Chapter 161

The Angel Express - 7:35 PM

Gardening took a lot of my time after the conservatory was liberated. It was sufficiently far from downtown that it took people a while to show up, but by then I had pilfered the place clean of anything valuable. I didn’t take any of the plants, however. Those would grow back their fruits and leaves quickly enough thanks to the system, and then the greenhouses would be a great place for people to come for food.

Most of what I took were seeds and fixings for tea. It was a good start to the stockpile, and it was going to come in handy when I set up the new train car.

Still, I didn’t head back home. Sara had one more Patron quest to send me, and I had to do another scenario quest in order to meet the needs of the Platinum Patron’s Package I had out for myself. It allowed interest gained on two separate quests of both types per day. With 4 quests done, two of each, I got the biggest bang for my buck.

That said, I didn’t go anywhere fancy. I didn’t even go to a place I picked out in advance. Instead, I went and liberated somebody’s home near the first layer in the Pitt. It wasn’t very lucrative, only 800 points gained from Sara and the system since it was only filled with Zombies, but it was fast and I wanted to get back home.

I entered the Subspace Depot to find Jeff throwing a ball for Corwin from one side of the building to the other. The Evolution Hound was in his Black Dog form, having transformed from an unassuming golden labradoodle into a hulking mastiff with orange eyes and ashes flowing from his mouth with every breath. His tongue lolled out of the side of his mouth as he happily chased the ball.

“Boss!” Jeff called, raising his hand.

“Hey, Jeff,” I greeted in return. Corwin turned, heading right towards me as he forgot all about the ball.

The dog leapt into the air to meet me. I lifted my arms up just as Corwin transformed back into his smaller original form, and caught him. He wriggled and tried to lick my face, but I managed to duck away from his tongue. “Yeah, it’s good to see you, too, buddy.”

“Corwin, you know better than that!” Jeff chastised as he ran towards us.

“If he stayed in his big form we probably would have had a problem, but this one’s just fine,” I defended before putting Corwin down. He weaved around me before leaning against my side, tail wagging happily behind him.

“Don’t let him make a habit of it, Anthony,” Jeff said, and I could tell Kayla’s influence was there.

“Yeah, I get you,” I replied with a chuckle. Resting my hand on Corwin’s head, I looked down at him. “No more jumping on friends.”

The dog huffed before zeroing in on the ball. He took off, transforming back into a Black Dog in an instant as he chased it down.

“That’s something, I guess,” Jeff admitted. “You doing alright?”

“Yeah, nothing too dire today. Did a bit of gardening, did some housework.” Just as Corwin was about to grab the ball, I Lifted it off of the ground and shot it back across the Subspace Depot. He stared at where it was for a moment before following the ball with his eyes. The dog looked at us, then the ball, and back at us, before barking and chasing after it. “You enjoy your day off?”

“For the most part. Fought a few more people over at the Fieldhouse, that was fun. We did go off to fight some of the zombies,” he admitted. “Just some low pressure point gathering. Kayla wants to talk to you about that, by the way.”

“About how I want to keep you guys up here?” I asked, crossing my arms.

“Yup.”

I nodded and looked towards the dining car. Kayla was sitting inside reading a book, though I could tell that she had already noticed my arrival. Her eyes kept flicking up towards us, and she saw me staring. With a gesture, she put her book down.

“Well, looks like I’ve just been summoned,” I said as I Lifted the ball before the dog could get it. Corwin jumped, his teeth just inches away from clamping down on it, but I didn’t make it easy for him. I shot it back to the other side of the train. He barked as he continued the chase.

“Good having you back, boss,” Jeff said, clapping a hand on my shoulder before he ran after his dog.

“Good to be back,” I replied. I had only taken a few steps before I remembered what I needed to do. Snapping open my inventory, I pulled out Crusader’s Wrath and turned to face the Queen’s Knight. ”Hey, Jeff.”

“Yeah, boss?” he asked, turning around. I tossed him the gauntlet, but continued walking as he looked it over. “Damn, man, are you sure?”

“Enjoy it,” I said, turning around with a smile as I headed inside.

“Thanks!”

Kayla was sitting at the bar when I entered the Angel Express, having moved from a table to be closer to the door. Resting behind her was a familiar box not unlike one I had let the Mills open back in Etson. This one was a Head Box. It came from a safe room in the Army Reserve base that Jamie had liberated. It had been mostly filled with Weapon Boxes, though it also had this one and a Boots Box. In the instructions I sent her with, I had specifically requested this one.

“Jamie brought you back a present,” Kayla said, nodding her head towards it. “Seemed a little disgruntled over having to give it up, but was overall happy with her new acquisitions.”

“Yeah, she usually is,” I murmured as I sat down next to her. “Is she still here?”

Kayla shook her head. “No, she went off again almost immediately. Might be back in the Pitt, or might be back at the Fieldhouse. Both her and Jeff are on the leaderboard, and he’s been pretty competitive about it. I’m guessing she’s the same.”

“Oh, absolutely,” I replied with a nod. “Give me just one second, okay?”

“Sure.”

Giving Kayla a quick thanks, I snapped open my menu and pulled up the one that controlled the train. There were several upgrades that were available, but most of them weren’t all that great. I went for the one that would save me a little bit of time.

[[Rail Yard Acquisitions]]

Would you like to purchase the Intercom upgrade for the Angel Express for 400 points?

Yes

No

I hit Yes. Turning around, I saw a speaker by the door to my sleeper car. From my spot at the end of the bar, I could reach it, and I did so. A clear, three ring tone filled the train.

“Attention all passengers, this is your Guildmaster speaking,” I announced. My voice came through this car, though it was muted compared to everywhere else. “Just wanted to give everyone a clear warning that there will be a slight change in floor plan. I’m putting down a Greenhouse car between the Vault and Workshop. Ashley, you can sit tight wherever you are, this won’t inconvenience you in the slightest.”

Taking my finger off of the button, I switched to my inventory screen and pulled out the small glass and metal train car I had pulled out of the acid pool earlier that day.

[[Item]]

Greenhouse Car Model

If you own a train, then you may use this model to purchase a greenhouse car without spending points. This car will be modeled after the Phipps Conservatory and Greenhouse.

Activating the model, it disappeared from my hand. The train moved on its own, and even from here I could hear cars decoupling. I knew that the Subspace Depot would stretch to accommodate the new arrival, as well.

“A greenhouse, huh? Seems like gardening might be the least of our worries, but I’m sure you have a plan for everything,” Kayla stated.

“Most everything,” I said slyly as I returned my attention to the Head Box and tapped it.

[[Item]]

Head Box

Upon opening this box, an item is generated. This item will be tailored specifically for you, and will fit in any slot that has to do with your head. While you may hold onto this box, its level of power will always be proportionate to when the safe was first opened.

“Looking for something specific, I take it?” Kayla asked, tapping the box herself.

“Yup. I’m hoping for another piece of the Warmongering Mystic set,” I answered, holding up my glove before tapping on my pants. “It’s really hit or miss, though, because of the nature of the box. I’d say I get it about 20% of the time.”

“That’s not great odds.”

“You’re right, but it’s still a substantial power boost if I get it,” I said. “Plus, I have the Breeches now. Normally I don’t have those for a long while yet, but the Uuska was good to me. Well, except for all the times it wasn’t.”

“Of course you’d think that,” Kayla sighed.

“It was a big boon, I can’t deny it,” I replied with a light laugh. “All I have to do now is increase my abilities and learn the next two, and I’ll have a chance to gain the Cowl. Three set items this early on would be amazing.”

“Anthony,” she said with a frown.

“Yeah?”

“Did you go in on the Uuska fight without being at full power?” she asked, crossing her arms.

I blinked before turning to her. A moment later, I understood what she was asking. “Oh, no! No, nothing like that. I was fully upgraded at the time,” I assured her. She cocked an eyebrow at me. “I was fully kitted out back then, but thanks to that fight I’ve completed the second scenario, so now I can upgrade the rest of my stuff. Stats up to 40, abilities up to 5. I just haven’t yet.”

Kayla seemed surprised. “Wait, that actually counted?”

“It sure did. That was the scenario boss, and I beat it. Second scenario completed.”

“Can we upgrade, too?” she asked, swiping open her inventory.

“Probably not, I’m afraid,” I answered with a soft smile. “I’m pretty sure it was localized inside the actual arena just in case I won. That way, Frastina wouldn’t have to worry about a bunch of bystanders getting access to the same power.”

Kayla scowled, but nodded. “Yeah, looks like I can’t upgrade anything past 30 right now.”

“You have a lot of stats maxed out?”

“All of them are,” Kayla said proudly. “Both Jeff and I have base stats of 30 across the board, and all of our abilities are at their highest levels. Buying and equipping items is nice, but there’s something to be said about having maxed out stats. It doesn’t feel like it could be taken from you.”

I nodded. “It’s good to have, anyway. I’m not sure if you’ve noticed this, but your base stat gains are weighted more heavily than your item stat gains.” When Kayla gave me a confused look, I continued. “Base stats are worth more than item stats. Sure, if two people punch it out then the one with the highest numerical Strength will win most of the time, so items are helpful there, but base stats really are the deciding factor of what you’re capable of.”

“Such as?” she asked, still confused.

“Alright, so, Strength would be easiest to explain,” I said, rapping my knuckles on the table. “I have a base score of 30, but a total score of 44.”

“That little? I always expected you to be way higher than us.”

I shook my head. “It’s not something I focus on, and it can be worked around through skill. Most of my items are leaning towards Willpower and Wisdom because those are my specialities,” I explained. “But back to base stats. Thanks to my 30, I can push cars and trucks to form barriers. It’s not really easy, but it’s also not that difficult. I can add in my item stats, sure, and it’ll help, but it would take a lot more buffs to reach the next threshold. Which is special, because the next maximum is 40 and that’s where shit starts getting outrageous for the first time.”

“Why 40? Or, why so late, I suppose,” Kayla said.

Shrugging, I fiddled with the box some more. “It’s not late at all in the grand scheme of things. I have some guesses, but nothing substantial. 40 is probably the first threshold because it means the people have been doing this for a while. We’ll be going into the third scenario, which includes more deadly threats. Everyone will have had the time to get their bearings and learn what they can do with their newfound strength. So, it’s time to make it bigger, better. Really eke out humanity’s potential.

“40, 80, 120, 160, and the max of 200,” I continued. “Those are the big time milestones. I can push around cars and trucks with 30 base Strength. But, once I hit 40, I’ll be able to lift them. You could, too.”

Kayla nodded along as I spoke. “Alright, that makes sense. I mean, it still feels like a weird number. 50 would be better, but I guess that’s less, what did you call them? Thresholds?”

“Yeah, you got it,” I answered.

“And, let me guess. You only haven’t reached this first one because you think that would make things too easy.”

“I like how you phrased that as a statement and not a question because you’re sure it’s accurate.”

Kayla arched an eyebrow. “And it is.”

I grinned at her. “Yes ma’am, got it in one.”

Sighing, Kayla put a hand against her forehead. “You can be so infuriating to deal with. Do you know that, psychic boy?”

“It’s come up once or twice,” I laughed.

With a sigh, Kayla waved her hand at the Head Box. “Well, whatever. Go ahead and claim your prize, then we’re going to have a chat.”

“That sounds ominous,” I replied before navigating my menus once more. It didn’t take long to reach the screen with all of my Warmind abilities on it. From there, all I needed to do was check them off.

[[Notice]]

Would you like to spend 1440 points in order to upgrade the following abilities?

Push level 4 -> level 5

Pull level 4 -> level 5

Lift level 4 -> level 5

Shield level 4 -> level 5

Spin level 4 -> level 5

Drop level 4 -> level 5

Bend level 4 -> level 5

Force Field level 4 -> level 5

Orbit level 4 -> level 5

Yes

No

I hit Yes.

[[Notice]]

Your abilities have been upgraded.

Abilities

Push (Willpower) lvl 5: Push an inanimate object no more than Willpower*9 lbs. away from you. The weight of the object determines the distance and speed at which it is pushed.

Pull (Willpower) lvl 5: Pull an inanimate object no more than Willpower*9 lbs. towards you. The weight of the object determines the distance and speed at which it is pulled.

Lift (Willpower) lvl 5: Lift an inanimate object no more than Willpower*18 lbs. off of the ground. The weight of the object determines the height and speed at which it is lifted.

Shield (Wisdom) lvl 5: Block incoming attacks up to an amount of damage equal to or less than Wisdom*5. Shield can be activated, sustained, or deactivated at will and recharges at a rate of Wisdom*1.4 hit points per second after 5 seconds of not taking damage. Broken shields cannot be reactivated for 30 seconds.

Spin (Augment) lvl 5: When using Push, Pull, Lift, or Drop, you may reduce the power of the ability by 21% in order to turn the object affected by the ability in any direction as long as the point of origin is inside of the object itself.

Drop (Willpower) lvl 5: Accelerate the fall of an object no more than Willpower*18 lbs. towards the ground. The weight of the object determines the speed at which it is accelerated.

Bend (Augment) lvl 5: When using Push or Pull, you may reduce the power of the ability by 50% in order to apply a second Push or Pull at up to 50% power at another point on the object, causing it to bend or possibly break. You may reduce the power of the first by up to 8% to increase the power of the second by the same amount.

Force Field (Wisdom, Willpower) lvl 5: Create an invisible sheet of force no further away than a number of feet equal to your Willpower/2 and no larger than Willpower*10 inches squared . This sheet blocks upcoming attacks up to an amount of damage equal to or less than Wisdom*3.5. Force Field can be activated, sustained, or deactivated at will and recharges at a rate of Wisdom*1.3 hit points per second after 5 seconds of not taking damage. Broken force fields cannot be reactivated for 30 seconds.

Orbit (Willpower) lvl 5: Using a point inside your body as the barycenter, cause an object no heavier than Willpower*9 lbs. to circle around you. The weight of the satellite determines the distance at which it can orbit and the rate it gains speed. If used prior to Push, Pull, Lift, or Drop, increase the speed and force behind the secondary ability by 5% per rotation to a maximum of 25%.

The following ability has been automatically upgraded.

Split (Focus) lvl 3: You may affect three different objects instead of only one. This ability may only be upgraded by leveling up Push, Pull, Lift, and Drop.

By raising your Warmind abilities, you have learned the following abilities.

Shield level 5 + Force Field level 5 = Construct

Split level 3 = Mental Link

I nodded to myself and quickly moved to upgrade the new abilities.

[Notice]]

Would you like to spend 600 points in order to upgrade the following abilities?

Construct level 1 -> level 5

Mental Link level 1 -> level 5

Yes

No

I hit yes, and looked upon the new screen with smug satisfaction.

[[Notice]]

Your abilities have been upgraded.

Abilities

Construct (Wisdom, Willpower) lvl 5: Visualize a mental construct and create it through sheer willpower. Its stats depend on what type of item you create, and you can conjure up to 2 items at the same time. Construction costs a small amount of Mental Points to create, and continues to cost Mental Points so long as the items remain.

Armor (Wisdom): Forge armor over no more than 70% of your body. This construct will reduce physical and psychic damage by 12%.

Weapon (Willpower): Forge a weapon no larger than 30% of your mass. In addition to physical damage, this construct deals psychic damage equal to 95% of your Willpower.

Other (Wisdom): Forge an object of your own design up to 50% of your mass. This item will have an amount of hit points equal to your Wisdom score.

Mental Link (Willpower) lvl 5: Form an telepathic bond with an ally. You must touch them to form this connection, and it can be sustained up to a distance no further away than a number of feet equal to Willpower*2. In addition, you always know where they are, the condition they are in, and their mental state. Concise thought cannot be sent through the Mental Link, but quick flashes of insight are possible. You may connect with more than one ally, but every additional instance Splits your focus.

“Hey, weird question, but can I tap your forehead to try something slightly intrusive?” I asked, glancing at Kayla.

“Um, I suppose so,” she answered, frowning.

Reaching out, I tapped the Double Agent on her forehead with two fingers and activated Mental Link. Psychic energies pulsed through my mind as hers and mine melded together. I was experienced enough that she would only feel what I wanted her to feel, but she had no such training. Information poured into me, and I could sense Kayla’s confusion. Not only that, but I could feel more from her unprotected mind.

Sadness, grief, and fear were also prevalent, but not in a way that I thought it would be. There was an underlying anxiety that I had felt many times before from other sources, and I recognized it immediately. I had been so worried about her potential trauma from the Kingtin and survivor’s guilt from the Vespae war that I hadn’t been able to see what really troubled her and, I assumed, her husband.

Not the fear of being killed or losing each other, but the fear of being left behind, of no longer being useful.

Understanding filled me, and I let that through the link. A breeze of relief flitted through her mind as she realized what I had done. We sat there for a few minutes, playing with the psychic connection. One of the easiest exercises was to send a ball of mental energy back and forth as if we were playing volleyball. Kayla had some trouble at first, as everyone did, but eventually settled into it fairly quickly.

“Okay, that’s really weird but also kind of liberating,” she said after I pulled it back. “I guess mind reading is a given for a psychic, though.”

“Feelings reading more than mind, but yeah,” I said. “Do you still want to talk? I kind of have a good idea of what you wanted to discuss now.”

“I do, if only because all I felt was what you let me feel,” she answered. “Your mind was really monolithic, actually. Like staring up at a single, unyielding obelisk.”

“Yeah, I get that a lot,” I said, grinning. “I’ve had a lot of practice. You don’t get as good as I am without going through the motions. But, enough about that, let me open this box and hope it’s the right item, then we can go start gardening in the Greenhouse. It should be done by then.”

“By all means, go ahead,” Kayla replied as she pushed the box towards me.

Without any fanfare from me, I lifted the top off of the box. A flash of light engulfed us all, though we were prepared for it, and a jaunty jingle played from the box before I reached in and ripped out the item inside before it all subsided.

I was immediately disappointed when the light dimmed and I saw I was holding a pair of gold half-rim glasses in my hands. “Well, 20% is only 20%, I guess,” I said as I pulled up the stats.

[[Item]]

Glasses of the Messenger of Peace

(+8 Wisdom, +5 Willpower, Peacekeeper’s Will skill acquired, Focused Willpower passive acquired)

[[Skill]]

Peacekeeper’s Will

You can ease tension with a glance. By looking into another’s eyes and paying a low cost of Mental Points, you can instill a feeling of peace and serenity in them based on the difference between your Willpower stat and their defensive mental stat. If they do not have a defensive mental stat, their resistance depends on their highest stat divided by 2. At a higher cost, you can project Peacekeeper’s Will as an aura that affects everyone inside a radius as far out as one foot per point of Willpower.

[[Passive]]

Focused Willpower

When using a skill that affects one or more people, choose one target. Treat your Willpower as 20% higher when determining the effects of the skill.

“Okay, not bad,” I admitted as I let Kayla check out the stat block. “I wasn’t planning on doing an aura build this go around, but since I’ve already collected two of them it might end up happening anyway.”

“An aura build?” Kayla asked as she brought up the stats. “You’ve got fear and serenity now, what else is there?”

“Greed, sadness, guilt, a few others,” I answered before standing up and stretching. “But that’s not important. Let’s go get this garden set up, and we’ll talk about what’s weighing you down.”

With a nod that told Kayla I wanted her to follow me, we started heading to the back of the train. It would only take a minute or so before the car popped into existence, and then we could have our chat.