Arthropod Online: Chapter 6 ~Research~_Arthropod Online

ARTHROPOD ONLINE: CHAPTER 6 ~RESEARCH~

Jack stared vacantly at the sky and once again pondered the meaning of life. He was not laying on his back and he was now looking up. Shortly after they had met up Kali made a gesture to Sati and now he was being carried off through the nearby alleys.

"What are you two doing?" he asked confusedly

"It's time to eat." Sati explained

Jack shivered, surely not...

"We got our hands on a rare ingredient so we'll be digging in!" Kali claimed excitedly as Jack's expression began to turn frightened.

"I wonder what it's like... maybe a big steak?" Sati mused as Jack attempted to escape resulting in him being promptly dropped on his head.

Before he could reposition himself Sati dropped the massive herculean beetle corpse in front of him. phew... for a second there I really thought... Jack carefully inspected the bug before beginning his work. As he attempted to take the bugs armor off while leaving what was left of the meat after Sati had unloaded an entirely unnecessary amount of bullets into it Jack started to grunt.

Kali let out a snicker, "Having trouble?"

Jack frowned, "There seems to be a strength requirement for dismantling tougher bugs..." Sati cried out in anguish and Kali's heart sank. I don't wanna to put points into strength... he thought absently while attempting to ignore the now hysterical twins as they pondered the fastest way to make Jack stronger These twins...

"Here's the plan Jack!" Kali had spoken up "I'll go over the basics of what I know about the broader ways to level, then we decide, got it?"

"Do I have a choice?"

"No!" Kali and Sati answered in unison.

What have I gotten myself into?

His thoughts were cut short by Kali. "Let's see... the adventurer's hub is the most common way to level up, pretty standard. They have errands and quests you can take for rewards."

Jack interrupted, "What's the difference?"

Sati let out a giggle as Jack blushed and dropped his raised hand, "Errands are easy repetitive tasks. Go gather this many kliplarl corpses, go pick this plant, go talk to my secret lover, that sort of stuff. Quests are, by definition quests. The difficulty and length should be much higher than a similarly ranked errand and the rewards are much better."

He cocked his head a bit, "Think I get it, thanks."

Kali continued, "Waiting around for public quests to boost your level won't work well, they don't happen as often as I'd like and higher level ones are gonna take a lot more to operate machinery. If they even have turrets or anything." Jack's hopes were dashed "There are siege quests to take part in but those are higher level." she noticed Jack's inquisitive expression "Siege quests are a large scale operation to achieve some sort of goal against the bugs. Like wiping out a nest or retaking a lost outpost, sometimes cutting off an advancing horde." Jack nodded in understanding "The last method is the slowest and that's just flat out grinding, questions?"

Jack looked at Kali appreciatively, "Where do we start?"

"I want a full four person squad before we continue, a sniper or a scout would be preferable."

"Why do we need another person?"

Kali sighed, "It's basic really, another person will make the quests go by faster."

"Ah... so we're doing quests?"

"Yes... I almost forgot to mention. You need a new smg before we get going, that one isn't accurate enough for you to fire it around us."

Jack chuckled ruefully, "I've got an idea about where to get a new one and I'm pretty sure I know someone who would kill me if I didn't ask them to join our fourth spot."

Sati chimed in, "Who?"

Jack puffed his chest up and proudly announced, "My sister!" They both gave him a flat look which resulted in more embarrassment than he could handle so Jack quickly continued, "She's been lurking around Luther 7 ever since I started."

Kali spoke up, "What's her level, equipment and profession?"

Jack looked a bit flushed, "Other than level I'm not really sure, she's been waiting for me to catch up to her... pretty sure it was level 22."

"Alright, let's go meet her." Sati claimed as Jack logged out.

Minutes later he logged back in, "Sis is named..."

Kali urged him on, "What?"

"Rock"

Kali gaped, "What?..."

"Rock level 23, she said for you to go to the central marketplace... I'll meet up with you later and if you finish up before me I'll be at the craftsmen's dome."

"Is that a man's name?" Sati asked innocently

"She said she wanted to see what it feels like to have a... No no no I'm not really sure maybe you should... ask her...no no no, that's even worse! I think she just wants to get into playing the whole soldier thing out."

Sati nodded in understanding while Kali gave him a knowing grin. "Why aren't you coming with us?"

Jack looked towards the craftsmen's dome, "I'm getting a new smg and giving a few people my thanks."

Kali nodded in approval, "How will we recognize her?"

"My sister won't miss the two of you..."

Kali and Sati both shrugged then started for the central markets. Jack once again gazed at the sky and pondered the meaning of life... Please take it easy on me Lums

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After doing a little physical activity for the receptionist...

*ding*

Familiarity with Letia has been greatly increased. You have become very intimate.

Vitality has been permanently increased by 1

-Fitness has leveled up!

Perk NamePerk RankPerk LevelPerk ExperienceFitnessInitiate413%Improves your avatar's physical condition and flexibility. This perk gains experience through any strenuous activity taken outside of combat.

Strength + 2

Agility + 2

Movement speed + 0.175%

"Letia"

"Yes Jack?"

"What are the benefits to joining a clan?"

She gave him a happy smile, it seems Jack is someone she's actually willing to do her job for. "Well for the most part once your rank rises high enough you get special benefits depending on the clan. Here you'd probably see bonus weapon customization and as you've already noticed experimental weapons. The only bonuses you'd get early on is free access to the dome, which you already have because of Marcus and a slight discount for all of our services."

I really want to join now... "How do I join?"

"To join a clan you have to meet certain requirements, renown and level are the most common and there's also a few tests. Certain professions can't join certain clans. From what I understand you got one of our secret ones right?"

He nodded, "Nonspecialist"

Letia chuckled, "With that profession you can join any clan, there is no restriction so it's just a matter of renown and experience... sometimes familiarity. I'd say you've already got enough to join us here but that's not quite true... want to join the craftsmen's clan?"

Jack gaped at her as the system message appeared.

Join the craftsmen's clan?YesNo

"Yes"

You have joined a clan.

-You are now a low-ranking member of the craftsmen's clan as you gain rank more bonuses will be unlocked.

Craftsmen's ClanRank: NoviceBonuses:

20% discount.

Free access to general areas of craftsmen's domes.

Profession Bonus:

Free access to the experimental technology lab.

"I thought you said I can't join yet?" he gave her a puzzled look

"Please daddy's the clan leader, I can do whatever I want." she said nonchalantly

Jack let out a slight chuckle then bid Letia farewell before moving towards the forging level. As he carefully made his way through the hot place while not disturbing the craftsmen Jack found Dine at the same forge as before. "Hello Dine!"

Dine looked up from his stall, "Jack, good to see you. Something I can help you with?"

"A few things actually. First of all, this weapon and I suit each other well. Thank you for your recommendation." he bowed towards the craftsman as Dine made a wide grin "Secondly, I'm in need of a more accurate submachine gun. Got another recommendation for me?"

*ding*

Familiarity with Dine has been greatly increased.

Dine pointed towards the four-armed man that had insulted him the last time Jack visited, "That obnoxious fellow over there is unfortunately the best we have when it comes to weapon modifications."

"I heard that!" a man yelled from afar

Dine grinned, "If you want to buy a new weapon rather than modify one go to the largest stall you saw on the way here. That's where we stock all the new gear."

Jack bowed again, "Thank you Dine."

*ding*

Familiarity with Dine has increased.

Jack began to walk off before realizing he had no clue what to do. "Dine what's the difference between modifying and buying new weapons... which is better I mean?"

"Well mercs get used to using the same weapon sometimes or they find one they really like and opt to increase its parameters through modding. If you're not particular about the weapon you're using at the moment then sometimes it's better to buy a new one instead of going through the mod process. It can be rewarding in the long run and give you a unique piece of equipment but it is expensive."

"Thank you, Dine."

"Don't mention it lad."

After spending about ten minutes browsing the stall's goods Jack picked up the best smg he could use that seemed to prioritize accuracy and bought it for 3000 credits leaving him with 4250 credits.

-You have received a Ranger SMG-07!

Ranger SMG-07TypeSubmachine gunQualityGoodDurability150 / 150CreatorMulaiRate of Fire14.0/secAttack5-9Magazine Capacity32Ammo Capacity480Effective Range14MAccuracy RatingSThis ranger template submachine gun was crafted with accuracy and range in mind. While lacking in stopping power this weapon is reliable when used from afar.RestrictionLevel: 12 Dexterity: 20Effect(s):

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Dexterity +10

Agility +10

Jack then returned to the four armed man's stall. "Excuse me"

"Looking for some modifications?"

"I was wondering if you have anything that would reduce enmity or increase agility for my smg."

After looking over the Ranger SMG-07, "Both wouldn't be a problem and the highest level modifications I can use on it will run you 2000 credits total, is that alright?"

"That would be great, thank you sir."

Once the process was over Jack inspected his smg again,

Dexterity +10

Agility +10Mod(s):

Silencer: Enmity -20

Ultra-lightweight Materials: Agility +10

Satisfied with his decisions Jack turned again and began to make his way to the experimental technology level. He owed Maxine a great deal but he also felt like there was something he needed to ask. His repair tool is a ~small repair tool~ so there must be big ones right?

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Kali and Sati were once again standing on top of a table. They shamelessly ignored everybody staring at them and made their presence known. It really hadn't taken Rock more than a minute to find them.

"Kali, Sati?" came a feminine voice

The twins were shocked to find a small green woman no taller than four feet standing below them... the rifle on this alien's back was longer than her. Dismounting their trusty table the twins inspected Rock. "Your avatars a woman?" Sati asked

"I started out as a man but I got tired of it so I used the one time appearance ticket they gave me to change back into a woman... I forgot to change the name." Rock chuckled ruefully

Kali cut straight to the heart of the matter, "How does his cooking taste in RL, is he any good with vegetarian dishes?" Kali had ignored the issue of equipment or squad based combat strategy.

Rock laughed heartily, "I'm glad he's my brother." she spoke in a deadly serious tone

Kali glanced at her sister then turned back towards Rock, "How do they handle arranged marriages where you live?"

*Pow!* Kali got floored with the barrel of a minigun.

As Sati and Rock departed towards the craftsmen's dome Kali scurried to her feet and followed after them while grinning maliciously.

"Best not to bring up marriage around Jack right now..." Rock commented absently as the twins both nodded in silent agreement without asking questions.

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Jack let himself into Maxine's lab after getting no response from knocking. What he found was the woman sitting at a table near the back with a headset on while tinkering with some metalwork. In order to make his presence known Jack walked around and entered her line of sight. Startled by the sudden visitor Maxine nearly dropped the metalwork on the ground but Jack caught it.

*ding*

Familiarity with Maxine has increased.

As she took off the headset Jack greeted her, "Good Evening, Maxine."

"Jack, you startled me. If I don't answer the door press the little button next to it, that'll buzz my headset." she explained as jack rubbed the back of his head and offered an apology "Do you need something?"

"Well first off I wanted to thank you again, this..." he pointed at the repair tool "... is very helpful."

*ding*

Familiarity with Maxine has been greatly increased.

She gave him an inquisitive look, "Details please"

"I was able to keep a single heavily armored mercenary from dying while taking acid shots from numerous flying insects, thanks to that I was also able to make it to the turret tower and gain a large amount of experience."

Maxine smiled happily, hearing that her prototype had done exactly what she wanted it to do was enough to send her over the moon. "I doubt you came here just to tell me that."

"Well I was wondering if there are large repair tools?"

*ding*

Familiarity with Maxine has been greatly increased. You have become very intimate.

"Noticed that did you? Well, right now I'm developing the first one but its been shelved so that I can work more on the small repair tool variations."

Jack looked over the various tools laying around her lab, "Do you research anything other than repair tools?"

Maxine absolutely beamed at him as she led Jack to a large board. Flipping over a few large canvas sheets she unveiled designs for various vehicles but the last design struck Jack. The possibility of fulfilling a childhood dream! "Maxine... what is that?"

Maxine looked at what had caught his attention and grinned, "That my friend, is a very special project that I'm working on with Marcus. I may be head of experimental research but Marcus is head of the more standard tech. When there's a particularly big project like... I don't know a giant, mobile, bipedal machine wielding fortress class weaponry we work together." she explained proudly "We're designing it for siege combat."

A mech!!! Jack drew closer and looked her dead in the eyes. "Can I have one?"

*ding*

Familiarity with Maxine has increased.

She chuckled a bit, "Sorry Jack, right now that's a pipe dream. It's gonna take a lot of research to put one together and a lot of rare materials."

"...suppose I brought back high level materials?"

Maxine beamed at Jack, "If you help us with the research of course you'd get to be a test pilot."

Jack shook her hand, "I'll do it!"

*ding*

Familiarity with Maxine has increased.

"I look forward to your support Jack."

Tech Mech ResearchRank: 0Rank up requisites:

150,000 credits

Unspecified rare or high level bug materials. (Results may vary)

Refocusing his attention Jack turned towards the various vehicle blueprints. "How much of this is a work in progress?"

"Only a few have been completed. Most of the mercs that join us take up being craftsmen and there aren't very many of them." Maxine looked a bit down "So progress and funding tends to be rather slow."

Jack looked over the vehicle blueprints, "Is this one complete?" he was pointing at the one titled "Buggy"

BuggyTypeCrawlerDurability1000 / 1000SpeedBHandlingCPassengers5WeightDThis lightweight vehicle was created to give mercenaries an easier method of efficiently traversing the worlds. Handles rough terrain poorly.Driver RestrictionIntelligence: 75

"It is why?"

"How do vehicles work?"

Maxine took a moment to organize her thoughts before speaking, "When you're outside of a safe zone you can call it in and the vehicle will be dropped in by some sort of helicopter depending on its size. To drive vehicles requires a decent amount of intelligence as well. Most mercenaries use the taxi service and pay for rides... actually I'm not sure if anyone other than our craftsmen mercs have used them yet."

"Could I drive one?"

Maxine saw what he was getting at, "75 intelligence is required, I believe you have that much?"

Jack smiled, "I do, how much would one cost me?"

"30,000 credits and you don't buy one you buy a license that allows you to use one whenever you please."

Jack drooped his shoulders, "So much for that."

Maxine took another few moments to contemplate the current situation, "How about I give you the license for free?"

Jack gaped at her, "Why would you do that?"

"It's in the craftsmen guild's best interest for you to travel quickly, less downtime between questing means faster experience and more credits. You'll be helping us with research so think of it as... doing something for ourselves rather than doing something for you."

Jack gave her a bear hug, "Thanks Maxine!"

*ding*

Familiarity with Maxine has increased.

*Hahaha* "Okay Jack, put me down." Maxine walked over to a box full of small assorted tech stuff before returning to Jack and holding out her hand.

-You have received Craftsman's Communication Device.

Craftsman's Communication Device.This earpiece can be used to communicate with the craftsmen's clan support station.

"Support station?"

"Yes they monitor the garages and handle artillery support. Call them and ask for a vehicle to get one delivered. I've already licensed you for the use of a buggy."

"I'm not sure I'll ever be able to repay you for everything you've done." he gave her an honestly grateful look

*ding*

Familiarity with Maxine has increased.

"This is give and take Jack, be careful out there."

"I will Maxine, thank you and farewell."

"Oh and Jack!"

"Yes?" he called back

"Don't think of squashing bugs with that, it isn't made for combat and it'll break down fast if you try it. You don't get experience or items when killing bugs that way."

Jack smiled wryly, "I see" Oh well

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Arthropod Online: Chapter 6 ~Research~

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