53: The Cost of Survival

Alex leaned back in his chair, eyes scanning the holographic display as new information scrolled across the screen. The fractured world had opened up before him in a way he never thought possible, and now, with Energy Credits in his account, it was time to start thinking about what they would need to survive—and, if possible, thrive. But first, he had to figure out the costs. In this new world, everything had a price, and that price was measured in raw energy—quite literally.

In this world, 1 Energy Credit equaled 1 unit of electricity. Every transaction, every purchase, boiled down to energy consumption. Alex had earned 500 Energy Credits from his last repair job, which now felt like a drop in the ocean when he saw what people were paying for essentials. The scale of everything was massive.

"AI," Alex said, fingers tapping the console, "I want to see the current market prices for essential items—food, gear, energy storage, anything related to survival."

"Accessing the global marketplace," the AI responded. Within moments, the screen populated with rows of items, each with its own description, price, and shipping details. The vast inventory of goods was both overwhelming and eye-opening.

The Price of Food

The first thing Alex focused on was food. In the Rust Quarter, they had barely survived on processed rations and whatever small animals they could trap. The idea of fresh food had become almost mythical. But now, the fractured world's marketplace showed him what was possible.

He opened the food category, eyes widening as he saw the range of available items. Everything from processed survival bars to hydroponically grown vegetables was listed, but the prices shocked him.

Survival Bars (Pack of 10): 1,500 Energy Credits

These bars, densely packed with nutrients, were the staple of many outposts. They could last for months without spoiling, but the price was astronomical compared to what Alex had expected. It wasn't just bland food anymore—surviving on these would cost a fortune.

Hydroponic Vegetables (Mixed Greens, 1kg): 3,600 Energy Credits

Fresh vegetables were clearly a luxury in this world. The energy required to grow these crops indoors under artificial light was immense, and the price reflected that. Alex marveled at the thought of people regularly buying fresh greens when the cost was so high.

Frostfish (Frozen, 1kg): 4,500 Energy Credits

Harvested from ice lakes, frostfish were a rare source of protein. The energy costs to catch, freeze, and ship the fish made it nearly unaffordable for someone like Alex. He couldn't imagine spending nearly 10 times what he had earned on a single kilogram of fish.

Canned Protein (Synth-meat, 500g): 2,400 Energy Credits

A cheaper alternative to real meat, synth-meat was grown in labs and processed into convenient cans. Even though it was a manufactured product, the energy costs associated with production and preservation still made it expensive.

Alex stared at the prices, doing the mental math. His 500 Energy Credits wouldn't buy much—certainly not enough to keep them fed for long. They needed to find a way to earn a lot more, and quickly, if they wanted to enjoy even basic luxuries like fresh food.

We'll have to stick to survival bars for now, he thought, but even those will eat through our credits quickly.

Survival Gear

Next, Alex turned his attention to survival gear. Their current equipment was functional but outdated. If they wanted to travel further or handle more dangerous conditions, upgrading their gear would be essential.

He opened the category for survival suits, knowing that their suits had saved their lives more than once. The prices here were even more staggering.

Standard Cold-Resistant Suit (Level 1): 6,000 Energy Credits

This was a basic survival suit, offering thermal protection against freezing temperatures. It wasn't much better than what they had, but it was lighter and slightly more durable. Still, at 6,000 Energy Credits, it was far beyond what Alex could afford at the moment.

Advanced Survival Suit (Level 3, Modular): 18,000 Energy Credits

This suit was designed for extreme cold and included modular attachments for energy storage, air filtration, and stealth functions. It was exactly what Alex wanted, but the price tag was daunting.

Energy-Enhanced Suit (Level 4, Self-Charging): 36,000 Energy Credits

The top-tier suit on the market, with built-in turbines that allowed the wearer to generate energy simply by moving, powering both the suit's internal systems and the wearer's own energy reserves. This suit was more than a luxury—it was a complete survival tool. But it was way out of Alex's reach, at least for now.

The numbers were overwhelming, but Alex knew that their current suits wouldn't last forever in this world. He shifted his focus to upgrades for their existing gear, hoping for more affordable options.

Thermal Insulation Upgrade (for existing suits): 4,500 Energy Credits per suit

This upgrade would increase the suit's protection against extreme cold, allowing them to stay outside longer without needing to seek shelter. It was still expensive, but far more feasible than buying an entirely new suit.

Energy Storage Pack (for existing suits): 6,000 Energy Credits

This small, portable energy pack could be attached to their suits, allowing them to store extra energy and use it when needed. It wouldn't be as efficient as the self-charging suit, but it would provide some flexibility.

Reinforced Plating (for existing suits): 7,500 Energy Credits per suit

This upgrade would provide additional protection against physical threats like falling debris or attackers. It was designed for scavengers and explorers who faced danger both from the environment and other survivors.

Alex made a mental note to prioritize the thermal insulation upgrade for their suits. Being able to survive longer in the cold would give them more time to scavenge and explore without worrying about exposure. The energy storage pack was also tempting, but at 6,000 credits, it would take a few more jobs to afford it.

Energy Storage and Personal Use

Energy was the true currency of this world—not just in the form of credits, but in the raw power needed to fuel everything from survival gear to personal enhancements. Alex was curious about the price of energy cells, knowing that having extra energy on hand could make all the difference.

Small Energy Cell (Standard, 500 units): 3,000 Energy Credits

A basic energy cell, used to power small devices or provide a temporary boost to a suit's energy reserves. Even at this size, the cost was substantial.

Medium Energy Cell (1,500 units): 7,500 Energy Credits

This cell could store a significant amount of energy, enough to power a suit's systems for an extended period or recharge a small energy storage unit. It was an investment, but Alex could see its value.

Large Energy Cell (3,000 units): 15,000 Energy Credits

The top-tier energy cell available, large enough to store power for an entire small outpost for days. It could be used to recharge suits, repair equipment, or even absorb energy for personal enhancements. But at 15,000 credits, it was beyond what Alex could imagine affording anytime soon.

The prices were staggering, but Alex knew that having extra energy on hand would provide them with options. He decided to aim for a small energy cell first, then work his way up as their resources grew. Having reliable energy storage would make them much more self-sufficient in the long run.

Transportation

The idea of traveling beyond the Rust Quarter intrigued Alex, but moving through the frozen world was no small task. He checked the prices for different types of transportation, hoping there might be something within their reach.

Hoverboard (Personal Transport): 24,000 Energy Credits

A compact personal transport device, powered by a small energy cell. The hoverboard would allow Alex and his group to move more quickly across the snow-covered landscape, but the cost was prohibitive.

Snowcrawler (Small Vehicle): 45,000 Energy Credits

A small, all-terrain vehicle designed to navigate through snow and ice. The snowcrawler could carry up to three people and a small amount of cargo, making it perfect for medium-distance travel. But at 45,000 Energy Credits, it would require months—if not years—of work to afford.

Icebreaker Hovercraft (Large Vehicle): 120,000 Energy Credits

The ultimate form of transport in the frozen world, this massive hovercraft could break through ice and snow with ease, carrying large groups and supplies. But the cost was astronomical, far beyond anything Alex could dream of affording.

The snowcrawler caught Alex's attention the most. It was still far too expensive for them now, but the idea of being able to travel freely across the ice-covered plains without fear of the elements was tempting. For now, though, it was just a dream.