Dark Matter Ascension-Chapter 44B2 - : General Logistics: Preparations

12 levels worth of Stardust, Bloopa ‘said’ as she went through her various fractal shapes.

Priam nodded, “I need a single-target healing Skill that cures everything, like what Greg has. But it needs to have range, as well.”

10 Ranks would max out Seraph’s Soothe, which fits exactly what you describe.

“Perfect! Then, 2 levels into that From on High damage Skill right after.”

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Name: Priam Westerfold (Aspirant, Tier 4)

Power [Class Level]: Pulsar [Priest <Seraph> 95]

Skill Name (Rank) [Evolutions]: Universal Translation, Environmental Adaptation, Pulsar Ward (Rank 35) [Multi-Target], Pulsar Physic (Rank 10) [Contingent], Priest's Benediction (Rank 13) [Enduring], Priest's Smite (Rank 10) [Marking], Energy Cost Reduction (Rank 10), Wrath of the Gods (Rank 5), From on High (Rank 4), Seraph's Soothe (Rank 10), Soul Restoration (1/day), Ishtar's Embrace (1/day)

Stardust: 1,630

Equipment: (Light) Archpriest Vestments, (Conservation) Soul Warden Writ, (Insightful) Dad's Hat, (Light) Venture Pack, survival meals (x40), enhanced canteen, optimized medical kit

Boons: Common (Information), Epic (Augmentation)

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From on High (Rank 4): As Rank 1, but the flight lasts for 25 seconds, and the user may conjure six bolts.

Seraph’s Soothe (Rank 1): The user heals all wounds and ailments affecting a single target within 5 feet.

Seraph’s Soothe (Rank 10): As Rank 1, but increase range to 50 feet from the user.

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Each interim Rank of Seraph’s Soothe just increases the range. And you should never manifest From on High at a lower Rank than its highest possible, because it does not have scaling energy cost.

“Cool!”

“12 levels,” Greg muttered. “Let’s try to get more defensive Skills.”

“What do you want?” Darrin asked.

“Let’s bump up that Call to Guard Skill by a few ranks to increase the teleport range and reduce the cooldown. I also want something from <Resolute Guardian> that gives me more damage resistance or reflection.”

“You got it!”

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Name: Greg Bhastal (Aspirant, Tier 4)

Power [Class Level]: Planet [Protector <Resolute Guardian> 95]

Skill Name (Rank) [Evolutions]: Universal Translation, Environmental Adaptation, Protector's Vow (Rank 3) [Guardian's Vow], Planetary Defenses (Rank 3), Planetary Retribution (Rank 3), Cosmic Infusion (Rank 10), Protector's Panacea (Rank 8), Planetary Palisade (Rank 10), Planetary Growth (Rank 6), Rock Blast (Rank 15), Energy Cost Reduction (Rank 10), Defensive Upgrade (Rank 10), Sphere of Protection (Rank 5), Call to Guard (Rank 5), Guardian's Defenses (Rank 9), Thellor’s Reversal (1/day)

Stardust: 1,630

Equipment: (Heavy) Thellor's Impenetrable Bulwark, Pheracorp deflection matrix, Stunstick, (Heavy) Venture Pack, survival meals (x40), enhanced canteen, optimized medical kit, 20,000 creds, Bunker-Buster Mk. 3, Enduralife Guardian AR, General Logistics 9mm Pistol, x2 EMP grenade, x3 flashbang, Killer Whale

Boons: None

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Call to Guard (Rank 5): As Rank 1, but increase range to 150 feet. Reduce cooldown for each target to 6 seconds per target.

Guardian’s Defenses (Rank 1): Must have the Planetary Defenses Skill active. Cosmic Power reinforces the rock and stone shell, further empowering the damage reduction without decreasing mobility.

Guardian’s Defenses (Rank 9): As Rank 1, but the damage reduction is amplified.

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Greg nodded, “Very nice. I’m assuming that Ranks 2-8 of Guardian’s Defenses were just weaker variations of the Rank 9 version?”

“Yup!” Darrin floated over to Greg’s shoulder and hovered there.

Right. Time for one more check. He hopped up and down, shaking his body to ensure that none of his gear was loose or clanging around. Satisfied, he glanced over and made eye contact with Jace. “Ready?”

Jace pointed at Dee and Quinn, “They’re still doing the process.”

Thank you, Xera, for unlocking this for me, Quinn thought. This Class Expansion is very useful. She could only imagine how good it was going to feel being able to fully experience everything her allies were experiencing from the safety of her home. Plus, being able to buff her allies’ attacks made her feel more like a contributing member, rather than just the information person.

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Name: Quinn Cipher (Aspirant, Tier 4)

Power [Class Level]: Star [Broker <Celestial Coordinator> 95]

Skill Name (Rank) [Evolutions]: Universal Translation, Environmental Adaptation, Broker's Instinct (Rank 8), Broker's Contract (Rank 20), Broker's Fee (Rank 16), Cosmic Infusion (Rank 10), Magic World Interface (Rank 10), Magitech World Interface (Rank 10), Technology World Interface (Rank 10), Other Realm Interface (Rank 5), Celestial Observer (Rank 1), Coordinator's Critical Gaze (Rank 6)

Stardust: 1,630

Equipment: Broker's interface, Broker's starting gear, Webwalker Implants, Pheracorp Bionic Brain Mk. 1, Pheracorp Bionic Eyes Mk. 1, (Light) Venture Pack, survival meals (x40), enhanced canteen, optimized medical kit, Enduralife Guardian AR, General Logistics 9mm Pistol, x8 micro-EMP charge

Boons: None

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Other Realm Interface (Rank 1) - Enables the user to interface with Systems present on or within other universes in the Mortal Realm.

Other Realm Interface (Rank 2) - Enables the user to interface with Systems present on or within the Astral Verge.

Other Realm Interface (Rank 3) - Enables the user to interface with Systems present on or within the Nethershift.

Other Realm Interface (Rank 4) - Enables the user to interface with Systems present on or within the Soul Realm.

Other Realm Interface (Rank 5) - Enables the user to interface with Systems present on or within the Afterlives.

Celestial Observer (Rank 1) - The user designates any number of targets or objects (up to a number equal to their Tier). An invisible, undetectable, and untraceable sensor manifests around them. The sensor is tethered to the target or object, unable to move more than 10 feet from it. The user may use any of their senses through the sensor. This sensor may emit their voice should they desire, and with focus, can even enable video contact.

Coordinator’s Critical Gaze (Rank 1) - The user must have a Celestial Observer active. Any target within line-of-sight of the Celestial Coordinator's sensor has its weak points highlighted, making the weak spots visible to the targets with the sensor assigned.

Coordinator’s Critical Gaze (Rank 6) - As Rank 1, but the first strike against the weak spot has its damage amplified by x6.

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Futureproofing, Quinn thought. Eventually we-they will leave this universe behind to try and get Jace and Priam’s family back. She grinned, And I can focus on more support-style Skills since I’ve pretty much maxed out my capacity as a Broker. Once more, she gave silent thanks to Xera for the Class Expansion.

She looked out at her allies and activated Celestial Observer (Rank 1) on each of them, noting to her immense satisfaction that smaller, sub-screens appeared in the corner of her vision. If she focused on one, it expanded to fill her view. And I should be able to put this on my screens back home.

Dee looked over at Miku as everyone else had seemingly finished their level up process. “I don’t know,” she replied to the prior question. “I can always put 4 more Ranks into my various Blaster Skills. You know, amplify the damage.”

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“B-but you sh-should focus on t-the Art-Artillerist more.”

Priam looked over at her, “Struggling to decide?”

Dee nodded, “Yeah. I have three endlessly scaling offensive Skills. So those are always options. But-”

“We need something that prevents your damage from hitting us,” Greg said. “Jace or I might be up in the fray, and if you’re lobbing explosives: well, I can’t speak for Jace. But I don’t want to be hit.”

Jace nodded in agreement. “See if you can do something with that.”

“Okay!” Dee said as she nodded. Just keep making a good impression. These people don’t seem to mind that I’m wanted by one of the most powerful factions, and that I’m addicted to explosions. Now…hmm…Okay, I think I’ve got it. “Miku, hit me with the Stardust!”

“Y-yup!”

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Name: Deasyl 'Dee' Luna (Aspirant, Tier 4)

Power [Class Level]: Nebula [Blaster <Artillerist> 95]

Skill Name (Rank) [Evolutions]: Universal Translation, Environmental Adaptation, Energy Cost Reduction (Rank 10), Cosmic Infusion (Rank 10), Nebula Blast (Rank 22), Nebula Explosion (Rank 22), Nebula Beam (Rank 22), Artillerist's Acumen (Rank 6), Artillerist's Discipline (Rank 5)

Stardust: 1,630

Equipment: None

Boons: None -----

Artillerist’s Discipline (Rank 1) - The user designates any number of targets or objects (up to a number equal to their Tier). The user's ranged Skills that cause an area-of-effect will not affect their marked targets or objects.

Artillerist’s Discipline (Rank 2) - As Rank 1, but in addition, the user may designate additional targets or objects (up to a number equal to their Tier x2).

Artillerist’s Discipline (Rank 3) - As Rank 2, but the user may also designate areas as the Skill is used that will not be affected, if they are within the area-of-effect, and no larger than a 5-foot sphere.

Artillerist’s Discipline (Rank 4) - As Rank 3, increase unaffected area to 10-foot sphere.

Artillerist’s Discipline (Rank 5) - As Rank 4, increase unaffected area to 15-foot sphere.

Artillerist’s Acumen (Rank 6): As Rank 5, and the ranged Skills deal x5 damage, increasing up to x10 based on distance traveled.

Nebula Blast (Rank 22) - As Rank 1, increase range to 575 feet, and increase damage.

Nebula Explosion (Rank 22) - As Rank 1, but increase origin range to 240 feet of the user, increase the radius of the explosion to 115 feet, and increase the damage inflicted.

Nebula Beam (Rank 22) - As Rank 1, but increase beam width to 22 feet wide, length of the beam to 260 feet long, and it deals increased damage.

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“Okay! I’m all set! Artillerist’s Discipline (Rank 1)!” She saw a slight, green bubble appear above each other Aspirant’s head. “Now I won’t hit you with explosions!”

Priam nodded and pulled out a thin, metal tube. He waved it in the air, and the golden honeycomb barrier popped into place around each of them, and a slight, golden hourglass appeared over their heads. “Barrier and contingent heal: if you would suffer a lethal injury.”

“Buffing up, eh? We ready for General Logistics?” Greg asked as he cracked a smile. He tapped his foot, and his eyes narrowed slightly as his body was coated with rock and stone that then glowed with a cool, blue light. The same blue light appeared above each of them as a tiny, shield icon.

Jace nodded and his body flared with purple light, along with his legs becoming purple and crimson, “Yeah. I’ve got a score to settle.”

She raised an eyebrow and held up her broker wrist-panel. Dee saw as all of the various icons above the Aspirants vanished as a single, golden orb seemed to suck them all in. “I’ve got my eyes, ears, vision, smell, and sense of touch on you: just like a Wayfinder, though, I’m tethered to you.”

Dee clapped excitedly, “Oh, this is going to be so much fun! What’s the plan?”

Quinn tapped her wrist pad and threw up a map with two different routes traced out. “You three are going to be the distraction. There’s 3 confirmed Ascendants and 8 Aspirants. The General Logistics main facility in Beijing is a gigafactory and warehouse. One, enormous building that could house millions of people if it was apartments, just for a sense of scale.”

She pulled up a 3-dimensional holographic representation of the city. It was all uniform; square high-rise buildings that were laid out immaculately. A bit behind the enormous city of high-rises was a single highway, fifty-lanes wide, with a series of train tracks that ran all the way to the mountains, where the enormous facility was set up. Partially built into the rock face, and the holographic outline extended back into the mountains several miles, spreading out under the topography.

Greg whistled, “Impressive.”

“That’s not the half of it,” Quinn stated as the facility map expanded. “They have their main servers at the center of the complex, and this place is a goddamn fortress. The only real way in is the front door-”

“Or we cut our way in from the back,” Jace stated as he drew his sword and held up the sparking, shimmering, silvery-gold blade that was coated with purple and crimson. The sight captivated Dee, as if she was a moth drawn to a flame. The colors were so pretty and filled her with a giddy sense of excitement.

Looks like Jace is all set to deal some damage! Perfect!

Quinn tutted, “That’s not an option, really. Unless you want to go down through hundreds of feet of mountain and then a reinforced shell of titanium. Their security system is something I can never hack. You’ll be blasting-” she shot a glance at Dee, “-or cutting your way through the facility. And every time, that will give away your position. You thought the other megacorps had firepower? General Logistics makes the most weapons and mechs.”

Greg nodded, “Yeah, they’re cutting-edge, for sure. Who knows how dangerous, now, with the Nebula Alliance’s addition of tech.”

“This is going to have to be a full on, frontal assault,” Quinn said as she winced slightly. “But…we’re not alone in this.” The door to the Star Market opened up, and Dee glanced sideways as she saw a group of ten Star Cosmic Power Ascendants.

One of them, a man with white hair, green eyes, and greyish skin was dressed in a futuristic suit of battle armor. “Hi, I’m Mizarion. Quinn, we all ready, here?”

Quinn nodded, but Jace looked over at her, “I should go ahead. I can infiltrate while you draw them out to a prolonged battle outside.”

“That’s right!” Mizarion said as he walked in and grabbed the Dark Matter Aspirant around the shoulder. “We’re going to make a lot of noise, and a lot of flashy explosions. Hopefully, we’ll draw out all of their Aspirants and Ascendants.” He looked over to Jace, “You get that tech plague inside.”

“Sounds like a plan!” Dee said as she hopped off the couch. “Let’s go blow stuff up!”

“Felicity, a word, please.” The cosmopanel sitting on the desk illuminated as the voice came through.

She picked up the device. Acquired when the portals to The Cosmic Corridor first opened, Felicity Seren tilted the screen as she saw her contact with the Nebula Alliance. “Ah, Mr. Tyul. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“General Logistics is the last megacorp on Earth.”

She nodded and put her glasses’ earpiece in between her teeth as she twirled the spectacles around her finger. “Yes, I’m aware. A great opportunity, don’t you think?”

“Do you want to know who is responsible for the downfall of your competitors?”

“Some Streetrunner crew of Aspirants,” she replied as she set the glasses on the table and leaned back in her sumptuous chair. “We have all of your remaining Ascendants and Aspirants, plus all of our security forces have been recalled to focus on shoring up the defenses of this facility. The gravitic detectors were greatly appreciated, by the way.”

“It’s your son.”

“Pardon?” Felicity leaned forward slightly, sitting more properly upright.

“Jace Seren. Aka, Flicker. He’s the Aspirant who has destroyed every other megacorp’s servers. Him and his allies. Satellite images, video, all of it is heading your way now.”

Her cosmopanel buzzed, and she looked at the images. He looks…he doesn’t look human. Felicity took a deep breath in through her nose and exhaled slowly through her mouth. “…And you know this how?”

“We have our ways,” the bird man replied. “It has been confirmed that he works for a very secretive faction. Use this information as you will. Maybe you can talk him down from destroying your company and securing my faction’s interests. I can sweeten the deal, as well. Eliminate him, and I’ll make sure you’re the CEO of General Logistics when it takes over Earth on behalf of the Nebula Alliance.”

Felicity nodded, “…Thank you for the intel. And the offer.” She hung up on the call, and reached into her desk drawer, pulling out a bottle of the most expensive liquor on Earth; a special type of Whiskey that cost over 10 million creds. She grabbed a small cup and poured out a few fingers’ worth of the expensive liquid.

She reached down to the other desk drawer and pulled out the small set of photos she had. A single frame with the three photos. She took a sip of her drink, savoring the toffee notes and flavor of subtle spices. The first picture was of her and her husband. He had passed away during the corporation wars.

The other two were her children. Jace as a toddler, right before she had to sign him into the General Logistics extended daycare and boarding school. He was dressed in a neat, little outfit: a jumpsuit that was standard issue for the children. The last picture of the trio was her daughter in the same outfit, but she was on her own.

Felicity took another sip of the alcohol and not for the first time felt regret well up within her. I was doing it for you both, she thought as she poured more of the expensive drink into the cup.

Her husband was supposed to be the breadwinner, and he died when Jace was still an infant. His death benefits only lasted a few years, so Felicity didn’t have a choice. She had to get a job. And one that would ensure her child was safe and would be cared for.

The plan was always to work her way up the ranks, and then eventually, when her kids were old enough, bring them on as her direct assistants. Then, they could keep climbing up as a family. No low-level grunt work. She wanted the best for her son.

But Jace ruined that. How was Felicity to know that the boarding school would tolerate bullying? That they would not allow her to visit until she reached a certain title of supervisor? She was not even notified of his disappearance until a year after it had happened: and she had tried to keep tabs on him. Learning that he had become one of the street folk that scraped by a meager existence.

But she could not afford constant surveillance, and she lost him. And that pain tore at her deeply.

A few years later, she had an affair with her boss, and after getting pregnant, she put Chroma into the boarding school as per company policy at the age of 3 months.

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Then, Jace had come back and taken Chroma away; somehow discovering he had a sister. Felicity always suspected Chroma’s father had informed him, somehow; to remove Felicity’s leverage for blackmail about the illicit affair.

The security camera footage left no doubt that it was her long-lost son that had returned to take her other child. She did not have as strong of an attachment to Chroma as she did Jace, because she had to give up Chroma to the boarding school before she grew a personality.

But the bond was still there. You can never remove the bond between a mother and their child.

She felt a few tears welling up, and wiped them away before picking up the bottle and taking several gulps, letting the burning warmth sear away her sorrow.

Both of her children, gone forever. Lost in New York City as they blended into the permanent underclass of street folk. Even if Felicity wanted to find them, it would be nearly impossible. And then she was moved to Beijing, to the main offices. Not three months after Chroma’s abduction.

Felicity’s ascent was legendary. The only way to bury the grief at the loss of her children was to delve into her work with an unhealthy degree of fanaticism. Clawing her way up the megacorp’s ladder. Backstabbing, ordering assassinations, sleeping with whoever she needed to, and of course blackmail; she had become one of the most powerful within the organization, right under the CEO himself.

She was even on the board of directors.

She removed the photos from the frame and folded them up before putting them into her pocket. The alcohol burned in her stomach, churning against the icy spike of remorse that sat there like a knife.

There was only so long she could suppress the grief through work, and learning that her son was alive, and an Aspirant serving some secretive faction in The Cosmic System was too much. She tapped the button on her desk that would completely seal off the room and play a constant white noise.

And she sobbed. Weeping for the years lost.