Alex had been following Caleb around for the past few days after handing over the dungeon essence. Mainly because she had nothing better to do. As a newcomer to the area she only knew the three she had fought with, and all those other forgers she guessed. Yet right now everyone was in crisis mode, madly crafting defenses for an upcoming fight with an empire. Surprisingly no one left, Alex was surprised she was staying as well.

There was something about this place, she thought. Three Cities felt like the cobbled-together pillow fort a child made on rainy days. But it was filled to the brim with love and care. Caleb had been showing her the various areas of the city while he waited to do something.

"Neither of us are good for much besides defense." He rambled. "We don't really have the body or mind to help."

He gestured at himself as he spoke. Alex didn't see the problem really. Caleb was always going on about his body. She expected he had an image issue. Which made sense.

Say what you want about the apocalypse, but the various changes slimmed people down better than any diet ever could. All the men were Adonis and the women Aphrodite now. Heck some powers, like hers, granted skills or abilities that actively changed the wearer's looks.

"So where are you taking me?" Alex asked.

The two were currently riding Jim-Jam through the center of the city, the Cath Palug pushing through crowds of people. Workers and forgers scowled as their paths were interrupted but quickly scooched when they saw the giant cat. Caleb was enjoying every minute of it.

He waved out to the crowd in kingly fashion, arm pointed skyward with his hand rotating slowly. No one paid him any mind. "You asked yesterday about a place that made computer parts, or electronics. I asked a guy who told me about his friend's cousin's chauffer's dog walker who knew a place. Now I know I said he was a dog walker but he's the good sort. He likes cats too."

Alex played along. "Good," She said imperiously.

Jim-Jam had gotten used to Caleb directing the giant cat and was currently turning into the back of an alleyway. Caleb directed the Palug to stop when he saw a small hut with a dinky sign that read: Coalfired Electrons.

"That's certainly a name," Alex said.

"Yeah, I came up with it," Caleb answered proudly. He hopped off Jim-Jam, "C'mon."

The shop inside was cluttered with various circuit boards and wires. Straight ahead was a small counter, behind which sat a thin man reading what looked like a comic book. Alex caught a glimpse of two men on the cover before he lowered it to see who entered.

"Caleb!" The man said, pushing up his thin glasses. "Good to see you! It's been ages! Did you come by for some paints?"

"I thought this was a computer store?" Alex said.

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"It is a computer store." The man answered. "But I also provide paints for metals. Caleb has come by many times for black and yellow paint."

"I tried using some of the paints others came up with but it didn't stick." Caleb punned.

The man chuckled and held out a hand for Alex, "I'm Lincoln, owner, and creator of Coalfired Electrons, how can I help?"

Alex opened her satchel and took Chonkers out, holding him in both arms. She had found the cat had some form of weight control, which explained why he wasn't crashing the both of them through the floor. "This is Chonkers," She said.

Lincoln looked ecstatic. "Goodness, look at him! All metallic, I bet his internal structure is electronic?" He asked.

"I think he's made of nanotechnology but I don't know for sure," Alex explained.

Lincoln grabbed at Chonker's face with both hands, stretching the cat's ears and face to examine him. Alex pulled her cat out of his reach. "He's not your experiment." She growled.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I get this way with technology you know. I guess that's why I got this skill system Ah-ha." Lincoln said as he put both hands up in a show of surrender.

"Yeah, Lincoln's a bit loopy when it comes to tech. Before we got him set up he was trying to weave a circuit board with grass clippings." Caleb added.

"I'm not proud of that period in my life Caleb, I'd thank you to not bring it up." Lincoln huffed. "Anyways, how can I help you Miss Alex?"

"Do you have any high-end computer parts? I promised Chonkers a snack."

The shop owner raised an eyebrow. "All my computer parts are high-end." He bragged. "I made them all myself."

"With a woodfire stove even," Caleb commented.

"Indeed," Lincoln said. "But I can attest to their quality. Let me head to the back and I'll bring you samples."

Lincoln walked behind the counter and disappeared behind a shelf of processors.

"Why does he talk like a butler?" Alex whispered to Caleb.

"He was raised in the UK as a kid with extremely strict parents. They made him practice etiquette day and night until he could no longer be ill-mannered." Caleb whispered conspiratorially.

"Really?"

"No, he's just an insufferable prick," Caleb said.

"I heard that you low-brow comedian," Lincoln said as he walked back in. "Now, Miss Alex I've never had the pleasure of feeding electronics to someone so I have brought two samples. This is an aluminum base and this is copper." Lincoln held up two boards. Both were a sea-green but the one in his right hand had silver lines woven through. The hand on the left held the same board but with copper lines. Alex held Chonkers in front of both boards. "Which do you like better?" She asked.

Chonkers lazily lifted his head and performed a single sniff towards each board. His head slowly ping-ponged between both as the apathetic cat thought about its choice. Finally, the cat batted the aluminum board out of Lincoln's hands and turned to the copper board. Chonker's head snapped forward and bit down on the board, pulling it out of the man's hands.

"Ah copper then!" Lincoln clapped. "Exciting!"

Alex smiled as she watched Chonkers happily munch the board. "Can I get about ten? I can trade."

"Ten it is!" Lincoln exclaimed. "You wouldn't happen to have any precious metals on you? Possibly old coinage?"

While Alex rummaged for loose change she knew was somewhere in her bag, Caleb sauntered over to Lincoln and asked, "So how's the project I asked for coming along?"

Glancing at Alex to ensure she wasn't paying attention, Lincoln whispered to Caleb. "With the essence you gave me I was able to make a prototype."

"Lincoln," Caleb said, grabbing his friend by the shoulders and staring him in the eye. "You have to show me. Now."

"Alright alright," Lincoln conceded. He ducked behind the counter and activated a computer.

Light pooled into the center of the room, distracting Alex from her search. Caleb smiled excitedly as he watched the light congeal into a human form. Giddy, he watched as the silhouette spun, spare light covering the body and then popping into various clothes.

First were the feet. Large, poofy paws strapped themselves on, golden furred and looking very comfortable. The hands continued the theme, golden paws manifesting. Next, the figure in the light made a pose, rear-end jutting out. A pair of shorts, tight and going down to only the top of the thigh, sparkled onto the figure. It spun again, posing with a paw in salute, and a sporty vest fluttered over its chest. Finally, the figure brought two paws up under its chin as large ears, golden like the paws, flopped down on its head.

"Woof!" The being barked.

Caleb stared, his face no longer smiling. "Lincoln," He said, turning. "What the fuck is this?!"