking Tenson’s people.

His hands clenched and felt his stomach sink as his mind drifted back to the previous battle. “I can’t believe I did something so stupid, I nearly died, again...and for what, just to get some pay back from the future?” His jaw tightened, “They didn’t even have the generator, and now they probably know I have it. They won’t recognize me for now, but for how long? And why didn’t I distribute my stat points! I should have done that at the beginning of the day.”

So instead of berating himself, he’d focus on making some important purchases.

So, just to be prudent, he stopped first at a medical shop near the health center. He bought 20 doses of nanobots for 50 credits each. Quite the steal, compared to what they’d charge on Kragga. He also picked up some additional medical supplies for a total of 1500 credits.

From there he shuttled to an arms district. After remembering the battle, and basically being nearly disabled after 1 shot he strolled in and purchased a basic VE energy shield.

VE Energy Shield: Charge 0/10, can disrupt up to 25 rounds of basic plasma or projectile weapons. 1000 Credits

He also picked up a basic combat outfit. His current outfit had been bloodied, ripped and torn from his afternoon combat outing. Though more expensive, it came with the ability to mend itself to a limited degree. Not to mention, it would stop his mother from asking some awkward questions if he showed up to dinner in his old outfit.

While thinking about his family's protection, he went ahead and purchased 2 plasma rifles at 400 credits each and 3 pistols for 300 credits each. As well as 5 basic VE Energy shields which only blocked up to 5 rounds, but were at a good price for just 300 credits a pop. All told he’d spent 4200 credits.

Well, at least I can learn something from today, he thought as he reviewed his purchase. His mind wandered back to the battle and the hail of gunfire, and how he’d nearly gotten killed over nothing. Why was it he’d decided to follow them and interfere? Just so he could stop them, or so he might have the only… No. Not right now he wasn’t going to get into that kind of funk. Not again.

To distract himself, he wandered over to more specialized and unique armaments. Browsing through the displays, his eyes fell on tail lasers, jet packs, and energy melee weapons. His eyes were drawn toward a pair of grey metaled gauntlets on display. What caught his eye was a prominent blue VE crystal placed on the back of the hand. Looking it over, he read

Battle Energy Gauntlets: Able to project VE energy. Charge 0/25 Can be adjusted for both offensive and defensive attacks.…

Most items in the store were at the planetary level. Just one step ahead of where earth’ current tech level was, Primitive. These gloves, however, seemed to almost reach the level of System. Drawing nearer, Alan reached out. The metal was plain grey. However, gold-blue veins could be seen running outwards from the crystal. The metal shifts slightly, adjusting to fit his human hands.

“Basic nano tech” the owner supplied “it’s able to provide a variable range depending on your requirements.”

The owner placed a small charge of VE energy, and proceeded to demonstrate creating an energy shield, very similar to that of the ancient Spartans. He then proceeded to channel it into a longer spear, sword, and finally a fist before it flickered out.

“Pretty much all you need to do is program what it projects and you’ve got yourself whatever weapon or item you need. Change the polarity of the energy and it can go from defense to sharp blade. The only limit is your imagination.” The owner grinned.

Alan was pretty impressed. He’d seen energy weapons before, and it’s not like he hadn’t seen them in some of his favorite movies. He was about to buy it outright, before he held back, not willing to stumble into another mistake today.

“It’s pretty amazing, but I’m surprised at the rapid use of energy.” He tried to sound less excited than he was. “I mean you only had it on less than a minute before it flickered out.”

The owner nodded slowly, “Yeah, well you probably don’t want to use it for every circumstance…”

From there, Alan was able to drive down the price from the original 5000 credits to a mere 3500. If only the owner had known, that for Alan the limited power supply would likely not be as much of a problem.

He had plenty of power, just on his own generation alone. Hi mind drifted back to the battle, he realized he’d used his power as well, did that mean they might figure out his mutation too?

He shook his head. No, he wasn’t going there. He had to focus on shopping, there was still plenty to buy.

The next stop was a geneticist, which typically specialized in the genome aspect of cosmos. The shop sold a variety of genetic related material, including serums, enhancers, and more than a few thousand genetic traits.

He found a few doses of genetic serum, which had helped him to enhance his genetic code by 4 units. Bargaining with the owner he was able to get 2 more doses for 1000 credits.

“You see.” The owner droned. “You’ll only get a little more effectiveness out of those 2. What you really need is a good enhancer or cleanse. The enhancer will help you to evolve your genetic storage. A good one can give you 50 or more genetic units.” He neglected to say a cheap one was tens if not hundreds of thousands of credits. “Of course, the riskier move is to go with a Cleanse. It's a lot cheaper, but the side effects can be…. unpredictable.”

In Alan’s mind he thought of his genetic code as a messy closet. The serums would just reorganize it a little bit, allowing for you cram in a little more space. Enhancers, on the other hand, were akin to knocking down a wall so you could have a walk-in closet so you can finally have that secret celebrity shrine you’ve always wanted...or not. A cleanser on the other hand, well that was like, taking all those old t-shirts from high school and finally getting rid of them. Only then to wonder if it really was a good idea to get rid of them. - I swear that old Vote for Pedro t-shirt really did spark joy!

Alan didn’t take the other options for the sole reason they were both unaffordable. “I’ll have to see about coming back later.” But did buy another 5 serums for each member of his family. Another 2500 gone in a moment.

He was down to 52,300 credits. And he started off so wealthy today...Still a huge chunk of change. But he needed to keep as many credits as possible for when the Terran market finally opened up.

Alan arrived just on time to his dinner date with his mom. They’d found a restaurant with a balcony over the city. The dinner itself was a few dozen credits, pretty expensive considering. But when would he have the chance to take his mom out to dinner on such a planet again?

When they saw each other again the first thing out of his Mother’s mouth was, “Why on earth have you changed?”

“Oh, the others got dirty going around the town. I did manage to get some good things for the family.” The outfit change was soon forgotten as she became excited at the item he’d purchased for them. 10 Doses of nanobot healing, the 5 sets of weapons and energy shields, and finally the 5 low grade serums he’d purchased. He kept his own purchases and 10 sets of the nanobot weapons for himself. He then explained what he knew about the serums and the energy shield.

His mom had picked up a number of mostly domestic items. Things which were pretty cheap, but could be traded well to a brand-new market. A lot of beauty supplies and domestic items for the most part.

They chatted, enjoying the local star setting over the horizon, while multiple moons brightened in the night sky. They partook in a variety of unfamiliar, but rather tasty dishes. As their meal drew to a close, Alan’s mother changed her tone.

“Alan, dear, I know you’re not telling me everything.” She looked him in the eye “Which, I know, you're old enough not to have your mother involved in everything in your life.” She reached out her hand. “But I’m still your mom, and I can tell when something is bothering you.”

Alan’s face fell, he tried to put on a brave face. His shoulder tensed as his mind flew back to his old life. Previous life. His mother was like this then too. Always worried about him and for good reason. After being dumped, he’d pretty much just drifted along in school, work, and life, feeling helpless. Until he found himself one day on the earth fleet light years from home scrapping old ships. Even then his parents worried, but at that point he didn’t want them to waste their time on him. He tried to do it all on his own.

What was the last thing he’d been complaining about? That he didn’t want them to waste their food rations on him... It hadn’t even been a week, and he still felt the same. He didn’t want her to worry about him.

He looked into those eyes, full of warmth and love. Time hadn’t changed those eyes. And he suspected they would never change. His eyes began to sting as a thought crossed to his mind.

It wasn't just the timeline that needed to change.

“Yeah Mom, it’s been pretty tough...I think I just screwed up. And with the recent break up Denise, I’ve just been feeling....”

They spoke closely for the first time, in a long time. Alan about his recent run in, his near death, and the challenges with his ex and pressure of doing well in the game. Though his Mother suspected he was holding back, and rightly so. She felt he was able to connect to her son. For Alan, it was the first time he let himself be a real burden. Knowing he couldn’t just pay her back the next day.

Alan realized, as the sky darkened, that he only had a little more time to talk before he needed to stop by his last shop. As he stood, planning to go and to let his mom finish her own last-minute errands. He was grabbed on his arm to stop him.

“You know dear, I really am grateful we were able to talk tonight.”

“Me to mom.”

“Just something to consider before you go off and do your adventure. I once started business once before you were born.”

Alan nodded having heard about it before.

“Well, what you might not have known is that at that time, I had failed completely. I just didn’t know how to really organize and run a business.” She sighed dramatically. “I had taken out a substantial loan and when I finally realized it was going under, I became so worried to tell your father.” She paused “I tried to hide it and attempted to fix things on my own, but in the end he knew.” A wan smile appeared on her face. “Instead of blaming me, or growing angry, he just helped me through it, even after the business closed, he helped pay off the debt. Even now, he keeps telling me to continue my dream to open a business.” Laughing at her words she continued “Of course I had to keep learning and growing so I will succeed the next time, but I know I couldn’t do it without him. Do you think you understand?”

“Thanks Mom, I think I’m getting it.”

They hugged before parting. Alan felt the final bits of stress he’d felt earlier fade away. He made sure to have his Mom promise to show everyone the things she’d gotten them when she got home.

He took the transport to the last store. As he traveled. he sat in awe at how he felt after talking to his mom. How come he’d never done it before? Whatever the reasons, they all seemed silly to him now.

Alan pulled in front of a shop located on a walkway far above the city floor, typical for specialty shops who didn’t want to be part of the lower hustle and bustle. The sign read: “Irvine and Flek’s House of Rare Collections.” The 3 unidentfied vials had been an unexpected find on Kragga, and not knowing what they were irked him. And according to his mom, the best place to go.

The interior was a contrast of styles. Near the front, were glass display cases holding exotic wares, plants and even animals. However, as you made your way toward the rear counter, the clean lines, and glass cases were soon replaced by piles of rusted out machines, scraps of metal and even junk. The floors even seemed to go from clean white tile, to mismatched flooring, scraps of carpet and old metal deck plates.

“Welcome to Irvine and Fleks.” A lithe and pale alien, with delicate fingers and large blue gem-like eyes offered. “How may I help you?”

“I’m looking to identify some vials.”

“Ah I see, well you’ll want to speak to Flek, he’s our identifying expert here. Certified by the Arcanum Guild as a class 3 inspector. You’ll find him in the back just over there.” He pointed over and beyond a pile of what looked like old odds and ends. As Alan moved forward, he couldn’t help but notice the alien stop just shy of where the white tile ended.

Proceeding forward, he found himself near the far back of the store, where he an old ad hoc counter was located. Behind it, he heard the cursing of a short and stocky mucus green colored lump mumbling at a screen held in outstretched arm. Without looking up it grumbled at Alan “You must need an identification if Irvine sent you back here.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Alright, a thousand for each item. Don’t like it, and you can try one of those ‘freelancers’ who can’t tell the difference between a colth lamper and a droll’s princket.”

Alan, a little wary, removed the vials. “Do you have an estimate of when you might have them done?”

The squat alien briefly glanced at the vials. “I’ll take a look at them, If I can’t tell you in a month, then good luck finding anyone else to figure it out.” He added without pausing “No refunds.”

Alan was about to negotiate when the lump of mucus known as Flek cut him off. “There’s a reason ol’ Irvine and I are business partners. And it's not for lack of trying on his part.” Alan glanced at the obvious dichotomy of the store, it was clear Irvine hadn’t kept the store this way for aesthetic reasons. Being credentialed by the Arcanum was for the exceptional, and finding another class 3 inspector any sooner was unlikely. Alan could only nod, and trust his mom's sources, as he transferred the credits.

Flek simply just stuffed them away, and returned to his screen. Alan waited a moment to see if there was anything else he needed to do. After there was no response, he just shuffled backwards a little confused fromt he interaction. As he approached nearted the front the pale alien, Irvine, once again greeted him at the threshold of clean tile. Irvine, the model of hospitality, took Alan’s contact information as well as Alan's mother information, since it was like she who would be picking up the vials after they were identified.

His tasks completed, he had looked at his remaining credits and still had over 49,000 credits. Alan signed off silently saying goodbye to Mairkness. In his car, he listened to a broadcast of the day's events, the drive itself soothing, as he listened to the familiar stories. Cosmos membership was rising exponentially. The once empty parking lots were now growing full. Questions still remained about how it came about and the mysterious technology involved. Governments were still silent as ever. There was financial speculation from the business sector around all the hype. Pulling into his home, he inspected all of his items. including the generator. He smiled that night at the upheaval that was going to happen tomorrow.