By the time the Terminal released his arm he was a sobbing, snot, and face-fluid covered, jittery mess.
The itching. The itching wouldn’t stop, never stopped, it couldn’t ever stop. It could have been 15 minutes for all he knew, he could have been trapped in there for days. It went beyond itching, thousands of tiny little crabs monsters had latched onto every cell that made contact with the Medjel.
He didn’t even want to think about the itch that came from regrowing his hand. That made the Medjel feel almost pleasant. It was a different level of awful but it was “finished” he repeated to himself a few times in a whisper as he wiped his face and nose on what was left of his jumpsuit.
Taking a deep breath he looked to the door and then back to the panel. It was time to do this right. He took inventory. He had 6 packets of Medjel left, half of a water sack, and his ration bar.
With only 27 chits left he placed his hand on the handpad.
Congratulations Skill Optimization Detected...
Confirmed.
[https://i.postimg.cc/pdst52LR/Screen-Shot-2022-08-30-at-1-16-24-PM.png]
The pad flashed hot as his body started to warm. It felt uncomfortable but after the itching and the electrocution and the electrocution explosion AND the intimate contact with the foot-and-a-half long claw-blade, he hardly felt the low-level buzzing. He continued to read the Terminal text as the wiggling heat comfortably washed through and changed him.
Skills Acquired and Confirmed. Optimization Activated... Confirmed.
I'll Take You To Hell With Me. Newly Acquired! Unique Skill! v.1
Harness the primal animal instinct within all humans.
In this state your Body Stats:
> Senses are greatly increased
>
> Reaction Speed is moderately increased (dexterity unaffected)
>
> Agility is increased on approach to a target
>
> Strength is doubled
>
> EQ is disabled
>
> Immunity to Psy Disruption
These are estimated enhancements based on Terminal Body Scans. Pain receptors in the brain are suppressed. This state alters brain chemistry that psychologically encourages direct threat resolution and nullifies self-preservation instincts entirely. This state is entered through a combination of pain, elevated blood-pressure, adrenaline, and potent levels of fear hormone.
Entering this state promises a violent end to yourself or your enemy regardless of the personal cost.
Caution Advised around allies.
[https://i.postimg.cc/GmJKbKcs/Screen-Shot-2022-08-30-at-1-20-34-PM.png]
The Terminal continued to scroll fast enough that he wasn't quite able to catch everything.
Cold Thinker. Newly acquired! v.0.4
> You might not win any mathematics competitions but your mind is hearty and hale. Fear and cortisol production enhances sensory processing in the brain. The Skill reinforces chemical receptors in the brain to reduce the downsides of fear hormones and adrenaline.
Resistant Mind. Newly Acquired! v.0.6
> Sometimes you don't want to think about what's going on. Sometimes you don't have time to. Regardless, your mind shows an excellent ability in deflecting and compartmentalizing trauma. This skill reinforces those neural patterns.
Conflicting Skills Detected.
Attempt to merge Skills... Processing...
Scanning...
Scanning...
Scanning...
Skill Modification... Unsuccessful!
Skill Creation Possible... Successful!
New Skill!
[https://i.postimg.cc/g0gKZ0Lz/Screen-Shot-2022-08-30-at-1-25-13-PM.png]
Cold-Blooded Mind. Newly Acquired! v.1 (v.0.4 + v.0.6)
> Combines the effects of Cold Thinker and Resistant Mind alongside the effects produced by your [NonStandard Organ]
Initial Body Scans of your [NonStandard Organ] estimate similar function as secondary adrenal glands. Corresponding pathways directly dump adrenaline and hormone in your brain in response to blood loss.
Practically this translates as Blood Volume decreases your thinking becomes sharper.
Coritsol and adrenaline's prolonged, direct effect on Brain Chemistry not measured.
Cold Thinker reduces negative effects, Resistant Mind assists in compartmentalizing effect spillage and damage.
Long-Term effects Unknown.
[https://i.postimg.cc/j276mQg2/Screen-Shot-2022-08-30-at-1-33-30-PM.png]
“Long-term effects” were not really a concern for him. Considering what he just went through to barely survive in the room he woke up in, he was more concerned about the next hour more than he was about anything “long term."
Dodge. Newly acquired! v.0.3
> Get out of the way! You sure did.
>
> Upgrade versions to promote lateral fast-twitch muscles development and short fiber muscle development alongside general improvements in efficiency of instinctive neuro-response pathways.
>
> MonkeySpeak: You think "dodge" you move to side faster.
[https://i.postimg.cc/SsbtK3Wk/Screen-Shot-2022-08-30-at-1-35-39-PM.png]
This answered some questions for me. Apparently the Terminal made changes at a biological level that improved my body based on what I was doing. It also just called me a monkey.
Electric Affinity. Newly Acquired v.1
> You really ran some amperage through you huh? That's good news for you, it's literally a source of fuel for your body now.
>
> Cellular Metabolism and Symbiosis is increased when absorbing electrical energy.
>
> You are no longer as susceptible to the negative effects of electricity as your nerves have been modified to transport greater amounts of current, muscles have a limited capacity to transfer electrical currents without negative effect.
>
> Large amounts of electricity will still injure or incapacitate but to a lesser degree and for a shorter amount of time.
>
> Maybe write Mr. Zapp Kill a thank you note.
[https://i.postimg.cc/sgSY2XKG/Screen-Shot-2022-08-30-at-1-37-04-PM.png]
Oh yeah, I've already got the letter composed, just have to hand deliver it.
He looked at his hands at the unintentional pun.
Itch Resistance Newly Acquired! v.1.5
> Sometimes it's right on your nose, sometimes it's a small spot in the middle of your back.
[https://i.postimg.cc/5NfdgYQb/Screen-Shot-2022-08-30-at-1-37-42-PM.png]
Jack audibly sighed at the Terminal AI as he uncomfortably stretched his new hand to the center of his back and scratched.
> Sometimes it's a hellish all consuming experience. If you've leveled it this high, this quickly you must have really gone through some itchy shit. Poor you.
>
> This upgrade numbs nerve endings to minute agitation.
>
> You don't want to upgrade this past v.6
[https://i.postimg.cc/TPgCB0BS/Screen-Shot-2022-08-30-at-1-38-28-PM.png]
He could have done without what had to do to earn this one but he figured it’d help with the Medjel in the future so he moved on.
He couldn’t make sense of the Terminal AI, it’s like it was trying to be malicious but it wasn’t particularly good at it.
Jack knew he was probably humanizing the Terminal AI more than necessary despite its now unquestioningly snarky attitude.
He looked through the list as text continued to populate the screen.
Skill Confirmation Currently Unavailable. Gain Access at Personnel Level 10.
Find Prime Terminal to Access this feature.
Foreign lifeform destroyed, use Magno-Tube to harvest Nano Trace.
[https://i.postimg.cc/6q3V6f1B/Screen-Shot-2022-08-30-at-1-38-57-PM.png]
Above the screen a port slide open and, held between two metal prongs, a small banded metal cylinder sat there. Sized to fit comfortably in the palm of his hand the tube was wrapped by metal bands and had some sort of suspending fluid inside. The top end said “Top” and had an odd oscillating lid.
Removing his hand he eventually figured out that he needed to twist the top metal band as it spiraled open. He pointed it towards the creature’s body and saw a faint stream of silver-like dust come from the scraps of charnel strewn over the room. The device vibrated as it absorbed the dust. He followed the “hot-cold” vibration and the dust streams through the room until it the top of the Magno-Tube stopped rotating.
Emergent Protocol Allocation Boost System Active.
Level Up Available.
Choose: Apply Nano-Trace towards Level Up?
[https://i.postimg.cc/9Qj4JBtz/Screen-Shot-2022-08-30-at-1-40-45-PM.png]
“Terminal, what else can this get me?”
New Bonus can be applied towards additional Personnel Clearance Level Up or in exchange for 5 chits.
Chits Available: 38
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
[https://i.postimg.cc/rmbsWGwV/Screen-Shot-2022-08-30-at-1-41-29-PM.png]
“Recommendation?”
What use a dead man, money?
[https://i.postimg.cc/Twyn5JX0/Screen-Shot-2022-08-30-at-1-41-51-PM.png]
Well, it did have a point even if it was a bit creepy for a Terminal AI to wax poetic. Even with the extra Chits, he wouldn't have enough for another Zappa or anything else anyways so it was an easy choice. He slapped his right hand on the handpad next to the Terminal screen and eagerly looked at it.
Jack #T3
Personnel Level 1 -> 3!
Strength: 8 ->
Dexterity: 3 ->
Agility: 6 ->
Endurance: 7 ->
IQ: 5 ->
EQ: 3 ->
Wisdom: 4
Grit: X* Controlled by NonStandard Brain Organ
Senses: 4 ->
Psi: 3* Controlled by NonStandard Brain Organ
Psy: 0
Available Allocation: 9
Energy Capacity: 21.000/21
Constitution Tier: Zeta F
Present: Psi Gland - NonStandard
Soul Core: Shattered
Remote Terminal: Energy Capacity Insufficient. Materials Missing. Consitution Tier Insufficient.
[https://i.postimg.cc/6pj7V4cm/Screen-Shot-2022-08-30-at-1-43-34-PM.png]
His Body Profile was making more sense to him now. Since the Terminal AI seemed chatty enough he was going to try and get some answers.
“Terminal, what’s the difference between Agility and Dexterity?”
Agility Measures the speed in which major and complex muscles are activated as well as the speed in which they are fully engaged and coordinated.
Dexterity measures the fineness and coordination of minor muscle movements.
Both affect hand eye coordination in conjunction with their associated muscle groups.
[https://i.postimg.cc/7Y10zLjF/Screen-Shot-2022-08-30-at-1-44-31-PM.png]
Huh. That made sense. Agility for most movements like when fighting against an oversized crab and dodging, Dexterity for fine movements, like aiming and shooting the Zappa, probably for other stuff as well but off the top of his head he couldn't imagine what.
He felt he had enough experience in shooting to see how effective it was. Maybe there were good weapons but surviving to find them was a much bigger concern.
“Terminal, what is ‘EQ?’”
EQ is External Intelligence or how well your brain is adapted to socially applications of intelligence.
[https://i.postimg.cc/fTYjvCSg/Screen-Shot-2022-08-30-at-1-45-05-PM.png]
“What does that mean exactly?”
IQ can be quantified as the ability and capability to solve problems.
EQ is how to solve problems within the Human Tribe.
[https://i.postimg.cc/SK1WKtHj/Screen-Shot-2022-08-30-at-1-45-24-PM.png]
“Tribe…” capitalized, that word felt familiar. He instinctively knew it meant something more than just "a group of Humans," it was a strong feeling but it felt like it was completely disconnected from any other neural pathways in his brain. He couldn’t figure it out.
“What is a Soul Core and why is mine shattered? What does it mean that I have ‘Non-Standard’ Psi and Psy Glands?”
Unable to Analyze at this Terminal.
Non-Standard Material used in Gland creation. Further analze effects.
[https://i.postimg.cc/L5LfN45Z/Screen-Shot-2022-08-30-at-1-47-50-PM.png]
“Sure."
Prepping Cranial LaserSaw for exploratory surgery 10...9...8...7...
[https://i.postimg.cc/Sxr6BKr6/Screen-Shot-2022-08-30-at-1-47-54-PM.png]
“No! NO NO NO! Stop surgery!”
Apparently, he had a “non-Human” extra brain organ that controlled two of his stats. He wasn’t keen to let the Terminal dig around in his brain to find out more considering the quality of the needle injection or its medical care thus far.
The countdown continued. He tensed, preparing to fight against it.
3...2...1...
[https://i.postimg.cc/FFLj9pps/Screen-Shot-2022-08-30-at-1-48-04-PM.png]
He tensed.
Surgery aborted.
[https://i.postimg.cc/yYC0WRph/Screen-Shot-2022-08-30-at-1-48-10-PM.png]
Suddenly feeling less conversational with the Terminal AI he looked towards Allocating his points.
9 points, damn that’s pretty good, things are turning up… Jack… yeah if he was being honest it didn’t feel like “his” name was actually Jack, but it wasn’t entirely wrong either, it felt pretty close.
Feeling empty and a bit jittery from the adrenaline dump he broke his promise and risked asking another question. The Terminal cut him off before he had the chance.
Rounded Downwards from 0.98. Decreasing this metric requires expanding Allocation Network. Performance Review Missing.
Assign Allocation Poin%@*
[https://i.postimg.cc/vTrg5P2r/Screen-Shot-2022-08-30-at-1-48-23-PM.png]
Breaking another rule he classified it as "strange" that the Local Terminal AI had already known what he was going to ask and provided the answer. Any excess Nano-Trace that didn't boost the next level was wasted, at least to him.
“Of course it does.” Looking at the increasing instability of the text he wasn't sure if it was because Terminal didn't like answering all of these questions or if it was because of the general instability of the whole system. Regardless he decided to wrap up his Q&A.
What to get, what to get… rolling in Allocation, he paused for a brief moment then before he could consciously process it his finger was tapping two into Strength, moving it from 8 to 10. He felt the familiar wave of heat roll through him, everything felt… tighter and as the wave rolled through him it left new definition to his muscles. He clenched his newly regrown hand and felt good.
Maybe he’d start taking fewer punches and giving more.
He felt ready to put some hurt on whatever the fresh hell this ship had in store. He tried to add another point when the computer rejected the attempt. The attached warning from the Terminal showed that 10 points in a single skill was the max that a “Zeta F Constitution” could handle. Secretly relieved that he wasn’t able to dump all of his Allocation in a moment of rashness he still felt a small sting of disappointment that he was maxed out he scrolled further down.
Agility was pretty useful for dodging so he tapped his finger there to round it out nice and even at 7.
Endurance he slammed all the way to 10 faster than he had even with Strength. Clearly, he could take very few punches at this point, prior confidence notwithstanding. Foot-long blade claws on giant crabs were not equal to a fist.
Endurance felt sort of similar to Strength, as the waves of heat rippled through him, he could see a faint golden-sparkled sheen linger for a few seconds after each wave washed from the handpad. He could feel his blood pumping through him, for a brief moment he could feel it along its entire pathway, from his heart to his lungs to throughout his entire body and back around again.
He could feel its unyielding Purpose: ‘To Stay Alive’ as it flowed through his body and refreshed it. Everything felt more connected and, smoother. Like the cells in his body were finally paying attention. He could swear that he weighed a bit more and yet his joints and tendons still moved smoothly and cleanly, he rubbed his free hand over the back of the other. His skin felt tougher too, a bit thicker.
He put two points in IQ.
Damn, he thought, no more memories. He thought he could probably time the crab’s jumps better or think of an easier way to take the next crab he faced off against. Maybe he would try shooting it in the mouth a bit before going right near its bladed claw. Maybe he wouldn’t have to feed it his hand next time.
He put the next one into Senses, bringing it from 4 to 5. He wanted to confirm something that he felt with IQ and then again with upgrading Strength and Endurance to 10. He remembered that things got a bit of a bump at 5 and 10. He was right.
His vision cleared up, he could hear hums, clicks, and whirs in the walls, he could smell. Well, he COULD smell, but he instantly regretted it. Just because he could didn’t always mean he should. He looked down at his tattered and fluid-soaked uniform that he felt with new touch nerves. He wished he could have another suit, clean and fresh.
Looking around in appreciation of his newly improved Senses his IQ started to quietly churn as he laid eyes on the CryoTube. The back of his mind started to delicately play with a wisp of a thought. He slowly started to become aware of this fragile thought floating in his subconscious; he hadn’t noticed any aftereffects of the Cryo. There were always effects, he knew this somehow. It was just something that was known to anyone who had read from any .Net Periodical about it. The effect depended on which type of Cryo it was but to not notice any effects? Maybe he was unconscious for too long or, he didn’t have any? Or…
The thoughts' fleeting and delicate nature was washed away, aided by a groan from his quietly suffering and pained stomach gurgling in protest.
He took out his ProChoice Protein Bar and scarfed it down fast enough that he didn’t notice the taste even with his newly enhanced Senses.
Condition for Constitution Tier Advancement present.
Zeta E Constitution Available. Upgrade now?
[https://i.postimg.cc/50YgwVMZ/Screen-Shot-2022-08-30-at-3-30-26-PM.png]
Did the Protein Bar do that? He was catching on to how this worked, he prepared himself for pain as he clicked Y. Surprisingly he didn’t feel any pain as his body instantly and lifelessly rag dolled as he slumped to the ground, hand still attached to the pad. It was like the Terminal found his power switch and flicked it off.
Waking up again, and already getting uncomfortably used to being randomly knocked out, he took a moment to run a quick check through his body. It was noticeable but not shocking. It just felt like he was put into a slightly better version of his body like he was capable of more. He could guess that he’d probably heal a tiny bit faster, everything worked a bit more efficiently. He knew that he was less likely to get sick and more likely to sleep well and that he could also get away with less sleep if he had to. Just being able to tell these things about his body was partially due to the improvement of his Constitution Tier.
Constitution Tier: Zeta E - Recruit
[https://i.postimg.cc/zfPpbf4C/Screen-Shot-2022-08-30-at-3-29-52-PM.png]
He was a little miffed about not being able to Allocate points after upgrading his Constitution Tier but it was probably for the best.
With this wrapped up, he now had another big decision to make. What to buy.
Well, this time it was easier than choosing Allocation Upgrades. He slammed Gamble with his 38 credits and received another Magno-Tube. At least he wouldn’t have to worry about filling the first one up. The second time he hit Gamble he wasn’t sure if he was lucky or not. It was just smaller than his palm, circular, and made of a light salmon color with a simple solid image of a shield on one side of it.
He fidgeted with it for a couple of seconds then sighed and put it into his right breast pocket. Maybe it would come in handy later. The image of a shield did appeal to him though, he liked the idea of having one. Eyes searching for and finding the crab’s amputated blade-claw. Block it and stab it. A shield was was first on the list.
Wanting something he could use now he tapped Gamble again. A sack of water came out.
Pulling back from the Terminal he could now fully see the Zappa sitting in the middle of the corpse explosion, clearly visible due to the entrails sloughing off and drying. As he picked it up he could see that none of the lights on the front were lit and lengthwise running down the side there was a thin jagged blowout in the metal and carbon fiber of the case. He shook it experimentally and yelped in surprise as it ran an electric charge through his hand and up his arm.
At the same time, about a foot in front of his face and pushing his arm to the side was a large, translucent, pink rectangular shield. It stretched to just above his head and covered him down to his knees and was about the same width as his shoulders. It took some troubleshooting and plenty of self-inflicted electrocution but he eventually realized that the current from the Zappa was running through his enhanced system and activating the Shield Attachment. He tried to find a way to activate it without running the charge through him by putting them together and shaking but it would only activate while there the current ran through his body before reaching the attachment.
Passing his eyes aimlessly through the room again he started to change up his plan. Near where he picked up the Zappa were the two big claws. The pinching claw had no use as far as he could see, he already had a better shield. The joint above the bladed claw was still intact. He carefully held the Zappa in his two fingers on his right hand.
Taking a few test swings with his Crab-Blade-Scythe he ended up shaking the Zappa and deploying the shield. He felt the electricity flowing into and through him, he still felt himself tense a bit as it coursed through him but it was nothing he couldn’t handle. Now he could shield the right side of himself and still swing the blade-claw with his left. He found it a bit difficult to focus on holding it with two fingers while simultaneously shaking and electrocuting himself, while also swinging the claw-blade.
“Terminal, what do I need to do? Do you have a map?”
Remote Terminal required for portable Map Function.
ShipWide Map restricted by CryoCore SI.
Proceed to CryoCore to access ShipWide Map.
Local Map Unavailable. Requires Portable Terminal.
[https://i.postimg.cc/Qdx9WJQ7/Screen-Shot-2022-08-30-at-2-43-58-PM.png]
“Terminal, can you tell me what I should do first?”
Search for Survivors (Locally Generated):
-Located Security Personnel: [Status Unknown] to help accomplish your Tasks.
-Locate CryoLab Science Personnel.
-Locate Bridge Personnel.
-Locate Engineering Personnel.
Reconnect Cryo.Net to Prime Ship.Net (Locally Generated)
-Investigate Cryo Core SI's isolation of Cryo.Net from the remainder of the Ship.Net
Find other Terminal Connections.
-Connect Local Terminal AI to additional Terminals.
[https://i.postimg.cc/V6MdcG8x/Screen-Shot-2022-08-30-at-2-47-37-PM.png]
At that, a small slot popped out above the screen and a flat, rounded-edge square was dispensed from the Terminal. It sat comfortably in his palm as he played with it a bit, he tried to bend it then took the claw-blade and touched it against its surface. Not a scratch. He slipped it into his left breast pocket.
The Local Terminal AI seemed to have much less attitude and static on the screen when it came to doing stuff for it. At least he knew where to start, find other survivors.
He turned towards the door with 8 credits left to his name, a small duffel looped through his jumpsuit belt filled with his Medjel, a popped water sack, and a full water sack. He also had a broken Zappa clutched in his two-fingered grip, a Shield Attachment, and an alien Crab-Claw Blade.
He felt ready.
He put his hand on the pad and the door crept open, stopping again a third of the way open. He turned sideways and crept into the hallway. Besides the shift from green light to blue, it was much as he expected. The ceilings were about 9 feet tall and had blue orbs of light half stuck into them. He imagined that it was much the same but only the light directly above his door and the two on either side had turned on. The blue light was harsh on the eyes, looking directly at it stung something at the back of his eye socket. The corridor was roughly 6 or 7 feet wide with the blue orbs placed roughly every 10 feet or so as far as he could tell. The light from the orbs did not stretch into the rest of the hallway well at all.
He had two options. Just at the edge of his vision he could see a turn in the corridor to his left. To his right, further than the bend on his left was a faint green glow in the darkness. He kept his eyes peeled and his head on a swivel as he softly walked towards the slash of green light coming from the dark wall far ahead of him.
He peeked his head into the door window and quickly pulled back out of sight. There were 3 of those creatures in there, one of them was in the middle of consuming what looked to, at one point in time, to have been a Human. By the state of the body, he couldn’t tell if it was supposed to be a man or a woman or even when the crabs had started eating. From his glance, he saw that the stomach and chest cavity had been cracked open and were mostly empty. Even though the body was face up he could still see the spine through the front, it looked like the pincers were used to crack open the skull, like a smashed walnut.
What caught his attention more than the corpse was the fact that two of the creatures were next to the door. He could see one that, he guessed, was trying to leap at the handpad and the other, which he could hear, that was working on the door itself. If these things were intelligent that made it a whole lot more dangerous, shit if they were anything BUT a pile of reactions and instincts that was very bad news.
He looked at the handpad jutting out of the metal. On one hand, it was going to be 1v3. On the other hand… he looked at his hand, he didn’t have much of a hand anymore he grimly reminded himself.
Kill ‘em then.