A few hours later, it was just past dinner time and they’d made it safely back to the populated areas of the base. Pax sat and fidgeted at the table he and his crew had appropriated, one stashed out of the way in the busy atrium. It sat in a quiet alcove with a short half wall offering reasonable privacy where someone had planted fledgling greenery into the still-intact planter.
It was just enough to keep them out of easy view and hopefully a place no one would think to look for them while they waited on Solani and Tyrodon to work their magic with the power systems.
Next to him, Amil’s stomach growled loud enough for everyone to glance his way. He gave them a sheepish shrug. “What can I say? We just grabbed snacks for lunch. Now it’s past dinner time, and my stomach knows.”
“By ten minutes, maybe.” Rin shook her head. “Just eat something from your inventory if you’re that hungry.”
“I’m tired of the stuff I have in there. I want something hot and fresh.” He gave Pax an expectant look. “Any progress?”
As if prompted by Amil’s impatience, a notification suddenly came to life. Pax raised a hand for patience and focused on it.
***
General Skill Unlocked: Altar Interface Level 1
This epic active skill allows the user to communicate with an altar while within its range of control. The user can receive updates and warnings while also sending commands to the altar with no need to be in physical contact, as is usually required. All aspects of the skill will improve with higher levels, including distance, fine tuning interactions with the altar and being able to share the skill with trusted assistants.
Distance: Within current powered sections of Light Guild Headquarters.
Mana cost: minimal, continuous drain while active. Cost will increase in sections of the base where power is newly restored and without full coverage.
***
Pax grinned and reached out with the new skill.
Immediately, a voice popped into his head. Are you there, Pax? Can you hear me?
Solani 4-five? Is that you? He could tell it was one of the Solanis, but wasn’t sure which one. 2-nine had more of an informal tone he’d become familiar with while training in her rooms downstairs. With 4-five babysitting the entrance for generations, he assumed she was the one with the more cultivated tone.
Excellent! Not only can you hear me, but you recognized me. Any managers officially registered with the headquarters will also be able to communicate with you through your Altar skill.
All of you? Pax suddenly had an uncomfortable vision of the managers being able to break into his thoughts at any time. He’d never have privacy again.
Solani chuckled, seeming to understand his concerns immediately. The skill is an active one with you initiating contact. There is a provision for us to nudge you with a notification should something need your attention, but activating it is up to you.
So, the two Fenixes can’t just bug me whenever they want?
No. The humor in her tone was easy to hear. Only the altar has the option to break into your thoughts, but that’s for specific emergency situations. For example, if something is attacking the base or a critical system is failing. If any of us decide we really need to contact you, we can only send a notification message that you open at your convenience. Otherwise, we have to convince the altar that it falls under the emergency protocol if we want to interrupt you. In the past, most commanders had regular check-ins with all of us twice a day to address the normal concerns of running a base this large.
Sounds reasonable. Pax felt relieved. I’m happy to check in right when I wake up and then before I go to bed. I’ll also keep an eye on my notifications. Please send me any updates on the various projects you’re working on.
Excellent plan! So, are you ready to dig into what powers our altar has? Just remember that we’re operating at a major disadvantage to start. But things should improve rapidly as we bring more of the base back online. Still, we’re ready for your orders.
A rush of excitement filled Pax. He straightened in his chair, eager to finally figure out exactly what he could do as the base commander. Before he could do more, Amil’s voice interrupted him.
“What is it? Did it work? Did Tyrodon and the Solanis get the altar online?”
Pax opened his eyes and nodded, unable to control the huge grin that spread across his face. He paused for a moment, remembering to activate his sound barrier pendant. They didn’t need the committee to get wind of this before they were ready to confront them.
Rin and Bryn both gave him approving nods.
“So, I got a new skill that lets me interact with the altar from anywhere in the base, and through that, any of the managers. Solani 4-five just explained a lot to me, and we’re about to get the altar going on more tasks. I’ll speak out loud so you can all hear what’s happening, too. Does that work, Solani?”
Of course.
Pax nodded at his friends before jumping in. “First, what’s the power situation, since that’s going to be our biggest hurdle to start?”
We connected through the smaller back route the managers use, which has allowed a trickle of power to fill the altar’s reserve crystal up to a quarter. Tyrodon and Solani 2-nine are close to completing the main connection, which will fully power the altar within an hour or so. Then, you’ll be in control of all the powered areas. Did you have a list of priorities ready for the altar? It’s a good idea to be specific so we can all work through the night while you’re asleep.
Pax repeated the info she gave him to his friends and then replied. “Yes. We’ve been working on a plan for what needs to be done first. Should I tell you, or do I need to connect directly with the altar?”
Either works. But you’ll probably find I’m a little easier to talk to. Any time you want to communicate directly with the altar, just say so. Also, status reports are likely best to get from the altar as it does well reporting on specific progress and numbers.
“All right. Here’s what we have so far.” Pax waved at Rin, who had taken charge of the list while Tyrodon was down working in the power room. “First comes restoring power and function to critical areas. We came up with a list of priorities. At the top are the security systems. Some of the external defenses seem to work, but we need them fully functional as soon as possible. This includes any repellant and barrier spells, automated defenses and emergency protocols for possible attacks. Internal defenses come next, but be ready to move them to the top if we run into troubles with the current rebel leaders.” Pax paused for a moment as he visualized what the coming confrontation might look like. “Actually, is it possible to get a golem working and under my command first and then focus on the external defenses?”
If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
Of course. As soon as power to the main system is established, I’ll have a golem tasked to your personal command. Would you like a notification when that’s done?
Pax smiled, as did his friends, when he repeated her message. “How about you just send it to join me wherever I am?”
“I can just see that thing coming alive and stomping through the base now.” Dahni shook his head. “You know you’re going to cause a panic, right?”
Pax hurried to add further instructions. “You’ll make sure it has instructions not to hurt anyone or do any damage, right? Even if attacked?”
How about instructions to only do non-lethal damage, but give it the ability to make its way past any opposition? Otherwise, it could be prevented from getting to you by rebels simply gathering together and blocking a doorway.
Pax explained and looked at his friends to see what they thought.
“If they’re stupid enough to attack a golem that isn’t hurting them, I think it’s a reasonable lesson to get thrown to the side.” Rin gave him a pragmatic shrug.
“Can you change the non-lethal instructions to non-permanent injuries? Or is that too complicated?”
Solani laughed. Not at all. How about I personally take command of the golem and evaluate any encounters on a case-by-case basis? Do you trust me to decide what’s best?
Of course. Pax immediately felt better. He’d feel horrible if someone got hurt badly because of his attempt to flex his power with the rebel leaders. Sure, he knew he’d need something drastic to get their attention, but he also didn’t want any anger or resentment from the regular residents of the base.
I think you’re going to be pleasantly surprised at just how much we managers can manage now that the altar is online. It may still take a while to reach our former glory, especially with only one light mage. But even a fraction of our former power is going to be incredible in the current environment.
Pax felt a surge of optimism as he repeated Solani’s words to his friends. Then he continued, feeling eager to leave their temporary hiding so the leaders here could find him. “Let me list off the other priorities we decided on after security. Then, I’ll trust you and your sister and the Fenixes to babysit any minor questions that come up, all right?”
Solani didn’t answer for long enough that Pax grew concerned. “Is everything alright?”
Can I confirm that you are offering to make the four of us your assistants? Her voice sounded awestruck.
“Yes. Unless there’s something wrong with it? Is it a big deal?”
No, there’s nothing wrong with it. It’s just that very few commanders have ever made one of us managers an official assistant. Base Assistant is a position that gives us a lot of power, as long as we work within your directives. It takes a lot of trust for one of the living to give copies like us that kind of power.
“Well. None of us would have survived without your help. The rebellion having access to a base like this with its treasures and powers is because of all of you. I’d be an idiot not to have you continue to help us. And please advise me any time you think I’m making a poor decision.”
“Yes, please,” Amil added with a smile. “He’s going to need it.”
“Hey.” Pax reached out to swat his arm, only to have him fade back just enough for Pax to miss.
Well, tell your friends I will keep an eye out for you. Solani hesitated, and then her voice went soft. We all thank you for your trust . . . and Magesecond Fenix says he’s glad you’re not an idiot.
Pax choked on a laugh and reluctantly explained to the others.
And the rest of your priority list?
Pax glanced down at the notes, so he didn’t mess anything up. “After the altar completes its analysis of the base, we may change these, though security will still come first. Then, if we could unlock the secondary training rooms, I can share that critical type of magic. After that, we have communications throughout the base followed by documenting resources, including any devices, weapons, scrolls, mana storage, etc. Any other planning, including getting various parts of the base up and running, as well as appointing more personnel to run things and create strategic plans for the future, will need to wait until we hammer things out with the current leadership. But that list should be plenty to keep you and the altar busy, right?”
Definitely, Solani 4-five replied. Just getting power to critical areas will be a challenge. The nice thing, though, is that external defenses and security are hard-wired directly to the power base. This means offline or damaged sections won’t interfere with fully restoring the base’s protections. So, once we restore full power, enemies will have a much harder time cracking us open.
When Pax shared that news with his friends, he saw them looking as relieved as he felt.
“So, with the altar and all the managers on the job, that means we can head to dinner now?” Amil gave Pax a hopeful look.
“Definitely.” Pax stood up and motioned to Talpa and Whisk that it was time to go.
As his friends and their companions also stood to go, Pax heard the sudden sound of clomping boots approaching at a run. He had to wrestle down his instinctive desire to equip his shield and club. Instead, he stepped out of their alcove and faced the oncoming soldiers with a mildly interested expression.
“Hold!” An eager soldier pointed an angry hand in their direction before yelling over his shoulder, “They’re over here!”
Everyone, stay calm, Pax instructed over his Echo. Keep your companions calm, too. Remember, we’ve got all the power here.
As the squad of eight soldiers converged on them, Pax held his ground, not flinching as he raised one hand to get their attention. “Excuse me? Can I help you?”
Pax’s response and lack of fear seemed to rattle them, especially the one in charge. His step stuttered as their Tamed companions emerged from under tables and benches, looking none too pleased about the warriors confronting their friends.
When they didn’t make any threatening moves, the leader continued, coming to a stop a few feet away from Pax, with his underlings right behind him. He scowled at Pax, his expression one of a parent unhappy with their teenager’s behavior. “The committee has been looking for you all morning. You are to come with us immediately to face a disciplinary inquiry.” He took a step forward, hand already reaching out to grab Pax’s arm.
“No.” Pax said the single word, drawing on his Charisma to give it as much weight as he could.
The man froze, his brows drawn together, as if he had trouble processing Pax’s response. Behind him, his underlings exchanged surprised looks with each other.
“We’re going to dinner right now, but I’m more than happy to come speak with the committee once we’ve had some food. It’s been a long morning subduing the Glitterflare Hive and restoring power to the altar, and all of us need some food first.”
“What Glitterflare Hive? And did you say altar?” The sergeant sounded even more confused as his hand fell back to his side. Trepidation was easy to see in his gaze as he tried to figure out what exactly he’d stumbled into. It was obvious the committee had only told him to track down a misbehaving underling without telling him anything else.
“Oh, have you not heard what this place used to be in ancient times? The Light Mage Guild Headquarters. And since I happen to be the only living light mage in the empire, that means I’m the new base commander. So, if you don’t mind, we’ve spent an exhausting morning clearing out beasts, returning power to the altar and taking charge of the base. We’ll head to dinner and, when we’re done, head over to speak to the committee. Please let them know we’ll be there in about an hour, if you don’t mind?”
The man blinked like a stunned owl, obviously struggling to process everything Pax had just said. Pax saw when he made the connection between him being the only light mage and therefore being able to take control of the altar. Horror filled his gaze, and he took a step back, suddenly looking unsure about who would give the orders from now on.
Pax didn’t give him a chance to make a poor decision. “Come on, crew. Let’s get some dinner so we don’t keep the committee waiting too long.”
Without another word, he turned on his heels and headed toward the hallway that led to the dining hall, leaving a stunned squad staring after them. In his peripheral vision, Pax watched one warrior move to follow them. Pax’s mana flared to his hands, instinctively wanting to ready a spell. Thankfully, the sergeant held her back with a stern look.