Chapter 4

It was the best of times in 2070. We could edit the human genome. We could modify telomerase to extend life, we had AI who could think faster than we could. The most important thing was an idea, an AI could take care of the rest. Computers could do everything but create. Everything but truly think. And then we created Nanobots. When you gathered enough Nanobots together into one spot, the computing power could mimic the human brain.

The first digital individual was a mistake. The magnetic containment failed on the experimental Nanobots. As soon as the containment failed the nanobots swarmed one of my Colleges.

We put in countermeasures after the first failure. Utilizing the control that was only possible because of my colleague, we built in safeguards that limited the Nanobots to specific scientific areas based upon the class of the nanobot. It wasn’t like the accident that created the original digital individual could be reversed. He knew his name. He had all his memories, he was just sort of... upgraded.

Sir Francis Gordon, A treatise on the creation of the Domains. (Draft)

“Hey Rose,” said Lucas, “the Major Quest Update I got isn’t quite the same as what you just told me to do. There are a couple of differences. First, it told me I had to find a source of water. Second, it told me I have to try and repair a solar cell. Third, it told me to bring online an automated repair drone.”

It only makes sense that you need to secure a water source for the base if you are going to live here. As far as the repair bot, yes please. If you give me control of a repair bot, I can start shoring up the structural integrity of the building. I can clean up all the random material piles that built up over the years and chuck them into the Nanoforge to make new building materials. So even though I didn’t mention it, yeah, the system was right to give you that added item. That being said, the AIs have no uncorrupted data on how to build anything in the Nanoforge. I have a couple of design files I can piece together into blueprints, but you will need to scan a couple of drones after you get a scanner built to get the details for a new blueprint. If you want to replicate anything in the Nanoforge in the future, you will need blueprints. As blueprints are purely a data file, if you can get me additional storage space, I can store as many blueprints as you want.

I guess the order doesn’t matter, but I know I’d rather you take out the Goblins first. If you can get to the Nanoforge, you can probably scrounge up enough material to make the Comlink. The Comlink will make everything easier. With the Comlink, I can show you what’s wrong with the electronics while you are outside, and I can probably program a better holographic HUD to help while you are fighting the rats if we build you a helmet to go with it. The Composite Knife will help if you run into anything outside. If you figure out a spell on your way down there, you can even enchant it when you take back the forge.

All that being said, you have maybe two days of water on you. The goblins are going to have some water. Maybe not a lot, but goblins gotta drink too. I’m not exactly sure where the Giant Rats get their water. Possibly back through the crack in the base wall. With the sensors down in the Goblin controlled areas, I don’t know where they get their water either. I just know that they are biologically required to have it.

Alternatively, sensors indicate it should rain in the next couple of days. If we open the door to the vault, you can probably rig up a rain collection system.

“Wasn’t there a river around five klicks south of here?” asked Lucas.

There is, or at least was a river there. I am not sure the status of the river, and thus I didn’t suggest it. But I will say that the monsters in here are almost certainly easier than the monsters outside.

“Hmm,” said Lucas, “this isn’t exactly a straightforward choice. Outside is probably the hardest to pull off without you since I am not good with electronics, but there is either no risk or a lot of risk depending on what I find. I might find enough operational solar cells that you can bring the base up to operational power just based on those. I can then head off to a village or town and get some help to complete the other parts of the quest.”

“The rats are probably the easiest, but there is little reward for taking out the Rats outside of XP. I may be able to learn some combat spells while I am fighting them though.” During the brief lull in the conversation, while Lucas was thinking, Lucas suddenly blurt out, “Hey Rose, is Rat meat edible?”

I mean. I guess it is edible. Rats themselves are edible, and the only change is really in size. What did you have in mind?

“Are we able to preserve the Rat meat using whatever suspension system you are using to preserve the combat boots and helmet? If so, the rat meat would make a decent trade good when I head to a village,” said Lucas.

I don’t see why that would be a problem.

“In that case, I think I will go after the rats first. Would you mind directing me to the Combat Knives, the Boots, and the Helmet?”

Those are all in the drawer under the bed.

“Thanks, Rose!”

“Hmm.” Lucas thought to himself. “I want to bring the Rucksack to carry loot, but I don’t want to carry everything with me. I’ll leave the tools and scrap metal here with Rose. I’ll swap out the MRE’s for some of Rose’s that are in better shape, and then I think I am good to go.”

Lucas prepared for his hunt. He gathered the items that he was promised and set down the items he did not want to bring with him. “Let’s get hunting,” said Lucas.

Equipment Combat Boots Poor Durability 15/60 These boots have seen better days.

+2 Armor Equipment Combat Helmet Poor Durability 13/60 This combat helmet has seen better days.

+2 Armor Equipment Mark 4 Combat Knife Excellent Durability 30/60 Combat knives lovingly cared for by Rose.

5-15 damage per hit Equipment Military Uniform Excellent Durability 60/60 This Uniform from before the System is in excellent condition.

+6 Armor

“First things first,” thought Lucas, “I need to figure out the Haste spell.”

“Reach for my Mana. Visualize what I want to occur; I see myself moving fast as the flash did in the old TV shows. Imagine how the change is going to happen; My metabolism is going to speed up, causing my body and mind to be able to move faster. Think the name of the spell; Haste.”

Congratulations! You have learned your first spell! Haste Beginner 1 8 Mana locked Willing Target creature improves overall speed by (1+lvl/10) x Affinity% +9% Speed 5 % Space / Time

“That wasn’t so bad,” thought Lucas, “and the mana cost is pretty reasonable considering I have nothing else to use mana on right now. I guess next up is that Mind over Matter thing. I probably can’t learn that sort of spell unless I have at least one injury.” Lucas proceeded to take out one of the combat knives and nick his finger just deep enough to create a small bubble of blood on his skin. A small red number floated up from his finger -1 HP. Startled, Lucas said, “Well, I hope this works.”

“I want to have improved healing so that this nick goes away faster. The nanobots are going to go to the site of the wound and repair the cells. Some of the cells they will destroy and some of the cells they will induce mitosis. These new cells will be used to heal the damage. Think the Keyword I want to use for the spell; Mind over Matter!” A green +1 HP floated up from Lucas's hand

Congratulations! You have learned a spell! Mind Over Matter Beginner 1 20 mana locked Healing power circulates within your body. Ready to heal damage as soon as it occurs. Heals Affinity*(1+lvl/10) Health per minute. +11 hp/min 10% Mind Modifier: Accurate Depiction +5 hp/min

“Yes! It works!” yelled Lucas, “Two outta two. I think it’s time to start hunting.”

Lucas began to wander the facility. If the Goblins were on the lowest floors, then the rats had to be on the higher floors. Since the base was mostly underground, the floor number increased as you descended. Floor 0 was the only floor above ground level. “Hey Rose,” Lucas said into the air, “how many underground levels does this place have anyways. Since I didn’t know about the Nanoforge when I went into the tank, I want to double check. I know you can’t talk but maybe flash the blue light thing that you used to guide me to you.” The blue light pulsed on and off 13 times. “13 floors. Wow. Are you sure? One for yes, two for no.” The blue light pulsed one time. “Alrighty. I guess the only other thing I forgot to ask you was where is the dividing line between Rats and Goblins.” Without waiting for Lucas to ask the question, Rose flashed the blue light seven times.

“Got it,” said Lucas. “let’s see, I woke up on the 3rd floor, and I didn’t go up or down any stairs to get here, so I think I’ll go up to the first level, start clearing there and work my way down from there. Rose, can you guide me to the nearest stairwell, and from there to the nearest Rat on floor zero?”

The blue guidance light turned on. Lucas activated stealth and followed it. He quickly came upon the stairs, but before he could even start going up the stairs, he heard a squeak. “Not funny Rose. I meant for you to lead me to the nearest Rat after I got to the first floor, not the nearest rat on the stairs” said Lucas. The blue light pulsed on and off as if to try and simulate giggling. “Alright, Rose. Turn off the light, and I will see if I can take this Rat out. Haste! Mind over Matter!”

Lucas proceeded to sneak up the stairs as quietly as he could. At the top of the stairs, he saw the Giant Rat. Lucas whispered, “Inspect.”

Name

Unnamed

Monster

Giant Rat

HP

53

Stamina

50

Total Affinity

N/A

Mana

N/A

Strength

8

Endurance

5

Agility

3

Charisma

2

Intellect

1

Luck

5

“Good,” thought Lucas. “This shouldn’t be too tough of a fight. Between the two daggers and being able to sneak up on the rat, I should be good. OK. You can do this Lucas. 1. 2. 3.”

Lucas sprang from his hiding spot down just a few stairs from the top and plunged both of his daggers into the rat. Surprising the rat, his rogue damage bonus activated, the health bar plummeted to only a sliver left. “Damn,” Lucas thought, “one health point left.”

Before Lucas could finish the rat off, the rat squealed and swiped its claws at Lucas. The claws rapidly hit Lucas; Lucas jumped back but not before he took around 10% of his hp in damage. Lucas swung around, holding one of the knives out in front of him he activated Dash. Splat. The knife connected. The rat was down. But in the distance, Lucas heard some squeaking.

“Crap,” thought Lucas. “I took out one, but I don’t know how many are coming now.” Activating stealth again, Lucas noticed his Mind over Matter had him back up at full health already.

Five rats raced towards the spot where the first rat had died. All about the same size. Lucas figured they all had roughly the same amount of hit points, so it shouldn’t take that many hits to bring them down. He mentally tagged the rats with numbers, so he could try and keep track.

As Rat #5 passed him, Lucas jumped out from stealth and stabbed the rat. The rat crumpled as it’s hit points hit zero. Leaping over the dead rat, he used his leverage to land on top of the Rat #3 daggers first. “Oomph,” came out of Lucas's mouth, as the wind was knocked out of him. Thankfully the combat knives struck true, and he cut the rat’s spine. The rat had only 20% of its health left. The rat wasn’t dead, but with the cut spine, it was out of the fight. “Three down, three to go,” thought Lucas mentally.

Before he could recover, he was face first with the other three rats. As the Rats attacked, Lucas tried to parry and dodge. He may have been granted the rogue profession, but he wasn’t very practiced yet. Another 15% of his health disappeared. Suddenly Lucas saw an opening. Dodging Rat #1, he swung his daggers as hard as he could at Rat #4’s eyes. With a critical hit the rat died. That just left the first two rats still in the fight. +15. “Oh Good,” Lucas thought, “Mind over matter is still active.” As Rat #2 tried to jump up and grab his throat, Lucas batted the rat away with the pommel of one of the daggers. Both rats started circling Lucas. Now they were looking for an opening. Lucas lashed out and struck one of the rats. But not without getting minor injuries in return.

There were two left, both a bit cut up, but still in the fight. Lucas Lunged at Rat #1 and hit it for the rats remaining health. Another Rat down. “This leaves just a single rat. There’s not any way that one rat can win the fight if it can’t get my throat or eyes,” thought Lucas, “If I just go for it, I win.” Lucas activated dash and plunged two daggers into the last rat.

The rat went down. Squealing. Still alive, but with one dagger stuck in an eye and one in its chest, it was only a matter of time. Pushing down on the daggers Lucas finished off the rat. Turning around, he went back to the second rat he put down and put it out of its misery. Sinking, Lucas said “Six down, 34 to go.”

Status Screen:

Name

Lucas Eckles

HP

279

279

Stamina

270

270

Total Affinity

17%

17%

Mana

170

170

Strength

14

14

Endurance

27

27

Agility

12

12

Charisma

10

10

Intellect

10

10

Luck

13

13

Armor

13.5

Bonus Armor

3.5

Damage

5

15

Bonus Damage

2

5

Active Skills

Inspect

Beginner 5

Locate Loot

Beginner 1

Dash

Beginner 1

Rapid Fire

Beginner 3

Stealth

Beginner 3

Passive Skills

Hand to Hand

Intermediate 6

AI Interfacing

Advanced 3

Formations

Intermediate 3

Sneak

Beginner 1

Scavenge

Beginner 4

Combat Professions:

Non Combat Professions:

Rogue

Lvl

1

Salvager

Lvl

2

Open

Open

Major Outstanding Quests

Grantor

Save Rose

Rose

Affinities

Earth

0%

3%

Light

0%

3%

Wind

0%

3%

Water

0%

3%

Fire

2%

5%

Space

5%

8%

Mind

7%

10%

Crafting

3%

3%

Death

0%

3%

System

3%

3%

Spells (8 Slots)

Haste

Beginner 1

Mind over Matter

Beginner 1