State Poland, Free Rzeszów, TACTA. Sunflower Hostel
Daria Vasilevskaya, August 16, 2049, 5:44 PM
Dasha settled deeper into the “nest” she had woven on her bed, a snug fortress of pillows and blankets. While the rest of the “Ghosts” were off handling their respective tasks, she stayed behind at the hostel, determined to finish work on the scaling module as quickly as possible.
In the corner of her AR interface, the System persistently flashed a strict warning: her “Energy” level had hit zero. The message was loud and clear — don’t even think about using your abilities!
And rightly so. Not long ago, in a state of Digital Insight, she had completed the Berserker Control Patch, draining every last drop of her reserves. Naturally, it wasn’t just a one-off fix tailored for Nikola. Dasha had crafted a universal and fully customizable solution — a proper extension to the framework, polished and elegant.
Grinning predatorily, the girl flexed her fingers in anticipation before diving back into virtual reality.
“Heh-heh! Relax, it’s gonna be fine. I was killing it even without magic before, remember?”
After all, superpowers had just emerged a couple of days ago. Before that, she had successfully designed and built complex systems relying purely on her skills, persistence, and intuition. The task ahead was straightforward enough, and she and Alisa had already laid the groundwork.
And the best part? Vasilevskaya was alone now. She could vape herself into oblivion if she wanted to. The thought made her pause and glance down at the little black box resting on her lap, forgotten for who knows how long.
“Could my psychological dependence really be fading into the background?” she wondered. Lately, Dasha had been needing it less and less, especially for work. The “System” abilities filled the void, replacing the chemical rush with something far more potent.
Now if only she could uncover how to replenish Energy faster. Or at least why it sometimes came back quickly and, at other times, dragged at a snail’s pace…
“No big deal. I’ll figure it out. Just you wait!”
And as if to defy her own thoughts, Dasha raised the vape to her lips and took a deep, satisfying drag.
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Maksim and Nika headed out to pick up the regeneration capsule — express delivery straight from orbit, ordered by Alisa. Apparently, TACTA worked with local manufacturing hubs, as the initial order had started production right here in Rzeszów. But once urgency came into play, they managed to arrange a fully assembled unit for a premium price. Gotta love capitalism, right?
“Now that’s what I call service!” Maksim grinned, motioning toward the specialized refrigerator that came loaded with consumables. Optional feature, sure, but undeniably convenient — plug it in, and the biomaterials inside stay perfectly preserved.
“Well, it’s not like we’re their first world. Looks like they’ve perfected this ‘on-demand delivery’ thing a long time ago,” Redhead shot back with a smirk.
“Right,” Max nodded. “And this? This is just the tip of the iceberg, I’m sure. Alright, let’s get this thing set up and finish the installation.”
For the time being, they’d placed the capsule inside their truck, though the long-term plan was to convert an entire trailer into a proper medical and manufacturing unit. That was a problem for later — right now, Nikola’s treatment was the priority.
Hooking up the equipment was easy enough. The capsule only required power, clean water, and air — all covered by the additional purification modules they’d ordered. With those in place, the setup could function pretty much anywhere.
While parked in the city, Maksim had connected the truck to the local water and sewage systems, turning it into a surprisingly livable space — if you didn’t mind the cramped shower stall. The “kitchen block,” though — with its single-burner induction cooktop, tiny microwave, and barely-there fridge — was clearly not built for hosting more than a couple of people, let alone for the long haul.
Nika, still stark naked, casually walked straight from the truck’s shower to the capsule and climbed in without hesitation.
The “Ghosts” hadn’t powered down Mei Li since her last use, so by now, the medical AI had comfortably settled in next to Moira. She’d established her connections, picked up new skills, and was running at peak efficiency. Mei Li wasted no time diving into the task at hand, having already fully absorbed all the necessary documentation for the procedure.
“All set, Sunshine. Just lie down and relax. Diagnostics are online. I’ll give Radoslaw a call and then head off to meet the Colonel.”
“Mm-hmm, go ahead,” Redhead mumbled from behind the capsule’s thick glass, her eyes drifting shut as she reclined into the device. The chamber began to fill with a specialized bio-solution, and while Nika had a feeling that breathing liquid wouldn’t be nearly as pleasant as air, the thought didn’t faze her. If this was what it took, so be it. She wasn’t the first person to go through this, and she definitely wouldn’t be the last.
Maksim pulled up a chair nearby, ready to monitor the preliminary diagnostics. He needed to confirm the treatment plan and oversee the adjustments to Nikola’s cyber-systems in preparation for her upcoming upgrades.
The interface indicated a wait time of about 20 minutes — not long at all. TACTA’s technology was nothing short of astonishingly fast and efficient. Still, Maksim wasn’t the type to let even a moment go to waste. He decided to use the time to contact Radoslaw.
The master answered the call with an irritated grumble, clearly unhappy about being interrupted mid-task. He’d been deep in the middle of drafting specifications for parts slated for production. But the moment Maksim brought up the idea of installing a gravitational compensator module in the truck as a cutting-edge vibration protection system, the old mechanic’s annoyance melted into pure enthusiasm.
This was the first truly exciting project he’d encountered since the invasion. No one in Rzeszów had ever attempted to fit vehicles with such advanced modules — they were prohibitively expensive, after all. But now, with the opportunity in front of him, Radoslaw couldn’t resist the challenge.
Through the video feed, Maksim couldn’t miss the spark in the old man’s perpetually grumpy expression. The craftsman had clearly been craving a chance to dive into TACTA’s tech for some time, and now he grabbed the opportunity with both hands. He immediately demanded all the documentation and truck specifications, stressing how critical the exact model was. “You can’t design something this intricate blindfolded,” he added, his tone sharp but excited.
“I’ll figure it out,” Radoslaw waved off Maksim’s concerns about his workload. “Rush jobs come with the territory. Plenty of experience handling them, and I know exactly who to call for help if needed. Shifting the work on those two pickup trucks will free up some time. As for the rest, there’s always a way to manage. Tomorrow morning, we start as planned. Pricing? Can’t say for now, but we’ll sort it out within our partnership. I’m sure of that.”
By the time Maksim wrapped up the call, Mei Li had finished the initial diagnostics and provided her report. The preliminary results were alarming — the situation was more severe than expected. An in-depth diagnostic was already underway, focusing on Nika’s connectors and their implantation zones, while the system finalized the treatment plan and prepped her cybernetics for upgrades.
The process would take another hour before the actual procedures could begin. Altogether, the operations were estimated to last around nine hours, meaning Nikola would spend the entire evening and night in the capsule, emerging only by dawn.
Redhead grumbled about it, but it was mostly for effect. She quickly adapted to the liquid filling her lungs, experiencing no other discomfort. With her ocular implants functioning flawlessly, she dove into VR as planned. If anything required her direct involvement, Mei Li would notify her.
Ultimately, Maksim wasn’t the only one heading to meet the Colonel. Alisa decided to join him, casually explaining, “The production line’s running fine, I’m not needed there right now. Mei Li’s got the medical stuff covered, and Radoslaw’s busy wading through pickup trucks documentation. No point in me hovering around.”
The walk from the craftsman’s district to the meeting spot would have been a grueling hour and a half, so they opted for the city’s taxi service — a fleet of tiny electric cars that looked like slightly oversized golf carts, zipping passengers to any corner of the city in no time. The system had been around long before the Shaiszu invasion, and the Colonel saw no reason to disrupt an already efficient service. And at just 1.5 to 2 grants a ride, the cost was barely a blip on the team’s budget.
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State Poland, Free Rzeszów, Administrative Quarter
August 16, 2049, Maksim and Alisa Chernykh, 07:09 PM
The Shaiszu attack on the first day of the invasion delivered a devastating blow to Old Rzeszów, a city in the southeastern of State Poland. However, the assault wasn’t aimed at residential districts or factories — it targeted the massive European Intercorporate Alliance military base on the city’s outskirts. Despite the odds, a group of soldiers led by Colonel Shimon Wozniak mounted a formidable defense, repelling both waves of attackers and securing the right to declare themselves the founders of a new, independent TACTA city — Free Rzeszów.
The Administrative Quarter became the beating heart of this new city. Lying at the center of the former military base, it was surrounded by manicured parks, elegant plazas, and upscale residential complexes that had once housed officers. With its clean lines, glass facades, and steel frameworks, the area exuded the sleek, futuristic vibe of a modern technological haven — an island of stability and safety in the face of the looming Shaiszu threat.
Once corporate skyscrapers, the towering buildings now served as coordination centers for defense operations, as well as headquarters for free guilds and clans. Conference halls had been repurposed into war rooms where resources were allocated, and defense plans hammered out. Meanwhile, the many entertainment spots around the central plaza offered residents a rare chance to decompress after long and stressful workdays.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
At the center of it all rose the former main office of the Alliance Corporate Council — a striking, multi-story complex. The emblem of Rzeszów still adorned its monumental facade, but the corporate logos had long since been removed. Now, the building became the city hall, a proud symbol of Free Rzeszów’s new chapter.
This was where Maksim and Alisa arrived.
The large glass doors slid open automatically, ushering the Chernykh siblings into the bright, modern lobby. The space was expansive, bathed in light from the high ceilings, and lined with numerous automated registration kiosks neatly arranged throughout. Yet, it was almost empty. Apart from them, the only other person present was an elderly man, locked in a heated argument with a receptionist’s holographic projection on one of the kiosks.
It all made sense. The Shaiszu invasion had swept away the last remnants of “corporate bureaucracy” in the city. Now, most matters appeared to be resolved swiftly and online. Redundant roles like on-site security guards or receptionists had been entirely phased out.
The siblings barely had a chance to approach the kiosks before they were promptly approached by an android who courteously invited them to follow. Maksim’s practiced eye identified the robot as part of the building’s security system. It was unmistakably a combat model; its lack of visible weapons did little to disguise its underlying purpose.
After a brief elevator ride and a walk down several long corridors, they stopped in front of a door marked with a nameplate: “Colonel Shimon Wozniak.” Below it, faint traces hinted at a second nameplate that had been removed.
“Please, come in,” the android said politely, holding the door open. “Colonel Wozniak is expecting you.”
“Thank you,” Maksim nodded as he stepped inside, with Alisa following silently.
As they stepped inside, their attention was immediately drawn to the reception area. The walls, painted in a calming gray-green tone, framed a workstation near the door with a holographic interface and an empty leather chair, presumably belonging to an absent secretary. Opposite it stood a display case lined with several rows of military insignias, while a large shelving unit in the corner held neatly organized folders and documents. The space exuded a sense of calm efficiency — everything was in perfect order, ready for methodical work.
Moving through an open doorway, they passed down a short corridor that led past a large strategic planning hall and a few offices for the Colonel’s aides. Finally, they entered a spacious chamber dominated by a heavy T-shaped desk crafted from dark oak — the very centerpiece Maksim and Alisa had seen all the times during video calls with the Colonel.
Seated behind the table, bathed in the warm yellow light of a desk lamp, was Shimon Wozniak, deeply engrossed in a stack of documents. Behind him, a shelf displayed military trophies and awards, arranged with flawless precision. Upon noticing his guests, the Colonel set his papers aside and rose, gesturing for them to take the seats across from him.
“Welcome. Please, have a seat,” he greeted them.
Maksim and Alisa stepped forward, shook hands with their host, and settled into the chairs offered to them.
“Let’s take care of the formalities first. As an additional reward for your mission with Helios Corporation, Free Rzeszów is offering you a Vanguard E-700 semi-trailer truck along with a Vanguard Cargo Master TA-E2 trailer.”
The Colonel pulled a folder from the desk drawer and handed it to Maksim.
“The paperwork is more of a formality,” he explained with a faint smile. “Detailed specs for the vehicle are already in your inbox. This is the best rig we managed to secure from the corporation’s base. Manufactured in November 2048, with just 57,600 kilometers on it, it’s in excellent condition. However, you’re welcome to review the remaining list should you wish.”
“Thank you, Pan Shimon,” Maksim said, noting the document and the detailed specifications had already arrived in his personal messages.
“If you don’t mind,” Alisa interjected with a composed smile, meeting the Colonel’s gaze, “we’d like to take about ten minutes to let our AI run a quick review of the alternatives before finalizing. We can continue our discussion in the meantime.”
“Of course,” he agreed. “And if you’d like, you may inspect the vehicles in person as well.”
“A quick analysis from our AI will suffice, pan Shimon,” Maksim replied. “We’ll have our decision ready by the end of this conversation.”
“Very well,” Wozniak gave a small nod. “By the way, what are your clan’s plans? Will you be taking on more city missions to build your strength? Or are you eyeing something more ambitious — perhaps a permanent alliance with Free Rzeszów?”
“There’s no shortage of lucrative missions that have caught our attention,” Maksim replied confidently. “It’s hard to give a definitive answer right now. We had plans to move on, but for the next few days, we’ll definitely stay in the city.”
“We’re also looking into some engineering partnerships,” Alisa chimed in, fully aware that their work with Radoslaw’s workshop wasn’t exactly classified. “We’ve got some solid expertise we’d like to make the most of.”
She leaned back slightly, a playful smile crossing her lips. “And about missions – if there’s anything challenging, complex, at least category ‘D,’ we’re all ears. The ‘Wild Cats’ shouldn’t get to hog all the fun, right?”
“Ah, the ‘Wild Cats,’” Wozniak sighed, running a hand through his hair. “They’re always meddling where they’re not wanted. I heard about the recent incident where their deputy commander provoked Pani Nikola into an attack. Strictly speaking, that’s a breach of neutrality, and the city could initiate a formal inquiry to settle the matter.”
“Thank you for your concern, Pan Shimon, but that won’t be necessary,” Maksim said thoughtfully, shaking his head. “We’ll handle it ourselves. Tanya Takahashi might be… a difficult person, but Nika is more than capable of holding her own. I trust the tension will ease on its own.”
The Colonel paused, his gaze drifting off to the side, as though weighing the potential consequences of a confrontation between two powerful factions of the freemen. After a moment, he nodded slowly.
“All right. It’s your call. Just make sure to keep me informed if things escalate. The last thing I need is this city becoming a war zone for heavily armed cyborgs.”
He leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. “Now, what about my earlier proposal? Would you consider formalizing a permanent partnership with Free Rzeszów? It’s more than just a title. It ensures your economic rights, offers continuous protection, grants access to high-priority missions, and provides discounts on medical care and facility rentals.”
“Continuous protection is… hard to dismiss,” Maksim admitted. “I’ve read through the details on the city’s official site. It’s a solid offer. But it also comes with strings attached: we’d be obligated to participate in city-assigned operations, even if they conflict with our plans.”
“Exactly. And the city would gain priority purchasing rights for any resources we acquire, at fixed prices,” Alisa added, picking up where her brother left off. “Sure, the prices would be close to market rates, and we’d benefit from storage space, privileges, and city backing. But we’d lose the flexibility to choose our own contracts and negotiate better deals for our trophies.”
Shimon Wozniak arched a brow slightly, his sharp gaze narrowing as he studied them across the table.
“And yet, I must stress that an alliance with Rzeszów offers you more than just support. Streamlined logistics, political protection, priority contracts — these come with a level of stability few other places can match.”
Maksim nodded, exchanging a glance with Alisa before turning back to the Colonel.
“Your points are valid, Pan Shimon. I won’t argue that. But for now, the ‘Ghosts of the Future’ aren’t ready to lock into a formal long-term agreement. As I’ve mentioned before, we’re not sure how long we’ll remain in Rzeszów.”
“We understand and respect your intention to build a lasting partnership,” Alisa interjected, her hands folded neatly on the table as she leaned forward slightly. “While we’re not ready to sign anything formal, rest assured — as long as we’re in the city, your missions will remain a top priority for our clan. Especially since we’re planning to expand, bringing in more members and upgrading our equipment.”
“Fair enough,” the Colonel said with a shrug. “I had to try. On that note, I’ve sent you a briefing for a private operation. It includes all the details — terms, compensation, the works. Upon completion, you’ll have the right to purchase up to 10% of the recovered equipment at wholesale rates. I imagine you’re particularly interested in AI-grade hardware, which carries quite the premium on the market.”
Maksim and Alisa began reviewing the message they’d just received while Wozniak continued speaking.
“Just yesterday, Rzeszów’s scouts discovered a noteworthy location — an experimental production site owned by ‘Accelion Labs.’ According to our intelligence, the site contains not just research facilities, but a fully functional assembly line and a warehouse stocked with finished products. Their primary focus was on AI accelerators and project units, but there’s a chance we might also uncover quantum cores. Naturally, the city is eager to gain access to all this treasure. The problem is, the neighboring building has been occupied by the Shaiszu, and what’s worse, they’ve started forming a ‘Nest’ there. I assume you’re familiar with the term?”
“A ‘Nest’ is a biological structure created by the Shaiszu after they breach our world through portals,” Alisa recited from the Informatorium system’s glossary. “It serves as a breeding and command center for reproduction and expansion into new territories, posing a critical threat to both the environment and humanity.”
“We’ve only encountered them in theory,” Maksim noted. “Though we’ve seen videos of Earth’s military neutralizing early-stage units before they could fully develop. From what I understand, they need organic material to grow. So why would they choose a warehouse full of… computers?”
The Colonel gave a somber smile as he poured himself a glass of water.
“It’s an unfortunate coincidence for us. Just one building over is the production facility of a major sports nutrition company. It’s their bulk storage site, where they took ready-made product from containers and repackaged it for distribution.”
“Ah,” Maksim muttered, immediately understanding the stakes. As someone who’d regularly hit the gym before the invasion, he knew exactly what this meant. “Pristine protein concentrate of the highest quality. Vitamins, minerals, supplements… It’s not just a gift for an expanding Nest — it’s an open invitation to seize an entire sector.”
“Exactly. For now, they’re only in the first phase. The Nest’s Progenitor has already split into an Incubator and a Guardian. Young workers are hauling bio-resources to prepare as many warriors as possible for defense. In roughly 45 hours, the entire ‘Birthing Matrix’ phase will be complete. By then, they’ll have enough resources to immediately advance to their next evolutionary stage. You must strike and destroy it before that deadline. The longer you wait, the more units the Incubator will churn out.”
Shimon Wozniak paused, his gaze shifting between Maksim and Alisa.
“This is officially a category ‘C’ mission. You’ll be doing a hell of a lot of shooting. The city will only send in an elite team — seasoned veterans armed to the teeth. Anything less would be just feeding the Shaiszu with free biomass, not to mention handing over military equipment that these creatures have disturbingly learned to operate with precision. I was planning to give this mission to the Wild Cats. So, what do you have to offer as an alternative?”
“One moment, Pan Shimon,” Maksim replied. “We’ll hold a quick team conference.”
[Alisa, if we speed up crafting and put in a rush order with TACTA, how many drones can we produce in the next ten hours?]
[I’m already calculating. For now, send me your priority breakdown — which ones do we need most and which least?]
[Max out Scouts and Eyes, produce them within the license limits. Four Hurricanes, 300 Kamikazes, and the rest should be Hornets,] he calculated quickly.
After a brief private discussion with Alisa to finalize the production timeline and Nikola’s upgrade schedule, Maksim addressed the Colonel with confidence.
“This is our offer,” he began. “We’re a tight-knit team — just four members. But we bring a battle-grade T10+++ AI, a top-tier cyber-berserker, and a solid arsenal of combat drones. Here’s the full list. We’ll be ready to commence the mission within 30 hours at the latest.”
“Excellent. Are you prepared to verify all of this with our inspector? Let me be clear — if you fail to launch the mission within the agreed timeframe, there will be severe penalties.”
“Understood. We’re ready to present our equipment and demonstrate the AI as requested.”
“Good. But be aware — this mission will be doubly challenging for you because the ‘Wild Cats’ won’t take it lightly. They won’t be happy losing out, but frankly, I find their growing monopoly in the city deeply concerning. They’ve already seized control of the lion’s share of our armed forces, and success in this operation would only strengthen their grip. So, what’s it going to be? Are you in?”