“Inque is getting ready, xey said five minutes max.”
“Good, ‘cause scans show we’ve got a new sibling, massive energy reading that doesn’t belong anywhere on a farm.”
“Wonder if they’ll wanna join up, god knows we need the manpower.”
“Who knows, every time someone in the wastes initializes they either go hermit with their family, or uproot and leave the city.”
-Overheard conversation between CyroFlare, and SkyFire 2056
The fire quickly burnt down the hive and the finishing barns along with them. Rather than continue to sit there and watch the fire myself, I called the foxbots back after they had finished off the last remaining Sevens in the area. I had a family to reunite with, and a giant middle finger to the concept of my current body to buy.
The house had been torn up a lot more than I had last seen it. Siding had been torn to bits in places, a few windows were smashed, and the bunker hatch was scratched to hell but still shut tight.
Opening it up, I entered the building only to be nearly bowled over by a trio of little gremlins.
“Spark you’re back!” Cried Summer, before she exclaimed, “We heard a big woosh!”
“Pyri said you were okay,” Autumn continued, “But Evie was still super worried about what you managed to burn down.”
Benny was babbling about anything going through his mind. “What’s all the new stuff you got? Did ya get me anything? Oh! Did you get me an ice cream!?”
I gave them all a biggo hug right back. “Well to answer everything. Yes I’m back! The woosh was me, I’m mostly unhurt, I burned down the finishing barns, I got armor weapons and foxbots, annnd I did get you all something!”
I raised my hand in the air and Pyri wordlessly teleported a box right into it.
Five points for five strawberry sundaes.
I passed the box into Autumn’s arms, “Go on! Eat up! Evie, I got one for you as well!” I turned to see Evie standing there with a smile.
“So it’s over then?” She asked with a whisper.
“Here. Yeah, the place that sent them all? No.” I whispered back, “After I take care of some body upgrades I’ll be heading out to destroy that one too.”
We paused to let Autumn bring us over our ice cream. Once she had sat down with the other two I asked the most important question, "Did you get word from anyone else?”
Her eyes said everything, “No. Spark, at this point by now they''re most likely all dead. They should’ve gotten back hours ago, and the swarm came from the same direction as the field they were working on today.”
I felt weak in the knees. In a single afternoon, I had lost half my family.
“Evie… You know how the forecast was clear of antithesis today?”
She nodded.
“Well while I was out there I fought a Model Seventeen. Pyri said it was likely the thing was artificially enhanced. Unless a corpo let a science project randomly escape…” I scowled.
“Someone sent it here intentionally.” A matching glare slid onto Evie’s face.
“Exactly. And even with me being a Samurai, the farm is lost. Anything I didn’t destroy, the antithesis hit themselves other than the grain bins. All the pigs here are gone, I don’t know about any of the machinery still in the sheds. Even with my best efforts, the area needs to be deep cleaned to prevent new hive growth. It’s all fucked.”
She sighed, “Well… I guess you better get started on your upgrades then.” She gave me a sad smile. “We’ll hold down the fort here while you go out there and kick more alien ass!”
I chuckled, “Sure, but ice cream first. I’m a bit wore out.”
***
After the once again criminally tasty ice cream provided by Pyri was completely eaten, we all exited the bunker to find Robin standing guard outside the hatch.
“Hey there Robin,” I rubbed between his ears, “You chomp on anything recently?”
The bot tilted its head and then shook it no.
“Okay then, Go downstairs and monitor Aunt Nyra. If something happens, contact Evie.”
Robin got up and walked down into the bunker with his tail swaying side to side behind him. Shutting the door Evie gave me an odd look. “You got a robot that somewhat looks like a fox and named it Robin?” She scrunched her nose, “Also, you weren’t lying when you said you lit the finishing barns on fire. It reeks out here.”
“Yes? I needed the extra firepower for it. There are three others out patrolling everything else.”
Evie glanced around nervously, “And there isn’t anything else here?”
I began walking towards the shop, “Nothing from the original raid, or something it produced. Anything they find will have arrived very recently.” I paused to think, “I still think y’all should stay in the bunker while I’m gone though.”
Summer ran in front of me and gave us the biggest pair of puppy dog eyes, “Can we see your stuff working before then at least?”
We both caved pretty quickly to the cheers of all three of them. Only ending once we got to the shop.
Evie had a confused look on her face, “What are we doing here? Why not your workshop?”
“There’s more room in here with the tractor and ripper pulled out, and well, uhhhh, my blood is all over the floor in there.”
She paled, “That’s fair.”
I took a deep breath in and let it out, “Okay. Pyri what all do I need for the basic stuff?”
Firstly from your Vulgoran Biological Sciences Catalogue you will need the MK III BioShifter for fifteen-thousand points. However, with the addition of a token you could also upgrade the catalogue to Class II for five-hundred points, and then buy the MK IV for an additional five-hundred.
“What’s the difference between the two?”
While it’s a thousand points more expensive, the MK IV is faster which will help for the first use, and additionally the catalogue will have more options for your second time through it, and anytime someone else goes through it.
“I’ll think about it, that’s the only thing I might upgrade right now though. Better to save the second token for something else.”This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
Understandable dear. As for the rest of the required purchases for the operation specifically, you will need two MK I Industrial Xenon Generators for a combined one thousand, one Industrial Vulgoran Battery for one-hundred-seventy-five, and the basic human template for one-hundred.
Only one thing jumped out to me, “Why generators and a battery? Seems a bit redundant.”
Why does a human internal combustion engine need a battery?
“To power the spark plug for igniting the fuel. Hybrid engines draw from it even more so they reduce fuel consumption.”
Exactly. Not only do these generators need a kickstart to operate, the BioShifter series of matter reconfigurers require a large power draw to the point that it would burn out the generators. The batteries offer solutions to both roles. For the intensity and length of time needed for this session you just need these power sources.
My curiosity sated I agreed, “Okay, anything else?”
Unless you wish to relearn how to move your hands, I advise unlocking Class I Dream Learning and purchasing an addon that will attach to the BioShifter so you don’t need an implant. If you do get an implant in the future, the two can interface and increase your dream learning rate. Finally, Lesson: Basic Human Movement will allow you to have the foundations of controlling your new body already mastered.
“Nothing advanced?”
Advanced combat lessons take longer to teach, and are much more expensive. Also nothing you’ve demonstrated during our time together would fall under it, other than maybe precision aiming and grenade throwing.
“My aim wasn’t that bad was it?”
For a civilian, your aim was higher than average. For military personnel you were decidedly lacking with accuracy.
I blushed, happy that this was all taking place inside my head rather than over the phone Autumn was now holding. “I can’t really argue with that can I?”
No, you can not, nor do itineraries one, five, and seven allot time for it.
I groaned, “Fine, just buy it all then.”
Pyri sounded very smug about the whole thing.
<div>
<table style="width: 52.0627%">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify; width: 51.2057%">
New Purchases!
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify; width: 11.0545%"> </td>
<td style="text-align: justify"> </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify; width: 51.2057%">
Class II Vulgoran Biological Sciences
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify; width: 11.0545%"> </td>
<td style="text-align: right">
500 + 1 Token
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify; width: 51.2057%">
Class I Dream Learning
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify; width: 11.0545%"> </td>
<td style="text-align: right">
100
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify; width: 51.2057%">
MK IV BioShifter
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify; width: 11.0545%"> </td>
<td style="text-align: right">
15,500
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify; width: 51.2057%">
MK I Industrial Xenon Generators
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify; width: 11.0545%">
x2
</td>
<td style="text-align: right">
1000
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify; width: 51.2057%">
Industrial Vulgoran Battery
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify; width: 11.0545%"> </td>
<td style="text-align: right">
175
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify; width: 51.2057%">
Human Biological Template
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify; width: 11.0545%"> </td>
<td style="text-align: right">
100
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify; width: 51.2057%">
MK I Dream Learning Tie-in
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify; width: 11.0545%"> </td>
<td style="text-align: right">
150
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify; width: 51.2057%">
Lesson: Basic Human Movement
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify; width: 11.0545%"> </td>
<td style="text-align: right">
20
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify; width: 51.2057%">
Total:
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify; width: 11.0545%"> </td>
<td style="text-align: right">
17,545
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="text-align: justify; width: 51.2057%">
Points Reduced To:
</td>
<td style="text-align: justify; width: 11.0545%"> </td>
<td style="text-align: right">
281
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Seeing all those points evaporate into nothing brought mixed feelings, only for it to turn to excitement when a box appeared at my feet alongside a large crate, two cylindrical towers, and a MASSIVE machine that was easily ten meters tall and five meters wide. Each machine also had cables coiled up and placed on hooks.
The good thing about Vulgoran technology is that even when not using their wireless energy transmission, they kept improving their wired technology; simple, easy to use and implement. All of these cables are compatible with any combination, but I advise you don’t swap them around from where I have them placed.
“Uhh, Spark?” I turned to find Evie currently backing the excited kids away from the machinery that had appeared. “When you said body upgrades, I didn’t expect you to go all mad scientist about it.”
I raised my eyebrow, which was also joined by a trio of skeptical looks from the kids.
“I probably should’ve expected it though.” She said with a sigh. “What’s it meant to do Pyri?”
“W-Why would you ask her? I’m right here! I can explain-”
[For this particular use, it will only slightly gelatinize Spark’s body using a specific method of converting matter into energy and modify it from there. After the modifications are complete it will then resolidify the body and Spark will be at the physical equivalent of a top human athlete.]
Evie facepalmed, “Only you would microwave yourself to get more muscles I swear.”
Benny and Summer began their microwave impersonations while Autumn squinted at me.
“In my defense, this isn’t the first time I’m using it.” I retorted.
She gave me a look, “Spark that doesn’t help your case whatsoever.” She brushed a lock of her hair behind her ear. “Do you need us here for anything other than defending you?”
I shrugged, “Other than you helping me plug stuff in, not really. I’d imagine I could give you an escort to look at the place I guess.”
She waved me off, “No, we’ll all stay here. No point in going out when it can wait for you to be finished with your growing laundry list.”
With our future plans out of the way, we got to work hooking up all the cables. The four pieces of equipment were organized in a square formation with the generators opposite each other. The battery was no larger than a decent sized box you’d put a mini-fridge in. It was a vibrant blue with three lights lined up diagonally across the top. One side had several analog dials and buttons with a lever that looked all kinds of promising. The other sides all had various couplings for power, two specifically meant for direct distribution to the generators, and a third meant for power draw to the BioShifter.
The generators were both six meter tall cylindrical towers that got thinner the further up you went. Once they were hooked up to the battery, they began glowing a bright blue in the center, illuminating a multitude of vertical metal plates set into spinning rings. The cables slotted in down at the bottom on either side of the control panel.
Finally the Bioshifter. It had all its connections at the ends of the four support beams it had at each ‘corner’ of its rounded frame. It had a large person sized chamber wrapped in several copper bands in the center with a ramp leading up to it. Surrounding that chamber were a pair of large vertical arms with anodes on the interior that matched up with the copper bands on the chamber. The walkway was designed to fold up to allow the arms to rotate around the chamber. Finally it had a digital control panel next to the foot of the walkway just beside an emergency shutoff lever.
“Pyri, would throwing the shutoff lever kill the person inside the thing?”
No, the lever is meant for if there is an active problem with setup. If pulled, the machine stops instantly and puts the patient in complete stasis until the problem is fixed, or the chamber is transferred to a new machine. Also, the dream learning tie-in slots into the opposite side of the control panel.
Looking at the other side, I saw a jack flanked on both sides with anchors for the tie-in’s frame.
“Autumn, you know the box I gave you? Can you-“
I was interrupted by a tapping at my side, and looked down to find Autumn holding the box up to me. Thanking her I opened it up, and pulled out what looked like an old school tractor monitor from the turn of the century.
A quick insertion with a pair of clicks coming from the anchor points, and the monitor lit up and automatically pulled up the only lesson it had.
The BioShifter is properly powered, programmed, and is ready for use. All you need to do is take off your equipment, sans your jumpsuit, enter the capsule, and undress. I will handle the rest Spark dear.
“Welp, she’s ready to go,” I said as I walked out of the square and began stripping off the armor plates and put them next to my backpack, belts, and C-Foam Launcher. Evie had both my rifle and pistol with her incase we were attacked before I was out and had my bearings. “Guess I’ll see y’all on the other side.”
Autumn and Evie joined the other two in the ‘viewing chairs’ they had set up next to Marian, who I had come over at Summer’s request for extra protection while she went into the house ‘to get something’.
“Tell the dream gods they owe me another frosted donut Spark!” Evie shouted, “The stingy f- buttheads stiffed me last week!”
“I’ll see what I can do!”
With that last important thing said, I walked up the ramp as the chamber door slid open with a hiss.
‘Here goes, you sure this thing will make things work, Pyri?’
Yes, if something goes wrong, it won’t be from the equipment you purchased or the assembly, and I know these units are functionally perfect otherwise.
The door sealed itself shut behind me as I entered, and I stripped off the jumpsuit and glasses that had saved my life more than once today. “I guess that works, where do I put this stuff by the way?”
There is a hatch opposite the door. Once it is shut and you are in the center, you will be put to sleep via electromagnetic pulses, and the process will begin.
Following Pyri’s directions I heard the machine whir to life, as I suddenly felt incredibly fatigued.
Sweet dreams dear. I’ll make sure everything goes right out here.
I soon fell asleep, and visions of doing basic stretches began playing through my dreamscape.