And finally, a place to store those who he detained, assuming he could even do that in the first place. He would have waited on this, but the cost was so small and he couldn’t afford anything else on the list.
“Gus, you’ll figure it out,” Nick interjected into his thoughts before he was able to get too wound up. “I think you have a good plan—for now. If it’s not working, we can modify it. Not everything has to be solved with force, and that may be difficult with your current level of skills, so go with what you know.”
Gus turned back to the menus and focused once again on his plan. Remote sensing would allow the island, and by extension his minimap, to gather data from a certain radius around the island, a mere ten miles at level one. At tier two, however, the range would jump to one hundred miles. That would allow some time to mount a defense or get into position.
There were other offensive options to protect the island, but they were unreasonably expensive at his current level of FP. Maybe someday, he thought bitterly.
The brig was self-explanatory, and fortunately it was equipped with a dampening field that could interfere with Nth functioning. The only downside being that this would also affect individuals outside of the cells as well as those inside the cells. Not a total deal breaker, but useful to know. It would most likely be best to have any prisoners incapacitated, as he would not be able to fight back in most cases if they chose to resist. What to do with them in the future was a question for another time.
The cafeteria would offer him a way to selectively and remotely increase certain stats. With not knowing who would be visiting the island, having the ability to augment a stat or two on the fly depending on his opponent might be just the advantage he would need.
Finally, boosting the training arena’s tier would allow more combat options and utilize his skills in more interconnected ways. He had just invalidated a lot of his prior training with his rash decision on a guiding principle.
Can’t think that way, Gus. You’ve just got to modify it. You can do this. That’s your preferred play-style in FPS. Just be a ghost and take them out one by one.
If he truly was going to try a non-lethal approach, he would have to get much better at stealth and surprise attacks. He had a mere 200 FP left after all was said and done. He would have to win some more battles to complete the rest of the items on the checklist, but he was done for now.
He needed to get familiar with what these new options meant for him. He focused on accessing remote sensing, but Gus did not immediately notice a change until he zoomed out his minimap, finding much more range in his outer zoom function. The island looked so tiny when put at the full range, a circle with a 200-mile diameter with the island in the center. He could even see that he was somewhere in the Pacific Ocean, but there weren’t any landmarks that could give him a definitive frame of reference. There was another island close by that he hadn’t even noticed, hiding off the coast behind the volcano.
At first, he was detecting birds and even aquatic mammals who had surfaced briefly for air. He had the system filter out these inputs. He tried his new Psi-bond skill which allowed him to modify his display and minimap to sense Nth, and he saw only a green dot centered on the island. This cleared the minimap of any other inputs that were not a threat to him on the island.
“Nick, can we remotely close any outside access to the manor?”
“There are storm doors that can shield the windows, and I can drop the bulkhead again.”
“Let’s do it. I doubt it will do much, but every little bit should help.”
That finished, he decided to tour the brig so that he would be able to access it quickly and intuitively. The quicker he could move any invaders into a cell, the less likely he would have another battle on his hands. Especially one waged without powers.
Given the total size of the manor, Methiochos must have been expecting some resistance or need for discipline, as there were over fifty cells in the large facility. The cells themselves had matte black walls, with ivory floors, illuminated from below so they glowed. There was a large, clear window in front of each cell that had to be made of transparent plastisteel. It left no real room for privacy or clandestine escape attempts.
There was a gated slot where food could be transferred from one side to the other, that always maintained one side separated from the cell. Gus wondered if some supers could stretch through a simple slit, or morph into some kind of gas. Come to think of it, Mercurio from the space station battle probably could have worked his way out if the slot was the standard flap like a mail slot. Gus imagined him stretching his body, feeding it through the small opening to reform himself on the other side. If he could even manage to shift with the dampening field, that was.
Perhaps that was why the field encompassed the entire prison. To prevent effects outside the cells from damaging or opening the door, or breaking the windows. Gus felt reassured that if he managed to catch a couple supers, they could be contained here.
He tried to talk to Nick and heard nothing; the silence was more eerie than he would have expected. He would have to ask how Nick perceived the experience on his end while Gus was in the brig.
Paying attention to his body, he felt… average. He jumped and tried a kata and found himself much less smooth and coordinated. Apparently, even the stat boosts provided by Nth were dulled here, or maybe they were totally inactivated. He attempted to fashion an ether weave and it was similarly non-responsive.
He walked closer to the exit, feeling his perception and ability to affect the ether get more and more tangible as he reached the elevator door to exit the brig. He entered the lift, yet while the doors were open, he still couldn’t access his abilities. They were a hair’s breadth out of reach, and felt oddly slippery. It was unsettling to say the least.
He pushed the button to his suite, and the elevator shifted into motion. Only when it left the brig did his powers return slowly, like a flashlight with low batteries. With some distance, his Nth began to reassert themselves.
Getting an idea, he pushed the button to stop the elevator on the brig level again to test something. He made an ether weave, as if he was securing someone and then returned to the brig. As expected, once the doors opened, his control over the weave relaxed, and it fizzled and shrank away like a balloon did when inflated and released. He would have to drag people to cells, which would be more of a hassle than he’d have liked—but good to know now rather than later.
From this perspective in the elevator, Gus looked up and saw a guard control room above all the cells that had evaded his attention before. Since the roof of the cells was made of the same transparent material, prisoners could be monitored from there as well. He should check that out later, he decided, and made his way out of the manor’s prison.
It felt unnatural to be without his powers again, and some primal instinct just needed him to be out of there.
Chapter Nine
You’re My Best Friend
Nick let out a nauseous groan. “I do not like that place.”
“I was going to ask what was it like.”
“Kind of like limbo, except that you’re constantly spinning and dropping. I didn’t think I could feel this bad without at least getting the benefits of making some poor decisions. Do me a favor, and be quick about it when you have to go in there.”
“Sure thing.”
Nick continued to moan, his wailing increasing in intensity.
“Okay, I get it already.” Gus decided to change the subject. “Remember that comm center we just turned on? I think I do want to send a message. Can you walk me through it?”
“You should be able to call anyone with a normal connection, provided you know their number. Anywhere you would be able to reach by phone should be accessible.”
Gus nodded and hit the button to the floor with the control center. Who should I call? Who do I miss the most? That was easy—his close friends. As the elevator opened on the control center, he eagerly approached the panel Nick indicated. He
tried calling his friend Jim. He was the most responsible of the group, and would probably know how everyone else was doing. Unfortunately, Gus only received a ‘voicemail box is full’ message. He tried Dave next and the call connected.
“Hello?” the familiar, but sleepy, voice came across the line.
“Dave! It’s Gus.”
“Gus? Brotha man!” The gravelly voice that reminded Gus of Spicoli from Fast Times at Ridgemont High seemed more awake now.
“…like no otha’ man!” Gus finished, elated to hear his friend.
“I heard you died! The space station attack was all over the holonet. They are playing it like it was an act of terrorism, and Purple Faction is on the warpath like a kicked anthill. According to the reports though, like no one survived…”
“I’m not sure anyone else did, to be honest. I got lucky and was right by an escape pod when everything went down. It was an attack by supers though, and I know Graviton is probably dead, from what I saw.”
“Intense, man. Damn, it’s good to hear from you. So where are you now? It’s been a crazy couple months since we last talked; how was the station? Kinda sucked that you weren’t able to call or nothing.”
“It was lame, I didn’t know anyone, and I was usually pulling custodial. Was probably rigged,” Gus said bitterly, remembering how new members to the crew were usually treated until they were accepted.
“Yeah, it sucks if you’re the new guy. The job we all took tanked soon after we started, so everyone came home early and we’re all still looking for work. Oh damn, you don’t know, do you? Jim’s been in a car crash and is in a coma now!” Dave revealed, obviously shaken.
“What the hell?” Gus leaned forward to the screen.
“Yeah, someone ran into him and he’s still in the hospital. His dad has been there almost every day, but there’s been no change. I went to see him and he looked bad, dude. He’s all purple and beat to hell. I guess he’s at one of the premier hospitals though, so if anyone can do something for him, it’ll be there. He’s still in some special ICU wing.”
“Dang, I leave you guys alone for a couple months and things go to hell. You think he’s going to be okay?” Gus asked, still in shock.
“He’s stable. Luckily, there were no internal injuries that were severe, but it’s anyone’s guess in terms of how long he’ll be in a coma. I asked one of the nurses and she tried to be convincing and tell me everything will turn out okay, but I checked online and it said the longer he’s out, the lower his chances are.”
“Harsh. Man, that sucks. What about Chuck? Is he okay?”
“I dunno, we haven’t been in touch as much lately. I’ve kind of been going through some things right now, so I haven’t been as social as I usually am. Anyway. What’s been going on with you? Are you home?” Dave asked hurriedly, switching the topic.
Dave was usually laid back with his surfer attitude. Gus wondered if something had happened between him and Chuck or if it was his personal stuff that was making him feel uncomfortable.
Gus didn’t know where to start, but he started telling the whole story. At first, he was a little afraid that it would freak Dave out, but he really needed to confide in someone and the story kept spilling out. He had to jump back at times, adding things that he had forgotten. After about thirty minutes, he waited for Dave to respond. He was a little worried—no, a lot worried—that it would change things between him and his friends. “Well, what are you thinking?”
“That. Is. Epic! Congrats, dude! Wow, man, that is so flipping cool! That is huge! I do have one problem, though, and don’t take this the wrong way. I love you as a brother, man, but what you did with those pirates? That was stupid. One thing I know: Regardless of who you are, you make your choices in life. Those pirates decided to be like that. Regardless of how tough their life or upbringing was, that’s no excuse. No offense, but why weaken yourself when you already have the odds stacked against you? Plus, on top of it, you wasted your next upgrade or whatever? Yikes, dude. I think being alone on that island has affected your judgement.”
“I only realized after that point that someone was en route to the island. I wouldn’t have done it otherwise,” Gus tried to defend himself.
“I mean, I get it, but lots of people have it hard and they don’t do those types of things. Lots of people are abused and break the cycle. I know you want to be the good guy, but you can’t save everybody. Especially rapist pirates! Who have you possibly endangered by saving those guys? You’ve gotta think about those things now too, man.”
Gus sat there, silent as the truth bomb exploded right in his face. After a long while he responded, “I don’t know, Dave. Maybe I was caught up in second chances, since I’ve felt like I’ve gotten a second chance with this whole superpower thing. Part of me feels like I should act differently now that things are different. I used to dream about this happening.”
“Well, you were always the one with the most potential, having supers in your family and all,” Dave said.
“You remember how our bosses usually acted. Like we were disposable to them. Even my brother changed after just a little while with powers. I don’t want to be that kind of person, powers or not.”
“I guess I get that. But real talk, here. Don’t be a dumbass. Life is not a comic book. Get hard and get hard now. Don’t be so noble you get your ass handed to you.”
“Get hard, huh?”
“You know what I mean. I’m going to be pissed if you get yourself killed out there. Promise me that if anyone comes at you down there, just like those pirates—they’ve made their choice. You use that Leech power and rip and erase any power or ability they’ve got. Neuter anyone who has the balls to step foot on the island. Get strong and kick some ass! Will you promise me that?”
Gus sighed; he was often very good at making bad decisions that seemed right at the time. Half the things he had done were so dumb when you looked at the big picture. He thought he was getting the hang of this super thing, but Dave was right. This was war. The time for pussy-footing around and being a nice guy was over.
“Yeah, I think I can do that.”
“I hate to go medieval on you, man, but I love ya, and you need to know when you’re being an idiot. Hell, I wouldn’t be in the place I’m in if someone would’ve called me on my crap a long time ago.”
Gus quirked his head. Something was definitely up with Dave.
“Now you have someone to run this stuff by if you need another point of view. Are we cool?” Dave asked.
“Yeah, we’re cool. Thanks.” Gus bit his lip, wondering if he should broach the topic. As he was about to get enough courage to ask, Dave continued, taking the opportunity away.
“Since we’re talking about uncomfortable, awkward situations, how has your dad reacted? Was he stoked?”
“Actually, I haven’t told him. You’re the first person who I’ve talked to since this whole thing has happened. I’m still on the island, and don’t have a way to get back just yet. I’m sure as I work on my Basic Flight skill that will change but, like I explained, there are a lot of people who want this manor. I’m going to have to defend it, and I don’t know if I really want to have my father’s help or the strings that will come along with that. Especially if Purple Faction is involved.”
“You might have to, depending on what they throw at you. Half of something is better than nothing. Don’t let your ego get in the way. I guess it’s easy for me to sit back and be an armchair quarterback, though.”
There was an awkward pause, and Gus rushed to fill it. “Dave, I’m so glad I got to talk with you again. We’ll have to keep in touch more. Being isolated on this island was good at first, with my whole introverted thing, but it can wear on you too. I thought about you guys a lot. It kind of brought out some things, and made me reevaluate how I have been living my life. I’m sorry if I’ve been distant or standoffish in the past. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to hang out, I just have always been pretty protective of my ‘me time.’”
Seeing his opportunity, Gus asked, “How have you been doing, man? Everything alright?”
“I guess I might as well tell you, but I’ve been fighting with some alcohol stuff and recently got into some trouble. It’s super embarrassing, and I hate to admit it to you, but I can’t keep pretending that it’s not something that’s screwing up my life. If you try to reach me and I’m not available, then don’t think I’m dogging you, man.”
“What do you mean?” Gus asked, concerned at the sudden shift to a serious tone. Dave was never serious.
“I have a court date next week, and it could be bad. I may not be available to talk for a while. It’s all up in the air, and it kind of sucks, but I keep telling myself that things happen for a reason, right?”
“That’s heavy, dude. I feel guilty that I wasn’t there for you. I’ve had to deal with depression issues in the past, myself. What’s your story? What happened?”
“Well, long story short, I had a bit too much to drink and I got into an accident. Luckily, no one was hurt, but I got taken in and charged. No excuse for it. I was over the limit, and the enforcers caught me red-handed. Just trying to keep a positive outlook, because I don’t know how this is going to go. The magistrate said that I might have to serve a new type of rehabilitation punishment, to see if they can help others conquer ‘aberrant behaviors.’ It was a bit creepy, since magistrates can read your mind and all and it’s not the greatest sensation. But maybe she saw something good in there as well, so hopefully the sentence won’t be too severe. To be honest, I’ve been struggling with some things for a while, but have kept them to myself.”
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