/You can absorb blood or essence to create an imprint of a creature’s or person’s biology.
/Once an imprint is fully learned, maintaining the form costs no additional Aether or Stamina.
/Imprints are mimicked to include physical properties including Talents that were or have become inherent to the life form.
/Your retention slots have changed to imprint slots.
Kip then gives me a summary of what’s given me experience since the last time he bought me a module. I’ve advanced [Swashbucking] and [Diplomacy], although I would argue a bunch of what I’ve been doing has been intimidation, [Leadership] was also a part of my advances.
I took the liberty of buying a Xenozoology module so that you can practice shifting and have a basic understanding of what’s possible.
Kip, sure that might get me an idea of what’s going on, but wouldn’t I have to consume their essence or buy a lot of a thing’s blood to transform to it?
I can see how the messages would lead you to think that, but no, you only need to fully imprint to use a form as a stable alternate form, like Zia’s dragon newt form.
That sounds way less crippled than I thought. Losing transmogrification and Essence Thief for that limited version I was thinking about felt really bad. Holyshit, you got quite the bank of info for that module Kip, good work sir.
There’s still a matter of your gift. There is ship designed with your integration in mind, a literal baby-making machine that would combine normally non-viable pairings into a stable organism and incubates it; and an emergency teleporter.
What the hell, Andromeda?! A baby maker? I am soo not ready to raise a kid like that. But if they’re reading that from my thoughts, I have thought about what it would be like to have a family with Penny. I do not need to fester on this idea, though. I want the emergency teleporter.
Uh, I think the Empress’ Garden Castle is my preference.
It takes a few minutes to shake out the ideas of the other gifts, but then I start getting side-tracked by the idea of different imprints messing with the baby machine. Would it use my base imprint? Do I have one of those? Kip can we build a virtual gallery with statues for figurines for my imprints.
We can project the Gallery in your stateroom if you prefer.
Ooh! I would very much like that. I hop out of the basin and take a quick shower before getting ready for the meeting while seeing what Kip and Kitty have cooked up for me.
There are two versions of me standing in my standard board-shorts and compression top. One is short, curvier than I remember being, and without a bit of muscle that I’d worked to get. The second is a taller, more severe looking version of me with altered eyes and teeth as well as slightly larger hands. I like the way that me looks off, mostly human, but the slight differences make me wonder if it was born from my animalistic tendencies, or a desire to optimize. Can’t be the second one, actually, those teeth only make sense if you consider Penny’s preferences too.
Is this a where I’m going vs where I’ve been kind of thing?
Kip, the ‘shorter’ version of you is what your DNA would likely produce again with the average amount of upkeep that a modern Astorian maintains. The second is what you currently are, the tier ascension changed some things already.
Hey now, I look dangerous and tall. They have an easy 10cm on short me, and perhaps . . . can you have a representation of Penny standing next to me? A familiar pixie pops in and I have to double check that it’s not the real Penny that can totally do that. Just as I’d thought, I’ll be able to rest my arm on her head.
“What does this do to how my stats play out? My aether capacity and stamina increased a little, but that probably has to do more with enabling my shapeshifting than any growth I’ve had in the last few years.”
Hard to say with data. It’s the magic that goes on behind Andromeda’s firewalls. If I were to hazard a guess, your stamina was headed that way from the healing and recovery talent you stole and used prodigiously, where capacity is likely as you suspect. I would focus on trying to build that up for the next tier increase though, your ability to maintain a non-imprint shift will be governed by it. Otherwise, your height with your elongated muscles will make you slightly faster and slightly weaker on average.
“Whew, that’s not so bad. You know, besides having all of my clothes adjusted, or get used to capris and halter tops.”
“But you don’t like looking womanly in public.” Kitty chimes in.
“Correct, and the new body type is suitably androgenous for my tastes. Lets see what the vest and slacks look like now.”
Dressing a frame 10cm taller than I was an hour ago is a bit of a mind job. I know the parts like the larger hands with nimble fingers are mine, but they don’t feel real quite yet. Only the jacket looks like it should as I prefer them long. The pants are highwater enough that I decide to blouse them to the top of my mid-calf boots, boots that were luckily pricey enough for a fit adjustment enchantment. My dress shirts don’t tuck in the sides anymore, due to the fashion cut I had them made in, but from the front it looks fine. It’s the vest, really, that makes me sad: it has a tailored curve that I no longer have, so the purple delight has to remain unbuttoned.
I look in the mirror shows me a little sloppy, but with my sharper features and growling pout, it seems to fit together more as a vigilante than a Marshal, but perhaps that look will work amongst the murderers and thieves I’m about to meet.
“You could just rush order new clothes.” Kitty smirks, her avatar now present in my stateroom.
“And you, could have mentioned that before I started dressing. Now help me finish. What’s missing?” I study my new reflection and just know that there’s something I could add that would pull this all together.
“What about that murder tie you have? There are multiple fashion references on the net where a loose tie around an unbuttoned collar are part of a ‘look’.”
Solid idea there, lady. I walk over to my desk and reverently retrieve the silk adornment full of memories. I haven’t warn this in a long while, but a contentious meeting with plenty of enemies seems an appropriate time to put it on again. I look back into the mirror and smile.
“Great idea Kit. It’s just the thing I needed.” In confidence too, with that little addition I feel dashing and powerful. Now I’m ready to go glare at some dirtbags.
***
“Mik, we agreed no military vessels.” Jenna, Protector of Apple Jack, says in an annoyed tone.
“So I should have shown up in a ship I apprehended from one of the Families? That would have made the meeting exciting.” I smirk at her.
The beefy shapeshifter grumbles as she walks with me to the conference room that she’s prepared for the big government meeting. Every party involved submitted a meeting location and AJ was the most viable and least likely to result in trouble. Meeting aboard Kismet was unanimously voted against.
“She’s also my personal shuttle. Would it help if I changed the designator to a Marshal ship instead of an Imperial fighter?”
“That would have probably helped a lot. Change the colors to the Marshal gold and purple would have sent a better message too.”
Well, hells, that would be good. I look through the Imperial registry and see no provisions for it, so I quickly setup a temporary diplomatic classification for Marshal Interdiction Vessel – 1 “Kitty” and ping Kitty the idea and se if she can change her color scheme to involve purple and gold. I also send in the paperwork to the first consul to get the change for Kitty and for all future vessels assigned to the Marshals for diplomatic concerns to separate the image of the marshals from that of the Empire in the Frontier regions. I had to add a justification to the form, seems good enough.
“Alright then, sorted and done. Now I didn’t bring an Imperial ship. Anything else I can do for you, Protector?” I grin a predator’s grin with as much mirth as I can squeeze into it.
“I want to ask, but it would probably just irritate me. You know I know about you and Penny, right?” That causes me to stutter step.
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.
“I did not, but considering that your wife is a close friend, and you’re close with Zia, it shouldn’t surprise me. I have some things I’d like to talk to Francesca and you about, actually.” I look over to see if her interest is piqued, and her ears turned to hear me better, though her eyes are still looking forward.
“I tiered up recently, and I developed shapeshifting with some Xeno-biology implications. I figure between you and your wife, I know two experts.”
“Fantasy Track, or other?” She asks. Hers was based on the desire to have a ‘power up’ she didn’t have to live in all the time, and based her shapeshifting based on werewolves.
“Adaptability, actually. I learned Transmogrification magic and leaned pretty hard into it for internal piloting and fighting changes. That plus my lifestyle choices got me shifting as part of my Track.”
“Well, that’s got the nerd in me interested, and if you can divulge more to Franny, she’ll want to take you up as a science project. Just make sure you tell her if you can grow things back or not before she gets too far into science.” She looks over to check my reaction and I’m laughing silently at that because Penny would do much the same.
I hope my partner doesn’t freak when she sees the changes in me.
Before I get too far down that rabbit hole, Jenna opens a double door into a conference room set up with refreshments and snacks. “Did you remember to bill this to the Provisional Brony Government?”
“I did not. We don’t have access to it yet, but I can send you an invoice?”
I nod. “I think that was on purpose. Until this body can vote on a governance scheme, I get to gatekeep the funds. It would be nice, sometimes, if Penny would make a pamphlet for her decisions.”
“That is going to be a fiercely contested point, you controlling government funds.”
“And I will tell them, I will turn over the funds to a nominated treasurer after the government is ratified. It’s a thousand tokens and ten thousand credits. It won’t be enough to run the place for too long, but it’s certainly enough to see if someone is willing to try and steal it.”
“Not too keen on the Merchant Families?” she snickers, “I get it. They’ve been nothing but a headache for me and I have to deal with them the least of anyone.”
“Once I can get some shuttles for my new Marshal underlings, you and Renault should see some improvements in disappearing shipments. Of course, much of that framework depends on what gets decided today.” I walk around the long table and set a folder down at the head position before looking at the refreshments.
“I’ve already set aside and office near a landing pad for them, and the local leadership is glad at the prospect of having a Marshal back in our space, even though it’s only been four months since you’ve left.”
“I do feel bad about that. But even if I had the authority to, I would have had little time to help with the violence and shenanigans coming out of Twilight. I know that local reports say that I’m playing sandbox tyrant, but if they want to violate the very simple rules I laid out for smuggling, then I’m going to treat them like pirates.” I sip the coffee and hum into the brew. This has to be the newest Francesca variant on the Arabica bean tailored for the Apple Jack biosphere.
“Andromeda, your girl’s work with plants is impressive. I do believe this is better than what the Empress has in her orchards.”
Jenna snorts, “Franny’s going to love you.” Her eyes go distant for a moment, then she engages back with me, “I just got a hit on our planetary defense network. I should go out and meet the next arrivals.”
“Enjoy your walk.” I reply, turning my attention to the snacks. Several trays from differing caterers litter the table, ranging from pastries to breakfast bites. I load up a plate and take one of the carafes of coffee back to my seat.
Paperwork is handled quickly in the Empire, thought the Consuls and the Empress have tried to streamline the process, there is still a good measure of it. As such, I am very behind on mine so push my inbox to my HUD and start working though the intelligence reports from my three stations, highlighting parts I believe have strategic importance and send it off to the First Consul and the Consul of Trade and Finance. I go back and highlight the task-oriented responses that me and my teams should act on, before drafting another requisition for additional shuttles for the Marshals that I will send as soon as this meeting concludes and any additional tasks the Protectorates may ask for us to cover.
The next four to arrive are Protector Renault with Family Heads of Carmichael, Castillo, and Tseng merchants. I don’t know much about the Tseng Family, what I do know is that they don’t like attention or the other two Families on Dash.
Each of the Heads of family are followed by what appear to be junior merchants and a guard. And of course, behind Papa Castillo is my bestie Camille. Makes me wonder if this is a ploy or a convenience. Either way, I stand to greet the Heads of family and their attendance.
Before I get back to my seat, Cammy, messages me.
\So you look delicious, why the change? You owe me a kiss, by the way.\
I try to school the smug appreciation from my features, but I doubt I succeed. /Why thank you. My track evolved and facilitated the appearance change. I like the andro look instead of appearing as a pretty girl playing dress up./
\Are you sure I can’t interest you in multi-person playtime? You could invite friends.\
/Cammy, bestie, I am very much happily taken. We’re both one partner people, but thank you for the attention. I’ve always liked the way you looked in a vest and a pleated skirt./
\Ugh, thanks but I hate it. I couldn’t even wear the jacket because Papa thinks that this look makes me look young and impressionable, while still professional.\
/Are they trying to Pair you with another Merchant Family? I thought you were getting Married to Peter?/
\Peter is a Carmichael, doofus, but ever since Volkov started roosting in Twilight, the Pradesh have been trying to pair with a Dash Family, and apparently their up and coming daughter isn’t interested in women!\
/And you’re mad because she’s hot, aren’t you./
\Hell yes I am! I would pay to have her bend me over a boardroom table.\
I can’t help but chuckle at that, and the Heads of family turn to me with distaste.
“The bandying between the Governors of different systems amuses me greatly.” I state, and while true, it has no bearing as to why I’m laughing. Maybe now they’ll think I wasn’t just chatting with someone or worse, surfing memes from social feeds around the Empire.
Before long, Jenna returns with Pradesh and Volkov in tow, with their retainers to follow. Mr. Sandoval follows shortly after, bringing our complement to full. Volkov glares at me as she takes a seat next to her contingent, having the Pradesh girl fetch them refreshments. Cam is right, she is stunning with anglo-Indian features, a defined jaw and a stately nose that makes her look all the more interesting. Her skirt suit is on point, and very visibly has tech augments on and around her ears that are quite stylish.
Jenna sits next to Sandoval and turns to look at me. They all do, causing me to groan internally.
“Thank you for coming,” I say, standing to address the room and sipping my coffee. “This meeting’s primary purpose is to ratify a system of governance for the Brony systems as it was a part of the original petition for the Protectorate Charter that you five proposed to the Empress.” I look around the table and see a few people about to speak up and I raise a hand to pause them. “To that end, if no decision is made before this conclave has concluded or enters recess, the current Provisional Government will become permanent until the next scheduled conclave of next year.” I sit down when I’m finished.
“I have many more important things to discuss than a system of Government.” Senior Pradesh speaks. “Your near continuous presence on the skirts of my system the chief among them.” The stately man says with no emotion besides inconvenience.
“And while I agree that is very important, who is to set that policy beside a unified government? I am willing to abide by the edicts of a new government, but dealing with each family separately and trying to mediate conflicts between you is not where this experiment should be headed.”
“And you are you to tell us what we should be doing?” There’s Volkov’s voice of contempt.
“I am Senior Marshal Solari. I patrol and control all of the Coreward Frontier space from the border to Astoria. Nice to meet you Protector. As for who is telling you to form a government, the Empress is. The moment you accepted Protectorate status, you accepted the demand that you form a Brony-wide Government. I am just here to mediate until you decide what government you eight want.”
“Is that the only agenda item for this meeting?” Papa Castillo asks, interested in my intent.
“The rest is up to you all. I’m here for that item and to mediate if necessary.” I nod to the barely veiled Mob Boss.
“Very well, then I come ready to propose a different organization. I believe we should rule with two bodies. A five member Council, including each of the families. that creates laws and approves funding, and a second body with business leaders, Protectors and leaders in the Prospects to propose and petition for changes.”
“Would the Protectors not be involved in Rule making? They are intended to be Overseers.” Pradesh asks Castillo.
“By the original Charter,” he responds, “They are meant to be auditors with the ability to intervene if we become a risk to User lives en masse, not a functional part of the Government.” He glares at each of the Protectors.
“If we adopt a government system similar to the Empire, why would we not just be a part of the Empire?” Sandoval asks. “Why would we not choose to be Governors in a system that works and a security force we don’t have to pay for?”
To my surprise, Pradesh agrees with the man, but those two are the undisputed leaders of their planets, where Castillo, Carmichael, and Tseng have a problem as they would have to elect a governor between them for the Astorian system to work.
“Andromeda knows we’d consider it. Our revenues have reduced considerably as we lost the transfer cost reductions and tariffs to the Empire have been levied against official trade routes.” The Elder Carmichael says.
The discussion vascillates between a two body government that Castillo proposes, reverting back to Empire inclusion, the current voting system without marshal oversight, and a shareholder system where parties with the larger revenues get larger votes. I have questions about the last one.
“Would you collect quarterly reports from bodies that wanted to be involved? Cap it to a certain number of people and swap people in an out as profits change?”
“Business Entities, Corporations, Merchant Companies, the like. There would be a yearly summary of profits to determine the next list. Entities based in the Protectorates and Prospects, with at least three quarters of their business originating from here. For example, Merc Arms would perhaps qualify, but the majority of their income does not come from sales in our space.” Tseng supplies.
I nod at that. Merc Arms would likely be a top earner in most systems. Penny is quickly becoming the most sought after small arms manufacturer in the Galaxy. The Technocracy of Schorlack remains the most sought after Supercluster wide . . . I think. This gets some of the other members thinking as well.
Another hour of discussion has us narrowed down to Castillo’s two-body system and Tseng’s profitocracy with protection provisions for the five families. A vote is called and to my surprise, Pradesh votes with Castillo, Renault, and Jenna for the two-body system, and Volkov votes with Tseng, Carmichael, and Sandoval.
Is Pradesh worried about being voted out of the profitocracy? I know why Volkov wants it though, scheming turd. I’m getting super tired of her shit, but getting the Protectors out of having a direct roll in the government is my preferred choice, in no small part because that is what Penny intended. If Petra wants to try business tomfoolery, two can play at that game.
“A tie vote? I’ll say I’m surprised. No matter, I’ll be voting for Tseng’s proposal which means it carries with a vote of 5 to 4. I request that the five Families return after a lunch recess to hammer out security concerns and how you would like to manage funds for the government body. Also, I have provided a lunch spread in the foyer.
->M] Thanks for ordering and arranging lunch for us Kitty. And also for not abusing my expense account. [<-
->K] As long as you know I stow away a few credits every day you ask me to do errands. [<-
->M] I have. The pouty sweat shirt over the net top and the ratty jorts was country cute. I could see you on a beat-up bike in that. [<-
I can feel a surge of pride through our link and it makes me smile.