On a large space frigate , leaving an empty planet the leader of the cyberorces was sitting in his commanders chair drinking from a bottle of blooded liquor.
“ sir .” the subordinate saluted.” one of our hackers have intercepted a system report of 2 unique races been discovered.”
“ really, where?”
“ planet limarrah, sir.”
“ has that been confirmed?”
“ Yes sir. One of the systems alloy drones has crashed onto the planet and discovered the lifeforms. Apparently only one of each. The emperor will pay highly for 2 unique slaves or maybe eat them.”
“ how long to make the journey from our present location?”
Checking the displays the subordinate answered. “6 to 7 months , sir”
“then plot course. Send the rest of the fleet back to the empire. I don’t want to have to share this bounty. One frigate for a backwater planet will be more than enough.
The frigate powered up it engines and made the turn around the planet , the crew making calculations to navigate the journey avoiding planets, suns and black holes. The ship seemed to stretch and disappear as it entered slip space.
“sunrise, time to wake up.” alloys voice woke Lex from his sleep.
It was still cold and damp so Lex lit a fire and put a pot of water to boil. Using the last of the bacon and eggs he brought with him he started to cook breakfast.
Setting out the table he called to wake the sleeping girls. Brewing a pot of tea he set the food on the table.
Pouring himself a drink, Lex sat down and waited to be joined at the table. El and Tatty joining him looking sleepy.
“ I feel all we’ve done is eat since we got here” Ella said while dipping bacon into her egg yolk.
“ Did you forget the fight and sight seeing we did?” Lex sipped his tea.” I think we need to check around and make sure it’s safe here. At least until you link to the system and we can move on to find a town.”
“ can I spend some time target training this morning? It’s been a while since I used the crossbow and I was useless yesterday, I need to remember how to aim the damn thing.”
“ ok. Ally said I should practice with my weapons aswell. So how about we spend the morning in practice, then have lunch and then see if we can hunt something”
“what do I do?” said tatty.
“ there are some logs outback. So I’m going to set some up as dummies. You can practice your new slashing claw thing on them, and El can use one for target practice. I’ll use the big ones to practice swing on.”
“Sounds like a plan”. El said
They finished off the food and drinks and tidied away.
Using enhanced strength Lex carried the logs and set up with enough room as to keep Ella’s bolts from hitting anyone by accident. He then called his load out of shield and heavy warpick, and started practice attacks.
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After two hours Ella’s aim have improved immensely and she even put leaves on the logs to use as precise targets.
Tatty had almost shredded two large log and Lex had smashed several logs to bits. Lex collected the wood that had been broken up and put it in the shed for firewood.
“good thinking” Alloy said in Lexs’ head “at least you can reuse the wood and arn’t just been wasteful”.
“ how do you think I did? I know it was only practice, but I feel I have a better grasp of using the shield and pick together.”
“ Indeed. You have improved. Fighting living targets will be harder but at least you’re not going in cold like last time. Things should get easier the more you practice and fight.”
Lex pumped some clean water into the bucket and washed himself down, removing dirt and sweat. Leaving fresh water and towels for the girls he entered the cottage and started warming the stew started last night.
Just before it was ready he call for the girls to wash up ready for food.
“why am I always doing the cooking?” Lex said as they all sat down to eat.
“ because you can. Mother never taught me to”
“ Or me. I taught myself at uni. So you’ve got no excuse, you’re old enough to cook stuff. Even if it’s basic”
“i’ll try” Tatty said. “ I don’t know it will be good, I’ve never done it before”
“ El you feeling ok?”
Lex noticing that Ella’s face was very pail.
“ my heads hurting and I feel dizzy”
Lex put his arm around her shoulder and walked her to her bed.
“sounds like things are starting. Best if you sleep though this and when you wake up ill go through things with you.”
She climbed into bed and pulled the blanket over her. Lex closed the curtains and the pair left her to sleep.
“ We will be just outside. So don’t worry we wont go far.”
He closed the door and went to collect some veggies from the garden.
While pulling up what looked like a potato or beet. A blue box appeared .
Metal ore located. Do you wish to absorb ore. Y/n
Thinking yes
Liquid metal came from his hand and wrapped around the large stone.
Ore absorbed, contents iron, copper, arsenic, tin and silver.
“wow that’s a lot of stuff. What will happen now?”
“ as I am an alloy the more types of metal I absorb the more complex and stronger items I can create.”
“ cool. .”
“cool? You don’t know how to reply do you.” Lex almost felt a flat look coming from alloy.
“well, no. What am I supposed to say to that. Oh yeh I just get stronger when I feel like it, broken much.”
“ it should be obvious to you. I am metal so absorbing metal will give me extra properties.”
Waking up, Ella felt strange. She saw boxes in her vision and her arms felt hard. She called out to her brother.
“ are you ok?” Lex said as he entered the cottage.” I said we’d just be outside.”
“ I see boxes.”
Lex smiled, he sat on the end of her bed.” ok then, lets see what we can do. I’m going to hold your hands and set up your system.”
Taking his sisters hands in his, he looked at her face. She felt a small sting in her palms.
“ok then, start by closing your eyes. “ Alloys strands searched out the nano, booting it with a simple system program. The nano moved to her brain and embedded itself. Lex let go of her hands.
“ now let’s start by opening them in order start with the black one the rest will be in order.”
She mentally brought up the boxes and they listed in order.
Black box.
Welcome to the system. You have 20 point to add to your stats. You have been upgraded. You now have Alloy coated arms, and a nano system implanted.
Orange box 1
New skill. Enhanced dexterity.
Orange box 2
New skill . pole and staff weapon proficiency
Orange box 3
Hardened arm bones and shoulders thanks to Alloy absorption.
Green box
System and nano successfully installed . you can now level up and learn new skills.
“ok now bring up your stats you can add any new points if you have them.”
Stats
Name. Ella
Race. Human
Level 1
Sex . female.
Age. 17
Strength . 20.
Constitution. 20.
Dexterity. 30. (enhanced)
Inelligance 25.
Speed. 20.
Sense. 20.
Hp. 100/100
Skills. Enhanced dex. Pole and staff weapons proficiency.
System and nano installed.
Adding points.
Upgraded stats.
Strength. 25.
Constitution. 30.
Dexterity . 30. (enhanced)
Intelligence 30.
Speed. 20.
Sense . 20.
Hp 120/120