Jedd put a glass of water away, making sure to not disturb the immaculate arrangement on his desk. In his mind, he thanked himself for the hundredth for his insightful thinking and picking up [Create Water] as his quarterly compensation as Keynes’s personal assistant.

It hadn’t been a random pick though. While working on the secret space program with Rell, Jedd had done an analysis of the ‘create’ spell category. There were many variations with a few surprises in the mix. Unfortunately, his research was limited to the official catalogue of Artefact Exchange, which rarely contained any rare spells or items.

‘Create’ spell category ranged from very common spells like [Create Water] or [Create Fire] to less common ones, which included [Create Wind], [Create Air] or [Create Wood] to the rarest ones he had encountered like [Create Happiness] and [Create Gravity].

His analysis concluded that with ‘create’ spells alone it would be possible to thrive on an off-world site. Obviously, he didn’t have any other ‘create’ spells, which made his conclusion a moot point. In fact, most of the crew didn’t have any skills and they were yet to question them about their Talents as the topic was rather sensitive and not everyone was willing to share.

But there was no doubt in Jedd’s mind that they would have to know everyone’s Talent at some point. It was a question of how to approach this without destroying the crew’s good will.

Jedd’s attention returned to the task at hand as he saw the silent argument between Natalia and the ex-leader of the White Masks, Persephone. Their conflict was one of many and stemmed from the lack of a proper chain of command. Everyone understood that Keynes was in charge of the whole thing, but from there things got a little unclear. While Natalia had been made Keynes’s second, her mandate came from the majority vote rather from Keynes and didn’t have an equal weight and support.

Jedd’s position was more official as Keynes’s personal assistant, though he wasn’t anyone’s direct line manager hence there was little chance for conflict.

This would have to change. Their crew needed structure, rules, and goals.

Something to add to the never ending list of things to do, Jedd thought, trying to juggle competing priorities.

A few moments later Keynes emerged from the rift and told the mission crew about the rift inside.

“The rift has breathable air but it is heavily polluted and so we still need our spacesuits inside. The rift appears to be a single, very long, narrow and uneven cave. I encountered only one monster: a rock serpent. Despite its nature, it has meat under its rocky exterior.”

Jedd had to make a physical effort to remain silent as Keynes was bombarded by questions from others. Having access to meat was godsend for them, though Jedd expected complications on this front. Monster meat required special treatment or ritual. A ritual was out of question as they didn’t have raw materials for it.

Meat treatment was usually conducted through a spell or Talent related to cooking. For that, they had Ul and two other ascenders whose Talents were broadly linked to cooking but Jedd didn’t know the specifics yet.

Lucky for them, the issue was easy to overcome as higher Levels usually had no problems eating Level 1 meat. With the rift cluster this large, they would be able to swiftly level up everyone.

A computer blipped.

Jedd perked up, finding an information dump from Keynes’s spacesuit.

“It appears to be Level 1 granite. Far more durable than the Level 0 stone here,” Willow said before Jedd could even get a good look. “The air inside could be easily purified with a glyph supported by runes until we can create a proper formation.”

That's a good idea. Glyphs are easy to make and don’t require rift materials. Well, at least their rudimentary versions.

“Do we have a blueprint of a purifying formation?” Natalia asked.

“We do,” Jedd replied, growing optimistic by a minute. “We also have a catalogue of blueprints for a space base and tools necessary to survive in a hostile environment. As for the granite, we would need to create an earth-affinity matter transformer to make better use of granite from the rift. Doable.”

His mind was spinning with plans and possibilities. He had been very careful before as he hadn’t wanted to get his hopes high, not knowing what they would find in an extraterrestrial rift, but now? Now he could start making actionable plans.

“Ask Rell to come here,” he said aloud, his words intended for the ship’s AI.

The AI acknowledged the command.

“I am aware of the catalogue,” Natalia said. “Although I didn’t have time to review it yet. I will make sure to read it thoroughly when I am back.”

He smiled at that. Natalia was the most competent person Jedd had ever met. He liked this about her and couldn’t wait to support her in this bureaucratic endeavour.

A door hissed and Rell entered. At the same time, a monster emerged from the rift down on the planet.

“What the fuck is that?” Rell exclaimed, watching the screens. Keynes killed the monster so swiftly, neither Jedd nor Rell understood what happened. Both men stared at the scene silently.

“Change of plans, stay here. Persephone, watch the rift’s exit. Ul, check if this is edible.” With that Keynes re-entered the rift.

“What’s going on?” Rell asked. Everyone was aware of the mission to the surface but the live feed for the crew was slightly limited. They couldn’t hear tactical conversations, see all the cameras or have access to the AI information from the surface.

“Look at this.” Jedd put the data from the rift on the wall that turned into a screen.

Rell was a fungi expert but both men had done leaps and bounds in learning off-world base building and survival. They understood the ins and outs of the mess ahead of them.

“Granite is a good starting point,” Rell said. “Though it might be difficult for Trisk to efficiently shape it. Without a purification system, the air is of no use to us.”

Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

“A purification glyph?”

“Unless it is made out of Level 2 materials it won’t be effective enough for the air from the rift and too many glyphs of the same type in a single location has a steep detrimental impact on their effectiveness.”

“Keynes has [Purify] skill and Jonathan has Pressure Control Talent. We could store compressed air.”

“Not with granite alone. We need aluminium, titanium, silicon carbide and polymers to begin with. I wouldn’t mind having access to glass too.”

Jedd nodded. He knew this. They had tens of different variations of bases prepared for their space program but the issue was, they hadn’t expected to find themselves empty-handed and stranded. Apart from a modest garden started by Rell several weeks ago, they produced nothing else. They had no tools. All their blueprints and knowledge were useless until they could gain raw materials.

Unless…

“I have been thinking recently about the ‘divine force’ that brought us here.”

“Don’t we all?” Rell jested.

“The point is,” Jedd said. “We have 500 ascenders and I can’t get rid of the impression that we are missing something critical here.”

“What do you mean?” Rell asked.

“I think we are looking at this from the wrong side. What were the criteria for selection to the crew?”Jedd asked, knowing the answer well.

“The hell I know? I don’t even remember the divine force. I just woke up with the knowledge that I agreed to be here.”

“Yes. Well, Keynes and Kora had personally known that divine force. Her name was Lem Solaris and from what he explained, she seemed to be very practical… person. So, my question is, why bring all these people here?”

This time, Jedd gave Rell a moment to think.

“You believe that we have all we need to build a base on the surface.”It was not a question, it was a statement.

“I do,” Jedd confirmed. “I think she selected ascenders with synergistic Talents, perfectly suited for survival in an extraterrestrial environment.”

Rell clasped his hands behind his back, a recent habit, picked up here on the spaceship. When it came to raw brain power, Rell outclassed Jedd mercilessly. It didn’t mean Rell was better than Jedd, but simply that Jedd’s strength lay elsewhere. Rell’s sense of structure and order was rather underdeveloped.

“Have you interrogated the entire crew?”

Jedd winced at the word ‘interrogated’; it was a strong word.

“No. Keynes doesn’t feel like forcing anyone into revealing their Talents,” he replied. “Yet.”

Rell sighed. It was somewhat disturbing how much the other man had changed. Gone was the mousy, scared researcher and his place was replaced by an industrious, confident man.

“Jedd, can I be frank with you?”

Jedd took a sip of water before nodding thoughtfully. He knew what Rell was going to say.

“I don’t think you or Keynes Kid or anyone on this spaceship understand the true severity of our situation. We cannot afford half measures. There is no place for personal feelings. We cannot be nice about the matters of survival.”

“The rifts—”

Rell held up a hand.

“Jedd, even if every single of these rifts has raw materials we need. We are still talking about 500 ascenders. We need to build an infrastructure to sustain everyone in only a few months.”

“We don’t need everyone down there,” Jedd argued. “ Most people can stay here.”

“Of course, but we are starting from scratch. We have to make basic tools. You talk about glyphs. How are you gonna make a glyph? With hands?”

Jedd understood Rell’s point. They approached the whole thing with a wrong attitude. They were too relaxed. I guess, it kind of settles our dilemma about choosing a culture.

“I will talk to Keynes and Natalia when they are back from the planet.”

“I want to be there,” Rell said, surprising Jedd. “To make sure they understand.”

***

The hidden compartment was there.

Keynes smiled, finding a familiar object inside.

Poor Man’s Pouch (Uncommon)

“I’ve got nothin’ to hide.”

Spatial storage: size (1m^3)

Level 1

Like all rewards from hidden compartments or rooms, this one too was already identified.

He placed the skill shard but the spear was too long to fit inside.

“I need a Level 2 pouch at least,” he grumbled, then reactivated the spacesuit. It enveloped him like a liquid-like flow.

Keynes rushed to the exit but to his surprise, everyone was waiting inside. He was so stunned that he remained silent. The rest of the mission crew clustered around Ul, who poked and prodded the carcasses of the monsters.

It took them a minute to notice Keynes and even then, they gave him nothing but a passing glance. They even ignored the spear in his hand. Unbelievable.

Keynes grunted, staring at them expectantly.

“I have good news,” Ul said to no one in particular. “This meat appears to be half-processed. I cannot be entirely sure why that is but I’m guessing it has something to do with the air here.”

Everyone except Keynes, Natalia and Persephone cheered.

“Air?” Natalia inquired after a moment. “Are you sure? There are many heavy metals in here.”

Is that possible? Keynes asked Alice.

I am sure it is but is this the case here? I don’t know, she replied. Shouldn’t you cheer with others?

“It’s just a guess based on what my Talent is telling me.”

“Natalia,” Keynes said on a private channel. “Why is everyone inside the rift?”

She looked up at Keynes a little surprised. He waited.

“The toxic air outside the rift spoiled the meat. Willow noticed that the rift had been cleared and so I decided we should enter and check the meat inside. We were very careful,” Natalia replied with a whisper of guilt in her voice.

“Good thinking,” Keynes said, not finding any fault in her decision.

“I’m not sure. This wasn’t part of the plan and bringing everyone inside may set us back on the schedule.”

“Don’t dwell on it, Natalia. You did good,” he said, hoping she wouldn’t be too hard on herself. He switched to the main channel. “Everyone. I have more news.”

He told them about the moss and its purifying ability. Willow asked for permission to check on the boss cavern. Keynes let him go with Kora.

“Trisk, would you be able to move part of this cavern outside?”

“Wh-at?” Trisk nearly whimpered. “What do you mean?”

Keynes described to him his idea of recreating the rift’s environment outside so they could introduce the moss’ purifying to the planet’s toxic atmosphere. Hearing the idea, Pierre and Roman nearly burst with insight and potential applications.

They didn’t think they even needed to recreate the rift’s environment. They guessed that the planet possessed their own cave system, which could be used as a trial run before they committed Trisk to move granite from the rift.

“Okay, in that case.” Keynes handed the spatial pouch to Natalia. “Go and ask Kora to harvest all the moss she can fit inside.”