After a few hours moving everything to the new ship, I settled into my new science lab and quarters. I made sure to get myself fully healed by using the ships omnigel and equipment. No sense in using my own supplies. Slipp still ignored me but f.u.c.k it, not on my top list of priorities right now.I placed Mia in one of the observation rooms I had in my lab. It had all the amenities for her so she should be ok. Her omni tool was on lockdown and synch to the Cerebus node that way Luna could watch and maintain checks on her vitals and alert me for any changes. From what I gather from what Luna told me her cellular breakdown was gonna be a tough thing to crack but it was doable. Luna also said she wishes to speak with me once there was time. Apparently, there was a lot to talk about along with some info she found in Mia"s Omni tool.
Still had trouble with it being my lab but the Captain made it clear to me give it a few days and I will be fine. She didn"t spend more, than what was needed to with me. I couldn"t tell if she was upset with, didn"t care what I did, or had confidence in me. She explained what was needed in my unit. We are the science field team that"s about it for now, and that Alistair, Riku, and now Mia where my responsibility. She made it clear, their pay would be dealt with by me only. For that matter any others I bring to the crew fall under me.
Riku and Allistair took the adjacent rooms across from the science lab. They were about the size of dorm rooms neither spoke of any complaints. Both said it was better than the usual digs they slept in. Told them both to come to me later if they needed to talk but other than that after I get everything straightened out I would visit them and we can discuss how to help them and when we could go. At the mention of that, the smiles on both of their faces became d.a.m.n near radiant.
"Talk to me in a few days" Boss I am gonna get some sleep. With no monsters around la la land is calling my name." Riku skipped off into her room throwing her clothes to the side before the door even closed.
After taking a shower I placed some sleepwear on and pulled out my omni-tool. I looked up some material to read. Specifically on genetics. I pulled up the basics and advanced. I then tried to get better control of my sub mind by focusing specifically on this task while splitting my focus on my main mind onto the consciousness on my Lin Kuei meditation. With this working so far, I switched my main mind to address the system. For all purposes to outside watchers, I was hoping it would give the feel of me relaxing but also studying.
Quest 1 Save the Patron Reward: Exclusive info. Cleared Info has been sent your Omni-tool
Quest 2 Save Slipp Reward: Companion quest. Completed Speak with Slipp to Start
Cerebus Mission: Apprehend Mia Reward: Choice. Completed option to receive either her loyalty or order her to do one hit for you with a high success rate. The choice is yours.
System: 6x common pulls, Cerebus Blueprint, Digital field: has been configured from data retrieved from Mia"s Omni-Tool and added to Cerebus node,
System Points: 4440
Companion Points: 170
(Gonna have to take my time on what to do with the specific stuff reward wise. So system care to explain my mood swings?)
System: The mood swings are a result of your psycho power. It has mixed with your renegade influence. Your soul power has mixed with your paragon choices. Your understanding of the Lin Kuei is keeping a balance.
(What happens if the balanced is broken?)
System: Mental degradation and a personality shift. If you continue down the renegade option you will become more aggressive, but arrogance will seep in as well first. You can expect more episodes of you being a p.r.i.c.k to me and others as well. A dominant personality will begin to manifest. If you wish for a quick path to power this is the route to take. But be forewarned user not many survive this path. The psycho power is not for the faint of heart or of the weak-willed.
After a little pause, the System begins to speak again.
System: The Soul power will create an aloof personality. You will become detached with a common interest and begin to go towards a higher calling. Focusing on the end goal and not the means to take to get there. You will give off an otherworldly feel and an air of sophistication average people will tend to move from to keep from stopping your path. Strong-willed people will flock to you seeking guidance. Maintaining a balance will keep you integrated like a regular person not excelling in either route never getting either"s full power. Considering your desire for power I a.s.sume you will go full Pyscho power.
(Hmm, food for thought. But most likely not I want to retain a lil more control of my self yeah may go balanced. Why do I have memory problems still?) This was the big one and the main reason for my agitation.
System: That is on the Universal System end. You have been pulled out of the driver seat, so to speak. Outside of my control and governance. I was unable to observe, what was then going on myself. My connection with you is undergoing maintenance as we speak.
(So what are you doing to fix that. I mean hey I am trusting you with my very being so there has got to be something you can do? You are undergoing maintenance?) This sounds like a train wreck. I forgot that she is more of an operator of the System than the System itself.
System: The steps have been taken to repair my console and I have received compensation from the higher part of the Universal System. The maintenance on my console shall be done in a few days. Then I will run a new check on everything.
(So are you like hurt or anything? If so tell me that way it should help me from lashing out at you.)
System: Thank you I will keep that under advis.e.m.e.nt. I have a proposition for you user.
(Hmm, go ahead you have my full attention. Well, my main attention anyway. What is it?) Please let this work out somehow. I have got to get stronger without losing my s.h.i.t, or becoming a d.i.c.k for that matter.
System: We can enter a pact. It would allow me among other things, to keep from lying to you and vice versa. And will allow me to give more info.
(Huh sure, it"s not like I was lying about anything anyway.) Eh, you have been lying well f.u.c.k it all.
System: Do you wish to not hear all the terms first before agreeing? One shouldn"t enter these so arbitrarily they are quite old and have a lot of conditions and ties that predate even...
I cut the System off at her rambling of old traditions and whatnot. Don"t know if it was me or the psycho power that did it. But something was telling me if I heard it all I wouldn"t want to continue.
(If it will get you to trust me not really. It"s not like it will end mind controlling me are anything right? Or force me to do things will it?) Better not if it does what would be the point.
System: Doing so will allow more than surface thoughts to be read between us. With me being a higher life form, it will not work on your end till you reach a higher level. But I will be able to read deeper into your mind. We will also be able to help with the a.s.similation of your different selves, and power"s you acquire. I will have the ability to intervene in a crisis situation at a cost.
(Uh huh..so you can go look around my crazy lil noodle deeper, but I can"t look inside yours. That seems like a jip. But considering what"s inside your head might kill me it makes sense. But will you tell me more and not just straight up ignore me?). At this point, I will take what I can get.
System: ... I will do my best User.
(Dammit just f.u.c.k it. I died once already let"s do more stupid things with my life.) This better not make me pa.s.s out. I was able to finish one mission without doing so don"t wanna start jinxing myself.
System: Pact Confirmed..initializing now…
(So what now?) I didn"t feel a thing.
System: Over the next few days we will integrate more. Till then work is the best course of action. And I am sorry User from the thought"s I have grabbed so far I have been a tad bit cold to you I will rectify that.
(Holys.h.i.t you just apologized! Totally accepted. So what the h.e.l.l is your name?) If there is a difference between her and the System should have gotten her name, in the beginning, did I ask? or no?
Galtea: My name is Galtea. And yes you have asked but it was while you were pa.s.sed out, not really something to answer to.
(Nice intro there Galtea let"s try to get along better. Why do I keep meeting women anyway?) Not that I am really complaining they are quite interesting so far. Well, the ones that don"t try to kill me anyway.
Galtea: This is mostly due to your own arrangement as well as my own.
(Uh huh, so wait a minute is this from the survey questionnaire I first filled out?)
Galtea: That is correct. For the most part, you are driven by your libido due to your lack of achievement in your life. A constant need to prove yourself and self-worth has caused your desire to gear towards a more s.e.xual nature. s.e.xual exploration will not solve all your problems you will need a balance. The Lin Kuei understanding has brought you closer to normal levels. Your stubborn trait and refusal to give up your current self, has kept you balanced in that regard. I recommend you get married to a few wives to knock up. Those old archaic needs and beliefs of leaving an heir out of the way will solve a lot for you.
(Thanks for the a.n.a.lyzation there. If I would have pursued a relationship with Slipp would that have solved my problems as you put it instead of doing the tutorial ?)
Galtea: It would have decreased your problems yes. However you romantic notions would make the choices with her harder. She is a hard woman to court with your current beliefs. I recommend you begin a polygamist lifestyle. After you get stronger of course. Your hedonistic behavior is more suited to that. One man one woman does not work for our kind that well.
(I am only a heathen sometimes... polygamy sounds nice and all but one I don"t have the money. Two I don"t have the ability to protect them and I don"t have the problem of them protecting me with them being stronger than me that will probably lead them to get killed for my actions. Three where am I gonna keep them when I am rifted? Four I am usually a better friend than boyfriend, not really husband material. Five I am selfish and honest that is a terrible combination looking at my track record. Six through ten I have no idea what goes there so yeah....)
Galtea: I will mold you into one then. You forget you are not a normal man anymore you will have to adopt new outlooks.
(Leaving that to you then. The planning of that will be up to you and I guess Luvia once I get to talk to her again.)
Galtea: It is good you remember her. Never forget about her ....ever.
(Ok...I won"t. That sounds like a problem flag if I have ever heard one. What gives?)
Galtea: There is a war coming in the future. Users will play a strong role in it. That is all I can say at your current level.
(Right then so power is what I heard I need, recommendations?) Felt my b.u.t.t pucker on that, not gonna lie don"t want to get sc.r.a.pped at the beginning of the upcoming war. I wonder if I will become a war criminal or will I be able to keep my sanity.
Galtea: Moving on. You have been given temporal portals for the error the System has made with your mind and outside interference. I will hold on to them till you have a better understanding of the gravity of these devices. Also to keep you from just porting and taking powerful things from others.
(d.a.m.n how did you know I would do some Shenanigans like that?)
Galtea: Given the means, you would become a prankster I rather deal with a s.e.xual deviant.
Galtea: I have taken the steps already. Your geneticist side and I have spent System points on turning you into a s.p.a.ce marine, more importantly, a Primarch. We stopped once I found out you had a link within the Dawn of War Realm. However, it has collapsed and a lot of it was placed in the bargain bin. A lot of the material has been recycled and integrated to make a new Legion. Due to your level and current Universal standing, there is no way to bring it forth. However, when the time comes, The System has agreed to send you to Warhammer 40k to claim it all. It will be extremely dangerous. You already have your weapon in your inventory. Do not pull it out here!
(Wait you have been spending my points? When was this? I am gonna be a Primarch..I better have a functioning d.i.c.k and no d.a.m.n mechanical bits.) My points haven"t really changed though.
Galtea: Those are your active points. You received way more than what is balanced due to the interference so The System sent the points to me. The point"s where spent for the war effort as well on your companion"s based on your personality. Some were also sent to Lluvia and spent on your real body to repair it safely. I also used the higher tier points to heal myself from the damage I received before we met and since we met. I have not wasted any of your points User.
(Well that"s just neat) There is something I should ask but what is it.... oh I know. (What faction was I adopted by? Or did I land with some ume"s?)
Galtea: Due to your psychic power or biotics really, you were sent to the Eldar G.o.ds location. Far away from known s.p.a.ce where they rest. You were trained in the ways of the Eldar. You and a handful are all that"s left of your Craftworld faction. I can not tell you which you belong to.
(Fair enough.) I think that was all the major issues. ( So let"s get me stronger safely anyway. Gonna leave that up to you for now. I am gonna chat with Lunabelle right quick.)
After two hours of talking with the System about what has transpired. I focused my attention on Lunabelle and what she wanted to discuss. That was a long process to store but I think I am getting the hang of switching.
Lunabelle: Greetings my Tamer how are you?
I could still feel that cold voice tap spine. The way she said it had so much hate stored in there. Was it because I"m not her real Tamer? Or was it because of the Loyalty I used. ( Lunabelle I am good how about yourself?)
Lunabelle: as good as to be expected. Tamer the Biotics signs for the one called Mia are off the charts, and extremely volatile to others. The one called Mia had a device implanted in her arm that filtered element Zero directly into her biosystem. If it wasn"t for the fact she was a clone it would have torn her apart. Continue use will destroy her synthetic skeletal system as well as increase her cellular degeneration.
(How does her as a clone help in this situation?) This was way out of my field but might as well start understanding some of this genetic stuff.
Lunabelle: Her cells were created from a combination of two other individuals but there are two more foreign components. One of the components you have as well. With the cells having been artificially created they have skipped the process that cells go through naturally. It has resulted in a stronger cell creation but the cell life itself is way shorter in comparison. The very act of her cells having to replicate is tearing her apart.
(Any clue on what it can be? The foreign materials I mean.) Well s.h.i.t, I understand so far but how to fix is the problem.
Lunabelle: I would need more information. This was the medical info that was inside the Omni-tool.
(Dammit. Wait to check the Cerebus node see if there is anything you can find to help the situation in there? Be careful and don"t set off any traps. ) There must be a well of info inside the node.
Lunabelle: Of course Tamer. I didn"t know you cared about my well being.
d.a.m.n why so cold! (Ok what"s your problem with me anyway?) Not leaving this to chance. She is gonna tell me or I am gonna force the info out of her.
Lunabelle: You abandon us once before. I doubt you care if we die or not.
(Galtea what the h.e.l.l is she talking about.) If anyone knows it"s her or the System itself and she should be able to get the answers from it.
Galtea: One moment.. searching... your memory..cross-referencing with the games you have played and the System. Match found. User, you will not like this information.
(Go ahead I am already up s.h.i.t creek without a paddle let"s see what happens next.)
Galtea: Her and the other"s are actually the Digimon you had from Digimon World 3. The rest of the ones you had are dead. And I do not mean they had a chance to be recycled or turn back to eggs. They are dead.
(Well f.u.c.k me in the a.s.s! Why the h.e.l.l is this happening. Well, that explains the cold treatment.)
Galtea: The System can not save everything. If you gather enough strength you can prevent break down of world"s and whole realms. But that is something that will take a lot of power. If I had a 1/10 of my strength I would help you with building a digital world. Sadly I do not have the energy to do so.
(Ok..this..just sucks... Lunabelle I have no way of saying how sorry I am about what"s happening. But I am gonna be straight with you there is nothing I can do about what happened. I can only move forward to the future. If you help that will be really appreciated if you can"t let me know I will find someone else to do the tasks I had planned for you. I will not force you to stay at my side.) Man is it gonna be like this all the time. Would blank slates work better. Cant be the case.
After a few minutes of a long pause, I received my answer.
Lunabelle: I will do what is acquired of me, my Tamer.
(Ok, be careful will the digital field that"s in the node help the other two with the recovery process?)
Lunabelle: Yes it will. The System has reconfigured into a small digital network. The Cerebus plans I have found are for a ship. Also for an A.I. that has been developed but has gone haywire.
System: Intelligence Check 17
(System are there any drawbacks to giving her the two Digimon under her ownership. Also is there any issue with the digital field and the Cerebus node having any clash issues or instability.)
System: There is a perfect synchro between the parties. For all intents and Purposes, the Cerebus Node is a pocket Dimension however it is mostly data. It can not operate as a true Digital world right now.
(Alright then transferring over to you now Lunabelle. Do what I couldn"t do. Keep them safe that"s an order.) Man, I wanted to play with my Digimon but this is emotional baggage I definitely can"t deal with in my current state. (Galtea can you, I don"t know to switch the voice of The System that speaks to me. That way I can tell when you speak and the system does to me in a different voice?)
Galtea: Of course. Your decision to separate ownership was the right one. It should go a long way to reconciliation with your Digimon. Your first genetic upgrade is ready. Pulls" have been done for some ability upgrades for you.
(Thanks I hope so as well. Alright, what is the first upgrade?) I threw my legs out the bed and moved out of the room. Once I move over to one of the lab tables I grabbed one of the boxes I moved into earlier.
"So Galtea what"s in the box?" What could be in this thing there were so many options. Could feel my heart speed up at the antic.i.p.ation.
The box in front of me was about 4x4 overall. There was a retinal scanner and a finger insert. Seem to be a finger scanner maybe. I had images of me working on it very late into the night on the other ship before we made it to the Citadel. Well other me anyway. It felt like the other me wanted to keep this a secret but why?
After the images of me working on it fade away, I placed my finger in the insert and brought my eye up to the retinal scanner.
"Recognized owner opening" the box actually talked!
Inside was a gla.s.s sphere. No, it was synthetic. I grabbed it from its holding place an brought it up to my chest. I used my right hand only activating Lv3 45/100 Misty Fist to make a small incision 4.3 inches from my heart to the left side.
System: Intelligence Check 18 Medical Check 14 Dexterity Check 22 Strength Check 13
Wisdom Check 14 I inserted the sphere into my body.
Const.i.tution Check Autofail growing a second heart.
I fell onto the floor scratching at it with my fingers. The very first rake of my hands had my nails ripped off and my skin tissue gone. My fingertip bones where already hitting against the cold cement. What the h.e.l.l was I thinking to do this without anesthesia or restraints? It felt like all the reasoning and common sense went out the window. I try to call out to Galtea for answers. But got nothing back.
System: Willpower 19
Tried to focus everything I had to communicate with her again. My voice still didn"t work but I could feel my mind touch something.
Galtea: Calm yourself, User. Your voice along with your biotics have been disabled for this. Do not worry I have not abandoned you. You must remember I believe power has to be earned. Thus this will all hurt a good bit actually. My apologies I have picked up some s.a.d.i.s.tic tendencies from my mother. I never explored them before but there is a time for everything. I have chosen specific categories for you on the pulls. it will result in weaker draws but enough to give you power without hurting too much.
(f.u.c.king h.e.l.l!) My chest felt like the jaw"s of life was used to crack my chest cavity open. My original heart slowed to a crawl while my new heart took shape. Feeling this all happen in real time was breaking me. The sensation was disgusting at the very least.
(d.a.m.n it how long is this gonna take!?) Could other people hear what"s happening as well? Was she applying all the pulls at once?
Galtea: 7 hours and 58 minutes and 3 seconds User. Yes, I am applying all the pulls at once.