I wake to find myself on the same table in the same constricting suit as I was spirited away from. My messages icon, my person icon, and the machine next to me are all flashing red. The machine has the added penalty of being loud, beepy, and almost overwhelming after the isolation of the white space with the Avatar in it. I sit up to see if I can stop the noise.
Danielle dashes around the corner before I can visit violence to the machine, gasps when she sees me and turns off the alarm of the machine, but the flashing red stays. Small victories, I suppose. The good doctor then scrutinizes me and a full body blush floods me with embarrassment.
“Something wrong, doc?”
“The machine is reading you at a 150 percent saturation, which happened suddenly. Could you check your reading?”
My HUD reads approximately one percent, with additional data needed for a new baseline. I tell her what Tova tells me and she types furiously in what I assume is her digital notepad.
“I was offered a Track change, so perhaps it has integrated my penchant for keeping too much aether. Also, I haven’t chosen any modules.”
“With what I’ve recorded from you so far, you have surpassed my other participants. I’m starting to think that you’re an unusual case, and one that showcases that each participant needs something different to get the most out of their aether development.
“That said, your method of crafting yourself dry and restocking with aether rich food has proven beneficial to all participants. So thank you for that.” She smiles softly at me before returning to her notes.
“Does that mean the program is over?” I don’t have to get naked for doctors anymore!
“For you, yes. I still have more data to collect, though I would still like your help in advising the hopeful alchemists in my program.” She looks up in askance, a slight pout of manipulation evident.
“As soon as I set up community workspaces, I’m game. Though I guess I could use the lab at Warram as a training lab in the meantime?” She nods at that and doesn’t comment further.
I struggle to get the suit off, the damned thing seems more difficult each time I put it on. I get it down to my hips when I hear a soft “oh, wow.” From nearby. I smirk and raise an eyebrow at Danielle, who still has a surprised look on her face.
“Is there a mirror nearby or do I need to take this off and head to the lobby.”
She nods, confirms “off” and I snort that I’ve got her flustered for once. I then start cursing at the suit again as it resists pulling around my thighs. I put my shorts back on and walk out to find a mirror.
The young woman staring back at me still looks like me, but much sturdier, stronger. That twelve kilos I’d been looking for before? Found ‘em. My legs are thick as watermelons and my arms hang toned from broader shoulders. My face looks sturdier too, stronger jaw, longer face, and a slightly narrower set to my eyes. My features are oddly fuller than before, despite my lean physique, and I no longer sport the haunting cheek bones that my mentor has. I guess I’ve gone from pretty to handsome? Pretty women like handsome women, right? Oh gods, what if Zia doesn’t like the changes?! I should call her.
Take a breath, maybe ten, then realize you should check your modules before you call her, in case you have questions.
Uh, no. Modules can wait. So can the gift thing or whatever an Ordinal Being is supposed to give me. I need to call her.
/Zia, tier 1, chat me./
I get a holochat request in less than a minute.
“Congratulations Kimber, how . . . are you showing off right now?”
“No! My doctor mentioned there were physical changes, so I went to find a mirror.”
“I’m certainly not complaining. You look good, Kimber. I’m really looking forward to seeing you in a few days.”
“Same Zee!” I say, bouncing with my calves in excited nervousness.
“Did you get anything fun with the tier bonus?” She fiddles with her ponytail while she talks to me. It’s mesmerizing.
“Haven’t checked yet. I just wanted to make sure you still wanted to see me after the changes.” I worry my lip in nervousness, even though she said she was excited to see me.
“You are such a doofus, doofus. Oh! Don’t forget to send a message to the immigration office to update your citizenship. You can even get discounted gate travel if your business is interplanetary. AKA, you can use meetings with Mom as an excuse to visit me on Astoria.”
“Have you switched to full on we and us Zia?” I ask, hoping and fearing she says yes.
“Were you nervous? I thought I conveyed that I wanted you to be tier 1 first, then I was in. You want to go on a date with me Kimber?” Her smirk sends shivers to the right places.
“I’d love to, Zia.” I hear a noise over my shoulder and I sigh at the interruption. “I gotta go, standing half naked in the Hospital waiting room is apparently distasteful, even when I own the Hospital.”
She snorts in amusement, “Okay, fine. I can wait a few days to occupy all of your time.” She hangs up and I turn to see Marcella waiting for me to finish.
“Now that I see it, it’s obvious that this is the physique you were training for. Good work, Kimber.” She smiles, though it doesn’t quite reach her eyes.
I want to go hug her, but her mood is telling me to keep the space but be here for her. “Thanks, sis. I could not have done any of this without your help. Want to tell me why you look tired and haunted?”
She sighs and shakes her thoughts out. “I need to, but I don’t want to.”
“I could use a beer and a change of clothes, want to come up?” She nods and follows me to our private elevator. We’re silent the whole way and once we step foot in my house, I kick off my shoes, open the fridge for a drink and take a swig before even identifying what it is. Berry fizz, delicious.
“I’ll be two minutes. The fridge has some beverages in it, but it’s also connected to the Exchange.” I turn to see if she heard me, but she’s leaning into the fridge as I mention it. I chuckle my way to the closet, flick off my current clothes and wrap myself in a sarong and a tank top.
Marcella obviously has the same idea as she’s sitting in my living room in pants and a bra, with a travel cooler full of drinks and ice. Her jacket and shirt are slung over a hook in the entry nook.
“Kimber. I need to ask you a few questions before this turns into the casual visit I want it to be.”
I raise an eyebrow at her state of undress but say nothing as I sit next to her.
“How many jobs were you told about?” That’s her question?
“Just the one at first. Harlow mentioned another job up north while we were waiting for our mark to show. The info brief on the second job was more false than true.” I sit next to her and turn to put my feet on her lap while I rest against the arm of the sofa. She flops her free hand over my legs and pats them.
“The second job was supposed to be a catch and release in Tonopah. I should have told you about both jobs before you left, but, I foolishly believed Harlow would act in your best interests.”
“You’re saying he owned up to what happened?” I stare her in the face.
She turns to look at me. “He tried to avoid it, and then he tried to lie, but whatever whammy you put on them made it easy to tell he was lying, and then it made it easier for Tennison tell me about the whole debacle.”
I sigh and sink into the couch. “I’ve been afraid that you’re mad at me.”
“I mean, a little. For not telling me about your whammy powers.” I smack her middle with my foot. “What? That is some important shit, Kimber. Those two were worse at EVERYTHING. They wouldn’t tell me the specifics, but it was bad enough to start begging me to fix it.”
“Hah! No way, no how. I don’t even know if there’s a pardon procedure for that.”
“Nah, no point in that. I used Harlow to send a message and told old Grizzly to move out of Nevahrado.” She takes a long pull off the drink and sets it on the table to grab a new one. “I don’t take kindly to people abusing my protegee, or sister. Cornering you into killing civilians is a dick move.”
“Buh, I don’t want to think about it. What I want to think about is my new Track, maybe look at my modules, then start prepping for my trip to Astoria.”
“You going to meet with that gun runner while you’re there?” Marcella narrows her eyes as she says it.
“Empress, save me, my sister wants to give the owner of Merc Arms a shovel talk.”
“No! I’m just worried you’ll fall in with the wrong crowd.” My mouth drops at her wildly uncharacteristic statement.
“Marci. I make drugs on an industrial level, make explosives for several mercenary groups, and the largest gun manufacturer in the Empire uses my gunpowder. I’m also trying to date her daughter.”
“Date?” Oh crap, way to go Kimber, big mouth opened. “Do I need to have a shovel talk for real?”
“I’m fairly certain that Zia would find it hilarious before making an innuendo about idle hands or something.” I scoff at memories of Zia’s bravado while reveling in the warmth it sends through me. Luckily, Marcella leaves her response to a frown before changing the subject.
“How’re things going here at the Camp?”
“Mm, my AI Tova has some interesting plans, but they’re going to take a hundred or more people to support and a boat load of credits. I hate to say it, but I could use the Orphan Market to keep going, and further, I’d be interested in interviewing the dropouts after Warram recruiting efforts. I also want to start an orphanage in the camp to give some kids support and something to do with their time. I’ve got so much I want to do.”
“Cheers to that, sister. Cheers to that.”
***
It can’t be a coincidence that the middle three modules add up to the points that I have, and synergize with each other. Also, for the sake of curiosity, do you think it is worth it to spend imbalance for modules?
In most cases, levels are Empress and trump everything. However, advancement is the real win-all. Some modules will do more for your advancement than a single level. The trouble starts when you use it as a replacement for leveling properly to achieve the next tier.
You must have gotten an access upgrade as well. You normally aren’t so forward with advice. Solid plus Tova, for both of us I think. I still have so many damned questions, but I do want to wait to get advice from Penny or Zia on the modules. I want the Magitech and Alchemy mods, but the rune and spells mods seem tailored to my situation. Reading into the tooltips reinforces that these mods are the precursors to engraving, sorcery, and ritual magics. Sounds effing versatile.
I told myself to wait, I’m going to wait. Next is the gift thingy right? I get a chirp from Tova.
How in hells am I supposed to choose between these three?
Unfortunately, now that you’ve looked, you have to chose within the next Astorian day, or about 20 hours.
I feel that the shuttle is just a trap. Damned thing is probably cool, but between a magic fabricator and a free utility that would service up to 50k residents? Damnit! Somehow, I bet that the last two options are valued at approximately the same price, as the regular municipal utility is somewhere around 10-30k credits. I’m estimating both near 100k. An absolute fortune for either. But my fingers are twitching.
When I read the tooltips, I spam thoughts about the fabricator as fast as I can. It will print ANYTHING I have the power and the design for within the 1.5m^2 area by the conveyor length. I could make my own shells for my .38, I could custom make parts for Magitech integration!! Empress be praised at my luck. I set the delivery point to the empty wall of my personal lab and dance a little circle before a brief puff of aether replaces the regular air of my home.
“You’ve been swearing my title a lot lately, Kimber. Something I should know?” She smiles at me as though she knows more than she’s letting on.
After jumping back half a meter in surprise, I steady my voice and reply “New Track, something about the Empire and Justicars.”
“Oh? Are you wanting to join my exploratory independent enforcement team?” she smiles and walks a few steps away.
“Penny! Stop with the runaround please. I was pulled into a construct with a System avatar, that told me about Ordinal Beings and . . .”
“Not here, Kimber.” Penny blips in front of me and already has her hand on my mouth as I wonder why. “You don’t mind having our business meeting a couple days early right? Good!”
One moment I’m in my house, the next I’m standing next to a concrete river inside of a terraced cave dwelling? The nausea hits me a few seconds later and the trash bin nearby gets violated.
“Whyyyyyyy!” I whine as I pause from our travel and its consequences.
“You were about to say sensitive stuff on Earth. It’s hard to protect secrets there.” She waves her hand around as part of her explanation.
“And here is safer?” I scoff at the pixie.
“This is my condo, so I fucking hope so. Oh wait, I’m a time-space oriented aether user. Hard to get past my wards and booby traps. Near guarantee, especially from internal actors.”
“You took me home? I thought we were having a work meeting.”
“Work, lunch, play. We can mix them. First, congrats on your tier up, as well as your Ordinal status.”
“You knew?!” I accuse.
“I assumed. I saw the previous Tertius die, and I lost my Human Primus status after you were born.” She says as though it were common knowledge.
I hiss at her, “What about the restrictions?”
She laughs at me. “If Ordinals talk to each other, we get a lot of leniency. Ordinal to mundane, however carries heavy penalties. Mostly via people trying to kill you and take our power. I didn’t know there was a name for this stuff when Humanity was first introduced to the Matrix. I got very lucky, as did you. You must not waste the opportunity, and always choose power.”
“As much as I appreciate the nebulous advice, are there any details available?”
“What fun would that be? Ask your AI about your token, and they’ll give you enough information to make a decision. Other than that, lunch?”
At this point, I should get used to people saying ‘figure it out’, so I nod, “How do you feel about sushi?” I ask. Penny’s eyes light up and her wings flutter dust into the air.
“I’m getting a boat! Put your suits on, bitches!!” The arms manufacturer yells then paper-dolls a different outfit onto herself. It’s a surprisingly tasteful two-piece.
I order a nice board short and top combo, deciding to go with the Empire whilst in Rome. “So, is this sushi boat big enough to ride in?”
The Empress of Humanity snorts loudly as she laughs at me. “You’re hilarious Kimber, I expect you around for holidays to keep me entertained.” She takes a few deep breaths before continuing. “No, we get in the innertubes, and we trail a little boat full of food behind us. Like civilized wenches.”
I chuckle at that and follow her lead. She ties a small rope between our two tubes, and we both get a boat full of sushi and long wooden tongs to grab it with. This is silly, and kind of awesome.
“Now that we’re half naked and eating fish in a lazy river, let’s talk business.” I choke on some rice trying not to laugh too hard. “I want Nova Chem in my portfolio.”
“Penny, you already leased my most notable product. What else is there?”
“The magic coke, Kimber. It may sound odd to you, but your naivete with aether and the aspect of your power, you can’t willfully taint the product with bad intent. Clean drugs would go far to protect my Citizens, and there are few things I care more about than the stability of the Empire.”
I burst out laughing. I’ve been smiling a lot since my ascension. “Apologies, its surreal to be having a chat about drugs with the most important person in the Empire.”
“I favor tolerating ‘Organized’ crime. Like Andromeda, I feel that as long as you’re not killing my Citizens, there is room to negotiate. To that end, I know that squashing drugs does not work, so I can subsidize to reduce the price of the safe stuff.” She daintily secures a severely red piece of fish and eats it with some smiles and a wink. Nothing truly provocative.
“That all makes a sort of sense, I guess. But how does that ‘add’ to your ‘portfolio’?”
“Okay, fine. No nuance, no flirtation. I want to build a factory for you to oversee and produce from, but closer to my supply lines. I also want that investment to count as purchasing a part of your company.”
“Geeze, you really just reach out for what you want don’t you? How much control were you looking for?”
“25%” She answers.
“Sheesh!! For 25% . . . you build the factory, I get five of that percent as credits, and I get ten rescues from a hotspot in south America to work our plants.”
“Done.” A little yellow scroll drops in my hand as she agrees.
“I have no eye for business do I?”
She shrugs. “It’s not terrible. But the scale I operate on is hard to comprehend. I just sent the credits.”
I check out of reflex and there are six fucking zeroes behind that ‘2’. “What the fuck Penny!?”
She slaps my wrist with her tongs. “Language, Kimber. I will not have my daughter dating a foul mouthed Sailor.”
My blush is deep and omnipresent. “I, just, thanks for your quixotic generosity?”
“Hah, you’re welcome. You remind me of me, but way before I discovered FTL travel. I was an intolerable harpy after that. Now, well, I’m more an absent parent of millions than anything else. I still can’t take myself away from research, development, and prototyping.”
Gods, maybe we are really alike. Thank the Empress she likes me.
“Of course I do. Also, I can hear it when you use my name or title in effigy. So don’t go using it during sex or anything. That gets old fast.”
I basically laugh for the next hour as Penny is quite funny after business is concluded. I would be a liar if I said I hadn’t snuck a peak or two at her curvy pixy form and those fluttery wings that drop shimmering dust in the water.
When we finish our sushi, she dismisses the boats and slides out of her float before climbing the stairs. I’m ashamed that I watched for a moment. I almost missed my own debarkation. She points at a room that I can shower and change in. I’m un-lacing my shorts as I see another body across the room.
The tall, lavender-haired woman poses before a mirror in a pair of very lacy things and I automatically turn and hide my face in embarrassment and arousal. I must have made noise, because seconds later I hear:
“Who the fuck are you?!” the sound of metal sliding against something hard issues from the figure behind me.
I turn around to try and defend myself, but before I know it, a familiar set of emerald eyes are focused in a sneer while the blades in her hand are ready to bisect my neck. Realization dawns on her face as she teleports away as her daggers swipe an area that would have been my neck.
“Kimber?! What the hell hon?”
Did she just call me . . . do I faint or respond. Fainting sounds pretty good right now. I shake out my feels. It doesn’t work, but the pain of my headache will help.
“Hi Zee! Penny abducted me early. We had a meeting in the river, then she suggested I clean up in . . . your room?”
“Oh? Did you want me to wash you? I can be . . . very diligent.”
“No! No need, Zee. I’m gross and well, I’m super nervous! Bye!” I run past her into what looks like her bathroom. I am right about the bedroom, but there is nothing here that reminds me of a bath, so I search for another door and find it soon after.
“Kimber, I’m coming in okay?” I scream, I’m not proud of it, but I do. “Do you not want to see me?”
“Zia, it’s not that, but I’m naked and we haven’t been together that long?”
“Boo. I can be respectful. Either case, I thought you were taking a bath. I wanted to come in and wash your back or hold your hand or something. I don’t . . . it’s stupid. Never mind.”
“Zee, no. What were you thinking?”
“I was jealous, okay? You were having fun with mom and I just couldn’t wait to see you.”
Much of my anxiety melts at her concession and I feel a small sense of wanting to walk out of the shower and hug her. I am super wet and naked though, so not happening . . . well at least not yet. “Can you let me dry off and change, then we can lie on each other and chat if you want.”
She squeaks with happiness and bounces off. She seems like pretty high maintenance, but I think maybe it’s been a while since she had a same-age friend to hang-out (make out?) with. Plus, I want to spend the attention on her instead of only getting lost in projects and drama. I could go without the drama too, but that’s not my life, apparently.
Dried and dressed in terry cloth shorts and a tank, I see Zia in a half-buttoned, flowy shirt and billowing capris. I really like the vision of a flat tummy she is showing me. She’s standing and shifting as though she hasn’t quite figured out the pose she wants to strike. I smirk and take long strides and pull her into a fierce hug.
Zia’s surprise relaxes and she wraps her arms around my waist and back. I didn’t realize that the elf would be taller than me, but her breath is warming my ear and the little hairs there send shivers throughout my body.
“It’s so nice to finally be able to do this.” I say. She nods and I appreciate the feel of her cheek against mine. Time doesn’t matter as I feel her breath against me both as her chest flexes and her breath caresses, saturating my brain with feel-good chemicals that make the rest of my thoughts hazy.
“Kimber,” she whispers, “I really want to kiss you.” I nod lazily, not fully processing the request, but some part of my brain knows I want it.
Zia’s cheek slides slowly back, her lips brush mine for a moment before she presses them back against me softly. A sense of rightness fills my chest as a piece of comfort that I didn’t know was missing slides into place. Our hands start tracing slow circles on each other
as our lips move.
Feelings of the moment change drastically when Zia’s tongue reaches out to caress the bottom of my top lip. A tingle of thrill lights the furnace in my middles and both the electricity and the heat build with every flick until the charge in my brain begs for action or for mercy.
I pull back and rest my head on her shoulder, breathing heavily while holding her close.
“Are you okay? Did I do something wrong?” There’s a warble in her voice that tell me that she took my breath of air as refusal.
“No Zee, I just. It’s just. I’m a little overwhelmed is all.”
“I can’t be the first person you’ve kissed, Kimber.” She pushes her arms out to see my response, but doesn’t bring herself to let go of my hips.
I did hurt her, crap. Way to go Kimber. “It’s not that, Zia. I haven’t kissed someone I like as much as you, and the feeling of those little tongue flicks with the emotion of being with you, and here.” I take another few breaths, “It’s a lot.”
She sighs and pulls me back in for a hug. “And my mind went straight to thinking I messed up. Ugh, how can you be so cute while being this sexy.”
“Says the girl who wanted to hold my hand in the bath and danced around her room when I got my tier up.” She pinches my side and scoffs in indignation.
“I am strong, dignified, and elegant. I will not tolerate this slanderous accusation.” She puts her hands on her hips and looks up and away in mock disgust.
“Oh, my apologies, princess. How may I serve to remedy this grave insult.” I step back and bow deeply, unable to stifle my giggles.
“Mmm, your penance will be to dine with me this evening and worship me with kisses as often as your constitution is able.”
I look up to see her smiling at me, so I stand kiss her smile briefly and reply. “Thanks for being so understanding, Zee.”
“What kind of person would I be if I didn’t understand that you were overwhelmed? I can’t promise I won’t jump to conclusions, but I will always try if you can explain it to me.”
This tender moment is suddenly interrupted by Penny teleporting into the doorway. “You want me to message Guiseppe?”
“He’s kind of a lot for a first date, mom. Do you still have a chair at that Russian fusion place?”
“They don’t really like us there, Zia. They don’t dare offend me, but yeah, no fixed reserved table anymore. There’s a French place in the Heights or that Mediterranean place in Cotton Bay that keep tables for me.”
“What’re you in the mood for,” Zia asks me.
“I’m always in the mood for fish.” I shrug. Even though I had a large sushi lunch, I could still have some more.”
“Great!” Penny claps. “I’ll message Phillipe and tell him.” She takes a step away then peeks back. “Don’t have too much fun, Kimber. We have a site tour mid-morning tomorrow and you need to talk to my engineers about the factories.”
“Moooom, what are you dragging her into?” Zia accuses.
“Just business dear. I did agree to fetch her because of business did I not? Anyway, it’s just a few hours a day for several days.”
Zia huffs, but I have a question for her mom. “Can I ask you about modules when we’re out? Rumor has it you’re pretty good with runes and spellforms.”
“Yes,” She snorts, “I know them pretty well. More on that tomorrow, your modules won’t disappear until you decide or defer.” She waves and disappears.
“Does it annoy you that you can’t get a last word in when she does that?” I ask.
“More often than I’d like to admit.” Zia says, resting her chin on my shoulder from behind.
