Chapter 110: Logistics

Chapter 110: Logistics

Rain sat cross-legged on the ground near where Tallheart was working, his hands hovering above his keyboard. A terminal window floated in front of him at a comfortable height. Now that he’d built the components, he could use them for whatever, in this case, a text editor. Manually adding things to a panel took effort and concentration to bend the system to his will, while typing was practically effortless. It was faster, too, thanks to the fact that his macros still seemed to run at soul-speed. In fact, he’d had to add delays to some of his scripts to get them to work properly in the real world, but that was neither here nor there. He had a more serious issue to deal with.

Company Names:

(Before Kettel names it something stupid)

(Where is Kettel, anyway?)

Unity?

Sounds like a cult.

Tarny would be thrilled.

Delvers’ Guild?

Too close to the ‘Guild’ guild.

Maybe just “Delve”?

It’s a little on the nose...

Cleaning Crew?

Haha, I crack me up.

No.

The Hunters?

Sounds cool...

Not very accurate...

A little generic.

The Band of the Falcon?

No.

Just no.

Ascension

I think this is the first one I like.

The organization will be about raising people’s levels and stuff, so.

Also, I’m serious about that airship.

How do they not have airships?

Sky pirates when?

Should it be in English, or Common?

The words are similar, and so are one or two others, for that matter...

Sidenote: Why?

The ancestor of the Guild and the Watch was called the Majistraal Ascensi Guildum. Sounds vaguely Latin. Coincidence?? Ancient Roman isekaied through time? Possible thermae connection? Todo: investigate bathing technology.

...

Nobody is going to get that.

Ahem.

Why did I type ahem?

Todo: build proper word processor. I need bullet points. Manually indenting all this stuff is killing me. I also need to get the panel to reflow text properly when I resize it...

Todo: transfer todo list from notebook to system.

Add priority and sort...

ah-HEM!

The Federation?

Has the right moral framework

Pro: No copyright lawyers in this world.

Con: I would still know. I’d feel like a hack.

The Culture?

Same problem.

Justice?

Hmm. No, anyone who calls themselves ‘Justice’ isn’t just. Hey, that wasn’t bad.

The Tallheart Fanclub

His reaction would be hilarious. Also, I can never show anyone this list. They’d think I’m bonkers. Sidenote: is there a way to make system panels visible to others?

Slimeco

Lamest thing ever

Auras R Us

I stand corrected

The Nameless

Oooooh. Edgy.

The Null Set

Groan.

Math Club

No.

Zero

Actually, this one’s pretty good. Nice and simple.

Uplift

Similar to Ascension. I think I like Ascension Better.

Ugh!

I should literally just call it “Ugh!”, including the exclamation point.

Naming things is hard.

“Rain,” Tallheart said. “I require your assistance.”

Rain looked up from the window, glad for the distraction. He’d come back to this later. “Sure, Tallheart, what’s up?”

“Mmm,” Tallheart said, gesturing to Smelter: Version 2.0.

“Sure, one sec,” Rain said. He got to his feet, wincing at the burning in his muscles. He’d been pushing his body hard, and the effects of his soul damage were still there, leaving him stiff even after a brief rest. He took a minute to stretch, pondering Tallheart’s work from a distance as he did.

Samson smiled. “I am not afraid of people knowing my secrets. Let them come.”

Vanna snorted. “Okay, now that’s more like what I expected.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“Sorry, sorry,” Vanna said, looking back down. “Okay, I’m going to skip down a bit, since we’re on the subject. Noble section, noble section...” She ran her finger down the page. “Ah, there we go.” She cleared her throat. “Would you have a problem taking orders from a commoner?”

“Only if they are incompetent,” Samson said. “Rain is not.”

She looked up at him. “Rain says he isn’t in charge until we have that stupid vote he wants, and I wasn’t talking about him. In general, would you follow orders from a commoner, even an unawakened commoner, if they were your superior?”

“I—” He tilted his head. Hmm. I do not know. “I suppose it would depend on the person. I will not follow a fool.”

“Fair enough,” Vanna said, making a note. “Are you a speciesist?”

“What?”

She gave him a level look. “How do you feel about cervidians?”

Samson glanced at where Tallheart was working, then back at Vanna. “I cannot say that I have any strong opinions. I have never met one. I would never consider killing one because of the Empire’s bounty if that is what you are asking.”

“Good. How about other groups. Are you a racist? Do you discriminate on gender, skin color, sexual orientation, religion, or any other arbitrary category?”

“What is this?” Samson said, looking down at the paper. “Did you write these questions?”

Vanna laughed, flipping it around so he could see. The top of the page bore the words ‘Rain’s Asshole Test, Version: ...’ and then a series of symbols he didn’t recognize. “Well?” she said, turning it back around.

“No,” Samson said. “Unless you count thinking that Bankers are greedy bastards and Guilders are reckless fools.”

“Hmm,” Vanna said, making a mark.

“Look, is Rain here?” Samson said. “No offense, Lady Vanna, but he knows me. Do we really have to go through all of this?”

“Oh, ‘Lady’, is it?” Vanna said, snorting. “Just Vanna.”

“I was only being polite,” Samson said.

Vanna sniffed. “Rain!” she shouted suddenly. “Get over here!”

“What?” came a voice from the distance. Rain’s head poked up from behind the pile of scrap near where Tallheart was working. Both of them were looking over. “Oh,” Rain said, waving. “Hey!”

Samson watched as Rain started moving toward him. The Night Cleaner’s form was bulky beneath his black cloak, which was open to show that that size was mostly coming from his armor, though he was blessed with height. Compared to Samson, most people were. Rain wasn’t wearing his helmet, and his face bore a neatly trimmed brown beard that it had lacked the last time Samson had seen him.

As he grew closer, Samson got a look at his eyes. He couldn’t put a finger on what he saw there, but something about his gaze was unsettling, perhaps its intensity. He detected no trace of the man’s rumored Aura of Fear, but he had no doubt that he could activate it if he so chose. The vision of Rain charging a howling pack of kin and burning them to a crisp with barely any effort popped into his mind.

I would never have thought someone could make Aura Magic so terrifying. I have a long way to go.

“Huh, he really does know you,” Vanna said. Samson glanced at her. She’d gotten to her feet and was standing beside him. He noticed that she was almost a hand taller than he was, but he swallowed his irritation. She looked completely at ease at the approach of a man that some called Death Zone, despite the fact that she was presumably unawakened.

Samson turned back, finding himself staring up at Rain, who was almost upon them. If Vanna had a hand of height on Samson, then Rain had a hand of height on her. As he came to a stop, he practically loomed over the pair of them.

“Hey Samson,” Rain said, offering him his hand to shake. “What brings you here?”

Samson grasped Rain’s offered gauntlet, shaking firmly. With his added Strength, he was able to match the Night Cleaner’s firm grip easily. “I came to thank you again for freeing me from the Citizen, as well as to offer you my services.”

Rain blinked, then a huge grin broke out on his face. His teeth were just as unsettlingly white as Samson remembered, and he had to fight to control his expression. They were like bones that had been bleached by the sun and polished to a mirror sheen.

“Rain, I didn’t finish the test, but he seems okay,” Vanna said.

“Good, good,” Rain said, still smiling. He looked at Samson. “So, you really want to join, huh? Not just the trip to Vestvall, but the whole thing?”

“Yes,” Samson said, nodding. “If you will have me. I was impressed by your leadership in the Fells, and I see great value in traveling with you, wherever it may lead.”

“What about your family?” Rain asked. “We didn’t get time to really get to know each other in the Fells, but I heard a bit about them from Lady Par. Just gossip, I’m afraid. If you know Lady Par, you’ll understand what I mean.”

Samson snorted. He knew precisely what Rain meant. “Don’t worry about my family. They have already left for the DKE, and are probably licking Jarro’s boots already. I have no interest in joining them.”

“Well, all right then,” Rain said. “Welcome to the company. We don’t have a name yet, but I’m working on it. I’m also overdue on setting out some official rules, but for now, everyone’s an equal, and the guiding principle is ‘don’t be an asshole.’ You probably figured that out from Vanna’s questions.”

“Fair enough,” Samson said. He looked around at the workers and the slimes, both toiling away industriously. “How can I help?”

“Hmm,” Rain said. “Maybe combat lessons? You’re amazing with that sword. Would you be willing to teach—hang on, one second. Act casual.”

“What?” Samson said.

Rain raised a hand as if to scratch his beard, but instead, he made the hand sign for ‘silence’, then the one for ‘wait’ as soon as his arm was in front of his body. Samson glanced at Vanna, raising an eyebrow. She looked just as confused as he was. Samson jumped, reaching for his sword as Rain suddenly burst into motion.

“CONSTANT VIGILANCE!” Rain roared, cloak whipping as he spun unnaturally fast, trails of wind following his movements. His arm shot up, pointing into the empty air behind him. There was a startled cry, and Samson began to draw his sword as he realized that it had come from the empty spot that Rain was pointing at. Before he could complete the motion, an Osaran man wearing a black jacket popped into view. Samson recognized him as the adventurer that they’d rescued in the Fells.

“Gods damn it, Rain!” the man said, laying a hand on his chest. “What the fuck?!”

“Ha!” Rain said, lowering his hand. “How do you like the taste of your own medicine?” He snorted out a laugh.

Samson slowly slid his sword back into its sheath. The...taste of your own medicine? What’s that supposed to mean? No, more importantly, what’s the Osaran doing here? He can become invisible? I suppose that explains how he got into the Fells...

Samson looked closer at the man. He had dark hair in a ponytail, and there was a spray of tiny pale scars on his left cheek that he didn’t remember being there, almost like the man had been splattered by burning oil. Other than that, he looked in much better condition than the last time he’d seen him.

“Bah,” the Osaran said, lowering his hand from his chest as he stared at Rain. “Did you hear me coming, or was it that skill of yours?”

“The skill, of course,” Rain said. “Face it, Val, your days of sneaking up on me are done.”

“Owned,” Vanna said.

Rain clapped his hands sharply, raising one into the air with an immensely satisfied expression on his face. He laughed. “Perfect usage, Vanna. Just perfect. Much better than last time. Also acceptable would have been ‘wrecked’ or ‘rekt’.”

Is that last one even a word? What is going on?

“Anyway, Samson, this is Val. Val, Samson.” Rain gestured. “You’ve met him, Val, but you probably don’t remember it. He helped save your life in the Fells.”

“Oh,” Val said. He stepped around Rain, offering Samson his hand. “I suppose I should thank you then.”

Samson shook it firmly, nodding. “Don’t worry about it. So, you’re in this company, too, then?”

“Naturally,” Val said. “We’re going blue hunting. You’d have to be an idiot not to be interested in that.”

“Mmm,” Samson said, reserving his opinion. Rain was one thing, but this Val was the walking embodiment of the adventurer stereotype. I should talk to Rain about enforcing some discipline in this company of his. This could get out of hand quickly, depending on how many adventurers are involved.

Rain nodded. “Anyway, Val, did you want something, or were you just coming over to say boo?”

Val shrugged. “I just wanted to see what a noble was doing here.”

“Joining,” Samson said. “We were just discussing what I could do to help.”

“About that,” Rain said. “I just had an idea when we were talking about the Fells.” He glanced at Val before looking back at Samson. “No, we’re not sneaking in there. It hasn’t gone up in level, and anyway, Bartum says the Watch has it locked up tighter than the Bank vault. I was just thinking that the rest of our party from that delve might want to come. Samson, do you think you can go find out?”

“Hmm, I doubt Arlo and Rina will be interested. Bosco might be, perhaps. I can ask. Breggeh has already left for Jarro, according to Kettel. I spoke with him this morning, and I know that he already intends on joining.”

“Where did you see Kettel?” Rain asked. “I’ve been looking for him. I heard from the Watch that, well... Anyway, I’ve got some yelling to do when I find him. One of the first things that I’m going to do is run a training course on how not to be a reckless jackass.”

“I feel like you’re talking to me,” Val said.

Rain snorted.

Good. Perhaps I will not have to speak with him after all.

Samson nodded. “I saw Kettel by the eastern stronghold. I wouldn’t bother going over there, though. He asked me if I wanted to go with him into the city to scavenge. When I said no, he and the rest of his group wandered off. I haven’t seen them since.”

“And you just let him go?” Rain said, incredulous. “What group?” he demanded. “Who was with him?”

“I am not his father,” Samson said with a shrug. “Some bronzeplates from the Guild. The only one that I knew was Mahria, and only because of her mother. Did you hear that—”

“Yes, I know.” Rain interrupted. “When did they leave? Did you say this morning? Shit, it’s past noon, they... Shit!”

“Where are you going?” Samson said, watching as Rain started sprinting for the exit from the compound.

“Rescue mission,” Val said, grinning.

“Yes, but not alone,” Rain said. He’d stopped almost as soon as he started. Samson glanced at Vanna, then back at Rain as he heard him sigh. “One pack of idiots trying to get themselves killed is enough. Vanna, please manage things here. Try to keep Staavo from bothering Tallheart too much once he gets back. I’m going to find Ameliah, or, if she’s not around, Bartum. I should be able to convince him to give us some help.” He beckoned, then started moving again. “Come on, Samson, Val, let’s go.” He slammed his hands together, his gauntlets making the collision sharp and loud. “Damn it, Kettel!”