Mako was nearing the position where they would meet the Shins. They had a few surprises to set up ahead of their arrival. “Skeet is the payload delivered?”
An irritated Skeet answered. “Yes. The drones are finishing the final pass now.”
“Did we get the scouts?”
“Yes. They are still with the group.” She spoke curtly.
“Excellent. Hopefully this works.” Mako could tell something was on her mind. "Something wrong?"
“So why didn’t you tell me this is what we are doing?”
“First, I didn’t know if it would be ready in time or if we even had the materials to do it. Harmless radio isotopes aren’t exactly easy to come by or produce. Second, I could have mentioned it in a message, but there were only 3 people that knew. We decided to keep any talk concerning it down to a minimum in case there were any more scouts. Need to know basis only. Besides, this is hardly the key to winning the battle, it just eliminates an advantage they probably didn’t know they had.”
“Still, you could have told me, so I didn’t worry.”
“Skeet, we have a couple ideas. We are still significantly outnumbered. We only think we have superior firepower. We don’t know what their capabilities are. Also, this is a scrum. Don’t worry so much.”
“I don’t like losing.” She sighed. “Fine. I understand. Kick their feathery asses.”
“I’ll do my best.” Mako found the relatively clear area that was their intended destination. “Send the overlay to our implants. Let’s get this battlefield ready.”
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Booster made 4 swipes on the back of the Elder Lasher in the shape of a square. Between his strength and the monomolecular cutting edge of the machete, it was like dragging a knife through water. He dug the machete in at each edge at an angle and cut away the plug that was a section of the lasher’s spine like he was carving a melon.
He tossed the plug to the side and pulled out his rifle. He turned it on full auto and blasted a couple dozen shots into the hole. The Lasher collapsed to the floor as smoke billowed out of the hole. The whole process didn’t take 30 seconds.
The Elder Lasher had barely had time to react before it was dead.
“Showoff.” Arkana remarked drily.
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Congratulations!
You defeated an Elder Lasher (Tier 4 Level 21)!
Irragen points awarded!
You have earned an Honormark!
-You defeated an enemy more the 3 tiers above your level while fighting alone. The Titanslayer Honormark allows the Titanslayer ability to be used once a day to add 300% of your modified utility score to a melee strike.
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You have acquired sufficient irragen to increase your level multiple times!
You are now Tier 1 Level 18.
You have 2 attribute points to distribute
Note: You have a total of 18 undistributed attribute points.
You have enough irragen to increase your level more, but you must choose your Phenotype before advancing past level 18. This will be done after your Phenotype is accepted.
Note: It is recommended that you apply any undistributed points before choosing your Phenotype since your current total points may have an effect on your available options.
Would you like to distribute your points now?
Y/N
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Booster selected yes and checked his Stats. He had 26 in Durability, 19 in Utility, 28 in Vigor, and 15 in Control. He didn’t have any particular plan at this point which is why he hadn’t used any AP up to this point. He decided to go as balanced as he could. He added 10 points to Control to make it 25. And 5 points to Utility to make it 24.
After accepting the new AP, he received the messages related to choosing his Phenotype.
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Choose from the following 3 options.
Option 1
Arcane Engineer – Elite (+5 AP/level)
Irragenitech – Integrate irragen and irragenic cores into technology. Effect depends on the tier of the core, the nature of the core, and the type of tech used in the integration. Irragen can be added to cores to refresh them. If the Core is added to equipment directly connected to the End User, efficiency lowers if the Core is a higher tier than the End User depending on the Control/Power scores of the user. Efficiency is halved for each tier the core is above the End User. This will result in poorer effects that may improve as the tier of the User increases. Efficiency is doubled for each combined 36 AP in Control and Power of the End User. Note: Double efficiency does not directly translate to a doubling of any effect.
Field Engineer – Makeshift items can be crafted in the field and will be twice as effective and durable as the item would normally be. Items can be reinforced, reconfigured, and repaired. Does not include organic tissue unless it is inanimate or inorganic material integrated into an animate being.
Appraising Eye – Examining an item will reveal its durability, potential upgrades, and more about its intended use. Time needed to appraise and the level of detail of an item depends on the item and the combined Control/Power score of the User. This ability does not work on living beings.
Option 2
Zen Defender – Elite (+5 AP/Level)
Calming Presence – The User enters a meditative state where any hostile creature will ignore the User and will want to cease all hostilities. Any attack on the pacified hostile, or if they stray out of the area of effect, will break the effect. Any other stronger effect like rage or fear will also interrupt the effect. Area of effect depends on the desired area or User's Control Score (up to 1 meter per point). Effect duration lasts as long as the meditative state. Note: a pacified individual may still decide to calmly harm the User just as ending the meditative state may not result in a return to hostile actions. Beasts are less likely to return to hostilities or attempt to harm the user calmly.
Karmic Shield – The user casts a transparent shield around them. No hostile action may pass through from inside or out. Any damage will restore User's Power (except hostilities coming from inside the shield) and reflect 50% damage back at the source. Area of effect is 2.5-meter sphere. Duration without interruption from hostile actions, depends on the User's Power score (30 seconds/point).
Channeled Strike – The User can spend up to 60 seconds to channel a strike. The strike can be delivered via melee or from up to a 5-meter range. The target that is stuck will be paralyzed for a period depending on the User's Control score (1 second/point). The Ability will tier up for each 5 seconds it is channeled.
Option 3
Beastmaster – Elite (+5 AP/Level)
Spirit Shift – Select the form of a beast that will be the avatar of your spirit. You can shift into this form at will. Physical stats will be altered based on the form. The form will reflect the User’s current tier. Form remains as long as the User remains conscious.
Call of the Wild – User can control simple creatures and influence semi-sentient beasts. The creatures can be used for a variety of tasks in addition to combat. The User can control any number of creatures within a 30-meter line of sight, whose sum of Control scores does not exceed double the User’s Control score. Semi-sentient Beasts require the combined Control/Power score to exceed that of the target to try and influence. Note: The Target may be favorably inclined or hostile once the effect wears of depending on the nature of the Target and the activities they were influenced to complete.
Shattering Roar – The User unleashes and primal roar that may stun enemies as well as instill fear in their hearts. These effects are twice as likely on beasts and last twice as long. The effects become 25% less effective and less likely to work with each tier the Target is above the User. Base effects depend on the User’s combined Control/Power score. Note: some creatures and Phenotypes may be immune to fear and/or stun effects.
Please choose one option or refuse all.
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“Huh,” Booster examined his options. He shared them with the others. “The honormarks are definitely influencing my options. It seems like the Pacifist Honormark gave me Zen Defender. And my Beastbane Honormark likely influenced Beastmaster Phenotype.”
The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
Booster understood what Thaigoon and Arkana meant. To some extent he liked all of these. At different points in his life, maybe even during the last week, he might have chosen any of them. He could immediately see how he might use any of them. It made the choice very difficult.
“I don’t know about this Arcane Engineer Phenotype. There are no offensive or defensive abilities. It’s basically a crafter class.”
“Yeah,” Arkana said. “But do you like it?”
Booster smiled at her. “I do. But for as much as it seems fascinating, I don’t see how that helps me level up and help defend.”
“I think you are looking at this the wrong way.” Thaigoon said. “Think about it. You might be able to add additional abilities to every colonist via their cybernetic tech or their armor or their weapons. This might be the most powerful Phenotype we’ve seen yet.”
Mahina nodded. “It seems nearly limitless in its applications.”
“Imagine being able to look at a core and KNOW what it will do. I think that is what the Appraising Eye will allow you to do.” Thaigoon said.
“Plus, you can improve and reinforce weapons, armor, and equipment. The utility of it is insane.” Arkana added.
“Okay, you all convinced me.” Booster laughed. “I kind of wanted it anyway.”
Booster selected Arcane Engineer.
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Congratulations!
You have chosen the Phenotype: Arcane Engineer!
Note: AP gains per level from Tier 1 level 19-36 will be increased by 4 to account for Phenotype AP gains not given in level 1-18.
You have acquired sufficient irragen to increase your level multiple times!
You are now Tier 1 Level 21.
You have 27 attribute points to distribute
Note: You have a total of 27 undistributed attribute points
Do you accept these changes? Y/N
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Booster accepted the changes and was quickly enveloped with white light. He then found that he had enough Attribute points to have a score of 28 in each attribute. Now his Stats appeared like this:
Name: Booster
Variant class: 3
Tier: 1
Level: 21
PHENOtype: Arcane Engineer
Attributes
Durability Base score: 6 Score with modifiers: 28
Utility Base score: 13 Score with modifiers: 28
Vigor Base score: 4 Score with modifiers: 28
Control Base score: 18 Score with modifiers: 28
Power Base score: 26 Score with modifiers: 28
Attribute points to distribute: 0
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“Mahina, let me see one of those cores.” Booster stepped over to her.
She handed him the yellow core still in a sample bottle. Booster held it up to look at it. Nothing immediately happened.
“I wonder how I appraise...” Booster started as the ability triggered.
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Item: Core of Lesser Irragenic Venom. (Tier 2)
Effect: This core converts irragen into an organic venom that perpetuates the effect within irragenic infused tissue. In addition to converting irragen, the venom also causes tissue damage and pain. The venom spread doubles in size every 1 minute. Resistances to poison and other irragenic abilities may inhibit the spread, reduce the effect, or eliminate the venom.
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Booster shared the result with the others. It was so invigorating to have such direct and clear information. He pulled out his machete and focused on wanting to appraise. It worked. He was a little relieved he didn’t have to SAY “appraise” out loud.
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Item: NovaTech Industries CarboMatrix Machete model: CMM-94-3C (Basic)
Description: The CarboMatrix family of tools are constructed with structured carbon fiber materials. This blade is engineered to provide strength, durability, and cutting performance. The innovative monomolecular edge, honed to perfection through state-of-the-art nanotechnology, ensures razor-sharpness that effortlessly slices through nearly any naturally occurring materials and many refined materials with surgical precision.
Durability: 387/400
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Then a menu popped up.
Would you like to:
- Reinforce?
- Reconfigure?
- Repair? (Insufficient raw materials)
- Integrate Core?
Booster laughed a little maniacally. That ‘insufficient materials’ made him wonder. He wondered if he could come up with something quickly. Maybe another machete? A piece of armor? What else did he have on hand? A tier 4 carcass?
His eyes narrowed as he considered. The tooth is probably pretty strong. But that was in the head of the beast on the other side of the hole. The strongest natural bone in a human is the femur. That must be worth something in this creature given that it moves around that much weight.
Booster moved quickly to the creature. As he approached, he noticed a claw on the back foot as well. He cut those off and hacked into the back leg and cut away a section of the femur. He checked his Field Engineer options again.
Would you like to:
- Reinforce?
- Reconfigure?
- Repair?
- Integrate Core?
Yes! He was downright giddy now. He looked at the menu and tried to decide what to do first. He thought, yes. He was suddenly surrounded by blackness. The machete was in front of him as if it was laying on a table, but it just hung in the air.
Project Materials
Choose from the following:
Claws (3) - Elder Lasher – Tier 4
Femur (Partial) - Elder Lasher - Tier 4
Core of Lesser Irragenic Venom – Spitter Serpent – Tier 2
He chose all of them. The blade rose in front of him, and the materials were floating around it. The blade appeared to be layered in lines and measurements as if it was in a Computer Aided Design or CAD program. The interface was incredibly intuitive, and he quickly got to work.
Booster really liked the end product. The blade was a bit shorter than before, from 66 sens to 54 sens. He reshaped the blade to be more like a bowie knife. It was overall slimmer in width. The leading blade was virtually touched. The tip now ended in a tapered point and the back side had an edge that covered about 2/3 of the back edge. The flat edge of the blade extended from the hilt to about a third of the length of the blade.
When it transitioned from flat to sharpened, the core was embedded in blade. There was a claw that jutted out in front of the core for about 7 sens. It was the most efficient way to inject the core venom into a target. At first, Booster tried to put the core in the pommel of the handle, but it left the core effect almost useless. Putting it on the blade made it 80% effective and if the claw hit the target, it was 100% effective. He had to use 2 claws to affix the core to the blade, but it also helped protect the position and reinforced the blade. The third claw was used to make a half hilt on the backside of the blade.
The blade was still black with an off-white tapered vein of bone running down the center. The bone blended in with the hilt and created a protective guard over the handle and then met with the pommel of the handle. It looked fierce and dangerous.
Note: Using this Core with these materials will result in a strong tier 2 weapon. Would you like to raise the tier of the core?
This will result in an 8 hour and 21-minute cooldown on the Field Engineering skill. This will result in a strong tier 3 weapon.
You do not have sufficient materials or a combined Control/Power score to increase the unit to a Tier 4 Weapon.
Y/N
Booster considered it for a moment and knew he wouldn’t have time to do more right now anyway. He chose yes. The core glowed for a moment, and he had to adjust the mount to accommodate the new size. As he finished up, he received another unexpected message.
Would you like to name this blade?
Y/N
Booster, of course, wanted to do that. most of the names he thought of felt...very edglord. Anything to do with claw and bone and venom all seemed a little ridiculous, even if they were accurate. He considered several names but settled for Venom’s Lash.
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Congratulations!
You have Field Engineered a new weapon using materials found in the field!
Item: Venom’s Lash (Tier 3)
Description: This short sword was crafted by Booster. It Is made with irragenic reinforced Elder Lasher bone and structured carbon fiber with Elder Lasher claws and a Lesser Irragenic Venom Core. Striking an enemy with this weapon’s blade or claw will envenomate them with a substance that will use their own irragenic tissues to perpetuate the spread of the venom. The venom will also cause tissue damage and pain. As the irragen within the tissue is temporarily consumed, it may affect the target’s ability to Control and Power abilities. This effect only works on targets with organic tissue. Due to the nature of the materials used in the construction of this blade, it will cut through nearly any naturally occurring material and many refined and irragenically reinforced materials.
Durability: 2800/2800
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Booster completed it and the blackness disappeared.
“...should really keep moving.” Mahina was saying. She stopped and looked at the former machete with a frown. “What is that?”
Booster held it up. “I call it Venom’s Lash.”
Mahina took it and examined it. She could instantly tell the center point was off and to the rear of the blade. But it was small enough and they were likely all strong enough that it didn’t matter much. The alterations to the blade made it feel much more like a weapon and less like a tool.
“And you just made that?” Arkana asked.
“Yeah, I didn’t realize it would work that way, but it just makes this whole Phenotype that much better.” Booster said.
“Any reason for the bone here?” Mahina asked about the lining of bone on the blade.
“That is reinforcement. I think. The bone is tier 4. The machete was classified as Basic. I think that means it wasn’t technically a PHENOsystem device. The core was only tier 2 as well. By adding the Tier 4 materials from the lasher and upgrading the tier 2 core, the end result is a tier 3 short sword. If I had more control and power, I could have made it tier 4.”
While they were talking, he borrowed another machete and modified a sheath so it would fit Venom’s Lash and friction lock it in into the sheath with the bulge of the core. It wasn’t perfect because the new blade was a bit wider than the old one, but it worked.
Mahina handed the sword back to Booster. He sheathed it and offered it to her. “You want to try it on the next one?”
She bowed slightly, “I am honored.” She swapped machetes with him. “There is a fork ahead. We must take the right fork which will lead away from the lander but the last Lasher we need is a few hundred meters in that direction.”
They ran northeast with an anime swordsman leading the way.