Synthesis

by Leto Blackman

  I laugh at her "You are ridiculous Kala. I'm not sure what I'm more shocked at, how good Doc's cooking is, or watching you eat. It was like you were having an orgasm every time you took a bite." I say, shaking my head in disbelief.

  "Ooooh! Well then I need have an orgasm! If it's anything like eating, then I want lots of them." She winks at me.

  "Oh man..." I say, feeling my face turn bright red.

  "Doc, thank you. You can cook for me anytime, and thank you for offering to train us. Is there anything we can do for you?" Kala beams a smile at Doc.

  He looks at Kala and I and then his body ripples. "I...well, actually there is. There is a notation in my database about a prototype metal alloy that was being developed at Facility Zero. I believe if I absorb this metal I may be able to appear more human and experience more sensations. If it is not too much to ask I would ask for help to locate this metal." He says.

  New Quest Alert:

  Upgrade for Doc

  Doc wishes to upgrade his base structure. Help and protect him on his quest.

  Quest Type: Unique, Companion Quest

  Difficulty: Very Hard

  Rewards: 500 Experience, Disposition Increase to Undying Loyalty/Love

  Do you accept this quest? Y/N

  Kala and I look at each other. "Wow, you are generating all kinds of new quests Doc. Of course, we will help you, you are part of our family. Right, Kala?" I elbow her in the side.

  "Ouch." She glares at me and then turns to Doc, "I was a little wary of you when we first met. You know with the whole trying to reprogram me thing. But yes, Jax is right, you are part of our dysfunctional family, and family is there for each other." She smiles and then stands up and hugs Doc. He stands there not moving and then wraps his metal arms around her and hugs back.

  "Now, if we are done with all this sentimental stuff let's go train." Kala say wiping her eyes. Did she have tears in her eyes?

  "Thank you both for agreeing to help me with my quest. It means a lot to me." Doc says.

  "Hey, Doc, this is a little out of the blue, but would you mind if I Analyze you?" I ask him.

  "Man, what is up with you wanting to Analyze everyone, Jax? Do I need to be worried? Are you keeping a journal on whose skin you are going to wear to your birthday party?" Kala asks me.

  I laugh at the absurdity of her questions. "Yes, that would be okay, Jax. I assume that out of the blue is yet another Earth human idiom?" Doc says.

  "Oh, yeah sorry. I keep forgetting everyone didn't come from Earth and that a lot of the things I say may not make sense. It just means something unexpected." I say with a chuckle. I focus on Doc and then use my skill.

  Name: Doc Stone

  Title: Metal Man

  Level: 3

  Synthesis: 62%

  Health: 250

  Mental: 150

  Stamina: 200

  Focus: Undetermined

  Race: Progenitor Construct

  Disposition: Friendly

  Skills: Hidden

  Loot: Epic

  I laugh, "Um, Doc? Did you take my last name?" I ask him. Kala makes a curious noise and she is looking at Doc too, I assume she is analyzing him too.

  "I hope that is okay?" Doc asks me, sounding a little embarrassed.

  "Yeah, that's fine with me. I guess you are kind of my brother now?" I say with an awkward chuckle. "Hey, Kala? Why don't you have a last name?" I ask her.

  "I don't know, I didn't know what to choose. You want me to be a Stone as well? I can be your sister." She laughs and then she sees my serious face. "Oh right. Sorry, I know you miss Jill. I wasn't thinking." She hugs my arm and gives me sad eyes.

  "It's okay. Let's go outside and get warmed up." I say, changing the subject. Once we are outside I ask Kala to see her new bow, I never really got to look at it.

  Alvinius Recurve Bow

  Rarity: Epic

  Quality: Superb

  Durability: 357/400

  Ranged Damage: Variable*, Raw Energy

  Range: 50 feet

  Mental Energy Cost: 1 point of mental energy is equal to 1 point of damage.

  Effect: Increases mental energy regeneration by 15%.

  -This is a bow crafted by the Northern Alvinius, known for their extraordinary archery skills. This bow uses mental energy instead of traditional arrows.

  *After a charge of 200 points there is a 25% chance of energy blow back.

  "Wow, Kala, this is amazing! You can choose how much damage to put into each shot, plus if you use your mental energy wisely you will always have ammo. Can I try it out?" I ask her like a kid on Christmas wanting to open a present.

  She snatches the bow out of my hands, "No you can't try it! I haven't even had a chance yet." She holds the bow like a baby, "It's okay, mama has you. The mean old man won't hold you anymore." She coos to the bow. She then looks up at me and points the bow in my direction and says "pew pew".

  "You do know that I can shoot a laser beam out of my hands now?" I say as I point at her. We hear a loud thump behind us and we both twirl around.

  "Enough. Weapons are not toys. Stand before me." Doc says sounding serious. Uh oh, didn't I promise myself not to piss him off? Kala and I look at each other and make "we are in trouble faces".

  "Sorry, Doc." We both say.

  "Jax, you are up first. Kala, wait to the side, but pay attention. I will be training you in ranged combat, but you will need melee combat training as well. You did well this morning, but still need a lot of work." He picks up a wooden sword. "I crafted this so Kala would have something to work with. It only does three to four points of damage." He hands the wooden sword to me.

  "You know crafting, Doc? Can you teach me?" I say inspecting the wooden sword.

  Crude Savi Wood Short Sword (Crafted by Doc Stone)

  Rarity: Common

  Quality: Shabby

  Durability: 15/20

  Melee Damage: 3-4 Blunt, 15% chance for splinter damage

  "No talking. If I am to train you, you must follow my commands and instructions without question. Do you agree to these terms?" Doc asks me firmly.

  "Yes, I agree." I say. I turn my head and smirk at Kala, she grimaces. I'm hit in the chest and fly a few feet before hitting the ground.

  "First lesson, never take your eyes off your opponent. You are dead. Try again." Doc says. I stand up feeling angry, but it fades quickly.

  "I learned that lesson too." Kala says rubbing her butt, remembering the pain.

  Doc runs me through different forms, maneuvers, and exercises for until I am drenched in sweat and breathing heavy. He finally tells me to take a break and drink some water. I managed to gain the Swords and the Jasu Fighting Style skills. I asked Doc who Jasu is, but he told me he had no historical data pertaining to him, only that he was programmed with his fighting style. "Jax, after you have had a moment to rest, take your real sword and practice on that log I set up over there. Every weapon moves and feels different. It will do you no good if you don't train with the real thing." He tells me.

  "Thank you, Doc." I say.

  "Kala, you are up." He says to her. She smiles and claps her hands in excitement. "Kala, your training will be a bit different." Doc looks at me and makes what I think is a grin. I'm confused and then I realize that he used "bit" in a sentence. I laugh and give him a thumbs up. "My crafting is not advanced enough to create a bow, so we will have to practice with your real one." He picks up a large log and sets it about thirty feet away.

  Kala gets her bow and holds it in her hands. "Um, I'm not quite sure what I'm supposed to do." She says. "I am also unfamiliar with this type of bow. Try pulling back the bow string while channeling your energy into the bow. She does as he says and nothing happens at first, then a ghostly white form of an arrow starts to coalesce. Kala squeals with delight and the arrow vanishes and Kala drops the bow like it bite her. "Ouch, you little asshole!" She says to the bow.

  "Kala, it seems that you must maintain focus or the energy you have channeled can backlas
h onto you." Doc tells her.

  "Yeah, no shit." She mutters. She picks up the bow and looks hesitant to try again.

  "Kala, you know Meditation, yes?" She nods to Doc understanding. She sits on the ground and meditates for a few minutes. Then she stands up and pulls the bow string back. A bright white arrow forms instantly, she holds it for a few seconds and then fires. It flies through the air making a soft humming sound. It passes about four feet to the left of the log and travels for a few seconds before dissipating into the air. "Bring the sights on the bow to your eye, not your eye to the bow." He tells her. "Channel less energy and try again."

  I turn away and start to practice on the log with my real sword. The sword feels amazing, it is so well-balanced and ridiculously sharp. After swinging my sword for thirty minutes I hear a small explosion and then a squeal. I turn around and see Kala jumping up and down and then hugging Doc. I see a smoking spot on the log, I guess she finally hit it.

  One hour and twelve squeals later Doc tells us we can take a small break and then go into the woods. Livia walks up a few minutes later. "Jax, it's good to see you again." She looks over at Kala and her eyes widen. "I heard reports of a redheaded woman with you. No one knew where she came from. Then this morning Caius visits me. Seems you gave him quite the story to tell, he was fairly rattled." She raises her eyebrow at me. She looks down at the sword laying against a tree. "May I see you hold it?" She asks me. I pick it up and she gasps.

  "It seems we still have a lot to talk about, Jax. I have seen that sword in Caius's shop for years. Every once in a while a youth full of hope and pride would ask to hold the sword, thinking they would be able to activate its true potential, only to be disappointed." She looks at me expectantly.

  I nervously laugh "I'm sorry I'm causing a disruption in your town." I say to her.

  "No need for that, Jax. I am happy you and your friends have decided to stay. Myself and a few of the Elder Rangers would like to host you for dinner tonight, and have an informal meeting about what all of this means. What do you say? Kala and Doc are invited as well."

  "Sure, that sounds good, Livia. We will be there. We are just going to go into the woods for some training, but we will be back in time for dinner." She smiles at me then looks at Kala talking with Doc across the way.

  "Is she really human?" Livia asks me.

  "Yes, as far as I know." I tell her.

  "Amazing. Simply amazing. There are going to be tales told about you and your marvelous friends for many years to come." She winks at me and then walks away.

  I notice that my fame has jumped almost two-hundred points. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not. "Hey, Jax, if you're done being Mr. LazyMcLazy Pants over there maybe we can get going?" I mock glare at her and then laugh.

  "Can you guys give me fifteen minutes? I need to go grab something."

  Kala rolls her eyes "Ugh, do you need to get your old man medicine? Well, be quick."

  I smile and blow a kiss at her. She catches it and beams a smile back at me. I walk over to Caius's store and get what he made for me. When I get back Kala and Doc are sparing. They stop when I get back, Kala eyes the package I have under my arm. "What do you have there?" Kala asks me. I hand the package over to her, the grin on my face growing larger by the second. She looks at me and then the package wrapped in brown paper. "What did you do, Jax?" She asks me with a smile.

  "Well, it seems that you have missed.... well all of your birthdays. So, I got you something."

  "Just open it already!" Doc says to the side. We both turn and look at Doc and then laugh.

  Kala rips into the paper and then squeals with delight.

  "Jax! It's amazing!" She embraces me and then kisses me deeply, to the point that my knees feel weak. She pulls away and holds the items to her body.

  Hebra Leather Archer Outfit (Chest and Pants, Crafted by Caius Dar-ha)

  Rarity: Set Items

  Quality: Superb

  Durability: 350/350

  Armor: 20

  Chest: 20% increase to Precision and Accuracy

  Pants: 5 to Endurance

  Item Set Bonus 1: User gains a 20% boost to critical hit chance.

  Item Set Bonus 2: User movements make 25% less noise.

  "Sorry, I should have inspected that bow before I had the outfit made. I didn't know it used mental energy. Plus I didn't even ask you if you wanted to be an archer." She hugs me again.

  "Don't be silly, Jax, I love it, and I love my bow. So, no worries. Besides, if I don't like the path of an archer I can always change." She smiles at me.

  "Well, what are you waiting for, go put it on." I say to her.

  "I do have one question though, how did you know my measurements?" She asks me.

  "I didn't, but I discovered that any new piece of clothing or shoes that have never been worn can be resized by expending some mental energy."

  "Ah, I see. Okay, I be right back!" She jogs to the house to change. A few minutes later she comes out in her new outfit. It fits her like a glove. The leather is dyed a dark forest green with brown stitching. She is absolutely striking with her fire red hair against the green leather, and her knee-high boots complete the look. She does a little twirl to show off. "I really love it, Jax, the leather is so soft and supple yet so strong. You can barely hear me when I move now. I can't believe Caius crafted these, I'm going to have to thank him." She turns around so her back is facing me and then turns her head to look at me. "Doesn't my ass look fucking amazing in these leather pants?" She says with a smirk on her face. I look down at her butt, damn, it really does look spectacular. Kala clears her throat, I look at her and blush. She slaps her own ass and then twirls around "Well, if you're done gawking at me let's go hunting."

  I feel flustered "But... you asked me to..." I try to say.

  "Shh, it's okay." She walks towards me with her finger to her lips. "I know you are a dirty old man who can't help himself. She slaps my ass, a little too hard, as she walks past me.

  Doc observes the whole interaction in silence. I know he is watching every little movement and word, processing and learning. I just hope he doesn't slap my ass too. We take a short walk to the nearby woods. The farther we walk the more massive the trees get, they remind me of the redwood trees of Earth. I never saw any, there were only a few hundred left in one of the protected zones, but I saw photos. I touch one of the trees and it makes a deep resounding moan. I quickly draw my hand back, worried I may have done something foolish. "These are the ancient Talking Trees, some are over four thousand years old." A voice says.

  Sallinda steps out between some trees. She does the customary greeting of tapping her forehead at me. She is wearing another low cut summer dress, showing off her impressive cleavage. On her left arm she carries a basket with an assortment of roots and plants. "Sallinda, what are you doing out here?"

  She smiles at me and then gives Kala a curious glance. "I am a Herbalist. I usually spend my days wandering the woods studying and gathering. She saunters around me, touching my arm lightly. I hear Kala growl behind me.

  Sallinda leans over in front of me, giving me quite the show. I guess they don't have bras on this planet, I catch a glance of a pink nipple. I avert my gaze and look up at the trees. I hope Kala doesn't see my face because I'm sure it's turning red. Sallinda plucks something off of my pants leg. "Would you look at that!" She holds a small seed pod up, its spiky with red and yellow tips. "You must have a high luck stat, this is an epic rarity seed pod. I have only seen these in a book..." She pulls out curved piece of glass and holds it up to her eye and inspects the seed pod. "Wow, it's still viable.... Jax? Can I have this?" She asks me, still kneeing in front of me.

  "Uh, sure. What is it used for?" I ask her, trying to not look down her dress.

  "This is a seedling of the Ceanla. I have no idea how it got here, the Ceanla have not been seen for at least sixty years. The Caste hunted them to near extinction.... this is an amazing find, Jax!" She stands up and embraces me.

  "
Alright Boobs McGee, enough of that." Kala says looking annoyed. Sallinda lets go of me and looks at Kala.

  "Who are you?" She asks.

  "You met me yesterday." Kala says. Sallinda looks confused. "Ugh.... I am the "wisp"." Kala says. Sallinda looks even more confused, then she walks around Kala, looking her up and down.

  "I didn't know wisps had the ability to change form?" She says to Kala. She then touches Kala's hair "You are very pretty, is Jax your olr-ka? If he is not, I would like to submit an offering." Sallinda stops and looks Kala in the eyes. I don't think I like where this is going. I step forward

  "Olr-ka? What is that?" I ask Sallinda.

  She turns and smiles at me, there is a twinkle in her eye, she laughs. She sees that I am confused and her smiles fades. She starts to blush "You truly do not know? I thought you were having fun with me...." She fidgets with her basket and looks away. "Olr-ka is the formal position of... of the lover." She makes eye contact with me. I laugh nervously, I look at Kala. She does not look pleased.

  "Um, I am very flattered, Sallinda, but I only met you yesterday.... and I have feelings for another."

  She looks confused now, "I wasn't asking to be your Olr-vanu. I only wish to share our bodies, Jax." She takes my hand and places it on her breast, it is ridiculously warm, firm and soft.

  "Jax!" Kala yells at me. I grab my hand back. How did I get in this position? The customs on this planet are confounding. I spent my last two years on Earth without seeing or touching a woman. Now I have touched two different boobs in two days. I have a semi in my pants and my face is about to burst into flames. I cough and step away from Sallinda.

  "How... um.... gah.... what did you say that seed was? You said something.... um, about nipples.... NO, I mean, no.... You say things?" I say, desperately trying to change the conversation. Kala and Sallinda both look at me with concerned expressions. I look around trying to find Doc, why isn't he protecting me?