> Name: Sabrina Thompson
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> Level: 35
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> Profession: Elite (Alchemist)
>
>
Sabrina stood at the entrance of her primary settlement. The gates were open as she gazed at the area immediately outside the walls. Two of her highest-ranked citizens, the mother-daughter team of Marjorie and Rowan, stood at her side. The women had quickly assumed leadership roles in the security of Outpost Number 2 and had taken it on themselves to be her personal body guards. It was completely unnecessary as Sabrina was one of the most powerful people on the planet, but she appreciated the gesture—and the company.
The settlement had been much smaller when the women had become citizens. In fact, they had pushed the settlement to ten citizens and triggered the advance to Hamlet status. That had only been two weeks before, and things were significantly different already.
>
>
> Civic Menu
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>
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> 1. Outpost Number 2, Hamlet, Population: 96
> 2. Silver Creek, Hamlet, Population 34
> 3. Diamond Lake, Hamlet, Population 42
>
>
Sabrina shook her head slightly. Outpost Number 2 had come a long way in a short amount of time. The next group of people to become citizens should trigger another advancement, and she expected Malcolm to be back with more people any time.
In addition to her rapidly growing first settlement, she had also added two more settlements that had started out as cabins in ideal locations. The magic of the Integrated Universe had turned them into secure compounds simply by her claiming them and adding some citizens.
After that, all they had to do was add citizens, and her brother had been incredibly successful at getting people to relocate to their settlements. Malcolm turned out to have far more influence than Sabrina had ever known him to have.
The women next to Sabrina tensed, and weapons appeared in their hands as they looked toward the forest that surrounded the settlement.
Sabrina followed their gaze and saw a group of people emerge from the trees. There appeared to be at least two dozen men, women, and children.
She immediately recognized the man leading the group and motioned for Marjorie and Rowan to lower their weapons. “It’s just Malcom . . . and half a dozen new families.”
That will definitely take us to Village status, Sabrina thought with a smile.
***
Sabrina and Marcus relaxed in the living room of the cabin that served as the Manor House for the settlement—and Sabrina’s home. They sipped bottled beer that her brother had procured on his last recruiting mission. It was from before the Integration and had been locked up in the emergency shelter of a man who used to brew his own beer. The man had brought his brewing equipment with him to Outpost Number 2 and promised to keep the entire settlement supplied with refeshements.
Philanthar, her seven-foot-tall Elite Trainer had joined them and was also enjoying one of slightly intoxicating beverages.
It had been a productive day. Twenty-six people had returned to Outpost Number 2 with Malcolm, and all had immediately become citizens. That brought the population up to 122, which had triggered the advancement to Village status.
The advancement provided a very important defensive upgrade which improved the walls from F Grade to D Grade. That raised the walls to fifteen feet and added guard towers at the main gate. That was critically important because it would keep out all but the most determined monsters, some of them would be as high as Level 30. Those monsters weren’t a match for Sabrina but would be a problem for almost anyone else.
“It’s ironic that we have strong enough defenses to repel most attacks now that I really don’t need help dealing with them,” Sabrina mused.
“We’re not all Level 35, Sis,” Malcolm pointed out. “Life here in Zone three isn’t a walk in the park. Level 30 monsters are still a pretty big threat to most of us.”
There was a part of her that wished people would stick to the safety of the bigger cities, but the people that populated her settlements had been survivalists before the Integration and weren’t going to give up that lifestyle just because of some monsters. That simple fact was a big motivator for her. “That’s why I spend so much time hunting monsters around our settlements.”
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Malcolm nodded. “Everyone appreciates that, but no one wants to rely on you for their own safety.”
“I just want what’s best for everyone,” Sabrina said. “And speaking of which, let’s give the people another upgrade.”
> One building upgrade available.
>
>
>
> Existing Buildings:
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> * Alchemy Lab
> * Archery Range
> * Armory
> * Bakery
> * Community Hall
> * Houses (18)
> * Lodge Hall
> * Manor House
> * Portal Room
> * Training Yard
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>
>
> Buildings Eligible for upgrade:
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> * Manor House – eligible to upgrade to Palace.
> * Community Hall – eligible to upgrade to City Hall.
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>
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> New Buildings Available:
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> * Barracks
> * Crafter’s Hall
> * Foundry
> * Hospital
> * Inn
> * Lumber Yard
> * Magic Shop
> * Market
> * Mill
> * Monument
> * Shrine
> * Smith
> * Stables
> * Storehouse
> * Tailor Shop
> * Tavern
> * Workshop
>
>
“One option is a hospital,” Malcolm suggested. “I haven’t found anyone with medical skills to become a citizen yet, so we can’t build it ourselves. Everything else can be built when we get around to it.”
Sabrina was more than a little surprised by the recommendation. Her brother had completely focused on combat-related upgrades when he’d initially set up the settlement, and pointedly ignored the idea of trivial things like healing up after a fight.
“Are you sure we shouldn’t build a tavern?” she teased.
Malcolm frowned at her. “Come on, Sis, you should know me better than that.” The frown turned into a smile. “I’ve already got that covered. I brought back both a Bartender and a Brewer in the last batch of new settlers. We’ll have a new tavern and local brewery set up by the end of the week so there’s no need to waste a magical upgrade.”
“Of course you did.” Sabrina chuckled. Malcolm had shown a lot of leadership skills as he helped grow their small but rapidly expanding empire, but he was still her brother and was prone to prioritizing fun over responsibility.
Morale is an important part of city management though, she admitted silently. Maybe a Tavern and Brewery wasn’t a bad idea.
“Alright, I’ll add the hospital, and you can take care of the . . . adult recreation.”
Malcolm clasped his hands together over his heart and made an expression of mock offense. “Do you think so little of me? I will make sure there is a playroom for the kids too. And we’ll add root beer to the drink list.”
Sabrina shook her head. “Why did I ever doubt you?”
They both laughed, enjoying a moment of levity. Philanthar even seemed to enjoy the moment, though the only external sign of his mirth was a small smile.
“You really have done a great job growing our settlements,” Sabrina said. “All those hours of playing civilization-building games has really paid off.”
Malcolm smiled. “Yeah, they have. And you’re not the only one to notice.”
Sabrina looked at him quizzically, and Philanthar sat up straight, suddenly very interested in the conversation.
“What do you mean?” she asked.
Malcolm pointed up, and Sabrina noticed the nearly translucent orb that floated above her brother’s head. It wasn’t exactly invisible, but it blended in very well and was barely noticeable. There were so many other recording drones zipping around the settlement, not to mention the three that followed her every move, that she hadn’t even noticed the one that was apparently following her brother now.
“Someone offered me a sponsorship,” he said. “Apparently, the universe finds civilization-building fascinating, and some company wants to pay me to broadcast what I’m doing.”
Sabrina got the same feeling she used to get when she used to hear about people falling for scams. She actually knew someone who had sent money to a supposed Nigerian prince, hoping to get a massive payout in gold bars.
“Is that normal?” she asked Philanthar
The Elite Trainer shook his head. “No. It’s very rare for a non-Elite to get sponsorship offers this early. You’re pretty famous, though, so I guess it’s not too surprising.”
“There’s worse things than riding your sister’s coattails,” Malcolm said. “Especially when she’s one of the most powerful people on the planet.”
Sabrina looked at her brother then glanced up at the nearly invisible recording drone. She really didn’t like the idea of her brother’s actions being broadcast to the universe. “Is it always recording?”
Malcolm shook his head and said, “Deactivate.”
The translucent orb turned solid and dropped into her brother’s hand. He held up the now silver orb. A light on the orb flashed red. “I can turn it off anytime I want. I get paid for viewers, though, so the more content I share, the more people watch, and the more I get paid.”
Sabrina nodded, feeling a little better about things. “I’m glad you’re getting recognized—and paid—for your efforts. Why don’t you turn it back on, and we can discuss growing our outer settlements.”
Malcolm smiled and reactivated the recording drone. Sabrina couldn’t help but notice Philanthar’s sour expression, but she ignored her Elite Trainer and turned her attention to her brother.
“We are a long way from upgrading here again,” she said. “I think we should focus on growing Silver Creek and Diamond Lake. We can upgrade both of our outer settlements faster than we can upgrade here.”
“I agree,” Malcolm said. “I’m sure I can talk a few people into relocating from here to one of the other settlements.”
“Just make sure you don’t move too many. I don’t want to lose our Village status here.”
Malcolm gave her a look. “Come on Sis, do I look like an amateur?”
Considering his only experience in civilization building prior to a few weeks ago was playing video games, she kind of did. Sabrina wasn’t going to say that out loud, though, and smiled at him. “Of course not. I just wanted to explain things for your viewers.”
Malcolm nodded. “Oh, yeah, that’s a good idea. That’s why you’re one of the biggest galactic social media stars on the planet.”
Sabrina gave her brother a look of mock offense. “I am the biggest star on this planet!”
She didn’t really care all that much about being famous, but she enjoyed doing the things she was getting paid to do. Doing alchemy and making potions especially. “And on that note, I think it’s time I worked on creating some new alchemical miracle potions.”