《The Ones Among Us》Chapter Seven
Advertisement
Late the next morning the three of them roused from deep sleep. Daniel had not gotten back by the time the girls went to bed, last night, but they heard him come in later.
By the time the girls were up and showered, Daniel had breakfast on and was making enough to feed a proverbial army, with coffee.
"Good call on that." Renée said, she pointed to the pile of food accumulating on the table. "Somehow I see us eating more than we planned on." She sat down and pulled a plate towards her, loading it up with the options the table was laden in.
"Have you looked at your system this morning?" Daniel asked, setting a plate of pancakes down.
“Not yet.” Renée said. “I figured anything could wait till after food.”
“I discovered that we can send each other messages, so I left you notes for some information I found last night while I was running. But it looks like the web connection thing shut down after about an hour of inactivity.”
“I’ll check them out.” Renée said, her words muffled by the pancakes she was shoving in her mouth.
“Is this for real?” Farrah asked from upstairs. “Can we really do all these things, Daniel?”
“I think so. It’ll take time. But if we have help from Thompson figuring out what’s going on and hopefully how to use these systems…”
"Did you really get stronger last night?" Farrah asked coming down the stairs.
“Well, it didn’t feel different from any other work out. But I did the baseline assessment before I left, and the system says there were minor gains. But what was really noticeable, was that I ran for an hour longer than normal, without really feeling it. Whatever this stuff is inside us, it’s giving us boosts, enhancements, but we will have to track and see what the costs are. I don’t want to go for a run and find out that it’s eaten away my liver.”
Advertisement
Renée and Farrah laughed nervously as they turned their focus to eating.
After they eaten more than their usual daily intake of calories, they started sharing notes around and catching each other up on things they had found relevant in their various searches.
“By the way, how are your eyes?” Daniel asked Farrah when they pushed back from the table.
“I’d completely forgotten about that.” Farrah said. She blinked several times and waved her hand in front of her eyes. She got up and walked to the sliding glass door leading to the deck. She looked around outside before coming in and sitting with the others. “I can see across the bay. Yesterday I would’ve needed my glasses for that. I guess it works, if at some cost.”
It was obvious they were still only scratching the surface of the Abrasax system. However it was also obvious from the information provided that the system seemed to be designed for the intended hosts to pick and choose certain aspects. So far it didn’t seem reasonable that anyone could max out the entire system and turn into a superhuman person. The amount of resources that would take was staggering. But they still didn’t know what sort of support this had, because just devising something like this was on par with the space program.
René had pointed out that this was “kill you if anyone finds out.” level of conspiracy theory. The fact that it supposedly came from a Chinese satellite and Thompson implied they would be subject to ‘accidents’ if anyone find out, led support to that idea.
The big question, was why she let them live. If they really were guinea pigs, then they needed to be smart capable guinea pigs that took every advantage seized every opportunity, and were ready to flee if it’s keeper ever came around with bad intentions.
Advertisement
- In Serial7 Chapters
Avalon
Earth and Avalon have always been linked, two planes of existence, two worlds forever revolving one another. The bridge between can easily be found if one knows where to look. Avalon is a land of purity, and its inhabitants will do anything necessary to keep it that way. Humanity has always been viewed a stain, a disease that threatens the border, and so the Nephilim, winged warriors of Avalon, rose to beat back the spread of a destructive, sinful virus. Mydaiel is just entering the folds of the sisterhood, having completed her training, she is ready to join the hunt and spill blood as Avalon dictates she do until her final, dying breath. It is a great sacrifice and great honor, and she is proud to take the mantle. But corruption can come from anywhere and the hunts have grown increasingly dangerous, that her first may not go entirely as planned. Join the story where two worlds collide in a painful, bloody battle that threatens to become an all out genocide.
8 86 - In Serial16 Chapters
The Mantle
Perrin, a former SF operator, turned programmers life goes to crap. Shortly after finding out he's married to a goddess and a cat, he is forced to go into a portal to save himself from a biblical battle going down in his RV park. He must learn to survive in a game world that is set on taking him out. A mysterious past unfolds as he searches for the exit. A finished and much more improved version of this story will hopefully be published soon. Since it started here, I decided to rerelease the chapters I wrote.
8 100 - In Serial17 Chapters
Paragon of Light
The world has revolved around a divine game, the Paragon of Light doing battle with the Paragon of Shadows, since time immemorial. Now, suddenly that game has changed - changed genres. Will the four Disciples of Light figure out the new rules and find their Paragon in time?
8 212 - In Serial8 Chapters
The Knight's New Day
Succumbing to his final battle, a knight thinks that his death is the end of his story.... until he is given a chance to live again, to earn a place in paradise.
8 199 - In Serial7 Chapters
The Wizard
Join Michael Tanner and wonder as he survives the end of the world. Cry for him as he endures his pain. Become fascinated as he learns the powers of one of the first Wizards of Earth. Fear as he confronts death. Rejoice as he conquers and becomes more powerful. Clash with him against the godlike powers that seek to destroy what remains of Mankind. Be outraged as he deals with the darker side of Humanity. Enjoy as he learns what it is to become who he is to be.
8 188 - In Serial135 Chapters
Myrr: Reincarnated Timemage Assassin
“A cute Half-Wraith magic tutor who hugs my worries away and tells me I’m a genius, a loving auntie who beats the way of the assassin into me while guarding me from demons, and a sperm-less uncle who can’t have kids of his own because he gets beaten so bad by said auntie. I…was really messed up in my past life. But with so much help, I think I might be able to smile in this one. This is a story about beautiful mistakes!” On Earth, I was a filthy-rich, depressed loner. I single-handedly bankrupted six casinos using my ability to see the future. My girlfriend was just using me for my money. I was just using her to appear normal. I trusted no one. Until that girl came. After I saved her...for some reason, I was reincarnated as a baby in another world. It seems I'm really good at magic here. But seeing into the future is a lot tougher in this life. And even if I can peek a few seconds ahead... I can't help but ask, "Why is everyone so freaking strong? I thought all girls were useless gold-diggers!" But seriously, I think I've been saved by every girl I've met in this world. My auntie hopes that I become a self-replenishing bank account...err powerful mage. She's willing to do anything for me, even pay for my education with her retirement money! Everyone here is so...selfless. It's really challenging just to survive each day. Life is way tougher than on Earth...but for some reason...I think I want to smile? [participant in the Royal Road Writathon challenge] # Pictures licensed under creative commons https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/16206019960 https://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/35638801220/
8 248

