by Tao Wong
I even spent a day back in BC, taking the time to review my settlements and work with Katherine about new developments. Richmond and Burnaby were now full-fledged Towns, the outlying suburbs a short hop away. With two more Towns, I had the option of joining them into one major Settlement to ease administrative burdens. Of course, I would also lose out slightly on the option of having more ancillary buildings, but the loss wasn’t as great as I feared. Rather than having three, I’d only have two, which meant I couldn’t add another Adventurers Guild till we had at least one more suburb, as Labashi already had his Mercenary Corp in place. Still, after some consideration, I decided to push ahead with it, joining the City Cores of both of those suburbs with Vancouver’s.
Partly, that was to help the City Dungeon grow. Simply put, the City Dungeon fed off the ambient Mana of the settlement it was connected to, allowing refresh rates and size to be dictated by these changes. Since I’d now tripled the size of the settlement, the Dungeon had a much larger area to draw upon and would thus grow faster. There were other ways to develop the Dungeon of course—including dedicating more Mana to it directly—but this was the “cheapest” way to do so in the short-term. The requirements to get more ambient Mana from a fixed location were quite wide-ranging, including Credits, technology, and of course, more Mana. Since actual Credits were a crucial shortfall for our settlements, with a large portion of our on-going income dedicated to rebuilding basic infrastructure, this was the best option.
After that, I had to deal with a few interest groups and the various city councils when they realized what I had done. I let them argue for an hour in the conference room before telling them to suck it up and work out who was going to be in charge of what before I left. It wasn’t particularly nice but I didn’t need to be nice—I just needed it to be effective. In the long-term, it could cause trouble, but really, I wasn’t exactly planning to run the city in the long-term. Owning the settlements was a short-term solution, one that met my own goals but at some point, someone more competent and who actually gave a damn about running it would need to take over.
Visiting Kamloops was a lot more relaxed. Ben and the rest of the council had the city well in hand, and the smaller population meant that there were a lot fewer egos to stroke. While Ben’s current Class only gave him abilities to alter existing buildings and provide short-term boosts, he indicated that his Advanced Class would be able to permanently alter and boost buildings or potentially an entire settlement, depending on which way he went. After some discussion, we ended up assigning him as the Mayor of the Town in a bid to increase his experience gain, as well as potentially open up even more interesting Classes.
As for Kelowna—well, it was doing okay. The farmlands were doing well, and the Adventurer’s Guild had, as promised, provided a significant security force. Mostly, Kelowna was in the development stage, with the focus on clearing out monsters and reclaiming lands, so there was little to report.
The last thing I decided to deal with was a visit to the Shop. The fox was, as usual, attentive to my needs, even if most of what I was picking up was the usual. I did, however, take the time to purchase the upgrades for my Portal Skill and a few others. Doing that took out a large portion of my personal Credits, but considering I was getting further and further away from my settlements, it was a necessary expense. Since I was still waiting for the Quantum State Manipulator to arrive, the Class Skills were more important than picking up a few more toys. A quick glance at the Portal Skill once purchased reaffirmed my decision.
Portal (Level 5)
Effect: Creates a 5-meter by 5-meter portal which can connect to a previously traveled location by user. May be used by others. Maximum distance range of portals is 25,000 kilometers.
Cost: 250 Mana + 100 Mana per minute (minimum cost 350 Mana)
My last meeting of importance in Vancouver was with Wynn. The Burning Leaves guild master had invited me out for dinner, an offer that Katherine made sure I couldn’t refuse. If you’ve never had sushi made by a Sushi Chef with System-mutated ingredients, you are missing out. For most of the dinner, our conversation was benign, revolving around recent Guild-authorized quests and equipment sales. It was only toward the end that Wynn brought up the topic I had been dreading.
“Is there no way for there to be a peaceful resolution to your disagreement with the Zarrie?” Wynn says softly.
“Not the right person to ask. I’m just a hired hand.”
Wynn’s flat stare made me grin weakly. My threadbare excuse was as worthless as a teddy bear without a soul.
“Redeemer, you must understand, the royal family have traditionally been allied with the Zarrie. While the mutual defense agreements do not apply on a Dungeon World, there are consequences to such action.”
“You guys leaving?” I ask bluntly.
“No. The Guild is independent, as you know,” Wynn replies. “But unwarranted aggression against our allies does cast a bad light on your settlements.”
“Unwarranted.” I grunt, shaking my head. “The Zarrie are asses and you know it. They’re petty tyrants, and while they might not be doing the entire System slavery thing, they’re more than happy to beat, blackmail, and kill as they wish. They’re bullies.”
“Political realities often dictate distasteful bedfellows.”
“Good thing I’m not a politician then.” Before Wynn can say anything else, I hold my hand up and stare at the man. “We’ll work with those who are willing to work with us. Who are willing to conduct themselves with grace. Everyone else can burn.”
“And that is the stance of your settlements?”
“I guess it is.”
“Very well.” Wynn falls silent before he points at a purplish slice of sashimi streaked with dark yellow. “Have you tried the Quem fish? I was surprised to find that they are thriving in your English Bay. They are considered a Galactic delicacy…”
And with that, the topic is dropped. I still am not sure what, if any, the effects our attack on the Zarrie in LA will have, but in the end, it doesn’t matter. I am not going to back down. I’d rather have a few good, reliable allies than a bunch of political flakes. Even if a part of me considers that entire statement a naïve belief.
After all that, when the agreement with Pratma is finally signed, I am finally allowed to leave the town—under escort—to travel through the outskirts of Sacramento and head farther south. Lana and the rest of the small diplomatic team actually get to visit the settlement itself, with additional visits to San Francisco planned for later on. The goal, of course, is to verify the information we’ve purchased from the System. There’s nothing like actually seeing things with your own two eyes—especially when it’s possible to have the System “lie” for you with certain Skills. Admittedly, that is a rarer Skill, but it is possible.
Traveling with a pair of guards is interesting. Both have low Level Advanced Classes, but for the actual fighting of the various monsters we encounter, I am on my own. I kind of guess what they are up to, so I keep the use of my Skills to the minimum. Still, when Ali locates a new dungeon, the potential gain from clearing it outweighs any security concerns and I make sure to clear it, Blink Stepping and Inferno Striking through its interior. At the end of the smoking ruins, amid the stench of burnt fur and cooked flesh, I am truly grateful I don’t have to explain the canine and leonine corpses to Lana.
Once I am far enough away from San Jose, my silent companions leave me, allowing me to complete the rest of the trip by myself. The remainder of the trip is routine, filled with wandering monsters, displaced refugees, and the occasional enterprising bandit. Even the big cities like Fresno and Bakersfield are rote exercises in travel and rescue by now.
Thanks to Ali adjusting my Status, I don’t have much trouble entering the city itself. Fresno is interesting in that they aren’t exactly oppressing the humans, but there are more than a few signs of bias shown toward Galactics. Recalling my discussion with Wynn, I make a note of what I see before popping a Portal open for I
ngrid and a friend of hers to do some reconnaissance. We’ll decide how far to take it once we have more details.
Bakersfield is more cut-and-dry, another one of those cities that need a helping hand dealing with a bunch of Galactic asses. Rather than fight for a settlement we can’t hold, I just pop open the Portal, drag a few fire teams through, and round up everyone we can before we leave. We leave a single team to stick around and round up anyone else with a short-range communication device to let me know when they need a pick-up. Interestingly enough, the Galactics don’t even try to really obstruct us, sending a few token drones and enforcers while we’re busy pulling people out. It is almost as if they are relieved to get rid of the stinky humans.
All these boring, easy trips change when I turn east and make my way to Fort Irwin.
Chapter 12
I have to admit, I was surprised to learn that Fort Irwin had been both an actual military base and a training center. That means that they’d had on-site housing and a fluctuating number of members on base at any time. Luckily for the base, a number of units had been undergoing training when the System hit, so they’d had a large number of trained personnel on-hand to deal with the monsters, even if our guns aren’t half as effective as they used to be. Unfortunately, they also got unlucky enough to get targeted with a monster drop. A couple of high Level sand worms were teleported around their base. For all that, the general in charge had managed to keep the majority of civilians and base households secure.
While Fort Irwin has nowhere near the numbers that Camp Pendleton does, it has the benefit of being nearby and fully staffed. In addition, they’re desperately in need of a restock. As a System-designated Fort, they’ve got a significant advantage over most random buildings, especially since the designation includes the entirety of the base. From what Wier says, they’ve even been able to gain limited access to the Shop through a few Quartermasters’ Class Skills. But access or not, they’ve been seriously limited in their ability to develop, which is where I come in.
For all that, you’d think I’d be greeted with open arms. Instead, first I get stopped and interrogated by a roving patrol in the 45° Celsius weather. If it isn’t for the fact that I’m mostly resistant to minor changes in temperature like this, I’d be pissed. As it stands, once they finish their not-so-subtle interrogation, I’m escorted onto base under armed guard.
The base itself is an interesting place. They’ve obviously laid out numerous mines around their shelter, the walls replaced and increased to nearly thirty feet high. Watchtowers made of reinforced concrete sit above the walls, beam turrets and rocket launchers arranged to cover the approaches. I absently note the shield that opens as we near the walls, the gate that rolls open soundlessly, and the armed guards that patrol the walls. It is, for want of a better word, a military fortification.
It doesn’t take long for them to bring me to meet the general in charge. He’s got a close-cut hairstyle, salt-and-pepper hair on a too-tanned face that emphasizes the wrinkles he’s not gotten rid of and a steely glare that dictates respect. The only thing that detracts from the professional look is the fact he probably should have shaved this morning. Or he might just be unlucky enough to need to shave more than once a day.
Richard Miller (Officer Level 16)
HP: 880/880
MP: 1290/1290
Conditions: Aura of Command
Mental Influence Resisted
“Mr. Lee,” General Richard Miller says as he stands and offers me his hand. I absently note the notification that pushes aside the aura, the briefest flare as my resistances and stubborn will engage and beat aside his low Level Class skill. “General Richard Miller, Commander of Fort Irwin.”
“General Miller,” I say, casting a quick glance at the others in the room.
I get quick introductions when my interest is shown, though I promptly forget their names as I’m interrupted by a floating, invisible Spirit.
“Isn’t that a drink?”
“Not now!”
“Thank you for coming. Colonel Wier informed me that we could be expecting you within the week. You’ve made good time,” Miller says with a smile.
“Not too bad,” I agree, tilting my head. “You know, if you pointed me at a suitable location, we could continue this talk while you get resupplied.”
“All in good time, Mr. Lee. I wished to speak with you before we began such an operation,” the general says with a smile. “Communication with the colonel has been somewhat difficult, our conversations limited. I was hoping you could perhaps detail a little about the situation in Seattle and your own settlements.”
I return Miller’s frank stare before nodding. At first, I start with talking about Seattle, but Miller’s incisive questions have me jumping backward again and again as I detail my own settlements, the Galactics I’ve come across, and the basic System knowledge we’ve gained. He’s particularly interested in Crusher’s little book, so I send the survival guide to him and his aides with a thought. Through the entire conversation, notes are taken, and before I know it, nearly half the day has passed.
“Well, that’s all been fascinating. But you’re right, we should really open the Portal to the colonel. I’m sure he can brief me himself,” Miller says as he stands, one hand sweeping low to beckon an aide closer. “Major Alvarez will show you where you can set up the Portal.”
“So I’ve passed?”
“Passed?” Miller says, playing dumb.
“Your assessment,” I say bluntly. Out of the corner of my eyes, I note that the soldiers who were clustered around the office have slowly dispersed.
“Yes.” Miller doesn’t apologize, which I can understand. Without access to the full Shop to verify how truthful I am, he’s only got Class Skills and his own intuition. Which, probably, is good enough, but probably doesn’t cut it when you’re in charge of so many lives. “If you’ll follow the major, we do look forward to getting our supplies.”
“Got it.” I offer him a wave, walking out of the door, followed by the major soon afterward.
Out of the corner of my eyes, I see the general bending his head and falling into a deeper conversation with his people.
“This way, sir.” Alvarez waves a tanned hand.
I follow along, almost wanting to whistle a jaunty tune to break the seriousness they all seem to carry. Then again, they’ve been surviving in the arse-end of nowhere for nearly a year, fighting Level 40 plus monsters and hemmed in by even higher Level zones and Galactics. I’d be tense too.
***
Watching Wier and his posse of uniformed aides walk away to talk with the general, I release the Portal before it drains me completely. A moment later, I’m seated on a lounge chair pulled from my Altered Space, a bar of chocolate in hand while I wait for my Mana to recover. Alvarez stares at me for a second but chooses not to comment. Instead, we spend the time watching the small group of assigned personnel move the various pieces of equipment that were brought over during the few minutes the Portal was open, distributing them as needed.
Shifting goods via the Portal is weird—a large group from this side jumps through in a bid to make purchases at the Shop while another stream of individuals comes in from Seattle, all of them toting boxes double to triple their size and even more stored in their System inventory. The sheer volume moved is significantly higher than what it seems, especially since a few of those have Class Skills that let them carry more in their inventory than you’d guess. The ability to overstack slots in a System inventory is a bit of a cheat.
“What’s in the boxes?” I ask Alvarez after I finish my first bar of chocolate.
“Non-System-generated items we need,” Alvarez replies. When I glare at him, the man relents, probably deciding that replying is better than annoying me enough to stop opening Portals. “Fresh vegetables and supplements, new clothing, toilet paper, and umm… other sanitary equipment.”
“Pads?”
“It’s been an issue,” Alvarez says stiffly.
&nbs
p; I chuckle softly, though I do recall more than one time when the young ladies in the team disappeared into houses and stores before stuffing said items into my Altered Space. I once asked why they just didn’t get their genes changed or something else and received a blistering earful from Ingrid about how the System cheats and reverts such changes quickly. At a guess, it’s a by-product of the entire damn “get everyone pregnant” directive.
“So what are the men requesting?” I’m rather curious to see what it is they, being stuck without the basics, might be after.
“Nothing they can’t live without,” Alvarez replies then relents. “Beer. Smokes. Deodorant is high on the list too. Disposable razors. System-registered knives.”
I chuckle and decide not to comment further. I’m sure there are other less savory requests, but considering the major is handling most of this in an official capacity, fulfilling those is likely to be done via less official channels.
“Fair enough.” I glance at my Mana gauge. “Another five minutes and I should be good to go.”
Alvarez nods. Upon spotting the still-lingering boxes, he strides away to have a quiet chat with the poor lieutenant in charge of storing the products. Rather than watch them, I lean back and chill for now. It’s going to be a long night of shuttling people back and forth as my Mana regenerates.
***
The next morning, I’m called into the newly restructured situation room, a place now filled with paper maps, floating blue System notification screens, projected maps of the surroundings, and more esoteric lines of information. A few people are in here, working and watching the screens, but I’m led straight to the main table where the general and Wier stand.
“Morning, gents,” I greet the tired-looking pair and their surrounding aides.
“Mr. Lee,” Miller says, inclining his head slightly in greeting. Wier follows with his own greeting. “We received some disturbing news late last night.”