“You know it’s a good thing I had the guards inform me the moment he arrived in the detention area. If that creepy little dart had got his hands on you in private there wouldn’t be any hope for you. His family runs a well known slaving syndicate. Now come. You’ve got your ID now so sell your wares and get off my station as soon as possible. Here are your weapons. Your armour was returned to your ship.”
“Yeah, thanks Commander Terisar. I have no doubt that would have been the case. Otherwise I would have been rather put out by your clear distrust and dislike of me.” Let’s see if I can put some of my social skills to use and get her a little less hostile. I need a temporary ally while I’m here, and the commander of the local security force would be a solid one. “I’d like to put that to the past if possible. I was hoping we could even become friends while I am here.”
“Don’t hold your breath waiting for that to happen. I don’t like you scavs. Picking the bones of the dead isn’t a good living. This is Alistair. He’ll be your shadow while you are on station. You are not permitted to move around without him. If you do so, you go back to the cell, got it?”
“Yes Ma’am. Good to meet you Alistair. Keiren Ignis, please just call me Keiren. Could you take me to a weapons dealer? I’d like to get my cargo sold quick.” He’s cute. Human. Fairly young, red hair and bright green eyes. Quick, Inspect.
Alistair Traven
Age: 23 Human Male
Station Militia
Status: Healthy
“Follow me Miss.” Why won’t anyone call me by name? He leads me to the local weapons dealer without talking. After some haggling with the Darvali that runs it (and some heavy usage of my Read Mind ability), I manage to sell the missiles for 1700 credits apiece. How do you like that Mari? Made more than 100000 extra.
“Alright Alistair, now that I’ve got a bit of money to my name, I’d like to eat. Where’s a good spot?” Food first, then ship upgrades, then a place to sleep.
“Yes, Miss. I suggest the Siren’s Song. It’s run by a human, so you don’t have to worry about those weird ingredients the Darvali always use.” I want to get him to ease up on the whole Miss thing. It’s annoying. Plus he’s cute. Maybe I can have a bit of fun with him later.
“That should be fine, but I really wish you’d call me Keiren, Alistair. It’s not hard. Repeat after me: Kei...ren, Kei..ren.”
“Sorry Miss, no can do. Under orders.” Drat.
“Uuugh, fine. You security types are no fun at all. Well? Lead the way, I don’t know where you’re taking me after all.” He leads me down the promenade ring to a small restaurant. It’s busier than I expected, but there are still a couple tables open, so we sit down and order. The food is alright, just barely better than what I was making myself while I was on the Adavaris. More importantly, they have alcohol, good alcohol. Alistair, I am getting you drunk.
He tried to say no to the drinks, but eventually he agreed to “Just one, so long as nobody tells the Commander” One became five, and pretty soon I had my tongue in his mouth and his in mine. That’s where it stopped though. My old pal the screen stopped by to say hello.
New Form Available
Human, Male
You are now able to take the form of a human male. Minor alterations are available. Gather more genetic variables to increase available alterations.
Sigh. Party’s over. I need to figure out why that happened and what it means for me. Also why I couldn’t control myself and acted like that. Before that I need to get to the docks and find me a shipyard to do some upgrades to the Deity.
“Ok, Alistair. That’s enough fun for today. I need you to guide me to someone who can do some work on my ship. New engines, life support and such.”
“Crap, crap, crap, crap. The Commander’s gonna kill me. This didn’t happen. You saw nothing.” He says as he glares toward the other patrons. There’s a lot of grinning and snickers from the bystanders. They probably know him pretty well. Not my problem though. I quickly pay the bill. He’s still muttering and bemoaning his actions. ”Damn pretty Shindi, what’s she even doing out here? Now I’m going to be stuck as the Commanders sparring partner...” What the hell does Shindi mean? More questions for Mari once we're gone.
“Come on Alistair! You can threaten them later. I need to get the repairs started.”
He takes me over to the other side of the station where the docks and the shipyard lay. There he introduces me to a Lodrian shipwright named Holidra. I ask after the engines, and he has a few options for me. It seems that a number of ships of all kinds of sizes have been scrapped in the past few weeks, and they have a surplus of the parts I need so I get a sizeable discount. My luck is good today. I buy a pair of engines and a thruster package from a Dan’khar freighter (which is apparently a newer model of the Dravlakh Mari mentioned before, that uses smaller and more powerful components). For the life support he only had one compatible option, from an Osler Class medevac transport, and it was a bit more expensive than Mari expected. All told it only cost me 320000, so I still have only spent about half of what Mari thought I would by this point. I wonder if he has any frigate spec engines or power generators? I ask him what he has available to that spec that could be ported to a modified Oilo, and he pulls at his beard for a few seconds staring at me. Then he pulls out a pad, taps on its display a few times and hands it over to me.
Kass MKIV engine- Thesis Class Lodrian Corvette
210000 credits
A powerful engine most often found on Darvali frigates. This engine comes from a Lodrian corvette, and is tuned for lower power consumption at the cost of thrust/mass ratio
Contor A Engine- Maantraal Class Carthan Frigate
375000 credits
Rare Carthan tech, this engine has shown greater thrust than most COSN cruiser class engines with lower power consumption than found in anything larger than a corvette in testing.
Terch Version III Generator- Var’loth Class Karm Light Frigate
85000 credits
Older model generator from a Karm frigate. Low output compared to newer models. Well liked for being easy to maintain and low cost
Tsuyo Series D Generator- Rishiri Class Human Light Frigate
170000 credits
The most recent generator series in the COSN. Provides more power than older model cruisers generators. Finicky to maintain.
After looking it over, I let the shipwright know that I want the Carthan engine and the Karm Generator. I want the ease of maintenance for the power unit, and that engine just looks prime. I think my luck is feeding me the good things, just hope it doesn't run out at an inopportune moment. I give him the location of the Deity, and he let’s me know it will be ready in 8 days. Cost of the work is 120000, but he’s willing to do the work at no charge if he can keep the parts being removed. Which works for me. I’m down to just over 400000 credits. Time to find a room and see if I can figure out that new form that popped up earlier.
I get Alistair to lead me somewhere where I can spend the nights until my ship is ready.
“I will be available as your guide from 0700 until 2400 standard time if you wish to leave your room. If you leave for any reason during other hours, or attempt leave without me during those hours, the Commander will arrest you.”
“Thanks, Alistair. I’ll see you tomorrow, I guess, then.”
The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
I pay for a room for the next 8 days, and head in. In my room, I open my status, and notice there is a Form field now. Focusing on it opens a new screen.
Available Forms
Doppel
Base Form
Human
Human Form - Male - Limited alterations available
And let’s take a look at the human male.
I am back to that same out-of-body sensation from when I first set my base form. In my vision is the body of Alistair. It seems I can make the same changes to the features as I could earlier, though I can’t make any major changes, just minor tweaks. I change the jawline and nose a bit. Change the hair from Alistair’s showy red to a more subdued rusty brown. Reduce the intensity of the green in the eyes. Reduce the muscle mass a bit. Now instead of looking like Alistair, I could probably pass for a close relative. And, confirm.
Everything begins to change. It feels like my bones have turned to snakes and are trying to escape from my body. After a while the feeling stops, and I can move freely again. Looking at the clock, that took me almost 20 minutes. So it won’t be something I can use to escape when I am in a situation where time is limited.
Now to figure out that other problem. Why was I suddenly overcome with desire. Both toward Alistair, and earlier with Terisar. I can’t come to terms with it. I didn’t have any powerful sexual urges before. Although, I hadn’t been around people before. Maybe it has to do with being a Doppel? I gained the human male form when I kissed Alistair, and the form I have access to is his (more or less). Do Doppels have the ability to assimilate genetic material from sentients, which is what allows our transformative ability to work? I can operate under that theory until better information is presented. So maybe my body gets revved up at the thought of gaining new forms? But why didn’t I feel like that around the Darvali I met? This will need more insight. I should discuss it with Mari once we’re back in motion. I miss her. Even the constant barrage of insults. It’s tough not having anyone you can trust or confide in.
I think I’ll take a quick nap, and then go on a tour of the station at night in my new form to get all the items I want from the darker parts of the station. Need a few fake IDs, and I should see what else I can get my hands on.
----------------------------------------
Level Up
Level increased by 1
Attributes have been assigned.
Skill Level Increase
Analysis
Level +2
For reaching Level 5 in Analysis you have been awarded +1 PER
Empath
Level +4
For reaching Level 10 in Empath you have been awarded +1 PER and +1 INT
Acting
Level +2
Swindle
Level +1
Etiquette
Level +2
Negotiation
Level +2
For reaching Level 5 in Negotiation you have been awarded +1 STR
Stealth
Level +3
For reaching Level 5 in Stealth you have been awarded +1 DEX
Universal Knowledge
Level +2
Ruse
Level +1
Seduction
Level +3
I wake from my nap to the screen. Thanks, glad you were willing to work with me on changing when you pop up at night with these alerts. I gained a bunch of levels from my interactions yesterday. I’m confused as to why I got a point of STR as my bonus for negotiation though. I would have expected a CHA boost instead. Maybe the attribute gains are random? Or the screen just likes messing with me. Well Screen? Care to explain? No, of course you don’t.
Time to sneak out. I step out into the promenade, and walk down towards the shops. It doesn’t take long to find what I’m looking for. Accessing criminal syndicates is fairly easy, just ask a bartender. If you’re lucky, they won’t kill you for inquiring after their ‘special’ goods. The problem with that, for me, is that there were lots of pretty women that took an interest in a handsome guy like me. Having a few drinks and dancing with them while waiting for my intro to the boss here led to a few new screen pops. Pretty much proving my genetic assimilation theory.
New Form Available
Human, Female
You are now able to take the form of a Human female. Alterations are available. Gather more genetic variables to increase available alterations.
Lodrian, Female
You are now able to take the form of a Lodrian female. Alterations are available. Gather more genetic variables to increase available alterations.
Ferlo
You are now able to take the form of a Ferlo. Alterations not available.
The heck is a Ferlo? Must be some kind of humanoid that looks very similar to Humans or Lodrians. Why isn’t there a gender though? Oops, no time to worry about it. The bartender is waving me over for my introduction with his boss. He leads me into a private room, clearly soundproofed as the music from the bar doesn’t filter in.
“So, I hear you want to make a few minor purchases from us. You may call me Gustavo. You’re new here, so I’ll forgive you for not knowing protocol. In the future if you need anything, you talk to the Rats first.”
“Rats? I’ll need a bit of clarification there.”
“Station Rats. The kids, wallet lifters, gear snatchers. Rats. Now as I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, we can furnish you with whatever you need, so long as you have the credits. What are you looking for?”
“Sorry about that Gustavo, I’ll remember. I’d like to get 3 spare IDs. 1 male, 2 female. Male needs to be Human. Female, 1 Human, 1 Lodrian. I’m also interested in any parts for my ship that could get me out of hot water, were it to be poured on my head, if you catch my drift?”
“IDs we can do. 1500 credits each. Do you want to choose the names?”
“No. Something suitable for each, please. Preferably not the name of someone wanted though.”
“Hah! I like your style kid! You got it. As for the other request, I can make it happen, but the credits required are going to be a bit more… exorbitant. Hey! Vinnie! Give me the register of the goods.” The big guy that I didn’t even see in the shadows hands him a pad. He taps a few keys, probably removing the items he doesn’t want to sell to a nobody, and hands it over to me.
Looks like my dream shopping list here. Everything the budding criminal (or spy in my case) needs.
XMD Transponder Rectifier
Cost: 12000 credits
Modifies ship transponders to allow the codes to be altered and broadcast false identification
ASG NightCrawler series shields
Cost: 460000 credits
Don’t be seen unless you want to be. Prevents radar and lidar detection, while also providing physical an energy shielding and optical camouflage
RSA “Crackle” Pulse-Ion Cannon
Cost: 18400
Fires a pulse of hyper-charged ions. Can be switched between positron pulses that punch holes through shielding and melt hull armour, and electron pulses capable of disabling enemy power systems. Designed to look like standard Plasma Cannons.
HRCI MXVIII Neutrino Beam Gun
Cost: 46800
Intended for automated turret mounts, these beam weapons are suitable for both pre-emptive strikes and point defense. Unblockable. Ownership is restricted in COS space.
6R1N “Special Delivery” Hacking Suite
Cost: 21000
Can connect you ships systems to either the galactic or local datanet allowing you to use your ships computer to gain access to your desires. Also hardens your systems against incoming hacking attempts.
SI “Patriarch” Counterfieture Station
Cost: 46000
Everything you need to falsify documentation and identification in a handy workbench.
Geeze, the thing I want most is out of my price range. Well, maybe later.
“I’ll take one of each, except the Nightcrawler and MXVIII, and two of the Crackles. My ship is currently being worked on by Holidra. If you could ask him to mount the guns on the ventral turrets? The rest can just be placed in the cargo bay for now.”
“Very well. Including delivery fees, you’re looking at 135.” Quick mental math tells me that his “delivery fee is like 13%, but I’m not gonna piss off a crimelord by pointing that out. I swipe the credits over to his ID.
“Here you are Gustavo. I look forward to gainful ventures with you and your people in the future.”
“Hah, you’re an interesting boy. Slow to start, but quick on the uptake, I'll give you that. You may leave now. Vinnie has your IDs ready.” My social skills and CHA must have helped me big time with that conversation. I can't see it turning out like this otherwise.
I head back to my room, pleased that I have pretty much achieved all my primary goals, plus a few bonuses. I'll need Mari to give them a check over before connecting them to the Deity's systems though. Now to change back, and sleep away the rest of the night.