I connected the dots to what Nova had been hinting at for the past weeks. Something big was brewing, she said. And now, lo and behold, it did happen. The city was on the brink, facing one of the biggest crises humanity had ever seen. I scratched my head in frustration. I didn't want to believe it, but the evidence was right there, glaring at me. And I wasn't one to deny the truth.
"Fuck," I muttered under my breath. My enhanced hearing picked up the panicked whispers and hurried footsteps of people outside. The city was already devolving into chaos, and it hadn't even been an hour since the announcement. I walked into Nova's room to talk to her about it. As I expected, she was as calm as ever and she seemed to know already.
"You knew about this, didn't you?" I asked, focusing intently on what she was about to say next.
Yes, I did... I heard a voice before she spoke, "Yes, I did know about it. You could say I was one of the first people to find out."
I blinked, taken aback. Did I just hear her thoughts? I shook my head, trying to clear it. Fucking damn it, the stress must be getting to me.
"One of the first? Since when?" I asked, my voice mixed with disbelief.
"Since 2005."
"So 79 years? Why don't people know about it? Surely, others must have seen it in observatories, or something like that."
She shook her head, "You don't understand, Raven. Do you hear what's happening outside right now?"
"Yes, I can hear panicked screams."
"Well, that's more than what I can hear but yes. People are panicking. What do you think would happen if they knew about this 79 years ago?" Nova asked, her voice unnaturally calm given the circumstances.
I paused, considering the implications. The chaos outside suddenly seemed quaint in comparison to what could have been. "Mass hysteria? Global panic?"
Much worse. I heard Nova talk before she talked again, "Much worse than that. Imagine 8 decades of panic, fear, and disbelief. Anarchy would reign over Earth."
I was confused, "Then what's the difference between then and now? They're still panicked and fearful. Just look outside." What the fuck is happening to me? Why am I hearing things before they happen?
"What you don't seem to consider is that it is now much closer to the invasion. It makes people accept reality faster. Just think about it. If things had been announced back then, the long term chaos would have been detrimental to the preparation for war and invasion. And since they're announcing it now, it seems that they've finished their preparations."
I nodded. That made sense. "So, you're saying that by keeping it a secret, we avoided decades of... what? Social collapse?"
Exactly. Once again, I heard her voice before she said it. "Exactly." She looked out of the window to the chaos that was unfolding, "They've probably prepared a lot of secret technologies and strategies to try and fight back against the aliens." As she said that, she looked at me with a pointed look.
I realized then. The potion was probably one of the weapon that was developed against the alien. And I remembered what Nova had said before. This was a potion that was meant to awaken the dormant psyhic ability in a person. And that meant that the voice I was hearing... is her thoughts? I shuddered. That was then that I felt my mind suddenly open. It was weird. I felt... unsafe. I desperately tried to stay inside the boundary of my mind, afraid that if I moved outside, I would get lost, never able to return to my body again. I saw a notification in front of me.
Psychic Skill XP gained.
Psychic Skill not unlocked.
Psychic Skill unlocked.
Mind - 100XP
Mind - 100XP
Mind - 100XP
I shuddered. To say it was weird would be a huge understatement. I felt my consciousness getting bigger. It felt like I was a balloon, being pumped full of air. I didn't like it. Not one bit. In a way, I was evolving but instead, what I felt was a strong sense of disconnect with myself.
I took a deep breath and tried to shake my doubts away. It seems like I have to train one more skill. I sighed. Fucking aliens. I thought to myself as I looked out the window, looking at the pandemonium unfold outside. I think it's time I got some Chrome.
I asked Nova, "Can you send me the coord to Doc Skitter's place? I want new chrome."
She nodded, "Sure. I'm assuming you know the risks?"
"Yeah. It's my second Chrome anyway so the risks are minimal."
"Hmm, as long as you know."
After saying farewell and getting the coord from Nova, I started making my way to Skitter's clinic. The streets were a mess of neon lights and panicked citizens, but I managed to keep my cool. As I walked, the chaos around me felt almost surreal, like a scene out of one of those dystopian novels I used to read. Except now, I was living it. While the panicking citizens were few due to high doubt in the government, the tension was palpable.
Skitter's clinic was tucked away in one of the city's many shadowy alleys called Tyrant Street, its neon sign flickering sporadically. I pushed the door open, the familiar scent of antiseptic and oil hitting me. Jane was at the reception desk, her fingers dancing over a holo-keyboard. She looked up from her typing, "Oh, you came in with Nova last time, right?"
"Raven. Nova told me a lot about you, Jane."
She smiled, one of her golden teeth shining, "All rad, I hope."
I smirked back, "Only the best."
She leaned forward, her elbows resting on the counter, "So, what can I do for you today?"
"I'm here for some new chrome." I tapped my temple, "Thinking it's time for a neuro implant."
"Oh! You saw the broadcast this morning? What do you think about it?" She asked, her voice laced with curiosity.
I shrugged, trying to keep my cool. "Not sure. I’ll assume it’s real. Better to be ready for the worst than caught off guard."
She laughed, "That's true. Well, doc's in today. Just in the back. You know the way, right?"
I nodded, "Yep. I remember the way."
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Jane waved before saying, "You talk like a grandma, zap."
Zap? I laughed as I waved back at her, "Sure, sure."
Whoa, I'm socializing so well with strangers. I shrugged, not feeling too bothered by the changes.
I made my way to the back room where Skitter was hunched over a workbench, tinkering with a cybernetic leg this time. He glanced up as I entered, a grin spreading across his weathered face.
"I remember you. You're the kid that came with Nova last time. What do you need, kid?"
Although I felt uncomfortable being called a kid, I shrugged. "A new neuro implant. Preferably if it can host multiple hacks and some more."
He grinned, his grizzly face lighting up. "Ah, going big this time, huh? Got just the thing for you. Follow me."
He led me to a room lined with various cybernetic enhancements. "This," he said, pointing to a sleek, silver device, "is the NeuroMesh Implant. It’s designed to enhance cognitive functions, can host 10 hacks, and coordinate all your other cybernetic parts. I think it'll suit you well."
I eyed the device, "How much for it?"
"300,000 credits. If it had quantum capabilities, it would be around 800,000."
I checked my balance. 12,000 credits. Not even close to what I needed.
He glanced at me before continuing, "If you don't have enough, I can give it to you with a payment plan. I wouldn't do this for anyone else but you know Nova so you gotta be trustworthy."
I grinned sheepishly, "Thanks. How long will it take to install this?"
"Not long. You'll be up and running in no time," he assured me.
I took a deep breath and nodded, "Alright then. Let's do this."
I got on the operation table and I was given an anesthetic drug and put under.
...
...
...
That's strange. Why am I not unconscious yet? I wondered to myself. I can't open my eyes... What's happening? I can't move anything either. That means my body is unconscious but my mind is not? That... doesn't make sense. As I thought about it, my mind slowly drifted away from the safety domain of my head. For a second there, I could feel everyone. I could not reach them, I could not hear them but I could feel them. In my stunned state, I tried to reach out, but I felt a sudden, sharp pull, like a hook yanking me back into my body.
With a jolt, I regained awareness. I could feel the cool metal of the operation table beneath me and the rhythmic beeping of the monitors around me. My eyes fluttered open to see Skitter’s face looming over me, his expression one of mild concern.
"You're back," he said to me. "For a second there, I thought you were gone."
I groaned, rubbing my neck. "How long was I out for?"
"Five hours. Was just supposed to be four but you weren't waking."
"Hmm, I'm assuming it's a success?"
He nodded, "Aye. You can just activate it and it'll do its magic."
"Might be a weird question but how do I activate it?"
Laughing loudly, he replied, "Just think about activating it and you'll be in biz."
As I activated it, I noticed changes immediately. Although it promised to enhance cognitive functions, neither my eyesight nor my hearing were enhanced. But I felt strange as it connected to the nervous system. I felt a hum as my entire body vibrated as it connected and adapted to the new chrome. Nice, I thought to myself. After it connected with my nervous system, I felt greater control over my body. I got a few notifications but I put them away first. I would check them later.
"How do you feel?" he asked.
I glanced at him, "Not bad. I feel more... connected if that makes sense."
Skitter grinned. "Good to hear. Take it easy for the first few hours. Let it sync completely with your system."
I nodded, feeling the subtle hum of the NeuroMesh Implant as it settled in. "Thanks, Doc. I'll be careful. Gotta Delta now. I'll pay you back next time."
After leaving and saying farewell to Jane, I head back to Nova's place. I wanted to try out the capabilities of my new implant. I found that hacking using my implants was a lot easier. Before, I didn't have a neural implant so I was sorely relying on the processing power of my Tsukuyomi Mk-II eyes which were pretty shit so I had to use a lot of my brain power and focus.
I looked at a vending machine at the side and I sent out a signal. It immediately went through and the vending machine gave me a free orange soda. I gladly accepted it.
I returned to Nova’s place, sipping my orange soda, marveling at how effortless hacking had become. It was such a game-changer, and I felt quite happy with it. When I arrived, Nova was waiting for me, her expression curious.
"How did it go?"
"Well, not bad. I don't have enough money to pay for it though so Skitter said I can pay next time."
She nodded, "That's fine then. What's the new chrome?"
"A neuro implant. If I want to be a good Weaver, I'll have to start getting used to it, right?"
She laughed, "That's a good plan." She went silent for a minute before she continued, "Listen, I think I might have to leave for a while. I have something to do, outside the city."
I looked at her confused, almost spilling the soda, "Really? How long will you be gone for?"
She shook her head, "I'm not sure yet. It might be before the war, during the war, or after the war. We'll have to see."
I looked down at the soda, "Well, I guess I'll miss you."
She chuckled, "That doesn't sound too convincing. Alright. I'll see you later."
I smiled at her, "Stay safe, alright? Don't die."
As she opened the door, she replied. "You too, Raven. Don't die."
After that, she left.
I sat down on the sofa, thinking about what I wanted to do in the future. Let's see. Right now, I'm like a leaf in the wind. I want to have some ambition... I've decided. Since I need to earn money, I can become a full-time merc like Eliz. Seems like I need to call her up.
After sending a signal to the door to lock it, I opened the notifications I received.
Psychic - 100XP
Psychic - 100XP
Psychic...
Psychic level up
Psychic - 2
As you've reached level 2 in Psychic, you've gained 1 perk point.
That's good. Open Status.
Level - 1
XP - 200/1000
Body - 5
Mind - 6 (2)
Interface - 2
Essence - 0
Grit - 1
Rep - 0
Free Stat Point - 0
Free Skill Point - 0
Skills -
Psychic - 2 - Mind
Athleticism - 2 - Body
Handgun - 3 - Mind
Blade - 5 - Mind
Web Weaving - 3 - Interface
Stealth - 1 - Body
Street Brawler - 3 - Body
Programming - 1 Interface
Perks -
Ambidextrous - 1
Ninjutsu - 1
Blade Dancer - 1
Gun Runner - 1
Danger Sense - 1
AI Infiltrator - 1
Cybernetics - Tshuniki Mk-II Adaptation 0/0 - QI Argos-Class Ml-I 0/4
So my new cybernetic name is Argo-Class? That's cool I guess. Let's see what perks I should get.