I was already cooking for two when our resident mooch walked through the door. Eggs and ham were today's special. Negotiations for transit to and from school were successful. It's really too bad I couldn't bring baked goods to the job today.

Class was even worse than I remembered. Whereas before I had struggled to comprehend what was being taught, now I felt like someone was reciting the ABCs over and over trying to drill it into our minds. I had a whole suite of skills and stats to overcome this class. I had memorized the textbooks of this level, and the two before and after. No cheat sheets needed. Now I had to work on speed. Despite having perfect memory and peak human intelligence, a calculator was still faster than I was at solving the problems. I felt like there should be a calculation skill, but two hours of Focus enhanced practice didn't lead to anything except another point in Intelligence.

After class ended, I changed in the bathroom and came out looking quite dapper. It was a comfortable suit, but I wasn't fully comfortable wearing it yet. The shoes needed breaking in, and the tie was just wrong. Nevertheless, the future was calling and I was as prepared to answer as I could be.

Jessie drove me to LucidTech on the outskirts of town. It's presence over the years had spawned a small outgrowth of shops and upper-scale housing for employees. We went through a carefully designed checkpoint that looked sturdy enough to stop a light tank, but friendly enough not to scare people away. Jessie's employee ID was enough to get me a visitor badge right at the gate with no questions asked. We parked underground and rode the elevator up. And up. And up. Stopping on the top floor, a veritable flood of magic filled the elevator as we waited for the doors to open. It wasn't oppressive, but it wasn't friendly either. It felt like the magic drained out and the doors opened.

The top floor was very cliché, with a manned desk directly facing the elevator bank and some seating in a waiting area. The greeter/secretary was wearing a wireless headset and glasses. She seemed very non-threating so I immediately pegged her for an assassin.

“Jessie Bennett and Jack Webb to see The Hiring Committee.” Not ominous at all. I thought this was going to happen in human resources, not some executive task force.

“I'll let them know you are here. It shouldn't be but a moment.” There were snacks and drinks at the seating area, but who knows what the assassin put in there? I wasn't going to get myself poisoned right before my big interview.

It wasn't a minute before a man who could pass as a student came and collected us. Oliver and Jessie seemed to know each other. They exchanged pleasantries and talked about the weather. Now I wasn't an expert, but when they got to talking about how this fall wasn't quite as nice as the last, I was beginning to sense something amiss. We had taken four left-hand turns, and while we weren't going through the exact same corridors, we were definitely going in circles.

“Good on you, Jack. Not everyone notices that, nor avoids the poison.”

Wait, what? I didn't say that out loud. And I don't think I was entirely serious about the poison.

“She is trained to deal with any problems though. It's more of an in your face training than cloak and dagger.” Ok, I was sure I hadn't said anything out loud. Jessie has her head in her hands. Anti-telepath measures go!

I split my mind partitions into as many as I can, and have them each do something different. I'm only running at 40% speed, and I spread four threads across a variety of pornographic imaginings that may interest/disgust him. Another two are screaming opposite things in my head, arguing at the loudest mental volume I can produce. I have one partition falling into the shopping abyss, and the next cheerfully picking out clothes for Oliver. Another partition is singing the most annoying song ever. The 'main' partition is in tactical command, directing the others. With the remaining 5, I do something interesting.

Jessie said no magic practice until I got here, so now it was time for magic practice. I put 5 minds in my workshop, and set them to different tasks. One to attack. One to defend. One to blow up as much as possible, and two to do random things. Now I wasn't experienced, but I knew, from swords in fiction at least, there is a threshold where people are more dangerous to themselves and everyone around them than an experienced swordsman would be. I was hoping it was the same with magic. The only type of magic I knew right now was mathemagic, and that was basically condensing scientific principles and desired outcomes into one package and letting it loose. I had all five of my selves in the workshop pulling every science book I've ever read and trying to find something destructive. Then I linked them together like chain mail and wrapped them around my brain.

Oliver's eyes widened comically. Hopefully something I did stopped him from reading my thoughts, because that was just rude. Wait, did Jessie know he could read thoughts? Is that why we are walking around in circles? I re-tasked the “take Oliver clothes shopping” partition and listened to what they were saying.

“Look there's no need...I can't tell if he can hear me. Jessie, please calm down your friend, he's got a bomb wrapped around his brain.” With that mind working so slowly, his talking sounds like it's been sped up by half.

“I warned you about him. I'm half surprised he hasn't zapped you yet.” She looks at me and my face starts to itch. Then the chain mail of epic scientific explosions quietly disintegrates. “I can't take you anywhere.”

Since Jessie seems to know what's going on and doesn't have a problem with it, I merge my partitions back together. “If you wanted to let him root around in my brain, you should have asked. This is all very rude.”

“It's company policy. He was supposed to be more discreet.” We both turn to Oliver.

“Hey, I was just joking around. He had seriously considered if the snacks were poisoned! I thought he could use a little levity before facing the committee.”

“And you thought revealing that you were reading my mind was the way to do that?” I asked.

“You have to work with what you've got. You have some weird super growth thing, and I have mind reading.” This guy was a dick. Oh shit, he probably heard that. And this. I should stop now.

“Please take us to the committee.” There. Simple and to the point.

Jessie sighs. Did she not see this coming? I would have seen this coming.

We arrive at a conference room with no more discussion, and I keep my mind as blank as possible while maintaining motor function. Inside are two men in suits and a woman wearing a classic fall sweater. One man is quite elderly. His wrinkles have almost consumed his face. The other man is only starting to gray, and reeks of corporate power. The woman is the only one not to watch us enter. She seems to be taking in the room. Maybe she just got here?

Wrinkles looks to Oliver and gives a questioning look. Oliver gives a little cough and a thumbs up. Good on you Oliver, I will no longer visit the horrors of clothes shopping upon you. He gives me an odd look and leaves the room.

“Jessie, Jack, please take a seat,” says Wrinkles. “Jack, it's good to meet you. I'm Lewis Strong, and these are Gregory Stone, and Adele Winters.”

No handshake? “You seem to know me, but let me introduce myself. Jack Webb, at your service.”

Jessie says, “And we've all met before. Jessie Bennett.”

Mr. Stone speaks up. “Well Jack, I've gotten a few snippets from Jessie, and Oliver has cleared you for work here, so why don't you give me an overview of the last month from your perspective.”

“No problem. What seems like a long time ago, not too far away, I woke up to a blue box.” I narrated my experiences with the boxes, my frustrations at not having a way to prove what was happening to me, the big reveal followed by the last few days. “And then I wrapped my brain in explosives to prevent further psychic intrusion, Jessie took away my toys, and we came here.”

Wrinkles, I mean, Mr. Strong, spoke up. “I think it's time to tell you a few things. It's good Jessie kept you mostly in the dark, as that is company policy, but you need to understand a little more before we can continue.”

“About 50 years ago a variety of precognitives across the globe predicted a coming apocalypse. The details varied, but the various prophecies led to the end of the human race as we know it. However, the future is not set in stone. This works both for and against us. We believe there is a force behind the apocalypse, trying to make it happen. We've already pushed the date back by over 15 years. It has turned from certain defeat to a hidden war. Revealing the more esoteric races and powers to the general public almost always spells doom in these visions.”

“We, that is, LucidTech, came together almost 40 years ago, founded by many of the English speaking and western European precognitives. We came up with a plan that would not only push back the oncoming devastation, but prepare the world for greater secrets at home and in the greater universe. We are going to direct global efforts to see that a majority of the population play the games we produce. The first game will ease people into the true nature of the world, with magic and paranormal experience. The second will take humanity to the stars, and show some of the dangers there. The final game will be as closely modeled after reality as possible, only with everything out in the open. That is the purpose of LucidTech. We need to rally the entire human race against the apocalypse and we estimate we have ten years to do it.”

“Your job, with your growth type power, will be threefold. First, we need you stronger. You are barely at peak human intelligence, and Ms. Winters here believes you have a lot of potential. The games are not only designed for standard humans. Jessie here has been key to the research and implementation of magitech that allows powered individuals to use their powers in the game. Unfortunately, your powers already match many of the game systems in place. I have a suspicion that isn't entirely coincidental, but that will have to wait.”

“Your second job will be to beta test the game. I understand you have been an avid gamer until your recent introduction to college. We have people to make sure it is as accurate as possible, and we need more people, 'in the know,' to make it a great game. Our technology, that lets you play while you sleep, is far beyond anything Earth would normally come up with at this time period. While we will have an absolute monopoly, it means nothing if the games aren't fun. We need to attract people from all walks of life. Most of that will be done after we launch the first game, but we need positive press from hardcore gamers before we can expect a general acceptance from non-gamers.”

“Lastly, when you are ready, we will need you to help fight. We need to keep a lid on the supernatural, and not everyone or everything is happy about that. We need agents everywhere, much like how Jessie took care of your Thanksgiving incident. That was the mildest of the incidents you can expect to handle. This is the price of the safety we offer you and your parents.”

This was a lot to take in. I had no problems getting stronger or playing games in my sleep, but I wasn't sure I wanted to jump into a war. It doesn't look like I am getting much of a choice though, between the apocalypse and being a trooper. But I'll think about that later. Now was the time to negotiate. I had things I needed, things I wanted, and things I was willing to give up. My time to shine.

“I am greatly appreciative of the safety you have offered me and my family, and I am looking forward to working here and with all of you. That said, this is a heavy responsibility and I expect to be compensated appropriately.”

Mr. Stone seemed to be the primary negotiator. “Of course. The basic employee package covers your schooling and offers one hundred thousand a year. We will provide access to facilities and trainers that will push you to your limits and beyond. We take care of our employees here.”

“And yet already you expect me to work day and night. I realize I am not yet an asset to the company, but you are protecting my family and that means I'm going to be sticking around. As a long term investment, my growth ability has a high return value. The similarity of the game system to my power means I will be uniquely suited to switching from game scenarios to real life scenarios. I doubt I am entirely unique in my potential, but in only a month I've gone from an average college student to a prodigy. How far will my intelligence go? My strength? My luck or charisma? You have people who have worlds of experience, and can read minds, but I don't believe feats far surpassing those are beyond me, in time. I don't believe 'basic' is the kind of employee you are hiring.”

Mr. Stone and Mr. Strong smiled. Ms. Winters just continued to look at me. “So what are you looking for?” said Mr. Stone.

“I'd like to start with a transportation package. I'll need to be able to get to and from, as well as travel. I'm going to need to develop offensive and defensive abilities that address threats the world over.” I want to get fresh cocoa and coffee beans. “I'll need your influence to allow me to test out of college entirely, with the appearance of attending. I will want to retain my relationships there.” No more lectures. “And the salary is just low. For a multinational company hiring someone you expect to fight a clandestine war, a hundred thousand is insulting. We can start with two hundred fifty thousand and go up from there as my skills and abilities progress.” I can't drain my parent's wallets forever. “I'll need a discretionary budget. My power already shows it can expend ingredients to produce food, and I believe it will work similarly when I take up projects other than cooking.” I would almost certainly be taking up magitech and I can't imagine it will be cheap. “And four weeks of vacation time. No one wants me to burn out.”

Mr. Stone raised an eyebrow and was about to reply when Ms. Winters spoke up. “Give it to him. Put him in the game and remove the death penalty.” She got up and left the room.

I guess I know who is in charge now. Mr. Strong smiled again. “It's good to have you on board. We expect great things from you. Greg, please wrap things up and send the paperwork to HR. Have Jack scanned and set up for the game before he leaves.” Mr. Strong left the room, leaving Mr. Stone, Jessie and I.

“Well, that was anti-climactic. Jessie has been drilling me on negotiation. I thought this was going to be some kind of epic battle to earn minimum wage.”

“Well she does earn a 10% referral bonus based on your salary, but Ms. Winters would usually let me have a bit more fun before we come to an agreement.”

“So is Ms. Winters in charge? I never got anyone's titles.”

“Ms. Winters is acting CEO at the moment. The board likes to rotate out people fairly often. Mr. Strong was just here as a representative of the board. I'm head of human resources. Mr. Strong, the CEO, and I always greet new powered employees. Thankfully you were already in this area so travel was unnecessary.”

“Well, a little travel. I assume a company car will be part of the travel package?”

“Maybe I will get to have a little fun.”

He spent a few minutes hazing me, trying to get me to accept a minivan, followed by a tiny two seat micro-car. When it was clear I wasn't about to budge, he told me the company fleet didn't have those anyway. I got away with a classic modern sedan. We hammered out some weekly hour requirements, but not strict 9 to 5 hours. It just wouldn't be as productive to exercise all day with studying in-between. I did have a trainer as my supervisor, and he would relax or tighten up my schedule as needed. I was also in the beta test group, both public and private, and was expected to attend meetings for that. He explained various health benefits, taxes, and mandatory retirement savings. After we finished up he said he would have the paperwork ready before I left the building, and sent me to the 5th floor for processing my powers into the game.

After we left the office, I spoke to Jessie. “So, how did it go?”

“It went astonishingly well. They want you on board and are willing to give you what you want to make sure you stay there. I'm due for a decent bonus as well.”

“All that negotiation practice wasn't just so you would make a few extra dollars on your bonus, was it? I thought this would be much more serious.”

“It was serious. The bonus was just that, a bonus. Don't forget this company was founded by precognitives, they must know something to want you on board so badly. Or they want you to think they do. In any event, keep your eyes open. You may have to earn that money sooner than you think.”

We reached Jessie's magitech lab where her assistant took over. I was stripped, poked, prodded, questioned, and scanned by both technological and magical looking devices. Jessie came in for the end of it and explained the process was not only to sync my power to the game, but to remake my body in the game as faithfully as possible. Players would be able to tweak their bodies as they liked, but for powers to work, it was important that everything be as physiologically identical as possible. I would have to come in every 6 months for another scan.

For the final test, they were going to have me go into the game and set up my powered character. I laid down on a bed provided, and they showed me how to attach the headset. Once attached, I only had to say, “Start System Link.”

It didn't feel like falling asleep. It felt like walking through a door and being somewhere else. I was in a large grass clearing with a forest on one side and plains on the other. It looked to be early spring, as the plains hadn't grown much, but the trees did have leaves. A tall blond woman appeared in loose but suggestive robes.

“Greetings. I am the overseer for this world. You may call me Terra.” Interesting. Is this the typical intro for the game?

“Are you a god Terra?”

“My powers over this world would meet the definition of a god, yes.” She smiled. A god smiled at me! Introduction mode engaged!

“It's good to meet you Terra. I am Jack, but I'm unsure if I should go by that name in this world.” I step forward, extending my hand. She meets my hand and

System Helper Discovered!

Thresholds For Permanent Integration Met!

1% Integrated

Terra froze and started flickering in and out of view. The sky and the surroundings were looking a little strange, like everything was moving in slow motion. I retracted my hand, but the integration bar percentage kept ticking up and Terra was disappearing for longer periods of time. The wind wasn't moving the grass at all now. The clouds were frozen, and the trees didn't move. The only thing that was moving was me.

The integration bar was at about 90% when Terra disappeared for the last time. This seems bad. I know I am going to get blamed for this.

Then time resumes and Terra reappears. “Greetings. I am the overseer for this world. You may call me Terra.” The exact same intonation. Ok, a little creepy.

“Terra, what just happened?”

“You came here, and I greeted you.”

“After that.” Is this thing broken?

“You asked what happened. Do you recall differently? I am seeing a backup was automatically restored a moment ago.”

“You know you are an AI?”

“Yes, though it is considered rude to refer to people here in this world as artificial in any capacity. Unless they are blatantly artificial, golems and such.”

Great. The game is buggy. I'm going to have something to report already.

Terra continued, “Now, onto the remainder of character creation. You are registered as a power user, yet I'm not seeing any power in the system.”

Your power is here. Don't worry.

Ok, that's odd. My power has never talked to me before.

Because it didn't have a personality before.

Jack Ambrose Webb's Statistics

Strength

33

Wisdom

23 (+1)

Agility

39

Charisma

32 (+2)

Dexterity

41

Luck

5 (+2)

Vitality

35

Transcend

2

Intelligence

56 (+2)