“What? No. no.” The dwarf assured his face returning to normal but I didn’t believe him.

“So what are going to with it?” I was suddenly curious. They could probably make a big rug out of it.

“Oh. I’m going to use it as material for clothes like your jacket, for handles...” ”I’m going to make more credit just chopping it up than selling the entire thing.” The dwarf was greedily looking at the fur and rubbing his hands.

I didn’t like the idea of cutting it up piece by piece but it’s not mine anymore. After we concluded our deal Tordan invited me to check his products so I browsed. Every time I looked at his products I’m always filled with wonder. Every Altech item here has a different alien history. I could select any random item and I wanted to learn its origins. I wanted to explore the place that produced it.

I thought about my future life and realized that I didn’t want to work in an office all day. I thought about dad and he seemed satisfied with his life. He spent a long time in the Marine Corps and he traveled all over the world. When I was little he would talk about the different places he visited and I listen to those stories with wonder. Here surrounded by alien items and culture I wanted that. Then everything clicked in my mind. I finally had an idea what I wanted to do with my life. It was staring in from of me the entire time and I didn’t notice it.

But my first priority was to find some weapon that can protect me from large animals like the Great Bear. That was an oversight I paid in blood. I didn’t want to say it but the encounter with the bear sparked the competitiveness in me. My first challenge against a real beast didn’t count because I won it on luck than skill. I want to prove to myself that I wasn’t a weakling.

I looked at the different advanced rifles and read the tag.

---Callian Unimax National T21 Plasma Rifle---

Now, this is what I need for future hunting. I read the disclaimer.

---Level 2 Tech License Needed--- I was disappointed. I was still a minor and I can’t apply for a Level 2 Tech License until I was of legal age. That rifle was perfect for me. I signed and moved on. I examined the smaller tan colored rifle below it and it had an organic feel to it

---Delkan Integral CK12 Laser Rifle---- I found it a lot small for me but it would be a perfect fit for a woman. Then my eye found the tag.

---Level 2 Tech License Needed--- I sighed. I checked the other rifles and they all needed level 2 and above. I scratched my head in frustration.

“This is America!” I shouted in anger. “If I wanted a tank. I can get one!” Anyone can buy Level 1 tech but anything higher than that you’ll need you’ll need a license. Their reasoning too was all nonsense.

A finger poked me on the elbow and I saw a dwarvette looking at me funny. I smiled at her embarrassed. Thankfully she didn’t make a comment. She just wanted to measure my size and I stood there while she pointed a laser measuring device at my body. She left after she was finished without saying anything. Tordan approached me and asked what I was looking for. I told him my problem.

“You don’t have license huh. Hmmm.” He scratched his chin and inside the backroom. The emerged a couple minutes later.

“How about this one? Tirolan Integrated Technologies S88. This is popular among the hunters because it’s Level 1 Tech.” He showed me a futuristic looking sniper rifle with a scope. It had a black barrel and a very aesthetic looking grey body. It looked a little similar to a Barrett rifle only it was more futuristic. I handled the rifle I was amazed that it was lighter than my old rifle.

”Let me show you something.” He took the rifle back and held it with his right hand. Then the pushed a button with his left and the rifle changed. The barrel shortened, the scope retracted down into the body and was replaced by a holosight. The stock also shortened and it reduced the size by almost half.

“That’s so cool. Like a transformer.” I stared at the rifle with fascination.

“In this mode, you can use it for..what was the word..close quarters battle.” “ Stupid concept.. If it’s that close use an ax.” he complained.

“You like it? You can buy this one.” He patted the rifle with his hand. He pressed the button again it transformed back into the previous look.

“Is this that laser rifle?” I asked still staring the rifle and I wanted it.

“No. But it’s good for hunting. It’s a gauss rifle” he said rolling his eyes

“Gas rifle?” I asked confused

“No. It’s spelled G.A.U.S.S. It accelerates projectiles using electromagnets.” the dwarf spelled it out for me.

“It’s railgun!” “Why didn’t say that in the first place?” Now I knew why this rifle was only a Level 1. It was just a slug thrower.They just removed the powder and replaced it with magnets.

“Same same.” He shrugged.

“How is this better for hunting? It’s not even...it’s kinda old school...It still fires bullets right?” I looked at it dubiously. “It’s cool looking and all but..”

“You little pup.” “Let me ask you. How do kill an animal?” he interrupted his eyes narrowed and the dwarf was getting annoyed.

“Let see. Hitting vital organs, blood loss, shock from trauma..” I counted with my fingers. This I know a lot.

“What happens if you shoot an animal with a laser or plasma?” the dwarf asked gesturing at the other rifles.

“Boom! Animal’s dead.” I grinned. “Pew. Pew.Pew. Dead.” Making a gun sign with my hand and blowing the finger like a barrel.

“Noob... What happens is both laser and plasma takes time to burn through inches even feet of skin and muscle and then it cauterizes the wound stopping the bleeding immediately. Hmmm. It’s the same with plasma. Both also have no stopping power. And one thing both types of weapon do best is BURN!” He tapped his finger on my chest hard. I rubbed the spot with my hand.

“Ah...Really? So I can still kill the animal but..” I finally got it. Yes, I could kill an animal with a laser or plasma rifle but the loot will be wasted.

“It burns the animal. The fur, the skin, etc.” He nodded when he saw I finally understood the cons of energy rifles.

“So what different about the gas rifle?”

“Gauss!” The dwarf roared.

“Yeah. Gauss.” I rolled my eyes. He gave me a dirty look.

The dwarf closed his eyes and growled something. “Wait a second.” He went back to the back room and came with a bunch of things.

“See this. This is the projectile or bullet.” He placed something on the table. “Take it. Have a look.” I took the projectile. It was a polymer cylinder the size of a cigarette butt with a single opening. I looked at the opening I saw something pointy.

“The ammo’s tiny. The ammo of my rifle is larger than that.” I replied full of scorn. I was starting to feel he was just bullshitting me.

“Yes. But that doesn’t matter because this projectile goes ten times faster than that. Armor piercing is standard to this rifle.” He said patiently. Finally, the dwarf had enough.

”Come with me. You're testing my patience!” He picked up the gauss file and a magazine and walked to the back room.

I followed and inside the room was larger than I expected. It had three locked steel safe doors, testing area and a small staircase going down. We used the stairs and went down. There was another room filled with locked metal boxes and at the far side was a long lighted corridor with a target silhouette. He placed the gauss rifle and magazine on the table that blocked the entrance of the corridor.

“Lemme change the targets.” He pressed a button and silhouette dropped down a hatch and a large gelatin block replaced it

“I should charge you for this.” he muttered darkly. He pressed a button and a slot appeared on the top behind the scope and he inserted the magazine. He aimed the rifle and fired quickly before I could react.

“BANG!” “I MISSED!” “BANG!”

“FUCK!” It was so loud that my ears hurt and was were ringing.

“Why didn’t you warn me!” I glared at the dwarf. In an enclosed place it magnified the sound considerably.

“Oh. I forgot you didn’t have the mod”The dwarf's face said otherwise but I let it go because I heard mods and it perked me up. “Auditory mods or Auris mod” he added

“You do?” I asked. That kind of mod was useful. I knew this was another marketing scheme by the dwarf.

“Yes. The hearing’s the first to go in this line of work” He poked his ear with a finger wiggling it.

“Right. I’m gonna get one for Dad. The mod I mean. He’s starting to lose his hearing.” I quickly made up a story. Tordan nodded in sympathy.

”Okay. Let’s see the target.” Before the dwarf can ask more questions.

He pushed a button on the table. The gel target moved towards us briskly. I examined the jello looking target, but it was surprisingly very firm and harder than flesh. It was a rectangular block three feet wide and five feet in length. I poked at the entry wound. The hole was a bit larger than my finger, but inside the transparent gel, I could see clearly the damage done inside. The projectile almost penetrated all the way through. I was very pleased with the result and made up my mind.

“Can I try the rifle? With a new rifle too.” I wasn’t born yesterday.

“Ah. This is where we talk business. I can’t open a new one if you just want to try it.” his eyes gleamed. His face back to business mode.

“Okay. How much?”

“Fifteen hundred creds.” I winced. At that point, I stopped converting it to dollars. It was pointless.

“Throw in four thousand rounds and we have a deal.” I countered. Then I remember something. ”This ammo is standard right? Not hard to find and unique?” I raised my eyebrow at him.

“Yes, it’s very common. You can return both if I’m lying.” He assured me and I nodded in acceptance.

“Praise The Emprah! Deal!” he exclaimed happily.I grimaced when I saw the look on his face. I was afraid I got scammed again. Well... live and learn.

“Be right back.” He took the rifle and came back with a grey gun case.

“Check the seal.” He pointed at the holoseal. I examined it carefully and it was unbroken. I nodded. He opened the seal with a knife.

“Place your trigger finger in that recess for ten seconds” he pointed an indented area near the handle. I placed my index finger on it and counted the seconds. A scanner illuminated my finger and I felt a pinprick. I snatched my finger away and glared at Tordan.

“Hahaha. That never gets old!” He guffawed.

“I hope it doesn't prick me everytime I open it!” I complained.

“No. no. Just the first time to confirm the owner. You’ll see” he grinned. I knew this was some sort of payback.

I placed my finger again grimacing and it opened immediately. I opened the case wider and sitting inside was a brand new gauss rifle. I looked at the ginning Tordan and he nodded. So I took hold of the rifle and did some tacticool positions pointing the barrel at the gelatin for safety.

“Watch this.” Tordan yelled in dwarvish and in a minute one of his attendants appeared. He gave him the rifle holding the barrel and the nervous attendant held the grip. The test subject stiffened and shook like being shocked by a Taser. The dwarf’s hand slipped from the grip and fell backward unconscious. I felt sorry for the dwarf they clearly do this test a lot.

“See. Good safety feature.” he remarked he poked the fallen dwarf with his shoe. The dwarf stood up and ran away topside. Tordan also taught me how to unlock the rifle so anyone can touch it.

After he taught me the basics of the rifle it felt no different from a human rifle. The ten included mags had a fifty round capacity with its own integrated battery pack. The mag charger was included in the case. I borrowed a hearing protector and fired the rifle in both modes. I was satisfied with the accuracy and recoil so we concluded our testing.

“Oh. I need a few more things.” I said I sat down on the stool. “A monoblade, four storage mods and do you have armor?”

“Mmm. I got the storage mod and monoblade. But armor? No. I sold my last set. Maybe next month I can get some more. Just a second.” I nodded. I didn’t think I have the creds to afford one.

He walked to the storage room and he emerged after a few minutes. He set the items in the middle. One blade and some metallic wafers encased in a plastic box. I looked at the monoblade greedily and took it out slowly. This was the Altech item I had been saving up for. Similar to a straight Japanese tanto blade it was twelve inches in length and single edged. It had a dull dark gray finish and black grip. It was made out of a carbon composite metal. I handled it carefully because Tordan warned me too many times before. The edge of the blade was only one molecule wide so it will cut through almost anything. I raised the blade high and the edge gleamed. I inserted the knife back into its scabbard carefully and place it on the counter.

“How does these work?” I indicated the square boxes. ”I need to teach Dad” I added sticking to the cover story.

“It’s simple actually. First, and this is important. You must handle it with a synthetic glove. You just remove the nanomod with the gloved hand, place it on the back of your palm and wait for it to melt into your skin.” He demonstrated using a coin he had laying around. I nodded. “Then wait for it to appear on your menu.” “Usually after sleeping” he added.

“By the way. What other mods do you have? All I see is just Storage, Rejuv, Comm mods... ”

“What're the other mods for? You can’t use it.” He asked suspiciously. “You’re not selling it to others, right? You need a permit to sell these.”

“Really. It’s for my parents. As a thank-you gift for the bills and all.” That was not the whole truth. He believed me and nodded.

“You’re looking for the good stuff right?” I nodded eagerly leaning forward and my heart beat faster. The dwarf walked to the large Warhammer and picked it up one-handed. “The strength, Agility, intelligence mods” he continued and offered the weapon to me handle first. I held the grip and he released it. I fell off from the stool pulled down by the weight of the Warhammer. I was astonished and released the handle. I tried picking it up with my two hands and pulled hard. It didn’t even budge. My eyes widened.

I stared at the dwarf amazed at his strength. This is it! This is what I have been yearning for. The POWAH. I looked at him grinning with greedy eyes. He looked at me sadly and said.

“YOU ARE NOT WORTHY!” He declared.

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