/Hey Beecham, wanted to see how you’re doing and if you need anything?/
/Oh hey Admiral. Nah, just playing in the shop you bought for us, working on tweaking the frame of the shuttle design. I reconnected with Eyes and Meeker./
/Have you looked at the fast-mover design?/
/I have, and I think you’re nuts, but if you make the Titan steel, I’ll make the damned thing. I still think you’re going to kill yourself the first time you turn in it./
/Copy that Chief, let me know if you need anything, crafting or otherwise./
/I should be fine with the money and Aether you sent my way. Gotta get back to work now./
/Fine. Bye Beecham./
He wanted to be left alone to grind out his trade skills, or some other nonsense, but he said he’d be ready to head back to Astoria when I needed him. I mostly think he was trying to avoid the drama that flies at me. I don’t blame him for that. I also think it’s great that he’s in contact with Eyes and Meeker. I can’t imagine the Navy is letting those two wander around freely.
Well, back to work for me too. Pull up my HUD and check on some simulations that I had our data network running. From the data I’ve collected, the network predicts I can get the power outputs I want without changing the impurities I’ve been adding. What was a real eye opener was when Melissa recommended using a smaller crystal with the capacitor purity for a quick, hot discharge and the battery refill it with some limit settings via a magitech controller.
The result is the jenky-looking hand-made self defense weapon in my hand.
Magitech Laser Pistol 2IIS Aether-enhanced lasing matrix with a charged-crystal power source
Damn, we took a huge hit on crafting. Then again, I’m new at smithing and gem-cutting. Lets see them skill increases.
Heck yeah, get to look at modules again next level. I clearly need to put more time into my aether development, but it difficult on this planet, as dry as it is in the aether department.
Tessa, how long will that crystal take to charge with those runes I put on it?
Less than 12 hours on Astoria. Up to four days here? Hard to tell with as low as the aether is here. You can basically put a couple of drops of your ink in that juice of yours and use it as a charging fluid.
Yeah, but I’m so paranoid about another explosion if I try to force it.
Aww, she can learn. Atropos, Ophelia, and I triple-checked. The mix I pulled up in the corner of your vision should be sufficient for a 12-hr charge of 6 batteries of pistol size, or a half charge of ASS-1’s system backup battery.
That’s not a linear increase versus volume.
No, with your structurally enchanted gems, the risk of overload is much reduced.
Then why am I so scared Tessa?
Because the last time you did this, you saw how vulnerable your support network is, and that’s what scares you.
Uh, have you been reading therapy books?
I have, and they’ve been enlightening into the psyche of Humans.
Huh. That hits pretty close to true Tessa. Not sure I like it. Maybe I should do that thing you suggested. You know, about surrounding myself with smart women.
Trust us?
Yeah, that one. All right. Lets give this a shot. I take one of the crystals that has a low charge and insert it into the base of the hand grip. I wait a few seconds to let the battery charge the capacitor crystal, switch the safety off and fire at a coconut. The coconut rolls away as the ablative shot turns the outer husk into gasses and smoke. The current pulse width is set at a millisecond. Lets see what that did to the coconut.
Put a hole clean through it, charrs some beach into glass. A few minutes later, I get the pistol reconfigured to 25 nanoseconds via Katie’s doctored computer using Mel’s software. I kind of love their cooperation these days.
The 25ns shot only burned the outer husk, so I dial it up to 250ns and it pierces through the first shell of the coconut and charrs the meat on the other side, not burning through. NICE! I kick it up to an even 300ns and call it good. That gives me slightly more than three times the shots I was getting. 45-48 shots of high-powered laser is a lot of defense. Especially when I can reload the damn thing. Mel made me an emergency jack for my wrist, telling me it would likely overload the charging crystal and the lasing matrix should I use it too often.
The level of scared my girls have been has been more apparent on this project than ever before. They have intrusively insisted that they help me dial in my battery project and with Melissa’s electrical experience and Katie’s magitech levels, I’d be a fool not to accept their offers.
That and they’re really pretty and their kisses make me weak in mind and body. I’ve been coerced in the nicest ways lately. Not even mad.
“Penny, we asked you to call us before testing that thing.” Melissa chastises.
“But I thought you just said dangerous testing!”
“That little pistol of yours could put a hole in a brick wall if it overloaded!” Melissa’s mad.
“Tessa convinced me to pull my panties up and get to it?”
“Ugh, fine. If Tessa talked to you and didn’t tell our AI’s then I guess it’s fine. She agreed to adjust her own safety settings for us afteral.”
Wow, Tessa, got my fiancées to trust you. Good work.
I’m at least one step away from your foolish decisions.
Tessa, I swear. I swear I should treat you better. Thanks love. She pings appreciation.
“Sorry Mel. I do care, but I get so focused. Plus the batteries will help most facets of our lives. Like now I can power the data array for years, get two extra warps out of the shuttle. Stuff like that. And I’m even willing to sell the designs for the batteries and the tech, but Earth won’t really benefit.”
“Unless Astoria, and more importantly, Elysium’s major export is charged crystals. We would even accept recharge services if they paid the portal fees.”
This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.
Did she have a market for these before I finished them? Who am I kidding, of course she did.
“You know what Kay, that sounds great. “
“We’re going to wait a few months while you practice and your cutting gets prettier. Pretty and functional is the way, like you, cupcake.” She takes my chin and kisses me. That’s a compliment right there. From Katie especially.
“When’s our meeting with the President and some World leaders?”
“Next week, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I booked us a suite. The conference is scheduled for three days.”
“But.” I begin to protest.
“There will be a no clothes rule in the suite.” Kay demands.
“But,”
“No work in the suite either,” Mel insists.
“But I just invented a laser pistol . . .”
“Your new project is us, Pen Pen. We’ll be more than happy to keep your hands busy.”
Ugh, they want me to have meetings all day and sex all night. What kind of schedule is that?
***
“Representative, I appreciate that your GDP is higher than Indonesia, but the fact remains: a billion people exist in Indonesia, and the System assumes that the leaders of every country is a responsible world citizen. The system understands Greed, the system understands abusive uses of power. The problem is, the System trusts that people are reasonable until proven otherwise.
“The Andromeda System also understands that CE and AE are important and the only way for Leaders can make more of either, is for the pursuit of advancement amongst their people, or conquest. Side note, I am willing to accept refugees. However, migrants to Astoria behave by different rules. The same is true with foreign states interfacing with Astorians.
“I don’t intend to talk about migration and customs at this juncture, so please. Don’t.”
We briefly discussed immigration and extradition, but I have no head to entertain exceptions to my rule when most are treating me as a secretary.
“I will remind everyone that Earth is a protectorate of my empire. I will come to your defense, but I do not rule you, owe you, or should otherwise be expected to treat with you on menial topics. Sol is your system, and according to the Andromeda Supercluster system of dispute resolution—a.k.a. The Forum—the sanctions and your debts are your own. “
“But how do we learn how to negotiate the . . . System as you call it?”
“Minister, surely you have scholars that also play video games? They are your best resource for this. Let them . . . ‘nerd out’ and deep dive into the intricacies of their system. The goal is truly to make the most diverse, culturally supportive environment possible, and none of that can happen if you don’t experiment with tracks, classes, and eventually the exchange when I finish building the infrastructure.”
“So you do have a plan to fix the mess that is the communications and supply system?”
“I do. However. Regional communications structure will need to be built if you expect local teleportation of goods and services besides basic subsistence. I have that setting fixed. Your transportation quota will be filled with food until it is no longer the largest transport request.”
The room erupted in protest that they could not support the people at large when the funds to do so are restricted. Then Katie noted the respected administration funds of the protesting countries and asked why they had not previously addressed the issues. They stopped talking out loud and switched to a mumbling whine soon after.
“World Leaders, Representatives. I am not here to take from you or tell you how to run anything but the basic level of subsistence for your citizens. If you agree to a subsistence plan, I may agree to subsidize it. I’m not going to tell you my conditions, I’m not going to tell you what to do. I’m just going to review what you’ve done and give or withhold appropriately. If you need an incentive to treat your people right, then from now on, they are your only source of CE and AE. If you default and beg for more money, I will demand fealty. Plain, simple, and straightforward. “
“Why would anyone swear fealty to you? You are just another System user.”
“Possibly true. But if you come to me for help, you have obviously fucked up, and can no longer be trusted with familial, heritage, or elected rule. I don’t want you to default anymore than you want to listen to me. But if I loan you credits of any kind, you are my Vassal State until such time you refund me. This Applies to Earth only. Other measures will be discussed for new colonies.”
The head congress person or senator realizes a good time for a recess and calls one. Kay and Mel have been bored for eons, and love the idea of seeing Malaysia even though I’m tired.
We eat some ridiculous things. Mostly sea creatures with soft springy textures with various preparations. Some with East Asian flair, many with tropical trappings, but my favorite dish so far, was the swordfish steak with a light citrus coulee and a cold seaweed salad. Salty and sweet in perfect balance at a meal that cost us a thousand dollars. I asked if they took System credits and they apologized that they didn’t as the currency was too new. Made sense, need to get on that new ansible.
“Alright brain trust, what are we thinking tomorrow is going to be like?” I ask my team.
“Unless one of the G-20 come out of the steelwork tomorrow, you should have two light days before those representatives meet with their leaders and the leaders come in heavy.” Melissa explains.
“I’m surprised that there has been so little bargaining. However, I suspect that we have been observed by many interested parties tonight attempting to ‘get a feel’ on who you are. Data suggests that you will get meal invites starting tomorrow evening, and then for nearly every meal throughout the remaining week.” Katie had asked our AI to skim the internet on past major political meetings.
I nod. “Well, I had planned on eating my way through Kuala Lumpur, why not make it a business meeting?” I take a break to order a gin and tonic for Katie, a Sunrise for Mel, and a vodka mule for me. “Any news from Russia or the EU?”
“Russia, yes. The women’s mafia group we’ve been dealing with have advocated for trade agreements and a future expedition on one of our worlds. No words from the appointed President, but this seems our most promising venture so far. Some countries in the EU have expressed some trade interest, but nothing more from the Union.” Katie summarizes, notably smirking when talking about the Russians.
“On a surprised note, we got an email from some of the richest people in China looking to meet in Hong Kong. Tomorrow night.”
“Oof. They want me to travel thousands of miles to meet them during a meeting of world governments. If that’s not a power play, I don’t know what is. If either or both of you want to make a menace of yourselves, have at it, but I’ll be staying here.”
“If Katie and I both go, it will show that we’re serious about the meeting, but that you Honor prior engagements. I think that’s the play. Plus, I can read their minds while Katie talks business.”
“If that’s the plan, it’s the perfect moment to give you these,” I pull two jewelry boxes out of my dimensional purse.
I open the longer box and unveil a wide-segmented amulet neck-piece that sits like a mantle across Melissa’s shoulders and collar. The bright red gem at the center of her neckline stores enough power to enact the shielding spellform on the collar for several weeks. I embellished a few extra stones in the collar to make her look a little extra fancy. I turn her around and look between the gem and her eyes, enchanted by their gleam, I can’t help but kiss her.
“This is rated up to sniper fire, so don’t go walking into any war zones.”
“I’m not you, Penny. And thank you. It’s definitely its own vibe and I love it.”
The next box is much smaller, and just the right amount of scary. Each of them got to pick the kind of accessory they’d receive, Melissa chose a nice, safe, necklace. Katie chose a ring. I chose to send the vender a brick of Fire-infused Titan Steel for the body, a moderate-sized rectangular emerald for the centerpiece, and eight clear corundum gems to fit into the band, each enchanted and charged. The gems should give her sixteen uses of the shield spellform, which my brain has been digesting for days and I should have a handle on it soon.
“Katie,” I take her hand and stare into her entrancing green eyes. “This was forged with a little extra . . . teeth. There is a high chance that anyone that attacks you will get bitten by a rebound of their assault.” When I slide the ring on her finger, she visibly shudders and pulls me into a claiming kiss. She pulls away slowly, nicking my lip with a fang and licking the blood off with a purr.
“Here I thought I would be getting red instead of Melissa.”
“Hey, the gem colors were practical, Okay? I didn’t think either of you would love the slightly off-clear corundum, so I went emerald for quick discharge and ruby for a more uniform recharge.”
Melissa is glaring at Katie in a way that she’s likely going to have a talk with the Vampire later. I hadn’t expected Katie to force the issue like this, but it was likely more of a selfish concern than a coercion on Melissa.
I pull out a Titansteel and swarm-tech bangle out of the bag and slip it over my right hand. “And a matching wrist accessory for me!” The bangle shrinks down to fit my wrist snug and flexes slightly with my movement, the four arcuate segment gems that started with large spaces between them now look like a continuous ring of clear corundum.
“Wow, okay. We know who you love the most.” Melissa comes over to inspect the piece.
“No way. Just think of it as, ‘we all know who’s in danger the most’.” I get a smirk out of Katie and a huge frown and a smack on the arm from Melissa.
“So are these reactive, or always on? Katie asks.
“Both! The normal shield is active unless the gems deplete. You can also overcharge the form to increase the protection, but it will prevent it from forming again for a few hours. My gems are bigger because I plan to use them to stretch my teleportation legs. The gems are essentially free anyway.”
Both Katie and Mel raise eyebrows at that. “These are the gems I grow. Neat right?”
“You advanced this much in a week?” Katie asks.
“I took a page out of Beecham’s book and just grinded out the skills for it. The merchant liked the potential in my gems, and said he’d be willing to forward me some work if I got up to the Expert level.”
Dollar signs shine in Katie’s eyes. “Yes, hon, more contracts for the Empire.”
>K] These are appropriately well-crafted gems. I’m going to list your services on the Exchange. Also, I would like to talk to you later tonight.[<
>P] Sounds great Kay. [<
We change venues shortly after the gift presentation and move on to a trendy bar that’s a little too loud and crammed to think in, and I think that’s what Melissa likes about it. I dance with her several times throughout the night, and talk with Katie about projects when I’m ready for a break. I feel the need to step in a few times with some of Mel’s impromptu dance partners get too handsy for my tastes. Melissa thinks that behavior is incredibly sexy, and she leaks those emotions at me each time.
In the small hours of the night, Katie and I are ready to call it quits, but Melissa is still going strong. She tells us she’s fine for us to leave and she’ll meet us at the hotel later. I grab her close to me and tell her, I’d rather she come home and do a different sort of dancing. She blushes and nods. Katie and I focus on her until she passes out in a heap of blankets and pillows.
“Can we talk?” Katie asks as I’m gulping water.
“Sure Kay,” she pulls me out to the balcony.
“So, I’m kind of upset that you didn’t present our gifts in a more intimate setting. But then I thought that a fancy night out with gifts is romantic by the numbers. So, I thought about it while going down on Melissa, and I realized that I was mad because I didn’t want to hurt Melissa’s feelings, but I also wanted to give you this at the same time you gave me mine.” She pulls out a multi-tonal metal band from behind her back.
I knew this is what she wanted, but I wasn’t prepared for how hard it would hit me. I start crying and Katie takes it the wrong way if the panic on her face is anything to read. “Katie, don’t panic love,” I say rushing over to kiss her despite my wet face. “I’m just happy and relieved that I have this token to show that you love me and that you want to be on my team always. And yes, I promise to always be on your team, to help with your projects, and provide money-making opportunities.”
“A decent proposal,” she slides her ring on my finger, “I accept.” She says before pouncing on me and perpetrating shenanigans.