Silently fuming, Alan walked over to the Administrator in the corner, ensuring that Eve was able to record the conversation as he spent his ability points. He had 91 points to spend. He bought the Basic skills in Energy Ranged Weapons and Energy Efficiency. As he was about to enter battle, Alan decided to put the rest of the points into agility, perception and endurance.
All right, Eve, does this look good? Alan asked Eve, his thoughts hovering over the accept button on the screen before him.
Yes, she replied, I believe the situation warrants this necessity.
What do you mean, this necessity?
The majority of these skills are actually trainable, or acquirable. Given the information required, I could probably teach you the Energy Ranged Weapons (Basic) skill in a few days, and the Energy Efficiency (Basic) skill in two weeks. As we do not have the time or the tools required, it seems like you must purchase the skills.
Well, that would have been fucking useful to know before I wasted all those points. God damn—
Stop. You are allowing your rage to impair your judgment, shifting away from logical reasoning. It does not matter whose fault it is, it matters how you are able to manipulate the situation to our advantage. Calm yourself.
With a heavy sigh Alan accepted the purchase.
So, what? In the future we should spent ability points on the abilities like flying, or stats?
Both of those are also able to be gained with the right materials and training. Most purchasable skills and stats are able to be gained through other means. Still, some are harder to train than others, and these skills are typically accompanied by a much higher ability point cost. I advise saving up and purchasing the Talented ability, then saving for the class upgrade, as that will also cost ability points.
Fine, Alan sent. The earlier point about Eve being his babysitter sort of hurt, but, well, following Eve's directions was the optimal way to play. DaLong was just jealous.
Activating his armor's invisibility he exited the bunker, and ran north along the side of a coastal road, remaining vigilant for any sign of enemies. They had 90 minutes before enemy reinforcements arrived; Alan was supposed to report back in 15.
Alan knew he was in a sacrificial position, supposed to be more of a distraction than anything else. No one expected he’d survive the round. But they didn't know the capabilities of his new armor. With that, he'd take the fort himself.
Fort Point, according to Ace, was located just below the Golden Gate Bridge, more of a watch tower than an actual military base. Alan verified this information with Eve. Capturing it was quite simple. After the area's boss was defeated he had to stand on a point, a Control Point. That was it. They just had no idea who, or what, the area boss was, just that they had to stay close to the Control Point. Players, machines or NPCs could perform the task.
Alan continued running, making his way to the Golden Gate Bridge. Eve had determined this was the most defensible position, giving him a high ground advantage. She began highlighting a few patrols as Alan approached the fort. They were unable to see him, but he made sure to stay far enough away that they couldn't hear him.
As he ran Alan kept expecting a car to appear, yet none ever did.
When he approached the edge of the bridge the signs of a battle emerged - various scorch marks highlighted by Eve. The marks seemed old though, the result of something that happened long before. Alan saw why there weren’t any vehicles crossing the bridge; a section had been obliterated, dividing the bridge in two, preventing any crossing. Only burnt out vehicles remained on the bridge, immobile, scattered about like ants.
A single gunner team sat atop the bridge, guarding the entrance. Alan walked right by them after Eve gave the go ahead; they had no motion detectors set up. Directly below the right side of the entrance was Fort Point.
A rectangular building made of brick, the fort stood 50 feet high with three stories; it had a single entrance, with iron-studded doors. At the fort’s center was an open courtyard, allowing Alan to see inside. There were multiple people running about, and the inside of the fort looked like the Coliseum, with levels of arches ringing the courtyard. In the middle stood a glowing blue circle with arcane symbols: the Control Point.
Alan continued to scan the fort, trying to make out the defenses. Along the top of the edges two giant turrets Eve labeled as laser cannons were mounted, one at either end. They would need to be taken out, as each could swivel inwards and fire into the courtyard. A soft blue glow that flickered in and out let Alan know that the fort had a shield generator active. Like the bunker's shield, this would deflect any projectile attacks from outside, but wouldn't prevent anyone from walking in. Eve highly suspected the fort would have motion detectors or infrared cameras, making it harder for Alan to sneak in.
Reconnaissance done, Alan scurried away, further along the bridge. Once he was a safe distance away from the marines he sent Thiago a message.
A: 53 hostiles have been detected outside. Eve estimates 70-100 additional inside the fort. Locations updated on map. 50+ enemies unaccounted.
T: They are here, mounting an attack on the bunker. They have armored vehicles, something we did not prepare for. Shields are holding up and we've deflected all attacks thus far, but their vehicles have shields too. MadMerlin says he has an idea. You are on your own.
A: On my own? To do what?
T: Take the base. If we can we will send someone to help.
Thiago ended the chat.
Alan took a deep breath. His armor still had 300 energy, enough for an hour's worth of invisibility. Now he had to figure out what to do with it.
Begin eliminating enemies, Eve sent.
Shouldn't I try sneaking in?
Negative, lure them outside and gain experience.
Not one to question Eve, Alan set up the sniper rifle, using a small burned out Volkswagen Beetle on the bridge as cover. When he was looking through the digital scope it looked like a first person shooting game, with a small crosshair that would turn red when Eve thought a shot would hit.
I will highlight key targets. You may fire when ready.
Alan took a deep breath, trying to keep his hands steady, focusing on the five man squad on the bridge a few hundred yards away. The soldier on the gun was highlighted red. This was just another arcade shooting game.
Lying prone, trying to stay still, Alan lined up a shot. He turned off his armor's invisibility. The crosshair turned red. He squeezed the trigger. A purple, magenta plasma bolt shot out of the sniper rifle, colliding with the squad captain manning the gun atop the bridge. It was a direct hit, and a small explosion of energy erupted, killing the soldier.
MOVE ON TO THE NEXT TARGET.
Switching to another soldier, Alan fired again. A miss. He fired again. A hit. The soldier went down. The others began diving for cover, firing indiscriminately in his direction. None of the bullets came close.
Hold your breath to remain steady. Adjusting targeting equation based on new data, Eve sent.
Staring down the sights, Alan tried to find a good shot, but the soldiers were all behind cover. Every slight movement threw off where he was aiming, and it was difficult to tell what he was looking at down the scope.
Quickly eliminate the soldiers, patrols converging on our location! We need to get off this bridge before they arrive.