“Hey, guys. You aren’t going to believe this,” Darius said. Even though he wasn’t a gamer before everything changed, he was starting to get the bug, the loot bug. Seeing everything he’d just gotten for completing that quest got him damn near salivating with everything he could do with it.

“What? are they getting back up again?” Billy asked as he surged to his feet and spun around, granite staff already back in his hand. It was then that Darius noticed a significant change in the boy’s Power Armor. just minutes ago, it was the same green tinged copper color of his own, but now it was dusky grey, almost black. Darius had to assume he’d upgrade his armor again. He wasn’t sure what that material was, but he had to admit, it looked rather formidable.

“No, not that,” Darius said. “They’re all dead… or re-dead? Anyways, the battle’s over. Here, this is what I was talking about.” he then shared the quest completion and the War chest notifications with his seven companions.

Everyone fell silent as they processed the information.

“look at all that stuff,” Avery said in awe.

“Thirty thousand Credits? Now that’s what I call a payday,” Liam nearly shouted. “We haven’t even gone around to loot all the zombies and whatnot.” He rubbed his hands together, making a rasping sound as the metal parts slid across each other.

Everyone began talking amongst themselves, discussing what they could do with all of those resources. While they were at it, Darius pulled up more information on the Military Settlement Specialization core.

City Specialization Core—Military

Description:

The City Specialization Core—Military is a transformative upgrade that evolves your settlement into a formidable military powerhouse, reflecting its growing strategic importance and size. This specialization introduces a structured hierarchy and advanced training facilities that scale with your settlement’s size, providing comprehensive support for organizing, training, and commanding soldiers. From a basic Training Camp to a towering Citadel, each rank enhances your city’s ability to train and equip troops, integrate advanced leadership roles, and improve overall military efficiency. This core not only strengthens your forces but also fortifies your city's defensive and offensive capabilities, ensuring that your military infrastructure aligns with your growing settlement.

Specialization Details:

Rank 1: Training Camp

Unlocks: Military Technology Tree

Capabilities: Train 1 Squad (10 Soldiers), assign 1 Corporal

Max Capacity: 10 soldiers, 1 officer

Special Building: Training Camp—Base facility for initial military training and squad development.

Rank 2: Base

Capabilities: Train 1 Troop (3 Squads), assign 3 Corporals, 1 Sergeant

Max Capacity: 30 soldiers, 4 officers

Special Building: Military Base—Enhanced facilities for troop training and officer assignment.

For more Information, access the Specialization tab in your Settlement Interface.

Shit, first the Warmonger quests, then the Warlord quest, now this? What the hell is this System thing trying to turn me into? But do I dare refuse it? Just because we specialize in Military, doesn’t mean I need to go out and conquer everything right? I mean, training a proper military means our home ill be better protected. We could have soldiers guarding our walls, patrolling the surroundings to keep the monsters at bay. Yeah, I can do that. Build up our defenses, make is to no one would dare try to come against us. My people can be safe, we can grow our food, have kids, remake society into something better. But we can’t do that if we can’t protect ourselves.

Satisfied with working everything out, at least in his own mind, Darius moved on to his level gains. He had attributes to spend and Power Armor to upgrade.

I have nine attribute points to spend. With my Power Armor on and Titan’s Fist conjured, I have an effective strength of thirty. So, I don’t need increase that. What do I really need to upgrade? Darius thought back to getting shot down when he couldn’t avoid getting his wings hit. Agility and Dexterity definitely need those increased. Three points in each, bring them up to twenty-one. Three left…that landing hurt like a motherfucker… two points to Constitution and one to Endurance. That should help and give me more health and stamina. There, nine points spent now on to my Power Armor.

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As soon as Darius accepted his changes, he felt twinges of pain throughout his body. His bones ached, his guts writhed uncomfortably, and his head felt like it was splitting open, but after a minute or so, everything calmed down. Not understanding what had happened, Darius looked at the first page of his status.

Darius Williams

Modular Mechanist Level 16

Stat Progression: Mage/Warrior Hybrid

Xp: 11947/12,350

Credits: 7,699

Str 28*

Dex 21

Agi 21

Con 18

End 18

Int 18

Wis 18

Attribute points available:

Hp: 144/144

Regen: 29/day

Sp: 270/270

Regen: 32/min**

Mp: 270/270

Regen: 27/min

*Titan’s Fist: +10 Strength

**God’s Blessing of Protection: +20 Stamina Regeneration

What? my health is back to full, those Debuffs from internal injuries are gone. How did that happen? Was it because I increased my Constitution? Endurance? Well, I ain't going to look a gift horse in the mouth. I’ll just be happy to not be in any more pain.

Moving on, Darius dismissed the windows and accessed the Power Armor’s upgrade System.

Having Avery patch us up is nice and all, but what if he ain't around? What can I get that would help my suit fix itself? Darius poured over the options, but there were so many options, tabs, and drop-down menus that he had no idea where to look.

“Hey, Pax.”

Yes, Darius. How may I be of assistance?

“where is that nano repair upgrade thing? Can I get it?”

Are you referring to the Nano-Repair Module?

“Yeah, that’s it.”

I am afraid that is a special upgrade path available to Mechanized Medics and similar Classes.

“Damn, is there something like it that I can get? I’d hate to end up broken down after taking too much damage in a fight… or crash. What if Avery isn’t around to fix us up?”

These might be viable alternatives: Enhanced Storage Recovery, Emergency Repair System.

The Enhanced Storage Recovery is an upgrade path designed to increase the automatic repair function when the Power Armor is stored in its extra dimensional storage bay. It increases the base Durability recovery rate from the standard 1 per hour.

The Emergency Repair System is an upgrade path that adds the functionality of mid battle system and durability repair at the cost of Energy points. This is an energy intensive option that also utilizes nanite production to carry out repairs. However, these nanites are not able to repair other Power Armor units or E-tech devices.

Would you like to review these two upgrade paths?

“Yes, please bring them up. I’d like to get you fixed as soon as possible.”

Emergency Repair System

Overview: The Emergency Repair System is an advanced upgrade that enhances the durability and functionality of power armor during combat. By leveraging sophisticated nanite technology, this system facilitates rapid self-repair using the armor's Energy Points (EP). The Emergency Repair System is designed solely for maintaining the pilot's own armor and cannot repair other units or E-tech devices. This energy-intensive system ensures that the armor remains resilient and operational even in intense battle situations, with each tier offering enhanced repair capabilities.

Tier 1: Basic Emergency Repair System

• Repair Capacity: 30 Durability points per day

• Energy Cost: 6 EP per Durability point

• Description: Basic nanites introduced for minor repairs. The system ensures essential maintenance, keeping the armor functional in initial combat scenarios.

Tier 2: Enhanced Emergency Repair System

• Repair Capacity: 60 Durability points per day

• Energy Cost: 5.6 EP per Durability point

• Description: Improved nanites with better efficiency. Repairs are quicker, reducing downtime and enhancing combat readiness.

Enhanced Storage Recovery Upgrade Path

Overview: The Enhanced Storage Recovery upgrade path is designed to boost the automatic repair function of power armor while stored in its extra-dimensional storage bay. This upgrade improves the base Durability recovery rate, allowing the armor to regain its integrity more rapidly when not in use. This is crucial for maintaining the armor's operational status and longevity between deployments, providing enhanced readiness and efficiency for pilots.

Tier 1: Basic Storage Recovery Enhancement

• Durability Recovery Rate: 2 Durability points per hour

• Description: The Basic Storage Recovery Enhancement introduces a simple but effective upgrade to accelerate the armor’s natural recovery process. While stored, the armor regenerates at double the standard rate, ensuring it is ready for the next deployment.

Tier 2: Improved Storage Recovery Enhancement

• Durability Recovery Rate: 3 Durability points per hour

• Description: Improved recovery systems enhance the armor’s self-repair functions, increasing the regeneration rate by 50%. This tier ensures quicker recovery times, providing better maintenance of the armor's durability.

Both sound good. I have nine upgrade points available… if I get both and upgrade them each to Tier two, then I’ll have three points left over to upgrade something else. Darius made the purchase, then remembered having to rout their comms through someone else. It’s about time I upgraded my Communication system. I can't just leave it to others. Darius spent his last three points buying the first two Tiers all at once. With that, his Power Armor wouldn’t just be able to host group calls, but would function as a relay point, enabling communications to extend an extra twenty-five miles.

“Who the hell are you? And why did you ruin our ambush?” Darius heard a man shout.

Closing his menus, Darius looked up and saw a group of fifty armed and armored people marching across the battlefield and towards them.