On our way back to the Base, I went over my options. I had plans to create Vulchers, this meant that I couldn’t just build buildings and instantly have access to all that entailed in the game. In a way, I liked it, made this thing seem more realistic and helped keep me centered to a degree. On the other hand, it made shit harder. My idea of a rolling army of Siege Tanks was shot.

It also popped into question just what I’d use the Primary Building Card on. I still wanted an Engineering Bay, but the Factory would allow Vultures...Ultimately, I’d have to go with the Engineering Bay. I had a feeling that would provide a lot of needed tools for later on. Added to that, that while the Vultures would be game changers it didn’t mean a damn thing if I couldn’t afford the production. They were a hell of a lot more expensive than in the Game, and I didn’t have the means to mass produce them at the moment.

The Marauder armor was a different story. They were retrofitted Marine armor with added armor and the Quad K-12 Punisher Grenade Launcher. A nifty weapon that allowed it to take excess metal and create the grenades it used as ammo for continuous fire.

According to Fernando we could reverse engineer this armor and make more. For now, I’d use the Pirate Marine armor for that, once we got our Barracks up and running, along with the Engineering Bay.

I looked at the schematics in my hand and sighed again. It earned me a look from Nova, who I shrugged at. We’d already discussed the new building ‘sent from the Old Houses’ and that it would be an Engineering Bay. At this point, I was just pissing and moaning over something that could be fixed later on.

When we did get to the Base, I had Fernando load up the Marauder armor and our new Marine armors in the Command Centers armory. I’d deal with that later. For now, I decided to check out the shelters with Nova.

The SCV Riggs had come a long way, at least forty Shelters were built, and the beginning of what looked like a huge structure was well underway. I frowned, knowing it had to be the Barracks but confused. Nova asked about it.

“Well, isn’t it supposed to be able to fly around?” She just gave me a look like I was retarded before answering.

“Sir, you do realize we are a Colonial Settlement, right? What your talking about is reserved for the Core Houses, not us.” Well then, apparently the System made it so some game aspects were limited to this Universes ‘Royalty’ of which I apparently ranked as so minor it didn’t matter. Something I’d have to deal with later as well.

“Ok, fine. Can we stop with the Sir, by the way? It’s Damian, I happen to work for a living.” Yes, I knew it was a term of respect in almost every setting, but I’d seen too many dipshits with less sense than a common house fly being called Sir without ever earning it, it set me against the term to a degree. I had let it slide before because we were pretty busy but I wanted it to stop. She shut me down pretty quick though.

“That would imply a familiarity that we simply do not have. I doubt the Lt would agree with your request either, Sir.”

I felt my eye twitch a bit, which she took in and then went back to observing the construction with me. The number of SCV Riggs had increased to twenty or more, by the look of it as well. If I remembered how the Supply Depots worked here, then I’d need one built by the Mineral field, and the Vespene Gas once the Refinery was placed upon it for storage, then guard the fucker like crazy. Resources were going to be tight once everything was built up.

Fernando had also called back all the Militia to half a mile out from our center, just to the resources. A few pickets of a two-man Marine team to give us notice if we had enemies moving toward our location.

I did agree with the plan, we had too few men at the moment. Even with them all armored, whereas the Pirates were limited in that regard.

Pirates, we’d taken out two bases so far. I’d gained some decent rewards, though some would see them as lack laster, it would set a foundation for growth. Always think long-term when able, deal with the here and now as it comes, and plan accordingly.

“Alright, Nova, in two days you and I with a select unit of five Marines are going to be busy. I need you to do make sure the men are better trained with their weapons, while Fernando beats them into shape. I’ll be joining them, of course.”

That made her raise a brow but she nodded. My next question would be harder, I wasn’t really sure how she would take it. “And...I need you to induct me as a Ghost.” The main reason it would be difficult, I had no idea if she would be willing to do so because of some weird Ghost protocol. Turns out, I didn’t need to be.

“As you wish, Sir. This will hurt.” I frowned at that, and then she placed a single gloved finger against my forehead, and then I knew only pain…

-Fernando-

I heard a scream, making me rush back to the Commander, only to see him on the ground thrashing, with the Ghost standing over him. Hefting my Gauss Rifle and took aim, shouting at her as I did. “What the fuck did you do to the Commander!”

I had to admit, the woman was tough, she looked at me, and my weapon calmly before responding, keeping her body relaxed and submissive.

“He asked me to induct him as a Ghost in training. This is his Psionic potential being forcibly awakened. I did warn him it would hurt.” Jesus, she was a cold one. I could feel the sweat form on my brow, I should never have left him alone with her.

Keeping my weapon leveled, I moved a few steps closer, only to stop because a bolt of lightning struck just in front of me, the original was the Commanders body. I saw Nova take a step back in surprise, actual shock appearing on her face.

“...Not possible” is what I think she muttered, but I didn’t have much time to think about that, because suddenly the Commanders body lifted an entire foot of the ground, I could see the whites of his eyes as they rolled into the back of his head. His thrashing about looked so painful, all that force, I was amazed nothing broke yet. “RUN!!!” Nova shouted as she dashed away, pulling a few milling Civilians that had wandered over to see what the issue was.

I didn’t have to be told twice, I’d seen a forced awakening once or twice, and this was something worse. I did the same, screaming for everyone to get back.

I think I made it about five feet, and then a massive force knocked me face first into the ground, a few minutes of trying to reorient myself, and I looked back to see the affair was done. I blinked, there was a crater at least five feet wide, and three feet deep around the Commanders body.

Shit, was he dead? I couldn’t let him die, he may have been wet behind the ears with planning and organizing people, delegating it to me, but he at least fought with us. We needed him. The fucking Ghost beat me to him, pressing two of her fingers to his neck and letting out a sigh of relief. Didn’t even know a Ghost could show that much emotion.

“He’s alive, unconscious and likely in a very great deal of pain that he’ll feel when he wakes up, but alive Lieutenant. Help me carry him to his quarters. The armor he’s in is a bit too heavy for me to carry that far, even with Psionic aid.”

I went to him, eyeing the woman that I was fairly certain was sent by Command to keep the Commander on a tight leash, with orders to kill him if he strayed, and carried him to his quarters. Hoping that he still felt this had been worth it.

When I did get him out of his armor, and into his bed, I set about finishing what I could around the base with what little time was left in the day. The man had proved himself in battle, at least. Even meant to stay behind with me and die at that last camp, idiotic, but I respected it. Now, I needed to get these reports for our resources squared away, and see about recruiting more Civilians for the Militia.

-Damian-

Congratulations Player! You have awoken your Psionic potential, Psionic Storm is available for use! Psionic Energy added to your status!

Congratulations Player! For awakening your Psionic ability through your Hero, you have gained one Psionic Ability - Psi-Blast!

Psi-Blast - Blasts a target with Psionic pressure, causes extreme mental pain leading to a delirious state, or death.

Congratulations Player! Your Psionic potential is classified rank 8! Continue to train your gifts!

System advisory! Overusing your Psionic power can lead to mental exhaustion, brain aneurysm, insanity, or death.

I waved my hand through the blue boxes of death and cruelty weakly while moaning in pain. I felt like my brain had gone one on one against a fifty-ton truck and came out the loser. I squeezed my eyes shut, ignoring the evil things that tried to blind me with blueness and words while my brain tried to kill me.

I really regretted asking Nova to do what she did now, I really, really regretted it. The fact I needed the edge was beside the point, I almost wish it had killed me. I tried opening my eyes again, and immediately regretted it, my brain was melting. Oh God, I was going to die anyway. Eventually, the pain forced me to lose consciousness again, but my last thought was about how blonde Ghosts were Satan.