3.5 First Impressions

5 – First Impressions

When Hector woke the next morning, it wasn’t to any sort of alarm, not even Evie’s gentle whispers or chimes. His eyes felt heavy and his body sluggish, but he felt good after so much sleep. He rolled onto his back, stretching as he surveyed the blinking notifications on his AUI—three messages and a string of system notifications. Before he looked at anything, he yawned and asked the empty room, “Anything go wrong?”

//If it had, I would have woken you.//

“Good.” Before anything else, he stood and padded to the little bathroom; his bladder was protesting loudly at his inattention. When he saw the toilet, his earlier sickness came rushing back to him, and he grimaced, embarrassed that Sass and Lemon had seen the mess he’d made. “Didn’t realize I missed the bowl so badly that second time.”

//You were sick. It happens. At least you’re on a ship, and everything’s plasteel and alloy.//

Hector finished his business, washed his face and chewed a dental tab before returning to his bunk and playing the messages. One was from Mathews, asking if he had any specific instructions for the training session. One was from Sass, letting him know that she was waiting for him before getting her neurodeck installed, but that she was fine waiting until he felt better.

The most recent message was from Iris. She and Gladia were eager for a meeting; apparently the trainer Grover Sparling had sent to Sojourn Station was growing more impatient by the minute.

He glanced at his clock; it was closing in on eleven hundred. “I’m too late to answer Mathews.” Her message was time-stamped 0500. How could he have slept so long? How could he have told his troops that they’d be training every morning, and then missed the first day? Never mind that he’d been sick or that he’d put Mathews in charge. All his years in the Imperial Guard and as head of security for a Great House twisted into a pit of guilt in his stomach.

Sighing, resigning himself to the fact that he couldn’t do anything about it, Hector turned his attention to his aura system notifications:

//Shadow Step successfully upgraded to Ghost Leap: With a surge of aura, briefly enter the veil and reappear a short distance away. Your destination is determined by your point of focus. This upgraded version of the ability is more accurate, can cover more distance, and is slightly more efficient. Cost: 30 aura.//

Hector clenched his fist and hissed, “Yes!” He’d been sure the upgrade would make the ability too costly for use, but Evie had managed to improve the efficiency. “You’re a damn genius, Evie.”

//Well, I won’t toot my own horn, but…//

Smiling, shaking his head, Hector looked at the next report:

//Phase Pathways 3 successfully applied to corpus vivum, increasing the potential for matter-state transition abilities and passive effects…

Veilborn Senses 1 successfully applied to corpus vivum, resulting in a permanent boost to Perception attribute of 5 units.//

“Five.” Hector looked around his little room, then closed his eyes and concentrated on his other senses. He hadn’t looked at his level-up report yet, but considering he’d had around nineteen Perception prior to any of his current updates, that meant he was sitting at over twenty-four—far more than a natural human would be able to boast.

Perception was a tricky thing, though—it affected cognition as well as sensory input. He’d be able to track faster movements and perceive tiny cues that he might have missed previously. His senses would be sharper, but such things were hard to discern after a certain point. Putting experimentation aside, he looked at the last blinking system message:

//Corpus vivum conditioning complete and level 12 advancement has been applied. Nascent pathways have broadened, leading to new avenues of advancement and novel aura abilities. Level results are as follows:

• Strengthened aura pathways, increasing maximum load—use caution when exploring this limit to avoid aura overload
• Aura Pool increased from 78 to 90
• Strength increased from 25 to 26
• Speed increased from 28 to 29
• Vitality increased from 52.5 to 54
• Cognition rate enhanced, boosting Perception from 24.5 to 26

Aura Potentia Available: 866

End Report.//

Hector took in the advancements, lingering over the sizeable boost to his aura pool. He inhaled deeply, feeling some tension release that he hadn’t even been aware of. “It was a good move to pick this archetype. If I keep gaining like this, I’ll be as strong as I was in my last life by the time I hit level twenty-five or so.”

Evie made a soft hum of agreement, and he knew she was feeling proud of herself. If Hector reached his old level, he’d be significantly stronger. Frowning, he muttered, “What level did I reach? Those last few years are still fuzzy to me. Something like seventy?”

//The last intact log I have, before the corrupted memories make things unclear, is of your level seventy-one advancement.//

“It’s pretty incredible what a difference your new archetypes are making.”

//It’s not just that—it’s the experience with the reaper. I don’t know if I could properly document what I did, but if there were any way to replicate that situation…//

Hector smiled, shaking his head. “Don’t know if I like that idea. Anyway, let me see what I can spend my potentia on. I’m starting to think I’d better go back to just buying levels.”

By way of answer, a new window opened on his AUI, and Hector focused on the report it contained:

//Available Advancement Opportunities:

• Level Advance 12 -> 13. Cost: 204 aura potentia.
• Veilborn Senses 2: Improve cognitive processing of sensory input, effectively boosting your Perception attribute. Results will vary based on individual and baseline Perception. Repeatable. Purchase Cost: 75 aura potentia.
• Branching, one-way ability pathway. Choose from:
  • Ghost Blade – Create a secondary aura blade that will float nearby. It will derive its technique from your subconscious as it attempts to defend against threats. Purchase Cost: 100 aura potentia.
  • Aura Shield – Discharge aura to create a temporary barrier that will absorb a certain amount of incoming damage. Purchase Cost: 50 aura potentia.

End Report.//

“Ah, dammit,” Hector said, reading the options on the branching pathway. He’d encountered one-way options before—in older archetypes—so he knew that if he picked one, the other would be lost. More importantly, his choice would impact future options.

//Why are you upset?//

“Because I wanted to just take the next level, but now I want…” Hector trailed off, not wanting to influence Evie. Instead, he said, “Which do you think is better?”

//Well, I’m sorry, but I felt your intention to say Ghost Blade, but I’ll try to remain objective. The truth is that I also think that one will be more effective. It may not protect you from as many types of attacks, but it will likely persist longer and be effective as both an offensive and defensive ability. The cost is my biggest clue; it will take twice as much potentia to open that pathway, which tells me we’re moving into fresh territory. Summoning an autonomous construct is a significantly more advanced technique than an aura shield.//

Hector nodded. “Agreed. Well, shit. Let’s do Ghost Blade and take the level. I’m going to have to talk to Gladia about potentia.” Hector could feel her incoming question and said, “Yes, I’m sure. Confirmed.”

A new window appeared:

//204 potentia applied. Corpus Vivum conditioning has begun. Approximately 9 hours to complete level advancement. Disorientation, weakness, and even fleeting incapacitation may occur. Extra caloric intake is recommended.

Ghost Blade purchased for 100 aura potentia. Pathway propagation has been queued to begin after completion of the current level advancement. Once initiated, the process will take approximately 6 hours, during which headaches and fleeting burning sensations are likely.

562 aura potentia remaining.//

Hector stood and stretched, then picked out a clean set of clothes. While he dressed, he said, “Thanks for queuing the system stuff. I don’t think I want to get as sick as I was last night; this archetype definitely hits harder than any other I’ve had.”

//Of course! You made it clear last night that we need to ‘stagger this shit better.’//

Hector laughed softly as he pulled on his boots. “Right.” He glanced at the shielded case beside his dresser. He figured he could put off deciding what to do with the gravity mantle for the time being. It wasn’t likely that someone would be shooting at him or his friends while they were aboard Maidensong, but if the need arose, it would be easy enough to get to.

“Do me a favor, Evie,” he said, standing. “Let Gladia know I’d like to use her surgical suite for Sass, and ask her when her surgeon can meet us.”

This chapter belongs on NovelPhoenix; the copy in front of you was made by a site that never asked.

//And should I mention the message Iris left you?//

“I guess.” He started for the door. “Let her know I’ll meet with the trainer today.” When he stepped into the corridor, he almost ran into Mathews, who was walking past his room. “Oh, hey, Commander.”

She was dressed for training—the same practice bodysuit they’d used back at the rift compound—and her hair, pulled back in a bun, shone with sweat. She looked at him, and it was clear he’d caught her by surprise by the way she blinked and stumbled over a response. “Ah, hmm.” She coughed, shaking her head. “You don’t have to call me that. Uh, feeling better?”

Hector nodded. “Hell of an update, and the grav-drive always makes me feel like puking.”

“Yeah, your little fighter friend said something like that.” She shrugged. “Unlucky timing, I guess.”

“You mean Sass?” Hector took a step outside his door so it could slide shut. “How was training?”

“Fine. Figured nobody can ever have too much grappling experience, so we reviewed some basics—break-falls and whatnot. I sent your other friend, Lemon—” Mathews paused and looked down, again clearing her throat. “I sent her off with Paige and Ling. Told them to get familiar with the ship and then work on an equipment inventory. While they were on the station, they bought a bunch of new consumables, and I figured we should know what’s available.”

Hector nodded, looking at the dark, almost bruised-looking hollows around Mathews’s eyes. She looked leaner than he remembered, too, almost gaunt. “How about you? You doing okay? Getting any sleep?”

She pressed her lips together, glancing toward the door to her quarters. “Well, not what I’d call good sleep. Honestly, if you’ve got time later…” She trailed off, shaking her head. “Nah, it’s nothing.”

“I’ll make time. What do you need?”

She inhaled deeply and blew out her breath as she chuckled. “What I really need is some bunk time. Maybe we can chat in the next few days, though, yeah?”

Hector nodded. “Anytime. I appreciate you handling things today.”

“No problem—made me feel useful.” She started toward her quarters, but turned to add, “I like your people. We really should talk about their strengths…and weaknesses, though.”

“Tomorrow. Get some rest.” With that, Hector strode toward the elevator, already distracted by an incoming call. He focused on the window.

“Good morning, Hector,” Gladia said as her face came into focus on his AUI.

“Gladia.” He touched the elevator button, but had to wait.

“I’ve instructed my chief medical officer, Orson Dent, to meet you in the surgical suite. He doesn’t have anything scheduled, so I’m happy to give him some work; his salary comes due every month whether or not he sees any action!”

Hector chuckled. He was about to ask what time the doc was heading down, but then he saw that Evie had given him a reminder on his AUI labeled “Sass’s Procedure: 1145.”

“Would you be open to a quick conversation with Burton while she’s under?”

“Burton?”

Gladia squinted, then nodded. “Right. You’re a little out of the loop. Carl Burton is the trainer Sparling sent. Iris is desperate for him to give her father a good report, so she’s been in my ear all morning about arranging a sit-down. She thinks you’re ignoring her.”

“Why?”

Gladia shrugged. “Something about rubbing you the wrong way while you were on the station? For what it’s worth, I think you got under her skin. I don’t think she’s used to people shrugging off her…charms.”

Hector sighed. “Just tell her she can bring the coach down to the surgical suite.”

“Perfect…” Gladia paused while Hector stepped into the elevator and punched the selection that would take him to the mess hall. “You seem good. You look refreshed, even.”

“Good sleep…and my people took care of me.”

“Your people?” The corners of her lips turned up slightly. Her eyes were amused, too, though Hector thought he read some doubt behind the humor. “Well, I trust you won’t hesitate to let me know if you ever need anything from me.”

Hector held up a finger. “Actually, there is something.”

“Oh?”

“Did you give any thought to our, uh, strategy? If I’m going to pull off what you and Sparling want—what your brother wants—I’m going to need to be stronger.”

She nodded, tapping her chin. “That’s the beauty of this plan, though, isn’t it? You’ll earn potentia for each game you win—significant amounts.”

Hector shook his head. “That’ll help, but if I’m going to win the first game…”

Gladia’s smile said she had been considering the matter. “We’ll talk. I may or may not have procured some…incentive while we were on Sojourn.”

Hector stepped off the elevator. “Right. We’ll talk. I’m going to eat.” He cut the connection, recognizing the act as a rather petty attempt to reassert some control.

She’ll hold that potentia over my head.

//You don’t know that. Give her a chance—she told you about Lux’s potentia, and she didn’t have to do that.//

The kitchen was switching to lunch, so Hector was served warmed-up breakfast food. He didn’t mind one bit, as hungry as he was, and he savored the peace and quiet as he sat alone at one of the long tables and shoveled down three plates of eggs, sausage, and pancakes. By the time he finished his third cup of coffee and filled a large to-go cup with orange juice, it was time for him to head down to the medical deck.

Sass was there before him, of course. Hector had anticipated that. He hadn’t expected to see Kristy waiting with her. They were both dressed for training; Sass wore a comfortable-looking yellow jumper, and Kristy was dressed as Mathews had been—in her rift-training bodysuit.

Sass saw him before Kristy did and waved. “Hector!”

He returned the gesture, and as he approached, asked, “You two came straight from training? I saw Mathews half an hour ago—thought you were done.”

“We stayed after,” Kristy said. “Sass was showing me some throws.”

“Kristina’s going to teach me to shoot, so it’s only fair.”

“I told you,” Kristy said, nudging Sass’s shoulder. “Call me Kristy!”

“Right.” Sass looked down, smiling. “Sorry.”

“Well, don’t be sorry!” Kristy laughed.

Hector gestured to the surgical suite. “You talk to the doctor yet?”

Sass shook her head, then reached into her pocket, pulling out the slender black box containing her neurodeck. “Was waiting for you.”

Hector nodded, taking the box. “Let’s go.”

“Are you feeling better, Hector?” Kristy asked.

“Yeah, much.” He glanced at her. “Thanks.” He touched the door panel, and it slid open, revealing a spotless room lined with white plasteel from decking to ceiling. Hard white-alloy chairs lined the wall near the door, and the far wall held another door and a window that provided a view of the surgery room—another clean, bare room containing two tables, one equipped with an elaborate auto-surgeon.

The automated surgical machine was like a great alloy insect, hanging over the table with a dozen limbs, all equipped differently—needles, prongs, clasps, saws, laser scalpels, and other devices Hector couldn’t name. He only got a glimpse before the inner door opened, and a man wearing clean gray scrubs came through. He was a neat-looking, ageless fellow with close-cropped hair, a smooth-shaven face, and eyes boasting high-end silver irises.

The doctor looked Hector up and down and said, “You’re certainly looking better. Fastest healer I’ve ever seen, and I’ve worked on Flint Tenebrix quite a few times.”

Hector just nodded. When the doctor stared, and he felt a little awkward for not saying something more, he held out the neurodeck. “I’m sure Gladia told you. We’re looking to get that installed in Sass, here.” He grabbed Sass’s elbow and pulled her forward.

“Um, hello,” she said.

“Hello, Sass. I’m Orson Dent, the ship’s chief medical officer. Just call me Dent.” As he said the last part, he looked toward Hector and Kristy, including them. “I’m not a military man, and I’ve never felt comfortable with formality.”

Sass smiled, shuffling nervously as she looked at Hector.

He gestured toward the box, now in the doctor’s hands. “You’ve got what it takes to build a port for that thing?”

Dent made a humming sound, as though he were considering the question while he opened the box. When he revealed the matte-black neurodeck, he whistled softly. “A neurodeck port? That won’t be a problem. We’ve got all sorts of replacement parts for Lady Ventress and her entourage. She mentioned an aura system…” He lowered the box and looked at Sass. “You understand the recovery will take a while. We’ll keep you overnight.” He looked at Hector. “You understand why?”

Hector nodded, looking at Sass. “Don’t worry. He’s just talking about how the deck and the system are both going to take a while to integrate with your body. The deck will grow synthetic neural fibers into your brain, and the aura system has to unpack all its modules.”

“It’ll do more than that,” Dent said. “It has to explore your nascent aura pathways and collect any potentia that your body has absorbed throughout your life. The combined processes will make you groggy. I always recommend an anxiolytic, which will add to that effect. You’ll sleep most of the day.”

“When I got my system, I was out of it all day, but I still went out drinking that night!” Kristy said, chuckling. “Of course, I don’t have a neurodeck, so…” She shrugged.

Sass’s skull tattoo grew more pronounced as she looked at Hector, and he laughed, putting his arm over her shoulders and squeezing her against his side. “Relax. We’ll be here, and it’ll feel like a dream by tomorrow morning.”

Dent nodded. “I concur. Nothing to worry about, young lady. This is a quality device, but I’ll have Mae give it a thorough examination for any defects or malware before we insert it.”

“Mae?” Sass asked.

“The ship’s AI,” Dent said, smiling. “It’s standard practice with new decks, AI chips, or even memory modules.”

“Thanks, Doc,” Hector said, giving Sass another squeeze. “Nothing to be worried about. You’ve been waiting for this!”

She nodded, cleared her throat, and squared her shoulders. “I’m ready.”

Dent turned and touched the panel beside the door he’d just come through, causing it to slide open again. “Good, now come on in.” He turned to Hector. “You folks are welcome to stay and observe as long as you like. The procedure won’t take more than an hour, and then we’ll move her to recovery.” He chuckled. “We’ll put her in your old bed, Hector—maybe it’s good luck.”

“Right.” Hector stepped closer to the observation window and watched as Sass climbed onto the bed. He was glad that the doctor wasn’t insisting on her changing into some kind of sterile gown or something; the auto-surgeon was a precision machine, and the only part of her that really needed to be exposed was the back of her skull.

Kristy touched the little intercom button and said, “You’re looking good, Sass. That machine’s way nicer than the one that did my system.”

Sass glanced toward the window and frowned. “I can’t see you guys.”

Dent, tapping away at a crystal-glass panel beside the surgical bed, cleared his throat and nodded. “Sorry, Sass, but that’s not really a window. It’s a video display.”

“We’re here,” Hector said.

“Oh, uh—hey!” Sass cried as the bed began to adjust—lifting and straightening until it folded her slightly forward.

“It’s okay, Sass,” Dent said. “I’m just adjusting you so the auto-surgeon can more easily access the back of your head. Now, grip the arms there and press yourself into the cushion. Hold still while I apply the restraints. Once you’re under, I’m going to rotate you further.”

Hector watched as the auto-surgeon came to life, several of its limbs deftly pulling flexible straps from the sides of the bed and securing Sass in place. He could see the fear in her eyes—in the deep, full-color clarity of her skull tattoo. He touched the intercom and said, “You’re good, Sass. I’m right here, and I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“I…I know. Thanks.” Sass closed her eyes, and then a mechanical arm holding an IV line whirred into action, skillfully sliding the needle into a vein in her right arm.

“Didn’t even feel that, did you?” Dent said, smiling. “Okay, Sass. Tell your friends you’ll see them later—here comes the sedative.”

“Um,” Sass said, licking her lips. “F-feel what?” She glanced toward the wall where she knew Hector and Kristy were waiting. “See you guys l…um, see…” Her words trailed off as her eyes fell closed and the padded restraint across her forehead supported her suddenly limp head.

“And she’s under,” Dent said. “We’ll get started on the port now. Mae’s reviewing the neurodeck.”

Hector was a little annoyed that Dent hadn’t given her more warning, but he supposed he couldn’t complain considering he was a ship’s doctor and his services were coming without a price tag attached.

Kristy confirmed it wasn’t just him when she said, “Damn. The guy moves fast. I wanted to say something before she was out.”

Hector nodded and opened his mouth to reply, but the hallway door opened before he could. Iris stood in the opening. Right behind her was a tall, muscular, middle-aged man wearing red-and-black camouflage fatigues and a crimson beret. He had a heavy black mustache that made Hector think of a walrus, and his eyebrows were just as thick and black, overhanging dark eyes that looked small under such a heavy brow.

“Hi, Hector,” Iris said brightly.

“This is him?” the man growled, his voice like wet gravel. He ducked under the lintel, and Hector realized he’d initially discounted the man’s apparent size—everyone looked tall next to Iris. He stepped around Iris and loomed over Hector—no easy feat—shaking his head. “No goddamn way this guy is pulling it off.”