“Ideally, I could do a couple of firestorms, clear the whole place out in an hour or so. But I’m not sure how it will work on the relatively broken terrain here,” Drew said to the other three. They had likewise created masks from their shirts, but all of them tried to breathe in shallowly. Drew decided he would do that on the way out. When they were midway down the second spiral Drew stopped at the spot where Daryl’s wife had died, but she was no longer present. “Daryl?” He called out questioningly.
No response came to his query, and the node made using his mana sight to detect the scout impossible. They continued down the spiral until they got to the blue metallic structure. Up close, it was clear that it had a pyramid shape. The topmost section was flattened, leaving two or three feet exposed on more than half of its surface. The gate was at least fifteen feet tall and twenty across, and a split down the center seemed to indicate that at least one side of the gate should be able to operate.
“Alright Adam, you’re up.” Drew stepped aside, and the other two did likewise. Adam held out his hand and closed his eyes. Nearly immediately, Drew could feel a vibration through the ground: it wasn’t particularly strong, just noticeable. The earth and rocks that had been blocking a good seven feet of gate moved like a wave away from them, up the side, and then formed into a more solid wall. Drew blinked. He’d moved enough earth to fill two pickup trucks ten feet in about twenty seconds. “Holy crap, that’s impressive.”
Adam nodded, turning around he wobbled a bit, his face white and sweaty from the exertion. Drew rushed forward to help him sit down. “You alright there Adam?”
“Yeah, just a little tired, never tried to move that much that quickly before,” Adam said with a slight shrug.
“Alright. Glenn, you stay with Adam. Shout if anything comes.” Drew instructed the others while he and Dak advanced on the gate. There was no access pad or doorknob. Drew was sort of hoping it would just slide open when he approached now that it was clear, but he had no such luck. He reached out and touched the blue metal. It felt cool and so smooth that it almost felt slimy. However, he could feel something resonate inside when he touched it and pulled his hand back.
“Do you feel that?” Drew asked Dak who put his hand on the gate and then looked back at Drew shaking his head.
“I can’t feel anything, sir.”
Drew rolled his eyes, the sir thing was going to get old quick, “You know I’m only an E-5 right? No need to call me sir,” he said, and put his hand back on the gate, concentrating on the feeling inside him as he did so. It felt a little like when Aeon wanted out, although nowhere near as potent. Now that he was focusing on it, it felt like…the start of a spell, he realized with a start. Then began the process of pulling mana through his body; it was awkward at first, as he’d never tried to do it without xatherite to guide him. However, the familiar sensation from casting so many spells made it so that his body knew what to do. Like manually breathing, only awkward because you were so used to your body doing it on its own.
As he channeled mana, lights began to appear on the surface of the gate. Red lines that turned to purple on their edges creating a door frame around him, slowly filling in until the three by six rectangle was blazing a perfect red. The next instant Drew was no longer at the gate but inside. The entire structure appeared to be made of glass, and everywhere he looked he saw security camera-like footage of the DIA building. It felt like a guard station.
With a pop, Aevis appeared next to him again, the AI standing at attention. She gave Drew the same salute he had seen Ares’ people give him. When he returned it hesitantly, she spoke, “Greetings Midshipman Drew Michalik. I am the artificial intelligence assigned to Earth-3. You may remember that my name is Aevis. As you have met the criteria to control this node, I am here to facilitate the expedient transfer of ownership to your command.”
“This facility is currently designated as PN-SN83. It is currently operating in as a fourth-tier node function. Would you like to change the name of PN-SN83?”
“Who designated it PN-SN83?” Drew asked, a little overwhelmed by the entire procedure.
“PN-SN83 is an acronym. The facility’s full name is Primary Nexus-Sub Node 83. As a previously unclaimed node, this was generated by the system in accordance with standard operating procedures for the newly created dimensional slice. Does that adequately answer your question?”
“Oh, holy shit, I totally forgot about that. Yes, gods, yes it does. And yes, I’ll rename this to the DIA node.”
“PN-SN83 will be renamed to DIA Node, in accordance with the new ownership transfer protocol.” The area around Drew shifted, going from a bright blue tinge to a glistening ruby.
“Warning, download of AI database is incomplete, your claim of this dungeon is significantly earlier than projections. Please be aware that some functionality will not be available. I have taken the liberty to request an emergency update due to these unforeseen circumstances.”
“As the owner of DIA Node, you are able to set its designated purpose. The node is currently designated as a dungeon training center or DTC. Would you like to change the designated purpose?”
“A couple of questions: First, how much earlier am I than the projections? The second question is, what are my options?” Drew asked, and immediately a list appeared in front of him.
“Your ownership is 53 local years earlier than the previous record for a primary node’s occupation, and 3 local years earlier than the earliest node claimed on a new split. As this is the first node that you control, options are limited. Controlling multiple nodes will increase the options available to you.”
1. Dungeon Training Center
2. Xatherite Concentrator
3. Mana Funnel
4. Biological Growth Accelerator
Drew frowned as he looked over the list. “What exactly are the differences between those four? And is there a way to see what I else I can unlock by controlling multiple nodes? Also, what does a fourth-tier function mean?”
“A dungeon training center is designed to advance the combat capabilities of the locals near it. Manaborn, or mana caught creatures can be designated as enemies. As a fourth-tier node, intelligent creatures with a danger rating of three or below can be generated. While a DTC acts as a closed circuit for all mana within its sphere of influence, they do, however, grant a.5 multiplier on all controlled adjacent node’s mana generation facilities.”
“A xatherite concentrator will take the ambient mana in the area and create a chamber where xatherite crystals will grow. Type and rate of growth are dependent on the mana generation of the facility. They do not grant any bonuses to adjacent nodes. As a fourth-tier node, you can select a preference as to what color of xatherite crystal will be generated.”
“A mana funnel will cause all nodes within a radius to receive a multiplier based on node tier. As a fourth-tier node, you will grant all nodes within three adjacent links a.75 multiplier.”
“A biological growth accelerator or BGA will convert its mana generation capabilities towards developing the growth of all designated biological organisms within its field of influence. As a fourth-tier node, the generation of grade three results are highly likely.”
Aevis finished her recitation, “Does that adequately answer your question?”
“No. I have some follow up questions. The DTC, you said it only affects friendly nodes, whereas the funnel will affect all nodes, is that correct? How many nodes would setting DIA node as a funnel affect?”