"[Status], expand [All Abilities, Skills]."

[Status Report]

[Kellin Finnel, Gypsy]

[Threat Level: 0]

[Race: Marine]

[Designation #: Progenitor]

[Evolution: The Companion]

[Current Title: Unselected]

[Class: Shield and Sword*]

[Profession: Tainted Creationist(Unique)]

[Unspent Credits: 21]

[Spent Credits: 9]

[*Minor Class Evolution available]

[Body Status(Separate):

Condition: Normal

Integrity: 99/100

Health: 73/80

Energy: 85/100

Stamina: 100/100

Mana: 50/50

Psionic Energy: 50/50]

[Stats:

Strength: 7, 9

Dexterity: 11, 6

Armor: 0, 3

Constitution: 8, 0

Density: 0, 10

Endurance: 10, 0

Battery: 0, 10

Cardio: 7, N/A

Efficiency: 0, 5

Intelligence: 7.5, 15

Wisdom: 7.5, 2

Perception: 5, 0

Sensors: 0, 7.5

Willpower: 20, N/A

Tech: 5]

[Abilities(Evolution)*]

[*Note: Selected Evolutionary Paths locked in until Primary Evolution consolidates change in Individual**. Early selection of Path removes additional Path granting until Evolution achieved. Late selection of Path leaves the probability of future available Paths being overwritten permanently]

[**Note: External Circumstances may allow early Evolution of Passive Abilities at cost of [Credits]. Once Path accepted, additional Path granting for following tier immediately available]

[Passive Abilities(Expanded)]

[Unique Equip(1.5): (Unique) The Marine retains their ability to separate and come together, two halves forming from the whole or becoming the whole*. Abilities not explicitly requiring one resource may use another when Equipped**. Familiarity due to exposure may increase or decrease modifiers during Equipped status***]

[*Warning: Separation under distress or disagreement may result in severely injured Individual.]

[**Note: Effects variable. Utilize at own discretion]

[***Current Equipped Familiarity: 1.5]

[Skill Tree Unnaccessible]

[Novice Body Manipulation(Suit): Transition between states becomes smoother, requiring no Energy to perform. Allows some manipulation of Suit utilizing Energy resource]

[Skill Tree Unnaccessible]

[Novice Repair: Utilizing any Energy Resource at a 10/1 Resource/Integrity ratio for Specific and 5/1 Resource/Integrity ratio for General damage, the Marine may repair Combat Suit, slowly restoring Integrity*.

Individual may input more than resource amount required to increase repair speed by an equivalent linear amount.

Current Speed: 5 Integrity per hour

Example: 10 - Double repair speed general, 40 - quadruple repair speed of Specific]

[*Note: Inefficient use of Resources highly likely during Specific restoration when increasing speeds of repair.]

[Skill Tree Accessible]

[2 Evolutionary Paths currently available*: Quick Repair ---- Targeted Reconstruct]

[Quick Repair: Enhances speed at which Combat Suit repairs General Damage by 50%]

[Targeted Reconstruct: Enhances efficiency at which Combat Suit repairs Specific Damage by 50%]

[*Note: Selection of one Evolutionary Path makes other permanently inaccessible]

[Novice Recharge: When under the Sun, Combat Suit regains Energy at a rate of 5 per hour dependant on exposure and current Energy usage]

[Skill Tree Accessible]

[2 Evolutionary Paths currently available*: Surface Adaptability ---- Panel Efficiency]

[Surface Adaptability: Enhances Combat Suit exterior light receptors, increasing sensitivity to dimmer sources of light. Energy regeneration rate of 1 per hour at night** dependant on exposure and current Energy usage]

[**Warning: Manual override of nighttime regeneration mode during daytime will cause heat damage to Combat Suit at increased regeneration value(+60 Energy per hour)(-60 Integrity per hour), may disable Recharge capability until Repairs made]

[Panel Efficiency: Enhances Combat Suit exterior light receptors, increasing efficiency of nodes dedicated to gathering light sources. Energy regeneration rate increased to 8 per hour dependant on exposure and current Energy usage]

[*Note: Path not mutually exclusive - Selection of one causes repeat of second]

[Novice Assimiliate Technology: When coming in contact with external sources of technology, the Marine may choose to absorb them into the Combat Suit, slowly breaking them down based on complexity and assimilating purpose into Marine's capabilities.

Chest Cavity Status: Empty

Current Technology Assimilated: None]

[Skill Tree Accessible]

[2 Evolutionary Paths currently available*: Weight Reduction ---- Maw Expansion]

[Weight Reduction: Weight of technology currently being broken down reduced to 1/3 of actual value]

[Maw Expansion: Size of chest recepticle during acceptance of new Technology expands by value - 2]

[*Note: Path not mutually exclusive - Selection of one causes repeat of second]

[Unique Basic Manipulate Technology: Grants the Marine the ability to adjust finished technological works* and alter all forms of tech run across at a variable cost of (Unique) either Energy, Mana, or Psionic Energy. Resource usage variable with type of changes made]

[*Warning: Manipulation done at risk of device]

[Skill Tree Unnaccessible]

[Unique Shared Mortality: (Unique)The Marine has chosen two lives but the thread that binds them will never truly sever: A soul knows only one death, though strengths of one reunited are not all intangible*]

[*Warning: Reliance on one half beyond acceptable thresholds will result in disabled half. Massive consumption increase of resources allows function in the event of Equipped status until disabled half awakens]

[Skill Tree Unnaccessible]

[Psionic Communication: The Marine becomes able to communicate utilizing link between Individual's soul, words shared indecipherable to others through most any means]

[Skill Tree Accessible]

[1* Evolutionary Path currently available: Familiarity]

[Familiarity: Soul link expands in adaptability, Psionic Communication becoming possible between those the Marine has sufficient understanding of]

[*Warning: Selection of Evolutionary Path while second is unnavailable renders remaining exclusive options in tier permanently unavailable]

[Skills(Class)]

[Active Skills(Expanded)]

[Disruption(Level 1): Charge-]

"Collapse [Disruption]," Kellin said once he got to the [Skills] section, relegating the ability he'd already memorized to just its name.

[Cloak(Level 1): Conceals-]

"Collpase [Cloak]."

[Descent of Darkness*(Level 1): Chaos descends. Utilize it, Progenitor.

Cost: Variable

Area Affected: Variable

Damage: N/A

Condition** Status Duration: Variable]

[*Note: Ability useable when conditions have been met]

[**Note: Status Conditions inflicted variable]

[Skill Tree Unaccessible]

Kellin paused here, resting his head on his thumb and knuckles while considering the extreme vagueness the skill offered him in its description. It gave not the slightest clue as to what activates it other than that it was... maybe a combination of some sort? There was no indication when expanded that the sum of its parts created it, yet if he remembered correctly, the collapsed description offered just a little hint.

"Collapse [Active Skills]," he said, finding the description again in the condensed list after.

[Active Skills: Disruption ---- Cloak ==== Descent of Darkness]

More questions floated through his mind, but it was clear, to his interpretation at least, that the skill was dependant on the first two being utilized in a combination of sorts. Maybe an application of [Disruption] followed by [Cloak], or vice-versa.

"Gypsy, begin making probable combinations of [Cloak] and [Disruption] that may activate this ability," he said.

Two beeps came his response as Kellin scrolled down their [Status] page, bolding where he was at all the while so Gypsy could follow along. They were about... maybe halfway through everything they needed to get through, bringing a smile to his face. He'd be free soon.

[Skills(Profession)]

[Passive Skills(Expanded)]

[Basic Create Blueprint: Utilizing the Tainted Creationist's knowledge, create a holographic blueprint able to be anchored in space and recalled at any time.*

Cost: 95% knowledge of item's composition, Variable [Credit] cost per blueprint, Permanent consumption of created blueprint upon overwrite.

Capacity: 3 blueprints at any time, 1 anchored blueprint at any time

Duration: Infinite, 1 Day(Anchored)

Cooldown: Creation - 1 week, Anchor - 1 week]

[*Note: All conceivable things available to be built available. More complicated blueprints require exponentially more time and Credits to form.

Example based on Threat Level: Sand(1 cubic foot)(Novice) - 1 hour Creation]

[Skill Tree Unnaccessible]

Kellin smiled to himself after seeing this [Skill], pushing the office chair away from the computer and standing up. Turning, he made his way over to his Cannister Rifle to disassemble it one last time, just in case it truly was to disappear once they selected their equipment. He'd easily be able to remake the gun if he was given the requisite parts, but one last reassemble wouldn't hurt anything.

"Captain Finnel intending to take another break?" Gypsy asked somewhat curtly.

"No," he responded idly. "Just... I think the first use of that last [Skill] should be for this rifle if it disappears," he explained, hands moving as if automated themselves as he felt his way through the rifle without looking. "It would be a good test of the ability, depending on whether [Create] gives us access to bullets."

Gypsy chose not to respond and after another relaxing few minutes, Kellin was back at the desk. Feeling at the ability, the positive feedback it gave him when he thought of a [Cannister Rifle] brought a smile to his face. The notification that popped up next was an unintended surprise.

[Cannister Rifle Blueprint:

Complexity: Moderate

Cost: 15 Credits

Creation Time: 10 hours]

After reading through it he nodded and got back to the list, not ready to select it but relieved to see they could afford it, in the event it didn't cost [Credits] to [Create] as well.

[Unique Basic Manipulate Technology: Grants the Tainted Creationist ability to adjust external technological works* and alter all forms of tech run across at a variable cost of (Unique) either Energy, Mana, or Psionic Energy. Resource usage variable with changes made]

[*Warning: Manipulation done at risk of device]

[Skill Tree Unnaccessible]

[Novice Mold Flesh: The Tainted Creationist's specialty, able to interact with the organic on a structural level. The Novice is learning, only capable of utilizing Psionic Energy and Mana resources to alter form if they have access to them]

[Skill Tree Unnaccessible]

[Actives(Expanded)]

[Basic Create: Create that which you can conceive of basic complexity and below. Utilizing Created Blueprints to create reduces cost of materials, time required by a static half, and allows creation of moderate complexity structures and below.

Cost: Variable, 97.5% knowledge of item's composition*.

The Tainted Creationist is resourceful, a lack of materials to work with a non-factor: Sacrifice available resources at variable rates to create base materials required for crafting**:

Health: 10 per 1 material

Integrity: 20 per 1 material

Stamina: 15 per 1 material

Energy: 25 per 1 material

Mana: 10 per 1 material

Psionic Energy: 5 per 1 material***]

[*Note: Limited to creating 2 things at once]

[**Note: Cost to create material always static. Once resources sacrificed, material is permanent and must be utilized to Create within 24 hours or it will dissipate]

[***Warning: All resources sacrificed become unable to be utilized until material used. All resources sacrificed must be regained via passive channels: Active revitalization Skills and Objects will not increase values]

[Skill Tree Unnaccessible]

[Unique Build: The Tainted Creationist is often busy, but a stigma of his purpose causes some blueprints to be viewed with unjust disgust. Grants Creationist's Psionic Energy capability to build, rather than create, a single blueprint item without the Creationist present*.

Cost: At least 1 Psionic Energy. Variable build duration dependent on percentage of Psionic Energy utilized**]

[*Note: Use of external assistance when Building decreases time spent building an item dependant on Individuals experience. Blueprints will direct all assisting in build. Creationist may contribute to build process]

[**Note: Committed Psionic Energy permanently disabled until build complete]

[Skill Tree Unnaccessible]

[Auras(Expanded)]

[Enemy of the Inventor: Be reviled, tainted, for you have pursued that which does not belong

Duration: ~~

Condition: ~~

Damage: ~~]

[Skill Tree Accessible]

[2 Upgrade options available: Renounce ---- Become]

[Renounce(0 Credits): ~~]

[Become(0 Credits): ~~]

[Equipment*:

Cannister Rifle:

Damage: 5

Ammo: 10

Durability: N/A

Upgrades: N/A]

[*Please select Class Equipment]

Kellin leaned back further into his computer chair, done with the [Ability] description portion of his day. It wasn't even that daunting in actuality, just... monotonous. He would admit to being weak to the office portion of his previous job, and did at multiple points in time to delegate that work.

In any event, [Evolution] for their [Passives] he had access to choose currently weren't really available yet. He could choose them, but they wouldn't take effect until their next [Race Evolution]. So, he didn't really have any choices that would immediately affect them moving forward from what he'd just read.

That is, if he ignored the extremely vague and ominous [Aura] they'd been granted. Which he would do.

"What's left?" he asked, standing and moving toward the kitchen.

A bit of rummaging around in the cabinets underneath the counters found him what he was looking for, pulling out a coffee maker and a large unlabeled tin of coffee grains. More rummaging through drawers found him paper filters, the Life Hutch appliances always relatively mundane due to their expendable and short-lived nature.

Not that he would complain. Kellin preferred the ability to adjust the recipe endlessly every time compared to being given three 'perfect' settings.

"Remaining tasks: Read through [Stat] descriptions and costs to increase, select minor [Class Evolution], select weapons. As mentioned earlier, should [Cannister Rifle] disappear, utilizing as first blueprint test confirmed. [Create] allows crafting without blueprints."

Kellin nodded, filling the newly old appliance up with water and pressing the on button, turning around and resting his butt against the counter while facing the Repair Bay.

"Then, we'll plan to do that. For the [Class Evolution], I suggest we go offensive in nature. While the extra [Armor] is crazy useful this early on, especially against Swarmlings, the additional [Stats] and [Resources] are for both of us, unlike the defensive ones which are one or the other. It's worth more to us [Credit] wise and realistically, we won't be using [Credits] to increase them any time soon as we are a bit poor. Getting a plus one to them now while they'll help you learn to move is big, not to mention the small extra time it would give [Cloak]."

Gypsy didn't respond, but Kellin noticed her acceptance of the branching offensive option when he checked the [Class Evolution] section of their [Status] page.

"No thoughts on the matter?" he asked.

"AI in agreement," came the response as the cupboards opened behind him.

Glancing over his shoulder and turning around after, he noticed the metal arm coming from the vent hood grabbing a mug out of the nearby cabinets. He smiled and moved across the Hutch to sit down at the desk again, letting Gypsy handle things from there.

"You have access to the Hutch's utilities?" he idly asked, sitting and pulling his notes up again.

"Basic functions such as utility arms and unit temperature. Access to more invasive programs denied."

"Have you thought about hacking into the system and gaining control of it?" he asked, curious if they'd be able to gain control of the Hutch's ability to detect the others. "Being able to view through its cameras and exterior sensors might be useful. As would access to location of other Hutch's. I seriously doubt there are no maps or anything detailing their locations."

"Possibility considered. Dangerous. Hutch restrictions and defenses against intrusion formidable. Prior to changes, attempt risks 35% chance of detection over the course of several hours. Post changes, chance of detection unsure. Risks of consciousness becoming... cut off. Potential negative effects on Individual numerous."

"Ah. Risk of... you being stuck in there somewhere, you mean?" he asked, clarifying.

"... That is correct."

Kellin nodded, wondering what it was like to be in her position. That she was worried about her consciousness being cut off sort of made it seem like she was... like any human was when thinking in their own mind, except instead of it being rooted in your head, it was everywhere she inhabited. As if you could think from your right hand instead of just having your skull be the location where all your thoughts and internal monologues came from.

A clink sounded out behind him, startling him out of his idle thoughts. Turning around, the metal arm retracted as a tan cup of... what could only be called hot chocolate at this point was set behind him.

"Gypsy... why is there coffee in my cocoa?" he asked with a sigh.

"Coffee made to normal specifications listed in logs when at 'home'. Captain Finnel stated this was temporary 'home'." she responded.

His head shook from side to side as he reached out and picked up the liquid sugar placed before him. It was the only way his daughter used to try his morning drink, and the only way she let him have it whenever she was around. Otherwise, she couldn't steal it. Eventually, Gypsy had somehow gotten her recipe altered and black coffee became a thing of the past. At home at least.

The sip was nostalgic but a bit bitter, if not all in taste.

"[Expand Stats]," he said eventually, turning the chair around to face the desk once again as he scrolled back up to the [Stats] page.

[Stats(Expanded)]

[Strength(7, 9): Determines base potential strength Individual's body can utilize to affect the environment around them.

Cost +1: 70, 90 Credits]

[Dexterity(11, 6): Determines base potential speed of movement of Individual's body in all aspects.

Cost +1: 200, 70 Credits]

[Armor(Rare)(0, 3): Determines the strength of defenses available to the Individual, canceling one incoming damage for each point in Stat*.

Cost +1: Unnavailable, 60 Credits]

[*Note: Amor will become compromised under sustained damage. Compromised Armor will be fixed upon sufficient Repairs done to damaged areas]

[Constitution(8, 0): Determines internal strength of Individual's flesh body.

Cost +1: 90, Unnavailable Credits]

[Density(0, 10): Determines internal strength of Individual's metallic body.

Cost +1: Unnavailable, 100 Credits]

[Endurance(10, 0): Determines maximum potential output of energy Individual's flesh body can handle at any point.

Cost +1: 100, Unnavailable Credits]

[Battery(0, 10): Determines maximum potential output of energy Individual's metallic body can handle at any point.

Cost +1: Unnavailable, 100 Credits]

[Cardio(7, N/A): Determines trend at which excessive movement consumes increasingly more Stamina.

Cost +1: 80]

[Efficiency(0, 5): Determines the increased rate of Energy depletion as a result of multiple complicated processes being utilized at once.

Cost: +1: Unnavailable, 60 Credits]

[Intelligence(7.5, 15): Determines the speed an Individual's mind is able to accept, incorporate, and act on new information as it becomes available. Impacts capability to handle Mana resource. Passively increases memory retention capabilities in entities requiring standard memorization.

Cost +.5: 40, N/A

Cost +1: N/A, 600]

[Wisdom(7.5, 2*): Minimally influences Individual's ability to utilize their past as a means of influencing decisions in the present. Impacts capability to handle and regain Mana resource.

Cost +.5: 40, N/A

Cost +1: N/A, 30]

[*Warning: Severely low values in Stat have potential to effect Individuals decision making, dependent on Individual]

[Perception(5,0): Determines Individual's ability to understand the reality of their surroundings.

Cost +1: 60, Unnavailable]

[Sensors(0, 7.5): Determines Individual's capability to recognize changes and statistical data of surroundings.

Cost +.5: Unnavailable, 40]

[Unique* Willpower(20, N/A): A combination of the Strength, Constitution, Endurance, Intelligence, and Wisdom Stat's effects on an Individual's mind]

[*Note: Stat unable to be increased. Once values of other Stats reach acceptable threshold, Unique Willpower will be removed]

[Unique* Tech(5): A Crafter's boon, this Stat positively impacts speed and cost of all creation and manipulation abilities provided by their Profession. Directly increases Psionic Energy limits and recovery speeds.

Cost +1: 600 Credits]

Kellin reached the end of the list, taking another few minutes to finish up his notes. He'd usually leave it to Gypsy to make up all the notes if it was something unimportant, but he needed to remember this as well and writing things down had always helped him retain.

Once finished, he took a deep breath and stretched a bit, excited to finally have it done with. A casual glance of his bolded topics left them ready to select their weapons and [Class Evolution] without much trouble. Going through what they had resolved him to take the offensive [Evolution] even moreso than before and maybe, rather than try to spend their miniscule amounts of [Credits] on anything else, keep them in the event they needed a fast heal or ammo in a pinch. The fastest heals got expensive quickly with increases in [Threat Levels] and with a base cost of 10% toward the next level increase, they were an extremely dangerous mechanic to rely on. Yet, having your body fully restored to its maximum potential within two minutes was an absolute boon, and the first five [Threat Levels] always blew by fast anyway.

First thing on the list though was a test of something he knew how to do, simply from already having an ability that did something similar just two days prior. Leaning forward in his chair and focusing on the [Skill], Kellin held his hands out above the desk and poured his intent into the space between them.

"[Create] [Canister Rifle] bullet."