I got up and we all gathered round my table in the main room. If all went well, I probably wouldn't spend much time here after this next week and would probably vacate the apartment when I reach 18. It had been my home for all my life, but truthfully, I was ready to leave and start my new adventure.

But first, I had a shopping list to buy. I looked down at the list and winced. It was a lot of money I was spending and although there should be plenty left, The fact was, over the course of the next week probably, I would be spending more money than I ever had in my life. But the best thing was, It would all be owned. Free and clear. Not many people could say that. Of course, that also meant that all the risks involved were mine too. But anyway, the shopping list.

Skill Fees and learning materials - 17 million. This was a serious outlay for skills. But it was necessary. I might even spend more, depending on needs.

AI Spending - 1 Billion. That one made me feel faint. However, 500 million each, to spend as they wish, knowing my plans and wanting to help me achieve them, meant I would benefit in the long run.

Ship buying and modding - 1.5 billion was hesitantly allocated. I might not need it all. I might need more in that department. But this would be the last of my buys.

Other resources - 233 million. Truth be told, I wasn’t sure it would be required, but one thing I had learned. Something always came up. If nothing else, the stocking of the ship and fueling would probably come out of this part of the budget.

The AIs were going to visit Mr Thorsson. I was going to visit my old teacher for a conversation and shopping spree from his inventory. I smiled as I would be able to use System Connections for this. Afterwards, we would reconvene back in the apartment.

I walked to the education building. Set in a part of the star port that had access to the green parts and a view to the stars outside, It had a public part that anyone could walk into and speak to the hive mind that ran it. The rest of it, you could only access if you were being schooled or using the services it provided.

The hive mind here was called Banjoo. Apparently it had an official system name at one point, but over the years the actual name had been mangled by the younger students and now it was officially called Banjoo. Banjoo lived in a central processing unit within the education building and used various artificial bodies, normally at the same time to run and teach within the education building.

Everyone went to school here as a child so that socialising could happen. Humans got a bit funny if they didn't socialise while young. Although being anti-social was tolerated in adults, so long they kept the laws. AlthoughI suspected that System kept a closer eye on them.

I entered the front of the building, and spoke seemingly into thin air of my request. “I wish to acquire path maps and path initialising, with the possibility of being tested on some paths. I then wish to procure learning materials depending.” A lighted path appeared beneath my feet and I then followed. If I was to deviate from the path, I would be warned. If I kept deviating from the path, I would face arrest from System. This was not a pleasant procedure, and rarely needed more than once.

I entered a room that held a table with a screen and a chair. I sat down. On the screen appeared Banjoo. Looking just as all the other bots did in the Education building. System Grey with blue lights for eyes. He greeted me. “Young Stefan. It is good to see you. I didn’t think I would see you any time soon after finishing school last week.” I winced at this. Schooling was not my favourite activity. Particularly the closer I got to majority, eager to enact the plan I had in my mind. It was still there, just changed.

“Yes, well Banjoo I have gotten my inheritance and well, my plans have not changed but I am able to skip a few steps. Unfortunately, some further learning is required.” I said this a trifle sourly. To which Banjoo chuckled.

“We welcome all to the education centre. Even former pupils who were so eager to leave.” Education AIs were on the whole, different from the other system AIs. Being a hive mind, they could split themselves off, yet keep each part apprised of everything else. They were normally the most human in emotions as they had the most interaction with us and were designed with interacting with children in mind. They were normally the first AI that every person was exposed to on a regular basis, and as a result the most trusted. That wasn’t to say everyone trusted them as adults, but as children, they could be teachers and best friends as needed. As such, they had no problem acting well, human.

“Listen Banjoo, A lot has changed on my System Status. Could you take a look at it and look at this request list and generate advice?” Generating advice was a set fee of 1000 credits. For which all I would get would be an advice list against my requirements, with charges against it. Expensive? Damn right it was. But If I brought from within that list, It would save me probably a lot of time, effort and wastage down the next few years. Banjoo analysed what the list said, looked at my status and disappeared off the screen. A list came up instead and Banjoo spoke.

“I have generated advice on this. Option 1 is what I consider is your list. Option 2 is advice that extrapolates beyond your list and also uses my personal experience of you.” I started reading the screen.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

Option 1 - As asked by request and list.

Ship Path Map and path initialization - 3 million

Exporation T2 guide - 2 million

Harvesting and refining T2 merging map with additional paths. - 6 million/8 million with path initialization

Robotics guide and future path advice - 1 million

1 million in test fees

Option 2 - As asked by request, list perused and advice given by Banjoo

Ship Path Map and path initialization - 3 million

Exploration T2 Guide with Space Specialised Path Map - 5 million/9 million with path initialization, to be done at a later date when rest of option 2 is done.

Harvesting and Refining T2 merging map with additional paths Space Specialised. - 10/20 million with path initialization.

Robotics guide and future path advice - 1 million/3 million for path initialization.

All six free points will be spent as part of this plan and a further million in test fees.

Option 1 came at or under my budget depending on my choices. Option 2 was considerably more expensive at 36 million all in. Yet, that second option from what I could see could save me time and possibly up my earnings from the start. I decided to ok before I lost my nerve.

“Option 2. Do it.” All of a sudden I passed out in the chair. For what was happening, this was not an unusual thing, with the amount of work requested. Thankfully, nothing else embarrassing happened. I woke up and my head felt stuffed.

“You will not be able to access your Status page in three days. It will take that long for all the information and knowledge to collate. After which, come see me and I will go through what exactly happened and the choices made. We will then go through your overall path map.”

I nodded to Banjoo and staggered off. This was not a pleasant feeling. However, Once I got a sleep, it would recede into the background and carry on. I looked at a clock. Seven hours had gone by since I entered the building. I carried on the rest of the way home and got inside to find Ishmael and Artoo waiting for me. Artoo whistled with concern at me.

“It's ok. I just stuffed myself with Paths and knowledge. Won’t be able to access it for three days. Did your shopping trip go ok?”

“I think I can speak for myself and Artoo and say that it went splendidly.” Artoo warbled an agreement. “I won’t burden you with the details right now, but I think we got a good deal.” Said Ishmael. I nodded to this.

“I spent more than I meant to, but I believe I got a good deal with it. We shall find out in three days. Plus I think depending on what I end up with, some further shopping may be done in that department.” I was babbling. It seems that it was hitting me harder than I thought. I had a plan. Stick to the plan. The plan. To follow in my parent’s footsteps but to reach the heights they dreamed of. That was the plan.

I staggered to my bed and fell into it. I had some weird dreams while asleep, some of which I remembered. My head did feel a lot better once I woke up. Of course, by this point I had slept for 12 hours. I was very hungry. Time to visit the cantina.

The cantina strictly speaking wasn’t a Cantina. It had started off as one. And was now the heart of the entertainment district. It was basically a giant square with benches within the square and booths all around the outside offering a variety of food and drink. I went to a booth that was a favourite of mine, brought a few different dishes and a couple of drinks and carried the stack over to an empty table. I then proceeded to demolish the food.

“Fucking hell Stefan. How the fuck have you packed that away?” Somebody sat opposite me and I recognised them. Another Orphan who had graduated half a year ago from the school and who I had actually planned to seek out to ask some advice. It didn’t look like I would need it now, but I had missed Marvin and his foul mouth. A further 4 people sat down and I recognised them all as being part of the same organisation. I knew that a space had opened up a couple of months ago in their ranks, when one of them had died. I didn’t know Marvin had joined them, by the looks of what he was wearing.

“Hey Marv, congratulations on joining the Rockbreaker Organisation. That's a solid bunch to get into.” Smiles all round the table. It was the truth however. It was actually part of an alliance, with an organisation in each system. It was a hard crew to get into, as you had to have the skills and the ship to be able to potentially join. Organisations could typically only have up to 15 people, although long standing organisations could pay to expand. Rockbreaker being one of the oldest Organisation in System 3 had expanded a few times and now boasted of 300 members. But they could mine like nobody else's business.

“Thanks. I know you now graduated. Planning on following into your parent’s footsteps?” I nodded to him.

“Yeah, although I need to train up some paths for my overall plan. But I managed to get Favoured Contractor status with Starfox.” I was bragging a little. Rockbreaker as an organisation also had this. But it was very few individuals within it that had it on their personal status, which was a bigger deal.

“Damn, that fucking good going. I know you are a one man ship, so give me a shout if you ever need a wingman.” Whereas Clans were discerning on who they let work with and for them, Organisations on the whole, were a lot more easier going in the rules for their members. Having Rockbreakers as potential allies did appeal to me.

“Sure thing. I got your deets. If I get anything I'll let you know. As is, I'm still in the set up stage.”

“Well, give me a shout if you need help there. Us bloody orphans gotta watch out for each other.” I found myself smiling. Marvin had always been an easygoing generous guy and it was good to see he hadn’t changed. Plus those of us who were orphans did tend to look out for each other and lend a hand. Because there was nobody else who would. A bit harsh, but generally true once you were an adult.

I went back to the apartment with the intention of sleeping again. Damn this skill stuff was no joke.