Chapter 18 - The Problem, and More Training.
"What's the deal?" I asked as we boarded the elevator. Fortunately, a few hours of rest was good enough for her to be at least limping around. Thank gods for supernatural powers and supernatural healing, y'know?
"The deal is that someone knows about our meetings, and that fucker told the Minister. We need to escape before we're taken into custody." Medea hissed as the elevator hit the floor with our duplicate homes. "We weren't even here for a week!" I complained. Kara, however, had better priorities. "How do you know that it happened?" She asked.
"Mana proved her worth." The witch replied vaguely. "We don't have time for this. Gather your friend, and gather only what you need. We need to go." She said, cutting off what I was about to ask. I mean, c'mon, you can't say you aren't curious how Mana had proven herself at all, right?
It took maybe 5 minutes to pack up this time. "Where to next?" Hazel asked. "We can't keep running, you know. They'll keep finding us, hunting us. We need to end this at some point or another." The girl continued.
I turned to look Hazel in the eyes. "Where do you think we're headed next? Let's apply what Kara and I did a little over a month ago when we searched for you. We hide in plain sight. We go back to the start of it all. Back to Virginia. My family's on the move to find us here. We'll have maybe a week or two, with how my family travels." I say bitterly.
To say I wasn't eager to go back was an understatement. But at the same time, maybe I could find out more about what was going on back at my old home, and it places us close to DC, in case we need to make a move. Within an hour, we'd done as we did a month ago. We snuck through the airport, and caught a flight back to the States.
But before we got to the airport, Elijah and Medea bid us goodbye. Apparently they planned to stay, and it made sense. They were trying to buy us time. Elijah told us they planned to hold up our family with our original plan, with the barrier.
With luck, they'd buy us another month or two, depending on how long the barrier lasted under their siege, not even starting on the fact that the two of them would have to stay in hiding from their own government.
Mana met with us on the plane, and she gave me a small smile. "I'm glad you're okay, Mana." was all I could say, as my thoughts were otherwise absorbed with how she managed to intercept the rat who'd apparently heard our meeting back in that arena. Of course, mind reading is a possibility, but the more I thought about it, the less sense it made.
How could she have not caught the rat when they'd first heard us? Possibly some unknown surveillance, but then how would she have been able to intercept the message between the rat and the Minister? A "Ding!" rung in my ears as I figured part of it out, signaling an increase in Intelligence.
"You know the Minister somehow, don't you? In a personal way." I thought, directing it at her in hopes she'd read the thought. I could tell she read it when she paled drastically. "You likely wouldn't have been able to intercept that message otherwise. It also explains how you were privy to the information of where we were, how you were allowed to get us on your lonesome, under the Minister's nose without him knowing we were in Canada. You intercepted America's message to Canada, somehow." I think-ramble to her.
Her eyes drill into me from the seat beside me, and she sighs in what seemed to be acceptance. "Ding!" I resolved to check that later, as Mana was opening her mouth to whisper to me. "You're annoyingly perceptive, you know that? But fine. I'll tell you later."
"Can you at least tell me how you intercepted the message?" She shook her head, and I huff, just giving up on that for now.
A day, a couple of flights, and a bus ride later, we were on my front step. I fiddled with the lock, and it opened up, letting us in. I looked around, and things didn't look any different from how I left them, oddly. I found the dart Truman initially fired at me, as well as the knife I'd discarded on the floor, the chair and the rope I'd bound him in, too, all in the same place, just coated with dust.
"They haven't been here." I informed them, still paranoid that something was up. They seemed ready to relax, and who was I to stop them? "Cyrus, can I borrow you for a second?" Mana asked me.
I nodded, and I guided her to my room, just for privacy's sake. "I've come to a decision over whether I want to join your party. If you'll still have me after I reveal this, I think I should join." She starts. I nod, gesturing for her to continue. "You know how none of the people in our operation really trusted me entirely, right?" She asked.
"As you'd said earlier, annoyingly perceptive, so naturally I noticed that. I don't think I'm that stupid to have missed it." I replied lightly. "They didn't trust me because I'm close with the Minister. You'd given me all that reasoning supporting your assumption that I know the Minister. I'll admit, I know them. I'm the Minister's daughter."
My thoughts went crazy at that revelation. There wasn't an inkling of doubt on whether to trust her or not, because she's proven it time and time again, not even taking into consideration that the System flat out told me by giving her an influence meter, but it's still shocking.
"Mana, I think you'll notice this when you get to truly know all of us, but our families have no hold over any of us. Mine betrayed me by abandoning me and getting experimented on, Kara's family treated her poorly, and Hazel betrayed her parents. Our blood doesn't define us, and it won't change that we trust you, okay? I'm glad to have you aboard." I told her. I proceeded to send her a party invitation, and she accepted, a small smile across her face, as a "Ding!" went off.
Influence Gained: Mana! 50/100
Mana gave me a hug, which seemed a little uncharacteristic for her, but she stood up immediately thereafter, and walked out of the room. That gave me time to sift through everything, whether it be notifications, or leveling up. The notification from on the plane was my first natural boost to Charisma, for persuading someone to do something without use of my powers.
Now, after leveling up again, here was the layout for my stats:
Name: Cyrus Ambrosio Elroy
Species: Human
Class: Scoundrel, Dark Jedi Consular.
Health: 320/320
FP: 420/420
Level: 25
Str: 29
Con: 33
Dex: 26
Int: 42
Wis: 42
Cha: 24(+5)
Computer Use: 28(+16 from Int) = 44
Demolitions: 18(+16 from Int) = 34
Stealth: 38(+8 from Dex) = 46
Awareness: 42(+16 from Wis) = 58
Persuade: 45(+7 from Cha, +2 from the Echo title) = 54
Repair: 30(+16 from Int) = 46
Security: 36(+16 from Wis) = 52
Treat Injury: 50(+16 from Wis) = 66
I couldn't help but smile at my growth. In the game this System was based from, it could sweep through the Sith Triumvirate in a 3v1 with ease, which is really saying something, as one of them could literally eat the Force, one was immortal, and one was a Force user on par with the main character.
Though, of course, there are holes, from where this System missed some spots from the main game, which meant this was imperfect. Which meant, more likely than not, there are other Empowered who could overpower me, or endure an onslaught from me with ease.
So, with that thought in mind, I set to scheming. What could I do, past mind-numbing amounts of training, to make myself stronger? There were a variety of answers. I could make my Force alignment go full Dark or Light, which enhanced different stats through my personal crystal.
I could find other quests to give me other crystals, though I'd need a list of them, and what they do, since my game knowledge wasn't perfect. I could try to make other lightsaber modifications, but that only affects the lightsaber, and most of those, to my recollection, only increased my attack and lowered my defense.
With that idea came another one. "Equipment." I called out. A "Ding!" rung out as a new interface laid in front of me. Eleven equipment slots, with different icons for different pieces of equipment. One in the top left for implants to give me varying different boosts, one in the top middle for a visor, which gave me various skill boosts, or attribute boosts.
One in the top right for gloves, most of which give practical boosts, a few giving mental boosts. In the center row, the left and right slots were for varying energy shields or armbands, the middle being for armor, clothes, or robes.
The bottom row only had one slot, in the center, for belts, which gave varying boosts or abilities, like stealth units, which could make you almost completely invisible when activated.
The last four slots were for weapons. Two could be wielded at a time, and the other two were weapons in a quick select of sorts, so I could switch them at will.
I looked on in awe, and I was internally mocking myself for forgetting something so major in the game. But there was one problem. How did I get some of that stuff?
"Ding!" I jumped at that, and looked at the notification.
Hey dumbass, did you forget?
"Journal Entry: Savior, Observer, Conqueror?
After the attack on your camp, you cannot stand by any longer. You have to overthrow the government who wronged you. You have chosen the path of the Conqueror. For deciding the path you are going to take, you gain the Shop, +2 Cha, +2 Wis, the Conqueror title, and ?!"
I laughed. Not often the System outright insulted me. That's refreshing. But in truth, of course I'd forgotten that happened. It was a powerful moment I had, but it was forgotten with everything that followed in the weeks after.
Though I never saw what the title did, and I needed to look into the Shop, which was clearly the answer to my question of how to get stuff, I did decide to look over the title before anything else.
The Conqueror: With this title, you gain a permanent 1.2x multiplier to the attributes Cha, Int, Str, and Con, rounded to the nearest whole number. You'll have an easier time gaining those attributes while equipped, and you'll find it easier to gain influence over your close allies, as well as having an easier time inspiring a group.
My jaw dropped at that title. That's an insane boost. Even better than the Echo. I hurriedly equipped that title, and looked at my stats in comparison.
Str: 35
Con: 40
Dex: 26
Int: 50
Wis: 42
Cha: 29
Computer Use: 28(+20 from Int) = 48
Demolitions: 18(+20 from Int) = 38
Stealth: 38(+8 from Dex) = 46
Awareness: 42(+16 from Wis) = 58
Persuade: 45(+9 from Cha) = 54
Repair: 30(+20 from Int) = 50
Security: 36(+16 from Wis) = 52
Treat Injury: 50(+16 from Wis) = 66
That's incredible. My health also was standing at a fantastic 400/400 now. But after a few minutes, I brought myself back to focus, and opened the Shop. I half expected it to be some chaotic, overwhelming interface, but it was no different from the one in the game, aside from a way to categorize and search for everything.
It was a long list of items, with a button to switch to a sell list. I looked at my balance, and found a surprising thirty-seven thousand credits sitting there. My guess was from working at the hotel and doing quests, like fighting Kara in the arena.
I already knew what I was looking for. It stung, but for nine and a half thousand credits, I got the Jal Shey Mentor armor, which is amazing for a Consular. I got the Mental Boost D Package for nine thousand, leaving me at eighteen and a half thousand.
I got the Force Focusing Visor for four thousand, and the Jal Shey Meditation Gloves for two thousand. I got the Multishield Generator for six thousand, leaving me at six and a half thousand.
For five hundred credits, I bought two Mandalorian Power Shields. I know I should have bought some stuff for the others, but surely Kara and Hazel also have their own fair share from working the hotel, and doing quests of their own.
I glanced at the descriptions for the items I bought, as well as their perks.
Jal Shey Mentor Armor:
Jal Shey mentors are unparalleled in their intellect and often serve as highly respected advisors and teachers.
When equipped:
Defense Bonus: +4
Persuade: +1
Charisma: +4
Wisdom: +1
Mental Boost D-Package:
D-Package implants are larger and more intrusive than other types. They tend to have more impressive effects, but can only be used by very healthy individuals.
Attributes Required to Equip: Minimum Constitution: 18
When equipped:
Charisma: +3
Intelligence: +3
Wisdom: +3
Force Focusing Visor:
Through means unknown, this visor helps the wearer clear their mind of distractions. It is especially potent when worn by a Force sensitive.
When equipped:
Charisma: +1
Wisdom: +4
Regenerate Force Points Rate: +2
Jal Shey Meditation Gloves:
The Jal Shey use these gloves during meditation. How they function is unknown, but they seem effective in increasing one's awareness of their surroundings.
When equipped:
Awareness: +2
Dexterity: +2
Wisdom: +2
Multishield Generator:
This belt combines the functions of an Electrical Shield and a Thermal Shield, providing versatile protection.
When equipped:
Damage Immunity: 50% vs. Electrical, Fire
Damage Immunity: 15% vs. Ion
Mandalorian Power Shield:
An improvement by the Mandalorians on their basic forearm shield, this variant proved decisive in several battles with the Republic.
When activated:
Absorbs: Energy, Bludgeoning, Piercing, Slashing 70pts total
Duration: 200 seconds, or until maximum damage is taken.
At that, I equipped everything in the Equipment screen, and I looked at myself in the mirror with satisfaction. Though the implant suggested it was large and visible, I couldn't spot it. Likely the System doing its work.
"Ding!" I flinched. "Again?" I asked aloud, glancing at the notification.
Get ready. You have a month to train, then you have to conquer.
With love,
The System.
