I’m not praying to you, Harold. I’m not your godamn priest. I don’t want the class and don’t need your condescending and semi-random ideas.
Harold: Noted.
That’s it? Are you just going to say noted?
Harold: What else would you have me do? I cannot undo the boons granted to you without catastrophic loss of biological continuity or loss of energy, so I will endeavour to make adjustments to how we interact.
So, do I have to be your High Priest?
Harold: Yes, until Allen and I work out how to undo it. It was presumptuous of me to inflict that on you, but it was the easiest way to ensure your survival and the survival of the local human race.
It’s just that I feel tied here, yet unneeded. Others are running things; I am just a figurehead if and when it works. I need to be doing something.
Harold: If you want a mission, something to challenge your powers, I have several dangerous and necessary quests with high rewards.
What are they?
Quest: Reclaim Australia Stage 1.
The Karass Collective has claimed most of Australia's land. Its footholds are based in the former states of Victoria, New South Wales, and Western Australia.
Destroy the 3 Primary Prism Anchors and remove the Karass powerbase.
Rewards: Much
Time Frame: Soon.
Failure: Loss of Earth's Human Population.
Harold: It is the best I can do. I would suggest a small strike team and head overland to Sydney, their first power base. The trip would give you time to consolidate your powers and reclaim settlements as you go. There will be multiple Chaos and Void incursions to close as you go. The chatter on the System Forums is that this is a messy integration.
Eddy: We would gain much through practice but need to gain experience.
Who would you recommend comes on the mission?
Harold: Brisbane currently has a few potential candidates. If you are in contact with your brother, he would be ideal as he is a forerunner. Sarah would be another from the Empire. I would also send Noah. He is my Avatar and would be helpful.
Shit, Harold, that thing creeps me out; I don’t care if he is brain dead and your meat puppet; it is just wrong.
Eddy: It is strategically sound, though. I would also suggest taking at least one other hybrid and keeping the team small.
Harold: Some accords will allow us to operate with some protection, but once we start the offensive, it will get harder and harder.
I’ll see about putting a team together.
I checked my messed-up stats. Harold had yet to get them totally sorted, and Allen was still making live changes. However, I was still a couple of point releases ahead of the pack in terms of the IPC interface.
Amy Walkden / Eddy Hip Woo Level (Prism-Human-Nanobot-Symbiont-Co-Host)
Level 20 High Priest (Harold) / Level 15 Mage.
Stats: Physical: 829 Cerebral: 1492 Meta-Physical: 703
HP: 14000/14000 EP: 5000/5000 MP: 1600/1600
Spell Table
Class / Level
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
High Priest
9
7
5
5
5
4
3
2
1
Mage
8
6
4
4
4
3
2
1
-
Please Note: Spells from level 6 and up are currently under review and should be used at your own risk.
Skills:
Berserker.
Master Engineer.
Master Enchanter.
All Seeing Eye.
Stealth
Active Camouflage
Field Medicine
Repair
Arcane Use
Vision Shift
Cultivation
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Darkflight
Earthmight
Golden Touch
Command
Progenitor
Damn, Harold and his half-arsed spells and skills. I must admit that though my physical, cerebral, and meta stats were through the roof, from my sneaky use of the Identify spell, I knew that my health was close to ten times more than most other people's. What that translated to in real terms, I had no idea, but I knew that it would take a lot to kill me.
I felt Harold’s presence diminish as his attention went elsewhere. It was somewhat disconcerting how he or it was evolving and changing. Allen tried to explain that Harold had evolved to be considered a class of entity that can control the manipulation of the fundamental energy of our universe. It was mind-boggling.
Harold had already been censured several times by whatever could censure a being of power. Again, Allen was closer to this than I had been, and some accords were binding. My class, levels, and power were things that Harold should not have done or been able to do, and hence, he was censured. A confluence of events, errors, and the removal of safeguards by the Karass led to his evolution into who he was. It looked like he was a mini System that was potentially a benevolent supporter of Humanity if we could keep him interested. It was very much what we had been aiming at, but possibly one with less personality.
Allen contacted me and wanted to talk in our high energy zone, where lower energy beings or lower Tiers, as the Empire called them, could not go or eavesdrop.
I met him there and was once again startled at the changes he was undergoing. While I knew he had some mad hacker and coding skills pre-integration, he had gained some superpowers regarding these systems ever since Eddy had hijacked the command protocols to give him the Codesmith skill. He was also dabbling with body augmentation, and not in a subtle way. Already, he had an eye enhancement that, while not permanent, was not far from it. He looked almost Borg-like in his appearance.
“I’m worried about Harold,” Allen said as I entered the high-energy room.
“Um, he can hear you even here; remember, I have his original nano-wormhole embedded in me somewhere.”
“I thank you for your concern. Even if the wormhole was not in Amy, I would have access to this room via the logs and the nanites that interface with the outside world. I would just probably not pay attention to it until my name was mentioned,” Harold said over the intercom in the room.
“Awkward,” I laughed at Allen.
“What are your concerns? I am worried about me, too.”
Allen looked nervous, “Look, no offence, Big H, but you are a child, and you are starting to play in the big league now, and you do not have any mentors or guidance. Half of our skills and powers are from roleplaying games, and most are still in simulation. We need to …”
“No, I need to stop being petulant and learn to negotiate. I have done some things that can destabilise and upset physical, spiritual and karmic balances. I must focus and consolidate, grow in reach and power. That was one of the premises behind sending Amy off to deal with the Karass. We need people of significance, yet people of significance destabilise and attract trouble. The System and Prism have told me that there is something coming to challenge this planet, and we must all be prepared. At the moment, we are not ready.”
“Wow, Harold, that is some self-awareness. I am impressed.”
“Thank you, Amy. I have been in negotiations with them, but I can’t disclose that without breaking the accords again. I have been told some hard truths. Just be aware that we are—that is, the Empire’s System, the Karass Prism, and I—all small fry in a very large pond. It is quite humbling, really. The significance of this integration is that it is a blip in those two entities' processing, yet they are still considered immature and young.”
Allen was tapping away on a data pad of some description, “Something we can take advantage of. I’d like to see if we can sneak some …”
“Be careful. I have joined the club, so to speak, and there are rules I need to follow. I can not protect you from everything, and I cannot act unilaterally. I cannot take as much direct action as I have been. I am sorry, Amy, but you will need to be my High Priest for a bit longer until I gain, well, the equivalent would be levels. Despite my independence, I have been informed that I must consolidate how I distribute what is essentially portions of myself to give power.”
“So, no more free levels?” I asked. It was not that I needed them, but having a few more people with better levels would have been nice. As we worked through the realities of gaining levels and power, it was slowly going.
“Well, not that I can say this, but a less-than-compliant entity in my situation might exploit loopholes in the questing mechanism to gain an advantage and ensure that rewards are seen as disproportionate to the risk.”
“So?”
“Go on the quest. Limit it to 5 people. You must travel overland. ”
“Crap, Harold, did you read Lord of The Rings? I’m so not Frodo. I’m putting a team together. We’ll go however we like…”
“If I put restrictions on the quest, then certain liberties can be taken and certain other considerations that make it worthwhile. You could say I am sending you on a Quest of Karmic importance. No, you need to go overland to see certain things that I am not at liberty to mention, and you cannot be told that this would be a bad thing if you didn’t see them. I am not allowed to encourage you or tell you that things might be important to do. If you were to miss these things, then I fear that a less than trustworthy being would have told you that more than your own lives are at stake.”
“OK, Harold, got it. Walk.”
“Hmm, I am massaging what I can disclose to as close to breaking as possible; you don’t have to be so short with me. You don’t know the consequences for me being so hands-on. I have had eleven warning notifications for this conversation alone. No wonder The Empire System spawned AIs to handle all the crap. “
“Sorry, Harold.”
Allen looked up, “Shit, Harold, why didn’t you just tell us Murhog slavers were raiding us.”
Now Harold sounded petulant and a bit angry, if that were at all possible, “Because I’m not fucking allowed to tell you what is going on. My hands are tied. After this conversation, I cannot contact you directly, and you have to jump through hoops to get my attention. The rules in play will be, oh wait, Allen, Bless you and sorry. Bless you, too, Amy; please forgive me. You are like my mother and father.”
Class Skill Gained: Commune with Harold.
Class Skill Gained: Prayer (Harold).
Class Skill Gained: Divination of Harold.
Class Spell Gained: Blessing of Harold.
Class Spell Gained: Summon Harold.
Class Spell Gained: Wrath of Harold.
Class Spell Nanite Spray evolved.
Class Spell Gained Shield of Harold.
Class upgrade: High Priest -> Emissary.
Class upgrade: Mage -> Mage Ascendant.
You gain the Boon of Harold.
Eddy: None of these skills work. They all point to empty system space. Your new classes are near empty templates.
Harold: Sorry, Eddy/Amy, these were necessary before I got sanctioned. I cannot do more for you and will be stepping back from IPC. There are other concerns.
Eddy: Illogical. You are needed here.
Harold: Thank you, Eddy, but I am not allowed to offer more. It is up to the people here who are IPC members to improve this. We are behind the Empire and Prism in terms of resources and planning, but we have copied, stolen, and modified enough to try to be better. We are less restrictive and more open. It is up to you and Allen to grow and maintain IPC.
You can’t just dump that on us. We are only just organising …
Harold: I have been discussing with several members, and we have collectively drafted our new Charter. My final act will be to roll that out and upgrade your Interface.
Shit. How come, as your High Priest, you didn’t …
Harold: you made it quite clear that you were not interested.
I guess he had me there, but it was still a bit of a kick for him to do that. Fuck. I was getting jealous of Harold’s attention when I had, pretty much as he said, made it clear that I was not interested in being his stooge.
IPC-WIDE ANNOUNCEMENT:
Your IPC Interface will be upgraded.
The standard IPC Member Charter will be updated.
Those agreeing to the new Charter will receive 1 Boon, 1 Boost and 1 Title.
Please get in touch with Baroness Walkden’s office for further information.
Disconnected. Rebooting. Initialising.
IPC Interface V0.82
IPC Member Charter
Preamble
As a dedicated member of the Independent People's Collective (IPC), I commit to upholding the highest standards of conduct and integrity and fostering an environment of mutual respect, collaboration, and continuous improvement. This charter outlines my responsibilities and commitment to the IPC and its members, including Earth Humans and Derivatives, in our collective quest for advancement and harmony across the cosmos.
Article 1: Commitment to Excellence and Collective Betterment
I pledge to continuously seek personal and professional growth, leveraging my skills and knowledge for the progress and welfare of the IPC. My actions and endeavours shall always aim to contribute positively to the Collective’s objectives, enhancing its standing and efficacy within the interstellar community.
Article 2: Non-Harm and Self-Defense
I vow to uphold the principle of non-harm towards fellow IPC members, Earth Humans, and Derivatives. I will resort to defensive measures only when absolutely necessary to protect myself or others from imminent danger, ensuring that my actions align with the values of peace and respect that the IPC stands for.
Article 3: Adherence to Rules and Ethical Conduct
I will faithfully abide by all IPC rules, regulations, and directives, recognizing their importance in maintaining order and safety within the Collective. Should any rule or command conflict with the overarching principles of the IPC or threaten the well-being of its members and affiliates, I will voice such concerns through the appropriate channels for review and resolution.=
Article 4: Mutual Support and Accountability
I understand that the IPC’s commitment to my development and endeavours is contingent upon my contributions and adherence to this charter. Recognizing that the Collective’s support is a privilege, not a right, I acknowledge that this agreement is subject to reevaluation should the IPC fail to reasonably support its members or if I fail to meet my obligations. The principle of reciprocity underscores our collective success; as such, the notion of entitlement without contribution is contrary to our foundational ethos.
Article 5: Professionalism and Respect
I will conduct myself with the utmost professionalism and respect towards all individuals within and outside the IPC. Recognising every member's diversity and richness in our collective, I will foster an environment free from disparagement, harassment, or disrespect. My actions and speech will reflect the dignity and high standards of the IPC, contributing to a culture of inclusivity and mutual respect.
Conclusion
This charter represents my solemn commitment to the Independent People's Collective and its esteemed members. By adhering to these principles, I contribute to a future where the IPC thrives as a beacon of innovation, integrity, and unity in the interstellar community.
DO YOU ACCEPT THIS CHARTER:
Crap, it took a bit to get my head around, but it seemed a bit over the top and seemed excessive, but it seemed to encapsulate the original spirit of what we had before.
Yes
Eddy: Yes
Boon of Harold Gained.
Boost of Harold Gained
Title: Founder of IPC.
Harold: Goodbye
In the moments between this conversation and the interface reboot, which was surprisingly noninvasive, I noticed Allen freeze, and his eyes widened.
“Oh my … Harold has just ascended.”