Chapter 37
TEKI
The keani had little reason to return to his watersuit in general life. After his integration into Solidarity, he could persist on dry land for a surprising amount of time. Especially with his foundational skill having levelled up to level 5. For the journey to the grade 19 dungeon, he needed it though, as several days without being submerged still sounded like torture to him. It was then that he checked his communicator for the first time since getting fired.
There were no messages from anyone. He was never that popular, so while it bothered him, it didn’t surprise him. In addition, folks expected him to remain on Tsanh for a while and probably couldn’t or didn’t want to pay for an inter-system message. There was just one message that he saw from someone that he didn’t know. A lawyer. The subject of the email was: “Greenland SE Class Action Lawsuit”. Teki perked up. Now this sounded interesting.
As he read, he was shocked: Getting sent to a godforsaken planet, fired there and charged an insubordinate amount for a return flight was apparently the default procedure to let people go at Greenland SE. His blood boiled. He sent a message back that he wanted to participate in this class action lawsuit. Then, he prepared for the long and arduous journey into the uninhabited zone.
INIT JAARU
Walking back home from the dungeon, following a still very lively Jaaru, Init forced herself not to fall asleep right then and there on the very ground. “Can we go slower? I am utterly exhausted!” she complained.
Jaaru looked at Init: “Can we try to go fast? I don’t want to miss the bus. Waiting an hour for the next one is not my idea of a good time!”
Init looked glum: “I am just so totally and utterly spent. Walking is hard right now.”
Jaaru looked concerned: “With all your level ups, hasn’t your Resilience increased at all?”
Init looked hurt: “No. Not everyone is special and gets an extra special class.”
Jaaru looked at the ground for a bit before responding: “Can you use the red skill Recovery? It might help in your current state…”
Init rolled her eyes: “Sure, I will just take a detour to the repository and get a new skill. No problem at all! I am only about 3 hours away from it anyways!”
Jaaru reached out to Init: “Try now.”
Init stopped for a moment, then looked surprised: “Why does that work now?”
Jaaru shrugged: “I guess as an Established Founder, I carry a direct link to the repository and can share it.”
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Init walked faster: “You get one cheat after the next in your class, don’t you?”
Jaaru looked seriously at Init: “How many black skills do you have now at level 23?”
Init had to check her status: “18 different ones.”
Jaaru nodded: “I have zero and have to get by on red skills and attributes that I was not able to choose. You didn’t have to re-learn how to do your job because you lacked critical skills. We both have advantages and disadvantages and you cannot always focus on the bad. Your class focuses on a few attributes and a fuckton of skills, mine spreads points over all attributes and gets skills only if someone else gets them as foundational skills. We all have our advantages and disadvantages. I know that jealousy is hard to control, but it is not as easy. ‘All that glitters ain’t gold’ as some pre-integration pop singer stated.”
Init looked down: “I understand. And yet, you are level 100. It feels…” she paused, “... crummy!”
Jaaru looked seriously: “And you gained 20 levels in one day. We get you up there, just wait! You have an adorable little sister who can help you power-level. And I am pretty sure now you can use your Technologist class to enhance your combat effectiveness like nothing else. And probably soon out-damage me, given the lack of specialisations or skills.”
Init thought about that for a moment: “Yeah, I can see some ways for that, actually. Some of the higher level skills are really useful for my next run!”
Jaaru smiled: “Now, can we rush, I think I see the bus in the distance!”
NKETJDI
It made no sense that a new repository emerged in its domain that it didn’t found. Yes, eventually founding rights would be available for people of the planet Tsanh, but right now, the entire planet was about 100 repository levels away from that. As such, it was confused. Eventually, the integrator called for assistance from System Maintenance and it contacted them.
“Krilk representing Repository Tlkat-Marine-Reef-near-the-West-Continent is present.” Krilk responded to its request.
“This is Nketjdi of the Tsanh integration project representing Repository Shthiemb-Heat-Desert-of-the-Centre. I have a clarification request.” it said.
“Krilk is listening, paying attention and at ready to assist with negligible delays.”
“There is a repository that I didn’t establish and I have no idea what caused it to arise. I cannot map it and none of the integrated folks have names I recognise. Furthermore, it seems to not affect the planetary minimum.”
“Krilk knows. This is a propagation of Solidarity to another planet, named Windrush. It is where the hostile system exists as well. Because it is not on the planet, it doesn’t affect planetary minimums or planetary maximums on Tsanh.”
“Understood. But why does it show up here? In my own listings?” Nketjdi asked.
“Because it is part of the project, technically speaking as its founder integrated on Tsanh.” Krilk responded.
“Please confirm scope of Tsanh integration project.” Nketjdi asked, in a blatant attempt to get it assigned elsewhere.
“Scope is integration of planet Tsanh into Solidarity, which incudes handling the invading system.” Krilk said calmly.
“I cannot be on two planets at the same time and thus respectfully request reassignment.” Nketjdi knew its limits.
“Declined. But your concern has been relayed and a new integration technician will be assigned to Windrush.” Krilk spoke.
“Grand!” Nketjdi shook its spikes in relief, “I am looking forward to cooperate with the new selection.”