Base Cost: 10,000 Credits
Removal of Genes: 2,500 Credits
Insertion of Genes: 2,500 Credits
“This won’t make me sexless or something strange will it?” I question the returned fox, somewhat puzzled at the words ‘optimal’. After all, an alien race’s definition of optimal might include making us hermaphrodites or adding back our tail.
“No. The genome treatment is specifically catered to humanity including your race’s societal hangups,” the Fox replies, back to its cool professionalism. I grunt and grab the window, swinging it to the side to leave open. Definitely getting that.
The Basics of Mana Manipulation for Humans
Using System Patented technology, the knowledge of basic mana manipulation will be downloaded directly into your mind. Mana manipulation is a requirement for basic magic skills.
Cost: 5,000 Credits.
Interesting. Playing on a hunch, I pull out a comparison.
The Basics of Mana Manipulation
Using System Patented technology, the knowledge of basic mana manipulation will be downloaded directly into your mental storage unit. Mana manipulation is a requirement for basic magic skills.
Cost: 1,000 Credits.
“Care to explain?” I turn to the fox who looks perfectly relaxed at this information. He points to the cheaper option first.
“This is the System created option that is purchasable by any being that is part of the System. However, as it is developed for use for the entire System’s inhabitants, it does not guarantee assimilation of the knowledge and in extreme cases may cause harm. In all but the most edge cases, only the most basic information is imparted.
“The second option has been specifically tailored by one of our Craftsmen to ensure that full assimilation of the knowledge will occur. We stand by the product 100% and this product has been particularly successful in your world. Certain gifted individuals have been able to glean a higher base level of skill from purchasing this product.”
“What’s the chance for the average human to get the skill from this?” I point to the System skill.
“32%”
“And me?”
“98%”
“That’s what I figured,” I grunt and swipe the System skill window over to join the Genome Treatment. 7 Levels in, my Intelligence is way above base human. Never mind the fact that I was never considered dumb. I turn back to the shopping windows, eyeing the last specialty item.
Thrasher’s Guide to Surviving the Apocalypse on Earth
This guide imparts basic information about the System, the current apocalypse and future plans. Included are explanations of common skills, magic, technology, Safe Points, the Shop and more.
Cost: 50 Credits
I eye that one dubiously before creating a second section for ‘Maybe’s’. I have a feeling Ali has more information than a 50 Credit Guide, but it never hurts to ask. Next up, my class “List information purchasable about the Erethran Honor Guard.”
A giant list detailing the Honor Guard’s training, history, customs, battle tactics, gear, current organisational structure and more appears, most of it in the 20-50 credit range and I grab them all. Interestingly enough, there’s even information about Secret and Hidden Missions available for sale, though those I avoid. The Guard is going to be pissed off enough with me as it stands I assume, I really don’t need them to get uppity just because I bought some insider knowledge from the System.
Next up, Basic Skills. I eye the wide range of skills for a second then narrow them down to combat skills for now. The usual series of Unarmed, Bladed, Blunt, Polearms, Archery, Rifles, Pistols and more are there. I could learn to drive a tank if I wanted! A part of me giggles at the idea, though I quickly dismiss it. For one thing, I don’t even think there’s a single tank in the entirety of the Yukon even before the apocalypse. Now, it’d just be a hunk of metal.
No, better to focus on things I do need. I grab the skills for unarmed combat, adding it to the ‘To Buy’ pile and then add the rifles and pistols along with bladed weaponry to the maybe pile. I’ll have to figure out the kinds of weapons I’m buying before I get to that.
I pull up the Class Skills selection and wince. Even the cheapest Class Skill starts at the tens of thousands of dollars and they don’t particularly look that good. I definitely need to balance my desire for a cool skill with the fact that I need weapons, transportation and skills. Still, I highlight a few and swing them into the To-Buy column.
I grin, finishing up the coffee and then waving the empty cup at the Fox, pulling open the chocolate bars. Oh, right - a quick search reveals a whole series of chocolate bar options and I indulge, picking up a stack of Swiss chocolate. Right, next! A weapon would be great, but I need to remember that I need to allocate money for armor and a mode of transportation. It’s only another 160 kilometres or so to Whitehorse but on foot, that would be an easy couple of weeks. That’s if I don’t account for the various monsters that are likely hanging around.
Best find out how much transportation costs first then. The resulting list makes me wince. Even a basic bike is a few thousand Credits and a compact is over ten thousand credits with fueling requirements for gasoline. Anything more advanced and the prices start jumping higher, though a glance at the details shows why. Many of the more advanced vehicles power themselves directly off collected mana. Armor is likely going to get expensive too. In fact, it’d probably be more expensive than any weapon I buy if humanity’s own history is anything to go by.
I snarl in annoyance, staring at the vehicles. There’s got to be a way to do this…
“Where the hell are you? You better not have bought anything!” Ali slams the door open, looking around desperately for me, obviously finally remembering he wasn’t here alone. He rushes over and points a finger at me, snarling; “I look away for one second!”
I snort, feet up in the air and staring at the windows I’ve got arrayed before me before I close them all before he can see them, instead pulling out another.
“Oh shut it. I already got someone better,” I point to the window and he spins, staring at the accusing window.
Sixth Generation Lambda Class AI Companion
Resulting from the combination of a Delta and Epsilon class AI, this Sixth Generation Lamba Class Companion is still in its infancy but with its base code can be expected to process significant levels of data and manage the operation of up to 3 Rank D machines or 1 Rank C machine.
Rank: C
Requires: Minimum Rank D Hardware for Installation
Furiously reading, Ali’s eyes widen and he sputters for a second, “You, you, you replaced me with a hunk of code!” He’s shouting at the end, his face completely red. “You ungrateful meatball, you undeserving maggot eating swine-licking sheep-loving…”
He sputters to a stop as I am bent over, giggling at him. I try at first to stop, but when his ranting comes to a stop, I fall from the chair and just whoop it up. Every time I think I have a handle on my emotions, I catch a sight of Ali’s long-suffering face and I collapse again. Even the Fox is slightly amused from the way its tail waves around.
I don’t know how long it takes me to get control of my emotions but it’s a while. When I do, I point a finger at Ali, “Some Companion you are. These hucksters nearly got me.”
Ali’s eyes narrow and I sigh, calling forth the spaceship. Ali looks at it, the window flickering as he reads more details and grunts. “Yeah, that’s a piece of shit. 3 generations out of date, no missiles included, no armor and they’ve ripped out the original space drive for a hunk of crap that might or might not get you into hyperspace and you certainly need to refuel after every jump. They didn’t even frigging fuel it.”
The Fox just stands there, a smile that wouldn’t melt ice cream on its face as we speak. These guys have no shame. Which is why I’m going to be happy to let Ali do the haggling later on and let him take them to the cleaners.