Josh’s eyes bulged slightly as he collected the Essence from the last of the twenty-eight drones, he and Sen had... expunged. He would get used to that word at some point.
But right now, it sounds like I’m washing the shower out or something.
Josh had drained his core to 4 percent while channeling Essence to Alysa. Sen had been right. By the end, Josh had been running on Essence fumes and almost completely drained. He wasn’t sure what would have happened had he totally exhausted his Essence by giving it to Alysa... But he didn’t want to know. His intuition, which he happened to be trusting more and more lately, told him doing so was a way to walk the paths of the spiritually risen undead. For Sen’s part, while absolutely necessary to finish what Josh had set in motion, hadn’t required him to go beyond the free Essence he had been holding in his meridians.
Right now, the circular core indicator on Josh’s interface was flashing. The familiar red-blinking outline surrounding his green core icon in the top center was a sight for sore eyes and was his third expansion in the last few minutes. Two seconds later, it solidified. But instead of going green again, it changed to a golden hue. Josh took this to mean the core expansions for his current Attunement were maxed out until he found another Item of Power to undergo an additional Attunement. Admittedly, he didn’t come to that conclusion alone. It was the 100 percent flashing next to the filled golden circle that was the dead giveaway. Josh could still be wrong, however. Not having anyone else to ask, he was just guessing.
Maybe the Lord Clone will come and disabuse me of this thinking? But till then, I’m going with it! Josh fully engaged in his single-thought-micro-rebellion within the safety of his own mind... Perhaps only to have an ounce of control over all the insanity that had been raining down on him over the past few days. And honestly, it wasn’t very safe...the Clone had proven, more times than Josh could count, that he was completely able to read Josh’s mind any time he wanted.
Filling his core hadn’t exactly been comfortable. The drones were heavy with Essence compared to the wisps of Essence Josh had absorbed from the bat cannibals before. Two drones had been enough to fill his core from 4 percent to bursting. Of course, he had filled his meridians with Earth Aura before using the drones’ Essence. That had been a nonissue. He simply Intended to absorb the Aura from the space around him, and his meridians had filled in under sixty seconds with golden-orange Aura streaming into his channels from all around. As he was attuned to it, another benefit was that no purification was necessary like they had to when they absorbed Essence from spirit beings. But Josh was getting good at that as well. Taking mere minutes to purify an entire core at this point.
The Earth Attunement had significantly expanded Josh’s core and meridian capacities compared to when he had absorbed the bats. The three full expansions he had just undergone with the core Essence of the drones had further increased his capacity. He sensed his core was approximately 400 percent bigger than it had been immediately after the Attunement. The feeling was reflected by his free Essence numbers, which now sat at 3906. After a few quick and dirty calculations, it appeared that each time he expanded his core, his free Essence increased by 25 percent.
Free Essence: 3125/3906 Spherical Cultivation Units.
Not bad for a few overgrown bone bugs... These organisms were more closely related to the phylum Mollusca of land-based shellfish than the phylum Arthropoda for insects...
Josh internally sighed at how easily his thoughts could be distracted down a scientific tangent. Mentally shutting the door to the mental science lab Josh got back on track with his main train of thoughts... His meridians had also expanded and now had the strength to move increased volumes of Essence, giving him the ability to pack a significantly harder punch than before.
But Josh was most proud of his advancement with the sword. He had gone from 20 percent at the junior basic level to 17 percent at the basic level. Sen had confirmed that battle-driven skill gains always outstripped those on the training floor.
“At least it is that way in the Immortal realms. I suspect it is the same in the mortal realms as well...”
It sure seemed that way.
Josh checked his status to bask in his increasing digital awesomeness.
Body
Earth Attunement: 100% probability of increasing your health status by 500%. 100% probability of increasing the molecular density of your skin by 780%.
Weapon Enhancement: Invest 200 units of Earth Attuned Essence into a weapon for 100% probability to increase the weapon’s durability by 1000% and its damage rating by 500%. Duration dependent on use. Further increase your health status, connective tissue density and Earth attuned skills by increasing your level and cultivation.
Psyche Mortal level.
Spirit Spherical cultivation level 100% to stage 2/7.
Weapon:
Titan Short Sword
Skill Level: Basic (17%)
Damage:
Superior Mundane (Earth Enhanced)
Quality: Mundane masterwork.
Allows interface guidance for optimal usage.
100% probability of 1005% (x5 while Earth enhanced) increased damage vs. standard hand-to-hand.
Armor: None
Standard Earth Attunement resilience.
It didn’t appear that the tiny step of maxing out his core at this intermediate step in his foundational stage would increase the Earth Attunement bonuses. Josh would have to check again when with a subsequent Attunement.
There might be gains there.
Whatever came after completing the spherical core, Josh wasn’t sure. But there was something beyond that. Josh had some suspicions about what it might be, but he would need more data points to make an accurate prediction and hypothesis... It was like he was getting used to talking to himself in science mumbo-jumbo... What is the world coming to?
Josh’s mind flashed back to the battle with the gestational parasites. Even the basics of swordsmanship that Sen had taught him had made a tremendous difference in how he approached the fight with them. More importantly, he had worked on his defense and not overextended himself with his attacks.
In truth, if Josh had to make a comparison, he was approaching fighting with the sword a bit like he approached tennis matches. If he didn’t make any mistakes that took him out of the game, all he had to do was wait for his opponent to make a mistake... and give him an opening.
He would discuss this with Sen, but then again, maybe not. It’ll take me an hour to explain tennis to Sen... ya, definitely save it for later.
Josh nodded to Sen. ~You ready to head back?~
Sen, who was flexing the fingers of his regrown arm and hand, nodded back. ~Ready, brother.~
Their healing capability was just another one of the unbelievable things that Josh was going to have to look into more deeply… when he had a chance. Josh had asked Sen about it. All the stoic man had said was that once they were away from the debilitating effects of the Star Gen conduit, it had only taken the simple circulation of Essence to have it regrow in a matter of gyra… or minutes as Josh still thought about them… mind blowing! But this topic was for later… Right now, there were things that needed doing–
Josh nodded back and refocused on the task at hand.
Alysa’s vital signs were normal at 12 breaths a minute and a steady, athletic resting heart rhythm of 50 beats a minute. She also appeared to be resting well without any tossing or turning. Which was fine with Josh. Confirming there was no change for the worse in her condition he picked her up, and they headed for the airlock at a leisurely pace. They could cover the remaining ten or so miles back to the entry in about thirty minutes with minimal Essence expenditure.
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Sen had scouted the area yesterday after Josh woke up from his emergency Essence transfusion. There were no signs of any living drones within several miles of the conduit junction. This made sense based on what Alysa had reported in her video. If they were clonal, they would tend to congregate en masse. The matron they had cut down was attempting some kind of unique impregnation of Alysa. They most likely would have all been there to protect her during this.
As they slowly walked back to the airlock carrying Alysa, Josh noticed that all the other space marines were noticeably absent. Josh knew he had seen some of them moving in their restraints as they ran by to save Alysa.
He tilted his head to Sen. ~The other marines that were being... infected with the parasites... they didn’t make it?~
Downcast shake of the head. ~I granted Lieutenant Nang’s comrades the mercy of a warrior’s death...~
Josh was wide-eyed. ~There was no way to... maybe... I dunno... to surgically remove the parasites?~
With eyes squeezed shut, Sen just shook his head again and continued on.
Josh wasn’t certain, but he thought he had seen Sen’s eyes glistening before he turned away. Josh was certain about the remorse he felt coming through their Bond for the loss of Alysa’s team.
Still, Josh also sensed Sen was sure there were no other viable options for the marines. No further questions were needed. In truth, it hadn’t looked like there was much chance of saving them. But the level of medical care on the Hegemon-4 wasn’t something Josh was privy to through his physical science knowledge of Earth. Guess something like this is beyond even the advanced technology of a multi-billion-year-old, continent-sized spaceship.
They arrived at the clearing of the main airlock of Epsilon 97 where they had played the recording. Josh put Alysa down and again checked her vitals. Normal and no further sign of sloughing skin. Her pupils were responsive to light, and she responded appropriately to painful stimuli. She was just resting and recovering after being mostly dead. Josh could understand that.
Sen activated their communication device. “This is Senyak Marztanak, reporting from Epsilon 97. We are ready for transport at the main airlock.”
To no one’s surprise, a nasal and heavily Chinese-accented voice came back over the transceiver. “How many for transport, Heir Marztanak?”
“Three. Myself, Joshua Elias Tanner, and Lieutenant Alysa Nang. She is well but still recovering from her injuries. Presently, she remains unconscious. Please send a stretcher team.”
“A pacification unit is on standby circling Epsilon 97. A strike team has been deployed to facilitate your exfiltration. Modified trauma teams are standing by and ready to receive you at the forward section’s main medical hanger. Nang out.”
Sen looked at Josh. “How will you tell him about the changes to his daughter?”
“One problem at a time, Sen. I’m not even sure what I did do. And I have no idea how I will tell her yet. How much longer do you think she’ll need to sleep—”
A steady but fatigued voice cut Josh off. “She needs about two more weeks of beauty sleep. But what she’s gotten so far will have to do... Did you... get... to the rest of my team in time? Why am I still alive? How am I still alive? What is it you need to tell me? And... what is with those swords?” Alysa’s questions came out rapid-fire as she raised a slightly shaking hand to point at their sheathed short swords. She looked at her own continued weakness and let her arm drop. But her mind was working fine. “... Answers in that order, please.” She then began a sincere struggle to raise herself to her elbows while keeping an unblinking glare of command on them.
Sen bowed at his waist. “Once we rescued you, your team’s suffering was ended, Lieutenant. It was all we could do for them.”
“Thank you...” Alysa said quietly, her eyes momentarily downcast—
The airlock cycled, and a fifteen-man platoon of space marines, equipped in what must have been half of Symbal’s supply depot, ran through and secured the area.
Are those surface-to-air guns being wheeled to the other side of the airlock?
Subdued communications could be heard between the ground forces and units still waiting on the landed shuttles outside the airlock as the special units efficiently occupied the area.
The leader of the first fire team, a Beast Affin with robust tiger features, including a full snout, long fangs, and lanky but well-muscled limbs, ran up to them, leading a pair of medical corpsmen. Both were Jaralon and began unfolding a stretcher between them.
The Beast Affin spoke first, quickly nodding in greeting. “Sirs, ma’am. I’m Senior Chief Ishan.” He turned to Alysa. “Ma’am, my orders are to immediately extricate you from this forward area to the main medical services hangar—”
“One minute, senior, I’m having a conversation with these gentlemen—”
“No, ma’am. Apologies.” Ishan took a breath and leaned into Alysa. “... these orders come directly from your father. He made it very clear that if I was to disobey them, even at your orders, I would be eating nothing but cold rations on a very distant asteroid for the next two Ka nexus cycles…” A warm and almost charming smile took over the tiger’s all-business features as he continued speaking while gently laying Alysa down. “... and I can’t believe you would hate me that much... We've only just met. So please let these corpsmen transfer you to their stretcher so your father takes it easy on me.”
Gob smacked, Alysa did just that. Her questions burned in her eyes as she tried to get Sen and Josh to follow. But the SCPO wasn’t finished. “Messrs. Marztanak and Tanner. Lieutenant Commander Shamla has asked for an immediate SITREP on the invasive species and the stripped Stargen Conduit. And after that, if someone could tell me what the fuck is going on, I would really appreciate it, sirs!”
Josh and Sen smiled at Alysa, quietly chuckling as they shrugged and turned from her inquisitive, ocular fury.
Josh called over his shoulder, “Don’t worry, Alysa. We’ll catch up with you as soon as we’re finished here. In the meantime, try to feel your core... it’s just under your navel.”
“My… core…?” The expression on Alysa’s face could only be described as perplexed while she was carried away through the airlock, which immediately began to cycle closed.
Ishan double-timed it back and Sen leaned over to the Beast Affin. “... Of course, Senior Chief, let me quickly brief you and then report to the lieutenant commander.”
* * * * *
The Clone floated in space far above the Hegemon-4. The continent-sized ship was only a speck of light below him. Still, nothing escaped his awareness.
His thoughts continued as he watched his two wards leave the designated research area, Epsilon 97.
When Zenyak created a clone, it was never for a long-term assignment. If a task required the long-term involvement of a being at Zenyak’s level of power and knowledge, he had always preferred to do it himself. Even a perfect copy of himself would not do. Furthermore, the power ceded to a clone would become a permanent transfer unless restored before too long.
The Clone knew this... as he knew everything about Zenyak. He also knew why, after billions of years, Zenyak was breaking this personal rule of his... He and the other Immortals at his level were stretched thin containing Oblivion’s threat outside of iterational existence—
The quiet sound of space tearing and a brief flash of the deep-swirling blue of intact Reality that indicated Zenyak’s imminent arrival interrupted the Clone’s ruminating.
His original stepped through the Way. The Clone’s Aural sight perceived minuscule signs of fatigue that only he would recognize in the cycling patterns of Zenyak’s Immortal Ka.
“Report!” Zenyak ordered.
The Clone bowed his head, and Zenyak rested his hand on its crown.
Turning away from the Clone, Zenyak mumbled to himself. “Using Earth aspect skills after only eighteen hours of Attunement was statistically improbable. In fact, such an occurrence should only arise in one of 8,785,456 permutations. Externalizing his Essence to heal and create another cultivator was not even a predicted outcome in our probability assessments...” Turning back to the Clone, Zenyak asked. “Did we orchestrate this?”
“No. Ka and Karma are wrapping themselves around Senyak and Joshua Elias Tanner in increasing amounts for Reality’s own purposes and clouding our discernment of what is possible or probable for the future. As is apparent, this ground is treacherous and fraught with peril. I merely facilitated Alysa Nang’s soul birth by pointing out to Joshua what he already knew.”
Zenyak’s eyes narrowed at the Clone’s statement, knowing it had accurately appraised the situation. This was indeed perilous ground to tread. Karma and Reality were heavily invested here for purposes Zenyak didn’t fully understand.
Turning back to the Clone, Zenyak said, “Analysis.”
The Clone put his hands behind his back and leveled his eye line just past his original’s left shoulder. “The synergistic association of Senyak and Joshua Elias Tanner is beyond all predicted expectations of mortal-level cultivation. To our knowledge, no mortals have ever advanced this rapidly. This is due primarily to their Karmic Bond and Karma’s shaping of events around them, favoring their advancement and growth. Growth for Reality’s own purposes... whatever they might be. Furthermore, Joshua and Senyak’s motivation to fulfill the purpose of their Karmic Bond, id est: obtaining sufficient spiritual growth to reestablish contact with Sophie Tanner, is serving as a probability magnifier of unknown quantum.” The Clone looked into Zenyak’s gray eyes with his blazing-blue fractals to make his following statement unmistakable. “For better or worse, Karma has brought Sophie Tanner’s life force to this iteration.”
Zenyak’s eyes widened marginally at that, but he remained silent as the Clone explained how Zenyak’s initial review missed such an event. “I have not felt it... but the results of its metaphysical wake are unmistakable... She and Reality are laying a trail for Joshua and Senyak. Shaping their growth through improbable events to bring the Karmic Bond of Senyak and Joshua Elias Tanner to fulfillment.”
Zenyak narrowed his gray eyes. “Unanticipated... but perhaps useful...”
A moment passed as Zenyak gazed at the arm of a nearby spiral galaxy and considered what the Clone had just told him. “... Recommendations.”
The Clone straightened his posture. “Continued subsistence-level support with antagonistic motivation. Spend no more additional time on terrestrial organisms. They pose no challenge, and further growth will be minimal, even for Joshua’s budding skill as a swordsman.
“Advancement to their next Attunement is the immediate next priority. If anything, we have been holding them back with our previous plan for the escalating difficulty of their training regimen.”
Zenyak eyed the Clone closely through his narrowed lids. “Agreed... with one proviso.”
The Clone looked up to Zenyak, knowing what he would add. After all, the Clone was Zenyak, and the Clone had purposely left it off the list... hoping that Zenyak might have missed it in his fatigue.
Not in this gigayear.
They were both aware that probability models had predicted that one particular course of action could truly catapult the pair’s growth... but if it backfired, it was the one path forward that could unbalance Karma, detonating all their plans like a supernova with resultant uncertain probability outcomes. There was a nonzero chance that such a result could end everything they were working for...
But if it worked… it created a pathway forward of unprecedented cultivator growth…
The Clone squared his shoulders and pursed his fractalized lips... This was a dangerous path forward, fraught with peril and potential in equal measure. And still, Zenyak is going to grab it by the tail.
The hints of a challenging expression appeared on Zenyak’s visage as he turned away from the Clone and spoke. “... Catalyze them with a threat exposure to the current iterational Sophie Tanner. Make sure they know about it and who is involved… as well as the cost of failure. She is the motivational fuel supplying this Karmic Bond, and perhaps something more... Let’s see how far Senyak and Joshua’s growth via Karmic intervention can be facilitated by allowing existing threats to place her at risk. After all, we do not even need to act. The pieces are all in place and we are simply letting things play out as they will. As already planned, this will be both a trial and an immense opportunity for our duo walking the Two Paths That Are One.” Zenyak looked over his shoulder and responded to the Clone’s unvoiced concerns, “... The potential for this option is why I picked this cuboidal cluster in the first place. Was it not?” A brief blue flash and Zenyak was gone.
I am a reckless prick. The Clone reflected. A reckless prick whose actions will either lead us to our salvation or speed us into Oblivion’s waiting grasp…