Chapter 17:Under the Sea!
[Tavish POV]
"Well, the reason I brought you back was to get you out of Mikoshi number one." I start off.
"And?" Johnny interrupted impatiently.
"Old Yorinobu wanted to set you loose in Night City once more. No fucking idea why, but he klepped a device from his Daddy to do so." I finish, causing him to snort.
"Might have to look him up some time then." He mused looking around. "So am I a prisoner here or what?" He asked stretching and testing out his new body.
"Hell no. Once you get yourself sorted, I'll take you on a tour. Bring you up to speed on what you missed while you were gone. I'm Tavish Byrne by the way." I return, stubbing out my cigarette in a nearby tray.
"Great, means I don't have to plan my escape." He stated, finishing his cigarette.
[Time Skip]
The first place I took Johnny was one of the forests that had sprouted out in the Badlands.
His expression of shock was priceless.
Explaining the context behind it was a lot more challenging, however.
Johnny's distrust of corporations was legendary, and it carried over to whoever he dealt with at times.
The fact of the matter is, Jonny is going to have to discover the same information for himself if its going to have any validity to it in his eyes.
Anything I say will ring false with him without any sort of proof. And he was guaranteed to be a complete ass about it.
The fact that his rep meter had only gone up by two was not lost on me.
+2 Rep with Johnny Silverhand (2/100)
For bringing him to life and not experimenting on him yet.
What the hell were they testing on him at Arasaka?
Was he just expecting me to hit a kill switch for his brain or something?
Anyway, we continued towards Night City proper, allowing him his first glimpse of the city in quite some time.
"The more things change, the more they stay the same." He commented dryly as a few scav's attempted a hijacking further ahead in traffic.
"An unfortunate truth to the world. Scav attacks are actually fewer now since I've actually turned hunting them into a part-time hobby." I reply, watching the occupants of the car gun down the hapless scav's and take off with a screech of burning rubber.
"And how much have they decreased by?" Johnny asked sarcastically.
"Probably by about 10%." I confess, causing him to scoff.
I have to admit, Johnny's snark was starting to grate on my nerves by the end of the day. Once the tour was done, I issued my ultimatum; "Don't fuck with my shit." A short, sweet, and easy to understand message, and in exchange, he would get his car back, a little bit of cred, and some firepower.
It was a deal that was easy for him to agree to.
And with that, we parted ways, Johnny was headed to the Afterlife to harass Rogue, and I was headed back to my clinic.
Prerequisites met!
World Jump available!
Would you like to head back to the Fortress?
Not just yet Iris, I have to break the news to the others.
[Time Skip]
"So, let me get this straight. You've met some sort of prerequisite that allows you to travel from this world to another, so you want to take a break and travel to a new one?" Harley asked after I had finished explaining.
I had gathered Beth, Elise, B.O.B, and Harley together to explain what I was going to do. I did offer them the option to travel to a new world if they wished.
"That is correct." I agree.
"And while you're gone, time will freeze here so that when you return, no matter how long you were gone, it will be like no time has passed here." She continued.
"Yes." I affirm.
"And you have absolutely no idea where you may end up?" She clarified.
"Well, I plan to visit an underwater city of mutated people first but after that, I have no idea." I inform.
"You're going back to Rapture?! Why the hell would you want to go back to that awful place?" Beth interjected, a frown marring her face.
"Roughly eight years after our departure from Rapture, a woman by the name of Sophia Lamb restarted the "Little sister" program. The program then transitioned the little sisters into a Big Daddy replacement role called "Big Sisters". Probably would be a good idea to stop that from happening." I reply, scratching the back of my head.
"Eight years huh? You really don't have a choice on where you go, do you? Why not stop it from happening beforehand?" Elise asked.
"No, my powers tend to drop me off at significant events in the places that I travel to. That is the next significant event that happens surrounding Rapture, so I can't really travel outside the parameters of a set destination." I explain.
B.O.B. raised his hand.
"Yes B.O.B. ?" I ask
He makes a couple of gestures with his hands that I'm able to roughly interpret.
"I have no idea what you should pack B.O.B. But if you end up disliking it, I could always send you back." I reply.
He nods and then gives me a thumbs up. I turn to the rest of the group; "Anyone else?"
"Nah, I'll pass on this one. It'll make the time pass quickly while you gather the money for Ivy." Harley said cheerfully.
"Why are you so intent on having Ivy here Harley?" Elise asked, brimming with curiosity.
"Cause I'm in a freaking separate dimension from her. I don't want to go traveling without my best friend and roomie!" Harley replied excitedly.
"Ah, I guess that makes sense?" Elise replied.
"Oh don't be like that, you'll love Ivy! As long as you don't mess with her plants, or let your hyenas pee on her plants, or mess with her research, or . . ." Harley continued on a tangent to the bemused Elise.
"Elise and I would like to spend a bit of time at the Fortress if you don't mind Tavish." Beth spoke over the sound of Harley's rant.
"Sure, but why there of all places?" I ask out of curiosity.
"Taking a vacation in space sounded like fun. Plus, we could get more versed on what all the universe has to offer." She replied.
"Alright, that can be easily arranged. Guess that means it will be a B.O.B. and Tavish adventure this time around!" I reply cheerfully, high-fiving the Omnic.
"What adventure are you talking about?" A new voice interjects into the conversation.
I turn to see V leaning against the doorframe of the living room.
"Hey V, how much did you hear?" I ask, trepidation settled in.
"Enough to hear about the girl's space vacation. Is there something you're not telling me Tavish?" She asked sweetly.
I glance at Beth and Elise only to see them sporting "cat that caught the canary" looks.
Those conniving scoundrels! They knew I was struggling with if I should tell V or not. Now I'm forced into a position of whether to tell an outrageous lie or to just rip off the band-aid and be done with it.
Fuck it, I'll have words with them later.
"Yup! I'm an extra-dimensional being that travels through time and space in a flying fortress. How about you? Are you hiding any secrets?" I reply, blithely.
Beth and Elise's expressions shift to one of shock at my blasé response.
"Hmmm, I always wondered how good Beth and Elise are in the sack." V replied with a grin causing both girls in question to turn neon red in embarrassment.
"We'll definitely have to revisit that later." I say with a nod, prompting both girls to turn even redder if that were possible.
"Guess that answers that question." Harley joked, laughing at the sister's expense.
Once the laughter settled down, V looked at me expectantly, awaiting a proper answer.
Well, no sense delaying the inevitable. I simply had no desire to hide my activities from her.
I snap my fingers causing the portal to open in the center of the room causing V to start.
B.O.B. stands up and walks through shortly followed by the sisters.
I turn to see V gaping at the swirling blue portal.
"What is . . . . I mean how?" She stuttered trying to process the event in front of her.
I grin and offer a hand; "Fancy a trip V?" I ask.
She looked at me for a long moment before she took my hand and I dragged us through the portal.
[Time Skip]
I land on the command deck of the fortress as V collapses to the ground.
"Goddammit Tavish! Warn me next time about the landing!" She groused as she picked herself back up. Her eyes widened as she took in her surroundings. V's intense scrutiny of the room finally halted when she looked out the window, seeing the vast emptiness of space beyond.
"Welcome to the Fortress V. A place that rests at the crossroads between all of time and space!" I cheerfully inform as she gawks out the window.
"We're in space!" She exclaimed
"Yes! Well technically we are at an in-between point for worlds." I reply
"You created a portal in your living room!" She continued
"Also yes! You didn't believe my first explanation so drastic measures were required."
"Don't be so obtuse Tavish, you took me through a portal and now we're in space!"
I let her calm down a moment. I probably should have handled it more tactfully, but I didn't want to dance around the issue any longer than I have to. I'm not a criminal mastermind, when I make plans, its usually out of necessity or want. Generally, I want to deal with things in a blunt, straightforward manner.
Unfortunately, this was the result when I didn't use any tact whatsoever.
A New Skill Was Awarded for Exasperating the System
Tact
Lvl (1/100)
You can fuck right off Iris.
Tough cookies, you deserve it.
I grumble at the response before I turn my attention back to V. It looks like she had calmed down significantly and was waiting with renewed curiosity.
"Soooooo, dimensional traveler. How does that work?" She asked.
"I can hop to random points in time and space across the omniverse. I tend to gather random bits and bobs as I travel, from items and weapons to abilities and powers." I explain.
"Power's?" She questioned.
I gestured causing a ball of water to form in the air.
She watched the water ball shift and spin for a bit before she asked; "Are you an alien?"
The question stumped me in truth. My current race was Transcendent human, but I had come from another reality altogether.
"I think I am human with a little something extra to be more accurate. I jump from world to world, but I believe that the species I am currently originated from Earth." I muse aloud, watching her take a confused expression.
"You look human to me, what exactly are you then?" She questions.
I took that as a good sign that her curiosity had returned after the initial shock wore off.
"My race is labeled as "Transcendent human". Think of it as a human enhanced by a higher power with certain attributes." I supply, causing her to slowly nod.
We sit in silence for a bit as I let her mull over what she had just learned.
"So, what happens now?" V questioned. I could tell she was apprehensive.
"My question still stands; want to go on an adventure with me?" I query, causing her to start in surprise.
"To a different dimension? Why would you offer me that?" She said, trading apprehension for interest.
"V, I didn't tell you this just for shits and giggles. This is a fairly important aspect of my life that I felt you probably should at least be aware of if your involved with me. Overall your fairly ambivalent to living in Night City at all, I'm offering you the opportunity to travel with me to someplace you would like to spend your time doing something you enjoy."
"You don't even need to decide right this second, this is an offer that I'm offering to you and a select few that I encounter in my travels."
"I love spending time with you V, I'm not a different person than the guy who you've known for almost a year. I'm just letting you know about a piece of me that you were unaware of before. And I'm wanting to share that portion of me with you." I finish.
"You do realize that sounds really cheesy right?" V said grinning a little.
I laugh a little; "Maybe so, but it doesn't change the sentiment."
Silence falls over us again for little bit before V speaks up again; "How do you get random items from other universes?"
Smiling, I pull a couple of Gacha Tokens out of my inventory; "I come across these every now and then. I snap one, and I get a random item."
I snap a few for demonstration.
[A pair of soft Fleece pants] (Common)
[Force-of-Nature] (Extremely Common)
[Perk: Truth-Seeking Balls] (Mythic)
[Skill Book: Yoga] (Common)
[A Pack of Gum] (Common)
[Skill Book: Man and Machine] (Epic)
[Fire Hydrant] (Common)
[Race: Snake (Evolving)] (Rare)
[Block of Mithril] (Legendary)
I had laid out the items for V to examine as I looked over some of the items.
[Skill Book: Man and Machine]
People with cybernetics tend to fight differently from normal people. With this skill book, integrate your cybernetics into any fighting style you learn for devastating results.
[Race: Snake (Evolving)]
This makes your race that of a snake. Will you remain as such? You can activate this race between worlds and it will whisk you away for a special challenge world of survival of the fittest. Will you survive long enough to evolve into an apex predator?
[Truth-Seeking Balls]
Truth-Seeking Balls are orbs of malleable black mana, which can alter their form and characteristics in various ways. Though only the size of a fist, each hide within it the power to obliterate an entire forest. (Currently locked due to insufficient affinities.)
(Requirements: Fire Affinity 100%, Water Affinity 100%, Earth Affinity 100%, Wind Affinity 100%, Lightning Affinity 100%, Yin Affinity 100%, Yang Affinity 100%).
Truth-Seeking balls huh?
This actually informed me of a few things that were just pure speculation on my part. Most of the various systems of energy across the omniverse can be substituted for a gamers mana, and that aspects of certain powers can be awarded without receiving the full power. Yin and Yang were affinities that I hadn't encountered yet though I suspected they existed based on other gamer systems, I doubt I could access them without maxing out my base five affinities first. I pull up my stat screen to check how far along I am on those.
Fire Affinity: 35%
Water Affinity: 71%
Earth Affinity: 87%
Wind Affinity: 25%
Lightning Affinity: 12%
Yin Affinity: Locked
Yang Affinity: Locked
Rift Affinity: 5%
Storm Affinity: Locked
Plant Affinity: Locked
Just about what I was expecting from all of the playing around I did with my powers. I'm actually fairly curious on what other affinities I could discover on my travels.
The snake race sounded like an interesting race to play as for a bit, and the Man and Machine would be very useful indeed, I was kind of curious to know what I looked like as a snake, but the real gem at the moment was the block of Mithril. A way to further integrate magic with my cyberware? Yes please! A cloud of nanomachines starts breaking down the metal and integrating it into my body.
"So all of this stuff is from another world huh?" V asked, pulling a stick of gum out of the pack.
"Yup. Though I am slightly concerned on where the fire hydrant was stolen from." I comment, eying over the item in question.
"What exactly happens when you leave a world Tavish?" She asked, chewing thoughtfully on the gum.
"Time stops. The world is frozen until I return to resume it. Nobody is even aware that I am gone, or that anything has changed. When I return, everything resumes as normal, and I continue my normal day-to-day activities on returning." I explain.
"Alright then, where are we going?" V asked after some deliberation.
"Option A is an underwater city full of junkies and tweakers attempting a utopian style society, or Option B is a random point in time and space." I inform, drawing an exasperated look from V.
"Way to give a girl her options Tavish." She stated sarcastically.
"That's just the way my power works! Do you want to hold off until I find a world you'll like?" I return.
After a moment of thinking she comes to a decision; "We have enough tweakers in Night City, I'll wait until your random jump."
"Alright, that sounds reasonable." I agree.
[Time Skip]
After some preparation, I was ready to open up the portal.
V had left to go investigate what Beth and Elise were up to, which left me to retool my armor once more.
Outside of some key features, it was very much my own rendition of a Praetor Suit now.
Initially, my nanomachines had deemed it inefficient to have to keep putting on and taking off armor, so they had developed a type of nano armor that could be deployed at a moment's notice, complete with a helmet.
[Nano Armor] (Legendary)
Despite some of your best efforts, you can't deny that Tony Stark knew what he was doing when looking into nanotech. A highly modular armor that creates a sealed, protected environment when its deployed. Its capability of evolution enables you for rapid field repair and upgrades with little to no effort.
The armor expanded out into a series of Titanium plates laced together with a Vibranium/Mithril weave. The entire affair was reinforced further with sentinel energy increasing its durability by a large margin. The end result was a powered armor that enhanced my natural abilities by several magnitudes. The helmet seals itself around my head, providing a complete seal with its visor able to relay various information about the environment. It kind of reminded me of the Combat suits from EVE online to be honest.
I'm slightly concerned on their explanation of where they got the sentinel energy though. Apparently, the nanobots expanded the inside of the nano core with Gallifreyan tech, creating enough room to house a sentinel energy generator inside of the core.
So, I apparently can generate sentinel energy now?
Cool?
. . . . . .
God, I hope I don't explode if someone hits me wrong.
Moving on from that scary train of thought, let's go back to the armor.
After a lengthy discussion with the nanobots, we also designed some external armor pieces to supplement the nano armor. While the nanobots assured me the external armor attachments would be rendered obsolete as they continued to evolve, I liked to think of it as added insurance.
When deployed, the nano armor recedes into more of a body mesh with multiple points to look into. The plating and armaments that followed would reinforce the armor and expand the variety of options that I would have available in combat.
The "Spartan" loadout definitely cut an imposing figure as I view it on its design platform. Very few of the Praetor suits influences remain in this armor loadout as I fasten it together. The largest improvement was the folding plate shield on the arm. It concealed a few surprises of its own within its mounting system on the left arm. It looked closer to Mjolnir armor at this point more than anything. I might even be able to pass off as a significantly bulkier Spartan if I went to the Halo universe.
Stormreaver received an upgrade as well with the installation of its own nano hive core in the weapon, allowing it to integrate certain weapons and designs for its own purposes. My initial test of integrating a Big Daddy drill into the weapon was largely successful and granted the weapon a new form in the shape of a lance.
The lance itself was a fairly long segmented affair that provided an interesting option in melee combat. The fact that it could reconfigure into a drill steered my thoughts towards more utilitarian uses for nanobots.
But that would have to wait for another day.
I gear up for Rapture, grabbing the radio that I had acquired from my last venture down to the murky depths of the underwater city. Double-checking one last time to confirm that all of my gear was in order, I snap the challenge coin and step through the glowing portal.
[Scene Change]
[3rd person POV]
Water dripped down from the ceiling along the Greek-style architecture of the Adonis Luxury Resort.
The room had appeared to have been recently drained of seawater, as evidenced by the ocean life that resided within the room. Glowing coral stacked itself up to the ceiling, overtaking the once mighty columns of marble.
Plant life hung limply along the walls, concealing the once beautiful Greek artwork that decorated the walls.
In front of a large pool-like area, a blue portal opens, providing a new source of light to the darkness of the facility.
[Tavish POV]
New Quest Added
[A Sister's Savior]
A certain Utopian has deigned it necessary to restart the Little Sister program. Show her the error of her ways.
Objective: Rescue the Little Sisters from Rapture once more.
Bonus Objectives: ?
Rewards: ?
Stepping out of the portal I take in the sight of a severely degraded Rapture. It was clear that as time passed, its Big Daddy population dwindled, reducing the overall ability for Rapture to repair and recover from a watery grave.
I hear some rustling nearby and I heft my lance to bear, only just spotting something scamper around the corner.
A Little Sister?
Or something more sinister?
I activate my meditation for a moment to try to glean what may be nearby, but all I get are flickering shadows, and vague feelings running a gamut across the spectrum. Outside of the tiny amount of sonar that I gain from Meditation, I realize I don't have a lot in the way of sensory skills. At least nothing that would be considered super human anyway.
Flicking on my radio I try to tune in to the proper channel I used to communicate with Tenenbaum last time. Best case scenario, I get it right and I can find a way to get to her. Worst case scenario, I tip my hand too early, and Sophia Lamb is alerted to my presence. I have no doubt that she prepared for the possibility of my return. I ran through Rapture like a bull in a China shop, showing off a plethora of my abilities. If she didn't prepare some sort of countermeasure for me, I would eat my hat!
Well, I don't exactly own a hat to eat, but the point still stands. She is not to be underestimated.
I finally dial the radio into the required frequency.
"Brigid? Can you read me? A little birdie told me you could use a friend so I came to see if I could help." I speak into the radio.
The radio was dead silent. And it remained so.
I was afraid that I had remembered the wrong channel when the radio crackled to life.
"Herr Tavish?" Brigid's voice queried out over the radio.
"The one and only. Imagine my surprise to find out that someone decided to restart a Little Sister program. Good to hear your voice again Brigid." I reply.
"I searched high and low for you, but you appeared to have vanished off the face of the earth with the little ones you rescued. Are they well?" Brigid asked, relief seeping into her voice.
"They are fine. They are receptive to therapy and are getting better by the day. I predict that they will all lead relatively normal lives when its all said and done." I return, hearing a sigh of relief over the channel.
"Good, they deserve that much at least. We appear to have re-entered Rapture during a turbulent time Tavish. I'm residing in a Security booth at the Atlantic Express train station. Where are you?" She asked.
Looking around and spotting a sign, I reply; "A place called Adonis Luxury Resort if the sign next to me is to believed."
I hear her curse in German before replying; "Certain parts of Rapture were cut off from the whole as the city continued to degrade. The main walkways are cut off with the exception of a few vents. You're going to have to either find a way to drain the water, or exit to walk along the seafloor until you find another way in."
"No worries. I've improved my armor since last time. A short ocean walk should be no trouble." I return, double-checking my armor seals.
"Then we eagerly await your arrival." She returns, before hanging up the radio.
We? Is there anyone else waiting beside the little sisters? Sinclair maybe?
I don't spend long dwelling on it as I search for an airlock.
My conversation with Brigid confirmed that I was in the same universe as my previous visit, and the challenge coin should have dropped me off near the beginning of the game, so where was Subject Delta?
I'm fairly certain he should be running around at this point. Eleanor was already "rescued" by Sophia two years before I interfered at Rapture, so their was no chance that she was among the ones that I had rescued thus far, so she should be planning her escape about now.
I am also aware that she is acutely aware of my presence thanks to the Little Sister that was now standing in my path.
From what I was able to glean through the game, was that Eleanor had a connection with the Little Sisters thanks to the ADAM that she had been injected with, and she had a bit of a connection with Delta through their pairing bond link.
If that was true, then the adorable little munchkin was serving as a way for Eleanor to observe me.
So I did the one thing that came naturally.
I picked her up and set her on my shoulder.
The Little Sister was stunned for a moment before finding a more comfortable spot. My new destination was a nearby vent so I could find another airlock.
"Big sister Eleanor wants to know who you are?" The little girl phrased it as a question.
"I'm not surprised Ms. Eleanor doesn't remember me. I was last here eight years ago stopping the schemes of Ryan and Fontaine." I reply, treading down the hallway.
The little girl was silent for a while before replying; We remember the Apex Daddy running around a long time ago. You rescued a lot of sisters. Why come back?"
"Because the sisters need my help again, both big and small. Would Ms. Eleanor like my help while I'm helping the others?" I offer to reach the vent.
"If you can, let Sister Eleanor out of her cage." The Little Sister replied as I took her off my shoulders.
My hands glowed as they reverted the Little Sister back into a normal little girl.
"Alright little one, make your way back to Mama Tenenbaum, and she'll take care of you." I state, helping her up to the vent.
"Thank you Mr. B! See you later!" She cheered sliding out of sight into the darkness of the vent.
[Time Skip]
The airlock was easy to find, and my walk across the ocean floor was amazing! It surprised me that I didn't run into any splicers in the resort, but I wasn't complaining.
Wandering across the ocean floor was a uniquely different experience that I hadn't done thus far over the course of my adventures.
I would have to find time to do this at a later date, possibly with a specially designed armor. The sheer vastness of the areas I wandered through was breathtaking. Maybe this required a vacation to a Subnautica world at some point? Something to mull over at least.
Finding an entry point to the Atlantic Express train station was fairly easy. I stepped into the airlock and watched it cycle in breathable air, and open to reveal the inside of a diver prep room filled with diving suits and other equipment for venturing out into the murky depths.
A splicer runs in through the door swinging a wrench wildly at me; "A new fishy fresh in from the drink! Give me your ADAM!
The tip of my lance pierced through his throat silencing his screeches, but that was more than enough to rouse more splicers from their hiding places.
The time since I was last here had reduced the number of Splicers, but those that remained had gotten stronger, and far more aggressive than the ones that I had encountered before. Their very genetic structure causing mutants and aberrations to be prevalent among these drug-addicted psychopaths.
Many splicers appeared to have discarded the masquerade masks in favor of blank masks sporting a blue butterfly motif on the face.
Gripping the long handle of the lance with both hands, I rip through the toughened skin of another slicer spilling his intestines onto the floor.
It was slightly odd using an unfamiliar weapon before I quickly adjusted, sweeping the haft and tripping another splicer before impaling him on the end of the lance.
Flicking the lance, the twitching body impacts the wall with a loud splat. While it made for good practice, the lance was ill suited for tight spaces so it shifted back to its axe form. I'll definitely be using the lance another time. Maybe develop a spear or halberd design for Stormreaver?
I continue clearing out any splicer that is unfortunate enough to cross my path, once more carving a bloody swath through Rapture.
In the background I could hear Sophia Lambs periodic announcements for "the good of the Rapture family."
Honestly, her Utopian society just sounded like communism with extra steps for the most part. Her common good/ greater good without free will, was a concept that was repugnant to me. As a gamer, hell, as a person, I put a tremendous amount of value in the expression of free will. The ability to dance how you wanted, the ability to paint what you desire, how to sing, how to run, how to love, simple stuff.
Sure, it wasn't perfect, people abused free will all the time. I supported free will to the extent that it doesn't interfere with someone else's life or version of free will.
That said, there are consequences for having too much free will. Running around killing random people or performing actions that are general anemia to the general populace will result in the society you are a part of to strip you of your free will.
The trick is to find the society that matches your version of free will the closest to live your happiest life. Either that or go live in the woods by yourself.
It doesn't bother me so much when people choose to live in a commune or in a society whose views are opposed to mine, as long as they have the option to leave. Here, Lamb is basically a pied piper dangling ADAM in front of the masses, with the only people not driven to madness were holding positions of power within her little cult with their own degrees of belief in what she was saying. When times became hard, Lamb's promise of equality sounded pretty good to the poor and destitute.
If given the option, Lamb would rather everyone live in misery over one person finding their own way to live in satisfaction. Elanor was to be her Utopian if she had her way.
I don't mind helping out someone I know or someone in need, but only if they were willing to help themselves. I didn't have the time nor the wish to help out every single person I came across. Sure, if they were in danger of dying or in a bind of some sort I'll lend a hand, but for the most part, I was only concerned with me and mine.
A splicer with crystal protrusions attempted to impale me with an icicle spike only for it to bounce off one of my heavy shoulder plates.
Summoning water from the surrounding area, I encased him in a ball of water, forcing the air out of his lungs.
He surprised me when I watched a set of gills open up on his neck and he attempts to break out of the water bubble.
I guess some beneficial mutations developed as a result of ADAM. This is one of the few mutations that I have seen that actually worked to the benefit of a splicer. Usually, over usage of ADAM resulted in a "melted" look to most splicers because of how unstable their DNA is.
Leaving my musings for later, I discharge my TESILA augment into the water electrocuting the hapless splicer.
New spell learned!
[Drowning Water Prison] (1/100)
Cost: 100 MP per second
Creates a prison of water around the target that forces water into their lungs.
From what I've been able to determine thus far, is that I "learn" spells from either a book, an instructor, or how I shape my magic.
When I use magic, I learn how to channel it in certain ways to achieve certain results. "Learning" a spell, enables a faster casting time once I have identified certain shapes with my magic. Casting the same spell repeatedly, ingrains the flow of the mana for that spell into memory making the spell more efficient at what its supposed to do.
If I wanted to become a truly powerful spellcaster, then I couldn't simply level up in the appropriate class. I had to study, experiment and practice with every spell that I discovered until I can cast it in an instant.
Water was the easiest weapon for me to use and the most plentiful around me, so it was a logical choice to use.
Lightning was my weakest primary element so I needed to improve upon it.
Throwing a basic lightning bolt at another splicer, I mull over possible ways to strengthen it.
A lightning storm is one of earths fundamental forces of nature. A single strike, could shatter rocks, cause explosions, and incinerate flesh under the right circumstances.
In order for this to occur, air causes the collision of particles to supercharge storm clouds with negative electrons. These electrons try to link up with the positive charge of the ground thus forming a lightning bolt as a bridge between positive and negative.
The particles themselves were frozen bits of water so theoretically . . . .
I re-examine the twitching splicer, laying in the remains of the water prison.
Taking control of the water once more, I try to recreate an exothermic process, or in more simpler terms, I attempt to turn the water to ice. The water cools down to a chilled temperature, but it is missing something.
The surrounding air also serves as a factor in freezing water. I attempt to use my wind affinity to drop the temperature further. I'm beginning to see Ice crystals start to form on the splicer's skin when I receive a notification.
Due to "sciencing the shit" out of your problem, you have discovered the "Ice" affinity.
In order to unlock it fully, you must max your "Water" and "Wind" affinities.
Ice Affinity: 1% (Locked)
Perk Discovered
[The Martian: Mark Watney Edition!]
When in doubt, you don't give up. You buckle down with what you know! This perk applies a 10% bonus when attempting to solve your problems with your scientific knowhow!
Two for the price of one, not bad.
Still, that explains why I haven't been able to unlock my storm or plant affinities yet. I just have to max out the prerequisite affinities first!
Thankfully, Rapture is full of test subjects who are willing to help me with this endeavor!
I grin darkly at the newest splicer to poke their head out, wind whipping around my fingertips.
Swinging my arm, a blade of wind slashes his chest open, causing blood to gush out like a fountain.
New Spell discovered
[Wind Blade]
Cost: 250 MP per blade
Forms wind into a blade that slashes into the target.
Wind Affinity: 28%
Baby steps.
[Time Skip]
[Brigid's POV]
A sense of relief set in when Herr Tavish hailed me over the radio.
I was truthful when I stated that I had looked all over for him, but no matter how hard I looked, I could not find hide nor hair of the anomaly known as Tavish Byrne.
His presence in Rapture shook the city to its foundations, so maybe it was better that the world at large hadn't incurred his ire.
He seemed to dedicate his time to his own curiosity more than anything else, but wouldn't hesitate to step in on behalf of the little sisters.
My thoughts returned to earth as I returned to the task of rescuing more of the little ones, taking great care not to be spotted by any cameras or splicers as I tracked another one down.
Part of their conditioning caused the little ones to follow certain routes as they gathered ADAM, and as one of the original people who created the program, it was easy to detect their routes.
I finally discovered a little one wandering about one of the train workshops. Gently coaxing her over with a few key phrases ingrained in her programing, I was able to pick her up.
"The Bitch is trying to steal ADAM from the Rapture family! Stop her!" I hear a screech overhead.
Glancing up, I spy the spindly form of a Splicer hanging in the rafters up above.
Several doors opened as multiple splicers came into the room through various openings.
I aimed my pistol, and then the worst happened.
The Little Sister in my arms screamed.
This was shortly followed by a primal whale call, along with the pounding of large feet heading towards us.
Normally this would be fine, as this is the automatic response of a little sister, to call a Big Daddy. The problem lied in the fact that I was in the room holding the sister. The Big Daddy would target anyone and anything that could possibly threaten the sister, regardless of their intentions.
The pounding footsteps grew louder as I opened fire on the splicers. If I play this right, I may be able to escape the impending confrontation with a possible broken limb.
A bulkhead door nearby blew off out of its placement and was flung into the crowd of splicers.
It was shortly followed by a glowing axe that ripped through another three splicers before impaling itself in the wall.
An armored arm coated in blue lightning reached out of the dust cloud punching through the chest of a splicer attempting to grab the little one.
"Unzip them Mr. B!" The Little Sister cheered as the dust settled to reveal the armored form of Tavish. Looks like he continued to improve upon his armor even after leaving Rapture if the updated plating is anything to go by.
I found myself commenting despite the situation; "Mr. Byrne, you do realize that those bulkheads are for in the event of flooding?"
[Tavish POV]
I chuckle at the absurdity of the comment; "Well maybe it would help this hellhole sink quicker." I reply, throwing a wind blade into one of the assembled groups of splicers.
Grabbing control of the standing water throughout the room, tentacles of water rise around the invading splicers.
They sharpen into points and lunge at the combatants, ripping through the splicers, and showering the surroundings in a spray of blood.
"Pretty!" The little sister exclaimed as the bloody rain came down around us.
"A tad excessive, but efficient. I've only observed Big Sisters with that level of control over water." Brigid commented.
New Spells Created
[Water Spear] (1/100)
Cost: 100 MP per spear
Creates a spear of water for you to impale your enemies.
[Leviathans Playground] (1/100)
Cost: 700 MP per second.
Merges your mana into an existing body of water to turn it into an object of your will. Create shields, spear enemies, everything is a possibility as long as you have the Mana and the imagination to supply it.
Holy shit.
If these are the kind of spells I can create with a little bit of ingenuity, I definitely need to revisit all of the possible magic I come up with. Iris, this seems slightly broken, why is that?
The system bases restrictions on the individual gamer on a case-by-case basis.
You are more often than not to "stop and smell the roses" as it were, thus you were given a loose set of rules to play around with.
While some classes require you to use your ingenuity to create spells, others have a pre-determined list to draw from based off of their power level, their type, or their rarity.
The game has gifted you a ton of shit to potentially "break the game" but you hardly tapped into any of it. When you do, its usually to solve an object of curiosity for you at the time.
While you are grinding some to get stronger, its more of a passive grind as you need various things. If you were power gaming, your systems rules would be significantly tighter to prevent you from going power mad and trying to dominate the system itself.
That happens?
Eh, once every few millennia we get a gamer ill-suited for the system and they try to bend it to their will.
They always get the shit kicked out of them by other gamers when that happens.
Anyway, to put things in context, why are you grinding up your water and wind affinities?
So, I can gain access to the Ice affinity.
So you can what?
Use the ice particles to strengthen my lightning strikes.
And after?
Work on strengthening lightning until something else catches my interest.
Case in point, you were literally given a tool that could kill most things in a single hit. Why are you not trying to gain access to it as quickly as possible?
Do I need it right this instant? I prefer exploring my other powers since I'm not under the constraint of a superior being desiring my death. I can make fantastic muffins now thanks to this!
Point proven.
It also signifies untapped potential in a few of your "completed" classes. Your martial artist class was largely untapped during your stint in AOT thanks to the fact that you were leveling your slayer class at the same time. With some of the concepts being interchangeable, the power of martial artist hasn't fully developed.
While you earned the experience from missions, slaying enemies, and various events throughout your adventures, you haven't focused on developing it any further than its basic forms.
Learning and developing new techniques is the base for becoming a powerful hand-to-hand combatant.
On the flip side, your Engineering class and your Technomancy is extremely potent due to the dedication and time you've put towards the classes. Your able to create and develop so many things, and your still barley scratching the surface of what all the skill can accomplish.
Each class represents a generalization of a skillset, its up to you, the gamer, to develop it, and discover the intricacies associated with the class. This is to encourage creativity among gamers so they don't end up as the same copy and paste design.
Wow. The classes were a lot more in depth than I thought. I might have to take a day or two and brainstorm ways to further develop my old classes.
Might make for a good activity to do if I get bored one of these days. Maybe if I ever develop immortality or some other bullshit perk like that, I could dedicate a century or two to figuring that stuff out.
You do realize that "Immortality" is a fairly common perk in the gamer community, right?
A voice from the nearby speakers interrupts my inner discussion with Iris.
"Well, well. Looks like the monster and the scientist show themselves once more." A voice broadcasts out into the room.
"Sophia Lamb." Brigid hissed out glancing around the room and spotting a camera.
"Indeed. While I cannot see your companion Tenenbaum, I can most assuredly see you. Caught with your hand in the Rapture family cookie jar again doctor. That ADAM doesn't belong to you." Sophia sneered over the intercom.
"Slight correction Lamb, these little girls don't belong to you! You see, in the real world, kidnapping, torture, and experimenting on children is considered a capital offense in a large number of countries. Your propagation of this exploitation would see you treated worse than most war criminals on the world stage." I interject, allowing my voice to be recognized by the audio transmitters.
"The people of the world would fail to recognize my achievements down here. My utopian society is nearing its completion." Lamb states dismissively.
"Oh? You mean your little plan to pump your own daughter full of ADAM and enslave her to the people? You saw what happened to Dr. Alexander, ignoring the fact that young Eleanor has adapted to ADAM thanks to her sea slug, your willing to risk your daughter's health and wellbeing? To chain her to the fate of being a mindless drone to the masses?" I reveal, causing Brigid to start and look at me with wide eyes.
"She will bring about unity of the human race, uniting the hearts and minds of the people." Lamb stated with conviction.
A loud scream echo's throughout the area.
"Unfortunately, you two will not be accepted as a part of the Rapture family. Big Sister is coming to punish you. For your crimes of stealing from the family, you will not be allowed to join us in the new age." Sophia announced as the screams got closer.
"Herr Tavish, we must move quickly. While you may be strong enough to handle a Big Sister, I doubt you could stop her from flooding the room." Brigid stated, hurrying towards the door.
"No worries. Just watch." I reply, as a Big Sister drops down from the ceiling and starts prowling towards me.
Big Sister
Lvl – 100
Thoughts- curiosity, peace.
The previously agitated protector observed me for a moment before her viewing port switched to green and wrapped me in a hug.
[Apex Big Daddy]
You are recognized as a predator above your own kind. Little Sisters recognize you as one of their protectors. They can more easily find you and vice versa. Other Big Daddy's will recognize you as a higher authority and Big Sisters are tranquil in your presence.
On the inside, these big sisters still had a bit of little sister instinct inside of them. Sure, they were a bit unstable, but hopefully, Tenenbaum would figure out how to reverse its effects.
I gently pat her on the top of the helm and she makes a low pitch whale call in response.
"I-incredible! I have never seen a Big Sister relax like that around anything! Even other Daddies! How the hell can you do this thing?!" Brigid stuttered, shock splashing across her features.
"My Daddy is better than the other daddies." The Little Sister Brigid is holding states, nodding solemnly.
"T-this is impossible! You have ahold of him! Kill him already and bring me the little monster!" Lamb raved over the loud speaker.
The Big Sister lazily let go and stretched like a cat before hopping up onto my shoulder as if she was a little sister again. She was surprisingly light for her size as she settled into her new perch.
Sophia Continues to scream out orders over the intercom as we wander off towards Brigid's safe house.
[Time Skip]
After going a little ways, we started disabling camera's so we didn't give away Brigid's sanctuary. While Lamb couldn't see myself, the rest of the group didn't have that luxury.
We finally came up to the security office that Tenenbaum had turned into her safe haven. Brigid reached up and knocked on the bulkhead in a specific pattern. After a moment of silence the door slid open to reveal a man wearing slacks and suspenders.
Augustus Sinclair
Business Man
Lvl – 45
Thoughts – Surprise
"Well now doc, I really wish you had called ahead. Here I thought you were jus' heading out for a stroll, and here you are returning with company. I don't suppose any of them work for Lamb now do they?" Sinclair questioned in mock exasperation.
Brigid let out a short bark of laughter before replying; "No they don't. Herr Tavish gave her quite the telling off when encountering her the first time."
"Lady was drinking too much of her own Kool-Aid, I'm just surprised to meet someone so intelligent, yet batshit insane." I supply, drawing a laugh from Sinclair.
"Your all-right kid. Allow me to introduce myself, Augustus Sinclair Esq. at your service." He offered, shaking my hand.
"Tavish Byrne, a pleasure Mr. Sinclair. I assume we are all here for a similar purpose?" I ask, getting a so-so gesture from the businessman.
"Yes and no sport. I'm not as vested in the Little Sisters as Ms. Tenenbaum is. But our goals align nicely for the situation. Brigid wants to stop Lamb and rescue the sisters, while I'm fixin' on getting out of this joint. Both of these goals require prying Lamb out of her hidey-hole in Persephone."
"It just so happens I have a submersible stashed in that neck of the woods that would be ideal for getting out of this hellhole. Loaded with a couple of miscellaneous odds and ends of course so I can start up a company again on the surface." He finished explaining, scratching the back of his head sheepishly.
"No worries mate, I don't plan on standing in your way for that stuff. Once we're out of here, your free to do what you wish with your life though I think leaving the ADAM down here may be best for everyone." I reply prompting a quick nod from Sinclair.
"I didn't intend to. This whole mess is probably better off left to be contained within this watery prison." He returned, shifting slightly.
"Agreed. Now, Herr Tavish, please fill me in on what Lamb's plan is regarding her daughter."
I fill them both in on Lamb's plan as we get settled, the little sister wandering off to play with the other sisters, while the Big Sister hung around close to me, quietly observing.
"It appears our work is cut out for us because if my calculations are correct, Sophia will have enough ADAM to perform the transformation soon." Brigid stated, scribbling out a rough equation on how much ADAM would be required for the procedure.
"More than that. I heard a few whispers last week about Lamb destroying the DNA of the Big Daddy that little Eleanor was linked to. Apparently, the smart little cookie figured a way to repurpose the Vita-Chambers to resurrect her protector. When Lamb found out she was livid, and destroyed the sample. Its part of the reason that the resort was cut off from everything else. Lamb blew up the Vita-Chamber that the DNA resided in." Sinclair added in.
"Then that means we don't have much time. Herr Tavish, you are recognized as a Daddy by the sisters yes? Can you communicate with Eleanor at all?" Brigid questioned.
"I can talk to her through another sister, but I don't carry the same bond that other Daddies do. While they recognize me as a protector, I also don't share the mutation configuration that enables me to talk to a specific sister. I can locate one in danger, and I can get a general sense of direction on where they are located, but I have not been able to contact a specific sister. It might be something she has to do on her end." I state, removing my helmet.
"Sister Eleanor can help with that." A small voice interjects into our conversation.
I glance down at the Little Sister that managed to sneak up on us.
Gently picking her up, I address the sister; "How can Ms. Eleanor help with that?" I question.
The little girl sighed in exasperation; "With ADAM Mr. B! Big Sister said she could form a connection if she provides the ADAM for the connection."
She pulled out a glowing red tube from a pocket on her dress and presented it to me.
I used observe on the tube.
[ADAM Connection]
Provides a connection to a "Sister" enabling long distance communication along with a few other surprises.
I stare at the vial for a couple of minutes and I let my nanomachines analyze it. They confirmed it was nothing harmful so they absorbed it.
[Gamer's Mind Activated]
[Negating Alpha Series pseudo bond]
[Searching for replacement]
[Suitable replacement Found]
[Apex Series Bond]
Just as you are a special Big Daddy, you need a special Little Sister. This bond provides a nice little mind link for ease of communication. While your life isn't linked to finding Eleanor, you will receive a substantial penalty if anything bad happens to your Little Sister. Grants adaptation of Little Sister Cure Plasmid.
[A Sister's Savior]
Enables you to revert Sisters to normal, regardless of size. Causes the ADAM in their bodies to revert them back to their original looks and mental state.
Well, this is certainly a surprise.
"Tell me about it." A new voice comments in my head.
Eleanor?
"The one and only. I got pulled here after you took the ADAM. Your mind is a weird place Mr. Byrne" Eleanor commented.
I could feel her presence observing through my senses.
As if I didn't have enough voices in my head already.
[Interlude: All over the Omniverse]
[Eleanor's POV]
I was hesitant to offer a bond to the supposed Big Daddy. It wasn't till I had viewed some of the other Little Sisters memories that I realized that he would provide an excellent opportunity to escape.
Splicers ran in fear of him, Sisters one and all saw him as their protector, and he wasn't under anyone's obligation, save his own.
So, in a leap of faith, I offered the bond.
When the bond formed, I expected to sense his presence, maybe pass a thought or to back and forth. What I didn't expect, was his memories. I saw a vast, open world filled with giants and surrounded by walls. A grand forested world filled with sentient machines. I saw a land filled with fire and hellish abominations, and a city made of metal.
Other universes.
I had contemplated the topic once, what if I had stayed as a little sister? What if I had managed to resurrect Father?
These were thought I had quickly squashed because I had to find a new way to escape mother, but now? I saw new possibilities.
What if I went to a world where Rapture was just a fantasy? What if I went to a world where my mothers utopian dream was simply a distant afterthought in the mind of a mad man?
What if?
The man that I had formed a bond with was a walking contradiction of sorts, but he was a traveler. An explorer of the unknown reaches of the universe. His goals and objectives never stayed focused on a single path, always following the route of greatest intrigue.
I smiled slightly to myself drawing whispers from the surrounding scientist.
This rescue mission just got a whole lot more interesting.
[Interlude 2]
[V's POV]
I was still reeling from Tavish's revelation.
Sure, I knew that he was special, but that seemed like understating it by half.
I wandered around Tavish's fortress lost in thought until something ran into my leg.
Glancing down I spotted a little girl rubbing her forehead on the ground.
I gently help her up.
"Thanks pretty lady!" The little girl shouted, running off after her friends.
"You look a bit lost V." A voice comments, causing me to spin around revealing Beth.
"Yeah, its all a bit to take in. Who are the kids?" I ask causing Beth to sigh sadly.
"An unfortunate story that one. They are an experiment run by some very bad people at the expense of their minds and bodies. Tavish rescued them and myself some time ago." Beth explained, leading me down a hall.
"Is that how you two met?" I ask as we pass into a bar like area.
"Kind of. One of the Little Sisters convinced him to resurrect me from the dead." Beth stated nonchalantly, stepping behind the bar.
"He what?! How the hell did he manage that?!" I exclaimed scarcely believing my ears.
"Due to some of the advancements in technology within that city, and a bit of Tavish's ingenuity and I was right as rain after being dead for a year." Beth informed, pouring me out a drink.
After sniffing it and determining it as whisky, I took a sip as Beth poured a drink for herself.
"You know, you look pretty good for a dead woman." I comment after a silence had passed prompting Beth to laugh.
"Thanks. So, care to share your thoughts?" Beth inquired bringing me back to the topic at hand.
"It's just . . . . Tavish the dimensional traveler. It's a lot to take in! I mean, will this change things? Am I supposed to act different? What the hell am I supposed to do with that?" My thoughts pour out like a waterfall to the attentive Beth.
"Tavish is Tavish regardless of what happens V." Beth interrupts my diatribe.
"He will always do what he thinks is best at the time. His brain runs around like a toddler on sugar most of the time, but he always pursues what fascinates him. He found you fascinating V, so he started dating you. There is nothing else to it really."
"He can be a dense moron from time to time, he can be impulsive and it may seem like he is flying by the seat of his pants, but he cares about what you think V, even if he doesn't admit it directly. Elise and I invited you today to give him a kick in the pants to tell you about all of this. He spent a huge chunk of time trying to determine how to tell you Admittedly, he surprised the hell out of me when he just came out and said it. Maybe I should get him in situations like that more often." She commented thoughtfully, twirling her hair around her finger.
This caused me to grin.
"Making eyes at my input now Beth? For shame! I thought you would know better than stealing someone else's man!" I comment mischievously, causing her to blush.
"Well that's not my fault! I was ever so disappointed to find out that he was already taken!" She replies in a false snooty voice causing both of us to burst out into laughter.
Elise eventually joined us and we continued talking late into the evening.
[Tavish POV]
My axe came down on a splicer as I suddenly received two new notifications.
Due to Rep with Beth (Elizabeth Dewitt) reaching 100 you gain a new perk.
[Broken Birds]
People broken by the harshness of life find themselves drawn to you.
+5% rep gains with these people.
Due to Rep with Elise (Elizabeth Comstock) reaching 100 you gain a new perk.
[Caged Creatures]
People who have been falsely imprisoned find you to be a kindred soul.
+5% rep Gains with these people.
Affection
Beth Dewitt (40/100)
Elise Dewitt (45/100)
What the hell is happening back at base?