David took a moment to sink it and could only come up with one question.

“ What level were they?”

Rick and John were not surprised by the question. Jake however only took a moment to appreciate him looking for the important detail.

“ Best guess was level at least nine. One of my army friends in the PD got to level eight fighting all the gangbangers and such. One of his skills was an identifier of anyone of equal level. One of the fighters could not be identified by level but could by name. Meaning his resistance did not trigger, but his level was not high enough to identify the level, but could the identity.”

Jake looked around a bit and decided to sit down with the three.

“ Look, the others, they seem alright, but you three. You seem normal. Not as aggressive as the pretend soldiers or the cosplayers. I don't feel comfortable around them. And right now I need normal...”

Jake trailed off and David took the pizza box and offered the man a piece. Seeing how tense Jake was, he decided to give the man the best normal he could.

“ Believe it or not but that power suit is the real deal. Plate steel with polymer padding around the joints with a chainmail weave underneath. In vital spots kevlar padding and a thin layer of gel padding for cushioning impacts. I’d let you in, but you are a bit too beefcake for it. What were you in the marines, by the way? My money is on heavy weapons.

Jake gave a quick laugh and shook his head.

“ Engineer, blowing shit up and rebuilding it right after.”

David looked at his two friends and nodded.

Well, Jake, we are happy to have you with us. You being a former marine, know how to fight. Whatever was done with our heads. It seemed to grant me the ability, but I have no doubt it is no match for actual training. Do you know how to properly hold that thing over there?”

David pointed to the M134 and Jake gave a brief whistle.

“ A nice piece, I assume a fake?”

David nods.

“ Well, it was semi-real, had the appearance, could be fed ammo like a real one, but we had the trigger mechanism replaced with a laser pointer. After the... change... that laser pointer became some kind of magic and it seems it can shoot real bullets now.”

Casually David went into his {Ammo Depo} and pulled out a 7.62 nato round and tossed it to the former marine. Who caught it and looked at it disappointedly.

“ Crappy round. I give it a high chance of failure. If I was you I would get rid of the crap you got with this.”

David shook his head.

“ That's all I got. It is from a skill called {Ammo Depo}. My hope is that by leveling it I will unlock better quality.”

Jake snorted and pointed to John.

“ I borrow your pad?”

John looked at David and shrugged. Moments later David got several messages.

[You have unlocked several blueprints:

9mm nato (factory: FMJ, HP, Tracer)

5.56 nato (factory: FMJ, HP, Tracer)

7.62 nato (factory: FMJ, Tracer)

12 gauge (factory: Bird,Buck, Slug, Rubber)

20 gauge (factory: Bird, Buck, Slug, Rubber)

.44 magnum (factory: FMJ)

.45 magnum (factory: FMJ)

.500 Magnum (factory: FMJ)

40mm grenade (frag, HE, Inc., Flash, Smoke, Tear, Rubber)

M67 frag grenade

M83 smoke grenade

M18 colored grenade

M106 SOD grenade

M18A1 claymore

C4]

[{Ammo Depo} has leveled from 1->4] [{Ammo Depo} now generates factory new munitions. More advanced munition costs more mana. {Ammo Depo} can now generate deployables at 100 mana per deployable. {Ammo Depo} now has a 400mp (starts at 0) stock where bulk ammo can be made cheaper in mags, clips or as an {Ammo Pouch}.] [{Ammo Pouch}: Deploy an ammo pouch that contains 100 mana worth of ammo for the weapons one that opens the pouch (as long as compatible ammo is known.) Ammo is preloaded into magazines or clips for the ammo type. (does not work with siege level weapons) Cost 100 mana. 1 minute CD. Deployed pouches last till used or ten minutes passed. Munitions from pouches last 1 day before disappearing.]

David whistled at all the notices and Jake laughed sharply.

“ I knew that would unlock a bunch of stuff for you. Did you get the weapon and other blueprints too? Because I downloaded them onto here, but they did not get a compatibility note.”

David closed his menu and took his now cool pizza.

“ Probably because my skill revolves around munitions. I did get the deployable though. Would have never thought of picking up those.”

Jake’s face turned cheerful to serious as his tone changed as well.

“ We are going to need all of that in the future. Even then, I don’t think it will be enough.”

David looked at Jake thoughtfully for a moment and started thinking of something for the future. Something he barely remembered seeing from his dream.

[You shape your own destiny!]

In his mind, an image of the four of them in power armors, each one new and unknown types entered his head. Rick was a builder of settlements and defenses. John as a technician, keeping everything moving and running. Him on the walls making sure their enemies are kept at bay. And their new friend to make those enemies' homes go boom.