There was so much information on each class; you could just keep clicking and clicking, eventually getting information overload.

He was at it for about 45 minutes when he decided to give Rogue-based classes a look.

He asked Lucy for a list of recommendations; she complied.

Rogue-type classes: Thief, Assassin, Night blade, Detective, Scout, Operative, Ranger.

He saw Ninja at the end of the list, but it was grayed out; he asked Lucy about that.

“There are some requirements that you do not meet. I wanted to include it though because it is a very powerful offensive class. If you want to become a Ninja, you have a few options to raise your attributes.”

“You mean upgrade potions and whatnot in the chest?”

“Yes.”

Travis thought about it but really wanted to save those for emergencies. He clicked on the Scout class.

The Scout is a practitioner of stealth and intelligence gathering. The scout can move with speed in rough terrain, has the ability to move silently over periods of time and can eventually learn to become invisible.

Not as proficient in weapon use as other Rogue-based class options, the scout focuses on non-lethal weapons as well as distraction-based ranged contraptions and traps.

Skills are varied and many as you rank up this class. An example of one is the Feather Fall skill. With this ability, you can jump or fall from high up and land lightly without injury. [Click for more]

Man, he really liked that class, and if this was really just a game, it would be the one he would go with. Even here and now, he would if he didn't have to also be a faction leader.

He knew one thing, though: someone with skill would have to take on this class. It would be a huge boon for the faction.

He went through a few more Rogue-based classes, but nothing really stuck with him. He had a feeling that he would end up taking a Warrior class.

“Hey Lucy, is everything okay out in the base?” he asked. He wanted to make sure nothing was going on that required his attention.

“Are you familiar with time dilation?”, was the rather random reply from Lucy.

“Umm, yes. It's when time moves differently based on the pull of gravity, or something like that. I know what it means, but I couldn't teach it. Why?”

“Did you learn about it from the movie Interstellar?” she asked.

“I had heard about it before seeing the movie, but I did understand it more after watching the film. Again, why do you ask, Lucy?”

“While you are in your HQ in its current state, there will be a form of time dilation outside of here. Not just directly outside but across the planet. This room is designed in part for the main character and, to a lesser extent, player characters to be able to enter the room and either train or learn skills while the rest of the world sits idle.”

“Bullshit!” Denial was not something Travis usually fell back on, but this was something else. He was meant to believe that time was moving for him like normal but only in here. Outside of here, actually on the rest of the planet, time was still.

“In my short time observing and interacting with you humans, I find that denial is a common reaction when things you do not understand are broached. Do you—”

Travis cut her off, “I don't actually think you are lying; it's more a form of reaction when told something seemingly unbelievable. Can you please explain how exactly that works? Not technically, but how does time move when inside the HQ?”

“Humans are strange animals. To your question, though. First off, it is important to understand that this only happens under rare circumstances. Because your body will go through changes at certain milestones, such as a class upgrade, the HQ needs to be hermetically sealed.

When this happens, time on the outside of the HQ moves at about 1/60th of normal. For every hour you spend on the inside, one minute goes by elsewhere.”

“I do not know why I am still surprised, but this one really threw me for a loop. I guess it's a good thing because I did want to hurry through this process to ensure nothing bad happened outside.”

“Exactly the point,” Lucy replied.

He was trying to stay composed, but each new bombshell seemed more impossible than the previous one. If whatever power that started all of this could slow down time across the entire planet or were they just speeding up time in this room. That was probably more likely, he would have to ask Clyde. For now, he had to focus on what Lucy called the most important decision of his life.

“Okay, let's look at some more classes. Is there anything unique that stands out as a good fit for me? Something not in the prototypical categories.”

“I was going to save those for the end. As we just discussed, you have time to go through this with a ‘fine-tooth comb’ as you humans say.”

“I understand, but I was trained to make quick decisions. The people that went through things in minute detail were on my team. That is why I wanted to bring Clyde and Sophie in. It's not that I do not see the merit in being incredibly thorough; it's just that's not my strong suit.”

“Understood, Travis. Here are the unique classes that fit you like a glove.” Lucy seemed to be taking on more human phrases and speech patterns.

This was all spoken aloud; the next part showed up on the screen.

Gunslinger, Gun Mage, Engineer, Cyborg, Enhanced, Legionnaire, Dragonborn, Consul.

Now, this list was more like it, Travis thought. Right off the bat, he thought everything here would be something he could go with, if, of course, he judged a book by its cover. So far, the classes broke down in a way that made the names very revealing.

He started with Gunslinger.

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The Gunslinger class is unique to you alone. This class is focused on reflexes with boosts to underlying coordination-based attributes. You become a savant with your Beretta handgun. Each bullet can be placed at the exact point you wish. Bullets lose some of the kinetic energy that they had before it was upgraded but gain in accuracy.

You will have three clips, each with a different strength: Hollow point, armor-piercing, and bunker buster munitions. Each clip will have a unique ammo count and cooldown. The clip will refill over the course of time. More clips available as you rank up.

This class is very specific, very powerful, but also offers a very narrow skillset. Your eye-hand coordination will be almost superhuman as you reach higher levels, which will help you in other areas, but very few things are improved on purpose besides your gunplay. Though that itself will become superhuman.

Man oh man, Travis thought. This and the Scout class sounded like so much fun. He usually didn't let reverie get in the way of important decisions, and he wouldn't now. He just wished this was an actual game because he would take on this class in an instant.

That said, this was not a game in the old Earth sense, so he couldn't just focus on being a ‘gun savant’. He had a feeling of what it would offer, but Travis clicked on the Gun Mage next.

It did focus on the same things as the Gunslinger, except instead of human-based ammo, he now had clips based on the elements: fire, water, wind, and earth. If he had an inkling to take the Gunslinger class, he now had a serious itch to take Gun Mage.

Let's see what Consul is all about—click.

The Consul class is a bit of a hybrid. Focusing on Intelligence and Charisma, you are the leader of men (and women, of course, but Earth colloquialisms are full of sexism). You lead your troops in battle or direct tasks at the base camp. Abilities focus on boosting allies, logistics support, and fortifications.

At the same time, the Consul, unlike the modern general, leads his troops in battle. You can command from the front or grab a sword and shield and slay some barbarians. If the user of the class so chooses, they can focus their growth in the command tent, inside the fortification, or on the battlefield, and even then in different ways.

If you take on this class, you will get a boost to the Int and Cha attributes. If you choose a front-line version of this class, those gains will be less important, and your high strength will play a leading role. This class also has the most diverse subclasses. [Click for more]

That might be the one. Since time is not a factor, he thought, let's keep looking.

Enhanced is intriguing. click

Enhanced, this class is a culmination of Earth sci-fi tropes. Do not let that scare you away, though. Earth sci-fi tropes are awesome; that's part of the reason we are here today.

This class boosts the human body in ways only imagined in stories. You are no longer an evolved monkey; you become an evolved human being. With this class, the ability to run, jump, fight, think, and heal are all, you guess it, ENHANCED.

Your body will undergo changes based on your wishes at certain level ups. You will become the ultimate at whatever it is you choose. This sounds like a sure thing, but there are downsides. This class comes with far fewer skills and special abilities than the others. Also, it will not improve on any weapon skills as they are.

Being faster and stronger does that by itself, but combat is more than just being strong or fast. It is about skill. Enhanced do not gain skill in any area. Although being smarter certainly helps to learn new skills. [Click for more]

Travis did click; he wanted to see what was enhanced and when.

When this class is first taken, the human body ceases to be a fragile meat sack. Your skin becomes more durable, your blood flows faster. Any illnesses you may have had are no longer. That is before you choose a base specialization.

You will decide to be stronger, faster, or smarter. Each of these choices comes with a sub-enhancement, which will be your focus for the next 3 levels. Think along the lines of being able. To jump 10 stories high, throw a small car at someone, or run for miles in minutes and without losing your breath. The exact choices are not known until the system analyzes your attributes and current body strength and conditioning. [Click for more]

That. Is. Fucking. Wild!

“Lucy, is Enhanced a unique class, or will there be super-powered players running around like crazy?”

“Not in the way you mean, but it does require a 14 minimum in strength, endurance, and reflexes, at least a 10 in two of the three secondary attributes. As of this moment, only three other players can meet those requirements.”

“Before you choose this class, which I admit is a very good one, let me tell you about one more. The Merc class, AKA the Deathstroke class, AKA the Deadpool class. The one thing that held me back in suggesting this class is the alignment requirements.

With any alignment above ‘Good’, it costs an additional 10% experience points to rank up. There are currently 4 ranks above good. Those are role model, shining light, noble champion, and the best among us. Each one adds an extra 10% XP, which is not a documented process, towards gaining a level.”

“That is kind of harsh, but since you brought it up, you must think it's worth it. Let me check it out.”

The Merc click.

The Merc, or the Mercenary, or, okay, there are too many names to mention here. Our progenitor is a bit of a fanboy, but I digress.

The Merc is based on a certain trope common in US comic books. That is the badass mercenary type that is proficient in firearms and sword use. He is also a deadly hand-to-hand fighter. In different iterations, this character also has a healing ability that can grow back limbs or, to a lesser extent, just heal normally but super-fast.

This class will include most of those tropes; others include advanced senses, including hearing and eyesight, at least a tier 3 ability with all weapons but with a mastery (tier 7) over his two primaries, gun and sword (the gun type can vary as can the number of swords from 1 to 2).

At higher levels, this class also includes superhuman intellect, planning and strategic thinking, speed, and strength. This class is good for any front-line fighter, for someone playing the role of an operative, or even a lead-from-the-front type leader. There is a charisma boost, but that comes with an antagonize debuff. This debuff works with anyone of the same class and anyone of the exact opposite alignment. Besides the XP penalty for goody two-shoes, there are also penalties whenever you are without your main weapons.

On taking this class you will receive an armor suit with enhancements, healing factor, speed, and strength boosts. These are modest early on but are present, other classes do not offer as much positive and negative change as soon as you upgrade.

There was a silence in the room as Travis thought about everything he had seen and heard. That joke about the 'progenitor' did not get passed him, but now was not the time. There was a picture being drawn though of what started all of this. Travis knew, superpowers or not, when he found out that "person" would be his enemy.

After a good 3 minutes of silence Lucy spoke up, "so what do you think?"

"Lucy", he looked at a point in the sky trying to mimic looking her in the eye, "may I ask you something please?"

She seemed a little taken aback but replied in the affirmative, "Yes Travis you may. I cannot guarantee that I'll answer though."

"Understandable I suppose. Here goes though, are you on my side?"

She started to stammer a bit and was talking about the other players and factions until he raised his hand to cut her off.

"I do not mean worldwide or whatever, I am referring to in this room. If you give me advice or make a suggestion, is it for the sole purpose of helping me stay alive and then after that doing well in this game." his voice was a little shaky. Anyone that really knew Travis could of been able to tell that he was putting on a bit of an act. He really did want to know, but he didn't feel any kind of emotion in asking.

"My human research tells me that I should be offended here and regardless of the answer sign off and play the aggrieved party. I find that to be below the moment and gravity of your question. I will just answer, yes Travis, in this room I am on your side. I am apart of the team you could say."

That was a bridge too far, her programming, really its programming which was evolving every day, made it at best a neutral arbiter with some leeway for special treatment if she liked certain players more than others.

The reason Travis asked is because he knew this was a very important choice, and she had suggested the Merc class after he had decided to pick Enhanced. It came off as suspect, so he needed an answer. Of course, she could have been lying to him, but he got the feeling she was just making her way in this new world the best she could given the parameters she had to work with. There was no deceit in her journey since they met, and he respected that.

Thank you for being honest Lucy, I have made my choice.