Synthesis Read online

  A red light emits from it, and I'm paralyzed. Dammit, not this again. I feel something searching in my mind, like a child looking for cookies. I reach out and touch the presence in my mind and an image of an ancient world flashes before me. My god, they were so advanced, my mind is barely able to comprehend what I saw. I now know that the red light is a scanner that accesses the language part of the brain to facilitate translation. After a few moments, the red light stops and I feel the thief leave my mind, and I can move again.

  "Analysis complete. Language database updated. Greeting Progenitor. I am Unit Beta X20. What is your command?" It asks in a metallic voice.

  I'm not sure where it is speaking from because it only has the shape of a head, no face or mouth. I laugh, I am feeling amazed and scared at the same time.

  "Uhhh, what are you?" I ask it.

  "I am Unit Beta X20." It says. Okay, let's try something else.

  "What is your purpose Unit Beta X20?" I ask it.

  "My purpose is to follow your commands." It says. Oh man, is this thing messing with me?

  I rub my face and sigh.

  "What type of jobs are you able to perform?" Kala asks it. It turns towards her and scans her with the red light.

  "Greetings, Prototype Unit Resurrection Alpha. Unit Alpha needs to initiate bonded form to best serve it, master. Progenitor, Jax, should Unit Beta X20 override Unit Alpha and choose a form?" It asks in its metal voice.

  "What?! You better back off you Terminator looking ass-monkey." Kala yells at it.

  I look at Kala with amusement, ass-monkey? That's a new one. "I don't know that reference, Kala. What are you talking?" I ask her. Then I look at the metal man and say "But no, Unit Beta X20 do nothing to Unit Alpha, or I mean Kala, please. And you can call Unit Alpha by her name. It's Kala." I say.

  "Ugh, how do I know more about ancient Earth pop culture than you do?" Kala ask?

  I ignore her question. "What tasks are you able to perform X20?" I ask it.

  "I am a multifunction unit. My current list of skills are Analysis, Melee Combat Function Tier One, Scout, Manual Labor, Cartography, Morph Function Tier One, and Defense Function Tier One. I will be able to unlock new functions as I level up. I am currently in Protocol One Mode. I will be able to learn faster and have more functions in Protocol Two Mode." It says.

  "Well damn, you can do all kinds of stuff. What are these protocol modes?" I say raising an eyebrow at Kala.

  "Protocol One Mode limits my neural learning pathways from reaching levels of sentience." It says.

  "Very interesting. Will you be a danger to Kala, myself or others if you move to Protocol Two Mode?" I ask it.

  "Unknown. Only Unit Beta X01 and Unit Beta X06 moved to Protocol Two Mode, and results were erratic. A kill switch must be activated before Protocol Two Mode is initiated. I predict a three percent chance of critical failure. Do you wish to activate Protocol Two Mode?" It asks me without any emotion.

  "What do you think, Kala? Personally, I think this thing seems like it could be a huge help to us. I would like to see it able to achieve its true potential." I look at Kala.

  "The thing freaks me out. It was just asking to override me. And why did it call me Prototype Unit Resurrection Alpha? What the fuck is that? Did the same beings make us? Ugh, I don't know Jax. I trust you. I will support whatever you choose." She says, her colors swirling complexly.

  I stand there and mull it over. "Alright, Unit X20, I want to activate Protocol Two Mode," I say to it.

  "Yes, Progenitor Jax. Please place your hand on my chest to initialize." It says. I walk over to it and place my hand on it. The metal ripples and envelops my hand.

  "Hey. What the are you doing?" I yell and try to pull back.

  "No need for alarm, Progenitor. This is part of the process." It says to me. A pop up appears.

  Do you wish to initialize Protocol Two Mode? Y/N

  I look at my hand that is submerged into the metal, it feels like it is in ice water. Hesitantly, I select yes.

  Warning! Protocol Two Mode is in prototype phase. Results will vary. A kill switch must be activated before proceeding. A unique three word phrase must be input for the kill switch. Kill switch input requires 75 Mind Energy to set pass phrase as well as to initialize self destruct. Do you wish to continue? Y/N

  I select yes. I feel a tug at my mind and then almost a third of my energy drains away.

  Unique Core Energy signature of Jax Stone registered.

  Input kill switch phrase now:

  I enter the three words. The liquid metal removes itself from my hand, and I set back. The metal man ripples and the loud, deep resounding trumpet noise emits from it again. It morphs back into a ball, and the ripples become violent and chaotic. Both Kala and I move back further and look at each other.

  "You sure that was a good idea, Jax?" She asks me.

  "We'll find out soon I think," I say.

  The ripples slow down and then stop. Then it forms back into a man shape. We stare at each other, my knuckles turning white from gripping my staff tightly. The right arm and hand of the metal man form into a wickedly sharp looking sword. All of a sudden it is moving towards me faster than I can track. I don't even have a chance to move or cry out before I hear a slash and a wet sound. I realize that I'm squeezing my eyes shut, waiting for my death to come. I open my eyes and turn to see X20 behind me standing over a dead creature, its head decapitated. I do a quick Analyze and know that it's a Hebra.

  "Damn. Where did that thing come from?" I ask.

  "Unit Beta X20 seeks forgiveness from, Progenitor Jax. It acted without expressed command. Unit Beta X20 predicted a 93.67% chance of serious injury to, Progenitor Jax, without my help. Do you wish to activate my kill switch now?" Its voice is still metallic sounding, buts also different. There seems to be emotion, it almost sounds sad.

  "No, please. It's okay. You were only protecting us. You can put your sword away." I say nervously looking at the blood dripping off of it. I feel something wet and see that I pissed myself a little. "I take it that Protocol Two Mode was successful? And please, call me, Jax." I say adjusting my wet pants. Good thing I'm basically a pants store and can change.

  "Yes, Jax, mode upgrade was a success. New neural pathways are currently forming. The input I am receiving is... amazing. Thank you. I now realize I was trapped within my own mind. This freedom confuses me, but do not worry. I will adapt quickly. I am ready to serve... master." The metal ripples like a wave from its head to feet.

  "No," I say firmly. "I am not your master. If you have a mind of your own, I release you from any obligations to me. If you are to travel with us, it will be of your own volition. Do you understand X20?" I look at the metal man, and it ripples a few more times.

  "Jax, do you think that was wise? We have no idea what this thing is." Kala says to me.

  "Kala, how can you say that? Were you not created to serve me? I told you I am not your master. Yet, you still follow me, and I consider us friends. Should we not give X20 the same choices?" I say to her.

  She swirls with elaborate patterns and colors, thinking. "You are right, I'm sorry. I just don't want to see you hurt. I care for you." She moves closer to X20 "Thank you for protecting, Jax. Are we good, metal man? You are not going to try and override me are you?" She asks it.

  "No, Kala, I will not override your bonding ability. I understand the situation better. I only spoke of that measure because I predicted an eighty-four percent increase in your effectiveness to help Jax in your bonded form. May I suggest that your bonded form take that of a Wrath 7534 War Bot? I believe we can download the schematics from Facility Zero." Its says to Kala.

  "Um, yeah I think I'll pass. I don't want to be a warbot. But thanks?" She backs away from it.

  New Quest Alert:

  The Old Ones II

  Unit Beta X20 mentioned Facility Zero. Find this facility.

  Quest Type: Secret, Unique

  Difficulty: Cruel

  Rewards: ?????

&n
bsp; Do you accept this quest? Y/N

  Both Kala and I look at the new quest. Cruel difficulty? Yeah, that sounds like a blast. I look at X20.

  "So what is it going to be X20? Do you want to come with us? I for one would feel much better with you on our side." I walk up to it and hold my hand out to it. The metal man does not move.

  After a moment it speaks "I will accompany Jax and Kala. Thank you for giving me my freedom. I pledge my service to you of my own free will. I will protect Jax and Kala with my life." It still hasn't moved its hand to shake mine. "I understand that Jax is making a gesture towards X20, but I do not possess the necessary information to participate." It says.

  I laugh and then sigh, "It's called a handshake X20, you take my hand in yours, and we shake. It is a gesture of friendship."

  It moves it's hand and envelops mine in metal and then moves its arm up and down rapidly. "Hey, whoa now. Not so fast, and don't envelop my hand. That is a bit disconcerting." I pull my hand away, shaking off the slight numbness.

  "My apologies Jax. Shall we try again?" It says.

  "Uh no, I'm good. We can try again later. Let's maybe get out of this place. X20 is there anything else here we can loot or any info we can gain before we leave? What is this place anyway?" I ask it.

  "This is Substation twenty-eight. I am detecting loot in the dead creature before me. This facilities power source is no longer functioning, and I am not able to connect to the network."

  I walk over and loot the Hebra. Yeah, definitely not related to Zebras. It is about five feet long, looks to be around two-hundred pounds, and is pitch black. It kind of looks like a panther, but its claws are like a dinosaurs, and its head looks like a bird with antennae. It has no eyes that I can see. I wave my hand in front of it and collect its loot, just a pelt, and a common core. I do notice that the pelt's letters are blue. I hold it up "Anyone know why the wording for this pelt is in blue?" I ask.

  "That is a Hebra Pelt. My database indicates that it is a rare crafting material. It is an extremely strong leather that has stealth properties." X20 tell me. Huh, well that's cool, this will be my second one.

  "Well, if no one objects let's leave and find a nice safe meadow to regroup and talk," I say.

  "Yes please," Kala says.

  "That is acceptable. Would Jax like me to assume point on Mission Nice Safe Meadow?" I chuckle and look at Kala.

  "Lead the way X20". I say. The metal man morphs back into a ball and rolls out the door.

  Chapter Six: A Ninja with a Butler

  The Watcher stands before the stasis capsule. "Are you sure we should wake her?" A voice asks.

  "Yes. The time has finally come. He is ready. He can Awaken her." The Watcher says to the figure to it's left.

  "What if she dies before he finds her?" The voice asks.

  The Watcher turns, feeling annoyed. "I will personally leave a gift for her as well as watch over her progress." The Watcher says.

  "...but The Caste, this will change everything." The voice says with hesitation and fear.

  "ENOUGH! Do not worry about The Caste. They are old fools stuck in the past." The Watcher says. The figure bows its head and starts the initialization process of the stasis pod.

  JILL WAKES WITH A START. She grabs her head and rolls to the side.

  Ugh, Jax said there would be some mild discomfort after waking from stasis. I'm going to kick his ass, "mild discomfort" does not even come close to the pain in my head. Jill thinks to herself.

  Then she hears a bird chirp and realizes that she feels grass beneath her. Jill opens her eyes and sees sunlight shining through the trees. Except they are trees like she has never seen before, they are strange, alien. Well, it's not like she seen very many trees before.

  Jill sits up, her heart racing. What the hell? Are we on the planet? Did Jax take me to the colony world? Why wasn't I awoken on the ship? He told me everyone would be woken up a month before we arrived at the new planet. I look down at my body and sees that I am naked. Wow, three hundred years in stasis has done wonders for my body. I look amazing.

  "Hello?" Jill asks, covering her exposed breasts. She notices a metal cube about three feet by three feet in size to her right. What the hell is going on?

  She stands up and then falls back down, her legs feel like jelly. Jill lays back down and exhales in annoyance. Patience was never one of her strong points, but she channels the teachings from her dojo master and centers herself. For the next hour, she stretches and does strengthening exercises. After a small rest, Jill feels like she may be able to stand.

  She feels like a newly born doe on her legs, but she doesn't fall over, which she feels proud of. Looking around, Jill notices something in her vision. Jill closes her eyes and rubs them. It's still there, and it seems like a translucent flashing icon. She reaches out to touch it.

  System error! User Creation bypassed. Attribute points automatically assigned. User Appearance locked.

  "Uh, what the hell? Jax, did you put me into some kind of VR simulation?" Jill asks. No one answers. She looks around and then to the sky. There are rings on this planet? Jill don't remember that from the photos. "Hello?" She asks louder. Jill walks to the metal box, almost falling over from weak legs. She stands before the crate.

  Where is the opening? What is this thing? She thinks. This can't be a VR simulation, this level of realism is not possible. She reaches out to touch the box.

  Do you wish to loot Lock Box of the Progenitors? Y/N

  What the fuck is going on? This is like a game. Jax always made fun of me for playing RPG's. She thinks to herself. Well, alright. Jill is naked and has no idea what's going on. Let's open the strange box. She selects yes.

  Progenitor Attendant Gauntlet

  Rarity: Relic

  Quality: Superb

  Durability: 500/500

  Effects 1: Health and Mental regeneration increased by 50%.

  Effects 2: All stats increased by 5

  -This is a Progenitor Attendant Gauntlet, it has an advanced simulated intelligence program to help and guide the user. Do you wish to equip and activate?* Y/N

  *Warning! This item will become Core-Bound once equipped.

  Adaptive Stealth Suit (Hood, Chest, Legs, and Feet)

  Rarity: Set Items

  Quality: Superb

  Durability: R.N.S. (Regenerative Nanite Structure)

  Armor: 35

  One Item: 5 to Agility.

  Two Items: 5 to Dexterity.

  Three Items: Users Stealth is boosted by 25%.

  Four Items: User gains the Skill Incapacitation.

  Item Set Bonus 1: User gains a 20% boost to critical hit chance.

  Item Set Bonus 2: While wearing hood users face is hidden.

  Item Set Bonus 3: Increases user internal Flux Inventory by 10 slots.

  Twin Daggers of Blood-Shadow

  Rarity: Set Items

  Quality: Superb

  Durability: 300/300

  Melee Damage: 35-45

  One Item: 5 to Agility.

  Two Items: 5 to Endurance.

  Item Set Bonus: User gains the Skill Blood-Shadow.

  "Um, definitely a game. It looks like I'm being pushed into some type of rogue-stealth class with these items. This is crazy. What is happening? How did I get here?" Jill looks at the gauntlet. Huh, it says it has a program to help and guide. She selects yes to equip and activate the gauntlet. The item flashes and then is on her wrist. The other items in the box disappear. Where did the other stuff go?

  "Jertyg Huibf" A strange metal voice says.

  "Hello?" Jill says as she covers her breasts and privates.

  "Jertyg Huibf" It says again.

  She looks down at the gauntlet, "Um, hello Mr. Gauntlet" Jill says, feeling silly. Suddenly the gauntlet flashes a red light, and then my body is paralyzed. "Oh shit. What is happening?" After a few minutes, but what feels like an hour, Jill can move again.

  "Analysis complete. Language database updated. Greeting, Human Jill. I am yo
ur personal attendant and will help you on your new adventure. How may I be of assistance?" It says in a metallic voice.

  "Where am I? How did I get here? Where is my brother? Am I in a simulation?" Jill asks in quick succession.

  "You are in the Burlangish System, located on the planet Crucible, on the continent of Ala-Vis, in the province of the High Livan Mountains. I do not have sufficient data to answer your other questions. You are not in a simulation. This is real." It says. "If I may Human Jill, I have a one time use Tutorial Knowledge Orb. I believe this will help you get acclimated. Would you like to use this now?" It asks Jill.

  "Oh man, fine, give me your stupid fucking knowledge orb. Maybe it will be more helpful than you are." Jill says feeling frustrated, scared and angry all at once.

  Do you wish to activate Tutorial Knowledge Orb? Y/N

  She selects yes. Then she falls to the ground in pain. Her brain is assaulted with images and information. She grabs her head and screams. Then it stops as suddenly as it began. Jill sprawls out in the grass and laughs. "Holy shit.... this is amazing." She now understands how to work everything regarding her menus and such. She pulls up her Flux Inventory and selects to equip her Adaptive Stealth Suit, and it materializes around her body. "Oh my god," Jill says, as she feels how the stat boosts of the suit affect her body. She stands up and does a running flip. She executes it perfectly and lands with grace. Jill looks down at her suit, "Nice," she says to herself. "I look like a badass."

  Congratulations! You have learned the Skill:

  Incapacitation (Novice, Lvl 1)

  Yeah, you look like a badass. You're not sure what's going on or how you got here. But, if some mean looking asshole gives you grief you will end them. You now know exactly where to strike your opponent to paralyze them.

  Stamina Cost: 20

  Cooldown: 3 minutes

  Paralysis Duration: 4 seconds

  Experience awarded: 15

  Jill laughs, the skill description is ridiculous. She runs her hands over her new suit, it's silky, yet feels incredibly strong. Jill feels like a ninja, this is so cool. She then equips her daggers.