After a lot of consideration and idle eating Jacob came up with a course of action. First of he'd probably not go to work today. As bigger things were going on and it would be very hard to do his job of coordinating transport of goods from outside the city with the situation as it was now.
Secondly he'd explore the weird screen he now had over his left forearm. Thirdly he'd go and check in on his neighbors. To see how they were and try to find out more about what was going on.
Looking bringing his arm up in front of his face the screen once again appeared. Displaying the same number and buttons as before. Hesitating a bit before moving his hand he clicked the 'modification' button. Since that one was the one that had caught his attention the most.
In front of him the screen changed to bring up a list of options with costs associated with them.
At the top of the list it said 'unlocked modifications'. And to the side there was a tab labeled 'acquired modifications'. Curious, Jacob pressed that tab and the list was replaced by a new one with two entries.
'Basic optimization' and 'Nanite framework'. With another naked Jacob slowly rotating to the left of the text.
With a “Huh.” Jacob pressed the first entry, causing a new smaller screen to appear over the first one.
'Basic optimization: Using nano-machines your cells have undergone repairs and certain deficiencies have been rectified. Preventing several debilitating health conditions and making you a more streamlined, efficient you.'
Blinking at the text Jacob let out a very intelligent “uh...” followed by “Wait. Optimized? Like I'm some kind of machine? Or code?” The ramifications of his new overlords view of humans did not leave Jacob too thrilled about their stewardship.
Shooing away the new screen it went away and as he moved his finger to the second option a new one appeared.
'Nanite Framework: Your body now contains pathways and reservoirs for nanites. This is to allow further modifications and diagnostics. In case patching will be required please remain calm.'.
“Well fuck. I'm just like a robot to them aren't I? Or a toy.”
Jacob pushed his chair back and rose. “I'm way too sober for this shit”
Walking over to a cupboard Jacob opened it and retrieved a half-full bottle of Captain Morgans rum. Considering finding a glass he instead decided to just take a swig right from the bottle. Downing a large gulp he slammed the bottle down. Letting out a refreshed noise his actions were interrupted by what sounded like a beep from his wrist.
Looking down at it he noticed a message having appeared in the air 'Weak toxin discovered. Within purgeable parameters. Poisoning prevented'.
“You... You're taking DRINKING from me?!? What kind of sadistic assholes are you really? Is there nothing that is sacred?
Walking away from the bottle in disgust Jacob started pacing back and forth.
“Okay. Okay.”
Taking a deep calming breath he tried to let the frustration flow from him. This isn't productive he thought. Plan. I had a plan didn't I? Right, step 2.5 have my last faith in goodness be dashed at the hand of a bottle of rum. So now, step 3. Talking to the neighbours. No wait. Completing step 2! Actually take a look at the available things in this menu.
Quickly opening up the modifications option Jacob actually took time to read the various modifications available to him. There were six alternatives under the 'unlocked' part.
'Basic fibrous enhancement 75pt'
'Basic warriors implants 100pt (locks other implants)'
'Basic Novice implants 100pt (locks other implants)'
'Basic savage uninhibitor 50pt'
'Basic self-repair function 75pt'
'Basic logistics implants 75pt (locks other implants)'
There was no description of what the different modifications actually did. The second-to-last one seemed kind of self-explanatory. Some kind of healing if Jacob would guess. The savage one was the cheapest one, but it also sounded quite distasteful. Like something mindless and reckless. The other ones he had theories about. But nothing concrete yet.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
Deciding to move on to the other category available to him he opened up ’possessions’ A long list of available items appeared. Everything from food for 1 point to an inferior las-rifle for 100 points. With things like vehicles and guard-dogs. Most of the things he recognized. But some were unfamiliar to him. Like a stationary basic trans-reciever for 100 points.
Nothing instantly stood out to him as a must have. A lot of things were interesting and tempting. Though since he didn't know what he was up for the best plan seemed to be to hold off on spending his limited points until he knew more.
Thinking that there was no point wasting time Jacob brushed his teeth, and then got dressed in a t-shirt and some jeans. Heading out the door of his medium sized apartment, he went to the door across the hall and rang the doorbell.
After a moment his neighbor and friend Lisa opened the door. Like Jacob she was in her mid-twenties. Her hair was short and black and she was wearing sweatpants and a baggy hoodie.
“Jacob. Please tell me you know what the hell is going on!? One moment I was watching netflix on my ipad before bed. The next thing I know it's morning and I'm watching myself talk about some kind of alien takeover of earth?”
Lisa spoke rapidly, hardly pausing to breathe as she grabbed Jacobs arm.
“I don't think I know any more than you do. The same happened to me. Only it was nudist Jacob speaking from my TV instead.”
“Fuck. So this is really happening is it?”
“Yeah, seems so... Oh, and brace yourself for some more bad news.”
Lisa gave him a look filled with trepidation as Jacob took a long pause before continuing.
“It seems... Like we can no longer get drunk..”
“What?”
“Yeah. Alcohol gets filtered right out”
Lisa punched his arm, which hurt surprisingly much for someone with her lithe build.
“You ass! I thought you were talking about something serious! Something dangerous!”
“Ow, ow, stop! It is serious! Like, no effect whatsoever from drinking! How is that not horrible?”
Lisa just gave him a glare that spoke volumes of her thoughts on his priorities right now. Lowering her fist she sighed then waved him in. Closing the door behind him Jacob entered the apartment while rubbing his aching shoulder. Walking into a tidy living room Lisa threw herself onto the couch while he took a seat on the opposite end of it.
Putting her feet on his lap she let out another sigh.
“Well, this is all kinds of crazy isn't it Jacob? Aliens, nanites and I don't even need my glasses anymore.”
Jacob hadn't noticed the absence of the thick prescription glasses that always seemed to take up half of Lisas face.
“Huh.”
“Yeah. Everything was blurry with them on. Then the ipad told me to take them off and everything was crystal clear.”
“Well that's neat. I guess the Gibborim really didn't want defective goods.”
“Yeah, so that's the positive of being a slave to extraterrestrial conquerors.”
They both fell quiet a moment before Lisa burst out in frustration.
“Aaargh. And internet doesn't seem to work! I can't find out anything about what's going on and I'm getting stressed the fuck out.” Nudging him with her foot she just told him “Rub.”
Used to her behavior he put a hand on her foot and started massaging it as they were thinking.
“So Lisa. Have you taken a look at the menus?”
“Yeah. Seems like something out of a roleplaying game. Maybe DnD. Or more like GURPS.”
“That is... A good comparison probably. Point-buy system for improvements. That seems to basically be what this menu is. Can I take a look at yours to see if ours are the same?”
“Yeah sure.”
Lisa sat up, extracting her feet from Jacobs lap and scooched closer. Holding up her left arm in front of them. Jacob looked at it and saw her forearm.
“Okay, could you turn it on now?”
“Huh? What do you mean? It's on. See?”
She poked the air in front of her wrist.
“The only thing I see is you your finger pushing the air in front of your arm. Here, try to see mine.”
Presenting his own arm it turned out she couldn't see his screen either. Frustrated they decided to put on some tea and to do it the old fashioned way. Going through the lists verbally as the other one wrote it down on paper.
Half an hour later they had compared their modifications and some randomly chosen items from the possessions tab. It seemed that their options were the same asides from Jacob having the Logistics implants available, while Lisa had the Ranger implants available instead. They chalked this up to Jacobs job in transportation management and Lisas habit of spending a lot of time in the wilderness. It seemed her work as a senior sales associate did not unlock anything for her.
Jacob put down his cup of tea and scratched his chin.
“So. What do you reckon you're going to spend you hundred points on?”
“I don't know. Though Ranger implants sounds kind of cool and unique. And there are a lot of items too that would be pretty great to have.”
“Yeah. Though the Logistics implants seem to be special somehow they just don't appeal to me right now you know? Since we don't know what will happen and if they'll be helpful. And the fact that they seem to exclude me being able to take the other implants, which could be more useful, just adds on to that.”
They both were silent for a bit before Lisa got up to make some more tea. As she returned the TV suddenly turned on. Displayed on the screen was a large castle. Loud fanfares boomed as the view zoomed in on a balcony overlooking the courtyard. On it slithered forwards what seemed to be a large serpent with arms. Dressed in a puffy red and gold shirt, complete with a cape and a bowl-like hat. Opening its mouth, Jacob expected a hissing voice, but was surprised when a melodious clear baritone spoke instead
“Dear subjects. New ascenders! I hope you've come to accept your place in this world and the new bright future in ahead of you all. I'm your new Gibborim overlord, Loki. As you've probably all noticed changes have been made. A border has been erected to mark your allowed area and you've all got some fun modifications that many of you have already selected! Those of you that have not. Well, I recommend that you do so soon. Because in just four hours begins the first exciting event! Which I have named 'Operation Don't Die. Unless Nuanced and Comically for Lokis Entertainment.' For those that choose to participate there is Glory, opportunity and points aplenty! For those that don't... Well. I hope you've got food enough stored not to need points for it.”
“Soon ships will begin landing in areas near you. These will take you to the mission once the countdown ends. “ Gesturing to his forearm the Gibborim continued.
“Your interface will show you the path to the closest transport. The mission, O.D.D U.N.C.L.E. Is an introductory one and therefore will have relatively little danger. Don't mistake that for being safe.
Some of you may die.”
Loki moved his hand sorrowfully to his chest.
“But it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make.”
Gesturing grandly his voice boomed out.
“Let the ascendancy begin!”
As the television screen once again turned dark Lisa and Jacob looked at each other slack-jawed. Several seconds passed like this before Lisa stammered.
“Did. Did that snake just meme about our impending deaths?”