Chapter Seven
The Lists
----------------------------------------
Adam and Rae spent the next hour with the horses at the stable. They both were familiar with riding, Adam being the better of the two. A knee injury in college made prolonged riding a struggle for Rae. There were two smaller chestnuts that were quarter horses and a much larger one was a white Belgium breed. Back at the home they shared a quiet cup of coffee while they waited. They didn’t say much to each other. Rae knew once they were taken care of that Adam would leave. Not because he was unhappy or wanted to run away from his life. She knew he wanted to help people.
Being a HVAC technician allowed him to help people with comfort and heating their homes. Before a back injury, Adam was talking seriously with Marine recruiters. Not having a general life path, he was going to throw himself in the path of selfless service to his country. After the injury, he floated through life for a few years. He then sunk into a deep depression until he found his wife, a career and Jesus. Rae was not at all interested in any television or movies that were not Christmas related. Adam tried and failed consistently in luring her into watching a movie about a coming of age hero or a good monomyth story. She knew if there was a life of wonder and heroism Adam would pounce on it as long as his family was safe and taken care of.
Simon had returned to find the two cuddled up asleep on the couch together. When he cleared his throat it startled them both awake, “Would you like the good news or the bad news?” They sat up straight before Adam responded, “Bad news.” Simon sat down across from them in the recliner, “You missed the sunset. It was particularly stunning tonight.” They had nodded off for over an hour and didn’t realize it was well past dusk. Rae looked disappointed. Simon continued, “Don’t worry ma’am. We will be back and I’ll make sure you get to see it.”
“What is the good news?” Rae asked. “You were right. It took a bit longer since there were two of them but they are right for the job. Michael is zealous at the idea of being a holy warrior for God. Damien, I think, is split. Part of him wants to fight for Heaven. The other part just wants to fight cause it will be fun and evil needs to be punished.” Adam shook his head in agreement, “That sums it up pretty well. Are they out?” Simon pointed towards the driveway, “They are out at the car, waiting on y’all.”
Adam rubbed his face before standing and stretching. After helping his wife up they made their way to the car. Damien and Michael were talking enthusiastically with one another. Adam leaned in towards Simon, “Do they have the suit too?” Simon shook his head, “They have the same setup you do. The suits will help all of you to prepare before you leave. Here, look over this and stock your inventory before we leave. Don’t worry about weapons and what not. Just focus on the list.”
Adam placed the list in his inventory by the time they reached the others. “What did you think?” Michael and Damien talked over one another so excitedly and quickly that he couldn’t discern one story from the other. “Woah, woah. Okay. I reckon you guys are in?” He asked with a smile. The two nodded like bobble heads and returned to their conversation. Adam turned to Simon, “Tomorrow?” Simon responded with a curt nod. “Okay fellas. We got our list and our time frame. Lets gear up and boogie.”
They said their goodbyes to Simon and carefully made their way down the dark and winding driveway. Michael and Damien kept using [Scan] on everything they could, explaining random facts that they were learning. “Bro, your seats are not made from leather. They are made of polyurethane and polyester.” Damien stated. Michael was just as excited, “This windshield is made of laminated glass to prevent it from spraying shards of glass everywhere. That is so cool guys.”
Adam and Rae held each others hands driving down the road while they listened to their very own Wikipedia in the back. The drive home was smooth and uneventful. When they got home, Rae walked over to see her parents and daughter. “Kiss her for me,” Adam said as she went across the road. Grant and Julia built their house directly across the road where Adam and Rae built theirs. At first, this greatly annoyed Adam. In a hundred acre plot of land they chose a spot forty yards away. Once they had their daughter, it was a blessing to have them so close. It was all worth it, being able to watch their little girl walk across the road by herself safely.
If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
“What do you think fellas?” Adam asked his friends. “I think I can speak for Damien in saying we are blown away. To be chosen from an agent of Heaven. Such an honor,” Michael said. Damien clarified for the two, “I don’t know about all that. I know I get super powers and can wreck evil things like a game. I was in when I found out we got the gear with an inventory. Ol’ Mikey here screamed at Simon when the light cleared and he was naked.” He laughed a hearty laugh and slapped a very uncomfortable Michael on the back. “I don’t think that is appropriate at all. He didn’t even tell me ‘no homo’. Even I know to do that,” Michael said.
“Let’s pull up the list here. We can scan it and scroll through our HUD with our wrist PC.” Adam instructed. Michael held up a hand, “I think we need a better name for this. HUD is ok. It makes sense. The computer thing needs a simpler way to talk about it. Any ideas?” “WHIP,” Damien said instantly, “Wrist Holographic Information Processor.” Adam and Michael looked in bewilderment at Damien. “That was very well thought of. I feel like you had that one,” Michael paused for effect, “Up your sleeve.” Adam laughed to himself at the pun. “Yeah, in between us using [Scan] on everything I was thinking about it.” Damien explained while scanning the lists. Adam did the same and pulled it up on his HUD.
Read through the list of what to bring and the other list of what Zeniths and Crux Crystals that will be available to you.
List of Items to Bring -
Food does not go bad in your inventory or bags of holding. Bring what you would like. Keep in mind food and water is available in the portal world.
Comfort items like bedrolls, wool blankets, chairs, etc. At the end of the day you want to have some comfort.
Tools. Anything you may need to assist in building, specialty projects or non combat activities.
Weapons are not necessary but may be brought. Keep in mind you will be here six months so ammunition will probably run out and you are not in a place to get reliable ammo. I will be able to assist with weapons before you leave
Do not forget some personal keepsakes. You are training to defend Earth. You will need that reminder.
Anything you feel may assist you in survival in the wild and in battles. The Treehouse will not be available for you to fall back to for safety.
You will either live or die.
The jovial atmosphere died off swiftly and left the three of them speechless. For the first time, the fact that death was a real outcome started to set in. No one spoke for a long while as they reread the note several times. The cool air blowing would have made them shiver, but with the suit absorbed into their body it allowed for certain resistances. Damien was the first to speak, “I guess tomorrow will be a long day of shopping. That and I have to get my stuff moved into storage. I’m not paying rent in a place I’m not living.”
“Didn’t Simon give y’all money too?” Adam asked. He didn’t expect the money he gave to his friends back. He was confused about his motives about moving out. “Yeah. I’m pretty much rich now. And if being a hero pays pretty well too, I’m not moving back into that crap hole of a place. Bro ima be living large when we get back.” The tension broke slightly as they shared a laugh. “I will head home and prepare,” Michael said, “ I’ll return after church tomorrow evening. I should be able to get things in order by then. Don’t forget to read through and figure out what Zenith and Crux Crystals we can use. Glancing through he has a limited selection. We may need to compromise when it comes time for it.”
“Alright brother. Come by whenever. We can all leave together.” Adam said as they all bid Michael goodbye. “You crashing here or you want to take my car?” Damien made for the front door, “Shoot, I’m going to chill here. All I need to do is call my brother and have him take care of my stuff. I’ll have Rae wire him some money.” Rae had offered to help with whatever they would need looking after while they were gone.
Damien slept in the guest room while Adam and Rae talked over the list Simon left. He was using his WHIP to make a new list, being able to look at his inventory in real time with the space he had and what was currently in there was especially handy. The space he could hold was almost equivalent to a large van. He kept updating his list and gathering a few things from the house and putting them in his inventory as Rae helped with input and getting things for him. After midnight was well past the two finally called it a night.