෴Raz෴

෴Hex෴

෴෴෴ ෴෴෴ ෴෴෴

The conversation in the other room continued. Raz could no longer make out what they were saying.

[Denial of personal mortality is a normal initial reaction for people in your situ—]

Raz dismissed the message before finishing it.

Like I said. ‘Fuck. That.’ I’m not accepting this. I still have 10 energy left, and damn it, I’m going to figure something out if it’s the last thing I do. And don’t you dare point out that it might be.

[Of course not.]

Raz could almost smell the sarcasm in Bee’s normally reserved manner of communication.

Ok, let’s walk this through. Metaphorically speaking, I’m basically bleeding out. Bandages are apparently not an option, what else do I do?

[Stop the bleeding another way.]

Have you got an idea for that?

[No.]

It’s a good first idea. But let’s think outside the box.

[That is more your domain.]

You know I have an idea already. I just want you to try.

[The answer you have come up with makes no sense, we are not literally talking about blood.]

Bah. The goal was not for you to just read what I came up with, and besides, ‘adding more blood’ is a perfectly good response. Ask any surgeon.

[We find a way to repair the damage ourselves.]

Good thought, let's work from that. If I could power triage on and use rapid recovery, how long would it take to heal this?

[Unknown.]

Can you at least make an educated guess?

[Several hours at least.]

That—is a long time to have an active ability running right now. What known abilities could make that healing more effective, efficient, or I don't know, just better?

A low humming indicated Bee was working.

[You do not possess a complete catalyst catalog.]

The humming didn’t stop, so Raz waited with as much patience as he could muster.

Several minutes went by with no answer. Raz got bored and started to think through the components of his energy regeneration procedure.

[Don’t activate that!]

[I’m working on your question.]

Relax, I’m just looking at the pieces of this and seeing if I can make it fit the current situation better.

[The best option is ‘Somatic Restoration’]

That sounds like a healing ability. Is there a catch I’ll hate that you didn’t mention?

[Yes, several.]

[It appears intended for use on others.]

[You’ll eventually need, or at least benefit from, a far better medical knowledge, or ability set, to make the best use of it.]

Raz sighed inside. Great. So since I’m not a doctor, what can it do for me?

[That limitation is largely for use on others. On yourself, you have the benefit of me, and the catalyst inside you.]

Bottom line?

[If the notes are to be taken literally, the Somatic Restoration is capable of performing ‘healing and recovery that pushes the boundaries of the miraculous’]

Wow, that's a big offer. There must be a catch.

That sounds amazing, almost—knock on wood—too good to be true. Any... other catches?

[There are many benefits of synergizing your perception suite with the restoration suite.]

[Would you like to hear those?]

I seem to recall someone saying the whole suite thing is wrong, and it’s all about trees and shit.

[Indeed, and I seem to recall someone talking about “speaking the familiar language”.]

Ok, you got me there. Anyway, what’s the catch?

[Are you sure you wish to hear the negatives before the positives?]

I am in fact, positive. Whats the fucking catch. Tell me now or—so help me, I’ll… I don’t know, lay here and die or something.

[Melodrama does not suit you.]

Kiss my ass. Help or shut the fuck up.

[The catches that I see, as it were, are two fold.]

[First, when you unlock a tree, it appears you have to unlock some portion of the tree before you can unlock another.]

That’s not awesome, but I have a lot of capacity banked and a lot of catalyst back at Sia’s place. Is there a second, worse catch?

[No.]

[The second catch is that unlocking this would consume nearly all the catalyst you have onboard.]

That barely registers as a downside. Why shouldn’t I just do it?

[More abilities have turned out to consume catalyst than expected.]

[Even the siphon and transfuse imply that they consume small quantities of catalyst while in use.]

Raz stared at those words for several seconds as he wavered between confusion and anger.

[Oh yes, there hasn’t been a great time to bring this up, but your otherwise ill advised action revealed two unclassified abilities.]

He took several deep breaths, reaching for a sense of calm that felt all but unattainable. By all means good sir, please tell me about these abilities you’ve been sitting on for most of the day.

[Siphon gain the ability to transfer energy from target to self: Direct contact required: Higher levels increase efficiency, speed, and penetration of transfer]

[Transfuse gain the ability to transfer energy from self to target; Direct contact recommended: Higher levels increase speed and efficiency of transfer.]

Call me crazy, but that sounds pretty damn relevant to the current situation!

[Siphon level 0 is so inefficient that you would need to drain an estimated 100 percent of your own standard energy pool, for each two percent you gain.]

[Additionally, it would spend some portion of your 10 percent remaining energy, to gain that 2 percent.]

[That is why I did not consider it a high priority item to bring to your attention at this time.]

That does suck. Actually, that sounds a lot like the shitty ratio of the energy I shoved into Hex. How is it at level 1?

[Each level stacks roughly 20% to all measures, in a straight additive way.]

[There are five levels.]

And how many levels could I buy right now?

[You have the capacity to max out both of these, and several other abilities.]

[You have the catalyst to reach level 3 in Siphon, with some left over or level 4 Transfuse, with almost none left over.]

You know what? You were right.

[Always good to hear. Right abou—oh... yes I see.]

Yeah, you were right about not being very smart. Ok. So transfuse is off the table. That would just get me killed faster. How long would it take to bring siphon level 3 up, and would I have enough for that Somatic thing?

[Maybe, it depends on if synergistic interfacing applies to its cost as it has applied to the cost of several other abilities.]

How long though?

[These do not include significant physical changes, the time to full activation is marked as ‘trivial.’]

Hmm, I’m worried I’ll spend these resources and discover they don’t work any better, because of the same problem I’m trying to deal with.

[That is a very valid concern.]

Is there any way to know?

[No. The closest entry in the database reads ‘An interesting observation is that some human abilities appear from exercising poor judgement in the face of extreme circumstances, if they survive.’]

Holy shit.

You get what that means right? That's at least an implication, if not proof, that there are entries in this database from non-humans. This catalyst stuff, where does it come from? Why is it here? After seeing it move on its own. I sort of want to add. What does it want?

[I had not made that connection.]

I’m going to try something. While I do, I have a job for you. I’d like you to search the database regarding resistances. Find me the type of attack that is hardest to resist.

[I see what you’re planning to do. Please be careful.]

A low throbbing hum arose in his head.

Raz willed the energy display up.

[Energy 9/?]

Ok, tiny, careful sips.

Raz imagined pulling energy through a tiny straw. Instantly a shock of pain blasted through him like he’d grabbed hold of a live wire.

[Energy 9/?]

Ok, that's not working. But at least it didn’t hurt me. Much.

He imagined a fuel cell, a membrane with no visible holes at all. A layer of something thinner than a gasoline rainbow floating on water, that energy could slowly pass through in one direction. The image felt right. He could swear something was happening.

It doesn't hurt, and I don’t feel anything. I guess it could be worse.

[Energy 9/?]

Raz kept the fuel cell construct in place while thinking of what would work better.

Hmm. Maybe I need to try smaller straws. Or some kind of passive flow.

Several more minutes passed.

Ok, maybe this isn’t going to—

[Energy 10/?]

Yes!

Raz grew the fuel cell to cover the entire surface of what he felt was his internal energy paths. As he neared completion, a throbbing ache began in those same paths.

Ok, so that’s too much. This mental process is involved! Glad to have procedural chains.

Raz tested it a few more times before locking it into a chain and initializing it.

A few minutes later, he’d gained another five energy.

Upside, I guess I probably won't die. Downside, this is like watching paint dry.

He reluctantly got up from the surprisingly comfortable treatment table and opened the door to the front lobby. Sia sat in a chair, hastily wiping her reddened eyes. The old couple sat across from her, holding hands.

“That was a nice nap. I’m feeling a little better, but we should get going now...” he announced.

Sia looked at him in confusion. “We can’t leave. We need to find a way to heal you.”

He smiled, “I’ve got some ideas on that. For now, let's allow these nice people to get back to bed.”

She looked at the couple with a helpless expression. “I—uh, I guess I’ll see you another time. Don’t tell anyone that stuff your daughter told you though. That’s totally off book.”

They nodded with sad smiles, and looked up at Raz like they were seeing a condemned man. “Good luck son, please forgive us. Your injury is beyond our ability. But—if we can ever help you in some way, please let us know.” Their tone told him they didn’t expect to see him again.

They turned and bowed low to Sia, who looked embarrassed by the attention.

He nodded to them and extended his hand to Sia. After a tight hug, they walked to the van.

“You’re driving, I had way too much Saki in there.” she pressed the keys into his hand.

“No problem. I had a little nap in there, I’m feeling ok.”

“Do you really have an idea about fixing yourself?” Sia pressed as soon as he started the van.

“I really do. In fact, the first part is already working.”

[Energy 17/?]

She seemed to visibly deflate as tension left her shoulders and neck. “Thank god. To hear those two talk about it, you’re minutes or hours from slipping into a coma and dying.”

“They’re right, I was.”

“Wait, what?! If they’re right, why are we leaving?”

“I said I was. They’re also right that they can't help me. I think I’m more or less on my own to get through this.”

She swallowed. “Well, what’s the plan?”

“First step is to fill the tank. No idea how long that will take, but I need to have enough energy to be out of the danger zone. After that, I have a few options, and I suspect that even if I do nothing, if I keep doing what I’m doing, I’ll recover in a week or two.”

She put a hand to her head. “The whiplash is giving me a headache! From ‘dead in a day or two, to recovering in a week or two’. That’s good news, but now I can’t help but wonder when the other shoe will drop.”

He nodded, “Well, I’m not going to wait around doing nothing. I have a plan. I’m not sure how long it will take, but I think it’ll work.”

She covered a yawn as she knocked on the plastic strip of trim that looked like wood on the glove box. “Is this a plan I would understand? Got any details?”

“I’ll think it through in more detail once I’ve had some sleep. I know I said I was ok, but now that we’re driving, I’m more tired than I thought. I need you to keep me talking so I don’t doze off at the wheel.”

She reached over and slapped his thigh. “Stay awake! While you drive, how about you tell me about this Bee character.”

“Bee is—I guess the best way to put it is that Bee is what I named the part of me that interfaces with the system framework that exists around abilities. He’s sort of like a computer, but not really.”

“The system? Does Bee have a good graphics card? You always told me a solid GPU is critical.” her tone shifted from skeptical to playful.

“Uh, I think so? It seems like he uses some of my brain, and certainly interacts with my optic nerve. I don’t know that he has hardware in the way you’re thinking, but to honestly answer your question, I have a feeling I have not even scratched the surface of the things he can be used for.”

[That’s for sure.]

“So he’s using your brain power? Is that why you’ve been acting kind of dumb sometimes?”

He glanced over at her. “Wait, have I?”

She nodded, “Well sure, I had to show you how to get dressed this morning, and you keep trying to eat bacon with a spoon.”

“That did not happen. I’m being serious now. I’ve talked to Bee about this, but if he’s using too much of my brain power it seems like something I should know about. So no fucking around, am I acting dumber than you remember?

She dropped the joking manner and didn't say anything for a minute. Finally she answered him. “You definitely have made some decisions I didn’t agree with. You’ve taken some risks I really didn’t agree with.” She paused and let out a sigh. “But, for all that, when I put myself in your place, with what you know and don’t know, I can’t really fault your decisions in retrospect.”

“That’s good to hear. I’ve been worried I’d be forced into another ability tree just to keep my wits about me.”

She made a dismissive grunt. “Well, don’t get a swelled head about it, I’m not saying you’re perfect. You’ve made plenty of bad calls, just not more than usual. If I can be blunt for a moment, the worst call you’ve made is the one to shut me out there at first, but I do see why, and I’m glad we’re moving past it.”

“Shut you out?”

“Babe, did you think I wouldn’t notice that you’d decided not to trust me? It was pretty clear you were wondering where my ultimate loyalty lies.”

He took a deep breath and hunched his shoulders. “I—You’re not wrong. I don’t like Midnight. He’s been nothing but a dismissive asshole to me. You’re working for him, and also for WD40, and also watching me. Can you blame me for wondering?”

She was silent while he pulled off the interstate and turned onto a state highway.

“I guess not. I’m trying to see it from your point of view. Would it help if I told you that Midnight is the whole reason WD40 was looking for you? He’s the client, you were the VIP he wanted saved. I know he’s an ass, but he isn’t against you.”

He thumped the steering wheel with his fist. “Ugh. Why am I only hearing that now? I don’t know if I should be less, or more worried!”

She made a small ‘hmm’ sound. “Honestly, I just thought you should know. I don’t always like him either. I mean, sometimes I do. Before I met you I thought about him a lot. He kind of has that hot older guy vibe about him. Doesn’t hurt that he’s in good shape, and super fucking bad ass. When he’s out of the armor and in one of his tailored suits, mmhmm, I could definitely let him have a—”

Raz cut her off before she said something he couldn’t unhear. “Babe, are you a little drunk?”

She opened her eyes wide at the realization of what she’d just said. “Oh shit. Uh. I did have some Saki while you were in there. I think I’m just really tired and oversharing a bit.”

He laughed. “You think? Let’s talk about your Electra complex some other time. But if it helps, you know you can always call me Daddy.”

“Ew! No thanks. That’s not the image I want in my brain when we’re in bed. But I’ll tell you, he is definitely not fatherly with me. I’m pretty sure if he wasn’t so intent on this mission of his, he’d have made a move at some point long before I met you.”

“Yep, still talking about you shagging that jerk, how about a new topic.”

“So uh, about that system you mentioned. Tell me more about that?”

“Yeah, so there’s a whole system. I wasn't sure at first, since my ability tree isn't really the risky kind of ability. After getting a glance at your ability tree, well, as far as I can tell, a lot of the whole system of abilities exists for user protection.”

I am going to have to scrub my brain to get the idea of her and him out of my head now.

“And you’re the only one who knows about this, ‘system’ beneath abilities?”

He shook his head. “I doubt that. It seems like there must be others who know, but on the other hand, if they know, why don’t they tell the world?”

“Why don’t you tell the world?” She countered.

“Easy. I don’t want attention from the government, any of them. I don’t want to end up some lab rat somewhere. And, I guess I’m not sure anyone would believe me.”

He paused to think. “Oh, yeah. I guess that could be why no one else has told the world.”

She squeezed his shoulder again. “And don't think we’re not going to talk about ‘my ability tree’, whatever that is.”

*** *** ***

When they arrived at her place, she staggered into her bedroom and was snoring a moment after she fell into bed. Raz stayed in the living room working on the energy constructs.

Later as he settled into bed, Raz finally allowed the imaginary fuel cell to dissipate so he could sleep.

[Energy: 49/?]

So, am I out of danger, at least for tonight?

The hum of Bee working was the only answer. A few seconds later Raz felt the sense that the answer was yes.

I hope that's just dedication to answering my question, and not pouting.

While he lay there waiting for an answer or inspiration, he made sure to enter what he had come to think of as low power mode. Soon after, he joined Sia in sleep.